Best Burgers in Waikiki

You’ve spent a small fortune on the family’s flight from the Mainland to Hawaii’s Honolulu International Airport. You splurged on a luxury rental car and a suite at one of Waikiki’s finest hotels. You’re thrilled with the accommodations and you’re taken by the beauty of the world-famous Waikiki Beach. You have the entire vacation planned, from snorkeling at Shark’s Cove on Oahu’s North Shore to kayaking from the Lanikai Beach launching point to Flat Island. You’re so excited, you forget to schedule lunch and dinner. After all, with all the island of Oahu has to offer, who can think about food? Well, take my word for it, you’ll need all the energy you can store to paddle a kayak in the Pacific on the windward side of the island. So, let’s find you someplace relaxing and tropical, and a food that’s familiar and tasty, relatively inexpensive and quick. Because there’s so much to do, and so little time.

How about a tasty burger? All-American to help ease you into the Polynesian culture. You’ll be making a bunch of decisions while you’re in Waikiki, from what type of sunscreen to use to which day you’ll visit the Honolulu Zoo and Waikiki Aquarium, so I’ll try to make the burger choice a little easier on you. Welcome to Waikiki.

My favorite is Cheeseburger in Paradise, located across from Waikiki Beach at 2500 Kalakaua Avenue. No reservations necessary, the restaurant is often full around dinner time, but the wait is usually not much longer than ten or fifteen minutes. And while you’re waiting, you can slip into the bar and order up a delicious Mai Tai in a fresh pineapple. This bamboo-laden restaurant with a Caribbean feel is named in honor of the Jimmy Buffet song. The service is great, and the cheeseburger is terrific. The only caveat is that it doesn’t come with fries. The fries, which are thick and perfectly seasoned (think curly fries without the curl), are about four bucks extra, but definitely worth the price. There’s a lot of them, so share the order of fries at the table; there’s enough for at least two people. Huge salads are available for the vegetarian in the group. Lunch or dinner, plan on spending between $10 and $20 per person, not including alcoholic beverages.

The folks who own Cheeseburger in Paradise also own Cheeseburger Waikiki, which is located about a mile away at the corner of Kalakaua and Kealohilani. The food is just as good, but the service and atmosphere leave a lot to be desired. Parking is available and this spot is much less crowded (but for good reason). I’d advise making it to their Paradise location.

Da Big Kahuna, located at the lobby level of the Corall Reef Hotel, 2299 Kuhio Avenue, is Waikiki’s newest grill and tiki lounge. Their full menu is served daily until 3 a.m., making it the perfect spot for those who take advantage of Waikiki’s spectacular nightlife. The restaurant is also home of the world-famous “Big Kahuna Burger.” Served in a laid-back Polynesian setting, the burger rivals the best in Hawaii. Have a pint of local beer, sit back, watch a sporting event, and enjoy!

Most of you probably know of, if not already love, the restaurant chain known as The Cheesecake Factory. Take your pick from the restaurant’s wide variety of delicious burgers: The Factory Burger, charbroiled with Cheddar Cheese, tomato and grilled onions, served on sourdough French or wheat loaf with fries; The Classic Burger, a gigantic old-fashioned chop house hamburger, served with a slice of grilled red onion, lettuce, tomato and fries; The Tons of Fun Burger with double patties, double cheese, triple sesame-seed bun with lettuce, tomato, red onion, pickles and secret sauce, served with fries; The Double B.B.Q. Bacon Cheeseburger, a double-decker with barbecue ranch sauce, crispy onions and fries; The Kobe Burger, American Kobe Beef with sauteed mushrooms and onions on a toasted Binoche Bun with fries; or The Ranch House Burger, pieces of steak, sauteed mushrooms and onions, crisp bacon and Cheddar Cheese on top of their Classic Burger, served with fries. This place, as big as it is (14,500 square feet), gets packed! It’s noisy and waits can be 30 to 60 minutes or more. (Sorry, they don’t accept reservations). But the whole family will leave the table satisfied, since the menu is huge. So, if you love burgers, but the rest of the family, “well not so much,” this is the place to bring ’em. Located at 2301 Kalakaua Avenue, I’d make it a point to hit this place at least once.

If these four restaurants are crowded and you want a quick burger before catching a show, you may want to try Moose McGillycuddy’s, located at 310 Lewers Street. Known for its nightlife, including live music and dancing upstairs, Moose McGillycuddy’s offers decent pub food (including burgers) with good service at a reasonable price.

Of course, there’s always Planet Hollywood. The food is sometimes good, but sometimes not so much. The burger is a safe bet, and the kids will love the atmosphere with its endless eye candy, from the DeLorean used in Back to the Future to a statue of Rocky Balboa and other memorabilia. Located at 2115 Kalakaua near Beachwalk Street, why not try it for lunch?

Ready to go? Then pick out your favorite aloha shirt and practice your shaka (the Hawaiian hand gesture for “Hang Loose”). You’re assured some excellent weather, a ton of activities, endless beauty, and now, a very good burger or two.