In this post, I’ll be sharing top beachfront restaurants in Waikiki, Honolulu, that offer great food and service along with stunning views of Waikiki Beach and the Pacific Ocean.
Most Waikiki restaurants cater well to families, offering high chairs and booster seats, changing tables in the restrooms, kid’s (keiki) menus, and often crayons and coloring sheets. There is plenty of choice in the area, everything from fast food chains to upscale dining. Here are several options for oceanfront restaurants in Waikiki.
Beachhouse at the Moana
Moana Surfrider, 2365 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96815
One of the top beachfront restaurants in Waikiki is the Beachhouse at the Moana, the elegant restaurant at the Moana Surfrider. The best tables are right at the end of the veranda overlooking Waikiki Beach.
Some of the best dishes we had during our stay in Waikiki were at the Beachhouse at the Moana. Mr. G raved about the seafood dishes, such as the Hawaiian “Poke” starter, which was ahi tuna served with soy sauce, onion, avocado cream and spicy aioli…
… and his entree, the porcini crusted ahi loin with warm barley salad and a chili vinaigrette.
I had the Maui onion soup with four-cheese gratin as a starter…
… and the braised short rib served with gruyere polenta and wasabi pea gremolata for my main entrée. The meat was very tender and the whole dish was very filling, delicious and bursting with flavor.
Related: Moana Surfrider Waikiki Hotel Review
On the side, we ordered market vegetables and kimchi brussels sprouts – which were fantastic by the way! Both times we had dinner there, we didn’t order a separate meal for Little T as there was plenty to share from our plates (he loved the short ribs).
Beachhouse at the Moana, Moana Surfrider, 2365 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96815
Contact: +1 808-921-4600 | Book on OpenTable | Website
Read the latest Beachhouse at the Moana restaurant reviews and find a table on Tripadvisor
Hula Grill Waikiki
Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort, 2335 Kalakaua Avenue, Suite 203, Honolulu, HI 96815
The menu at the Hula Grill, located in the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort features local specialties prepared with Hawaiian fresh fish, premium steaks and locally grown produce.
We liked the friendly, casual atmosphere, unique menu and the great view of the ocean and the lively Duke’s bar, which is just downstairs. I had their famous fresh squeezed Mai Tai made with pineapple, guava, orange and passion fruit juices, orange curacao and light and dark rums.
Little T had a BBQ pork sandwich with fries from the keiki menu. The sandwich was a bit messy for him to eat on his own but overall he enjoyed it!
I had the kabocha squash gnocchi with a Hamakua wild mushroom medley and asparagus. This tasted pretty good but the sauce was a bit too runny to be honest.
Mr. G had the filet steak Kiana with shiitake mushroom cream and truffle butter, which he was very happy with and enjoyed the combination of flavors.
Hula Grill Waikiki, Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort, 2335 Kalakaua Avenue, Suite 203, Honolulu, HI 96815
Contact: +1 808-923-4852 | Book on OpenTable | Website
Read the latest Hula Grill Waikiki restaurant reviews and find a table on Tripadvisor
The Beach Bar
Moana Surfrider, 2365 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96815
Whenever we were in Waikiki for lunchtime, usually after spending the morning at the beach or at the pool, we stuck to eating at the Moana Surfrider‘s Beach Bar. Also a bonus: kid’s meals are complimentary for hotel guests with purchase of an adult meal.
Related: Visiting Waikiki with a Toddler
The Beach Bar at the Moana Surfrider is one of the best beachfront restaurants in Waikiki to have lunch enjoying the ocean views. Little T usually had a basket of chicken tenders with Popchips or a margherita flatbread. I really liked the vegetable wraps in a spinach tortilla.
Mr. G usually went with the Pipikaula Cobb salad with grilled chicken, grape tomatoes, cucumber, avocado and greens (without the blue cheese and mango ranch dressing).
