The Hawaiian islands are an isolated volcanic archipelago in the Central Pacific, aka the perfect location to catch and taste some of the freshest seafood on earth.
Whether you are looking for fine dining or side of the road food trucks, Seafood in Oahu has it all.
After a full day of hiking, shopping, snorkelling, surfing or beaching the perfect way to enjoy sunset is with some fresh seafood and a nice cocktail. There are thousands of places to choose just in Honolulu alone. In today’s blog, we aim to share some of Oahu’s top rated seafood restaurants and best-kept secret hideaways.
Best seafood in Oahu
Nico’s Pier 38
Nico’s Pier 38 launched in 2004 with an aim to showcase fresh seafood in the most delightful way possible. The founders of Nico’s Pier are two fishermen and a French chef; together they select locally caught fish daily. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner in addition to a full-service fish bar that is perfect for takeaway picnics. Nico’s Pier 38 is located in the heart of Honolulu, enjoy the semi-casual atmosphere featuring live music, traditional Hawaiian decor and a beautiful view.
Azure Restaurant
If you are looking for a treat night out, Azure restaurant offers world-class cuisine in a beautiful location right at Waikiki Beach. Chef Shaymus Alwin has created a menu where fresh seafood is innovatively prepared to create one of a kind dishes. No two days will be exactly the same, as the fish is bought each morning at the Honolulu fish market; the menu will depend on the variety available that morning. A trip to Azure will take your tastebuds on a unique experience. Our recommendation is to try the tasting menu and get a bit of everything.
Beach House
Beach House is located on the North Shore; it is the largest restaurant in Haleiwa. Executive Chef, Chris Blanc has done a fantastic job of bringing fresh seafood to a gourmet menu. The location itself is stunning and so are the dishes served up daily. We encourage you to try the Chefs Daily Catch for a truly authentic fresh meal. The Blackened Ahi cold appetizer is also a mouthwatering dish when paired with one of the 40 wine selections available.
Ono Seafood
Ono Seafood in Honolulu is a known spot for the best casual seafood in Hawaii. Their specialty is Poke and the menu offers eight varieties of Poke Bowls daily. The food is fresh and perfectly chilled, which makes this an ideal lunch spot. The open-air room restaurant is nothing special, but the outdoor seating and unforgettable bowls make it very worthwhile.
Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck
Voted as one of the most popular food trucks in Hawaii, Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck is something to experience. So far, in this blog, we have focused on fish dishes. Giovanni’s stands out from the crowd offering shrimp lovers a divine selection. Our menu favourite was the Lemon Butter Shrimp but for the more adventurous eaters the “No Refunds” Hot and Spicy Shrimp looked good too. You will find the truck on the North Shore located along the Kamehameha Highway in Kahuku.
Shrimp Shack
Next up on the food truck scene is the Shrimp Shack. The Shrimp Shack offers amazing shrimp dishes in addition to grilled fish, crab and calamari (something for everyone). Be sure to add a tropical smoothie to your meal; you won’t regret it! This lively yellow truck is a fun place to relax and enjoy lunch. Located along the Kamehameha Highway in Hauula. The Shrimp Shack’s unique style and taste have won them numerous awards which are proudly displayed on their website.
Eat the Street
Eat the street is a monthly food truck rally which takes place the last Friday of the month at 747 Ala Moana Blvd (Kaka’ako Waterfront Park). This buzzing event attracts people from all over the island to Honolulu’s centre. The rally has over 40 different food truck vendors, featuring everything from fresh seafood to homestyle rotisserie chicken. Fusion food is rising in popularity all over the world and Hawaii is no exception. This is a great place to get a sense for what the food truck scene is like in Oahu and appreciate the diverse cultural cuisine offered throughout Hawaii. If you are lucky enough to be in Oahu on the last Friday of the month, you must pay a visit to Eat the Street.
So much to see, so little time
We often hear from our clients that there is so much to do and see while on vacation that it’s hard to fit in everything. Luckily for cuisine, we all experience it at least three times a day.
To make the most of your vacation, plan meals ahead of time. Our travel specialists are well versed in Hawaiian travel and can provide you with some top restaurants to try that are within your budget and on-point with your tastebuds…that leaves enjoying the sun, sand and ocean up to you!
