Oʻahu's food scene is a true melting pot — Japanese plate lunches, Native Hawaiian poi and kalua pork, Korean kimchi fried rice, Portuguese malasadas, and fresh Pacific seafood all share the menu. Waikiki has world-class dining, but the best local plates are often found at neighborhood spots and roadside shrimp trucks.
Local favorites & classics
Helena's Hawaiian Food. Kalihi · Hawaiian — A James Beard America's Classic (2000) operating since 1946. The pipikaula short ribs — air-dried above the stove then deep-fried — are the dish to order. Now run by founder…
Fête. Chinatown / Downtown Honolulu · New American (farm-to-table) — Chef Robynne Maii won the 2022 James Beard Award for Best Chef: Northwest & Pacific. The menu rotates around local farms and seasonal…
Tonkatsu Tamafuji. Kapahulu · Japanese (tonkatsu) — One of Honolulu's hardest-to-get reservations, expanded into a larger street-level space in April 2026. Housemade panko produces an exceptionally crispy breaded pork…
Mud Hen Water. Kaimuki · Modern Hawaiian — Chef Ed Kenney's celebration of local ingredients and plantation-era flavors. Weekend brunch draws crowds for banana pancakes and pork sisig; weeknight dinners lean into…
The Pig & The Lady. Kaimuki (relocated from Chinatown, October 2025) · Vietnamese-inspired fusion — Chef Andrew Le's beloved pho french dip and Vietnamese-Southeast Asian mashups now reside in a new Kaimuki space on…
Kevin's Kitchen. McCully · Hong Kong–style Cantonese — Master roaster Ping Li brings decades of Hong Kong experience to Honolulu's best char siu, roast duck, and roast goose (pre-order 48 hours ahead). Lunch plates…
Sushi Izakaya Gaku. Makiki · Japanese izakaya — Nearly two decades of elevated izakaya cooking in a relaxed setting, with fresh sashimi, house-made tofu, and izakaya small plates that reward leisurely evening grazing.
Maguro Brothers. Chinatown · Hawaiian poke — Fresh fish tossed to order with minimal seasonings is the Maguro Brothers philosophy — clean, unfussy poke that lets the quality of the tuna speak for itself. A…
Paalaa Kai Bakery. 66-945 Kaukonahua Rd · 4.6★ (1,423 reviews)
Fine dining & Michelin
Sushi ii. Keeaumoku · Omakase sushi — An intimate omakase counter pairing impeccable nigiri — golden-eye snapper from Japan, live local baby abalone — with inventive cooked courses like ikura pan.…
Taormina Sicilian Cuisine. 227 Lewers St · 4.8★ (3,576 reviews)