Where To Eat In Hawaii: Must Try Local Spots On Every Island

Hawaii isn’t just about great weather and stunning beaches; the food scene is unbeatable. I’ve eaten my way through Oahu, Maui, Big Island, and Kauai, and let me tell you, keeping a “beach bod” here is borderline impossible because all I want to do is eat the foods I can’t get back home.

Food on the mainland (USA) just doesn’t hit the same as it does in Hawaii—especially when it comes to freshness. The fish on the islands? No contest.

On the mainland, you’re often stuck with fish that’s been frozen, shipped, and stored. In Hawaii, the poke is fresh, tender, and melt-in-your-mouth good.

It’s honestly hard to eat anything else when I’m there. Poke for breakfast? Why not. Poke for lunch? Yes, please. Poke for dinner? Don’t mind if I do.

Whether you’re island hopping or sticking to one island this time around, finding incredible food is easy in Hawaii—it’s actually harder to find a bad meal. The produce is sweeter, the fish is fresher, and everything feels like it was made to perfection.

To help you make the most out of your foodie adventures, I’ve compiled a list of my favorite restaurants, food trucks, juice spots, coffee shops, and bakeries across all the islands. Pick a few from this guide to eat while you’re in Hawaii—you’ll thank me later!

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WHERE TO EAT ON OAHU: OUR FAVES

Kona Coffee Purveyors

Why we love it: Specialty pour-over coffee and black sesame kouign amanns.

One of our new favorite coffee shops in the Waikiki area is Kona Coffee Purveyors. We’re not usually Waikiki people, but sometimes we go out of our way just to hit up this coffee spot. All their specialty drinks are made to perfection.

But aside from their high-quality coffee, there’s something else that draws us there each and every morning. The undeniably delicious pastries by b. Patisserie (originally from San Francisco, CA)!

Do not miss the croissants and the seasonal kouign amanns, they are all so flaky, buttery, and heavenly.

I always get the black sesame kouign amann–in SF where we live, you can only get these twice a year on Chinese New Year and National Kouign Amann day. In Hawaii, you can get these every single day!

Address: 2330 Kalakaua Ave Ste 160 Honolulu, HI 96815

Got’z Grindz

Start your morning off right with a set of musubis that’s anything but basic!

For the best musubis with the best variation, head to Got’z Grindz located in Kaneohe. Not sure which flavors to get? Opt for one of their variety packs!

After discovering Got’z Grindz on our last trip, we’ve decided that going forward, we’re going to pay them a visit each and every time we visit Oahu.

You can eat them all as soon as you get them or buy extra to snack on during the day. Trust me, you’ll be craving these immediately after you’ve finished scarfing them all down.

Address: 45-726 Kamehameha Hwy Kaneohe, HI 96744

Keeaumoku Seafood

Why we love it: Unassuming poke shop serving up some delicious lunch plates.

This poke spot is a hidden gem located just off the highway. The salmon belly double poke plate is elite, but their lunch plates are also amazing. Try their hamachi poke if you get the chance, too.

Address: 1223 Keeaumoku St Honolulu, HI 96814

Pipeline Bakeshop and Creamery

Why we love it: Sweet treats like the pumpkin crunch, ube haupia mac nut bar, and malasadas that are even better than Leonard’s.

Pipeline Bakeshop is a spot we discovered not too long ago on one of our umpteenth visits to Oahu. I can’t believe it’s taken us this long to find this place!

Gayla Young opened Pipeline Bakeshop & Creamery focusing on old fashioned classic treats. After perfecting her malasada recipe for one year, she began pulling old family recipes and experimenting in the kitchen.

All that effort certainly paid off because this bake shop sells some of the best treats on the island.

Get the pumpkin crunch, the lilikoi cheesecake bar, the ube haupia mac nut bar, and the malasadas! Their original malasada rivals those of Leonard’s, and we actually like these better.

Address: 3632 Waialae Ave Ste 102 Franklin Variety Building Honolulu, HI 96816

Poke For The People

Why we love it: Super unique fish options for poke, plus some of the most unique sides we’ve tasted.

