A 5-Night Culinary Tour of Oʻahu

While most of Oʻahu’s hotels are in Waikīkī, that’s not where you’ll be doing most of your eating. AC Hotel Honolulu is centrally located and within walking distance of many of Honolulu’s best dining destinations and bars. Check-in is at 3 p.m and our first restaurant, Fête, is walking distance from the hotel.

From $253 per night

Start your trip with a meal at James Beard Award-winning Fête — a local favorite known for elevated comfort food, inventive cocktails and one of the island’s best wine lists. With all-day dining, this is an ideal spot for lunch, dinner or a light meal during off-peak hours. Local tip: If you're a walk-in, the window between 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. is the best time to score a coveted seat. Otherwise, you will need to book reservations at least a week in advance.

Try: Chicken liver mousse, vitello tonnato, smoked ono club, house-made rocky road ice cream

Average price per person: Lunch $35, Dinner $60

The largest farmers market on the island offers an extensive overview of what’s produced in Hawaiʻi. This is your stop to sample fresh tropical fruit, Hawaiʻi-grown coffee, honey and chocolate, hand-pulled noodles, poke, pastries and more. Visit local farm stands such as MAʻO Organic Farms, Kahumana Organic Farm, Ahiki Acres and Lovan Farm to see what’s grown on the island. Open 8 a.m. to noon.

Try: Grok Coffee, Youpo Noodles, Little Sparrow, ʻUlu & Kalo Bakery, Madre Chocolate

Visit Kō Hana Distillers for a tour of the distillery to learn about Hawaiʻi’s agricole-style rum, made from heirloom sugar cane. Tastings are offered every 30 minutes from 10:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., and tours run from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tastings from $15
Tours from $35

Hawaiʻi is the only state in the U.S. that grows cacao commercially. Come see how chocolate is made with a tour and tasting at Mānoa Chocolate, one of Hawaiʻi's most renowned producers of bean-to-bar chocolate. There is even a natural wine bar onsite.

While you are in Kailua, you have to have dinner at Faria. You’ve likely never had Portuguese food like this. The chef's Pasifika local-style approach reflects the experience of growing up in a large Portuguese family in Hawaiʻi. Portions are generous, wine is affordable, and the hospitality feels like a home-cooked gathering.

Try: Salt cod and potato fritters, salt and vinegar chicken wings, oxtail caldo verde, pastéis de nata

Average price per person: $60

Chef Ed Kenney has been a major influence on Hawaiʻi’s food culture since opening his first restaurant, Town, in 2005. That institution had a 16-year run before making way for its sister restaurant, Mud Hen Water, across the street. Mud Hen Water serves a modern take on Hawaiian cuisine. Kenney's chef de cuisine, Alika Chun, and team are deeply committed to supporting local agriculture and creating dishes (and drinks) that offer a true sense of place.

Try: Bali banana pancakes, fresh fish and lūʻau, pohole, crispy ʻulu

Average price per person: $50

Enjoy a late lunch with an ocean view at Monkeypod Kitchen, located inside the Outrigger Reef Waikīkī Beach Resort. Owner Peter Merriman is one of the founding chefs of Hawaiʻi Regional Cuisine — a farm-to-table movement launched in 1991 by 12 local chefs. The menu reflects a blend of immigrant culinary traditions with local Hawaiian ingredients. Restaurant is open breakfast, lunch, happy hour and dinner all the way through.

Try: Poke tacos, fresh island fish sandwich with garlic fries, macadamia nut-crusted fish and pie (any flavor).

Average price per person: $52

Giovedi brings inventive Italian-Asian fusion to life in a hip, energetic setting — think house music, hip-hop, amaro cocktails and warm, attentive service. The menu is designed to be shared family-style, so order a little of everything and pass it around.

Try: Prosciutto San Daniele, nairagi crudo, foie gras torchon, gnocchi mapobolognese, char siu pork

Average price per person: $75–$90

Kualoa Ranch is a 4,000-acre working cattle ranch, oyster and shrimp farm, and cultural reserve — also famous as the filming location for “Jurassic Park.” The on-site market and café serve food grown and raised on the property, including taro and seafood. Take a farm tour and enjoy some farm-to-table eats while you are there.

Try: Fresh Kualoa oysters, smoothies, banana-kalo bread pudding

Your culinary tour of Oʻahu would not be complete without trying traditional Hawaiian food. Located on Oʻahu’s windward side, Waiahole Poi Factory is a 100-year-old poi factory that's been serving Hawaiian plate lunches since 2009. It’s beloved for its signature dessert, Sweet Lady of Waiahole — a warm kulolo (poi and coconut pudding) topped with creamy haupia (coconut) ice cream.

Try: Laulau, kalua pig, hōʻio salad, poi, Sweet Lady of Waiahole

Plate lunches from $16

Make a quick stop here on your way back to town. This local gem makes noodles using Hawaiʻi-grown ingredients such as ʻulu (breadfruit), kalo (taro), malunggay (moringa) and ʻuala (purple sweet potato). Adela’s is committed to building a sustainable local food system, and the menu is both creative and deeply rooted in place. It's a takeout spot, so order a plate of noodles to-go and try them in the car.

Try: ʻUlu noodles with portobello mushrooms, malunggay noodles with lechon

Average price per person: $30

In the evening, grab a seat at the bar of this Oʻahu institution. Side Street Inn is known for its large, family-style platters of Hawaiʻi local comfort food, so start with one dish and go from there.

Try: Pan-fried pork chops, kalbi ribs, poke

Average price per person: $35

Co-owned by celebrity chef Lee Anne Wong, Koko Head Café offers all-day brunch that’s popular with both locals and visitors. The portions are generous, and many ingredients are locally sourced. Make a reservation ahead of time.

Try: Cornflake French toast, lūʻau and eggs, tropical fresh fruit, the best hash brown ever

Average price per person: $35

This no-frills eatery specializes in smoked meats and plate lunches, using invasive guava wood in the smoking process for a unique flavor.

Try: Smoked chicken, smoked pork

Mixed Plate: $19.58+tax

Waiola Store in Mōʻiliʻili is known for its ultra-fine, fluffy shave ice and baby blue corner location in the middle of a residential neighborhood. The extensive list of syrups and toppings makes for endless flavor combinations.

Try: Small size with coconut and lilikoʻi

Average price per person: $4

We're hitting all the greats on this trip. Chef Andrew Le’s inventive modern Vietnamese menu at The Pig & The Lady is a must-visit. “The Pig” refers to Le himself, and “The Lady” is his mom — whose pho helped inspire the restaurant’s cult following. Expect bold flavors, creative dishes and one of Honolulu’s most acclaimed dining experiences.

Try: Burmese tea salad, Le fried chicken wings, pho, soft serve ice cream

Average price per person: $75

A mom-and-pop café specializing in high-quality, ethically sourced specialty coffee. Drip Studio is a great place to slow down and enjoy expertly crafted coffee or tea drinks before a day of exploring Chinatown.

Try: Pour-over coffee, Cold Fashioned, Japanese-style iced pour-over, strawberry matcha.

Coffee from $6

A casual, Bangkok-style restaurant featuring regional Thai dishes with a rotating menu that changes every three months. It’s BYOB, so feel free to bring your favorite beverage.

Try: Issan beef tongue, Panang of beef cheek, betel leaf wraps (ʻahi or salmon)

Average price per person: $30

This hole-in-the-wall spot is beloved for its hand-pulled biang biang noodles from Shaanxi, China. Portions are generous, and the flavors are bold and spicy — a great final bite before you go.

Try: Cumin lamb biang biang noodles, lamb spareribs, chicken wings

Noodles from $17