Head-to-Head

Alan Wong's vs Merriman's Honolulu

Alan Wong's for impress clients; Merriman's Honolulu for team dinner — both rank in the city's top tier.

Alan Wong's

Honolulu · Hawaii Regional Cuisine · $$$$

Food 9.5 · Ambience 9.5 · Value 9.5

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Merriman's Honolulu

Honolulu · Hawaii Regional Cuisine · $$$

Food 9.3 · Ambience 9.3 · Value 9.3

View full review →

The Verdict

Alan Wong's for impress clients; Merriman's Honolulu for team dinner — both rank in the city's top tier.

Alan Wong's runs the stronger kitchen — food at 9.5 vs 9.3 on our scoring.

Both kitchens cook Hawaii Regional Cuisine in Honolulu, but the rooms read differently. Alan Wong's works for impress clients, close a deal; Merriman's Honolulu works for team dinner, birthday.

Alan Wong's runs heavier ($$$$) than Merriman's Honolulu ($$$). For one-off occasions, the higher tier reads correctly; for a regular table, the cheaper one carries.

Which One for Which Occasion

Occasion	Editorial Pick
First Date	Alan Wong'stagged for this occasion in our editorial; the other isn't.
Close a Deal	Alan Wong'stagged for this occasion in our editorial; the other isn't.
Birthday	Alan Wong'sedges on the combined editorial score.
Impress Clients	Alan Wong'stagged for this occasion in our editorial; the other isn't.
Proposal	Alan Wong'sedges on the combined editorial score.
Solo Dining	Alan Wong'sedges on the combined editorial score.
Team Dinner	Merriman's Honolulutagged for this occasion in our editorial; the other isn't.

The Numbers

Our scoring puts Alan Wong's at 9.5/9.5/9.5 (food / ambience / value) and Merriman's Honolulu at 9.3/9.3/9.3. Pick the dimension that matters most to your evening and follow it.

How to Book

Both restaurants sit in Honolulu's top scoring tier — neither takes same-week walk-ins for prime weekend slots. Set booking alerts on the platform each uses (check the practical-info card on the linked detail pages above). Weekday and earlier-seating windows are the realistic targets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, Alan Wong's or Merriman's Honolulu?

On our editorial scoring, Alan Wong's leads (9.5/9.5/9.5 vs 9.3/9.3/9.3 for food / ambience / value). That said, the better pick depends on the occasion — see the table above for the per-occasion call.

How much do Alan Wong's and Merriman's Honolulu cost?

Alan Wong's sits at $$$$ ($250+ per person); Merriman's Honolulu at $$$ ($120–250 per person). Add 30–40% for pairings.

Which is harder to book, Alan Wong's or Merriman's Honolulu?

Both sit in Honolulu's top tier — same-week tables are rare. Prime weekend slots fill within minutes of release at either; weekday and earlier-seating slots are the realistic targets. Set booking alerts on whichever platform each restaurant uses.

What's the best occasion for Alan Wong's vs Merriman's Honolulu?

The occasion table above maps each of the seven RFK occasions to the editorial pick. In short: pick the restaurant whose room and format match the moment, not the higher absolute score.

Can I do both Alan Wong's and Merriman's Honolulu on the same trip?

Yes — both are in Honolulu. Pace at least one full day apart; at this price tier each is a full-evening commitment. If you're optimising for one over the other, the per-occasion verdict in this guide is the right tiebreaker.