While there are tons and tons of great options in the North Shore, I would highly recommend Poke For The People. While writing this now, I am drooling and dreaming about the freshness of the fish…

Without a doubt, this is our favorite place to get poke on the North Shore!

Whenever we’re in the area, our usual is a 2-item bowl with the shoyu ahi and the daily special (we always have our fingers crossed that it’s the creamy garlic marlin or swordfish).

The quality of the fish is always perfection. The sides that came with our poke bowl also complimented the fish so well!

Address: 66-214 Kamehameha Hwy Haleiwa, HI 96712

Waiahole Poi Factory

Why we love it: Sweet Lady of Waiahole ice cream + stellar lunch plates with some of the freshest poi that you won’t be able to stop eating.

Whenever we find ourselves on the east side of Oahu, we always make an effort to get to Waiahole Poi Factory. I love their plate lunches–the lau lau and chicken long rice combo is my go-to, with an additional side of squid luau.

Papu loves the Sweet Lady of Waiahole dessert, which is haupia ice cream topped with kulolo.

Address: 48-140 Kamehameha Hwy Kaneohe, HI 96744

Ululani’s Shave Ice

Why we love it: Shave ice with homemade syrups and soft melt-in-your-mouth mochi.

Ululani’s Shave Ice is easily my favorite shave ice spot across ALL the islands. The syrups here are made out of natural ingredients such as real fruit and sugar cane, which make their flavors authentic and extremely flavorful without tasting overly sweet.

They poke holes into the shave ice so that the syrup really penetrates through the ice. They also carry the usual toppings including super fresh hunks of mochi (incredibly soft and chewy) as well as a haupia cream that is rich and heavenly. Tip: Get the haupia cream!

Haleiwa Bowls

Why we love it: Refreshing acai bowls with decadent additions like poi and almond butter.

We love getting acai bowls at Haleiwa Bowls on hot days! They have many different kinds of bowls and smoothies, but we get the basic acai bowls and add on toppings like papaya, almond butter, etc.

Their acai bowls are so unique because you’ll actually find poi in them! So creamy and good.

Address: 66-030 Kamehameha Hwy Haleiwa, HI 96712

Nami Kaze

Why we love it: Contemporary and super creative Japanese dishes in an upscale setting.

If you’re looking for an upscale, sit-down restaurant, Nami Kaze is a stellar option. We don’t usually eat at formal restaurants in Oahu, but this restaurant came highly recommended by one of my good friends who said it was the “best food she’s eaten in her life”.

She did not lie. It was an unforgettable meal! The standout dishes from our meal include the teishoku breakfast set, the custard french toast (topped with haupia tapioca, life-changing!) and the black cod.

Address: 1135 N Nimitz Hwy Honolulu, HI 96817

Yama’s Fish Market

Why we love it: Delicious lunch plates and an unbeatable sweet potato haupia pie.

If you’re looking for no-frills Hawaiian cooking, look no further. The portions at Yama’s are huge, which is great for the wallet since you can share the plate with another person.

There is a wide variety of plates to choose from– laulau, kalua pork, grilled ahi, poke,  beef stew, etc. There are also ala carte items such as haupia and squid luau.

For dessert, the haupia sweet potato pie is a must!

Address: 2332 Young St Honolulu, HI 96826

Kyung’s Seafood

Why we love it: Sashimi plates and meat jun.

One of our best hole-in-the-wall finds on the island! Come here if you want a no frills local experience of Honolulu, good Korean/Hawaiian food, and homemade soju smoothies!

The sashimi platter and the poke are great options, but the meat jun is the real star here. Do not leave the restaurant without ordering the meat jun.

Address: 1269 S King St Honolulu, HI 96814

McDonald’s

I’m talking about their haupia pie and their taro pie. If you like coconut or taro, you really need to try these. I get them at least twice every time I go to Hawaii, and my boyfriend brings them home in bulk and freezes them to enjoy at a later date. Yes, they’re that good. McDonald’s can be found on every island, good for us!

