10 Hawaii Restaurants Bringing Island Spirits To The Table For Halloween
When October drapes the Hawaiian Islands in moonlight, the celebrations go far beyond sandy beaches and festive costumes.
From Honolulu’s bustling Waikīkī to Maui’s hidden coastal gems, restaurants across the islands transform their menus and dining rooms with a spooky tropical twist. Here, Halloween isn’t just about candy—it’s about blending island flavors, local folklore, and just the right amount of fright.
These ten spots prove that Hawaii knows how to serve ghostly fun alongside unforgettable food, island-style.
1. Ono Hawaiian BBQ’s Haunted Luau Experience
Blood-red taro rolls and ghost-shaped haupia pudding greeted me last Halloween at Ono Hawaiian BBQ. The restaurant transforms its traditional luau plates into creepy culinary masterpieces that taste as good as they look spooky.
Kids squeal with delight when servers deliver the “Zombie Kalua Pork” with its smoky flavor and clever presentation. The staff dresses as Hawaiian night marchers – legendary ghostly warriors who roam the islands after dark.
What really impressed me was their special lava punch, served in tiki mugs that change color when cold. The dry ice effect creates an eerie fog that rolls across your table. Their Halloween menu runs the entire last week of October, with special keiki (children’s) activities on Halloween night.
2. Tiki’s Grill & Bar’s Midnight Ghost Tour Dinner
Perched overlooking Waikiki Beach, Tiki’s Grill & Bar hosts my favorite Halloween event – their Midnight Ghost Tour Dinner. Between courses, local storytellers share chilling tales of Hawaiian spirits and supernatural encounters that gave me actual chicken skin (that’s goosebumps in local speak)!
The chef creates dishes named after famous island ghosts. Last year’s “Madame Pele’s Flaming Poke Tower” arrived at our table literally on fire, honoring the temperamental volcano goddess. Their signature cocktail, “Night Marcher’s Path,” glows eerily under blacklights.
Reservations fill quickly for this adults-only experience that perfectly balances gourmet island cuisine with Hawaii’s rich supernatural folklore. I recommend their haunted seafood platter – fresh catches arranged to resemble an ocean graveyard with black rice sand.
3. The Cheesecake Factory’s Island Monster Mash
Forget what you know about mainland Cheesecake Factory locations – the Honolulu restaurant goes all out with their annual Island Monster Mash. My niece still talks about the server who delivered our appetizers while performing a spontaneous hula-meets-thriller dance!
Their Halloween menu features Hawaii-exclusive items like the “Frankentiki Burger” with green buns and tropical relish. The dessert selection steals the show with cheesecakes shaped like tiny jack-o’-lanterns filled with lilikoi (passion fruit) and mango.
Family-friendly by day, the restaurant transforms after 8pm with dimmed lights and staff in elaborate costumes inspired by Hawaiian mythology. Their signature Halloween cocktail – a blue concoction called “Menehune Mischief” – pays homage to the legendary little people of Hawaiian folklore who work mischievous magic after dark.
4. L&L Hawaiian Barbecue’s Spooky Plate Lunch Special
L&L Hawaiian Barbecue captures local-style Halloween fun without the fancy price tag. Their “Spooky Plate Lunch Special” had my whole family cracking up when we ordered it last year – two scoops of purple poi-tinted rice shaped like eyeballs staring up from the plate!
The macaroni salad comes decorated with black olive spiders, and their famous chicken katsu is cut into bat shapes. What makes this spot special is how they blend everyday local comfort food with playful Halloween touches that don’t sacrifice the authentic plate lunch experience.
Kids receive mini trick-or-treat bags filled with Hawaiian candy like chocolate-covered macadamia nuts. Multiple locations across the islands participate, but the Kapahulu Avenue spot goes biggest with staff dressed as menehune (mythical Hawaiian little people) and a photo wall featuring famous Hawaii ghost stories.
5. Tiffany’s Bar & Grill Maui’s Haunted Tiki Terrace
Tucked away in Wailuku, Tiffany’s transforms into a Haunted Tiki Terrace every Halloween season. Last October, I stumbled upon their celebration by accident and ended up staying for hours, mesmerized by the fire dancers performing between dinner courses!
Their special menu honors Hawaiian night spirits with dishes like “Obake Saimin” (ghost noodle soup) featuring black garlic oil and ghost-shaped kamaboko fish cake. The outdoor seating area becomes an enchanted garden with tiki torches, floating lanterns, and staff sharing whispered tales of Maui hauntings.
What makes Tiffany’s stand out is their commitment to incorporating genuine Hawaiian cultural elements rather than generic Halloween tropes. Their dessert – a haupia pudding graveyard with chocolate headstones inscribed with ancient Hawaiian proverbs – manages to be both respectful and delightfully spooky.
