Where & What to Eat on Oʻahu 

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With a population of 1.4 million people, Oʻahu is a bustling melting pot of culture and cuisine.

Honolulu Cuisine, A Melting-Pot

In the early 1800ʻs, Hawaiʻi was an independent sovereign kingdom with a growing industrial economy. When the American Civil War erupted in the United States it slowed the production of Sugar Plantation.

As the demand for sugar spiked, Hawaiʻi Sugar Planters were eager to fill the void and were desperate for cheap laborers to increase production. As such, an influx of workers from China, Japan, the Philippines, Korea, and Portugal migrated and settled in Hawaiʻi to live and work. (Learn more about Hawaiʻiʻs sugar industry here.)

Once settled, these new citizens lived and worked side-by-side with one another, establishing a rich generational heritage in the Hawaiian islands.

My mother and her sisters fondly recall their life on the Pūnene Sugar Plantation in Central Maui. In her book titled, The Sweet Life: Puunene, Maui … Where Sugar Was Life, my Aunty Linda Wheeler depicts their idyllic life on the plantation where culture, language, and cuisine were woven together in a colorful tapestry that was their blended community.

The vestiges of this cultural clashing can still be found in the culinary brew present in modern-day Honolulu.

There are far too many delicious small diners, corner store markets, and resort restaurants to mention here. Thus this list will highlight my must-have eats for a quick weekend getaway to Oʻahu.

Below, you will find my local guide to the best breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night eats in Honolulu.


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Breakfast & Brunch

They say itʻs the most important meal of the day, for me, itʻs an excuse to have booze before noon. Iʻm kidding (sort of). Whether sweet or savory – these are my must-have picks for brunch and breaky.

Koko Head Cafe

I might be a little biased since I did work here and meet my fiance here. But despite my obvious affinity for this place, it is my first choice for brunch. We always make time to get our fix of Chef Lee Anne Wongʻs Koko Moco, Bibimbap, Eggs Hāloa, Dumplings of the Day, and Bacon Pancakes.

Scratch Kitchen

If youʻre craving a taste of the South, stop into Scratch Kitchen and be sure to try their signature Shrimp & Grits, Kimchee Bloody Mary, and Milk Nʻ Cereal Pancakes. We love taking out-of-town guests here for a little brunch-and-shop day at Ward.

Sweet Eʻs 

Simple yet lovely – a brunch at Sweet Eʻs is like a warm hug for your belly. Do not leave without trying their Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast or extra-large omelets.

Heavenly Island Kitchen

Healthy yet hearty, Heavenly offers lighter variations of your local breaky favorites. Like their Loco Moco made with long grain rice, broccolini, carrots, and a dash of gravy. Otherwise, sip on one of their fresh fruit smoothies.

Legends Seafood Restaraunt 

I refuse to leave Oʻahu without dim sum – it is a necessity!!! That being said, when it comes to dim sum nothing beats Legends Seafood Restaurant in Chinatown. I overstuff myself with their Shrimp Lookfun, Shrimp & Chive, Fried Taro, and Shrimp Dumpling. You might need a wheelbarrow to hitch a ride out!


Lunch

Ruscello lunch in Nordstrom at Ala Moana Center.
Ruscello lunch in Nordstrom at Ala Moana Center.

I remember my college counselor asking me “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Without hesitation, I replied, “A lady who lunches.”

There was something so mysterious and sophisticated about the ladies who got together in the middle of the afternoon for a salad and white wine.

These days, lunching means that I have – in some miraculous feat – managed to muster the time to sit down for a meal in the middle of the day. It doesnʻt happen often but when it does I find solice in these joints.

Nicoʻs Pier 38 

Fresh fish by the water? Say less. Few things beat the Furikake Pan Seared Ahi Plate and a beer at Nicoʻs Pier 38. Clear your schedule because the peaceful scenery, open-seating, and ocean views beg for a drink refill and an extended hang.

Leʻahi Health Bar

Looking for something light, filling, and savory? Find a Leʻahi Health Bar near you. I could eat their Surfer Bowl, Baja Bowl, and Uluwatu Smoothie every day. Somehow if I did – I bet Iʻd look and feel as bright as their menu items.

