Hawaii, the paradise that was long synonymous with tropical vacations, is now considered a foodie paradise, thanks to places like Honolulu that have been emerging as one of the main culinary capitals in the country.
Now, before you ask, it’s not just shaved ice, poke, and ube that make Honolulu worthy of food exploration, but the diverse blend of local mom-and-pop restaurants and international chains that have set up shop here.
Let’s quickly dive into the best Honolulu restaurants where you’re sure to find delicious culinary treasures.
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1. Fête
Located in Honolulu’s Chinatown, Fête brings the most prestigious James Beard Award (best chef) to Hawaii after nearly 20 years.
This restaurant incorporates local roots with a global inspiration to create seasonal new American dishes, served in a cool hangout spot that makes you feel like you’re dining in a Brooklyn eatery.
Fête’s signature Korean Fried Chicken Sandwich has people queuing up all day every day! Nestled between a buttery, golden, soft, and slightly sweet brioche bun is light and crispy fried chicken, accompanied by creamy and flavorful garlic-sesame aioli.
This is the kind of sandwich that will leave you fully satisfied. Not to forget, the fresh, light, and zesty Asian pear salad is a perfect palate cleanser.
Their Quinoa Cakes have fans of their own! While the cakes themselves are crispy on the outside, and soft and flavor-rich on the inside, the romesco sauce they are served on adds a smoky, zippy flavor, and the crunch of the cakes is complemented by the creamy avocado on top, without actually overpowering the quinoa flavor.
The Chaz Burger, with its thick, juicy, and well-seasoned patty, sweet caramelized onions, melted cheese, and creamy roasted garlic aioli, just hits the spot.
The Rocky Road Ice Cream here is likely to be one of the best you’ve had. Filled with homemade marshmallows, and crunchy macadamia nuts, this ice cream is BOMB!
What to order: Korean Fried Chicken Sandwich, Quinoa Cakes, Chaz Burger, Rocky Road Ice Cream
Address: 2 North Hotel Street, Honolulu, HI 96817
2. Sushi Sho
Located in Ritz-Carlton, Sushi Sho is one of the best restaurants in Waikiki and offers an unrivaled premium Edo-style Omakase experience, crafted by 40 kinds of fresh fish.
This masterful feast is brought to you by world-class sushi chef & Iron Chef Japan, Keiji Nakazawa, one of Tokyo’s most influential sushi chefs. This is not your ordinary sushi or Japanese meal— it’s like a temple made for sushi lovers!
Every dish is precisely made to be beyond just food; it’s a whole sensation.
If you’re not going for the omakase experience, the Sushi Sho Special bento is a great alternative.
Just imagine…fresh & creamy sweet Santa Barbara Uni incorporated in three ways using various fresh and quality ingredients – it is worth every penny.
This beautiful bento box comes cutely wrapped with little dessert cups and a menu with instructions on how dishes should be eaten.
What to order: Omakase, Sushi Sho Special
Address: 383 Kalaimoku St, Honolulu, HI 96815
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3. La Vie
Serving modern French cuisine with a focus on local ingredients, La Vie is a classy open-air space restaurant across from the Ritz-Carlton Waikiki Beach’s front desk.
With breathtaking views, a nice breeze, and mouthwatering food, your experience here will be magical.
Shaped into a quenelle, the Foie Gras Mousse comes with pieces of baby beets, Royal Tokaji gelee, and black sesame is a must-have in La Vie. Accompanied by a toast, the combination of flavors is a solid five out of five.
Pink, juicy, and tender to the core, the Dry Aged Sonoma Duck is unlike any other. The piece of turnip and huckleberry sauce is a statement. The skin is crispy, not oily or fatty, creating a fantastic texture.
A super decadent chocolate dessert, the Honoka’a Chocolate is the perfect ending for those with a sweet tooth! Thick and heavy, savory and sweet flavors will fill your tongue and make you sing in delight.
