The 8 Best Neighborhoods for Eating in Honolulu, Ranked

8. Waikiki

Essential restaurants : Mahina and Sun’s , Musubi Cafe Iyasume , Azure eatery

Locals tend to not be huge fans of Waikiki . Parking is expensive and/or unvoiced to find , and most restaurants are overprice and not specially interesting . However , there are a few hidden gem that are worth the trek , including Ed Kenney ’s newest restaurant , Mahina and Sun ’s , in the Surfjack Hotel . bet for something to take to eat on the beach ? Musubi Cafe Iyasume has over 30 character of musubis , sundry bentos , and even oden , all of which is somewhat price and delightful . A place for special occasions , Azure Restaurant in the Royal Hawaiian Hotel features freshly enamour , local seafood in a attractively design , very amatory space with views of the renowned Waikiki beach and Diamond Head .

7. Moiliili

crucial eating place : The Nook Neighborhood Bistro , Agu Ramen , Cafe Maharani

Moiliili , situated near the University of Hawaii , is home to a numeral of great dining establishments … although not all of them are for those on a college budget . Probably the most notable restaurant isAlan Wong ’s , which is place in a nondescript office building , and is known for being one of the forerunners of Pacific / Asian nuclear fusion cookery . Everyone should definitely check out The Nook Neighborhood Bistro for brunch ; it offers impertinent takes on normal brunch options , such as mochiko wimp and mochi waffle , and Carica papaya ginger pancakes . If you ’re more in the bean soup temper , Agu Ramen is one of the hottest contenders in the extremely competitive ramen restaurant battle . The most well - eff and interesting dish on the bill of fare is the savory Parmesan ramen . Seriously , the plenteous pork stock with sinister garlic oil is complemented superbly by the salty tall mallow . Indian food is concentrated to get hold in Honolulu , but luckily , if you ’re in Moiliili , look no further : Cafe Maharani is one of Honolulu ’s bests , as attested by the line of people out of doors waiting to get a tabular array . Plus , it ’s BYOB !

6. Ala Moana

Essential restaurants : MW Restaurant , Home Bar & Grill , Yakiniku Don Day

Do n’t get us wrong , Ala Moana Shopping Center has scores of big places to rust , but some of the best spots in this neighborhood are located out of doors of the center . For example , Wade Ueoka and Michelle Karr - Ueoka , the married man and married woman squad at MW Restaurant , proffer unique Asian fusion mantrap and some of the most amazingly innovative and pleasant-tasting desserts we ’ve ever eat ( call up " tropic fruit Creamsicle brulee " ) . They also host fun pop - up case , such as Baker ’s Faire , Chef ’s Table , and not - your - nanna ’s good afternoon tea on the third Sunday of every month . On the other closing of the spectrum , Home Bar & Grill is one of the good bars in town – and do some of the most luscious bar food in town ( yeah , we ’re thinking about those those Irish potato tot nachos ) . And do n’t forget about all the awe-inspiring Korean join on Keeaumoku . Our go - to is Yakiniku Don Day , where you could sit around outside under the umbrella and bighearted tree string with twinkle lights , grill up some meat , and wash out it all down with soju .

5. Kakaako

of the essence restaurants : Honolulu Beerworks , La Cucina Ristorante Italiano , The Rice Place

Kakaako is continually originate and find oneself its essence , but it ’s fundamentally a hipster ’s dream right now . Spray paint graphics adorns many walls in this ' hood , creating a perfect backcloth for Instagramming the taro boba fromMr . Tea , or the unicorn caffe latte and avo toast fromArvo Cafe . And Kakaako is n’t miss in the restaurant section , either : Honolulu Beerworks has craft beer on water faucet and a simple menu of delicious sandwich and pupus , like the smoked ahi dip , all of which are first-class accompaniment to their great beer . The ambiance is also really chill , with picnic benches and an external terrace area that ’s fun and festal . The Imperial Plaza Building has two really good restaurants : first , La Cucina Ristorante Italiano , a really democratic Italian restaurant with limited seating area – so make reservation or be prepared to wait . Its impudently made pasta is always wangle dead al dente , and suffice with rich , amazing sauces . The Rice Place is located in the same edifice , and offer a modernistic take on Vietnamese food with the stress on rice , Timothy Miles Bindon Rice noodles , and rice paper . Try the bonce and ringlet – innovative and delicious .

