The metropolitan center of Hawaii, Oahu has a variety of excellent restaurants to choose from. On Oahu you can eat like a local in small neighborhoods like Kapahulu or Haleiwa or dine in high style at some of Hawaii's finest restaurants in Waikiki and beyond.
Oahu is home to arguably some of the best chefs in the world. Alan Wong ( Alan Wong's Restaurant ), Roy Yamaguchi ( Roy's Waikiki ), George Mavrothalassitis ( Chef Mavro Restaurant ) and Phillippe Padovani (Elua) were some of the founding chefs of the Hawaii Regional Cuisine movement. These local legends take the freshest, locally grown produce and ingredients to create flavorful dishes for visitors and locals alike. Make your reservations at these Honolulu restaurants or at hot spots throughout Oahu and get a taste of this unique culinary fusion of Hawaii's ethnic influences. For a list of restaurants right in the heart of the action, go to Waikiki dining or click on Honolulu Dining for everything from quaint cafes to city chic.
Hawaii locals love to eat. And Oahu offers a variety of comfort foods and farm to table restaurants in a variety of off-the-beaten path locations, from Honolulu to Haleiwa on the North Shore. The neighborhood of Kapahulu , for example, is a perfect place to eat where the locals eat and it's just five minutes from the east end of Waikiki . Wherever you go, you'll discover the ethnic diversity of Hawaii in these distinct local dishes:
Plate Lunch
Consisting of two scoops of rice, macaroni salad and everything from kalua pork, Korean barbecue, chicken katsu, beef teriyaki or mahimahi, the plate lunch is a staple of local food. In Kapahulu, the Rainbow Drive-In, Ono Hawaiian Foods and Zippy's (Oahu's 24-hour mainstay) offer local favorite plates. But throughout Oahu, from mom and pop shops to local chains, you won't have to look far to find the perfect plate lunch.
Pupu
“Pupu” is the Hawaiian term for appetizer, and every local restaurant from Waikiki to the North Shore offers a wide range of creative pupu platters to dine on, from poke dishes (seasoned cubes of raw fish) to sushi.
Loco Moco
For big appetites, try a “loco moco,” which is a hamburger steak and egg over rice, covered in gravy. This hearty, blue-collar bowl can be found at plate lunch places and restaurants throughout Oahu. Some Hawaii Regional Cuisine chefs like Alan Wong have even created fine dining twists on this favorite.
Shave Ice
No matter what island you're on, grab a shave ice to cool off. These finely shaved snow cones are served with colorful flavors on the top with a choice of ice cream or azuki beans on the bottom. You'll find fine shave ice shops throughout Oahu but the most famous include Matsumoto's Shave Ice on the North Shore, Waiola's Shave Ice in Kapahulu and Island Snow in Kailua Town near Kailua Beach .
Malasadas
Treat your sweet tooth to a hot malasada (a Portuguese doughnut). Although Leonard's Bakery in Kapahulu is popular, ask any local and they can tell you their favorite bakeries on Oahu to find these fresh and tasty treats.
In 1991, 12 Hawaii chefs established Hawaii Regional Cuisine, a culinary movement that inventively blends Hawaii's diverse, ethnic flavors with the cuisine of the world.
One of the main tenets of Hawaii Regional Cuisine is to take advantage of the freshest island ingredients: cattle raised on the islands' upland pastures, fruits and vegetables grown from volcanic soil, and fish from one of the best managed fisheries around. From Waimanalo greens to Kahuku corn you'll find some of the freshest locally grown foods, fish and beef in Oahu's restaurants where the farm to table movement is thriving.
Four of the original chefs behind the Hawaii Regional Cuisine movement have restaurants on Oahu: Alan Wong ( Alan Wong's Restaurant , Pineapple Room in the Ala Moana Center ), Roy Yamaguchi ( Roy's Waikiki , Roy's Hawaii Kai , locations throughout the islands) and George Mavrothalassitis ( Chef Mavro ). Other fine restaurants in the resort areas of Waikiki and throughout Honolulu feature the unique flavors of Hawaii Regional Cuisine.
226 Lewers Street
Honolulu, HI 96815
guestrelations@royshawaii.com
www.www.royshawaii.com
Phone: (808) 923-7697
Fax: (808) 922-2270
Roy Yamaguchi's Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine blends fresh local ingredients with European sauces and bold Asian spices, always with a focus on seafood. Each evening you'll find a tantalizing range of appetizers, entrées, fresh fish dishes and desserts.
1969 S. King Street
Honolulu, HI 96826
chef@chefmavro.com
www.chefmavro.com
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Phone: (808) 944-4714
Fax: (808) 944-3903
Foodies come from all over the world to savor the contemporary Hawaii Regional Cuisine of Chef/owner George Mavro, a founding member of Hawaii's farm-to-table movement. This restaurant is popular for romantic occasions as well as business gatherings because of highly personalized service. Exceptional food & wine pairings and flexible menus.
Highest food rating in Hawaii 18/20 Gayot and AAA Five Diamond rating. Recommended for your grand finale last night in Honolulu.
Chef Mavro consistently partners with local farmers commenting “Sometimes buying local means the cost is higher and it takes more time but the reward is huge. Local farmers succeed and guests enjoy fresh, regional ingredients and a dining experience they could have only in Hawaii.”
