A Honolulu visitor can book a spot at a luau, enjoy an epic hotel brunch (such as the one offered at Halekulani Hotel’s Orchids) or track down a fantastic tiki-themed bar. However, the food scene in Hawai’i’s capital is not only shaped by its multicultural population, but also restaurateurs and entrepreneurs who have found innovative ways to work with regional produce, proteins and recipes. While Nuuanu Street, Chinatown and new enclaves such as SALT redefine the city’s food landscape, Royal Hawaiian Center — a Waikiki shopping and dining mainstay — offers numerous dining options reflecting how the cosmopolitan city has emerged and evolved.

Island Vintage Wine Bar © Elyse Glickman

Island Vintage Wine Bar

With its indoor/outdoor setting, simple furniture and Japanese lantern pendant lighting, Island Vintage Wine Bar has the feel of private home lanai. However, it’s what is put on the table —  and paired with it — that sometimes makes it challenging to book a last-minute reservation. Chef Christine Lee and her team steer clear of pupus (appetizers and noshes), instead using provisions from nearby farms and purveyors to turn dishes we thought we knew into surprising, unforgettable bites, such as the vegetarian poke, spicy eggplant bites or genuinely creative cheese and charcuterie boards.

Island Vintage Coffee

Island Vintage Coffee, the “Mothership” of Island Vintage Wine Bar, not only serves top-quality coffee drinks, tropical fruit smoothies and healthy breakfasts, but also excellent to-go versions of dishes from Island Vintage Wine Bar’s menu and grab-and-go poke plates and salads.

Wolfgang Steakhouse

This steakhouse brings old-school New York City steakhouse flair to Kalakaua Avenue’s “Golden Mile,” with highlights including tomahawk steak handily cut into a palm frond shape, fresh oysters and old-fashioned drinks.

Island Vintage Wine © Elyse Glickman

TsuruTonTan

TsuruTonTan, a restaurant group originating from Japan’s Kagawa prefecture, not only brings superb Udon soups, sushi and appetizers to the United States, but also makes the Tokyo-style, street chic and amazing food ambiance of the Udon noodle-centric venue approachable. Attention to detail spills into the management’s commitment to delivering the most authentic taste of Japan to an American and international audience possible.

Waikiki Food Hall

Mostly Japanese and Japanese-inspired vendors make up Waikiki Food Hall. The ultra-casual, unpretentious setup is reminiscent of the original International Marketplace that delighted visitors before glossy malls and fancier hotels took over Kalakaua Avenue. Five Star Shrimp (where you can find authentic Honolulu-style lunch plates), Potama (for fresh Spam and rice onigiri and superb fries) and Honolulu Burger Company (voted one of the best by the local press) are top bets.

Penny’s Malasadas © Elyse Glickman

Penny’s Malasadas

Penny’s Malasadas, located in the center’s Pa’ina Lanai Food Court, began as a food truck sensation wowing customers with its sinfully rich, Philippine-inspired, donut-like pastries dusted with sugar or cinnamon and filled with coconut crème, Ube crème, Nutella crème, original custard or a specialty filling of the day.