Cinnamon's Restaurant

Yes, I eat a lot.  However, this time I had an excuse to try a new restaurant...my friends are visiting from out of town.  On Saturday we decided to spend the day in Kailua/Lanikai hanging out on the beach and doing the Lanikai pillbox hike.  Before we got to the beach and pillbox hike, however, we stopped at Cinnamon's in Kailua (315 Uluniu Street, Kailua, HI 96734 - map here).  There is ample meter parking around.

You've heard about those "Mom & Pop" places? hole in the wall? gem of a find? Well, all of those are true in describing Cinnamon's. Friendly, outrageously good food, and so reasonably priced are also true attributes this humble, unassuming, family owned restaurant offers to their many loyal customers.  I had previously looked at their menu online and tried to go here once before, but there was a 45 minute wait and my guest didn't want to stand around that long.  This time, I was determined to go.  As a teaser, you can check out their menu here.  Everything on the menu looks amazing!

So this Saturday we got there around 10:45am.  We thought we'd go for a nice brunch before taking a hike and lounging on the beach.  We showed up and were greeted with a 45 minute wait again.  Undeterred, though, we decided to put our names down and walk around the town for a little while.  When we got back 45 minutes later, we were told that our group of 3 would be next.  At least four or five other groups went before we did (all the while being assured by the hostess that we would be next).  It actually got to a point that we were convinced they were seating people who arrived after we originally did.  Once we were finally seated after about an hour wait, things got better.

Red Velvet Pancakes

To apologize for our delay, they brought us out two fresh cinnamon rolls - macademia cinnamon roll and their signature cinnamon roll - and a plate of DELICIOUS red velvet pancakes covered in white chocolate sauce...all for free.  That put us in a much better mood!  It was clear they were sorry we had to wait forever, but also they clearly want their customers to enjoy themselves.  Together, we ordered the Hawaiian Omelette, Breakfast Meat and Eggs, and the Kalua Pig Eggs Benedict.  I almost want to recommend eating a small snack before going to this place because the wait for food was somewhat long.  It wasn't terrible, but if you're starving then it would be brutal.  Fortunately for us, we had just eaten delicious red velvet pancakes and cinnamon rolls, so we were happy.  Once the food arrived, everything was unbelievable.

I highly recommend going to Kailua and having breakfast at Cinnamon's.  You can easily spend the day in Kailua and Lanikai so try to make a day of it.  Have some breakfast, go kayaking, hike the pillbox, and lounge on the beach.