USA TODAY 10Best
Monkeypod Kitchen wins Best Restaurant title
Best Restaurant in Hawaii (2019)
Hawaiian cuisine has exploded in popularity on the Mainland in recent years, and for good reason. The Hawaiian archipelago has some of the freshest seafood in the world, paired with rich Asian influences and a wealth of local ingredients. When you travel to Hawaii, you’re sure to eat well.
The top 10 winners in the category Best Restaurant in Hawaii are as follows:
- Sansei Seafood Resaurant and Sushi Bar - Multiple Locations
- The Banyan Tree - Maui
- Alan Wong's Honolulu - Honolulu
- Beachhouse at the Moana - Honolulu
- Star Noodle - Maui
- Roy's - Multiple Locations
- Duke's - Multiple Locations
- Merriman's Hawaii - Multiple Locations
- Leilani's on the Beach - Maui
- Monkeypod Kitchen - Multiple Locations
Photo courtesy of Steve Brinkman
No. 10:
The menus at Sansei Seafood Resaurant and Sushi Bars throughout the Islands highlight fresh, local seafood. Signature items include Japanese calamari salad with a spicy gochujang vinaigrette, Asian shrimp cakes crusted with crispy Chinese noodles or whole cold water lobster tail.
Photo courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua
No. 9:
The Banyan Tree at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua showcases Hawaii’s most unique and sustainable ingredients, with an emphasis on fresh caught fish and Island-grown produce. Guests can eat in the main dining room or around the fire pit for a more casual experience.
Photo courtesy of Alan Wong's Honolulu
No. 8:
Alan Wong’s flagship Honolulu restaurant calls itself a “culinary studio” for experiments in flavor and ingredients. The menu highlights Hawaiian flavors, with dishes like ginger crusted onaga with miso sesame vinaigrette, twice-cooked kalbi-style short ribs and seared boat scallops with X.O. sauce.
Photo courtesy of Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa
No. 7:
This restaurant at the Moana Surfrider specializes in classic Hawaiian cuisine with a modern twist. Diners enjoy views over Waikiki Beach as they tuck into dishes like Kona lobster bisque, Ahi tuna tataki and seared day boat scallops.
Photo courtesy of iStock / artorn
No. 6:
At Star Noodle, fresh housemade noodles are the star of the show — ramen, saimin and udon noodles are all made daily in-house. Other menu options include tempura shrimp, taro dumplings, adobo pork ribs and nuoc cham wings.
Photo courtesy of Roy Yamaguchi
No. 5:
Roy’s has been serving diners in Hawaii for three decades. Guests choose from an a la carte menu or Roy’s Classics Tasting Menu, which might include things like Szechuan baby back ribs, macadamia-crusted fish in a Kona cold lobster sauce and hot chocolate soufflé with raspberry coulis.
Photo courtesy of Raindrop Branding & Advertising
No. 4:
Duke’s is so popular in Hawaii that it’s spread to the Mainland. Menus focus on hearty comfort food with Hawaiian flavors and ingredients, with guest favorites like local Ahi poke, huli huli chicken and fresh fish caught according to the season.
Photo courtesy of Merriman's Hawaii
No. 3:
Merriman’s has long been a pioneer of Hawaiian regional cuisine and the farm-to-table movement on the Islands. The menu features 90 percent island grown and raised products for dishes like organic taro hummus, tableside poke, macadamia nut crusted fish, Keahole lobster pot pie and diver sea scallops.
Photo courtesy of Raindrop Branding & Advertising
No. 2:
Leilani's on the Beach serves Hawaiian regional cuisine using natural cuts of meat and long-line caught fish, delivered fresh each day. Produce comes from some 40 family owned Maui farms.
Photo courtesy of iStock / bhofack2
No. 1:
A meal at Monkeypod Kitchen is all about sharing a meal and cold beers with friends and family. The seasonal menu might include options like Kauai shrimp and mushroom potstickers, poke tacos, mahi mahi fish and chips or grilled Ahi, served alongside dozens of beers on tap.
A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to pick the initial 20 nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote.
Congratulations to all these winning restaurants!
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Marla Cimini
Marla is an award-winning writer with a passion... Read More
Marla is an award-winning writer with a passion for travel, music, surfing and culinary adventures! An avid globetrotter and professional storyteller, she has covered topics that include wild Tahitian getaways; Sicilian wine trails, delectable Hawaiian food trends and luxury beachfront resorts. Her articles have appeared in numerous publications worldwide, including USA Today and many others. Marla is co-author of the book, A Century of Hospitality, a historical exploration of US hotels. Follow her on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
Marla Cimini
Marla is an award-winning writer with a passion for travel, music, surfing and culinary adventures! An avid globetrotter and professional storyteller, she has covered topics that include wild Tahitian getaways; Sicilian wine trails, delectable Hawaiian food trends and luxury beachfront resorts. Her articles have appeared in numerous publications worldwide, including USA Today and many others. Marla is co-author of the book, A Century of Hospitality, a historical exploration of US hotels. Follow her on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
Sheila Beal
Sheila Beal has been sharing award-winning Hawaii... Read More
Sheila Beal has been sharing award-winning Hawaii travel advice at GoVisitHawaii.com since 2006. With her visitor's perspective and writing as though she's giving advice to her friends and family, Sheila's style has resonated with Hawaii visitors around the globe. Follow Sheila on Twitter or join the Go Visit Hawaii Facebook community.
Sheila Beal
Sheila Beal has been sharing award-winning Hawaii travel advice at GoVisitHawaii.com since 2006. With her visitor's perspective and writing as though she's giving advice to her friends and family, Sheila's style has resonated with Hawaii visitors around the globe. Follow Sheila on Twitter or join the Go Visit Hawaii Facebook community.
