The Road to Hana
‘Da best’ banana bread on the entire Road to Hana is baked fresh every morning by Aunty Sandy and her crew, and it's so good you’ll find as many locals as…
Must-see restaurants in Hawaii
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Kailua-Kona
Poke is a local specialty that blends ceviche and sushi: raw, marinated cubes of fish mixed with soy sauce, sesame oil, chilies, seaweed and…well, really,…
Hilo
This hole-in-the-wall is famous statewide for outstanding Japanese mochi (sticky rice cake) in both traditional and island-inspired flavors such as liliko…
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Moloka'i
Even if it wasn't your only option, you'd still want to stop here. The plate lunches are something of a local legend: tender yet crispy chicken katsu …
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Waikiki
Hy's is so old-school that you expect to find inkwells on the tables. This traditional steakhouse has a timeless old leather and wood interior. But…
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Waikiki
This clapboard corner shop has been making the same super-fine shave ice since 1940, and we’d argue that it’s got the formula exactly right. Get yours…
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Honolulu
Electricity, buzz, whatever, you'll feel the energy as you enter one of the city's most innovative restaurants. It's not big, so book. Once seated you'll…
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Lahaina
This is the Maui we love. Ono kine grinds (good food), budget-friendly prices and down-home aloha. This reincarnation of the beloved North Shore Cafe in…
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Honolulu
Chef Ed Kenney has pulled off a real trick at this comfy corner bistro: he's created a menu of comfort foods drawn from Honolulu's many cultures and he's…
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Lahaina
The windows at the Lahaina Grill frame a simple but captivating tableau: beautiful food being enjoyed in beautiful surrounds. Once inside, expectations…
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Waikiki
This hole-in-the-wall keeps busy making fresh onigiri (rice balls) stuffed with seaweed, salmon roe and sour plums. Other specialties include salmon-roe…
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Hilo
With sweeping bay views and solid Hawaii Regional Cuisine, this casually sophisticated restaurant could be stuffy. But it's not. Here you'll find a…
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Hanalei
This no-reservations offshoot of neighboring Bar Acuda enjoys Hanalei’s finest outdoor setting, facing mountains cascading with waterfalls. Treating…
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Waikiki
Waikiki's best beach cafe is just south of the sand at Queen's Beach. Order at the window and grab a shady table close to the water and tuck into island…
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Hilo
An outstanding family-owned company, KTA's flagship store includes a bakery, pharmacy and sprawling deli. Don't miss the impressive selection of fresh…
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Hilo
This bustling market features wide-ranging fruits and veggies, plus takeout food and edible gifts. It's come a long way since opening in 1988 with four…
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Lahaina
This hillside hot spot is constantly busy – and rightly so. Inside this sleek noodle shop, grazers can nibble on an eclectic array of Asian-fusion share…
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Waikiki
Katsu, the deep-fried Japanese cooking method that coats meats like pork and chicken in a perfectly crispy exterior made from panko bread crumbs. This…
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Kailua-Kona
What happens when sandwich-loving owners from Louisiana and Arizona come together on the Big Island of Hawai'i? Pure delight on bread, from turkey Reubens…
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Kailua-Kona
A favorite with the plate-lunch crowd, Broke Da Mouth lives up to its name via heaping portions of delicious garlic furikake chicken (try it 'hurricane…
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Honolulu
Known mostly by word of mouth, this insiders’ izakaya (Japanese gastropub) beats the competition with adherence to tradition and supremely fresh sushi and…
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Oʻahu
Roy Yamaguchi is one of the driving forces behind Hawaii Regional Cuisine, emphasizing fresh local ingredients with artfully blended European, Asian and…
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Waikiki
Everybody loves this reconstructed Japanese noodle shop, which is so popular there is often a line stretching down the sidewalk. Watch those thick udon…
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Honolulu
An award-winning Vietnamese fusion restaurant, the Pig & the Lady is crazy popular. Book well in advance. Imaginative lunch banh mi (sandwiches) come with…
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Moloka'i
This kitsch old roadhouse serves the best meals on the island. Portions are generous – breakfasts feature huge omelets – and plate-lunch options include…
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Moloka'i
Casual fine-dining restaurant in an awesome sunset-watching setting opposite the ocean, with tiki torches lit after dark. All the delicious plates are…
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Kailua-Kona
Inside a mini mall, wickedly fresh sushi and sashimi are complemented by a sake list that's as long as Honshu. Everything is good, but the grilled eel and…
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Honolulu
One of Honolulu's greatest hole-in-the-wall restaurants, Ethel's serves Japanese diner fare with an Okinawan bent and an overlay of Hawaii. This bustling,…
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Lahaina
This small but snazzy vegan restaurant is garnering kudos across Maui. With a commitment to zero waste, evidenced by cloth napkins and no single-use items…
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Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
The better-than-average modern cuisine crafted from local ingredients may be overpriced for the quality, but you come here for the ambience. Call ahead to…
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Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Finally, foodies have a reason to linger in Volcano. Combining local flavors with international flare, the daily-changing portions here may be small, but…
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Honolulu
This smart-looking corner place has a curving front and is hugely popular with locals. There are four sizable tables out front on Coolidge St, or you can…
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Kailua
An excellent gourmet, self-serve deli by day, Kalapawai transforms after 5pm into an inviting, eclectic bistro. The eggplant bruschetta and other share…
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Honolulu
Set in a vintage compound amidst enormous trees, this little cafe cooks up superb breakfasts and lunches. Sit out on the gracious Craftsman-style 1920s…
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Honolulu
Walking through the door is like stepping into another era at this legendary institution. Although longtime owner Helena Chock has passed away, her…
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The Road to Hana
From his inviting roadside food truck Coconut Glen (aka Glen Simkins) is trying to ‘change the world one scoop at time.’ Pull over for his rather good 100…
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Honolulu
Arguably the best poke on the island is in this unpromising-looking liquor store. Just head inside to the poke counter in the back and feast your eyes…
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Kailua
It's a little hard to spot from the street, but you'll be glad you made the effort at Kailua's favorite breakfast, brunch and lunch spot. A fave is the…
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Honolulu
This impressive cafe at the Hawaiʻi State Art Museum is the perfect spot for breakfast or lunch, or just for a coffee break while perusing the museum's…
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Hilo
Imagine eating at a friend's home, if your friend were a gourmet chef. This six-person eatery is that small and that special. Paul serves exquisite…
