If you’re planning a trip to Oahu, Hawaii, prepare yourself for beautiful beaches, stunning hikes, fun attractions and, of course — tons of delicious cuisine!
During my trip to Oahu, which was my first trip to Hawaii, I was pleasantly surprised to find so much fresh, flavorful, and delicious food on the island. I seriously don’t think we had a bad meal during the entire trip. In this guide, I’ve rounded up my top recommendations for the best places to eat in Oahu, as well as a few other top-rated local recommendations. Let’s jump right in!
Disclosure: Some of the links in this blog post are affiliate links, meaning that I earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase at no additional cost to you. This helps me keep the content on my website free for you to enjoy!
Best Places to Eat in Oahu – Breakfast & Coffee Shops
There’s nothing better than starting the day off with a delicious breakfast and a fresh cup of coffee, am I right? Below, I’ve listed some of the best places to eat in Oahu for breakfast and brunch, as well as some of the island’s best local coffee shops.
P.S. — my price guide for the best places to eat in Oahu is as follows: $ = <$10 per person, $$ = $11–25 per person, $$$ = $26–50, $$$$ = >$50 per person. This is an estimation of how much you’ll spend per person at each restaurant based on my personal experience!
1. Basalt Waikiki
- Location: Waikiki
- Price: $$
- Try: Charcoal Buttermilk Pancakes
Basalt is a fantastic brunch spot located in Duke’s Lane Marketplace in Waikiki. They also serve lunch and dinner — but their breakfast menu takes the cake!
When we visited for breakfast, I ordered a delicious order of French Toast — it was covered with crunchy toasted coconut and macadamia nuts! Another popular menu item is the Charcoal Buttermilk Pancakes with guava-strawberry sauce. If you’re looking for something savory, try Basalt’s Avocado Garden Toast and Prime Rib Moco.
Basalt also serves fun mimosas and Hawaiian blend coffee. You’ll love the creative, fun dining experience at Basalt — it’s one of the best places to eat in Oahu (and a top spot for dining while you’re exploring some of the best things to do in Waikiki!).
2. Over Easy
- Location: Kailua
- Price: $$
- Try This: Fried Egg Sandwich
Over Easy is one of the best places to eat in Oahu for a tasty, traditional breakfast. We enjoyed brunch at Over Easy before embarking on the Lanikai Pillbox Trail in Kailua, and it filled us up for our trek. Despite having limited seating, we only had to wait 20 minutes for a table outside on the patio — plus, our waitress was so kind!
Over Easy has a limited menu, but everything we ordered was delicious. I ordered the Fried Egg Sandwich and loved the crispy house-baked sourdough bread and spicy aioli. The Custard French Toast with an orange custard filling was also refreshing, tasty, and delicious!
3. Sweet E’s Cafe
- Location: Honolulu
- Price: $$
- Try This: Kalua Pork Eggs Benedict
Sweet E’s Cafe is a breakfast and lunch restaurant in Honolulu. It’s by far one of the best places to eat in Oahu for brunch — it has thousands of five-star reviews!
This cute and casual cafe serves traditional breakfast fare with a Hawaiian twist. For example, you can order a Hawaiian omelet with Portuguese sausage, Spam, scallions, onions, and cheddar cheese, or Kalua Pork eggs benedict (this honestly sounds amazing!). The French toast is made with Hawaiian sweet bread and can be stuffed with cream cheese — yum!
Sweet E’s Cafe was on my list of places to eat in Oahu that we never got around to, but you bet it will be at the top of my list of places to dine at the next time I’m on the island!
4. Leonard’s Bakery
- Location: Honolulu
- Price: $
- Try This: Malasada Puffs
Leonard’s Bakery is an Oahu staple and has been serving fresh, hot malasadas to Oahu since 1953. This spot is a must-visit during a trip to Honolulu — it’s one of the best places to eat in Oahu, and arguably one of the top spots in Hawaii (across all the islands!) for malasadas.