What to order: Foie Gras Mousse, Dry Aged Sobona Duck, Honoka’a Chocolate
Address: 383 Kalaimoku St, Honolulu, HI 96815, United States
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4. Ono Seafood
A must-visit spot in Honolulu, Ono Seafood is believed to serve the best poke in Hawaii. In this small, low-key restaurant, you can get poke by the pound or choose from one of their best-selling poke bowls, everything fresh and made to order.
Ono has the best version of the Spicy Ahi poke. The fish is, of course, fresh, and the creamy mayo sauce has a kick to it without being too spicy.
If you’d like to stick with ahi, their other famous offerings include Shoyu Ahi – simple, traditional flavors with an oomph, and Haw’n Style Ahi – simple, sweet, and delicious.
The Shoyu Tako poke has beautifully cooked octopus – chewy yet soft – in a balanced shoyu sauce. This is so good that you’d want to come back the very next day to have the same!
Pro tip: Get the Combo Bowl to try two of your favorite flavor styles at the same time.
What to order: Spicy Ahi, Shoyu Ahi, Haw’n Style Ahi, Shoyu Tako, Spicy Salmon
Address: 747 Kapahulu Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96816
5. O’Kims
O’Kims is a quaint little mom-and-pop restaurant in Honolulu’s Chinatown serving Korean food.
The menu here features many Korean staples that are given a modern twist using the freshest of local ingredients, and the best spot to enjoy these creations would be on one of their outdoor patio tables.
Their Confit Pork Belly Brulee brings to the table a totally unexpected level of flavor. In fact, it would be apt to say that this dish reveals a lot of different underlying flavors from each element, like the miso sauce, purple rice, sesame leaves, etc., all of which, surprisingly, goes well with the tender and juicy pork.
A popular appetizer at O’Kims is the Truffle Mandoo. This is a pan-fried dumpling dish with a mushroom filling that is earthy and has an intensified truffle flavor and aroma from the use of truffle paste. The dish is simply spectacular and can be called a vegan sensation.
How can you miss Korean fried chicken when you’re at a Korean restaurant?!
The Korean Chicken has the best crispy and juicy chicken tossed in mild and sticky gochujang sauce. Served with purple rice, house-made gnocchi nuts, kimchi, and green salad, this would make a complete meal.
The other dish that you HAVE TO TRY here is the Seaweed Salmon. The salmon is just slightly poached so it remains flaky and light, and is then topped with seaweed panko, which gives it a crispy and sweet outer layer.
What to order: Confit Pork Belly Brulee, Truffle Mandoo, Korean Chicken, Seaweed Salmon
Address: 1028 Nuuanu Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96817
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6. La Mer
One of the most prestigious fine dining restaurants on Oahu, La Mer offers ocean views capturing the romance and elegance of Halekulani. Blending exceptional service with exquisite cuisine, you know you’re in good hands here.
For an award-winning dining experience, La Mer is the place to be.
The best you’ll ever have in your life, La Mer’s Foie Gras is melt-in-your-mouth good that you may get tempted to order two. Choose from bread, brioche, or mini-baguettes, and spread the Foie Gras on your bread of choice.
If you’re a lobster enthusiast, you know it’s extremely hard not to undercook or overcook lobster, but somehow, La Mer does it perfectly. Their Lobster Consomme hits all the right spots and will leave an impression.
What to order: Torchon of Duck Foie Gras, Lobster Consomme
Address: 2199 Kālia Rd, Honolulu, HI 96815
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7. Senia
Senia showcases “the intersection of diverse cultures” with its regional American cuisine, celebrating Hawaii’s beautiful ingredients.
The restaurant brings to you two menus – an a-la-carte menu and a tasting menu, and the space is refined, elegant, and comfortable.
The Smoked Ahi “Cigars” make for a unique snack/appetizer. The outer shell has this perfect crunch and wafer-like texture, and the ahi inside is fresh and soft.
