Must-see restaurants in Hawaii

  • Side Street Inn

    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,…

  • Molokaʻi Burger

    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,…

  • Rum Fire

    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…

  • Hayama

    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…

  • Roy’s Ko Olina

    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…

  • Farmers Market Deli

    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…

  • Mr Ojisan

    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 …

  • Polli’s

    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 Coolers

    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…

  • Hula Hulas

    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…

  • Serpico’s

    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…

  • Tin Shack Bakery

    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…

  • Gill's Lanai

    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…

  • Papaya's Natural Foods

    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…

  • EatHealthy Cafe

    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…

  • Highway Inn Kaka'ako

    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…

  • Liko Lehua

    Hilo

    For well-prepared American classics, dine with local fans of this family-run (and family-friendly) restaurant. There's something for everyone, including…

  • Forty Niner Restaurant

    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…

  • Captain Jack's Island Grill

    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…

  • Kua ʻAina

    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…

  • Red Salt

    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)…

  • Paʻakai

    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…

  • Nobu Honolulu

    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…

  • Smiley's Local Grinds

    Lihuʻe

    Every workaday island town has its locals' favorite plate-lunch kitchen. 'Mini' plates will leave you stuffed with crispy pork katsu (cutlets), Korean…

  • Ichiriki Japanese Nabe

    Honolulu

    Sumo wrestler–sized Japanese nabemono (variety of hot dishes), shabushabu (thinly sliced beef and vegetables) and sukiyaki (simmered beef) hot pots. You…

  • Surfers Coffee Bar

    Honolulu

    A neighborhood nonprofit coffee shop that operates entirely with volunteer staff; 100% of proceeds go directly to local and global nonprofit organizations…

  • Kintaro

    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…

  • Gazen Izakaya

    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…

  • Yama’s Fish Market

    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…

  • Da Spot

    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…

  • Tuk Tuk Thai Truck

    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…

  • Ocean Sushi Deli

    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 Gourmet

    Hanalei

    Harking back to Hanalei’s hippy heyday and soundtracked by the Grateful Dead, this former schoolroom offers substantial lunchtime sandwiches plus good (if…

  • Kauai Kookie Bakery & Cafe

    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…

  • Low Store

    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…

  • Okonomiyaki Chibo

    Waikiki

    Showing off a sleek, dark-wood interior, this high-end Japanese teppanyaki grill is a standout for its okonomiyaki (savory cabbage pancakes). Go…

  • Cinnamon's Restaurant

    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…

  • Pietro's

    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…

  • Kimo’s

    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…

  • The Dolphin Poipu

    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…