Open since 1976, Hy's Steak House is the last of Waikiki's old-school clubby chophouses — a hushed, wood-paneled room lit by stained glass and a glowing kiawe-wood broiler that perfumes every booth with mesquite smoke. Servers in formal jackets prepare the signature Caesar salad tableside with theatrical flair, then deliver USDA Prime New York strips, filets, and the famous Beef Wellington wrapped in golden puff pastry. Order the bananas Foster or cherries jubilee for dessert and the captain returns with a flame and a cart. Live acoustic guitar plays Wednesday through Sunday, and the bar pours stiff classic cocktails. It's the place locals book for milestone anniversaries, special-occasion birthdays, and visiting parents who want a proper steak dinner that feels like 1979.
"Best steakhouse in Hawaii. The tableside Caesar is perfectly dressed, the cheese bread is so tasty, and the steak was cooked exactly to order. The whole experience feels like stepping back in time in the best way."