North Shore & Upcountry
Mama’s is a South Seas dream: superb food, top-notch service and a gorgeous seaside setting. The fish is literally fresh off the boat ‒ staff can even…
Must-see restaurants in Hawaii
North Shore & Upcountry
With only half a dozen tables, this excellent, intimate American fine-dining restaurant in Paʻia feels like a local supper club. The clean white room is…
Kihei & South Maui
Sunsets put on an astounding performance at this romantic hilltop hideaway, the only Relais & Châteaux restaurant in Hawaii. Helmed by chef Zach Sato, a…
Kahului
Beside Kahului Harbor, this small white food truck, emblazoned with a giant shrimp, serves the tastiest shrimp on Maui – maybe even the world! A dozen…
North Shore & Upcountry
One of Maui’s best dining options marries a traditional Japanese restaurant with an elegant-casual dining room. Order classics such as sushi and tempura,…
Kahului
This creation by celebrity chef Sheldon Simeon proves that a restaurant can be successful no matter the venue – in this case a tin-roofed outlet next to…
North Shore & Upcountry
The culinary sorceress behind this destination dining spot is chef Bev Gannon, one of the forces behind the Hawaii Regional Cuisine movement. In-the-know…
Hana & East Maui
Behind the Hana Farms stand, this little gem is the local choice for a lunch stop. It serves fresh seafood plates – with lilikoʻi (passion fruit) butter,…
Kihei & South Maui
Happy hours are crowded but convivial at this ever-popular venture from chef Peter Merriman, where the staff, your fellow drinkers and the 36 craft beers…
Hana & East Maui
A friendly shaka wave greets travelers passing this happy mobile tricycle, where frozen treats-on-a-stick come in fresh, tropical flavors from Lilikoʻi…
West Maui
Wear your stretchy pants to Leoda’s. Diet-busters at this simple-but-stylish restaurant include savory pot pies, topping-laden burgers and rich sandwiches…
Waimea Canyon & the Westside
The eye-popping deli counter at this famed Japanese supermarket is guaranteed to revive even the most jaded palate. With local favorites like kim chee sea…
Poʻipu
Exceptionally good value by local standards, this popular barbecue restaurant occupies an attractive upstairs dining room adorned with carved doors from…
Poʻipu & the South Shore
Line up with in-the-know locals at this spacious fish store-cum-takeout. It serves outstanding poke in all flavors (spicy kimchi is the hands-down winner)…
Lihuʻe
One of the island's biggest and best farmers markets, in partnership with the Kauaʻi County Farm Bureau, brings a bonanza of locally grown, often organic…
Waimea Canyon & the Westside
This tumbledown shack looks like it’s been closed for decades, but find your way in through the side door for a quintessential Kaua‘i experience…
Kohala & Waimea
Chef-owner Peter Merriman's Waimea namesake has long wowed diners with its creative use of organic, island-grown ingredients. Today there are four sister…
Hana & East Maui
Hana’s ever-popular Thai lunch is served from an oversize food truck surrounded by picnic tables. Step up to the counter for a large and tasty meal,…
The Road to Hana
‘Da best’ banana bread on the entire Road to Hana is baked fresh every morning by Aunty Sandy and her crew, and it's so good you’ll find as many locals as…
North Shore & Upcountry
Come for the shave ice (flavors: tiger's blood, blue vanilla, sour grape and more), but stay for the poke. The raw-fish dish at this low-frills joint is…
North Shore & Upcountry
The communal picnic tables are perpetually packed inside this consistent and longtime favorite, where the fish is always fresh, tasty and affordable. Ono…
Poʻipu & the South Shore
Adored by locals and visitors alike, this always-busy cafe has a spacious dining room and brews strong coffee. Order egg scrambles with grilled cornbread…
Waimea Canyon & the Westside
With its local take on Japanese cuisine, this smart little restaurant has earned a sky-high, island-wide reputation. The sushi is impeccable, but there’s…
Poʻipu & the South Shore
Out of a shiny vintage Aristocrat trailer comes the best shave ice on the island, made using fresh, organic ingredients such as apple bananas and coffee…
Kailua-Kona
Poke is a local specialty that blends ceviche and sushi: raw, marinated cubes of fish mixed with soy sauce, sesame oil, chilies, seaweed and…well, really,…
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…
North Kohala
This ever-popular sushi bar is famous all over the island for its fusion tropical rolls, which might include papaya, mac nuts, Fuji apple or goat cheese…
Hilo
This hole-in-the-wall is famous statewide for outstanding Japanese mochi (sticky rice cake) in both traditional and island-inspired flavors such as liliko…
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…
Uncle Robert's Wednesday Night Market
Puna
The place to be on a Wednesday night is the late Uncle Robert's family compound where a significant percentage of the population turns out to live aloha…
ʻIao Valley & Central Maui
In one of the priciest but most memorable dining experiences you're likely to have on Maui, gourmet fare is whipped up by the top chefs of the Mill House…
Moloka'i
Even if it wasn't your only option, you'd still want to stop here. The plate lunches are something of a local legend: tender yet crispy chicken katsu …
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…
Wailua
The coolest spot in Wailua has hammered-aluminum tabletops, a chalkboard craft-beer menu, and an open grill where gourmet burgers are made. And they are…
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…
Papa‘aloa Country Store & Cafe
Hamakua Coast
In the 'middle of nowhere,' this neat little market-cafe-restaurant serves delicious in-house baked pastries at their cafe, while the excellent restaurant…
Kahului
An offshoot of the popular Casanova in Makawao, this is Kahului’s classiest dining option. Seafood and steaks are great quality and come with plenty of…
Lanaʻi
The charming restaurant within the Hotel Lanaʻi is the best midrange option in town. It has a country-chic feel and a menu combining fresh seafood with…
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…
