Hawaii

A cuisine that couples French technique with fresh Hawaiian ingredients. — Forbes Travel Guide

Keahole lobster in an Asian broth; a Hawaiian/Marseilles bouillabaisse; and cut-it-with-a-fork-tender filet of beef tenderloin crusted with red-wine confit onion. — Frommer's

What's a Greek-born, French raised expat been doing in Hawaii for the last 30 years? Perfecting the mad science that goes into approaching island ingredients in a unique and (often) astonishing manner — Condé Nast Traveler

"Expert culinarian" George (Mavro) Mavrothalassitis "delivers on all fronts", offering a "spectacular taste of the islands" at his Hawaii Regional–French "true gourmet experience". — Zagat

George Mavrothalassitis, who took two hotel restaurants to the top of the ranks before opening this James Beard Award–winning restaurant in 1998, admits he's crazy. — Fodor's

Oʻahu’s most elegant Sunday brunch spread covers all the bases, with a made-to-order omelet station. — Lonely Planet

One of the most beautiful restaurants in all Hawaii, Orchids boasts an open-air look, dressed in crisp, white linen, with striking ocean views. — Gayot

Orchids highlights fresh local produce and seafood with elegant presentations in a fantasy setting with consummate service. — Frommer's

Perched along the seawall at historic Gray's Beach, Orchids in the luxe Halekulani resort is open all day. — Fodor's

Oahu locals have long known that special-occasion lunches (birthdays, graduations) are best celebrated at this beachside restaurant within the Halekulani hotel — Travel + Leisure

A trendy wine and tapas bar presents ornately plated food that’s noteworthy, but pricey. — Lonely Planet

This hip and pricey tapas bar is a top place in Hanalei in terms of tastiness, creativity, and pizzazz. — Fodor's

Expect "a bit of urban chic" at this "lively" Med mecca in "picturesque" Hanalei, a "people-watching" scene that "could stand on its own in San Francisco or New York." — Zagat

Given Bar Acuda’s deliciously warm, crusty bread, ordering one hearty and one light dish per person, plus a starter of spiced olives or Marcona almonds per couple, should suffice. — Frommer's

Like an oasis in the desert, this sharp little tapas restaurant has refreshed the otherwise rather dreary culinary world of Kauai's North Shore. — Gayot

"The freshest fish", "gracious" service and "tropical breezes make for an unforgettable experience" exult enthusiasts who find "heavenly bliss" at this "intimate" Pacific Rim seafooder. — Zagat

Mama'€™s has one of the best locations on the island: away from the resort areas, on the oceanfront in the small residential community of Kuau, on the Hana Highway. — Gayot

For almost four decades, Mama's has been the Maui destination for special occasions. — Fodor's

On its own coconut-grove cove on the island’s northern shore, Mama’s has been one of Maui’s most celebrated restaurants since it opened in 1973. — Travel + Leisure

Everything is perfect, from the refreshing, umbrella-topped cocktails to the almond-scented hand towels passed out before dessert. — Frommer's

The best and most authentically French restaurant in Hawai’i makes lavish use of both local seafood and imported delicacies to create “cuisine de soleil". — DK Eyewitness

"By far the finest dining experience you will have on Oahu", this "elegant, intimate" French "keeper" in the "stunning" Halekulani Hotel "aspires to Parisian culinary decadence. — Zagat

At the luxury Halekulani resort, La Mer is rated by traditionalists as Waikiki’s ultimate gourmet dining destination, though it’s old-fashioned. — Lonely Planet

Tucked along the coast on Waikiki’s west side, La Mer makes good use of its enviable location inside the Halekulani hotel — doors open up to welcome in the tradewind breezes and the sound of the ocean — Forbes Travel Guide

Fresh local ingredients like moi and opakapaka often form the foundation of its dishes, but they are prepared with traditional French techniques. — Gayot

Alan Wong is the undisputed king of Hawaiian Regional Cuisine, earning love and respect for his humble demeanor and practice as much as for his food. — Fodor's

Hailed by many as Hawai’i’s best restaurant, Alan Wong’s marries local preferences with a formal setting. — DK Eyewitness

One would think that after more than 15 years, Alan Wong's might have waned in popularity, but this eponymous restaurant is as hot as ever. — Gayot

Worshipful foodies come from all over the state, drawn by the food -- which is brilliant -- and a menu that is irresistible. — Frommer's

This modest restaurant in the middle of McCully is the hearbeat of Hawaii Regional Cuisine. The setting is not fancy or opulent, but casual and comfortable as island life is. — BlackBook

Spago is warm, lively and open, with a spectacular ocean view that is difficult to improve upon. — Gayot

The California cuisine of celebrity-chef Wolfgang Puck is combined with Maui flavors and served lobby level and oceanfront at the luxurious Four Seasons Resort. — Fodor's

Wolfgang Puck shows that despite recent culinary forays into fast food and canned soups, he remains a master of the fine-dining experience. — Forbes Travel Guide

Chef Lewark is masterful at preparing vegetables in unexpected and wonderful ways—consider his foamy tomato “cappuccino,” or the sesame-miso cones with hearts of palm standing in for ahi. — Frommer's

