2013 Hale Aina Award Winners: Best Restaurants

November 11, 2012

Site Staff,

Congratulations to the 2013 Hale Aina Award winners!

Each year, HONOLULU Magazine readers vote for their favorite restaurants in the Islands. The winning restaurants were announced at a gala reception held November 11, 2012 at the Royal Hawaiian’s Monarch Ballroom. See our upcoming January 2013 issue for more on the Hale Aina Awards.

First Hawaiian Bank Priority Rewards ^SM Credit Card holders will earn 2 CashPoints ^SM for every $1 spent at these specific Gold winning Hale Aina restaurants. Offer ends 3/31/13.

CHEF’S CHOICE AWARD
Le Bistro

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR
GOLD — Roy’s
SILVER — Alan Wong’s Restaurant
BRONZE — Le Bistro
FINALIST — Chai’s Island Bistro
FINALIST — Chef Mavro

BEST OAHU RESTAURANT
GOLD — Roy’s
SILVER — Alan Wong’s Restaurant
BRONZE — 12th Ave Grill
FINALIST — Azure
FINALIST – TOWN

BEST MAUI RESTAURANT
GOLD — Lahaina Grill
SILVER — Mama’s Fish House
BRONZE — Merriman’s Kapalua
FINALIST — Haliimaile General Store
FINALIST — Mala Ocean Tavern

BEST BIG ISLAND RESTAURANT
GOLD — Merriman’s Waimea
SILVER — Roy’s
BRONZE — Sansei Waikoloa
FINALIST — Holuakoa Gardens & Café
FINALIST — Kaleo’s Bar & Grill

BEST KAUAI RESTAURANT
GOLD — The Beach House Restaurant
SILVER — Merriman’s Fish House Poipu
BRONZE – Roy’s
FINALIST — Bar Acuda
FINALIST — Josselin’s Tapas Bar & Grill

BEST NEW RESTAURANT
GOLD — Salt Kitchen & Tasting Bar
SILVER — The Grove Restaurant
BRONZE — Honu
FINALIST — Cactus
FINALIST – Prima

FAVORITE LITTLE NEIGHBORHOOD RESTAURANT
GOLD — 12th Ave Grill
SILVER — Le Bistro
BRONZE — Mala Ocean Tavern
FINALIST — Kalapawai Cafe
FINALIST — TOWN

BEST SERVICE
GOLD — Lahaina Grill
SILVER — Roy’s
BRONZE — Alan Wong’s Restaurant
FINALIST — La Mer
FINALIST — Ruth’s Chris Steak House

BEST LUNCH
GOLD — The Pineapple Room by Alan Wong
SILVER — Mariposa
BRONZE — Tango Contemporary Cafe
FINALIST — Cafe Julia
FINALIST — Downtown @ HiSAM

BEST BRUNCH
GOLD — Orchids
SILVER — Prince Court
BRONZE — Plumeria Beach House
FINALIST — Mala Ocean Tavern
FINALIST — Oceanarium Restaurant, Pacific Beach Hotel

BEST BREAKFAST
GOLD — Cinnamon’s
SILVER — Cafe Kaila
BRONZE — Longhi’s
FINALIST — Original Pancake House
FINALIST — Tango Contemporary Cafe

BEST COCKTAIL
GOLD — Nobu Waikiki
SILVER — The Lobby Bar @ The Modern Honolulu
BRONZE — Lewers Lounge
FINALIST — 39 Hotel
FINALIST – TOWN

BEST PRIVATE ROOM
GOLD — Ruth’s Chris Steak House
SILVER — The Willows
BRONZE — Morton’s The Steakhouse
FINALIST — Sarento’s Waikiki
FINALIST — Wolfgang’s Steakhouse

BEST FOOD TRUCK
GOLD — Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck
SILVER — Camille’s on Wheels
BRONZE — Soul Patrol
FINALIST — Da Falafel King
FINALIST — Ono To Go

BEST WINE PROGRAM
GOLD — Formaggio
SILVER — Vino Italian Tapas & Wine Bar
BRONZE — Brasserie Du Vin
FINALIST — Chef Mavro
FINALIST — La Mer

BEST VALUE
GOLD — Side Street Inn
SILVER — Big City Diner
BRONZE — Cafe O Lei
FINALIST — Good to Grill
FINALIST — Marukame Udon

BEST PUPU
GOLD — Side Sreet Inn
SILVER — Roy’s
BRONZE — Uncle Bo’s
FINALIST — Hiroshi Eurasian Tapas
FINALIST — Home Bar & Grill

