On my last trip to Hawaii, I ate a LOT of food. Some good, some bad…but I am here to share with you all my top favorite food stops on Oahu. This list is mostly comprised of coffee and snacks, but nevertheless, the best on the island. Whether you are looking for an aesthetic place to brunch or a refreshing snack, I’ve got the place for you!
ARVO
| 📍 324 Coral St Suite 1A-104b, Honolulu, HI 96813 | $-Coffee Shop | Shown: Lavender Latte, Nutella Toast, Meatball toast |
This instagrammable cafe was recommended so many times that I figured I had to give it a try. It is in a shopping center surrounded by other cute restaurants and shops. If you ever have a group looking for a variety of food options, then this is the perfect center to bring them to. While they enjoy pizza or poke you can sit down and enjoy amazing coffee in an even more amazing atmosphere. A majority of this pavilion is constructed of revamped box cars which add to the rustic, chic look. ARVO’s white boxcar is surrounded by plants, picnic tables, and pink umbrellas. Not only do they serve really good coffee, but their food is served on sour bread toast—from Macha Chia to Smoked Salmon and more.
I highly recommend the Nutella toast!
The Sunrise Shack
| 📍59-158 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, HI 96712 | $$-Acai | Shown: Acai Bowl with Peanut Butter |
In a little yellow shack on the side of the road, you will find the happiest acai stand on the island. It was started by local surfers who wanted to raise money for surf competitions. Their idea has blossomed and the Sunrise Shack became the most popular acai stand on the island. They have three locations, but the best ones can be found on North Shore. Although they are undoubtedly known for their acai, they also have smoothies and snacks. All locations are within walking distance from the beach, making for a perfect post-beach snack.
Hale’iwa Bowls
| 📍 66-030 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, HI 96712 | $$-Juice Shop | Shown: Acai with toppings in a coconut |
This was by far my favorite Acai on the island. You can custom make your own bowl, or choose from a myriad of premade options. I ordered the regular acai with peanut butter and strawberry add ons, It was served in a coconut bowl which made it so much more fun! This side-of-the-road stand will most likely have a wait, but it is all worth it for the freshest acai on the island. On your way to North Shore, you cannot miss the opportunity to stop in the town of Haleiwa. Here you will find the best acai and shaved ice on the island.
Surf N Salsa
| 📍 66521 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, HI 96712 | $$-Mexican Restaurant | Shown: Steak & Steak Tacos |
This Mexican food truck was recommended to us by all the locals and it was very good. I feel a little spoiled with our amazing Mexican food here in California and I would say this truck is comparable. If you’re craving Mexican food on the island I would recommend stopping by. The portions are generous and the food is amazing. The only drawback is that Surf N Salsa can get so busy, expect to wait over 30 min for your food on a weekend. They have live music throughout the week that makes the wait a little more bearable.
I recommend their tacos and the opportunity to taste their homemade corn tortillas
Matsumoto Shave Ice
| 📍 66-111 Kamehameha Hwy #605, Haleiwa, HI 96712 | $-Shaved Ice | Shown: Cherry, Blue Raspberry, & Pineapple Ice |
When planning a trip to Hawaii, my first thought is the amazing Hawaiian shaved ice. It is well known that the best-shaved ice on Maui is Ululani’s, so I wondered what the Oahu equivalent was. After research and talking with locals, there was a unanimous decision that this title belonged to Matsumoto Shaved Ice. I’ve got to agree, they were right! When I arrived, the line was around the block, but it moved quickly. They have a variety of flavors to choose from and you can watch them assemble your shave ice. They provide lots of syrup so you never get stuck with a bite of solely crushed ice, and they provide straws so you can sip every last bit of delicious slush. This is a highly recommended stop for those on Oahu seeking the best shave ice.
Green World Coffee Farm
| 📍 71-101 Kamehameha Hwy, Wahiawa, HI 96786 | $-Coffee Shop | Shown: SF Vanilla Oatmilk Latte, Hibiscus Cooler |
This place provides a great opportunity to support the local Hawaiians. The coffee they serve is organically grown right here on the farm. You are even allowed to take a FREE self-guided tour around the gardens and see where the coffee beans are grown. Through this tour, you can learn how coffee is grown, harvested, and turned into something we drink daily. Green World Coffee Farm provides a wide range of FREE coffee and tea samples throughout the day to visiting guests. The best part is that you do not even have to be there to experience their amazing coffee. Their website now allows you to order their coffee beans from the comfort of your own home. I would recommend this coffee farm to anyone looking for an authentic Hawaiian coffee experience. Green World Coffee Farm is located in the town of Wahiawa which is centrally located on the island, making it a reasonable drive no matter where you are staying.
