MomSkoop
Hawaii offers more than just beautiful beaches and stunning sunsets. The islands serve up some of the most incredible food experiences you’ll ever taste. From family-owned joints that have been around for decades to innovative restaurants mixing local flavors with modern cooking, these dining spots capture the true spirit of Hawaiian cuisine.
1. Boots & Kimo’s Homestyle Kitchen
Famous throughout Oahu for their legendary macadamia nut pancakes, this Kailua breakfast spot has been feeding hungry locals and visitors since 1998. Owner Boots Nakamura started with a simple dream of serving comfort food that reminded people of home.
The pancakes here aren’t just big – they’re absolutely massive, fluffy, and loaded with chunks of buttery macadamia nuts. Each stack could easily feed two people, but you won’t want to share.
Beyond pancakes, their plate lunches feature generous portions of local favorites like kalua pig and Portuguese sausage that keep customers coming back daily.
2. Hamura Saimin
Since 1952, this tiny Lihue institution has been ladling out steaming bowls of saimin from the same original location on Kress Street. The restaurant looks exactly like it did decades ago, complete with vintage stools and worn countertops.
Their saimin noodles swim in a clear, flavorful broth that’s been perfected over generations. Each bowl comes topped with char siu, green onions, and kamaboko that creates the perfect balance of flavors.
Don’t miss their famous lilikoi chiffon pie for dessert – it’s so popular that locals call ahead to reserve slices before they sell out completely.
3. Kaaloa’s Super J’s
Hidden in a Waianae strip mall, this unassuming spot serves some of the best Hawaiian plate lunches on the west side of Oahu. The portions here are enormous, and the prices remain surprisingly affordable for the quality you receive.
Their mixed plate combinations let you sample multiple local favorites like lau lau, pipi kaula, and haupia all in one meal. Everything tastes homemade because it actually is – recipes passed down through family generations.
Locals line up during lunch hours because word has spread about their authentic flavors and generous servings that often provide leftovers for dinner too.
4. Duke’s Waikiki
Perched right on Waikiki Beach, this oceanfront restaurant honors legendary surfer Duke Kahanamoku while serving fresh seafood with million-dollar views. The open-air dining room lets ocean breezes flow through while you eat.
Their famous hula pie has become a must-try dessert – a towering slice of macadamia nut ice cream on a chocolate crust, drizzled with hot fudge. The fish here arrives daily from local waters, ensuring peak freshness.
Sunday brunch features live Hawaiian music that perfectly complements the relaxed island atmosphere. Watching surfers ride waves while enjoying your meal creates an unforgettable Hawaiian dining experience.
5. Mama’s Fish House
Nestled along Maui’s stunning Paia coastline, this restaurant has earned a reputation as one of Hawaii’s finest dining destinations. Each fish dish comes with details about which local fisherman caught it and exactly where it was landed.
The building itself resembles a Polynesian village, complete with thatched roofs and tropical gardens that transport diners to another world. Their signature stuffed fish preparations showcase the chef’s creativity with local ingredients like macadamia nuts and tropical fruits.
Reservations book up weeks in advance, especially for sunset tables where you can watch the sky transform into brilliant oranges and pinks over the Pacific Ocean.
6. Sam Sato’s
Operating in Wailuku since 1933, this family bakery and noodle shop represents four generations of the same family perfecting their craft. The dry mein noodles here have achieved legendary status among Maui locals.
Unlike typical wet saimin, their signature dish features thin noodles tossed with a savory sauce and topped with char siu and bean sprouts. The combination creates a unique texture and flavor profile you won’t find anywhere else.
Their fresh-baked manju and malasadas disappear quickly each morning, so arriving early ensures you’ll snag these sweet treats. The recipes remain unchanged from the original founder’s specifications.
7. Merriman’s
Chef Peter Merriman pioneered the farm-to-table movement in Hawaii long before it became trendy elsewhere. His restaurants across the islands showcase the incredible diversity of local ingredients available year-round in this tropical paradise.
