Merriman's Honolulu is a fine-dining restaurant in Honolulu.
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 in Waimea on the Big Island.
Must order: The wok-charred ahi and the Hawaiian opihi shooters on the half shell.
Tip: Anaha tower entrance via Auahi Street. Sunset terrace seats book first; ask for an upper level.
Address: 1108 Auahi Street, Honolulu, HI 96814
Stripsteak Waikiki is Michael Mina's modern American steakhouse in Honolulu's International Market Place, with prime Angus, American wagyu and Japanese A5 by the slice.
Order: The triple-seared Japanese A5 wagyu with yuzu kosho, and the truffle pommes puree side.
Tip: Open-air Grand Lanai seats catch the trade wind. Happy hour 16:00 to 18:00 daily for bar bites.
Sushi Sho Hawaii is chef Keiji Nakazawa's 16-seat edomae omakase counter at The Ritz-Carlton Residences Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, the master sushi chef's first counter outside Tokyo opened in 2016.
Order: The full 30-plus course omakase; the otoro nigiri and aged Maui bonito are signatures.
Tip: Two seatings nightly, no children under 12. Reservations open via phone only; book eight weeks ahead.
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 before opening MW in 2013.
Order: Mochi-crusted local fish; pastry chef Michelle's caramel miso baby cake to finish.
Tip: Velocity Honolulu second floor, dinner only Tuesday through Sunday. Order the dessert tasting.
Fete Hawaii is chef Robynne Maii's farm-to-table room in Chinatown Honolulu, awarded the 2022 James Beard for Best Chef Northwest and Pacific on first nomination.
Order: The daily pasta and a wedge salad with house bacon to start.
Tip: Book four weeks out; bar seats are walk-in and turn at 17:30. Tuesday through Saturday, dinner only.
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 of Maunalua Bay.
Order: Misoyaki butterfish and the warm dark chocolate souffle to finish.
Tip: Off the Menu Tuesdays run a four-course tasting at lower prices. Back room has the marina view.
Mugen Waikiki is the Forbes Five-Star 34-seat fine dining room inside ESPACIO Waikiki, in Honolulu, where chef Colin Sato runs a five-course menu designed with Alan Wong.
Order: The full five-course tasting with wine pairing from the Wine Spectator Best Of collection.
Tip: Resort wear required. Valet on the ESPACIO motor lobby is complimentary for diners; book three weeks out.
