ʻIao Valley & Central Maui
The acai creations are so cold they chill your teeth at this counter-serve eatery where you'll feel invigorated just reading the menu. Smoothies are…
Must-see restaurants in Hawaii
Hilo
Locals love this drive-in for generous plate lunches and 20 rib-sticking varieties of loco moco (dish of rice, fried egg and hamburger patty topped with…
Haleʻiwa
Nestled amid the sea of food trucks on the main street in Haleʻiwa, this cute little crepe shop operates out of a vintage Volkswagen selling both savory…
North Shore & Central O‘ahu
This excellent poke place is in the Gateway at Mililani Mauka shopping center, just off the H-2 on Meheula Pkwy. Load up here for a picnic of incredible…
Waikiki
This plate-lunch legend draws legions of locals and tourists from Waikiki. Wrapped in rainbow-colored neon, it's a throwback to another era. Construction…
West Maui
A wait is inevitable, and you'll need to queue by 6:45am (!) to nab a table here at the 7:30am opening. But the wait is worth it for this beloved open-air…
Kihei & South Maui
The decor at this new venture from Top Chef favorite and restaurateur Sheldon Simeon may be modern and spare, but the hospitality is warm, old-school…
West Maui
A spin-off of popular Monkeypod Kitchen in Wailea, this latest branch of chef Peter Merriman's open-air restaurant is doing just fine in its infancy. A…
Waikiki
If it's 3am and you're famished, skip the temptation for a cold $25 burger from room service (if you have room service) and drop by Waikiki's best all…
Waikiki
Oʻahu’s most elegant Sunday brunch spread covers all the bases, with a made-to-order omelet station; a buffet of poke, sashimi, sushi and salads; and a…
Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar
Kihei
Maui is laid-back, but sometimes you have to plan ahead. Dinner at Sansei is one of those times – make a reservation or queue early for the sushi bar. The…
North Shore & Upcountry
With classic antipasti Italian dishes, stone-baked kiawe-fired oven pizzas, and juicy Maui-raised steaks, it's hard to go wrong at this longtime Upcountry…
Honolulu
Market-fresh salads and sandwiches made with Oʻahu-grown ingredients, a decent selection of wines by the glass and tropically infused desserts make this…
Hilo
With a nouveau hippie vibe, this colorful downtown cafe takes health food up a notch. Breakfast hits include well-stuffed roasted veggie omelets and…
Lahaina
Enjoy Pacific Rim cuisine prepared with contemporary flourishes at chef James McDonald’s chic oceanfront restaurant. Bold and innovative seafood and beef…
West Maui
Chef Joey Macadangdang has lived on Maui for more than 20 years and fuses Hawaiian-island flavors with Filipino dishes at this no-frills canteen-style…
Kohala & Waimea
Redwater has quickly risen to the top of many lists, propelled in part by the reputation of owner/chef David Abrahams, a 25-year veteran of resort…
Waikiki
Three generations at Haili’s have been cooking up homegrown Hawaiian fare since 1950. Locals shoehorn themselves into kid-friendly booths and tables, then…
Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar
West Maui
Sansei's innovative sushi menu is the draw, but the non-sushi house specials, which often blend Japanese and Pacific Rim flavors, shouldn’t be overlooked…
West Maui
Revamped during the nine-month overhaul of the adjacent Plantation golf course, this beloved clubhouse eatery is looking fresh. Fortunately for both…
Hilo
Hip Kanpai looks slick enough for Brooklyn, but it is mellowed with Hilo's small-town camaraderie, easygoing attitude and Pacific fusion soul. The…
Waikiki
The crowds are proof: people love Pioneer Saloon's Japanese-fusion plate lunches, with dozens of choices from grilled ahi to fried baby octopus to…
West Maui
This porch-wrapped bungalow opened in 1929 as the general store for the Honolua pineapple plantation. Today, the Honolua Store has been stylishly revamped…
Waikiki
Azure is the signature restaurant at the Royal Hawaiian Resort. Seafood fresh from the market is celebrated in the bouillabaisse, and simplicity is the…
Kihei
Local farms strut their stuff at this glossy salad emporium. Step up to the counter, choose a classic or chef-inspired salad – or build your own – and add…
North Shore & Upcountry
From morning to evening, this boisterous bistro is the Haʻiku hangout, for locals and visitors alike. Menu choices are straightforward – burgers, salads…
Lahaina
Not your cheap taco joint, Frida's (with plenty of imagery from its namesake Frida Kahlo) has a superb waterfront location, featuring a large open dining…
Kihei
Maybe it's the sneaky birds on the patio, or the quick-to-arrive entrees, or the hovering queue, but dining at this busy Kihei institution is not exactly…
Nutcharee's Authentic Thai Food
Kihei
Fans of Nutcharee Case's panang curry with fresh fish no longer have to drive to Hana to get their fix. She closed her beloved East Maui outpost a few…
Honolulu
Sleek bistro tables are packed elbows-to-shoulders at this arts-district noodle bar, which crafts hot and spicy Asian-fusion bites, knockout artisanal…
West Maui
We especially like Merriman’s at happy hour (3pm to 5pm). Perched on a scenic point between Kapalua Bay and Napili Bay, the tiki- and palm-dotted Point…
Lahaina
Where has all the romance gone? To the front porch of Gerard’s, where white linens and flickering shadows invite murmurs of love. Or exclamations of…
Lahaina
Named for Maui’s famous green sea turtles, this stylish venture from restaurateur Mark Ellman is wowing crowds with expansive ocean views and a savory…
Honolulu
A charming locally owned hole-in-the-wall in Pearl City Shopping Center, Sadie's specializes in authentic Korean eats. Mouthwatering choices include loco…
Waikiki
At the luxury Halekulani resort, La Mer is rated by traditionalists as Waikiki’s top fine-dining destination. A neoclassical French menu puts the emphasis…
South Kona Coast
Randy's may only be open twice a week, but during those hours it packs in the customers, who come for Styrofoam boxes of huli huli chicken (smoked and…
Lahaina
This branch of the Maui original is located in an appealing vintage building near the banyan tree. There are picnic tables on a shady terrace, while…
Poʻipu
In a plantation-style building with two levels, you'll find a buzzing margarita bar and taqueria downstairs, and a dining room upstairs that's…
Poʻipu
In his Kaua‘i showcase, legendary restaurateur Roy Yamaguchi offers an island-appropriate menu of ‘plantation cuisine,’ with six appetizers and six…
West Maui
For macadamia nuts, coconut candy and ʻono (delicious) banana bread ($9 a loaf), stop at Julia’s lime-green shack. Get chatting to super friendly Julia or…
