21 hawaiian rooms worth the trip across United States, editor-ranked. All cuisines in United States.
Senia ★ 4.8 · Honolulu
chinatown · 75 North King Street, Honolulu, HI 96817
Senia in Honolulu Chinatown is the modern Hawaiian tasting room that Anthony Rush and Chris Kajioka opened in 2016, now Rush-led since 2021 with stages.
Tip: Tasting menu runs eight to ten courses, around $135 to $160 per person before drinks. Book three weeks out via Tock.
Mugen Waikiki ★ 4.7 · Honolulu
waikiki · 2452 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96815
Mugen Waikiki is the Forbes Five-Star room inside ESPACIO with a 34-seat dining room, designed in consultation with Alan Wong, anchoring fine dining.
Tip: Reservations open 30 days out. Resort wear is the dress code; valet at the ESPACIO motor lobby is free for diners.
Helena's Hawaiian Food ★ 4.7 · Honolulu
kalihi · 1240 North School Street, Honolulu, HI 96817
Helena's Hawaiian Food on North School Street has served traditional Hawaiian plates in Kalihi Honolulu since 1946, now run by the founder's grandson Craig.
Tip: Tuesday to Friday, 10:00-19:30, cash and card. Closed Saturday and Sunday; arrive by 17:00 for the full board.
Helena's Hawaiian Food ★ 4.7 · Honolulu
kalihi · 1240 North School Street, Honolulu, HI 96817
Helena's Hawaiian Food on North School Street has served traditional Hawaiian plates in Kalihi Honolulu since 1946, now run by the founder's grandson Craig.
Tip: Tuesday to Friday, 10:00-19:30. Cash and card; closed Saturday and Sunday. Arrive by 17:00 for the full board.
MW Restaurant ★ 4.6 · Honolulu
ala-moana · 888 Kapiolani Boulevard, Honolulu, HI 96813
MW Restaurant in Ala Moana Honolulu is chefs Wade and Michelle Karr-Ueoka's modern Hawaiian room of mochi-crusted fish and oxtail soup dumplings.
Tip: Open Tuesday to Sunday, dinner only. Pastry chef Michelle's desserts merit a separate course; book the dessert tasting.
MW Restaurant ★ 4.6 · Honolulu
888 Kapiolani Boulevard, Honolulu, HI 96813
MW Restaurant is the Ala Moana Honolulu fine-dining room of husband-and-wife chefs Wade Ueoka and Michelle Karr-Ueoka, who trained at Alan Wong's and built.
Tip: Velocity Honolulu second floor, dinner only Tuesday through Sunday. Order the dessert tasting.
Roy's Hawaii Kai ★ 4.5 · Honolulu
hawaii-kai · 6600 Kalanianaole Highway, Honolulu, HI 96825
Roy's Hawaii Kai is where Roy Yamaguchi launched Hawaiian Regional Cuisine in 1988, still the flagship of the chain and the canonical room for misoyaki.
Tip: Sunset tables open early; the back room has the marina view. Off the Menu Tuesdays run a 4-course tasting at lower prices.
Rainbow Drive-In ★ 4.5 · Honolulu
kapahulu · 3308 Kanaina Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96815
Rainbow Drive-In on Kanaina Avenue in Kapahulu Honolulu has slung plate lunches since 1961, founded by Seiju and Ayako Ifuku and now voted top loco moco.
Tip: Open 07:00-21:00 daily. Cash-friendly window; no inside seating, eat at the parking-lot picnic tables.
Rainbow Drive-In ★ 4.5 · Honolulu
kapahulu · 3308 Kanaina Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96815
Rainbow Drive-In on Kanaina Avenue in Kapahulu Honolulu has slung plate lunches since 1961, founded by Seiju and Ayako Ifuku and voted top loco moco.
Tip: Open 07:00-21:00 daily. No inside seating; eat at the parking lot picnic tables.
Roy's Hawaii Kai ★ 4.5 · Honolulu
6600 Kalanianaole Highway, Honolulu, HI 96825
Roy's Hawaii Kai is where Roy Yamaguchi launched Hawaiian Regional Cuisine in 1988, still the flagship fine dining room of the chain on the Honolulu side.
Tip: Off the Menu Tuesdays run a four-course tasting at lower prices. Back room has the marina view.
