12th Avenue Grill
1145C 12th Ave.
808-732-9469
Food: Retro American Diner
Price: Moderate |
This tiny (14 table) upscale neighborhood dinner is a hit with people looking for gourmet versions of basic American dishes, at a very reasonable price.Kevin Hanney's retro American diner offers daily specials here are hard to resist alluring, but his classic favorites of; baked mac and cheese with mushrooms, smoked salmon tartare and kim chee steak (skirt steak marinated in a sauce made with juice from kim chee preserves), are not to be overlooked.Save room for the desserts; popular favorites include; berries with mascarpone, fresh pie, and fruit crisp of the day. |
Alan Wong's Restaurant
1857 S. King St.
3rd floor.
808-949-2526
Food: Hawaii/regional Cuisine
Price: Expensive |
Alan Wong is one of Hawaii’s most popular chef’s. You dine here for the exceptional food, not for the décor. The building is nondescript, and the 90 seat room dining area is has a glassed–in terrace and an open kitchen, and a slightly noisy atmosphere.Alan Wong, part-Hawaiian and plantation-raised, with a keen understanding of Island food ways with skill and sophistication; tableside tossed poke, tomato salad with li hing mui vinaigrette, pan-steamed 'opakapaka with shrimp pork hash, truffle nage, gingered vegetables and tapioca pearls.He is superb at integrating Asian flavors of lemon grass, sweet and sour, garlic, and wasabi with local seafood and produce. |
Arancino di Mare
255 Beachwalk
808-923-5557
Food: Italian
Price: Moderate
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A popular place with the locals who venture into Waikiki for outstanding Italian food at a reasonable price.The décor is not your typical Waikiki elegance, with yellow toned walls and tiled floors, that can be crowded and a bit noisy, with a line to get in. But the Italian food and the prices are well worth the ventureFor starters, try the Insalata alla Capresse, Buffala Mozzarella over sliced tomato with anchovy; or the Carpaccio di Pesce, with thin strips of seared Marlin served warm with arugula, tomatoes, capers, fresh pepper and balsamic vinegar. For dinner entrees, the popular favorites are; The Penne all' Arrabiata, penne pasta in a spicy tomato sauce, coated in a delicious, homemade, spicy marinara sauce, garnished with fresh parsley; and the pizzas --- the best in Hawaii. Try the Pizza Sant' Angelo, a sauceless pizza comprised of asparagus, fresh tomato slices and a light covering of Gorgonzola , and the Shrimp, Maui Onion & Garlic Chips, smothered in Mozzarella
Arancino also serves up a number of good vegetarian dishes including: Spaghetti alla Checca, with Spaghetti, Marinara, and Fresh Mozzarella); and Pizza Margherita.Save room for the desserts. The homemade Tiramisu and the homemade Panna, served parfait style over a raspberry coulis are outstanding |
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Bali-By-The-Sea
2005 Kalia Rd
Hilton Hawaiian Village
Food: Continental, Pacific Rim
Price: Expensive |
This restaurant is one of the best, reasonably priced, fine dining experiences in Hawaii. It offers a beautiful romantic setting overlooking the ocean. When making a reservation, ask for a table by the window. The tables are comfortable spaced apart by quiet, intimate conversation. The menu is a fusion of many island cooking styles and fresh local ingredients.The popular entrees are the Scallion Crusted Ahi Tempura with a crunchy cloud of scallion-dotted tempura batter with Molokai purple sweet potatoes and ponzu beurre blanc.; and the signature dish, the sautéed opakapaka with crusted macademia nuts and cilantro, ginger scented jasmine rice with a kaffir lime sauce. |
