Martha Cheng
Honolulu hangs onto its food and culture fiercely. It’s why decades-old mom-and-pop restaurants still dominate certain neighborhoods and why you see dishes that would have been familiar to some of the islands’ earliest settlers. While the world moves at its frenetic pace, the city reminds us of who we have been and who we are.
Of course, it’s not immune to change. Over the nearly 20 years that I’ve been writing about food in Honolulu, many beloved institutions have closed, while newer restaurants have brought in flavors from places as diverse as Detroit and Laos. And the post-pandemic years have seen a flurry of restaurant openings, though some are more focused on flash than substance.
As Hawai‘i heads into warmer, drier, and longer days, now’s the time to enjoy dining alfresco, a surprising rarity outside of Waikīkī; some favorite spots for outdoor dining include Olay’s Thai Lao Cuisine and Mud Hen Water. Or grab food from counter spots like Le’s Banh Mi and Waiahole Poi Factory for a beach picnic. Use this guide to learn more about those special spots and to find plenty of other great meals — in such a food-obsessed city, there is always good food nearby, if you know where to find it.
We update this list quarterly to make sure it reflects the ever-changing Honolulu dining scene.
New to the map in March 2025: Olay’s Thai Lao Cuisine, with Laotian specialties and Thai favorites in a beguiling outdoor courtyard; and Le’s Banh Mi, a small counter serving perfect Vietnamese sandwiches.
In this latest refresh, we’ve revamped our write-ups to include even more relevant info for diners, including a rough range of pricing for each destination — ranging from $ for quick, inexpensive meals with dishes largely under $10, to $$$$ for places where entrees exceed $30.
Martha Cheng is a writer and editor based in Honolulu and has been writing about Hawai‘i for almost two decades.
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