6. Royal Hawaiian Hotel’s Pink Palace Ghost Feast
The historic Royal Hawaiian Hotel – nicknamed the “Pink Palace” – hosts an elegant yet eerie Ghost Feast that pays tribute to the property’s supposedly haunted past. Walking into their oceanfront dining room last Halloween, I felt like I’d stepped into a glamorous 1920s party with a supernatural twist.
White-gloved servers deliver courses named after spirits said to haunt the hotel. The “Lady in White Lobster Bisque” arrives under a dome of seafood-scented smoke that dissipates to reveal a pearlescent soup with edible flowers. Their signature dessert features pink haupia mousse shaped like the hotel itself, complete with tiny chocolate windows that glow from embedded edible lights.
Between courses, hotel historians share spine-tingling stories about celebrity guests and strange occurrences from the hotel’s nearly century-long history. Reservations are essential for this sophisticated adults-only experience.
7. Kona Brewing Company’s Haunted Brewery Tour & Feast
Drink lovers rejoice! Kona Brewing Company’s Haunted Brewery Tour & Feast combines craft drink with Halloween fun. My husband still raves about their special October brew – a dark porter infused with local ghost peppers and cocoa that delivers a devilish kick.
The evening begins with a lantern-led tour through the brewery where staff share “true” tales of supernatural encounters among the fermentation tanks. Afterward, guests enjoy a family-style feast featuring dishes like their famous Longboard Lager fish tacos topped with jack-o’-lantern salsa.
What makes this experience unique is the drink and food pairing designed around Hawaiian mythology. Each course comes with a tasting flight named after island spirits – my favorite was the “Nightmarchers Flight” featuring four increasingly dark and complex brews. The outdoor seating under string lights creates the perfect spooky-yet-fun atmosphere.
8. Haleiwa Joe’s Supernatural Seafood Spectacular
Nestled against the lush Haiku Gardens, Haleiwa Joe’s hosts a Supernatural Seafood Spectacular that had me questioning reality last Halloween. Their floating sushi boats arrive through an atmospheric fog that rolls across the koi pond surrounding the dining area.
The restaurant decorates with subtle nods to Hawaiian water spirits, creating an immersive experience without resorting to tacky Halloween props. Their signature dish – the “Shapeshifter Seafood Tower” – features local catches arranged to create an underwater scene that appears to change form as you view it from different angles.
Live music features traditional Hawaiian instruments played in minor keys, creating a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack. What impressed me most was their dessert – a “ghost island” of haupia floating on blue curaçao jelly with edible sand and tiny chocolate palm trees. The entire experience feels like dining in a beautiful Hawaiian dream with just a touch of delightful nightmare.
9. Mama’s Fish House Haunted Lagoon Experience
Mama’s Fish House on Maui’s north shore creates a magical Halloween experience centered around their picturesque lagoon. Ghost stories about ancient Hawaiian fishing spirits set the stage for the most theatrical seafood dinner I’ve ever experienced.
Their Halloween tasting menu tells a complete story – from the “Fisherman’s Warning” appetizer (ahi poke with smoky dry ice effects) to the “Siren’s Call” dessert (a chocolate seashell filled with lilikoi mousse that “sings” when hot sauce is poured over it). Between courses, staff perform traditional chants that gave me chicken skin despite the warm evening.
What makes this experience worth the splurge is the attention to Hawaiian cultural details. The restaurant works with cultural practitioners to respectfully incorporate elements of Hawaiian folklore. Their special Halloween cocktail – served in a hollowed pineapple with dry ice – is called “Ku-ula’s Offering” after the Hawaiian god of fishermen.
10. Highway Inn’s Night Marcher’s Feast
Highway Inn takes a deeply cultural approach to Halloween with their Night Marcher’s Feast, honoring the legendary processions of ancient Hawaiian warrior spirits. Walking into their Kakaako location last October, I was struck by how they balanced respect for traditions with fun Halloween elements.
The family-style menu features modern interpretations of ancient Hawaiian foods. Their purple poi comes topped with edible flowers arranged like ghost faces, while the kalua pork arrives at the table under smoking ti leaves. Local cultural practitioners share stories between courses, explaining the significance of night marchers in Hawaiian culture.
What makes this experience special is how it connects guests to authentic Hawaiian history with just enough spooky elements to feel festive. Their dessert – traditional kulolo (taro pudding) served in miniature carved pumpkins – perfectly represents this blend. Reservations are a must, as this event sells out quickly to those seeking a more meaningful Halloween experience.