Oahu is the ideal Hawaiian getaway for adventurous foodies with its lush hiking trails, killer surf and abundance of drool-worthy places to eat. You’ll be able to satisfy your thrill-seeking tendencies by a morning of carving waves or trekking up treacherous summits followed by a well-deserved breakfast of loco moco and/or guava chiffon pancakes.

You could continue your healthy streak by grabbing an açaí bowl or some fresh fruit…but where’s the fun in that? Ok, ok, the açaí bowls in Hawaii are amazeballs and you’ll never find fresher fruit anywhere…but isn’t the point of exercise to justify excessive gluttony? Or is that just me 🤷🏻‍♀️

If I wasn’t supposed to eat myself into a coma in the Aloha State, then why are there so many tempting Oahu restaurants? Also, is it just me or does the Hawaiian print provide convenient camouflage for food babies? If that’s not an invitation to feast my way through Hawaii then I don’t know what is.

RELATED READING:

➳ A Curated 10-Day Itinerary of Hawaii
➳ A Drool-Worthy Guide To Where To Eat in Hilo, Hawaii
➳ A Guide To Snorkelling with Manta Rays in Hawaii

Rainbow at Ala Moana Bowls

The Best Places To Eat in Oahu

1. Waiola Shave Ice
2. Helena’s Hawaiian Food
3. Fresh Catch
4. Piggy Smalls
5. Leonard’s Bakery
6. Mud Hen Water
7. Cafe Duck Butt
8. The Sunrise Shack
9. Rainbow Drive-in
10. I-NABA Restaurant
11. Banán
12. Liliha Bakery
13. Musubi Cafe Iyasume
14. Goofy Cafe & Dine
15. Marukame Udon
16. Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck
17. Haleʻiwa Bowls
18. Over Easy
19. The Hibachi
20. Ken’s Fresh Fish

These were the Oahu restaurants (I tried to group by area) that I had time to eat at and each one was a culinary gem!

Now that Hawaii has reopened to tourists, I figured it was the perfect time to share all of the delicious places to eat in Oahu, from local restaurants in Honolulu to food trucks to hit up on the way to the North Shore.

*UPDATED JUNE 2022* 
In a full circle moment, the last trip I took outside of Canada before the pandemic was the first place I returned after. After a seemingly endless lockdown I just wanted to swim every day, get some vitamin D, and quite frankly I couldn’t stop thinking about poke (like that’s a surprise). It’s unusual for me to stay in one area for so long but it gave me more time (and meals) to eat my way through the rest of my list of must eat places in Oahu. Enjoy!

Whether you have a sweet tooth or are on the hunt for authentic Hawaiian flavour, there is something on the island for every kind of foodie.

WAIOLA SHAVE ICE

If you left Oahu without trying Waiola Shave Ice, did you even visit? I think not! A mainstay in Hawaiian culture, this cool treat is essentially a mound of finely shaved ice (duh) that is drenched in sweet and colourful syrups. Simple yet refreshing.

Waiola holds all the nostalgia for locals of a box of Kraft Dinner, but it also offers a mind-boggling selection of flavours and is the best bang for your buck. A large cone/cup with up to 3 flavours will set you back a mere $3! Might as well go HAM and order macadamia nut ice cream in the middle or mochi toppings.

And remember — it’s “shave” ice NOT “shaved” ice.

Waiola Shave Ice |  2135 Waiola St |  Honolulu

helena’s hawaiian food

If you’re on the hunt for places to eat in Oahu that serves up some serious aloha flavour, Helena’s Hawaiian Food is THE spot in Honolulu. Adored by locals and visitors alike, this iconic, family-owned restaurant has been serving traditional Hawaiian cuisine since opening their doors in 1946.

Please ignore the middle finger…my phone got wiped when I got back and I lost all of my delicious photos from Helena’s.

Arrive early to  snag a coveted seat before ordering a parade of local specialties from their unpretentious menu, including Squid Luau, Lomi Lomi Salmon and Kalua Pork. My favourite dishes were the the Chicken Long Rice (more of a soupy noodle than rice) and the  Pipikaula Short Ribs that had me gnawing the bones for every scrap of meat. Don’t forget a scoop of mac salad (obvi)!

Between dishes, cleanse the palate with the complimentary sweet Maui onions sprinkled with Hawaiian sea salt or dipped in Poi, a dish made of taro stem with a smooth texture and unique flavour.

