Honolulu
Look for the orange sign well off the street at this long-standing izakaya (a casual pub), where staff shout their welcome (‘Irrashaimase!’) as you make…
Must-see restaurants in Oʻahu
Windward Coast
Right on the road, Keneke’s comes complete with Christian sayings and word games on the wall. Hawaiian plate lunches, such as loco moco (rice, fried egg…
Waikiki
Hit this simple noodle shop at lunchtime and you’ll have to strategically elbow aside Japanese tourists toting Gucci and Chanel bags just to sit down…
Honolulu
Traditional kaiseki ryōri (seasonal small-course) cuisine infused with Hawaii-grown fruits and vegetables, fresh seafood and, frankly, magic. This is an…
Waikiki
The street-side takeout counter may be a tad short on atmosphere, but there is a fine little side yard with shady plastic tables where you can chow down…
Kailua
This chain supermarket offers high-end foods at high-end prices. It has a very large selection of organic fare and lots of prepared meats and seafood…
Waikiki
Inside this mustard-yellow storefront, boisterous groups devour the inventive chef’s encyclopedic list of fusion pupu (appetizers) crafted with island…
Haleʻiwa
With a superb location overlooking Hale‘iwa Small Boat Harbor, and with postcard sunsets, Joe’s is the place for romantic dinners. The inventive pupu…
North Shore & Central O‘ahu
This popular Thai hole-in-the-wall place has a takeout counter tucked into the backside of Mililani Shopping Center. It's hard to find and there's not…
Windward Coast
In a backstreet north of Laʻie Shopping Center, this small cafe is the kind of place locals would rather keep to themselves. Local grinds (food) – such as…
Haleʻiwa
If you like pork, this is as good as it gets – legendary kalua (pit-oven) pork cooked daily for over 12 hours. The triple crown sandwich ($15) features…
Honolulu
Inside, the dining room is classy, outside, the seating is near the waterfront and Honolulu’s fish auction. Chef Nico was inspired by the island-cuisine…
Waikiki
Surfboards on the wall and an awesome ocean view set the mood at this cheery open-air restaurant, bar and nightclub. LuLu’s filling breakfasts, complete…
Honolulu
Honolulu’s bigwigs hang out after work at this swank French-Vietnamese bistro with a tiny bar. Ignore the inauspicious outside appearance and step inside…
Honolulu
This late-night hub is where you’ll find Honolulu’s top chefs hanging out after hours, along with partying locals who come for hearty portions of kalbi,…
Pearl Harbor & Leeward O‘ahu
Roy’s is located in the clubhouse area of the Ko Olina Golf Club. His famous Modern Hawaii food fusion is creative as always, although not for the faint…
Honolulu
At the top of Kapahulu Ave, Mr Ojisan's specializes in Japanese teishoku (fixed, multi-course) dinners, where you choose a main dish such as wafu …
Pearl Harbor & Leeward O‘ahu
This little diner from 1947 has a tidy building that's on the local historical register. Its old-fashioned saimin (local-style noodle soup) is made with a…
Honolulu
The original Highway Inn opened in Waipahu in 1947, and third-generation owners have opened a modern version in Kakaʻako. They serve the same Hawaiian…
Haleʻiwa
There's no sure way of knowing that these are, as touted, the best hamburgers on the island, but they’re definitely tasty and juicy, and they come with a…
North Shore & Central O‘ahu
Turtle Bay Resort's top seafood restaurant, with a name that means 'sea salt', Paʻakai offers the best in local fish, prawns, lobster and scallops, as…
Honolulu
Sumo wrestler–sized Japanese nabemono (variety of hot dishes), shabushabu (thinly sliced beef and vegetables) and sukiyaki (simmered beef) hot pots. You…
Honolulu
Nobu Matsuhisa’s legendary Japanese-fusion restaurant and sushi bar is in the slick Waiea Tower in Ward Village. Nobu's signature dishes such as Black…
Honolulu
A neighborhood nonprofit coffee shop that operates entirely with volunteer staff; 100% of proceeds go directly to local and global nonprofit organizations…
Honolulu
It might look nondescript from the outside, but Gazen Izakaya seems like little Japan when you walk through the door. There's an authentic and refined yet…
Honolulu
Swing by this side-street seafood market for heaping island-style plate lunches (eg kalua pig, mochiko chicken, lomilomi salmon) and freshly mixed poke by…
Honolulu
An enterprising duo of chef-owners set up kiosks at farmers markets and on the UH Manoa campus, but this converted auto mechanic’s garage is home base for…
Waikiki
Showing off a sleek, dark-wood interior, this high-end Japanese teppanyaki grill is a standout for its okonomiyaki (savory cabbage pancakes). Go…
Kailua
Locals pack this family cafe for the airy chiffon pancakes drowning in guava syrup, red-velvet pancakes (yum!), Portuguese-sweet-bread French toast, eggs…
Honolulu
At Livestock, the food is like an old pair of khakis, vaguely stylish but very comfortable. There are seasonal variations, but you'll always find…
Honolulu
The city's top Burmese restaurant may be in a small space on King St, but it has an authentic atmosphere. The various pork dishes, pineapple curry chicken…
Honolulu
A Hawaii institution for more than 30 years, Dave's scoops up specialty ice cream made fresh daily on the island of Oahu. This hole-in-the-wall…
North Shore & Central O‘ahu
Koa Pancake House is Hawaii's local answer to all those big breakfast chains, with much more reasonable prices and equally generous portions. Always…
Honolulu
Honolulu's first udon noodle restaurant debuted in 1994 and has been serving handmade thick noodles ever since. Always fresh and flavorful, the noodles…
Pearl Harbor & Leeward O‘ahu
A fine alternative to the ho-hum cafes within the Pearl Harbor historic sites, this waterfront restaurant has outdoor tables and views over a yacht marina…
Honolulu
Honolulu's Hare Krishna temple has a vegetarian buffet lunch under one of the most spectacular banyan trees on the island. Even if not eating, stop by…
Honolulu
This traditional family-run Japanese teahouse on a hillside is the very place where a man from the Japanese consulate spied on the US fleet in Pearl…
Windward Coast
When it bills itself as ‘da original, with ʻono grinds’ (good eats), Papa Ole’s doesn’t lie. Opt for sauteed veggies or a green salad instead of macaroni…
Honolulu
As ʻono (delicious) as always, this popular cafe dishes up healthy plate lunches with brown rice and organic greens. Lots of ethnic options too, including…
Haleʻiwa
Over the bridge and across from the start of the beach, Haleiwa Beach House offers beautiful views from inside and outside dining areas. The menu is surf …
