Waikiki Beach Dining Gets a Major Upgrade as Sheraton Opens Hinahina with Breakfast and Dinner Buffets

Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort introduces Hinahina on the Beach, a new oceanfront restaurant in Waikiki in Honolulu, Hawaii, featuring breakfast, dinner buffets and views of Waikiki Beach and the shoreline. The new restaurant is a welcome return of buffet dining to the hotel after a hiatus of more than six years, another marketing draw for tourists and local residents.

According to the resort, the opening will be on 20 October 2026, and gives details that Hinahina consolidates The Edge of Waikiki Bar and Kai Market into a dining concept. The new restaurant will feature views of historical Gray’s Beach and surrounding surf breaks, linking Hawaii’s coastal and surf culture with modern hospitality.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner is offered at Hinahina, with an à la carte dinner option available from 20 October and the dinner buffet back from 6 November. The opening adds further to Waikiki’s restaurant scene as Honolulu’s popularity continues to grow as a destination for beachfront hotels, Hawaiian cuisine and dining experiences.

Hinahina on the Beach Brings Hawaiian Coastal Flavours to Waikiki

The new restaurant places Hawaii’s beach culture at the centre of its dining experience. Its menu combines familiar island favourites, fresh seafood, international influences and dishes designed for families and groups.

Executive Chef Darren Demaya leads the restaurant’s culinary operations. Born and raised on Hawaii Island, Demaya began his career in Hilo before developing his professional experience in Honolulu.

He has spent more than 18 years at Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort, working across restaurant kitchens, banquet operations and food services. His promotion from executive sous chef to executive chef gives Hinahina an experienced culinary leader with extensive knowledge of the resort.

Breakfast remains a major attraction. The returning buffet includes pineapple upside-down pancakes, eggs Benedict, fried rice, seasonal fruit, pastries, breakfast meats and freshly prepared omelettes.

Lunch introduces several Hawaiian-inspired favourites. Guests can create personalised poke bowls using locally caught ahi or wild-caught Atlantic salmon.

Other dishes include a wagyu beef burger, traditional loco moco and Gray’s Beach fish tacos. Dinner expands the selection with sharing dishes, including giant tiger shrimp served with red Thai lobster curry sauce.

For dessert, guests can try Auntie Karen’s Strawberry Jello Cheesecake Pie, adding a nostalgic touch to the restaurant’s modern coastal menu.

The combination of familiar Hawaiian dishes and international flavours gives visitors an accessible introduction to the island’s diverse food culture.

New Waikiki Restaurant Offers Flexible Dining Spaces for Families and Groups

Hinahina also offers a large dining area which is perfect for family celebrations, social gatherings and corporate events.

The restaurant also has large dining tables, adaptable seating, and a private dining room, the Shapers Room, overlooking the ocean which can host up to 40 guests.

More substantial parties may be able to host privately exclusive venues or semi-private dining rooms or for a restaurant. Event capacities range from about 25 to 250 guests offering you various options depending on the event.

Restaurant Name Celebrates Waikiki’s Historic Gray’s Beach

Hinahina draws its identity from the history of Gray’s Beach and the former Gray’s by the Sea boarding house, which welcomed international travellers during the early twentieth century.

The Hawaiian word Hinahina refers to grey and also describes native coastal plants with silvery foliage. These plants reflect sunlight through fine, pale hairs, creating their distinctive grey-green appearance.

The name connects the restaurant with Waikiki’s shoreline history, traditional surfing culture and natural surroundings.

Guide for Travellers Visiting Hinahina on the Beach

Visitors planning a meal at Hinahina should consider the restaurant’s operating hours, buffet availability and reservation arrangements. For more information, visit www.hinahinawaikiki.com 

Travellers should check the latest menu and buffet prices before visiting. The announcement does not specify dining charges.

Guests planning group celebrations should contact the restaurant in advance to discuss seating, event arrangements and availability.

International visitors arriving at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport can also explore public transport connections to Waikiki. Honolulu’s Department of Transportation Services identifies the W Line as an airport-to-Waikiki bus option, subject to luggage restrictions.

What Hinahina’s Opening Means for Hawaii Tourism

The opening expands Waikiki’s established restaurant scene. It also underscores the role of food in Hawaii’s broader tourism industry.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority considers cultural heritage, natural resources and visitor experiences as some of the priorities for developing responsible tourism.

Visitors can discover the destination without the sun and sand by enjoying food inspired by the islands and the history that shaped the destination at Hinahina.

The restaurant at the Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort adds a further draw to its 1,636-room hotel. With its mix of daily service, recurring buffets and private parties, it might promote increased restaurant expenditure from tourists staying in the hotel and other Waikiki visitors.

The project will also add another restaurant to Honolulu’s hospitality industry for dining with family, celebrating special occasions and enjoying the beach.