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WHERE TO EAT ON OAHU: OTHER TOURISTY FAVES

Touristy doesn’t mean bad! These spots are still great, but just expect slightly longer lines due to their craze and longstanding fan base.

Boots and Kimo’s

Boots and Kimo’s is famous for its pancakes with macadamia nut sauce (or go one step further and get the banana pancakes with mac nut sauce). They also serve other delicious breakfast items and plate lunches.

If I can give you any tip, get here as early as possible or be prepared to wait in line.

My personal favorites are the Banana Pancake with Macadamia Nut Sauce and Mochiko Chicken.

Address: 1020 Keolu Dr D1 Kailua, HI 96734

Moke’s Bread & Breakfast

Moke’s is one of my favorite breakfast places in all of Oahu. The Lilikoi Pancakes really steal the show here!

The loco moco is equally as good (you can even get it with fried rice) so if you’re looking for something savory to balance out the sweetness, definitely order this dish. But seriously, the Lilikoi cream sauce is out of this world.

They have locations in both Kailua and Honolulu.

Address: 27 Hoolai St Kailua, HI 96734

Zippy’s

Wondering where to eat in Hawaii? At some point, I implore you to make a stop here. Hawaiian-style fast food. Oh man, do I wish we had fast food like this on the mainland!

Korean chicken with rice and mac salad? Mixed plate with chili over rice? The Zip-Pac? Yes, yes, and yes.

It’s one of the only options for late-night food on Oahu, but I’m not mad about it.

Address: Multiple locations all over Oahu

Ono Seafood

Treat your tastebuds to some of the most authentic poke you’ll ever taste. Most of the stuff in the US mainland is garbage compared to what you’ll experience in Hawaii.

I’ve been enjoying Ono Seafood for years, and after all these years, I still can’t get over how tender and fresh the fish is. The many different flavors they offer give your tastebuds options (shoyu, spicy, sweet; salmon vs tako vs tuna, etc).

There’s almost always a line, but they work fast and will get you in/out quickly. Many years ago, I would have said that their prices were great, but sadly it’s gone up quite a bit over the years.

Fair warning: this is a small space with limited seating, and the parking is extremely limited. Park on the street, grab your poke, and eat it elsewhere.

Address: 747 Kapahulu Ave Honolulu, HI 96816

Jenny’s Shrimp

If you’re over the hype of Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck, Jenny’s Shrimp is a refreshing alternative for garlic shrimp on the North Shore.

Their shrimp is flavorful, the sweet corn side adds a nice twist, and best of all—no hour-long wait. You can grab your order quickly and dive right into a delicious, stress-free meal.

Address: 66-532 Kamehameha Hwy Haleiwa, HI 96712

Leonard’s Malasadas

After biting into a hot fluffy malasada, your life might be changed. Leonard’s malasadas are the real deal! All of the malasadas are made-to-order, so you know they’ll be piping hot when they hand them to you.

The menu is very simple with a few types of pastries and a wide variety of different malasadas. My recommendation is if you could only order 2 flavors, make it the original and the haupia cream-filled malasada.

The custard-filled malasadas are too decadent for me, but fill it with haupia and I can gobble that up in a jiffy!

Address: Multiple locations all over Oahu

Matsumoto Shave Ice

A trip to Oahu isn’t complete without some shaved ice. Matsumoto’s is a longstanding local favorite and a popular stop for tourists when visiting the North Shore.

Although the line may look long, it goes by fast! They have combos that taste great together, as well as a good variety of toppings (big ol’ rice balls, azuki beans, ice cream, etc.).

At Matsumoto, the blade itself is a bit coarser than at Waiola (below), but the syrups are more varied and super flavorful.

Address: 66-111 Kamehameha Hwy Ste 605 Haleiwa, HI 96712

Waiola Shave Ice

Over the years, I’ve scoured the island looking for the best shave ice. To my surprise, one of the best shave ice joints happened to be the easiest to get to and the most accessible.

