When you head to Hawaii for the first time, and you’re deciding where exactly you’d like to set up your home camp, you’re going to have to choose between myriad islands, and everyone who’s been to Hawaii has a different opinion as to which island is best. Do you want remote hiking opportunities? Luxury? Family-friendly resorts? A locals-only vibe? A mix of all of the above? Your answers will dictate the recommendations you receive.
However, I’d say, if you’re traveling to Hawaii and this is indeed your very first time visiting the state, you ought to just stay on Oahu. Not only will it be easier, as you’ll be able to fly directly into Honolulu and begin your trip (no connecting flights required) but you’ll also be able to explore the wealth of top-tier attractions that exist on the island, from Diamond Head to the Pearl Harbor historic site.
Additionally, you’ll be able to stay and play in Waikiki, if you so choose. A smaller neighborhood within the broader city of Honolulu, Waikiki has gained somewhat of a reputation as a tourist hub that packs in historic luxury resorts and restaurants, as well as a few great beaches. It’s also considered the birthplace of modern surfing.
As such, if you found yourself hovering around Waikiki during your trip, I wouldn’t be surprised—and when you’re looking for a great place to eat, I’ve got you covered. Of course, you’re not going to want to come to an island like this and leave the beach and ocean for very long, so these restaurants all come with a great view—and, don’t worry; while some of Waikiki’s lures may indeed come with a high price tag, that’s not the case for every restaurant on this list.
Let’s get started!
Duke’s Waikiki
Case in point: Duke’s Waikiki. You’re not going to spend a fortune here, but you’re still going to enjoy a fan-favorite atmosphere and a view. Named for surfing legend Duke Kahanamok, the restaurant is situated within the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort. It has a classic, nostalgic Hawaiian vibe, and the many meal offerings come with a side of live music, if you’re lucky enough to arrive at the right time.
As for the food, you can visit for a breakfast buffet, lunch or dinner, while also taking advantage of a Thursday prime rib buffet or a Taco Tuesday special. The restaurant’s Barefoot Bar also has its own menu.
Make sure you try the pūpūs (appetizers) and dessert, rather than just going for a lone entrée. You don’t want to miss options like the Korean sticky ribs or macadamia nut hummus, and the hula pie is a must as well. Otherwise, restaurant favorites include the macadamia nut and herb-crusted fish and the slow-roasted prime rib, if you can get it before it sells out. There’s also a salad bar, if that’s your thing (I can never resist).
Hau Tree
At Kaimana Beach Hotel, Hau Tree offers brunch and dinner steps from the beach. The casual vibe ensures a relaxed atmosphere, and traveler reviews frequently mention how great it is watching the sunset going down over the ocean from the restaurant. As such, you might want to skip the brunch and go for dinner.
If you do, you’ll find menu items such as the seared local fish with corn succotash; grilled lamb chops with roasted eggplant, squash, and chimichurri; and ginger scallion rice. Save room for the desserts, such as the toasted coconut cake or the housemade ice cream or sorbet.
House Without a Key
Head to this indoor-outdoor spot for drinks and dining beneath the Kiawe Tree, as you take in views of the ocean and Diamond Head. House Without a Key is a great place to get a mai tai and kick back to listen to some live music.
The dinner menu includes a poke bar and seafood-heavy appetizers and small plates, and then a selection of salads and pizza. Dinner plates include a catch of the day and basics like ribeye and chicken, plus sides like sweet potato coconut mash and rice.
Monkeypod Kitchen
While you won’t be dining directly on the sand when you head into Monkeypod Kitchen in Waikiki, you will have a front-row seat to the ocean views.
Start your meal with a handcrafted cocktail, such as the Monkeypod mai tai. If you haven’t caught on yet, mai tais are pretty much the go-to cocktail here. The restaurant has plenty, plenty more on tap, whether you’re craving a cocktail, wine or beer.
Once you’re ready to order your meal, choose from appetizers such as poke tacos, taro ravioli, and coconut corn chowder, before moving on to mains that range from fresh island fish sandwiches to jerked chicken and salads. The pies, though, are definitely worth your attention. Who can say no to options like banana, strawberry, chocolate, orange, and coconut cream pies?
Chart House
A long-standing restaurant in Waikiki, Chart House serves up views of the Ala Wai marina alongside its menu of classic favorites in an upscale environment. Try the famous garlic steak (an 8-ounce steak marinated in a house-made garlic butter sauce), ahi mignon (grilled and marinated in ginger and soy, and served rare with clarified butter), macadamia nut-crusted mahi mahi, or prime rib.
Thirsty? Don’t miss the Guy Tai (obviously, the restaurant’s take on a mai tai) or Chart House pink lemonade.
Bali Oceanfront
Located at Hilton Hawaiian Village, Bali Oceanfront is an award-winning restaurant with a direct view of the ocean and beach. The restaurant serves both breakfast and dinner, including a very modestly priced prix fixe menu (just $69!).
The normal breakfast menu includes basically what you’d expect from an island-set hotel restaurant: Think lots of fruit, seafood, etc., complimenting your typical breakfast staples.
Then, for dinner, there’s a broad seafood focus, but also recognizable steakhouse fare, including salads, steak, lamb, chicken, etc.
That aforementioned prix fixe menu gives you options such as lobster bisque or a salad; the catch of the day, chicken or short ribs; and the chef’s dessert special.
100 Sails Restaurant & Bar
Another harbor-overlooking restaurant, 100 Sails Restaurant & Bar has gained a high number of positive reviews for its atmosphere and eats. This is also another hotel-situated restaurant (located in the Prince Waikiki), but really, in a destination as tourist-focused as this neighborhood, that’s not surprising.
It’s earned numerous awards from OpenTable and Honolulu Magazine. With modern American cuisine, it hosts breakfast, lunch, and dinner (both a buffet and a la carte). Expect menu items such as spicy chicken sandwiches, lobster rolls, and crab legs.
Upstairs at Pier 38
Upstairs at Pier 38 is a French-inspired, steak and seafood-restaurant with water views, providing an upscale environment in which to enjoy classics beyond the steak and seafood entrees, like a seafood tower, pommes frites, and escargot. With an “Exceptional” OpenTable rating, past patrons note not only the quality of the food, but also that of the cocktails.
Mina’s Fish House
The Four Seasons reliably offers up some of the best dining options in many destinations across the globe. As for Oahu, the resort’s Mina’s Fish House blends traditional Hawaiian takes with James Beard award-winning flare, all topped off with panoramic ocean views.
Serving only dinner, the restaurant offers up a range of seafood (as you could probably guess by the name), including a raw bar and entrees like the lobster pot pie and ahi katsu curry. Surf and turf and classic sides like SPAM-fried rice are also on the menu.
Azure
For great views of the beach, ocean, skyline and Diamond Head, plus a fine dining experience, Azure is the place to go. Choose between a four-course and five-course tasting menu. The former option starts at $125 per guest and comes with a choice in soup and salad, appetizers, entrees, and a dessert. Expect menu items such as poi and lomi tofu, scallop poke, lobster in a guava and macadamia nut sauce, and chocolate cake.
Mai Tai Bar
Okay, yes, Mai Tai Bar is a bit of a tourist spot, but spots that have become popular with the tourists generally have gained that status for a good reason. In this case, the beachfront bar with views of Diamond Head offers great views combined with a convenient spot, plus relatively affordable prices for the environment you’re getting.
The menu boasts options such as a poke bowl, Hawaiian jerk ribs, acai bowls, grilled mahi sandwiches and, for dessert, the Royal Hawaiian signature pink snowball (a vanilla sponge cake covered in coconut flakes that, yes, looks like a pink snowball).
