Here are some recommendations for places to eat while in Oahu. Depending on where you stay, you may be able to walk to some of these places. In my opinion, it’s advisable to rent a car for a few days to try these delicious treats and explore the island. You won’t regret it!!
BREAKFAST
Our first time visiting Oahu was a new experience. We had a few places we tried and loved, so we started there.
CJ’S NEW YORK STYLE DELI
For breakfast, one of our favorite spots is CJ’s New York Style Deli. It may not sound like a good breakfast place but trust me, it’s fantastic!! My personal favorite is the Triple Play : a mini black angus beef loco moco, mini macadamia nut and coconut pancakes with strawberries, and one gourmet bacon, tomato, avocado egg benedict. Although I was initially hesitant to try it, as I had never had loco moco or eggs benedict, it was definitely worth facing my fear. EVERYTHING on the plate was delicious. We visited CJ’s multiple times during both of our trips to Oahu, which speaks volumes about how good it is. To avoid crowds, try to arrive before 9 AM.
SWEET E’S CAFE
Another breakfast recommendation is Sweet E’s cafe, a place suggested by a local. This place did not disappoint! I tried their Enchanting French Toast sprinkled with powdered sugar and strawberries, which was made with thick slices of Hawaiian Sweet Bread. YUMMM!!! My son had the Elated Pancakes with bananas; everything we had there was fantastic! Get there early, as there might be a wait for a table, and parking is limited. Even if you have to walk a bit, it’s worth it!
LAPPERT’S
If you are looking for a quick breakfast option like muffins, cinnamon roll, or something sweet to satisfy your cravings, Lapperts is the place to go. They are amazing for any sweet tooth craving. However, be prepared for long lines, as they are always busy. The wait for your order isn’t too long, but I recommend giving yourself some extra time, just in case.
LUNCH/SUPPER
JENNY’S SHRIMP TRUCK
Oahu has various food trucks, and one of my favorites is Jenny’s Shrimp Truck. They serve some of the best Butter Garlic Shrimp I’ve ever tasted. It comes with a side of rice and salad. Just thinking about it makes my mouth water-it’s that good!
ISLAND VINTAGE COFFEE
Island Vintage Coffee is another top spot for us! They offer a wide selection of food and coffee, and everything we tried there was exceptional. We kept coming back for their acai bowls and macadamia nut coffee. We’ve tried acai bowls from different places in the States, and Island Vintage Coffee’s bowls were by far the best. If you enjoy acai bowls, great coffee and delicious food, you must visit this place. Just be prepared for a line, as it’s always busy.
HEAVENLY ISLAND LIFESTYLE
Heavenly Island Lifestyle is another excellent restaurant option. They use organic ingredients to prepare a variety of different dishes. We particularly loved their fish tacos! The restaurant has a cozy atmosphere and was never too crowded during our visits. The prices were a slightly higher than expected, but considering the use of organic ingredients, it was understandable.
SUSHI SPOT WAIKIKI
Craving sushi? Give Sushi Spot Waikiki a try. It’s a cozy place to enjoy some sushi. The restaurant is clean, and the staff is very friendly. There was a short wait for a table and for food we ordered to go.
SNACKS
BANAN
Banan is a fantastic place to satisfy your snack cravings at any time of day – whether it’s an afternoon snack, midday treat or evening indulgence. What makes them unique is they use bananas to make their ice cream! Pretty amazing! They offer a variety of mouthwatering treats to choose from, like my personal favorite, chunkadelic. This delightful creation features banana ice cream with a delicious combination of mac nut honey butter, dark chocolate, granola, shaved coconut, and honey. They have other toppings such as papaya, pineapple, strawberries, and quinoa. In addition to their banana ice cream, they also offer an acai ice cream flavor. If you are in the mood for more than ice cream, they also serve floats, smoothies, coffee, tea, and lemonade. Banan tends to be busy, but trust me, it’s well worth the wait.
LEONARD’S BAKERY
While you are in Oahu, you simply have to try Malasadas. These Portuguese doughnuts without a hole are light, fluffy, and coated in either plain sugar or cinnamon sugar. The real delight comes from the delectable fillings, which include custard, macadamia nut, chocolate, or guava. You can find them at Leonard’s bakery, both at their store front or their mobile location. Leonard’s main bakery offers a wider variety of, but be prepared to wait in line. On the other hand, the Leonard’s mobile didn’t have as long of a wait but has fewer options, so it depends on what your looking for. Take a peek at their menu to decide.
DOLE PLANTATION
Another yummy treat is the Dole pineapple soft serve, also known as Dole Whip. We had ours at the Dole Plantation, but you can find different places across the island that offer this delightful treat.
Oahu boosts an abundance of exceptional food options, and these are just a few of our favorites. These are just some of our favorites! Make sure to allocate enough time for visiting most of these places, as they tend to be quite busy. However, if you don’t mind waiting, you will be rewarded with incredible food that will leave you wanting more!