A Local's Guide to The Best Places to Eat in Oahu Hawaii
I've said it before and I'll say it again. As the daughter of someone born and raised in Hawai'i, I am a self-proclaimed expert. I have visited over 50 times, most of my family still lives there today and has for over 60 years, and I even have the geo coordinates of Honolulu and "aloha" tattooed on my arm (the ultimate sign of love, no?).
When it comes to where to eat on Oahu, there are countless options I recommend. Below I've covered the best places to eat in Oahu - my absolute favorites, some of which we've been going to for as long as I can remember (decades) and others that I have more recently discovered.
To help make it easier to digest, I have broken down the list by location - Honolulu, Kailua, Kaneohe, and the North Shore.
Here are the best places to eat in Oahu!
DON'T MISS THE TOP 10 THINGS TO DO ON OAHU, THE 10 BEST PLACES TO TAKE PHOTOS ON OAHU, AND FACTS ABOUT HAWAII TO KNOW BEFORE YOU VISIT.
Best Places to Eat in Oahu
Where to eat in Honolulu...
ARVO CAFE
324 Coral Street, Suite 1A-104b, Honolulu, HI 96825
INSTA
ARVO is an Aussie cafe, as I'm sure you can tell by the name and one of the best places to eat in Honolulu! It's my favorite place to grab coffee and breakfast because it is delicious and also beautiful.
There's a lot of street art and murals in this area plus other shops and things to see so plan a bit of time to explore once you are done!
HAWAIIAN CROWN
159 Ka’iulani Ave #105, Honolulu, HI 96815
SITE / INSTA
Hawaiian Crown is the best pineapple in the entire world and one of the best places to eat Oahu for locals and also visitors! If you think you like pineapple, you will be completely mind blown by how much more amazing Hawaiian Crown really is.
My mom's best friend from high school actually owns the company so I've been recommending it to people for years and I cannot tell you how many times I get messages about it after they go. They have a shop in Waikiki and they're also at the popular KCC Farmer's Market every Saturday morning.
Try the fresh pineapple, a smoothie (my favorite is the kale one), an acai bowl, and make sure to buy some dried pineapple to take with you (it's my favorite).
OLIVE & OLIVER
The Surfjack Hotel, 412 Lewers Street, Honolulu, HI 96815
SITE / INSTA
Olive & Oliver is a cute coffee shop and boutique located in Waikiki inside the Surfjack Hotel. I wouldn't necessarily go out of my way to visit but if you're in the area it's worth a stroll through! The coffee is good and the boutique has a lot of great items.
HIDEOUT AT THE LAYLOW
2299 Kuhio Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
SITE / INSTA
Where to eat in Honolulu? The Laylow in general is Instagram heaven and the Hideout is no exception! To be honest I've only had drinks here but my local friends have assured me that the food is good too which is why I'm putting it on the list. At minimum, at least stop by for a drink if you find yourself in Waikiki during drinking hours.
WAIOLA SHAVE ICE
2135 Waiola St, Honolulu, HI 96826
3113 Mokihana St, Honolulu, HI 96816
SITE / INSTA
Waiola, the best shave ice on Oahu! You've probably heard the most about Matsumoto's on the North Shore, which is fine and a tradition to stop at even for us, but honestly there's nothing better than Waiola. The ice is shaved incredibly fine which is what makes it so amazing.
NOTE: this delicious Hawaiian treat is called SHAVE ice not SHAVED ice. If ever you see a place offering 'shaved ice' (in Hawaii or elsewhere) you can tell based on that it is definitely not authentic. Also do yourself a favor and be sure to call it by it's proper name :) Calling it shaved instead of shave is like called ice cream iced cream!
ARS CAFE GALLERY
3116 Monsarrat Avenue Honolulu, Hawaii
SITE / INSTA
Ars is another spot my local friend Nurry recently introduced me to. They serve espresso, coffee, gelato, and some food in a space they've transformed into an art gallery. Definitely go for the coffee and maybe grab breakfast as well.
LEONARD'S BAKERY
933 Kapahulu Ave
Malasadamobile
SITE / INSTA
Leonard's is a place you've likely heard of on any site you've visited about the best places to eat Oahu, and that is because it is an Oahu staple! They serve malasadas which is a Portuguese donut more or less without the hole in the middle. Can't miss this when you are in town!
NOTE: The last time I was in town I was at a party my uncle was throwing for all of his employees. To my very big surprise, they were claiming that Pipeline Bakeshop on Waialae actually has better malasadas. They are made to order so you get them piping hot. I cannot confirm or deny this claim, but if you have a big sweet tooth stop by both to test out the theory (and definitely come back to let me know)!
ONO SEAFOOD
747 Kapahulu Ave, Honolulu, HI 96816
Ono Seafood is very much a hole in the wall but it's got the best poke in Oahu, in my opinion! If you like seafood you've likely had some form of ahi poke before but if you haven't tried more than the plain old soy sauce variety, visit Ono. They have ever option under the sun and it's great to pick up on a night you just want to relax at home.
