Must-Try Food in Waikiki: A Local’s Guide to the Best Eats

There is an impressive array of Waikiki food waiting to be discovered.

In fact, this is one of the best neighborhoods for sampling authentic Hawaiian eats in Honolulu.

Significantly influenced by Japanese cuisine, there are also elements from Chinese, Filipino, and Polynesian cultures.

Plus, you’ll find plenty of international favorites, from Indian and Mexican to Italian.

While strolling the streets and sun-kissed shores, the tantalizing aroma of local delicacies invites one to embark on a gastronomic adventure.

The traditional Hawaiian meals are a highlight, from Kalua Pork to Loco Moco.

Even the local McDonald’s has its own special menu here.

For breakfast, it features items like Portuguese sausage, a rice platter, and spam and eggs.

This is a tropical paradise sure to tempt your taste buds.

As a staff member at First Cabin International working and living in Waikiki, I often recommend the must-try Waikiki foods to our guests.

To help you plan your own itinerary, I’ve put together this guide to eating your way through Waikiki.

You’ll find everything from the tastiest Hawaiian dishes to international fare for the ultimate food lover’s experience.

Must-Try Foods in Waikiki

Deeply rooted in the land and sea, Hawaiian cuisine is known for its age-old cooking techniques and the use of local ingredients.

I hope you have at least a week on the island to sample the many mouthwatering options.

Among the must-try foods in Waikiki, these are the standouts not to miss.

Poke

One of my favorite Hawaiian dishes, the word poke actually means “to slice.”

Pronounced POH-key, kind of like “okay” but starting with a “p,” it’s made up of small pieces of raw fish like tuna, shellfish, or salmon.

The fish is marinated and typically seasoned with soy sauce and sesame oil, and served with rice and vegetables.

Kalua pig

This traditional pork dish, also called Luau Pork, is a pork shoulder rubbed with liquid smoke and salt and wrapped in ti or banana leaves.

It’s smoked in an underground oven or cooked in a slow cooker, braised until it’s tender enough to shred.

Often served plain, all you need are the roasting flavors and salt.

You’ll often find it at luaus and parties, although it’s available in many restaurants too.

Loco Moco

Made up of a seasoned hamburger patty, brown gravy, and a sunny-side-up fried egg stacked on top of steamed rice, Loco Moco is one of the most popular dishes in Waikiki and throughout the islands.

A hearty comfort meal, it can often be served with other toppings as well, such as macaroni salad and grilled onions.

Spam Musubi

A popular snack similar to a Japanese rice ball (onigiri), spam musubi is simply fried spam (often caramelized in a sweet and savory sauce) on top of white, sticky rice that’s wrapped in nori.

Huli Huli Chicken

Hulu Huli chicken is a marinated, grilled chicken with a smoky and sweet glaze.

It’s often cooked over hot coals and turned frequently to baste it in the sauce while preventing scorching.

Haupia

A traditional Hawaiian dessert pudding, haupia is made with coconut milk, sugar, and arrowroot or cornstarch.

You’ll often see it at potlucks and luaus.

Shave Ice

A treat that’s been popular since the early 1900s, shave ice has become a staple of the culture.

It consists of shaved ice, flavored syrup, and various toppings.

Best ‘Old School’ Eats & Food Trucks

Street food in Waikiki, and Hawaii in general, isn’t really a thing, but it does offer “old school.”

That means local food joints that have been around a while serving dishes that locals love.

Old School Eats

One of the best examples is Helena’s Hawaiian Food.

Serving local, traditional dishes, including popular plate lunches (a meal typically including rice, macaroni salad, and a meat dish or poke), it’s been around since 1946.

Some of my other favorites include:

• Rainbow Drive-In, comfort fast food focused on the Hawaiian classics like Loco Moco and plate lunches.
• Marugame Udon, renowned for its affordability and quality with consistently long lines and made-to-order udon bowls.
• The Pig and The Lady in Waikiki Chinatown serving Vietnamese cuisine with an international twist.

Food Trucks

There are many food trucks lining the streets of Waikiki, offering a kaleidoscope of food trucks to savor for visitors and locals alike.

During “Eat the Streets,” held on the last Friday of every month from 4 to 9 p.m., you’ll find some 40 vendors to choose from.

This food truck festival offers some of the island’s best eats from lemongrass chicken banh mi and brisket tacos to sea salt caramel donuts.

Plus, live music and other entertainment like ukulele jams, art battles, and balloon art are featured too.

Pau Hana Market is not to be missed. This is a permanent food truck hub open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Enjoy a one-stop dining experience with everything from sushi and local Hawaiian dishes to international fare.

While the offerings change frequently, you can be sure there will be a wide range of delicious eats.

It includes tables and chairs for eating on-site or you can grab something to go.

And, no list featuring food trucks in Waikiki would be worth its weight without mentioning Ty’s.

Located near the entrance of Suzie Wong’s Hideaway in West Waikiki, it offers what’s often called the very best burger in Oahu.

Top Restaurants for Every Taste

While I highly recommend focusing on the traditional Hawaiian fare, there are restaurants for every taste in Waikiki.

For a sit-down meal, try the following:

• Duke’s Waikiki.
  This beachfront restaurant is where locals go to celebrate special occasions with a menu featuring everything from fresh fish and seafood to prime rib.
• Zippy’s.
  A popular diner on the outskirts of Waikiki serving local favorites with a bakery for fresh-baked goods and a variety of delectable desserts.
• Eating House 1849 Waikiki.
  This Pan-Asian eatery serves dishes focused on local ingredients, with everything from seafood to grilled ribeye.

Dining in Waikiki’s Malls and Food Courts

Don’t write off dining in a Waikiki mall or food court.

There are some surprisingly good options.

That includes the Waikiki Food Hall with eight unique restaurants serving a variety of Hawaiian dishes featuring local ingredients.

The open-air International Market Place is not only a shopping center, it hosts the Kūhiō Ave Food Hall with nine different eateries, including Hashi & Spoon known for its ramen, a Mexican cantina, a pizzeria, and even a Greek restaurant.

Conclusion: A Culinary Adventure Awaits

This is just a taste of the many flavors waiting for you to savor during your visit to Waikiki.

Be sure to save this page or take notes so you can enjoy some of the most delicious eats on the island!