Malasadas are Portuguese donuts that are crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside. They’re dusted in granulated sugar or cinnamon sugar, and you can order the pastries filled with flavored custard, including chocolate, coconut, macadamia nut, guava, mango or pineapple. The malasadas are served in a bright pink box, which makes for a fun photo!
Tip: Leonard’s Bakery usually has a line that wraps around the building — but don’t let it deter you. The line moves fast, and the malasadas are worth it!
5. Hale’iwa Bowls
- Location: Haleiwa (North Shore)
- Price: $$
- Try This: Acai Bowl
Hale’iwa Bowls is a small, cute kiosk on the North Shore serving acai bowls, smoothies, juices, and cold brew coffee. Getting an acai bowl from Hale’iwa Bowls is a must during a day trip to the North Shore from Waikiki. The bowls are delicious, fresh, and served with tropical toppings!
My bowl, the Blue Majik Bowl, was delicious. It included a banana, pineapple, and blue spirulina base and was topped with granola, blueberries, strawberries, kiwi, and honey. My sister’s Hapa Acai Bowl included an acai, banana, strawberry, and blueberry base topped with granola, bananas, coconut flakes, and honey. Yum!
6. Liliha Bakery
- Location: Waikiki & Honolulu
- Price: $$
- Try This: Puffs
Liliha Bakery is a full-service bakery and coffee shop that opened in Honolulu in 1950 and has since expanded to five locations across Honolulu and Waikiki. Though they specialized in made-from-scratch baked goods, like Danishes, puffs, cupcakes, muffins, donuts, malasadas, cakes, pies, and more. The menu literally features 100+ pastries, so you’ll have to browse through it!
However, if you’re looking for something a little heartier, Liliha Bakery also has a full breakfast and lunch menu, featuring fan-favorites like Loco Moco and the Country Style Omelet. I personally think the Mac Nut Waffard — a waffle stuffed with custard, strawberries, blueberries, mixed nuts, and whipped cream — looks amazing!
If nothing else, be sure to try one of the “puffs” at Liliha Bakery. The Coco Puff, Green Tea Puff, Chocolate Cream Puff, and Cream Puff are the bakery’s bestsellers!
7. Sunrise Shack
- Location: Waikiki, Ala Moana, Kailua, Shark’s Cove & Sunset Beach
- Price: $
- Try This: Monkey Bowl
Sunrise Shack is another one of the best places to eat in Oahu for smoothie bowls and other breakfast options. They are best known for their bulletproof coffees, superfood smoothie bowls and smoothies, and cold-pressed juices. You can also order sandwiches, salads, wraps, and avocado toast for a light breakfast or lunch.
We stayed at the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort, which is one of the best luxury resorts on Oahu, and were thrilled to find a Sunrise Shack in the lobby. The Monkey Bowl — featuring a banana, coconut, peanut butter, almond milk, date, cinnamon, salt, and coconut oil base topped with granola, banana, peanut butter, coconut, and chocolate — was so delicious and filling!
Tip: Looking for the original location (aka, the shack itself?). You’ll find it at Sunset Beach on the North Shore!
8. Kai Coffee Roastery
- Location: Waikiki
- Price: $
- Try This: Kai Latte
We kind of stumbled upon Kai Coffee Roastery on accident — but I am so glad we did! I think the latte I had here was one of my favorites during the entire trip.
This local coffee roaster serves handcrafted drinks from beans grown right on the Hawaiian Islands (a coffee tour is one of the best things to do in Kona, if you’re planning to visit the Big Island!). Kai Coffee has a couple of locations in Waikiki, including one at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa and another at the ‘Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach, but the roastery itself with a walk-up window is located slightly north of Waikiki.
The service at Kai Coffee is fast and friendly, and the coffee is fantastic. The Kai Latte — a macadamia nut milk latte made with in-house macadamia nut syrup — was seriously delicious and is a must-try if you’re a fan of macadamia nuts, like me!
9. Knots Coffee Roasters
- Location: Waikiki
- Price: $$
- Try This: Longboard Latte
Knots Coffee Roasters is another excellent coffee shop in Waikiki. This coffee shop is in the lobby of Queen Kapiolani Hotel and has a trendy, nautical theme.
