Whether you are staying in Waikiki for the first time, or living on Oahu and looking for the best spot for lunch, we’re here to help you make that all too important decision, “what’s for lunch.” We’ve included the hot spots on the south side of the island, including Honolulu “town,” Chinatown, Waikiki, Kakaako and Kaimuki. And, we’ve included the North Shore and Ko Olina – we’ve got you covered. The foodie scene here is evolving with new places opening regularly, there’s a lot to sift through. Here are our favorite spots for that very important midday meal.
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: Seven Brothers
Lunch Near "town" a.k.a. Honolulu
Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Lilikoi Kitchen first became known for its tasty panini, but also offers farm-fresh açai bowls, quesadillas, entree salads and “small” plates in its new sit-down location in Kailua. Owned by the chef and her wife, who have roots in California and Hawaii, their welcoming cafe has a full tea menu as well as expert espresso drinks.
Renaissance Honolulu Hotel & Spa, 1390 Kapiolani Blvd, Ste 102, Honolulu
The urban location inside the Renaissance Honolulu Hotel between Ala Moana and Blaisdell Center is a bit off the beaten path for visitors, but its Mediterranean menu with touches of Hawaiian cuisine and a stellar wine program make it worth seeking out. Start with the fresh-baked pita and whipped burrata, add a mezze like the calamari fritto and choose Kona kampachi or the seafood paella with fresh local catch.
Waikiki Shopping Plaza, 2250 Kalakaua Ave, Waikiki
Celebrity chef Jon Matsubara’s long-awaited lobster roll outlet in Waikiki Shopping Plaza has finally debuted to the joy of crustacean consumers everywhere. Formerly available only at his Feast restaurant in Manoa, his hefty version features Hawaiian sweet bread, umami sauce, lemon and butter with optional Kula greens.
Civil Beat Plaza, 3650 Waialae Ave, #120, Honolulu
The closing of Andrew Le’s groundbreaking Chinatown restaurant The Pig & the Lady was fortunately not the end of the line for his Vietnamese-inspired cuisine. He’s now spreading culinary goodwill in a handsome new indoor-outdoor space next to the Goodwill in Kaimuki, with takeout, Door Dash and Uber Eats as an option for those who can’t snag a reservation (later seatings are a good option, too.)
949 Kapahulu Ave, Honolulu
Look for the colorful “Greetings from Honolulu” mural, then step through the mint-green entrance for equally vivid flavors of Peruvian and Mexican cuisine, including silky ceviche, tangy tiraditos and crunchy, cheesy vampiro tacos. Pair a pisco or pineapple sour to lighten the salty richness of lomo saltado.
Nuuanu Shopping Center, 1613 Nuuanu Ave, #A12, Honolulu
A contemporary spin on Vietnamese cuisine, Chao Hawaii will celebrate its grand opening Sept. 22, but has already been wowing lunch and dinner patrons during its soft opening with fresh takes on classics like ginger chicken, fried rice with crispy pork, seared duck breast on salad and seafood ceviche that you scoop up with shrimp chips. If a cocktail isn’t in your cards, sip on a Vietnamese iced coffee or an iced jasmine tea with sea salt foam.
204 Liliuokalani Ave, Honolulu
Like the name suggests, this new Waikiki restaurant serves brunch daily, till 1 p.m., when it morphs into the Sushi Spot. Try a Japanese version of loco moco — the Waikiki omurice with scrambled eggs, rice, mushroom-onion gravy and Portuguese sausage — or the Lei french toast with thick fluffy brioche and loads of fresh fruit and whipped cream.
This restaurant is the delicious creation of a husband and wife duo — think Brooklyn, New York meets downtown Honolulu. This food is arguably some of the best on Oahu, with American-style dishes, fresh fish, housemade pasta and a great cocktail list. Fete is a great place to stop while exploring Honolulu’s Chinatown.
Walk through the predictable front of this Chinatown restaurant and you’ll find a charming garden setting offering a bit of respite from hustle and bustle, plus a possible wild meandering chicken. From traditional bibimbap, to an array of delicious noodles and probably the best salmon dish (seaweed salmon) on the island, the menu offers something for everyone. Open Monday to Thursday 11am to 9pm and Friday to Saturday 11am to 10pm. Closed Sunday.
