The best restaurants in Honolulu reflect the variety of people that live there. Several family-run restaurants in Honolulu fall under the “best” category, and they don’t always have to be posh establishments. For those special dinners, though, there’s a beautiful array of delectable fare to be had. Honolulu’s top ten dining options include everything from elegant oceanfront restaurants to laid-back cafes with a laid-back vibe. Most people enjoy watching the sunset, but few can match the beauty of a Hawaiian sunset. No food, music, or candles will create the scene like a sky tinted with pinks, oranges, and purples. Oahu’s best spots for fine dining and watching the sunset are included below for your perusal. These restaurants, which serve delectable food and offer stunning views of the city, are some of the best in the city. Restaurants on Oahu’s North Shore that have a view of the ocean or the setting sun are highlighted in this list.
1. 53 By The Sea
53 by the Sea are unlike any other venue the moment you step through the doors. Elegant decor and breathtaking views of Diamond Head and Honolulu’s skyline are what you’ll find at the restaurant. Regis Ova Caviar and New Zealand King Salmon are among the delicacies offered at this excellent dining venue. Please take advantage of the beautiful ocean views while sipping a bottle of wine from their extensive wine list.
2. Lei Lei’s Bar And Grill
Near the Turtle Bay Resort on Oahu’s North Shore, Lei Lei’s bar and grill is the ideal hangout for avid golfers. Unlike the others at Turtle Bay, this restaurant isn’t located on the grounds of the resort. Even though the complete bar offers a wide variety of drinks, the house specialty is the mai tais and Lei Lei’s lemonades. Menu items range from hamburgers to pasta to salads to grilled seafood.
3. The Point At Turtle Bay
If you want to start your evening with a martini or end your day with an Oceanside meal, The Point is the spot for you. At The Point, you’ll find the best assortment of tropical beverages on the North Shore, including incredibly powerful mai tais made with a special Turtle Bay mix, as well as a wide variety of local beers on tap. Live music, fire knife dance, hula dancing, and other acts are among the options for after-dark entertainment, which is available on various evenings of the week. If you’re staying at the hotel or just traveling through, this is a great place to start the night.
4. Hau Tree
If you’re looking for a relaxing beachside lunch, head to Hau Tree. This renowned Hawaiian brunch place has an outside patio that overlooks the beach in Kaimana and serves breakfast and lunch. Seared Maine Scallops with Orange Gastrique, for example, are just one of the evening’s delectable dishes on the menu. If you can get there before sunset, you’ll have an experience you’ll never forget!
5. Hideout At The Laylow
Hideout at the Laylow, a rooftop pub with a view of the cityscape, is the place to go if you’re looking for a night to remember. For good measure, this establishment’s bartenders can construct some tasty concoctions. It’s perfectly acceptable to order a variety of beverages and sample them all!
6. Michel’s
Diners at this magnificent oceanfront restaurant are enticed by delectable French food, resulting in an overload of the senses. With stunning views and romantic sunsets, you may savor delicious delicacies like lobster bisque, salmon filet, or beef tenderloin. Oahu’s fresh produce is used to its fullest potential in salads. Dining at the base of Diamond Head is an experience in itself, and the service is top-notch. Traditional French cuisine is available in Honolulu. Dinner reservations are required, and resort attire is required for the dress code.
7. Orchids
This well-known restaurant gets everything perfectly, from the stunning views of Diamond Head to the abundance of the restaurant’s characteristic flowers. It doesn’t matter if you want a continental, American, or Japanese breakfast. Sunday brunch, on the other hand, is an island-wide phenomenon. There are several alternatives for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as many dessert options. Live music enhances the overall experience, making it one not to be missed. As one of Honolulu’s most esteemed hotels, the Halekulani has long been considered one of the best places to stay in the city.
8. Deck
To dine well at Deck is nice, but the real reason to visit is for the atmosphere. The rooftop patio of the Queen Kapiolani Hotel offers stunning views of Diamond Head and Waikiki Beach from the 3rd-floor balcony. This hip restaurant is located in the city’s core and offers a laid-back vibe and inventive fare. They also have a comprehensive drink menu, including classic cocktails and some more unusual concoctions.
9. Duke’s Waikiki
Famous for its seaside views, this popular eatery is located in Waikiki. This is a terrific spot to see the sunset over Diamond Head while listening to live music and watching surfers catch their waves.
