The 14 Best Restaurants On The Waikiki Waterfront
No feeling in the world beats the bliss of watching a spectacular ocean sunset and enjoying the delights of a waterfront-served meal. You can find this feeling in beachside restaurants in Southern California. Or you can take it up a notch and visit the iconic Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, Hawaii. Hawaii is what dreams are made of, with its turquoise waters, green mountain slopes that crash into the ocean, white sands, and towering palm trees.
With its tropical climate, an abundance of exotic fruit and fresh vegetables, farms, and fresh seafood, Hawaii is also a foodie's paradise. Just think of the iconic poke bowl, a staple of Hawaiian eating long before becoming popular throughout the rest of the world. You can find even the popular carb-filled Hawaiian plate lunch in less carb-focused versions, such as loco moco or Kalua pig. So, if you find yourself in Waikiki looking for a restaurant to match the views, we've rounded up the best restaurants on the Waikiki waterfront.
House Without A Key
House Without A Key offers a dining experience that captures the essence of Waikiki beauty and relaxation. It is one of the several restaurants in the Halekulani resort and one of the most sought-after restaurants in Oahu. The newly renovated terrace overlooks the ocean and the Diamond Head crater and lies in front of the resort's historic Kiawe tree. Every night, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., the restaurant offers live Hawaiian music and a dance performance.
The restaurant is well-known for the cocktails it serves, and its famous coconut cake is featured as a chef recommendation and an Instagram favorite. Light, fluffy, and subtly flavored with coconut, the cake consists of a soft sponge cake, coconut custard, and coconut whipped cream layered into perfection. Most of the cocktails are rum-based, flavored with exotic local fruit, such as passion fruit, pineapple, and guava, and have names that recall bliss and relaxation (the Halekulani Sunset cocktail comes to mind). The open bar Earl's offers even a Coconut Cake Martini cocktail as an ode to the restaurant's famous coconut cake. Other items on the menu include poke bowls, shrimp cocktails, and salads. If there was ever a perfect way to enjoy a Hawaiian sunset, House Without A Key is close to creating it.
halekulani.com/dining/house-without-a-key
(808) 923-2311
2199 Kalia Rd, Honolulu, HI 96815
Orchids
Halekulani's second restaurant, Orchids, has the same stunning views as House Without A Key but concentrates more on Mediterranean-inspired dishes. Seafood lovers will appreciate the Hawaiian yellowfin tartare, fresh prawn salad, and sea urchin tagliolini, while landlubbers will enjoy its pasta, veal chop, and prime porterhouse offerings. If you can't make up your mind as to what to order, you can always go for the chef's tasting or prix fixe menus. The setting has a great view of the ocean and the Diamond Heart, and the restaurant's decorations are mainly white orchids, befitting its name.
With reservations made a month in advance, Orchids restaurant is famous for its Sunday brunch buffet. It offers a great selection of sushi, sashimi, poke, crab legs, salads, carved meats and roasted veggies, an omelet station, and a dessert area. As part of Halekulani Resort, Orchids also features signature cocktails and coconut cake.
(808) 923-2311
2199 Kalia Rd, Honolulu, HI 96815
La Mer
A Five Diamond restaurant in Hawaii, La Mer is a fine dining venue with a French-inspired menu. It is an elegant restaurant with a dress code and is part of the Halekulani resort, situated right on Waikiki Beach. La Mer features neoclassic French cuisine, courtesy of executive chef Alexandre Trancher, who integrates Hawaiian cuisine into classical French dishes. With stunning ocean views and memorable sunsets, La Mer has classical decorations, with lots of natural elements and flowers, and also subtly integrates Hawaiian beauty.
The restaurant offers an eight-course dégustation menu or a four-course amuse-bouche. The dégustation menu includes an amuse-bouche, foie gras de canard, seafood courses, fine meats, cheeses, and dessert. The menu is dynamic and varies in terms of ingredients and combinations. However, one constant is the original combination of ingredients and the subtle hint of French cuisine in every dish. For example, duck foie gras is a very appreciated ingredient in the La Mer menu, used both as an amuse-bouche and as a main course ingredient. Some examples of original combinations are the duck foie gras amuse-bouche, served with a Kahlua and coconut gelée, and the filet of beef with foie gras.
