Make yourselves comfortable, travelers, because you are about to embark on a journey through the culinarily delightful world of Waikiki in Hawaii!
Whether you’re looking for a cozy spot to have a hearty breakfast or the freshest sushi for dinner, Waikiki has something for everyone.
From beachside restaurants to those tucked away, this is a shortlist to the delicious treats that make Waikiki one of the most popular destinations in Hawaii.
Follow us as we explore the 14 best Waikiki restaurants to satisfy your hunger after enjoying the warm, clear blue water.
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1. Sushi Sho
Located in Ritz-Carlton, Sushi Sho 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 place is not your ordinary sushi or Japanese meal— it’s like a temple made for sushi lovers where every dish is precisely made to be beyond just food; it’s a whole sushi sensation!
If you’re not going for the omakase experience, their 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—trust me, it’s worth every penny!
Their beautiful bento box comes cutely wrapped with little dessert cups and a menu with instructions on how dishes should be eaten.
Don’t forget to take cute pictures for the gram before taking a bite!
What to order: Omakase, Sushi Sho Special
Address: 383 Kalaimoku St, Honolulu, HI 96815
🍛 Are you a foodie? Check out these best Honolulu food tours!
2. 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 surely be magical.
The Caramelized Foie Gras at La Vie is a real treat! Imagine rich, buttery foie gras paired with crisp baby fennel, fresh green grapes, and crunchy macadamia nuts.
If you’re looking for a fancy dish that’s delicate and sweet, this one’s a clear winner!
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.
If you’re deciding what dessert to get, the Honoka’a Chocolate is the perfect ending to your meal! Thick and heavy, savory and sweet flavors will fill your tongue and make you sing in delight.
What to order: Caramelized Foie Gras, Dry Aged Sonoma Duck, Honoka’a Chocolate
Address: 383 Kalaimoku St, Honolulu, HI 96815, United States
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3. Hula Grill Waikiki
The perfect spot to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Waikiki while indulging in the most fabulous food, Hula Grill is worth every wait.
Serving an upscale feel while retaining a laid–back atmosphere, this place is like luxury and relaxation combined.
Do yourself a favor and give Hula Grill Waikiki a try!
You can’t go wrong with the classic and oh-so-popular Loco Moco in Hula Grill. Coming in generous portions of fried rice and meat, this is FIRE.
Portuguese sausage, Kalua pork, braised short rice, and the most delicious shiitake mushroom gravy, this is Loco Moco made fancier.
Don’t forget to save room for their Hula Pie! A combination of ice cream, hot fudge, and chocolate shell coated with Mac Nuts— this is a sweet lover’s haven.
It’s a crime not to have this pie while in Hawaii.
What to order: Loco Moco, Kimo’s Original Hula Pie
Address: 2335 Kalākaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
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4. 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.
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 for a satisfying crunch.
If you’re craving for seafood, their Lobster Consomme just hits all the right spots.
Did you know that achieving the perfect cook on lobster is incredibly challenging? Yet, La Mer manages to masterfully cook it every time, striking that flawless balance.
What to order: Torchon of Duck Foie Gras, Lobster Consomme
Address: 2199 Kālia Rd, Honolulu, HI 96815
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5. ALOHA TABLE Waikiki
In touristy places like Waikiki, tucked-away restaurants like Aloha Table is a godsend.
Set on a cute side street, on the second floor of a building, Aloha Table feels like a tree house turned restaurant. If you’re into Loco Mocos, this place is the perfect spot when craving strikes.
With a sign saying they were voted the #1 Loco Moco, you know you need to try it. Lots of gravy, perfectly cooked eggs, and the most tender meat— this definitely deserves its #1 spot.
I personally recommend the juicy and crispy Classic Garlic Shrimp for shrimp lovers! With the shell on, the flavors are elevated to game-changing levels.
Oh, don’t forget to treat yourself to some Local Ice Cream at Aloha Table—it’s the perfect sweet escape that captures the true essence of island flavors!
What to order: Kobe Supreme Loco Moco, Classic Garlic Shrimp Plate, Local Ice Cream
Address: 2238 Lauula St #2F, Honolulu, HI 96815
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6. 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, their Cabbage Salad paired with the sesame dressing is impeccable. I’m not quite sure what magic they put in this dish, but it’s definitely one for the books.
Extra hungry? Get their Kurobuta Pork Loin Katsu. Crispy fresh breadcrumbs on the outside with the most tender meat inside, this is the way to go!
They say they only have 25 pieces daily, so my best advice is 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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7. 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.
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.
Their Sashimi Platter is a standout delight. Freshness is the name of the game here, with each slice of fish capturing that authentic taste we all love.
Every bite of fresh fish feels like a taste of the ocean.
What to order: King Salmon Donburi, Hawaiian Limu Ahi Poke Bowl, Sashimi Platter
Address: 2250 Kalakaua Avenue by, Royal Hawaiian Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
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8. Tim Ho Wan
Blessing Waikiki with the chance to taste the widely hyped Baked BBQ Pork Bun, the infamous Tim Ho Wan brings Hong Kong flavors to the island.