Waiola is a longstanding mom-and-pop shop not too far from Waikiki. The shave ice is light, fluffy, and super affordable.

We’re always rotating between lychee, guava, and lilikoi flavors here (most of the time, we get all three). My favorite topping is the mochi here; it’s not the prepackaged powdered kind, it’s the one they boil before serving to you. SO delicious.

Pro Tip: They also sell some really great li hing candy. I like their candies so much more than the bags you find at Foodland, Walgreens, Don Quijote, or Walmart. The li hing is laid on thick!

Address: 2135 Waiola St Honolulu, HI 96826

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WHERE TO EAT ON THE BIG ISLAND

Da Poke Shack

At Da Poke Shack, they specialize in Yellowfin Ahi Tuna. The furikake over rice and the seaweed salad that comes with a poke plate is a great touch.

Fish and meats rotate daily, and once it’s gone for the day, it’s gone. So come early if you want to have the best selection!

This spot is a tad pricier than other poke places on the island, but delicious nonetheless.

Address: 76-6246 Ali’i Dr Ste 101 Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

Pine Tree Cafe

This is the best place to stop for breakfast or lunch after flying into the Kona Airport or before heading there!

Pine Tree Cafe has really good and simple food any time of the day. So much so that we went there twice on our super short trip to Kona.

For breakfast, opt for the french toast, which comes highly recommended. For lunch/dinner, your possibilities are so endless: plate lunch combo options include spicy garlic fried chicken, Korean chicken, short ribs, chicken katsu, loco moco, beef stew, poke, etc. 

They are conveniently open 6am for the early flights.

Address: 73-4040 Hulikoa Dr Ste 2 Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

Umeke’s

Super fresh poke at reasonable prices in a typical hole-in-the-wall location. What more can you ask for?

The great flavor selection and chill outdoor seating are two reasons why this spot is definitely worth the visit if you are in the area.

As this is a family-owned restaurant, food quantity is limited. Even though the restaurant closes at 5pm, poke and rice usually run out at around 4:30pm, so get there before it’s just slim pickings!

Address: 74-5599 Pawai Pl Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

Ululani’s Shave Ice

Yup, Ululani’s gets two spots on our list! Ululani’s is my favorite of all time. Unsuspectingly nestled inside the Courtyard Marriott, this spot could still be considered a “hidden” gem.

The syrups here are made out of natural ingredients such as real fruit and sugar cane, which make their flavors authentic and extremely flavorful. Again, we love the fresh mochi and the haupia cream as add-ons!

Address: 75-5660 Palani Rd Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

Two Ladies Kitchen

I have two words for you– unforgettable mochi. Crowds swarm to Hilo for this mochi, and rightfully so because it’s that good.

Two Ladies produces almost two dozen types of mochi, with flavors including lilikoi (passionfruit), sweet potato and butter.

One of the bestsellers includes the strawberry mochi, filled with an entire strawberry inside (consider pre-ordering it or lining up early, as this guy tends to sell out quick).

Address: 274 Kilauea Ave Hilo, HI 96720

Hawaiian Style Cafe Hilo

You must stop here if you’re looking for a breakfast place on the Hilo side! The portions at Hawaiian Style Cafe are crazy big and you can tell it’s all homemade.

Some notable menu items: The haupia cream pancakes and the loco moco. This place is worth returning to… to try more things on their menu.

Address: 681 Manono St Ste 101 Hilo, HI 96720

Suisan Fish Market

Come hungry for gigantic portions of fish fresh off the boat, which are accompanied by your choice of rice and veggies. The spicy ahi tuna is a popular and classic pick, but there’s a large selection to choose from (feel free to try some other flavors out before picking).

The menu is all about Ahi, with a variety of classic preparations like Ahi Hawaiian, Spicy Ahi, Hurricane Ahi, California Ahi, and even Ahi Oyster.

If you’re a poke fan or want to try it for the first time on the Big Island, I can’t recommend this spot enough. But fair warning: after tasting poke here, you might struggle to find anything else that measures up!

