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$$ | Waikiki |
Well established as a local favorite, this unassuming restaurant is situated in a strip mall near Diamond Head and away from the bustle of Waikiki. It's a great spot to grab a bagel or açai bowl in the morning or to linger over a post-sunset dinner—perhaps enjoying seared scallops with cauliflower puree, a pork chop with braised fennel, or one of the pasta dishes, including the chef’s signature cacio e pepe featuring cheese imported from Italy’s Dolomites region. Interesting cocktails, a full wine list, and tantalizing desserts (the coconut panna cotta is incredibly light and creamy) round out the offerings. The interior is basic, but there's also seating on the patio out front.
3045 Monsarrat Ave., Honolulu, Hawaii, 96815, USA
Known For
- A neighborhood staple and local favorite for all-day dining
- Sophisticated dinner menu
- Some outdoor seating
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$$ | Waikiki |
Tucked away on the second floor of the Royal Hawaiian Center, this stylish, sleek, and cozy spot has a selection of more than 40 international wines by the glass—all served via a high-tech vending machine that uses prepaid cards. The food menu is limited, but a few favorites include oversize Wagyu burgers, poke bites with nori chips, and cheese and charcuterie plates. The restaurant also offers breakfast, lunch (featuring small plates), and a happy hour (3–6 pm) with discount wines and light bites at the bar.
2301 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu, Hawaii, 96815, USA
Known For
- Vending-machine wines by the glass
- A subdued happy hour
- Massive Wagyu burgers
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$$$ | Kahala |
Putting a playful and creative spin on Hawaii regional cuisine, Kapa Hale has elegantly presented, upscale, fusion cuisine and cocktails by a local-boy chef. Menu items are changed seasonally and sourced locally with fun, wordplay names for different dishes.
4614 Kilauea Ave., Honolulu, Hawaii, 96816, USA
Known For
- Creative drink menu
- Modern local cuisine
- Hip interior
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. Brunch Sat. and Sun. only. No lunch on weekends., Reservations by phone only
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$$$$ | |
Michael Mina, a James Beard Award winner, designed an exceptional line-to-table menu that celebrates the local catch and matches the panoramic views from indoor and lanai oceanfront tables. This might be the only restaurant in Hawaii (or the world) to have an on-site “fish sommelier,” who guides you through the mind-boggling array of cooking techniques, flavorings, and portions—from fillet to whole fish—and helps you choose the best matches for your particular palate. Validate your ticket for free valet parking during your meal.
92-1001 Olani St., Ko Olina, Hawaii, 96707, USA
Known For
- Charbroiled Hawaiian seafood tower
- Kona lobster dishes
- Daily happy hour
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch weekdays
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$$$ | Ala Moana |
The "M" and "W" team of husband-and-wife chefs Michelle Karr-Ueko and Wade Ueko combine their collective experience (20 years alongside chef Alan Wong, a side step to the famed French Laundry, and some serious kitchen time at comfort food icon Zippy's) to create a uniquely local menu with a decidedly upscale twist. Michelle's flair for sweets has resulted in a dessert menu as long as the main one, including tropical fruit creamsicle brûlée, an MW candy bar, and the frozen lilikoi (Hawaiian passion fruit) soufflé.
888 Kapiolani Blvd., Honolulu, Hawaii, 96814, USA
Known For
- Scrumptious desserts (save room)
- Nice craft cocktails
- Excellent fish dishes
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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$$ | Iwilei |
Lyonnaise chef Nico Chaiz's harborside restaurant is steps from the Honolulu Fish Auction, which explains his "line-to-plate" concept—super-fresh fish dishes at a reasonable price. But he lets his French flag fly in dishes like steak frites and bouillabaisse, too. Lunch focuses on local-style plate lunches and serves more of a local workers crowd. Come dinnertime, you'll see a mix of tourists and kamaaina here for beers on tap, cocktails, almost nightly music, and an excellent menu across the board. Although most indoor tables have harbor views, try to get a table on the lanai. If you're staying in a place with a kitchen and need to stock up, note that the fish market also sells prepared foods like poke, soups, and stews. In Kailua, there's a Nico's serving almost the same menu as the original at Pier 38.
1129 N. Nimitz Hwy., Honolulu, Hawaii, 96817, USA
Known For
- Pan-seared ahi steak crusted in toasted seaweed and sesame seeds
- Excellent double cheeseburger
- Lunch at the bar with a cold beer
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations not accepted
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$$$$ | Waikiki |
Perched along the seawall at historic Gray's Beach, in the luxe Halekulani resort, Orchids is a locus of power breakfasters, ladies who lunch, and those celebrating special occasions at Sunday brunch or dinner. The louvered walls are open to the breezes, sprays of orchids add color, the contemporary international dishes are perfectly prepared, and the wine list is intriguing. Highlights of chef Christian Testa's menu include a prime beef filet appetizer from Harris Ranch, a special lasagnette dish, and an abundance of seafood options. Enjoy sunset cocktails at the adjacent open-air bar, House Without A Key.
