Your trip to Oahu, Hawaii, is not complete without tasting the island's unique foods! And I've done plenty of delicious research sampling the must-eats, sipping at beachfront restaurants, and finding fun places to eat in order to share where to eat in Oahu, aka, spots worth adding to your travel plans.
This guide consists of my personal recommendations--not just crowd-sourced hype--and includes local food in Oahu beyond Waikiki in case you want to make your way around the whole island, which I highly recommend.
And if you enjoy this post, you'll love my one-week Oahu itinerary, too!
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Tips for Dining in Oahu
- Budget - The Hawaiian Islands have a reputation for being expensive, not only for local folks and travelers alike. This is due to a combination of things like colonization, military presence, and overtourism extracting local resources and driving up the need for imports.
- That said, it is possible to eat cheap in Oahu. There are unforgettable meals at every price point. Eateries in residential areas away from hotels and attractions will typically have lower prices.
- Cuisine - Food on Oahu reflects a variety of influences, including Polynesian, American, Asian, and European.
- Currency - Carry cash (USD). Some of the most iconic places to eat around Oahu are cash-only establishments, and you'd truly hate to miss out!
- Tipping - American tipping culture extends to Oahu and the other islands. And many restaurants automatically include gratuity, especially in Waikiki, so it's a good idea to double-check your receipt before adding your tip.
Restaurants with Views
Buzz's Steak House (Kailua)
Looking for good places for dinner on Oahu after a beach day? Buzz's Steak House is an easy choice if you're on the Windward side of the island. It took me two minutes to walk over from Kailua Beach, and the beach view was so serene.
This restaurant is famous for its potent Mai Tais, which actually come with a required warning from the server and a two-drink maximum! If you are a whiskey drinker, like me, I recommend their old fashioned and a bourbon-based drink called "38 seconds." And the bread pudding is phenomenal.
Despite being a steakhouse, Buzz's has a very laid-back environment, and you wouldn't be out of place in a cover-up and sandals.
TLDR Dining Details
- Cuisine: American, Steakhouse
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Recommendations: Bread Pudding, 38 Seconds Cocktail
Barefoot Beach Cafe (Waikiki)
Barefoot Beach Cafe is rated as one of the best restaurants on Oahu with a view and tasty, affordable food! It's right on Waikiki Beach and good for a casual meal--so good that I went twice in two days!
I loved sipping pineapple smoothies out of whole pineapple cups and coconut water out of fresh coconuts. They bring fresh fish onsite daily for seafood entrees, which does make it smell very fishy at times, so consider yourself warned.
For a budget-friendly lunch or dinner, get the Keiki Banzai Box, which is essentially a kids' meal but quite filling.
TLDR Dining Details
- Cuisine: American, Hawaiian, Fusion
- Price: $ - $$
- Recommendations: Keiki Banzai Box, Pineapple Smoothie, Fresh Coconut Water
Check out my favorite beaches in Oahu for more memorable views!
Pro Travel Tip
Beachfront restaurants in Oahu are not the only ones worth visiting. Some of the best Hawaiian food Oahu has to offer is tucked away between busy streets or at roadside stands.
Where do the locals eat in Oahu?
Leonard's Bakery (Honolulu)
Leonard's Bakery is a cult-classic on the island known for its malasadas, which are Portuguese donut-like pastries. I went twice at the recommendation of one of my excursion guides and wasn't disappointed. If you want cheap eats in Honolulu, go here for breakfast or dessert!
Between the two visits, I tried three malasadas: original (sugar-dusted), macadamia cream-filled, and hi ling (sweet and sour dusted--kind of like tajin). Leonard's is cash only for transactions under $5.00.
TLDR Dining Details
- Cuisine: Portuguese, Fusion
- Price: $
- Recommendations: Macadamia Cream Malasada, Hi Ling Malasada
Haleiwa Bowls (North Shore)
If you're on the North Shore, Haleiwa Bowls is consistently rated as one of the best places to eat in Oahu for locals and visitors alike. They have the best acai bowl in Oahu--their mana acai bowl is LOVE. Don't try any other acai bowls after this one because, trust me, you'll be disappointed.
Even if you aren't staying on Oahu's North Shore, it's worth the drive. I considered making it multiple times.
TLDR Dining Details
- Cuisine: Fusion, Health Food
- Price: $
- Recommendations: Mana Acai Bowl
Sweet Home Cafe (Honolulu)
One of my local friends, Lina, took me to Sweet Home Cafe, the best hot pot place in Honolulu and a top pick among local eateries in Oahu.
Hot Pot is very popular on the island, and Sweet Home Cafe regularly has lines out the door and 1-hour+ wait times. We slid in just ahead of a rush and got the all-you-can-eat option with two broths, a variety of sauces, and lots of veggies, noodles, and proteins!