Helena’s Hawaiian Food |  1240 N School St |  Honolulu

fresh catch

After a morning full of sun and surf, refuel by indulging in mountainous piles of poke to satisfy for a veritable seafood feast! Meaning “to cut crosswise,” poke is sushi-grade cubes of raw fish and a way of life in Hawaii. It’s been around since the 1700s, incorporating  seasonings such as shoyu and sesame oil as Asian cultures emigrated to the island.

There are an abundance of places to eat in Oahu to find this island staple— from the widely regarded Ahi Assassins and Ono Seafood to your everyday supermarket and gas station. However, casual neighbourhood shop Fresh Catch probably offers the most variety of flavours of glorious poke.

I got 3 different types of poke obviously. Looking at it still makes me salivate.

Press your nose unbecomingly against the glass case displaying trays overflowing with tender morsels of seafood and choose from a selection ranging from the classic shoyu ahi to citrusy wasabi yuzu to a spicy mayonnaise-based dressing.

I personally couldn’t choose just one and ended up filling my styrofoam box with 3 different kinds of poke that ended up weighing 1.5lbs! Just in case you didn’t know, that’s a lot. No regrets.

Fresh Catch |  1113 Kapahulu Ave |  Honolulu

piggy smalls

Craving comfort food with a creative twist? Grab a table in light-filled space of Piggy Smalls alongside a massive black-and-white aquatic mural, or take a seat under an archway of twinkling lights outside.

Hanoi Egg Coffee at Piggy Smalls + the interior

Kick off your meal with a dense Hanoi Egg Coffee, topped with a cloud of creamy, egg white foam.

Move on to the fan favourite Beef Brisket  Pho French Dip (try saying that 5x fast), a crusty baguette stuffed with fatty slices of meat, crunchy daikon, carrots, onion, smeared with spicy hoisin and served with a fragrant bowl of broth and noodles to dunk it in between bites.

Being as noodle-obsessed as I am,  the ultimate comfort was found in the Garlic and Smoked Bacon Noodle, thick noodles stir-fried in garlic, bacon, chives, shishito peppers, shoyu and topped with plump sunny-side-up eggs.

Just thinking about it is making me salivate 🤤

Piggy Smalls |  1200 Ala Moana Blvd |  Honolulu

Leonard’s bakery

If you’re constantly hankering for sugary confections, then beeline to Leonard’s Bakery to satisfy your sweet tooth. You’ll recognize this Honolulu hotspot by the retro sign out front and the mouthwatering scent of butter and sugar wafting out to greet you.

Since 1953, Leonard’s Bakery has been churning out  fresh, hot malasadas — a Portuguese doughnut that’s fried golden on the outside and fluffy as a cloud on the inside. If you’re only getting one (for some crazy reason), the classic malasada crusted in granulated or cinnamon sugar is the popular choice.

Otherwise, grab a Wes Anderson-style pink cardboard box to go and fill it with malasada puffs bursting with luscious fillings like haupia (coconut), guava, custard and chocolate. Devour as many as you can while they’re hot, hot hot!

Leonard’s Bakery |  933 Kapahulu Ave |  Honolulu

mud hen water

You won’t have to search beyond Mud Hen Water for places to eat in Oahu that have a welcoming vibe to gather with friends and family over a delicious meal.

Aptly named, “Mud Hen Water” is the literal translation of the street it’s located on, Waialae Avenue (wai meaning “water” and alae meaning “mud hen” in Hawaiian). According to legend, there was a fresh water spring nearby where mud hens (now endangered) and locals would frequent.

Share inventively reimagined Hawaiian dishes, composed of locally sourced ingredients, that reflect a deep love and respect for the land it grew from like the Loaded Baked Bananas, made with a variety indigenous to Hawaii and stuffed with curry butter, chopped egg, peanuts, bacon and coconut.

The Beet Poke and the Yaki o Pa‘i‘ai at Mud Hen Water

For some lighter dishes, try the Beet Poke with chunks of avocado, pickled limu and roasted macadamia nuts while the Yaki o Pa’i ai is a local delicacy made of pre-processed taro with a mochi-like chew, drizzled in shoyu before being grilled and wrapped in nori.

The Pulehu Kunoa Short Ribs is a heftier shareable plate lightened with the tang of lime, stringy spigarello and grape tomatoes.

Mud Hen Water |  3452 Waialae Ave |  Honolulu

Cafe Duck Butt

Did I include Cafe Duck Butt because the name makes me giggle? Maybe. Is it because I’m obsessed with K-Dramas and haven’t watched anything without subtitles in months? Perhaps. Was the food mas-issneun (“delicious” in Korean…according to Google Translate)? Definitely.