OPTION B: I haven't tried Ahi Assassins Fish Co. but my friend Nurry recommends it so it's a good alternative if you need one.
Many sites I have visited say to go to Foodland (the Hawaiian version of Safeway) to get ahi and while that's fine, it's certainly not the best option (sorry).
PLUMERIA BEACH HOUSE
5000 Kahala Avenue, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96816
SITE / INSTA
Plumeria Beach House is located at the Kahala Resort near where my family lives. It is one of our go-to spots for brunch or lunch when celebrating a birthday or something special. It's ocean-front, the food is good, and it's much nicer than most things you will find in Waikiki yet still very close to Waikiki
B. PATISSERIE AT KONA COFFEE PURVEYORS
International Marketplace, 2330 Kalakaua Avenue #160
SITE / INSTA
Craving dessert and wondering where to eat in Hawaii? B. Patisserie is my neighbor in SF and my favorite place to indulge in pastries outside of Paris! They now serve pastries inside of Kona Coffee Purveyors in International Marketplace and it's a can't miss. Get the kouign amann to eat right away and a fudge cookie to go. You will not regret it!
BANAN
4 locations, see here
SITE / INSTA
Banan is dairy-free soft serve made from locally grown bananas and one of the healthiest dessert places to eat on Oahu! To be honest, we had mixed reviews about this place. I don't generally eat dairy and I do like bananas so I thought it was great. I had the dark fantasy.
My mom and aunt, on the other hand, did not love it. If you are allergic or sensitive to dairy, I think it's worth a try :)
KOZO SUSHI
People are going to think I am crazy for putting this on the list but I don't care :) I wouldn’t call it one of the best places to eat on Oahu but it does fit the bill when you are looking for something specific.
Kozo is a local chain of arguably mediocre sushi but 80% of the time when I need something for takeaway I go here. They wrap the sushi rolls in a way that keeps the seaweed separate so it's crunchy instead of soggy and I just love it. The options are quite basic but get a handroll and try to tell me you don't love it!
Where to eat in Kailua...
KALAPAWAI CAFE & DELI
750 Kailua Rd, Kailua, HI 96734
SITE
Another good lunch option before or after the beach. They have fresh sandwiches, salads, and more. I almost never go to Kailua without eating here!
Where to eat in Kaneohe...
HALEIWA JOE'S
46-336 Haiku Rd. Kaneohe, HI 96744
SITE / INSTA
Haleiwa Joe’s at Haiku Garden is my favorite place on Oahu and one of the best places to eat in Hawaii. I really cannot stress how much I recommend you go here. Dining here makes you feel like you are eating dinner in Jurassic Park and, to make it even better, the food is also to die for.
Go early, put your name in (make sure you request a table on the edge so you have a clear view) then walk around the gardens below until your table is ready. It is a 15-30 min drive from Honolulu, depending on traffic.
NOTE: there's also a Haleiwa Joe's in Haleiwa, but I specifically recommend the Kaneohe location at Haiku Gardens.
Where to eat on the North Shore...
MATSUMOTO SHAVE ICE
66-111 Kam Hwy Suite #605
SITE / INSTA
Matsumoto Shave Ice is an ionic shave ice shop serving the North Shore since 1951! It’s not the best you’ll ever have, but to me (and many others, including celebrities!) it’s always been something you just do when you go to the North Shore. It’s the most popular and touristy Oahu places to eat shave ice.
GIOVANNI’S SHRIMP TRUCK
66-472 Kam Hwy
SITE
Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck is home to extremely famous shrimp plates and garlic hot dogs and is one of the most sought after places to eat in Oahu Hawaii! There is always a huge line no matter what time you go. To be totally honest I have actually never tried it due to the long queue, but I’ve heard only good things so I felt obligated to include it.
What to Pack for Hawaii
Having the right travel gear is incredibly important for any trip. Save yourself time and money by getting all of the necessary items prior to arriving at your destination. Some of the items I consider non-negotiable for Hawaii:
BIKINIS/SWIMWEAR — The most essential packing list for Hawaii item. Bring as many as you have/can fit! I tend to bring one for each day depending on how long I am going for. My current favorites:
SUNDRESSES — When packing for Hawaii I recommend bringing at least 3-5 sundresses! I personally live in these while there because they are so easy to throw on and they don't take up much space while packing. If dresses aren't your thing, swap these out for shorts and tops. Click here for my favorite sundresses. I also shop for them here, here, and here.
For cheaper options, I like here, and here. The cheaper sites can take a little more digging to find the good quality stuff, but sometimes it's worth it!
