50 Best American Restaurants in Honolulu

“Outside table for one at lunch time. Korean barbecue chicken sandwich. Excellent, delicious and messie to eat. I would order again.“

“A wonderful experience at Maze in Honolulu, largely thanks to the exceptionally warm service, strong flavor and sauce work, and consistently good dishes from beginning to dessert.

What sticks in our mind were the oyster (meaty oyster that didn't feel powdery as some larger ones do, balanced but not overwhlemed by the sauce on top), the basil jook that came with the scallop dish (so well developed), the Washugyu and daikon broth that came with the main.

Also want to compliment the pacing of the meal as we never felt like we were waiting for a long time for any of the dishes. Pretty much perfectly well paced for preferences.

Overall, adding in everything into the experience would not hesitate to come back here again.“

“Icon scene on Waikiki Beach! Top notch service. 🌺“

“Great atmosphere, really good food, outstanding staff!“

“So welcoming ❤️ simple dinner or a drink at night next to the beach, priceless“

“We were fortunate to grab seats at the bar before a show at the Blaisdell. Beautiful atmosphere, very attentive server/bartender (Kalei), amazing food options and lovely hand mixed cocktails. We were pleasantly surprised and will return!“

“We had two fantastic meals here during our time in Hawaii! Looking forward to coming again!“

“Delicious food ,great people“

“My daughter asked to come here every morning for our trip. Chris and the day crew were very welcoming and exceptional. 💯our favorite spot!“

“Delicious! The locations in CA are slowly closing and we never even considered looking on Oahu but it popped up when we searched for a burger place and drove straight here. The food is great. We love the parm fries and chili fries (without onion). We also love that you can completely build your own burger. It's so customizable and perfectly for us. Highly recommend The Counter. Please stay open until we return next year!!“

“I made the conditional 25 dollar cancellation fee—reservation on open table days ago, and I recommend to make one ahead to reserve a table.
Parking is next door in the building, directly map the location to marin towel manciple parking is better option for you. Then walk down to the restaurant.
The two non-alcoholic drinks I have ordered the cucumber sour and house drink of the day, I highly recommend.
Corn one is way too cheesy and strong truffle flavor.
The beef is highly recommend.
Scallop has a great taste, cooked perfectly in texture but has a strong seafood flavor.
The food takes a long time to cook and wait, plan for at least two hours. Come by earlier before the appointment time is recommended, at least 15.
Two people, we spent 255D, top included.
Service is nice and professional.
Dessert menu came after the course has done, and variable selection of wine.
Chocolate is okay.
Strawberry cake is highly recommended.“

“The BEST on OAHU! Wish we had this in LA!“

“My husband was in search of some good fish in Waikiki. We stumbled upon this place and decided to give it a try. I’m not a seafood person so I got the chicken pasta and he tried snapper for the first time. Both of us were blown away by how tasty everything was. The portions were huge too! Out of all the places we had been to during our trip, this place is at the top. Even as a non fish eater, I loved it! There can be a wait, but it is well worth it. Try it, you’ll love it.“

“The restaurant is somewhat small and very rustic, perhaps a bit more rustic than I anticipated.
Five of us for dinner and everyone was completely satisfied and very happy with their dinners. They even had specialty soft drinks for the kids.
I have never been a fan of smoked meats but I did have the smoked prime rib based on the reviews. It was amazing! Juicy, flavorful and tender. My son had the rack of lamb for the first time. He was also very happy with his choice.
Our service was easily as good as the food. Our server was always available, attentive and very pleasant.“

“Great food and great service!“

“Food is fresh healthy & onolicious👍🏻👍🏻 The brisket musubi & brisket Katsu bomb👍🏻👍🏻“

“The best High Tea we've had, including The Fairmont in a few key cities. Excellent!!“

“👍 Delicious meals. Nice and attentive service.“

“We just had our daughter grad paina there, choke parking the food was onolicious the set was already made just gotta bring ur sounds, ur decorations and if anything phot set ups we still had plenty space and performance as well. Mahalo, Da Salas Ohana“

“We celebrated a big anniversary at Pai and WOW - they made it extra special. We did the four course menu with wine pairings. The service was top notch. The food was inspired, creative, delicious, and locally sourced. Though the portions of each dish looked small, it was more than enough food and so delicious you wanted to eat every bite! The wine pairings were spot on, absolutely perfect with our chosen courses. The space has such a lovely vibe - clean and modern, but comfortable and well appointed. There really isn't another dining experience quite like this on the island. Justine and Kevin have created such a beautiful place with incredible food and service. Pai is definitely a must-try restaurant. We will definitely be back.“

“Amazing dinner and friendly staff from bar to dining room! Our must every time we visit Oahu!“

“Food is absolutely delicious!... Anyday, any special“

“South Shore Grill has been part of my routine for close to 20 years. It’s a family‑run business with a lot of heart, and I’ve watched the owners’ kids grow up working behind the counter. The food is consistently good, the prices are fair, and there’s a great variety to choose from. It’s an easy stop before the beach or park, or the perfect place to refuel after a day in the surf. My go‑to is always the fish burrito. The cajun seasoning and macnut pesto are always on point. Truly one of those local spots that feels like part of the community.“

“Fabulous food and service!!!“

“Great place. I stop in most days. Very friendly employees that remember you. When I have large orders for work, they get it done pretty fast too! :)“

“Vandaag geweest met een vriendin We werden geholpen door bas Wat een aanwinst En het brood carpaccio ...heerlijk“

“Absolutely our best meal in Hawaii. The right choice to celebrate a special occasion. Our experience was so wonderful, food, wine, atmosphere all made for the best evening. Our server, Julian was absolutely top notch, extremely friendly, attentive, and was just so happy to engage ensuring the celebration was more than we expected. Kudos he deserves it. Highly recommend this place. Will definitely be back.“

“I absolutely love Kona Brewing and hope this place never closes.

