15 Must Try Restaurants in Oahu Hawaii

Are you heading to Oahu, Hawaii, for the first time? Don’t worry; I got you! After trying so many restaurants, here are my 15 Must-try Restaurants in Oahu, Hawaii, that I visit every single time. When I say every single time, I am not joking around. These must-try restaurants in Oahu, Hawaii, are one of the main reasons I travel back so often because they are THAT GOOD! 

Restaurants in Oahu I Keep Going Back To

You are probably here for my foodie recommendations if you came from my Instagram or YouTube. I know I am like you; I want to read a proper review with a list packed with information like what to order and when to visit. After many requests, I finally put together a good list! Below are 15 must-try restaurants in Oahu that you need to check out! 

BONUS SECTION: I don’t just eat, but I also love to explore, so I did a separate blog post for snorkeling, hiking, and site-seeing. Plus some hotel recommendations. 

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#1 Helena’s Hawaiian Food

I am starting my must-try restaurants in Oahu list with my easiest pick: Helena’s Hawaiian Food. It took me three trips to FINALLY try Helena’s Hawaiian Food because it is that popular. Since then, I’ve been back here every single time I’m in Oahu. Trust me when I say this family restaurant is WORTH THE HYPE. that serves traditional, local Hawaiian food.

They have been open since 1946, serving traditional, local Hawaiian food. They’re not only a tourist favorite, but also well loved by locals! You can feel the love in their service and taste it in the DETAILS in every dish.

I recommend going family-style here to try all the different items on the menu. Some of my personal favorites are Kalua Pig, Luau Squid, Long Rice Chicken, Fried butterfish collar, Lomi Salmon, Haupia, and a must-order, their Short Ribs Pipikaula Style. The Short Ribs Pipikaula Style is a MUST-ORDER. It is simple yet packed with SO MUCH FLAVOUR. I FELL IN LOVE when I took a bite and instantly ordered a second round.

Another dish that took my breath away was the fried butterfish collar. The fish was so tender that it melted in my mouth. Even my sister, who isn’t a fan of fish, said she wanted more! Finally, the Haupia, or Hawaiian coconut pudding, is a perfect way to end the meal. Dip it in the red salt and thank me later! 

Helena’s Hawaiian Food is SUPER BUSY. Especially if you are driving, make sure to go early! I got there at 9:50 am, and there was already a line plus no parking. The restaurant itself isn’t super small; however, the parking lot only can fit 4-6 cars, plus there is barely any neighborhood parking. At any time of the day, you will see a line. So, I recommend going earlier in the day between 10 am – 11 am.

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#2 Henry’s Place

If you ask me, what is my favorite dessert spot in Oahu, it would EASILY be Henry’s Place ice cream. A super small, hole-in-a-wall, grab-and-go ice cream/fruit shop that makes one of the best ice creams I’ve ever had. Every time I visit Oahu, I will pick up a couple of ice creams from Henry’s Place and enjoy them on my balcony for the next couple of days.

It may look small, but one is perfect for sharing between 2-3 people. All their ice cream is made with 100% real fruit, and you can taste the freshness from their ice cream. They are known for their “RL” ice cream, which is REALICIOUS Ice creams. A few flavors that I HIGHLY recommend:

• Passion Orange Guava ICECREAM 
• Dragonfruit ICECREAM 
• Watermelon ICECREAM
• Pineapple and Mango ICECREAM 

They also have many options for fresh cut and peeled fruits there too! I love their papaya and mango. They’re always super sweet and fresh. The only two downsides about Henry’s Place are that it is cash only, and they use quite a bit of plastic. However, other than that, I cannot recommend this small business enough, and I promise you will also love it as well! 

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#3 Rinka Japanese restaurant

If you love unagi, you NEED to try Rinka Japanese Restaurant. Located in downtown Oahu, this is my favorite place to enjoy lunch in Oahu. This restaurant was recommended to me by a local friend, and I am so glad she did. This is one of the best unagi dons I’ve EVER had and her one of her must eat restaurants in Oahu!

I highly recommend their lunch menu, amazing deals, significant portions, and DELICIOUS food. I go for their grilled Eel, Unagi Bowl every single time. The set comes with chawanmushi, miso soup, pickled vegetables, and two small side dishes of your choice for only $21.75. Personally, I find that the Unagi Bowl is more than enough for one person; however, if you love grilled eel, you can get the unaju which serves three slices of grilled eel plus more rice, for $35.75. 

