Highest-rated restaurants in Honolulu by diners
Humans are creatures of habit. We tend to stick to our morning routines, rewatch movies we've seen time and time again, and hit up the same tried-and-true restaurants when going out for a meal. In fact, 35% of Americans said they rarely, if ever, try a new restaurant they haven't been to before, and 5% say they never do, according to a survey of more than 2,600 diners from TouchBistro.
But those numbers look quite different when you focus on younger generations—56% of Gen Zers and 47% of millennials in the U.S. say they visit new restaurants once a month or more. When it comes to deciding which new restaurant to try, younger generations are also more likely to rely on online reviews, through sites like Yelp or Google or from social media. The TouchBistro survey found that 71% of Gen Zers and 72% of millennials have opted to try a new restaurant solely because of favorable reviews online.
Some of the best restaurants in your neck of the woods might be those established spots that customers have been visiting for decades, but some may be brand new. More than 10,000 new restaurants opened in 2023, up 5.7% from 2022, according to a report from BentoBox. The states that saw the most new restaurants open up in 2023 were Florida, Texas, California, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania, but new locales are popping up all over the U.S.
To help you determine which spots—both new and long-standing—to try out, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated restaurants in Honolulu, according to Yelp reviews from diners as of January 2024. Only restaurants with at least 20 reviews were considered. Read on to find some inspiration for the next time you dine out.
Note: The photos in this article are stock images and do not necessarily reflect each restaurant listed.
#25. Nosh
- Rating: 5.0/5 (28 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: Honolulu, Hawaii
- Categories: Brazilian, Food Stands, Gluten-Free
- Read more on Yelp
#24. Dos Jefes
- Rating: 5.0/5 (94 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: Honolulu, Hawaii
- Categories: Tacos, Food Trucks
- Read more on Yelp
#23. Pit Stop Hawaii Food Truck
- Rating: 5.0/5 (135 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2411 Kuhio Ave. Honolulu, Hawaii
- Categories: Food Trucks, Tacos, Burgers
- Read more on Yelp
#22. Kaka'ako Market and Catering
- Rating: 5.0/5 (26 reviews)
- Address: 1001 Waimanu St. Honolulu, Hawaii
- Categories: Caterers, Salad, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#21. Kahiau Poke & Provisions
- Rating: 5.0/5 (152 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1164 Smith St. Honolulu, Hawaii
- Categories: Seafood Markets, Hawaiian, Poke
- Read more on Yelp
#20. Omega Mandoo House
- Rating: 5.0/5 (53 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1327 Nuuanu Ave. Honolulu, Hawaii
- Categories: Korean
- Read more on Yelp
#19. Banyan's Island Grill
- Rating: 5.0/5 (261 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1700 Kapiolani Blvd. Honolulu, Hawaii
- Categories: Food Trucks, Seafood, Burgers
- Read more on Yelp
#18. Heavenly Island Lifestyle
- Rating: 5.0/5 (21 reviews)
- Address: 7192 Kalanianaʻole Hwy Ste D-105 Honolulu, Hawaii
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, Desserts, Cocktail Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#17. Aloha Sugarcane Juice
- Rating: 5.0/5 (22 reviews)
- Address: 226 Lewers St. Honolulu, Hawaii
- Categories: Juice Bars & Smoothies, Food Stands
- Read more on Yelp
#16. Roots Cafe
- Rating: 5.0/5 (30 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2229 North School St. Honolulu, Hawaii
- Categories: Cafes, New American
- Read more on Yelp
#15. Da Andagi Guy
- Rating: 5.0/5 (42 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 804 Kaheka St. Honolulu, Hawaii
- Categories: Donuts, Food Stands
- Read more on Yelp
#14. Seoul Kimbap
- Rating: 5.0/5 (86 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 900 Fort St. Honolulu, Hawaii
- Categories: Korean
- Read more on Yelp
#13. Munch 'N Brunch Waikiki
- Rating: 5.0/5 (73 reviews)
- Address: 1944 Kalakaua Ave. Honolulu, Hawaii
- Categories: Tacos, Breakfast & Brunch, Coffee & Tea
- Read more on Yelp
#12. Po'ai By Pono Potions
- Rating: 5.0/5 (67 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1119 Smith St. Honolulu, Hawaii
- Categories: Cafes
- Read more on Yelp
#11. American Wagyu Eatery
- Rating: 5.0/5 (39 reviews)
- Address: 2525 Cartwright Road Honolulu, Hawaii
- Categories: Food Trucks, New American
- Read more on Yelp
#10. Waffle and Berry
- Rating: 5.0/5 (855 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2250 Kalākaua Ave. Ste LL104 Honolulu, Hawaii
- Categories: Waffles, Acai Bowls, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp
#9. Sabrozon Fresh Mexican Food truck
- Rating: 5.0/5 (60 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 325 Seaside Ave. Honolulu, Hawaii
- Categories: Food Trucks, Tacos, Seafood
- Read more on Yelp
#8. Thuong An Lac
- Rating: 5.0/5 (82 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 135 North King St. 2A Honolulu, Hawaii
- Categories: Vegan, Vietnamese
- Read more on Yelp
#7. Omakase by Bobae
- Rating: 5.0/5 (24 reviews)
- Address: 920 Sheridan St. Honolulu, Hawaii
- Categories: Sushi Bars, Japanese, Pop-Up Restaurants
- Read more on Yelp
#6. Little Sparrow
- Rating: 5.0/5 (32 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 777 Ward Ave. Honolulu, Hawaii
- Categories: German, Food Stands
- Read more on Yelp
#5. TY's BBQ and Grill
- Rating: 5.0/5 (52 reviews)
- Address: 1913 Dudoit Lane Honolulu, Hawaii
- Categories: Barbeque, Food Trucks, Tacos
- Read more on Yelp
#4. Hau'oli Sandwich
- Rating: 5.0/5 (36 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 525 Coral St. Honolulu, Hawaii
- Categories: Sandwiches, Food Trucks
- Read more on Yelp
#3. RB Sushi
- Rating: 5.0/5 (93 reviews)
- Price level: $$$$
- Address: 2535 Coyne St. Floor 2nd Honolulu, Hawaii
- Categories: Sushi Bars, Japanese
- Read more on Yelp
#2. Howard's
- Rating: 5.0/5 (27 reviews)
- Address: 1100 Alakea St. Ste 103 Honolulu, Hawaii
- Categories: Desserts, Seafood, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp
#1. Veggi Dogs
- Rating: 5.0/5 (20 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 819 Kapahulu Ave. Honolulu, Hawaii
- Categories: Food Stands, Vegetarian, Hot Dogs
- Read more on Yelp
This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Jaimie Etkin, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 331 metros.