Diamond Head Grill
2885 Kalakaua Ave.
808-922-3734
Food: Eclectic
Price: Expensive |
Dining here is a departure from the typical island dining experience found throughout the islandWhile the food here is Hawaiian, the sophisticated and modern décor is more typical of a New York or Los Angeles dining experience.This is a popular dining spot for celebrities.The menu is a fusion of traditional classical cuisine with the fresh local ingredients and the flavors and spices of Hawaii. The popular dishes include Braised Veal Shank Cassoulet, Pistachio Nut Crusted Rack of Lamb, Sauteed Rock Shrimp Risotto, and the Lobster Fricasee.The macadamia nut-crusted lamb chops, flavored with roasted garlic sauce and served with potato gratin, is exceptional. Save room for desserts, they are sumptuous, especially the chocolate based offerings.This is “the social scene” and weekends. After 10 Pm on Friday and Saturday, the place becomes a very hot nightspot with the beautiful chic people dancing the night away.
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La Mer
2199 Kalia Rd
Halekulani Hotel
Food: French
Price: Very Expensive |
This is the restaurant in Hawaii where you want to splurge on that special night . It is elegant, romantic, with outstanding French Cuisine. If you are dining without a budget constraint, then this is a must place to dine. The setting is on the second floor with an open view of Diamond Head.The popular starters are; Fresh Truffle on a Potato Galette with Truffe Fraîche à la Fleur de Sel de Camargue Pomme de Terre Ecrasée en Ciboulette, Madeleines Truffées; and the Rock Lobster Accented with Aquitaine Caviar and Steamed Leeks in a Warm Shallot Vinaigrette.The popular entrees are: Crispy Skin Onaga on a Warm Potato Terrine with Pork Confit and Truffle Jus; and the Sliced Tournedos of Japanese Wagyu Beef with a Bouquet of Garden Vegetables and Bordelaise Sauce. Men are required to wear a long-sleeved collared shirt or jacket. |
Michel's at the Colony Surf
Colony Surf Hotel
2875 Kalakaua Ave
808-923-6552
Food: French/Hawaii Regional
Price: Very expensive |
Located in a beautiful setting with an open room facing the sunset, It is one of the most romantic settings in Oahu. All tables have an ocean view and dining in recent years has become less formal, although collared shirts and long pants are required.When making reservations, request a table by the beach, you will be delighted by the ambiance.This is a popular place for Sunday brunch and excellent evening dining. The food is well prepared and offers outstanding seafood and vegetarian dishes, and for landlubbers, the menu has an excellent selection of Chateaubriand, steak tartare, and rack of lamb. |
Orchids
2199 Kalia Rd.
808-923-2311
Food: International Seafood
Price: Expensive |
Orchids is a casual, elegant restaurant, serving breakfast, lunch (Sunday brunch one of the best in Hawaii) and dinner with a view of Diamond Head from the open oceanfront dining room. Get there early and watch the beautiful sunset.The food, service and ambience are all outstanding. While the price is expensive, considering the quality of the food, it’s very reasonable.For entrees try the; Herb Crusted Opah with Grilled Asparagus and Kahuku Eggplant, Finished with a Light Citrus Curry Butter; or the Steamed Onaga Oriental Style Ruby Snapper Sizzled with Sesame Oil and Garnished with Shiitake Mushrooms, Green Onions, Ginger, Chinese Parsley and Soy Sauce |
Roy's Restaurant
6600 Kalaniana'ole Highway
808- 396-7697
Food: European/Asian
Price: Expensive |
Roy's Restaurant in Hawai'i Kai, is the Spago’s of Hawaii. Roy's is both an internationally known, high-end fine-dining restaurant and a neighborhood hangout. Roy Yamaguchi serves up a winning formula of fresh ingredients and ethnic food, prepared from an open kitchen.The atmosphere is energetic and noisy, not the place for an intimate romantic dinner.It’s the outstanding food that is the attraction.The popular favorites; the Szechuan spiced baby ribs and the blackened Ahi are sumptuous. |
Sushi Sasabune
1417 S. King St.
808-947-3800
Food: Sushi
Price: Expensive |
Tucked away among shops on a busy street, this elegant restaurant serves the best sushi in Hawaii.
