Oahu Dining & Local Food

Lau lau on Oahu

Being the home of the state capital, Oahu is often the island where you can find old-school, classic food spots that epitomize their kind. Young’s Fishmarket is just such a place. Established in 1951, this iconic restaurant has two Oahu locations: Honolulu and Kapolei. The lau lau here is nothing short of famous, but there’s plenty else to eat too.

Explore all our top recommendations for laulau on Oahu →

Mixed Plate on Oahu

One of the most popular places to get a mixed plate here is at Honolulu’s Rainbow Drive-in. Like a few other iconic spots in the state capital, this food spot is surprisingly old - “cookin’” as they say since 1961.

Plate lunch is the focus here, and the menu is proudly extensive. There’s plenty more on the menu, from breakfast, to sandwiches, to other soulful Hawaiian dishes like loco moco and saimin.

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Malasadas on Oahu

Right in the heart of Honolulu, you will find an absolutely iconic malasada experience every day of the week. Leonard’s Bakery has been stomping on the bliss point for over half a century and has played no small role in popularizing malasadas as a signature Hawaiian treat. 

Also in Honolulu is the much-visited, very-talked-about bakeshop and creamery known as Pipeline. While Leonard’s may be a classic, this place is where the mad scientists of malasada innovation seem to congregate and conspire. Most famously, this is the home of the Malamode—a malasada wrapped around homemade ice cream. You’ll find all kinds of other wild and creative treats here, too.

Explore all our top recommendations for Malasadas on Oahu →

Poke on Oahu

If you’re visiting the most popular island, you’ve got plenty of great options for poke.

One very special spot is the Maguro Brothers. If you’re a Poke fan, their Instagram will make you drool - and as you’ll see, they also do regular sushi. The two brothers started their original location in Chinatown and have since expanded to a second location in Waikiki.

Hawaii Magazine readers voted this the best poke in the state.

Another great Oahu poke option is Fresh Catch. This legendary spot has been featured on TV multiple times, including being visited by Guy Fieri. Thanks to renowned head chef Reno Henriques, the poke is delicious.

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Shave Ice on Oahu

If you find yourself on Oahu’s iconic North Shore, you’d be remiss not to visit one of the state's oldest and most revered shave ice spots: Matsumoto's.

Founded in 1951, this family-owned store is just off the Kamehameha Highway in Haleiwa. It offers classic flavors like cherry, grape, pina colada, and so on, as well as some surprising original flavors, like Ramune.

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Loco Moco on Oahu

Loco moco is such a severe business in Hawaii that elections are regularly held to determine the reigning champion of loco moco production.

The Liliha Bakery is nearly as old as Loco Moco itself. It first opened its original location at 515 North Kuakini St in 1950. Today, it has four locations—three in Honolulu and one that just opened in Waikiki at the International Marketplace.

Mouthwatering loco moco plates are only the beginning of the immense menu, ranging from poi donuts to custom cakes to all kinds of tasty breakfast, lunch, and dinner options.

Explore all of our recommendations for Loco Moco on Oahu →