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9 special occasion-worthy restaurants in Honolulu

A photo of Red logo
by Noelle Chun
Updated December 18, 2023

Honolulu is a special-occasion hotspot, confirmed by the thousands who annually flock here to ring in everything from palm-fringed honeymoons to beachside reunions. The city’s restaurants cover an impressive ground, ready to amp up any celebration with their signature aloha spirit.

From serene oceanfront meals to energetic teppanyaki spectacles, Honolulu’s best restaurants can do it all. Read on for nine stellar special-occasion restaurants to book right now.

A photo of The Terrace restaurant
4.6
4.6 (815)
$50 and over
Farm-to-table
Waikiki
About the restaurant

Come to La Vie for an especially chic celebration. The airy Waikīkī Ritz-Carlton restaurant churns out seasonal French-inspired fare featuring luxuries like dry-aged kampachi and duck breast with jus a l’orange—plus celebratory add-ons like caviar service, A5 wagyu, and a cheese cart, if you want to pull out all the stops. The dining room is loved for its ability to shapeshift from a relaxed happy hour backdrop to an occasion-worthy candlelit escape at dinnertime, complete with live piano performances to dial up the elegance.


Top review
BenVIP
Dined on Dec 6, 2024
Seriously, I love this place. I keep coming back, since La Vie days. Solid food, service, ambiance… try the caviar flight!
A photo of Taormina Sicilian Cuisine restaurant
4.6
4.6 (3402)
$31 to $50
Italian
Waikiki
About the restaurant

Taormina is a go-to for special date nights and anniversaries thanks to its dimly lit, white-tablecloth vibes. Make your way through executive chef Hiroyuki Mimura’s solid Sicilian-inspired menu, which includes crowd favorites like beef carpaccio and spaghettini with sardines, fennel, and anchovies. The restaurant’s deep wine list is curated by Roberto Viernes—one of Hawaiʻi’s few master sommeliers—and filled with toast-worthy Italian bottles, white burgundies, and plenty of Champagne.


Top review
Aerien
Dined 1 day ago
Like the uni pasta. Duck breast unremarkable. The staff were friendly.
A photo of Orchids at Halekulani restaurant
4.8
4.8 (6539)
$31 to $50
Mediterranean
Waikiki
About the restaurant

Orchids at Halekulani has hosted memorable graduations, weddings, bridal showers, and birthdays for decades. The Honolulu classic stands out for a gigantic Sunday brunch buffet that features a carving station, an ice-cream sundae bar, and favorites from the Halekulani Bakery. Don’t miss the hotel’s signature popovers, which have single-handedly drawn locals for years. Add sweeping Diamond Head views and you’ve got one of the most iconic photo ops on Oahu.


Top review
Theresa
Dined 3 days ago
We had a lovely buffet brunch with the widest selection of food! Everything we tried was fresh and delicious. There were couples, large groups, families with very young children yet the atmosphere was relaxed and totally enjoyable. The wait staff were all very professional and attentive. Although it was pricey, we would definitely come here again!
A photo of Tanaka of Tokyo Central restaurant
4.6
4.6 (1100)
$31 to $50
Japanese
Waikiki
About the restaurant

There’s no better celebration combo than dinner and a show—especially when dinner is the show. One of Honolulu’s most popular teppanyaki spots is well-loved by groups and families for lively performances from master chefs who flip knives, toss shrimp, and make onion volcanoes. Celebrate over salmon steak, scallops sauteed in lemon and butter, and more. This festive and roomy restaurant opened its doors in 1978 and now has three locations, including one in Ala Moana Center, the largest open-air shopping center in the world.