The yuzu kosho aioli on the side is citrusy, with a little bit of spiciness to it, and makes a great dipping sauce for the “cigars”.
The Roasted Bone Marrow is a must-order dish at Senia. Served with the most delicious and rich oxtail marmalade, the bone marrow is roasted to perfection and is marvelously savory. Enjoy it with flaky and fluffy Hawaiian rolls that come as a part of the dish.
Their Triple-Smoked King Salmon will make you go “wow”! The salmon has a rich and intense smoky flavor infused into it and is perfectly cooked to keep it flaky yet firm. The maple butter glaze makes the salmon even more delightful.
What to order: Smoked Ahi “Cigars”, Roasted Bone Marrow, Triple-Smoked King Salmon
Address: 75 N King Street, Honolulu, HI 96817
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8. Marugame Udon
Marugame Udon is a popular Japanese restaurant in Hawaii, with two locations in Honolulu, serving hand-crafted udon bowls, tempura, and beverages.
The restaurant stays true to Japan’s authentic tradition of noodle making, and their udon noodles are made to order, in their theater kitchen, so you can enjoy the best taste with the best “views”.
Curry Nikutama – this is Marugame Udon’s best-selling dish, which has the best-tasting beef curry broth with fresh, soft, and chewy udon noodles, melt-in-the-mouth sweet beef, and a soft egg.
Have a big bowl of this dish, and your tummy and heart will be happy for the rest of the day!
A simpler version of Curry Nikutama is Nikutama, where the sauce/broth and beef are both savory and sweet, and you can also have this dish served cold upon request.
When you order udon noodles at Marugame Udon, make sure that you also order at least a couple of different tempura plates to go with the udon. Trust us, they make the noodles taste unimaginably delectable.
The most popular tempura choices here are the Shrimp and Chicken. But, make no mistake, they also have a wide variety of vegetarian options, including Sweet Potato tempura and Potato Croquette.
What to order: Curry Nikutama, Nikutama udon, Shrimp tempura, Chicken tempura, Sweet Potato tempura, Potato Croquette
Address:
-Waikiki – 2310 Kuhio Avenue, Suite 124, Honolulu, HI 96815
-Downtown Honolulu – 1104 Fort Street Mall, Honolulu, HI 96813
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9. The Pig and the Lady
One of the hottest restaurants in Honolulu, The Pig and the Lady is a Vietnamese fusion restaurant where everything is made from scratch by the chef/owner and his mother. The space is warm and welcoming, with a fun vibe, but still homely.
Remember the last time you enjoyed a banh mi? Well, the Pho French Banh Mi at The Pig and the Lady is the one to remember, and you will dream about it for a long time to come!
Sandwiched between a toasted, fresh, soft, and slightly chewy La Tour baguette is juicy and tender slow roasted beef brisket paired with spicy hoisin sauce, herby chimichurri, and fresh onion and cilantro.
But, the highlight is the restaurant’s signature pho 75 broth you get on the side for dipping the banh mi. The broth is rather mild but extremely flavorful, you’d want to lick the bowl clean at the end! Ask for and sprinkle some Thai chili peppers on the broth for an added kick.
The Crispy Spring Rolls come piled with pork, vermicelli noodles, house pickles, and more, and drizzled with nuoc mam sauce, which adds a salty, sweet, and tangy flavor to the filling. They are perfectly golden brown, crunchy, and highly satisfying.
You can also get a vegetarian version of the spring rolls, which taste equally delicious.
What to order: Pho French Banh Mi, Crispy Spring Rolls, Pho 75, Bo Kho Bolognese Rigatoni
Address: 83 N King Street, Honolulu, HI 96817
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10. Uncle Bo’s Pupu Bar & Grill
Located on the historic Kapahulu Avenue, Uncle Bo’s is the kind of place where you can enjoy the best meal and have a good time with your friends and family.