In dining at Sushi Sasabune, you rely on the servers to put together your dishes. There is no price list, and build from there without a hint as to the price of the meal.
In the first two rounds, you get no sushi, just tastings to prepare you for the goodies to come.
Each serving is accompanied by a description of where the seafood was caught and when.
The popular favorites are the Artic lobster round where for two, you will get two lobster tails; one raw and another baked thermidor style. Both are served on the shell of the tail. The raw one is very tasty and the texture is incredible
The portions are very large and there is no way you will leave hungry.
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Hualalai Grille
Hualalai Resort
The Kona Coast
Queen Kaahumanu Hwy
808-325-8525
Food: Contemporary Pacific
Price: Very Expensive
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This fine dining restaurant offers a contemporary menu by the famed chef Alan Wong who is serves up well prepared food at this popular Four Seasons Resort. The décor is posh with an open-air dining area overlooking the lush gardens of Hualalai and the 18th green of the Hualalai Golf Course.The daily catch comes straight from Big Island waters or from one of the fish ponds at Hualalai, and the organic produce is locally grown from a farm in Waimea .
Open for Lunch and dinner, the popular dinner entrees include; Ginger-crusted onaga, Steamed moi (raised on-site in a pond), and the Mac nut-crusted lamb chopsSave room for dessert: chocolate crunch bars, caramel sea salt cheesecake, and other tempting delights.As with many of the Big Island restaurants, the service is slow and doesn’t match the standards of the high quality food. |
Huggo’s
The Kona Coast
75-5828 Kahakai Rd
808-329-1493
Food: Pacific Rim Seafood
Price: Expensive |
With its dining terrace over-looking the reefs, this is the best place on the Kona Coast to see the elusive green sunset flash.
While the main Huggo's dining room has an outstanding oceanfront view, it's the thatched-bar fantasy that's really on the rocks. Huggo's on the Rocks, right next to Huggo’s, is the sunset-lover's dream. At sundown it's packed with people sipping mai tais and noshing on salads, poke, sandwiches, plate lunches, sashimi, and fish and chips.
The dinner favorites at Huggo’s are; the Sautéed mahimahi, steamed clams, seared ahi; the imu-style chicken cooked in ti leaves; the grilled ahi in a lilikoi and miso beurre blanc; and the rich crab-crusted ono.
Leave room for dessert and the famous Honu pie, a caramel cheesecake with dark chocolate ganache.
Reservations are a must for dinner.
Also a great place for lunch with specialties include kalua chicken quesadillas, brick-oven pizzas, and great sandwiches, burgers, and a spicy grilled mahi taco plate.
Open for breakfast 6:30 to 11am, this same location turns into the Java on the Rocks espresso bar.
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Pahu I’a
Four Seasons Resort Hualai
Queen Kaahumanu Hwy
808-325-8000
Food: Contemporary Pacific
Price: Very Expensive
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The best oceanfront location on the Big Island, your, romantic, fine dining experience will take you just steps from the ocean. A small bridge of natural logs leads to this alluring dining room, with aquatic views on all three sides. Get there early and enhance your dining experience with a beautiful sunset. The menu offer contemporary seafood prepared with fresh island ingredients. A prix-fixe menu changes weekly. They are open for breakfast and dinner day.The popular dinner favorites include; the Pahu i'a bento box, a tasting of the specials of the day; crispy skin opakapaka meunière; mac nut-crusted lamb rack; veal Oscar; dry-aged prime New York steak; and Hawaiian whole lobster Thermidor. Vegetarians can be treated to a variety of well prepared dishes; try the popular favorite the truffle-butternut squash risotto with wild mushrooms and shaved Parmesan.