While I love their Grilled eel, I didn’t find their sashimi or chirashi to be anything special. However, I recommend getting the Crab Cream Croquette a la carte to share! Rinka opens daily for lunch and dinner. They can get busy, so I’d recommend a reservation during peak hours. Food here is really good, but it can get a bit pricey. However, we love the experience and food here every time regardless.

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#4 MARUGAME UDON

I dont think there is an Oahu Must-try restaurant without Marugame Udon. You can see your super fresh, handcrafted udon bowls and tempura made to order, plus it is also pretty affordable!

You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.

My go-to is for LUNCH – Nikutama, made-to-order udon noodles, served with sweet and savory beef, hot spring egg, and BK sauce. And for DINNER, I enjoy their Curry Nikutame, their best-selling udon, served with seasoned sweet beef and soft egg in a curry sauce. 

For their tempura, I enjoy their shrimp and squid only. The giant chicken katsu is super dry, and their potato croquette is quite bland. 

There is always a wrap-around line around Marugame Udon, and for a good reason. Any time after 6:30 pm is a LONG line. They are always swamped. However, after a few visits, I found their quiet times are around 2:00 pm-4:30 pm. While their food is delicious, and I highly recommend checking them out, I wouldn’t line up for over 1 hour for them. There are just too many many delicious dining options around!

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#5 ONO SEAFOOD 

Another restaurant that took me three visits to finally try, Ono Seafood, serves some of the freshest Poke I’ve ever had! Ono is one of the most popular Poke joints around Oahu, and for a good reason. They have a small deli-style store with some outdoor seating, where you can enjoy your poke after ordering.

The menu is small, so you can’t go wrong with anything from Ono Seafood. I love their poke, of course, and their Tako. You can taste the freshness from their Poke and seafood. We usually grab a half pound each of their Shoyu Ahi and Hawaiian Style Ahi poke, which uses sea salt instead. Both are mixed with green onion, chili pepper, a type of Hawaiian seaweed called limu, sesame oil, and kukui, or candlenut. 

Unlike many other Poke spots I’ve tried, Ono uses straightforward ingredients that are packed with umami flavors. I find that many restaurants around town use heavy seasoning, which sometimes is used to cover up the freshness of the fish. 

Ono Seafood is closed on Sundays and Mondays, so don’t show up on the wrong day and be disappointed. They do get super busy, but I find that around 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm, the line dies down and is not as busy! It is approximately a 5 minute walk from Waikiki Beach, so you can grab your poke to-go, and enjoy it on the beach.

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#6 Leonard’s Bakery

What is a trip to Oahu without trying Lenoard’s Bakery? Leonard’s Bakery is known for its fresh and delicious Malasadas. If you have never tried Malasadas, they are Portuguese doughnut that is softer, fluffy, and without a hole. I’ll be honest, I am not the biggest donut fan, so I was hesitant to try. However, I must say, after taking the first bite, I instantly fell in love. The Malasadas are so soft, reminding me of deep-fried milk bread.

There are so many flavors to choose from. You can even select their Malasads puffs stuffed with a rich and creamy filling. However, my go-to is always their traditional Malasadas coated in cinnamon sugar. Simple, not too sweet, and delicious! I recommend getting two a person. 

If you’re ordering extra “for later”, trust me and grab more than you need. These might be gone by the time you get back to your hotel! You may have to wait a little because these are made fresh, but it’s definitely worth it. Leonard’s Bakery is super busy and similar to Helena’s Hawaiian Food; there is barely any parking. So, definitely plan ahead! I recommend visiting around 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm. 

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#7 ME BAR-B-QUE

I was hesitant to share Me Bar-B-Que because I wanted to keep this small, hole-in-the-wall joint to myself. But, I’m excited that they’ve reopened across the street from the original location in 2026 after being closed for a while. Another family-owned restaurant established in 1997, Me Bar-B-Que, is located in Waikiki. They serve delicious Korean Food, including some of my favorite galbi.

Whenever I travel, I crave homemade food after a couple of days. I stumbled across Me Bar-B-Que during my visit to Waikiki when I was lured in by the smell. The best way to describe Me Bar-B-Que is homemade comfort food. Everything on their menu is delicious, but my go-to is their KALBI (Korean Short Ribs), BAR-B-Q Chicken, and their Chicken Katsu. 

