Important 2026 Update: Some Restaurants Have Closed
Several restaurants on this list have permanently closed or undergone changes since this post was originally published. Here is a summary of the key changes:
- Downbeat Diner & Lounge – Closed. Replaced by The Other Side Diner at the same Chinatown location, serving a similar menu.
- The Street: A Michael Mina Social House – Permanently closed at International Market Place.
- MoDo Hawaii – The Honolulu location has closed. MoDo continues to operate in California.
- Vegan Hills – Permanently closed.
- Beet Box Cafe – Both locations (Haleiwa and Kailua) have closed.
- What It Dough – Rebranded as Floralia, still serving plant-based wood-fired pizza at 1124 Kona St. Open Wed-Sun, 4:30-9 PM.
All other restaurants on this list remain open as of early 2026. Always check ahead before visiting, as hours and menus may have changed.
50 BEST PLACES TO EAT IN OAHU, HAWAII
BEST BRUNCH SPOTS
2. Button Up Cafe – Try the stuffed strawberry cheesecake french toast.
3. Koa Pancake House – If you like meat, try the Vinha D’alhos.
4. My Cafe – Flight of pancakes and loaded french toast, for sure!
5. MW Restaurant – I love their afternoon tea! / (Read our MW Restaurant review)
6. Arvo Cafe – Everything on the menu is good! Avo toast and Nutella toast are our favorites! / (Read our Arvo Cafe review)
7. Egghead Cafe – Avo corn toast with egg is delicious!
8. Koko Head Cafe – The food and cocktails for brunch are everything! Try the cornflake french toast and lilikoi fizz.
9. Over Easy – Custard french toast & brunch bowl
10. Scratch Kitchen & Meatery– Milk & cereal pancakes / (Read our Scratch Kitchen & Meatery review)
it’s DINNER TIME!
1. Arancino di Mare – Risotto in the cheese wheel! / (Read our Arancino di Mare review)
2. Moku Kitchen – Coconut corn chowder and their pizzas! Also, try their strawberry cream pie or banana cream pie!
3. House Without a Key – Coconut shrimp with mango-orange marmalade sauce, Mai Tai, and Coconut Cake! / (Read our House Without a Key review)
4. Merriman’s – Baked macaroni & goat cheese! Plus, every guest will get a complimentary prosecco during dinner. / (Read our Merriman’s Honolulu review)
5. Herringbone – Seafood heaven: buffalo octopus, oysters, and miso mushroom “carbonara” / (Read our Herringbone review)
6. Hula Grill – Taco poke, creamed corn, and crab topped macadamia nut crust / (Read our Hula Grill review)
7. Livestock Tavern -They have seasonal menus but their food is amazing! I love the ricotta gnocchi, warm brie, and pumpkin stuffed pasta. / (Read our Livestock Tavern review)
9. Strip Steak – Lots of good food here! Don’t leave without tasting the desserts too.
10. Yauatcha – Dim sum on another level. We love eating here! / (Read our Yauatcha review)
DID SOMEONE SAY, DESSERTS!
3. Bubbies Ice Cream Factory – Mochi cream with lots of flavors!
4. MoDo Hawaii – Their mochi donuts are perfection. Favorite flavor: cookies and cream
5. Ubae – A local favorite, all about ube: ube cheesecake, ube tarts, and ube crinkles
6. Lanikai Juice – Amazing smoothies and acai bowls!
7. Liliha Bakery – Coco puffs are their popular dessert. Also, try the rainbow cake!
9. Kamehameha Bakery – Poi and strawberry donuts. This place is a local favorite as well!
10. Waiahole Poi Factory – Amazing Hawaiian food and try the Sweet Lady of Waiahole (Haupia ice cream and kulolo)
It’s 5’OCLOCK somewhere, HAPPY HOUR?
1. Bevy – Mac n cheese balls, oysters, and calamari
2. Doraku – One of our favorite places for sushi
3. Monkeypod Kitchen – Appetizers are 50% off! They have amazing starters that you need to try!
4. Pint + Jigger – Scotch egg, mushroom crostini, and their delicious cocktails.
5. Restaurant 604 – Awesome, chill vibes while eating the best local grinds.
6. Sky Waikiki – We always go back for the garlic chicken sliders! It has furikake macaroni salad inside. Just try it!
7. Smith and Kings – Lobster mac n cheese and Montreal poutine fries / (Read our Smith and Kings review)
8. The Street A Michael Mina Social House – There are different food vendors, cafeteria style setting. Great place to go with friends!
9. The Social Honolulu Eatery & Bar – Kimchee fried rice, truffle parm Brussels sprouts, truffle parm fries, and so much more! Their food here is really delicious and portions are big enough to share.
10. Yard House – 50% off appetizers and pizzas! Lots of good ones to choose from, here.
VEGAN + VEGETARIAN OPTIONS
1. Downbeat Diner & Lounge – We had vegan junk food for the first time here. Their bbq “chicken” wings are so good!
2. Govinda’s Vegetarian Buffet – The only vegetarian buffet on the island!
3. Leahi Health Kailua – Their salads and smoothies are so good!
4. Kahuku Farms – Farm Pizza is the best we’ve ever tasted! Try their grilled banana bread too! (Read our Kahuku Farms review)
5. Juicy Brew – waffle sandwiches are to die for. Also, the Okinawan sweet potato waffle and pumpkin waffle.
6. Loving Hut – Lots of good choices on the menu if you like Thai food!
7. Peace Cafe – The katsu plate is yummy! (Read our Peace Cafe review)
8. Vegan Hills – We haven’t tried this place yet but their desserts look delicious! The reviews are great on Yelp.
9. The Beet Box Cafe – Acai bowls and other cafe food items!
10. What It Dough – You can never go wrong with vegan pizza.
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