From casual eats to fine dining and hidden gems, this updated list has it all! Come eat, explore, and experience all the best restaurants (and food spots) in Honolulu.
Welcome to Honolulu! Whether you're a first time guest to our islands, a frequent visitor, or a local, I hope this personal guide comes in handy. There are many wonderful places to eat in Honolulu and I've captured favorite spots that best represent our beautiful city.
I've been to every place on this list many times and recommend them wholeheartedly. I've gone with friends, family and even on my own.
Good food is found at a diverse range of places and prices in Hawaii. These restaurants, cafes, sweet shops, bakeries, and takeout spots feel "very Hawaii" to me and I hope you feel the same. Enjoy ^_^
A few notes:
Helena’s Hawaiian Food
Hawaiian food and local are two different things, and our favorite restaurant for Hawaiian food is Helena's!
If you don't know much about Hawaiian food, then a visit to Helena's is a delicious lesson in Hawaiian Food 101.
From the glorious and savory Pipikaula to Chicken Long Rice, Kalua Pork (and Kalua Pork and Cabbage), Lau Lau, Opihi, Tripe Stew, Squid Luau, Lomi Lomi Salmon, and Poi, everything here is incredibly delicious.
Dessert is Haupia! Curious about the condiments on your table? That would be shoyu (soy sauce) and Chili Pepper Water.
Click here for the full post and tips on Helena's Hawaiian Food.
Farmers Markets
We have many different farmers markets in Honolulu. If you have time to visit them all, please do so! It's very fun and full of good food. The most popular market for visitors is the KCC Farmers' Market. Locals love the Kaka'ako Farmers' Market (and it seems like visitors are starting to catch on to this market).
Kailua also has a great Sunday farmer's market! From fresh fruits and local produce to lots of prepared foods, sweets, and drinks, make sure to bring an empty stomach.
A number of the market vendors also have brick and mortar shops in Honolulu, this includes The Pig and The Lady, The Rice Factory, Islander Sake, etc.
Yama’s Fish Market
Yama's Fish Market is another legendary Hawaiian food spot. Helena's is a sit down restaurant, and Yama's is a to-go spot (though they have a few tables outside but it's better for takeaway). Order any of the Hawaiian plates - I am partial to Hawaiian Plate Lunch #7 because it has Lau Lau, Poke, Rice, Lomi Lomi Salmon, and Haupia.
Then you must get dessert! Look in the refrigerated case and load up on the haupia brownie, it is so ono.
Shige’s Saimin Stand
You can't visit Hawaii and not have saimin at least once (or twice) Saimin is a noodle soup dish from Hawaii. It's similar to ramen but lighter and more comforting. Especially good when you're craving hot soup and need something nourshing.
I could eat saimin every day. Head to Shige's Saimin Stand in Wahiawa for a super experience.
They make the noodles fresh in-house daily and ohhh man it is ono! If you come with a friend, share a bunch of different dishes. Get regular saimin and the fried saimin (so you can compare), and don't forget the teri cheeseburger. Saimin and burgers are a classic pairing in Hawaii.
Click here for the full post and tips on Shige’s Saimin Stand.
MW Restaurant (and Artizen)
We love MW Restaurant and go here for nice family dinners and birthday celebrations. Stop in at the bar for cocktails and snacks (there's a daily happy hour). Or make a reservation for a wonderful dinner showcasing many local ingredients and farmers.
MW is owned by husband and wife team Wade Ueoka and Michelle Karr-Ueoka...they are truly talented and kind! My favorite dishes include mochi-crusted kampahi (I always order this for my entree), Kona lobster on warm pretzel buns, and ahi poke chirashi (with mochi rice chips).
Don't miss Michelle's stunning shave ice and floating island - she is a dessert genius. Actually, just get all the desserts on the menu.
Artizen is MW's casual takeout spot located on the first floor of the building. It's open throughout the day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. You can even stop by for dessert to-go, like Michelle's rainbow cake and a decadent buttermilk chocolate cake.
Bonus: I also love that Artizen sells a lot of frozen stew/soups like oxtail soups, chili, and hamburger curry. We usually keep a few in the freezer for last minute weeknight dinners. Reasonably priced and high quality. All you have to do is warm it up (stove or microwave) and cook rice!
Afternoon Tea
Afternoon tea is a must when you are in Hawaii! There are three main afternoon tea places I like to rotate between: Moana Surfrider, Kahala Hotel, and the Halekulani Hotel. They are all different and unique in their own way.
This post goes into the details of the pros/cons of each spot.
If you really love afternoon tea, then visit all three! Set aside a few hours in the afternoon and get ready to relax. Tea, scones, finger sandwiches, and delicate desserts. Where else in the world will you get to experience afternoon tea right by the ocean?
