One of my favorite things to do is dine in at one of the many outdoor restaurants in Honolulu. Honolulu is home to perfect weather, warm ocean breezes, fresh ingredients, and amazing sunsets. Spending time outside is part of Hawaiian life. That includes dining. Check out some of my favorite outdoor restaurants below:
1. Aloha Beer Co.
Type: Brew Pub
Aloha Beer has one of my favorite styled patios. The entire outdoor space was designed by local artists. Not only is the dining area fun, but the beer selection is always good and the food is great for a local brew pub.
Recommendation: Buy a growler and take beer to go!
700 Queen St.
Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 544-1605
www.alohabeer.com
2. Deck at Queen Kapiolani Hotel
Type: Casual Dining
Deck is located on the terrace of the Queen Kapiolani Hotel. The large lanai (which means “deck” or “patio” in Hawaiian), looks out over the Kapiolani Regional Park and the Honolulu Zoo.
Recommendation: Go later in the day. The deck is fully exposed.
150 Kapaulu Ave.
Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 931-4488
www.deckwaikiki.com
3. Duke's Waikiki
Type: Casual Dining
Duke’s is one of the most popular and busiest restaurants in Waikiki. Located right on the ocean at Waikiki Beach, it’s a great place to grab a bite to eat while you do some people-watching. The food and drinks are great, but it’s really all about the location with this restaurant.
Recommendation: Check their website and visit when they have live music outside!
2335 Kalakaua Ave
Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 922-2268
www.dukeswaikiki.com
4. Sky Waikiki RAW & BAR
Type: Bar
If you want to get above the city, Sky Waikiki is a must visit. This is one of the most thrilling of all outdoor restaurants in Honolulu. Located 19 stories above Waikiki, you get a wide view of the area. The entire outdoor seating area is surrounded with glass from floor to railing. Not for the faint of heart!
Recommendation: Try the sparkling wine oyster shooters!
2270 Kalakaua Ave
Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 979-7590
www.skiwaikiki.com
5. Barefoot Beach Cafe
Type: Casual Dining
The Barefoot Beach Cafe is located at the far southern end of Waikiki, between Queens Beach and Kaimana Beach. If you’re on the beach, this is a great place to order a sandwich or a burger and fries. The view is amazing all day here.
Recommendation: Stop here for a quick bite, don’t plan an evening around this lunch spot.
2699 Kalakaua Ave.
Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 924-2233
www.barefootbeachcafe.com
6. Basalt
Type: Casual Dining
Basalt won bronze for 2021 Best Outdoor Dining by Honolulu Magazine. The restaurant is located off the main Waikiki beach strip in the Hyatt Centric Waikiki Beach Hotel. The outdoor seating is nice, but not a great view. However the food at Basalt makes up for what it lacks in ambiance.
Recommendation: Try Basalt during their daily 3-5pm Happy Hour!
2255 Kuhio Ave.
Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 923-5689
www.basaltwaikiki.com
7. Mai Tai Bar at the Royal Hawaiian
Type: Bar
The Mai Tai Bar is located on the beach side of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. To get to the bar, you have to walk through the hotel grounds. Once seated, you have a view of Waikiki Beach.Â
Recommendation: This is a great spot to eat at sunset. Show up about an hour before sunset to get a seat.
2259 Kalakaua Ave.
Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 923-7311
www.royal-hawaiian.com
8. Island Vintage Wine Bar
Type: Wine Bar
The Island Vintage Wine Bar is a fun place for self-serve wine tasting. Customers purchase a charge card and fill their own glasses at automated tasting machines! The seating is more of an open-air feeling than full outdoor dining.
Recommendation: Stop in for brunch. This restaurant made my list of Top 7 Favorite Honolulu Brunch Spots.
2301 Kalakaua Ave.
Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 799-9463
www.islandvintagewinebar.com
9. Honolulu Beerworks
Type: Brew Pub
Beerworks is my favorite brew pub on the island. The staff is super friendly, regular rotating beer options, and good bar food. They have two outdoor seating areas on either side of the bar. The mauka or “mountain” side is decorated with a mountain landscape. The makai or “seaward” side is decorated with ocean designs.Â
Recommendation: Try the rotating flavor infused vodka drinks!
328 Cooke St.
Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 589-2337
www.honolulubeerworks.com
10. Encore Saloon
Type: Casual Dining
Located in Chinatown, Encore Saloon dishes out simple, but delicious food and is one of the few Mexican outdoor restaurants in Honolulu. The bar is stocked with a huge selection of tequila. Taste a few! The enclosed patio is great if you want to take a break from the busy Chinatown streets.
