Loading...
-
$$$$ | Waikiki |
Enjoy sunset views over the yacht harbor, live music, and signature "Guy-Tai" cocktails at this Waikiki landmark opened in 1969 by surfing legend Joey Cabell. The extensive menu maintains the midcentury notion of fine dining, with oysters Rockefeller, shrimp cocktail, and steaks (including a bison tenderloin from Ted Turner's ranch) alongside poke, macadamia-nut-crusted mahimahi, and the fan-favorite "Joey's ahi mignon." Early birds can take advantage of the "surf break" menu, and there's also a very popular weekend brunch (book in advance). Regulars perch at the bar, and in the dining room, local families, couples, and tourists feast amid the dark, cork-lined walls while admiring the lovely marina.
1765 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu, Hawaii, 96815, USA
Known For
- Sought-after tables on the lanai (book well in advance)
- Old-time steak house atmosphere with live music and strong cocktails
- Generations of regulars
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch
-
$$$$ | |
Michael Mina, a James Beard Award winner, designed an exceptional line-to-table menu that celebrates the local catch and matches the panoramic views from indoor and lanai oceanfront tables. This might be the only restaurant in Hawaii (or the world) to have an on-site “fish sommelier,” who guides you through the mind-boggling array of cooking techniques, flavorings, and portions—from fillet to whole fish—and helps you choose the best matches for your particular palate. Validate your ticket for free valet parking during your meal.
92-1001 Olani St., Ko Olina, Hawaii, 96707, USA
Known For
- Charbroiled Hawaiian seafood tower
- Kona lobster dishes
- Daily happy hour
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch weekdays
-
$$$$ | Waikiki |
Perched along the seawall at historic Gray's Beach, in the luxe Halekulani resort, Orchids is a locus of power breakfasters, ladies who lunch, and those celebrating special occasions at Sunday brunch or dinner. The louvered walls are open to the breezes, sprays of orchids add color, the contemporary international dishes are perfectly prepared, and the wine list is intriguing. Highlights of chef Christian Testa's menu include a prime beef filet appetizer from Harris Ranch, a special lasagnette dish, and an abundance of seafood options. Enjoy sunset cocktails at the adjacent open-air bar, House Without A Key.
2199 Kalia Rd., Honolulu, Hawaii, 96815, USA
Known For
- Island breezes, ocean sounds, and stellar service and food
- Lovely ocean views and live music at sunset
- A menu with something for just about everyone
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential, Collared shirts required for men
-
$$$$ | Waikiki |
The spacious, airy 100 Sails continues the everything-you-can-imagine buffet tradition (with crab legs and prime rib, of course), along with plenty of à la carte small bites, an emphasis on locally sourced ingredients, and a commitment to knock-out presentation. And then there are the views—night after night, the sunsets over the harbor deliver stunning shows of color. For a delicious ending to a perfect day in paradise, accompany those vistas with a signature cocktail and the happy hour platter (cheesy fries, flat breads, taro chips, hummus).
100 Holomoana St., Honolulu, Hawaii, 98615, USA
Known For
- International buffet for every meal
- Views and sunsets to rival those anywhere else in Waikiki
- High-quality food and a huge selection
-
$$$$ | Kaimuki |
Named for its address on Honolulu's premier Waialae Avenue, this restaurant brought fresh dining to Kaimuki when it opened in 1992, inspiring a neighborhood dining renaissance. Loyalists swear by the steaks, the crab cakes, and the signature dish, ahi katsu wrapped in nori (seaweed) and deep-fried, with a wasabi-ginger butter sauce. Others counter that it's overblown and stuck in time. Either way, the romantic atmosphere, attentive service, and neighborhood staying power make it a local winner.
3660 Waialae Ave., Honolulu, Hawaii, 96816, USA
Known For
- Special-occasion restaurant
- Good desserts
- Somewhat dated interior
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. No lunch
-
Recommended Fodor’s Video
-
-
$$$$ | Kakaako |
Housed in a McVilla aimed at attracting a Japanese wedding clientele, this restaurant serves contemporary Continental food that focuses primarily on beautifully plated, well-prepared standards—albeit with a million-dollar view of Honolulu. Perched at the water's edge, with famed surf break Point Panic offshore, 53 by the Sea uses its setting to great advantage—the crescent-shape dining room faces the sea, so even if you’re not at a table nestled against the floor-to-ceiling windows, you have a fine view. Besides dinner, drop in for lunch or cocktails and appetizers at the bar while watching the city lights go up as the sun goes down. Sublime.
53 Ahui St., Honolulu, Hawaii, 96813, USA
Known For
- Odd villa decor that somehow works
- Free valet parking
- On-site wedding chapel in case the mood strikes
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential
-
$$$$ | |
The menus at Turtle Bay Resort’s signature restaurant—a casual but chic open-air space overlooking Turtle Bay and the Seven Mile Miracle—showcase Hawaiian comfort food with a modern, upscale twist, including braised kalbi short ribs, roast chicken with macadamia nut mole, and Salanova lettuce. About 95% of the fresh produce, from lettuce, tomatoes, and breadfruit to apple bananas and kitchen herbs, comes from the 100-acre organic farm across the road and is grown in partnership with longtime local farmers.
