2026 Hale ‘Aina Award Winners: The Best Restaurants in Hawai‘i
Congratulations to this year’s Hale ‘Aina Award winners announced on June 9, 2026.
Restaurants
2026 Hale ‘Aina Awards: Thai Issan Cuisine Finally Wins Gold for Best Thai
A previous finalist, the cozy gem next to Foodland at Market City has won over Hale ‘Aina voters at last.
New in Town
Places and activities that have opened recently, featured in HONOLULU Magazine.
Where They Are Now: 90-Plus Lahaina Restaurants, Bars, Snack Shops & Food Trucks
More than a third have reopened or are working to reopen, mostly along the Kihei-Lahaina-Ka‘anapali stretch.
Kama‘āina Deals: Restaurants and Eateries
40-plus places where it pays to show your Hawai‘i ID—just remember to ask before the check comes.
50-Plus New Restaurants Have Opened on O‘ahu This Year
Last week, we published a running list of 50-plus restaurants that have closed so far this year. Here’s the flip side.
We Tried It: North Shore Huaka‘i Shuttle to Support Local Businesses
The new $5 roundtrip service to Waialua and Hale‘iwa brings people and dollars to spur economic recovery after the Kona low storms.
Mahalo and Aloha to O‘ahu Restaurants, Bars, Cafés and Eateries That Closed This Year
They closed for different reasons, but the closures are increasing. Here’s our running list.
It’s All in the Family at Kim Chee II, Our 2025 Hale ‘Aina Awards’ Old-School Restaurant We Love
That’s how members of the Chun family’s third generation feel about customers at their Kaimukī eatery.
Restaurants We Love: Resonant Stories From the Best Restaurants in Honolulu
Restaurants with superlative food are one thing. Those with a place in our hearts are another. Our writers explore the restaurants they love.
Supreme Dumplings Opens at Ala Moana Center with Silky, Soupy Xiao Long Bao
It opened Monday, and we are living the xiao long bao life.
Rice Dishes Steal the Show at New Biryani King
Find homestyle Punjabi cooking behind Walmart on Sheridan Street.
Where to Eat If It’s Not Your First Time to O‘ahu
’Tis the season when your mainland friends start texting you for recs. So just ahead of Memorial Day, we're reprising this much-searched post.
Alan Wong’s Opens in The Kāhala Today
More than 5 years after closing his landmark King Street restaurant, the legendary chef is back with a menu of classics.
8 New and Coming Chinese Restaurants on O‘ahu
Six new Chinese restaurants serving cuisine from Guizhou to Hunan have opened, with two more coming soon.
How and Why Little Plum and Lady Elaine Lowered Many of Their Prices
“We don’t want to be too cool for school,” Dusty Grable says. “We want to be busy, and if that means lowering prices, we’ll do it.”
Daji Spicy Pavilion 黔香阁 Brings Guizhou-Style Spice to Honolulu
A beef brisket noodle unlike what you’ve had before, spicy dry mix noodles and juicy potstickers at O‘ahu’s only Guizhou food specialist.
Modern Filipino American Mama Guava Is One of the City’s Most Exciting Restaurants
There’s a catch: The popular lunchtime pop-up in Chinatown is slated to close after February.
Will Restaurants Ever Be the Same?
Reduced hours, higher prices, QR codes and a shift toward small, casual concepts: Our dining scene is in flux. Ten longtime restaurateurs tell us what’s happening.
Here Are the Local Businesses & Restaurants Participating in Today’s National Strike
O‘ahu businesses and restaurants are closing or doing something special for the community to support the call for an end to ICE violence.
Foodflash: 9 Hawai‘i Chefs and Eateries Are in the Running for 2026 James Beard Awards
Longtime restaurateur Peter Merriman leads the pack—and 5 of the 9 are first-time semifinalists.
New & Coming Restaurants on O‘ahu
Notable openings include a new steakhouse, tempura bowls and matcha; plus the latest on Alan Wong’s and a coming beer bar.
HONOLULU Magazine’s Top 10 Stories of 2025
It was a full year of events, holiday celebrations and lots of love for our local restaurants.
O‘ahu’s Best New Restaurants of 2025
Our food writers’ top picks for new restaurants they return to again and again.
