Oahu

February 23, 2021 Veronica Speck

Shangri-La, Doris Duke’s Foundation for Islamic Art, Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii

Oahu is home to Hawaii’i’s capital, Honolulu, and highlights of the city include the iconic Waikiki Beach, Chinatown, Pearl Harbor, the luxe Ala Moana shopping center, and the North Shore, a surfer’s paradise. Here is our guide to the island.

STAY

FOUR SEASONS RESORT AT KO OLINA The beachfront island resort sits on Oahu’s wild and rugged western coast with vast ocean views. Located next to the Ko Olina Golf Club, the hotel includes restaurants and the Naupaka Spa & Wellness Centre.

THE MODERN A minimal, contemporary hotel with a firework display every Friday.

TURTLE BAY A scenic drive through pineapple plantations lands you at Turtle Bay resort overlooking Kuilima Cove, 5 miles from the Banzai pipeline.

‘ALOHILANI RESORT WAIKIKI BEACH Across the street from Waikiki Beach, the ‘Alohilani has a Morimoto restaurant, aquarium, pool, tennis courts, and batting cages.

HALEKULANI HOTEL One of the oldest hotels in Honolulu, and still one of the best. Lewers Lounge overlooks Diamond Head Bay and serves up lychee martinis. Don’t miss the Poha Berry Popovers at Orchids Sunday Brunch.

SURFJACK HOTEL & SWIM CLUB An understated hotel with a laid-back vibe featuring mid-century furniture and modern art. The hotel is also home to an excellent restaurant helmed by local chef hero Ed Kenney and Olive & Oliver, a smaller outpost of the Oliver boutique that’s outfitted with a sweet little coffee bar serving Café Vita espresso and cold brew.

ROYAL HAWAIIAN Honolulu’s pink hotel. Stay in the historical section with a view of the beach, and book dinner at Azure. 2259 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu; royal-hawaiian.com

DRINK | DINE

SUNRISE SHACK A Crayola-yellow snack stand opened by professional surfer and model, Alex Smith.

PUPUKEA GRILL By Shark’s Cove— order the coconut quinoa curry with spicy ahi poke or an acai bowl.

ADDICTION AT THE MODERN A nightclub in Waikiki with monthly events.

HALEIWA JOE'S In Haleiwa, order their signature Mai Tai called the Outside Double Up, served in a fishbowl.

SUNNY DAYS A breakfast destination in Diamond Head.

DA COVE HEALTH BAR The best acai bowl on the island!

BILLS A popular Australian outpost in Honolulu.

BANZAI SUSHI BAR Japanese restaurant with an outdoor patio.

HALEKULANI RESTAURANT Have dinner and stay for the Luau show.

LEI LEI’S BAR & GRILL A restaurant on the north shore built on a golf course, surrounded by greenery.

MORIMOTO Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto serves up fresh fish and a delicious spicy jalapeño mojito in the Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach.

MINA’S FISH HOUSE Chef Michael Mina claims to be the only place with a fish sommelier in Ko Olina.

KONO’S With locations in Haleiwa and Kailua, Kono’s serves up pulled pork with their famous hot sauce on the side (and also available for purchase).

GIOVANNI’S A shrimp truck on the North Shore. Line up and order the garlic butter shrimp served with white rice, and enjoy on the nearby picnic tables.

KOA PANCAKE HOUSE A classic Hawaiian breakfast— spam, pancakes, and fried rice,

HELENA’S HAWAIIAN FOOD Don’t be intimidated by the strip mall location— we promise the pulled pork is worth the less than scenic locale.

ROY’S KO OLINA The original location of the chain of upscale Hawaiian restaurants seen stateside. Order the Misoyaki Butter Fish and their signature chocolate souffle for dessert.

MONKEYPOD KITCHEN Pro-tip: Order a pie when you sit down in order to make sure they don't run out at this restaurant in Ko Olina.

MATSUMOTO SHAVE ICE A shaved ice spot in Haleiwa— order the condensed milk on top.

EGGS N THINGS A popular spot for omelets, crepes, and our personal favorite— macadamia pancakes.

LEONARD’S BAKERY Home of pao doce and malasadas (Portuguese donuts).

TED'S BAKERY Famous for cream pies and plate lunches on Sunset Beach.

SHARKS COVE GRILL The best fish burgers on the North Shore with a special secret sauce.

KONA BREWING CO. A brewery with local beer and an excellent pulled pork platter.

HAWAIIAN CROWN PLANTATION The family-owned company is one of the last commercial farms on the island with a cafe that serves a delicious acai bowl with fresh pineapple, macadamia nuts and cacao nibs.