The Beach Bar, Moana Surfrider, 2365 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96815
Contact: +1 808-922-3111 | Website
Read the latest Beach Bar Moana Surfrider restaurant reviews on Tripadvisor
Surf Lanai
The Royal Hawaiian, 2259 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96815
The only time we strayed away from the Moana’s Beach Bar was for lunch at the nearby Royal Hawaiian’s casual eatery, the Surf Lanai. I ordered a royal mimosa to sip on while we waited for our lunch, which, for me, was a plate of fried noodles with chicken…
… and for Mr. G, a crispy Thai salad with grilled chicken breast. The salad was made with shredded napa cabbage, crispy wontons, julienne cucumber and carrot, roasted peanuts, kaffir lime vinaigrette and peanut dressing.
Little T meanwhile had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with fruit – his meal was complimentary with purchase of an adult meal.
Surf Lanai, The Royal Hawaiian, 2259 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96815
Contact: +1 (808) 921-4600 | Website
Read the latest Surf Lanai restaurant reviews on Tripadvisor
House without a Key
Halekulani Hotel, 2199 Kalia Road, Honolulu, HI 96815
House without a Key is another top oceanfront Waikiki restaurant located in the Halekulani Hotel. Offering views towards Diamond Head, it is one of the most iconic places in Waikiki and a lovely outdoor dining experience with live entertainment.
Related: Things to do on Oahu with Kids
We were there for the Sunset Kiawe Grill, although we actually ended up ordering off the regular menu. We ordered chicken tenders off the keiki menu for Little T.
I had the Southern-style baby back ribs, which were pretty good.
And – sorry for the awful photo – Mr. G had that soy miso-cured fish in the background.
House without a Key has a beautiful view of Diamond Head and a lovely place for oceanfront dining in Waikiki.
House without a Key, Halekulani Hotel, 2199 Kalia Road, Honolulu, HI 96815
Contact: +1 (808) 923-2311 | Book on OpenTable | Website
Read the latest House without a Key restaurant reviews and find a table on Tripadvisor
Have you visited any of these beachfront restaurants in Waikiki or have any other favourite places to eat at in the Waikiki area?
This page was updated on 30 September 2024 with updated restaurant contact information and reservation links.
For more tips on visiting Oahu with kids, have a look at our Oahu Destination Guide.
Disclosure: There are some affiliate links in this post. This means that if you choose to make a purchase after clicking on one of the links I may receive a small commission that helps to support this site at no additional cost to you.
piccoloexplorer
April 5, 2016 at 9:12 pmSorry for the late reply!! Where did you visit in Hawaii? It’s such a wonderful place for a honeymoon. As for jetlag, we adjusted fairly quickly when we were in Hawaii but the jetlag was rough when we got back to London! It took a couple days to get my son back to going to bed at a normal time. Still worth the long trip and jetlag though!!
piccoloexplorer
April 5, 2016 at 9:15 pm(P.S. Sorry, not sure if you meant that you went to the Big Island for your honeymoon)
Keri | Ladies What Travel
March 14, 2017 at 9:51 amBet those restaurants had some amazing views and the fresh fish must have tasted amazing! #citytripping
Jo
March 14, 2017 at 6:10 pmWe would love to go to Hawaii it’s on our wishlist. The food looks fantastic, was it expensive to eat out? I’m wondering what the budget would need to be for a family of 4!
Thanks for sharing with #citytripping
Fiona Cambouropoulos
March 15, 2017 at 4:43 pmOh my goodness, I’m not sure which I’m drooling over most, the food or the view! #citytripping
Elizabeth (Wander Mum)
March 16, 2017 at 6:55 amThe food looks absolutely delicious!! I don’t blame Little T for nabbing the short ribs. Yum. Seems like a great fusion of cuisine with some amazing views too. Another reason to return to Hawaii! Thanks for linking #citytripping
Harmony, Momma To Go
May 15, 2021 at 1:31 pmI have not been to Waikiki in like 15 years, but I have my first clients going there next month – need to share that. I love Waikiki and love food lol. These also look kid friendly!