Photo: Ossewa · CC BY-SA 4.0Restaurants
The best restaurants in Honolulu, from Hawaiian food and poke counters to chef-driven Kaimuki favorites, oceanfront fine dining and Waikiki classics.
Finding the best restaurants in Honolulu means exploring a food city shaped by the Pacific and by the many cultures that have made Hawaii home.
Native Hawaiian dishes like kalua pig, laulau and poi sit alongside Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Filipino, Portuguese and Vietnamese cooking, and local favorites such as poke, plate lunches, saimin, musubi, malasadas and shave ice blend those influences.
The Michelin Guide does not cover Hawaii, so the James Beard Awards and Honolulu Magazine's Hale Aina Awards are the main benchmarks; several Honolulu chefs were named 2026 James Beard semifinalists.
This guide covers icons and neighborhood favorites, splurges and cheap eats, so you can eat well in every part of the city.
Honolulu's dining scene is spread across its neighborhoods.
Waikiki has beachfront restaurants and hotel dining rooms, Kaimuki and Kapahulu are packed with chef-driven restaurants, bakeries and plate lunch spots, Chinatown mixes noodle houses with creative kitchens, and Kakaako has newer restaurants and breweries.
Some of the most beloved local spots are simple counters in residential neighborhoods like Kalihi. Restaurants open and close quickly, so check hours and reservations before you go.
The top pick in each category, at a glance.
| Category | Our pick | |
|---|---|---|
| Best overall | La Mer | Reserve |
| By Cuisine | Helena's Hawaiian Food | Reserve |
| Fine Dining Restaurants | La Mer | Reserve |
| Most Romantic Restaurants | 53 By The Sea | Reserve |
| Rooftop & View Restaurants | Duke's Waikiki | Reserve |
| Vegetarian & Vegan Restaurants | Peace Cafe | Reserve |
| Poke & Iconic Honolulu Eats | Leonard's Bakery | Reserve |
| New & Trendy Restaurants | Chao Hawaii | Reserve |
📍 Waikiki
French$$$$· Elegant & oceanfront
Inside the Halekulani, La Mer serves refined French cuisine with Hawaiian ingredients in a dining room open to the ocean breeze, with views of the sunset and Diamond Head. It is one of the city's classic special-occasion restaurants, with a dress code. Reserve in advance.
What to order: Seasonal tasting menu
📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve📍 Kaimuki
Contemporary Hawaiian$$$· Lively & local
Chef Ed Kenney's Kaimuki restaurant celebrates local farms, fishermen and Hawaiian flavors with small plates made for sharing. Kenney was named a 2026 James Beard semifinalist for Best Chef: Northwest and Pacific. Reservations are recommended.
What to order: Seasonal Hawaiian small plates
📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve📍 Kaimuki
Vietnamese$$$· Creative & festive
Chef Andrew Le and his family built this Vietnamese restaurant into a Honolulu favorite in Chinatown before moving it to a larger space in Kaimuki. Its pho, noodles and creative dishes earned Le a 2026 James Beard semifinalist nod for Best Chef: Northwest and Pacific.
What to order: Pho and banh mi
📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve📍 Chinatown
Italian-Asian$$$· Intimate & stylish
Chef Bao Tran and Jennifer Akiyoshi blend Italian technique with Asian flavors at this Chinatown restaurant, whose name means Thursday in Italian. It won Best New Restaurant at the 2025 Hale Aina Awards and Best Oahu Restaurant in 2026, and Tran was named a 2026 James Beard Emerging Chef semifinalist.
What to order: Pasta with Asian flavors
📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve📍 Kalihi
Hawaiian$· Family-run & no-frills
Open since 1946, this family restaurant is a Honolulu institution for Hawaiian food, with pipikaula short ribs, kalua pig, laulau and poi. It received a James Beard America's Classics award and won Best Hawaiian at the 2026 Hale Aina Awards. Expect a line.
