10 restaurants vital to Honolulu

by Noelle Chun

Updated 30 March 2023

Honolulu is a city of contrasts. Of sand and sea, yes. But the palm-fringed Hawaiian capital is also known for a rich and complex food scene, swirled with Hawaiian, Japanese, Chinese, Portuguese, and Filipino flavors, among others. Even when the names of the dishes they serve are recognizable, the city’s best restaurants shine by creating one-of-a-kind renditions.

A James Beard Award-winning chef in downtown Honolulu—the first Native Hawaiian woman to receive that honor—dishes up pristine fish plates and bavettes. Cantonese fare gets the island treatment at a longstanding King Street cafe. Crowds flock to a chic Italian restaurant in Kahala for its signature uni pasta.

New hits and old faithfuls define Honolulu’s eclectic dining scene. Read on for a guide to the 10 restaurants essential to Hawaiʻi’s largest city.

House Without a Key

4.6

4.6 (3583)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Waikiki

About the restaurant

It’s hard to imagine a more quintessentially Waikīkī setting than House without a Key. Located in the historic Halekulani hotel in Waikīkī, the restaurant’s patio is set against a dramatic swoop of sand and sea leading up to majestic Diamond Head. The New American menu is equally iconic with the signature mai tai and cloud-like coconut cake and dishes such as char siu coconut baby back ribs and herb-crusted skirt steak, not to mention. Open-air dining is at the heart of the House Without a Key experience so diners can appreciate the cool Hawaiian tradewinds. Choose between the fully covered main dining room, newly opened Earl’s for a seat in front of the bartender, or the lānai (patio), which brings people closest to the main stage for nightly Hawaiian music and hula dancing. The scenic spot is popular for sunset drinks and pūpūs (small plates), though it’s also open for full-fledged lunch and dinner.

Top review

Cindy

Dined 5 days ago

The live music adds so much to the overall experience. The food is delicious and the service was so good!!

Fête

4.8

4.8 (3746)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Honolulu

About the restaurant

In 2022, Hawaiʻi received its first James Beard award in 19 years with Robynne Maii’s Fête. Set in Honolulu’s trendy Chinatown district, Fête combines a Brooklyn-inspired approach (New American techniques, farm-to-table fare) to food with local flavors. The acclaimed menu is focused on sustainable, locally sourced ingredients from community partners. Chef Maii’s signatures include pristine housemade pastas, fish plates, and beautiful bavettes.

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Lisavip

Dined 2 days ago

We love Fete. The food NEVER disappoints! delicious and lively ambiance.

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4.8

4.8 (4053)

$31 to $50

Hawaii Regional Cuisine

Honolulu

About the restaurant

Peter Merriman (one of the original pioneers of the Hawaii Regional Cuisine movement) has an impressive restaurant empire that stretches across Oʻahu, the Big Island, Kauaʻi, and Maui, all with a focus on locally sourced ingredients. His Honolulu outpost is located in Oʻahu’s trendy Kakaʻako neighborhood, a sunny spot for the dining room’s floor-to-ceiling windows. Find local classics on the menu, such as macadamia nut-crusted fish, and house specialities including tako (octopus) served escargot-style with toasted slices of baguette and cognac-parsley-garlic butter. To all that, add an acclaimed wine list—Merriman’s was singled out as one of Wine Enthusiast’s best restaurants in 2019—and you’ve got the formula for an evergreen hit.

