Sunset Views Carry More Weight Than the List
Waikiki · Honolulu · Steak and seafood with Hawaiian regional influences
Reviewed June 23, 2026
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.
Kaimukī · Honolulu · Wine Café & Bistro
Brix and Stones is doing something genuinely valuable for Kaimukī — bringing a thoughtful, accessible wine program to a neighborhood that needed one. The Caymus carafe pricing is a bona fide deal and the Meinklang shows real taste, but watch out for the bubbly markups and a list that could use a little more rotation to keep regulars coming back.
Small but Thoughtful
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Kakaʻako · Honolulu · Wine Bar & Spirits Lounge (BYO Food)
Brix and Stones is the kind of place that shouldn't exist in the form it does, in the city it's in — and that's exactly why you should go. The markup swings from genuinely fair to eyebrow-raising depending on what you order, but the natural wine focus and knowledgeable staff make it the most interesting wine stop in Honolulu by a comfortable margin.
Small but Thoughtful
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Waikiki · Honolulu · Italian with local Hawaiian influence
Fresco is a solid resort wine list doing exactly what it's designed to do: keep guests comfortable and the floor moving. If you're looking for adventure, you'll need to look elsewhere — but if you just want a cold glass of something decent with a view of the Pacific, it gets the job done.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Kakaʻako / SALT · Honolulu · Hawaiian-inspired / New American
Moku Kitchen isn't a wine destination, but it's a reliable neighborhood spot that doesn't gouge you — and in Hawaii, that alone earns real points. Send a friend here for dinner, not for the wine list, but tell them the prices won't sting.
Crowd Pleasers
Steal
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Waikiki · Honolulu · Seafood / Mediterranean
Orchids is a reliable wine program wearing a luxury price tag — the sommelier is real, the pours are properly handled, and the list gets the job done for the room it's in. Just know that you're paying the Halekulani premium on every bottle, and budget accordingly before you sit down.
Solid Range
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Waikīkī · Honolulu · Regional
Hau Tree earns its Wine Spectator nod — this is a genuinely considered list in a setting where mediocrity would have been completely forgiven. If you're in Waikīkī and want a glass of something real with your toes near the sand, this is the place.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
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