I ordered the Longboard Latte — a coconut and macadamia nut latte — and loved it! We also loved the pastries here. The almond croissant and the blueberry Danish croissant were both super delicious. We loved sitting on the indoor-outdoor patio to sip on our coffee!
We were in a bit of a rush to get to Diamond Head for our hike (one of the best cheap things to do in Oahu), so, we didn’t order a sit-down breakfast. However, the Deep Dish Haupia French Toast — sweet bread soaked in coconut custard and served with dulce de leche caramel sauce and seasonal fruits — sounded delicious! If you order it, let me know what you think!
10. Kono’s Northshore
- Location: Haleiwa, Waikiki & Kailua
- Price: $$
- Try This: Breakfast Bombers
Kono’s Northshore is a staple for a casual breakfast or brunch on Oahu. It’s one of the best places to eat in Oahu if you’re craving a breakfast burrito — the “breakfast bombers” (flour tortillas stuffed with eggs, potato, cheese, and meat, like chorizo or pork) are the most popular menu item.
We stopped at Kono’s Northshore during our day trip to the North Shore (the original location!) after snorkeling at Shark’s Cove and let me tell you — a breakfast burrito hits different after a morning of snorkeling and being out in the sun! It was so good! I ordered the Haleiwa Bomber, filled with slow-roasted Kalua pork (it’s as good as it sounds!).
Though the Kono’s Northshore location in Haleiwa is the original, you’ll also find locations in Waikiki, Kailua, and other spots across the island. The original location closes at 2:30 PM (so be sure to stop by early!), but the others stay open until 7 PM or 8 PM.
Best Restaurants in Oahu – Lunch & Dinner
If you know me, I could eat breakfast food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and live on coffee as my beverage of choice (hence the long list of recommendations!).
However, there are tons of great places for lunch and dinner in Oahu, from low-key food trucks for lunch to high-end restaurants for dinner. So, without further ado, let’s dive right into this list of the best places to eat in Oahu for lunch and dinner!
11. Duke’s Beach House
- Location: Waikiki
- Price: $$$
- Try This: Coconut Shrimp & Hula Pie
Duke’s Beach House is a must-visit place to eat in Oahu that epitomizes beachfront dining. This popular restaurant is located in the lobby of the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort (where we stayed!) and offers stunning views of Waikiki Beach from the indoor-outdoor deck.
Duke’s Beach House specializes in Hawaiian cuisine with a surf ‘n’ turf menu and offers three locations in Hawaii (Waikiki, Ka’anapali, and Lihue) and three in California (Huntington Beach, La Jolla, and Malibu). Crispy Coconut Shrimp and a Lava Flow Cocktail (basically a pina colada with strawberry) is my go-to order here, though I also love the Fish & Chips off the lunch menu!
If you’re visiting Duke’s for dinner, arrive early to get a table or make a reservation (or visit for lunch — it’s much easier to snag a table earlier in the day). If the restaurant is full, you can order select appetizers, entrees, drinks, and desserts at the Barefoot Bar to bring down and enjoy on Waikiki Beach (which honestly isn’t a bad option at all!).
12. Seven Brothers Burgers
- Location: Haleiwa, Shark’s Cove, Kahuku & Laie
- Price: $$
- Try This: Shez’s Paniolo
Seven Brothers Burgers is one of the best places to eat in Oahu for delicious burgers. This family-owned burger joint specializes in burgers, onion rings, salads, and fries.
I’m so bummed we didn’t know about Seven Brothers Burgers during our trip to Oahu, because the burgers look amazing! The Shez’s Paniolo — a burger topped with giant homemade onion rings, grilled pineapple, bacon, and melted cheese covered house sauce and barbecue sauce — honestly sounds like what dreams are made of!
Seven Brothers Burgers has locations in Haleiwa, Shark’s Cove, Kahuku, and Laie, so be sure to stop by here for lunch or dinner during a day in or around the North Shore!