What to order: Pipikaula short ribs
📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve📍 Kakaako
Hawaiian$$· Casual & welcoming
Founded in 1947, Highway Inn serves classic Hawaiian plates, from laulau and kalua pig to squid luau and haupia. Its Kakaako location is convenient for visitors.
What to order: Laulau and kalua pig
📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve📍 Kakaako
French$$$$· Precise & intimate
Chef Yuya Yamanaka serves a refined French prix-fixe menu with local ingredients in a small Kakaako dining room. Yamanaka was named a 2026 James Beard semifinalist for Best Chef: Northwest and Pacific. Book ahead.
What to order: Prix-fixe menu
📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve📍 Kahala
Italian$$$$· Polished & resort
The upscale branch of Arancino in the Kahala Hotel won Best Wine Program and placed second for Best Oahu Restaurant at the 2026 Hale Aina Awards. It is a refined option away from Waikiki.
What to order: Italian classics
📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve📍 Nuuanu
Vietnamese$$· Bright & lively
Chao won Best New Restaurant and Best Vietnamese at the 2026 Hale Aina Awards, and its owners were named Restaurateurs of the Year. It serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with a full cocktail bar.
What to order: Vietnamese dishes and cocktails
📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve📍 Kakaako
Hawaii Regional$$$· Relaxed & convivial
Peter Merriman, one of the founders of Hawaii Regional Cuisine, cooks with local farm and ocean products. Merriman was named a 2026 James Beard semifinalist for Outstanding Restaurateur.
What to order: Island fish and farm dishes
📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve📍 Waikiki
Hawaiian & American$$$· Iconic sunset setting
At the Halekulani, this open-air restaurant under a century-old kiawe tree is famous for sunset Hawaiian music and hula, with Diamond Head on the horizon.
What to order: Mai tai at sunset
📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve📍 Waikiki
Seafood & Hawaiian$$$· Beachfront & festive
Named after Duke Kahanamoku, this lively restaurant on the sand at the Outrigger Waikiki is a classic for fish, cocktails, live music and the hula pie dessert.
What to order: Fresh fish and hula pie
📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve📍 Waikiki
Steakhouse$$$$· Classic & clubby
A Waikiki classic with dark wood interiors, steaks broiled over kiawe wood and old-school service. It won Best Steak at the 2026 Hale Aina Awards.
What to order: Kiawe-broiled steaks
📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve📍 Iwilei
Seafood$$· Harbor-side & casual
Next to the fish auction on Honolulu Harbor, Nico's serves fresh fish plates, poke and seafood with harbor views, with a fish market on site.
What to order: Fish plates and poke
📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve📍 Kapahulu
Portuguese bakery$· Classic takeout
Open since 1952, Leonard's is famous for its malasadas, Portuguese doughnuts rolled in sugar and served warm. Its pink and white sign is a Kapahulu landmark.
What to order: Malasadas
📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve📍 Kapahulu
Plate lunch$· Casual drive-in
Open since 1961 near Kapiolani Park, Rainbow Drive-In is a classic stop for plate lunches, loco moco and chili plates at local prices.
What to order: Loco moco
📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve📍 Liliha
Bakery & diner$· Old-school & busy
Founded in 1950, Liliha Bakery is famous for its coco puffs, chocolate cream puffs topped with a buttery chantilly frosting, and its diner counter. It now has several locations, including Waikiki.
What to order: Coco puffs
📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve📍 Waikiki
Japanese$· Fast & busy
Udon noodles are made fresh in front of you at this self-service counter on Kuhio Avenue, with tempura and musubi. The line moves quickly.
What to order: Fresh udon
📍 View on Google Maps →ReserveHonolulu's food scene reflects the many cultures that have shaped Hawaii, from Native Hawaiian traditions to Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Filipino, Portuguese and Vietnamese cooking. Use this list to find the best restaurant for whatever you are craving.
Hawaiian $
A Kalihi institution since 1946.
What to order: Pipikaula
Vietnamese $$$
Creative Vietnamese cooking in Kaimuki.
What to order: Pho
Italian-Asian $$$
Italian technique and Asian flavors in Chinatown.