Top review
Blago
Dined 2 days ago
Food was delicious. Always entertaining. A bit of a wait to be seated but complimentary edamame was offered to apologize for the wait. Nice touch. Will be back again!
A photo of Original Roy's, Hawaii Kai restaurant
4.8
4.8 (3245)
$50 and over
Hawaii Regional Cuisine
Honolulu
About the restaurant

Locals have turned to Roy’s for celebrations ever since it opened in 1988. James Beard Award-winning chef Roy Yamaguchi, who helped define Pacific Rim Cuisine in the ’90s, is fluent in fine-dining food like slow-braised beef short rib and Hawaiʻi-style sushi rolls. His namesake restaurant has expanded to include a number of locations in both Hawaiʻi and on the mainland, but the Hawaii Kai edition is the undisputed OG. Away from the hustle of Waikīkī, its serene dining room is all about celebrating in an inviting space warmed by sea breezes from the nearby shore.


Top review
RonVIP
Dined 1 day ago
Roy’s is all that is promised. For anyone drawn to cuisine experiences, a pilgrimage to Roy’s is a must! To do so at the original Roy’s is to begin at the beginning. From the edamame to the pineapple upside down cake, our dining experience was a joy. Experienced talented staff and a wonderful chat with the manager created an experience that we cannot wait to reproduce! Run…don’t walk…to the Original Roy’s Hawaii Kai!
A photo of Hy's Steak House - Waikiki restaurant
4.6
4.6 (7332)
$50 and over
Steak
Waikiki
About the restaurant

If your idea of a proper celebration is a handsome cut of beef and a stiff martini, Hy’s Steak House is the ticket. The old-school restaurant is dressed in mahogany and leather and decorated with oil paintings in ornate wooden frames, making this one of the most regal spots in town. Go all out with shareable seafood towers, tableside salads, and the stars of the show—kiawe-broiled prime beef cuts served in filet mignon, porterhouse, or ribeye form.


Top review
Stephen
Dined today
Service was amazing - waitress “T” was knowledgeable and professional - best experience all year. We went for our 33rd wedding anniversary and couldn’t have been happier. Highly recommend Hy’s for any special occasion!
A photo of Deck. restaurant
4.3
4.3 (3832)
$31 to $50
Hawaiian
Waikiki
About the restaurant

Deck. is a blockbuster brunch spot that attracts crowds for top-notch poke, fish tacos, and burgers, plus half-off bottles of wine and Champagne. The stylish New American restaurant lives in the freshly revamped Queen Kapiolani Hotel and has an award-winning outdoor setup featuring a postcard-perfect lanai and uninterrupted Diamond Head views—a super scenic pairing that’s earned it all sorts of wedding and reception cred.


Top review
Geraldine
Dined today
Very relaxing Christmas Eve dinner at the Deck overlooking Diamond Head. The food was very good and excellent service. Casual and comfortable dining. Will go back again.
A photo of 100 Sails Restaurant & Bar restaurant
4.6
4.6 (2130)
$31 to $50
Contemporary American
Waikiki
About the restaurant

Insta-worthy Honolulu Pier views are one of the many festive perks at this Waikiki stunner. So are luxe American and Asian dishes by chef de cuisine Aaron Furuto, who cranks out an impressive buffet that includes a prime rib station, unlimited temaki, crab legs, and more. Enjoy it in a window-wrapped dining room and watch the sun slide into the Pacific above Ala Wai Harbor—a setting that’s sure to add magic to whatever you’re celebrating.


Top review
KirstenVIP
Dined 1 day ago
One of the best places for dining with mom who has hearing aids. Today had the crab and lobster roll-tasty and French fries were crisp. Like the Chinese 5 spice twist in the crab and the sweet mustard. Great attentive service!
A photo of The Veranda at the Kahala Resort restaurant
4.7
4.7 (648)
$31 to $50
Lounge
Honolulu
About the restaurant

One of Oahu’s top luxury resorts also aces the special occasion test: The Kahala’s high-ceilinged, open-air Veranda is a gorgeous setting for a celebratory English-inspired afternoon tea spread—with some Hawaiian touches, of course. Case in point: scones with passionfruit curd and pineapple marmalade, black tea from Maui, and other locally accented high-tea treats. Add a glass of bubbles to take your celebration up a notch.


Top review
William
Dined 7 days ago
Great venue, excellent food and good service, combined with pleasant live music. A wonderful break from the rest of the world.
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