VERANDA AT THE BEACHOUSE Outdoor high tea is served at the Surfrider Hotel in Waikiki. 2365 Kalakaua Ave, Moana Surfrider; marriott.com

TOMMY BAHAMA Cheesy Hawaiian shirts aside, the restaurant atop the store serves fresh seafood and tropical cocktails. 298 Beach Walk, Waikiki; tommybahama.com

DUKE’S Albeit popular with tourists, this Waikiki spot is a classic. Order the surf 'n' turf, a tiki-inspired cocktail with an umbrella, and the famous Hula Pie. 2335 Kalakaua Ave, Waikiki; dukeswaikiki.com

AZURE An upscale, oceanfront restaurant in the Royal Hawaiian Hotel with Spanish-Moorish decor. 2259 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu; royal-hawaiian.com

ISLAND SNOW This shaved ice gives Matsumoto's a run for their money. They even have a wedding cake flavor. islandsnow.com

TONKATSU TAMAFUJI A lively Japanese restaurant drawing crowds for house-special breaded pork entrees, chicken and pork katsu. 449 Kapahulu Ave, Honolulu; tamafuji-us.com

GINA’S BBQ A family-owned restaurant serving traditional & Hawaiian-style Korean meats, including plate lunches. 2919 Kapiolani Blvd, Diamond Head; ginasbbq.com

SUSHI II Inventive rolls, deep-fried fish, and an omakase menu offered in an unassuming strip-mall nook. 655 Ke’eaumoku St, Honolulu.

GOOFY CAFE A casual eatery serving Hawaiian cuisine in breezy, surfer-themed environs. 1831 Ala Moana Blvd, Waikiki; goofy-honolulu.com

HAMADA GENERAL STORE A popular spot for take away Hawaiian plate lunches. 885 Queen St, Honolulu; hamadageneralstore.com

MOUNTAIN MAGIC SHAVE ICE Another popular choice for Hawaiian shaved ice with a location in Waikele Center and Makaha Marketplace.

UNCLE CLAY’S HOUSE OF PURE ALOHA Bright, casual shop for all-natural Hawaiian shave ice made using locally sourced artisanal syrups. 820 W Hind Dr, Honolulu; houseofpurealoha.com

OPAL THAI Family-owned Thai kitchen with an upbeat, convivial atmosphere & customizable fare. 1030 Smith, Honolulu.

ARTS | CULTURE | ACTIVITIES

SURF The world-famous Bonzai Pipeline for experienced surfers or Waikiki for beginners, especially Queens Surf Break.

BEACHES Sunset Beach is a beautiful spot at sunset and great for spotting turtles. Lanikai Beach has a coral reef ideal for snorkeling.

MAUNAWILI FALLS HIKE This hiking trail in Kailua is almost entirely covered by flora in a lush forest and leads to a swimming hole that features a waterfall— perfect for brave cliff jumpers.

KUALOA RANCH A 4,000-acre nature retreat offering ATVs, a zip-line, beaches & tours of Hollywood film locations including Jurassic Park and Lost.

DOLE PLANTATION Outside of Disneyland, the only place to savor the whipped pineapple ice cream treat.

IOLANI PALACE The opulent Iolani Palace was the royal residence of the Hawaiian monarchy until Queen Liliuokalani was forced to abdicate her throne in 1893.

WAIMEA VALLEY A historically significant place in Hawaiian religion, including several stone terraces and walls constructed during the time of the Hawaiian monarchy.

SHANGRI LA MUSEUM OF ISLAMIC ART, CULTURE, AND DESIGN Doris Duke’s former home turned museum and Islamic Art Foundation near Diamond Head outside Honolulu.

MANU KAI WAIKIKI CATAMARAN A scenic boat tour offering snorkeling and sailing.

HO’OMALUHIA BOTANICAL GARDEN A botanical garden with lush, tropical, exotic flora and fauna.

MAKAPU’U POINT LIGHTHOUSE LOOKOUT TRAIL A 2.5 mile RT hike near Waimea that features beautiful wild flowers.

LANIKAI PILLBOX (KAIWA RIDGE) TRAIL Kaiwa Ridge (Lanikai Pillbox) Trail is a 1.8 mile hike near Kailua that features beautiful wild flowers. We recommend heading out at sunset!

MANOA FALLS You might recognize scenery in this 1.6 mile hike from Jurassic Park, which was filmed here.

SHOP

ALA MOANA The largest open-air shopping center in the world.

SPA

WAIKIKI SPA Relax with a deep tissue massage using essential oils at The Modern Hotel.

NAUPAKA SPA AT THE FOUR SEASONS Try the traditional Naupaka Lomilomi Massage or a Hulali Hawaiian Healing Facial at the Four Seasons Spa in Ko Olina.

HALEKULANI SPA This Waikiki Spa offers an aromatherapy massage starts with an invigorating slap on the soles of your feet with coconut sticks. Every guest leaves with a fragrant, densely packed ball of turmeric, tamarind leaves, and lemongrass in cheesecloth that can be used to relieve future knots.