Date Night in Waikiki: Best Restaurants and Sunset Spots for a Parents' Night Out
The best date night restaurants, bars, and sunset spots in Waikiki for parents who need a night away from the kids.
There is a moment - somewhere around day four of a family vacation - when you look at your partner across a table scattered with chicken nuggets and sippy cups and think: we need a night. Just us. No high chairs. No crayons. No one asking for more ketchup every thirty seconds.
If you are in Waikiki, you are in luck. This stretch of Oahu has some of the best date night options in all of Hawaii, from beachfront restaurants with world-class sunsets to tucked-away cocktail bars where you can actually hear each other talk. I have done this circuit more times than I can count, and here is everything you need to plan a perfect parents' night out in Waikiki.
Finding a Babysitter in Waikiki
Before we get to the fun stuff, let us talk logistics. Most of the major resorts in Waikiki offer in-room babysitting through vetted services like Poppins Hawaii or Nannies Hawaii. We have used both and had great experiences. Rates typically run $25-35 per hour with a four-hour minimum, and you will want to book at least 48 hours in advance during peak season. Some hotels - like the Hilton Hawaiian Village and the Royal Hawaiian - have kids' club programs that run into the evening hours, which can be a more affordable option if your little ones are old enough.
Pro tip: ask your hotel concierge on the first day you arrive. They know the best local sitters and can often get you booked faster than going through an agency website.
Best Sunset Dinner Restaurants
Hau Tree Lanai at the New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel
This is my number one pick for date night in Waikiki, and it is not even close. Hau Tree sits right on Kaimana Beach (also called Sans Souci Beach), just far enough from the main Waikiki strip to feel like a secret. You will dine under a massive hau tree with the ocean literally steps from your table. The menu is upscale Hawaiian with fresh catch preparations that change nightly. A good pair of polarized sunglasses helps for that pre-dinner golden hour stroll along the beach. Get there by 5:30 for the best sunset views and order the macadamia nut crusted mahi mahi.
Azure Restaurant at the Royal Hawaiian
If you want the full luxury experience, Azure delivers. Set on the oceanfront terrace of the iconic Pink Palace, this is white-tablecloth dining with fresh seafood flown in daily. The lobster is phenomenal. It is pricey - expect $150-200 per person with wine - but this is the kind of place that makes you remember why you fell in love in the first place. Leave the waterproof phone pouch at the hotel and actually be present for this one.
Stripsteak by Michael Mina
Located in the International Market Place, Stripsteak is the answer when one of you wants steak and the other wants seafood. The dry-aged cuts are outstanding, and their whole roasted fish is a showstopper. The cocktail program is creative without being gimmicky, and the atmosphere hits that sweet spot between upscale and relaxed. This is a great spot if you want to combine dinner with some shopping - the International Market Place has beautiful boutiques worth browsing beforehand.
Deck. at the Queen Kapiolani Hotel
For a more laid-back vibe that still feels special, Deck. offers incredible views of Diamond Head and the ocean from its rooftop setting. The menu is modern Hawaiian with excellent poke preparations and creative cocktails. It is more affordable than Azure or Stripsteak, making it a great option if you are trying to stretch your vacation budget. Go for the sunset cocktail hour and stay for dinner.
Cocktail Bars Worth the Detour
Bar Leather Apron
This tiny speakeasy-style bar on the second floor of a Chinatown building is consistently rated one of the best cocktail bars in the entire state. It seats maybe 20 people, the bartenders are genuine artists, and every drink is crafted to perfection. It is about a 15-minute Uber from Waikiki, and it is absolutely worth the trip. Make a reservation - they fill up fast.
Lewers Lounge at the Halekulani
If you want to stay in Waikiki, Lewers Lounge is the most romantic bar on the strip. Think plush velvet seating, live jazz, and expertly made classics. The lighting is low, the vibe is intimate, and the cocktails are impeccable. This is where you go after dinner to extend the evening. Order the Halekulani Martini and sink into the moment.
What to Wear
Waikiki date night dressing is resort elegant - think sundresses and nice sandals for women, and aloha shirts with chinos for men. You do not need heels (in fact, you will regret them on the uneven sidewalks), but step it up from the board shorts and flip-flops you have been wearing all week. Throw your essentials in a small crossbody bag, wear your UV rashguard if you are planning a pre-dinner beach walk, and bring a light layer - the ocean breeze picks up after sunset and it can get cool.
I always pack a portable charger in my bag for date nights because nothing ruins the vibe like a dead phone when you need to call an Uber home or check in with the babysitter.
Sunset Spots for Before or After Dinner
Waikiki Wall at Kuhio Beach
The seawall near the Duke Kahanamoku statue is the classic Waikiki sunset spot, and it earns that reputation every single evening. Grab two cold drinks from a nearby bar (the Moana Surfrider's Beach Bar is right there), sit on the wall, and watch the sky turn pink and gold. It is free, it is beautiful, and it is perfectly romantic.
Magic Island at Ala Moana Beach Park
For a quieter sunset experience, head to Magic Island on the western end of Ala Moana Beach Park. The views toward the Waianae mountains are spectacular, and the flat grassy areas are perfect for spreading out a quick-drying beach towel and just being still together. We often pick up poke bowls from Ono Seafood on the way and have an impromptu sunset picnic here.
My Favorite Date Night Itinerary
Here is exactly what my husband and I do when we get a night to ourselves in Waikiki:
- 5:00 PM - Drop the kids with the sitter, immediately feel lighter
- 5:15 PM - Walk to Kaimana Beach for a sunset stroll
- 5:45 PM - Dinner at Hau Tree Lanai (no reservation needed on weeknights, but book ahead for weekends)
- 7:30 PM - Stroll through Kapiolani Park as the last light fades
- 8:00 PM - Nightcap at Lewers Lounge
- 9:30 PM - Walk back along the beach, toes in the sand
Total cost for two: about $200-250 including dinner, drinks, and tip. Worth every single penny for the reset it gives you as a couple.
Practical Tips for Parents
A few things I have learned the hard way about date nights in Waikiki:
- Book your sitter for at least five hours. You will feel rushed with anything less, and the whole point is to not feel rushed.
- Leave the resort by 5:00 if you want to catch sunset. Golden hour hits fast in the tropics.
- Bring a packable beach chair if you are doing a sunset picnic - sitting on sand in your nice clothes is a recipe for regret.
- Skip the tourist traps on Kalakaua Avenue. The best restaurants are one or two blocks off the main drag.
- Put your phone on Do Not Disturb (with exceptions for the babysitter's number). You need this.
Date night does not have to be complicated. Sometimes the best evenings are the simplest ones - a beautiful sunset, good food, cold drinks, and the person you chose sitting across from you, without a single request for chicken nuggets. Waikiki makes that incredibly easy. You just have to give yourselves permission to do it.