Rabokki — ramen, tteokbokki (rice cake), fish cake in a spicy sauce and covered in gooey cheese!

Located in the hip and vibrant Kaka’ako neighbourhood, the exterior of this Korean bar and grill is covered in bold graffiti while the interior pulses with a killer playlist.

Get the party started with festive soju cocktails, flavoured (lilikoi, melona, etc..) or served in a watermelon…because why not?

Balance the alcohol with a flavour-packed kimchi fried rice topped with a fried egg and sprinkled with furikake or, my new guilty pleasure, rabokki. It’s ramen + tteokbokki (rice cake) simmered with fish cake and covered in gooey cheese 🤤🤤🤤 I loved it so much that I immediately went home and learned how to make it…much to the chagrin of my waistband.

If the food didn’t sell it for you, there’s also karaoke rooms in the back 🎤

Cafe Duck Butt |  901 Kawaiahao St |  Honolulu

The Sunrise Shack

Morning or night, an açai bowl from The Sunrise Shack is always a good idea. Founded by a group of professional surfers, it was intended as a delicious hub for fellow wave riders to fuel up on bright smoothie bowls and bulletproof coffee before hitting the surf.

The Blue Dream Bowl is a fan fav that gets its shocking hue from mixing coconut, local banana, and mango with blue algae.

Peanut butter lovers will drool over the Monkey Bowl, a drool-worthy blend of banana and peanut butter and topped with crunchy granola, chocolate almonds, cacao nibs, hemp seeds, coconut flakes, honey, MORE creamy peanut butter and sliced banana.

With three vibrant, Instagram-worthy outposts located at prime spots around the island, there’s no excuse to miss out on one of the best places in Oahu for this fruity frozen treat.

The Sunrise Shack |  Multiple locations, see here

Rainbow Drive-In

Whether you roll up to the Rainbow Drive-In on wheels or on foot, you’ll find an abundance of choices to angst over from classic Hawaiian plate lunches to chilli dogs to saimin.

Loco moco plate w/ the creamiest mac salad. Like a moth to the flame.

One of the most iconic and popular places to eat in Honolulu, I visited the casual eatery with shoyu chicken on the mind only to discover that the popular special wasn’t available that day 😭

All was not lost! The Loco Moco plate — beef patties smothered in gravy on rice and topped with eggs and accompanied by a creamy scoop of mac salad — was also worth writing home (or blog) about.

That juicy shoyu chicken 🤤🤤🤤

However I don’t give up that easily, especially when it comes to food. I returned a couple days later and my patience and persistence were rewarded with a heaping serving of fall-off-the-bone chicken thighs that had been simmered in a mouthwatering mix of shoyu, sugar, ginger and garlic 🤤

Rainbow Drive-In  |  Multiple locations, see here

I-NABA Restaurant

Fun fact: 20% of the population in Oahu is Japanese. That means if you’re searching for a Japanese restaurant in Honolulu, unassuming gems like I-NABA Restaurant that specialize in traditional cuisine are going to be legit as you can get (at least outside of Japan).

Take a seat in the modest space bedecked in zen light wood and dip soba noodles into refreshingly chilled bowls of broth with an order of delicately crispy tempura on the side.

For an upgraded soba experience, opt for the Hana Soba — buckwheat noodles in a cold broth topped with tororo (grated yam), tamago (sweet omelette), seaweed, green onion, umami-filled morsels of uni (sea urchin) and dotted with vibrantly orange ikura (salmon roe).

Make a reservation in advance to snag a spot in the modest space and pick up some makgeolli (rice wine) and/or soju to capitalize on the BYOB policy.

I-NABA Restaurant |  1610 S King St # A  |  Honolulu

Banán

While compiling my list of the best places to eat in Oahu, it was very important that I fulfill my Hawaii-specific dream of eating out of papaya bowl.  Banán helped me finally achieve that goal 🎉🎉🎉

Banán has four locations where you can indulge in a guilt-free dessert of dairy-free soft serve in a variety of flavours (lilikoi, açai, tumeric, chocolate, etc..) made from locally grown bananas. Ideal when you’re on a vacation where you’re in a bathing suit 90% of the time.

Banan shack conveniently located on a path leading to Waikiki Beach

Keep it simple by getting a cup or go HAM with a papaya or pineapple boat!

I excitedly dug into the Locals Only creation, featuring the original banana soft serve, chunks of papaya and pineapple, sliced banana, honey and heavenly mac nut honey butter that Banán is famous for.

