Located inside Neiman Marcus Ala Moana, Espresso Bar is a popular Honolulu lunch spot! Casual and tasty, this place is popular for oxtail soup, chicken pot pie, daily soups, and wonderful cakes for dessert. No reservations necessary.
Location
Espresso Bar is at Ala Moana Shopping Center (here's all the good stuff to eat at Ala Moana). The restaurant is located on the first floor of Neiman Marcus.
Neiman Marcus has 2 restaurants: Mariposa on the 3rd floor and Espresso Bar on the 1st floor. Mariposa is the fancy restaurant - it's a popular spot for business lunches, celebration lunches, and anytime you want a nice lunch. It's open for dinner, but more popular for lunch.
Espresso Bar is also a sit down restaurant, but much more casual. You don't need reservations. You can have a full lunch or just coffee and dessert. They also offer takeout. It's a great spot for pre or post shopping lunch. Come alone, or come with friends. It's a good spot!
What To Get
Oxtail Soup!
Oxtail soup is only available on Thursdays and it always sells out. Go at opening for this. One big piping hot bowl of oxtail soup, generous on the oxtails and baby bok choy. Peanuts on top (optional).
The soup comes with a side plate that includes rice, grated ginger, shoyu / soy sauce and mustard, and cilantro. Those are the main accompaniment that you need for local style oxtail soup!
Can't make on Thursday? Make oxtail soup at home - here's our tried and true recipe.
Daily Specials.
Espresso Bar is open 7 days a week and they have a daily special. Oxtail Soup is the Thursday special but don't overlook the other days!
One of my favorites is Turkey Chili on Tuesdays. Comes with cheese and tomatoes on top. Salad on the side. Local style chili is the tastiest kind of chili!
We always eat chili with rice in Hawaii (I didn't even know people ate chili without rice until I moved to NYC for college haha).
Other daily specials include Shrimp and Soba Salad on Mondays and Wagyu Beef Meatloaf on Wednesdays. Many people like the Chicken Pot Pie on Saturdays...I will try that soon!
Sandwiches.
Sandwiches make up the bulk of the menu. They're not mind blowing, but they always satisfy well. From the caprese panini to the warm roast beef sandwich, they're simple and good. You can also order the sampler (pictured above) which is a cup of the daily soup plus your choice of a half sandwich (chicken salad, tuna pecan salad, or lobster salad). Comes with salad or chips.
Soup of the day.
Like any great department store restaurant, Espresso Bar makes tasty soup! From kabocha soup to corn chowder, I often order the soup as a starter or side.
Coconut Cake.
We love coconut cake in Hawaii. Espresso Bar does a great one, but they don't always have it. The dessert case is next to the register and if I spot the coconut cake, you can be sure I'm ordering it.
Three layers of fluffy chiffon cake, coconut custard, and whipped cream. Ahhhh, yes! ^_^
When To Go
If you're there for the oxtail soup on Thursdays, go early! Or at least within 30 minutes of opening. This is the one special they always sell out of.
On all other days you can drop by any time they're open 11am-5pm. There is a lunch rush, but it's never too crazy. The afternoons are quieter and great for a coffee and cake meeting!
Insider Tips
If you plan to only eat at the restaurant (and not shop at Ala Moana before/after), the nearest parking area is in the back of Neiman Marcus.
Look for the valet area, and you can either valet or self-park in that open, uncovered lot. The Neiman Marcus entrance door by the valet leads straight into the restaurant.
Neiman Marcus Espresso Bar: Info
- Website
- Address: 1450 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu, HI 96814
- Phone: (808) 951-3445
- Prices (approximate as of this post date): $25 for oxtail soup, $17 for chili, $10-38 for salads, and $17-20 for sandwiches.
Mahalo for Reading!