From unassuming eateries to fine waterfront dining, the Hawaiian Islands are home to countless incredible restaurants that are loved and frequented by many. In 2016, we featured several of these excellent eateries, and have now compiled them into a 2017 dining bucket list. With popular roadside food trucks, fine dining establishments in unforgettable settings, and eateries with cult-like followings, this list features 14 of the best restaurants Hawaii has to offer. Click the captions to learn more about each.
- Haleiwa Joe’s, Kaneohe
Haleiwa Joe’s - Haiku/Facebook
Sarah K./Yelp This classic Hawaiian restaurant not only serves up some of the freshest seafood around but is also located in quite the picturesque setting. An iconic Hawaiian seafood restaurant, Haleiwa Joe’s second (and we’d argue, prettier) location can be found in windward Oahu at the Haiku Gardens, a slice of absolute paradise.
- Da Poke Shack, Kailua-Kona
Rad S./Yelp
Eddie P./Yelp This seaside eatery nestled in a condominium complex is known for their takeout poke, as well as local specialties and salads - and was once considered the best restaurant in America, according to Yelp.
3.Town, Honolulu
Mike O./Yelp
Reid A./Yelp Located in the Kaimuki neighborhood of Honolulu, Town may not look like much from the outside, but we guarantee you’ll be pleasantly surprised once you step inside, catch a glimpse of the eatery’s ambiance, and taste some of their scrumptious food. According to Conde Nast Traveler, this Honolulu eatery is one of the best in the world!
- The Mill House, Wailuku
The Mill House Maui/Facebook
Maui Tropical Plantation/Facebook Located in Waikapu at the base of the West Maui Mountains is the Maui Tropical Plantation, a beautiful slice of paradise that is home to a restaurant so good, we would travel across the world just to visit. This is the Mill House Restaurant, and the photographs definitely don’t do this place justice.
- The Manago Hotel Restaurant, Captain Cook
Cesar R./Yelp
Nadine C./Yelp The restaurant at the Manago Hotel is not only Hawaii’s oldest restaurant in continuous use, but is also famous for their pork chops, as well as a menu featuring a variety of fresh fish, sandwiches, and some ono Hawaiian side dishes.
- Top of Waikiki, Honolulu
Top of Waikiki/Facebook
Top of Waikiki/Facebook Located in the heart of Waikiki is this award-winning Contemporary American revolving restaurant. A revolving restaurant is one in which the entire restaurant operates as a large turntable atop a stationary building, giving diners the opportunity to experience panoramic city and ocean views without ever leaving their table. Oh, and did we mention that the food is absolutely mouthwatering?
- Mama’s Fish House, Paia
Troy D./Yelp
Hilary R./Yelp With 4.5 stars on Yelp and more than 4,000 reviews, Mama’s Fish House is definitely doing something right. With fresh and delicious seafood and a picturesque oceanfront location, there is little better than this Paia eatery with breathtaking sunset views.
8.Hawaiian Style Cafe, Waimea
Kent D./Yelp
Jesse I./Yelp If you’re in the mood for home cooked Hawaiian and American food, look no further than this quaint diner located in Waimea that serves up some scrumptious breakfast and lunch options. From massive pancakes and kalua pork hash to lighter or vegetarian options, there is something for everyone at this charming café.
- Sushi Sasabune, Honolulu
Alvin L./Yelp
Yvette C./Yelp For some of the best sushi in Honolulu, head to Sasabune, where you should order the omakase, which consists of approximately a dozen courses of chef selected fare. Though this forces you to trust the chef, you will not be disappointed.
- Braddah Hutt’s BBQ Grill, Hana
Al S./Yelp
Michael W./Yelp Located in Hana, at the end of the famous 64-mile Road to Hana, this hole-in-the-wall eatery is - quite literally - a food truck in the middle of nowhere, but that doesn’t mean that it’s not worth the journey. The atmosphere is that of a neighborhood cookout rather than a high-class restaurant, with prices ranging from $8 to $13 for generous portions served on a paper plate with a plastic fork.
- Kahumana Organic Farm + Cafe, Waianae
Kahumana Organic Farm & Cafe
Miho W./Yelp Part restaurant and cafe, part organic farm, part community sourced agriculture headquarters, and part group and homeless shelter, there is no place like Kahumana in the world – let alone Hawaii.
- Sweet Thunder Local Fusion Sushi, Hilo
STP LLC. Local Fusion Sushi/Facebook
STP LLC. Local Fusion Sushi/Facebook While Sweet Thunder Local Fusion Sushi serves up some delicious sushi, it is known for their Poke Challenge. In fact, the casual eatery serves poke so spicy that you have to sign a waiver just to try it.
- Lahaina Grill, Lahaina
Lahaina Grill/Yelp
Lahaina Grill/Yelp This contemporary bistro serves up a variety of new American cuisine – including seafood – using only the freshest ingredients from Maui farms, dairies, and surrounding oceans. Lahaina Grill has been recognized by Honolulu Magazine as Maui’s best restaurant for more than 20 years.