Helenaʻs Hawaiian Food

Never mind waiting for the next baby lūʻau or wedding to get your Hawaiian food fix. At Helenaʻs you can get all your favorite lūʻau foods like Pipikaula Short Ribs, Squid Lūʻau, Lomi salmon, poi, and laulau. Careful, they serve all items ala carte so I guess you have to share?

Lamʻs Kitchen

Anyone who follows our Instagram account knows that we are OBSESSED with the Beef Flank & Tendon Look Fun Soup (add wontons) at Lamʻs Kitchen in Chinatown. It is thee best bowl of soup of my life but frankly, everything on their humble menu is superb. With hand-made noodles and wontons, it is my go-to-hangover cure.

Ruscello

Ambiance, drinks, shopping, and the best tomato bisque soup are the history of soups. Ruscello is one of my favorite places to lunch. Iʻm convinced that their Ginger Panko Crusted Salad and Tomato Bisque Soup have addicting properties because I canʻt seem to stray away from ordering both.


Dinner 

Dinner at The Pig & The Lady in Chinatown, Oahu.
Dinner at The Pig & The Lady in Chinatown, Oahu.

Ahhhh the meal of romance, weʻre talking dinner baby. When I head back to Honolulu, these are places I pine for.

Angelo Pietro 

I kind of hate the word fusion, but in this case it really does apply. Because Angelo Pietro is an amalgamation of Italian pasta with Japanese umami. The Pork & Eryngii Spicy Cream Sauce is a creamy, savory, spicy, pasta with garlic chips and my favorite dish for carb-loading. On the ligther side, the Pietro Rainbow Salad is unbelivable since they make (and bottle) their signature salad dressing.

Yakitori Glad

Image courtesy of Honolulu Magazine

If I said you could have dinner in Honolulu for $3 would you believe me? Well you shouldnʻt. Although everything on the Yakitori Glad menu is priced at $3 a pop (including ice cold beer), I doubt you could order just one. Because the “meat sticks” concept at Yakitori Glad is incredible. We love the Momo-Kimchee-Mayo (Chicken-Kimchee-Mayo), Kawa Shio (Chicken Skins), Buta Bura (Pork Belly), and Agedashi Tofu.

Izakaya Nonbei

Izakaya Nonbei is a lovely Japanese restaurant perfect for small groups and boozy dates. Order a bottle of sake, share an extra-large Asahi and pair it with their Karei Karaage and Wafu Steak. You wonʻt regret it.  

Pig & The Lady

The Pig & The Lady is my favorite place for dinner because their iconic Le Friend Chicken Wings might be the best fried chicken I have ever had. The refreshing lime and basil cut the fat of the fried chicken skin perfectly. Whatʻs more, they serve daily P&L Soft serve specials.

Golden Pork 

Itʻs raining ramen! Hallelujah! I love the rich broth at Golden Pork. The Black Garlic Original Ramen and the Gyoza are my favorites but Travis goes for the Golden Pork Tsukemon.


Late-Night

Itʻs 1 am youʻre hangry, and you needed food like, yesterday! These late-night spots are so good you might begin to welcome the late-night.

Izakaya Naru

For late-night nothing beats Izakara Naru. An innovative Japanese Izakaya, their menu is a exciting mind-f*ck. Donʻt believe me? Try their Taco Rice, a Mexican burrito bowl served in a sizzling stone pot with crunchy fried rice. Or their Peanut Tofu, a goo-like mixture with a peanut umami sauce. Finally, the Gyzo pizza and the Baguette stuffed with vanilla ice cream are dishes straight from the late-night Gods. Praise be!

Sikdorak Or Suda Hawaii

Who thought cooking youʻre own food could be so good? Sikdorak is an all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ joint that boasts 24hr service. At $24 a person, be sure to arrive hungry and to get your moneys worth of all-you-can-eat pork belly, brisket, and pork jowl.


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About The Author

Keōmai

Keōmailani Eaton is a Native Hawaiian storyteller, aloha ʻāina researcher, and flight attendant from Maui, Hawaiʻi.