Last month, Yelp released their annual Top 100 Places to Eat in the US for 2016, and while most of the restaurants featured on the list can be found in California, Hawaii is home to ten of Yelp’s greatest restaurants. For a state with less than 1.5 million residents, housing a tenth of the country’s greatest restaurants is quite impressive. This probably has something to do with the fact that Yelp is used most commonly while on vacation, but we’d like to think that the only explanation is the top-notch cuisine found in our beautiful state.
1. Marukame Udon
This casual Japanese eatery specializes in noodle soup, and there is almost always a line out of the door. It was even rated as the 10th best restaurant in America in Yelp's Top 100 Places to Eat in the US.
2. Ono Seafood
Rumor has it that the best poke in Honolulu comes from Ono Seafood. The seafood is fresh, and the poke is made-to-order instead of sitting all afternoon in a big container. There’s got to be some truth to the rumor, since Ono Seafood landed the fourteenth spot on Yelp’s list this year.
3. Da Poke Shack
There is no way to make a list of the best restaurants in the country without including Kailua-Kona’s Da Poke Shack. It once claimed the number one spot on Yelp’s Top 100, but has since been demoted to No. 15. Still not bad for a seaside eatery nestled in a condominium complex known for their takeout poke, as well as local specialties and salads.
4. Mama’s Fish House Restaurant
With a 4.5 stars on Yelp and more than 3,500 reviews, Mama’s Fish House is definitely doing something right. Combine fresh and delicious seafood with a picturesque oceanfront location, there is little better than this Paia eatery that scored the No. 35 spot this year.
5. Lahaina Grill
This contemporary bistro serves up a variety of new American cuisine – including seafood – using only the freshest ingredients from Maui farms, dairies, and surrounding oceans. Lahaina Grill not only landed in the No. 56 spot on Yelp’s Top 100, but the eatery has also been recognized by Honolulu Magazine as Maui’s best restaurant for more than 20 years.
6. Helena’s Hawaiian Food
One of the state’s oldest Hawaiian restaurants, Helena’s Hawaiian Food scored the No. 63 spot, and is well-known for using secret family recipes. Be sure to order "Menu D," a tasting menu that comes with kalua pork, lomi salmon, dried beef short ribs, and luau squid. Don’t forget about the haupia dessert!
7. Musubi Café Iyasume
Located within the Aqua Pacific Monarch Café in Honolulu is Musubi Café Iyasume, an adorable shop with an impressive selection of musubi – and affordable prices. Be sure to try the bacon, egg, spam and avocado musubi at this eatery that came in at No. 76.
8. Shark Pit Maui
Coming in at No. 84 is this charming eatery in Lahaina that has recently made the switch from food truck to actual storefront. Sourcing from local, organic farms on the island, owner Chris Mahon serves up some of the best Asian Fusion around.
9. Umeke's
For poke bowls and Hawaiian plate lunches in Kailua-Kona, look no further than Umeke’s. This modest deli-style eatery serves up the freshest seafood around, and comes in on Yelp’s Top 100 list at No. 89.
10. Leoda’s Kitchen and Pie Shop
Rounding out our Top 10 list at No. 92, and serving up some of the most delicious pies on Maui is Leoda’s, a café that is all about fresh ingredients, and hand-crafted specialties. Their chocolate macadamia nut pie is heaven for any chocolate lover, and the bananas in the banana cream pie are harvested from the restaurant’s own farm.
How many of these restaurants have you been to? Who else is adding these ten eateries to their Hawaii restaurant bucket list? Check out the rest of Yelp's Top 100 eateries here.
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