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,…
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,…
Moloka'i
Moloka‘i's only drive-through restaurant is a slick operation. The burgers come in many forms but are all thick and juicy. There are also sandwiches,…
Poʻipu
Serving a mix of fusion-flavored seafood and continental cuisine at the western tip of the Sheraton, the sleek Rum Fire is one of the more elegant…
Kailua-Kona
Hayama imparts that feeling of authenticity you get when the kitchen and service staff don't speak much English, and most of the clientele speaks fluent…
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…
West Maui
This welcoming indie market is a great spot to pick up healthy and tasty takeout fare. The hot entrees bar ($10 per pound) includes organic goodies and…
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 …
North Shore & Upcountry
Parked on the corner of Baldwin and Makawao Aves, this friendly and atmospheric Tex-Mex restaurant is a longtime favorite. Have a cerveza at the small bar…
Lahaina
We like Lahaina Coolers for breakfast, the homemade hot sauce kick-starts the delightfully messy huevos rancheros with kalua pork. This casual spot, just…
Hilo
With walls of glass overlooking the bay, this airy restaurant has a 'resort' atmosphere uncommon in Hilo. With two happy hours (3pm to 5pm and 8pm to 10pm…
North Shore & Upcountry
In the center of Pukalani, this casual and slightly dingy Italian eatery makes decent pasta dishes and New York–style pizzas. Order up flavors such as the…
Puna
Where Puna gets its morning coffee and breakfast bagels. All of Puna. At the same time. Which makes for fascinating people-watching and startlingly…
North Kohala
With its umbrella-shaded patio and tiny kitchen, this avocado-colored roadside cafe offers a beach vibe and unfairly good food, given Kapaʻau's small size…
Kapaʻa & the Eastside
Kauaʻi’s biggest health-food store carries local and organic produce, plus other island specialties such as Kilauea honey and goat cheese. Deli fixings…
Wailua
Asian, South American and Middle Eastern flavors infuse healthful vegan and plant-based dishes to delight both mindful eaters and gourmets at this rustic…
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…
Hilo
For well-prepared American classics, dine with local fans of this family-run (and family-friendly) restaurant. There's something for everyone, including…
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…
Lahaina
You'll be hard pressed to resist the Hot Booty Reuben and other mouth-watering treats at this 2nd-floor bar and grill where the sign over the ground-level…
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…
Poʻipu
At this minimalist modern dining room, looking across the gardens to the ocean from the resort lobby, fusion dishes such as pan-seared opah (moonfish)…
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
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…
Lihuʻe
Every workaday island town has its locals' favorite plate-lunch kitchen. 'Mini' plates will leave you stuffed with crispy pork katsu (cutlets), Korean…
Honolulu
Sumo wrestler–sized Japanese nabemono (variety of hot dishes), shabushabu (thinly sliced beef and vegetables) and sukiyaki (simmered beef) hot pots. You…
Honolulu
A neighborhood nonprofit coffee shop that operates entirely with volunteer staff; 100% of proceeds go directly to local and global nonprofit organizations…
Wailua
Night after night for more than 30 years, this locals' favorite sushi bar has packed ‘em in, thanks to thick slices of sashimi and creative rolls that are…
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…
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Heaping piles of pad thai and a veritable river of savory curry pour out of this local's favorite lunch spot. The truck parks at Akatsuka Gardens except…
Hilo
For cheap sushi in a sit-down space, you'll do OK at this longtime joint. For variety, try the special rolls, such as Poke Macnut or the Banzai Natto with…
Hanalei
Harking back to Hanalei’s hippy heyday and soundtracked by the Grateful Dead, this former schoolroom offers substantial lunchtime sandwiches plus good (if…
Poʻipu & the South Shore
This down-home diner at Kalaheo’s central crossroads caters to a largely local clientele. Along with simple but filling breakfasts, it serves Asian and…
Hamakua Coast
Tropical fruit stand. General store. Patio cafe. And oh so picturesque! The Low Store, on the northern end of the Pepe‘ekeo 4-Mile Scenic Drive, serves…
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…
Lihuʻe
This versatile spot in Harbor Mall serves take-out New York–style pizza by the slice from 11am to 9pm. From 5pm, authentic Neapolitan pizza is available…
Lahaina
A locally beloved standby with one of the best oceanfront patios on Front St, Hawaiian-style Kimo’s keeps everyone happy with reliably good food, a superb…
Poʻipu
The South-Shore offshoot of Hanalei’s famous Dolphin has a less scenic location and does little to stand out from the Po‘ipu crowd, but still makes a…