After living on Oahu for 10 months during the pandemic, where indoor and outdoor dining has been safely open for much of the time, I’ve explored my fair share of the culinary delights this paradise has to offer. What you’ll find in this list is not a typical tourist’s list of hot hits, but the best places to eat on Oahu for locals, from a (short-term) local. My tastes and preferences lean more toward whole, clean foods than your traditional Hawaiian fare, and reflect an appreciation for culinary trends in places like San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York. 

Let’s dive in! 

Best places to eat on Oahu, for locals 

Best cafes to hang out & read a book 

One of Tyler’s favorite weekend activities is packing up our backpacks with books and laptops to camp out at a coffee shop. We usually only get coffee at these places, so I don’t necessarily endorse the food. But the coffee is hot and the vibe is right.

• Island Brew Coffeehouse: There are two locations on Oahu, both of which are awesome. The aesthetic is funky and eclectic, the coffee cups are big and have some nice heft to them. We live closest to the Ala Moana location, located on the 3rd floor of the mall, but the outdoor seating area in the Hawaii Kai location is my favorite by far. 

• Honolulu Coffee Experience: HNL Coffee is all over the island, but the can’t-miss location is off of Kapiolani. It’s a massive, airy space that houses many tables alongside an educational experience about where their coffee comes from and how it’s roasted to perfection. There are also some nice outdoor tables, as well. 

• Coffee Talk Art Cafe: Another super eclectic interior, this cafe is located in the hip Kaimuki area and a popular weekend destination. 

Best breakfast on Oahu 

Admittedly, we didn’t eat a lot of breakfast out of the house, so this is going to be a fairly light list. The few places we’ve tried and really liked are below. The first four are relatively healthy, casual, and inexpensive. The last one is not healthy, but it is casual, inexpensive, and fire as hell, and we should all be ok with that.  

• Farmhouse Cafe: Located on a quiet street in the Ala Moana neighborhood of Honolulu, this unassuming cafe is home to some of the best, simple French food I have found on the island. Their apple gateau and herb omelette are simple and divine.   

• Arvo: Arvo is good for equal parts nourishment and people watching. I’ve never seen trendier people in all of Hawaii than those hanging around this little outdoor cafe in the trendy SALT at Kaka’ako shopping center. It makes perfect sense, given the uber-cute Aussie aesthetic and avocado toast perfection. 

• Raintree Cafe & Bakery: This cafe is owned by a sweet man from San Francisco’s North Beach neighborhood and his partner, and I think they run the whole show themselves. All items are organic, hand-selected, prepared, and served by the two men who run the place, giving it both a communal and farm-to-table feel. They make an incredible homemade pesto that they put on top of eggs and prosciutto, alongside a housemade butter muffin. 

• Cafe Morey’s: Located in the Diamond Head area, this bright and airy cafe is perfect for a casual brunch with a friend or group. 

• Original Pancake House: Ok, it’s not healthy in the slightest, but they seriously make the best pancakes I’ve ever had time and time again. Even their bacon is down to a science. You’ll pay for this by waiting in line for up to an hour. Go as early as you can, or call in an order for pick up at the Kapiolani location and eat at the beach! Ask about their syrup of the day. 

Best quick, healthy lunch on Oahu

Since we moved here during the work-remote period of the pandemic, finding quick and healthy lunch options was an imperative task. I was a bit surprised and disappointed to learn that Hawaii lacks any equivalent to the mainland’s Sweetgreens or MIXT salad shops. Instead, you’ll often find the best options inside one of Hawaii’s many healthy grocery store chains, like Down to Earth, Whole Foods, or Foodland. Click here for easy healthy meals to make at home! 

• Ono Seafood. My definitive winner in the fresh poke category, Ono Seafood offers a simple menu of raw, dressed ahi or salmon over warm rice with a few key toppings. It cannot be missed. 

• Indie Superette: Farm to table, simply prepared. Get the fresh veggie sides combined into a salad with their house-made bread for a healthy lunch that feels indulgent.

• Foodland poke bar: One of the weirder things about living here is coming to terms with the fact that some of the freshest, most affordable ahi poke comes from a deli case in a mid-tier grocery store. But it’s the truth. Foodland does an awesome build-your-own poke bowl for $10 that even locals rave about. Ask for fresh, not frozen, fish. 