This modern casual restaurant delivers a fun and exciting vibe and serves up a combination of traditional and innovative dishes, best enjoyed at their large, communal tables.
No meal at Uncle Bo’s is complete without getting yourself a plate of the most popular Uncle Bo’s Seafood Catch. This is a pasta dish with a medley of fresh seafood tossed in a yummy cream sauce. Everything on the plate comes perfectly cooked and tastes amazing together.
Order the Boca-Rota for an appetizer, and you’d want a second round immediately! The prime rib strips are melt-in-the-mouth tender and have some heat from being tossed in chili oil along with mushrooms. The garlic cheesy bread comes with loads of cheese and is absolutely yum. Once the plate hits your table, it’ll be gone in the blink of an eye.
And, Uncle Bo’s Dynamite Shrimp is reason enough for you to return to Honolulu; no further description needed!
If you have room for dessert, go with the HOBO’s. You get a basket of warm taro beignets which, unlike traditional New Orleans beignets, are a bit chewy (in a good way!), and taste blissful with the honey sauce. The vanilla ice cream adds a wonderful finishing touch.
What to order: Uncle Bo’s Seafood Catch, Boca-Rota, Uncle Bo’s Dynamite Shrimp, HOBO’s
Address: 559 Kapahulu Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96815
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11. Ginza Bairin Tonkatsu
A Japanese tonkatsu restaurant chain, Ginza Bairin, brings their famous Tonkatsu to Waikiki, and you’ll love it! Offering two options: the “tonkatsu” room and the “yoshoku bistro” room, you’ll be able to choose between signature Japanese plates and Japanese cafe dishes depending on where you sit.
A super refreshing salad dish, the Cabbage Salad paired with the sesame dressing is crazily good. We’re not quite sure what magic they put in this dish, but it’s definitely one for the books.
Crispy fresh breadcrumbs on the outside with the most tender meat inside, the Kurobuta Pork Loin Katsu in Ginza Bairin is simply phenomenal. They say they only have 25 pieces daily, so make sure to get there early to cop one.
What to order: Cabbage Salad, Kurobuta Pork Loin Katsu
Address: 255 Beach Walk, Honolulu, HI 96815
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12. Tommy Bahama Restaurant
In the heart of Waikiki, Tommy Bahama Restaurant features a second-story dining room and a third-story rooftop bar with a beach-inspired cocktail area. In addition to a wide selection of traditional classic Hawaiian cuisine, their menu includes Hawaiian-inspired dishes incorporating locally sourced, produced ingredients.
Served with roasted mushrooms, sherry demi-glace, lemon arugula, and the most delicious cauliflower-potato mash, Tommy Bahama’s Filet Mignon is very tender and juicy. Seasoned to perfection, you can tell a lot of attention and thought was given to this dish.
What better way to enjoy the ocean breeze than with the equally breathtaking Seared Scallop Sliders? The scallops are said to be shipped straight from Hokkaido, Japan, and are as fresh as possible.
What to order: Filet Mignon, Seared Scallop Sliders
Address: 298 Beach Walk, Honolulu, HI 96815
13. Helena’s Hawaiian Food
Helena’s Hawaiian Food is a true Hawaiian gem that has been killing it since 1946. When you’re in the mood for simple, native, and honestly prepared Hawaiian food, this is the place to be in Honolulu.
This James Beard Foundation award-winning restaurant is nothing fancy but a humble, simple, and unpretentious place serving authentic food.
When you talk about Hawaiian food, it doesn’t get more authentic than Kalua Pig. This is smoked shredded pork, which takes upon a unique earthy flavor from the way it is cooked (cooked in Imu – underground oven), and remains juicy and tender.
Another version of this dish you could try is the Kalua Pig & Cabbage. Here, big cabbage squares are pan-cooked with kalua pig and cooked along with the juices of the latter. It is savory, juicy, and mouth-wateringly delicious!