Every meal comes with a shave ice dessert, and the prices were more than reasonable.
TLDR Dining Details
- Cuisine: Taiwanese, Asian
- Price: $$
- Recommendations: Mushroom Hot Pot, Shave Ice Dessert
Waiola Shave Ice (Honolulu)
Waiola Shave Ice is an Oahu classic with two locations in Honolulu. I stopped by the original shop on Waiola Street for their popular rainbow shave ice, aka, the Obama style order. When you think of fun places to eat in Oahu, cheesy dinner shows might come to mind, but this simple pleasure was enough to delight my inner child.
Shave ice in Hawaii (yes, shave not shaved) is super fine, so that the texture is almost creamy. Very refreshing and, honestly, much better than the sno cones we have on the mainland.
This is a cash-only spot, and I was surprised by how inexpensive the menu was, especially considering how pricey most everything else is on the island.
TLDR Dining Details
- Cuisine: Hawaiian, Dessert
- Price: $
- Recommendations: Obama Style Rainbow Shave Ice
Hungry for more local faves? Read my list of things to do in Oahu!
Breakfast & Brunch in Oahu
Eggs n' Things (Multiple Locations)
Save room for a bucket-list breakfast in Oahu! Eggs n Things is a popular chain on the Hawaiian Islands and Guam. It gets packed, with long lines to get in; however, service is quick.
I recommend the Hawaiian whipped pancake sampler with pineapple, coconut, and macadamia pancakes topped with pineapple whipped cream and guava syrup!
TLDR Dining Details
- Cuisine: American, Hawaiian
- Price: $$
- Recommendations: Whipped Pancake Sampler
Pro Travel Tip
Hit the Waikiki Eggspress location extra early for an uncrowded sunrise breakfast with quick service and beautiful views facing Waikiki Beach.
Tucker & Bevvy Picnic Food (Waikiki)
For a grab-and-go breakfast or lunch to take to the beach, Tucker & Bevvy has a bunch of locations you can pop into. They serve sandwiches, fresh juices, and smoothies with clean ingredients, so you'll still look and feel good in your bikini.
I've tried several smoothies and juices from the Queen's Beach location, and they are solid; however, I'm not a fan of their acai bowls, which taste more like bananas than anything else to me.
TLDR Dining Details
- Cuisine: American, Quick Bites & Takeaway
- Price: $ - $$
- Recommendations: Bevvy Quench Juice
Cocktails & Happy Hour
MoKu Kitchen (Kaka'ako)
MoKu Kitchen is in the hip Kaka'ako area of Oahu, which is known for street art, coffee shops, and community. They specialize in farm-to-table food and have a decent happy hour, to boot. If you are into mezcal drinks, try the Pauahi and pair it with their lobster deviled eggs! This is also a great vegetarian-friendly Oahu restaurant.
TLDR Dining Details
- Cuisine: American
- Price: $$
- Recommendations: Lobster Deviled Eggs, Pauahi Cocktail
The Study at The Modern Honolulu (Waikiki)
Whether you're pregaming for nightlife or looking for an elevated nightcap, The Study is worth dressing up for. It's tucked behind a bookshelf in The Modern Hotel lobby and nails the speakeasy vibe with its hidden entrance, live music, and moody lounge aesthetic. If you're looking for birthday restaurants or a romantic date night spot, this is it.
Local artists perform each night of the week, and if Jeremy Cheng is performing, you are in for a treat. The Study is known for its cocktails, especially whiskey-based ones, but the food is bomb, too. Try the champagne haze cocktail, beet poke, and the grilled pineapple tart!
TLDR Dining Details
- Cuisine: American
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Recommendations: Beet Poké, Grilled Pineapple Tart, Champagne Haze
Tiki's (Waikiki)
Located on the second floor of the Aston Hotel, Tiki's is a grill and bar that's open late and has a full menu, including bomb appetizers, cocktails, and mocktails for the zero-proof partiers. I love the coconut shrimp, brussels sprouts, and pineapple creme brulee. And highly recommend the ube colada!
Even better, there's live music every night and the bands are incredible, covering everything from Bob Marley and the Wailers to Justin Timberlake. But if you go during the daytime, sit on the patio for romantic views of Waikiki Beach.
TLDR Dining Details
- Cuisine: American, Seafood
- Pricing: $$ - $$$
- Standout Dishes: Coconut Shrimp, Pineapple Creme Brulee, Ube Colada
Check out my Oahu outfits and packing list to look the part for every meal!
More Oahu Moments
There's no shortage of amazing food to eat in Oahu, Hawaii, and I hope you'll enjoy one or more of these local eateries soon and very soon. And sharing is caring, so be sure to pin this post for later and follow me over on Pinterest. Thanks for reading!
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