BEST PLACE TO TAKE VISITORS
GOLD — Mama’s Fish House
SILVER — Helena’s Hawaiian Food
BRONZE — Tiki’s Grill & Bar
FINALIST — House Without a Key
FINALIST — Top of Waikiki

BEST RESTAURANT FOR A DATE NIGHT
GOLD — Michel’s at the Colony Surf
SILVER — Hy’s Steak House
BRONZE — Hoku’s
FINALIST — Azure
FINALIST — La Mer

BEST RESTAURANT FOR A BIG GROUP
GOLD — Buca di Beppo
SILVER — The Willows
BRONZE — Side Street Inn
FINALIST — Shokudo
FINALIST — Uncle Bo’s

BEST VEGETARIAN
GOLD — Whole Foods Market
SILVER — Down To Earth
BRONZE — Umeke Market
FINALIST — Downbeat Diner
FINALIST — Peace Cafe

BEST GOURMET COMFORT FOOD
GOLD — Side Street Inn
SILVER — 12th Ave Grill
BRONZE — TOWN
FINALIST — Kalapawai Cafe
FINALIST — Soul

BEST STEAK
GOLD — Ruth’s Chris Steak House
SILVER — Hy’s Steak House
BRONZE — Morton’s The Steakhouse
FINALIST — d.k. Steak House
FINALIST — Wolfgang’s Steakhouse

BEST SEAFOOD
GOLD — Nico’s at Pier 38
SILVER — Mama’s Fish House
BRONZE — Uncle’s Fish Market & Grill
FINALIST — Azure
FINALIST — Mitch’s

BEST DESSERT
GOLD — Alan Wong’s Restaurant
SILVER — JJ Bistro & French Pastry
BRONZE — The Alley Restaurant at Aiea Bowl
FINALIST — Cafe Laufer
FINALIST — Nobu Waikiki

BEST CHINESE
GOLD — Little Village Noodle House
SILVER — Happy Day
BRONZE — Pah Ke’s Chinese Restaurant
FINALIST — China Boat
FINALIST — Fook Yuen

BEST HAWAIIAN
GOLD — Ono Hawaiian Food
SILVER — Helena’s Hawaiian Food
BRONZE — Young’s Fish Market
FINALIST — Highway Inn
FINALIST — Yama’s Fish Market

BEST ITALIAN
GOLD — Assaggio Italian Ristorante
SILVER — Cafe Sistina
BRONZE — Sabrina’s
FINALIST — Bernini
FINALIST — Taormina Sicilian Cuisine

BEST JAPANESE
GOLD — Nobu Waikiki
SILVER — Izakaya Gaku
BRONZE — Sushi Sasabune
FINALIST — Imanas Tei
FINALIST — Restaurant Wada

BEST THAI
GOLD — Phuket Thai
SILVER — Bangkok Chef
BRONZE — Champa Thai
FINALIST — Thai Chef
FINALIST — To Thai For

BEST FILIPINO
GOLD — Elena’s Restaurant
SILVER — Max’s of Manila
BRONZE — Thelma’s Restaurant
FINALIST — Julie’Z Restaurant
FINALIST — Mabuhay Cafe & Restaurant

BEST FRENCH
GOLD — Le Bistro
SILVER — La Mer
BRONZE — Chef Mavro
FINALIST — Gerard’s
FINALIST — Michel’s at the Colony Surf

BEST GREEK
GOLD — Olive Tree Cafe
SILVER — The Fat Greek
BRONZE — Greek Marina
FINALIST — Greek Corner
FINALIST — Mediterranean Gourmet

BEST INDIAN
GOLD — Himalayan Kitchen
SILVER — Cafe Maharani
BRONZE — India Cafe
FINALIST — Cafe TajMahal
FINALIST — Monsoon India

BEST KOREAN
GOLD — Sorabol
SILVER — Million Restaurant
BRONZE — Choi’s Garden
FINALIST — Ah-Lang Restaurant
FINALIST — Yakiniku Don-Day

BEST MEXICAN
GOLD — Azteca Mexican Restaurant
SILVER — Los Chaparros
BRONZE — Serg’s Mexican Kitchen
FINALIST — Mexico Restaurant
FINALIST — Zaratez Mexicatessen

BEST VIETNAMESE
GOLD — Hale Vietnam
SILVER — Pho One
BRONZE — Pho 777
FINALIST — Duc’s Bistro
FINALIST — Saigon Noodle House