15 Best Restaurants in Honolulu

Hawaii is a culinary melting pot of Asian, European, and American influences thanks to both its geographic location and its history. The combination of these cuisines alongside Hawaii’s aloha spirit and rich food culture has created a dining scene like nowhere else in the world, and visitors flock from far and wide for a taste.

Honolulu, the capital of Hawaii, is at the heart of the food scene and, over the past few decades, has seen a steady increase in restaurant openings around Waikiki Beach and further afield. Such a huge choice of dining establishments can make it difficult for visitors to choose where to eat during their Hawaii adventure, but you’re in luck! We are here to help.

Here are the 15 best restaurants in Honolulu. On this list, we’re starting with the highest-priced venues and ending with the most affordable.

1. MW Restaurant

• $$$$
• Address: 888 Kapi‘olani Boulevard, Honolulu
• Website: mwrestaurant.com
• Hours: Lunch is available as takeout from 11 am to 2 pm Tuesday through Friday, and dinner is served from 5 pm to 9 pm Monday through Saturday. Bookings for dinner are required.

MW Restaurant bills itself as “casual dining with a Hawaii regional cuisine flair accompanied by exquisite desserts,” but that doesn’t come close to articulating just how special this restaurant is in real life.

A luxury price point at this well-loved spot lends itself to incredible food and equally amazing service. So, whether you are looking to blow the budget on a memorable date night or a special fine dining experience, MW Restaurant is our top pick.

This sophisticated eatery has Hawaiian cuisine at its heart. Seasonal ingredients are used throughout the artistic menu to ensure that the dishes stay true to their environment. In fact, the owners, husband and wife team Michelle Karr-Ueoka and Wade Ueoka, are so committed to this ethos that their menu changes daily according to what ingredients are available.

Try their renowned entrees, such as mochi-crusted opakapaka with handmade somen noodles, or their famous short ribs with truffled mashed potatoes, and you won’t be disappointed. MW Restaurant also has a superb five-course tasting menu and a chef’s tasting menu, and both are available with wine pairings.

MW Restaurant is located in Kaka’ako on the second floor of the Velocity Honolulu building. Valet parking is available, and details are on their website.

2. Senia

• $$$$
• Address: 75 N King Street, Honolulu
• Website: restaurantsenia.com
• Hours: The à la carte menu is available Tuesday through Saturday from 5.30 pm to 9.30 pm, and the chef’s tasting menu can only be booked Friday and Saturday at 6.30 pm.

Senia is another top-tier fine dining experience that elevates American cuisine to a whole new level. Located near the Aloha Tower, the restaurant’s name is a play on the word “xenia” from the ancient Greek ideology of hospitality that saw strangers and friends treated with the same regard.

British chef Anthony Rush and partner Katherine Nomura, the brains behind this eatery, certainly live by this, and guests at Senia feel extremely welcome from the moment they arrive.

The food is based on Chef Rush’s farm-to-table beliefs, which is evident in everything he serves. There are two menus available: a small plate à la carte list designed to be shared and a 12-course tasting menu to be eaten at the chef’s counter.

Dishes include the likes of bone marrow custard and beef cheek marmalade rolls, and triple-smoked king salmon, and everything is plated and served with an artistic flourish that adds to the overall dining experience.

Reservations are required for Senia, and it books up quickly, so secure your table as far in advance as possible.

3. Sushi Sho

• $$$$
• Address: 383 Kalaimoku Street, Honolulu
• Website: sushi-sho.com
• Hours: By reservation only.

Sushi Sho is one of the best high-end omakase sushi spots in Honolulu, thanks to chef Keiji Nakazawa’s unique creative flair. Chef Nakazawa is one of Japan’s most acclaimed sushi chefs and left Tokyo to open this intimate 10-seat dining room in the Ritz Carlton.

His combination of traditional sushi techniques combined with thoughtful nods to Hawaii has allowed him to develop new takes on classic plates such as laulau and aged yellowtail.

The menu is divided up into a choice of three nigiri platters, a wide range of ultra-fresh sashimi, and other creations, including vibrant salads, flavorful miso soups, and a superb list of sake, beer, wine, and shochu.

You’ll need to make a reservation far in advance at this Waikiki Bay location, and there is a minimum charge of $90 per diner. A short takeout menu is also available if you can’t secure a seat at Chef’s sushi bar.

