
Izakaya Matsuri
Makiki Ako, Honolulu
Restaurant in Honolulu, United States
The Read
Dress
Casual
Why go
Izakaya Matsuri is a practical Honolulu dinner pick for small groups that want an easy Japanese-style night without a formal private-dining setup. The appeal is flexibility and a dinner-only schedule, not published awards, chef detail, or advance menu certainty, so it suits relaxed planners better than occasion diners who need every detail locked in.
About Izakaya Matsuri
Izakaya Matsuri is a Honolulu dinner option with a limited public profile. The schedule is Tuesday through Saturday from 5–10 p.m. with closures on Monday and Sunday, so the practical question is whether that evening window fits the plan.
Details are spare: the dress code is casual, no awards, price tier, seat count, private room, chef, signature dishes, or menu specifics are available. Treat it as a place to evaluate with those limits in mind rather than as a venue whose full experience can be planned in advance. If your group needs more certainty before committing, confirm details directly or compare it with other Honolulu dining options such as Japanese BBQ Yoshi or Sushi Izakaya Gaku.
Use it for dinner, not a formal private-dining plan
The private-dining angle is simple: it does not list a private room or seat count, so do not build a large celebration, corporate meal, or dedicated-space plan around it without checking directly. It makes more sense to consider Izakaya Matsuri for a casual evening plan that fits the posted hours.
For planning, keep the comparison practical. Japanese BBQ Yoshi and Sushi Izakaya Gaku are natural alternatives to review if you are weighing other Honolulu dinner options. If the group wants a different kind of meal, La Pizza Rina or Honolulu Burger Co. may be useful alternatives to consider.
The practical call: good for flexible diners, weaker for planners
Consider Izakaya Matsuri when the night is dinner-focused, the dress code can stay casual, the group is comfortable confirming any important details directly. Skip it for lunch, Sunday, or Monday plans, because the hours do not support those times. Also look elsewhere, or call ahead, if you need menu detail, seating information, private-room availability, allergy accommodations, or a defined price range before arrival.
Quick reference: open Tuesday to Saturday from 5–10 p.m.; closed Monday and Sunday; casual dress code; limited detail beyond hours and dress code.
Planning details
- Location
- 1436 Young St #103, Honolulu, HI 96814
- Reservations
- Book on OpenTable
- Website
- matsurihawaii.getbento.com
- Phone
- +18087455858
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Izakaya Matsuri sits quietly in a mid‑city, working neighborhood on Young Street, trading spectacle for steady, approachable hospitality. It reads like the sort of local drinking house that caters to regulars: modest, street‑facing, and focused on the slow rhythms of evening service. The mood favors relaxed conversation and communal sharing rather than formal dining theater. Though compact and unpretentious, Matsuri channels a classic izakaya sensibility—warm, uncomplicated, and rooted in neighborhood routines—making it feel familiar and reliably welcoming to both locals and visitors who seek an authentic after‑work scene.
Best For
Matsuri is best suited to evening occasions—after‑work drinks, casual hangouts, and low‑key date nights where the point is small plates and conversation. The writeup emphasizes that the izakaya format “comes alive after work,” so dinners and later nights are the clearest fit. Because it sits off the tourist routes in a residentially scaled stretch of Honolulu, the restaurant favors regulars and neighborhood crowds rather than formal business dinners or tourist-centric celebrations. Travelers looking for a genuine local spot to share plates and drinks will find it especially appropriate.
Ordering Tips
The menu highlights classic Japanese izakaya fare, with signature items listed as omakase sushi, chirashi, and uni—good anchors for a meal. Lean into the small‑plate, shareable approach and pair selections with beer, sake, or shochu if available; the description specifically links the format to cold beer and sake culture. If omakase is offered, let the chef guide the selection to sample high‑quality nigiri and uni. Opting for a mix of a focused sushi selection and a few small plates mirrors the neighborhood izakaya way of dining.
Venue details
Ambiance
Cozy, small, and relaxing Japanese atmosphere.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Accessibility
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Casual
- Noise Level
- Quiet
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Standard
- Capacity
- Intimate
Signature Dishes
- omakase sushi
- chirashi
- uni
Planning details
Location
1436 Young St #103, Honolulu, HI 96814 · Directions
Also consider
Also Consider
- La Pizza Rina, Notable alternative
- J−Shop, Notable alternative
- Japanese BBQ Yoshi, Notable alternative
- Sushi Izakaya Gaku, Izakaya, Izakaya
- Honolulu Burger Co., Notable alternative
Restaurant context
How it compares for Honolulu dinner plans
Sushi Izakaya Gaku is the closest peer because it shares the izakaya category. Choose Sushi Izakaya Gaku if the group wants the more direct izakaya cross-shop; choose Izakaya Matsuri if easier booking and a simpler dinner plan matter more than chasing a clearly defined reputation.
Japanese BBQ Yoshi is better for groups that want a more structured Japanese dinner built around the table experience. Izakaya Matsuri is better for a looser meal where the group can order flexibly. For mixed-preference groups, La Pizza Rina and Honolulu Burger Co. are safer fallback choices because they ask less of diners who are not specifically looking for Japanese food.
J−Shop is the practical comparison for readers who want a Japanese food stop rather than a sit-down dinner decision. If the night needs ambiance and a seated group meal, Izakaya Matsuri is the better fit; if the priority is a lower-commitment Japanese stop, J−Shop is easier to slot into the day.
Explore Honolulu
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Izakaya Matsuri guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Izakaya Matsuri
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Izakaya Matsuri | Honolulu | ; | No published awards |
| La Pizza Rina | Honolulu | ; | No published awards |
| J−Shop | Honolulu | ; | No published awards |
| Japanese BBQ Yoshi | Honolulu | ; | No published awards |
| Sushi Izakaya Gaku | Honolulu | Izakaya | 2026 OAD Casual in North America Recommended2025 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #3462024 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #3862023 OAD Casual in North America Recommended |
| Honolulu Burger Co. | Honolulu | ; | No published awards |
How Izakaya Matsuri Honolulu compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Izakaya Matsuri accommodate groups?
There is no seat count or private-room information available, so group plans should be confirmed directly with Izakaya Matsuri. For larger or more structured plans, compare other Honolulu options such as Japanese BBQ Yoshi before committing.
Is lunch or dinner better at Izakaya Matsuri?
Izakaya Matsuri offers dinner only. It is open Tuesday through Saturday from 5–10 p.m. and is closed on Monday and Sunday. If you need daytime flexibility, consider another Honolulu option such as Honolulu Burger Co.
Can I eat at the bar at Izakaya Matsuri?
Bar or counter seating is not listed. If that detail matters, confirm directly with Izakaya Matsuri before planning around it. Sushi Izakaya Gaku is another Honolulu venue to compare while making plans.
Does Izakaya Matsuri handle dietary restrictions?
Dietary and allergy accommodations are not listed. Anyone with strict requirements should contact Izakaya Matsuri directly before dining, or choose another venue with clearer publicly available information. J−Shop may be another option to compare.
Is Izakaya Matsuri good for a special occasion?
It may work for a low-key dinner if the Tuesday-to-Saturday 5–10 p.m. schedule fits and casual dress is appropriate. It does not list private-room or seat-count information, so confirm directly before planning a formal celebration. La Pizza Rina is another Honolulu option to consider for a casual group meal.
What are alternatives to Izakaya Matsuri in Honolulu?
Other Honolulu venues to compare include Sushi Izakaya Gaku, Japanese BBQ Yoshi, J−Shop, La Pizza Rina, Honolulu Burger Co. Choose based on the schedule, group needs, any details you can confirm directly.
















