price not a consideration. what are your top 3 resturants and why? I'll answer first.

rarely get to Waikiki but do have a couple that I love.....

1. Shore Bird ....because it is so much fun to stand around the huge grill and cook your own plus it is right on the beach

2. Michel's...romantic and again right on the beach plus great food

3. Anywhere where they play good hawaiian music and some good food

roy's is also good. roy has taken good care to create amazing fusion food. mixing hawaiian/asian food with international fare.

shorebird is fun too. but i'd say i like dukes more because of the music and the drink menu. food is good also.

Mariposa in Neiman Marcus at the Ala Moana Shopping Center - sit outside on a Friday night and you have the perfect view of the fireworks. And the food is very good - plus a good wine list, which is rare.

Hula Grill - a little quieter than Duke's but still on the beach. Food is good, but I'd recommend sharing entrees as the portions can be a bit large.

For a more relaxed and fun time, I also like Tiki's Grill and Bar. Drinks tend to be a bit sweet for my taste, but the music and food are always good (edamame is delicious). Sometimes you can sit in the bar and order from the dinner menut - depends on your server.

I think places like House without a Key at Halekulani and Alan Wong's are more what is typically considered the "top" restaurant in Waikiki.

I've got loads of favorite places, but that's kind of a different question I think?

I agree about the Hula Grill and Tiki's Grill and Bar. .Both very fun. Dukes can get very loud....I'll look into the Mariposa at Neimans.... By "top" I meant what is your favorites not necessarily what is expensive.

mariposa's is also good but i didnt think to add that restaurant because its in ala moana and i dont consider that to be part of waikiki.

dk kodamas and wolfgangs in the royal hawaiian shopping center are both good as well for the same reason: good steak!

Our favorite meal was at Duke's Canoe Club-food, drinks, service were great. Steaks were perfectly cooked. One fish dish was cold and they replaced it right away with no fanfare, plus brought out a complimentary dessert later. Very nice. Chuck's in the same hotel was the opposite-absolutely awful. Atmosphere was nice, but steaks were cool/tasteless and seafood was tasteless, too. Service was a team concept which was terrible-basically, the water/tea server took the best care of us. Way too expensive for bad food and service.

Alan Wong's, hands down. Our top pick restaurant [tied with Chez Panisse] ever!

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...n-honolulu.cfm

Depends what you're looking for. Just 3???
I often recommend Rumfire in the Sheraton Waikiki because it's a casual/smart setting with a million dollar view. And the food is good.

Tiki's Grill is also a good choice, with a good view.

for a fancier setting, I'd say Ocean House, Hau Tree Lanai, or Michel's .... again, it's all about the view AND the food in a package!
www.nonstophonolulu.com

I like Melissa's suggestions of Hau Tree Lanau and Ocean House. Both are elegant places with full ocean views (Hau Tree is actually down on the sand).

I too like Alan Wong's. Every course was super. Well worth the price. As for a future star, look for Morimoto's Waikiki (iron chef fame). I ate at his new Napa restaurant and it was fabulous. Morimoto's Waikiki opens on Sept. 28th.

We used to love Ocean House - would have put it at the top of my list - but on our last trip in August we had a very disappointing experience there. Service was lazy at best, wine list has gone down hill, and the food was overcooked and uninspired. They do have an incredible location but need a serious facelift in the kitchen!

Vivandvin, sorry to hear about the Ocean House. I have to admit, I have only been there for breakfasts lately, and it's been fab. Although....my friend just went there recently for his wife's birthday and they were super impressed. So I guess the thought may be that they are inconsistent.

Thanks Suze!

thanks for the update on Ocean House. My dinner there was a couple trips ago, so I really appreciate this forum for getting more current information. Too bad because they have a great setting.

hi Melissa!

Had Thanksgiving dinner at the Hua Tree. They were serving turkey but we had our Turkey dinner a week before we were in HNL. Fish on Thanksgiving that year. Nice views, lovely restaurant...

Morimoto's at The Edition Hotel. Dined there in March and it was fantastic.

#1) Ocean House: Quiet, unhurried, good food, excellent service (so far), great view & many wonderful memories.
#2) Pupus at the Royal Hawaiian Mai Tai Bar: Able to leave well (very) fed @ less than half the price of dinner & love the Mai Tais in a pineapple + more views of the type that keep us returning year after year.
#3) Sunday Breakfast Buffet @ the Ocenarium: Reasonably priced & no other place like it in Hawaii.
# 3 1/2) Jimmy Buffett's: No other reason than we love the guy. ( Only if you're in a goofy mood:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKJJY...eature=related ).
P.S. Honorable mention to at least 75% of previous mentions...a few with budget permitting!

Just a quick update on Ocean House....the GM has moved to Il Lupino in the Royal Hawaiian Center. This may affect how good it is, but it's still a nice place.

*waves to suze*