13. Haleiwa Joe’s Haiku Gardens
- Location: Kaneohe & Haleiwa
- Price: $$$
- Try This: Coconut Shrimp & Teriyaki Top Sirloin
If you could only choose one restaurant to eat at in Oahu, Hawaii, I would, without a doubt, recommend Haleiwa Joe’s Haiku Garden. This restaurant is one of my top five favorite dining experiences ever — the food, ambiance, and service are all on another level!
Haleiwa Joe’s Haiku Gardens is an open-air restaurant that overlooks a tropical botanical garden and the Ko’olau Mountain Range. The views are breathtaking and a refreshing deviation from the oceanfront dining at most fine-dining restaurants in Oahu. It kind of feels like you’ve been whisked away into a scene of Jurassic Park (except without the dinosaurs, of course!).
Haleiwa Joe’s doesn’t take reservations, so arrive 15–30 minutes before the restaurant opens at 4 PM to snag a table with the best views overlooking the gardens. When it’s time to order, consider the Coconut Shrimp, Grilled Salmon, or Teriyaki Top Sirloin, and definitely get a Mai Tai. It was my favorite drink on the trip! And, while you’re waiting for your food, be sure to take a stroll around the gardens and snap some pictures. It’s a gorgeous spot!
Note: Haleiwa Joe’s has two locations — the original in Haleiwa and a location in Kaneohe. You’ll want to visit the location in Kaneohe for the gorgeous views!
14. Haleiwa Beach House
- Location: Haleiwa (North Shore)
- Price: $$$
- Try This: Spicy Tuna Club
Haleiwa Beach House is a seafood restaurant on the North Shore that serves fresh seafood, from shrimp to poke, and other Hawaiian dishes, like Kalua pork. Some of their signature items are modern twists on Hawaiian favorites, like a Spicy Tuna Club, Beach House Loco Moco, and Uncle Andy’s Hawaiian Teri Beef.
Haleiwa Beach House is also a great place to stop for a drink, like a handcrafted cocktail, cold beer, or glass of wine, after a day of exploring the North Shore. They’re open for lunch from 11 AM – 3 PM on Monday through Sunday, and only open for dinner on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays until 8 PM.
Since we only spent one day on the North Shore and headed back to Waikiki for dinner, we didn’t have time to stop at Haleiwa Beach House. However, I’ve heard great things about it, and I’d love to check out this restaurant the next time we’re in Oahu.
15. Helena’s Hawaiian Food
- Location: Honolulu
- Price: $$
- Try This: Kalua Pork
If you’re searching for a Hawaiian restaurant in Oahu that is as authentic as it gets, you’ll want to pay a visit to Helena’s Hawaiian Food.
This simple, unpretentious, family-run establishment was opened by Helen Chock in 1946 (more than a decade before Hawaii became a U.S. state!) and the family has been serving the people of Oahu for more than six decades. Helen’s grandson, Craig, is currently the owner.
Helena’s Hawaiian Food is open from 10 AM – 7:30 PM on Tuesday through Friday. Some highlights on the menu include Kalua Pork, Pipikaula Shortribs, and Lomi Salmon.
16. SKY Waikiki Raw & Bar
- Location: Waikiki
- Price: $$$$
- Try This: Garlic Shrimp
SKY Waikiki Raw & Bar is one of the best dining and happy hour experiences in Waikiki. In my opinion, it is one of the best places to eat in Oahu with a view — the panoramic city views from the top of this restaurant are simply stunning and offer something different than the oceanfront views at Duke’s or lush, rainforest views at Haleiwa Joe’s.
This lively rooftop bar serves fresh seafood, oysters, wine, beer, and tropical cocktails. It’s located on the 19th floor of the Waikiki Business Plaza, so you’ll be able to see Waikiki Beach, Honolulu, and Diamond Head State Monument while sipping on a cocktail or enjoy dinner. The views are best at sunset, so be sure to snag a reservation at the perfect time for the best views!
We loved the Spicy Kauai Garlic Shrimp (with delicious honey lemon risotto) and Spicy Ahi Nachos (yum!), although the sushi and raw bar are the most popular menu items. And of course, be sure to sip on a cocktail, like a Mai Tai or Spicy Mangorita.
