Waikīkī’s food scene is incredible, especially for a tiny island in the middle of the ocean. From classic steakhouse experiences to authentic local cuisine to Spanish tapas, there’s a little something for everyone’s taste buds here. When you make the trek to Hawai’i, you’re probably expecting to spend a hefty chunk of change on food. With that in mind, if you’re going to spend hundreds on a meal no matter where you go, you might as well make sure it’s worth it.
With so many dining options that are “TikTok famous” or hyped up by tourists, many of the best Waikīkī dinner spots often get overlooked. Sure, we’ve all seen the social media posts about Monkeypod and Lulu’s Waikīkī. While these are great options for a tourist experience and still worth stopping by, they don’t exactly make the cut for a special dinner reservation. As a true foodie. On my most recent visit, I set out to try a mix of new and established Waikīkī restaurants. Here are six memorable spots worth reserving for your next visit.
1. Wolfgang’s Steakhouse
While I generally shy away from chain restaurants while traveling, Wolfgang’s Steakhouse in Waikīkī offers something different. Unlike its 30+ locations worldwide, the O’ahu location offers a special W Lanai menu that sets it apart. This menu is available from 3 to 10 p.m. on their open-air lanai. It includes menu favorites as well as exclusive offerings only available on the W Lanai menu, such as the cheese board appetizer. From the Surf & Turf to the Taste of New York, I don’t think you can go wrong with anything on this menu. If you like a classic steakhouse meal (with all the sides and fixings), this upscale steakhouse is certainly worth a reservation for a memorable meal.
2. Istanbul Hawai’i
As much as I love a good steakhouse, there’s a time and a place for bolder, international flavors. Turkish cuisine is undeniably delicious, blending Mediterranean and Middle Eastern influences into meals with bold spices and flavors, such as kebabs, köfte, and pide. If you’re looking to try something new while visiting Waikīkī, now’s the perfect time to indulge at Istanbul Hawai’i. This modern Turkish-Mediterranean restaurant is led by a mother-daughter team, Chefs Ahu Hettema and Nili Yildiri. Cooking side by side, these two brilliant chefs bring ingredient-led Turkish cooking with both traditional and modern influences to Honolulu.
My dining experience at Istanbul Hawai’i was truly incredible—and it had me wondering why I don’t eat Turkish cuisine more often. When you enter, you almost feel like you’ve stepped outside Waikīkī and into a classic Turkish restaurant. I highly recommend starting your meal with the beautiful, mouth-watering mosaic mezze platter, which lets you sample some of the most popular dips, like babaghanoush and hummus, with a side of sourdough pide for dipping. This board also comes with the butteriest, flakiest spinach börek I’ve ever had. This mosaic mezze board tastes just as good (if not better) than the picture already makes it look.
3. The Kini Room at Ka’Lai Waikīkī Beach, LXR Hotels & Resorts
Rooted in Hawaiʻi’s rich cultural heritage, Waikīkī’s newest spot, The Kini Room, just recently debuted at Ka La‘i Waikīkī Beach, LXR Hotels & Resorts. This open-air restaurant blends traditional Hawaiian cuisine with global influences for a well-rounded menu. Ideal for a special occasion like a birthday, date night, or honeymoon, this restaurant offers a beautiful, intimate setting overlooking the city skyline. If you’re available on Friday night, you can also catch Hilton Hawaiian Village’s Friday Night fireworks while dining here.
Since this restaurant has only been open since July of 2026, it’s still quite new—leaving much to be explored. My favorite part of my meal at The Kini Room, beyond the incredibly beautiful atmosphere, was the appetizers. The Edamame & Mushroom Dumplings are served uniquely, combining them into one dumpling that easily breaks apart into five. Our server informed us that this is called Hane-tsuki Gyoza in Japanese cooking, which translates directly to “gyoza with wings.” I love combining education and food into the same experience. The Kagoshima A5 Wagyu Beef Katsu with beet-infused Hawaiian salt and wafu dressing was also a highlight of the meal.
4. ‘Olili inside Waikīkī Market
After shutting down in February for renovations, the Waikīkī Market reopened in August. In celebration of the market reopening, ‘Olili, a restaurant serving contemporary cuisine rooted in Hawaiʻi’s local traditions, debuted an exciting new must-try menu. This sit-down restaurant is on the market’s second floor, giving locals and visitors a chance to enjoy an authentic Hawaiʻi experience through dishes and drinks that creatively and respectfully reference local roots. Everything here is perfectly plated (and Instagram-worthy), but my highlights were the Kabocha Pork Dumplings and Chili Crab Noodles. If you can appreciate fun cocktails & mocktails and one-of-a-kind desserts, you’ll also love a meal at this trendy spot.
5. El Cielo Hawaii
I’ve been known to say the same thing every time there’s an option to dine at a Spanish tapas restaurant: “There’s never a bad time for tapas.” Located in the heart of downtown, El Cielo Hawaii brings an authentic taste of Spain to Honolulu. Led by Chef Masa Arnaldo Gushiken from Argentina, this restaurant brings multiple influences together under one roof, including Japanese, Spanish, and Argentine cuisines. If you sit at the bar, you’ll get a glimpse into the open kitchen and appreciate how much goes into preparing each pixto and tapa on the menu. Everything I tried here is melt-in-your-mouth delicious, from the bacon wrap dates to the unique truffle egg custard pudding.
6. Taormina Sicilian Cuisine
Taormina Sicilian Cuisine has been a neighborhood staple since its opening in 2007, bringing the timeless cuisine of Southern Italy to Honolulu. Led by Japanese Chef Hiro Mimura, each dish on the menu here showcases Chef Mimura’s Italian training with ingredients and influences that make sense in Hawaii. With a strong emphasis on local, seasonal ingredients, this meal was truly next level. If you get the chance to dine at this incredible spot, don’t skip out on the Truffle Carbonara, featuring pasta with pancetta, poached egg, and shaved seasonal truffle (so creamy, yet prepared without any cream at all), and the Beef Carpaccio.
