2023 Readers’ Choice Awards: Oʻahu

O‘ahu, the Gathering Place, has been a visitor favorite since the first tourists arrived in Hawai‘i. Home to the ever-bustling Waikīkī, the sea-salt-dusted streets of the North Shore and the postcard-perfect Lē‘ahi (Diamond Head), O‘ahu is rich with culture, nightlife and activities perfect for the whole family.

Oʻahu Food & Drink

Oʻahu has a vibrant food scene with an eclectic mix of old-school establishments, inventive farm-to-table restaurants and award-winning bakeries. Of course, Oʻahu also has some of the most picturesque spots for happy hour and cocktails in Hawaiʻi. Residents and visitors alike share memories of sipping mai tais while soaking in postcard-worthy views of Waikīkī and Leʻāhi. Here’s the restaurants and happy hours they voted as their favorite.  

Best Restaurant

1. Duke’s Waikīkī
2. Roy’s Waikīkī
3. Barefoot Beach Café
4. Hy’s Steak House
5. Orchids

Best Hotel or Resort Restaurant

1. Duke’s Waikīkī at the Outrigger Waikīkī Beach Resort
2. House Without A Key at Halekūlani
3. The Beachhouse at the Moana Surfrider
4. Plumeria Beach House at The Kāhala Hotel & Resort
5. Morimoto Asia at the ‘Alohilani Resort Waikīkī Beach

Best Bar or Lounge

1. Duke’s Waikīkī
2. Maui Brewing Co.
3. RumFire Waikīkī
4. House Without A Key at Halekūlani
5. Bar Leather Apron

Best Cheap Eats

1. L&L Hawaiian Barbecue
2. Zippy’s
3. Nico’s Pier 38
4. Helena’s Hawaiian Food
5. Marukame Udon

Best Bakery

1. Leonard’s Bakery
2. Liliha Bakery
3. Kamehameha Bakery
4. Ted’s Bakery
5. Sugarlina Bakeshop

Best Breakfast or Brunch

1. Eggs ‘n Things
2. Liliha Bakery
3. Cinnamon’s
4. Koko Head Café
5. Café Kaila

Best Burger

1. Cheeseburger in Paradise
2. Teddy’s Bigger Burgers
3. Rainbow Drive-in
4. Ku ‘Āina Burger
5. Chubbies Burgers

Best Farm-to-Table Restaurant

1. Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman
2. Merriman’s Honolulu
3. Kahumana Organic Farm & Café
4. Moku Kitchen
5. Mud Hen Water

Best Food Truck

1. Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck
2. Fumi’s Kahuku Shrimp Truck
3. Big Wave Shrimp
4. Flyin’ ‘Ahi
5. Chubbies Burgers

Best Traditional Hawaiian Restaurant

1. Helena’s Hawaiian Food
2. Waiāhole Poi Factory
3. Haili’s Hawaiian Food
4. Highway Inn
5. Yama’s Fish Market

Best Noodle, Saimin or Ramen

1. Marukame Udon
2. Shiro’s Saimin Haven
3. Ramen BARIO
4. Palace Saimin
5. Shige’s Saimin Stand

Best Pizza

1. Big Kahuna’s Pizza
2. Round Table Pizza
3. Boston Pizza
4. J. Dolan’s
5. Pieology Pizzeria

Best Plate Lunch

1. Rainbow Drive-In
2. L&L Hawaiian BBQ
3. Nico’s Pier 38
4. Kono’s
5. Alicia’s Market

Best Poke

1. Foodland
2. Nico’s Fish Market
3. ‘Ono Seafood
4. Tanioka’s Seafood and Catering
5. Fresh Catch

Best Happy Hour

1. Duke’s Waikīkī
2. Maui Brewing Co.
3. Tiki’s Grill & Bar
4. Kona Brewing Co.
5. The Chart House

Best Seafood Restaurant

1. Roy’s Waikīkī
2. Duke’s Waikīkī
3. Nico’s Pier 38
4. Hale‘iwa Joe’s
5. 53 By The Sea

Best Shave Ice Stand or Store

1. Matsumoto Shave Ice
2. Island Vintage Shave Ice
3. Waiola Shave Ice
4. Uncle Clay’s House of Pure Aloha
5. Shimazu Shave Ice

Steak House

1. Ruth’s Chris Steak House
2. Roy’s Waikīkī
3. Hy’s Steak House
4. D.K Steak House
5. Bali Steak & Seafood

Oʻahu Hotel & Resorts

From ultra-luxurious resorts and beachfront Disney properties to chic boutiques and cozy bed-and-breakfasts, Oʻahu has accommodations suited for every type of traveler. Visiting with kids? Find out what our readers voted as the best hotel for families. Planning your honeymoon? Our readers voted on the best hotel for romance. Does the pool make or break a stay? Our readers voted on that, too. So, check out which hotels and resorts topped our comprehensive list and then use this guide for planning your next visit to Oʻahu.