The wok-charred ahi remains their most celebrated dish – perfectly seared fish that melts in your mouth while maintaining a delicate crust. Everything from vegetables to proteins comes from island farms and waters within miles of each location.
Dining here feels like experiencing a culinary love letter to Hawaii itself. The commitment to supporting local agriculture while creating innovative dishes has influenced countless other island restaurants.
8. Mud Hen Water
This Honolulu hotspot takes its unusual name from the Hawaiian translation of a local waterbird, setting the tone for their playful approach to island cuisine. Chef Ed Kenney creates dishes that tell stories about Hawaii’s multicultural food heritage.
Their menu changes seasonally based on what local farmers bring to market, ensuring peak freshness and supporting the island’s agricultural community. Dishes might feature Korean-style preparations alongside Portuguese influences and native Hawaiian ingredients.
The intimate dining room buzzes with energy from food lovers who appreciate creative interpretations of comfort food. Reservations fill up quickly because locals know this represents some of Honolulu’s most innovative cooking.
9. Koko Head Café
Brunch reaches new heights at this Kaimuki neighborhood gem where Chef Lee Anne Wong creates inventive morning meals that blend island flavors with international techniques. The cornflake French toast has become legendary among breakfast enthusiasts.
Their Korean-style fried chicken and waffles represents the kind of creative fusion that makes Hawaiian cuisine so exciting. Long weekend waits are common, but the food quality makes every minute worthwhile.
The casual atmosphere encourages lingering over coffee while watching the diverse Kaimuki community wake up around you. Local ingredients shine in unexpected combinations that somehow make perfect sense once you taste them.
10. Helena’s Hawaiian Food
For over seven decades, this family-run establishment has served authentic Hawaiian food that tastes exactly like what local grandmothers cook at home. The recipes here date back to Helena Chock’s original preparations from the 1940s.
Their pipi kaula (Hawaiian beef jerky) and poi represent traditional island foods prepared the old-fashioned way. Everything arrives on paper plates, but don’t let the casual presentation fool you – this food carries serious cultural significance.
Eating here provides a direct connection to Hawaii’s culinary heritage that many restaurants try to recreate but few achieve. The flavors transport you back to an earlier era of island life.
11. Highway Inn
Since 1947, multiple generations of the Toguchi family have been serving local-style comfort food that defines what Hawaii tastes like to people who grew up here. Their plate lunches represent the gold standard for this uniquely Hawaiian meal format.
The beef stew here has achieved almost mythical status among locals – tender chunks of meat in a rich gravy that pairs perfectly with white rice and macaroni salad. Each location maintains the same high standards established decades ago.
This isn’t fancy food, but it’s deeply satisfying in the way that only authentic comfort food can be. Generations of families have shared meals here, creating lasting memories over simple, well-prepared dishes.
12. The Pig & The Lady
Chef Andrew Le brings his Vietnamese heritage together with Hawaiian ingredients to create some of Honolulu’s most exciting food. The pho here features local beef and herbs that grow in Hawaii’s year-round sunshine.
Their famous pig face dish challenges diners to try something completely new while remaining surprisingly approachable for adventurous eaters. The restaurant’s energy reflects Chinatown’s multicultural vibrancy where different food traditions meet and merge.
Lunch crowds pack the small space because word has spread about Le’s ability to honor his family’s recipes while incorporating island flavors. Each dish tells a story about Hawaii’s immigrant communities.
13. Star Noodle
Perched on a Lahaina hillside, this ramen shop offers stunning ocean views alongside bowls of rich, complex broth that rival anything found in Japan. The pork belly buns here have achieved cult status among Maui visitors.
Their Asian fusion approach incorporates local ingredients like fresh fish and tropical vegetables into traditional preparations. The casual atmosphere contrasts beautifully with the sophisticated flavors emerging from the kitchen.
Sunset dining here creates magical moments as the sky changes colors over the Pacific while you slurp perfectly cooked noodles. The combination of excellent food and incredible views makes this a truly special Hawaiian dining experience.