10 Coastal Hawaii Restaurants With Ocean Views As Stunning As The Menu
Hawaii’s magical coastlines offer more than just surf and sand. They’re home to world-class dining with unbeatable views.
From casual beachfront cafés to upscale establishments perched on volcanic cliffs, these restaurants combine fresh island cuisine with panoramic ocean vistas.
Prepare your taste buds and your camera as we explore ten unforgettable Hawaiian restaurants where the scenery rivals the food.
1. Mala Ocean Tavern – Lahaina’s Lava Rock Jewel
Waves crash against ancient lava rocks mere feet from your table at this recently reopened Maui favorite. The open-air dining space puts you so close to the Pacific that occasional spray might season your fresh-caught fish!
Local fishermen deliver their daily haul directly to the kitchen, ensuring the seafood couldn’t be fresher. Sunset transforms this spot into pure magic, with golden light dancing across handcrafted cocktails and ahi poke bowls.
2. The Sea House Restaurant – Napili Bay’s Hidden Treasure
Nestled on the powdery sands of Napili Bay, Sea House offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner with your toes practically in the sand. Morning brings fluffy macadamia nut pancakes as gentle waves provide nature’s soundtrack.
The restaurant’s breezy layout means there’s hardly a bad seat in the house. I once watched a sea turtle swim by during my anniversary dinner, a magical moment that no fancy restaurant on the mainland could ever match!
3. 53 By The Sea – Honolulu’s Architectural Marvel
Floor-to-ceiling windows frame Diamond Head in all its glory at this elegant Honolulu establishment. The dramatic entrance sets the stage for what’s to come: refined dining with unobstructed Pacific panoramas.
Live piano music floats through the air as servers present artistic seafood towers. My sister’s wedding proposal happened here last spring. The staff discreetly coordinated everything, timing the ring with sunset’s golden moment.
4. Azure at Royal Hawaiian – The Pink Palace’s Crowning Glory
Beneath the iconic pink façade of Waikiki’s most famous hotel lies Azure, where tables sit mere steps from Waikiki’s gentle surf. White tablecloths flutter in the ocean breeze as chefs transform local seafood into artistic creations. Think uni ice cream and truffle cotton candy.
The restaurant’s signature pink umbrellas provide shade during day service, while tiki torches cast romantic light after sunset. Generations of visitors have celebrated milestones here, with Diamond Head standing sentinel in the distance.
5. Deck at Queen Kapiolani Hotel – Diamond Head’s Perfect Frame
Perched on the third floor of this hotel, The Deck offers what might be Waikiki’s most perfect view of Diamond Head crater. Colorful lounge seating creates a relaxed vibe where island-inspired cocktails flow freely beneath market umbrellas.
The menu embraces Hawaii’s multicultural heritage with poke bowls, kalbi ribs, and tropical flatbreads. Sunset here transforms the crater into a silhouette against blazing orange skies, a photo opportunity that’s worth the visit alone.
6. Hau Tree at Kaimana Beach Hotel – Robert Louis Stevenson’s Inspiration
Literary history mingles with culinary excellence at this beachfront gem, named for the sprawling tree where Robert Louis Stevenson once wrote beneath its branches.
Situated directly on the sand of Kaimana Beach, tables nestle under the spreading hau tree that’s stood for generations.
Breakfast brings crab cake benedicts as morning swimmers glide through turquoise waters. I’ve been coming here since childhood. My parents celebrated their anniversary at this very spot, and now I continue the tradition with my own family.
7. Mama’s Fish House – Paia’s Legendary Seafood Institution
Tucked into a coconut grove on Maui’s North Shore, Mama’s has been an institution since 1973. The menu actually names the fisherman who caught your dinner that morning, a commitment to freshness unmatched anywhere else.
Polynesian artifacts and outrigger canoes decorate the dining room, while picture windows frame Ho’okipa Beach’s famous waves.
During the winter months, you might spot humpback whales breaching offshore while savoring the signature stuffed mahi-mahi.
8. ‘Ulu Ocean Grill – Four Seasons’ Farm-to-Table Masterpiece
Torches illuminate oceanfront tables at this Four Seasons gem, where 75% of ingredients come from Hawai‘i Island. The restaurant’s relationship with local fishermen and farmers means menu items change constantly based on what’s fresh and available.
The sushi counter offers front-row seats to master chefs crafting artistic rolls. Last year during dinner, we watched manta rays glide through illuminated waters just offshore; the staff provided binoculars without us even asking!
9. Canoe House at Mauna Lani – Big Island’s Romantic Hideaway
Flickering tiki torches guide you to this open-air pavilion where tables sit beneath soaring wood beams. The restaurant’s location on the Kohala Coast means sunsets are spectacular year-round, with the fiery orb sinking directly into the Pacific.
The menu showcases Hawaii’s bounty with elegant preparations of locally caught fish. Between courses, stroll along the adjacent beach path where ancient royal fishponds glimmer in the moonlight, a romantic interlude you’ll never forget.
10. The Beach House Restaurant – Poipu’s Sunset Central
Claiming Kauai’s prime sunset-viewing real estate, this plantation-style building sits directly on Lawai Beach where surfers catch waves just yards from your table. The wraparound lanai ensures every seat has an ocean view, while the building’s plantation history adds authentic Hawaiian charm.
Signature dishes include macadamia nut-crusted mahi and pineapple-infused cocktails. When winter swells roll in, diners are treated to impromptu surfing performances; I once saw a rainbow form over surfers during my birthday dinner here!