Best Seafood in Oahu 2023 - Sand in My Luggage

Welcome to the ultimate guide to the best seafood in Oahu! My boyfriend and I are huge seafood lovers, and we’ve had the pleasure of trying some of the best seafood Oahu offers. From our many trips to Hawaii, we’ve tasted a wide variety of seafood dishes, and we can confidently say that Oahu’s seafood is some of the best in the world.

Whether you’re looking for delicious poke bowls, sushi, or locally caught crab, you’ll find it all in Oahu. The restaurants here serve fresh, high-quality seafood that’s cooked to perfection. Plus, many offer breathtaking ocean views, making for a truly memorable dining experience.

To help you find the best seafood in Oahu, I’ve compiled a list of the top restaurants based on location, variety, price range, and specialties. No matter what your seafood preferences are, you’ll find something to suit your taste buds and budget.

So if you’re looking for the ultimate seafood experience, look no further than Oahu. With its world-famous restaurants and delicious seafood, it truly is the place to be for seafood lovers.

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Ono Seafood – Best Fresh Seafood in Oahu

This hole-in-the-wall restaurant hidden in the back alleys of Waikiki serves some of the best Poke on the island, made with fresh catch. However, you’ll have some trouble finding this place since it’s hidden in back alleys.

Ono Seafood serves the classic Hawaiian Poke Bowl with a range of flavors. Try the Spicy Ahi Poke, which is true to its name and bursting with flavor from its spicy mayo sauce. For less heat, their Shoyu Ahi and Shoyu Tako are equally delicious, with tender meat and various veggies.

Another great thing about their Poke is that it comes by weight, so you can get bowls weighing quarter or half pounds and even platters for large groups.

We loved the seafood quality at Ono and consider it one of the best seafood places in Oahu. Here’s why you will too:

Aside from Poke, they have delicious fresh sashimi and taegu on the menu.
They’re a laid-back joint dedicated to serving locally sourced seafood.
You can get two halves of different Poke flavors with a complimentary soft drink.

Address: 747 Kapahulu Ave, Honolulu, Oahu, HI.

Nico’s at Pier 38

Looking for delicious seafood with seaside views? Head to Nico’s at Pier 38, which offers gorgeous harbor views from open-air dining in an outdoor lanai (patio). Fortunately, this great place doesn’t need reservations, and you can get a table within fifteen minutes of arriving.

The seafood at Nico’s includes locally sourced fresh catch from all over Hawaii. You want to try the full range from their appetizers, especially the fish bites with sriracha aioli, crab cake salad, and Fisherman’s Stew with chopped clams served in a white gravy bread bowl.

But people come here for their Ahi Furikake; fresh tuna steak coated in Japanese seaweed, cooked well-done with a cilantro dip. This dish is packed with intense flavor and a real treat for your tastebuds.

My boyfriend and I are big fans of their seafood entrees and always get their Spicy Crab Cake Burger with garlic-salted fries and their Catch of the Day with a special sauce.

You’ll love Nico’s for its seaside views, full bar, and the freshest seafood in town. Here’s what makes theirs the best seafood in Oahu:

Their service is excellent, and the wait staff delivers your order exactly as you request.
Their chef will cook your seafood according to your liking (that means even well-done or rare.)
Their prices are on the higher side but well worth the delicious seafood.

Address: 1129 N Nimitz Hwy, Honolulu, Oahu, HI.

Azure

Azure is an island-favorite restaurant serving Michelin-star quality food in a romantic setting with gorgeous views overlooking Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head Volcano. Located on the ground floor of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, it’s a flagship luxury restaurant that serves delectable four-course meals.

They have a fixed menu, but you can choose between options in the courses and have a wine pairing to go alongside.

Their delicious appetizer is a Beet Salad with goat cheese and orange marmalade. The second course has a choice of Poached Scallops in a cucumber lemon confit or Ahi Crudo with fresh vegetables and wasabi; insanely flavorful and delicious!

For the main course, we had their Pan-Seared Kona Kampachi, which has a unique flavor, and a melt-in-your-mouth feel after each bite. Next, try the Honu Tart for dessert, filled with walnut caramel, dark chocolate ganache, peanut butter mousse, and chocolate tuille, which is super rich and decadent.

This chic place’s ambiance, along with delicious seafood and wine, makes Azure the best seafood in Oahu.

They have great vegan substitutions for each course.
The waitstaff is excellent, especially Roy, who makes sure your experience is no less than perfect.
The chef, Shingo Katsura, visits your table mid-meal for a quality check-in.
They offer a book on the history of Royal Hawaiian, which you can enjoy during your meal.

