Honolulu is home to some of the most beloved Hawaiian food on all of Oahu — and this list ranks the best of the best using real visitor ratings submitted right here on NateEatsHawaii. With 57 qualifying restaurants across the city, there's no shortage of places to dig into kalua pig, lau lau, plate lunches, and beyond.
Topping the rankings is Duke's Waikiki, the iconic beachfront restaurant at the Outrigger Waikiki — and it earns the NateEatsHawaii badge as one of Nate's personally recommended spots. Known for its Barefoot Bar on the sand, live music every night, Taco Tuesday, Thursday Prime Rib Night, and the legendary Hula Pie, Duke's is as much an experience as it is a meal. Further down the list, Ala Moana Poi Bowl in the Makai Market Food Court at Ala Moana Center is a well-regarded local favorite for classic Hawaiian plate lunches including kalua pig and lau lau.
Spots that carry the NateEatsHawaii badge are ones Nate personally recommends — look for that marker as you browse. The rest of the list is ordered purely by the ratings real visitors have left on this site, so you can trust the rankings reflect genuine Honolulu dining experiences.
The ranking
Top pick1
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.
2$$Hawaiian spot in Ala Moana Center's Makai Market Food Court serves kalua pig, lau lau & plate lunch.
3
4
5
6
7$$This casual Asian pit stop serves up large portions of comfort food & is known for its oxtail soup.
8$Outpost supplying hearty portions of homestyle Thai fare in easygoing accommodations.
9$$Casual spot with island flair offering creative pizzas, hearty sandwiches & desserts.
10$Window-serve shack since 1978 with outdoor seating & late hours, selling Hawaiian BBQ plates.
11
12$$Popular window-serve grill offering American eats, plus a market for prepared foods & baked goods.
13$$
14$$
15Easygoing chain pizzeria supplying custom pies, plus pastas, sandwiches & sides.
16$$
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18
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21$$Quaint quarters in Salt Lake Shopping Center dishing up Hawaiian comfort food for dine-in & takeout.
22$$Small, no-frills counter serve dispensing classic Hawaiian plate lunches, tacos & burgers.
23
24$$
25$Island-themed fast-food chain whose menu features traditional Hawaiian plate lunches.
26$Island-themed fast-food chain whose menu features traditional Hawaiian plate lunches.
27$Island-themed fast-food chain whose menu features traditional Hawaiian plate lunches.
28$Island-themed fast-food chain whose menu features traditional Hawaiian plate lunches.
29$Island-themed fast-food chain whose menu features traditional Hawaiian plate lunches.
30$Island-themed fast-food chain whose menu features traditional Hawaiian plate lunches.
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FAQ
Based on real visitor ratings on NateEatsHawaii, Duke's Waikiki ranks at the top — it's an iconic beachfront spot known for live music, the Barefoot Bar, and the famous Hula Pie. It also carries the NateEatsHawaii badge as one of Nate's personal recommendations.
Ala Moana Poi Bowl, located inside the Makai Market Food Court at Ala Moana Center, is a popular and budget-friendly option well known for kalua pig, lau lau, and classic Hawaiian plate lunches. Bob's Bar-B-Que, a window-serve shack in operation since 1978, is another highly rated spot known for Hawaiian BBQ plates at casual prices.
This list is ranked dynamically based on real visitor ratings submitted on NateEatsHawaii, so the order reflects the most current and genuine dining experiences from people who have actually eaten at these Honolulu restaurants.
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