Food is no longer simply sustenance to refuel your clients for more active endeavors. Like the rest of the world, Hawaii has gone gangbusters with new artistic eateries, farm-to-table fare and foodie tours — but don’t overlook island classics that possess enduring appeal. From bakeries and markets to beachfront legends where sunsets provide visual dessert, Hawaii offers your clients one quintessential palatable adventure after another.
“Hawaii has so many great long-standing restaurants where treasured memories are formed,” said Robyn Basso, senior director of travel industry partnerships for Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau. “Ocean views from restaurants such as Mama’s Fish House Restaurant & Inn on Maui, Beach House Restaurant on Kauai and Orchids on Oahu undeniably help make Hawaii dining experiences special.”
Hawaii’s plate lunch remains revered, Basso says, as it blends plantation-era influences from Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Filipino, Portuguese, Puerto Rican and Hawaiian cultures. Nearly 25 years ago, a dozen famed Hawaii chefs created what we now call Hawaii Regional Cuisine to “dress up” the simple fare.
“Classics like Alan Wong’s Restaurants, Merriman’s, Roy’s, Mala Ocean Tavern and Chef Mavro continue to provide exceptional dining while evolving their menus,” Basso said.
Here’s a look at refined classics and local-style favorites around the Hawaiian Islands that make the destination a foodie utopia.
OAHU
Breakfast
Hau Tree Lanai at The New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel: Eggs Benedict and poi pancakes served alfresco beneath hau trees where author Robert Louis Stevenson lounged and wrote.
www.kaimana.com/hautreelanai.htm
Cinnamon’s Restaurant: Guava-chiffon and red-velvet pancakes, plus from-scratch kalua pork eggs Benedict.
www.cinnamons808.com
Liliha Bakery: Chocolate-filled “coco puff” pastries and Portuguese sausage with eggs.
www.lilihabakeryhawaii.com
Lunch
Rainbow Drive-In: In 2014, Kapahulu’s plate-lunch legend partnered with Poke Stop, KC Waffle Dog and Hoku BBQ Chicken for even more edible ecstasy.
www.rainbowdrivein.com
Jameson’s By The Sea: Haleiwa perch serving grilled crab and shrimp melts, curried chicken salad and shrimp stir-fry.
www.restauranteur.com/jamesonshawaii
The Proud Peacock Restaurant: Revived Waimea Valley spot featuring Kahuku corn chowder, Haleiwa shrimp and Kona coffee lava cake.
www.waimeavalley.net
Waiahole Poi Factory: Windward Coast favorite for heaping combo plates accompanied by, of course, poi.
www.waiaholepoifactory.com
Dinner
Orchids at Halekulani hotel: Sunsets served with Kahuku shrimp ravioli, steamed onaga (snapper) and Halekulani’s signature coconut cake.
www.halekulani.com
The Willows: Lavish seafood and Hawaiian buffet in a quiet residential neighborhood, favored by locals for celebrating special occasions.
www.willowshawaii.com
Buzz’s Lanikai: Famous beach haunt for kiawe charcoal-broiled fish burgers, barbecue beef ribs, chicken teriyaki, top sirloin and killer mai tais.
www.buzzsoriginalsteakhouse.com
MAUI
Breakfast
5 Palms Restaurant at Mana Kai Maui hotel: Macadamia-nut pancakes, Hawaiian sweetbread French toast and country garden frittata with views of Molokini Crater and Kahoolawe Island.
www.5palmsrestaurant.com
Kula Lodge & Restaurant: Refuel at this 3,200-foot-elevation stop with eggs Benedict four ways or an omelette with Wailuku Portugese sausage.
www.kulalodge.com
Sea House Restaurant at Napili Kai Beach Resort: Open-air eatery with Molokai sweet-potato egg frittata, Road to Hana breakfast pizza and Da Kitchen Sink fried rice.
www.seahousemaui.com
Lunch
Paia Fish Market: Plantation-town staple with Cajun, charbroiled or sauteed fish plates and charbroiled fish burgers.
www.paiafishmarket.com
Leilani’s on the Beach: Fresh fish tacos and fish sandwiches, kalua pork Cubans and decadent Hula Pie.
www.leilanis.com
Dinner
Mama’s Fish House Restaurant & Inn: Daily changing menu of wild-caught fish featuring fishermen’s names and catch locations.
www.mamasfishhouse.com
Mala Ocean Tavern: Front Street sunsets intensify pan-fried mahi mahi, seafood pasta and Balinese stir-fry with fresh island fish.
www.malaoceantavern.com
Ko at Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui: Plantation-era menu of island family recipes passed down for generations.
www.korestaurant.com
KAUAI
Breakfast
Kountry Kitchen: Top Kapaa pick for Polynesian omelets with hash browns, coconut French toast and banana macadamia-nut pancakes with coconut syrup.
808-822-3511
Lunch
Gaylord’s at Kilohana: Try the ranch-style Kilohana burger and Hawaiian oxtail soup in the 1935-built plantation estate home of Gaylord Parke Wilcox.
www.gaylordskauai.com
Koloa Fish Market: This plantation-town jewel tempts with fresh fish, poke, plate lunches, bento and desserts.
(808-742-6199)
Dinner
Brennecke’s: Poipu Beach landmark with miso-sake shrimp skewers, Pacific clam linguini and kalua pork tacos.
www.brenneckes.com
Beach House Restaurant: Blending old-fashioned Hawaiian hospitality, Pacific Rim cuisine and a drop-dead-gorgeous view.
www.the-beach-house.com
HAWAII ISLAND
Breakfast
Cafe 100: This Hilo icon serves 30 varieties of local staple Loco Moco — a helping of rice topped with a hamburger patty, Hilo-style brown gravy and an egg.
www.cafe100.com
Pine Tree Cafe: Family-friendly favorite for its Korean, fried and teriyaki chicken.
(808-327-1234)
Lunch
Harbor House Restaurant: Sleepy Honokohau eatery hyped for fresh fish sandwiches, fish-and-chip combos and icy 18-ounce schooners.
www.harborhouserestaurantkona.com
Bamboo Restaurant: One of the island’s oldest restaurant, beloved for its Thai coconut prawns, Kohala coconut grilled shrimp and lilikoi (passion fruit) margaritas.
www.bamboorestaurant.info
Pineapples: Its barbecue kalua pork sandwich, Maui onion soup and pineapple burger rule in downtown Hilo.
www.pineappleshilo.com
Dinner
Kilauea Lodge: Near Volcanoes National Park, this iconic spot presents European dishes, plus a daily fresh catch served sauteed, broiled or blackened.
www.kilauealodge.com
Brown’s Beach House at Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii: Quintessential fine dining with locally grown, sustainable agriculture and seafood.
www.fairmont.com
Huggo’s: Small plates, house-made pastas and Maui-onion-crusted ahi in a setting seemingly suspended above the ocean.
www.huggos.com
