Your Hawaiian bucket list surely contains visits to various beaches, some crazy cool hikes, and probably a few adrenaline-fueled experiences like skydiving or scuba diving with sharks. Why not supplement your bucket list full of wild Hawaiian adventures with some restaurants that you simply have to try before you die? From fresh seafood and Hawaiian favorites to pizza and decadent breakfast food, these 14 restaurants located throughout the islands are delicious, unique, and definitely worth a visit in your lifetime.
- Lahaina Grill, Lahaina
Lahaina Grill/Yelp
Jessica Nicole U./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.
- Hawaiian Style Café
Kent D./Yelp
Tony L./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
Gary N./Yelp
Malia H./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.
- 808 Deli, Kihei
Arlene S./Yelp
Cheryl C./Yelp Serving up local and fresh sandwiches with some creative pairings, this shop was voted the “Best Sandwiches in Maui” by Maui Time Weekly four years in a row.
- Pono Market
Food N./Yelp
Prianka K./Yelp Family owned and operated since 1968, Pono Market serves up a variety of seafood plate lunches, as well as manju, musubi, poke, and sushi.
- 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 even rated as the 10th best restaurant in America in Yelp’s “Top 100 Places to Eat in the US.”
- Ono Tacos, Lahaina
Samantha L./Yelp
Ellie J./Yelp Hawaii is home to some killer food trucks, including this Mexican joint that serves up the burritos, torta, and tacos for miles. This roadside eatery also made “Yelp’s Top 100 Places to Eat in the US.”
- Da Poke Shack, Kailua-Kona
Meghan M./Yelp
Kent D./Yelp According to Yelp, this seafood joint was the top-rated restaurant in America in 2014. That’s a pretty high honor for a seaside eatery nestled in a condominium complex known for their takeout poke, as well as local specialties and salads.
- JJ Dolan’s, Honolulu
JJ Dolan’s/Facebook
JJ Dolan’s/Facebook This Honolulu Irish pub and pizzeria is the only local shop that made the Pizza Today’s Top 100 list. Gross sales in 2014 reached $2.4 million.
- Mama’s Fish House, Paia
Troy D./Yelp
Hilary R./Yelp With 4.5 stars on Yelp and more than 3,500 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.
- Ono Seafood, Honolulu
Ann S./Yelp
Miek R./Yelp Rumor has it that the best poke in Honolulu comes from Ono Seafood. The seafood is fresh, and the poke is made-to-order instead of sitting all afternoon in a big container. This eatery is also number 14 on “Yelp’s Top 100 Places To Eat in the US.”
- Leoda’s Kitchen and Pie Shop
Jennifer Cachola/Flickr
Arnold Valentino/Flickr Serving up some of the most delicious pies on Maui is Leoda’s, a café that is all about fresh ingredients, and hand-crafted specialties. Their chocolate macadamia nut pie is heaven for any chocolate lover, and the bananas in the banana cream pie are harvested from the restaurant’s own farm.
- Alan Wong’s Restaurant, Honolulu
Michael J./Yelp
Lea G./Yelp Located in the heart of Honolulu, famed chef Alan Wong shows off his expertly-crafted Asian-fusion cuisine with a Hawaiian flare. This upscale third-floor restaurant is perfect for a date night or fancy meal.
- Cinnamon’s Restaurant, Kailua
Jo Y./Yelp
Josie C./Yelp Guava chiffon pancakes, cinnamon buns, banana cream cheese French toast, Hawaiian omelets and eggs benedict, oh my! This charming café located in the heart of Kailua town is an island favorite, and they serve some amazing breakfast foods.
We understand that this list could go on forever, and that everyone’s lists surely vary based on your personal tastes, so we’d love your feedback on which Hawaii restaurants are on your bucket list. Share your opinions with us in the comments below or on our Only In Hawaii Facebook page.
Lahaina Grill/Yelp
Jessica Nicole U./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.
Kent D./Yelp
Tony L./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.
Gary N./Yelp
Malia H./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.
Arlene S./Yelp
Cheryl C./Yelp
Serving up local and fresh sandwiches with some creative pairings, this shop was voted the “Best Sandwiches in Maui” by Maui Time Weekly four years in a row.
Food N./Yelp
Prianka K./Yelp
Family owned and operated since 1968, Pono Market serves up a variety of seafood plate lunches, as well as manju, musubi, poke, and sushi.
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 even rated as the 10th best restaurant in America in Yelp’s “Top 100 Places to Eat in the US.”
Samantha L./Yelp
Ellie J./Yelp
Hawaii is home to some killer food trucks, including this Mexican joint that serves up the burritos, torta, and tacos for miles. This roadside eatery also made “Yelp’s Top 100 Places to Eat in the US.”
Meghan M./Yelp
According to Yelp, this seafood joint was the top-rated restaurant in America in 2014. That’s a pretty high honor for a seaside eatery nestled in a condominium complex known for their takeout poke, as well as local specialties and salads.
JJ Dolan’s/Facebook
This Honolulu Irish pub and pizzeria is the only local shop that made the Pizza Today’s Top 100 list. Gross sales in 2014 reached $2.4 million.
Troy D./Yelp
Hilary R./Yelp
With 4.5 stars on Yelp and more than 3,500 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.
Ann S./Yelp
Miek R./Yelp
Rumor has it that the best poke in Honolulu comes from Ono Seafood. The seafood is fresh, and the poke is made-to-order instead of sitting all afternoon in a big container. This eatery is also number 14 on “Yelp’s Top 100 Places To Eat in the US.”
Jennifer Cachola/Flickr
Arnold Valentino/Flickr
Serving up some of the most delicious pies on Maui is Leoda’s, a café that is all about fresh ingredients, and hand-crafted specialties. Their chocolate macadamia nut pie is heaven for any chocolate lover, and the bananas in the banana cream pie are harvested from the restaurant’s own farm.
Michael J./Yelp
Lea G./Yelp
Located in the heart of Honolulu, famed chef Alan Wong shows off his expertly-crafted Asian-fusion cuisine with a Hawaiian flare. This upscale third-floor restaurant is perfect for a date night or fancy meal.
Jo Y./Yelp
Josie C./Yelp
Guava chiffon pancakes, cinnamon buns, banana cream cheese French toast, Hawaiian omelets and eggs benedict, oh my! This charming café located in the heart of Kailua town is an island favorite, and they serve some amazing breakfast foods.
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