South Kona Coast
Keʻei Cafe has carved a name for itself as a solid outpost of haute Hawaiian cuisine. Cracking peanut miso salad sets the stage for powerful mains like…
South Kona Coast
Keʻei Cafe has carved a name for itself as a solid outpost of haute Hawaiian cuisine. Cracking peanut miso salad sets the stage for powerful mains like…
Hilo
This little gem serves tasty Japanese-style mains, such as sautéed ahi (yellowfin tuna) and chicken katsu, with a fantastically fresh green salad. The…
Waikiki
This place specializes in acai bowls, fruit smoothies, healthy wraps, fresh poke and sashimi. Chill out with a coconut-husk dose of ʻawa (kava), Polynesia…
North Shore & Central O‘ahu
A Bangkok-born cook oversees the kitchen squeezed into this roadside lunch truck. Flavors tend toward the tame (ask for extra spicy), but the big plates…
Lihuʻe
An island institution, Hamura’s is a hole-in-the-wall specializing in homemade saimin (local-style noodle soup). At lunchtime, expect crowds slurping…
North Kohala
This cozy kitchen serves heaping plates of vegetarian, gluten free and vegan fare, from congee (rice porridge) cooked with black rice, garlic and local…
Hilo
Set on a natural Hawaiian fishpond, this multigenerational family-owned restaurant specializes in fresh fish, from locally caught mahimahi to pan-size…
Hanalei
Amid a cluster of permanently parked food trucks, this one serves a tempting array of local-style plate lunches. The precise menu changes weekly, with ahi…
Honolulu
In the food court of this marketplace, you’ll find over a dozen stalls dishing out hot and wok-fresh Asian fare. Chow down at tiny tables in the courtyard…
West Maui
The burritos are huge at Maui Tacos, where the Mexican fare is island-style healthy. The salsas and beans are prepared fresh daily, trans-fat-free oil…
Poʻipu
An upscale take on the traditional weekly market, featuring a couple dozen local farmers and food vendors, along with live music, cooking demonstrations…
Kapaʻa
A smoky, salty hut a block off the beach, this is the original of its three locations on the island (the others are in Hanalei and Waimea). It is a…
Hilo
Cronies has long attracted a diverse crowd, including families, for decent food, ample seating, multiple TVs and a great downtown location. The menu…
Hilo
Willing to blow your budget on one meal? If – and only if – you can do 'all you can eat' justice, dig in at this longstanding hotel buffet. Don't expect…
Honolulu
This legendary burger spot has stood the test of time since Wilfred and May Kawamura (W & M) kicked it off in 1940 with their own secret sauce. These days…
Lahaina
With an almost clichéd waterfront location, this long-running casual eatery offers healthy options including vegan and gluten-free choices. In a twist the…
The Road to Hana
The fruit stand itself is tempting enough: drinking coconuts, pineapples, smoothies, acai bowls, banana bread and French crepes. But it doesn’t stop there…
South Kona Coast
Baskets overflow with everything from tart apple bananas to filling breadfruit, creamy abiu (sapote) and purple jaboticaba berries. Slurp a smoothie on…
North Kohala
If you're in need of a Thai food fix in North Kohala, this roadside stall with outdoor bench seating is pretty much your only option. It's a good one as…
Kailua
Get your fresh and flavorful plate-lunch fix: furikake-crusted grilled tofu, red seafood curry, kalua pork with kale, garlic ahi (yellowfin tuna) and…
Honolulu
Get to this beloved bakery well before noon or the long display cases will contain more air than bread. Get here by 2pm and all you might find will be the…
Kapaʻa
It does creative omelettes and scrambles for breakfast, veggie curries and beef bourguignon at lunch and dinner, and there is always a quiche du jour. But…
Poʻipu
As its sign makes clear – ‘Health Food Sucks’ – Bubba’s knows where it stands. Burgers are delightfully greasy, with crispy fries and grass-fed Kaua’i…
Windward Coast
A fire-engine-red hut with tables under an awning a tad north of town. Eat overlooking the aquaculture farm where your giant prawns are raised. Steamed…
Kailua-Kona
Jackie Rey's is a casual, family-owned grill with a delightfully retro-kitsch Hawaii vibe. Haute versions of local grinds include guava-glazed ribs,…
Hanalei Bay & the North Shore
Along with serving excellent coffee and snacks ranging from exquisite cakes and pastries to avocado with walnut pesto on sourdough toast, this smart…
North Shore & Central O‘ahu
Have a large family in tow? The lively atmosphere, cheery red-checkered tablecloths and large variety of made-from-scratch Italian food such as pizza and…
Honolulu
One of several good restaurants in the McCully Shopping Center, you'll recognize Thai Lao from the statues out front. Inside, the place is bright with…
Kapaʻa & the Eastside
A tiny taste of ice-cream heaven, this Hawaii-born chain rotates through scores of premium flavors crafted almost entirely from Hawaii-harvested…
Lahaina
This creamy homemade delight is worth the short drive from downtown. Creative flavors show off the best of Hawaii, with tubs of macadamia nut, mango and…
Waimea Canyon & the Westside
‘Friendly, filling and reasonably priced’ sums up this local institution, formerly known as Yumi’s, where you can get a plate lunch with chicken katsu or…
Kahului
Welcoming family-run eatery with Thai favorites, plus fun variations (such as the Thai Evil Prince with chicken, beef or pork sautéed in hot spices with…
Haleʻiwa
Coffee-lovers rejoice over the house-roast beans and brews here at the back of the North Shore Marketplace. Be sure to poke your nose in for some…
Waikiki
In a town full of pan-Asian restaurants, this one brings you food from the furthest corner. You want your Thai meal spicy? You won’t have to work too hard…
Hanalei
Hanalei’s outpost of this small BBQ chain occupies center stage – literally, its tables are on a little bandstand – in Ching Young Village. Cooking up…
Hilo
For the perfect lunch to go, customize a bowl of fresh poke on rice or greens, with two signature sides (mashed purple sweet potato is a winner). Healthy…
Kihei
They stack the sandwiches high at this small cafe and coffee shop. At breakfast, choose from five different bagel sandwiches or simply get your bagel…
Kapaʻa & the Eastside
This offshoot of Waimea's original Shrimp Station serves the same family recipes. With seasonings such as garlic, Cajun and Thai on the shrimp tacos,…
Hilo
Don't be paralyzed by the vast selection at this busy okazu-ya (Japanese deli). Favorites include nori-wrapped chicken, corned beef hash patties,…
Hilo
On any given day, Pineapples' open-air dining room is hopping with a convivial crowd, predominantly tourists. The food features island-inspired…