My current favorites:
TOPS —
CASHMERE WRAP — Another top seller on ckanani.com every single month is this oversized cashmere wrap. It’s something I personally carry in my bag every single day, whether I’m on the road or back at home in San Francisco. If you haven’t already noticed, I love versatility. I’d rather pay a little more for something high quality that’ll last a little longer and also work in a few different ways. I bet you’re a bit like me, so this is a must. You can wear it as a scarf, as a wrap when you find yourself at a surprisingly cold restaurant or flight, as a blanket, and more. I can’t tell you how many times this thing has saved me. Click here to see the latest prices and availability.
PS. If you think this is a crazy recommendation for Hawaii, trust me, it’s not. Every indoor place in Hawaii is insanely air conditioned and you’ll often likely forget a jacket since it’ll be so hot out. Throwing this in your beach bag or whatever bag you’re carrying around will save your life!
COMFORTABLE WHITE LEATHER SNEAKERS — Comfortable but cute sneakers are always important. My very favorite are M. Gemi’s white leather sneakers. I never travel anywhere without them. They’re not the cheapest but they are literally handmade (handmade!!) so they are insanely comfortable and wil last forever. Click here to check availability.
More details: click here for why they're the most comfortable and stylish walking shoes for travel!
NO-SHOW SOCKS — To go with the above mentioned shoes! I have tried so many different ones and find that most fall down under your heel (ouch) but these do not. Click here for the ones I love.
LIGHT JACKET. Like I said above, every single place in Hawaii is air conditioned like crazy! Because of this I never leave the house without a jacket - ever. When thinking about what to wear in Hawaii, do not overlook this item. Click here for the jean jacket I love!
SUNGLASSES — Of course! I cannot believe I am about to say this but I’ve found a very cheap brand I recommend. Why is that shocking? Because I absolutely hate cheap sunglasses. I used to be a total sunglass snob and only buy $400 Saint Laurent, Dior, or Chanel sunglasses because the cheap ones feel horrible and don’t actually protect. Until now!! This brand I found on Amazon is under $15/pair and is shockingly impressive. I’ve bought four pairs so far. Click here for my favorite all black aviators, here for my rimless aviators, and here for my square ones.
EVERYWHERE BELT BAG — My new absolute obsession is this Lululemon belt bag. I have used it literally every single day of my life since buying it last year and absolutely cannot recommend it enough. You can wear it around your waist or crossbody, I personally love both. It’s especially great for travel because it stays so close to your body you never have to worry about someone sneaking in and grabbing something.
This one is also the perfect shape and size. Prior to buying this one I tried a handful of others and sent every one of them back. I was starting to think I just wasn’t a belt bag type of gal but then I had dozens of recommendations to try this one. And I LOVE IT. Truly the best $38 you will ever spend! Truly. Click here to get yours.
GOLD LAYERING JEWELRY — Layering jewelry from SHOP CKANANI specifically. It’s my own shop so I'm a bit biased, of course, but hear me out. I’ve always loved jewelry but was tired of spending $60 on a necklace that would tarnish after 2-3 wears so I started making my own. I hand make them in my San Francisco apartment of incredibly high quality, primarily gold filled materials.
Gold filled items are great because they contain 100+ times (!) more real gold than gold plated items. An item being gold filled means that there is an actual layer of gold pressure bonded to another metal, making it much more valuable, durable, and tarnish resistant. This means it’s also perfect for everyday wear and for travel! Because who wants to spend their trip taking their jewelry on and off constantly? Not me!
After sharing pictures of necklaces and bracelets on my Instagram story, I finally gave in to the requests asking me to start selling my creations. And that’s how SHOP CKANANI was born! I’d really love and appreciate your support, especially if you’ve found the info in this post helpful :) Click here to see current availability.
For Hawaii I especially recommend the Kahala necklace, the Global Citizen necklace (our best selling item), and the North Star necklace. Plus an arm full of various gold chain bracelets, of course! And as a special treat from me to you, use code “HAWAII10” for 10% off.
HATS — A great way to spice up a look, plus it’s a fantastic photo prop and can cover up a bad hair day.
For a full list of Hawaii packing recommendations, click here for what to pack for Hawaii!
Other Hawaii Information
If you will be visiting Oahu, we have everything you need to plan your trip!
FOR WHAT TO PACK… click here for our Hawaii packing list.
FOR WHERE TO STAY… click here for the best hotels and resorts and here for the best Airbnbs.
FOR WHERE TO EAT… click here for a local’s guide to the best places to eat.
FOR WHAT TO DO… click here for my top 10 recommendations. My number one recommendation is to swim with dolphins in the wild. Click here for a detailed post about how to do that!
FOR A GUIDE TO VISITING KUALOA RANCH (JURASSIC PARK HAWAII)… click here.
FOR A GUIDE TO THE FAMOUS NORTH SHORE… click here.
FOR WHERE TO HIKE… click here for Crouching Lion (my absolute favorite) and here for the Lanikai Pillboxes (my second favorite!).
FOR THE BEST PHOTO OPPS… click here!
Also, subscribe below to get our FREE downloadable guide and we’ll also send you some step-by-step help to plan the Hawaii trip of your dreams!
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