Asian fusionChef Colin Sato$$$$$215 to $295Sun 09:00-17:00Book 3 weeks ahead
Mugen Waikiki is the Forbes Five-Star 34-seat fine dining room inside ESPACIO Waikiki, in Honolulu, where chef Colin Sato runs a five-course menu designed.
Order: The full five-course tasting with wine pairing from the Wine Spectator Best Of collection.
Tip: Resort wear required. Valet on the ESPACIO motor lobby is complimentary for diners; book three weeks out.
French fine diningChef Alexandre Trancher$$$$$245 prix fixeBook 4 weeks ahead
La Mer at Halekulani is the French fine dining room in Honolulu's Waikiki that has held AAA Five Diamond status since 1990 and a Forbes Five-Star designation.
Order: Eight-course menu degustation; the bouillabaisse course is the signature.
Tip: Tuesday to Saturday, dinner only. Jackets required for men; book four weeks out for an ocean window.
JapaneseChef Anthony Rush$$$$$135 to $160Book 3 weeks ahead
Senia in Honolulu Chinatown is chef Anthony Rush's fine dining tasting room of eight to ten courses, drawing on Hawaiian, Japanese and French training.
Order: Chef's tasting menu, with the smoked ahi cigars and bone marrow course.
Tip: Sit at the chef's counter for a closer look; book through Tock three weeks ahead for prime time.
HawaiianChef Lance Kosaka$$$$$95 to $150 entreesBook 2 weeks ahead
53 By The Sea is the oceanfront fine dining room in Kakaako Honolulu, opened in 2012 with a grand staircase, Diamond Head views and a Pacific Rim menu.
Order: The Hawaiian opah preparation and a steak from the prime board.
Tip: Sunset tables go fast; aim for the second seating. Complimentary valet at the main door.
HawaiianChef Peter Merriman$$$$$45 to $75 entreesBook 2 weeks ahead
Merriman's Honolulu is Peter Merriman's first Oahu outpost, opened at Ward Village in 2017 from the chef who co-founded Hawaiian Regional Cuisine in 1991.
Order: The wok-charred ahi and the Hawaiian opihi shooters on the half shell.
Tip: Anaha tower entrance via Auahi Street. Sunset terrace seats book first; ask for an upper level.
New AmericanChef Michael Mina$$$$$60 to $180 entreesBook 1 week ahead
Stripsteak Waikiki is Michael Mina's modern American steakhouse in Honolulu's International Market Place, with prime Angus, American wagyu and Japanese A5.
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 16:00-18:00 daily for bar bites.