17. Farm to Barn Cafe & Juicery
- Location: Haleiwa & Ko Olina
- Price: $$
- Try This: Fried Rice Bowl
Farm to Barn Cafe & Juicery serves up fresh meals with ingredients from local, organic farms, such as salads, burritos, bowls, burgers, and more. Farm to Barn Cafe & Juicery is committed to consciously sourced ingredients and sustainability and strives to create a welcoming, open-air environment with live music on the weekends.
Though the original location is in Haleiwa, this popular eatery just opened a new location in Ko Olina. The Haleiwa location is open from 9 AM – 3 PM daily, while the Ko Olina location is open from 8 AM – 6 PM daily. If you’re craving fresh, colorful, and flavorful food, be sure to head to Farm to Barn Cafe & Juicery for brunch, lunch, or dinner.
18. Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck
- Location: Haleiwa, Kahuku, and Honolulu
- Price: $$
- Try This: Shrimp Scampi
Shrimp, anyone? Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck has been a staple on the North Shore since 1953 and is well-known for its shrimp plates served with a dozen shrimp and two scoops of rice.
The menu is super simple — choose from Shrimp Scampi (the bestseller), Lemon Butter Shrimp, or the “No Refunds” Hot & Spicy Shrimp (apparently, it’s so hot, it comes with a disclaimer!). Each plate is $15, which is a great value for a massive shrimp plate, if you ask me!
Although the original shrimp truck is parked in Kahuku, Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck has since expanded and has locations in Haleiwa and Honolulu too. If you’re a shrimp-lover, be sure to stop here for lunch or dinner.
19. Monkeypod Kitchen
- Location: Waikiki & Ko Olina
- Price: $$$
- Try This: Kalua Pork & Pineapple Pizza
We stumbled upon Monkeypod Kitchen by accident when we were exploring the Aulani Disney Resort, which I later found out was pretty funny, considering that it is one of the most popular places to eat in Maui and Oahu.
Now, I’ve been to Monkeypod Kitchen in Maui and Oahu, and I can indeed confirm that it is one of the best places to eat in Oahu! Monkeypod Kitchen supports local and organic farming, ranching, and fishing and serves a seasonal menu with fresh produce and other ingredients. So far, my favorite thing I’ve ordered here is the Kalua Pork & Pineapple Pizza, with macadamia nut pesto, pineapple, Kalua pork, and jalapeños. I mean, it doesn’t get much more “local” and “authentic” than that — it’s pretty much the Hawaiian Islands on a pizza!
Monkeypod Kitchen has two locations on Oahu (in Waikiki and Ko Olina), and both have a happy hour from 3:30 PM – 5 PM. Monkeypod’s happy hour is widely considered one of the best in Hawaii, and the Monkeypod Mai Tai is considered one of the best drinks on the island, so be sure to try it (on happy hour special, preferably!).
20. Merriman’s Honolulu
- Location: Honolulu
- Price: $$$$
- Try This: Nightly Fish Special
Merriman’s is an upscale local restaurant chain in Hawaii with locations on each of the islands. The location in Oahu is in Honolulu across from the Ala Moana Center, a popular indoor-outdoor shopping center, and has a bright, colorful interior and indoor and outdoor seating.
Chef Peter Merriman is the mastermind behind the menu at Merriman’s and is known as the pioneer of “Hawaii Regional Cuisine.” In addition to Merriman’s, Chef Peter also owns Monkeypod Kitchen. Though both restaurants are some of the best places to eat in Oahu, Merriman’s offers a fine-dining experience, while Monkeypod offers a casual, laid-back vibe.
Merriman’s offers appetizers, salads, and main entrees from the land and sea that rotate daily depending on which local foods are fresh and in-season. Merriman’s is open daily from 11 AM – 9 PM and has a happy hour from 3 PM – 5 PM. Walk-ins are welcome, but because of the popularity of this restaurant, reservations are always recommended, if possible!
