10 Best Foods in Honolulu, Hawaii, To Eat on Vacation

When it comes to a travel destination brimming with friendly faces and picturesque landscapes, Honolulu, Hawaii, on the island of Oahu, tops the list. But when foodies like me think about this paradise, we think about the food in Honolulu.

Hawaiian cuisine is very different from “typical” American food. And although you’ll find some of the most interesting food in the United States in Hawaii, there is no place among the Hawaiian Islands where the food scene is more vibrant than in Honolulu, the capital of Hawaii.

Honolulu is also Hawaii’s most cosmopolitan city, and it is known for blending traditional Hawaiian flavors with influences from around the world. Here you’ll find some of best restaurants for the most traditional Hawaiian food, but you’ll also enjoy some unique Honolulu dishes that you’ll rarely find anywhere else in Hawaii.

So, let me share with you some of the most iconic signature dishes of Honolulu and the best places to enjoy them. I’ll introduce you to the local favorite spots for the best foods in Honolulu. And whether they’re hot spots or hidden gems, these are the places where you’ll be sure to enjoy some of the most memorable meals in the Aloha State.

Best Foods in Honolulu, Oahu

1. Malasadas at Leonard’s Bakery

Shortly after Leonard Rigo opened his bakery in 1952, just 10 minutes away from Diamond Head, his mother suggested that he make some malasadas to sell on Shrove Tuesday. And whether it’s called Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Pancake Day in the UK, or Shrove Tuesday elsewhere, this is the last day before Lent begins, when dietary restrictions kick in for the Christian faithful.

The Rigos were of Portuguese origin and they celebrated Shrove Tuesday the traditional Portuguese way: by making and devouring these hole-free donuts that are fried until golden brown on the outside while remaining light and fluffy on the inside.

Leonard’s malasadas were a big hit, and Hawaii’s love affair with these unique sweet treats began. Today, the legendary malasadas at Leonard’s are a daily affair and come coated in either sugar, cinnamon sugar, or li hing—popular Hawaiian sprinkles made from dried, salted plum skins flavored with licorice and other goodies.

There are also malasada puffs, which are stuffed with your choice of 6 different fillings, among them traditional custard and unique Hawaiian favorites.

This place is totally worth the hype. The doughy wonders here come out fresh and hot from the fryer and they just melt in your mouth. They’re some of the morning’s best eats in Oahu and truly a delicious Hawaii way to start off your day.

Leonard’s Bakery
Address: 933 Kapahulu Ave, Honolulu, HI 96816

2. Snow Puffies at Paalaa Kai Bakery

Located on the North Shore of Honolulu, in Waialua, Paalaa Kai Bakery also offers delicious baked goods with friendly service. Among the tasty treats here, the bakery’s biggest claim to fame is their Snow Puffies.

These delights have a flaky outer crust with an unmistakable butter accent. Inside, the Snow Puffies are generously filled with chilled creamy custard. They are topped with a sprinkle of powdered sugar and frosted with chocolate swirls. The puffies are purposely served cold, which makes them both delicious and refreshing.

Since Snow Puffies are an original Paalaa Kai creation, you will not find the authentic versions made here anywhere else on the island. So, when you arrive at the bakery, don’t be surprised if customers are already lined up to order this unique indulgence.

Just know that the wait is worth it: The taste of Snow Puffies is out of this world, and like sampling the best desserts in Paris while in the City of Lights, this pastry is a must-try in Honolulu.

Paalaa Kai Bakery
Address: 66-945 Kaukonahua Rd, Waialua, HI 96791

3. Pink Palace Pancakes at The Royal Hawaiian

The Royal Hawaiian is one of the best hotels in Honolulu and has hosted such Hollywood legends as Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe, and Elvis Presley over the years. But this landmark property—nicknamed the Pink Palace—might be even more famous for its Pink Palace Pancakes.

These fluffy, delicious pancakes derive their pink hue from a batter that includes both guava and raspberries. They are topped with toasted coconut and come with a magical haupia sauce (a heavenly Hawaiian coconut sauce).

These famous pancakes are not only one of The Royal Hawaiian’s signature dishes, they are served in the perfect place: the hotel’s Surf Lanai open-air restaurant, which features jaw-dropping ocean views.

Indeed, with its combination of excellent food and unbeatable beachfront location, the Surf Lanai is quite possibly the best restaurant in Honolulu at which to enjoy breakfast, and it’s definitely one of the best restaurants in Honolulu with a view.

You can choose to elevate your breakfast by toasting the sunrise over Waikiki Beach with a world famous mai tai or keep things pretty in pink by ordering the Pink Palace cocktail, a decadently delicious cocktail counterpart to your pancakes. Cheers!

