Must-see restaurants in Oʻahu

  • 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…

  • Senia

    Honolulu

    Electricity, buzz, whatever, you'll feel the energy as you enter one of the city's most innovative restaurants. It's not big, so book. Once seated you'll…

  • Mud Hen Water

    Honolulu

    Chef Ed Kenney has pulled off a real trick at this comfy corner bistro: he's created a menu of comfort foods drawn from Honolulu's many cultures and he's…

  • 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…

  • Sushi Izakaya Gaku

    Honolulu

    Known mostly by word of mouth, this insiders’ izakaya (Japanese gastropub) beats the competition with adherence to tradition and supremely fresh sushi and…

  • Roy’s Hawaiʻi Kai

    Oʻahu

    Roy Yamaguchi is one of the driving forces behind Hawaii Regional Cuisine, emphasizing fresh local ingredients with artfully blended European, Asian and…

  • 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…

  • Pig & the Lady

    Honolulu

    An award-winning Vietnamese fusion restaurant, the Pig & the Lady is crazy popular. Book well in advance. Imaginative lunch banh mi (sandwiches) come with…

  • Ethel's Grill

    Honolulu

    One of Honolulu's greatest hole-in-the-wall restaurants, Ethel's serves Japanese diner fare with an Okinawan bent and an overlay of Hawaii. This bustling,…

  • Kahai Street Kitchen

    Honolulu

    This smart-looking corner place has a curving front and is hugely popular with locals. There are four sizable tables out front on Coolidge St, or you can…

  • Kalapawai Cafe & Deli

    Kailua

    An excellent gourmet, self-serve deli by day, Kalapawai transforms after 5pm into an inviting, eclectic bistro. The eggplant bruschetta and other share…

  • Waioli Kitchen & Bake Shop

    Honolulu

    Set in a vintage compound amidst enormous trees, this little cafe cooks up superb breakfasts and lunches. Sit out on the gracious Craftsman-style 1920s…

  • Helena's Hawaiian Food

    Honolulu

    Walking through the door is like stepping into another era at this legendary institution. Although longtime owner Helena Chock has passed away, her…

  • Tamura's Fine Wine & Liquors

    Honolulu

    Arguably the best poke on the island is in this unpromising-looking liquor store. Just head inside to the poke counter in the back and feast your eyes…

  • Over Easy

    Kailua

    It's a little hard to spot from the street, but you'll be glad you made the effort at Kailua's favorite breakfast, brunch and lunch spot. A fave is the…

  • Artizen by MW

    Honolulu

    This impressive cafe at the Hawaiʻi State Art Museum is the perfect spot for breakfast or lunch, or just for a coffee break while perusing the museum's…

  • KCC Farmers Market

    Oʻahu

    At Oʻahu’s premier gathering of farmers and their fans, everything sold is locally made or grown and has a loyal following, from Nalo greens to Kahuku…

  • 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…

  • Hoku's

    Oʻahu

    The Kahala Hotel & Resort's top restaurant scoops accolades and awards annually and is revered for its elegant East-West creations. The Sunday brunch…

  • Sweet Home Café

    Honolulu

    Expect lines of locals waiting outside this cafe's tiny strip mall location. On wooden family-style tables sit steaming-hot pots; pick your broth, then…

  • Kokua Market Natural Foods

    Honolulu

    Hawaii’s only natural-food co-op is extremely good value and has an organic hot-and-cold meal and salad bar, plus a vegetarian- and vegan-friendly deli…

  • Kokonuts Shave Ice & Snacks

    Oʻahu

    After a tough day at Hanauma Bay, do as former president Obama has done (attested to by photos of Obama modeling a Kokonuts Shave Ice T-shirt) and drop…

  • Epi-Ya Boulangerie & Patisserie

    Honolulu

    Grab a pair of tongs and fill up your platter with pastries, ham rolls and myriad other treats fresh from the oven (we bought a loaf of their superb…

  • Maguro Brothers

    Honolulu

    Buried in Kekaulike Market, you wind your way around vegetable and seafood vendors to this little stall in the back. Everything is spare and sparkling,…

  • Cafe Julia

    Honolulu

    In the charming old YWCA Laniakea building opposite 'Iolani Palace, Cafe Julia is a gem. Named after Julia Morgan, one of America's first female…

  • Cafe Kaila

    Honolulu

    This place at the top of Kapiʻolani Blvd racks up best breakfast gold medals in local culinary awards. Expect to queue to get in for the legendary lineup…

  • Moké’s Bread & Breakfast

    Kailua

    Locals reading the paper or petting their dogs at the blue-checker-clothed tables are the norm at this legendary cafe. The famous lilikoʻi (passion fruit)…

  • Island Snow Hawaii

    Kailua

    Cool off with a Lanikai Lime or Banzai Banana shave ice at Island Snow, which serves up some of the best shave ice on Oʻahu; it's creamier than most. A…

  • Kailua Town Farmers’ Market

    Kailua

    An excellent addition to the local farmers-markets lineup, this one lasts all morning. Wake up with local coffee and browse fresh foods, prepared foods,…

  • Taking a walk on the beach just before sunset.

    Kona Brewing Company

    Oʻahu

    This Big Island import is known for its microbrewed beers, especially the Longboard Lager, the Pipeline Porter and the Big Wave Golden Ale. There's live…

  • 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…

  • Honolulu Museum of Art Café

    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…

  • 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…

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