The Hawaiian islands are located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, nearly 2,500 miles from the California coast, so there’s an abundance of freshly caught fish. Plus, the year-round mild weather provides a steady stream of tasty tropical fruits, vegetables, and locally sourced meat. Combine those excellent ingredients with Hawaii’s finest chefs and you’ve got several great choices for fine dining on Oahu.
But wait, there’s more. We’re here to help demystify some of the unusual words you might see on menus like furikake, laulau and lilikoi — and explain which meat is being served and why. And possibly most importantly of all, provide the fun facts on the origins of local dishes.
If you’re happy with your meal, tag us @LocalGetaways on Instagram to share the love.
Featured Photo: M by Jeremy Shigekane
2280 Kalakaua Ave, #201, Waikiki
Founded by a father-son team in Canada in 1982, the Earls empire now includes a Waikiki restaurant among its more than 70 locations featuring eclectic menus with dollops of local flavors: Tomato and feta shakshuka, Nashville crispy chicken and waffles, spicy Calabrian pasta with fresh burrata and caramelized chorizo — there’s definitely something for everyone. That includes night owls, with a happy hour menu available in the lounge from 10 p.m. till “late” nightly.
Civil Beat Plaza, 3650 Waialae Ave, #120, Honolulu
The closing of Andrew Le’s groundbreaking Chinatown restaurant The Pig & the Lady was fortunately not the end of the line for his Vietnamese-inspired cuisine. He’s now spreading culinary goodwill in a handsome new indoor-outdoor space next to the Goodwill in Kaimuki, with takeout, Door Dash and Uber Eats as an option for those who can’t snag a reservation (later seatings are a good option, too.)
Room 516, Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina, 92-1001 Olani St, Kapolei
Hawaii’s best speakeasy with a view may have an exclusive address, but it’s open to the public — at least until it reaches capacity on any given night. Behind the pale pink door of Room 516 at the Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina, this rooftop lounge offers killer sunset views, cozy seating for couples and larger groups and exquisite (and pricey) craft cocktails showcasing island spirits and ingredients, among other beverages.
Ritz-Carlton Oahu, Turtle Bay, 57-091 Kamehameha Hwy, Kahuku
The former Turtle Bay Resort has been upgraded into a Ritz-Carlton property, so those who can afford the splurge should upgrade themselves into a room with Club Lounge access. The Ocean Club not only has spectacular (and wind-sheltered) vistas but also five daily “activations” of gourmet, locally sourced food and elevated drinks, plus 24-hour snack attack access — good thing the North Shore resort’s beaches, trails and other amenities will tempt you away from nonstop noshing.
Romer Hotel Waikiki, 415 Nāhua St, Honolulu
A hit for its fresh-made lei for sale as well as tasty tropical cocktails and bites when it debuted in Chinatown in 2022, the Lei Stand relocated to the adults-only Romer Waikiki Hotel for Lei Day (May 1) 2025. The neon-lit lounge with seated service now benefits from the larger menu of the adjacent izakaya 855-ALOHA but kept favorite elements like the high-quality lei, housemade taro chips and Soup Soup cocktail — tequila, clarified coconut wash and pineapple.
Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach, 383 Kalaimoku St, Honolulu
The latest incarnation of fine dining in the Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach, boasts the same stunning ocean and Fort DeRussy park views the space in the eighth-floor lobby has always had, but the Hawaii Regional Cuisine is newly elevated (with prices to match.) Caviar options, seafood platters and steaks are fairly straightforward; other mains offer intriguing touches of local flavors, such as the ulu (breadfruit) puree with the fresh catch and island-sourced koji marinated vegetables with beluga lentils, while breakfast is a lower-key but still locally sourced treat.
5000 Kahala Ave., Honolulu
808.739.8760
Something of an open secret as a celebrity hideaway, due to its location in the discrete Kahala Hotel & Resort, Hoku’s also claims legions of local fans. They come for Oʻahu-born chef Eric Oto’s elegantly plated, Pacific Rim-inspired dishes and well-curated wine list as much as the romantic setting overlooking the Pacific. The tasting and prix fixe menus are smart bets.
3446 Waialae Ave., Kaimuki
808.379.0124
Chef Mourad Lalou of Mourad and Aziza recently took over the space at Miro, a fixture in Kaimuki for more than 23 years. The restaurant is currently serving prix fixe menus, and the cuisine is French-inspired combined with Japanese flavors and techniques.
55 Merchant St., Suite 110, Honolulu
808.744.2531
PAI opened its doors in downtown Honolulu in 2017. Chef Kevin Lee has a background of working at Michelin star restaurants as well as being a former food scientist, so his cuisine is as innovative as it is delicious. PAI offers tasting menus, prix fixe, a la carte and a happy hour menu.
92 Ali‘inui Dr., Kapolei
866.443.4763
Take a break from the kid stuff at Aulani, Disney’s compound in the Ko Olina Resort on the west side, at this casual yet upscale open-air beach house. Enormous seafood platters, grilled fresh fish and day-boat scallops are go-to choices but beef eaters will savor the steak menu with traditional sides.
San Francisco celebrity chef Michael Mina always dreamed of having a fishing boat in Hawaiʻi, and this informal dining room overlooking the beach at the Four Seasons in Ko Olina has helped him realize that. Naturally, catch of the day is the main event — you can even chat with the fish sommelier on the best way to have it prepared.
2452 Kalākaua Ave, Honolulu
808.377.2247
Splurge at Mugen, one of Waikiki’s ultimate fine dining experiences (think French Laundry). Located on the ground level of the ESPACIO The Jewel of Waikiki, Chef Jason Yamaguchi puts Waikiki on the global gourmet map with Instagram-worthy dishes and color-changing cocktails… ask for the Butterfly Daiquiri. Driving home the notion of food is art, each course has a custom plateware to best complement the food. Space is limited, so make sure to reserve far in advance.
2199 Kalia Rd., Waikiki
808.923.2311
While the Mediterranean cuisine and island-sourced seafood are standouts at dinner, Orchids is most famed for its elegant lunch, afternoon tea and Sunday brunch with dazzling views of Lē‘ahi (Diamond Head) and the sparkling Pacific Ocean. Service is also superb.
Renaissance Honolulu Hotel & Spa, 1390 Kapiolani Blvd, Ste 102, Honolulu
The urban location inside the Renaissance Honolulu Hotel between Ala Moana and Blaisdell Center is a bit off the beaten path for visitors, but its Mediterranean menu with touches of Hawaiian cuisine and a stellar wine program make it worth seeking out. Start with the fresh-baked pita and whipped burrata, add a mezze like the calamari fritto and choose Kona kampachi or the seafood paella with fresh local catch.