4. Fête

• $$$
• Address: 2 North Hotel Street, Chinatown, Honolulu
• Website: Fetehawaii.com
• Hours: Fête is open Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinner between the hours of 11 am and 9 pm. Reservations are recommended and can be made via the website.

Fête is an award-winning seasonal New American restaurant in the heart of Honolulu’s Art District near Honolulu’s Chinatown. This restaurant is spread over two floors plus an outdoor area and prides itself on its laid-back, social dining experience and its modern take on American classics.

The menu is small and focuses on stripped-back simplicity rather than overly complex dishes. Diners can expect to find plates such as deviled eggs, fried chicken, and pasta, plus classic desserts such as rocky road ice cream and olive oil cake.

The cocktail menu features staples like espresso martinis, and the wine list offers some fantastic bottles. For an extra-casual dinner, opt for a seat at the bar and work your way through the drinks menu accompanied by an appetizer or two.

5. The Pig and the Lady

• $$$
• Address: 83 North King Street, Chinatown, Honolulu
• Website: thepigandthelady.com
• Hours: Lunch is served Tuesday through Saturday from 11.30 am to 2.30 pm, and dinner is available on the same days from 5.30 pm to 9.30 pm. Reservations are welcome but aren’t necessary.

The Pig and the Lady started life in a family garage as a modern Vietnamese restaurant and made a name for itself around Hawaii with its incredible pho noodle soups. It even featured on Anthony Bourdain’s ‘No Reservations’ show.

However, Chef Andre Le had big ideas, and the menu soon expanded to encompass more experimental Asian cuisine. Think marinated beets with pickled blueberries or crab and sausage linguine. Make sure you save room for dessert to sample exotic sweet treats such as coconut sticky rice custard with mango sorbet and fish sauce caramel.

The Pig and the Lady’s Chinatown location has 84 seats and is a great spot to grab a casual bite. If you’re looking for a more formal dinner, there’s also a wine pairing menu with a fantastic selection of new-world wines that perfectly complement the flavors of Chef Le’s food. Takeout is also available.

6. House Without A Key

• $$$
• Address: 2199 Kālia Road, Honolulu
• Website: halekulani.com/dining/house-without-a-key/
• Hours: A breakfast buffet is available daily 7 am to 10.30 am, lunch is served from 11.30 am, and dinner and sunset cocktails can be enjoyed 5.30 pm – 8.30 pm. Reservations are recommended and can be made online or over the phone.

This all-American spot is one of the most iconic restaurants in Waikiki and is a popular place for cocktails and appetizers. It was immortalized in a 1925 Charlie Chan novel and is now best known for its signature mai tai and fun, chilled vibe.

You can find House Without A Key at Halekulani Hotel. This indoor/outdoor spot has a great program of Hawaiian entertainment, such as hula, for guests to enjoy. There’s no better place to enjoy a sunset with views of Diamond Head and the Pacific Ocean than under their 130+-year-old kiawe tree.

The viewing kitchen is where the magic happens. This venue is known for its fresh seafood, steaks, and burgers, and guests can watch chefs prepare delicious dishes with various grilling techniques. The lunchtime carving station and brick pizza oven also serve some tasty treats, and there are plenty of great appetizers on the menu.

7. Redfish Poke Bar

• $$-$$$
• Address: 685 Auahi Street, Honolulu
• Website: redfishpoke.com/
• Hours: Redfish is open Sunday through Thursday, 11 am to 9 pm, and Friday and Saturday, from 11 am to midnight. Reservations are recommended and can be made through OpenTable.

You can’t visit Hawaii without sampling a poke bowl, and Redfish Poke Bar just off Ala Moana Boulevard is our pick. Since 2019, the team at this popular eatery has been combining authenticity with innovation to deliver a menu that is both exciting and delicious.

Fresh fish, including salmon, hamachi, and ahi, are available daily, and vegetarian options are available. Diners can choose from one of the signature combinations, or you can create your own poke bowl at the front counter.

Bowls are available for takeout, or you can dine in at the restaurant or bar. As well as poke, Redfish also serves small plates, including oysters, fries, and chicken wings, and medium plates, including fried rice, short ribs, and catch of the day.

A good drinks list accompanies the delicious food, including craft beers and signature cocktails.

8. Koko Head Cafe

• $$-$$$
• Address: 1145 12th Avenue, Suite C, Honolulu
• Website: kokoheadcafe.com
• Hours: Koko Head Cafe is open from 7 am until 2 pm, Wednesday through Monday. Reservations aren’t possible, but you can join a waitlist via their website.

