Best Restaurants and Must-Try Foods on Oahu

The ultimate Oahu foodie list

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Oahu is home to some of the most delicious food in the world. From trying Spam musubi to eating at a famous hot dog stand, here are the best restaurants and must-try foods on Oahu! 

Recommended Restaurants 

Hula Dog Kuhio

One of our favorite restaurants in Oahu was Hula Dog Kuhio. Located in a little food truck, Hula Dog serves up delicious Hawaiian hot dogs and lemonade. They’ve even been featured on season four of Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations! The menu can be found at this link.

Sam’s Kitchen 

Whether you’re looking for a late night snack or a quick dinner, Sam’s Kitchen is a delicious place to grab a bite. Located on Royal Hawaiian Avenue, Sam’s Kitchen serves up large asian-inspired plates with your choice of protein and sauce. Check out the menu here. 

Mai Tai Bar

Looking to try a famous Mai Tai cocktail while in Oahu? Head over to the Mai Tai Bar located at The Royal Hawaiian on Waikiki Beach. It’s the perfect spot to sip on a Mai Tai while admiring the view of Diamond Head in the distance. 

Banan Ice Cream 

Craving ice cream while exploring Oahu? We highly recommend that you check out Banan Ice Cream! Banan uses Hawaiian-grown bananas to make dairy-free ice cream. They have two locations near Waikiki. 

Hawaiian Aroma Caffe

Hawaiian Aroma Caffe is a great stop for breakfast before heading off to sightsee. Located inside the Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel, the cafe serves up delicious waffles and acai bowls. 

Island Vintage Wine Bar 

Housed inside the Royal Hawaiian Center, Island Vintage Wine Bar is known for the extensive wine list and delicious fresh food. We recommend ordering one of their flights and the mozzarella croquettes! 

Duke’s Waikiki 

Duke’s Waikiki is perhaps the most famous restaurant on Oahu. With its beachfront location and tiki vibe, Duke’s Waikiki is a great restaurant to visit for any meal of the day or to stop in for a drink. The restaurant has two options: the dining room or the barefoot bar. Duke’s Waikiki is also open for breakfast to-go. Click here for the menus and more about its history. 

Hula Grill

Boasting stunning views of Waikiki Beach from its open-air dining room, Hula Grill is a must-visit restaurant. The menu consists of authentic Hawaiian fare such as macadamia nut crusted mahi mahi and coconut seafood chowder as well as an extensive drink list. Make sure to end your meal with their famous hula pie! Hula Grill is quite popular, so we recommend making a reservation online before your trip. 

Foods To Try

Spam Musubi 

Believe it or not, Spam is a common item to snack on in Hawaii. One of the best ways to have Spam is in the form of a Spam Musubi sandwich, where a slice of grilled Spam is wrapped together with nori and rice. These sandwiches can be picked up at ABC stores and local food trucks. 

Mai Tai Cocktail 

Trying a Mai Tai cocktail is a bucket list item while visiting Hawaii. Made of rum, Curaçao liqueur, orgeat syrup, and lime juice, this cocktail is the perfect drink to have after a day at the beach. You’ll find Mai Tais on the menu at most restaurants. Check out our Oahu bucket list post for more bucket list items! 

Dole Whip 

Dole Whip, a delicious pineapple-flavored soft serve ice cream, is a must-try dessert on Oahu! 

Dole Whip can be found at the Dole Plantation, near the North Shore of Oahu. It’s served up in a variety of options, including a pineapple split and pineapple float. 

Loco Moco

If you need a big meal to fill you up after a day of sightseeing, order a Loco Moco. The dish consists of white rice, a hamburger, and a fried egg, all smothered in brown gravy. 

Kalua Pig  

Kalua pig is traditionally served at Hawaiian luaus. The pig is typically wrapped in banana leaves and smoked underground. If you’re looking to attend a luau, check out the Ka Moana Luau and the luau at the Polynesian Cultural Center.

Shave Ice 

Shave ice is the perfect treat after a long day in the sun. Flavored syrup and other sweet ingredients are added to a block of shaved ice to turn it into a tasty treat. Matsumoto Shave Ice on the North Shore and Island Vintage Shave Ice in Waikiki are two great options. 

Macadamia Nuts 

Did you know that a majority of the world’s macadamia nuts are grown in Hawaii? Tropical Farms is a great option for trying a variety of macadamia nuts and can be visited on a circle island tour. Check out our 4 days in Oahu post for more info on a circle island tour!

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Check out our 4-Day Oahu itinerary for more details!

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Disclaimer: All information presented in this post was accurate at the time of our trip. Attractions, availability, circumstances, operating hours, prices, etc. are subject to change and this post may not reflect the most up-to-date information. Readers are advised to do their due diligence in researching the location prior to travel. Hyperlink content may be out-of-date and is not sponsored by or affiliated with Scenic Sites unless otherwise noted.

Visited May 2022 | Posted November 2022