The best restaurants Hawaii

Haleiwa's most upscale restaurant, in a casual, exotic setting. A menu of Hawaiian fish and seafood specialties: shrimp in coconut milk, fish chip with wasabi sauce, grilled catch of the day with macadamia nut pesto, pork with pineapple. Very good cocktail menu around 10 US$. At aperitif time, the "happy-hour" will please small budgets: various pupus (salty snacks) and drinks at half price. Very good value for money and nice terrace with sea view. The establishment has opened a second address in Kaneohe.

Between two sunbathing sessions, run to Lanikai Juice to refresh yourself with a delicious fresh fruit juice. Papaya, banana, mango, passion fruit, enough to make your mouth water. Try their fruit smoothies and yogurts. Of course Lanikai Juice has also started to make bowls with acai, pitaya or banana and spirulina. The products are local and fresh. New blends are introduced every week at a reduced price. Six addresses are now open, including one in Waikiki at 388 Kamake Street, proof of success!

If we were to introduce you to Nico's Pier, we would have to talk about Nicolas, a Frenchman who arrived in Hawaii a few years ago. His success story began with a small shop where he simply sold fish dishes. With this success, he opened a restaurant on the fish market. The promise remains the same: the best fish on the island at the best price. His secret: he buys directly from the fishermen. Self-service at lunchtime; in the evening, the cuisine is more elaborate, with a menu where fish remains king!

Popular and family restaurant very frequented by the locals. The atmosphere alone is worth the detour, its simple decoration reminds us of American movie dinners and the service is impeccable. As for the food, it is good and satisfying for a very modest sum. On the menu: pizza, burgers, salads, pasta and cooked meats. Special mention for the pizzas, which are exquisite! 6 are named after the main Hawaiian islands and some are emblematic; for example, the Lanai pizza is naturally pineapple.

When you go to Olympic Café, you're sure you're not hungry anymore! The house seems to be making a point of serving gargantuan portions while keeping its small prices. Family cuisine, as at home. You have to sit on the floor because the sea view of the bay is really exceptional. Breakfast is delicious: cheats, omelettes, coffee espresso.

A good truck address! There is a quiet snack on the terrace. A pure moment of happiness.

A lovely setting with high ceilings, checkerboard floors and a great view of Hilo Bay to boot! Italian-Hawaiian cuisine, with pizzas, pastas, sandwiches and salads. The establishment started with simple take-out pizzas and then, due to its success, expanded into a restaurant. The products used are local and fresh, which makes the difference. On the menu: seafood or chicken and chanterelle risotto, luau pizza with Kalua-style pork and grilled pineapple or artichoke, gorgonzola and rosemary pizza.

Historically, this is the first type of van in Kahuku. And the establishment claims it high and strong on the panels! Above all, since other vans have moved around and competition has become fierce, we cannot miss Giovanni's van at any rate; This is the first one to see and its white body is literally covered with graffiti.

But shrimp have lost in quality over time, and their seasoning also. As for cleanliness, it is average. Instead, go to the nearby pickup truck.

A bakery famous for its unctuous Portuguese doughnuts, the famous malasadas, and its "chocolate haupia" (chocolate and coconut) pie. Created by a young Japanese man, Ted Nakamura, on the land bought by his father, who emigrated to work in the sugar cane industry, the bakery serves hot dishes and salads. The meals are a bit expensive, prefer the copious breakfasts served until 10:30 am, to be tasted on the spot or on the beach. Very famous, the address has received many awards, hence the queue that quickly forms in the late morning.

Located by the sea, at the northern exit of Lahaina city center, Mala Ocean Tavern offers a superb view from its terrace. Seats are expensive, so come early or book online, especially since the address offers live concerts every day from 2 to 4 pm with drinks and shared dishes at half price (beware happy hour reserved for those who dine in). Smaller budgets will go for the brunch which is served from 9 am to 2 pm with nice sweet and sour dishes. To test: the ube pancakes made with sweet potatoes.

The Sunrise Shack is the trendy address on Oahu, with three outlets on the island: Kailua (east), Shark Cove (north) and Ala Moana Shopping Center in Honolulu. On the menu: a vast choice of "bowls", these fruit mixes that have become an art in Hawaii with toasted coconut, muesli or date and spirulina, the choice is vast and all options are good. The other flagship product of Sunrise is the "bullet coffee" a cold coffee mixed with several vegetable oils, a new fashion in the United States. A must try!

Competition is tough in the shrimp business in Kahuku, but Fumi has earned the loyalty of the locals. Set up on the side of the road, Fumi's van is surrounded by a dozen picnic tables and tarps providing welcome shade in the area. The shrimp are fresh and the proportions consistent. There are several options: garlic, lemon, spicy or plain. They are served with rice, fries or vegetables. It is better to come early or to reserve in advance because the address is popular with visitors who are touring the island.