Back in 2012, Top Chef finalist Lee Anne Wong left her hometown of New York City to open Koko Head Cafe with Hawaii’s Chef Kevin Hanney. Their joint venture was wildly successful from the get-go, and their tiny restaurant in Kaimuki has since moved to a larger venue right down the road from the original.

You’ll usually see a line out the door, and according to their website, the Koko Head Cafe team has served over one million customers since opening.

This is a brunch spot through and through and serves exciting takes on breakfast classics. Try the miso-marinated fish with scrambled eggs, rice porridge with pork three ways or the breakfast bruschetta to start your morning right. In addition, their KHC Ramen with chicken lemongrass dashi won’t disappoint.

9. Brick Fire Tavern

• $$-$$$
• Address: 3447 Waialae Avenue, Honolulu
• Website: brickfiretavern.com
• Hours: Brick Fire Tavern is open every day for lunch from 11 am to 2 pm and dinner from 5 pm to 10 pm. Reservations are welcome and can be made on the website.

If you were in any doubt whether authentic Italian pizza is available on Oahu, Brick Fire Tavern is the answer to that question.

This stylish little restaurant in the Kaimuki Neighborhood is run by Hawaiian locals Inthira Marks and Matthew Resich, who studied with pizza master Enzo Coccia in Italy. Their training certainly paid off because their traditional Napoletana pizzas are heavenly.

The house-made dough is light and airy with a slight crisp, a pillowy crust, and a satisfying chewiness. There is a great selection of traditional and avant-garde toppings, and all ingredients are fresh and sourced locally where possible.

Once constructed, pizzas are cooked in a 900-degree wood-fired brick oven that was specially made for Brick Fire Tavern in Naples, Italy. Every pizza here is good, but some are truly outstanding. Try the Clam-Ross with vongole sauce, clams, pancetta, and pecorino, or a classic Margherita with fresh basil and olive oil.

Salads, antipasti, pasta, and dessert are also available, as well as a good selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

10. Morning Glass Coffee

• $$-$$$
• Address: 2955 E. Manoa Road, Honolulu
• Website: morningglasscoffee.com
• Hours: Morning Glass is open Tuesday through Friday from 7 am to 2 pm and Saturday and Sunday, 8 am to 2 pm.

Morning Glass opened in 2011, and ever since, dozens of other coffee shops have sprung up around it, offering chic aesthetics and complex menus. This Honolulu staple, however, has stayed true to itself and focuses on serving incredible coffee and delicious food instead of trying to be Instagrammable.

The coffee shop, located in Manoa, works with Four Barrel Coffee and Coava Coffee Roasters, and beans are only used for a week after roasting to ensure maximum freshness. Both local and global coffee beans are on the menu, giving customers a great selection to choose from.

Food is all made in-house using local produce and meats where possible. Breakfast and lunches are available, and Morning Glass offers a delicious Saturday brunch. The menu changes daily, but expect a great range of pastries, sandwiches, and scones. Favorites among locals are the lilikoi honey biscuits and the mac and cheese pancakes.

This is a pretty cozy venue and it fills up quickly, so try to get there early to claim your table.

11. Izakaya Naru

• $$
• Address: 2700 S. King Street, Honolulu
• Website: naru-honolulu.com
• Hours: Head over after 5.30 pm Tuesday through Sunday and enjoy the ambiance until closing time at 2 am. Reservations are possible but not mandatory.

An izakaya is a type of Japanese bar serving small dishes and snacks to accompany drinks. Izakaya Naru, located in the Manoa Neighborhood, is one of Honolulu’s most intimate izakayas but be warned: it can get boisterous (in a fun way) later in the evening.

The cuisine here is typically Okinawan and includes decadent peanut tofu, soba noodle broth, and stir-fried bitter melon, to mention just a few. The taco rice dish, which comes from the American military’s presence in Okinawa, is finished tableside and is well worth sampling.

The drinks menu is equally as interesting and includes awamori which is distilled from rice. The bar team at Naru infuses it with shisho, coffee, and various other ingredients to create unique and delicious beverages. Draft beers, soju, and hot drinks are also available if preferred.

Another major draw of this spot is the reasonable prices and friendly staff.

12. Helena’s Hawaiian Food

• $$
• Address: 1240 N. School Street, Kalihi, Honolulu
• Website: helenashawaiianfood.com
• Hours: Helena’s Hawaiian Food is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 am until 7.30 pm. Reservations aren’t required, and orders can be made online for takeout.