Just a heads-up—this is a fish market, so there’s no seating inside, but there are a couple of benches outside where you can enjoy your food.

Address: 93 Lihiwai St Hilo, HI 96720

Zippy’s

This is the only Zippy’s on the island! For those of you new to Hawaii, this is the best-tasting ‘fast food’ a person could ask for in life.

Seriously, why don’t we have this on the mainland other than in Vegas? It’s phenomenal fast food, and I’d take this over hamburgers any day.

If you’re on the Hilo side, make sure to stop at Zippy’s for the Korean Chicken and the Chili Rice (Pro Tip: Get hotdog in your chili rice, it’s a local favorite.)

Address: 111 E Puainako St Hilo, HI 96720

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WHERE TO EAT ON MAUI

Geste Shrimp Truck

Geste Shrimp Truck has been a Maui favorite for shrimp since 2007. For under $20, your order comes with a dozen shrimp (doused in your choice of sauce), a side of crab mac salad, and rice. ⁣⁣

It’s cash only, and there is super limited outdoor seating (it’s picnic-friendly, though–they provide the mats for you to sit on).

Address: 591 Haleakala Hwy Kahului, HI 96732

The Gazebo Restaurant

For your classic Hawaiian breakfast with great portions, The Gazebo is a local institution. The food here is unreal, worth the wait any day!

The banana macadamia nut French toast special is like a piece of heaven coming from the skies of Maui. Other notable, signature items are the Big Kahuna Omelette and the Mac Nut Pancakes.

They’re only open for breakfast and lunch and close at 2pm every day. I would recommend taking your order to go unless you really want to eat at the restaurant (and in that case, be prepared to wait 30 minutes to an hour or so).

Address: 5315 Lower Honoapiilani Rd Lahaina, HI 96761

Da Kitchen

Da Kitchen is one of the best spots I’ve eaten at on my trips to Maui. Any plate lunch combo is good, but the deep fried Spam musubi is the winner, which tastes comforting and delightful–and that’s coming from someone who’s not the biggest fan of spam!

The moderately priced dishes are served with really huge portions, so you can get a meal for 4 people for relatively cheap. 10/10 would recommend!

Address: 1215 S Kihei Rd Ste E Kihei, HI 96753

The Fish Market Maui

They have the best fish tacos on the island, but my absolute favorite is the crab cake sandwich!

And, the beauty of this place is how simple it is. You order at the counter, and the menu is self-explanatory.

After eating out at many overpriced restaurants on Maui, was so nice to find a place with good food at a reasonable price. While the tables are limited both inside and outside the restaurant, the service is fast, so seating opens up quickly.

Address: 3600 Lower Honoapiilani Rd Lahaina, HI 96761

Great Places To Get Shave Ice

• Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice (Kahului)
• Island Cream Co.
• Surfing Monkey Shave Ice

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WHERE TO EAT ON KAUAI

Mark’s Place

This is a casual grab-and-go, no-frills kind of place and I’m so glad I found it on my first-ever trip to Kauai.

I have one thing to say here: try Mark’s famous mixed plate: chicken katsu, teriyaki beef, and beef stew served with rice and potato macaroni salad. So much deliciousness in one platter. Flavorful, plentiful, and super affordable food–what more could a hungry lady want?

Address: 1610 Haleukana St Ste A Lihue, HI 96766

Pono Market

You know you’ve found something good when you stumble into a hole in the wall market style food joint. Pono Market is a staple in the community of Kapa’a serving up some of the best poke on Kauai, and at a good price!

Beloved by many locals and lucky travelers in the know, it can get busy during lunch, but the line moves incredibly fast. Their rotating specialty menu changes daily, but I can assure you that everything’s good here.

Poke is always fresh, fried chicken is bomb, shoyu chicken is flavorful, and kalua pig is tender & juicy. Can’t go wrong any way you order!

Address: 4-1300 Kuhio Hwy Kapaa, HI 96746

Smiley’s Local Grinds

If you’re craving no-frills, hearty lunch plates, Smiley’s Local Grinds is your spot. Known for its casual, laid-back vibe, this is where locals and visitors alike come for generous portions of local comfort food.

