Hawai‘i boasts an incredible and vibrant culinary scene. And with exciting restaurants opening every year, it’s hard to narrow down which new eateries are the best. Thanks to our savvy HAWAIʻI Magazine readers, here are the best five new restaurants in Hawaiʻi that rose to the top of our 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards. 1. Makawao […]
In 2024, two chefs decided to deviate from Hawaiʻi’s regional fare, choosing instead to explore the cuisines and cultures of the Mediterranean. Through extensive research and dining experiences, they found similarities between Hawaiian culture and the cultures of the Mediterranean, especially when it comes to hospitality and the sharing of food. They also noted the
Waikīkī is welcoming a new addition to the neighborhood—just in time for Hawaiʻi’s annual “May Day is Lei Day” celebration on May 1. Tucked in the Romer House Waikīkī, The Lei Stand Waikīkī pays tribute to the legacy of local lei shops and the timeless symbol of aloha, all while embodying modern Island style. From
At Waiola Shave Ice, there’s a comforting sense of nostalgia, even for first-timers. Whether it’s the familiar syrup flavors or the charm of the shop—or both—Waiola Shave Ice remains an endearing classic on Oʻahu. The family-run shop, tucked in Mōʻiliʻili about a 10-minute drive from Waikīkī, has specialized in shave ice since the late 1970s,
At 8 a.m. on Oct. 26, 2024, a crowd of over 100 people hovered around the TVs at Coco Deck Kitchen + Bar in West Maui. Chef and co-owner Alvin Savella put a blast out on social media announcing the restaurant would be opening early that day to show the Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway
If you’re like us, you love to eat—and you don’t always put a price tag on that experience. So we put together some of the most splurge-worthy dining experiences you can have in the Islands, from a candlelight dinner in a treehouse to breakfast on the rim of an active volcano. Every spot is Instagram
“Ichi…ni…san…sake bomb!” The chant from a young man a table over is followed by a thundering response from his eight friends, who pound on the table and yell back, “Sake bomb!” Shots of sake suspended by chopsticks over half-full glasses of beer shake, then drop into the suds as the 18 sticks that held them
Around the world, hotels are reimagining the culinary options for their guests—and properties throughout Hawaiʻi are keeping up with the trend. Today, hotel guests don’t need to leave their resort to find vibey cocktail lounges with clever drinks crafted with premium ingredients. And it doesn’t end with beautiful beverages. From innovative omakase to twists on
If you love the famous coconut cake from Halekūlani—and trust us, if you’ve ever had it, you’d love it—now you can get it any day of the week without having to dine at the iconic Waikīkī hotel. Halekūlani Bakery, which first opened in 2019, serves artisanal breads, pastries, croissants and, yes, the hotel’s coconut cake
Tucked in the Honokōwai Marketplace, about a 5-minute drive from Kāʻanapali Beach, Sergio’s Cantina is serving up satisfying family-style Mexican cuisine. And while it might be a little off the beaten path, it’s worth seeking out, whether you’re hungry after a day at the beach or just looking to mix up your restaurant rotation. And
There’s a lot to love about the Kaimana Beach Hotel in Waikīkī, from its beachfront Hau Tree restaurant with unobstructed ocean views to the laid-back retro vibe that permeates the boutique hotel. And now there’s one more reason to visit: happy hour. Last month the hotel launched a new pau hana (which roughly translates to
Before sunrise one morning, on Hawai‘i Island, a man named ‘Ulu prayed to the gods for help and guidance. His son was dying and his village was starving. Later that day, ‘Ulu told his wife he would not live to see morning. “Bury my body outside near the stream,” he said. “In the morning go
