Waikiki Restaurants

Food is my passion…and Waikiki has its share of hole-in-the-wall local spots along with 5 Star Waikiki restaurants that are some of Oahu’s best, and worth considering when looking for a moment of satisfaction!  Looking for the best Waikiki restaurants that would satisfy your hungry tummy without venturing too far out of the area?  There are so many to choose from but  no matter your budget or craving, we've assembled a nice sampling of local favorites to whet your appetite...

Waikiki Restaurants on Kapahulu Avenue

Kapahulu Avenue is a main artery that leads from Waikiki Beach out to the H-1 Freeway.  You will find a few neat antique and specialty shops along the way, like Bailey’s Antique & Aloha Shirts.  Kapahulu Avenue is also known to be one of Waikiki’s restaurant rows…and a great one at that, with many best-of-the-best Waikiki restaurants!  Whenever I get hungry, I always think of heading to Kapahulu Ave first!

Ono Hawaiian Foods Restaurant - $$

If you’re not planning to attend a luau (where the food is often mediocre and created for the masses anyway), then head to Ono’s!  

This is one of the Waikiki restaurants that offer good authentic Hawaiian food --  Kalua Pig, Pork Lau Lau, Lomi Lomi Salmon, Haupia and of course…a bowl of poi!  Ono Hawaiian Foods consistently gets rave reviews from both locals and tourists! 

It’s a small location so you might want to arrive a little early, or take it to go and dine back on the beach.

Open for lunch & dinner - 11am to 8pm.

Check out more reviews for Ono Hawaiian Food’s

 

Tenkaippin - $

We call it ramen, but it’s really a special type of Japanese noodles that are only made in Japan.  The broth flavors are savory, thick and intense!  Some of the broths take up to 10 hours to cook and fuse together. 

A friend turned me onto this popular Tenkaippin noodle house.  If you’re on a budget and have a big appetite to fill, don’t think twice and head over to Tenkaippin.  

It is my favorite place for ramen out of all the Waikiki restaurants who serve these addictive Japanese noodles! Onolicious!

Open for lunch & dinner - 11am to 10pm+.

Check out more reviews for Tenkaippin

Side Street Inn -$$

The Side Street Inn is another great Waikiki reastaurant to be discovered on Kapahululu Ave!  This is a very popular restaurant with the local crowd.  I would discribe the menu as Chineese based with American and Hawaiian influences and flavors. The menu is extensive with great choices, large portions, and savary flavors to look forward too.

Consider ordering the delicious crispy pan fried pork chops (enough to serve a table 
of six), the guava glazed Pulehu short ribs, their "da signature" fried rice, and a nice side of Ahi Poke.  Needless to say a few dishes go a long way!

Side Street Inn is only open for dinner.  Althougth they have a lot of seating in the reastuarant, they still can get packed quickly!  So be sure to make a reservation and/or come early!

3pm to 12am Daily

Location:  614 Kapahulu Avenue, Honolulu - Phone (808) 739-3939

Discover more at www.SideStreetInn.com

Hawaiian Plate Lunch - Kapahulu Avenue

Hawaiian Plate Lunch is a category in itself.  It’s Hawaii’s fast food version of a home cooked meal with an island touch. 

The Hawaiian Plate lunch consists of 2 scoops of rice, a heaping scoop of macaroni salad and the entrée that usually is some type of BBQ meat or other deep fried fish (most often Mahi-Mahi).  Some of the best Hawaiian plate lunch can be found on Kapahulu Ave...

Zippy’s Restaurant - $

Zippy's is a very popular Hawaiian plate lunch chain restaurant on the island.  They are well known for their Chili & Rice Bowls, Fried Chicken Plate Lunch (my little girl's favorite), and Saimin Noodle Soup. 

I must admit, that I have taken a special liking to the Hawaiian style macaroni salad that accompanies the plate lunch meals.  Zippy’s makes a signature version of it, making it one of my choices of Waikiki restaurants for a quick meal. 

$ Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
See Oahu Zippy⁽s locations at Zippys.com

Rainbow’s Drive In – $

Want to know what President Obama and I have in common?  Yup, we both consider Rainbow Drive In a plate lunch favorite...well...along with many of the locals who crowd the outdoor tables to eat their breakfast or lunch! 

I remember when my Mom used to pick up some Rainbow Drive In plate lunches, before heading off to the beach.  Selling at $3.00 a plate, that was still cheap back then.  Today they are double the price, but still worth every penny!

Arrive early in the morning for Rainbow’s Fried Rice Plate (which is gone by 8 am), Loco Moco or the Barbeque Steak for lunch.  Their teriyaki beef sandwiches are among the best.   $ Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Location:  3308 Kanaina St, Honolulu, HI - Phone (808) 737-0177
Check out more at RainbowDriveIn.com

L&L Barbeque Drive In - $

Definitely a favorite quick stop to grab a satisfying plate lunch!  I can never get enough of their signature barbeque chicken plate. 

