Buzz's Original Steak House is a steakhouse restaurant in Kailua, Honolulu.
Buzz's Original Steak House in Kailua across the Pali from Honolulu is the surf-shack steakhouse where Barack Obama used to eat the teriyaki sirloin on family Christmas trips.
Signature dishes: Teriyaki sirloin, Salad bar, Garlic shrimp
Must order: Teriyaki sirloin off the kiawe-wood grill with a trip through the salad bar.
Tip: Lanikai Beach is a five-minute walk. Lunch is the move; dinner books up two days out.
Address: 413 Kawailoa Road, Kailua, HI 96734, Honolulu
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, opened after years at Alan Wong's.
Signature: Mochi-crusted local fish, Oxtail soup dumplings, Kona kanpachi
Order: Mochi-crusted local fish and the oxtail soup dumplings to start.
Tip: Open Tuesday to Sunday, dinner only. Pastry chef Michelle's desserts merit a separate course; book the dessert tasting.
Koko Head Cafe in Kaimuki Honolulu is chef Lee Anne Wong's Top-Chef-alum brunch room where the cornflake French toast and breakfast bibimbap have anchored Kaimuki since 2014.
Signature: Cornflake-crusted French toast, Breakfast bibimbap, Hangtown fry
Order: Cornflake-crusted French toast and the breakfast bibimbap with kimchee bacon.
Tip: Daily brunch, dinner Friday to Monday from 17:00. Walk-in queue is steady at 09:00 weekends.
Fete Hawaii in Chinatown Honolulu is chef Robynne Maii's James Beard winning room of seasonal new American plates, awarded Best Chef Northwest and Pacific in 2022.
Signature: Pasta of the day, Local fish entree, Wedge salad
Order: The pasta of the day and whatever local fish entree is running.
Tip: Reservations open four weeks out. Bar seats walk-in only and turn over fast at 17:30.
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 at Per Se, Aubergine and Vintage Cave in his pedigree.
Signature: Smoked ahi cigars, Roasted bone marrow, Kona kanpachi
Order: Smoked ahi cigars and the roasted bone marrow with three salts.
Tip: Tasting 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 in Honolulu.
Signature: Five-course tasting, Kona kanpachi, Local fish course
Order: The five-course tasting with the local-fish course and Hawaiian beef.
Tip: Reservations open 30 days out. Resort wear is the dress code; valet at the ESPACIO motor lobby is free for diners.
53 By The Sea opened in Kakaako Honolulu in 2012 with a grand staircase, oceanfront windows out to Diamond Head and a Pacific Rim menu of local fish and prime steaks.
Signature: Steak and seafood combinations, Catch of the day
Order: The grand staircase prix fixe with the local-catch course.
Tip: Aim for sunset, around 18:00 in summer and 17:30 in winter. Valet is complimentary for diners.
