If you follow our Space-A adventures, you already know we’re often flying in and out of the Hawaiian Islands. Honestly, there are far worse places to get “stuck” on a stopover. And since we had some time to kill, what better excuse than to track down the best places to enjoy a Mai Tai in Waikiki and across Oahu? After all, it’s Amanda’s favorite cocktail, so you know we took this mission seriously.

Mai Tai Origins: The Cocktail That Defines a Hawaiian Vacation

The Mai Tai wasn’t actually born in Hawai‘i, it came out of California’s tiki bar craze in the 1940s. Victor “Trader Vic” Bergeron is most often credited with creating the drink at his Oakland bar, where he mixed Jamaican rum, lime, orgeat, and orange curacao for Tahitian friends who declared it “Mai Tai roa ae!” (“out of this world”), giving the cocktail its name.

While Donn Beach of Don the Beachcomber also claimed a version in the 1930s, it was Trader Vic’s recipe that spread the fastest. The drink made its way to Hawaii in the 1950s, just as the islands were booming as a tourist destination.

Trader Vic even consulted with the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Waikīkī, and soon after, other hotels like the Hawaiian Village adopted the cocktail. Bartenders began adapting the recipe, often adding pineapple juice to appeal to visitors’ sweeter tastes and highlight one of Hawaii’s biggest exports at the time.

By the time Hawai‘i became a U.S. state in 1959, the Mai Tai had already cemented its place as the drink of choice for visitors craving a taste of the islands. Marketed alongside luaus, hula shows, and oceanfront sunsets, the cocktail became inseparable from the Hawaiian vacation experience.

Today, while recipes vary, ordering a Mai Tai in Hawai‘i feels less like sipping a drink and more like participating in a timeless island tradition.

Hale Koa Barefoot Bar

The Barefoot Bar is one of our favorite spots to sip a drink, listen to live music, and soak up the laid-back Waikiki vibe. The best part? You don’t need to be military-affiliated to enjoy it, everyone is welcome. If your vacation takes you to the Hale Koa, don’t miss our full hotel review, linked here for all the details.

This beachfront bar has a casual, open-air setup with a mellow crowd, often a mix of military families on vacation and locals enjoying a Friday night out. Thanks to its convenient location on the quieter stretch of Waikiki Beach (away from the bustle near the Duke statue), it’s a perfect place to grab a seat, sip, and relax.

If you’re there on a Friday, don’t miss ordering the signature Hale Koa Mai Tai. Pair it with great views of the Hilton Hawaiian Village fireworks at 8 p.m., and you’ve got yourself one of the most magical nights in Waikiki. Along with the Mai Tai, the bar offers plenty of other tropical cocktails to keep the island vibes flowing.

Monkeypod Kitchen Waikīkī

Monkeypod Kitchen wasn’t really on our radar until a college buddy, who now flies for Hawaiian Airlines, suggested we meet there for dinner with his girlfriend, a Hawai‘i native. It turned out to be a fun night and gave us another spot to add to our Waikiki list.

Of course, we had to try the Monkeypod Mai Tai. Honestly? We found it a little average compared to some of the other drinks we’ve had. It leaned heavily on pineapple juice, which threw off the balance of flavors we usually look for. Not bad, but not the standout we were hoping for.

That said, the atmosphere made up for it. We were pleasantly surprised by the live music, and sitting right by the water at sunset was a total vibe. Plus, their Happy Hour is worth noting, at the Waikīkī location, you can score a discounted Mai Tai between 7:00–11:00 AM and 3:30–5:00 PM. Perfect if you want to enjoy the drink without paying full price.

The Royal Hawaiian Resort

We’d heard all about the Royal Hawaiian’s Mai Tai Bar, often called a legendary mai tai bar, where Trader Vic created their own famous spin on the original Mai Tai recipe. Naturally, we had to check it out while visiting the iconic Royal Hawaiian Resort.

Watch on Tiktok!

One morning, we decided to stop in for breakfast, and the entire vibe was unapologetically pink, from the umbrellas and towels to even the pancakes. The Royal Mai Tai was on the breakfast menu (yes, you can order one with your pancakes), and if you’re in the mood to party early, it’s worth it. 

The Signature Royal Hawaiian Mai Tai was crafted perfectly, with a dark rum float that added a striking color contrast against the pineapple juice and fruit garnish.

The resort itself offers plenty of ways to enjoy your time. You can sip your cocktail at the beachfront bar, lounge by the pool, or enjoy a sit-down meal at the Surf Lanai restaurant, where they serve consistently great food. Don’t forget your Marriott Bonvoy card to stack up those points and make your next vacation come even sooner.

Duke’s Waikīkī Mai Tai

Duke’s Waikīkī is an absolute staple on Kalakaua Ave, it’s one of those must-visit spots in Honolulu. With beachside seating and a laid-back vibe, it’s the perfect place to grab a drink at sunset. From your table, you’ll have a view of Diamond Head to the left and the ocean stretching out to the right, making it one of the best dining backdrops in Waikīkī.

