The 12 Trendiest New Dining Spots in Honolulu

Since its debut in December 2016, Senia has won over locals and tourists alike, establishing itself as a must-visit spot in Hawai‘i. Dinogo’s national restaurant critic hailed it as the state's “most exciting new restaurant” in a recent review. Choose from the relaxed dining room, the chef’s counter, or the hidden gem lunch prix fixe. Signature dishes — like chefs Anthony Rush and Chris Kajioka’s famous charred cabbage Caesar, crispy poke crackers, and a stunning genmaicha ice cream sandwich with matcha and honey from Dinogo Young Gun Mimi Mendoza — have made Senia a national sensation.

The upscale PAI Honolulu offers three distinct dining options: Small plates in the bar/lounge, a prix fixe menu in the dining room, and a chef’s tasting experience at the counter. Locals are cheering on chef Kevin Lee (formerly of Prima), whose standout dishes include the age dashi XO turnip cake, truffle-infused egg chawanmushi, and black tea deviled eggs.

Honolulu’s Yakitori Hachibei marks the chain’s 11th location and its first in America, with the other spots in Asia. It’s the upscale yakitori choice on this list, featuring a metropolitan vibe and a focus on using local chicken and eggs. The counter is the place to be, and you can’t miss dishes like the tare bara (pork belly glazed with sweet soy), sunazuri (chicken gizzards), and the sukiyaki skewer (beef wrapped around enoki mushrooms, served with raw egg yolk). For dessert, the housemade goma (sesame seed) pudding is a must-try.

Piggy Smalls, the sibling to the beloved Pig and the Lady, offers familiar favorites like vegan pho, Burmese salad, and the pho French dip, but with its own unique menu worth exploring. The restaurant also features a weekend brunch, offering both sweet and savory Dutch babies and butter mochi waffles. Whatever you choose, don’t miss the rich Hanoi egg coffee to finish your meal.

Although Scratch’s original Chinatown spot closed this fall, the team is thriving in their new, spacious Ward location. With a brighter ambiance and the same hearty menu, they serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Bring your appetite: from indulgent “milk ’n cereal” pancakes in the morning to crispy chicken confit by evening, the offerings are as rich and satisfying as ever.

Locals were thrilled when Teruya’s, once a beloved vendor in the old Shirokiya food court, made its return on Pensacola Street. The star attraction is their andagi (Okinawan doughnuts), and getting one fresh from the fryer will brighten your day. Crisp, hot, perfectly balanced between dense and airy, these are among the best in the city. Don’t forget to try the fried sweet-potato mochi and grab a pre-packed bento for lunch. Regulars rave about the made-to-order sukiyaki donburi.

The Lanai, Ala Moana Center’s newest food hall, opened in late October and is the most upscale of its kind. Housed in the former Shirokiya department store, it’s stepping into big shoes with 10 vendors (four open now, six coming soon). Highlights include poke and sashimi from Ahi & Vegetable, Japanese pastries from Brug Bakery, and udon, soba, and katsudon from Sobaya.

The Street is chef Michael Mina’s second Hawai‘i project, a lively food hall featuring 13 unique dining spots. Top picks include Little Lafa, inspired by Mina’s childhood dishes, and Maui Onion Burger, where the signature burger is a must-try with its double patty and Maui onions prepared three ways, all served on a Hawaiian sweet-potato bun. Don’t miss dessert at Aloha Ice for shaved ice by Michelle Karr-Ueoka, co-owner of MW Restaurant, and wrap up with a tiki-style cocktail at the Myna Bird bar.

[Disclosure: Kathy YL Chan consulted during the project’s launch but is no longer involved.]

[Update: This restaurant closed in 2018.] Yauatcha Waikiki brought refined dim sum to the U.S. for the first time, offering a visually stunning dining experience. Dishes like roasted duck pumpkin puffs, crispy prawn dumplings, and jasmine tea-smoked pork ribs were as beautiful as they were delicious. On weekends, from 3 to 5 p.m., diners could enjoy Yauatcha’s unique take on afternoon tea.

This year, two yakitori joints popped up in Honolulu—one easy on the wallet and the other a bit more upscale. Tori Ton falls into the former category. Nestled at the entrance of Old Stadium Mall, it offers a cozy, unpretentious atmosphere. Highlights include smoky bacon-wrapped skewers (the one wrapped around rice and paired with a raw egg yolk for dipping is a must-try) and a selection of kamameshi (iron pot-cooked rice). Just remember to order the kamameshi early—it takes 20 to 30 minutes to prepare.

If you’ve yet to visit Tonkatsu Tamafuji, another hugely popular Japanese import, now’s the time. To dodge the hour-long wait, show up either very early (around 4 p.m.) or late (closer to 9 p.m.). The restaurant excels in every detail, from its three rice options (the “seasoned mixed rice” is a standout, sourced from the Rice Factory, a specialty Japanese rice shop in Kaka‘ako) to its signature aged pork loin katsu. Don’t miss the oyster katsu—crispy, light breading encases plump, briny oysters that burst with flavor.

[Note: This restaurant closed in 2018.]

This cozy new spot in Kaimuki quickly became a favorite for those craving Moroccan and Lebanese dishes. Popular picks include baba ghanoush, lamb tagine, beef shawarma couscous, and badinjan mahchi (stuffed eggplant). Don’t miss out on the Moroccan mint tea, and remember, it’s a BYOB venue.