12 Best (And Worst!) Ko Olina Restaurants to Visit

Looking for a guide to the best Ko Olina restaurants? This guide from a Hawaii local tells you everything you need to know.

I grew up going to Ko Olina a few times every single week. I popped by so often that I figured out everything there is to know about the Ko Olina lagoons – from where to find turtles to where to get a slice of beach all to yourself to where to eat the best food.

Considering how small Ko Olina is, there are quite a few restaurants within this tourist hub’s bounds. Fancy Italian, fun fusion, a good ol’ scoop of ice cream — Ko Olina’s food scene has it all! Between the hotels and the small Ko Olina Center, you’ll be more than satisfied with your eatery options.

The Best Ko Olina Restaurants to Visit

1. Mina’s Fish House

Cuisine: Seafood

Price: $$$

Address: 92-1001 Olani St, Kapolei, HI 96707

Located within the Four Seasons Oahu, Mina’s Fish House is one of the fanciest restaurants in Ko Olina. Owned by critically acclaimed chef and restauranteur Michael Mina, this eatery is one you won’t want to miss out on.

At the start, the menu at Mina’s Fish House leaned into Mina’s Middle Eastern heritage quite a bit, with things like lafa and hummus. But over the years, the menu at Mina’s Fish House has gotten progressively more island-inspired. (Does that mean Chef Michael Mina has been taking a lot of trips to the islands? IT’s possible.) Now, there are delicious plates like chili miso glazed butterfish, the 20-ounce kurobuta pork chop, or the lobster pot pie.

Just in case you find yourself becoming a fan of Michael Mina’s culinary flair, there is currently one other Michael Mina restaurant that you can visit on Oahu, which is STRIPSTEAK Waikiki.

2. Monkeypod Kitchen

Cuisine: Pan-Asian Fusion

Price: $$

Address: 92-1048 Olani St, Kapolei, HI 96707

Monkeypod Kitchen is one of my favorite restaurants on Oahu, not just in Ko Olina. Just across the street from Disney’s Aulani and the Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina, this accessible Ko Olina dining experience is run by award-winning Chef Peter Merriman.

The menu at Monkeypod Kitchen is all about fresh, local ingredients. Think organic macadamia nut-crusted fresh fish and Big Island beef-based cheeseburgers. It’s a great spot to eat delicious food and directly support the local community.

To get the best bang for your buck, head over to this fantastic Ko Olina restaurant during Happy Hour, which is every day from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. You’ll get discounted drinks, $10 Kiawe-wood fired pizzas, and half-price appetizers! I highly recommend the Kauai shrimp & Hamakua mushroom potstickers and Hamakua wild mushroom & truffle oil pizza.

After dining at Monkeypod Kitchen, you’ll likely want to try another one of Chef Peter Merriman’s restaurants. Luckily for you, there’s Moku Kitchen in Kakaako and Merriman’s in downtown Honolulu.

3. Roy’s Hawaii

Cuisine: Pan-Asian Fusion

Price: $$$

Address: 92-1220 Aliinui Dr, Kapolei, HI 96707

If you ask Hawaii locals to name the most famous Hawaii chef, there’s a good chance that they’ll name Chef Roy Yamaguchi. He’s even been a guest judge on Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen! Known as the king of fusion flavors, Yamaguchi’s restaurants — especially the high-end Roy’s locations — are always a treat.

(It’s important to note that Chef Yamaguchi sold off his restaurants on the U.S. mainland over 20 years ago, so they’re not really serving his food anymore. Be sure to stop at one of his restaurants in the islands to really get a taste of his culinary skills!)

While the fancy ambience is nice, the food at Roy’s Hawaii in Ko Olina is the real star. Every dish is packed with flavors from across the globe. Enjoy the open-fire citrus grilled Japan hamachi, the Hawaii Kai-style crispy crab cakes, and the S&S Aussie lamb chops. And don’t forget to order one of the melting hot chocolate souffle to top everything off.

If the price tag at Roy’s Ko Olina is a too much for your budget to handle, consider popping by for happy hour (known as Aloha Hour), which runs daily from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Enjoy a handful of appetizer options, including Mongolian spiced baby back ribs and garlic sweet chili edamame (soybeans).

If you’d like to dine at other Roy Yamaguchi restaurants during your time on Oahu, stop by Roy’s Beach House at Turtle Bay on the North Shore, Goen Dining + Bar in Kailua, or Eating House 1849 in Waikiki.

