What Are the Best Famous Restaurants In Hawaii?

So you are here because you are looking for the most famous restaurants in Honolulu. Well the good news is I put together an amazing list of them today. And on the list I will give you their address if you want to stop by. Their website so you can check out their menu and prices ahead of time. And I will even let you know if these restaurants accep-t our convenient digital GiftYa gift cards.

As a reminder a GiftYa digital gift card is pretty much exactly what it sounds like. A gift card that functions just like every other gift card. It lets you make purchases at a participating bar, restaurant, or store up to the face value of the gift card. However, unlike traditional gift cards. GiftYa digital gift cards come with a few additional benefits. For instance, unlike a traditional gift card, a GiftYa can be sent straight to your phone in seconds. That way you don’t need to deliver a GiftYa in person if you want to give it as a gift. You don’t even have to go to a store in person if you want one for yourself. You can just visit the GiftYa website and pick one up today.

Since GiftYa cards are sent directly to your phone you never have to worry about misplacing them or forgetting to take them with you. In most instances you are going to have your phone with you so in most instances you will have your GiftYa cards right in your pocket. In addition to that, your GiftYa also keeps track of the balance for you. Which is so much nicer than having to try to remember how much was left over on those antiquated plastic gift cards. I mean you can’t write it on them very easily so idk what you’re supposed to do if you don’t use the total value the first time? Just guess the next time you are in town? 

Helena’s Hawaiian Food

Famous For Its Authentic Hawaiian Food Right In Honolulu

1240 N School St | Kalihi | helenashawaiianfood.com

Helena’s is so good that it appeared at the top on both my list about the famous restaurants in Honolulu as well as my list about the 5 star restaurants in Honolulu, so you know it has to be good. And it certainly seems to be because everybody who goes there seems to love it. They have  a four and a half star rating with nearly 4000 reviews from their customers. Which means that time after time people are leaving Helena’s Hawaiian Food satisfied. And you will find everybody from locals, to tourists, to food critics eating there. But what really gives it away is the locals. Because you know they aren’t just eating it one time. They are going back over and over again because Helena’s is so good and it’s right there for them. Delicious and accessible. 

And when they say Hawiian food they mean. Helena’s has been there since 1946 preparing and serving traditional, and locally sourced Hawaiian food. So that means all kinds of delicious seafood that you can’t necessarily get at any old seafood restaurant back in the continental United States. But don’t worry if you aren’t a big fan of seafood. There are also plenty of pork and chicken options p[repared in a local Hawaiian way that are just as amazing as anything on the seafood menu. 

“It is said that "hole in the wall" spot are the absolute best. This ain't a hole, but it is the best, and a great community serving family owned business to support and enjoy.” - Yelp Review 

You can’t get a digital GiftYa gift card to Helena’s Hawaiian Food  at the moment but be sure to check back soon as new famous restaurants and locations in Honolulu are added all the time!

Duke’s Waikiki

Home of Duke Kahanamoku

2335 Kalakaua Ave | Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort| dukeswaikiki.com

You will feel right at home at Duke’s Waikiki. It’s where surfing legend Duke Kahanamoku grew up. He honed his skills swimming, surfing, canoeing, and bodysurfing on the very same beach where Duke’s Waikiki is located. So if you are looking for the most amazing views, or the most authentic experience while you are in Honolulu, or Hawaii in general, then you8i are going to have a very difficult time beating Duke's Waikiki.

If you are looking for a breakfast restaurant then Duke's is going to have just the thing for you. They have a world famous breakfast buffet that you can enjoy any morning. They prefer you call and make reservations a day or two in advance, but they are always welcome to walk-ins (as long as there’s any room that is).

And if breakfast isn’t your vibe, you can also enjoy any of Duke's famous lunch or dinner menu that is fil;led with everything from Cajun tacos to coconut shrimp. No matter what you order, I guarantee you are going to leave satisfied. It seems like everybody else does. 

“Maria was absolutely amazing! The food was great and they have awesome live music. I love the theme inside the restaurant and they've done an amazing job at creating a space with a great vibe.” - Yelp Review

Unfortunately Duke’s Waikiki isn’t one of the famous restaurants in Honolulu participating with GiftYa just yet, but check back soon cause they might be any day now.

Tiki’s Grill & Bar

Best Famous Bar In Honolulu

2570 Kalakaua Ave | Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel | tikisgrill.com/

Tiki’s Grill & Bar has a four star rating with nearly 5000 reviews in. And if that doesn’t count as famous on an island of 340,000 I don’t really know what does. Those numbers are incredibly good. Although they specialize in Hawaiian seafood they also have plenty of steak and chicken options for those of you who have been in Hawaii for a while and the whole “fresh seafood” thing is starting to grow old. 