The menu at celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck’s Spago offers Puck’s classics and locally inspired dishes that fuse Hawaiian and Californian cuisines. — DK Eyewitness

ʻUlu Ocean Grill + Sushi Lounge is nestled amid the beautiful grounds of Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, the only Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star hotel on Hawaii Island. — Forbes Travel Guide

Formerly Pahu i'a, this casually elegant restaurant in the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai has been renovated and renamed but retains its open air, oceanfront setting. — Zagat

ʻUlu means 'breadfruit,' and this sustainably minded restaurant is all about locally sourced produce, seafood and meat. — Lonely Planet

"The perfect example of a hotel designed to fit its surroundings," this traditional Hawaiian resort sits on black lava rock. — Condé Nast Traveler

'ULU Ocean Grill & Sushi Lounge at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai at Historic Ka'upulehu takes its name from the Hawaiian word for breadfruit, which was a staple food of the Polynesian people. — Gayot

Overlooking the ocean from a bluff above Wailea Beach, this outdoor Italian restaurant at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea is beautiful both day and night. — Fodor's

Located in the Four Seasons Resort Maui, Ferraro's offers authentic Italian fare in a casual outdoor tropical setting, with a view of the ocean and the West Maui Mountains. — Zagat

The only truly beachside restaurant in Wailea, Ferraro's serves authentic Italian cuisine under a canopy of stars on the edge of Wailea Beach. — Gayot

With live violin music drifting into the moonlight, the al fresco dining at this beachfront ristorante offers one of Maui's most romantic settings (and there's a lot of competition) — Travel + Leisure

No other place in Wailea comes close to this breezy restaurant for romantic seaside dining. — Lonely Planet

This "quaint", "ever-popular" Cantonese establishment is always jammed with a "mix of hipsters, old locals, theatergoers, Downtown white collars and a smattering of tourists. — Zagat

Don't let the decor throw you -- the interior design here reminds us of a small French bistro in Provence. — Frommer's

Little Village dishes up wok-seared menu items brimming with spice and flavor in an ambient eatery that draws local power lunchers as much as the Waikiki tourists. — Condé Nast Traveler

From the dingy exterior, you might expect Little Village Noodle House to be a hole-in-the-wall, but it's surprisingly cute and nicely decorated inside, with fountains, decorative... — Afar Magazine

This Chinatown eatery has friendly service and cheery décor; it appeals to the area'€™s regulars who enjoy the varied menu and the modern additions of salads and such. — Gayot

A smart, sophisticated decor and exceptional food paired with professional service make Red Salt a great choice for leisurely fine dining. — Fodor's

"Delicious, inventive renditions" of Hawaiian cuisine in a "cool setting" that's a "nice respite from the traditional island decor." — Zagat

The best hotel restaurant on Kauai may also be one of the smallest and hardest to find, tucked inside the discreetly located Koa Kea Hotel & Resort. — Frommer's

The minimalist presentation sets the proper stage for food that is satisfying, yet light. — Gayot

At this romantic hideaway, fusion dishes such as pan-seared opah (moonfish) with king crab and a sake-spiked coconut broth or vanilla bean-seared mahimahi elevate the culinary game. — Lonely Planet

High-beamed ceilings, dark post-modern furniture, lush palm trees and large Art Deco mirrors create a glamorous yet unpretentious 1940s, old Hollywood vibe at this upcountry bistro. — Gayot

From morning to evening, this boisterous bistro is the Haʻiku hangout, for locals and visitors alike. — Lonely Planet

It's popular with locals for breakfast and lunch, but try it at dinner when the candles come out and it's time for martinis and fresh fish. — Fodor's

Two miles off Hāna Highway in the small center of Ha‘ikū, this casual bistro is popular with local residents and visitors staying in north-shore rentals. — DK Eyewitness

This go-to spot for Haiku residents serves an excellent breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a classy setting. — Frommer's

At the top of many best-restaurants lists, this expensive, upscale bistro is about as fashionably chic as it gets on Maui. — Fodor's

A few steps off Front Street in the Lahaina Inn... this is a casual yet elegant modern restaurant offering exquisitely prepared and presented food. — DK Eyewitness

This longstanding Lahaina bistro matches tasteful décor (a rarity on the islands) with top-tier service. — Condé Nast Traveler

"Delectable food" and "exceptional art adorning the walls" "make for a lovely Maui evening with a touch of quiet sophistication." — Zagat

From the moment it opened on Valentine’s Day back in 1990, this New American bistro with a European feel has been the most romantic restaurant in Lahaina — Travel + Leisure

The idea here is to order a selection of gorgeous food in small portions. It comes this way so that it can be shared. — DK Eyewitness

The bartenders know their business, and the complimentary edamame guacamole alerts your taste buds that something delicious is about to happen. — Frommer's

Chef-owner Mark Ellman started Maui's culinary revolution of the late '80s with his restaurant Avalon, but Mala is a more than satisfactory successor. — Fodor's

Maui chef Mark Ellman may count rockstars and entertainers as business partners, but his down-home, approachable and elegant fare that launched an empire began with a tapas-style menu. — Condé Nast Traveler