You get two scoops of rice and four side dishes for each order. While their main dishes are delicious, I am here for the side dishes. They run out quickly, but I love their saute cabbage, kimchi cucumber, japchae, and bean sprouts! 

Whenever I don’t know what to have for dinner, my go-to is ALWAYS Me Bar-B-Que. Generous portions, great prices, fresh side dishes, and delicious food. The dining environment isn’t the best, so I recommend doing takeout and eating it either at the beach while watching the sunset or on your hotel balcony with some beer!

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#8 TED’S BAKERY 

Whenever I’m going snorkeling at Shark’s Cove, I have to go to Ted’s Bakery. This cute little restaurant is famous for their yummy pies and their hearty BBQ lunch plates. If you are looking for the best place to try Hawaii’s iconic Haupia Cream Pie, you NEED to try Ted’s. Their Chocolate Haupia Cream Pie is delicious and the best I’ve ever had: creamy and rich filled, paired with a tender crust. The haupia cream pie is not too sweet and is one of the best pies I’ve ever had! And, I’m so glad the regular lunch plates came with a free slice of pie.

PLUS, if you are also looking to satisfy your savory taste buds, you need to try their Spicy Garlic Shrimp. The spicy sauce is SO delicious that I went back in to ask for an extra serving of rice, so I don’t waste any of the sauce. I love this shrimp so much, it’s actually my inspiration for my own Spicy Garlic Shrimp recipe! We also tried the ribeye steak and teri beef combo plate lunch ($16.62). They were grilled to perfection and were so so good. 

Ted’s bakery is pretty far, and you will need a vehicle to get here if you are staying at Waikiki. Ted’s is open daily for breakfast and lunch from 8 AM, and their lines can get fairly long. They don’t have indoor seating, so they’re take out only. But, the servings are generous, and there is plenty of parking and seating at Ted’s Bakery if you avoid the morning crowd. I recommend spending the day at Shark’s Cove (the best snorkeling spot in Oahu) and finishing the day at Ted’s Bakery for dinner and dessert. 

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#9 MAUI MIKE’S FIRE-ROASTED CHICKEN 

I love chicken and rice, so I knew I had to try it when I stumbled across Maui Mike’s Fire-roasted chicken.  Locally owned with 2 locations in Honolulu, this unassuming chicken shop serves their super fresh PREMIUM ROTISSERIE CHICKEN. It might be the best roast chicken restaurant in Oahu!

The Chicken is ALWAYS FRESH, NEVER FROZEN, with no steroids, hormones, antibiotics, or other additives. Every order is made fresh, and there are so many delicious dipping sauces to pair with the chicken. You can have the chicken cooked to your preference (half, quarter, or 8th). And, there are also many sides to choose from! My go-tos are mike’s fries, corn, and rice. 

I usually get THE FEAST which comes with one chicken, two sides, and four sauces for $24.95. This is the perfect amount to share with four people!

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#10 GINZA BAIRIN TONKATSU & YOSHOKU BISTRO 

If you are craving for delicious Tonkatsu or Japanese Fried Cutlets in Hawaii, you need to try Ginza Bairin. This is actually the first restaurant that we stumbled across when we came with my family back in 2020. Their tonkatsu is juicy, tender, and flavourful katsu is delicious and super satisfying. Every time I go, I order their black pork chop special (“Specialty” Kurobuta Pork Loin Katsu), plus, you can get beer for only $1 with this combo!

Ginza Bairin Tonkatsu is super yummy, but the portion sizes has decreased a bit since the last few times we visited. If you love tonkatsu, it’s worth a try. It does get SUPER busy, so make sure to either make a reservation ahead of time. If you are planning to walk in, we’ve found that 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm is the quietest. 

Ginza Bairin is a famous location, and right next door is Yoshoku Bistro which sells an almost identical menu and usually is less busy. If you can’t get a reservation at Ginza, I recommend trying walk-in at Yoshoku Bistro. I’ve had katsu at both locations, and I find the flavor identical. 

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#11 GIOVANNI’S SHRIMP TRUCK 

What is a trip to Oahu without having garlic shrimp? Giovanni Shrimp Truck is one of the first, and the most popular food truck to get Garlic Shrimp in Oahu. I absolutely love their classic Garlic Shrimp recipe.The garlicky butter sauce paired with rice is exceptional, and will get you licking your finger throughout the meal.

