Best Breakfast in Waikiki: Where Locals Eat & Hidden Gems to Discover
No matter how much time you have to spend in Waikiki, you’ll want a delicious start to every day.
The good news is that are is a long list of outstanding venues for breakfast in his Honolulu neighborhood.
The bad news is that it might feel overwhelming when it comes to where to go.
After all, unless you plan to spend a year or more here you won’t have time to hit them all.
Living and working here at FIRST CABIN INTERNATIONAL HAWAII, we’ve been able to try many breakfast spots in Waikiki, allowing us to put together this local guide for visitors with something for just about everyone.
Part of the fun and adventure of any trip is discovering the local flavors but occasionally you might be in the mood for the classics so we’ve provided a bit of both.
Breakfast Spots in Waikiki You Shouldn’t Miss
Hula Grill
Right down the street from FIRST CABIN INTERNATIONAL HAWAII in the Waikiki Business Plaza, Hula Grill is only a tenth of a mile away at the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort.
It’s located above Duke’s next to Blue Note in the upper lobby and serves one of our favorite Eggs Benedict dishes in the city: the Crab Cake & Spinach Benedict with lump crab, spinach, panko, corn, edamame, herb aioli, and jade pesto hollandaise.
Plus the ocean view is amazing, especially if you grab a front-row seat.
Liliha Bakery
Another winner just around the corner from FIRST CABIN is Liliha Bakery.
It opened its doors in 1950 and has been a favorite among locals and visitors ever since, ultimately becoming a chain with locations across Oahu, including the third floor of the International Market Place here in Waikiki.
If you’re visiting with your family or a group with a mix of tastes, it’s a great option with everything from Hawaiian breakfasts like Loco Moco with hand-pressed hamburger steak, eggs, and gravy over rice to the Denver Omelet and Eggs Florentine.
If you’re in the mood for something extra decadent to soothe a hangover after one too many mai tais, it has to be the Mac Nut Waffle & Chicken Karaage.
Cream Pot
Nestled on the mauka (mountain) side of Waikiki, the Cream Pot has a charming ambiance with a European feel.
One of the prettiest venues for breakfast you’ll find in the city, it’s located in the Hawaiian Monarch Hotel, it’s open for breakfast and brunch only and especially renowned for its souffle pancakes.
Light and fluffy, they can be topped with fresh strawberries, or for those who are looking to indulge their sweet tooth, bananas with a warm, dark salted caramel sauce.
You can’t go wrong with the crepes either, with both sweet and savory options.
Eggs Benedict and Grass-Fed Beef and Eggs are popular too.
Hawaii Aroma Caffe
Offering one of the trendiest settings in Waikiki, the Hawaii Aroma Cafe is located at the Beachcomber Waikiki.
Instagram-worthy, it has a retro-chic vibe with surf-inspired elements and traditional Hawaiian motifs along with a menu that’s been called “near perfection.”
There’s a diverse range of dishes, from truffle and salted caramel waffles to gluten-free French toast and four Acai bowl options.
Plus, you can fuel up with an array of specialty coffees created by talented baristas.
Surf Lanai
For breakfast with an ocean view, Surf Lanai is located at the iconic Royal Hawaiian just a quarter-mile from FIRST CABIN INTERNATIONAL HAWAII.
While it’s been serving delicious breakfasts for decades, the Pink Palace Pancakes with berry compote, haupia sauce, mint, and toasted coconut is what put it on the map.
Don’t worry, there are no chemical dyes used, the pink hue comes from beets.
There are plenty of other options too, like the Short Rib Benedict and Bloody Mary Steak and Eggs.
Plus, you can enjoy any dish with a refreshing cocktail from the sunrise menu. After all, you are on vacation!
Forty Niner Waikiki
Located on the ground floor of the Aqua Skyline at Island Colony, Forty Niner is a beloved local greasy spoon known for its tasty and affordable breakfast dishes, somewhat of a rarity here in Waikiki.
The menu offers everything from Punalu’u sweetbread French toast to kalua pork omelets and a variety of Loco Mocos.
The Hawaiian Breakfast is always a favorite with lomi salmon, kalua pork, two eggs, and rice.
Hidden Breakfast Gems Near First Cabin Waikiki
Island Vintage Cofee
The No. 1 hidden gem near FIRST CABIN has to be Island Vintage Coffee.
It sits on the second floor of the Royal Hawaiian Center’s Building C, which means many overlook it but it’s the perfect place to pick up breakfast to go to take to the beach.
The acai bowls are popular, with the original featuring layers of organic granola topped with banana, blueberries, and strawberries drizzled with Big Island honey.
Other varieties include toppings like dark chocolate and coconut, lilikoi (passionfruit), and even pineapple mint sorbet with papaya.
Waffle and Berry
The highly rated Waffle and Berry is a counter-service eatery in the Waikiki Shopping Plaza just a short stroll from FIRST CABIN.
Come hunger because the portions are massive.
The Berries and Cream Waffle is the classic, a traditional golden waffle with fresh blueberries and strawberries topped with handmade whipped cream and vanilla ice cream.
It probably doesn’t get more decadent than the Chocolate Chip Banana Waffle, with the waffle filled with chocolate chips and topped with bananas, whipped cream, ice cream, powdered sugar, and even more chocolate chips.
Acai bowls are available too and you can take advantage of the “superfoods minibar” with items like chia seeds, coconut, honey, granola, and cacao nibs.
Happy Hawaiian Cafe
The Happy Hawaiian Cafe is just a short stroll from the Waffle and Berry.
It offers handcrafted Hawaiian-inspired dishes along with classic breakfasts like omelets, some with an island twist like the Kalua Pork Omelet that’s topped with Hawaiian-style BBQ sauce.
Kids and kids-at-heart might go for the Rainbow Pancakes – there’s definitely going to be a sugar rush, but again, vacation… they’re glazed with sugar and topped with Fruity Pebbles.
Your Morning Adventure Starts with a Delicious Waikiki Breakfast
No matter what you have on your agenda for the day, there’s no better way to fuel your morning adventure than with a delicious Waikiki breakfast.
You’ll be powered up to do everything from climbing Diamond Head to learning to surf!