The Fried Butterfish Collar is one of the best dishes on their menu. Though the fried fish tastes great on its own, splash it with the chili pepper water (readily available on every table) – the Hawaiian version of hot sauce – to elevate its flavor.
And there’s Haupia, a traditional Hawaiian dessert, you’ll be offered for free (you can order extra pieces, though). This is a super tasty, light, and refreshing coconut jelly/pudding that your palate needs after a solid meal at Helena’s.
What to order: Kalua Pig, Kalua Pig & Cabbage, Fried Butterfish Collar, Haupia
Address: 1240 N School Street, Honolulu, HI 96817
14. Maguro Brothers Hawaii
Maguro Brothers Hawaii is not your ideal dine-in restaurant but rather a take-out spot where you can get fresh sashimi, grilled fish, and poke bowls. With two locations in Honolulu, this grab-and-go counter-service kitchen is any seafood lover’s dream come true.
The King Salmon Donburi, or salmon sashimi bowl, has melt-in-your-mouth fresh salmon on a bed of sushi rice, along with wasabi, salmon roe, ginger, and chopped green onions – fresh, light, and super tasty.
The Hawaiian Limu Ahi Poke Bowl is a lovely combination of fresh ahi, seaweed (limu), sesame oil, Hawaiian sea salt, and chili peppers. The crunch of the limu plays well against the soft, buttery fish, and the chili peppers add a spark to an otherwise cool dish.
From their “Grilled” options, the Hamachi Kama Grilled gets our vote! As the juiciest part of the fish, with this dish, you get to taste moist, super tender, and light flesh with a light charred flavor.
However, if you don’t want to deal with the collar bones, go with the Miso Salmon Grilled or Miso Hamachi Grilled.
What to order: King Salmon Donburi, Hawaiian Limu Ahi Poke Bowl, Hamachi Kama Grilled, Miso Salmon Grilled, Miso Hamachi Grilled
Address:
-Chinatown – Maunakea Market Food Court 1120 Maunakea Street, Honolulu, HI 96817
-Waikiki – Waikiki Hotel, 415 Nahua Street Pearl, Honolulu, HI 96815
15. Café Kaila
Café Kaila is an award-winning breakfast/brunch (they serve lunch too) restaurant and the no. 1 choice for the same in Honolulu among locals and visitors alike. Serving up home-style classics, with everything made from scratch, the eatery always has diners queuing up.
With its warm and inviting ambience, attentive and friendly staff, and home-style food, Café Kaila is a surefire winner among families.
The French Toast here is unreal, and you can also find different flavors on different days, like cookies & cream.
The Cinnamon French Toast is their classic – you get three thick slices of fluffy French toast with subtle hints of cinnamon and vanilla. You can also add fresh berries or bananas or caramelized apples for an extra cost.
The Eggs Benedicts here are outstanding too. Whether you go with the Traditional Eggs Benedict or the Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict, you will be pleased.
If you’d like an all-in-one breakfast, their Breakfast Wrap should be your choice. Choose between sundried tomato, spinach, or regular flour tortillas (we liked the spinach), and your wrap will come loaded with three scrambled eggs, mushrooms, potatoes, spinach, onion, and cheese for a fully loaded breakfast goodness.
What to order: Cinnamon French Toast, Traditional Eggs Benedict, Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict, Breakfast Wrap
Address: Market City Shopping Center, 2919 Kapiolani Blvd., Honolulu, HI 96826
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16. Sushi Izakaya Gaku
Located in the center of Honolulu, Sushi Izakaya Gaku plates up fresh sashimi, nigiri, rolls, and more, everything made with flair. This high-end sushi place has a cozy dining room where you get ready for a fantastic dining experience, with all your selections made with the highest quality ingredients.
The Seared Toro with Garlic is a top seller here. The extra-fatty tuna is delightfully buttery in the mouth, and the flesh simply melts away as you eat it.
