Though the Hawaiian Islands are small in terms of landmass, the islands feel huge as soon as you consider the countless restaurant options found across the state, some more popular than others. From casual drive-ins and seaside poke joints to upscale seafood restaurants and resort restaurants, these 13 famous Hawaiian restaurants are totally worth the hype — and 100 percent worth the wait.

1. Marukame Udon, Honolulu
Marugame Udon, 2310 K?hi? Ave., Honolulu, HI 96815, USA
Facebook / MarukameUDON
Facebook / MarukameUDON
Widely regarded as one of the country's best restaurants, this casual Japanese eatery specializes in noodle soup, and there is almost always a line out of the door. Noodles are made using the Sanuki-style method, and you can watch cooks sheeting and cutting the fresh dough into noodles while you wait. Each step of the udon-making process is taken care of by a different person, by hand. And it shows — the udon is absolutely mouthwatering! We couldn't have chosen a better spot to start off our list of popular Hawaiian restaurants.

2310 Kuhio Ave #124, Honolulu, HI, 96815
2. Da Poke Shack, Kailua-Kona
Da Poke Shack, 76-6246 Ali‘i Dr, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA
Google / Michael Sutton
Google / Shermane Sooh
This seaside eatery nestled in a condominium complex is known for their takeout poke, as well as local specialties and salads — and, in our very humble opinion, makes the absolute best poke in Hawaii -- and that's saying something!

Oceanfront Kona Bali Kai Condos, 76-6246 Alii Dr #101, Kailua-Kona, HI, 96740
3. Gazebo Restaurant, Lahaina
The Gazebo, 5315 Lower Honoapiilani Rd, Lahaina, HI 96761, USA
Google / Matt Streit
Google / Joe Di Meglio
Gazebo Restaurant, Lahaina is an extremely busy breakfast and brunch spot that is located right on the beach at the Napili Shores condo complex. Don’t allow the hour-long line to discourage you, Gazebo Restaurant serves the best breakfast food for miles — you’ve got to try their famous macadamia nut pancakes. Pro tip: if you arrive and the line is too long for your liking, walk around the corner and order your food to go — you can then take your breakfast and eat on the beach, with the same view!

5315 Lower Honoapiilani Road, Lahaina, HI, 96761
4. Haleiwa Joe’s, Kaneohe + Haleiwa
Haleiwa Joe's Haiku Gardens, 46-336 Haiku Rd, Kaneohe, HI 96744, USA
Facebook / Haleiwa Joe's - Haiku
Facebook / Haleiwa Joe's - Haiku
Haleiwa Joe’s, Kaneohe + Haleiwa , a classic Hawaiian restaurant, not only serves up some of the freshest seafood around (and the most massive prime rib you can imagine!) but is also located in quite the picturesque setting. An iconic Hawaiian seafood restaurant, Haleiwa Joe’s has two locations that are pure Hawaiian paradises: on Oahu’s north shore in Haleiwa and windward Oahu at the Haiku Gardens.
5. Mama’s Fish House, Paia
Mama's Fish House, 799 Poho Pl, Paia, HI 96779, USA
Facebook / Mama's Fish House
Facebook / Mama's Fish House
Scores of five-star ratings speak volumes about Mama’s Fish House in Paia, which is clearly doing something right. With fresh and delicious seafood and a picturesque oceanfront location, there is little better than this Paia eatery with breathtaking sunset views, and it really belongs on every Hawaiian's bucket list!

799 Poho Pl, Paia, HI, 96779
6. My Cafe, Kapolei
My Cafe, 563 Farrington Hwy, Kapolei, HI 96707, USA
Google / Valley Kadens
Google / Glenn B
Serving breakfast all day, My Cafe is wildly popular, and you should definitely call ahead for a reservation. Coffee is served in mismatched mugs, and traditional breakfast favorites are cooked fresh and made to order. If you’re into pancakes, you’ve got to try the "Flight of Pancakes" with flavors like cookie butter and lilikoi, with syrups to complement the flavors.

563 Farrington Hwy, Kapolei, HI, 96707

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7. Tidepools, Poipu
Tidepools, 1571 Poipu Rd, Koloa, HI 96756, USA
TidepoolsKauai.com
TidepoolsKauai.com
Located in the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa, Tidepools serves upscale Hawaiian cuisine in open-air thatch huts overlooking a picturesque lagoon.