Lunch Near Kaka'ako / Ala Moana
Owner Crystal Evans has combined her love for the great outdoors with nutritious cuisine. The menu is perfect for your pre or post hiking tour, offering freshly squeezed juices, smoothies and delicious food. Local and organic produce is the name of the game. Their ono sauces and granola are made in house daily. This menu has plenty of gluten free, vegan and vegetarian options. The pizzas are scrumptious, and there’s even a tasty cauliflower pizza crust option for all you non gluten eaters.
Part of the trendy SALT at Our Kaka‘ako complex, this casual-chic restaurant is another success story from Hawaiʻi Regional Cuisine co-founder Peter Merriman (whose more upscale Merriman’s is another great addition to nearby Ward Village.) The hand-crafted-everything, local-whenever-possible approach makes pizzas , burgers and kale salad seem like the right thing to do.
This whimsical Ward Village offshoot of chef Andrew Le’s The Pig & The Lady (a Chinatown favorite) serves up delicious Vietnamese-inspired fare, including a spicy-savory vegan pho and garlic noodles that will make vegetarians rejoice. Carnivores can chow down ginger-scallion chicken pho or hearty sandwiches like the smoked brisket pho French dip sandwich and the pork and shrimp meatball sub on crusty baguette.
The sister restaurant to Dagon, this downtown location features more amazing Burmese cuisine. Take a culinary journey and try some of these spicy and savory salads, noodles and curries. Definitely bring your friends, you’re going to want to try a bunch of these dishes.
Finnish chef Göran Streng somehow found his way to Hawaiʻi in the 1990s, where his Scandinavian influences can still be seen in his open-faced sandwiches (house-cured gravlax among them) and hefty salads like roasted beets with labneh (strained yogurt) or greens with grilled pesto salmon. The light-filled cafe is on the ground floor of the Hokua building, where you can park in the garage for free for up to 2.5 hours with restaurant validation.
Lunch Near Kapahulu
Don’t judge a book by its cover. This spot is awesome. Start off with the mixed plate, teriyaki chicken, char siu pork and hamburger patty… and then keep going. Check out the bakery and try some of the best scones on the island.
Looking for a taste of local cuisine, kalua pig with cabbage and laulau pork… all of it and more. Seriously, if you want to taste the equivalent of a gorgeous Hawaiian sunset, eat at Helena’s.
Ono Seafood claims it serves the best poke in Honolulu since 1995… and yup! Think about it, they were doing Poke (pronounced poh key) way before it became trendy.
Lunch in or Near Waikiki
2280 Kalakaua Ave, #201, Waikiki
Founded by a father-son team in Canada in 1982, the Earls empire now includes a Waikiki restaurant among its more than 70 locations featuring eclectic menus with dollops of local flavors: Tomato and feta shakshuka, Nashville crispy chicken and waffles, spicy Calabrian pasta with fresh burrata and caramelized chorizo — there’s definitely something for everyone. That includes night owls, with a happy hour menu available in the lounge from 10 p.m. till “late” nightly.
2699 Kalakaua Ave., Waikiki
808.924.2233
Located at Queen’s Surf Beach, on the Diamond Head side of Waikiki. Enjoy watching the surfers as you while you grind down on some fresh food at this family owned and operated cafe. It appears to be a snack bar but don’t be fooled, it’s whipping up some delicious and refreshing dishes with some of the best views in all of Waikiki. There’s a great vegan menu in case you aren’t in the mood for the fresh caught Ahi Burger or a Kalua Pig & Cabbage Plate.
This just might be the epitome of Waikiki lunch dining. Fun Fact: it’s the original location of the Outrigger Canoe Club, it’s a very long story, but let’s just say there is lots of good surfing mojo in this space. Don’t expect fine dining, but once you add in the view and location and friendly service, it’s a win-win.
If you can’t decide between the pad thai or the yellow curry, there’s no need to worry, Noi Thai has a selection of lunch combos to soothe all your cravings. This finely decorated and affordable Thai restaurant is a gem to find in the middle of the bustling Waikiki.