Surf Lanai Restaurant at The Royal Hawaiian
Address: 2259 Kalākaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815

4. Poke at Maguro Spot

Maguro Spot might just make the best lunch in Honolulu for health-conscious indulgence.

When it comes to the best seafood dish in Hawaii, fresh poke automatically comes to mind. And at Maguro Spot, you can try various versions of this oh-so-Hawaiian raw fish dish at affordable prices and check amazing Hawaiian poke off of your U.S. Food Bucket List.

You can custom design your own poke bowl by choosing your favorite fresh fish (raw ahi tuna and raw salmon are the most popular) and your preferred style of rice (white, sushi, or brown).

Then you get to customize your bowl with an array of fresh toppings, including avocados, cucumbers, edamame, seaweed, pickled ginger, and even ikura—salmon eggs that add a pleasant pop of sensational salty tang.

The bowls are not only beautiful and delicious, they’re nutritious too! These low-calorie meals serve up the perfect blend of protein, healthy fats, and energy-packed carbohydrates.

This combination might just make Maguro Spot your favorite restaurant at which to indulge in a tasty mix of delicious flavors and leave feeling guilt free.

Maguro Spot
Address: 2441 Kūhiō Ave., Honolulu, HI 96815

5. Garlic Butter Shrimp at Jenny’s Shrimp Truck

It’s hard to imagine garlic butter shrimp anywhere on the island of Oahu that can compete with those on the menu at Jenny’s Shrimp Truck. And since they’re served with rice and a salad, they’re part of a mouthwatering meal that leaves you pleasantly full.

An added bonus is the scenic drive to get to Jenny’s. Cruising along Kamehameha Highway or Route 803 is a great way to get a refreshing dose of lush green fields.

And Jenny’s is located within a constellation of Honolulu food trucks, all just a stone’s throw from attractive beaches and epic vistas.

Great food and a gorgeous drive are a winning combination at this Hawaiian lunch or dinner destination.

If you’re looking for a surefire way to have a healthy shrimp dish that’s still brimming with flavor once you get home, try this Skinny Shrimp Scampi.

Jenny’s Shrimp Truck
Address: 66-532 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, HI 96712

6. Shave Ice at Matsumoto

Shave ice at Matsumoto form a rainbow of colors and flavors. — A rainbow of flavors at Matsumoto Shave Ice

Shave ice is a classic Hawaiian treat that is quite tasty and can really take the edge off a hot day. It was introduced to Hawaii back in the 1800s by Japanese immigrants who worked in the sugar and pineapple plantations (so, about the same time Baltimore snowball pioneers invented their Maryland famous food thousands of miles away).

Today, this chilly delight remains the local cool-down go-to favored by native Hawaiians and tourists alike.

The Matsumoto family have been offering their shave ice since 1951, and their shop remains one of the favorite spots in all of Oahu for this classic Hawaiian frosty sensation.

Operating in its original location so close to the big waves of the North Shore, Matsumoto Shave Ice became a convenient location for surfers, other beachgoers, area visitors, and nearby residents to take a refreshing break. And you certainly couldn’t ask for a more casual atmosphere.

It is not unusual to see fans queued up here in long lines to enjoy bowls of shaved ice flavored with homemade rainbow-bright syrups that come in more than 30 flavors!

Toppings include ice cream, mochi balls, and azuki beans—Japanese red beans boiled in sugar according to a family recipe. Don’t worry; they taste a lot better than they sound.

Matsumoto Shave Ice
Address: 66-111 Kamehameha Hwy, #605, Haleiwa, HI 96712

7. Kalua Pig at Highway Inn

Kalua Pig Combo Plate at Highway Inn — Kalua pork combo with lomi salmon, poi, Hawaiian purple sweet potatoes, and haupia (coconut) pudding

Kalua pork is a traditional Hawaiian dish that has historically been prepared by wrapping a seasoned whole pig in banana leaves and burying it in a pit where it is roasted for hours until its meat is amazingly tender and flavorful. It is not surprising, then, that the term Kalua is Hawaiian for “from the pit.”

And like pit masters making phenomenal barbecue in North Carolina, South Carolina, St. Louis, or Tennessee, there has to be a practiced hand in charge here in Hawaii to always end up with perfect pork on the plate.

Kalua pork remains an important part of the local culture and is still the centerpiece of luau celebrations throughout Hawaii. For Hawaiians, this dish is a beloved comfort food that is one of the must-have menu items at any restaurant featuring traditional island cuisine.

One of the Hawaiian restaurants Honolulu adores for its kalua pork is the Highway Inn, which boasts a long history of pleasing locals and visitors alike going back to 1947.