What to order: Pasta
Japanese $$$
Best Sushi at the 2026 Hale Aina Awards.
What to order: Sushi
Chinese $$
Best Dim Sum and Best Chinese in 2026.
What to order: Dim sum
Korean $$
Best Korean Barbecue in 2026.
What to order: Korean barbecue
Filipino $
Best Filipino in 2026.
What to order: Filipino dishes
Thai $$
Best Thai in 2026.
What to order: Isan dishes
Mexican and seafood $$
Best Mexican at the 2026 Hale Aina Awards.
What to order: Mariscos
Japanese $$
Best Tonkatsu in 2026.
What to order: Tonkatsu
Turkish $$$
Best Mediterranean in 2026.
What to order: Turkish dishes
The Michelin Guide does not cover Hawaii, but Honolulu has a strong fine dining scene recognized by the James Beard Awards and the Hale Aina Awards. These restaurants are worth planning a trip around. Reserve well in advance.
French $$$$
Oceanfront elegance at the Halekulani.
What to order: Tasting menu
French $$$$
Chef Yuya Yamanaka in Kakaako.
What to order: Prix-fixe menu
Italian $$$$
A refined Italian dining room at the Kahala.
What to order: Italian dishes
Contemporary $$$$
Oceanfront dining at the Halekulani.
What to order: Seafood and Sunday brunch
Seafood $$$$
Best Seafood in 2026, at the Royal Hawaiian.
What to order: Fresh fish
Contemporary $$$$
Best Service and Best Ambiance in 2026.
What to order: Seasonal dishes
French $$$$
A classic oceanfront dining room near Diamond Head.
What to order: French classics
Honolulu's most romantic restaurants combine ocean views, sunset light and memorable cooking. Reserve ahead for tables by the water at sunset.
Contemporary $$$$
Most Romantic at the 2026 Hale Aina Awards.
What to order: Seafood
French $$$$
Ocean breezes and Diamond Head views.
What to order: Tasting menu
French $$$$
Tables just above the water.
What to order: French classics
Hawaiian & American $$$
Hula and Hawaiian music under the kiawe tree.
What to order: Sunset cocktails
Contemporary $$$
Best Outdoor Dining in 2026, on Sans Souci Beach.
What to order: Brunch and seafood
Contemporary $$$$
Oceanfront at the Halekulani.
What to order: Seafood
Seafood $$$$
Beachfront cabanas at the Royal Hawaiian.
What to order: Fresh fish
Honolulu's best views take in the ocean, the sunset and Diamond Head. These restaurants and bars make the most of them.
Seafood $$$
On the sand in central Waikiki.
What to order: Fresh fish
Hawaiian & American $$$
Diamond Head and the sunset.
What to order: Mai tai
Bar $$
Beachfront views of Diamond Head.
What to order: Mai tai
Contemporary $$$
Shaded tables on the beach.
What to order: Brunch
French $$$$
Waikiki's lights across the water.
What to order: French dishes
Seafood $$
Views over Honolulu Harbor.
What to order: Fish plates
Honolulu has a growing number of vegetarian and vegan restaurants, and many local places offer plant-based options. These spots are favorites with vegetarians and meat-eaters alike.
Vegan $
Best Vegetarian at the 2026 Hale Aina Awards.
What to order: Vegan plate lunch
Japanese vegan $$
A vegan sushi bar and izakaya.
What to order: Vegan sushi
Plant-based fine dining $$$$
A 2026 Hale Aina finalist for Best Vegetarian.
What to order: Tasting menu
Vietnamese vegetarian $
An all-vegan menu downtown.
What to order: Vegetarian Vietnamese dishes
Market $
Graze on papaya, lilikoi and local produce.
What to order: Tropical fruit
Some Honolulu foods are simply essential: warm malasadas, a plate lunch, fresh poke, Hawaiian food, a coco puff and shave ice after the beach. These spots are local institutions.
Portuguese bakery $
Warm sugar-coated doughnuts since 1952.
What to order: Malasadas
Plate lunch $
A Kapahulu classic since 1961.
