Best Date Night Restaurants in Honolulu

It was our second time dining here. We remembered it from our last trip to Hawaii and wanted to go back. It was just as good this time. The food, cocktails, live entertainment, ambience, and service was excellent. It was exactly what we wanted.

We thoroughly enjoyed our Thanksgiving meal. The food options were traditional and plentiful. Our server, Kevin, couldn’t have been better and we want to return each year.

I went with my family, and it was fantastic! I made a reservation on OpenTable, and the only time available for six people was 5:15 PM. Although it was early, we got to enjoy a stunning sunset view of Diamond Head, and happy hour lasted until 6 PM, which worked out perfectly. We ordered a mix of dishes from the happy hour menu, including regular fries, margarita pizza, hamachi, roasted salmon, calamari, chicken wings, and a sushi roll. Everything was delicious—we even ended up ordering a second round of hamachi. I’d definitely come back!

We went for a date night and the food was perfect! Exactly what we were looking for in an Italian restaurant.

As you eat a meal at Merriman's, you can tell that each ingredient is selected with care. Sure enough, when I asked I found out the food is locally sourced from farms that the owners and Chef know and trust. Many items are hand selected by the box, not the truck load. Since the Chef from Maui transferred over to Merriman's Oʻahu, our entrees have been especially ono. At lunch today I planned to take home one of my two fish (ahi) tacos. No way! I couldn't stop finishing both. Last night my husband and I walked into Merriman's without reservations and sat at the bar. Who cares if we didn't get a table? The gregarious host, Cody Merriman, stopped by to share a laugh or two and answer our questions about the menu. My husband ordered their chicken entree for dinner and said it was the best chicken he'd ever had. And my taro falafel was also delicious. We can't resist their Waialua Chocolate Purse for dessert. I felt a little decadent afterward, but what the heck? There are lots of restaurants in our neighborhood, but for five years now we keep coming back to Merriman's which seems to be even better the last six months. Could it be the addition of the Maui Chef? We like the vibe. Energetic without being so loud you cannot carry on a conversation. We both think their Hawaiian music playlist is the best in the City. Wish I could think of something negative to say to make this review real. But having just come back from a great lunch with memories of a wonderful dinner there last night, I am only happy and satisfied.