The Top 10 Restaurants in Honolulu

The James Beard-honored temple of traditional Hawaiian food, family-run in Kalihi since 1946 — pipikaula short ribs, kalua pig, squid luau, poi. This is the plate lunch's soulful ancestor, and locals will tell you it's the real thing. Plan carefully: open Tuesday-Friday only, 10am-7:30pm, and it's a drive from Waikiki.

A harborside fish house next to the Honolulu fish auction, serving auction-fresh ahi and the island's benchmark furikake-crusted catch — plate-lunch casual by day, full restaurant and bar by night. Open Monday-Saturday 6:30am-9pm, Sunday from 10am, with an attached fish market for poke. Worth the drive from Waikiki for lunch on the water.

Highway Inn is an authentic Hawaiian restaurant operating since 1947, famous for handmade local dishes like mochiko chicken and combo plates at budget-friendly prices. The casual diner-style spot delivers genuine aloha and flavorful food, but service can be slow and forgetful during busier times, and parking in the strip mall can be tight depending on when you visit.

Honolulu's definitive plate-lunch drive-in, slinging two-scoops-rice-and-mac-salad classics from the same Kapahulu corner since 1961 — Obama's old neighborhood haunt. Open daily 7am-9pm; most plates run $13-17 and the mix plate stays under $15. Zero ambiance, all substance. This is the local everyday food, done exactly right.

The Le family's celebrated Vietnamese restaurant — pho French dip, brilliant chef specials, a farmers'-market-to-icon story. Important: it left Chinatown in 2025 and now lives in Kaimuki at 3650 Waialae Ave. Lunch Wednesday-Saturday 11am-2pm, dinner Tuesday-Saturday 5-9:30pm, closed Sunday-Monday. Still one of Honolulu's essential meals; book ahead.

Aloha Kitchen is a breakfast-focused restaurant famous for thick, fluffy soufflé pancakes in rotating seasonal flavors—the Sakura and peach-strawberry versions get particular praise. Order the soufflé pancakes, Lobster Eggs Benedict, or egg sandwiches; many reviewers suggest getting a coffee to-go while you wait. Expect a significant wait (often 1+ hours), so arrive early or before opening to put your name on the list.

Istanbul Hawai'i is a Mediterranean and Turkish restaurant in Honolulu known for refined, flavorful dishes served on distinctive platters with excellent service and a cozy, upscale atmosphere. Reviewers rave about the wagyu sticks, pide wrap, pirzola, manti, and smoked babaganoush—though portions are small relative to the high price. Make a reservation well ahead, as it's extremely popular and consistently booked.

Taormina is a polished Sicilian restaurant tucked into Waikiki that punches well above its tourist-strip surroundings. The housemade pastas, fresh seafood, and wood-fired preparations are genuinely excellent. It's a reliable choice when you want a proper sit-down Italian meal near the beach. Service can be slow during peak tourist season so allow extra time.

An authentically vintage tiki bar on Sand Island with waterfront views of sailboats, strong cocktails (try the Zombie Mai Tai), and decent food ranging from burgers to shrimp scampi. The remote location keeps it local rather than touristy, and live music plays some nights—but service can be slow even when it's not busy, so manage expectations.

Beachfront restaurant on Kalākaua Ave serving seafood, steaks, and Hawaiian comfort food with live music and tropical atmosphere. Reviewers rave about the lobster, fish, teriyaki steak, and the massive hula pie dessert. Expect significant waits—queues form daily and walk-ins may wait an hour or more, though some get seated faster.

The famous Waikiki udon cafeteria (now branded Marugame Udon) where a line snakes down Kuhio Ave for $5-8 bowls of noodles pulled and boiled in front of you, plus $2-ish tempura you grab tray-style. Open daily 10am-10pm. It's a chain, but the value is unbeatable in Waikiki. The line moves faster than it looks.

A no-frills takeout window on Kapahulu Ave making the poke most locals name first — ahi and tako mixed to order, never pre-made, from a family shop that's been at it for decades. Open Tuesday-Saturday, roughly 9am-4pm, closed Sunday-Monday. Go early: when the fish runs out, they close. Cash-friendly, seating minimal.

Ed Kenney's Kaimuki restaurant celebrates Hawaii's multicultural food heritage with dishes rooted in local tradition and seasonal ingredients. The menu reads like a love letter to the islands — think loco moco reimagined, poi dishes, and fresh fish preparations. It's casual enough for a weeknight but special enough for out-of-town guests. The room fills up fast so reservations are strongly recommended.

Fête is a bright, airy restaurant in a renovated Chinatown building serving inventive American food with strong local sourcing. The whole roasted chicken for two and the pasta dishes are perennial favorites. Brunch on weekends draws a devoted crowd. The open kitchen and high ceilings make it one of the most pleasant dining rooms in the city.

Tiki's Grill & Bar is a third-floor Waikiki restaurant known for fresh seafood and Hawaiian-inspired dishes with excellent sunset views and live music. The coconut shrimp, grilled fish sandwich, and three-course dinner for two ($110) are standouts, and service is consistently praised. Note that seating can be slow during busy times, and one reviewer reported a rude interaction with a hostess.

Barefoot Beach Cafe is a casual beachfront restaurant right on Queen's Surf Beach with fast-food service but real plates and silverware. Get the pineapple smoothies, Kalua pork sandwich, açaí bowls, or fresh fish of the day—portions are huge and reviewers consistently praise the quality. Note: they don't accept cash, only cards.

A small storefront specializing in fresh-made musubi and onigiri (rice balls) with an impressive variety of 20+ flavors each, plus udon and rice bowls at very reasonable prices. Must-try items include the spam musubi, mentaiko mayo onigiri, and tuna mayo onigiri. The shop is tucked away from crowds and moves lines quickly, but grab a physical menu before ordering if you're unfamiliar with the options.

Senia is a chef-driven tasting-menu restaurant from two Eleven Madison Park alumni that consistently ranks among Honolulu's most exciting tables. The menu changes with the season and leans into local ingredients with global technique. The bar program is equally thoughtful. It's a small room so book well ahead and expect a leisurely multi-course pace.

A tiny, intimate Southern comfort food spot in downtown Honolulu run by owner Cory from Georgia, who often works solo in the open kitchen. Get the shrimp po' boy, fried chicken with gravy, mac and cheese, or ribs—everything is made to order with real care and flavor. Fair warning: waits can stretch over an hour during busy times, and parking nearby is tricky.

Sushi Sho is a world-class omakase counter — a Honolulu outpost of the legendary Tokyo original — where Chef Keiji Nakazawa serves an extraordinary parade of nigiri and small courses. The fish quality and technique are on par with the best sushi in Japan. Seats are extremely limited and reservations open months in advance; this is a bucket-list meal. Budget accordingly: the omakase runs well over $200 per person.