Best Restaurants in Waikiki

Best Restaurants in Waikiki and Honolulu

With hundreds of dining options, finding the best restaurants, food trucks, bakeries, ice cream and shave ice shops on Oahu can be daunting. We’ve broken it down for you by destination. Waikiki encompasses what locals call “town” — urban Honolulu, including trendy Chinatown, where some of the most innovative cuisine is happening in the Pacific Rim.

Visit our West Side and North Shore guides for more Oahu restaurants.

The Best of Waikiki and Honolulu

A close-up view of a dozen colorful and assorted donuts in an open white box. The donuts are topped with various glazes, sprinkles, crumbles, and frosting, featuring vibrant colors like blue, yellow, orange, and more. It's no wonder these treats are considered some of the best desserts in Honolulu.

Where to Find the Best Desserts in Honolulu

Three plates of the best shave ice in Waikiki topped with different syrups and fruit are set on a stone surface by a lake. The left plate has a dark purple syrup with blueberries, the middle one has yellow syrup with diced red fruit, and the right one has an orange syrup with diced fruit.

Where to Find the Best Shave Ice in Waikiki

A plate of assorted sushi rolls, perfect for the best dinner in Waikiki, presented in a visually appealing arrangement. Three varieties are garnished with sauces, microgreens, and edible flowers. A serving of pickled ginger and a wasabi dollop are placed in the center. The white plate is on a dark surface.

Where to Find the Best Dinner in Waikiki

Learn About Hawaiian and Local Food

Four bowls of colorful and diverse poke bowls are shown from a top view, each filled with a variety of fresh ingredients such as avocado, sliced vegetables, seasoned meats, and rice, garnished with black sesame seeds. Chopsticks rest next to one of the bowls—truly an entry from a Hawaiian Food Glossary come to life.

Foods That Define Hawaiian Culture: A Glossary

A table is set with a variety of colorful dishes: a blue plate with spice remnants, an orange plate with hors d'oeuvres and dip, a bowl of soup with herbs, flatbread with an egg, and a platter of assorted appetizers showcasing foods that define Hawaiian culture. Various condiments and garnishes are also present.

Foods That Define Hawaiian Culture: International Influences

A platter of assorted sashimi is artfully arranged on fresh green leaves. The varieties include seared tuna, sesame-crusted tuna, and traditional raw tuna slices. A small bowl of bright red pickled ginger and a container of wasabi sit nearby—offering the best lunch on the Big Island.

Where to Find the Best Hawaiian Food on the Big Island

Food Tours and Luaus

A colorful fruit stand set against lush greenery displays an assortment of tropical fruits, including coconuts, bananas, pineapples, and mangoes. A sign on the stand reads, "Top Foodie Tours Oahu: Crepes, Smoothies, Fresh Fruit, Lychee" in vibrant letters.

Top Foodie Tours Oahu

A shirtless man performs a fire dance against a dark background. He grips a flaming staff and wears a tribal necklace, with tribal tattoos on his arm. The flames are bright, illuminating his determined expression, reminiscent of ancient Hawaiian luau history.

Top Luaus on Oahu

Who’s writing these?

Meet our always-hungry team of foodies who compiled this list.
Please let us know if we’ve missed your favorite eat@localgetaways.com.