Banán |  Multiple locations, see here

Liliha Bakery

Liliha Bakery is an institution. What started out as a small shop that sold bread in 1950 has expanded to four locations, all of which include a cafe where you can enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner. It quickly became one of the must eat places in Oahu, even if you only have time to pop in quickly to grab a box full of fresh pastries.

Dining in? Locals love the fluffy butter rolls served with hefty dishes like the loco moco swimming in a heavenly gravy or the bakery’s bestseller, the oxtail soup.

But what Liliha’s Bakery is best known for is being “home to the original Coco Puff, Poi Mochi Donut, and Chantilly Cake.” While you’ll want to try all three (many!), the most infamous is the Coco Puff, an airy pastry filled with silky chocolate pudding and slathered with a decadent dollop of Chantilly frosting. Wooo mama.

Liliha Bakery  |  Multiple locations, see here

Musubi Cafe Iyasume

From snorkelling with manta rays to hiking the Diamond Head Summit Trail, who has the time to sit down for a meal? While there is no shortage of places to eat in Oahu to pick up delicious treats, musubi are the perfect snack to throw in your beach bag.

A popular snack in Hawaii, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a good musubi outside of Japan. Luckily, Musubi Cafe Iyasume, a humble cafe in Waikiki, delivers the real deal — a slice of Spam atop tangy rice and wrapped in a thin sheet of nori (seaweed). Seaweed is a vegetable, right?

My personal favourite was the musubi with spicy cod roe but the variation with cheese and a teriyaki glaze Spam was also 👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼

If musubi is not your thing (blasphemy!) you can also snag delectable bento boxes, ahi poke bowls and onigiri to go — all for under $10! It’s as close as you’ll get to the delicious wonders of a 7-Eleven in Japan.

Musubi Cafe Iyasume |  Multiple locations around Waikiki

goofy cafe & Dine

Picture this: you wake up early your first morning in Oahu (thanks jet lag) and you start throwing on your bathing suit, slathering on sunscreen, excited for the day ahead. Then your stomach growls. This would be a good time to know where one of the best brunch restaurants in Waikiki is.

Enter: Goofy Cafe & Dine.

Locals and visitors alike flock to this breezy, second-floor eatery where they can enjoy beloved brunch items day or night.

Think Kalua Pork Eggs Benedict (crafted with local Waimanalo TKG eggs) with a side of vibrantly purple Okinawan potatoes and Very Mix Berry French Toast that is piled high with fruits and drizzled with syrup.

Don’t sleep on the Big Island Beef Loco Moco! Alongside Goofy’s sister restaurant, Aloha Table, it’s considered to be the best loco moco in Waikiki.

Goofy Cafe & Dine |  1831 Ala Moana Blvd #201 |  Waikiki

Marukame Udon

This Japanese transplant is one of the most popular places to eat in Waikiki, especially if you’re craving noods (I always am, especially if I spent the previous night practically swimming in tequila).

Unfortunately the hype of Marukame Udon means long lines 😓  but have no fear — this casual noodle shop is a well-oiled machine and the line moves quickly. You’ll be feasting in no time, especially if you visit on off hours.

After putting my order in with the chef at the counter, a steaming bowl of their best-selling Curry Nikutama Udon was speedily crafted and placed on my tray. The springy noodles were swimming in a Japanese curry (sweeter than an Indian version), topped with slivers of seasoned beef, a jiggly onsen egg, and garnished with a handful each of green onion and crispy tempura bits.

Speaking of tempura, don’t forget to snag some on your way to cashing out!

Marukame Udon |  2310 Kūhiō Ave. #124 |  Waikiki

giovanni’s shrimp truck

This must-visit foodie destination has inspired thousands of rave reviews and is one of the few places to eat in Oahu (and beyond) that actually lives up to the hype. Leave the overpopulated Waikiki Beach for the day and head for one of the two Giovanni Shrimp Truck locations on the infamous North Shore of the island.

The glorious Shrimp Scami plate w/ a site of mac salad (‘natch)

We dropped by the Haleiwa parking lot where one of the Giovanni’s trucks was parked in, completely covered with scrawled signatures, hastily doodled sketches and messages from happy customers. Their menu was short and to-the-point, eliminating any angst-ridden decision-making: shrimp scampi, hot & spicy, a lemon butter version, and a garlic hot dog (if shrimp isn’t your jam).

Clutching their signature Shrimp Scampi Plate — two scoops of fluffy rice topped in plump, sautéed shrimps smothered in fresh chopped garlic and lemon butter — we snagged a seat at a nearby picnic table to dig in.