21. Ono Seafood
- Location: Honolulu
- Price: $$
- Try This: Poke Bowl
If you’re a fan of poke, you need to stop by Ono Seafood in Honolulu on Kapahulu Avenue. This small shop serves fresh, flavorful poke bowls. Ono Seafood is known for its high-quality fish and “buttery” texture of the ahi poke.
There are tons of flavors and preparations to choose from for ahi, from Hawaiian Poke and Shoyu Ahi to Spicy Ahi and Wasabi Ahi. Ono Seafood also serves sashimi and fresh sides, like pickled mangos and onions, seaweed, salads, and more!
I’m not a raw fish person, so we didn’t stop here during our trip, but I’ve heard this is one of the best places to eat on Oahu (if you are a poke fan), so be sure to stop by for a poke bowl while you’re on the island (if that’s your thing!).
22. Maui Brewing Co.
- Location: Waikiki & Kailua
- Price: $$
- Try This: Limited Release Beer
Maui Brewing Company is one of the most popular breweries in Hawaii. Though the brewery itself is in Maui (along with two other brewpub locations), Maui Brewing Co. has two locations in Oahu — one in Kailua and another in Waikiki.
We personally visited the location in Waikiki while we were in Oahu, and it was so cool! The atmosphere is upbeat and lively, and the brewpub offers spectacular views of Waikiki. In addition to popular brews, like the Bikini Blonde Lager, Big Swell IPA, and Coconut Hiwa Porter, be sure to ask the server about rotating taps — when we were in Maui, we tried some off the “off-menu” and “seasonal” beers, and they were our favorites!
In addition to beer, Maui Brewing Co. also serves appetizers, burgers, sandwiches, pizzas, and entrees, making it a great place to stop for lunch or dinner. Be sure to stop by for happy hour from 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM on Monday through Friday and reverse happy hour from 9:30 – 10:30 on Sunday through Thursday.
Note: Looking for another great local brew? Kona Brewing Company and Waikiki Brewing Company are two other great local breweries in Oahu to check out.
23. Mud Hen Water
- Location: Honolulu
- Price: $$$$
- Try This: Family-Style Menu
How do Spanish-style tapas sound… with a Hawaiian twist? That’s what you’ll find at Mud Hen Water — one of the best restaurants in Oahu that serves Hawaiian small plates, cocktails, wine, beer, and dessert in Honolulu.
While Mud Hen Water serves brunch on the weekends and a small lunch menu, featuring bowls, sandwiches, and vegetables, dinner is really the main attraction. You can choose from a list of small plates, like Peanut Tofu, Beet Poke, and Meatballs and Polenta, with Hawaiian influence, or order from the “family-style menu” for a group of four for $50 per guest.
The handcrafted cocktails also sound amazing! I would love to try the “Keep It Chaimuku,” with bourbon, bitters, and chai honey (yummm, right?), and I know my husband would love “Mr. Vecchio” with amaro, bourbon, and bitters.
Best Places to Eat in Oahu – Sweet Treats
If there’s one thing you need to know about me, it’s that I am always in the mood for dessert. That said, here are a few of my favorite sweet treats to grab in Oahu that I haven’t had the chance to list in earlier sections.
24. Banan
- Location: Waikiki & Kaimuki
- Cost: $
- Try This: Chunkadelic
Ice cream made from bananas? It might sound strange, but it is delicious. That said, trying banana ice cream from Banan in Oahu is a must!
Banan is located on the lower level of the Royal Hawaiian Center across from the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort and has another location in Kaimuki. Banan serves soft-serve, dairy-free ice cream made from just frozen bananas (with no added sugar) that is topped with delicious toppings. I personally recommend the Chunkadelic — banana ice cream topped with dark chocolate, shaved coconut, granola honey, and house-made macadamia nut honey butter.
If you’re feeling fun (and fancy!), you can also get your soft-serve banana ice cream in a “papaya boat” or a “pineapple yacht.” You can also order smoothies, acai bowls, and coffee, and bring them down to enjoy on Waikiki Beach. Banan is a must-stop in Oahu!