Reservations confirmed online 24/7 at www.chefmavro.com. Dinner only. Reservations 6-9:00 p.m., closed Monday & Tuesday. Semi-private room available for up to 30 guests. Chef Mavro posts himself on FB & Twitter.
Buffet, meetings, . la carte, poolside, salad bar, entertainment, cocktails, banquets.
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1600 Kapiolani Blvd, Ste. 1630
Honolulu, HI 96814
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The smoothest cruise in Hawaii, the Navatek I, offers popular Sunset Dinner Cruises to an exclusive route off Oahu's Kahala Gold Coast. Featuring Pacific Rim cuisine and shows performed by island entertainers. Seasonal Whale Watch Cruise also offered.
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(808) 941-2254
Hilton Hawaiian Village
Honolulu, HI 96815
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One of the finest oceanside dining experiences in the islands. Savor the award-winning pacific rim cuisine in an open-air dining room, which offers stunning views from Waikiki Beach. Dinner nightly except Sunday, located in the Rainbow Tower.
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(808) 922-3111
Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa
Honolulu, HI 96815
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Casual Al Fresco oceanfront dining under the historic Banyan Tree, serving grilled appetizers.
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223 Saratoga Rd
Honolulu, HI 96815
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BLT Steak is Chef Laurent Tourondel's adaptation of the American Steakhouse. BLT Steak, at the Trump International Hotel, features signature steakhouse dishes with Tourondel's French influence and chef de cuisine Johan Svensson's finesse.
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(808) 949-4867
1450 Ala Moana Blvd Ste 3253
Honolulu, HI 96814
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Always casual, fun, and exciting with outstanding service, serving great food such as Shrimp New Orleans or Dixie-style baby back ribs. The way Bubba would have done it! Groups events available. And Now you can order Bubba Gump's TO GO!
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(808) 923-3731
2500 Kalakaua Avenue
Honolulu, HI 96815
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Full service casual family dining with ocean views of Waikiki Beach. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Fun atmosphere with live tropical rock 'n roll music seven nights a week with a large full bar.
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(808) 944-4714
1969 S. King Street
Honolulu, HI 96826
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AAA Five Diamond rating, Gayot 18/20 & Top 40 Restaurants; fine dining; romantic; food & wine pairings, contemporary regional cuisine; James Beard award winner George Mavrothalassitis, founding member Hawaii Regional Cuisine.
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(808) 733-7500
2552 Kalakaua Avenue
Honolulu, HI 96815
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Oceanfront steakhouse featuring prime meats. Fresh seafood, salad bar, and casual atmosphere. An institution in Waikiki since 1959.
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(808) 922-2268
2335 Kalakaua Avenue, #116
Honolulu, HI 96815
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Oceanfront dining on Waikiki Beach featuring breakfast, lunch, dinner, and live Hawaiian music daily.
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(808) 524-0900
150 Kapahulu Avenue
Honolulu, HI 96815
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Buffet, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Full Bar Available After 3 p.m.
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(808) 923-2100
227 Lewers St.
Honolulu, HI 96815
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Waikiki's premier New York-style deli, pizzeria, and sports bar has everything you need. The menu features a wide selection of sandwiches, pizza, pasta, burgers, and breakfast served until midnight.
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(808) 956-1111
Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki,
Honolulu, HI 96815
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Authentic Japanese cuisine prepared by master chefs. Open for dinner.
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(808) 922-6611
Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa
Honolulu, HI 96815
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Enjoy refreshing drinks in a casual open-air tropical setting.
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(808) 955-7383
280 Beachwalk Avenue
Honolulu, HI 96815
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Hard Rock Cafe provides the ultimate unique experience amist a priceless collection of rock 'n' roll memorabilia. Let us creat a special event that will keep your guest rockin'. Located across the Hawaii Convention Center.
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(808) 921-7066
2863 Kalakaua Avenue
Honolulu, HI 96815
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Lovely scenery, pure fresh air, clear blue sea, superb Pacific Rim cuisine, and heavenly sunsets hung over the Pacific Ocean. Great food and wonderful staff here to service you daily.
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(808) 923-2311
Halekulani
Honolulu, HI 96815
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Casual dining at poolside, breakfast, lunch and dinner. Enjoy Waikiki's best sunset with cocktails and Hawaiian entertainment nightly.
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(808) 923-4852
2335 Kalakaua Ave., Suite 203
Honolulu, HI 96815
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Perched at the ocean's edge overlooking famed Waikiki Beach, Hula Grill Waikiki presents diners with spectacular views of the beach and ocean.
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(808) 922-5555
2440 Kuhio Ave
Honolulu, HI 96815
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Award winning fine dining steak house. Kiawe broiled prime grade steaks in an elegant old-world ambiance.
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(808) 949-4467
1850 Ala Moana Blvd.
Honolulu, HI 96815
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Best known for pancakes, omelets and other traditional breakfast favorites, IHOP also features a complete lunch and dinner menu offering a large selection of appetizers, burgers, sandwiches, steaks and chicken, that provides great tasting, reasonably priced food, any time of the day. You can also find Local Favorites like Fried Rice, Spam, Portuguese Sausage and Loco Moco.
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