Haleʻiwa
It’s all about the food and the atmosphere at Banzai Sushi Bar. It has an appealing mantra: keep it real, keep it raw. Happy hour runs 4pm to 5pm Monday…
Must-see restaurants in Oʻahu
Haleʻiwa
Locals have been fueling up at this laid-back surf-style diner since the 1980s. A daily menu of fresh preparations focuses on local ingredients and may…
Honolulu
Beautiful home-cooked food is boxed up and ready to go, or you can enjoy it at one of the small tables. Most everything is sourced locally and includes…
Honolulu
Choose your broth from five different styles at this hot pot storefront, then decide what you want to put into it, including meats, seafood and vegetables…
Pearl Harbor & Leeward O‘ahu
Locals swear by the banana pancakes, hamburger steak, chicken kalbi (grilled Korean-style) and other island faves. The interior is bare-bones and…
Windward Coast
This general store has changed little in the 70 years since it opened (OK, now there are blue M&Ms…). Locally made snacks include boiled peanuts, poke,…
Pearl Harbor & Leeward O‘ahu
A large outlet of Oʻahu's favorite chain of natural-food supermarkets. Choose from the hot vegetarian buffet or have a sandwich or smoothie made to order…
North Shore & Central O‘ahu
Held at the Waialua Sugar Mill, the Waialua Farmers Market has strong support among the North Shore community. Get your fruit and veggies here, plus the…
Kailua
Dozens of wines by the glass; convivially large, high dining tables with stools; and hearty dishes (braised lamb, large burgers, myriad pastas) help…
Waikiki
Although the 1950s-style black-and-white checkered decor looks a bit out of place by the beach, this fast-growing chain’s hand-formed burgers, milkshakes…
Down to Earth Organic & Natural
Kailua
Part of the Oʻahu-wide chain, this large natural-foods store with a takeout deli and hot-and-cold meal bar has moved into a massive space on Kailua Rd…
Waikiki
City-sponsored farmers market in Kapiʻolani Regional Park that trades in Oʻahu's enormous fresh bounty from mauka (land) to makai (sea). Only a short walk…
Oʻahu
Could it possibly get any better than a Bubbies mochi (Japanese sticky-rice cake) ice cream? There are so many great flavors to try that it will be hard…
Kailua
A 1930s landmark market near the beach that sells picnic supplies, convenience foods, made-to-order sandwiches and market-fresh salads. Good coffee, too…
Oʻahu
Fill your picnic basket with organic produce and locally made specialty foods, hot and cold deli items, takeout sushi and salads, made-to-order hot pizzas…
Pearl Harbor & Leeward O‘ahu
After coastal hikes or lazy days on the beach, cool off with the delicious shave ice treats from this storefront shop. There are dozens of colorful…
Kailua
Authentic flat-crusted pizzas. Buy by the slice or by the pie. Close to the beach, it has a fine terrace with tables under umbrellas. Does a huge takeout…
Windward Coast
Cool off with an ʻAngel's Halo' shave ice or a real-fruit smoothie next to Foodland at Laʻie Shopping Center. The soft-serve ice cream also has its fans.
North Shore & Central O‘ahu
Small farmers market with fruit, vegetables, flowers, fresh-baked goods and handicrafts. Meet the locals at this North Shore favorite on Saturday mornings.
Honolulu
The BBQ ribs plate lunch is huge at this unfussy strip mall Korean kitchen. Fast service and tons of parking. The chicken katsu is a winner.
Pearl Harbor & Leeward O‘ahu
Pretty and pink, the decorations at this cone-sized ice-cream and coffee shop are as sweet as the desserts. Try the locally made Hawaiian hot fudge.
Pearl Harbor & Leeward O‘ahu
The near oceanfront location offers great views and the local-style breakfasts and plate lunches are priced right. Popular with locals.
Kailua
Get here early; locals line up for the freshest papayas, mangos and pink-ginger flowers around.
Kailua
Supersized slices of pizza with thick, chewy crust that the locals rave about. Offers delivery.
Honolulu
A relatively recent addition to the up-and-coming Kakaʻako neighborhood, Arvo has won over hearts and stomachs with its Australian-inspired menu ('arvo'…
Kailua
This is one of the only options to dine near the gorgeous beach, and even then you can hear the surf way more than you can see it. Buzz's has been here…
Honolulu
This shiny late-night diner with lipstick-red booths posts a vegetarian- and vegan-friendly menu of salads, sandwiches, grilled burgers and heaping island…
North Shore & Central O‘ahu
Shige's may not look like much from the outside, but locals swear that these are the best saimin noodles around. Inspired by Chinese chow mein, Japanese…
Honolulu
Always packed, this Vietnamese institution holds fast to its hard-earned reputation for serving top-notch pho (Vietnamese noodle soup). With beef, broth…
North Shore & Central O‘ahu
Specializing in boba (also known as bubble tea, recognized by its mix-in of chewy tapioca balls or fruit jelly), Coffee or Tea? also offers milk tea ($3…
Waikiki
Come early to the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort to score a table overhanging Kahaloa & Ulukou Beaches and watch the sun set as slack key guitars play…
Honolulu
Underground at downtown’s only high-rise hotel, this sports bar and grill serves an aloha-shirt-wearing business crowd. Huge salads, sandwiches and…
Honolulu
Let your preconceptions about mall food courts fly out the window at these Asian-fusion-flavored indoor food stalls. Dig into Yummy Korean BBQ, Donburi…
Honolulu
No-frills Sorabol feeds lunching Korean ladies by day and bleary-eyed clubbers before dawn. Detractors often sniff that its reputation is undeserved, but…
Honolulu
At this humble storefront facing the River St Pedestrian Mall, join the queue for the famous manapua (steamed or baked buns) with tantalizing sweet and…
Honolulu
For those on a budget, this 'student dining buffet' is a bonanza at the University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa. On the 1st floor of one of the circular student…
Honolulu
If the neighborhood's superb Asian fare just doesn't appeal, this sociable Irish pub offers excellent NYC-style pizza. The crust is thin and the topping…
Happy Days Chinese Seafood Restaurant
Honolulu
Locals consider Happy Days to be one of the top casual Chinese restaurants in the city (and possibly the least adorned). The vast menu boats all the…
Oʻahu
It may be slightly indelicately named, but if you're into Hawaiian-style plate lunches then the Oʻahu mini chain Fatboy's ticks all the boxes. The garlic…