57-091 Kamehameha Hwy., Kahuku, Hawaii, 96731, USA
Known For
- Special-occasion dinners
- Sweeping ocean views
- Braised short ribs
-
$$$$ | Waikiki |
This legendary indoor-outdoor restaurant has views of Diamond Head and an expansive terrace on the same level as the beach, so you’ll feel the calm, island vibes as soon as you arrive. Although it's open for breakfast and lunch, Azure has a much more sophisticated atmosphere in the evening, when you can choose from a selection of small or large plates featuring local seafood, meat, and produce, or you can try the chef’s multicourse tasting menu. Desserts, such as the Russian honey cake and the Baked Alaska, are delightful. If you want a coveted beachfront table (you do!), be sure to ask when you make your reservation.
2259 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu, Hawaii, 96815, USA
Known For
- World-class cuisine and excellent service
- Beautifully presented dishes
- Priceless views and pricey menu
-
$$$$ | Waikiki |
Spacious and sprawling, this many-windowed, multilevel room at Hilton Hawaiian Village takes delightful advantage of its perch above the beach, facing Diamond Head. The wine list is exceptional, and the extensive contemporary menu features seafood, steaks, salads, and chops accented with East–West fusion flavors; desserts are impressive, too. The experienced staff, often called on to serve the VIPs who favor this hotel, extend unruffled and gracious service.
2005 Kalia Rd., Honolulu, Hawaii, 96815, USA
Known For
- Partnerships with local producers for farm-to-table offerings
- Attentive staff
- Splurge prices
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch, Reservations essential
-
$$$$ | |
Loyalists of Roy Yamaguchi's celebrated spots in Hawaii Kai and Waikiki are thrilled to find his North Shore outpost—a rustic, beam-and-concrete-floor pavilion literally on the sand at Turtle Bay. All the favorites are served at this more beach-casual spot, from the miso deep-water black cod to the beef short ribs, along with a more casual lunch menu.
57-091 Kamehameha Hwy., Kahuku, Hawaii, 96731, USA
Known For
- Casual, romantic setting right on the beach
- Fresh North Shore ingredients
- Special-occasion celebrations
-
-
$$$$ | Waikiki |
At this elegant, indoor-outdoor restaurant in Waikiki's oldest hotel, try for a table on the veranda, which overlooks the courtyard and a majestic banyan tree. Although it's open all day—and even serves afternoon tea—the Beachhouse is an especially delightful spot for a sunset dinner, when menu options range from crab cakes and paella to pork chops and steaks. The bar mixes up craft cocktails, and there’s a massive wine list as well. If you would rather just sip a drink and have a small bite, grab a seat at the more casual Beach Bar in the center of the courtyard.
2365 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu, Hawaii, 96815, USA
Known For
- Oceanfront dining
- Gourmet dinners and afternoon tea
- Romantic setting
-
$$$$ | Waikiki |
D K Kodama serves steaks that are free from hormones, antibiotics, and steroids and come straight from Oahu's first dry-aging room. Consider trying the 22-ounce paniolo (cowboy) rib eye—dry-aged 30 days on the bone and seasoned with a house-made rub—accompanied by a side of the popular and addictive potatoes au gratin, topped with Maui onions and Parmesan. The steak house shares space, though not a menu, with Kodama's Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar, which has happy hour specials, too. If you sit at the bar perched between the two restaurants, you can order from either one.
2552 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu, Hawaii, 96815, USA
Known For
- Local flavors, local ownership, and locally sourced produce and select meats
- Gluten-free and vegan options
- Sunset views from outdoor tables
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch
-
$$$$ | Waikiki |
Upstairs at International Marketplace and featuring a 2,000-square-foot lanai dining area, casual-chic Herringbone is a lively place for craft cocktails and dinner or weekend brunch. Emphasizing locally sourced seafood, produce, and other ingredients, the menu includes many raw bar options, as well as lobster rolls, king salmon, whole fish, salads, and flatbreads.
2330 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu, Hawaii, 96815, USA
Known For
- Large outdoor dining space
- Beef and chicken options for those who don't love seafood
- Weekend brunch
-
$$$$ | Kahala |
Everything about Hoku's speaks of quality and sophistication: the wall of windows with their beach views, the avant-garde cutlery and dinnerware, the solicitous staff, and the carefully constructed Euro-Pacific cuisine. The tasting menus frequently change, focusing even more on seasonal cuisine made with fresh, local ingredients (including herbs from the hotel's on-site herb garden). It's a popular choice for special occasions or for Sunday brunch, which is now a Japanese teishoku-style set menu. The dress code is collared shirts and slacks for men, elegant aloha for women (that is, no beachwear).
