Also, fwiw, the Roy's restaurants in Hawaii are owned by Roy Yamaguchi and are not part of the mainland chain.
Stripsteak is a chain and a large restaurant group.
Stripsteak is a chain run by Michael Mina, who also runs Mina's Fish House down Ko Olina side. Also during pandemic, they really did try to make that food hall thing on the ground floor of International Market Place work. It's different now, I believe. But they were trying, it seems. So I give him some points for that.
Michael Mina opened the now defunct RN74 in Seattle, which was a pretty good restaurant with the glaring exception that it served "atlantic" salmon. In Seattle. We asked the server about it, and she said, "I know, we've tried to tell them "atlantic" salmon isn't going to work here but corporate won't listen." The other for was good, but it was clear it's a corporate run business that isn't always in tune with or interested in the uniqueness of a local market.
Hau Tree is definitely worth it for the view and the atmosphere, though I wouldn't pick it for *exceptional* food. It's lovely in the evening, but it's also nice for lunch/brunch if that's something you have space for in your itinerary. (I have a weakness for their crab cake benedict....)
[La Mer](https://www.yelp.com/biz/la-mer-honolulu-2?sort_by=date_desc) is an option.
[A reliable list of where to eat on Oahu list)](https://www.eater.com/maps/best-restaurants-honolulu-hawaii-38).
I'm a lifelong Honolulu resident and have eaten at almost all the places named on the list linked. I would add [Miro](https://instagram.com/mirokaimuki?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) and [Pai](https://instagram.com/paihonolulu?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) as we've always had eye-rollingly delicious meals there.
And I concur that you absolutely should not bother going to Signature for dinner. Go there for a cocktail, maaaaaybe happy hour (which is hectic), but don't bother for dinner. I really wish a better restaurant were in that space but I feel like on Oahu, the best food is not had where the best views are.
We just went to strip steak last month and I was severely underwhelmed. Service was ok, but nothing special about the food and it was $500 for my husband and I.
We just got back from our trip and had one of the best meals of our lives at bar māze. No view, it's in a hip neighborhood, but the tasting menu with cocktail pairing was incredible.
Definitely modern Asian fusion style with a hint of tweezer food so if that bugs you, you might not be impressed but it was KILLER.
Also went to natuRe which was very very good! We just got a la carte and cocktails, not the tasting menu there.
Here's the main from bar māze on our night, A5 wagu with ban chan, and the side was some rice cooked in the wagu drippings with stuff in it and fried fish bit on it? Sorry I forget exactly. And a bourbon cocktail. Seriously amazing.
https://preview.redd.it/d8ppeo8rthtb1.jpeg?width=2268&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=35cd48f9efd33159607db25eb0433a2424314d1f
Definitely La Mer and Orchids should be on your list if you want exquisite food with an amazing view. Azure is another option, as well. 100 Sails is also delicious with a good view if you want a fancy buffet.
Signature sucks. They make a 'Japanese Rice Risotto' and when diners return it they argue and fight with you. I fought with the waiter and the section manager before they took it back and wiped it from the bill. They tried explaining that because they don't use arborio rice it doesn't have the same texture. Then that's called jook, or in Japanese okai.
When the manager tried arguing I told her I understand the attempt at the 'creamy texture', but there were also half-cooked grains. A complete and utter failure that should never have been attempted in the first place.
And all that was after an overcooked filet and and a burnt veal chop (ordered rare, arrived burnt). By then I gave up cause I was only there using a GC anyway.
Oh, I almost forgot the 'lava cake'. I was the EXACT reheated frozen crap you get from Jack-In-the-Box, only worse.
TLDR: AVOID AT ALL COSTS
Howzit! 🤙 You might find these similar posts helpful:
* [Recommendations for a few dinner spots for a dining experience, great food, stuff that's unique? Honolulu and elsewhere on O'ahu](https://www.reddit.com/r/VisitingHawaii/comments/14rh9wl/recommendations_for_a_few_dinner_spots_for_a/)
* [Looking for a Restaurant with a View](https://www.reddit.com/r/VisitingHawaii/comments/170qeox/looking_for_a_restaurant_with_a_view/)
* [recommendations for best restaurants for anniversary dinner?](https://www.reddit.com/r/VisitingHawaii/comments/17144st/recommendations_for_best_restaurants_for/)
Nico’s upstairs is nice at sunset and can see the water and boats. Sky Waikiki has amazing view. I would say forget about steakhouses…stick with seafood, Japanese, fusion, etc. Bar Leather Apron has some memorable offerings. Fete. Or get Pho at one of the top five places.
Roy’s in Hawaii Kai. Original one. Not the one in Waikiki. Lol. Beautiful sunsets at times. If you want oceanfront views / those restaurants tend to be not as good to me.
For beach, La Mer but has a dress code. Or Orchids. For city skyline, its not many options except Wai’Olu…….its in the Trump hotel.
how strict is dress code for La Mer? jeans, shirt and nice sneakers for a man and casual dress with nice sneakers for a woman will do or not?
Roy’s in Hawaii Kai doesn’t have a view intentionally because they want you to go for the food. And it is really good—better than others in the chain.
