Where to Find the Best Fine Dining on Oahu

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Clean Plate Club

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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

A shot of a large lounge and restaurant, with a long table down the center and a circular ceiling design.
Photo courtesy of Ritz Carlton Oahu Turtle Bay.
Ritz-Carlton Oahu, Turtle Bay, 57-091 Kamehameha Hwy, Kahuku

808.293.6000

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. 

A bar with dimmed lights and bright pink neon light, purple bar stools and stocked alcohol shelves.
Photo by Brooke Fitts.
Romer Hotel Waikiki, 415 Nāhua St, Honolulu

808.922.1616

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.

A bowl of shave ice, one half being pink and topped with strawberries, the other half being yellow and topped with mango.
Photo courtesy of Solera.
Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach, 383 Kalaimoku St, Honolulu

808.729.9729

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.

A minimalist dish featuring two slices of duck breast, garnished with microgreens, baby corn, and accompanied by a rich, dark sauce on a white plate. The plate's border has a subtle textured pattern, and the food is neatly arranged in the center—a true representation of the best fine dining Oahu has to offer.
Photo: @hokusatthekahala

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. 

A dish featuring a perfectly seared fillet of fish, topped with a finely chopped green garnish, rests on a bed of light broth with diced vegetables including carrots and onions on a white plate. It's an exquisite addition to the best fine dining Oahu has to offer.
Photo: @mirokaimuki

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. 

A gray ceramic plate holds a gourmet dish featuring seared slices of beef, vibrant green broccoli florets, and delicate pea shoots, all artfully placed atop a dark, glossy sauce. The presentation is minimalist and elegant.
Photo: @paihonolulu

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.

A colorful meal featuring a toasted sandwich with leaf lettuce and a generous portion of lobster salad, accompanied by a fresh, vibrant side salad with assorted greens, tomatoes, carrots, radishes, and thinly sliced vegetables, served on a white plate—a true taste of the best fine dining Oahu has to offer.
Photo: @disneyaulani

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. 

A vibrant dish showcasing grilled chicken topped with vibrant green cilantro leaves, pickled red onions, avocado slices, and grilled squash. Presented on a white plate and garnished with fresh salsa verde, this colorful and appetizing presentation is among the best fine dining Oahu offers.
Photo: @minasfishhouse

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. 

A hand holding chopsticks hovers over a white and blue patterned ceramic dish. The dish contains a single piece of sushi topped with a small amount of gold leaf. This exquisite presentation epitomizes the best fine dining in Oahu, with a softly blurred background emphasizing the delicate culinary artistry.
Photo: @mugenwaikiki

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. 

A stylishly plated dish featuring thin slices of fish, accompanied by vibrant orange and red segments, garnished with green herb stalks, and a small yellow flower, all arranged on a textured dark gray bowl—truly one of the best fine dining experiences Oahu has to offer.
Photo: Courtesy of Orchids

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. 

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