Top review

Jeannettevip

Dined 2 days ago

As you eat a meal at Merriman's, you can tell that each ingredient is selected with care. Sure enough, when I asked I found out the food is locally sourced from farms that the owners and Chef know and trust. Many items are hand selected by the box, not the truck load. Since the Chef from Maui transferred over to Merriman's Oʻahu, our entrees have been especially ono. At lunch today I planned to take home one of my two fish (ahi) tacos. No way! I couldn't stop finishing both. Last night my husband and I walked into Merriman's without reservations and sat at the bar. Who cares if we didn't get a table? The gregarious host, Cody Merriman, stopped by to share a laugh or two and answer our questions about the menu. My husband ordered their chicken entree for dinner and said it was the best chicken he'd ever had. And my taro falafel was also delicious. We can't resist their Waialua Chocolate Purse for dessert. I felt a little decadent afterward, but what the heck? There are lots of restaurants in our neighborhood, but for five years now we keep coming back to Merriman's which seems to be even better the last six months. Could it be the addition of the Maui Chef? We like the vibe. Energetic without being so loud you cannot carry on a conversation. We both think their Hawaiian music playlist is the best in the City. Wish I could think of something negative to say to make this review real. But having just come back from a great lunch with memories of a wonderful dinner there last night, I am only happy and satisfied.

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4.8

4.8 (3208)

$50 and over

Seafood

Honolulu

About the restaurant

Husband-and-wife duo Michelle Karr-Ueoka and Wade Ueoka are the forces behind this Honolulu mainstay. The elegant Ala Moana dining room entices diners with its sophisticated local dishes. Go for the five-course tasting menu or the a la carte option that features the MW’s signature mochi-crusted Kona kampachi. Don’t miss pastry chef Karr-Ueoka’s impeccable desserts, including feathery mango shaved ice and decadent chocolate cake.

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Naomi

Dined on 19 Nov 2024

It’s been our go-to favorite restaurant whenever we come to Oahu. We started going when they had their original spot behind Ala Moana Center. Thanks again for a wonderful dinner!

Original Roy's, Hawaii Kai

4.8

4.8 (3221)

$50 and over

Hawaii Regional Cuisine

Honolulu

About the restaurant

Today, you’ll find Roy’s Hawaiian fusion restaurants sprawled across the mainland in California, Arizona, and Florida. But it all began in this original breezy dining room in Hawaiʻi Kai. As one of the founding members of the Hawaiʻi Regional Cuisine movement in the early 1990s, chef Roy Yamaguchi celebrates the melting pot of cultures in Hawaiʻi, mixing Hawaiian, Japanese, Chinese, Portuguese, and Filipino flavors, among others. The results include blackened ahi and crispy whole tai snapper, which you can still order today.

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Victoria

Dined 4 days ago

Experience the original Roy's for yourself! NOKA OI!

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Popular dish

Bacon Orange Fried Brussels Sprouts

Popular dish

Macadamia Nut Crusted Hawaiian Fish

Popular dish

Blackened Island Ahi

Mud Hen Water

4.6

4.6 (1360)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Honolulu

About the restaurant

Mud Hen Water is lauded chef Ed Kenny’s love song to Hawaiian food. The decades-long restaurateur (who earned local cred via Honolulu magazine’s Haleʻaina awards) remains steadfast in his commitment to a farm-to-table philosophy and adds modern twists to traditional dishes. Kenny’s riffs on familiar Island favorites include Molokaʻi venison lau lau and preserved akule (a local shallow-water ocean fish). During the day, the sun-drenched dining room and breezy outdoor lānai—ideal for a leisurely pancake brunch—make for one of the prettiest perches in town.

Top review

Anna

Dined on 16 Nov 2024

AMAZING. Do not sleep on this place. It’s a MUST.

La Mer at Halekulani

4.9

4.9 (2227)

$50 and over

French

Waikiki

About the restaurant

La Mer belongs to a vanguard of high-end places that define fine dining in the Islands. Today, it is Hawaiʻi’s only AAA Five Diamond and Forbes 5 Star restaurant. Classic French food graces tables with shimmering seaside views at sunset. Expect an elaborate symphony of kampachi tartare, filet de canard roti, souffles, and a cavalcade of cheeses as you listen to the gentle roar of the ocean. Opt for the full tasting menu experience—complete with caviar supplements and wine pairings—or choose your own way on the equally celebrated a la carte menu.

