My buddy is a local on Oahu and he always give me the low down on places to eat each time I visit. Here's his latest (about 2 years old) recommendations for food and things to do. It's very detailed. lol..
Restaurants
Alan Wongs Honolulu The best fine dining restaurant I’ve been to. I go every year! Try the 5 course tasting menu.
Roys Multiple Excellent. Miso butterfish is their signature. I like Hawaii Kai location.
Side Street Inn 2 in Waikiki area Original location by ala moana mall; new location very nice on Kapahulu in Waikiki. Awesome pork chops, sizzling boneless kalbi, kim chee fried rice, nalo green salad, clams, etc. Family style-big portions. Go in a group.
Ono Hawaiian Waikiki area On Kapahulu. The best Hawaiian food. Try lau lau, kalua pig, stew, haupia.
Helena’s Hawaiian Honolulu Very good. Try the pipikaula, lau lau, kalua pig.
The Pig and the Lady Honolulu Modern Vietnamese. Rave reviews – in all the magazines. On top of my list to go next.
Lucky Belly Honolulu Modern Ramen. Rave reviews also. Going there for sure next year!!
Mission Social Hall… Honolulu Lunch only. Tues-Sat. New restaurant by popular chef. Old plantation style food.
Shimazu’s Shave Ice Multiple Original store is a small place on School St. or at Hawaii’s Favorite Restaurants now. My favorite for the flavors. Get the Larry – it’s huge!! Try the flavored popcorn if they have at the original place.
Waiola’s Shave Ice Multiple Both near Waikiki. New one off Kapahulu. Great as well.
Rainbow Drive In Waikiki On Kapahulu. Total dive but good food. Try teri beef, chili rice, other plate lunches.
Hawaii’s Favorites Waikiki On Kapahulu right next to Rainbows. Have good selection of poke and a Shimazu Shave Ice outlet.
Goma Tei Multiple Very good ramen. Ala Moana mall.
Kaka’ako Kictchen Ward Center Very good plate lunches, wraps, salads. Kinda organic, healthy.
Eggs and Things Multiple Very good breakfast. Go early. New one in Ala moana mall.
Big City Diner Mu;tiple Good Kim chee fried rice. Good ‘regular food’.
Boots and Kimos Kailua Crowded. Awesome macadamia pancakes. Worth the drive and wait.
Teds Bakery North Shore At mile 9 marker. Get the chocolate haupia pie. Plate lunches good too.
Matsumotos Shave Ice Hale’iwa Tourist hot spot. Good shave ice. Yuzu flavor is the best-refreshing!
Hale’iwa Joes Hale’iwa Good pupus (appetizers). Calamari and burger was good.
Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck Kahuku ‘Original’ shrimp truck. Crowded at lunch. Good. Try the hot dog!
Romy’s Shrimp Truck Kahuku Supposedly the best of the shrimp trucks. Haven’t tried yet. Let me know!
Seven Brothers Burgers Laie Good burgers. Only decent restaurant on this part of Oahu.
Hukilau Cafe Laie Total dive restaurant. Good for cheap breakfast. Try hukilau burger for lunch. Closes at 2pm.
Hapa Grill Kapolei Good beef teri noodles, local food.
Highway Inn Multiple Pipikaula is good
Thai Lao Kapolei Best Thai restaurant on Oahu. Try the beef salad, Pad thai, curries, spring rolls
En Fuego Kapolei Garlic chicken was great, teri salmon and green salad was good
Taniokas Waipahu Great selection of poke. Great tasting. Chicken wings were good too. Only take-out.
Aiea Bowl Aiea The most awesome oxtail soup ever! The tasty chicken and crunch cake is a must also.
Shiros Saimin Pearl City Lots of different Saimin.
Paalaa Kai Mini Mart Waialua Fried chicken, bento plates (take out lunch) is great.
Paalaa Kai Bakery Waialua Snow Puffys! Next door to mini mart.
Activity Loacation Comments
Arizona Memorial Pearl Harbor Free. Don’t buy tourist trap tickets. Go early. USS Missouri and the submarine tour also good.
Hanauma Bay Past Waikiki Snorkeling snorkeling snorkeling. Go early or no parking. Crowed. Total tourist hot spot. Guaranteed to see lots of fish. Closed Tuesdays.
Iolani Palace Honolulu Only palace in the USA. Interesting if you’re into history.
Bishop Museum Honolulu Great place to learn about the history of Hawaii and artifacts. May have concerts in evening.
Honolulu Zoo Waikiki I’d only go if they had evening concerts. Usually free or donation.
Ala Moana Mall Waikiki Largest outdoor mall in USA. Under construction. Parking is bad for now. Take the pink trolley if staying in Waikiki. Ask concierge for schedule. Cheap way to tour Waikiki.
Diamond Head Near Waikiki Hike up the famous landmark. Like climbing stairs forever. Beautiful scene at the top.
Koko Head Hawaii Kai Moderately difficult hike to the top on old railroad ties.
Waimea Falls North Shore Botanical garden with a waterfall. Not sure of fee. Last I heard was around $5.
Dole Plantation Wahiawa Pineapples. Don’t waste time eating here. More for kids. Giant maze to walk thru and a train.
Blow Hole Near Sandys Tourist attraction. Quick stop on way to Sandy beach. Past
Hanauma Bay.
Lanikai Beach Kailua Most beautiful beach on Oahu.
Laniakea Beach Near Haleiwa Also called first opening or turtle beach. Small opening to the beach where turtles lay and swim.
Waimea Falls North Shore Botanical garden with a waterfall. Not sure of fee. Last I heard was around $5.
Aloha Stadium Swap Meet Aiea Huge swap meet on Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays. May close early on Saturday if football game.
Polynesian Cultural Center Laie Popular tourist attraction. Learn about different
Polynesian societies. Has a luau and a show. Show is good. Luau just ok. Opens at noon but an all day affair if doing luau and show.
Some sample itineraries:
Pearl Harbor Tour
Go on a Wednesday – early
Tour the Arizona Memorial in morning
Then go to the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet
Then go eat at Aiea Bowl
Go back to hotel and rest!
Have a nice dinner.
Windward Tour
Stop at Pali Lookout off Pali Hwy ($3/car) for a great view
Eat breakfast/brunch at Boots and Kimos
Go to the beach – Kailua or Lanikai (kayak at Kailua for an adventure)
Stop at Island Snow Shave Ice (Obama’s favorite)-one by the beach
Grab a slice of pizza at the Boston Pizza place next door (great)
Have a nice dinner.
North Shore Tour
Any weekday – stay away on weekends
Optional to stop at Dole Plantation (free) on the way
Stop in Waialua town, go to Paalaa Kai bakery and mini mart and pick up a snow puffy snack and a bento lunch for the beach (take a small cooler)
Stop in Haleiwa town and check out the small surf shops (Quicksilver, HIC, He>I), get a shave ice at Matsumotos
Optional to stop at Laniakea Beach to see turtles
Snorkel at Sharks Cove or enjoy one of the famous north shore beaches or walk around Waimea Falls (may be able to swim there too)
Go up a little further for shrimp at one of the trucks (close at 6:00 I think). There’s also a zipline in Kahuku if interested.
Pick up a slice of pie on the way home at Teds bakery for a late nite snack.
