The winners of HONOLULU Magazine’s 23rd Annual Hale ‘Aina Awards were announced in a ceremony at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. Each year, the readers of HONOLULU Magazine are asked to select the best restaurants in Hawai‘i in a variety of categories with the winning restaurants awarded Hawai‘i’s most prestigious dining award. Marking a change from year’s past, the awardees did not know what honor they had won, or at what level, until the day of the event. Also a change from previous years, only one gold, silver or bronze award was given in each category.
RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR
Gold - Alan Wong's Restaurant
Silver - Roy's Restaurant
Bronze - The Bistro At Century Center
BEST O`AHU RESTAURANT
Gold - Chef Mavro
Silver - Hoku's
Bronze - Ruth's Chris Steakhouse
BEST MAUI RESTAURANT
Gold - David Paul's Lahaina Grill
Silver - Mama's Fish House
Bronze - Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar
BEST BIG ISLAND RESTAURANT
Gold - Roy's Waikoloa Bar & Grill
Silver - The Seaside Restaurant and Aqua Farm
Bronze - Café Pesto
BEST KAUA`I RESTAURANT
Gold - The Beach House Restaurant
Silver - Roy's Po`ipû Bar & Grill
Bronze - Dondero's Restaurant
BEST NEW O‘AHU RESTAURANT
Gold - Romano's Macaroni Grill
Silver - Ola At Turtle Bay Resort
Bronze - Rokkaku
BEST NEW MAUI RESTAURANT (Includes Lana`i and Moloka`i)
Gold - E&O Trading Company
Silver - Son'z Maui @ Swan Court
Bronze - Lahaina Store Grille & Oyster Bar
BEST NEW BIG ISLAND RESTAURANT
Gold - Fujimamas
BEST NEW KAUA`I RESTAURANT
Gold - Mediterranean Gourmet
Silver - Yum Cha Asian Eatery
BEST WINE PROGRAM
Gold – Vino
Silver – Formaggio
Bronze - Alan Wong's Restaurant
BEST SERVICE
Gold - Alan Wong's Restaurant
Silver - La Mer
Bronze - Bali By The Sea
LITTLE RESTAURANT YOU LOVE
Gold - Little Village Noodle House
Silver - Green Door Café
Bronze - Olive Tree Café
BEST BAR
Gold - Ryan's Grill
Silver - Mai Tai Bar
Bronze - Murphy's Bar & Grill
BEST PLACE TO TAKE VISITORS WHEN YOU'RE PAYING
Gold - Roy's Restaurant
Silver - Tiki's Grill & Bar
Bronze - Side Street Inn
BEST PLACE TO TAKE VISITORS WHEN THEY'RE PAYING
Gold - Alan Wong's Restaurant
Silver - Hoku's
Bronze - La Mer
BEST RESTAURANT FOR A BIG GROUP
Gold - Buca Di Beppo
Silver - The Willows
Bronze - Prince Court
BEST HOTEL RESTAURANT
Gold - Hoku's
Silver - La Mer
Bronze - Orchids
BEST ROMANTIC DINING
Gold - Michel's
Silver - La Mer
Bronze - Bali By The Sea
BEST BISTRO/NEW AMERICAN CUISINE
Gold – Town
Silver - 12th Ave. Grill
Bronze - Chai's Island Bistro
BEST CHINESE RESTAURANT
Gold - Little Village Noodle House
Silver - Golden Dragon Restaurant
Bronze - Hee Hing Restaurant
BEST FRENCH RESTAURANT
Gold - La Mer
Silver - Michel's
Bronze - Le Bistro
BEST HAWAIIAN RESTAURANT
Gold - Ono Hawaiian Foods
Silver - Helena's Hawaiian Food
Bronze - Sam Choy's Diamond Head Restaurant
BEST INDIAN RESTAURANT
Gold - Café Maharani
Silver - India Café
Bronze - India House
BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT
Gold - Assaggio's
Silver - Sergio's Italian Restaurant
Bronze - Auntie Pasto's
BEST JAPANESE RESTAURANT
Gold - Kyo-Ya Restaurant
Silver - Gyotaku Japanese Restaurant
Bronze - Shokudo
BEST KOREAN RESTAURANT
Gold - Sorabol Korean Restaurant
Silver - Kim Chee II
Bronze - Gina's Barbeque
BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANT
Gold - Compadres Bar & Grill
Silver - Cholo's Homestyle Mexican
Bronze - Cha-Cha-Cha Salsaria
BEST THAI RESTAURANT
Gold - Phuket Thai Restaurant
Silver - Mekong Thai Restaurant
Bronze - Keo's Thai Cuisine