If you love uni, you get to taste it in its best form when you order the Uni Wrapped in Thinly Sliced Halibut. The halibut doesn’t mask the natural flavor of the uni, and you can feel them melting as soon as you pop one into your mouth.
The Grilled Moi is another well-prepared dish. The natural flavor of the fish shines, thanks to the simple preparation; this allows you to enjoy a meaty and juicy fish with a slightly crispy skin.
What to order: Seared Toro with Garlic sushi, Uni Wrapped in Thinly Sliced Halibut, Grilled Moi
Address: 1329 S King Street, Honolulu, HI 96814
17. Off the Hook Poke Market
Referring to the freshness of the wish used to make their poke, “Off the Hook” Poke Market brings fresh flavors of the sea to your plate (or bowl!). This little shop, with its weathered accent wall, and fishing poles and surfboards for the decor, has a cool seaside feel and offers a casual atmosphere.
And the highlight is, you get to choose from a wide variety of toppings for your poke, all of which are complimentary.
Once you choose your poke bowl size, and your base (white rice, brown rice, green salad, or sushi rice), you move on to choosing 1 or 2 poke of your liking.
We recommend that you start with their Wasabi Furikake Ahi. The furikake seasoning adds a nice salty and crunchy flavor and texture to the dish, along with a little nuttiness from the sesame seeds. The sharp flavor from the wasabi mayo elevates the otherwise delicate flavor of the ahi.
Add fire to your palate with Kilauea Fire. This is fresh ahi with jalapeno, chili miso sauce, and red crash pepper – everything there is that can satisfy the spice lover in you!
For dessert, you can choose from one of their cold and refreshing sorbet flavors – pineapple, yuzu, coconut, mango, and strawberry.
What to order: Wasabi Furikake Ahi, Kilauea Fire, Hawaiian Style poke, Sorbet
Address: 2908 E Manoa Road, Honolulu, HI 96822
18. Cream Pot
Fancy breakfast in fantasyland? Potentially the best breakfast and brunch spot in Waikiki, Cream Pot transports you into a tea-place version of what feels like Alice in Wonderland. With creative and well-executed meals, simply coming here can be the highlight of your whole stay.
The best eggs benedict you’ll ever have in your life is found in Cream Pot. With the freshest ahi carpaccio over the most perfectly poached eggs, the Maguro Eggs Benedict deserves a five-star on its own. You might consider returning back for more just for this dish alone.
Super light, fluffy, and delicious, Cream Pot’s Souffle Pancakes feel like you’re eating clouds. Not too sweet and flawless in every way. Pair it with Vienna Coffee, and you have the perfect breakfast combination.
What to order: Maguro Eggs Benedict, Banana Salted Caramel Souffle Pancakes, Strawberry Souffle Pancakes, Vienna Coffee
Address: 444 Niu St, Honolulu, HI 96815
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19. Musubi Café Iyasume
Musubi Cafe Iyasume is your next go-to spot for your musubi fix in Waikiki. Consistently delicious, you’ll always see a line here no matter what time of the day. The musubis here are made to order and wrapped in saran, making it easy for you to take on the beach, hike, or go anywhere you want!
When it comes to musubis, the Spam Musubi is a consistent crowd-favorite. You’ll love this one even if you don’t like Spam; it’s just that good. Aside from that, Musubi Cafe also sells cool memorabilia and gifts shaped like it. Take your pick from stickers to mugs, artwork, to figurines.
The Fried Chicken Mayo rice ball will be your next addiction if it isn’t already. This one has a particular kick to it with sriracha on top that you’ll love. This little package of heaven is perfect for a quick and easy bite to keep you full as you go around the beach.
What to order: Spam Musubi, Fried Chicken Mayo
Address:
-227 Lewers St, Honolulu, HI 96815
-2427 Kūhiō Ave., Honolulu, HI 96815
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You know which other Hawaiian paradise has the best eateries? Maui! If you’re planning a visit to the island, we have a list of the island’s best Maui restaurants for you to include as part of your itinerary.