Looking for traditional Hawaiian food on your island getaway? Here are some of the best Hawaiian food places near Honolulu, Waipahu and on the North Shore.
But wait, there’s more. We’re here to help demystify some of the unusual words you might see on menus like furikake, laulau and lilikoi — and explain which meat is being served and why. And possibly most importantly of all, provide the fun facts on the origins of local dishes.
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Feature image: Courtesy of Highway Inn/Dawn Sakamoto-Paiva
Hawaiian Food near Honolulu
267 Mokauea St., Honolulu
808.841.1921
Offering mini plate and regular plate lunches, Alicia’s offers endless combinations for your plate. Their menu mix has gradually grown and includes their famous poke bar. It has up to 30 varieties of seafood and salads.
726 Kapahulu Ave., Honolulu
808.773.0006
A new incarnation of an old-school favorite, Da Ono (“the delicious”) Hawaiian Food lives up to its name with oversized chicken or pork lau lau, tender pipikaula (dried and salted) short ribs, and creamy squid luau. As with all the family-run joints on Kapahulu Ave, parking can be tough; all the better to walk off the calories (or rideshare) when coming from Waikiki.
760 Palani Ave., Honolulu
808.735.8019
Haili’s is one of many popular, long-running restaurants on or just off busy Kapahulu Avenue, a short drive from Waikiki. It serves all the classics, but also spices things up a bit with tortilla-wrapped ahi, pulehu (grilled) steak or kalua pig, served with a side of tortilla chips and mango salsa.
1240 N School St., Honolulu
808.845.8044
In business since 1946, it’s fair to say Helena’s Hawaiian Food has earned the right to only be open Tuesday through Friday. Founder Helen Chock’s grandson now runs the humble (but James Beard Award-winning eatery) that dishes up classics like kalua pig (cooked in an underground oven), lomi salmon and creamy haupia (thick coconut pudding).
680 Ala Moana Blvd #105, Honolulu
808.954.4955
Highway Inn also has locations in Honolulu’s trendy Kakaako neighborhood, the Bishop Museum, and Waipahu. Start the calorie count at breakfast with Portuguese or Vienna sausage and eggs, and keep going at lunch and dinner with hand-wrapped chicken or pork lau lau, kalua pig and a side of silken poi.
Since 1961 these guys have been a local fav! They have four different locations, so no matter where you are on the island, you can get your plate lunch fix! Serving up different mixed plates, portuguese sausage, loco moco, spam and mahi mahi to name just a few. All plates come with two scoops of rice and one scoop of macaroni salad, although you can substitute for french fries and coleslaw if you want to change it up a bit!
Hawaiian Food on the East Side
Adela’s Country Eatery brings Hawaiian take-out to another level with their locally grown and house-made Ulu, Moringa, Okinawa Sweet Potato, and Avocado noodle dishes. All meals are to-go, but don’t expect fast food. Prep time usually sits between 40-50 minutes, but the wait is well worth the fine, freshly cooked, Hawaiian comfort meal. This family establishment has earned itself recognition as a staple and favorite of Oahu’s East side.
Hawaiian Food in Waialua
67-456 Goodale Ave., Waialua
808.282.8162
This old gas station has converted into a delicious restaurant serving Hawaiian food plates and there’s lotsa fish on the menu. There’s 8 different styles of poke to choose from and save room for dessert. The Smoking Boar & the Coconut has a selection of sweet treats as well!
