12 isle restaurants make top 100 list for al fresco dining

Out of more than 20,000 restaurants in 50 states and the District of Columbia, 12 Hawaii restaurants scored well enough among five million OpenTable.com users to make it among the site’s 100 best restaurants for al fresco dining.

Hawaii’s dozen among the 100 Best Al Fresco Dining Restaurants in America for 2016 are: Beachhouse at the Moana Surfrider in Waikiki; Blue Dragon Restaurant in Kawaihae, on Hawaii island; Brown’s Beach House at The Fairmont Orchid on the Big Island’s Kohala Coast; Duke’s Beach House Maui at the Honua Kai Resort in Lahaina; Ferraro’s Bar e Ristorante at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea; Gaylord’s at Kilohana, in Lihue, Kauai; Hau Tree Lanai at the New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel in Waikiki; Hukilau Lanai at Kauai Coast Resort At The Beachboy in Kapaa; Hula Grill Kaanapali at Whalers Village on Maui; Lava Lava Beach Club at Waikoloa Beach Resort on the Big Island; Pacific’O in Lahaina; and ‘Ulu Ocean Grill and Sushi Lounge at the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai.

“Dining al fresco is a delicious way for travelers and locals alike to take in the sights, sounds, and flavors of a city,” said Caroline Potter, OpenTable chief dining officer, in a statement. “These winning restaurants have created delightful outdoor seating areas that provide a front-row seat to the natural beauty and urban vistas around them, allowing guests to commune with their surroundings while experiencing welcoming hospitality and fresh fare.”

Among states, California scored the most entries at 44, nearly half the list. Florida squeaked past Hawaii for second place with 13 listed restaurants. Arizona has eight, North and South Carolina have three restaurants each on the list. States with two listed restaurants include Maryland New Mexico, and Pennsylvania. Other represented states include Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Missouri, Nevada, New York, Rhode Island, Texas and Virginia, as well as Washington, D.C.