15 splurge places in Honolulu, editor-picked. tasting menus and the full big-night-out treatment in Honolulu. All Honolulu food.
Senia ★ 4.8
chinatown · 75 North King Street, Honolulu, HI 96817
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.
Tip: Tasting menu runs eight to ten courses, around $135 to $160 per person before drinks. Book three weeks out via Tock.
Senia ★ 4.8
75 North King Street, Honolulu, HI 96817
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.
Tip: Sit at the chef's counter for a closer look; book through Tock three weeks ahead for prime time.
Sushi Sho Hawaii ★ 4.8
383 Kalaimoku Street, Honolulu, HI 96815
Sushi Sho Hawaii is chef Keiji Nakazawa's 16-seat edomae omakase counter at The Ritz-Carlton Residences Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, with a 30-plus course.
Tip: Two seatings nightly, no children under 12. Reservations open via phone only; book eight weeks ahead.
Mugen Waikiki ★ 4.7
waikiki · 2452 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96815
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.
Tip: Reservations open 30 days out. Resort wear is the dress code; valet at the ESPACIO motor lobby is free for diners.
La Mer at Halekulani ★ 4.7
waikiki · 2199 Kalia Road, Honolulu, HI 96815
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.
Tip: Tuesday through Saturday, 17:30-20:30 only. Jackets are required for men; book via Tock four weeks out for window tables.
Mugen Waikiki ★ 4.7
2452 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96815
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.
Tip: Resort wear required. Valet on the ESPACIO motor lobby is complimentary for diners; book three weeks out.
La Mer at Halekulani ★ 4.7
2199 Kalia Road, Honolulu, HI 96815
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.
Tip: Tuesday to Saturday, dinner only. Jackets required for men; book four weeks out for an ocean window.
Fete Hawaii ★ 4.7
2 North Hotel Street, Honolulu, HI 96817
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.
Tip: Book four weeks out; bar seats are walk-in and turn at 17:30. Tuesday through Saturday, dinner only.
Sushi Sasabune ★ 4.6
ala-moana · 1417 South King Street, Honolulu, HI 96814
Sushi Sasabune in Ala Moana Honolulu is the omakase-only sushi counter chef Seiji Kumagawa opened in 1996, building its Hawaii-mae style around as much local.
Tip: Six-seat counter, parties of six max. No substitutions, no soy on the rice; the chef directs every bite.
MW Restaurant ★ 4.6
888 Kapiolani Boulevard, Honolulu, HI 96813
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 and built.
Tip: Velocity Honolulu second floor, dinner only Tuesday through Sunday. Order the dessert tasting.
Roy's Hawaii Kai ★ 4.5
6600 Kalanianaole Highway, Honolulu, HI 96825
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.
Tip: Off the Menu Tuesdays run a four-course tasting at lower prices. Back room has the marina view.
53 By The Sea ★ 4.4
kakaako · 53 Ahui Street, Honolulu, HI 96813
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.
Tip: Aim for sunset, around 18:00 in summer and 17:30 in winter. Valet is complimentary for diners.
53 By The Sea ★ 4.4
53 Ahui Street, Honolulu, HI 96813
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.
Tip: Sunset tables go fast; aim for the second seating. Complimentary valet at the main door.
Merriman's Honolulu ★ 4.4
1108 Auahi Street, Honolulu, HI 96814
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.
Tip: Anaha tower entrance via Auahi Street. Sunset terrace seats book first; ask for an upper level.
Stripsteak Waikiki ★ 4.4
2330 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96815
Stripsteak Waikiki is Michael Mina's modern American steakhouse in Honolulu's International Market Place, with prime Angus, American wagyu and Japanese A5.
Tip: Open-air Grand Lanai seats catch the trade wind. Happy hour 16:00-18:00 daily for bar bites.