"Peter Merriman's farm-to-table standard, in the city at last — wok-charred ahi and island produce in a Ward Village room; book it to mark an occasion."
About Merriman's
Merriman's Honolulu opened in 2018 at Ward Village, near Kakaako, bringing chef Peter Merriman's name to the city for the first time. Merriman was one of the twelve chefs who founded the Hawaii Regional Cuisine movement in 1991, the effort that taught the islands to cook with their own farmers and fishers rather than importing the menu — and this room carries thirty-plus years of that conviction into Honolulu's most rapidly changing neighbourhood.
The restaurant pitches itself as a neighbourhood bistro with hints of old Hawaii rather than a special-occasion-only dining room, with roughly ninety percent of its ingredients grown or raised in the islands. It runs all day, from late morning to evening, seven days a week.
The Kitchen
The cooking is built on island produce given clean, direct treatment. The wok-charred ahi — a Merriman signature seared hard at the edges and rare within — sits alongside macadamia-nut-crusted fresh fish (around $42) and a Keahole lobster 'pot pie' (around $46). A tableside poke, Pacific white shrimp ceviche and the shrimp-truck prawns open the meal, with Maui onion soup and an island-grown salad rounding it out.
This is seafood-led Hawaii Regional cooking rather than fine-dining theatre: the kitchen names its farms and fishers and lets the produce carry the plate. Entrees run roughly $36–46, and the menu shifts with what the islands are landing and harvesting.
The Room
The Ward Village dining room blends a relaxed bistro feel with touches of old Hawaii — warm, unfussy and built for both a weeknight dinner and a celebration. It looks out over the Kakaako neighbourhood rather than the water, so the draw is the food and the easy island mood rather than a beach view.
Service is friendly and informal, and the kitchen runs continuously through the day, which makes it as workable for a midday meal as for dinner. It is one of Honolulu's most consistently busy tables, so a booking is wise at peak times.
Best for an Anniversary
The island-farm cooking and warm room make Merriman's a natural anniversary table for visitors and locals alike, and an easy, characterful first date over shared poke and ceviche. The all-day service and unfussy polish also suit a relaxed business lunch when you want to show off Hawaii's larder.
Not for
Not for a beachfront-view dinner or a bargain meal — Merriman's looks over Ward Village, not the ocean, and the wok-charred ahi and lobster are priced for an occasion.
Frequently Asked
What is Merriman's Honolulu known for?
Peter Merriman's Hawaii Regional Cuisine — island-grown produce and local fish given clean treatment. The wok-charred ahi and macadamia-nut-crusted fresh fish are the signatures, with around ninety percent of ingredients sourced in the islands.
How much does it cost?
Around $60–90 per person. Entrees run roughly $36–46, with the macadamia-nut-crusted fish near $42 and the Keahole lobster 'pot pie' around $46; starters and small plates run lower.
Where is Merriman's in Honolulu?
At Ward Village, 1108 Auahi Street, Suite 170, in the Kakaako neighbourhood. It opened there in 2018 as Peter Merriman's first Honolulu location.
Who is the chef behind Merriman's?
Peter Merriman, one of the twelve chefs who founded the Hawaii Regional Cuisine movement in 1991 and a long-standing champion of island farm-to-table cooking. The Honolulu restaurant is part of his Merriman's group.
Do I need a reservation?
It is one of Honolulu's busiest tables, so booking is recommended, especially at dinner and weekends. The kitchen runs all day, which makes an off-peak lunch or late-afternoon meal easier to walk into.
Reserve a Table
Reserve at Merriman's
Book ahead for dinner and weekends; the kitchen runs all day, so off-peak meals are easier.
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Practical Information
Address1108 Auahi St, Ste 170, Ward Village, Honolulu, HI 96814
NeighbourhoodWard Village, Kakaako
CuisineHawaiian / Pacific
Price~$60–90 per person
Dress CodeSmart casual
SeatingBistro-style dining room and bar
ReservationRecommended, especially dinner and weekends