We are personally obsessed with the garlic shrimp, the laulau, and the chicken long rice. MMM!

This is a must-visit whenever we’re on Kauai. We’re also constantly recommending Smiley’s to our friends/family who visit the island!

Address: 4100 Rice St Lihue, HI 96766

Hanalei Taro & Juice Company Lunch Wagons

Hanalei Taro & Juice Company is one of the rare gems on Kauai offering truly authentic Hawaiian food. This family-run lunch wagon specializes in taro-based dishes, a staple of Hawaiian cuisine.

While everything here is worth trying, make sure you order something featuring their fresh taro—whether it’s the taro burger, laulau, or their creamy taro hummus.

My personal must-orders? The taro mochi cake and the taro smoothie!

Address: 5-5070 Kuhio Hwy B Hanalei, HI 96714

Wishing Well Shave Ice

Wishing Well is hands down one of the best spots for shave ice and acai bowls on the island. The flavors are great, the toppings are plentiful, and the presentation is very Instagram-worthy.

Don’t leave without checking out their cute merch—t-shirts, stickers, and cups that make perfect souvenirs (or just a reminder of your tasty visit)!

Address: 5-5080 Kuhio Hwy Hanalei, HI 96714

Holey Grail Taro Donuts

Donuts made from taro? Yes, and they’re as heavenly as they sound. Holey Grail serves up fresh, fried-to-order taro donuts with unique flavor combinations like the bestselling “L&L” (lemon and lime glaze) and “Midas Touch” (maple glaze with smoked sea salt).

These donuts are light, crispy, and full of local ingredients that celebrate Hawaii’s flavors. Bonus: everything is cooked in sustainable coconut oil, so you can indulge guilt-free!

They’re made to order, so they do take some time. Take my word for it, do NOT just order one. That was my mistake when I first discovered this spot. You will scarf that baby down way too quickly and immediately want another one.

Address: 5-5100 Kuhio Hwy Hanalei, HI 96714 (with another new location in Kapa’a)

Hanalei Poke

If you’re serious about poke, Hanalei Poke is the real deal.

Despite the paper plates and bowls, this spot offers fresh, flavorful, and generously portioned poke bowls with local ahi that melts in your mouth. From classic shoyu ahi to creative spicy mayo blends, each bowl is packed with quality and aloha.

Fun Fact: Hanalei Poke is on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives list!

Address: 5-5190 Kuhio Hwy Hanalei, HI 96714

Kalaheo Cafe and Coffee Company

If you are trying to decide where to eat near Poipu (or if you happen to be on the way to Waimea Canyon), this is the perfect place to stop and grab a hearty breakfast!

The setup is counter-ordering, and then you pick where you sit. It gets busy inside so be prepared to fight for a table when one opens up.

They’ve got all your favorite Hawaiian breakfast/lunch classics plus some incredible sticky buns — a must-try for pastry lovers!

Address: 2-2560 Kaumualii Hwy Kalaheo, HI 96741

Koloa Fish Market

Line up with the locals at this no-frills hole-in-the-wall that serves outstanding poke in all kinds of flavors, as well as Japanese-style bentō, sushi rolls, and seaweed salads.

Really, the poke here is to die for! Hawaiian and local plate lunches are also available and grilled to order. They also offer specials of the day, moist brownies / cookies, and have a small beverage selection.

Address: 3390 Poipu Rd Koloa, HI 96756

Porky’s Kauai

This food truck is so different from what you’d traditionally find on the Hawaiian islands (move over, shrimp trucks, Porky’s is here).

Try their most popular dishes, the #1 / #3: Pineapple sausage with caramelized onions and Kalua pork smothered on top / grilled cheese mixed with pulled pork.

Stop by on the way back from hiking Waimea Canyon; it’ll be a perfect way to replenish those calories burned.

Address: 5460 Koloa Rd Koloa, HI 96756

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