- Marukame Udon, Honolulu
Dave F./Yelp
John L./Yelp This casual Japanese eatery specializes in noodle soup, and there is almost always a line out of the door. It was rated as the 10th best restaurant in America in Yelp’s Top 100 Places to Eat in the US for 2016, so it should definitely be added to your 2017 dining bucket list if you have yet to check it out.
Which of these delicious restaurants will you be visiting first? While you’re preparing for 2017, be sure to put these 10 Hawaiian road trips on your agenda.
Haleiwa Joe’s - Haiku/Facebook
Sarah K./Yelp
This classic Hawaiian restaurant not only serves up some of the freshest seafood around but is also located in quite the picturesque setting. An iconic Hawaiian seafood restaurant, Haleiwa Joe’s second (and we’d argue, prettier) location can be found in windward Oahu at the Haiku Gardens, a slice of absolute paradise.
Rad S./Yelp
Eddie P./Yelp
This seaside eatery nestled in a condominium complex is known for their takeout poke, as well as local specialties and salads - and was once considered the best restaurant in America, according to Yelp.
Mike O./Yelp
Reid A./Yelp
Located in the Kaimuki neighborhood of Honolulu, Town may not look like much from the outside, but we guarantee you’ll be pleasantly surprised once you step inside, catch a glimpse of the eatery’s ambiance, and taste some of their scrumptious food. According to Conde Nast Traveler, this Honolulu eatery is one of the best in the world!
The Mill House Maui/Facebook
Maui Tropical Plantation/Facebook
Located in Waikapu at the base of the West Maui Mountains is the Maui Tropical Plantation, a beautiful slice of paradise that is home to a restaurant so good, we would travel across the world just to visit. This is the Mill House Restaurant, and the photographs definitely don’t do this place justice.
Cesar R./Yelp
Nadine C./Yelp
The restaurant at the Manago Hotel is not only Hawaii’s oldest restaurant in continuous use, but is also famous for their pork chops, as well as a menu featuring a variety of fresh fish, sandwiches, and some ono Hawaiian side dishes.
Top of Waikiki/Facebook
Located in the heart of Waikiki is this award-winning Contemporary American revolving restaurant. A revolving restaurant is one in which the entire restaurant operates as a large turntable atop a stationary building, giving diners the opportunity to experience panoramic city and ocean views without ever leaving their table. Oh, and did we mention that the food is absolutely mouthwatering?
Troy D./Yelp
Hilary R./Yelp
With 4.5 stars on Yelp and more than 4,000 reviews, Mama’s Fish House is definitely doing something right. With fresh and delicious seafood and a picturesque oceanfront location, there is little better than this Paia eatery with breathtaking sunset views.
Kent D./Yelp
Jesse I./Yelp
If you’re in the mood for home cooked Hawaiian and American food, look no further than this quaint diner located in Waimea that serves up some scrumptious breakfast and lunch options. From massive pancakes and kalua pork hash to lighter or vegetarian options, there is something for everyone at this charming café.
Alvin L./Yelp
Yvette C./Yelp
For some of the best sushi in Honolulu, head to Sasabune, where you should order the omakase, which consists of approximately a dozen courses of chef selected fare. Though this forces you to trust the chef, you will not be disappointed.
Al S./Yelp
Michael W./Yelp
Located in Hana, at the end of the famous 64-mile Road to Hana, this hole-in-the-wall eatery is - quite literally - a food truck in the middle of nowhere, but that doesn’t mean that it’s not worth the journey. The atmosphere is that of a neighborhood cookout rather than a high-class restaurant, with prices ranging from $8 to $13 for generous portions served on a paper plate with a plastic fork.
Kahumana Organic Farm & Cafe
Miho W./Yelp
Part restaurant and cafe, part organic farm, part community sourced agriculture headquarters, and part group and homeless shelter, there is no place like Kahumana in the world – let alone Hawaii.
STP LLC. Local Fusion Sushi/Facebook
While Sweet Thunder Local Fusion Sushi serves up some delicious sushi, it is known for their Poke Challenge. In fact, the casual eatery serves poke so spicy that you have to sign a waiver just to try it.
Lahaina Grill/Yelp
This contemporary bistro serves up a variety of new American cuisine – including seafood – using only the freshest ingredients from Maui farms, dairies, and surrounding oceans. Lahaina Grill has been recognized by Honolulu Magazine as Maui’s best restaurant for more than 20 years.
Dave F./Yelp
John L./Yelp
This casual Japanese eatery specializes in noodle soup, and there is almost always a line out of the door. It was rated as the 10th best restaurant in America in Yelp’s Top 100 Places to Eat in the US for 2016, so it should definitely be added to your 2017 dining bucket list if you have yet to check it out.
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