• Uproll Cafe. Another place to get your raw fish fix is Uproll, a place that rolls sashimi-grade fish into tasty sushi burrito wraps. I am loyal to the Sexy Salmon variety.  

• HI Steaks: This is a local chain. The location I’m familiar with is nestled inside the Foodland at Ala Moana, and boasts a strong build-your-own-bowl bar. I like to get the miso chicken on half greens, half rice with toppings like pickled cabbage, choy sum, and purple sweet potato. 

• Nalu Health Bar: This is a simple, healthy spot that seems to be a local favorite, judging by the long lines I always encounter. They do mostly acai bowls and sandwiches that are clean and tasty, if not a bit boring. It’s a solid option in a pinch, but prepare to wait for your order or call ahead.  

• Down to Earth: A local health-food grocery store chain, they offer sandwiches and smoothies prepared to order, as well as healthy grab-and-go fare. They are a meat-free establishment though, so keep that in mind if you’re chasing protein. 

Best drinks and happy hours on Oahu 

Pro tip: Instead of “happy hour,” you might hear local spots refer to their after-work drink specials as “pau hana.” Perhaps due to the pandemic, we weren’t able to scope out too many awesome deals at our favorite local watering holes, but that doesn’t mean they don't exist! Below are some of the best happy hours we did find, as well as drinks spots that were too good to care what the price was.

• Merriman’s. My favorite restaurant on the island, and happy hour is daily from 3-5pm. Get their mai tai, it’s the best I’ve ever had, and it is STRONG. There’s also always great live music.

• Aloha Beer Co. Our favorite outdoor beer garden on the island! String lights and outdoor murals and tasty homemade pizzas alongside awesome beers brewed onsight and a great wine and cocktails list to boot. No happy hour, sadly. 

• Deck. Happy hour is 3-5pm daily (except Monday/Tuesday when closed) and I always, without fail, get their mai tai and love it. This place is such an amazing rooftop deck at the Queen Kapiolani Hotel, looking out at the lush side of Diamond Head. You will impress any visitor you take here with its quintessential island vacation vibes. 

• Hana Koa Brewery. Very vibey indoor brewery in hip Kaka’ako. They serve great wine and food alongside the beer brewed on-site and often run fun specials for holidays, like New Years or events, like the Superbowl. No happy hour, to my knowledge. 

• Amuse Wine Bar. Gracing the entrance to one of our favorite restaurants on the Island, Stage, this wine bar is so swanky and on top of it’s game. They offer a great, unique wine selection, from which you cannot choose wrong. They also have some pretty tasty appetizers, though I’m not convinced they’re worth the money. Happy hour is 5-6pm Tuesday through Saturday. 

• The Tchin Tchin! Bar. Rooftop open-air wine and cocktail bar in downtown Honolulu. Super popular local spot for the hip millennial weekend crowd pre-COVID. No happy hour. 

• Island Vintage Wine Bar. Cute open air space nestled within Waikiki’s big shopping strip. One wall opens into the lush leaves of a tree, making it feel like a treehouse. 100% get the charcuterie board (it’s just $30 and one of the most robust I’ve ever had), but don’t expect strong service; I’ve had a problem with the waiters every time I’ve visited. Happy hour is 3-6pm daily (but TBH, the pours are pretty weak so maybe just go whenever). 

Best dinner on Oahu

This is where my real expertise kicks in. Ty and I both relish the opportunity to share a few glasses of wine and a fantastic meal out as a perfect Friday evening. These recommendations aren’t necessarily budget conscious, but if you’re coming from any big city on the mainland, the prices will strike you as pretty reasonable for the quality and volume. 

• Merriman’s: Favorite restaurant on the island. Get the burger and caesar salad, but also, you can’t go wrong. I love it for the ambiance, the consistency, the drinks, the food, the music...it’s just such an all around gem. 

• Et al.: Second favorite restaurant on the island. Such a cool interior (reminds me of something you’d find in LA), but also weird because it’s attached to the new/fancy Kahala Foodland. But don’t dwell on that, they make amazing food. I’m a huge fan of the short rib arancini, Ludovico chicken, and chocolate PB textures.  