1571 Poipu Road, Koloa, HI, 96756
8. Leoda’s Kitchen and Pie Shop, Lahaina
Leoda's Kitchen and Pie Shop, 820 Olowalu Village Rd, Lahaina, HI 96761, USA
Facebook / Leoda's Kitchen and Pie Shop
Facebook / Leoda's Kitchen and Pie Shop
Serving up some of the most delicious pies on Maui is Leoda’s Kitchen and Pie Shop, a café that is all about fresh ingredients, and hand-crafted specialties. Their chocolate macadamia nut pie is heaven for any chocolate lover, and the bananas in the banana cream pie are harvested from the restaurant’s own farm.

820 Olowalu Village Rd, Lahaina, HI, 96761
9. Rainbow Drive-In, Honolulu
Rainbow Drive-In, 3308 Kanaina Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815, USA
Facebook / Rainbow Drive-In
Facebook / Rainbow Drive-In
The Rainbow Drive-In is a Honolulu classic that also happens to be one of Obama's favorite places to visit when he's in town -- and for good reason. Rainbow Drive-In is famous for its scrumptious plate lunches, complete with rice, mac salad, and your choice of meat, as well as their mouth-watering loco moco plate.

3308 Kanaina Ave, Honolulu, HI, 96815
10. Ulu Ocean Grill & Seafood Lounge, Kailua-Kona
ULU Ocean Grill, 72-100 Ka'upulehu Drive Ka'upulehu, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA
Google / ULU Ocean Grill
Google / ULU Ocean Grill
Located within the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, on the Big Island’s Kona Coast, Ulu Ocean Grill & Seafood Lounge clearly has stunning views — but the culinary team also places an emphasis on local cuisine with a regional, seasonal and artisanal philosophy.

Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, 72-100 Ka'upulehu Drive, Kailua-Kona, HI, 96740
11. Merriman’s, Kapalua
1 Bay Club Pl, Lahaina, HI 96761, USA
Merriman's Kapalua/Facebook
Google / Heather McCall
While Merriman's is definitely a pricier pick on this list, this restaurant's food, view, and experience is worth every penny. Serving up incredible seafood dishes, mai tais, and mouth-watering desserts, Merriman’s has got it all in terms of food in a relaxed, casual atmosphere. Oh, and the sunsets are absolutely magical.

1 Bay Club Place, Lahaina, HI, 96761
12. Sushi Sasabune, Honolulu
Sushi Sasabune, 1417 S King St, Honolulu, HI 96814, USA
Google / Jamie Lai
Facebook / Sushi Sasabune
Located in the heart of Honolulu, Sushi Sasabune is not only one of the most unique restaurants in the Aloha State but it’s also been voted one of the best. In fact, for some of the best sushi in Honolulu, head to Sasabune. It's here where you should order the omakase, which consists of approximately a dozen courses of chef-selected fare. Though this forces you to trust the chef, you will not be disappointed.

1417 S King St, Honolulu, HI, 96814
13. Matsumoto Shave Ice, Haleiwa
Matsumoto Shave Ice, 66-111 Kamehameha Hwy #605, Haleiwa, HI 96712, USA
Albert Lynn/Flickr
Located in the historic surfing town of Haleiwa, on Oahu’s north shore, is this famous shave ice shop. What once began as a small grocery store has transformed into so much more – t-shirts, souvenirs, snacks and, of course, their famous shave ice. On a hot summer day, the store produces more than 1,000 shave ices!

66-111 Kamehameha Highway #605, Haleiwa, HI

Which of these famous places to eat in Hawaii is your favorite? Are there any restaurants in Hawaii you’d like to see featured? Nominate them and tell us why!

For a more casual meal, why not head to one of these 15 unassuming eateries?

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More to Explore

Popular Restaurants in Hawaii

Sarah M. | August 06, 2022

What are some inexpensive restaurants in Hawaii?

Living in -- and visiting -- Hawaii can get quite costly, so it's always good to have a few tried-and-true standbys that offer inexpensive dining options. Some of our favorite cheap eats in the Aloha State are these chain restaurants in Hawaii -- and don't scoff at their "chain restaurant" status, because they really are some of the top eateries in the state! We're big fans of places like Teddy's Bigger Burgers, Merriman’s, Fresh Catch, and Roy's, which serve up a wide variety of cuisines sure to satisfy any craving you have!

What are the best casual restaurants in Hawaii?

Hawaii is known for its amazing cuisine, and you don't have to make a reservation at a fine-dining establishment to sample some of the best the state has to offer. Hawaii's food trucks, in fact, dish up some of the best eats in the Aloha State; and the best part is, these dishes are generally super affordable, too! From the malasadas and sweet corn at Manuela Malasada Company to the fresh fish tacos from Da Fish House Lunch Wagon, the poke and grilled fish plate lunches from South Maui Fish Company to the killer sandwiches from Nana’s Snack Shack, you will not go hungry when you visit Hawaii's awesome food trucks!

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