If you’re in the mood for a margarita and a fatty burrito between surf sessions, OMG has got you covered. This Tex-Mex is whipping and flipping freshly made salsas and guacamole. They serve only grass fed, antibiotic free meats. So it’s fresh, it’s delicious, it’s filling and it goes very well with your mango margarita.
Lunch on Oahu's 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.
Lunch in Ko Olina
Coquito’s menu features popular Colombian, Puerto Rican and Caribbean favorites. Enjoy empanadas, pollo a la plancha and pasteles at this laid-back little restaurant.
You won’t get more farm to table than this cafe located on Kahumana Farm land. The food is grown in the surrounding fields and served fresh. This non-profit is doing a lot of good for the local food system and in Hawaii, so go support them, check out the beautiful property, and enjoy a fresh, locally sourced lunch.
92-161 Waipahe Place, Ko Olina
808.679.4700
Grind on Hawaiian style appetizers and lunch fare at this oceanfront restaurant. Longboards Bar & Grill serves American-style cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere, featuring tasty sandwiches and refreshing chardonnays.
Award-winning chef Roy Yamaguchi is one of Hawaii’s most popular restaurateurs. The Roy’s lunch menu has something for everyone, including fresh caught ahi, Big Island beef, refreshing greens, and even vegan options.
92-1001 Olani St., Kapolei
808.679.0079
James Beard Award- winning chef Michael Mina created this line-to-table, seafood-centric restaurant in Kapolei. Savor the ginger-lime hamachi and a glass of rosé while soaking up the gorgeous ocean view.
92-1001 Olani Street, Ko Olina
808.679.0079
If you’re in the mood for a full day at the beach and in the water, this is a great place for a quick lunch break. Check out this poolside bar and grill for a casual bite. Bite into street tacos, fresh tropical fruit, and a lobster roll in between your snorkel sessions.
Lunch in the North Shore
Looking for a super satisfying vegetarian restaurant. The menu is strictly vegetarian with many vegan and gluten free options. Breakfast is served all day; they have an extensive smoothie, juice and acai bowl menu. For lunch goers there are hearty salads and some creative vegetarian takes on burgers, tacos and sandwiches. Believe us, even the most enthusiastic carnivore will be satisfied.
66-472 Kamehameha Hwy., Haleiwa
808.293.1839
Looooove this spot, but not when you get behind a bus of tourists. So if you’re feeling lucky stop by Giovanni’s – and if it’s too crowded, you can shop and move on to another shrimp truck, there are plenty around.
66-250 Kamehameha Hwy., Haleiwa
808.200.2964
This hip spot is a chef owned and operated local favorite. The inside bar peeks into the open kitchen and there is plenty of fresh air seating on the front deck. The dishes are Spanish and Mediterranean style featuring locally sourced ingredients. The service is fantastic and the cocktail, beer and wine menu is on point. This is a perfect spot to grab lunch in Haleiwa town.
This joint is healthy, fresh and a crowd pleaser. People love it so much they have multiple locations! You can enjoy this deliciousness in Haleiwa, Kailua or the South Shore Market at Ward. The menu is focused on healthy food to fuel you up for your active lifestyle. Wraps, salads and sandwiches with vegan, vegetarian and carnivore options for your taste buds pleasures. Try one of their açaí bowls for a refreshing light lunch.
Burger porn. Sorry to be so graphic, but that’s all we got. Let us know if you agree. Family-owned and operated, these guys are serious about their burger game. Their mission is “your happiness always,” which begins with their grass-fed beef patties. With two locations on the North Shore, one at The Mill in Kahuku and the other in Laie, if you’re craving some deliciousness, stop by and get your burger on.
Foodie flock to Uncle Bo’s, because this “Uncle” is a.k.a. Chef Bo Pathammavong, who with his partner, Ho Suk Lee have created a fun, hip and (tasty) empire on the island.
200 Kamehameha Hwy., Haleiwa
808.341.2838
This place is a fav, it’s tucked back from the road, next to the Malama Market. This family owned and operated bakery features locally grown fruits and veggies. The smoothies perfectly accompany the sandwiches featuring homemade bread. Their cookies are abundant and you can even make your own ice cream sandwich! This intimate little spot has some dine in seating, but it’s the perfect place to order lunch and head to the beach.