Address: 2259 Kalakaua Ave The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Waikiki, Honolulu, Oahu, HI.

Karai Crab

If you’re searching for the best place to eat fresh crab in Oahu, head to Karai Crab in Waikiki. They’re a small eatery specializing in flavorful crab entrees alongside delicious sides that make this place an island favorite.

From their Seafood Entree menu, you can choose a special house-made sauce, spice levels, and your crab dish. The Snow Crab legs with shrimp, clams, mussels, potato, corn, and pineapple sausage are a crowd favorite. Get it with the ginger garlic pesto sauce, and you’ll have a new favorite seafood dish.

We love their No-Mess Shrimp, a pound of peeled shrimp tossed in sauce, with a side of their famous Garlic Noodles that are incredibly delicious, making this an amazing meal.

Aside from crab-based mains, they have other delectable House Specials like Seafood Pasta, Clam Linguini, and Miso Sake Clams.

We loved the food at Karai Crab and consider it one of the best seafood places in Oahu. Here’s why you will too:

They have a beautiful interior with a grand patio and a lily pond.
The servers are attentive and friendly and even teach you how to break crab legs.
There’s $3 parking for the whole night.
The entrees are expensive, between $35-$70, but worth the quality of seafood and flavoring.

Address: 1314 S King St Ste G2, Honolulu, Oahu, HI.

Roy’s Waikiki

Celebrity chef Roy Yamaguchi brings a fine-dining experience like no other in Oahu with excellent seafood dishes made from fresh catch. Of course, you’ll need a dinner reservation to eat here, and the meals at Roy’s are pricey, but the incredible food awaiting deserves some spoiling.

Their most famous option is a three-course prix-fixe menu, with delicious items like back ribs and spring rolls for starters, Macadamia Nut Crusted Island Catch for the main course and decadent chocolate souffle for dessert.

Chef Roy’s version of the Island Fish has a tender inside and crispy crusted exterior served on cheesy orzo, making it incredibly flavorsome.

Try the Classic Trio with Misoyaki Butterfish, Macadamia Nut Fish, and Hibachi Salmon, which is excellent in taste and a crowd favorite.

You can also choose from the Daily Specials menu with unique items like Mochi-crusted White Fish. And don’t forget to leave without their amazing Pineapple Upside Down cake with Vanilla Ice-cream, that’s soft and tangy.

We loved the quality of food at Roy’s, and they surely serve the best seafood in Oahu.

They have signature drinks on the drinks menu served with dinner.
Their dining experience is one of a kind with great service.
Try their delicious Pina Colada and Mojito on the side.

Address: 226 Lewers St, Honolulu, Oahu, HI.

Legend Seafood Restaurant

This small eatery serves Cantonese-style seafood in a laid-back setting from the heart of Chinatown in Oahu. They’re considered a Honolulu institution and have been around since 1990, with the same recipes still in use. Plus, their service is quick, and the food comes piping hot soon after ordering.

Their specials include fresh live fish steamed with ginger and scallions, Baked Crab with green onions and ginger, and Stir-Fried Shrimp with spicy salt, which come in family-sized portions, so don’t try to eat here alone!

Some other tasty items, if you’re looking for a unique seafood experience, are Braised Abalone, Stir-fried Prawns with walnut and honey, and Sauteed Clams in Black Bean Sauce.

Legend Seafood was our favorite restaurant for its take on Chinese-fusion seafood that you won’t find anywhere else in Oahu.

They’re famous for a great dim sum, available at lunch.
The prices are cheap for great food, nearly $30-40 for four people.
Parking is in the building for the Chinese Cultural Center, and tickets can be validated.

Address: 100 N Beretania St Ste 108 Chinese Cultural Plaza Ground Floor on Beretaina Side, Honolulu, Oahu, HI.

Wrap Up: The Best Seafood in Oahu

Being right on the Pacific means Hawaii has access to great catch all year round, with restaurants serving local fish in delicious ways. Especially Oahu’s eateries serve some of the best seafood in flavor, prices, and range.

You can get gourmet-styled servings at luxury eateries and the best island poke, sashimi, and tuna, all from within Oahu.

Want to eat local seafood in a laid-back setting? Try Ono Seafood and Legend Seafood.

Looking for a luxury seafood experience with great views? Visit Nico’s, Azure, and Roy’s

The delicious seafood in Oahu is unmissable!

Last Updated on April 9, 2023 by Brigitte