Matsumoto Shave Ice
- Location: Haleiwa (North Shore)
- Cost: $
- Try This: Shave Ice
Shave ice is a must in Hawaii. And if you think you’ve had shave ice before — you really haven’t had it until you’ve had it in Hawaii. Hawaiian shave ice just hits different!
That said, Matsumoto Shave Ice is one of the most popular and well-known places to get shave ice in Oahu. This local establishment has been serving delicious, sweet, colorful shave ice to the North Shore from Historic Haleiwa since 1951. Matsumoto serves more than 1,000 bowls of shave ice each day, so the line is always long — but the wait is worth it (promise!).
You can choose from 30+ flavors and delicious add-ons, like ice cream, sweetened condensed milk, mochi, or azuki beans — Japanese red beans cooked in sugar. I loved my shave ice with coconut, pina colada, and guava sweetened with condensed milk. Yum! Plus, the prices are great — a small shave ice is $3.75, and a large is $4.25 (making this one of the cheapest places to eat in Oahu).
26. Island Snow
- Location: Kailua
- Cost: $
- Try This: Kona Coffee Shave Ice
Island Snow doesn’t look like much — just a little shave ice stand in a retail store. But let me tell you — this is the best shave ice in Oahu (and maybe even Hawaii!).
First off, each shave ice includes a scoop of macadamia nut ice cream (which is a great place to start, if you ask me!). And even though they have tons of classic flavors, the natural flavors are incredible. They are locally made and mouthwateringly (is that a word?) delicious.
Between our whole group, we ordered the Big Island Guava, Kuna Pineapple, Laie Vanilla, and Kona Coffee natural flavors. They were all amazing, but the Kona Coffee (especially paired with the ice cream) was on another level. Island Snow is close to the Lanikai Pillbox Hike, so, stop here after hiking for a refreshing treat!
FAQs – Best Places to Eat in Oahu, Hawaii
What is a famous Hawaii meal?
There are dozens of famous meals to try in Hawaii, but some of the foods to put at the top of the list are Kalua pig, Loco Moco, and, of course, all types of seafood, from poke and garlic shrimp to fish tacos and fresh-caught mahi-mahi. And don’t forget the sweet treats — malasadas and shave ice are a must on Maui!
What drink is Hawaii known for?
Hawaii is known for the Mai Tai, a (strong!) tropical drink made with a combination of rums, lime, orgeat, and orange liqueur. Any frozen drinks made with fresh coconut and pineapple — like Pina Coladas or Lava Flows — are also popular in Hawaii.
Is eating in Honolulu expensive?
You don’t have to spend an arm and a leg to eat well in Oahu. In addition to upscale restaurants, like Haleiwa Joe’s, Honolulu (and Oahu) offers lots of casual dining options, local dives, and food trucks that provide generous portions at reasonable rates. If you want to plan on eating three square meals a day plus drinks and dessert, I would budget about $100 per person per day for food in Oahu — but it’s definitely possible to spend less!
Savor the Flavors of Hawaii at These Best Places to Eat in Oahu
Hawaii has some of the most delicious, fresh food you’ll ever taste — and Oahu is no exception. These best places to eat in Oahu will guarantee a delicious meal regardless of where you are on the island, what time of day it is, and what you’re craving — from fresh acai bowls and coconut shrimp to frozen cocktails and poke bowls.
Which of these best restaurants in Oahu looks the most appealing to you? My mouth is watering just thinking about all the options — I guess it’s time to plan a trip back to Hawaii!
Save the Best Places to Eat in Oahu for Your Hawaiian Vacation
Read More
Did you love this post about the best things to do in Waikiki? Read more about Oahu from Travel by Brit:
- Incredible 5-Day Itinerary for Oahu
- Perfect Oahu North Shore Day Trip Itinerary for First Timers
- Ultimate List of Things to Do in Waikiki (+ Hotels & Restaurants)
- 15 Best Things to Do on Oahu for Free
- 16 Best Resorts on Oahu for a Luxurious Beachfront Vacation
- Is Oahu in Honolulu? The Difference Between Oahu, Honolulu & Waikiki
40 comments