10. House Without A Key
You can eat here for breakfast, noon, or dinner and enjoy views of Diamond Head and the glittering ocean. At sunset, enjoy live Hawaiian music and beautiful hula performed by a former Miss Hawai’i. Order a classic Mai Tai and their specialty coconut cake, and you’ll be set.
11. RumFire
RumFire is the ideal setting for a fun night with friends over food and a drink. With so many tempting options, even the pickiest diner will find something to love on the menu. To make your evening at RumFire even more memorable, reserve a table on their open-air patio close to a fire pit and enjoy tiki torches and live music.
12. Lulu’s Waikiki
Island/American fare like fish tacos and loco moco are served until 11 pm at this eatery; you may also order steak, a surf & turf plate, or pork chops for dinner. Even though the setting is that of a local sports bar, the cuisine here is quite outstanding for what you’re paying for. It’s a terrific spot to see the sunset and relax in Waikiki, thanks to the nightly live music.
13. Sky Waikiki
The outdoor, casual cafe is located on the 19th floor of a high-rise building, which offers stunning views of the ocean and sunsets. ‘Sky’s the limit’ Try the spicy ahi sashimi pizza or mushroom flatbread, or share some of the head chef Lance Kosaka’s delectable small dishes.
14. Plumeria Beach House
Plumeria Beach House’s outdoor eating options include a patio with a view of the ocean and a terrace with ocean views. Hawaiian specialties like Broiled Misoyaki Butterfish can be found on the menu. Try their famous Lobster Thermidor with Gruyere Cheese and Hamakua Mushrooms if you’re in the mood for something a little more adventurous. Plumeria, a popular breakfast place on Oahu, is a fantastic alternative for people who want to take in the seaside breeze while eating.
15. Haleiwa Beach House
This freshly constructed open-air restaurant can’t be beaten with a view of Haleiwa Beach Park across the street. There is a wide variety of beer, wine, and drink options on the menu. Seafood is the menu’s focus, although there are plenty of soup, salad, and pupus options if you don’t feel like fish.
16. Haleiwa Joe’s
Haleiwa Joe’s offers two sites, both ideal for watching the sunset while enjoying a meal. In contrast to the North Shore, Kaneohe’s position is more tropical and lush, allowing the evening to be seen across the Koolau Mountains Range. Indulge in a meal while taking in panoramic views of the Ko’olau Mountains, lush rainforest valleys, and a tranquil koi pond directly beneath your table. The dishes on the menu, such as the grilled fish with macadamia nut pesto and lobster cream sauce, are popular with locals. The restaurant also serves steaks and other dishes from the Pacific Rim if seafood isn’t your thing.
17. Hoku’s At The Kahala
Hoku’s is a well-known celebrity hangout, but it also has a devoted following among the locals because of its placement in the Kahala Hotel and Resort. Oahu-born chef Eric Oto’s artfully prepared, Pacific Rim-inspired cuisine and well-curate wine list is just as big a draw as the romantic oceanfront backdrop. The best bets are the tasting and prix fixe menus.
18. Azure
Azure, a seafood restaurant located on Waikiki Beach, is popular with diners. The four-course meal features ingredients from local farms, ranches, and fisheries, and the restaurant is only open on Wednesdays and Sundays. When the sun sets behind Diamond Head, this restaurant’s view is stunning. Please take advantage of their exclusive outdoor dining area, which overlooks Waikiki Beach.
19. Roy’s Beach House
If you’re looking to watch the sun set over the Pacific Ocean, head to Turtle Bay Beach Restaurant on Oahu’s North Shore. Roy’s Beach House has a wide variety of food options that will please even the most discerning palates. Locally sourced ingredients are derived from the greatest Hawaii-based fisheries, farms, ranches, and organic producers. Restaurant by Roy Yamaguchi offers excellent seafood, steak, and ribs, as well as an extensive wine list.
20. La Mer
Open-air eating at La Mer is considered one of Oahu’s finest fine dining restaurants, with an extravagant seaside view. It’s hard to beat the Duck Foie Gras, Popcorn, Roasted Duck Filet, and Chilean Sea bass with Lemongrass White Wine Butter as some of the best options. With Caramelia, Black Tea, Mango Sauce, and Strawberry Elderflower Nibs finish with the Hawaiian Souffle.