What is there not to love, you’re sitting on water of a boat Harbor, drinking the best tasting beer I’ve ever had “Kona Light” and eating the most delicious Sirloin Steak with mashed potatoes and veggies, topped off with a super delicious green house made sauce of some kind!

You can ask for more veggies less mashed potatoes for no extra price, it’s never a problem.

And after you’ve had your 5 star steak you get the bill and it’s only $28 if you live in hawaii and $32 for visitors. You simply cannot beat that.

The whole experience is amazing!!“

“The taste of the food was so amazing and the service was outstanding. The price for what we ordered was so so so low! I could not believe it when I received the check! Hawaiian pancakes are a must!“

“The food, service and value is REALLY good!“

“Great wine pairing dinners!!!!! And always a fabulous sunset. What more could you want these days?“

“Great atmosphere! Staff was wonderful! Recommend you give it a try!“

“Overall
​ | |
​To start, the service and atmosphere here were absolutely fantastic,our waiter was incredibly prompt and kind throughout the entire meal.
​As for the food, it was overall quite good, though there were a few mixed reviews at our table. The jambalaya was a highlight with a great ratio of rice to protein, though I personally prefer the heads to be peeled on the shrimp. The nachos felt a little stale to my taste, and someone in my party mentioned that the lobster noodles weren’t cooked quite right.
​That said, everyone in our group enjoyed the experience and the rest of the food. It's a great spot, and we'd definitely come back for the excellent hospitality!“

“There are meals you enjoy, and then there are meals that quietly redefine what simple food can be. Pagaikiki’s Kitchen, tucked beside the NEX, delivers exactly that.

I ordered the chicken with rice, and from the very first bite it was obvious that this kitchen understands one of the hardest things in cooking: perfection through simplicity.

The chicken is nothing short of extraordinary. Every piece is cooked with remarkable precision, arriving at that elusive point where the exterior develops just enough color and character while the inside remains unbelievably tender and succulent. Each bite is impossibly juicy, as though every ounce of moisture has been carefully preserved. The seasoning doesn’t overpower it enhances, allowing the natural flavor of the chicken to take center stage. It’s balanced, deliberate, and executed with the kind of consistency that only comes from genuine craftsmanship.

This isn’t chicken that’s merely “good.” It’s chicken prepared at its absolute peak where texture, flavor, and technique come together so seamlessly that you stop thinking about the cooking process altogether and simply enjoy the experience. It is, quite honestly, a work of art.

And then there’s the rice.

Too often it’s treated as an afterthought, but here it deserves its own applause. Perfectly cooked, light, fragrant, and incredibly satisfying, it captures every drop of flavor from the chicken while remaining exceptional in its own right. Together, they create a meal that proves extraordinary food doesn’t need complexity it needs care.

What makes Pagaikiki’s Kitchen memorable is its honesty. There are no unnecessary flourishes or distractions, just outstanding food prepared with respect for the ingredients and an obvious commitment to getting every detail right.

Some meals fill your stomach. Others stay with you long after you’ve left.

Pagaikiki’s Kitchen belongs firmly in the latter category. I’ll be thinking about that perfectly cooked chicken and that unforgettable rice for a long time.“

“We loved both the food and the wine and the service. The place is gorgeous too. We had a wonderful time.“

“Great service and delicious food! 🩷“

“Stopped by after picking up a friend at the airport. Great Happy Hour Specials. We got the smash burger and fries. Tasted very good. The well drinks on Special were also tasty and not watered out. Definitely make another stop next time. Happy Hour is 3 pm to 5 pm for now.“

“Definitely the Hawaiian Eggs Benedict with toast, the fried ice cream. the tarot pina colada, etc... you will not be disappointed with anything you order. Also, don't get me started with the service. Plz ask for Jessica. That girl deserves a raise or a promotion.“

“Wonderful experience! From the friendly staff to the great tasting food I highly recommend this place!! Must try the jalapeño & bacon fried rice and all pancakes. (Had seconds of it) Olani St location.“

“Great food and service Felix is the best. Best food ive had in Hawaii and the portions are huge“

“best breakfast sandwiches and French toast I ever had! Ono af“

“Cozy atmosphere and welcoming vibe. The food is top notch and the service is amazing. A must stop if you like enjoy eating ono food with local flair.“

“I and a couple of other retirees discovered Pur Sina when they opened and have been weekly customers ever since. Their small kitchen limits the menu choices, but what they offer is tasty and reasonably priced. The pleasant customer-oriented staff has made it serve as a home away from home for us, and we have always felt welcomed. If/when they leave, they will be sorely missed.“

“Overall good. The food itself was good, the location was pretty clean for how busy it was. The only issue I had, which is why I dropped 1 star, is when it came to to-go orders. I had placed my order online around 15 minutes prior, and only drove there (as it’s close to my place) when they texted me it was ready. When I went to pickup, they told me it wasn’t ready, and it ended up taking 20 minutes extra. It’s not a big deal, as they were fairly busy, but it was a bit annoying as I would have rather stayed at home until it was ready.“

“We enjoyed the amazing food and aesthetic here! 10/10 recommend.“

“everything was delicious and very friendly staff!“

“Great coffee hash brown you have to pay extra not good“

“Great atmosphere great food“

“The space is really good. The food was really good in my taste. I wish they had some toddler type foods but then again you're paying by event. They usually accommodate to the party. The people are friendly to work with. I love that Samoan lady who helped us ??“