• Stage: Our third favorite restaurant on the island, Stage takes the cake for most unique interior design. This makes sense, since it’s connected to and brought to you by the same Danish couple who built out the Honolulu Design Center (includes a massive furniture store, cafe, wine bar, and restaurant). It’s always a unique, gourmet culinary experience. We did their famous Danish-style Christmas prix fix where we drank glogg and ate smoked salmon smorrebrod and the like.  

• Tommy Bahama’s: You’d never guess, but there’s an amazing rooftop restaurant on top of the Tommy Bahama store in Waikiki. The drinks and view are great, and the food is reliably delicious. I have never gotten anything but the mac nut-crusted fish, but bites of other people’s dishes further back up my assertion. 

• Quiora @ The Ritz: Great Italian spot on the island, with seating on an open-air patio overlooking the ocean. Superb place to catch the sunset. Not cheap, but you won’t be disappointed with the quality. 

• Rigo: This place was such a cool find. It’s a Spanish/Italian concept restaurant chain that started in Japan and finally made it to Hawaii. They offer tapas style from a huge and affordable menu across both genres, as well as an under-$30 wine list. You can also rent out an old vault room in the restaurant for large parties. 

• Tango Contemporary Cafe: Another solid dinner option brought to you by Scandinavian people near the South Shore Market. Go for reliably good wine, meat, fish and pasta dishes. 

• Kalapawai Cafe: The cafe that’s known for local whole foods and sandwich/bakery serves a full sit-down menu in their downtown Kailua location. We loved the gnocchi and pork chop especially. Reserve a spot on the back patio for the nicest experience. 

• Istanbul: Awesome Meditreranan food in a very aesthetic outdoor setup. Can't beat the mezze sampler. 

• Lucky Belly: Best ramen I had, but I admittedly didn't try many spots and equally appreciated the aesthetic and location of this downtown Honolulu gem. 

Best desserts and sweet treats on Oahu 

Dessert is such an important part of my diet, in the same way that pleasure and joy are an important part of my life. Delicious treats in moderation became a cemented MO during the pandemic, especially because we’d cut so far back on social drinking (benefits of no friends?). Here were my all top top three: 

• Thrills: Thee most fun soft serve ice cream spot you’ll find! Flavors change monthly, if not weekly, and include combos like mango souffle cheesecake, pandan oreo, ube, fruity pebbles and more.  

• Purve Donuts: Hilariously random but well executed donut shop tucked into the Iolani Center off of Piikoi. All donuts are made to order and are named after things that are anywhere from PG (“You’re Killing Me Smalls”) to PG-13 (“Unicorn Butt Sneeze”) to R (“O Face”). They all taste great and the staff is always fun. 

• Pipeline Bakeshop & Creamery: Home to monstrously large baked goods and fun ice cream flavors, you’ll also be able to find a decent selection of gluten-free or vegan options here. It’s just across from Coffee Talk in Kaimuki, which can make for a nice one-two stop if you’re in the area. 

Places I didn't love on Oahu 

Having a sub-par dining experience triggers emotions of loss and disappointment in me that are probably not healthy. Without diving too far into that, I just don't want you to feel that way, and so, here are the few places I tried and probably wouldn't go back to on Oahu: 

• Scratch Kitchen: I was so hyped on the cereal milk pancakes, but they were flavorless and the rest of the food was just meh. 

• Basalt: This restaurant is in the classic Duke’s family, so you expect it to be good, but the food and ambiance generally fell flat.

• Fete: Claims to be Hawaiian-American fusion, but isn't doing the genre well in my humble opinion. Pass. 

• Roy’s Original in Hawaii Kai: This place is a known classic and local favorite, but i’s clear they haven't updated their ways for some time. The vegetables with my food were served undercooked (then overcooked), and the appetizers tasted like they were from the freezer. 

• Plumeria House: Beautiful ambiance, but overpriced for the value. Wasn't super impressed with lunch or dinner. You might try them for brunch, which I’ve heard is their specialty. 

I definitely didn't make it to all the places I wanted. I didn't hit Senia or Miro Kaimuki, Helenas or Wicked HI Cafe on the North Shore. But I went to most, given how small and accessible the island is by car. I hope this list helps you maximize your trip to Hawaii, however short, by helping you narrow in on some of the best food and drink experiences the island I once called home has to offer. 

Did I miss any of your Oahu favorites? Drop them in the comments below for when I’m inevitably back in the next few months! Fellow blogger recommendations - I’m happy to credit you :) 

Mahalo for reading xx

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