Their lunch and dinner menu also features an extensive list of other Hawaiian food favorites, including lau lau (pork steamed in taro leaves), lomi salmon (smoked salmon with tomatoes and onions), and poi (the main starch of Hawaiian cuisine, made from the root of the taro plant).

Highway Inn welcomes diners to both its location in Waipahu and its recently opened restaurant in downtown Honolulu in the Kaka‘ako district. The Kaka‘ako location is in the SALT complex, home to one of the most culturally interesting assortments of shops and Honolulu restaurants downtown.

Both spots have a happy hour (or pau hana in Hawaiian) weekdays from 3 to 6 with drink and appetizer discounts. Just one more reason Highway Inn is a favorite place among the locals for excellent Honolulu food and good times.

Highway Inn
Addresses: 94-830 Moloalo St, #101, Waipahu, HI 96797 & 680 Ala Moana Blvd, #105, Honolulu, HI 96813

8. SPAM Musubi At Musubi Cafe Iyasume

Musubi is a type of Japanese rice ball, and it is often stuffed, mixed, or topped with other tasty ingredients and can also be wrapped in nori (edible seaweed). Sometimes also called onigiri, musubi are one of the most famous foods of Japan.

Musubi Cafe Iyasume, located across the road from Maguro Spot, is one of the top restaurants in Oahu specializing in offering these delicious and beautiful rice balls, and they are the best spot on the island for SPAM musubi.

Yep, you read that right. You may not already know that Hawaii has a love affair with SPAM. It was brought to the islands during World War II to feed the U.S. military forces stationed there, and it quickly made its way into the local cuisine.

SPAM musubi is one of Hawaii’s favorite manifestations of SPAM, and Musubi Cafe Iyasume has more than 10 different varieties of musubi featuring this locally beloved canned meat.

These include everything from plain to teriyaki to avocado bacon egg to kimchi, just to name a few. This specialty may not end up meeting your definition of a Honolulu best food, but you should take the opportunity try this uniquely Hawaiian favorite during your stay.

You can visit the Mususbi Cafe Iyasume at the Waikiki Beach Walk in the heart of Waikiki’s most vibrant shopping, dining, and entertainment district, or pop into any of the 6 other locations this local chain operates.

Musubi Cafe Iyasume
Address: 227 Lewers St, Honolulu, HI 96815

9. Loco Moco at Westman Cafe + Lounge

Loco Moco is another of those quintessentially Hawaiian foods that harmoniously blends elements from the mainland with local ingredients to create a new taste sensation that imbeds itself into the 49th state’s culinary hit parade.

Another plus: It’s a very reasonably priced Hawaiian classic!

It traditionally consists of a layer of white rice topped with a hamburger patty smothered in brown gravy and capped off with a sunny-side-up fried egg.

Among all the places to eat in Honolulu, Westman Cafe + Lounge turns out one of the absolute best versions of Loco Moco. Its rice is prepared Hayashi style, so the gravy contains a delectable mix of beef, onions, and mushroom in an incredible demi-glace sauce. What’s more, their preparation is almost as beautiful to look at as it is delicious to eat.

Westman Cafe + Lounge
Address: 280 Beach Walk, #106, Honolulu, HI 96815

10. Squid Lū‘au at Waiahole Poi Factory

This is another Hawaiian dish that is prepared with taro. But unlike poi, which is made from the plant’s roots, this lū‘au features the plant’s leaves. However, in order for taro leaves to be edible, they must be parboiled and then cooked at low heat for hours until softened. They are then chopped into smaller pieces.

The leaves are then ready to be sautéed with onions, perfectly seasoned squid, and coconut milk. Once the finished dish reaches your mouth, it releases an explosion of flavors that dazzle your taste buds.

But that’s not the only reason the Squid Lū‘au at Waiahole Poi Factory is a dish you will never forget. This particular Hawaii restaurant is suffused with the aloha spirit, and it’s dedicated to making authentic Hawaiian cuisine featuring local ingredients sourced from local farmers.

The kitchen also uses traditional preparation techniques to keep alive the unique flavors of Hawaii that have been passed down for countless generations.

Waiahole Poi Factory
Address: 48-140 Kamehameha Hwy, Kaneohe, HI 96744

Enjoy the Best Foods in Honolulu

I hope you’ve enjoyed this rundown of some of the best food in Honolulu and the unique eateries where you can enjoy it all.

Although sometimes you have to pay a pretty price to dine in the top restaurants in Honolulu, it’s assuring to know that the majority of spots on this list offer incredibly delicious food that is also reasonably priced.

Anytime is the best time to visit Hawaii. And it’s great to know that no matter when you decide to visit Honolulu or what amazing local activities and sites you plan to explore, there is plenty of fantastic food awaiting you in this tropical paradise!