Thousands of delicacies in this ocean

For a restaurant to truly stand out these days, it requires much more than just great food. At Oceanarium, where diners get to feast on fresh seafood, dinner comes hand-in-hand with a show that highlight’s some of the island’s most unforgettable marine life.

Located on the main floor of Waikiki’s Pacific Beach Hotel, Oceanarium is home to a state-of-the-art live aquarium, which boasts more than 400 fish and 70 different species, including stingrays, Leopard Groupers and Rainbowfish. “It makes for a really great dining environment,” says manager Kelvin Nakahata. “We have divers come several times a day to feed the fish, which kids love to see.”

Alongside the breathtaking scenery, diners eagerly gather around the buffet table, available each day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. “Our dinner buffet ($45.95 for adults and $47.95 Monday and Thursday, $19.95 for children) is very popular,” says Nakahata. “We concentrate on different items each night, but always offer classics like prime rib, crab legs, pasta, sushi, appetizers, a salad bar and a full line of desserts.”

With so much to choose from, Nakahata recommends diners try a little bit of everything on the buffet roster. “Our prime rib is a popular choice, seasoned with fresh herbs and rock salt and slow-roasted until perfectly tender,” explains the restaurant manager. “Another winner is the seafood pasta, which combines sauteed scallops, calamari, mussels and shrimp with either a white clam or marinara sauce.”

With Father’s Day in full swing, diners are invited to try a special platter of snow crab, king crab and Dungeness crab at tonight’s dinner buffet. In addition to food services, Oceanarium also features a full-service bar with an extensive wine, beer and cocktail list.

Patrons of the restaurant may take advantage of validated parking. Self-parking also is available.

Oceanarium Restaurant

Pacific Beach Hotel
2490 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu
921-6111
Open daily for breakfast buffet, 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.; brunch buffet Saturday– Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and dinner buffet 4:30-10 p.m. (Kamaaina rates available)