Must-Try Foods When Visiting Hawaii

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Here are the best foods to try during your time on Oahu, Hawaii. 

I’ll give you a few places to enjoy them.

I’ll also introduce other recommended menu that are not local food, so please take a look!

Loco Moco

Loco moco is a signature Hawaiian dish.

A bed of white rice topped with hamburger patties and a fried egg, blanketed in brown gravy.

At Liliha Bakery, located inside the International Market Place and Ala Moana Shopping Center,

you can enjoy the Loco Moco that has been beloved by locals for many years.

Besides, Grilled Butter Roll became one of my favorite dish at Liliha Bakery.

This complimentary bread soaked in butter and served as an appetizer.

Just before heading back to my country, I really craved this Grilled Butter Roll, so I ended up purchasing it for takeout.

(I asked a waiter, and they kindly accommodate my request.)

I also try their famous specialties, Coco Puff and Poi Donut.

The Poi Donut had a chewy texture made with taro, while the Coco Puff was like a sweet cream puff.

Garlic Shrimp

Trying Giovanni’s garlic shrimp is an essential thing to do on North Shore.

Giovanni is known as the originator of garlic shrimp, so it’s incredibly popular and there’s always a long line. 

When I arrived around 10:25 AM, just before the 10:30 AM opening, there were already four groups ahead of me. 

After I joined the line, it quickly grew to more than ten groups.

This photo captures a half plate of scampi that consist of 6 shrimps and 1 scoop of rice.

You can also enjoy Giovanni’s garlic shrimp inside H Mart which is a Korean supermarket in Kakaako.

Poke

Poke is a bowl of diced raw fish, such as tuna, salmon or octopus, seasoned with like frikake, soy sauce, and seaweed.

① Off the Hook Poke Market 

Off the Hook Poke Market located in Manoa is the most popular poke shop among locals.

They ensure the freshest fish from the Honolulu Fish Auction for their poke every morning.

When I asked the staff for recommendations, they suggested the top seller, the Cold Ginger Ahi,

and the second popular choice, the Spicy Ahi.

I decided to go with these two popular options, and it was the right call!

Also I requested all four toppings available by the register: furikake, green onion, bright-orange masago and tiny tempura puffs.

Since this shop is located across the street from Mānoa Marketplace alongside the only green Starbucks in the world,

it might be a good idea to grab takeout poke while sightseeing.

② Poké Bar

Second recommendation is the poke bowl from Poké Bar! 

What’s great about this shop is that you can customize your own poke bowl according to your preferences.

The photo shows the poke bowl for takeout I enjoyed on the lanai of my hotel.

Açai Bowls 

With origins in Brazil, Açai Bowls can be found everywhere in Hawaii .

①Haleiwa Bowls

Haleiwa Bowls is the most popular spot for an açai bowl on Haleiwa.

Personally, the açai bowl here was the most delicious. 

The Mana Acai Bowl I ordered is a base of frozen acai puree’ (like a sorbet) that suited my taste perfectly.

Having honey drizzled over the toppings of banana, strawberry, and blueberry gave it a nice shine,

and the texture of granola and coconut flakes added to the deliciousness.

By the way, it seems like the popular bowls here are the Hapa Bowl which is a blended base of acai, bananas,

strawberries & blueberries (like a thick smoothie) and the Blue Majik Bowl which is a blended base of pineapple,

banana & blue majik spirulina.

②Lanikai Juice

Açai Extravaganza I ordered is a blended base of acai, bananas, strawberries & apple juice with quinoa puffs, granola and coconut chips.

The taste was amazing but it might not satisfy those who prefer a sorbet-like açaí texture like me, because it’s like a thick smoothie.

Pancake

You can indulge in the incredibly cute Honu pancakes at Cafe Morey’s which located in Monsarrat. 

They even write the name on the plate for you, which adds a nice touch to the service.

Even in the kids’ size, you get three mini pancakes.

And another recommendation is Maki special plate which is a one plate meal including  Morey’s fried rice,

1 fried egg, 3pcs garlic shrimps, Ahi Tataki ginger shoyu poke & Caesar salad.

The Morey’s fried rice has a  remarkable taste.

The interior has a cute pastel theme, which adds to its charm.

This place is recommended for brunch after trekking Diamond Head.

By the way, I went around 10 AM on a weekday and managed to get in without having to wait in line.

Eggs Benedict 

Speaking of egg benedict in Waikiki, Hau Tree Lanai comes first.

The eggs Benedict was excellent and no worries about dry English muffins here.

We ate breakfast here and enjoyed the view of Kaimana beach from the oceanfront lanai.

It is a popular restaurant, so I would recommend calling ahead for a reservation. 

Steak

STRIPSTEAK Waikiki is a modern American steakhouse and located on the 3rd floor of the International Marketplace.

The 8oz Center-Cut Filet Mignon I ordered this time was tender sirloin and the seasoning was delicious.

The French fries served as a complimentary appetizer were marvelous that they might as well be the hidden main dish of this restaurant.

They come with three sauces: truffle sauce, tomato ketchup, and tonkatsu sauce.

Tables on the terrace are highly recommended.

Hamburger 

① Chubbies Burgers

Chubbies Burgers serves classic smash burgers in Kaimuki area.

‘50’s burger’ I ordered this time is a smashed patty burger, where the patty is pressed firmly into a thin and flattened. 

The smashed patty was crispy and paired perfectly with the original sauce. 

It was truly delicious.

You can choose options between French fries or onion rings as a side, and I went with the onion rings. 

They were also crispy and absolutely delish. 

② Cheeseburger in Paradise

A popular burger shop located on a busy corner in the middle of the main strip, Kalakaua Avenue.

It is a stylish building with a wavy design.

Every time I pass by, it’s full and there’s a line, but when I went around 3:30 pm, I was able to get in without lining up.

The signature menu CHEESE BURGER IN PARADISE is topped with Colby cheese and served on a brioche buns

with Thousand Island dressing, lettuce, tomato, onions and a side of seasoned fries.

Malasada

A malasada is a doughnut come from Portugal but a huge part of the Hawaiian culture.

① Leonard’s Bakery 

Leonard’s Bakery is a classic staple of the island.

They serve malasadas filled with creams that are very Hawaiian such as Haupia, being coconut based, Guava and Macadamia.

I tried the malasadas filled with Haupia (coconuts) cream and the one with Guava cream.

The one with Haupia is too sweet for me and the one with guava is slightly sour taste.

② Pipeline Bakeshop & Creamery

The shop located in Kaimuki area serves the fluffiest malasadas on Oahu!

The malasadas they offer are unfilled but so fluffy and soft.

They offer 5 regular types of sugar that coat the outside such as classic, cocoa, coffee, lihing and cinnamon 

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Here are my recommended foods in Hawaii.

Feel the Aloha spirit as you feast on a delicious foods!