This iconic Waikiki eatery reopened just in time for the holidays.
Following an extensive renovation that began last March, Chart House Waikiki reopened on Christmas Eve. It’s now a 10,000-square-foot, 220-seat oceanfront restaurant that boasts a more modern look and feel.
“These upgrades maintain the restaurant’s deep roots in Hawaiian culture while elevating the dining experience,” says Chart House artist and spokesperson Kimo Kahoano. Kahoano is also widely known as an emcee and co-host of the "Hawaii Stars" show.
Besides new seating at the bar and new carpet, one of the restaurant’s new major additions is its u-shaped bartop, which is made with real monkeypod wood.
“The u-shaped bartop was designed to create an inviting and interactive environment for guests to gather, while also showcasing the rich beauty of monkeypod wood — a nod to Hawaii’s natural resources and the restaurant’s roots,” Kahoano says. “The goal was to combine contemporary touches with our cherished Waikiki heritage.”
Restaurant founder Joey Cabell’s vision and legacy as a legendary waterman inspired much of the design, which pays homage to Waikiki in the 1960s, according to Kahoano.
Chart House is especially popular for its sunset views. Guests can now enjoy views of Ala Wai marina from nine outdoor lanais, according to Kahoano.
While the restaurant boasts a refreshed design, regular customers will be relieved to know the dining menu is mostly unchanged. The surf break menu, available from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., continues to be a popular deal. The three-course menu costs $55 per person and includes a choice of starter, entrée and dessert from a pre-selected list.
The menu features a wide variety of appetizers, seafood dishes, meats and local favorites. Start with favorites like ahi poke nachos ($27), oysters Rockefeller (four pieces for $29) and crab and shrimp stuffed mushrooms ($25).
New dishes on the dinner menu include kimchi calamari ($21), swordfish ($46) and black linguine di mare ($49).
Crab cakes, served with a delectably creamy lobster sauce, are available in appetizer ($17) and dinner ($44) portions. Other classic dishes include famous garlic steak ($65), Chilean seabass with angel hair pasta and butter nage sauce ($65) and ahi mignon ($49). The latter features ahi marinated in ginger and soy, then grilled rare and served with clarified butter.
Desserts range from the signature Chart House Waikiki mud pie ($17) and ube cheesecake ($14) to chocolate lava cake a la mode ($17). If your heart is set on that indulgent chocolate dessert, be sure to order it ahead of time, since it takes at least 15 minutes to prepare.
A night at Chart House isn’t complete without live music, which has restarted with the restaurant’s reopening.
“Chart House Waikiki is known for its daily live music, and that tradition continues with an upgraded sound system and new stage,” Kahoano says. “The space is ideal for enjoying the talented local entertainers who perform nightly.
“As the only standing waterfront restaurant in Waikiki not located in a hotel for more than 50 years, Chart House honors its rich history while delivering a contemporary dining experience,” he adds. “Chart House Waikiki is more than a restaurant — it’s a cultural icon. In 2025, guests can look forward to exciting new dishes and cocktails, as well as special events that celebrate its heritage as Waikiki’s go-to gathering place.”
CONTACT
Chart House Waikiki
1765 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu
808-941-6669
charthousewaikiki.com
Instagram: @charthousewaikiki
Open daily, 3:30 p.m.-midnight
Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