Their signature Duke’s Mai Tai is crafted with light rum and an aged Jamaican rum, balanced by fresh fruit juices that give it a tropical, refreshing finish. And if you’re a seafood lover, the restaurant’s menu won’t disappoint, they serve up consistently great food alongside the drinks.

Since it’s such a popular spot, be sure to make a reservation in advance or plan to arrive early, tables here almost always come with a wait. But trust us, between the Mai Tai‘s, the food, and those unbeatable views, Duke’s is worth it.

Kona Brewing Hawai‘i Kai

We stopped at Kona Brewing Hawai‘i Kai while exploring the eastern side of O‘ahu, and it turned out to be the perfect spot to grab a drink, some food, and take in the gorgeous views of the marina and surrounding landscape. Most people come here for the beer (naturally), but why not order a Mai Tai at a brewery?

Their take on the cocktail leans into the classic Mai Tai flavor, refreshing, crisp, and just the right balance, with a subtle hint of orange juice that rounds it out. Pair it with some hearty pub food and you’ve got the perfect stop for lunch or a casual afternoon.

Between the laid-back vibe, good eats, and the marina views, this place feels like a hidden gem. If you’re heading out toward the Blowhole or the Makapu‘u Lighthouse, make it a pit stop, you won’t regret grabbing a Mai Tai and a beer here.

Mina’s Fish House @ Four Seasons Resort O‘ahu at Ko Olina

While staying at Aulani next door (full review here), we wandered over to the Four Seasons to see what Mina’s Fish House had to offer.

Pro Tip: it’s one of the better places to slip away from the kid-filled chaos of the Disney resort and enjoy a more elevated, peaceful dinner.

Naturally, we had to try their version of the Mai Tai, and Mina’s does not disappoint when it comes to presentation. Their cocktail, cheekily named “If Can, Can! If No Can, No Can!”, is served in a Spam can. Don’t worry, they order them new, so there’s no actual meat product involved, just a fun nod to local Hawaii culture.

Flavor-wise, this Mai Tai leans closer to margarita territory. With fresh lime juice, orange curaçao, pineapple juice, and orgeat, it hits a perfect balance of bright, crisp flavors without one overpowering the others. It’s a unique, playful take on a Hawaiian classic, and honestly one of the most memorable cocktails we had in Ko Olina.

If you’re already next door at Aulani or just want to splurge on a great dinner, Mina’s is a spot we’d recommend. And don’t forget to walk down the path toward the western beach after your meal, you might just spot monk seals lounging on the sand like we did (twice!).

Restaurant 604

Located right next to Pearl Harbor, Restaurant 604 is a fun, casual spot to grab a bite and try their signature spin on the Mai Tai. Here, they do things a little differently and it’s definitely worth the stop.

Their standout drink is the Kauai Tai, a frozen, house-made Mai Tai that features Kōloa White and Dark Rum, topped with homemade pineapple whip. It’s the only Mai Tai we’ve found with a touch of ice cream blended in, making it not just a cocktail, but more of a dessert in a glass. Sweet, creamy, and tropical, it was surprisingly tasty.

The vibe here leans more sports bar, with plenty of screens and a lively atmosphere. It’s the kind of place you can settle into for an afternoon game, while still finding options for everyone, breakfast plates, surf and turf, and even a full kids’ menu.

If you’re visiting Pearl Harbor, Restaurant 604 is an easy and fun stop to round out the experience.

Beach House by Roy Yamaguchi

During our 10 days on the North Shore, we made a quick trip to the Beach House by Roy Yamaguchi for lunch, and it did not disappoint. Between the ocean views, relaxed island vibes, and top-notch food, it’s one of those places that nails the perfect atmosphere for a mid-day break.

Of course, we couldn’t resist ordering their Spiced Mai Tai (make that two). This version is crafted with Kōloa Spiced Rum, Ginger Elixir, Pineapple, a Kōloa Dark Rum Float, and fresh pineapple on top. Bold, balanced, and just the right amount of kick. It quickly became our second favorite Mai Tai on the island after years of tasting around.

If you find yourself on the North Shore, make this a stop. Between the drinks, the food, and the views, it easily made our shortlist of places you must eat and drink at while in Hawai‘i.

So Where Is The Best Mai Tai in Waikiki and O‘ahu?

We never really set out on a mission to crown the best Mai Tai, but after noticing it pop up on nearly every restaurant menu, it turned into a fun little quest. We both enjoy this classic cocktail, and when it’s made with fresh ingredients, it’s honestly one of the most refreshing drinks you can order in Hawaii.

After tasting our way through O‘ahu, our top pick for the best traditional Mai Tai goes to the Royal Hawaiian. Smooth, perfectly balanced, and presented beautifully with fresh fruit and the classic paper umbrella, it just felt iconic.

That said, you really can’t go wrong. Order a traditional Mai Tai at just about any bar in Hawaii, and you’ll get a drink that captures the island spirit. Thanks to Trader Vic and decades of aloha hospitality, it’s become a staple cocktail across the islands.