Our Favorite Dining Spots on Oahu, Hawaii

Posted on   August 10,2019   By John and Linda Compisi

We have been traveling to Hawaii since the late 1980’s. The dining scene has not always been stellar. We actually lived on Oahu in the late 90’s and by then things had started to turn around. Both the food and wine vibe were improving. Herbert and Glenn (Herbert’s son) Tamura and Jason Fujioka were beginning to recognize the cosmopolitan attraction of quality wine and food and they stepped up to fill the wine wilderness. Simultaneously, the triumvirate of Sam Choy, Alan Wong and Roy Yamaguchi, among several others, created Hawaiian Regional Cuisine, an Asian, Polynesian, American, French Fusion concept. In the end, the quality, creativeness and flavors of Hawaiian Fusion have risen to the top of our culinary experiences.

On a recent visit, earlier this year, we had the pleasure of visiting several of our favorite dining experiences on Oahu. First up: Roy’s Waikiki.

Roy’s Waikiki is not far from the original Roy’s located in a shopping center in Hawaii Kai. Although Yamaguchi was born and raised in Tokyo, Japan, his Hawaiian roots are tied to his paternal grandfather who owned a tavern in Wailuku, Maui in the 1940s. He opened his first restaurant, 385 North, in Hollywood, in 1984. In 1988, the original Roy’s Hawaii Kai opened. Over the years Yamaguchi opened restaurants on all the major islands, the mainland, Guam and Tokyo. Since 2014, the Roy’s Restaurants on the mainland have been owned by United Ohana. Roy continues ownership and operations of the Hawaiian and International Roy’s.

Roy’s Waikiki, is located on Lewers near the Embassy Suites. This place is jumping with an outdoor bar/patio where you can enjoy an adult beverage or dine. The tourist traffic is huge so reservations are generally recommended. The interior was remodeled and upgraded in 2018.  The Executive Chef, Jason Ichiki exploits Roy’s practice of allowing his Executive Chef’s to experiment and create at the various restaurants. There are, of course, many dishes that are Roy’s own creation and they are available at all Roy’s. The food is delicious and contemporary and the service is top-notch under the watchful eye of GM D. Schroeder.

Also on Oahu but out on the North Shore is Roy’s Beach House at the Turtle Bay Resort. Slightly different fare because of the more laid back and casual atmosphere one would expect at a beach house. None the less, Executive Chef Russel Chu kicks it with some amazing dishes with explosive flavors. This is covered but truly outdoor dining with amazing views of the Pacific. Again, the service is noteworthy thanks in large part to GM Brandon Nakachi.

For a more casual beachfront experience in the center of Waikiki, Dukes Waikiki truly fills the bill. Do not think we ever stay in Waikiki without at least one dinner at Dukes. Named after Duke Paoa Kahinu Mokoe Hulikohola Kahanamoku, who was a competition swimmer known for popularizing the Hawaiian sport of surfing. Duke grew up on the beaches of Waikiki. He was a five-time Olympic medalist for the U.S.A. in swimming, appearing at three Summer games between 1912 and 1920 (the 1916 Summer Games were canceled due to WWI). 

The restaurant has sit-down dining as well as bar and lounge dining on the patio overlooking Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head. We almost always stay in the bar but seating is all first come – first serve and you might have to wait for a table. The food is very good quality and always fresh. The drinks are also good. The more formal dining area has table clothes and reservations are accepted.

Alan Wong’s eponymous restaurant is located on the third floor of an unassuming building on South King Street in Honolulu. This our favorite special occasion restaurant when we are on Oahu. Alan Wong’s is known for creatively crafted Hawaiian Regional Cuisine, an extensive wine list and impeccable white table cloth (black napkins if appropriate) service. Chef Wong offers a wide array of seafood, fish and meats with unique and tasteful preparations. Quite remarkable. The Prix Fixe Dinner Menu is $95 per person but worth every penny.  Reservations are required. Open daily.

Other dining spots in Honolulu and Waikiki include Chef Mavro located on South King Street in Honolulu and Basalt Waikiki. Mavro is quite expensive but offers a rich version of Hawaiian Regional Cuisine with a Provençal influence. Basalt Waikiki serves three meals a day and has a happy hour as well. Located in Dukes Lane Market and Eatery (basically a food court) near Kuhio Avenue inside the Hyatt Centric Waikiki Beach Hotel. A menu with literally something for everyone and fair pricing.

Another North Shore dining spot we enjoyed is the Haleiwa Beach House in the charming town of Haleiwa. The restaurant has a distinctive beach house feel overlooking a small lagoon and marina in Haleiwa. The dinner menu features a great deal of fish, seafood and meat. They also serve lunch. Reservations are recommended for dinner.

For a very casual quick meal try Topped in Waikiki on Kūhiō Ave or in Chinatown on North Hotel Street and the Steak Shack on the beach near the Outrigger Reef Hotel on Kalia Avenue.

Topped Waikiki is Korean BBQ for take-out of eat-in, in very small spaces. Check their website as they are not open seven days a week. Prices start at $7 for a veggie ‘plate’.

The Steak Shack has three ‘plate’ offerings besides a soft drink…Steak, Chicken and Steak & Chicken, each served with rice and a house salad with prices starting at $8.50.

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