Where to find Honolulu’s best outdoor dining

The postcard-perfect views take top billing at Halekulani’s House without a Key. A panorama of sand leads to majestic Diamond Head in the distance, and soaring palms deck the outdoor expanse. House Without a Key’s world-class mai tais, gentle Hawaiian music, and live hula dancing play worthy supporting roles. Complete the experience with char siu coconut baby back ribs and cloud-like coconut cake for dessert. It all adds up to one of Honolulu’s most classic spots to enjoy a trademark Hawaiian sunset.

Quiroa’s perch on the fourth-floor deck of Waikīkī’s Ritz Carlton means expansive views of the Hawaiian sky and a stunning stretch of horizon. Feast on plates of fresh housemade pasta such as Big Island oxtail bucatini and locally caught fish, served with Kalaeloa beans and chile crisp, alongside a well-endowed wine menu, which servers will eagerly guide you through. Happy hour specials and sunset views make Quiroa a delightful evening post—but it’s equally scenic for sunny afternoon lunches.

The retro boutique hotel Surfjack provides an ideal backdrop for those enchanted by an Elvis-induced vision of Waikīkī. The 1960s-inspired hotel rooms sit around a dramatic oval swimming pool with the Instagrammable proclamation, “Wish you were here!” engraved on the bottom. Poolside restaurant Mahina & Sons is equally as trendy but brings locals and tourists down to earth with a serious farm-to-table menu (that originated with local chef Ed Kenney) under the steady hand of executive chef Erik Leong. Though an a la carte menu is available throughout the day, the restaurant’s most notable offering is an exuberant Mahina Family Feast, a parade of local delicacies including aʻu crudo (blue marlin), roasted roots poke, and cucumber ume salad, plus the main event: a whole-roasted fried fish. Round things out with some choice tiki cocktails, and you’ve got an outdoor meal for the books.

Before brunch was all the rage in Honolulu, there was Orchids at Halekulani. Though the restaurant is open for lunch and dinner service, the legendary Sunday brunch made it a special occasions star. A decadent buffet woos diners with lavish sashimi and prime rib stations, companions to the restaurant’s trademark popovers (with poha berry jam), and an ice cream sundae bar. Live piano music at brunch and an ever-present Pacific Ocean soundtrack fuel the outdoor magic here. The piece de resistance is undoubtedly a sweeping view of Diamond Head, arguably one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks.

Four words: Swings as bar seats. The breezy seats are just some of the reasons to adore Heyday, as are the cool cocktails and a seasonal food menu drummed up by James Beard Award winner Robynne Maii. The restaurant’s White Sands Hotel location adds to its dreamy poolside vibe. Tear into locally caught fish and chips or a fat flatiron steak skewer next to the shimmering pool or an outdoor grotto with a waterfall. Consider pairing your alfresco feast with a mai tai (Heyday offers four versions) or other tropical drinks, such as a fluffy pineapple and gin cocktail.

The surroundings play a starring role at acclaimed chef Ed Kenney’s local gem: Mud Hen Water, named for the literal translation of its neighborhood name, Waialae. The restaurant’s lanai is a coveted spot for outdoor meals and surrounded by picnic tables, umbrellas, and bright murals by local artists. Diners can sprawl out here and take in rays of sunshine at breakfast and lunch, or be comforted by cool tradewinds at dinner. Sourdough banana pancakes and pork sisig are especially satisfying during the day, while evening meals call for chef Kenney’s contemporary takes on local classics such as chicken long rice croquettes and mapo rice cakes.

Merriman’s is well-known for its category-defining Pacific Rim dishes, featuring plates such as macadamia-crusted fish, garlic-roasted wild shrimp, and more. The restaurant is just one in chef/pioneer Peter Merriman’s vast empire that stretches across Oʻahu, the Big Island, Kauaʻi, and Maui, all with a focus on locally sourced ingredients. The interiors impress with floor-to-ceiling windows at his Honolulu outpost, but crowds flock here for the charming outdoor seats on the restaurant’s broad lanai, lined with many shady tables and nightly live music.

Istanbul’s glimmering lights and hanging ferns regularly attract longing glances from passersby. The Turkish restaurant’s charming terrace is set in Honolulu’s see-and-be-seen Kakaʻako district and makes a cool spot to graze on a spectacular Ottoman-inspired spread. Begin with a chilled meze platter featuring hummus, babaghanush, and pita before diving into more substantial mains including fresh whole sea bass or a 32-ounce prime tomahawk.

Zigu’s soothing white-brick exteriors serve as a respite from the crowds in the heart of touristy Waikīkī. The outdoor space at this Japanese spot includes a long wood-laden bar that serves up a wide selection of sake, beer, and highballs. Stepping through its side door reveals an airy outdoor courtyard with ti plants and palms. Expect Japanese-influenced fare that relies on local ingredients, resulting in dishes such as local watercress and tofu salad, a rolled omelet that uses eggs from nearby Waianae, and sauteed miso abalone from Kona, plus sushi and sashimi.

Though most associate the Tommy Bahama name with silk aloha shirts and sunnies, the clothing brand now extends to a chain of restaurants serving comforting beach fare—coconut shrimp, blackened mahi mahi tacos, and chicken tortilla soup—across seven states. A breezy lanai, complete with fire and sand pits, is unique to its Honolulu location. The Waikīkī outpost sits just above Kalākaua Street (the district’s busy main thoroughfare) and offers front-row seats to Honolulu’s beating heart. People watch and sip on happy hour specials such as frozen mai tais, mojitos, and more. You can even buy a Panama hat on your way out.