Click here for the full post and tips on Afternoon Tea in Hawaii.
Waiola Shave Ice
Like with poke spots, we have many great shave ice spots on the island. From old school classics to new and modern spots, you could eat shave ice every day of your vacation and still have more to try! One place I return to over and over again (since middle school) is Waiola Shave Ice. Make sure you visit the original location on Waiola Street location.
Many locals have their go-to orders and mine is the azuki bean bowl which comes with ice cream (hidden under the shave ice), azuki beans, condensed milk and fresh mochi. There are a few benches right in front of the shop - find a shaded seat and enjoy that shave ice!
Check out our guide to Shave Ice in Hawaii.
Restaurant Suntory
Located on the 3rd floor of Royal Hawaiian Center in Waikiki, Restaurant Suntory is loved by both locals and visitors. The food here is wonderful and there's something on the menu for everyone. From the teppanyaki stations (super fun for family dinners) to sushi and sashimi (date night!), shabu shabu and sukiyaki sets, everyone leaves Suntory Restaurant quite happy. A real pro tip? Order the beautiful Shusaizen set - it is super ono and an excellent value.
Click here for the full post and tips on Restaurant Suntory.
Dim Sum
You can't leave Honolulu without having dim sum! Check out our guide to the best dim sum spots in Honolulu.
Take your pick between Jade Dynasty at Ala Moana Center to Tim Ho Wan in Waikiki, Legend Seafood in Chinatown, and newcomer Yung Yee Kee...all these places are wonderful!
Getting together for dim sum with family and friends is a popular tradition in Honolulu. It's fun, kid-friendly, there's something for everyone, and it's also economical as far as dining out goes.
Nisshodo Candy Store / Mochiya
Mochi is one of my favorite food things about Hawaii! Hawaii's local-style mochi is pretty different from Japanese mochi. You'll find mochi all over Honolulu and you should definitely make a stop at Nisshodo Candy Store / Mochiya (they've been in business for over 90 years) for many flavors of fresh, housemade mochi and most importantly...the super amazing chichi dango! Order both the plain and kinako-dusted chichi dango.
Find more info and tips on Nisshodo in this post and learn more about Mochi in Hawaii in this post (which also has info on many other mochi shops to visit).
Ono Seafood
There are endless great poke spots in Hawaii and it is impossible to pick a "best" or "favorite." We love Ono Seafood for many reasons and it's been a go-to spot for years. It's conveniently located on Kapahulu Avenue (super close to Leonard's Bakery).
Picture a tiny takeout spot with a few tables out front. You can pick two different poke options on each bowl. I like to chose one ahi poke and one salmon or tako (octopus) poke. Super fresh and made to order. P.S. Ono also has a poke truck called Poke Bowl Patrol, it's usually at Kaka'ako Farmers Market on Saturday mornings.
Check out our full post and tips on Ono Seafood.
Lam’s Kitchen
Love fresh ho fun noodles? Then you’ll LOVE Lam’s Kitchen. This is one of my all time favorite spots in Chinatown. My grandma and I come often for lunch. We’ll eat a feast and then order pounds of fresh ho fun noodles to take home.
What to order? The plain cheung funn rolls (which you top at the table with sesame sauce, chili oil, and hoisin sauce), beef tendon (or wonton!) look funn noodle soup, beef black bean chow funn, and the preserved egg and pork jook (make sure to add on the fresh fried you tiao). It’s a family business and the food is wonderful.
Check out our full post and tips on Lam’s Kitchen.
Maguro Brothers
Oh man, Maguro Brothers is onolicious! They are all about fresh sashimi, chirashi, and ahi poke on rice. You can’t go wrong with any menu item. I usually order the king salmon bowl and add a side of ikura, natto, and/or uni. Or you can order the half-poke and half-chirashi on rice. For larger gatherings and potlucks, consider the large poke or sashimi platters. They have two locations - Chinatown is open during the day and Waikiki is open at night.
Check out our full post and tips on Maguro Brothers.
The Pig and the Lady
What’s not to love about The Pig and the Lady? From hearty bowls of oxtail pho, braised pork belly on rice, and a pho fresh dip sandwich, the menu is flavorful and satisfying. Order soft serve for dessert. The flavors change often and include everything from brown sugar custard and coconut to strawberry swirled with black sesame. Also check out their sister restaurant Piggy Smalls (in the Ward/Kakaako area). Similar energy, different menu, visit both.
P.S. Pig and the Lady also has a stand at the Wednesday Blaisdell, Thursday Kailua, and Saturday KKC Farmers Market.
