Best restaurants
in Hawaii
Each island has unique restaurants that run the gamut from worldwide influences to backyard family barbecue recipes. Our Best Restaurants in Hawaii list was tallied and compiled using polls, publications, and awards voted on by chefs, consumers and industry leaders. Check out the Top 10 Restaurants in Hawaii below…
Mama’s Fish House
Mama’s Fish House on Maui is consistently on the must-do restaurant list for both visitors and residents of the Valley Isle. Many of Mama’s fans come back year after year to dine there. It’s been awarded for being “the Maui-est” restaurant on Maui, although you definitely won’t get plate lunch prices here.
NUKA
In the quaint town of Haiku on Maui’s glorious North Shore, NUKA is a top restaurant offering an authentic Japanese menu with a Maui twist.
This very-loved eatery dazzles with its yummy lunch and dinner menus, featuring many beautiful dishes that promise a feast for all the senses. Guests can indulge in an eclectic mix of otsumami or small plates, perfect for sharing and savoring the many flavors. The bowls at NUKA are a harmony of taste and texture, offering comfort and satisfaction in every bite.
For sushi lovers, NUKA’s specialty sushi rolls are a must-try. These rolls are crafted with precision and passion. Our favorite rolls are the namesake NUKA Roll, Caterpillar Roll, Peahi Roll, 69 Roll, and Haiku Roll.
Complement your meal with their tasty handcrafted cocktails, each blending traditional and local flavors seamlessly. And for a sweet finish, NUKA’s housemade ice cream options are an absolute delight. We adore their green tea and black sesame flavors!
Roy’s
Roy’s in Waikiki has been the anchor restaurant for Chef/Owner Roy Yamaguchi’s Hawaiian fusion empire since 1988. It’s located a block from the beach near Fort DeRussey. Quite the entrepreneur, Chef Roy Yamaguchi, has 31 locations throughout the world that include: four on Oahu, an eatery on Kauai, Roy’s Waikoloa on the Big Island, and Roy’s Ka’anapali on Maui. Chef Yamaguchi shares his recipes via three cookbooks and recognized for his humanitarian work on behalf of children with disabilities.
keahole lobster
The Beach House
At the Beach House, they take all of the best island ingredients and create magic. Pacific Rim cuisine is their focus, and their offerings include delights like Poke Tacos, Furikake Dusted Ahi, and Filet Mignon. All of the fish is sourced directly from Island fisherman, and the beef and coffee come from neighboring ranches.
Merriman’s Kamuela
Merriman’s Kamuela on Big Island has been serving fabulous farm-to-table meals for over 20 years. This location has long been known as the best restaurant on the Big Island of Hawaii. In fact, Honolulu Magazine has said so for 15 years in a row. The menu choices are very similar at the Kapalua location, and they get fresh fish daily from local fishers. The venue is intimate and relaxed, just like Hawaii should be. Also, Merriman’s Kamuela has been awarded for its excellent wine offerings by Wine Spectator for more than ten years.
La Mer
La Mer in Honolulu comes in at number nine. Located at Halekulani, an acclaimed luxury hotel just steps away from Waikiki beach, La Mer is Hawaii’s longest-running consecutively ranked AAA Five-Diamond and Forbes 5-Star Restaurant. La Mer blends superb service with exceptional cuisine, all with extraordinary views of the Pacific. Tranquil and refined, La Mer is the definition of fine dining and is Honolulu’s most sought-after restaurant. Executive Chef Alexandre Trancher brings his skills and expertise to perpetuate Halekulani’s legacy of award-winning cuisine and gracious service.
The internationally acclaimed menu features local, tropical ingredients in dishes inspired by flavors from the south of France.
Merriman’s Kapalua
Peter Merriman has once again outdone himself. In addition to a fabulous menu, his Kapalua restaurant is stunningly gorgeous, with the fantastic patio that sits right above the ocean at Kapalua Beach. Merriman’s historical use of locally sourced fresh produce and ingredients (90%) has earned him the well-deserved accolades for all of his locations.
Michel’s at Colony Surf
Michel’s is situated on Oahu’s “Gold Coast,” right at the base of Diamond Head. Here, you’ll find fabulous sunset views and stunning skylines of Waikiki and Honolulu. Michel’s is known for being the most romantic restaurant on Oahu.
The Plantation House
by Gaylords
Gaylord’s offers one of the most beautiful settings on Kauai for lunch, dinner, or Sunday brunch. They are located in the historic Kilohana Plantation home, where guests can dine in an open-air courtyard with views of the plantation grounds and Mt. Waialeale in the distance. Their kitchen uses only the freshest seasonal ingredients, and they source what they need from the local farmers and fishermen. Their 67-acre sustainable farm provides much of the produce and herbs used in their signature dishes and cocktails.
by Gaylords
Aina Kaua’i
Aina Kaua’i offers a multi-course tasting menu that blends the traditional multi-course Japanese dinner (kaiseki) with the flavors and traditions of Kaua‘i. They have aptly named this fusion “Kauaian Kaiseki,” and it embodies the spirit of the local place and culture.
What are your
favorite restaurants
in Hawaii?
Mahalo to Sam Choy, Philippe Padovani, Roger Dikon, Gary Strehl, Roy Yamaguchi, Amy Ferguson Ota, Jean-Marie Josselin, George Mavrothalassitis, Bev Gannon, Peter Merriman, Mark Ellman and Alan Wong for the development of Hawaii Regional Cuisine. E’ai kakou (bon appétit)!
Thanks for reading through Pride of Maui’s Best 10 Restaurants in Maui article!