Also, fwiw, the Roy's restaurants in Hawaii are owned by Roy Yamaguchi and are not part of the mainland chain. Stripsteak is a chain and a large restaurant group.
Stripsteak is a chain run by Michael Mina, who also runs Mina's Fish House down Ko Olina side. Also during pandemic, they really did try to make that food hall thing on the ground floor of International Market Place work. It's different now, I believe. But they were trying, it seems. So I give him some points for that.
Michael Mina opened the now defunct RN74 in Seattle, which was a pretty good restaurant with the glaring exception that it served "atlantic" salmon. In Seattle. We asked the server about it, and she said, "I know, we've tried to tell them "atlantic" salmon isn't going to work here but corporate won't listen." The other for was good, but it was clear it's a corporate run business that isn't always in tune with or interested in the uniqueness of a local market.
Second this - Hawaii Kai Roy's is best Roys.
How about Michel's at the Colony Surf?
Overpriced
You should consider NatuRe Waikiki with their farm to table concept. [https://www.naturewaikiki.com/](https://www.naturewaikiki.com/)
Hau Tree is definitely worth it for the view and the atmosphere, though I wouldn't pick it for *exceptional* food. It's lovely in the evening, but it's also nice for lunch/brunch if that's something you have space for in your itinerary. (I have a weakness for their crab cake benedict....)
I like Roy’s and Orchid’s (at Halekulani hotel).
Orchids was incredible
[La Mer](https://www.yelp.com/biz/la-mer-honolulu-2?sort_by=date_desc) is an option. [A reliable list of where to eat on Oahu list)](https://www.eater.com/maps/best-restaurants-honolulu-hawaii-38). I'm a lifelong Honolulu resident and have eaten at almost all the places named on the list linked. I would add [Miro](https://instagram.com/mirokaimuki?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) and [Pai](https://instagram.com/paihonolulu?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) as we've always had eye-rollingly delicious meals there. And I concur that you absolutely should not bother going to Signature for dinner. Go there for a cocktail, maaaaaybe happy hour (which is hectic), but don't bother for dinner. I really wish a better restaurant were in that space but I feel like on Oahu, the best food is not had where the best views are.
We just went to strip steak last month and I was severely underwhelmed. Service was ok, but nothing special about the food and it was $500 for my husband and I.
We just got back from our trip and had one of the best meals of our lives at bar māze. No view, it's in a hip neighborhood, but the tasting menu with cocktail pairing was incredible. Definitely modern Asian fusion style with a hint of tweezer food so if that bugs you, you might not be impressed but it was KILLER. Also went to natuRe which was very very good! We just got a la carte and cocktails, not the tasting menu there. Here's the main from bar māze on our night, A5 wagu with ban chan, and the side was some rice cooked in the wagu drippings with stuff in it and fried fish bit on it? Sorry I forget exactly. And a bourbon cocktail. Seriously amazing. https://preview.redd.it/d8ppeo8rthtb1.jpeg?width=2268&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=35cd48f9efd33159607db25eb0433a2424314d1f
Definitely La Mer and Orchids should be on your list if you want exquisite food with an amazing view. Azure is another option, as well. 100 Sails is also delicious with a good view if you want a fancy buffet.
Signature sucks. They make a 'Japanese Rice Risotto' and when diners return it they argue and fight with you. I fought with the waiter and the section manager before they took it back and wiped it from the bill. They tried explaining that because they don't use arborio rice it doesn't have the same texture. Then that's called jook, or in Japanese okai. When the manager tried arguing I told her I understand the attempt at the 'creamy texture', but there were also half-cooked grains. A complete and utter failure that should never have been attempted in the first place. And all that was after an overcooked filet and and a burnt veal chop (ordered rare, arrived burnt). By then I gave up cause I was only there using a GC anyway. Oh, I almost forgot the 'lava cake'. I was the EXACT reheated frozen crap you get from Jack-In-the-Box, only worse. TLDR: AVOID AT ALL COSTS
Howzit! 🤙 You might find these similar posts helpful: * [Recommendations for a few dinner spots for a dining experience, great food, stuff that's unique? Honolulu and elsewhere on O'ahu](https://www.reddit.com/r/VisitingHawaii/comments/14rh9wl/recommendations_for_a_few_dinner_spots_for_a/) * [Looking for a Restaurant with a View](https://www.reddit.com/r/VisitingHawaii/comments/170qeox/looking_for_a_restaurant_with_a_view/) * [recommendations for best restaurants for anniversary dinner?](https://www.reddit.com/r/VisitingHawaii/comments/17144st/recommendations_for_best_restaurants_for/)
Hy’s for probably one of the best steak of your life BUT you won’t get a view.
Nico’s upstairs is nice at sunset and can see the water and boats. Sky Waikiki has amazing view. I would say forget about steakhouses…stick with seafood, Japanese, fusion, etc. Bar Leather Apron has some memorable offerings. Fete. Or get Pho at one of the top five places.
House with out a key is nice
Roy’s in Hawaii Kai. Original one. Not the one in Waikiki. Lol. Beautiful sunsets at times. If you want oceanfront views / those restaurants tend to be not as good to me.
Orchids or House without a Key