You find great food anywhere in Hawaii restaurants – from award-winning saimin joints, family favorites and shrimp trucks to ritzy haute cuisine in spectacular surroundings. With exotic influences brought to bear from its multi-cultural population, Hawaii is foodie heaven to be fully "tasted" during your family vacation in Hawaii.
You can get just about anything you want in Oahu. For refined dining with a fabulous ocean view, you cannot go wrong with 2009 Hale Aina award winner Hoku’s at the Kahala Hotel and Resort.
It is set in an open kitchen run by chef Wayne Chirabashi with a kiawe wood grill, and tandoori and wood-burning ovens.
Surrounded by gorgeous artwork and a fabulous view of the Pacific Ocean from every table, enjoy contemporary island cuisine with such dishes as the Caribbean Lobster "Thermador" with Maui Surfing Goat Cheese or Hamakua Mushrooms and Salt-Crusted Colorado Rack of Lamb Carved Table-Side.
On Main Street in Maui
Maui has more than its fair share of superb Hawaii restaurants. You can dine on refined American comfort food in the Main Street Bistro owned by well known Maui chef Tom Selman. His signature items include onion rings, roasted Chinese chicken salad, and “mother’s roast beef sandwich” served on a French roll. He will happily provide low-calorie alternatives on request.
Otherwise, soak up the historic atmosphere of the Lahaina Grill, favorite among gourmet magazine editors, in the iconic Lahaina Inn.
Dining under tin-pressed ceilings and 1890’s décor, try the aromatic Kona coffee-roasted rack of lamb or the Cake Walk, a sampler of Kona Lobster Crab Cake, Seared Ahi Cake, and Sweet Louisiana Rock Shrimp Cake.
Ramen and Roy’s in Kauai
Hamura’s Saimin Stand in Lihue is a much beloved local hangout. Its fresh and tasty noodles have won so many fans that the James Beard Foundation acclaimed it in 2006 as “an American classic.”
Many order a serving of chicken teriyaki in skewers as a side-dish, and if you have room to spare, the lilikoi chiffon pie is an absolute must.
If you missed out on trying any of Roy Yamaguichi’s Pacific Rim cuisine in Oahu, here is another chance. Roy, who owns top Hawaii restaurants in Oahu, Big Island, Maui, New York, Tokyo and Guam, has extended his signature touch to Poipu.
At Roy’s Poipu and Grill, be prepared to choose from three dozen nightly specials backed by excellent and affordable selections from the wine cellar.
As appetizers feature prominently in the menu, you can sample crispy crab cakes with butter sauce or blackened ahi finished with mustard soy sauce without wiping out the credit card.
Top Chefs on the Big Island
A number of top chefs have set up home on the Big Island and brought their culinary skills with them.
Among them is chef Neil Murphy who has spent time in New York at big names such as La Cote Basque and Aureole.
Now at the country inn-style Merrimans, he has turned his focus to the freshest in local ingredients brought in by the island’s farmers, fishermen and ranchers.
Diners pack the place for freshly grilled local vegetables and herbs on dishes such as grilled ponzu or Kahua ranch lamb. The starkly simple Lokelani tomato with a drizzling of olive oil is a classic favorite. Go early or late on a week night to avoid the crowds at one of the more popular Hawaii restaurants on the Big Island.
The Hawaiian regional cuisine took the culinary world by storm when it was introduced in 1991. Maui was the birthplace of this revolution but with a second generation of chefs coming in the wake of the twelve founders, you can enjoy this creative cross cultural dining in Hawaii restaurants throughout the state - make sure you include experiencing different types of Hawaiian cuisine among the things to do in Hawaii!
Your Favorite Hawaii Restaurant!
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Duke's
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Duke's on Kauai is in a great location. It is right next to the Marriott Beach Resort. Both overlook Kalapaki Bay, and both are within a short walk from ...
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