The Best Restaurants In Waikiki, Honolulu

Known to millions as the star of Iron Chef and Iron Chef America, Masaharu Morimoto is the man behind this upscale Waikiki restaurant. At Morimoto Waikiki, Japanese and Western ingredients are seamlessly combined to create a masterful fusion of the two cultural cuisines. It has garnered praise from numerous publications, such as being named Honolulu’s top restaurant by the New York Times. The restaurant’s decor combines simple Asian design with Hawaii’s natural beauty.

Marugame Udon prides itself on serving customers freshly prepared, handmade udon noodles. The restaurant turns to the Japanese tradition of udon noodle making, a tradition that is especially important in the Sanuki region of the country. Sanuki-style udon is famous for its time-consuming process, which results in chewy, al dente noodles. In addition to the delicious noodles, Marukame also cooks up fantastic broths.

Located inside Halekulani Hotel, La Mer is the only restaurant in Hawaii to receive a five-star rating by Forbes Travel Guide. La Mer’s menu features local ingredients and dishes inspired by the cuisine of southern France. The romantic ambiance and exceptional views of the Pacific make this spot one of the most popular in Honolulu.

The main concept behind Azure Restaurant in the Royal Hawaiian hotel is fresh fish. The day gets underway early at Azure – 5.30am in the morning to be exact – with the ringing of the bell that announces the start of the Honolulu fish auction. It is here where the chefs acquire the freshly caught fish to be served in the restaurant each day. At Azure, there’s a wide selection of local fish to please all tastes, from ahi tuna to moi.

Hy’s Steak House has been a Waikiki fine-dining fixture for the past 38 years. Hy’s uses USDA prime beef that is aged and trimmed right on site, and the meat is cooked over Hawaiian kiawe wood. The result is a perfectly tender and flavorful steak. Other menu items that should not be missed are some of the side dishes, such as the classic caesar salad or the warm spinach salad.

A visit to Honolulu’s hippest area is not complete without a trip to Duke’s Waikiki, named after one of Hawaii’s most famous citizens of all time. Duke Paoa Kahanamoku grew up in Waikiki with the ocean as his playground. A five-time Olympic medalist in swimming, Duke is also credited with spreading the popularity of surfing. Fittingly, Duke’s Waikiki is a lively, open-air restaurant that is located right on the beach.

Open since 2007, Roy’s Waikiki is a high-end Hawaiian fusion restaurant with a contemporary ambiance. Well-known chef Roy Yamaguchi attributes his early appreciation of food to his parents. His father was a military man who was born and raised on the island of Maui, while his mother was born in Japan. Roy’s Waikiki has an array of sushi and sashimi to choose from, as well as fish and meat dishes for all palates.

An unassuming stand located close to the beach, Steak Shack serves chicken and steak plates that make customers want to come back for more. Head to Steak Shack at dusk to catch a breathtaking view of the sunset over Waikiki Beach. The meats come with white rice and salad, as well as a delicious teriyaki sauce. It’s a great value spot for a meal in Waikiki.