Where should you eat tonight? Where should we begin? How about at A (Alicia’s Market), or H (Hot Pot Heaven) or, for those who like working backward, Z (zpizza) … A team of five food and dining experts from the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, with the help of our newspaper readers, compiled this guide to the best places to eat on Oahu.
The 'Ilima Awards cover of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser for Sunday, October 7, 2012.
You’ll find eateries here from the most elegant to the most humble. As is our practice, reviews were conducted anonymously, with meals paid for by the Star-Advertiser. None of the restaurants in this guide were given special consideration in exchange for advertising.
The top awardees will be honored Oct. 8 at the annual Honolulu Star-Advertiser ‘Ilima Awards, a benefit event for Diamond Head Theatre, our partner in this guide. The theater, established in 1915, is the third-oldest continously operating community theater in the nation. The awards dinner plays a key role in supporting DHT’s many programs and productions.
Find this guide online at staradvertiser.com and at honolulupulse.com. Visit these sites regularly and pick up the newspaper’s Wednesday food section, as well as Friday’s TGIF to keep up with the restaurant scene.
THE LEGEND
$$$$ VERY PRICEY
Entrees mostly more than $30
$$$ PRICEY
Entrees mostly more than $17-20
$$ MODERATE
Entrees $10-16
$ BUDGET FRIENDLY
Entrees mostly less than $10
Note: The dining scene changes rapidly so please call the restaurant for the latest information
‘ILIMA AWARDS
CRITICS
Jason Genegabus
Nadine Kam
Elizabeth Kieszkowski
Joleen Oshiro
Betty Shimabukuro
MANAGING EDITOR/PRODUCTION
Betty Shimabukuro
CONTRIBUTORS
Craig Gima
Joe Guinto
Donica Kaneshiro
Stephanie Kendrick
Sarah Montgomery
Nina Wu
Sherri Yoshioka
TODAY EDITOR
Christie Wilson
LEAD DESIGNER
Joe Guinto
DESIGNER
Jackie Carberry
PHOTOS
Craig T. Kojima and the Star-Advertiser staff