But more than anything, Tiki's is famous for their cocktails. I mean when you think of the stereotypical island cocktail with fruit and a splash of flavor, then get ready to be blown away. When it’s real tropical fruit served up in real tropical drinks the issue isn‘t going to be if you are going to enjoy one. 

Overall Tiki’s gets the number one spot for best famous bar in Honolulu Hawaii. 

“Fun bar with live music.Drinks were good! Food was flavorful. Great vibe and service. Sit outside to view the ocean across the street. Very fun upbeat place to have some good drinks and relax.” - Yelp Review 

As always we’re busy adding attractions and famous restaurants in Honolulu to GiftYa all the time but you can’t get one for Tiki’s Grill & Bar just yet. Check back soon.

Dave & Buster’s

Best Famous Restaurant In Honolulu For An Uptempo Evening

1030 Auahi St | Ward Entertainment Center | daveandbusters.com/honolulu

Hawaii has a huge tourist population every single year. In fact they are estimated to receive between nine and ten million tourists every single year. And trust me, millions of those tourists aren’t American tourists. Hawaii is one of the most beautiful places on the planet, and it attracts visitors from all over the globe. So if you are visiting from Honolulu and you aren’t accustomed to major American cities and restaurants, then feel free to give Dave and Buster’s a try. 

It’s a staple among large American cities. And they offer plenty of excellent American cuisine options, plenty of drinks, but also plenty of games to play, including a whole variety of video games. To be honest I’ve been to a few Dave & Busters over the years and it's hard to not have fun eating food, drinking beer, and playing video games. Just make sure you go with friends because a lot of the games are multiplayer and it won’t be nearly as fun all on your own.  

“I've had one of the best times of my life going to a restaurant that was filled with fun, food and service! Last night I had my niece's graduation party in the sports lounge on the first floor next to the bar and it was phenomenal... …Thank you to Andrew the General Manager, thank you to Kendra for helping us get the room and thank you to the servers Brandon and Troy as well!” -Yelp Review 

Dave & Buster’s is one of the thousands of restaurants that accepts digital GiftYa gift cards but it is also among one of the highest rated famous restaurants in Honolulu!

XO Restaurant 

Best Famous Restaurant In Honolulu For Class Solidarity 

3434 Waialae Ave | Ste 5 | xorghawaii.com

XO Restaurant made it onto every single list that I wrote about amazing restaurants in Honolulu.  But to be honest a lot of that is because XO is so cool about taking care of their employees. They pay their staff in the top 1% of wages in the industry. 

And listen XO offers a locally sourced Hawaiian cuisine with a modern take. And they serve it up in a series of courses that are designed to be served family style. And although they have only been around since 2018, they boast a four and a half star rating with nearly 20000 customer reviews in. Which is insanely good when you consider that two years of the four years they have been open they had to deal with CXOVID restrictions.

Happy employees make for happy customers. And if you don’t believe me, just check out one of their countless five star reviews below. 

“Honestly, one of the most fantastic meals since Alan Wong. Ambitious, playful, innovative, youthful exuberance with restraint and nuance. SUBLIME. EXCELLENT, personable and warm service… …I am looking forward to my next visit!” - Yelp Review 

There aren't any GiftYa digital gift cards available for XO as of the date of this writing, but there might be now! Be sure to check GiftYa itself for all the gift cards available in Honolulu.

Chuck E. Cheese

Best Famous Restaurant In Honolulu For Kids

1199 Dillingham Blvd | City Square Shopping Center | chuckecheese.com/honolulu

Chuck E. Cheese is a chain of restaurants around the country that is fantastic if you need to entertain children for an afternoon. It’s basically like a kids version of Dave & Busters. Instead of beer, food, and video games, instead you get pizza and video games. There’s even a big mouse mascot that is dressed up to entertain the kids. There is also a jungle gym and a ball pit to really make sure the kids get tired out during their visit. 

“I was pleasantly surprised by this location. I was kinda iffy about bringing my son to this location but the staff were great! First off, lots of parking and free which is always great.The staff are all really nice and attentive from the moment you walk in. Keep it up!” - Yelp Review 

Get a GiftYa digital gift card for yourself or a loved one to Chuck E. Cheese and enjoy one of the best restaurants for kids in Honolulu by following the link!

There you go! There’s a list of some of the most famous restaurants in Honolulu, Hawaii. I tried to include something for everybody on the list. So there are some great bars on this list, and plenty of family friendly and child themed alternatives as well so I hope it at least helped you narrow down your search.