MW Restaurant is a modern hawaiian restaurant in Ala Moana, 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 dishes: Mochi-crusted local fish, Oxtail soup dumplings, Kona kanpachi
Must 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.
Address: 888 Kapiolani Boulevard, Honolulu, HI 96813
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.
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.