With fresh and daily made-to-order dim sum, you’ll surely get excellent quality food here!
Prepare to give this place a solid 10 out of 10 based on their Pork Buns alone. This bun is loved all over the world for a reason.
Soft, delicate, and melt-in-your-mouth goodness, you’ll be gobbling these up in no time. The pineapple bun itself is crispy and a little flaky, while the meat inside is just phenomenal.
When in doubt, Tim Ho Wan’s Steamed Shrimp Dumplings always saves the day! Tasting really fresh; you’ll almost taste the sea in this one.
If you haven’t tried it yet, this bite-sized treat will blow your mind.
What to order: Baked BBQ Pork Buns, Steamed Shrimp Dumplings
Address: 2233 Kalākaua Ave suite b-303, Honolulu, HI 96815, United States
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9. 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.
As you soak in the coastal vibes, the menu delights with a blend of traditional Hawaiian classics and innovative dishes crafted from locally sourced ingredients.
Served with roasted mushrooms, sherry demi-glace, lemon arugula, and the most delicious cauliflower-potato mash, Tommy Bahama’s Filet Mignon is a must-order.
Seasoned to perfection, you can tell a lot of attention and thought was given to this dish.
And for a taste that truly transports you seaside, I personally recommend their Seared Scallop Sliders.
These scallops are said to be shipped straight from Hokkaido, Japan, and are as fresh as the sea.
What to order: Filet Mignon, Seared Scallop Sliders
Address: 298 Beach Walk Suite 137, Honolulu, HI 96815
10. Cream Pot
Fancy breakfast in fantasyland? 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.
One of the best Eggs Benedict you’ll ever have on the island 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 for more just for this dish alone.
Super light, fluffy, and delicious, Cream Pot’s Souffle Pancakes feel like you’re eating clouds. My top picks are the Banana Salted and Strawberry—not too sweet and flawless in every way!
Pair it with their 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
11. 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, i suggest trying the highly sought-after Spam Musubi. You’ll love this one even if you don’t like Spam; it’s just that good.
In case you want a souvenir to take home, 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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12. Wasabi Bistro
Tucked away at the back of a hotel, Wasabi Bistro is an amazing hole-in-the-wall sushi restaurant along Waikiki. With their fish freshly shipped straight from Japan, everything here is high quality.
Set inside a small Japanese-inspired home, the ambiance is modern and cozy. The intimate setting allows you to savor each dish with a heightened sense of relaxation.
You won’t want to miss their standout dish: the Baked Scallop Special. It’s scallops and mushrooms on rice, topped with a tasty creamy sauce that really brings out the scallop flavor.
For a wholesome sushi experience, I suggest you get their Sashimi Regular. Coming in five kinds of buttery and soft sashimi, your taste buds will thank you for ordering this one.
If you think five isn’t enough, it also comes in a Deluxe size which comes with eight varieties.
What to order: Baked Scallop Special, Sashimi Regular, Sashimi Deluxe
Address: 250 Beach Walk, Honolulu, HI 96815
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13. Marugame Udon
Marugame Udon is a popular Japanese chain with two locations in Honolulu, serving up 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”.
The Curry Nikutama is their best-selling dish featuring the best-tasting beef curry broth! Have a big bowl of this dish, and your tummy and heart will be happy for the rest of the day.
Their Nikutama is a simpler version where the sauce/broth and beef are both savory and sweet. You can also have this dish served cold upon request if that’s to your liking!
Pro tip: When you order udon noodles at Marugame Udon, make sure you also order at least a couple of different tempura plates to go with the udon.
The most popular tempura choices here are the Shrimp and Chicken. But, make no mistake, they also have a wide variety of vegetarian options!
What to order: Curry Nikutama, Nikutama Udon, Shrimp tempura, Chicken Tempura
Address: 2310 Kuhio Avenue, Suite 124, Honolulu, HI 96815
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14. EbiNomi
Home of the best garlic shrimp on the islands, EbiNomi is hard to miss. Offering tasty local Hawaiian food, this place is a famous spot for tourists and locals alike.
The restaurant is located in the Courtyard with an outside sitting area. It can get crowded quickly, so I advise ordering ahead.
If you love shrimp and a whole bunch of garlic on your rice, you will undoubtedly enjoy their Ebi Kahuku!
Did I mention the shrimp are already peeled? Perfectly balanced and not overwhelming, this dish is your best bet!
Cooked in au jus, their Prime Rib is tender and top-notch quality meat. You can tell the owner is very serious about this dish because of the attention to detail.
Only available on Sundays; there’s a good reason why this one gets sold out quickly!
What to order: Ebi Kahuku (Garlic Shrimps), Prime Rib
Address: 2310 Kūhiō Ave Courtyard 138, Honolulu, HI 96815
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Waikiki is truly paradise, not just in beachfront views but in food as well.
If you’re looking for more recommendations, Honolulu is also home to some of the best restaurants on the islands.