5000 Kahala Ave., Honolulu, Hawaii, 96816, USA
Known For
- Relaxed elegance in the grande dame of Hawaii's social scene
- Panoramic views from every table
- Setting and service that can outshine the food
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch. Tasting or set menus only., Reservations essential
-
$$$$ | Waikiki |
If the Rat Pack reconvened for big steaks and a bigger red, they'd feel right at home at Hy's, which hasn't changed much since it opened in 1976. The formula: prime-grade beef cooked over an open kiawe-wood (mesquite) fire, "old-school" service, a clubby atmosphere, and a wine list recognized for excellence by Wine Spectator. In addition to the signature steaks, specialties include beef Wellington, miso-marinated sea bass, and ahi sashimi fresh from the auction. The restaurant is also known for its Caesar salad and those flambéed desserts rarely seen these days—both prepared tableside, of course.
2440 Kuhio Ave., Honolulu, Hawaii, 96815, USA
Known For
- Dark woods, club chairs, banquettes, and that fabulous 1970s feel
- A wine list fit for the most persnickety palate
- Desserts flambéed tableside
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch, Reservations essential
-
-
$$$$ | Waikiki |
With spectacular Diamond Head views and an elegant, art deco–tinged interior, La Mer is a romantic, second-floor restaurant, where windows open to the breezes and the sounds of the ocean and Halekulani Hotel's nightly hula show. Three-, four-, or seven-course dinners might feature kampachi (amberjack) ceviche with ginger caviar fennel, roasted John Dory with artichokes barigoule (braised in white-wine broth), or tomahawk steak (rib eye) with vegetables. For romance and fine dining without the staggering price tag, visit the restaurant’s L'Aperitif bar, where sophisticated cocktails can be paired with gourmet bites.
2199 Kalia Rd., Honolulu, Hawaii, 98615, USA
Known For
- It doesn't get more romantic than this
- Impressive wine list and a sommelier to match
- Classy bar with cocktail and small-bite pairings
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch, Reservations essential, Long-sleeved, collared (or aloha) shirts required for men
-
$$$$ | |
The buffet restaurant at Disney's Aulani resort offers a wide variety of locally produced items, as well as familiar dishes from stateside and the rest of the world. You'll find sustainable Hawaiian seafood, Asian selections, familiar grilled meats and vegetables, and a kids' menu; an à la carte menu is also available. Arrive early for dinner and have a drink at the adjacent Olelo Room, where the staff are fluent in Hawaiian; you can get a language lesson along with your libation.
92-1185 Aliinui Dr., Ko Olina, Hawaii, 96707, USA
Known For
- True reflection of Hawaii
- Wide array of food to please every member of the family
- Popular Disney character breakfasts (which book up weeks in advance)
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch, Reservations essential
-
$$$$ | Waikiki |
This romantic restaurant on Waikiki's tranquil Gold Coast features beachside sunset views and traditional French fare. It opened in 1962, and the surroundings reflect this, with lots of wood and stone, bow-tied servers preparing lobster bisque and steak tartare table-side, and a charm that's beloved by old-time locals but sometimes lost on younger diners. Among the French classics (garlicky escargots, mustard-crusted rack of lamb) are local twists, such as yellowfin ahi tartare with tobiko (fish roe) and Hawaiian salt or steamed mahimahi. Brunch is served the first Sunday of every month. For a premium table with a jaw-dropping view, reserve weeks in advance.
2895 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu, Hawaii, 96815, USA
Known For
- The sound of the surf and live music most nights
- Classic French cuisine with some local twists
- A pricey experience and a retro vibe
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch, Reservations essential
-
$$$$ | Mapunapuna |
This microscopic sushi bar is an adjunct of a wholesale seafood market. The fish, air-freighted from around the world, is ultra-fresh, well-cut (into huge pieces—to the regret of those who follow the one-bite rule), and prepared for the serious sushi lover. You can spend as much or as little as you like—from $5 veggie sushi to the $120 omakase menu. Off the beaten path even for residents, the place has a sort of cult following. Rest assured, it's unlikely you'll run into anyone from your hotel here, and locals will be mightily impressed you ventured so far. (Barack Obama has been know to drop by when he's in town.) The final seating is at 7:30, so plan (and make reservations) accordingly.
524 Ohohia St., Honolulu, Hawaii, 96819, USA
Known For
- Hole-in-the-wall atmosphere
- BYOB
- Otoro (fattiest part of tuna)
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential
-
$$$$ | Waikiki |
Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto serves classics and new fusion favorites at his second-floor restaurant—a sleek space with a lanai, a gorgeous bar, and a dining room designed for entertaining clients or celebrating with friends. Enjoy some Morimoto specialties, including ishiyaki buri bop (yellowtail seared tableside with pickled daikon, royal fern, and egg yolk) or spicy black pepper steak, as well as dim sum, sushi, and creative specialty rolls. Downstairs at street level is the smaller, more casual Momosan Ramen, which also serves lunch and has a patio and a beer garden.
2490 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu, Hawaii, 96815, USA
Known For
- Attentive service and great food
- Casual elegance in a lovely spot
- Asian-fusion menu with enough classics to draw loyalists