Must-see restaurants in Waikiki

  • Hy's Steakhouse

    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…

  • Waiola Shave Ice

    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…

  • Musubi Cafe Iyasume

    Waikiki

    This hole-in-the-wall keeps busy making fresh onigiri (rice balls) stuffed with seaweed, salmon roe and sour plums. Other specialties include salmon-roe…

  • Barefoot Beach Cafe

    Waikiki

    Waikiki's best beach cafe is just south of the sand at Queen's Beach. Order at the window and grab a shady table close to the water and tuck into island…

  • Tonkatsu Tamafuji

    Waikiki

    Katsu, the deep-fried Japanese cooking method that coats meats like pork and chicken in a perfectly crispy exterior made from panko bread crumbs. This…

  • Marukame Udon

    Waikiki

    Everybody loves this reconstructed Japanese noodle shop, which is so popular there is often a line stretching down the sidewalk. Watch those thick udon…

  • Ars Cafe and Gelato

    Waikiki

    Avocado toast two cuts above the cliche is but one of the delights at this cafe, which is also a gallery for local artists. Enjoy excellent coffee as…

  • Rainbow Drive-In

    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…

  • MAC 24/7

    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…

  • Orchids

    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…

  • Haili's Hawaiian Foods

    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…

  • Pioneer Saloon

    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…

  • Azure

    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…

  • La Mer

    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…

  • Roy's Waikiki

    Waikiki

    This contemporary incarnation of Roy Yamaguchi’s island-born chain is perfect for a flirty date or just celebrating the good life. The ground-breaking…

  • Veranda

    Waikiki

    For colonial atmosphere that harks back to early-20th-century tourist traditions, enjoy afternoon tea here. It comes complete with finger sandwiches,…

  • Mahina & Sun’s

    Waikiki

    Overlooking the stylish pool at the Surfjack Hotel, this open-air bistro has a well-imagined casual and comfortable menu of classics, such as burgers,…

  • Hawaii's Favorite Kitchens

    Waikiki

    Why drive all over Oʻahu looking for favorite local foods when you can get many of them right here. Fittingly owned by the iconic Rainbow Drive-In next…

  • Diamond Head Market & Grill

    Waikiki

    Step inside this fantastic gourmet deli and bakery for take-away roast pork loin and citrus jicama (yam bean) salad, perfect for a beach picnic. Outside…

  • Tonkatsu Ginza Bairin

    Waikiki

    Why go to Tokyo for perfect pork tonkatsu when you can enjoy the lightly breaded bits of deep-fried pork goodness right here near Waikiki Beach? The…

  • Ono Seafood

    Waikiki

    Arrive early at this addictive, made-to-order poke shop before it runs out of fresh fish marinated in shōyu (soy sauce), house-smoked tako (octopus),…

  • Waikiki Yokocho

    Waikiki

    Ride an escalator down to a perfectly authentic Japanese food court. Try to choose between 16 different stalls and restaurants. Your options range from…

  • Hula Dog Kuhio

    Waikiki

    Set on a patch of Astroturf with picnic tables fronting Kuhio Ave, this food truck serves one thing: hot dogs. Choose between a Polish sausage or a veggie…

  • Blue Ocean

    Waikiki

    Shrimp in all forms are the stars at this vibrant blue food truck. The spicy garlic shrimp po' boy is a spicy delight, with succulent little crustaceans…

  • Kaiwa

    Waikiki

    While prowling the sanitized climes of the Waikiki Beach Walk, you can pause at a generic chain staple, or you can stop off for excellent Japanese fare…

  • Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar

    Waikiki

    From the mind of one of Hawaii’s top chefs, DK Kodama, this Pacific Rim menu rolls out everything from creatively stylish sushi and sashimi to Dungeness…

  • Hawaii Sushi

    Waikiki

    A winner for Hawaiian-style fresh sushi with rolls and bowls (such as the Spicy Ahi Bowl, made with local ahi), you can't get fresher fish anywhere else…

  • Mahiku Farmer's Market

    Waikiki

    Wrapping around a glassy commercial building, this farmers market attracts dozens of vendors selling produce, prepared foods, artworks and crafts. Sample…

  • Leonard’s

    Waikiki

    It’s almost impossible to drive by the Leonard’s eye-catching vintage 1950s neon sign without seeing a crowd of tourists. This bakery is famous for its…

  • Michel's at Colony Surf

    Waikiki

    Michel's opened in 1962 and little seems to have changed since. The beautiful water view out over a small pocket beach, with the heart of Waikiki glowing…

  • Tokkuri Tei

    Waikiki

    An upbeat neighborhood izakaya (Japanese pub) upstairs in a tiny open-air mall offers contemporary versions of Japanese bar-food standards. Paper lanterns…

  • Ramen Nakamura

    Waikiki

    Hit this simple noodle shop at lunchtime and you’ll have to strategically elbow aside Japanese tourists toting Gucci and Chanel bags just to sit down…

  • Me BBQ

    Waikiki

    The street-side takeout counter may be a tad short on atmosphere, but there is a fine little side yard with shady plastic tables where you can chow down…

  • Uncle Bo's Pupu Bar & Grill

    Waikiki

    Inside this mustard-yellow storefront, boisterous groups devour the inventive chef’s encyclopedic list of fusion pupu (appetizers) crafted with island…

  • LuLu’s Waikiki

    Waikiki

    Surfboards on the wall and an awesome ocean view set the mood at this cheery open-air restaurant, bar and nightclub. LuLu’s filling breakfasts, complete…

  • 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…

  • Gyū-kaku

    Waikiki

    Who doesn’t love a grill-it-yourself BBQ joint? Settle in with your entourage at this branch of the local chain for Kobe rib-eye steak, kalbi (marinated…

  • Hau Tree Lanai

    Waikiki

    A beautiful beachfront setting under an arbor of three namesake hibiscus trees brings retirees and tourists back to this open-air pink-tablecloth…

  • Cream Pot

    Waikiki

    The breakfast and lunch restaurant at the Hawaiian Monarch Hotel on the canal is finding itself inundated with nonguests who turn up for the delicious…

  • Kono's Northshore

    Waikiki

    In a case of the country coming to town, Kono's on Kapahulu is a city outpost for the popular North Shore–based purveyor of 12-hour slow-roasted kalua…

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