Best Luxury Resort

1. Turtle Bay Resort
2. Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikīkī Beach Resort
3. Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa
4. Halekūlani
5. The Royal Hawaiian
6. Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikīkī Beach
7. Four Seasons Resort O‘ahu at Ko ‘Olina
8. The Kāhala Hotel & Resort
9. ESPACIO The Jewel of Waikīkī
10. Hyatt Regency Waikīkī Beach Resort & Spa

Best Value Hotel or Resort

1. The Imperial Hawai‘i Resort
2. Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikīkī Beach Resort
3. Outrigger Waikīkī Beach Resort
4. Turtle Bay Resort
5. Marriott’s Ko ‘Olina Beach Club
6. Outrigger Waikīkī Beachcomber Hotel
7. Embassy Suites by Hilton Waikīkī Beach Walk
8. Holiday Inn Express Waikīkī
9. Ala Moana Hotel
10. Hale Koa Hotel

Best Boutique Hotel

1. The Imperial Hawai‘i Resort
2. Halekūlani
3. The Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club
4. The Kāhala Hotel and Resort
5. Queen Kapi‘olani Hotel
6. Regency on Beachwalk Waikīkī by Outrigger
7. The Modern Honolulu
8. Aqua Palms Waikīkī
9. Lotus Honolulu at Diamond Head
10. The Laylow, Autograph Collection

Best Hotel or Resort for Families

1. The Imperial Hawai‘i Resort
2. Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa
3. Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikīkī Beach Resort
4. Outrigger Reef Waikīkī Beach Resort
5. Turtle Bay Resort
6. Marriott’s Ko ‘Olina Beach Club
7. Embassy Suites by Hilton Waikīkī Beach Walk
8. Holiday Inn Express Waikīkī
9. ‘Alohilani Resort Waikīkī Beach
10. Hale Koa Hotel

Best Hotel for Romance

1. Turtle Bay Resort
2. The Royal Hawaiian
3. Outrigger Reef Waikīkī Beach Resort
4. Halekūlani
5. Four Seasons Resort O‘ahu at Ko ‘Olina
6. Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikīkī Beach
7. Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikīkī Beach Resort
8. The Kāhala Hotel & Resort
9. Marriott’s Ko ‘Olina Beach Club
10. Surfjack Hotel

Best Hotel or Resort Spa

1. Moana Lani Spa at Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikīkī Beach
2. SpaHalekūlani at Halekūlani
3. Mandara Spa at Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikīkī Beach Resort
4. Infinity Massage & Spa at Outrigger Waikīkī Beach Resort
5. The Kāhala Spa at The Kāhala Hotel & Resort

Best Hotel or Resort Pool

1. Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa
2. Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikīkī Beach Resort
3. Sheraton Waikīkī Hotel
4. Outrigger Waikīkī Beach Resort
5. Turtle Bay Resort

Best Vacation Timeshare

1. Hilton Grand Vacation Club at Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort
2. Marriott’s Ko ‘Olina Beach Club
3. Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa
4. Wyndham at Waikīkī Beach Walk
5. The Imperial Hawai‘i Resort

Best Bed & Breakfast or Inn

1. Diamond Head B&B
2. Mānoa Valley Inn
3. Sheffield House Bed & Breakfast
4. Manu Mele Bed and Breakfast
5. Hula Breeze B&B

Oʻahu Outdoor Adventures

Adventure awaits on Oʻahu. From surfing on the North Shore or snorkeling at Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve to hitting the Diamond Head Summit Trail, outdoor enthusiasts can find adventure across the island. Enjoy the island’s natural beauty where our readers voted as the best.

Best Beach

1. Waikīkī Beach
2. Lanikai Beach
3. Kailua Beach Park
4. Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve
5. Waimea Bay

Best Botanical Garden

1. Waimea Valley
2. Ho‘omaluhia Botanical Garden
3. Foster Botanical Garden
4. Wahiawā Botanical Garden
5. Koko Crater Botanical Garden

Best Extreme Tour

1. Kualoa Ranch
2. Diamond Head Parasail
3. Skydive Hawai‘i
4. Climb Works Keana Farms
5. Xtreme Parasail

Best Golf Course

1. Turtle Bay Golf Courses
2. Ko ‘Olina Golf Club
3. Ala Wai Golf Course
4. Hawai‘i Kai Golf Course
5. Mākaha Valley Golf Course

Best Hiking Trail

1. Diamond Head Summit Trail
2. Makapu‘u Point Lighthouse Trail
3. ‘Aiea Loop Trail
4. Kuli‘ou‘ou Ridge Trail
5. Kamanaiki Ridge Trail

Best Surf Spot

1. Waikīkī Beach
2. Hale‘iwa Beach Park
3. Diamond Head
4. Pua‘ena Point Beach Park
5. White Plains Beach

Best Snorkeling Spot

1. Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve
2. Shark’s Cove
3. Kahe Point Beach Park (Electric Beach)
4. Waimea Bay
5. Ko ‘Olina Lagoons

Best Campground

1. Waimānalo Beach Park
2. Bellows Field Beach Park
3. Kualoa Regional Park
4. Mālaekahana Beach Campground
5. Kahua Nui-Makai Campsites

Oʻahu Services

Oʻahu is a bustling island and fortunately, there are amenities to help you navigate the Gathering Isle. Not only are there transportation services, but also dedicated services for planning exciting events and breathtaking weddings.

