North Shore & Central O‘ahu
In the Gateway at Mililani Mauka shopping center, this is a popular family-run, home-style breakfast and lunch spot with a strong local following. The…
Must-see restaurants in Oʻahu
Windward Coast
Just north of town, shrimp is sold from this roadside place with shaded picnic tables. Menu options include tempura shrimp, fried fish and burgers. Locals…
Pearl Harbor & Leeward O‘ahu
Way off the beaten track, this organic farm’s cafe inhabits a cool, tranquil hardwood-floored dining room with green-field views. Fork into fresh daily…
Waikiki
Hy's is so old-school that you expect to find inkwells on the tables. This traditional steakhouse has a timeless old leather and wood interior. But…
Waikiki
This clapboard corner shop has been making the same super-fine shave ice since 1940, and we’d argue that it’s got the formula exactly right. Get yours…
Honolulu
Electricity, buzz, whatever, you'll feel the energy as you enter one of the city's most innovative restaurants. It's not big, so book. Once seated you'll…
Windward Coast
This family-owned roadside landmark sells ʻono (delicious) traditional Hawaiian plate lunches, baked laulau (bundle made of pork or chicken with salted…
Honolulu
Chef Ed Kenney has pulled off a real trick at this comfy corner bistro: he's created a menu of comfort foods drawn from Honolulu's many cultures and he's…
Waikiki
This hole-in-the-wall keeps busy making fresh onigiri (rice balls) stuffed with seaweed, salmon roe and sour plums. Other specialties include salmon-roe…
Waikiki
Waikiki's best beach cafe is just south of the sand at Queen's Beach. Order at the window and grab a shady table close to the water and tuck into island…
Waikiki
Katsu, the deep-fried Japanese cooking method that coats meats like pork and chicken in a perfectly crispy exterior made from panko bread crumbs. This…
North Shore & Central O‘ahu
Quintessential North Shore, Ted’s is the place where surfers load up for breakfast, laid-back locals grab a snack, suntanned vacationers dig into plate…
Windward Coast
Vegan meets Hawaiian at this Waimanalo sensation, where you can savor back-to-the-earth farm goodness from a family kitchen. Dishes such as the roasted…
Honolulu
Known mostly by word of mouth, this insiders’ izakaya (Japanese gastropub) beats the competition with adherence to tradition and supremely fresh sushi and…
Oʻahu
Roy Yamaguchi is one of the driving forces behind Hawaii Regional Cuisine, emphasizing fresh local ingredients with artfully blended European, Asian and…
Waikiki
Everybody loves this reconstructed Japanese noodle shop, which is so popular there is often a line stretching down the sidewalk. Watch those thick udon…
Honolulu
An award-winning Vietnamese fusion restaurant, the Pig & the Lady is crazy popular. Book well in advance. Imaginative lunch banh mi (sandwiches) come with…
Pearl Harbor & Leeward O‘ahu
One of several eating choices in an architecturally troubled strip mall, the plate lunches at this simple storefront are superb. Kalua pork, lomilomi…
Honolulu
One of Honolulu's greatest hole-in-the-wall restaurants, Ethel's serves Japanese diner fare with an Okinawan bent and an overlay of Hawaii. This bustling,…
Alley Restaurant at ‘Aiea Bowl
Pearl Harbor & Leeward O‘ahu
A bowling-alley-attached restaurant seems an unlikely place to get great food, but not at this fabulous diner. Dig into a scrumptious furikake ahi …
Windward Coast
The shrimp are fried in garlic and dipped in butter, or you could order mussels or crab legs at this legendary sunny, yellow-painted food truck parked…
North Shore & Central O‘ahu
Take a detour down a country road to find this family-run bakery, a pilgrimage for anyone craving a ʻsnow puffy’ (flaky chocolate cream puff dusted with…
Honolulu
This smart-looking corner place has a curving front and is hugely popular with locals. There are four sizable tables out front on Coolidge St, or you can…
Kailua
An excellent gourmet, self-serve deli by day, Kalapawai transforms after 5pm into an inviting, eclectic bistro. The eggplant bruschetta and other share…
Haleʻiwa
This place is a real favorite. Many of the ingredients, such as bananas, papayas, mangoes, avocados, passion fruit, oranges, kale and mint, are grown at…
Honolulu
Set in a vintage compound amidst enormous trees, this little cafe cooks up superb breakfasts and lunches. Sit out on the gracious Craftsman-style 1920s…
Honolulu
Walking through the door is like stepping into another era at this legendary institution. Although longtime owner Helena Chock has passed away, her…
Pearl Harbor & Leeward O‘ahu
A casual restaurant concept originated by locally renowned chef Peter Merriman. Upscale comfort fare (burgers, sandwiches, seafood, pizza) is sourced…
Honolulu
Arguably the best poke on the island is in this unpromising-looking liquor store. Just head inside to the poke counter in the back and feast your eyes…
Kailua
It's a little hard to spot from the street, but you'll be glad you made the effort at Kailua's favorite breakfast, brunch and lunch spot. A fave is the…
Honolulu
This impressive cafe at the Hawaiʻi State Art Museum is the perfect spot for breakfast or lunch, or just for a coffee break while perusing the museum's…
North Shore & Central O‘ahu
Located on Bayview Beach, Roy Yamaguchi's Beach House is a casual yet classy place for resort guests, residents and visitors. The open-air restaurant is…
Oʻahu
At Oʻahu’s premier gathering of farmers and their fans, everything sold is locally made or grown and has a loyal following, from Nalo greens to Kahuku…
Waikiki
Avocado toast two cuts above the cliche is but one of the delights at this cafe, which is also a gallery for local artists. Enjoy excellent coffee as…
Oʻahu
The Kahala Hotel & Resort's top restaurant scoops accolades and awards annually and is revered for its elegant East-West creations. The Sunday brunch…
Haleʻiwa
This outpost of Uncle Bo's roaringly successful operation on Kapahulu Ave in Honolulu is earning its own loyal supporters with a great range of pupu,…
Honolulu
Expect lines of locals waiting outside this cafe's tiny strip mall location. On wooden family-style tables sit steaming-hot pots; pick your broth, then…
Waipahu
It's all here and it's all good: poke bowls, plate lunches, bentō boxes, legendary garlic ahi and more. The classics of modern Hawaii cuisine are…
Honolulu
Hawaii’s only natural-food co-op is extremely good value and has an organic hot-and-cold meal and salad bar, plus a vegetarian- and vegan-friendly deli…
Pearl Harbor & Leeward O‘ahu
Well-prepared diner fare with an island accent: omelet with kalua pork, Hawaii-style hash, passion-fruit biscuits and more. It's at the very south end of…
