Make Reservations at These 5 Waikiki Restaurants

Waikiki is a breathtaking Honolulu neighborhood well-known for its surfing beaches, upscale resorts, and unbeatable fine dining. From award-winning cuisine at spots like Azure to prime cuts of meat at Hy’s Steakhouse, there’s plenty to dig into. When visiting the area or considering buying a property in Waikiki, be sure to try these five restaurants.

Fine dining is unmatched at Azure, a world-class restaurant right on Waikiki Beach. Guests can find Azure at The Royal Hawaiian Resort, open Wednesday through Sunday for dinner. Enjoy this tropical paradise under the stars when dining outdoors, the city’s lights reflecting off the calm waters. Azure’s Spanish-Moorish architecture is a dramatic backdrop to private cabana and terrace lanai seating. Cozy up at night on lounging chairs and couches with a drink or sample their exquisite menu.

Enjoy a carefully curated four course dinner alongside friends and family. The appetizer course refreshes with a colorful beet salad, served with a savory goat chest and orange marmalade. Second course options include the poached scallops, served with a sweet and sharp coconut milk vinaigrette. For the main course, try the pan-seared Kona kampachi. The artistic display is a feast for the eyes and stomach. The dessert course provides a fruity and a sweet option for a satisfying end of the meal.

The award-winning Beachhouse at the Moana is the signature restaurant at Moana Surfrider. The three and four course menus feature modern twists on Hawaiian cuisine, each dish showcasing island-inspired flavors. Views of Waikiki Beach accompany diners as they enjoy their meals and explore the wine list. Guests are invited to sit outside and feel the gentle Pacific breeze, or enjoy the view from equally as elegant indoor dining areas.

To start a meal, the dinner tasting menu offers guests a creamy lobster bisque or fresh Caesar salad on baby romaine. The crab cake appetizer sits in a vibrant pool of Kahuku corn curry, garnished with fennel and tomato. Entrees span a range of flavors and proteins. Order the Colorado rack of lamb, the skin golden-crusted with mango and macadamia nut. Or try the filet mignon, set upon a bed of creamed luau spinach. Guests can count on elevated dishes for a special night out.

For a slice of local Waikiki’s flavors and culture, Hula Grill is the place to be. Ingredients are line-caught by fisherman and farmers on the daily, ensuring each dish surpasses expectations with its fresh flavors. This spot provides breakfast, lunch, and dinner for visitors in its casual setting. Hula Grill has the best view of Diamond Head, which guests can spot from their seat on the covered deck or from inside. Embrace the coastal theme while sitting with the whole family in a booth or looking out onto the water.

Fuel up in the morning with specialties like the crab cake and spinach benedict. Sweet lump crab complements the crunch of panko and rich jade pesto. Take your time getting out of bed to enjoy the weekend brunch open until 3pm. Guests can stop by for lunch Mondays through Fridays or dinner all days of the week. Indulge in Hula Grill traditions like the dry aged ribeye, a 28-day prepared cut of meat. This entrée is served with a side of the chef’s daily risotto.

For those interested in high-quality steaks within a fine-dining venue, visit Hy’s Steak House. For over 40 years, this establishment has perfected the process of cooking USDA prime beef over fragrant Hawaiian kiawe wood. The seasonally-inspired dishes are influenced by a range of cuisine across the Americas, Europe, and the Pacific. Sit back at the regal bar and lounge, the dark wood interior decorated with a library lining the shelves.

The dinner menu’s appetizers are a seafood collection of Maine scallops, oysters Rockefeller, and seared Kauai shrimp. Enjoy classic entrees like the beef wellington, the rich flavors of the truffle demi-glace and mushroom duxelle paired with a Dijon mustard. Alongside its many cuts of steak are seafood options like the cioppino. This plate plunges into the ocean’s offerings with Chilean sea bass, scallops, mussels, and more.

Orchids at Halekulani is an elegant oceanfront restaurant serving all meals of the day and a Sunday brunch. This restaurant features coastal Italian cuisine with a local influence to its flavors and preparation. Guests are invited to sit outdoors with a view of the manicured lawn and the Pacific horizon. Or settle in at the Cattleya wine bar, located at the front of this award-winning spot. Each meal is prepared with the utmost attention, resulting in clean and captivating creations.

For breakfast, try out the favorites like the Atlantic smoked salmon with a toasted bagel. The salt and acid of lemon and capers ignite the palate. For the two-course lunch, pair the beef tartare Piemonte style with the black tiger shrimp. Those who have a hard time deciding what to eat can let the chef lead them through dinner in a curated five-course tasting menu. Appetizers and entrees are also available to order individually. The braised beef cheek is a chef favorite, prepared sous vide for 72 hours.

Residents, vacationers, and those looking to buy can count on an exciting culinary scene at Waikiki. Restaurants feature resort venues with inspiring views of Waikiki Beach. When considering a move to the area, an agent local to the area can tell you all about Waikiki’s neighborhoods and dining scene. If you’re ready to start a search, contact the experienced team at Agora Hawaii to guide you through the process.