Orchids is Halekulani's more relaxed but no less elegant beachfront restaurant — a graceful open-air room on the seaward side of the resort, lined with cymbidium orchids and looking straight onto the sand, Diamond Head rising in the distance. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner each draw a different crowd, but Orchids is most famous for its Sparkling Sunday Brunch, a multi-station spread of made-to-order omelets, fresh island fish, prime rib, dim sum, and a dessert tower that has anchored Honolulu special occasions for decades. The dinner menu favors fresh local seafood — Kona kanpachi crudo, whole moi, Hawaiian lobster — prepared with restraint. Pair with the wine list or champagne and expect impeccable service. A go-to for Mother's Day, baby showers, and visiting family from the mainland.
"The Sunday brunch at Orchids is hands-down the best in Honolulu. The location right on the water is gorgeous, the variety is incredible, and the service is some of the most attentive we've ever experienced. Worth every penny."