Sunset Views Carry More Weight Than the List
Waikiki · Honolulu · Steak and seafood with Hawaiian regional influences
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · June 23, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Beachhouse at the Moana’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
Opening the wine list at Beachhouse at the Moana feels exactly like you'd expect from a high-end hotel restaurant on Waikiki Beach — safe, familiar, and priced for people who are already in vacation mode and not watching the bill. The selections read like a greatest hits of American dining: California Cabs, New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs, a French token or two. Nobody's trying to surprise you here.
The list leans heavily on California with recognizable names like Jordan and Stag's Leap anchoring the red and white columns, while Oregon and New Zealand fill in supporting roles. France shows up, but don't expect anything deep — this is hotel-list France, meaning a Burgundy or two and maybe a Bordeaux to justify the 'international' label. With an estimated 100–180 selections, there's range in theory, but the emphasis on familiar commercial producers means depth is more illusion than reality. Gaps are obvious: no meaningful exploration of Italian, Spanish, or Southern Hemisphere beyond New Zealand.
Somewhere in the 12–18 glass range, the by-the-glass program covers the basics without embarrassing itself — expect a Chardonnay, a Pinot Noir, a Cab, and a Sauvignon Blanc at minimum, all at prices that reflect the zip code more than the quality in the glass. Glasses are running $16–$28, which is the going rate for Waikiki, but it stings a little when you're pouring Meiomi at the top of that range. No rotation or active by-the-glass program to speak of — what you see is what you get, indefinitely.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon — $55–$75 (estimated bottle)
Jordan is a reliable, well-made Alexander Valley Cab that drinks above its commercial profile. On a list full of steeper markups, it's the bottle that gives you the most actual wine for your dollar — especially alongside a ribeye with a view of the Pacific.
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Chardonnay
Most people at a Waikiki steakhouse order the Cab and call it a day, but the Stag's Leap Chardonnay is the sleeper pick. It's a structured, restrained California Chard that avoids the butter-bomb trap and holds up beautifully against fresh island fish — a much more interesting choice than its reputation suggests.
Meiomi Pinot Noir
Meiomi is a $15 grocery store bottle dressed up in a resort menu. At Waikiki hotel markups, you're likely paying $50 or more for something that has no business being on a list at this price point. It's sweet, it's simple, and there are better options for the same or less money here.
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Chardonnay + Fresh island fish entrée
The Stag's Leap Chardonnay has enough acidity and minerality to stand up to whatever local fish is on the menu without overwhelming it. It's the rare California Chard that acts more like a food wine than a statement wine — exactly what you want with delicate Hawaiian seafood.
The Bottom Line
Beachhouse at the Moana is a perfectly decent wine experience as long as you know what you're walking into: a hotel list with hotel markups and a stunning ocean backdrop doing the heavy lifting. Go for the Jordan with your steak, catch the sunset, and save the serious wine exploration for somewhere else on the island.
· Honolulu · Steakhouse
Morton's Honolulu gives you a competent, Cabernet-saturated list that will reliably satisfy the guest who came for a big steak and a big red — just don't expect any surprises, and watch the markup on the entry-level bottles. Send a friend here if they want comfort, not if they want discovery.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Waikiki · Honolulu · Latin American / Tasting Menu
El Cielo earns its reputation on atmosphere and food, but the wine program is a black box — and in a city where you're already paying tourist-tier prices, a list you can't see or trust is a list you should probably skip. Order a cocktail and save the wine night for somewhere that wants to earn it.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Waikīkī · Honolulu · Steakhouse
Ruth's Chris Waikīkī is a dependable splurge for steak night, but the wine list is corporate comfort food — Napa-forward, markup-heavy, and unlikely to surprise you. If wine is the point of your evening, this isn't your destination; if steak is the point, it'll get the job done.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Proper
Waikiki · Honolulu · Seafood / Steak
Chart House Waikiki is giving you a safe harbor, not a destination — the list is functional, the by-the-glass selection is surprisingly broad, and a couple of smart picks exist if you know where to look. Come for the ocean views and the fish; just don't expect the wine list to match the scenery.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Honolulu · Honolulu · Hotel Wine Bar
Vintage 1901 is a well-organized hotel wine bar doing exactly what it should — giving visitors something better than the minibar without demanding too much effort or knowledge. The port program is legitimately great and worth your time; the rest of the list is competent, if a little sleepy on value.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Honolulu · Rooftop Wine Bar
Tchin Tchin is a perfectly pleasant place to drink wine with a view, and nearly everything being available by the glass means you can graze without committing to a bottle. Just don't come expecting discovery — come expecting a solid pour and a great sunset.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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