The 17 Best Restaurants in Waikiki Right Now
Waikiki is one of the world’s top tourist destinations, and it’s known for its vibrant nightlife, gorgeous beaches, and excellent restaurants. If you are looking for the best places to eat in Waikiki, you’ve come to the right place.
In this article, we have narrowed down the top picks for the best restaurants on the island at the moment – from cheap eats to fine dining restaurants and everything in between, we’ve got you covered. Whether you are looking for a casual beachfront eatery or an upscale sushi bar, there are plenty of dining options.
How did we come up with this list? I’m glad you asked! We researched the best restaurants on the island and consulted locals about their favorite places. We then took it upon ourselves to try the restaurants and make sure we were recommending places of the highest quality.
Without further ado, here are the best restaurants in Waikiki right now:
Best Restaurants in Waikiki With a View
Kicking off our list are the top restaurants with the best views on the island. These restaurants are fun and offer spectacular scenery.
(1) Azure Restuarant and Bar – The Royal Hawaiian
⭐ RATING: 4.4 out of 5
Location: 2259 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
Price: $$$$
Cuisine: Seafood, Steakhouse
Dress Code: Resort Wear
Hours of operation: Wednesday-Sunday, 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Where to Park: The Royal Hawaiian offers complimentary parking for the first 4 hours with a $25.00 minimum purchase.
What’s it like?: This restaurant has become the go-to spot for travelers looking for the best views on the island and the best place to catch a sunset. Azure sits right along the Waikiki beachfront, providing awe-inspiring ocean and Diamond Head views.
Azure serves a prix fixe menu (multi-course meal for a “fixed price”) that includes a four-course tasting meal with seafood, short ribs, vegetarian, and other local favorites. They also offer a great selection of craft cocktails and an extensive wine list that includes the famous mai tai.
The four-course dinner costs $130 per person, and you can add a wine pairing for $55 per guest. While Azure is one of the most expensive restaurants on this list, it’s absolutely worth it.
Why we love it: We love that this restaurant is located on the grounds of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. The building is stunning with Spanish Moorish architecture, creating a truly unique and unforgettable experience. The food is delicious, the drinks are creative and well-crafted, and the views of Diamond Head from the restaurant will take your breath away. On top of that, the service is top-notch – they always make sure to take care of their customers.
Azure is an excellent choice for a romantic dinner or special occasion. The atmosphere, the food, and the views are all unbeatable!
While this is one of the most expensive restaurants in Waikiki, it was worth the price for the experience. We will definitely go back to celebrate special occasions.
Read our full review if you want to know more about our experience at Azure.
(2) La Mer
⭐ RATING: 4.6 out of 5
Location: 2199 Kalia Rd, Honolulu, HI 96815
Price: $$$$
Cuisine: French
Dress Code: Elegant evening attire. Dinner jackets, long-sleeved collared shirts or Aloha shirts, dress slacks, and close-toed shoes are required for men. Golf shirts or denim are not permitted.
Hours Of Operation: Wed-Sat: 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Where to Park: La Mer offers complimentary valet parking with validation.
What’s it like?: La Mer is one of Waikiki’s most luxurious and acclaimed restaurants. It’s located at the Halekulani, an iconic beachfront hotel, and it offers stunning views of Diamond Head and the Waikiki skyline.
La Mer has the unique and prestigious claim of being Hawaii’s only Triple-A Five Diamond restaurant, offering a one-of-a-kind dining experience. La Mer also obtained a spot in Forbes as a Five Star island-inspired French-style restaurant, so you know you’re in for something unique.
The menu features dishes inspired by different flavors from the south of France. They use local and tropical ingredients to create a unique culinary experience.
La Mer serves two different prix fixe menu options. The four-course menu du Soir and the seven-course menu degustation, along with a la carte and caviar options.
The four-course menu costs $190 per person with a $90 optional wine pairing. The seven-course menu costs $255 with a $125 optional wine pairing.
Why we love it: The ambiance, service, and food quality are why we will return. We love that they use only the freshest ingredients for their dishes and strive to offer a world-class dining experience. The setting at Halekulani is also perfect for special occasions or romantic dinners.
Overall, La Mer is an unforgettable dining experience you will surely reminisce on. With its delicious food, exquisite setting, and attentive service, La Mer is highly recommended, especially if you’re celebrating something special.
(3) Hula Grill
⭐ RATING: 4.4 out of 5 stars
Location: 2335 Kalakaua Avenue, Suite 203, Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort
Price: $$$
Cuisine: Hawaiian, Seafood, Breakfast, and Brunch
Dress Code: Casual
Hours of Operation: Daily: 7:00 am – 10:30 pm
Where to Park: Validated valet parking is available at the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort. $15 for 4 hours. Self-parking is available for $6 at Ohana East for 4 hours.
What’s it like?: Hula Grill is located at the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort and offers stunning Diamond Head and ocean views from its outdoor seating area. The restaurant’s open-air design provides a casual atmosphere with wonderful “aloha” vibes.
Hula Grill serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. They are known for using only the freshest local ingredients sourced from local farmers and fishermen. We came here for lunch multiple times, and we were impressed. We ordered from both the buffet and a la carte menus, and both were good. The food, the views, and the service are spectacular.
The menu is extensive and features fresh seafood, Hawaiian classics like loco moco and poké tacos, and brunch dishes such as strawberry mochi waffles, acaí bowls, and banana macadamia nut pancakes. They also have extensive beer and wine lists and a kid’s menu.
Why we love it: Hula Grill is one of our favorite spots in Waikiki for its casual atmosphere, stunning views, fresh food, and reasonable prices. The restaurant is excellent for families or large groups, but they also have romantic tableside seating if you’re looking for a special dinner. Compared to most of the restaurants in this section, Hula Grill is more budget-friendly and the main reason we keep returning.
(4) House Without a Key
⭐ RATING: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Location: 2199 Kalia Rd, Honolulu, HI 96815
Price: $$$-$$$$
Cuisine: Seafood, Bar
Dress Code: Casual resort or beach attire. Cover-up or shirt and footwear are required.
Hours of Operation: Mon-Sun: 7:00 am – 10:30 am, 11:30 am – 8:30 pm
Where to Park: Validated valet and self-parking
What’s it like?: Housed in a historic building on the grounds of the iconic Halekulani Hotel, House Without a Key offers stunning views of Diamond Head and Waikiki Beach.
It’s one of the few spots that capture Hawaii’s laid-back vibes with nightly music and traditional nightly Hawaiia