Koko Head Cafe is a brunch and pacific restaurant in Kaimuki, Honolulu.
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 dishes: Cornflake-crusted French toast, Breakfast bibimbap, Hangtown fry
Must 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.
Address: 1120 12th Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96816
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.
La Mer at Halekulani is Hawaii's longest-running AAA Five Diamond restaurant, French fine dining at the Halekulani in Waikiki Honolulu under executive chef Alexandre Trancher.
Signature: Degustation menu, Bouillabaisse, Local fish bourride
Order: The eight-course menu degustation with the bouillabaisse course.
Tip: Tuesday through Saturday, 17:30 to 20:30 only. Jackets are required for men; book via Tock four weeks out for window tables.
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 butterfish in Honolulu.
Signature: Misoyaki butterfish, Szechuan baby back ribs, Chocolate souffle
Order: The misoyaki butterfish and the dark chocolate souffle to finish.
Tip: Sunset tables open early; the back room has the marina view. Off the Menu Tuesdays run a 4-course tasting at lower prices.