At one point L&L Barbeque became so popular that they nicknamed this place “Long Line BBQ”.  They have expanded quite a bit over the past decade, and are easy to get in and out of.

The old Waikiki location on Kapahulu has moved up closer to the freeway, now located at 3133 Waialae Ave.  

$ Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

    See Oahu L&L locations at HawaiianBarbecue.com

Sweet Treats on Kapahulu Ave

Leonard’s Bakery – $

Leonard’s Bakery has been famous for decades with the local community for their fresh, hot Malasadas - a type of Portuguese donuts. 

I have enjoyed these super ono treats since my childhood, and today more and more visitors find their way to Leonard’s Bakery to sink their teeth into these warm pieces of heaven! 

Plain malasadas have always held their own, but now there are some amazing fillings of island flavors such as haupia (coconut), mango, guava, lilikoi (passion fruit) that are worth indulging in!   Forget your diet...you can always start tomorrow, yeah?  

5:30am to 9pm Daily

Location:  933 Kapahulu, Honolulu, HI - Phone (808) 737-5591
Check out more at LeonardsHawaii.com

Waiola Shave Ice – $

No need to drive 1 hour to the North Shore for a Matsumoto Shave Ice, when you can enjoy the island  treat right here in Waikiki. 

Hawaiian shave ice sounds simple to make - just shave the ice, pour it into a cup, and coat it with sweet flavored syrup right?  Anybody can make it right? Wrong.  There is a cult following that will swear Waiola shave ice is bewitching and is simply the best on Oahu!  Try some exotic tropical flavors that you are unfamiliar with…and always request a scoop of vanilla ice cream at the bottom of your cone to make it complete! 

7:30am to 6pm, except open 10am on Sunday

Location:  3113 Mokihana St, Honolulu, HI (across from Safeway, off Kapahulu St)
Phone (808) 735-8886 Check out more Waiola Shave Ice reviews.

Waikiki Restaurants - Near the Beach!

Hula Grill Waikiki – $$

Great spot to sit in an open-air dining room and watch the surfers paddle out for a morning session in the waves, while sipping on some fresh Hawaiian roast coffee.  This restaurant sits right in the heart of Waikiki beach.  

The breakfast menu includes some tasty unconventional choices, such as the Loco Moco, Portuguese sausage eggs Benedict & Maui pineapple & coconut pancakes.  Popular with the Waikiki crowd.  Ono! Located in the Outrigger Waikiki Hotel.    $ Breakfast, $$$ Dinner

Location:  2335 Kalakaua St, Suite 203, Waikiki, HI - Phone (808) 923-4852
Check out more at HulaGrillWaikiki.com

Duke’s Waikiki – $$$

Very popular for its barefoot bar, where you check your shoes at the door and sink your feet into the sand and order a mai tai at the bar! 

Duke’s Waikiki is also worth dropping by for a romantic dinner with ono menu choices such as Coconut Shrimp with a Spicy Lilikoi Sauce, or Huli Huli Chicken or Macadamia Nut Sautéed fresh catch of the day!  Don’t miss the Hula Pie for desert…it’s the best ever! Serves  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.  This is one of the Waikiki restaurants right on the beach that is worth going to.    $$ Lunch, $$$ Dinner

Location:  2335 Kalakaua St, Suite 116, Waikiki, HI - Phone (808) 922-2268
Check out more at DukesWaikiki.com

Roy’s Restaurant – $$$$

One of Hawaii’s most renowned chefs is Roy Yamaguchi.  Treat yourself to some of Roy’s best fusion island cuisine that Hawaii is known for. 

You can't go wrong ordering almost anything on his menu, including the Chocolate Molten Lava Cake for dessert. Anyone who's had it will tell you it's a must!  Roy’s Restaurant now exists in the heart of Waikiki, 226 Lewers St.  Dinner only.  $$$ Dinner only

Location:  6600 Kalanianaole Hwy, Hawaii Kai, HI - Phone (808) 396-7697
Check out more at Roy’sRestaurant.com

Chart House – $$$

The Chart House one of the Waikiki restaurants that have maintained itself as an old classic seaside steakhouse that still holds much of its charm today! 

The menu is somewhat simple, with a nice selection of steaks, shellfish, and other classic entrées to choose from.  They strive for quality, which holds up their reputation and guarantees a return visit from you!  Leave room if you can for their signature Mudd Pie desert! It's yuuummmy!  $$$ Dinner only

Location:  6600 Kalanianaole Hwy, Hawaii Kai, HI - Phone (808) 396-7697
Check out more at charthousehonolulu.com

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