How Many Restaurants Does Lee Anne Wong Have?

Lee Anne Wong Restaurants: Key Takeaways

Lee Anne Wong currently owns 3 restaurants worldwide with locations in the United States and Asia.
Her restaurant portfolio does not include any Michelin-starred establishments but focuses on casual and approachable dining experiences.
Koko Head Cafe is her flagship concept, an island-style brunch house with locations in Honolulu, Tokyo, and Osaka.
Recent expansion from 2023 to 2025 has focused on growing the brand into Tokyo and Osaka while maintaining strong Hawaiian roots.

Chef Lee Anne Wong is known for her dedication to Hawaii-inspired cuisine, with a restaurant footprint that bridges the United States and Asia. Anchored by her popular Koko Head Cafe, she has created a niche in casual dining with island culinary influences.

This article explores how many restaurants Lee Anne Wong owns, highlighting her global presence, key concepts, and her unique blend of island flavors brought to diners around the world. The coverage spans from casual brunch venues to unique Hawaiian eateries.

Lee Anne Wong Restaurants: Global Presence and Restaurant Count

As of 2025, Lee Anne Wong owns a total of 3 restaurants worldwide. Her portfolio is relatively small compared to global celebrity chefs, but it reflects a focused approach on cultivating strong brand identity rooted in Hawaiian culture and cuisine.

These 3 establishments are split primarily between the United States and Asia and include casual dining venues emphasizing approachable island flavors over fine dining or franchising.

Region	Approx. Number of Restaurants	Notable Examples
United States	1	Koko Head Cafe (Honolulu), Papa’aina at the Pioneer Inn (Lahaina, Maui), Hale Ōhuna (Honolulu)
Asia	2	Koko Head Cafe locations in Tokyo and Osaka, Japan
Total (Global)	3	(As of 2025, based on direct ownership)

Lee Anne Wong’s restaurants are all owned directly rather than franchised or licensed, which allows her to maintain close control over quality and concept development.

Her focused presence in both the U.S. (specifically Hawaii) and expanding hubs in Asia reflects a deliberate strategy to grow where island culture and casual dining demand are high.

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Michelin-Starred Flagship Restaurants

Unlike some celebrity chefs, Lee Anne Wong’s restaurant empire does not currently include any Michelin-starred venues. Instead, her portfolio is firmly rooted in casual dining, fast-casual brunch, and island-style eateries.

This approach aligns with her culinary philosophy of accessibility, celebrating local ingredients and relaxed dining rather than exclusive fine dining experiences.

While she has not pursued Michelin recognition to date, her restaurants such as Koko Head Cafe are widely acclaimed for quality and authentic flavor, offering a distinct alternative to the high-end gastronomic scene.

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Notable Lee Anne Wong Restaurant Concepts and Locations

Lee Anne Wong’s portfolio is defined by the popular concept Koko Head Cafe and a few unique island-themed venues entrenched in Hawaiian culture. Her restaurants emphasize casual dining, local sourcing, and approachable pricing.

Koko Head Cafe Restaurants

Koko Head Cafe is the flagship brand that exemplifies Lee Anne Wong’s culinary style: island-inspired brunch and casual dining with an emphasis on locally sourced ingredients.

The concept launched originally in Honolulu, Hawaii, where it quickly became popular for its creative twists on traditional Hawaiian brunch fare.

Between 2023 and 2025, Lee Anne Wong expanded Koko Head Cafe into Tokyo and Osaka, Japan, marking her brand’s first foray into Asia. Both locations maintain the casual brunch format and island identity, catering to a market interested in diverse culinary experiences.

Across all three locations, the average price range per person is approximately $15–$30, making it an accessible option for a wide range of diners.

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Unique Hawaiian Venues

Beyond Koko Head Cafe, Lee Anne Wong owns two additional unique venues in Hawaii that showcase different aspects of Hawaiian food culture:

Papa’aina at the Pioneer Inn is located in Lahaina, Maui. This venue emphasizes traditional island dishes served in a historic setting, providing guests with an authentic taste of local culinary heritage.

Hale Ōhuna in Honolulu is another notable venue owned by Wong, further embedding her brand identity in the Hawaiian food scene with a more intimate dining experience focused on local eating traditions.

Both venues complement the casual and accessible style of Koko Head Cafe, reinforcing Wong’s reputation for deeply rooted island cuisine rather than global fine dining concepts.

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Lee Anne Wong Restaurant Empire: Conclusion

In sum, Lee Anne Wong owns and operates a modest but well-defined restaurant portfolio of 3 restaurants globally, primarily concentrated in Hawaii and supplemented by new expansion efforts in Japan.

While her empire does not include Michelin-starred properties, it reflects a clear focus on casual dining and island flavors, embodied by her flagship Koko Head Cafe brand and supported by unique Hawaiian venues.

Her direct ownership and controlled approach yield a consistent quality and authentic experience in each location, appealing to both locals and tourists interested in approachable, vibrant Hawaiian cuisine.

Overall, Lee Anne Wong’s restaurant group stands out for its cultural authenticity, modest scale, and recent international growth, offering a standout example of a celebrity chef cultivating a strong niche rather than wide global franchising.

As the brand continues to expand in Asia and maintain cherished venues in the United States, Lee Anne Wong’s name remains synonymous with island-style hospitality and inviting casual dining experiences.

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01. How involved is Lee Anne Wong in day-to-day restaurant operations?

Lee Anne Wong maintains a hands-on role in her restaurants, focusing on menu development, ingredient sourcing, and overall brand direction.

Though she may delegate daily management to trusted teams, especially for her international locations in Japan, she stays actively involved to ensure consistency with her culinary vision and operational standards.

02. Are Lee Anne Wong's restaurants expensive — and which ones offer the best value?

Lee Anne Wong’s concepts, especially Koko Head Cafe, are positioned in the casual dining price range, averaging between $15 and $30 per person.

Other venues like Papa’aina and Hale Ōhuna maintain similar pricing, focusing on approachable island cuisine rather than fine dining with higher price points.

This accessibility makes her restaurants great value for diners seeking quality meals with locally inspired flavors at reasonable prices.

03. How does Lee Anne Wong choose new cities or countries for expansion?

Expansion decisions are grounded in aligning target markets with cultural compatibility and demand for Hawaiian-style cuisine.

The move into Tokyo and Osaka was driven by growing interest in diverse brunch formats and island-inspired foods among both locals and tourists in those cities.

Lee Anne Wong prioritizes maintaining the brand’s authenticity while exploring markets where casual, high-quality brunch concepts are gaining popularity.

04. Are Lee Anne Wong restaurants sustainable or locally sourced?

Sustainability and local sourcing are core principles in Lee Anne Wong’s kitchens.

Her flagship, Koko Head Cafe, emphasizes locally sourced ingredients wherever possible, supporting Hawaiian farmers and producers.

While the international locations adapt sourcing based on local availability, the commitment to fresh, sustainable ingredients remains.

05. Can you book Lee Anne Wong's restaurants online — and are there loyalty programs?

Yes, reservations for Lee Anne Wong’s restaurants can typically be made online through their official websites or popular booking platforms.

At present, there is no unified loyalty program spanning all venues. However, selected locations may offer periodic promotions or partner with local rewards systems.

Guests are encouraged to check each restaurant’s booking and membership options individually for the latest information.