Top pick1$$$$Hy's Steak House
Classic steakhouse offering prime cuts, seafood & tableside service in an elegant setting.
Waikiki punches well above its weight when it comes to fine dining. From the timeless elegance of Hy's Steak House โ a Honolulu institution famous for prime cuts and tableside theater โ to the intimate, 10-seat chef-driven experience at Sushi Sho, there's a special-occasion table here for every kind of food lover.
I pulled together the six spots worth knowing for a true fine dining night out in Waikiki, combining the area's best-rated restaurants with any spots I've personally vetted. Where Nate has been and personally recommends a restaurant, you'll see the NateEatsHawaii badge on the listing โ a quick way to spot a verified pick among the crowd.
Whether you're after a perfectly seared dry-aged steak at Wolfgang's Steakhouse Waikiki or a casually elegant Sunday brunch surrounded by orchids at Orchids, this guide covers the full spectrum of upscale dining Waikiki has to offer.
The ranking
Top pick1$$$$Classic steakhouse offering prime cuts, seafood & tableside service in an elegant setting.
2$$$$Global fare & a popular Sunday brunch in a casually elegant space filled with the namesake flower.
3$$$$Outpost of upmarket steakhouse chain known for sizzling, butter-topped beef in an elegant setting
4$$$$Stylish eatery with a patio offering a reimagined, seasonal steakhouse menu & craft cocktails
5$$$$Refined destination for upscale, chef-driven Japanese fare in a stylish setting with only 10 seats.
6$$$$Upscale chophouse chain serving dry-aged steaks, seafood & wine in an elegant setting.
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FAQ
Hy's Steak House consistently stands out as one of Waikiki's most celebrated fine dining institutions, known for its prime cuts, seafood, and classic tableside service in an elegant setting. For something more intimate and Japanese-inspired, Sushi Sho's 10-seat, chef-driven omakase experience is considered among the most refined on the island.
For a special occasion, Waikiki's top fine dining spots deliver a genuinely memorable experience โ from expertly aged steaks and creative seasonal menus to stunning ocean-adjacent settings. Many offer prix-fixe or tasting-menu options that can represent good value given the quality and ambiance.
This list is regularly reviewed and refreshed to reflect the current dining landscape in Waikiki, drawing on visitor ratings logged on NateEatsHawaii as well as Nate's own on-the-ground experience. Spots that earn Nate's personal recommendation are marked with the NateEatsHawaii badge.