"Plan your day so you're on the deck for sunset" advise viewmasters who double down to Mark Ellman's Hawaii Regional seafooder duo in Maui for "really inventive" "local wonders." — Zagat

This charming and authentically rustic store is where Joe and Beverly Gannon purvey their own delicious style of Hawaii Regional cuisine. — Gayot

Chef Beverly Gannon (and her husband, Joe) left the globetrotting world of catering for rock stars decades ago, settling into a plantation-house eatery on Maui's towering volcano, Haleakala. — Condé Nast Traveler

Smack in the middle of a pineapple plantation, this restaurant is located in a historic building that was once the plantation’s general store. — DK Eyewitness

The culinary sorceress behind this destination dining spot is Chef Bev Gannon, who was one of the original forces behind the Hawaii Regional Cuisine movement. — Lonely Planet

"Before farm-to-fork became the buzzword" there was chef Bev Gannon's "beacon" of Hawaii Regional cuisine "nestled at the base of Haleakala" in Hali'imaile. — Zagat

Chef Peter Merriman began promoting the Hawaii Regional Cuisine movement in 1988 with the opening of this eponymous restaurant in Waimea’s Opelo Plaza. — Travel + Leisure

Perched on a scenic point between Kapalua Bay and Napili Bay, the tiki- and palm-dotted Point Bar is a gorgeous place to unwind after braving the Kahekili Hwy. — Lonely Planet

Among the best restaurants in upcountry Waimea, this is the signature restaurant of Peter Merriman, one of the pioneers of Hawaii Regional Cuisine. — Fodor's

What a "taste extravaganza!" rave fans who merrily make their way to chef Peter Merriman's "true gem" in Waimea, voted No. 1 for Food on Big Island. — Zagat

Probably the best, and certainly the busiest, restaurant in Waimea, Merriman’s is owned by one of the original Hawai’i regional cuisine chefs. — DK Eyewitness

The "amazing array of exquisite" sushi coupled with "scrumptious" entrees and cocktails lures loyalists to this "fabulous", "clublike" Japanese–Pacific Rim chainlet. — Zagat

Specialties include the Kapalua Butterfly Roll, made with salmon, crab, shiromi (white fish), and vegetables, and the shrimp cake with ginger-lime butter and cilantro pesto. — Travel + Leisure

This Pacific Rim menu rolls out everything from ‘new look’ fusion sushi and sashimi to Dungeness crab ramen with black-truffle broth. — Lonely Planet

Sansei was conceived in the hearts of islanders and perfected by locals and nowhere else can you experience wonderful Asian Fusion selections and sushi which is nothing more than memorable. — BlackBook

Perpetual award-winner D. K. Kodama, who built Kapalua's Sansei into one of Maui's most popular eateries. — Frommer's

Freshly squeezed juices, house-baked muffins and just-picked tropical fruit are perfect for lighter appetites. Of course, the coffee is outstanding. — Gayot

Go "barefoot in paradise" at this "bustling" seaside Pacific Rim "treat" in Outrigger Waikiki and Whalers Village, where you can "scrunch your toes in the sand". — Zagat

The food is carefully prepared and familiar—standard breakfast items, steaks and grilled seafood at dinner—but with local and Asian touches that add interest. — Fodor's

Oceanfront Polynesian-themed restaurant with simple, not overly-fussy menu. — BlackBook

This is the best place for breakfast in Waikiki: Not only does it have a terrific view of all of Waikiki (clear to Diamond Head), but the food is fabulous and a great value. — Frommer's

D.K. is a refreshing indie change, with sides that go beyond the usual scalloped potatoes and beefsteak tomatoes with asparagus Milanese. — Gayot

Dry-aged steaks cooked to perfection, plus a view overlooking Waikiki Beach, have made this place a major hit since it opened in the fall of 2004. — Concierge

D.K. Kodama's "clubby" yet "elegant" Waikiki Beach Marriott steakhouse is "one of the best" places on the beach to "savor a real" hunk of dry-aged beef. — Zagat

Perched above Kalakaua Ave on the second floor of the Waikiki Marriott hotel, visitors and islanders gather for the sunset views and the tasty dry aged beef steaks. — BlackBook

The Waikīkī Marriott hosts a steakhouse experience that rivals any in the state, complete with in-house dry aged beef and a unique wine list. — DK Eyewitness

An upgrade from the typical T-shirt-casual joint, this laid-back spot hosts live music nightly. — Lonely Planet

Enjoy "gourmet" Hawaii Regional fare made with local ingredients "while watching the tiki-torch lighting in a beautiful garden setting" at this Kauai Coast Resort "jewel". — Zagat

A casual, airy setting, much like sitting out on a friend's lanai, makes this restaurant at the Kauai Coast Resort at the Beachboy very pleasant and enjoyable. — Gayot

Chef/owner Ron Miller has inspired residents and visitors to find their way here in droves since 2002. — Frommer's

Relying heavily on super-fresh island fish and locally grown vegetables, this restaurant offers quality food that is competently and creatively prepared. — Fodor's