Save room for warm Valrhona bitter chocolate cake. |
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Kona Brewing Company
75-5629 Kuakini Highway
808- 334-2739 |
Visit the Big Island’s only brewpub located about 20 miles from the Paniolo Greens in Kona. They serve delicious hand-tossed pizzas with original toppings, scrumptious salads, sandwiches, appetizers, and a variety of beers and ales brewed on site.
You can select to eat inside or outside. The outside lanai is very tropical and very relaxing; often you will find a local band entertaining the guests outside. Inside, there is the typical pub store where you can purchase T-shirts, hats, and beer glasses with the Kona trademark. |
Brown’s Beach House
At the Fairmount Orchid
Mauna Lani Resort
1 N. Kaniku Drive
808-885-2000
Food: Big Island Cuisine
Price: Very Expensive |
This is romantic oceanfront dining at its best, especially at sunset when the light dimmers and torches flicker amongst the coconut trees. The menu prepared by chef David Abrahams, serves up well prepared exotic Big Island cuisine with fresh island produce and local seafood. The popular dinner favorites are: Kiawe-grilled fresh island catch with tomato fondue; Quinoa and almond-crusted free-range chicken paillarde: Big Island swordfish poached in seasoned olive oil, sizzling ahi tataki with local exotic mushrooms; and Crab-crusted sautéed opakapaka. Next door is Brown's Deli, with freshly made breads, pastries, and espresso coffees for breakfast, and pizza, salads, and sandwiches for lunch and dinner. |
Canoe House
Mauna Lani Bay Hotel
68-1400 Muana Lani Drive
808-881-7911
Food: Hawaii Regional
Price: Very Expensive |
No longer the cuisine to die for now that Alan Wong has left, the Canoe House is still a fine dining experience, especially for a romantic dinner with open ocean front dining and a décor of beautiful koa wood and candlelight.
The sunset views are legendary and the Koa Canoe remains hung from the ceiling of the open air dining room. When making a reservation, ask for an outside table to get the real benefit of the awesome setting.
The menu is well prepared and specializes in great seafood. The favorite dinner entrees are: Shanghai lobster, sautéed moi, steamed opakapaka, honey roasted rack of lamb, and grilled beef tenderloin. They also offer a good selection of vegetarian dishes.
Save room for dessert. Try the Red-ripe strawberries in pillows of whipped and vanilla cream in a white and bittersweet chocolate tower that is filled with rich, dark chocolate ganache. |
Harrington’s
135 Kalanianaole Ave.
Hilo
808-961-4966
Food: Seafood/Streak
Price: Expensive
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Perhaps the prettiest location in Hilo, Harrington’s open air restaurant is on the shores of scenic Reed's Bay, is close to the waterfront but not on it, is set on a clear rocky pool teeming with koi (carp). They serve up excellent seafood and steaks.Their signature dish is the thinly sliced Slavic steak with loads of butter and garlic. Other popular choices include: The meunière-style fresh catch, sautéed in white wine and topped with a lightly browned lemon-butter sauce; Roasted duck confit; and New York style peppercorn steak.They are open nightly for dinner plus serve lunch Monday through Friday. Reservations are recommended. |
Pescatore
235 Keawe St. (Haili St.)
Hilo
808-969-9090
Food: Italian
Price: Moderate
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In a town of good ethnic restaurants, this is a special-occasion restaurant, dressier and pricier than most Hilo choices. Its décor is The décor is intimate, with dark woods, green tablecloths, red velvet chairs, lace curtains, and gilded frames on antique paintings.Try the cioppino (shrimp, lobster, scallops, clams in a seafood broth) the marinated lamb chops, seared fresh fish, or the sautéed chicken with basil, garlic and tomatoes. The fresh catch is offered in several preparations, including reduced-cream and Parmesan or capers and wine. The paper-thin ahi carpaccio is garnished with capers, red onion, garlic, lemon, olive oil, and shaved Parmesan. They are open for Breakfast and lunch.It's a popular place for local residents, so make reservations. |
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