Located right next to Hilo's market, Poke n Sides has a full house every lunchtime. And for good reason, in addition to its breakfasts (loco moco and pancakes) and its burgers, the address proposes local dishes of the day: smoked Kalua pork plate or lau lau style, fish tacos or fish & chips with Ahi. Our preference remains the poke bowl. Three fishes and sauces are proposed according to the arrival, deliciously seasoned, with a choice of two accompaniments. We recommend the purple sweet potato and the "soy beans" with sesame.

Five Star Poke is the food truck that proves that fresh and quality food can be prepared in a truck. The raw fish offered varies according to the catch of the day: salmon, abalone, ahi or shrimp. Marinated with ginger, soy sauce and green onions, it can also be spiced with garlic or jalapeno. The combo option allows you to try two fish. All in good proportion and accompanied by rice, salad and homemade ginger lemonade. Nice wooden tables allow you to eat on the spot. Possibility to order online.

Another poke restaurant, but impossible to get tired of it! Maguro is one of the good addresses at low prices of Kuhio Avenue, anticipate the time of the meal to avoid queuing! The principle is simple, you choose the size, the fish (tuna, salmon, blue marlin, shrimps or everything!), the sauce (spicy mayonnaise, spicy sesame, wasabi sesame, teriyaki, creamy sesame, Hawaiian or oyster sauce) and finally the desired toppings (avocado, pine nuts, cucumber, edamame, garlic, macadamia nuts, green onions) and voila!

Maui's must-visit address is now present in Waikiki and Kailua. Specializing in fresh fish, Paia Fish Market offers plates based on the catch of the day. Among the fish regularly available: mahi mahi, ono (wahoo), snapper (snapper), ahi (yellowfin tuna), salmon and opah (lampris or sunfish). You can choose whether you want it grilled, sautéed, smoked or Cajun style (in sauce). For those on a budget, fish burgers or tacos are just as delicious.

The Fish Bar Deli is the place to go in Kapaa for fresh, local and seasonal food. The menu varies according to the arrival of the guests. Among the specialties that regularly appear on the menu are the tuna belly fish and chips with homemade sauce, the buttermilk fried chicken and the pizza with kale, parmesan and truffle oil. Note that the bread is homemade, a treat. Take the opportunity to compose your own sandwich à la carte with the large choice of ingredients available. Finally, the happy hour from 3:30 to 5:30 pm allows you to try the house cocktails.

If at first glance the Spitfire doesn't look like anything more than a snack in a shopping mall, it is definitely the best poke and the best value in Waikiki. The choice of fish and sauce is wide, the side dishes include grilled vegetables, which is rare, and the whole thing is enhanced with grilled onions, pickled cabbage, fresh avocado or radishes. A delicious and healthy dish at a low price. For dessert, don't miss the still warm malasadas, our preference being the purple sweet potato (ube).

Sister address of Naalehu Restaurant, Taco tita specializes, as its name indicates, in take-out tacos. You will have the choice between several meats (pork, chicken, beef or snapper) or vegetables and starches for the vegetarian option as well as a sauce (cream-based, tomato-based, spicy...). Also worth trying are the nachos, served in generous portions, accompanied by homemade passion fruit lemonade or Horchata, a drink made from rice and almond milk. Payment in cash only.

Shaka Tacoz is an institution on the West Coast, better to reserve in advance by phone so as not to wait too long on the spot. On the menu: tacos, bowl or burrito with a choice of meats (pork, beef, fish, asada, vegetables) and a choice of sauces (lemon and cream, mango or lava, more or less spicy). Salad or quesadilla option. The products are fresh and the dishes are copious. Discounts on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Shaka Tacoz also recently opened a bar-truck in Kona at 75-6129 Ali'i Dr. from Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm.

Here is a 100% local address on the heights of Captain Cook, along the road that leads to Two Steps and the south of the island. Run by native Hawaiians, this small family restaurant offers traditional dishes: lomi lomi salmon, kalua pork or even pork or chicken laulau. It is simple but consistent and well prepared. It is possible to eat there but we advise you to go a little further to find a spot with a view. For dessert, don't miss the Haupia Pie with coconut and sweet potato, a real treat.

This second address opened in 2016 in Lahaina. Fish for all tastes: in sandwiches, in sashimi, as a dish or in salad. Not to mention fish and chips and fish pasta! The dishes on the menu change according to the catch of the day. Very good value for money. The must: the mahi burger, also called "ono" burger ("delicious" in Hawaiian). It is also the cheapest dish, ideal for small budgets. Note that the line forms every day at the entrance of the restaurant from 11 am, anticipate.

Very popular with the locals, Umeke is a poke restaurant ("umeke" means "bowl" in Hawaiian) made famous by its chef Nakoa Pabre who has participated in many television shows in the United States. On the menu: traditional Hawaiian dishes revisited with a modern touch like the "next level laulau" or the "mo loco" and of course poke bowls with several sauces to choose from (da Avo with avocado, Aina with sweet potato and broccoli...). A treat. Live music from 6pm to 8:30pm.