Look at all that garlic!! Just don’t try talking to anyone after eating this

Within minutes, my face and hands were glistening with butter and my tastebuds were dancing with a symphony of rich flavours that infused the shrimp, punctuated with a bright squeeze of lemon. Just don’t plan on talking to anyone for awhile as garlic will be seeping from every pore.

Giovanni Shrimp Truck | Multiple locations, see here

Haleʻiwa Bowls

In general, açai bowls are aesthetic perfection but these decadent and energizing concoctions from Haleʻiwa Bowls are as delicious as they are photogenic (meaning: very).

Nestled on the North Shore, continue your island-wide tour of must eat places in Oahu and order at the charming thatched kiosk in the historic surf town of Haleʻiwa.

So yum! Nearby baby chicks witnessed my happy shimmy as I dug into the Local Bowl, a classic açai puree base overflowing with juicy papaya and strawberry, banana slices, crunchy granola, maui bee pollen, local fruit poi and honey, and coconut flakes.

Haleʻiwa Bowls |  66-030 Kamehameha Hwy |  Haleiwa

Over Easy

Everything on the new American-style menu of the Kailua-based Over Easy can be described as “hearty” from the thick-cut custard French toast to the fried egg sandwich that will have you licking yolk off of your fingers. You will definitely not walk away hungry!

Amid the cheerful din of hungry patrons, I happy danced in my high-top counter seat as I steadily worked my way through the potato n’ eggs dish.

I’ve eaten a lot of brunch in my life but this dish was a revelation to me — thickly cut French bread smeared with tomato jam cradling poached eggs that are completely drenched in a creamy potato purée and sprinkled with crumbly bacon and chive.

The FLAVOURS. The TEXTURES. Highly recommend 👍

Over Easy |  418 Kuulei Rd #103 |  Kailua

The Hibachi

Whether you’re in Kailua to kayak to The Mokes or to trek up Lanikai Pillbox, make sure you pick up some mouthwatering poke from The Hibachi for wherever adventures leads you.

Beeline for the glass counter showcasing rows trays brimming with a variety of poke. Try a variety of flavours a la carte (poke only) – from wasabi mayo ahi to classic shoyu – or if you’re extra hungry grab a bowl with the poke served on rice or with a salad.

After a full day of kayaking in the glorious Hawaiian sun, I ravenously dug into a rice bowl topped with ahi poke and crunchy slices of onion that were generously slathered in a sweet oyster sauce. Of course, I had to order a scoop of mac salad which served as the perfect side dish.

The Hibachi |  515 Kailua Rd |  Kailua

Ken’s Fresh Fish

If you’ve exhausted the places to eat in Honolulu, it’s time to start broadening your search. There are so many drool-worthy Oahu restaurants to explore outside of tourist-packed Waikiki that are worth the trek.

With no car but plenty of determination to explore the island, I decided to take the scenic route on my way to the North Shore. First stop? To pick up food of course 😉  Insulated eco bag in hand, I hopped off the bus on a dusty road not too far from Ken’s Fresh Fish in Laie.

While waiting for my order, I scanned the daily selection of poke the nearby fridge and with no small amount of indecision picked up a small container of the sweet chilli ahi. Upon arriving at Waimea Bay, I dug into the massive serving of the crowd-pleasing ahi katsu, crispy and liberally drizzled in sauce.

Ken’s Fresh Fish |  55-730 Kamehameha Hwy Suite 102  |  Laie

Additional Places To Eat In Oahu:

+ Cinnamon’s because the guava chiffon pancakes….worth the hype!

+ The Pig and the Lady…same owners as Piggy Smalls so I knew it’d be just as delicious.

+ Carp Dori Yakitori for a legit izakaya experience with great vibes.

+ Mana Musubi in Honolulu for handmade musubi. Arrive early (before 10am) or they’ll sell out!

+ Pipeline Bakeshop apparently has malasadas the rival Leonard’s Bakery.

+ Cream Pot is a precious breakfast/lunch spot located in the Waikiki Monarch Hotel.

+ Hawaiian Crown for killer açaí bowls! I went there on my last day but my phone got wiped so all of my beautiful pictures are GONE 😩

Luckily, I managed to squeeze in my 10-day trip to Hawaii — the Big Island, Kauai and Oahu — and arrive home just before lockdown. If you’re currently in Oahu, make sure to check the status of these restaurants (open for dine-in or takeaway) before going to avoid disappointment. Did I hit all of your favourite Oahu restaurants? Let me know in the comments!

If you’re also planning to visit The Big Island of Hawaii, check out these drool-worthy places to eat in Hilo.

Keep your stalking game strong and follow me @teriaki if you aren’t already!