(808) 923-2311
2199 Kalia Rd, Honolulu, HI 96815
Azure Restaurant
A fine dining restaurant that offers a four-course dinner menu and a wine pairings option, Azure is well known for vegetarian options, fresh products, and seafood dishes. Located close to the Waikiki Beach, within the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, Azure restaurant has stunning views overlooking the ocean and Diamond Head. The interior setting gives off a natural, relaxed vibe, while the terrace offers an authentic Hawaiian location with green mountain slopes in the background. Sunsets are spectacular on the deck, with the twilight, the Diamond Head, and the waves.
As diverse and dynamic as the menu is, the most appreciated dishes are the seafood and fish-based ones. The menu changes frequently, but you can expect ingredients and dishes like beet salad with red and gold beets, orange, goat cheese, fennel orange marmalade, and Nordic tuille, and unique twists on seafood from near and far. You'll also find a selection of tantalizing desserts like citrus olive oil cake with fruity and bright accompaniments.
(808) 931-8642
2259 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
Hula Grill
Hula Grill Waikiki is an excellent spot for a meal. It overlooks Waikiki Beach and offering a wide selection of fresh seafood. The restaurant caters to American, Hawaiian, and Polynesian cuisines, and serves local, line-caught fresh fish and Oahu-grown products. It's a casual setting with spectacular views of Diamond Head where you can indulge breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, and early eats options. Making a reservation is recommended if you want to avoid long lines, as the restaurant is sought-after. The interior style matches the spectacular exterior, with wooden decorations and traditional Hawaiian patterns, creating a relaxing and exotic ambiance.
Hula Grill is best known for the Hula Pie, a traditional Hawaiian dessert made with a chocolate cookie crust, macadamia nut ice cream, hot fudge, toasted macadamia nuts, and whipped cream. Other appreciated dishes from the restaurant's menu are the seafood omelet (from the breakfast menu), poke tacos, crab and macadamia nut wontons, loco moco, and breakfast pancakes. The fresh fish and seafood selections are very generous, with crab-topped macadamia nut mahi mahi and shrimp pasta carbonara highlighting the menu.
(808) 923-4852
2335 Kalakaua Ave, Suite 203, Honolulu, HI 96815
Beachhouse at the Moana
Set in a Victorian building that houses an oceanfront resort on Waikiki Beach, Beachhouse at the Moana restaurant is a place where Hawaiian natural beauty meets classical elegance. The restaurant has indoor dining areas with large windows overlooking the Pacific and outdoor covered patios. The highlight of the outdoor spaces is the Banyan tree in the garden. The ocean in the background makes for a truly magnificent sight. The architecture and the neutral tones used in the restaurant make it all about the view so that you can enjoy the beauty of the landscape no matter where you are seated. The restaurant has a dress code that excludes beach attire and tank tops.
The Beachhouse at the Moana menu includes American and Hawaiian dishes and seafood, as well as spectacular steaks and short ribs. Guests can order a three or four-course tasting menu, which includes appetizers, entrées, and desserts. Or, if you're dining with a special someone, consider ordering the Moana Ali'i Cut Experience, with four courses designed for sharing.
(808) 931-8649
2365 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
Shor at Hyatt Regency Waikiki
Located in the Hyatt Regency hotel and overlooking Waikiki Beach, Shor offers an open-air breakfast and dining space with spectacular ocean views. Most of the tables are on the terrace, so there's a good chance you will have a seat with access to the beautiful views and a bit of energy from the Waikiki Street vibe.
