The Best Restaurants in Honolulu: Where to Eat Right Now
Honolulu’s food scene is a mix of high-end Pacific Rim cuisine, deep-rooted Polynesian traditions, and heavy Japanese influence. You aren't just eating at a tourist destination; you are eating in one of the world's most functional crossroads. From upscale Waikiki dining rooms to no-frills plate lunch counters in Kalihi, the variety reflects the city’s complex history. Freshness is the baseline here, with local catch and volcanic soil produce driving the menus. This guide covers the best restaurants in Honolulu for every budget, whether you want a white-tablecloth anniversary dinner or a poked bowl on the sidewalk.
Must-Try Dishes in Honolulu
Before you book a table, know what to look for on the menu. These are the staples of the island.
- Poke: Cubed raw fish, usually tuna (ahi), marinated with soy sauce, sesame oil, and onions. It is the definitive local snack.
- Loco Moco: High-calorie comfort food consisting of white rice topped with a ground beef patty, a fried egg, and thick brown gravy.
- Laulau: Pork and salted butterfish wrapped in lu’au (taro) leaves and steamed until tender and smoky.
- Malasadas: Portuguese-style donuts that are deep-fried, coated in sugar, and often filled with tropical haupia (coconut) or guava cream.
- Kalua Pig: Pork slow-cooked in an imu (underground oven), resulting in a salty, shredded, smoky flavor.
- Saimin: Hawaii’s specific take on noodle soup, influenced by ramen but using a lighter dashi-based broth and soft egg noodles.
Best Restaurants for a Splurge
When you want the highest execution of Hawaii’s ingredients, these are the best restaurants in Honolulu for a high-end experience.
Senia (Chinatown)
Senia bridges the gap between elevated snacks and a high-concept tasting menu. You can sit in the main dining room for a la carte dishes like the famous charred cabbage or book the Chef’s Counter for an experimental multi-course journey. The flavors are global but the ingredients are strictly local. It is currently one of the most respected kitchens in the state.
La Mer (Waikiki)
Located inside the Halekulani, La Mer is the only AAA Five Diamond restaurant in Hawaii. It specializes in neoclassical French cuisine using Hawaiian seafood. Expect formal service, a strict dress code, and expansive views of the Pacific. It is the premier choice for a traditional celebratory dinner where price is no object.
Sushi Sho (Waikiki)
Tucked away in the Ritz-Carlton, Keiji Nakazawa’s Sushi Sho is widely considered the best sushi in Hawaii. This is Edomae-style sushi that incorporates local fish treated with ancient curing techniques. With only ten seats and a rigorous Omakase-only format, it requires booking months in advance. It is an intense, educational, and deeply rewarding culinary experience.
Best Casual Restaurants and Local Favorites
These spots are where locals actually eat. They are consistent, unpretentious, and define the modern food culture of the city.
Mud Hen Water (Kaimuki)
Chef Ed Kenney focuses on "local first" at this neighborhood gem. The menu reinterprets traditional Hawaiian flavors for a modern palate. Try the beet poke or the squid lu’au. The atmosphere is open-air and energetic, making it perfect for a group dinner after a day at the beach.
Helena’s Hawaiian Food (Kalihi)
A James Beard Award winner that looks like a simple diner. Helena’s has been serving authentic Hawaiian food since 1946. Order the "Set B" to get a taste of kalua pig, pipikaula (short ribs), and lomi salmon. It is cash only and there is almost always a line. It is the gold standard for traditional cuisine.
Side Street Inn (Ala Moana/Kapahulu)
Side Street Inn is where chefs go to eat after their own kitchens close. It is famous for massive portions of "local style" comfort food. The pan-fried pork chops and kimchi fried rice are non-negotiable orders. It is loud, unpretentious, and built for family-style sharing.
Tonkatsu Ginza Bairin (Waikiki)
This is a specialist shop dedicated to the art of the Japanese pork cutlet. The kurobuta pork is panko-crusted and fried to a perfect gold. It is consistently rated as some of the best tonkatsu outside of Tokyo. The katsu sando is a portable masterpiece if you are on the move.