Waiahole Poi Factory
Can't get enough Hawaiian food? After stopping at Helena's and Yama's, make sure to also check out Waiahole Poi Factory. Get a combo plate (I like the lau lau and squid lu'au combo), which comes with rice or poi, lomi lomi salmon and haupia. Save room for dessert because you really must try the Sweet Lady of Waiahole! What is this dessert? It's a big scoop of haupia ice cream topped with warm (key word being warm!!) kulolo. It's like an ice cream sundae, Hawaii-style ^_^
P.S. If you're really into haupia ice cream, kulolo, and kalo, visit Kalo Bombs in Waianae.
Ala Moana Center
Ala Moana Center is the country’s biggest open air shopping mall, but for locals, it’s just where we go all the time to run errands, get dim sum, meet friends, etc. The word “mall” doesn’t do Ala Moana justice because the food here is impressive. From beautiful Japanese dessert shops like La Palme D’or (see paragraph below), to three sprawling food courts that offer everything from laksa at SingMaTei, pastries at Brug Bakery, and endless musubis and bentos at Musubi Cafe Iyasume (a must visit!).
You can get some of the best dim sum in Honolulu at Jade Dynasty, hot pot at Shabuya, ramen, Sichuan, Korean bingsu (similar to shave ice) at Jejubing Dessert Café, Mariposa at Neiman Marcus (hello, popovers with strawberry butter), warm cookies from Cookie Corner, a prime location of Liliha Bakery, and so much more, Ala Moana really does have it all.
Check out our Ala Moana Center Eating Guide.
La Palme D’or
La Palme D’or is located within Ala Moana Center but it deserves a solo post. This slightly fancy Japanese bakery is popular for beautiful drinks. Remember our obsession with the Coffee Jelly drink? This is my favorite spot for it. Coffee jelly, a layer of whipped, cream, ice, and your choice of milk. Stir, mix, and drink!
They also do a Plantation Iced Tea version of this jelly drink (with pineapple jelly and iced tea). For the dessert - orders the roll cakes which come in chocolate, green tea, vanilla, and strawberry. The seasonal cakes are delicious as are the classics like strawberry shortcake, flourless chocolate cake, and Japanese cheesecake.
See more about La Palme D’or in our Ala Moana Center Eating Guide.
Sushi Sho
If you're going all out for one sushi omakase in Hawaii, go to Sushi Sho! No question about it.
Sushi Sho is located inside the Ritz-Carlton Waikiki. It's most famous of all the fancy Hawaii sushi spots and for good reason. Nakazawa-san (a well respected sushi chef in Tokyo) moved to Hawaii several years ago. Instead of retiring, he opened one of the most beautiful sushi restaurants in all of Hawaii. I love how Nakazawa-san incorporates many local ingredients into a traditional omakase. Think sweet Maui onions and tender hearts of palm.
Reservations by phone are required. Make reservations far in advance (though you might get lucky with a last minute cancellation). It is worth it.
Read all about Sushi in Hawaii.
Romy’s Shrimp Truck
Everyone seems to have a "favorite" garlic shrimp truck place on the North Shore. I love them all but I find myself at Romy’s Shrimp Truck most often. We always order the butter garlic shrimp (or prawn) plate. It comes with two scoops of rice and a spicy shoyu (soy sauce). Add a soda and li hing mui pineapples for dessert and you are set. P.S. Romy's is conveniently located across the street from Kahuku Farms!
Make garlic shrimp at home with our recipe ^_^
House Without A Key
House Without A Key is located at Halekulani Hotel. Go for sunset mai tais and live music and hula. It's peaceful (though can get pretty busy), elegant and is everything you dreamed Hawaii would be. We love taking visitors, and we also love going ourselves for a special treat. If I could spend at least one sunset hour at the Halekulani every week, I certainly would.
Check out our full post and tips on House Without A Key and our Guide to the Haleklani Hotel.
Breadshop
We love Breadshop! Located in the onolicious Kaimuki, Breadshop makes some of the most wonderful bread and pastries in Hawaii. I love the furikake focaccia (and so does my grandma), the hearty brown butter oat loaf, pineapple brioche, baguette, and so much more. Make sure to also try the different sweet and savory pastries like chocolate-cherry snails, taegu (seasoned codfish)-manchego-spinach croissant, and fragrant orange-cardamom morning buns.
Check out our Kaimuki Eating Guide.
Tonkatsu Tamafuji
No reservations are taken at this super popular tonkatsu spot on Kapahulu. Best bet is to come early and be prepared to wait. The pork tonkatsu is most popular but I am crazy for the oyster katsu (fat, plump, crisp!) Grind your own sesame seeds at the table for the dipping sauce. The rice (which comes from The Rice Factory) is DELICIOUS and you can get free refills. Everyone loves the rice. Come and see.
Leonard’s Bakery
One word: malasadas. Malasadas are like yeast doughnuts but even better. At Leonard’s Bakery they are generously rolled in sugar and served hot. This place is famous and for good reason. Day or night, there is always a line at the Kapahulu flagship but it moves fast and is worth the wait.