What to order: Loco moco
Hawaiian $
Hawaiian food since 1946.
What to order: Pipikaula
Hawaiian $$
Hawaiian plates since 1947.
What to order: Laulau
Bakery $
A local favorite since 1950.
What to order: Coco puffs
Seafood $$
Fresh fish by the harbor.
What to order: Poke
Japanese $
Fresh noodles in Waikiki.
What to order: Udon
Shave ice $
Fine, fluffy shave ice.
What to order: Shave ice
Local diner $
Best Local Chain runner-up in 2026.
What to order: Chili and saimin
Diner $
The 2026 Old-School Restaurant We Love.
What to order: Pies
Honolulu's restaurants are spread across many neighborhoods, each with its own style. Here is one standout restaurant for each of the city's main dining areas.
French $$$$
Waikiki: oceanfront fine dining.
What to order: Tasting menu
Contemporary Hawaiian $$$
Kaimuki: seasonal Hawaiian cooking.
What to order: Small plates
Portuguese bakery $
Kapahulu: a classic bakery.
What to order: Malasadas
Italian-Asian $$$
Chinatown: Italian-Asian cooking.
What to order: Pasta
French $$$$
Kakaako: refined French cooking.
What to order: Prix-fixe menu
Hawaiian $
Kalihi: Hawaiian food.
What to order: Pipikaula
Vietnamese $$
Nuuanu: the 2026 Best New Restaurant.
What to order: Vietnamese dishes
Italian $$$$
Kahala: a resort dining room.
What to order: Italian dishes
Seafood $$
Iwilei: by the harbor.
What to order: Fish plates
Bakery $
Liliha: the original location.
What to order: Coco puffs
Honolulu's restaurant scene changes quickly, with new openings and closings every month. The Hale Aina Awards and the James Beard semifinalist list are good guides to what is generating buzz. Check current hours and reservations before you go.
Vietnamese $$
Best New Restaurant at the 2026 Hale Aina Awards.
What to order: Vietnamese dishes
Contemporary $$$
Runner-up for Best New Restaurant in 2026.
What to order: Seasonal dishes
Dessert $$$
Neale Asato, a 2026 James Beard finalist for Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker.
What to order: Dessert omakase
Bakery and butcher $
A Kaimuki shop, a 2026 James Beard Outstanding Bakery semifinalist.
What to order: Pastries
Italian-Asian $$$
Bao Tran, a 2026 James Beard Emerging Chef semifinalist.
What to order: Pasta
Honolulu is known for poke, plate lunches, Hawaiian food such as kalua pig, laulau and poi, loco moco, saimin, Spam musubi, malasadas and shave ice. Fresh fish like ahi tuna is everywhere, and Japanese, Korean, Chinese and Filipino food are part of everyday local cooking.
No. The Michelin Guide does not cover Hawaii. The James Beard Awards are the main national benchmark: in 2026, Ed Kenney of Mud Hen Water, Andrew Le of The Pig and the Lady, Bao Tran of Giovedi and Yuya Yamanaka of Paris Hawaii were semifinalists, and Neale Asato of Asato Family Shop was a finalist.
Kaimuki is the favorite of many locals for chef-driven restaurants and bakeries, Kapahulu for local classics like malasadas and plate lunches, Chinatown for noodles and creative cooking, Kakaako for newer restaurants and Waikiki for beachfront dining.
For fine dining and popular restaurants such as La Mer, Mud Hen Water or The Pig and the Lady, yes, especially on weekends. Beachfront tables at sunset should be booked ahead. Plate lunch counters, poke shops and bakeries do not take reservations, but lines can be long.
A plate lunch is a classic local meal: a main dish such as teriyaki beef, chicken katsu, kalua pig or loco moco, served with two scoops of white rice and a scoop of macaroni salad. It reflects the mixed heritage of Hawaii's plantation workers.
Tipping 18 to 20 percent of the pre-tax bill is standard at sit-down restaurants. Some restaurants add a service charge, so check the bill before adding a tip. At counters, tipping is optional.