Top review

AshnaB

Dined 5 days ago

My husband and I had a special dinner here during our honeymoon! From the moment we walked in, the service was exceptional! Clearly professional as expected from such an esteemed restaurant, but still warm and welcoming. We felt very well looked after. We got the most beautiful table, which elevated the experience further. We ordered the degustation and added on the vanilla soufflé and every dish was delicious and different - it felt familiar yet innovative. We were so so full when we left! Highly recommend!

Sushi Sasabune Hawaii

4.9

4.9 (989)

$50 and over

Sushi

Honolulu

About the restaurant

“Trust us!” claims a sign at Sushi Sasabune. With no menus, no set prices, and no soy sauce on the tables, the restaurant’s sign foreshadows what’s to come. Diners are encouraged to sit back and enjoy the ride with chef Seiji Kumagawa as their unflinching guide. Kumagawa creates a customized omakase course for each guest, typically spanning 13 to 15 courses, with a focus on nigiri using local fish. Though it’s set against bustling King Street, Sushi Sasabune is a cozy retreat in Honolulu. Seats are limited, so be sure to reserve well in advance.

Top review

GroverH

Dined on 16 Nov 2024

Best sushi on island! Delicious! Always a wonderful experience.

Arancino at The Kahala

4.8

4.8 (1309)

$50 and over

Italian

Honolulu

About the restaurant

Since owner Ichiro Inamura opened its original Waikīkī location in 1998, Arancino has won hearts as a crowd favorite, most recently earning OpenTable’s Dinerʻs Choice Award (in addition to other distinctions including Honolulu magazine’s Hale’aina Award for best Italian food). Japanese-owned Italian restaurants are part of a well-loved dining genre in Hawaiʻi, and Arancinoʻs Kahala location is one of the Island’s most elegant examples of it. The menu is equal parts comforting and playful with dishes such as a signature uni pasta with white wine and tomato cream sauce and cacio e pepe presented tableside in a flaming pecorino wheel. Though Arancino’s Honolulu location came first, the restaurant has since expanded to Osaka and Kyoto in Japan—a testament to its popularity.

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Johnnyvip

Dined 4 days ago

Awesome experience and Ken was amazing. Walked through the whole menu with us and gave out customers favorites along with his personal recommendations. They were able to make modifications to our dishes since one friend doesn't do truffle oil and another friend wanted to add a side of mushrooms to his dish. We order a bit too much and was extremely full by the end of our meal. They packed everything for us and all boxes were nicely labeled. Will definitely be back since food and service are great.

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Tagliatelle ai Frutti di Mare

Yakitori Hachibei - Chinatown Hawaii

4.8

4.8 (728)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Honolulu

About the restaurant

An open-fire charcoal grill provides the dramatic centerpiece for Yakitori Hachibei. The restaurant’s hearth uses traditional Japanese techniques to dole out yakitori—succulent morsels of chicken, pork, beef, and vegetables grilled on wooden sticks. Find typical skewers such as chicken breast, quail eggs, and tsukune (minced chicken with chives and onions), alongside Hachibei specialties including foie gras and beef sukiyaki. Ending a meal with a bowl of paitan ramen is practically mandatory. In addition to the spectacular Japanese fare, Hachibei’s softly lit interiors and exposed brick walls make it one of most sought-after dinner spots in town.

Top review

Jazminevip

Dined on 12 Nov 2024

Visited during restaurant week Nov 2024 and got the $50 pre-fixe omakase menu with some additional skewers. The omakase menu is normally $80 so it was such a great value (the restaurant week menu had slightly less items). We sat at the counter and it was great to be able to see the chefs at work! Loved the smoky smell in the air and the overall ambiance of the restaurant. Favorites of the night were the sukiyaki skewers, beef tongue skewers and the salmon, ikura, uni don. This was our third or fourth time back to this restaurant, but it had been about 3-4 years since our last visit. We had a great date night and will definitely be back!