They actually have a big malasadas menu including malaadas rolled in flavored sugars (like coffee and li hing mui). They also make filled malasadas, but I love the plain, unfilled malasada the best. Order a dozen and eat it hot. I like to visit in the early morning when it is slightly less busy and not so hot and sunny. Coffee and malasadas make an excellent breakfast.
Check out our full post and tips on Leonard’s Bakery and our post about Malasadas in Hawaii.
Mud Hen Water
Everything at Mud Hen Water in Kaimuki is so ono. From the dinner classics like buttered ‘ulu (breadfruit), smoked meat carbonara, and chicken long rice croquettes to specials like Molokai venison lau lau, I crave many dishes here.
Brunch at Mud Hen Water is also not to be missed! We are crazy for the sourdough banana pancakes (which come with whipped brown butter), the u’ala doughnuts, and fish with lu’au stew. They also have a nice outdoor seating area.
Check out our Kaimuki Eating Guide.
Miro Kaimuki
Come (and make sure to book ahead) for the five-course prix fixe dinners. Miro is a very onolicious collaboration between Chris Kajioka and Mourad Lahlou and a great spot for celebration dinners and dates.
The menu changes every month and features wonderful local ingredients like Kualoa oysters and prawns from Kauai. Don't forget about the supplements. You must add the uni toast and ahi toast (plus the caviar toast if you're feeling decadent) and the house baked sourdough loaf ^_^
Check out our Kaimuki Eating Guide.
Japanese Restaurant Aki
This secluded Japanese restaurant in Kaimuki is very popular among locals. It’s almost feels like you’ve discovered your own little secret spot (any guest will be impressed if you take them here). What we love to eat at Aki: the yakitori, the fried oysters and soft shell crab, the sushi and sashimi, and the soymilk spicy sesame hot pot.
P.S. They have great lunch deals. It’s also a little quieter during lunch.
Check out our Kaimuki Eating Guide.
Yakitori Ando
Just a five minute walk from Restaurant Aki is Yakitori Ando (told you Kaimuki is full of local gems). Hawaii has several great yakitori spots, and Yakitori Ando is our go-to. It's a small space and reservations are a must.
Chef Ando is a retired sumo wrester and a master at the yakitori grills. No menu. The only option is a yakitori omakase that will you leave your stomach happy and satisfied. Best part? After all the yakitori, dinner is finished with a glorious pot motsunabe!! BYOB.
Diamond Head Market & Grill
There are two parts to Diamond Head Market and Grill. On the right side is the Grill where you can get takeout plate lunch including dishes like Loco Moco, Spam, Eggs, and Rice, etc. The left side is the Market side. Within the Market side is the Bakery area….I come here for the Bakery. Look for the refrigerated case on the left as you turn in.
They make so many local desserts that we’ve talked about on this blog. From Pumpkin Crunch (a MUST) to Lemon Crunch Cake, fresh Mango Cream Cheese Squares, Butter Mochi, and giant blueberry cream cheese scones, there is something (or rather, many things, for everyone). Don't leave without a hot Spam Musubi.
Thank you so much for this excellent site! I'm grateful for a fellow foodie who keeps me updated on the latest and greatest back home so I know where to go when visiting my parents. How I miss all the food!
"There are a few benches right in front of the shop - find a shaded seat and enjoy that shave ice!" - Truly not many places in the world I can be more satisfied than on those benches at Waiola w/a shave ice.
Re: MW mochi crusted fish - so good. Have done at home but grating mochi is a pain, better to have someone else do it for you!
Oh man I LOVE that mochi crusted fish so much. I've never tried grating mochi at home, but always order that dish at MW ^_^
- Kathy
Is the Kailua Farmers Market only opened on Thursdays right now, or is it Sunday as well?
Also, thank you for this post! Such great info 🙂
Aloha Melanie! The KailuaTown Farmers Market was open on Sunday 8a-12p...but this last Sunday (6/27/21) was their last day! They have to move to a new location (which they are still looking for). More info here:
- about the move: https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2021/06/09/farms-shock-kailuatown-farmers-market-searches-new-home/
- see their other market locations (and get updates on their new location) here: https://www.instagram.com/alohafarmlovers
In the meantime, check out the Kakaako Farmers Market and KCC Farmers Market 🙂
- Kathy
Thank you for this great post, we visit Hawaii annually but obviously not last year and not likely to this year either but we will be back count on it. Our love for Hawaii is seared into our souls (sister and I). Reading this post has just hardened my resolve to return.
Mahalo.
Aloha Faith - Thank you for your kind comments and your love for Hawaii! I hope you and your sister return to the islands soon 🙂
- Kathy