Recommendation: Order the al pastor tacos. These are hard to find anywhere else on the island!
10 N. Hotel Street
Honolulu, HI 96817
(808) 367-1656
www.encoresaloon.com
11. Orchids at the Halekulani Hotel
Type: Fine Dining
Located in the Halekulani Hotel, Orchids uses locally sourced ingredients to build their Italian menu. There is no public beach in front of the outdoor seating area. The provides an unobstructed view of the ocean!
Recommendation: Stop in for afternoon tea and experience some of the most delectable finger sandwiches, pastries, and world class service.
2199 Kalia Rd.
Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 923-2311
www.halekulani.com
12. Tommy Bahama Restaurant
Type: Casual Dining
Not just a clothing store, the Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar has a wide variety of small bites, salads, burgers, ribs, and fresh fish. The outdoor seating is several stories up and provides a nice view of the shoppers below.
Recommendation: The restaurant is near a ton of small shops. If there’s a delay to get a table, shop while you wait!
298 Beach Walk
Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 923-8785
www.tommybahama.com
13. Azure
Type: Fine Dining
As outdoor restaurants in Honolulu go, Azure is one of my favorite fine dining options. Located on the beach side of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, they offer some appetizing pre fixe menus, served in their outdoor beach dining area.
Recommendation: Have a drink at the Mai Tai Bar next door while you wait for a table!
2259 Kalakaua Ave.
Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 921-4600
www.royal-hawaiian.com
14. Hula Grill Waikiki
Type: Casual Dining
The Hula Grill is located right along Waikiki Beach and serves daily line-caught fish on the menu. The outdoor seating area is directly above Duke’s restaurant. Because it is on the second floor, it has the benefit of an unobstructed view of the ocean.Â
Recommendation: Have a piece of Hula Pie! You will not regret it!
2335 Kalakaua Ave.
Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 923-4852
www.hulagrillwaikiki.com
15. Kona Brewing - Hawaii Kai
Kona Brewing was founded as local brewery on the Big Island back in 1994 and has grown to a global brand. The only Oahu location is located in Hawaii Kai, with outdoor seating that looks out over the marina.
Local Tip: Ask the bartender for off menu beer options. Then wink…with your left eye.
7192 Kalanianole Hwy
Honolulu, HI 96825
(808) 396-5662
www.konabrewinghawaii.com
OTHER AMAZING OUTDOOR RESTAURANTS ON OAHU
If you’re looking to get out of Waikiki, Honolulu, and the tourist zone, check out these other outdoor restaurants.
Mina's Fish House
Located in the Four Seasons Resort at Ko Olina, Mina’s menu focuses on traditional Hawaiian seafood and tropical cocktails.
Recommendation: You must order the If Can, Can cocktail. It’s a $20 premium cocktail, served in a SPAM can!
92-1001 Olani St.
Kapolei, HI 96707
(808) 679-0079
www.michaelmina.net
Hale'iwa Joe's in Kaneohe
Hale’iwa (ha-lay-ee-va) Joe’s is a seafood grill known for its prime rib and jumbo mai tais. Located on the east side of the island in Kaneohe, the outdoor seating area oversees a tropical garden and koi pond. Take a walk through the garden while you wait for your table.
Recommendation: Go early if you want the prime rib, it sells out daily!
46-336 Haiku Rd.
Kaneohe, HI 96744
(808) 247-6671
www.haleiwajoes.com
Mad Bene
If you’re out and about on the west side of the island, I highly recommend you stop at Mad Bene. This casual dining restaurant in Kapolei takes pride in hand made pasta and authentic Italian dishes.
Recommendation: Get anything with a red sauce, you won’t be disappointed!
4450 Kapolei Pkwy
Kapolei, HI 96707
(808) 744-7400
www.madbene.com
Buzz's Original Steak House
Located on the east side of Oahu near Kailua Beach and Lanikai, Buzz’s Original Steakhouse offers a variety of red meat options. Their full menu includes prime rib, riby eye, new york steak, ribs, and more!Â
Recommendation: MAKE…A…RESERVATION
413 Kawailoa Rd.
Kailua, HI 96734
(808) 261-4661
www.buzzsoriginalsteakhouse.com
Do you have any favorite outdoor restaurants in Honolulu? Let me know which ones and why in the comments!