2199 Kalia Rd., Honolulu, Hawaii, 96815, USA
Known For
- Island breezes, ocean sounds, and stellar service and food
- Lovely ocean views and live music at sunset
- A menu with something for just about everyone
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential, Collared shirts required for men
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$$ | Chinatown |
Chef Andrew Le's casual noodle house attracts downtown office workers by day and becomes a creative contemporary restaurant at night, pulling in serious chowhounds. Drawing on both his Vietnamese heritage and multicultural island flavors, the talented, playful Le is a wizard with spice and acid, turning out dishes of layered flavor. The restaurant has food stands at farmers' markets, and its sister restaurant, Piggy Smalls, serves a scaled-down but similar menu.
83 N. King St., Honolulu, Hawaii, 96813, USA
Known For
- Banh mi sandwiches at lunch and pho all day
- House-made soft-serve custards and sorbets, including unexpected flavors
- Hanoi-style egg coffee
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon.
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$$$ | Waikiki |
Tiki's is the kind of fun place people come to Waikiki for: a retro–South Pacific spot with a back-of-the-bar faux volcano, open-air lounge with live local music, indoor-outdoor dining, and a fantastic view of the beach across the street. Chef Ronnie Nasuti turns out beautifully composed plates and puts fresh twists on the super-familiar—like spicy "volcano" chicken wings, watermelon and feta salad, or Thai-style shrimp puttanesca. Be sure to try one of the mai tais, which come in a variety of flavors, then settle in and stay a while. There's live music on most nights and an upbeat crowd at the bar. It may look like a place designed for tourists, but it's the locals who come back again and again.
2570 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu, Hawaii, 96815, USA
Known For
- Surprisingly good food in a made-for-TV setting
- Pacific Rim menu inspired by a noted Islands chef
- Can get pricey, but a fun experience worthy of a hana hou (encore)
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$ | Waikiki |
At this bright, lively, upscale food court on the third floor of the Royal Hawaiian Center, you can feast on local and Japanese options ranging from massive, juicy burgers to spicy shrimp tacos to exquisite smoothies topped with colorful, edible designs—all emphasizing the use of fresh, local ingredients. Vendors here include Five Star Shrimp, Milk, JTRRD, Meatally Boys, POTAMA (Pork Tamago Onigiri), Honolulu Burger Co., Surfer’s Cafe, and Tap Bar. Best of all, you don’t need to try just one vendor—you can mix and match and enjoy tasty selections from several. There’s plenty of seating, and you can also shop for local art and cool island souvenirs.
2201 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu, Hawaii, 96815, USA
808-922–2299-for Royal Hawaiian Center
Known For
- New and modern
- Variety of vendors offering upscale options that you can mix and match
- Lots of seating
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$ | Manoa |
Dating from 1922, this historic café surrounded by the verdant Manoa Valley landscape is part of the Hawaii Salvation Army headquarters and has been independently operated by Ross and Stefanie Anderson since late 2018. A short menu of simple, delicious breakfast and lunch items are ordered at the counter and delivered to your chosen table, either inside the cozy, multiroom bungalow or on the covered lanai. The Waioli staff is largely made up of people in recovery from substance abuse who are learning the restaurant and kitchen trade, and a 3% vocational training fee is added to all checks, bringing the former tearoom back to its roots as a kitchen skills program for orphaned girls. There's a cute gift shop and plenty of space to linger in the lushness.
2950 Manoa Rd., Honolulu, Hawaii, 96822, USA
Known For
- Braised short rib loco moco
- Assorted house-made pastries, scones, muffins, breads, jams, and jellies
- Honey and salt produced on the property and a burgeoning garden
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues. No dinner., No reservations
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$$$$ | Waikiki |
The spacious, airy 100 Sails continues the everything-you-can-imagine buffet tradition (with crab legs and prime rib, of course), along with plenty of à la carte small bites, an emphasis on locally sourced ingredients, and a commitment to knock-out presentation. And then there are the views—night after night, the sunsets over the harbor deliver stunning shows of color. For a delicious ending to a perfect day in paradise, accompany those vistas with a signature cocktail and the happy hour platter (cheesy fries, flat breads, taro chips, hummus).
100 Holomoana St., Honolulu, Hawaii, 98615, USA
Known For
- International buffet for every meal
- Views and sunsets to rival those anywhere else in Waikiki
- High-quality food and a huge selection
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$$$$ | Kakaako |
Housed in a McVilla aimed at attracting a Japanese wedding clientele, this restaurant serves contemporary Continental food that focuses primarily on beautifully plated, well-prepared standards—albeit with a million-dollar view of Honolulu. Perched at the water's edge, with famed surf break Point Panic offshore, 53 by the Sea uses its setting to great advantage—the crescent-shape dining room faces the sea, so even if you’re not at a table nestled against the floor-to-ceiling windows, you have a fine view. Besides dinner, drop in for lunch or cocktails and appetizers at the bar while watching the city lights go up as the sun goes down. Sublime.
53 Ahui St., Honolulu, Hawaii, 96813, USA
Known For
- Odd villa decor that somehow works
- Free valet parking
- On-site wedding chapel in case the mood strikes
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential
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$$ | Ala Moana |
Step inside this tiny sushi bar, tucked amid the strip clubs behind the Ala Moana Hotel, and you'll swear you're in an out-of-the-way Edo neighborhood. Don't be deterred by its dodgy neighbors or its reputation for inconsistent service—this is where locals come when they want the real deal, and you'll be greeted with a cheerful "Iraishaimase!" (Welcome!) before sitting at a diminutive table or perching at the small sushi bar. Let the chefs here decide, omakase-style, or you can go for a grilled specialty, like scallop butteryaki (grilled in butter).
1646 B Kona St., Honolulu, Hawaii, 96814, USA
Known For
- Popular local spot for late-night food
- Spicy tuna roll
- No pretense, nothing fancy
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch on Sun.
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$$$$ | |
The menus at Turtle Bay Resort’s signature restaurant—a casual but chic open-air space overlooking Turtle Bay and the Seven Mile Miracle—showcase Hawaiian comfort food with a modern, upscale twist, including braised kalbi short ribs, roast chicken with macadamia nut mole, and Salanova lettuce. About 95% of the fresh produce, from lettuce, tomatoes, and breadfruit to apple bananas and kitchen herbs, comes from the 100-acre organic farm across the road and is grown in partnership with longtime local farmers.
57-091 Kamehameha Hwy., Kahuku, Hawaii, 96731, USA
Known For
- Special-occasion dinners
- Sweeping ocean views
- Braised short ribs
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$$$$ | Waikiki |
This legendary indoor-outdoor restaurant has views of Diamond Head and an expansive terrace on the same level as the beach, so you’ll feel the calm, island vibes as soon as you arrive. Although it's open for breakfast and lunch, Azure has a much more sophisticated atmosphere in the evening, when you can choose from a selection of small or large plates featuring local seafood, meat, and produce, or you can try the chef’s multicourse tasting menu. Desserts, such as the Russian honey cake and the Baked Alaska, are delightful. If you want a coveted beachfront table (you do!), be sure to ask when you make your reservation.
2259 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu, Hawaii, 96815, USA
Known For
- World-class cuisine and excellent service
- Beautifully presented dishes
- Priceless views and pricey menu
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$ | Ala Moana |
Tam and Kimmy Huynh's menu ranges far beyond the usual pho and bun (cold noodle dishes) found at many Vietnamese restaurants. This welcoming, no-frills, hole-in-the-wall spot, which locals swear by, features lamb curry, tapioca dumplings, head-on tamarind shrimp, and other dishes that hail from both North and South Vietnam. People who work in the neighborhood pack in for lunch, so you might want to avoid a midday visit. Reservations are not accepted for groups of fewer than six.
1117 S. King St., Honolulu, Hawaii, 96814, USA
Known For
- Spring and summer rolls
- Limited free parking behind the restaurant
- Excellent crabmeat curry soup
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
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$$ | |
A long-time local favorite, elegant, inviting Baci Bistro is a classic Italian restaurant offering an extensive range of pastas, antipasti, mains, and really excellent desserts. Consider the ravioli del giorno followed by vitello (veal) cooked with a variety of sauces. Top off your meal with a dessert specialty: crème brûlée.
30 Aulike St., Kailua, Hawaii, 96734, USA
Known For
- A wide variety of antipasti
- Homemade pasta
- Cozy, romantic setting
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$$$ | |
An array of authentic Japanese dishes made with Hawaiian seafood and fresh, seasonal, mostly organic North Shore veggies and fruits attracts locals and visitors alike to this hip yet family-friendly sushi house. The extensive menu includes classic sashimi and tempura, off-the-wall sushi rolls, Wagyu beef, broiled fish entrées, and various vegetarian and gluten-free options.
66-246 Kamehameha Hwy., Haleiwa, Hawaii, 96712, USA
Known For
- Full bar with good selection of Japanese whiskeys and sakes
- Unusual rolls using macadamia nuts and island spices
- Some traditional Japanese seating
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
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$$$$ | |
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