22 editor picks across United States.
22 hawaiian restaurants worth the trip across United States, editor-ranked. All cuisines in United States.
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.
OrderSmoked ahi cigars and the roasted bone marrow with three salts.
TipTasting menu runs eight to ten courses, around $135 to $160 per person before drinks. Book three weeks out via Tock.
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.
OrderThe five-course tasting with the local-fish course and Hawaiian beef.
TipReservations open 30 days out. Resort wear is the dress code; valet at the ESPACIO motor lobby is free for diners.
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.
OrderPipikaula short ribs, butterfish collar and a side of poi.
TipTuesday 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 on North School Street has served traditional Hawaiian plates in Kalihi Honolulu since 1946, now run by the founder's grandson Craig.
OrderPipikaula short ribs, butterfish collar and a side of poi.
TipTuesday to Friday, 10:00-19:30. Cash and card; closed Saturday and Sunday. Arrive by 17:00 for the full board.
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.
OrderMochi-crusted local fish and the oxtail soup dumplings to start.
TipOpen Tuesday to Sunday, dinner only. Pastry chef Michelle's desserts merit a separate course; book the dessert tasting.
MW Restaurant is the Ala Moana Honolulu fine-dining room of husband-and-wife chefs Wade Ueoka and Michelle Karr-Ueoka, open for dinner Tuesday to Sunday.
OrderMochi-crusted local fish; pastry chef Michelle's caramel miso baby cake to finish.
TipVelocity Honolulu second floor, dinner only Tuesday through Sunday. Order the dessert tasting.
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.
OrderThe misoyaki butterfish and the dark chocolate souffle to finish.
TipSunset 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 on Kanaina Avenue in Kapahulu Honolulu has slung plate lunches since 1961, founded by Seiju and Ayako Ifuku and now voted top loco moco.
OrderThe loco moco mix plate with chili and the boneless chicken on the side.
TipOpen 07:00-21:00 daily. Cash-friendly window; no inside seating, eat at the parking-lot picnic tables.
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.
OrderMix plate with loco moco, BBQ beef and boneless chicken.
TipOpen 07:00-21:00 daily. No inside seating; eat at the parking lot picnic tables.
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.
OrderMisoyaki butterfish and the warm dark chocolate souffle to finish.
TipOff the Menu Tuesdays run a four-course tasting at lower prices. Back room has the marina view.
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.
OrderThe shishito pepper romesco and whatever fish the kitchen ran that morning.
TipSunday brunch is the locals' move. The menu changes weekly with farm deliveries.
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.
OrderShishito pepper romesco and whatever fish landed that morning.
TipSunday brunch is the locals' move. Menu changes weekly with farm deliveries.
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.
OrderA regular saimin and a BBQ stick on the side.
TipTuesday to Friday 10:00-20:00, Saturday to 15:00. Closed Sunday and Monday. Six-spot parking.
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.
OrderThe Hawaiian opah preparation and a steak from the prime board.
TipSunset tables go fast; aim for the second seating. Complimentary valet at the main door.
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.
OrderThe wok-charred ahi and the Hawaiian opihi shooters on the half shell.
TipAnaha tower entrance via Auahi Street. Sunset terrace seats book first; ask for an upper level.
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.
OrderThe kalua pork combo with laulau and poi.
TipFree parking with validation, ninety minutes. Lunch wait shortens after 13:00.
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.
OrderThe pan-fried pork chops and the kim chee fried rice.
TipGroup-friendly portions; come with at least four. Mon to Fri from 16:00, weekends from 12:00, until 20:30.
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.
OrderThe kalua pork combo with laulau, lomi salmon and a side of poi.
TipFree parking with validation, ninety minutes in the SALT lot. Lunch wait shortens after 13:00.
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.
OrderPan-fried pork chops with kim chee fried rice; share among four.
TipOpen Mon to Fri from 16:00, weekends from 12:00, until 20:30. Bring four people minimum; portions are family-size.
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.
OrderThe original Mai Tai (a known-strong recipe since the 1950s); the Polynesian Platter for sharing.
TipSunday brunch is the value play; book a window for sunset over the marina and Point Loma.
Big Kahuna grills Hawaiian barbecue plates and stacked burgers on Liberty Road, the Lexington original that later added a second Clays Mill Road shop.
TipClosed Mondays at both shops; the Liberty Road original keeps the shorter queue at weekday lunch.
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.
OrderThe original Mai Tai; the Polynesian Platter for sharing.
TipSunday brunch is the value play; book a window for sunset over the marina and Point Loma.
Guided tour · 9 hours
Experience the top sightseeing bus tour on Oahu with this island day trip. Explore Oahu's natural wonders, cultural sites, surfing spots, and shopping meccas on this f...
Water activity · 2.5 - 3 hours
Enjoy a 5-course dinner with Maine lobster and prime tenderloin of beef on a sunset dinner cruise. Sway to the tunes of live jazz music and dance the night away on the cruise.
Water activity · 2 - 3.5 hours
Enjoy a 5-course dinner with Maine lobster and tenderloin steak on a sunset cruise. Watch a live Hawaiian show, listen to music, and enjoy views of Waikiki and Diamond Head.
