Moani Waikīkī
Waikiki, Honolulu
Restaurant in Honolulu, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Dress
Casual
Why go
Moani Waikīkī is a practical central-Waikīkī pick for a social dinner when convenience and energy matter more than a formal tasting-menu or chef-led experience. It is easiest to recommend for casual groups and repeat visitors who want a flexible night in Honolulu, while Zigu, natuRe waikiki, Basalt, Eating House 1849 are better fits for more food-focused plans.
About Moani Waikīkī
Moani Waikīkī is a Honolulu venue with evening hours every day of the week. It is open from 4–11 PM Monday through Thursday, 4 PM–12 AM Friday and Saturday, 4–11 PM Sunday, with a casual dress code.
Use it for an evening plan in Honolulu
The clearest signal is the schedule. Moani Waikīkī opens at 4 PM daily and stays open later on Friday and Saturday, when the listed closing time is 12 AM. On Sunday through Thursday, the listed closing time is 11 PM.
The dress code is casual, so guests do not need to plan for a formal dining room. Beyond that, details such as event setup, group accommodations, bar seating, menu format should be checked directly with the venue.
Who should choose it over other options
Choose Moani Waikīkī if you want a Honolulu option with evening hours and a casual dress code. If your decision depends on a specific cuisine, dish, chef, price point, private-room setup, or beverage program, confirm those details directly before booking.
For comparison, other dining options to consider include Zigu, natuRe waikiki, Maui Brewing Co. Waikiki, Eating House 1849 by Roy Yamaguchi - Waikiki, Oahu, Basalt. Moani Waikīkī is best assessed on the basics available here: Honolulu, evening hours, casual dress.
Planning details
- Location
- 2330 Kalākaua Ave #312, Honolulu, HI 96815
- Reservations
- Book on OpenTable
- Website
- moaniwaikiki.com
- Phone
- +18084662629
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Moani Waikīkī occupies a third-floor perch on Kalākaua Avenue where the Pacific view becomes an active part of the dining experience. The room aligns with Honolulu's recalibrated fine-dining tier: chef-driven, focused, and more disciplined than the fusion-led experiments of earlier decades. Service and sequencing favor a considered, modern approach to island ingredients, so the atmosphere reads as sophisticated and scenic rather than purely tourist-facing. While the street below hums with high-volume activity, Moani positions itself as a purposeful destination for diners seeking a refined encounter with Hawaii's fish, farms and cultural layering.
Best For
Moani is best for evenings when diners are seeking a destination meal that highlights local seafood and progressive multi-course sequencing. The restaurant’s placement in the city’s premium dining bracket and its ocean-facing perch make it a natural pick for special-occasion dinners, date nights, and more formal business meals where a quieter, more focused table experience is desired. Travelers and locals who prioritize ingredient-driven tasting formats and panoramic ocean views will find Moani suited to deliberate, conversation-friendly service and a structured progression of dishes that showcases Hawaii’s seasonal bounty.
Ordering Tips
The kitchen leans into progressive tasting formats, so plan for a multi-course sequence that moves from lighter preparations to heartier plates as the meal progresses. Start with cleaner, seafood-forward selections—Hawaiian-style ahi preparations or lighter raw fish dishes—then let the menu build toward richer items. Given the restaurant’s focus on island waters and farms, prioritize shellfish and fish-focused dishes when available. If you’re coming with companions, order several preps to share so you can experience the kitchen’s intended sequencing and the way flavors develop across courses.
Venue details
Ambiance
Warm island-style atmosphere with electric energy driven by live performances; transforms into a vibrant nightlife venue after dark with local artists and real crowd connection.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Sourcing
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Casual
- Noise Level
- Lively
- Service Style
- Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Standard
- Capacity
- Medium
Signature Dishes
- Hawaiian Style Ahi Poke
- Spicy Ahi Nachos
- Kanaka Kalbi
- Garlic Chicken
- Peleʻs Prawns
- Crispy Calamari
Planning details
Location
2330 Kalākaua Ave #312, Honolulu, HI 96815 · Directions
Also consider
Also Consider
- Eating House 1849 by Roy Yamaguchi - Waikiki, Oahu, Notable alternative
- Zigu, Japanese, Japanese
- Basalt, Notable alternative
- natuRe waikiki, French, French
- Maui Brewing Co. Waikiki, Notable alternative
Restaurant context
How Moani Waikīkī compares in Honolulu
Moani Waikīkī is the convenience-first choice in this set: central Waikīkī, easy to fold into a hotel-area evening, better suited to a social group than a quiet, food-first dinner. Zigu is the clearer pick when Japanese cuisine is the main reason for booking, while natuRe waikiki is the better match for diners who want a French-leaning meal with a more composed feel.
For value and flexibility, compare it with Maui Brewing Co. Waikiki. Maui Brewing is the safer call for beer-led groups and casual travelers who want the lowest-pressure plan. Moani Waikīkī makes more sense when the group wants a restaurant setting with Waikīkī energy rather than a brewery-first night.
Eating House 1849 by Roy Yamaguchi - Waikiki, Oahu and Basalt are stronger cross-shops for diners who want a clearer restaurant identity in Honolulu. Pick Moani Waikīkī when location and a lively room are the deciding factors; pick those peers when the meal needs to carry the evening.
Explore Honolulu
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Moani Waikīkī guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Moani Waikīkī
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moani Waikīkī | Honolulu | ; | No published awards |
| Eating House 1849 by Roy Yamaguchi - Waikiki, Oahu | Honolulu | ; | No published awards |
| Zigu | Honolulu | Japanese | 2026 OAD Casual in North America Recommended2025 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #7292024 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #7462023 OAD Casual in North America Recommended |
| Basalt | Honolulu | ; | No published awards |
| natuRe waikiki | Honolulu | French | 2026 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Highly Recommended2025 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #1832024 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #2512023 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Recommended |
| Maui Brewing Co. Waikiki | Honolulu | ; | No published awards |
How Moani Waikīkī compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Moani Waikīkī handle dietary restrictions?
Dietary restriction details should be checked with the venue's official channels before visiting if allergies or avoidances matter.
What should I wear to Moani Waikīkī?
The dress code is casual. Dress for an easygoing evening in Honolulu rather than a formal meal.
Can Moani Waikīkī accommodate groups?
Specific group accommodation, private dining, seating details should be checked with the venue if you are planning for a group.
Is lunch or dinner better at Moani Waikīkī?
Dinner or an evening visit is the best fit. The listed hours start at 4 PM every day: Monday through Thursday 4–11 PM, Friday and Saturday 4 PM–12 AM, Sunday 4–11 PM.
Can I eat at the bar at Moani Waikīkī?
Bar seating details should be checked directly with the venue if that is important for your visit.