4. South King St

Essential eating house : Morio ’s Sushi Bistro , Kyung ’s Seafood , Mediterraneo Italian Restaurant

South King St is a thoroughfare through Honolulu , fill up with businesses and restaurants that could easily be forgotten . However , there are definitely a handful of bang-up eateries that should utterly make your have - to - endeavour list . The most important , arguably , is Morio ’s Sushi Bistro , a legendary omakase sushi spliff ; it ’s a three to six calendar month postponement for reservations kind of seat . And a BYOB , and share your booze with the sushi chef variety of place . awing food , fun standard atmosphere , and high - quality sushi at a moderate Leontyne Price … essentially , you should call in your reservations right now . address of raw Pisces , Kyung ’s Seafood is a modest , unassuming corner eatery , a nictation - and - you’ll - miss - it type of place … but do n’t , because you must come here if you are a sashimi lover , extend plentiful and generous cuts of sweet fish . They also dish out distinctive Korean dishes here , which are equally delicious . One of the best Italian restaurants in Honolulu can be found in what look like a minor house : Mediterraneo Italian Restaurant feel downright homelike , with bookshelves and a windowpane into the kitchen . Chef and possessor Fabrizio is well-disposed , and creates legit Italian food that will keep you coming back for more . Other first-class restaurant along King St includeSushi Izakaya Gaku , Da Spot , andChez Kenzo Bar & Grill .

3. Kalihi

Essential restaurant : Alicia ’s Market , Ethel ’s Grill , Hawaiian Pie Company

Kalihi may not been known for the fancy food establishments , but there are definitely several restaurants of bill tucked between all of the industrial building . Alicia ’s food market is home to scrumptious collection plate lunches and slug . test the masago wasabi poke – bonk for their subtle wind of spicery and big , novel chunks of ahi , this place is simply the skillful . Ethel ’s Grill provide plentiful portions of toothsome local food at a reasonable price – do n’t leave to order the ahi tataki . There are other great plate dejeuner restaurant in Kalihi , all of which merit a nod : Megs Drive - In , Monarch Seafoods , andBob ’s Bar - Bel - Quebeing foremost among them . For the noble-minded finale , the Hawaiian Pie Company is hands - down the serious place for pie in Honolulu . Choose from mini pie and 9 in pies , freshly baked or frozen to bake at home . The flakey , buttery crust balance the sweet fruit fillings , which is sometimes covered with the coconut Hawaiian topping that everyone in Honolulu love .

2. Downtown Honolulu

Essential restaurants : Livestock Tavern , Pig & The Lady , Scratch Kitchen & Bake Shop

The hustle and bustle of Downtown Honolulu has tame a collection of restaurant that are well worth your clock time . If you finger like brunch , Scratch Kitchen & Bake Shop will be your muddle . If you ’re looking for a place that sense like it could be found in the Pacific Northwest , what with the brick walls and seasonal menu , Livestock Tavern is breath of fresh air in the local solid food scene . Andrew Le ’s extremely view Pig & The Lady is well - merit of the praise it ’s been pick up , offering raw take on traditional Vietnamese beauty ; it ’s so much more than pho and banh mi . Additionally , you ’ll want to curb outWater Drop Vegetarian Housewhether or not you ’re vegetarian , Artizenfor beautiful breakfasts , OEC Cafefor fully sign - made specialty sandwiches and peachy smoothies , Ahi & Vegetablefor levelheaded , clean eating that tastes great , Dumb Coqfor French - infused American fare , andFete Hawaiifor mellow - destruction , internationally influenced fresh American cuisine .

1. Kaimuki

Essential restaurants : Koko Head Cafe , Mud Hen Water , Via Gelato

Kaimuki ’s cred as a dining address has been on the rise for the preceding couple of year , and now it ’s undeniably become Honolulu ’s top eating vicinity . For breakfast , assure out Lee Ann Wong ’s Koko Head Cafe , which mate Asian flavors with breakfast items and local constituent . If sandwich are your affair , Earl Sandwich , Sprouts , andKaimuki Superettehave you pass over . The top alternative for dinner let in Mud Hen Water , which commingle Hawaiian flavors with new , innovative kink in an indoor / outdoor seats orbit that match the place - back vibe of Kaimuki . Other top - notch dinner option includeMaguro - ya , Himalayan Kitchen , To Thai For , andHale Vietnam . On top of all that , Kaimuki is home to Via Gelato , where you could happen delectable gelato flavors and water ice made from local fruits , as well as Otto Cake , which will fulfil all of your creamy cheesecake needs .

Koko Head Cafe