O'ahu Restaurants

  1. Hale'iwa Joe's

    The Haiku Gardens is half the attraction here - a romantic, open-air setting overlooking a large lily pond tucked beneath the Ko'olau Range, and dating from the mid-1800s. The restaurant features excellent Pacific Rim fare, including ceviche and coconut shrimp tempura, along with hearty meat dishes and prime rib. You can also drop by the gardens during the day, or just before sunset when it closes for a happy-hour drink and a predinner stroll.

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  2. Hukilau Cafe

    Just north of the elementary school, this friendly hole-in-the-wall serves Hawaiian-sized breakfast and lunch, like sweet bread French toast, or roast pork, salad and rice.

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  3. Kona Brewing Company

    This hip eatery is known first for its microbrews, like Longboard Lager and Castaway IPA, and then for its local-style pupu (small plates), such as 'ahi appetizers and wood-fired pizzas. Hawai'i Kai is an eastern suburb of Waikiki.

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  4. Roy's

    Chef Roy Yamaguchi's namesake restaurants are sometimes referred to as the Spago of the islands. The O'ahu-born enterprise was an early innovator of Hawaiian Regional Cuisine, which emphasizes fresh local ingredients and blends European, Asian and Polynesian flavors. Today, Roy's restaurants have populated the islands and mainland, but this Hawai'i Kai location, east of Waikiki, is one of the originals.

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