4. Hokulea Café

Cuisine: Cafe

Price: $

Address: 92-1001 Olani St, Kapolei, HI 96707

After Island Vintage Coffee closed up shop, I had to find a new coffee shop (*not* Starbucks) to recommend. Luckily, The Hokulea Café is just as great as Island Vintage Coffee, if not a little better.

Situated within the Four Seasons, the Hokulea Cafe serves up coffees and pastries in the morning and wines by the glass in the afternoon. This Ko Olina restaurant with an ocean view and an open-air lanai (balcony) is perfect if you’re just looking for a place to relax and enjoy the beautiful atmosphere of Hawaii.

And if you’re cool with a quick pastry or breakfast sandwich to start your day, Hokulea Cafe is one of the best Ko Olina breakfast spots.

5. Noe

Cuisine: Italian

Price: $$$

Address: 92-1001 Olani St, Kapolei, HI 96707

I’ll be honest. Overall, Hawaii doesn’t have the best Italian food. (Asian and fusion flavors tend to be our forte instead). But Noe is an exception. Also located within the Four Seasons, this classy restaurant brings divine Italian flavors right to your table.

The first thing you should order at Noe is the whipped ricotta appetizer. Everyone raves about it! The combination of ricotta, truffle honey, and almond is so unique. It’s truly something you can’t get anywhere else. Then, there are slew of entrees that Noe’s guests love, including Noe signature tagliatelle with mushroom and truffle, veal milanese, and the duck breast with sour cherry puree.

To top off your fabulous Italian meal, Noe also has quite the selection of desserts to choose from. Will you opt to try the tropical lilikoi crostada? Or perhaps you’d prefer something a little more traditional, like a tiramisu. Either way, you surely won’t be disappointed.

6. ‘Ama‘Ama

Cuisine: Island Fusion

Price: $$$

Address: 92 Aliinui Dr, Kapolei, HI 96707

‘Ama‘Ama may be the best Ko Olina restaurant within Disney’s Aulani Resort. Open for dinner, this fine dining establishment serves up loads of delicious courses. Enjoy a 14-ounce ribeye, a pair of Colorado lamb chops, or a plate of day boat scallops. And we certainly can’t forget about dessert. For either lunch or dinner, finish off your meal with one of the ever-changing tropical desserts.

7. La Hiki Kitchen

Cuisine: Breakfast and Brunch

Price: $$$

Address: 92-1001 Olani St, Kapolei, HI 96707

Once a high-end steak restaurant, La Hiki was revamped to become the best brunch spot in town. On weekdays (and Saturdays), you’ll have an incredible a la carte menu ith dishes like the brioche French toast with mango compote, the spicy Latin American-inspired breakfast burrito, and chimichurri-topped avocado toast.

And on Sunday, there’s an unbeatable brunch buffet with quite literally everything you can dream of. Get fancy with lobster tails and prime rib, go for classic egg dishes like benedicts and omelets, or opt for some sweetness with freshly fried malasadas and ooey gooey sticky buns. Add ocean views into the mix, and it really can’t be beat.

8. Black Sheep Cream Co.

Cuisine: Dessert

Price: $

Address: 92 Olani St, Kapolei, HI 96707

If you’re hoping for something sweet, head to Black Sheep Cream Co. There have been many ice cream shops at this spot in Ko Olina over the years. For a long time, it was a little place called Two Scoops. But sadly, they had to close their doors.

After Two Scoops closed, a couple of other ice cream places tried to make it work, but none stuck until Black Sheep Cream Co. This ice cream shop serves up some of the strangest flavors around, but they are worth a try! Will you order the cereal killer, the spill the tea, or the mochi mama?

That said, one of the main downsides of Black Sheep Cream Co. is the rotating flavors. While this is a plus for some businesses, it’s a con for Black Sheep Cream Co. Since they have so many flavors, you sometimes have to wait literal weeks before your favorite gets back on the menu.

Worst Ko Olina Restaurants

9. Little Opihi’s

Cuisine: Desserts

Price: $

Address: 92 Olani St, Kapolei, HI 96707

While I love the location of Little Opihi’s just outside of Disney’s Aulani Resort, I simply can’t justify putting it on the list of best Ko Olina Restaurants. Despite the fact that this convenient little walk up is literally five steps away from the sandy shores of the Ko Olina lagoons, the menu just isn’t all that great. It’s just some Disney-themed deserts and boba drinks.

As an alternative, take a couple of extra minutes to head inside the Aulani and stop by Ulu Café or Mama’s Snack Stop. At Ulu Café, you can get Disney twists on some of Hawaii’s local treats, like spam musubis, malasadas, and the famous Dole Whips. At Mama’s Snack Stop, you can get dishes that are a little more familiar, like fish & chips and coconut shrimp, with just a mild local twist.

