Windward Coast
Just north of town, shrimp is sold from this roadside place with shaded picnic tables. Menu options include tempura shrimp, fried fish and burgers. Locals…
Must-see restaurants in Windward Coast
Windward Coast
This family-owned roadside landmark sells ʻono (delicious) traditional Hawaiian plate lunches, baked laulau (bundle made of pork or chicken with salted…
Windward Coast
Vegan meets Hawaiian at this Waimanalo sensation, where you can savor back-to-the-earth farm goodness from a family kitchen. Dishes such as the roasted…
Windward Coast
The shrimp are fried in garlic and dipped in butter, or you could order mussels or crab legs at this legendary sunny, yellow-painted food truck parked…
Kailua
An excellent gourmet, self-serve deli by day, Kalapawai transforms after 5pm into an inviting, eclectic bistro. The eggplant bruschetta and other share…
Kailua
It's a little hard to spot from the street, but you'll be glad you made the effort at Kailua's favorite breakfast, brunch and lunch spot. A fave is the…
Windward Coast
Superb plate lunches can be enjoyed at tables inside and out at this super-casual (but not shack-like) local eatery. The beach is a short walk away; get…
Kailua
Locals reading the paper or petting their dogs at the blue-checker-clothed tables are the norm at this legendary cafe. The famous lilikoʻi (passion fruit)…
Windward Coast
One of the Windward Coast's best food trucks, this one is set near beaches and is surrounded by lush plants. There's also a nice shady picnic area. The…
Kailua
Cool off with a Lanikai Lime or Banzai Banana shave ice at Island Snow, which serves up some of the best shave ice on Oʻahu; it's creamier than most. A…
Kailua
An excellent addition to the local farmers-markets lineup, this one lasts all morning. Wake up with local coffee and browse fresh foods, prepared foods,…
Windward Coast
Mike and his legendary yellow food truck have moved up the coast to Kahuku. You can't miss the vehicle, emblazoned with the words 'Winna Winna Chicken…
Windward Coast
No longer a lonely little vehicle, graffiti-covered Giovanni’s is flanked by a covered patio and surrounded by a veritable fleet of other food trucks…
Kailua
The wine is fine, but you're really here for the poke. Tucked into the back of Tamura's Fine Wines & Liquors at the Aikahi Park Shopping Center on…
Kailua
Artisan breads, organic fruit and veggies, and filling plate meals, from island-style barbecue to Filipino stew, are sold by vendors in the large parking…
Windward Coast
Drive down Kamehameha Hwy, and you just might blow right past this unassuming eatery. But if you like poke (fresh cubes of raw fish seasoned and served…
Windward Coast
The Polynesian Cultural Center has several eateries and food trucks in its Hukilau Marketplace, which doesn't require an admission ticket. You'll find…
Windward Coast
Right on the road, Keneke’s comes complete with Christian sayings and word games on the wall. Hawaiian plate lunches, such as loco moco (rice, fried egg…
Kailua
This chain supermarket offers high-end foods at high-end prices. It has a very large selection of organic fare and lots of prepared meats and seafood…
Windward Coast
In a backstreet north of Laʻie Shopping Center, this small cafe is the kind of place locals would rather keep to themselves. Local grinds (food) – such as…
Kailua
Locals pack this family cafe for the airy chiffon pancakes drowning in guava syrup, red-velvet pancakes (yum!), Portuguese-sweet-bread French toast, eggs…
Windward Coast
When it bills itself as ‘da original, with ʻono grinds’ (good eats), Papa Ole’s doesn’t lie. Opt for sauteed veggies or a green salad instead of macaroni…
Kailua
One side of this catering company’s cafe (the ‘original’) serves upscale versions of plate lunches, including luau-like Hawaiian specialties on Friday…
Windward Coast
The view of the lushly green Haiku Gardens valley dropping off from the open-air dining room here is a stunner that's worth the trip. You can enjoy…
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…
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
Super-casual poke place renowned for the freshness of its seafood. Watch the chefs hard at work. The choices change daily; enjoy them to go or at one of…
Kailua
Look for the red-and-white banner written in kanji outside this brightly lit noodle shop. The menu of ramen styles ranges from Sapporo south to Hakata,…
Kailua
Home-style Italian cooking is on offer here, where the owner knows most patrons by name. Don’t miss the white-chocolate and mascarpone cheesecake. The…
Windward Coast
Fast-food restaurants, shops and services cluster in this mini mall, about a half mile north of the Polynesian Cultural Center. Foodland supermarket has a…
Windward Coast
Serving from a window in one of the old sugar-mill buildings near the center of town, this place specializes in burgers such as the Paniolo (Hawaiian…
Windward Coast
This is the restaurant base in Hauʻula for North Shore Tacos – it also has a food truck in Pupukea. Nothing fancy, but tasty Baja-style Mexican with award…
Windward Coast
Tamura's is Hauʻula's main supermarket and sells something that can't be bought up the road in Mormon-influenced Laʻie: alcohol! It's also open on Sunday…
Windward Coast
At the Kualoa Ranch visitor center, this cafeteria lays out a filling midday buffet with staples such as kalua pork. Banana pancakes for breakfast and…
Windward Coast
You don't usually find buns baked from scratch at a Hawaiian barbecue joint, but here a local family does it right, dishing up smoked brisket and ribs,…
Windward Coast
Eclectic comfort food keeps the regulars happy and entices newcomers at this popular cafe, now at the Waimanalo Center. Pizza, sandwiches, acai bowls 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,…
Kailua
Dozens of wines by the glass; convivially large, high dining tables with stools; and hearty dishes (braised lamb, large burgers, myriad pastas) help…
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…
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…