The only downside of Giovanni is that the outdoor seating can get hot and sticky. Every time you visit there will be a LONG line. Since it is a food truck, there are lots of flies, so I find myself constantly waving the flies away while I eat. The good thing is, most people will finish eating in around 10-15 minutes, so there is a high turnover for tables.

Similar to many other famous food spots in Hawaii, going around 3:30 pm-4:30 pm is where it is the least busy. If you have got a car, I recommend bringing it to enjoy it at the beach. The drive to the beach from Giovanni’s is less than 5 minutes; that way, you don’t have to keep waving the flies away! 

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#12 MAGURO BROTHERS 

If you love fresh sashimi, you NEED to try Maguro Brothers. Opened by a pair of brothers who used to work in the iconic Tsukiji Market in Tokyo, Maguro Brothers serve some of the best High quality, fresh, and delicious sashimi in Hawaii. With everything from poke to sashimi on the menu, this is the place to get the freshest seafood. This is a hole-in-the-wall spot, so there is a limited quantity.

Their tiny stall is open everyday except SUNDAY from 5-8 pm, but often they sell out within a couple of hours, so make sure you go early! 

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#13 MUSUBI CAFE IYASUME KEEAUMOKU

Before heading to the beach, I always have to grab some spam musubi from Masubi Cafe IYASUME. This little cafe offers a ton of different musubi and onigiri flavors options, plus some of the cutest musubi merch. Not going to lie; I am not a big fan of SPAM. However, whenever I visit Oahu, I HAVE to have Musubi from Musubi Cafe.

If you have never tried Musubi before, it is a rice ball. The spam is seared, and coated with a savory and umami sauce. I would say 2 Musubi is the perfect lunch for one person. They have so many different musubi and onigiri to choose from, you’re sure to find something you like. Their egg, spam, and rice Musubi are super addicting and affordable! Even my husband Dom, who normally hates SPAM, fell in love with Musubi!

Their onigiri annd musubi are also pre-wrapped individually, making the ideal to-go lunch at the beach and on a hike. I love grabbing a couple before heading to the beach! If you are looking for cheap and filling food, I highly recommend checking out Musubi Cafe Iyasume keeaumoku. There are a couple of locations, and they are usually the busiest in the daytime.

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#14 MATSUMOTO SHAVED ICE 

One thing that Maui does 100x better compare to Oahu is shaved ice. I tried SO MANY locations in Oahu, but the only one I loved was Matsumoto Shaved Ice. This family-owned little shop is also known as Obama’s favorite shave ice, serving homemade shave ice since 1951. Located in Haleiwa, it’s been serving up shave ice for decades. Their shave ice come in 2 sizes: small($3.75) and large($4.25). 

Their snow texture is a little more like your typical snow cone – a little crunchier, a littler icier, but just as refreshing. The menu includes classic flavors like lilikoi, mango, and coconut. They’ve also expanded into more fun Japanese flavors like White Cake Yuzu and Ramune. Their syrups are also made out of juices, so there isn’t harsh artificial flavoring compared to many other vendors around town.

And of course, we had to add the extra mochi balls($1) on top! Definitely take the time to swing by Matsumoto Shave Ice if you’re near North Shore!

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#15 FOODLAND 

I had to include Foodland in this RESTAURANTS IN OAHU list because I will not lie; Foodland sells some of the BEST Poke that is super affordable and delicious.

A local told me his favorite spot to grab poke is FOODLAND, and I understand why. I love the Foodland that is located at Ala Moana Center. There are many pre-made food selections and even a bar in the middle. It is also the best spot if you are like me and want to have fresh fruits or vegetables throughout the day. Pick up some poke, fresh vegetables, and fresh fruits, and you are ready to go! 

I highly recommend going to Foodland in your first few days in Oahu. There aren’t many grocery stores around Waikiki, so you are forced to eat out almost every meal. It is fresh, flavourful, plus super affordable compared to other places. Since it is a grocery market, you don’t have to worry about the long lines! 

PRO TIP: try the Hawaii onion chip, poke together, and thank me later! 

I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on my Must-Try’s!

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I hope you like my 15 MUST-TRY RESTAURANTS IN OAHU, HAWAII! if you give any of these restaurants a try, please DM me on Instagram or comment below and let me know what you think! If you have more food recommendations, make sure to comment below. 

Love,

Tiffy 

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