Mud Hen Water ★ 4.4 · Honolulu
kaimuki · 3452 Waialae Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96816
Mud Hen Water is Ed Kenney's Kaimuki Honolulu room of contemporary Hawaiian aina-based plates, named for the English translation of Waialae and a 2025 James.
Tip: Sunday brunch is the locals' move. The menu changes weekly with farm deliveries.
Mud Hen Water ★ 4.4 · Honolulu
kaimuki · 3452 Waialae Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96816
Mud Hen Water is Ed Kenney's Kaimuki Honolulu room of contemporary Hawaiian aina-based plates, a 2025 James Beard semifinalist named for the English.
Tip: Sunday brunch is the locals' move. Menu changes weekly with farm deliveries.
Palace Saimin ★ 4.4 · Honolulu
kalihi · 1256 North King Street, Honolulu, HI 96817
Palace Saimin in Kalihi Honolulu is one of the state's oldest saimin shops, opened by Kame Ige in 1946 and still serving the shrimp-and-pork-dashi broth.
Tip: Tuesday to Friday 10:00-20:00, Saturday to 15:00. Closed Sunday and Monday. Six-spot parking.
53 By The Sea ★ 4.4 · Honolulu
53 Ahui Street, Honolulu, HI 96813
53 By The Sea is the oceanfront fine dining room in Kakaako Honolulu, opened in 2012 with a grand staircase, Diamond Head views and a Pacific Rim menu.
Tip: Sunset tables go fast; aim for the second seating. Complimentary valet at the main door.
Merriman's Honolulu ★ 4.4 · Honolulu
1108 Auahi Street, Honolulu, HI 96814
Merriman's Honolulu is Peter Merriman's first Oahu outpost, opened at Ward Village in 2017 from the chef who co-founded Hawaiian Regional Cuisine in 1991.
Tip: Anaha tower entrance via Auahi Street. Sunset terrace seats book first; ask for an upper level.
Highway Inn Kakaako ★ 4.3 · Honolulu
kakaako · 680 Ala Moana Boulevard, Honolulu, HI 96813
Highway Inn Kakaako is the 2013 Honolulu outpost of the Toguchi family's 1947 Waipahu original, serving the same kalua pork, laulau and combo plates inside.
Tip: Free parking with validation, ninety minutes. Lunch wait shortens after 13:00.
Side Street Inn Ala Moana ★ 4.3 · Honolulu
ala-moana · 1225 Hopaka Street, Honolulu, HI 96814
Side Street Inn Ala Moana is the 1992 Hopaka Street original in Honolulu from the late Colin Nishida, the off-duty chef pupu room behind Ala Moana Center.
Tip: Group-friendly portions; come with at least four. Mon to Fri from 16:00, weekends from 12:00, until 20:30.
Highway Inn Kakaako ★ 4.3 · Honolulu
kakaako · 680 Ala Moana Boulevard, Honolulu, HI 96813
Highway Inn Kakaako is the 2013 Honolulu outpost of the Toguchi family's 1947 Waipahu original, serving the same kalua pork, laulau and combo plates inside.
Tip: Free parking with validation, ninety minutes in the SALT lot. Lunch wait shortens after 13:00.
Side Street Inn Ala Moana ★ 4.3 · Honolulu
ala-moana · 1225 Hopaka Street, Honolulu, HI 96814
Side Street Inn Ala Moana is the original 1992 Hopaka Street bar in Honolulu from the late Colin Nishida, the off-duty chef hangout known for pan-fried pork.
Tip: Open Mon to Fri from 16:00, weekends from 12:00, until 20:30. Bring four people minimum; portions are family-size.
Bali Hai Restaurant ★ 4.2 · San Diego
shelter-island · 2230 Shelter Island Dr, San Diego, CA 92106
Bali Hai Restaurant in San Diego is the 1955 Shelter Island Tiki institution, with a sprawling Polynesian dining room, a boat dock and the city's most famous.
Tip: Sunday brunch is the value play; book a window for sunset over the marina and Point Loma.
Bali Hai Restaurant ★ 4.0 · San Diego
shelter-island · 2230 Shelter Island Dr, San Diego, CA 92106
Bali Hai Restaurant in San Diego is the 1955 Shelter Island Tiki institution, a sprawling Polynesian dining room with a boat dock, mai tai pour.
Tip: Sunday brunch is the value play; book a window for sunset over the marina and Point Loma.