Best restaurants in Hawaii

At the core of Hawaii is diversity – in climate, culture and indeed, cuisine. It’s a land that features cascading waterfalls, remnants of lava rivers, a myriad of peoples and some of the best fusion food that speaks to its history. Today, Hawaii’s food scene is the perfect blend of traditions, tastes and textures, just waiting to be explored.

Prepare your taste buds and get ready to satiate your appetite. In this guide, we’ll look at the best restaurants in Hawaii from Honolulu to Hilo. So, with the introduction out of the way, “E ʻai kākou” – or let’s eat!

Deck.

140 Kapahulu Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96815

Deck. at Queen Kapi’olani Hotel sits on the 3^rd floor of a rooftop pool deck, giving you the perfect panoramic open-air vista of Hawaii’s Diamond Head volcanic cone. But you don’t come to Deck. for the great views alone, nor the great service, location and atmosphere – it’s the menu, first and foremost. So, what’s on deck?

The restaurant offers breakfast, brunch, and dinner, with seafood options like roasted salmon and pan-seared scallops, as well as other protein options, such as St. Louis-style pork ribs with garlic rice, island spice-rubbed sous vide Jidori chicken, and eggplant parmesan. If you’re after deliciously hearty food, then Deck. is one of the best restaurants in Honolulu for you.

Parking at Deck. can be limited as it shares parking with the Queen Kapi’olani Hotel. For a small fee, you can park your car at the nearby Honolulu Zoo.

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Jackie Rey’s Ohana Grill Hilo

64 Keawe Street, Hilo, HI 96720

They don’t call Hawaii the Big Island for nothing, and when the sea is on your doorstep, you’ve got to dive in for something delicious. For over 20 years, Jackie Rey’s Ohana Grill has showcased the best of Hawaii’s seafood and fresh fish – off the boat and onto the table.

Jackie Rey’s gives a casual, contemporary and clean feel at their local joint, with comfy seating and a swanky 160-year-old English bar. Set in the Historic Kaikodo building as the original home of the Bank of Hilo, there’s still a classic old bank vault.

Dishes include fresh fish and seafood, such as clam chowder, crab cakes, and the seafood trio for the indecisive. In addition, expect delicious pork chops with sauteed spinach, steak frites and a 1/2lb black angus beef burger.

Hilo has parking available right outside the restaurant, with a parking lot across the street and a lot in front of the restaurant. Whether you’re arriving in a large SUV or a compact car, you should find space to eat.

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Moon and Turtle

51 Kalakaua Street, Hilo, HI 96720

Get in a 7-passenger Hertz SUV and bring everyone along to the Moon and Turtle in Hilo, Hawaii. Get ready to dig into an all-star Asian-fusion café menu with locally sourced seafood in sizeable portions. Because of this, depending on the season, you’ll find a unique take on the menu to match the ingredients available.

With cheeky dishes like the Sea. L. T. Salad, delicious Poke bowls, beef shank and risotto, you’ll be sharing your dishes with friends and family for a little taste of everything. Settle into a cozy, friendly environment and get ready to chow down on fresh fish right from local waters. The Moon and Turtle is the perfect, casual venue for seafood lovers.

If you’re driving, it’s worth noting that the Moon and Turtle doesn’t have any dedicated parking. Arrive early or check traffic, as you’ll rely on street parking if you want to park next to the restaurant.

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Hāna Ranch Restaurant

1752 Mill Place, Hāna, HI 96713

As a U.S. State, it only feels right that you should be able to get American cuisine in Hawaii with an island twist, which is exactly what the Hāna Ranch Restaurant delivers. The first thing you’ll notice as you enter is the simple interior, with guitars hanging on the wall. It’s a great, quaint lunch spot that suits Hāna as a location.

The menu is equally comforting, with scrumptious and recognizable American classics – that include the ½ patty Hāna classic beef burger, the pulled pork sandwich, a Caesar salad, crispy pork belly, and grilled chicken. Alongside this, you can expect some Hawaiian staples such as poke.

If you’re looking for a tasty lunchtime spot, Hāna Ranch Restaurant may be a great place to park your car and enjoy if you’re exploring that part of the island.

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‘ULU

72-100 Ka’upulehu Drive, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

‘ULU is all about big flavors, drawing from hundreds of local Hawaii farms and the waters of the island. That means fresh, sustainable, and authentic food. It’s a menu that harnesses quintessential Hawaiian technique for an honest taste of the island. This is a menu that uses over-roasting, work firing and flame grilling to deliver Hawaiian and pan-Asian food worth remembering.

