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Duc’s Bistro
This family-style restaurant, located on a somewhat nondescript street in Honolulu’s Chinatown, offers live music, attentive owners and consistently excellent French-Vietnamese cuisine, for a dining experience that excels on all levels. It is the perfect spot for a comforting meal of shrimp and papaya salad, lemongrass chicken and banana tapioca pudding.
Eat the Street
Food-loving Honolulu has embraced the food truck craze with gusto and in 2011 some smart entrepreneurs organized a monthly event—the last Friday of each month—called Eat the Street. It is essentially a food truck rally in a parking lot, often with themes like Oktoberfest or Spicy. Check out the website for details on the next event.
Helena’s Hawaiian Food
Katrina Markoff, the founder of Vosges Haut-Chocolat, recommends this hidden gem, “a hole in the wall off the beaten path that happens to be a James Beard award winner.” Stop by for lunch or an early dinner.
Hoku’s
Situated on one of Oahu’s most beautiful beaches, Hoku’s has long been the restaurant of for Hawaii’s movers and shakers. Headed by executive chef Wayne Hirabayashi, the open kitchen lets you keep an eye on what’s cooking, though it’s difficult to tear yourself away from the sunset. Be sure to try the seafood tower with seven dipping sauces (it’s not on the menu, but you can request it) or the grilled island fish; and the dessert sampler is not to be missed. There’s also a “focus” menu every month, meaning that one ingredient, from asparagus to green tea, is featured in a variety of dishes. Note: men are requested to wear collared shirts and pants, not shorts. Women should wear “evening attire.”
Kua Aina
This casual burger joint in Haleiwa is a North Shore tradition. In addition to the hamburgers, the fish burgers are fantastic. The secret ingredient: Vermouth, which may sound elevated but know to wear your flip flops and bathing suit as your fellow diners will be surfers.
La Mer
Matsumoto Shave Ice
This grocery store turned institution is a piece of Hawaiian history and its story—of a Japanese couple and their American success—is told in photos on the wall. Their son and his wife now sell more than 1,000 shaves, or snow cones, on average day. Come taste what all the fuss is about.
Mud Hen Water
Ono Hawaiian Foods
The same family has owned this restaurant for forty-five years, and the traditional Hawaiian dishes are excellent. Katrina Markoff, the founder of Vosges Haut-Chocolat (and a Ono regular), says “the best thing to try is the laulau, ti leaves and taro leaves wrap around pork (or fish) that’s baked slowly.”
Orchids
Renowned for its elaborate Sunday brunches, Orchids at the Halekulani is a favorite of Honolulu’s ladies who lunch. The setting is gorgeous, with sweeping ocean views; and large colorful orchids are strategically placed throughout the airy dining room. Some brunch favorites include ahi crudo and shrimp ravioli.
Roy’s Restaurant
Chef Roy Yamaguchi’s flagship of his ever-expanding restaurant chain remains a classic (even though nearby Waikiki Beach now has its own outpost). There’s an open kitchen where diners can watch the chefs prepare the tasty Hawaiian fusion cuisine that has garnered top reviews for years. Expect a crowd and some noise; dining here is all about celebrating. For a special occasion, ask for a table by the window or in the private dining room.
Roy’s Waikiki
Chef Roy Yamaguchi’s Hawaiian fusion cuisine restaurants have been popping up around the country for years, and his place on the Waikiki Beach Walk is one of his best. Several fresh fish selections are offered nightly, from jade pesto-steamed monchong to Hawaiian-style misoyaki butterfish. Yamaguchi’s signature dishes include an amazing hibachi-grilled salmon as well. The outdoor patio has a casual elegance, while the interior is more formal, with an Asian-accented dining room and an open kitchen. Pupus (Hawaiian appetizers) are available on the lanai at lunchtime, while the full menu is offered at dinner.
Senia
Sushi Sasabune
In a town that takes its sushi very seriously—as it should considering its proximity to Japan and to fresh seafood—this is consistently ranked the number one spot and has been rated the number one restaurant in the state in recent years.
The Pig & the Lady
Once a popular stand at a Honolulu farmer’s market, this casual eatery evolved into what is now regarded as the best Vietnamese food in all of Hawaii. The standout dish is Le’s Sandwich, a baguette of braised brisket, bean sprouts and Thai basil paste. For drinks, don’t miss the Coconut Horchata or the Golden Pig cocktail.
Vintage Cave
For a food-obsessed state it was just a matter of time before Hawaii would have its own version of the French Laundry. Vintage Cave, which opened in 2013 and quickly became a members-only “private society,” is so exceptional that it is worth using your contacts—or ours—to get a reservation. The exquisite brick lined dining room evokes a serious cellar but is warmed up with great lighting and serious art work, but it is the food that you’ll think back to. The tasting menu each night has been built around the freshest local ingredients in “focused bites” through which the chef tells a story of place and tradition. Japan and Hawaii, the tropics and Pacific are all revealed in the tastes. This is truly a must for foodies.
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