All the major cuisines are represented in Hawai'i, though, of course, Asian and Southeast Asian restaurants are the most common. Here, we've selected a representative sample. (More Asian and Southeast Asian restaurants can be found in the chapters on dim sum, noodles, sushi bars, izakaya, takeout and yakiniku.)

BUCA DI BEPPO

It's all fun at Buca di Beppo, especially if you score the "kitchen table" and can watch the chefs at work. Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser

Meatballs the size of your head! Well, okay — that's an exaggeration, but everything about this southern Italian restaurant chain is a bit larger than life, including the rabbit warren of overdecorated rooms, the huge family-size platters of food and the family parties who crowd the place on weekends. Really good, down-home food.

Ward Entertainment Center, 1030 Au'ahi St. 591-0800. www.bucadibeppo.com. Lunch: 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. Dinner: 4-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 4-11 p.m. Friday-Sunday. Reservations recommended. Valet and self-parking. VS, MC, AX, DC, DS, JCB. No checks. $$.