Top pick1Duke's Waikiki
Iconic beachfront restaurant at the Outrigger with live music every night, the famous Barefoot Bar on the sand, Taco Tuesday, Thursday Prime Rib Night, and Hula Pie. Named after Duke Kahanamoku. A Waikiki staple since 1999.
With 101 seafood spots cataloged across Oahu, I pulled together the restaurants genuinely worth your time — leading with my own verified picks, then rounding out the list with the area's best-rated options. Whether you're chasing fresh ahi, a beachfront lobster tail, or a full surf-and-turf spread, this island delivers.
Topping the list is Duke's Waikiki, one of my personal recommendations and a true Oahu institution — beachfront at the Outrigger, live music every night, the legendary Barefoot Bar on the sand, and that iconic Hula Pie. Hula Grill Waikiki, SKY Waikiki Raw & Bar, and The Signature Prime Steak & Seafood are also among my hand-picked favorites and carry the NateEatsHawaii badge on the page. Further down the guide you'll find well-regarded spots like 53 By The Sea, known for its stunning glass-walled dining room and bay views, and Barefoot Beach Cafe, a beloved outdoor cafe at Queen's Surf Beach with live music and weekend beach BBQs.
Every spot Nate has personally visited is marked with the NateEatsHawaii badge — look for it as you browse. The rest of the list is ordered by reputation and visitor ratings, so you can explore with confidence no matter where your appetite takes you.
The ranking
Top pick1Iconic beachfront restaurant at the Outrigger with live music every night, the famous Barefoot Bar on the sand, Taco Tuesday, Thursday Prime Rib Night, and Hula Pie. Named after Duke Kahanamoku. A Waikiki staple since 1999.
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3SKY WAIKIKI Raw & Bar offers an elevated guest experience with a unique combination of fresh seafood, refreshing champagne, handcrafted cocktails and Aloha.
4The Signature Prime Steak & Seafood is a fine dining steakhouse in Ala Moana. Known for prime cuts, fresh seafood, and panoramic 36th-floor views. Open daily 4:30PM–10PM. Price range: $$$$.
5$$Tucked into Waikiki, 206 BCE Waikiki serves seafood at mid-range prices. Look for takeout — known as a solid pick.
6$$$$Chic, glass-walled dining room & terrace with bay views, serving creative meat & seafood dishes.
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9$$Casual fine dining on steaks, seafood & Hawaiian dishes with beer, floats & tropical cocktails.
10$$Outdoor cafe has Hawaiian plates & standard American fare, plus live music & a weekend beach BBQ.
11$$Contemporary venue dishing up a range of local produce on a familiar comfort-style menu.
12$$Food truck doling out mostly shrimp-based plate lunches, with seating at outdoor picnic tables.
13$Blue Ocean Seafood & Steak is a budget-friendly seafood spot in Waikiki. Locals consider it a reliable choice with outdoor seating.
14$$Easygoing, aquarium-themed eatery in the Hilton turning out seafood, steak, and BBQ dishes.
15Seafood fare in Waikiki. Cajun Crab Waikiki is a consistent local favorite and offers full bar.
16$$Casual, sparsely decorated venue for a seafood menu with a Cajun-meets-Asian twist, plus beer.
17$$Steaks & seafood headline at this laid-back option featuring nightly entertainment & marina views.
18$$Buckets of Cajun shellfish with classic accompaniments, served in casual digs with full bar.
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21$$Unassuming food truck offering a range of shrimp & local seafood, fried or steamed.
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23$$Creative American plates, craft brews, and cocktails are the draw at this stylish, modern restaurant.
24$$Bustling, strip-mall restaurant serving a broad menu of Chinese classics plus a daily lunch buffet.
25$$Informal, deli-style restaurant serving local-style poke, seafood, plate lunches, stews & soups.
26$$Informal, deli-style restaurant serving local-style poke, seafood, plate lunches, stews & soups.
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28$$Established, graffiti-decorated pit stop for a variety of shrimp plates & a garlic hot dog option.
29$$Established, graffiti-decorated pit stop for a variety of shrimp plates & a garlic hot dog option.
30$$Quaint, casual stop for surf 'n' turf, pupu platters, colorful cocktails & a terrace with a view.
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FAQ
Duke's Waikiki is Nate's top recommendation — an iconic beachfront spot at the Outrigger in Waikiki with live music nightly, the famous Barefoot Bar, and dishes like Hula Pie that keep locals and visitors coming back. Hula Grill Waikiki and SKY Waikiki Raw & Bar are also among Nate's verified picks.
Spots like 206 BCE Waikiki offer seafood at mid-range prices tucked right into Waikiki, and Barefoot Beach Cafe at Queen's Surf Beach serves Hawaiian plates and casual fare in a relaxed outdoor setting without the fine-dining price tag.
This is a curated guide that leads with Nate's personally verified picks (marked with the NateEatsHawaii badge), followed by the highest-rated seafood spots across Oahu's 101 qualifying restaurants. The list is reviewed and refreshed regularly to reflect new openings and updated ratings.
Oahu