The Best New Restaurants in Hawaiʻi
The Islands are home to an incredible and ever-evolving culinary scene. Exciting restaurants open every year, making it difficult to narrow down the best newcomers. So we asked our readers to vote. Here are the new restaurants that rose to the top of HAWAIʻI Magazine’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards.
READ MORE: A Local Food Writer’s Favorite Hawaiʻi Restaurants in 2025
1. Koast, Maui
Photo: Sarah Burchard
Chef Chris Cosentino opened Koast in Wailea, Maui, at the start of 2025. His attention to detail extends from sourcing ingredients from local Maui vendors, including pork from Lopes Farm and greens from Lapaʻau Farm, to creating an inventive, thoughtful menu. Here, diners can find standout dishes, from Wagyu tataki and whole roasted fish to Japanese milk bread.
2. Mura Izakaya, Kauaʻi
Photo: Courtesy of Mura Izakaya/Spothopper
Tucked in Kōloa, Mura Izakaya is one of the newest spots to hit Kauaʻi’s south shore. The restaurant welcomes diners to relax and linger—and that is what you’ll want to do. With glowing Japanese lanterns and vintage prints adorning the wood-slat walls, diners can enjoy creative sushi, ultrafresh sashimi, comforting ramen and classic izakaya dishes paired with sake, shochu or Japanese whisky.
3. Walua Social Club, Hawaiʻi Island
Photo: Courtesy of Walua Social Club/Zach Smith at The Color Crew
Walua Social Club is Kailua-Kona’s newest neighborhood trattoria. The restaurant is a collaboration between chef Chad Yamamoto and chef Alessandro Taras. The two created a thoughtful menu inspired by Italian traditions while also celebrating fresh local ingredients from across the Islands. Popular dishes include the rigatoni bolognese, oxtail pappardelle and black pepper ribs.
4. Tonkatsu Kuro, Oʻahu
Tonkatsu Kuro was one of the hottest restaurants to open on Oʻahu in 2025. Reservations are still difficult to come by. The restaurant serves Japanese tonkatsu made with high-quality pork and fresh panko breadcrumbs that remain crispy yet light. Don’t miss the refreshing soba noodle dishes, either.
5. Faria, Oʻahu
Photo: Sarah Burchard
In January 2025, Kawehi Haug opened Faria in Kailua, Oʻahu. Haug, chef and co-owner of the restaurant, describes the menu as “Pacifika Portuguese,” with dishes inspired by her family recipes and Hawaiʻi’s multicultural culinary traditions. Alongside Portuguese classics, diners will also find familiar local favorites, including a local-style Portuguese bean soup and pão doce, a local take on Portuguese sweet bread. One of the restaurant’s signature dishes is Bacalhau à Brás, a traditional Portuguese dish made with salt cod. At Faria, chunks of salted cod are served with thinly sliced potatoes, eggs and olives.
READ MORE: This Kailua Restaurant Will Take You Back to Dinners at Grandma’s House
See all of the winners of our 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards in our latest issue, which you can buy here. Better yet, subscribe and get HAWAIʻI Magazine delivered right to your mailbox.
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