9 Best Restaurants in Waikiki and Diamond Head, Honolulu and Pearl Harbor

Follow a narrow beach pathway (between The Cheesecake Factory and Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort) lined with surfboards to reach this takeout spot specializing in banán, a frozen, vegan-friendly dessert made with local bananas and containing no added sugar. Other snack options include smoothies, smoothie bowls, and ulu (breadfruit) waffles. Try the “Riss Moore” flavor, filled with tropical fruits and named after surfer Carissa Moore, the 2020 Olympic gold medalist and five-time world champion. There's no seating here, but Banán is steps from the beach and the main drag in Waikiki. 

Well established as a local favorite, this unassuming café is situated in a strip mall near Diamond Head and away from the bustle of Waikiki. It's a great spot to grab a quick, delicious breakfast or brunch, including best-sellers such as the loco moco, açai bowl, bagel sandwiches, French toast, omelets, and other morning staples. Locals love their Mama's fried rice dish, with plenty of sautéed vegetables. Many lunch options are available as well, such as chicken salad and lobster rolls. The interior is basic, but there's also ample seating on the patio out front.

Enjoy sunset views over the yacht harbor, live music, and signature "Guy-Tai" cocktails at this Waikiki landmark opened in 1969 by surfing legend Joey Cabell. The extensive menu maintains the mid-century notion of fine dining, with oysters Rockefeller, shrimp cocktail, and steaks (including a bison tenderloin from Ted Turner's ranch) alongside poke, macadamia-nut-crusted mahi mahi, and the fan-favorite "Joey's ahi mignon." Early birds can take advantage of the "surf break" menu, and there's a very popular weekend brunch (book in advance). Regulars perch at the bar, and in the dining room, local families, couples, and tourists feast amid the dark, cork-lined walls while admiring the lovely marina.

In the heart of Waikiki, El Cielo was opened in 2023 by chef Masa "Arnaldo" Gushiken, who creates incredible Spanish tapas and other international specialties based on his global expertise in places such as Japan, Los Angeles, and Spain. The interior's serene, minimalist design establishes a sophisticated but relaxed ambience in several dining rooms. A few standouts include the truffle egg custard pudding, imported cheeses and hams, octopus, and Basque-style sea bream, and the wine list has some Spanish vintages. The restaurant has attracted attention from local and visiting food lovers, becoming a must-dine experience on Oahu. 

Tucked away on the second floor of the Royal Hawaiian Center, this stylish, sleek, and cozy spot has a selection of more than 40 international wines by the glass—all served via a high-tech vending machine that uses prepaid cards. The food menu is limited, but a few favorites are braised beef sandwiches, poke bites with nori chips, and charcuterie plates. The restaurant also offers breakfast, lunch (featuring small plates), and a happy hour (3–6 pm) with discount wines and light bites at the bar.

With spectacular Diamond Head views and an elegant, art deco–tinged interior, La Mer is an epic dining experience, where the second-floor restaurant's windows are open to the breezes and the sounds of the ocean and Halekulani Hotel's nightly hula show. Ideal for special occasions, the three-, four-, or seven-course French-influenced dinners might feature steamed Big Island kampachi (amberjack) tartare with fennel soup, Chilean sea bass with a vegetable "sphere," roasted duck breast with kumquat confit, or rib eye with vegetables. For romance and fine dining without the staggering price tag, visit the restaurant’s L'Aperitif bar, where sophisticated cocktails can be paired with gourmet bites.

Perched along the seawall at historic Gray's Beach, in the luxe Halekulani resort, Orchids is a locus of power breakfasters, ladies who lunch, and those celebrating special occasions at Sunday brunch or dinner. The louvered walls are open to the breezes, sprays of orchids add color, the contemporary international dishes are perfectly prepared, and the wine list is intriguing. Highlights of acclaimed chef Christian Testa's menu include a prime beef filet appetizer, a special lasagnette dish, several creative house-made pastas, and an abundance of seafood options. Enjoy sunset cocktails at the adjacent open-air bar, House Without A Key.

Tiki's is the kind of fun place people come to Waikiki for: a retro–South Pacific spot with a back-of-the-bar faux volcano, open-air lounge with live local music, indoor-outdoor dining, and a fantastic view of the beach across the street. Chef Ronnie Nasuti turns out beautifully composed plates and puts fresh twists on the super-familiar—like spicy "volcano" chicken wings, watermelon and feta salad, or Thai-style shrimp puttanesca. Be sure to try one of the mai tais, which come in a variety of flavors, then settle in and stay a while. There's live music on most nights (check the calendar on the website) and an upbeat crowd at the bar. Tiki's is in the Twin Fin Hotel and may look like a place designed for tourists, but it's the locals who come back again and again.

Stylish, spacious, and accented with subtle modern art, this seafood-focused restaurant—umi means "sea"—by acclaimed chef Vikram Garg offers a feast for the senses in the stunning Halepuna Waikiki, the boutique sister property of the Halekulani Hotel. Garg works culinary magic in the kitchen with dinner specialties such as popcorn soup (with lotus leaves) and steamed branzino with takana rice (fried rice with pickled mustard greens), and food lovers can also discover unique breakfast choices such as the mai tai pancake and masala omelet.