Highest-rated brunch restaurants in Honolulu
Highest-rated brunch restaurants in Honolulu
The word brunch first appeared in a 1895 issue of "Hunter's Weekly," according to the Smithsonian Magazine. In the article, which was titled "Brunch: A Plea," author Guy Beringer suggested swapping out heavy, post-church meals for lighter spreads served later in the morning.
"Brunch… is cheerful, sociable, and inciting," Beringer wrote. "It is talk-compelling. It puts you in a good temper; it makes you satisfied with yourself and your fellow beings. It sweeps away the worries and cobwebs of the week." As a post-script to the piece, he writes that at brunch, "Beer and whiskey are admitted as substitutes for tea and coffee."
Fast forward 130 years, and brunch is now one of the most popular meals in the U.S. According to a 2025 industry report from Bar & Restaurant News, brunch is the #1 meal for both Gen Zers and parents: 39% of the former go out to eat during that time, and 47% of the latter.
Many brunch locations offer the same type of spread Beringer promoted in his article—pastries and marmalade, coffee and tea (or beer and whiskey), and main courses that include fish or other meats. However, a host of other trends like internationally inspired cuisines, pizza, and mimosa flights have come along to add a little variety.
Whether your preference is for a classic brunch or something with a little more spice, Stacker compiled a ranking of the highest-rated brunch restaurants in Honolulu using data from Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor ranks places using a combination of metrics, including overall rating, reviews, and number of page views. As a result, a restaurant with a 5 out of 5 overall rating might rank lower than one with a 4 out of 5. Most chain restaurants were excluded from the ranking. Data is as of Sept. 16, 2025.
Read on to find out if your favorite local spot made our list!
#29. Hau Tree
- Rating: 4.2/5 (1517 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#28. The Beach Bar
- Rating: 4.2/5 (707 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#27. Liliha Bakery II
- Rating: 4.4/5 (252 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#26. Restaurant 604
- Rating: 4.3/5 (491 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#25. House Without a Key
- Rating: 4.4/5 (2473 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#24. Duke's Waikiki
- Rating: 4.3/5 (16083 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#23. Tucker & Bevvy Picnic Food
- Rating: 4.3/5 (508 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#22. Aloha Kitchen
- Rating: 4.3/5 (480 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#21. Island Vintage Coffee
- Rating: 4.4/5 (1682 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#20. Liliha Bakery
- Rating: 4.4/5 (766 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#19. Yard House
- Rating: 4.3/5 (3667 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#18. Heavenly Island Lifestyle Waikiki
- Rating: 4.3/5 (1109 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#17. Bogart's Cafe
- Rating: 4.4/5 (664 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#16. Hula Grill Waikiki
- Rating: 4.4/5 (4544 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#15. Barefoot Beach Cafe
- Rating: 4.2/5 (973 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#14. Cafe Kaila
- Rating: 4.4/5 (680 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#13. Orchids
- Rating: 4.4/5 (1729 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#12. Musubi Cafe Iyasume
- Rating: 4.4/5 (711 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#11. Basalt
- Rating: 4.4/5 (440 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#10. Koko Head Cafe
- Rating: 4.5/5 (526 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#9. goofy cafe & dine
- Rating: 4.4/5 (1812 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#8. Highway Inn Kaka'ako
- Rating: 4.5/5 (393 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#7. Marugame Udon
- Rating: 4.4/5 (4093 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#6. Kona Coffee Purveyors
- Rating: 4.6/5 (492 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#5. Maguro Spot
- Rating: 4.6/5 (211 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#4. Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1680 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#3. Deck.
- Rating: 4.4/5 (802 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#2. Sweet E's Cafe
- Rating: 4.7/5 (691 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#1. Island Soul Shaved Ice
- Rating: 5/5 (76 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor