I was recently asked for places to eat on Oahu. I started with the email I sent to a couple of friends. I thought I could just cut and paste that email into this blog, but oh boy… there’s so many more places to recommend!
Here are the Oahu Eats (Map – A Google Maps List to the places mentioned in this post):
Honolulu/Waikiki:
I should mention most of these places have a line or a wait. Be patient.
- Koko Head Cafe (map) – I went here twice when I came here for work. Really good breckies and baked goods.
- Leonard’s Bakery (map) – I have not been, but everyone always recommends this place for their malasadas (Portuguese donuts). I feel this would be a good stop as you are heading into Waikiki from the airport or stopping by after hiking Diamond Head.
- Goofy Cafe & Dine (map) – Cute little shack for breckie. Had a yummy eggs Benedict there with purple potatoes, taro muffin and lilikoi butter. Yum. Looking at the pic makes me hungry.
- Marukame Udon (map) – I also went here twice while here for work. Such good udon!! House made noodles. With an a la carte tempura selection.
- The Pig and the Lady (map) – Vietnamese inspired. It was really good for being versions of things my mom and grandma made growing up.
- Island Vintage Coffee (map – pro tip, coffee shop is on the second floor!) – Really beautiful and yummy açaí bowls! There is also Shave Ice at a little Hut near here.
North Shore:
If you go to the North Shore, look for the food trucks!
- Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck is the one I read about, but haven’t tried.
- We went to the North Shore Shrimp Truck (map). There’s a couple trucks in this area. And there’s a tide pool (Shark Cove) across the road (bring water shoes). We had Hawaiian Shaved Ice here too.
On the day we went to the North Shore, we also stopped by the Dole Plantation for the Dole Whip!
Ko’Olina Area:
When my family and I stayed in Ko’olina (near Disney Aulani), there’s a little shopping center with an Island Vintage Coffee (map) and Monkeypod Kitchen (map) for a very yummy Mai Tai with a Lilikoi Foam.
I loved the little lagoons (map) for my daily morning swims.
Other Spots:
Uncle Lani’s Poi Mochi (map): Yummy little Poi Mochi donut holes with fruit glaze. We found the location at the mall when we stayed in Ko’Olina.
If your in Kailua (east of Waikiki), there was a spot we got some yummy Pancakes with AMAZING Macadamia Nut Sauce; Boots and Kimo’s Homestyle Kitchen (map). Drool.
And lastly, I highly recommend the 1987 “classic” (to me) North Shore (this is the DVD I sent to our fabulous server/host at the Kanaka Kava in Kona, Big Island). And the ESPN 30 for 30 Documentary Hawaiian: The Legend of Eddie Aikau. You can visit Waimea Bay home of big waves and surf competitions.
Aloha!
Camera Eats First 