Nobu Matsuhisa moved his Honolulu restaurant into the ground floor of the Waiea tower in Ward Village in December 2016, trading the old Waikiki address for a bigger, glassier room. The cooking is the Japanese-Peruvian style he built with restaurants on five continents: black cod miso, yellowtail sashimi with jalapeño, and a run of dishes made only for this island. The multi-course omakase starts at about $100 a head and the chef's premium tasting at $220. It is the most recognisable fine-dining name in the city.
The Kitchen
Nobu Matsuhisa built his style in Peru and Japan before the restaurant group he runs with the actor Robert De Niro turned it into a global name; Nobu Honolulu is one node in that network, and the kitchen cooks the canon faithfully. The signatures travel: black cod marinated in miso for days then grilled, and yellowtail sashimi laid over thin slices of jalapeño, both invented by Matsuhisa and copied everywhere since.
What makes the Honolulu room more than a franchise is the island menu. Spicy lomi salmon with taro chips, oven-roasted local shrimp with a ginger-shiso salsa, and a ribeye umamiyaki are made for this address using Hawaiian product. The format is built around the omakase: a multi-course chef's-choice menu from about $100 per person, with a premium tasting at $220 before drinks and tax. The restaurant sits on the ground floor of the Waiea residential tower at 1118 Ala Moana Boulevard, in the Ward Village district between Kaka'ako and Ala Moana, where it opened in December 2016 after moving from Waikiki. The sushi counter and the sake list are both worth the seat.
The Room
The Ward Village room is large and modern, designed in pale wood and stone, with a long sushi counter, a central dining floor and private spaces off to the side. It runs lively, and at peak the noise level rises to a hum that suits a celebration more than a quiet talk. Lighting is low and flattering in the evening. Tables are generously sized and the counter seats are the best in the house for solo diners and pairs. Dress is smart-casual, in line with Honolulu, so a collared shirt or a dress is plenty. Book a private room if you need to talk business.
Best for Close a Deal
Book Nobu Honolulu to close a deal because it does the heavy lifting of impressing a guest without any effort from you. The name is recognised on sight, the private rooms let you talk numbers away from the floor, and an omakase paced by the kitchen keeps the meal moving while the conversation does the work. Reserve a private space, let the chef send the courses, and pair with sake. For more rooms suited to business, see Best for closing a deal and the Honolulu dining guide.
Not for a quiet, intimate dinner. The Ward Village room is large and runs loud at peak, so book a private space if you need to hear each other talk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nobu Honolulu worth it?
Yes, if you want the most recognisable fine-dining name in Honolulu and the dishes that made it. Nobu Matsuhisa's black cod miso and yellowtail jalapeño are here alongside island-only plates, and the omakase starts at about $100 a head. It is not cheap, and the room runs lively rather than intimate, but for a special meal or a business dinner in Ward Village it earns the spend.
How hard is it to book Nobu Honolulu?
Not very hard on a weeknight, but weekends, holidays and prime evening slots fill up, so book ahead through OpenTable or the restaurant. For a business dinner or a group, request one of the private rooms when you reserve. The restaurant is on the ground floor of the Waiea tower at 1118 Ala Moana Boulevard in Ward Village, with valet and garage parking nearby, so it is an easy address to reach.
What should I order at Nobu Honolulu?
Order the signatures first: black cod miso and yellowtail sashimi with jalapeño, the two dishes Matsuhisa is known for worldwide. Then take the island-only plates, the spicy lomi salmon with taro chips and the oven-roasted local shrimp, which you will not find at other Nobus. If you would rather not choose, the omakase from about $100 lets the kitchen lead. Pair it with sake from the long list.
Is Nobu Honolulu good for closing a deal?
Yes, it is one of the city's stronger business-dinner rooms. The name impresses guests on sight, the private spaces let you talk away from the main floor, and the omakase keeps the meal paced so the conversation can do the work. Book a private room and pre-arrange the menu for a smoother evening. See our picks for closing a deal for more options.