The restaurant offers a breakfast buffet with eggs, breakfast meats, hash browns, omelet and egg stations, noodles and rice, miso soup, and a waffle station. The breakfast menu highlights the variety of fresh local fruits, which are truly delicious. And a brunch experience at Shor wouldn't be complete without some boozy twists. Consider ordering a mimosa bucket for the table, complete with a bottle of sparkling wine and two juices of your choice. Or, opt for a spiked coffee or a hard kombucha.
hyatt.com/hyatt-regency/en-US/hnlrw-hyatt-regency-waikiki-beach-resort-and-spa/dining
(808) 923-1234
2424 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
Bali Oceanfront
Bali Oceanfront, located in the Rainbow Tower of the Hilton Hawaiian Village, is another venue that offers the oceanside dining experience. The restaurant sources food from local fishermen, farmers, and ranchers. The interior is decorated in neutral and earthy tones, highlighting the garden's spectacular views of palm trees and the ocean.
Bali Oceanfront is open for breakfast and dinner. Its breakfast menu offers a twist on the classic loco moco, made with steak, eggs, fried rice, and a Maui onion demi-glace. Eggs Benedict, omelets, waffles, and yogurts are also available. The stars of the dinner menu are the butter-topped steaks, which come in an array of different cuts. You can also choose from its extensive seafood selection, including whole Kona lobster and seared ahi. If you can't decide between seafood and steak, consider upgrading your protein to a surf and turf combo with lobster tail, garlic shrimp, or scallops.
hilton.com/en/hotels/hnlhvhh-hilton-hawaiian-village-waikiki-beach-resort/dining/bali-oceanfront
(808) 941-2254
2005 Kālia Rd, Honolulu, HI 96815
Pesca
Pesca Waikiki is a seafood restaurant located at the top of the Ilikai Hotel. The restaurant offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus that feature fresh seafood and fish from local and international sources. Pesca is an elegant venue with a contemporary vibe and luxurious accents offering truly magnificent views of the mountains and the ocean. It also features semi-private dining rooms, a wedding chapel, a bridal salon, and a lounge.
The highlight of the menu is the rich seafood selection. You can order Benedicts for breakfast with an array of seafood toppings, including smoked salmon, lobster, and crab. The dinner menu features an awe-inspiring and equally impressive selection of fish and seafood. The restaurant offers a seafood platter that comes with sashimi, oysters, lobster, jumbo shrimp, and crab meat. But you can customize it further with more unique options like sea urchin and abalone.
The star of the appetizers is the grilled octopus, served with vinaigrette toasted salad and roasted potato. Freshly caught whole fish is flown in daily from around the world, including from Europe, New Zealand, and Japan. The fish is served grilled or very lightly seasoned to highlight its natural flavors.
(808) 777-3100
1777 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu, HI 96815
Morimoto Asia
Chef Masaharu Morimoto heads Morimoto, an Asian-themed restaurant that combines Western and traditional Asian ingredients. Located in the Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach, Morimoto Asia restaurant offers a unique dining experience thanks to its stunning ocean views and the glass-encased exhibition kitchen. The menu presents the chef's interpretation of iconic Asian flavors inspired by his travels to China, Korea, Japan, and Thailand.
The restaurant's menu features several very appreciated dishes. The appetizer menu stands out with its tuna pizza, sticky ribs, and fish carpaccio. The tuna pizza has a thin crispy tortilla crust, fresh raw tuna, anchovy aioli, jalapeño, and micro cilantro. The fish carpaccio is seared in hot oil and has yuzu soy, ginger, chive, and micro cilantro. The sticky ribs are covered in sweet hoisin chili sauce and flavored with cilantro and chive.
The star of the meat menu is the hand-carved roast duck, served with a flour tortilla, sweet apricot chili, and hoisin miso. The absolute highlight of the menu is the chocolate sphere dessert, a spectacular dish that looks like it belongs on a cooking show. Just as the name says, it is a chocolate sphere filled with chocolate ice cream, whipped cream, and chocolate ganache and served flambéed — which means that the flame melts the chocolate and mixes the ingredients inside for a heavenly bite.
