Top pick1Ali'i Coffee Co.
Chinatown·Hawaiian Restaurant
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Chinatown is one of Honolulu's most exciting and eclectic dining neighborhoods, where Vietnamese bistros, dim sum halls, Thai kitchens, craft coffee bars, and New American kitchens all share the same few walkable blocks. I pulled together this curated guide from the 60 qualifying restaurants on NateEatsHawaii to highlight the spots genuinely worth your time — whether you're hunting a quick lunch, a date-night dinner, or a lazy weekend brunch.
The list leads with Nate's hand-picked recommendations — look for the NateEatsHawaii badge on those entries — followed by the area's highest-rated spots by reputation and visitor feedback. Standouts include Fête, the cool brick-walled hangout known for its New American cuisine and cocktails, and Duc's Bistro, a cheerful hideaway celebrated for upscale Vietnamese and French fare with live piano. For dim sum lovers, Hawaii Dim Sum & Seafood Restaurant is a well-known Chinese option right in the neighborhood.
Spots Nate has personally visited carry the NateEatsHawaii badge on the page — keep an eye out for that marker when you're deciding where to eat. With 60 restaurants catalogued, there's truly something for every craving and every budget in Chinatown.
The ranking
Top pick1
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6$$Cheerful hideaway featuring upscale Vietnamese & French cuisine & wine, plus piano music.
7$$$Cool, brick-walled hangout serving New American cuisine for lunch & dinner, plus cocktails & beer.
8$Laid-back Asian-fusion standby with outdoor seating dishing up classics such as pad Thai & pho.
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13$$Lively, Irish-themed pub serving build-your-own, New York-style pizza, finger foods & craft beers.
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16$Compact Chinese noodle house with a down-home atmosphere, specializing in pork & beef options.
17$$$Cool, brick-lined venue dishing up seasonally inspired American plates, plus classic cocktails.
18$$Reclaimed wood & brick walls adorn this hip Asian eatery featuring a window for takeaway.
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20$$Simple & snug counter serve providing market-fresh takes on poke bowls inside Kekaulike Market.
21$Cool shop for Japanese soups with cooked-to-order noodles, plus tempura & rice ball snacks.
22$Chinese fixture serving up a menu of traditional dim sum in a snug, bustling setting.
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26$$Compact, mom-&-pop joint providing bibimbop & other traditional Korean take-out eats at the counter.
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30$See every spot on a live map
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FAQ
Chinatown offers an impressive range — from Fête's New American menu and Duc's Bistro's Vietnamese-French cuisine to dim sum at Hawaii Dim Sum & Seafood Restaurant and specialty coffee at Drip Studio HNL. This guide curates the top picks from 60 qualifying restaurants in the neighborhood.
Chinatown has plenty of wallet-friendly options, including casual spots like Fort Street Cafe, known for Asian-fusion classics such as pad Thai and pho, and HK Cafe, a Chinese eatery popular with locals. Dim sum is also traditionally an affordable way to sample a wide variety of dishes.
This is a curated BEST guide — Nate's personally verified picks appear first (marked with the NateEatsHawaii badge), followed by the neighborhood's best-regarded spots based on reputation and visitor ratings. The list is reviewed and refreshed regularly as new restaurants open and ratings change.
Chinatown