Surfer’s Coffee
| 📍63 S Kamehameha Hwy, Wahiawa, HI 96786 | $-Coffee Shop | Shown: Dawn Patrol |
My favorite coffee on the island! The area it is located in is a little bit run down, but it’s worth the detour for the coffee. This little surfer pit stop is the perfect atmosphere to grab coffee with a friend. They even provide live music and an open mic on certain nights of the week. The only thing better than their exceptional coffee is the fact that it is a non-profit. They use their funds to give back to their local community. Buying a cup of coffee from them is “more than just a cup of coffee,” as their slogan puts it.
I recommend Dawn Patrol with Almond Milk
Dole Plantation
| 📍64-1550 Kamehameha Hwy, Wahiawa, HI 96786 | $-Pineapple Plantation | Shown: Dole Whip with Pineapple |
Growing up, nothing brought me more joy at Disneyland than watching the tiki birds sing overhead and snacking on dole whip. So when I found out the Dole Plantation was on Oahu, I knew I had to try it. I thought it was going to be a small stand at their farm, but to my surprise, it was so much more! Not only did they serve the best dole whip I have ever had, but there were so many dole whip options to choose from. There was delicious food and a variety of activities. There was the pineapple express which takes guests around the plantation and teaches them how pineapples are harvested. The Dole Plantation is also home to the largest maze in the world—the best part is that it is shaped like a pineapple. This is a perfect place to spend a few hours eating amazing pineapple creations while participating in pineapple-themed attractions.
Leonard’s Bakery
| 📍933 Kapahulu Ave, Honolulu, HI 96816 | $-Bakery | Shown: Chocolate Filled Malassadas |
When I think of Hawaii, I definitely don’t think of donuts! However, after eating at Leonard’s, you will never stop thinking about it. This Bakery is very popular on the island, but the wait can sometimes be up to an hour if you go to the location in Honolulu. The food truck locations however usually do not have much of a wait. We found this truck on our way home and so we stopped by and there was no one else there. They serve Malasadas which are basically like giant donut holes. You can get them plain or with filling and they’re amazing! They’re really big though so I would only suggest ordering one per person. They are delicious sweet treats that you absolutely have to try.
North Shore Crepes Cafe
| 📍66-470 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, HI 96712 | $-Crêperie | Shown: Buttercup Crepe, Iced Mocha Latte |
Looking for good coffee and crepes? This is your place! They have a wonderful variety of sweet and savory crepe options perfect for lunch or a sweet tooth’s snack. They also have an adorable Volkswagen Van location in Haleiwa. There are lots of different food trucks around their cafe stand so it provides a nice variety of snacks and meals. It’s right outside the Polynesian Center so if you wind up going you can always get food before you go in. Because the Polynesian Center is run by Mormons, there are no caffeinated drinks served inside the center so I would recommend grabbing a coffee from here before going in.
Island Vintage Coffee
| 📍1450 Ala Moana Blvd #1128, Honolulu, HI 96814 | $$-Cafe | Shown: Iced Lava Mocha, Taro Bagel |
While on vacation, I always look to skip the Starbucks line and opt for something local instead. Island Vintage Coffee is a very popular cafe with multiple locations spread across the island. They have locations in Honolulu, Kapolei, and Haleiwa. they serve 100% Kona coffee which means it is grown in Hawaii. I saw photos of their purple taro bagel and I knew I had to try it. It’s a great healthy and aesthetic alternative to a traditional bagel. I paired it with an iced coffee for a perfect early morning breakfast. I only wish I had been able to try their acai, but the wait was 40 min for a bowl. That must mean that the acai is pretty good! This is a great stop for breakfast, lunch, or grab-and-go snacks for the road. This company also has Island Vintage Wine and Island Vintage Shaved Ice to try on the island.
I recommend the Taro Bagel
Duke’s Waikiki
| 📍2335 Kalakaua Ave #116, Honolulu, HI 96815 | $$-Seafood | Shown: Sirloin Streak, Macadamian Nut-Crusted Ahi |
This is the original Duke’s restaurant location. It’s a great atmosphere and they always have amazing food. There was about an hour wait when we went and so we were able to walk up and down Waikiki Beach and watch the sunset. Duke’s provided live music and we got to sit outside right near the beach. There’s also a Sunrise Shack location right next to it if you’re looking for something sweet to get after dinner.
Thank you for reading! I hope this helps you with your upcoming trip to Oahu. My top recommendations are Surfer’s Coffee, Sunrise Shack, and Matsumoto Shave Ice. Leave a comment below on your favorite places in Oahu or with any questions concerning this article.