Enjoy the sunset from this beachfront location as you dine outdoors or enjoy the Japanese-influenced interior with its simple wooden designs and artful décor. There is a complimentary parking lot available, although it is shared with the Four Seasons Hotel. If you’re driving in a premium car and want to keep the life of luxury alive, there is valet parking. There is also a secondary lot on Kumukehu Street.

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Senia

75 North King Street, Honolulu, HI 96817

Welcome to Senia, an elevated restaurant set between Chinatown and the Arts District that plays with the gastronomic possibilities of diverse Hawaiian and New American cuisine. The à la carte menu is created in the way Senia likes to eat – with a wide choice of flavors served family-style.

Every choice on the menu stands out, with delicious grilled-rare Hamachi, Kampachi glazed in dashi sauce, roasted bone marrow and a braised lamb “tagine”. These meals are thoughtful, creative and utterly diverse in flavor.

Each dish is artfully presented, with as much care put into the aesthetics as the taste. It is as though you are eating art. If you’re after a creative take on culinary classics in a refined setting, then Senia might be one of the best restaurants in Honolulu and Hawaii for you.

There is street parking and several lots available, only a short walk from Senia, so you’ll have no difficulty parking your rental car.

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Kapa Hale

414 Kilaeuea Avenue, Suite 102, Honolulu, HI 96816

Kapa Hale makes our list of best restaurants in Hawaii (and Honolulu) for its diverse list of flavors, including Hawaiian, American, European and Asian. Located in the Waialae-Kahala District, Kapa Hale is set in a great location with a spacious interior that has an artful yet minimal slant to its decoration. Plates are similarly tasteful – each meal speaks for itself, with thoughtful presentation and no need to overstuff each plate.

Kapa Hale presents a thoughtful brunch, lunch, dinner and dessert menu that you won’t want to share. Enjoy a makaha mango panzanella; honey roasted bread fruit; or a Hawaiian beef tartare garnished with fried garlic, pickled mushrooms and macadamia nut. If seafood is more your thing, try grilled octopus with black garlic char siu or take a chance on the catch of the day.

There’s plenty of on-street parking, so whether you’re driving a compact car or a large SUV, you should find a space.

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Duke’s Waikiki

2335 Kalākaua Avenue #116, Honolulu, HI 96815

Chow down on some surf ‘n’ turf classics at this beachfront location that speaks to the spirit of Hawaiian surf culture. Named for Duke Kahanamoku – a Waikiki surf legend – you know exactly where Duke’s Waikiki has its heart. With a beachfront location set against the bay and Diamond Head in the background, you’ll be diving headfirst into true surf culture.

Duke’s Barefoot Bar brings out the best in casual dining, with thirst-quenching drinks and Hawaiian-style dining that’ll fill your belly after a day out with the waves. Korean sticky ribs, panko-crusted calamari, crab wantons, and crispy coconut shrimp are just waiting to be tucked into. If you want something even heartier, you can choose from a selection of steaks and fresh fish to fill you up.

Parking is available in nearby parking garages and by validated self-parking at the Outrigger Paradise Hotel. All that’s left to do is leave your driving shoes in the car, slip into something casual, and enjoy.

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Tempura Kiki

2250 Kalākaua Ave LL#6, Honolulu, HI 96815

Slip into one of the best and most authentic Japanese restaurants in Honolulu and wider Hawaii. Tempura Kiki offers some of the best tempura around in a no-frills, cozy and at the STIX Asian Food Hall right in the middle of Waikiki. It’s the perfect lunch spot on your day out, offering food that’ll fill you up without bogging you down.

Tempura Kiki’s à la carte menu is simple, delicious, golden and battered. Choose from shrimp, fish, crab, egg, chicken or pork tempura with a side of gyoza if you want a little extra. It’s not an extensive menu, but it’s specialized and dedicated to their namesake. There are plenty of vegetarian options too, so you can enjoy a quick bite, whatever your sensibilities.

If you’re looking for a quick lunch-time bite while you explore the area, Tempura Kiki is one of the best restaurants in Honolulu. Because of the restaurant’s location, dedicated parking isn’t available for the restaurant. However, you can park your car or van in the nearby garage and get validation at set times of the day.

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Learn more about Hawaii

Hawaii’s about more than just the food! Learn more about the Big Island so you can make the most out of your adventure across Hawaii with Hertz.

• Best Things to do in Hawaii
• Best Places to Stay in Hawaii