"Hawaii's only Forbes Five-Star dining room, oceanfront at the Halekulani - book Alexandre Trancher's degustation for an anniversary on Waikiki."
About La Mer
Past the open lanai windows, the Pacific runs out toward Diamond Head and the only sound is the surf below the Halekulani. La Mer has held this second-floor oceanfront room at 2199 Kalia Road for decades, and it remains Hawaii's only Forbes Five-Star restaurant and its longest-running AAA Five Diamond. Executive chef Alexandre Trancher cooks neoclassical French - a four-course prix fixe and a longer Menu Degustation that has run around $195 a head - with scallop, caviar, Maine lobster and foie gras at its centre.
The Kitchen
Alexandre Trancher trained in France and through Michelin-starred kitchens in Paris, Greece and Japan before settling in Hawaii in 2012, and at La Mer he keeps the cooking firmly French while letting island ingredients in at the edges. In 2026 he rolled out a new eight-course Menu Degustation that changes only a few times a year - a seared scallop with caviar, poached Maine lobster, and a duck foie gras finished tableside with cotton candy are the dishes guests remember.
The two formats are a four-course prix fixe and the longer degustation, which has historically sat around $195 per person before wine; the cellar is deep in Burgundy and Bordeaux. This is luxury-hotel French of the old school - butter, technique, sauce work and service polish - rather than a modernist tasting counter, and that is precisely why it has kept the Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five Diamond ratings longer than any restaurant in the state. It is a special-occasion room that knows exactly what it is.
The Room
La Mer sits on the second floor of the Halekulani, open to the trade winds, with an unbroken view across Waikiki to Diamond Head. The room is hushed and formal: low light, well-spaced tables, a pianist some evenings, and the surf as a constant under it all. La Mer keeps one of the last real dress codes in Honolulu - collared shirts and closed shoes required, jackets suggested for men - and service is jacketed, French and attentive. It seats for a single unhurried turn; sunset tables are the prize.
Best for an Anniversary
Book La Mer for an anniversary, a proposal or any milestone that wants a view because nowhere else in Hawaii pairs this ocean with this level of service. Reserve a sunset seating, let the degustation set the pace, and the room does the rest - formal, oceanfront and quietly romantic. It is the safe call when the night has to land. For more, see our best French restaurants worldwide and the best restaurants for a proposal.
Not for
Not for a casual or a quick dinner - La Mer is jackets-suggested formal, prix-fixe only, and closed Sunday and Monday, so it is the night's main event or nothing.
Frequently Asked
Is La Mer worth it?
Yes, for a special occasion. La Mer is Hawaii's only Forbes Five-Star restaurant and its longest-running AAA Five Diamond, and the oceanfront room facing Diamond Head is unmatched in the state. The cooking is classical French rather than cutting-edge, so you are paying for view, service and polish as much as invention. For an anniversary or proposal it is worth every dollar; for a casual night it is overkill.
How hard is it to book La Mer?
Moderately hard, especially for sunset and weekend tables - La Mer seats one unhurried turn and is closed Sunday and Monday, which compresses demand. Book through Tock a few weeks out and request a window table for the Diamond Head view. New reservation windows are released periodically, so check back if your date is full. The restaurant is at 2199 Kalia Road inside the Halekulani.
What is the dress code at La Mer?
One of the strictest in Honolulu - collared shirts and closed-toe shoes are required for men, and jackets are suggested; no shorts, flip-flops or beachwear. Women typically wear a dress or smart separates. The room is formal and jacketed-service old-school, so most guests dress for an occasion. Dressing up is part of what you are booking here.
What is the average meal price at La Mer?
Expect a four-course prix fixe and a longer Menu Degustation that has historically run around $195 per person before wine, with the bill climbing quickly once you add a pairing from the Burgundy-and-Bordeaux cellar. Prices change, so confirm when you book. A couple dining the degustation with wine should plan for a serious special-occasion bill rather than a casual outlay.
Is La Mer good for a proposal?
Yes - it is one of the best proposal rooms in Hawaii. Book a sunset window table, let the degustation stretch the evening, and the ocean view toward Diamond Head does the romantic heavy lifting. Tell the team in advance and they will handle it discreetly. See our best restaurants for an anniversary for more milestone tables.
Reserve a Table
Reserve at La Mer
Via Tock · Tue-Sat, closed Sun & Mon
Affiliate disclosure: Restaurants for Kings may earn a commission when you book through our reservation links, at no cost to you. Our scores are editorial and never paid for.
Practical Information
AddressHalekulani, 2199 Kalia Road, Honolulu, HI 96815
NeighbourhoodHalekulani, Waikiki (2nd floor)
CuisineFrench fine dining
Format4-course prix fixe · Menu Degustation (approx. $195)
Dress CodeCollared shirts · jackets suggested
RecognitionForbes Five-Star · AAA Five Diamond