Best Cheap Eats and Street Food
You don't need a reservation to find the best food in Honolulu. These spots are affordable and high-quality.
Musubi Cafe Iyasume
Spam Musubi is the unofficial snack of Hawaii. Iyasume elevates it with high-quality rice and various toppings like bacon, egg, or avocado. It is cheap, filling, and located at multiple convenient spots across Waikiki. It is the perfect fuel for a hike or a surf session.
Leonard’s Bakery
No trip to Honolulu is complete without a pink box of malasadas from Leonard’s. These donuts are fried to order so they arrive hot and crispy. The plain sugar is a classic, but the li hing (salty plum) sugar offers a unique local flavor profile. Expect a line at the Kapahulu storefront.
Marukame Udon
Located in the heart of Waikiki, this cafeteria-style shop serves fresh, house-made udon noodles. You watch the noodles being cut and boiled before choosing your broth and adding various tempura items. It is arguably the best value-for-money meal in the entire district. The line moves fast.
Rainbow Drive-In
A staple since 1961, this is the place to try a "Plate Lunch." A standard plate comes with two scoops of rice, one scoop of macaroni salad, and a protein like mahimahi or shoyu chicken. It is heavy, greasy in the best way, and an essential part of the Honolulu experience.
Best Breakfast and Brunch
Start your morning away from the standard hotel buffet at these local favorites.
Koko Head Cafe (Kaimuki)
Chef Lee Anne Wong’s brunch spot is famous for its creative takes on breakfast classics. The Cornflake Crusted French Toast and the Breakfast Bibimbap are standouts. It is a high-energy room that doesn't take reservations, so put your name in early and walk around Kaimuki while you wait.
Liliha Bakery
Famous for their coco puffs (chocolate-filled cream puffs with a salty chantilly frosting), Liliha is also a full-service diner. Sit at the original counter on Kuakini Street for pancakes or fried rice. It offers a nostalgic, old-school Hawaii atmosphere that is increasingly hard to find.
Scratch Kitchen (Ward Village)
If you want something indulgent, Scratch Kitchen is the move. Their "Milk & Cereal" pancakes are legendary, topped with fruit and a cereal milk anglaise. The menu is a mix of Southern comfort and local flavors, located in a clean, modern space perfect for a slow morning.
Best Rooftop or View Dining
If you are in Hawaii, you want to see the water or the skyline while you eat.
House Without A Key (Waikiki)
While technically a patio rather than a rooftop, it offers the most iconic sunset view in Honolulu. Located at the Halekulani, you can enjoy cocktails and appetizers under a century-old Kiawe tree while watching live hula and Hawaiian music. It is the quintessential Waikiki experience.
Deck. (Waikiki)
Situated on the 3rd floor of the Queen Kapiolani Hotel, Deck. offers an unobstructed, stunning view of Diamond Head. The menu is American Pacific, featuring fresh seafood and local produce. It is less formal than the waterfront fine-dining spots but offers a better view of the island's most famous landmark.
Best Food Neighborhoods to Wander
If you want to explore where to eat in Honolulu without a plan, head to these three areas.
- Kaimuki: This is a hilltop residential neighborhood with a high density of award-winning restaurants. Walk along Waialae Avenue to find everything from high-end bistros to vegan cafes and bakeries.
- Chinatown: Forget the tourist traps. Chinatown is the epicenter of Honolulu’s cool dining scene. You’ll find trendy bars, intense Vietnamese pho shops, and high-concept restaurants like Senia and Fête within a few blocks.
- Kapahulu Avenue: Just outside Waikiki, this street is a condensed strip of local favorites. You can hit Leonard’s for donuts, Side Street Inn for pork chops, and Ono Seafood for some of the city's best poke all on one walk.
Please note that restaurant hours and reservation requirements can change without notice.