Located in the Liliha Kapalama area, Helena’s Hawaiian Food is one of the most iconic spots in Honolulu, and her traditional Hawaiian dishes are loved by locals and tourists alike. In fact, it’s so well-loved that Helena was awarded a James Beard award in 2000.

This family-owned business has been open since 1946, and the menu hasn’t changed much in all that time. It’s now run by Helena’s grandson, Craig Katsuyoshi, who is committed to doing things just as his grandmother did. The famous luau style kālua pig cooked in an imu (underground oven) is a charming nod to Hawaiian traditions and elevates this restaurant above others like it.

To try a little of everything, order the set menu. It features plate lunch Hawaiian classics like Lomi salmon and Pipi Kaula short ribs, and every set menu comes with Haupia (coconut pudding). Poi a la carte is also a great way to taste a bite-sized piece of Hawaii.

Desserts are only available as long as supplies last, and they are extremely popular, so try to arrive early to avoid disappointment.

13. Duc’s Bistro

• $$
• Address: 1188 Maunakea Street, Honolulu
• Website: ducsbistro.com
• Hours: Duc’s is open daily from 12 pm to 8 pm Monday through Friday and 4 pm to 8 pm Saturday and Sunday. Call ahead to make reservations.

Duc’s Bistro in Chinatown brings a sense of Manhattan romance to Honolulu while serving up some of the best French Vietnamese cuisine around.

Duc has welcomed customers since 1992, and his friendly approach has won him a legion of loyal followers. White tablecloths, a colorful bar, and a grand piano combine under warm lighting to create a cozy environment that guests love. Live jazz performances can also be enjoyed on select evenings.

The food at Duc’s Bistro is consistently outstanding and undeniably classic. Try plates including steak au poivre and broiled lamb, or sample a Vietnamese-inspired recipe such as the spicy lemongrass chicken. Save room for dessert and leave your car at home to enjoy the outstanding wine list.

14. Ethel’s Grill

• $$
• Address: 232 Kalihi St, Honolulu
• Website: instagram.com/ethelsgrill_kalihi
• Hours: Head over Tuesday through Saturday from 8 am to 2 pm.

This lively, cash-only institution is a must-eat while in Honolulu. Ethel’s Grill has been serving tasty plates for decades, and when Ryoko Ishii bought the restaurant in the 1970s, she didn’t bother to change the name. This restaurant has remained a family business since then, serving homestyle Asian comfort food with no frills but lots of flavor.

Dishes highlight the family’s Japanese, Okinawan, Mexican, and Hawaiian heritage, and the results are fantastic. Think basa fish tacos, ume shiso chicken, poke bowls, and ahi belly, to name just a few of the popular specials. Portions are generous, so bring your appetite!

Ethel’s is a tiny place, so dining in isn’t possible, and they only offer takeout. However, every dish is perfect to take down to the nearby Kaka’ako Waterfront Park for a picnic, which only adds to the delight of this much-loved venue.

15. Olive Tree Cafe

• $
• Address: 4614 Kīlauea Avenue, Kāhala, Honolulu
• Website: facebook.com/OliveTreeCafe4614
• Hours: Olive Tree Cafe is open daily from 5 pm to 9 pm. Indoor and outdoor seating is available, and reservations aren’t required.

Olive Tree isn’t quite fast food, but it’s the nearest thing you’ll find to it in Honolulu that is consistently superb. This blended Greek and Mediterranean spot in the Kahala area of Honolulu is the brainchild of Savas Mojarrad, who first came up with the menu in 1995. Since then, not much has changed, and that’s because it’s perfect as it is.

The ethos behind the menu is to make Greek food in Hawaii fresh, accessible, and healthy. Everything on the menu is made from scratch using the restaurant’s own recipe. The team does its best to support local businesses, and the succulent fish souvlaki is made with fish brought to the restaurant directly by anglers.

Every other dish on the menu is equally as fresh, from the lamb shawarma that is bursting with flavor to the Greek salad dressing that is arguably the best outside of Europe. Save room for the fresh baklava with orange blossom water (it’s so good you’ll want some to go, too).

A Foodie Paradise

These are fifteen of the best eating experiences you can have around Honolulu. With a wide range of culinary influences and access to fresh ingredients, it’s no wonder Hawaii is one of the best places to eat in the world.

The only challenge you’ll have is trying to squeeze in a visit to all the spots on this list. Good luck!