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Hawaii

Restaurants in Hawaii

  1. A

    Pacific Pizza & Deli

    Traditional or wacky, it's all here, from Mexican (ground beef and refried beans) to Filipino (Langanisa sausage and grilled eggplant) to lomilomi salmon. The calzones, offered in each pizza-combo flavor, are ideal for single diners.

    reviewed

  2. B

    Red Hot Mama's

    The last eatery before the end of the road, this little counter serves up generous burritos, tacos (around US$4 each) and fresh Caesar or tuna salads. Note the collection of hot sauces displayed outside (with the warning not to disturb any!).

    reviewed

  3. C

    Brick Oven Pizza

    Always jammed with tourists, Brick Oven has developed a cult following. The brick-oven pies are tasty, but mainland aficionados might be underwhelmed. Ideal for vegetarians: a truly meatless combo piled with premium veggies and stock-free sauce.

    reviewed

  4. D

    Kawaihae Harbor Grill

    The Grill is housed in an early-20th-century general store building with cute interior decor, and it's a local favorite. Fresh seafood is the specialty, appearing in omelets in the morning and tasty dishes such as a red Thai curry in the evening.

    reviewed

  5. Shrimp Shack

    A sunny yellow truck parked nextdoor to Ching's is one of many roadside food attractions along this strip of highway. Deep-fried coconut shrimp and other plate lunches are devoured at shaded picnic tables overlooking the road and the ocean beyond.

    reviewed

  6. E

    Bali Hai Restaurant

    Another feast for your eyes awaits at this open-air dining room with a panoramic view of Hanalei Bay. For breakfast, go local with poi pancakes and taro hash browns. The dinner menu is heavy on seafood. Cheaper eats are served at Happy Talk Lounge.

    reviewed

  7. F

    Kona Brewing Company

    This hip eatery is known first for its microbrews, like Longboard Lager and Castaway IPA, and then for its local-style pupu (small plates), such as 'ahi appetizers and wood-fired pizzas. Hawai'i Kai is an eastern suburb of Waikiki.

    reviewed

  8. G

    Liliha Bakery

    Sugary cereals aren't just for breakfast anymore. This bakery and diner causes a traffic jam for its coco-puff pastries. Too nutritious you say? Then take a seat and order hamburger steak or other lumberjack faves at this spot northeast of Downtown.

    reviewed

  9. H

    Hawaiian Blizzard

    For the island's best shave ice, stop at the white van parked outside Big Save. Owner Aaron Furugen is the low-key guru of shave ice, perfecting the art since the 1980s. Kids flock here after school and neighborhood regulars hang out and talk story.

    reviewed

  10. I

    Mango Grill & Bar

    Overlooking the golf course, Mango brings them in with huge servings and a menu that covers the gamut from local grinds to New York steak. People come from miles around for the breakfast fare, especially the French toast smothered in tropical fruits.

    reviewed

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  12. J

    SeaWatch

    Head up here to the golf course if you want to escape the hotel scene. At breakfast the crab-cake eggs Benedict sizzles. At other times you'll find tasty sandwiches, salads and seafood. Dine on the veranda for a panoramic ocean view across the fairway.

    reviewed

  13. K

    Eskimo Candy Seafood

    A real find on a side street between the beach and the highway, Eskimo Candy is essentially a fish market with a take-out counter and a couple of tables. Delicious fresh 'ahi and Kula veggie wraps, decent fish tacos and excellent poke.

    reviewed

  14. L

    Horhito's Mexican Cantina

    This is the real deal, with an accomplished Mexican chef, friendly staff and generous servings. Best of all, they don't skimp on the spices. If you're not up for traditional Mex fare, try the 'surf wraps' loaded with fresh fish and served with potatoes.

    reviewed

  15. M

    Tsukiji Fish Market

    Christened by the famous Tokyo fish market of the same name, this newcomer to Ala Moana's dining scene is an all-in-one Japanese food feast with a full-service fish market surrounded by sushi and yakitori bars, noodle stalls and other street-food options.

    reviewed

  16. N

    Nico's at Pier 38

    French chef Nico was inspired by the dressed-down island food scene to merge his classical training with the reliable plate lunch. French standards such as steak frite appear alongside fresh fish sandwiches and local belly fillers including chicken katsu.

    reviewed

  17. O

    Adriana's

    Adriana and her family make the best Mexican food in South Kona, with a twist from their native El Salvador. Take your pick of nachos, quesadillas, tacos, burritos or tamales (order ahead for pupusa). Take it to go or eat at cement tables outside.

    reviewed

  18. P

    Sushi Izakaya Gaku

    Wildly popular izakaya (Japanese gastropub) plates traditional, supremely fresh sushi and hard-to-find specialties such as chazuke (tea-soaked rice porridge) and natto (fermented soybeans). Reservations recommended.

    reviewed

  19. Q

    Hanalei Gourmet

    The best bets at this lively café-bar-deli are huge sandwiches on house-baked bread. The sit-down meals, from a sampler of lox-style local smoked fish to crunchy mac-nut fried chicken, are tasty and unpretentious, if more mainstream American than local.

    reviewed

  20. R

    Aroma D'Italia Ristorante

    Double-dare you to walk by at dinnertime and not be pulled in by the temping aromas wafting out the door! This place has it all - classy service, old-world decor and a chef-owner who relies upon her traditional family recipes to create delicious pasta dishes.

    reviewed

  21. S

    Ono Family Restaurant

    Kaua'i's old-time diners take their omelets and pancakes seriously - and you can taste the results at Ono's, a fixture in Kapa'a. Choose from 18 types of omelet or opt for the incomparable tropical pancakes (from US$7 with bananas, macadamia nuts and coconut.

    reviewed

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  23. T

    Komoda Store & Bakery

    Justifiably famous throughout the islands for its mouth-watering cream puffs and liliko'i (passion fruit) malasadas, this generations-old family bakery makes the perfect morning stop. And the emphasis is on mornings 'cause it often sells out by noon.

    reviewed

  24. China Boat

    West Maui's best Chinese fare comes at affordable prices, with a full menu of Mandarin and Szechwan favorites. Start with the hot-and-sour soup and move on to crispy duck, or splurge on the lobster in a tasty kung pao sauce. Everything's prepared without MSG.

    reviewed

  25. U

    Legend Vegetarian Restaurant

    This Buddhist vegetarian, lunch-only spot is known for several fish and pork analogs that even meat eaters acknowledge as tasty. Favorites include the vegetarian butter fish and sweet-and-sour vegetarian pork, along with a huge selection of dim sum offerings.

    reviewed

  26. V

    South Kona Fruit Stand

    This cute fruit stand is more like a fruit boutique - don't miss it. It sells both its own and other farms' organic produce, and has a bar blending all sorts of heavenly tropical smoothies. It's on the mauka side between the 103- and 104-mile markers.

    reviewed

  27. W

    Kalapawai Market & Deli

    En route to the public beach access, this local landmark is the place to pick up coffee or made-to-order sandwiches. Early morning customers often toast their own bagels while helping themselves to fresh coffee. There's also a broad selection of wine and beer.

    reviewed