For those who are wary of 24-hour diners due to images of unsanitary tables and drunken youth, fear not. Mac 24/7 Bar & Restaurant, located at the Hilton Waikiki Beach Hotel on Kuhio, is a refreshingly clean, modern restaurant open at all hours. Serving contemporary American cuisine, the restaurant attempts to embrace the diverse cuisines found in Hawaii. This is evident the variety of ethnic cuisines found on the menu, yet they are fused together effortlessly. Not only is the food diverse, but so are the seating arrangements. Diners can choose from typical counter seating, traditional dining room seating with booths and tables, or one of the private dining areas enclosed by gray transparent curtains that offer privacy. Floor-to-ceiling windows, chic purple walls, and music fit for a lounge will make you forget you ever feared this place would be anything like IHOP.
Mac 24/7 is perhaps most popular for its appearance on Food Network television show “Man v. Food,” on which Adam Richman attempted to complete the Mac Daddy Pancake Challenge: eat five pounds of pancakes the size of manholes and toppings in under two hours. He failed.
However, currently forty-two people have succeeded, and their names and faces now grace the restaurant’s wall of fame. These infamous pancakes are $16 and come in a multitude of unique flavors: hot and wild blueberry with vanilla glaze; banana, walnut and chocolate chunk; pineapple, coconut and macadamia nut; cinnamon streusel with vanilla glaze; and the Elvis (bacon, banana and peanut butter drizzle). Order at your own risk.
If oversized pancakes are not your thing (you can also order more reasonably-sized pancakes), Mac 24-7 offers other delectable dishes, such as smoked salmon benedict, Chinese chicken salad (with grilled chicken and sesame dressing), and fresh island mahi mahi (served over rice with bay scallops, lump crab, and lobster bisque). They have something for everyone, at anytime.
Portions are large. Those used to the dainty portions at similarly priced restaurants in Waikiki will be pleased when served meals in Mac 24/7’s hefty sizes here.
Mac 24/7 is not a secret. Locals and tourists alike know what a good deal this place is, and you’ll often even see celebrities, e.g. that guy from LOST, dining here late at night.
Location: Past the lobby of the Hilton Waikiki Beach Hotel
Hours: All day, every day