10. Tropic Poke

Cuisine: Seafood

Price: $$

Address: 92-1047 Olani St Suite 1-103, Kapolei, HI 96707

When I first found out about the new poke spot in Ko Olina, I was so excited. And then I took a peak at their food, and to say I was disappointed was an understatement.

Tropic Poke doesn’t make authentic Hawaiian poke. Their dishes are more like health bowls with raw fish than poke bowls. And this upset me, because all of the visitors in Ko Olina come to Hawaii wanting to try traditional poke! And then instead they get poke just like the in authentic versions that they can get on the mainland.

Instead of going to Tropic Poke, stick with one of the other great Ko Olina listed above. And if you want to get some poke (which I really hope you do!), check out my list of the best poke places on Oahu.

11. Papalua Shave Ice

Cuisine: Dessert

Price: $

Address: 92-1185 Aliinui Dr, Kapolei, HI 96707

Because Papalua Shave Ice is located within Disney’s Aulani Resort, the product put out by this Ko Olina restaurant is meant to appeal to kids. That means bright colors, lots of sugar, and a Disney connection. So while you may be able to get some shave ice in the shape of Mickey, the ears will melt off within a minute or two, the flavors will be much too sweet, and the ice will be far too coarse.

For a far better version of shave ice, head into the nearby town of Kapolei just five minutes away and visit Island Shave Ice & Creamery. Even better, head all the way to the other side of the island (a 30-minute drive or so) for a visit to Ululani’s, one of the best shave ice places in Honolulu (and my personal favorite).

12. Starbucks

Cuisine: Cafe

Price: $

Address: 92-1185 Aliinui Dr, Kapolei, HI 96707

For a long time, there were no chain restaurants in Ko Olina. But then Starbucks popped up a while back, and I have to say that it’s not my favorite development.

While you’re in Hawaii, you want to experience as much of the local flair as possible – starting with your morning cup of coffee. So instead, consider getting your coffee from Hokulea Café at the Four Seasons instead of Starbucks.

Tips for Visiting Ko Olina Restaurants

Make Reservations in Advance

Ko Olina is a rather small area packed with tons of guests. That means that all of the good Ko Olina restaurants are packed on any given day. To make sure you eat when you want to eat, be sure to make reservations in advance!

That said, it honestly doesn’t have to be too far in advance. For most Ko Olina restaurants, you can make a reservation that very same morning with no problem! Just be sure to make some sort of reservation if you’re particular about when and where you want to eat in Ko Olina.

Partake in Happy Hour

Even if you’re not a drinker, happy hour is your friend. A few of the restaurants in Ko Olina can get a little pricey, so to experience the same delicious food without the cringe-worthy bill, head over for happy hour!

Over the years, the happy hours across Oahu — Ko Olina included — have started to disappear. I believe only Monkeypod and Roy’s still do happy hour, so I would highly recommend taking advantage of those two.

Take Advantage of the Location

The restaurants in Ko Olina boast an absolutely amazing location. After all, these lagoons are picture-perfect! While not all of the restaurants on this list boast oceanfront views, all of them are just a quick walk away. So don’t forget to explore the lagoons either before or after your meal.

In addition, these restaurants are also close to many of the best hotels on the west side of Oahu. So if you’re looking for restaurants near the Aulani, restaurants near the Four Seasons Ko Olina, or restaurants near Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club, these will all fit the bill.

Splurge on a Fine Dining Option

Ko Olina is one of the few places on Oahu with fine dining restaurants, and I highly recommend going to one. You’ll often be able to savor high-end flavors with an island twist, which is a pretty special experience. As a matter of fact, it’s one of the best things to do in Ko Olina, in my opinion.

And that’s a wrap on all of the best (and worst!) restaurants in Ko Olina! Hopefully we’ve helped you find some great foodie spots — and avoid the not-so-great ones too.

Read More About the Best of Ko Olina

• 15 Best Things to Do in Ko Olina, Oahu, Hawaii
• The Ultimate Guide to the Ko Olina Lagoons, Hawaii
• The Best Snorkeling in Ko Olina (Tours + On Your Own!)
• The Best Hotels in Ko Olina, Hawaii: 7 Great Accommodations
• The Best Luau in Ko Olina: 4 Great Evening Experiences
• The Best Coffee in Ko Olina & Kapolei, Hawaii: 5 Fantastic Cafes
• Best Breakfast in Ko Olina: 6 Delicious Eateries
• Want to Find the Ko Olina Secret Lagoon?

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