(808) 922-0022
2490 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
Michel's
Located within the Colony Surf Hotel, Michel's is a fine dining restaurant opened in 1962 by Michel Martin, a well-known restaurateur. The restaurant offers a classic European menu with French influences, adapted to Hawaiian ingredients. The most original aspect of Michel's is the tableside service, where dishes like the lobster bisque and the apple banana flambé offer both dinner and a show. The view at Michel's is genuinely scenic, as you can find it on the quiet end of Kalakaua Avenue near Diamond Head. The classical indoor decorations remain low-key, while the open terrace offers a stunning view of the ocean, which is particularly spectacular at sunset.
The house's specialty, the lobster bisque, takes 48 hours to prepare, using Maine lobsters, a red snapper bone broth, and rice. It is finished table-side with cognac-flambéed lobster meat. In a true French culinary fashion, Michel's appetizers include Burgundy snails and French onion soup. For the entrée, the seafood cioppino is a very appreciated dish made with clams, abalone, octopus, and prawns. Finally, the cherries jubilee dessert brings big fresh cherries marinated in cognac and amaretto, flambéed with vanilla ice cream, and topped with chocolate shavings.
(808) 923-6552
2895 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
Lulu's Waikiki
Lulu's Waikiki is a cozy restaurant located directly across from Waikiki Beach. It offers a retro atmosphere, an open-air dining room, and, of course, the spectacular panorama of Waikiki Beach and the Diamond Head crater. Lulu's is a casual restaurant with a specific island vibe, which translates as good service for the customers, who can relax and enjoy the view and the food. The menu offers many gluten-free options, fresh fruit, and cocktails.
The menu at Lulu's emphasizes fresh ingredients and simple food, with an array of burgers, breakfast options, pupus (appetizers), and steaks. The restaurant is well-known for its take on the traditional local moco; you can order a Lulu moco with Wagyu beef, Kalua pork, and house-made gravy. Another well-reviewed lunch dish is the fish and chips, made with tempura battered mahi mahi and tartar sauce.
(808) 926-5222
2586 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
Plumeria Beach House
Plumeria Beach House is an open-air, all-day dining restaurant within the Kahala resort on the Waikiki Beach. The restaurant offers a magnificent view of the ocean and a wonderful garden with a relaxing atmosphere, specially created to enhance the leisurely feeling of island living. The venue is casual and accepts resort wear with T-shirts and shorts.
The menu at Plumeria Beach House has two original, unique offerings. You'll find a Hawaiian-inspired buffet serving an array of regional dishes, including Hawaiian sweet bread, Kalua pig, lau lau, and locally sourced vegetables. You should also load up on the selection of Hawaiian desserts including Kahala's signature bread pudding or the lilikoi tapioca pudding. The second Plumeria menu option that is very appreciated is the seafood dinner buffet, available on Fridays and Saturdays from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. It includes sashimi, sushi, shrimp and wasabi cocktail, assorted seafood, and butterfish.
kahalaresort.com/Dining/Plumeria-Beach-House
(866) 318-4579
5000 Kahala Ave, Honolulu, HI 96816
Duke's Waikiki
Duke's Waikiki is another beachfront venue set close to Waikiki Beach, which offers the same breathtaking oceanfront views and the iconic background of the Diamond Head crater. Named after a legendary Hawaiian swimmer and surfer, Duke Kahanamoku, the restaurant tries to recreate the free-spirited vibe recalling island living. Duke's is a true relaxation oasis with natural, bamboo-themed decorations, palm trees, and lush vegetation, featuring inspired location names like the Barefoot Bar.
The restaurant has two special menus, which customers appreciate. First, the Taco Tuesday menu stars the Baja fish tacos. The fish tacos consist of two blonde ale battered fish tacos, cabbage, tomatillo aioli, pico de gallo, chips, and salsa. The restaurant also offers chipotle chicken and juicy Hawaiian Kalua pork tacos alongside nachos, quesadillas, and dips. The second sought-after menu option is the prime rib buffet, available on Thursdays. From this assortment of dishes, customers favor the macadamia nut-crusted fresh catch, served with lemon caper butter, and the slow-roasted prime rib served with creamy horseradish.
(808) 922-2268
2335 Kalakaua Ave #116, Honolulu, HI 96815