Best Beach Gear or Water Gear Rental

1. Snorkel Bob’s
2. Waikīkī Beach Services
3. Surf N Sea
4. Go Bananas
5. Aloha Beach Services

Best Transportation Service

1. TheBus
2. Waikīkī Trolley
3. Roberts Hawai‘i
4. Uber
5. Biki Hawai‘i

Best Resort for a Wedding

1. The Royal Hawaiian
2. Turtle Bay Resort
3. Four Seasons Resort O‘ahu at Ko ‘Olina
4. Moana Surfrider
5. The Kāhala Hotel & Resort

Best Wedding Venue (Not a Beach or Resort)

1. Kualoa Ranch
2. Ha‘ikū Gardens Weddings
3. Ko‘olau Ballrooms and Conference Center
4. Dillingham Ranch
5. Loulu Palm

Best Surf Instruction Co.

1. Waikīkī Beach Services
2. Big Wave Dave Surf Co.
3. North Shore Surf Girls
4. Hans Hedemann Surf School
5. Faith Surf School

Best Campground

1. Waimānalo Beach Park
2. Bellows Field Beach Park
3. Kualoa Regional Park
4. Mālaekahana Beach Campground
5. Kahua Nui-Makai Campsites

Oʻahu Shopping

Oʻahu is the capital of shopping in Hawaiʻi. The island is home to the largest selection of stores in the state. The endless of array of options can feel overwhelming, but our readers helped narrow down a list of the best shopping centers and fashion boutiques.

Best Art Gallery

1. Wyland Galleries
2. Hale‘iwa Art Gallery
3. Clark Little Gallery
4. Greenroom Gallery Waikīkī
5. Pictures Plus

Best Shopping Center or Mall

1. Ala Moana Center
2. International Market Place
3. Royal Hawaiian Center
4. Pearlridge Center
5. Kāhala Mall

Best Clothing/Fashion Boutique or Store

1. Olive Boutique
2. Kealopiko
3. Fighting Eel
4. Allison Izu
5. Sig on Smith

Best Store for Souvenirs

1. Hilo Hattie
2. Dole Plantation
3. SoHa Living
4. Island Sole/Coco Nēnē Hawai‘i
5. ABC Store

Best Surf Shop

1. North Shore Surf Shop
2. T&C Surf Hawai‘i
3. Local Motion Hawai‘i
4. Surf N Sea
5. Aloha Board Shop

Oʻahu Activities

It’s nearly impossible to get bored on Oʻahu. Across the island, you’re sure to find incredible experiences. Thrill-seekers can take to the skies on an aerial tour of the island, while those with green thumbs can play in the dirt at a local farm. Here are the activities that are readers love the most on the exciting island of Oʻahu.

Best Dinner Cruise or Sunset Sail

1. Star of Honolulu
2. Na Hōkū II Catamaran
3. Maita‘i Catamaran
4. Atlantis Adventure Cruises
5. Sail Holokai

Best Extreme Tour

1. Kualoa Ranch
2. Diamond Head Parasail
3. Skydive Hawai‘i
4. Climb Works Keana Farms
5. Xtreme Parasail

Best Farm Tour

1. Dole Plantation
2. Kualoa Ranch
3. Tropical Farms Macadamia Nuts
4. Kahuku Farms
5. Kō Hana Distillers

Best Guided Tour

1. Pearl Harbor National Memorial
2. Polynesian Cultural Center
3. Kualoa Ranch
4. ‘Iolani Palace
5. Roberts Hawai‘i

Best Helicopter Tour

1. Blue Hawaiian Helicopters
2. Paradise Helicopters
3. Magnum Helicopters
4. Mauna Loa Helicopter Tours
5. Honolulu Helicopters Tours

Best Golf Course

1. Turtle Bay Golf Courses
2. Ko ‘Olina Golf Club
3. Ala Wai Golf Course
4. Hawai‘i Kai Golf Course
5. Mākaha Valley Golf Course

Best Live Show

1. Paradise Cove Lū‘au
2. Hā: Breath of Life
3. Blue Note Hawai‘i
4. Rock-A-Hula
5. Magic of Mark Mauricio

Best Lū‘au

1. Paradise Cove Lū‘au
2. Ali‘i Lū‘au at the Polynesian Cultural Center
3. Germaine’s Lū‘au
4. Hale Koa Hotel Lū‘au
5. Chief’s Lū‘au at Sea Life Park

Best Museum

1. Pearl Harbor National Memorial
2. Bishop Museum
3. ‘Iolani Palace
4. Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum
5. Honolulu Museum of Art

Best Fishing Charter

1. O‘ahu Charter Sport Fishing
2. Hawai‘i Deep Sea Fishing
3. Maggie Joe Sport Fishing
4. Ruckus Sportfishing and Diving
5. SurReel Fishing Charters