10 Local Ocean-Friendly Restaurants on O‘ahu to Try Now

Art by Anne Marie Price

For the eco-conscious, going out to get a quick bite to eat can turn into an ethical dilemma. Thankfully, these local restaurants help ease the guilt by employing environmentally friendly practices that range from opting for plastic-free cutlery, giving discounts for bringing in reusable cups or supporting local farmers.

In alignment with the “Ocean Friendly Restaurant” program certified by Surfrider Foundation, the ocean-friendly restaurants all follow these mandatory criteria:

1. Only reusable foodware is used for onsite dining
2. Paper straws are provided only upon request
3. No expanded polystyrene use (aka Styrofoam)
4. No plastic bags are used for takeout or to-go orders
5. Single-use utensils, straws, condiments, and other accessory items are provided only upon request
6. Beverages are not sold in plastic bottles
7. Proper recycling practices are followed

SEE ALSO: 7 Eco-Friendly Cups, Flasks and Bottles You Can Buy on O‘ahu

Here are a few of our favorites that help protect the ocean and abide by other environmentally conscious practices:

Kaka‘ako & Ward

Arvo

324 Coral St., (808) 532-7928, arvocafe.com, @a_r_v_o

SEE ALSO: ARVO Reopens in Kaka‘ako With More Aussie Food Options

Merriman’s Honolulu

Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino

1108 Auahi St., (808) 215-0022, merrimanshawaii.com/honolulu, @merrimanshonolulu 

SEE ALSO: New Daily Happy Hour at Merriman’s Honolulu Offers Deep-Fried Shrimp, Poke, Taro Hummus and Signature Cocktails

Off The Wall

Chimichurri wings. Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino

1170 Auahi St., offthewallhawaii.com, @otwhawaii

SEE ALSO: The Most Pet-Friendly Bars and Restaurants on O‘ahu to Grab a Drink With Your Dog

Downtown

Encore Saloon

Photo: Steve Czerniak

10 N. Hotel St., (808) 367-1656, encoresaloon.com, @encoresaloon

SEE ALSO: 2021 Hale ‘Aina Award Winners: Danny Kaaialii and Jonny Vasquez of Encore Saloon, The Daley and Pizza Mamo Win Restaurateurs of the Year

Fête Hawai‘i

Photo: Katie Kenny

2 N. Hotel St., (808) 369-1390, fetehawaii.com, @fetehawaii

SEE ALSO: These 13 Hawai‘i Chefs and Restaurants Just Made the Semifinals of the James Beard Awards

Waikīkī

Hau Tree

Photo: Courtesy of Hau Tree

2863 Kalakaua Ave., Kaimana Beach Hotel, (808) 921-7066, kaimana.com, @thehautree

SEE ALSO: Hau Tree Restaurant at the Kaimana Beach Hotel Wins Gold for Best Outdoor Dining in Hawai‘i

Herringbone

2330 Kalākaua Ave., (808) 797-2435, herringboneeats.com, @herringbonewaikiki

SEE ALSO: Second Chance: Herringbone Waikīkī Reopens with a Bounty of Seafood Favorites

Knots Coffee Roasters

Photo: Natalie Schack

150 Kapahulu Ave., (808) 941-3482, knotscoffee.com, @knotscoffeehawaii

Waikīkī & Kailua

Maui Brewing Co.

Photo: Courtesy of Maui Brewing Co.

Maui Brewing Co. follows ocean-friendly practices that extend as far back as its carbon-neutral brewing process. The main brewery located in Kīhei reclaims all expelled carbon dioxide through the brewing process and filters it to carbonate its beers and push it through the tap lines, resulting in a completely zero-emission brewing process. The Waikīkī and Kailua locations offer fresh local meat and veggies from Waiʻanae, Kahuku and other parts of O‘ahu. Itching for a Bikini Blonde or Coconut Porter to go? Skip the cans and fill up a growler at any of its locations on O‘ahu.

Maui Brewing Co. Waikīkī, 2300 Kalākaua Ave., (808) 843-2739; 573 Kailua Rd., Suite 105
Kailua, mbcrestaurants.com, @mauibrewingco

Kaimukī

Mud Hen Water

Photo: Steve Czerniak

Mud Hen Water, the English translation of Wai‘alae, is another ocean-friendly restaurant found in Kaimukī that offers a hyper-local menu featuring island-grown produce and fish caught sustainably by local fishermen. Known for its modern twists on local style food, the restaurant serves out-of-the-ordinary dishes like its roasted beet poke with smoked macadamia nuts ($9) and its I‘a Lawalu, or local mahi mahi cooked in coals, steamed in banana leaf with local veggies topped with coconut creme ($27). Take away your leftovers in a compostable to-go container and feel good knowing you’ve supported more than a few local businesses.

3452 Wai‘alae Ave., (808) 737-6000, mudhenwater.com, @mudhenwater

Find more ocean-friendly restaurants on O‘ahu, here. surfrider.org, @Surfrider, @ofrhawaii