Aloha and welcome to Hawaii Travel Made Easy, your go-to resource for planning an unforgettable Hawaiian vacation. I'm Marcie, a Hawaii travel expert who's been to the islands more than 40 times. And if there's one thing I never get tired of, it's eating my way through Hawaii. Hawaii's food scene is unlike anywhere else in the world, blending flavors from native, Hawaiian, Japanese, Chinese, Portuguese, Filipino, and other cultures.
Whether you're a first-time visitor or a repeat traveler, today's episode will help you find the best local eats, from classic plate lunches and fresh poke to hidden gems and high-end splurges. So if you're wondering what to eat, where to eat, and how to eat like a local, you're in the right place.
Grab a notepad or sit back and get hungry because we're diving into the ultimate foodie guide to Hawaii.
Before we get into what to eat, let's talk about how Hawaii's unique food culture came to be. Pre-contact Hawaiians thrived on taro, which they called kalo sweet potatoes, breadfruit, and fresh fish using underground ovens called imus to cook food.
Staples like poi, which is mashed taro root and lomi lomi Salmon, which was a dish introduced later through trade, were central to the Hawaiian diet. Traditional meals were often simple but deeply connected to the land and the sea, but there were also some plantation-era influences. The 18 hundreds and early 19 hundreds brought waves of immigrants, Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, and Portuguese, each contributing their own flavors. The Japanese immigrants introduced teriyaki, tempura, and bento-style meals. The Chinese brought char siu, which is roast pork noodles and rice dishes. While the Portuguese introduced sweet bread and malasadas, Filipino workers added dishes like adobo and Koreans contributed kimchi and barbecued meats.
This is what also birthed the Plate lunch, these multicultural influences combined during the plantation era where workers from different ethnic backgrounds shared meals.
The fusion led to the plate lunch which typically includes rice, macaroni, salad, and a protein like teriyaki chicken loco moco, or kalua pork. The plate lunch remains one of Hawaii's most iconic meals today. There's also saimin and manapua, which are Hawaii's favorite snacks. saimin, a noodle soup inspired by Japanese Ramen and Chinese won ton soup became a staple. Comfort food in Hawaii, often topped with fish cake and green onions, man pua. The local take on Chinese bao evolved into a grab-and-go snack filled with pork, chicken, or sweet coconut. There's also World War II influences During World War ii.
Spam became widely popular due to food shortages, and Hawaiians embraced it in creative ways. Spam, a sushi-style snack with grilled spam over rice wrapped in seaweed, is now a local favorite. Hawaii consumes more spam per capita than any other state in the us. There's also luau, feast, and traditional Hawaiian food.
Ancient Hawaiian celebrations centered around luaus, large feasts featuring kalua pig, which is roasted in an imu lau lau, which is pork or fish wrapped in taro leaves, and haupia, which is coconut pudding. Today, you can experience a traditional luau at many resorts, but some of the most authentic luaus are found at local community gatherings.
There was also a Hawaiian regional cuisine movement in the 1990s. A group of top Hawaiian chefs, including Alan Wong and Roy Yamaguchi, created Hawaiian regional cuisine, which focused on using fresh, locally sourced ingredients to elevate traditional Hawaiian flavors. This movement put Hawaii on the map as a destination for fine dining and gourmet food.
There was also a farm-to-table renaissance. Hawaii's focus on sustainability has led to a farm-to-table movement that emphasizes locally grown produce like taro, macadamia nuts, and tropical fruit. Restaurants like Merriman's and the Pig and the Lady take these ingredients to the next level, combining traditional flavors with modern techniques, and there's Hawaiian fusion cuisine today.
Food in Hawaii is a blend of old and new, where you can enjoy both a classic loco moco and a gourmet poke bowl topped with truffle oil and avocado. From food trucks to Michelin-worthy restaurants, Hawaii's food and seed continue to evolve while staying true to its multicultural roots.
Hawaiian food has come a long way from its humble beginnings, blending the old and the new to create one of the most exciting culinary destinations in the world. Now that you know the history, let's talk about the must-try dishes you need to add to your Hawaii food bucket list. Hawaii's food is all about bold flavors, fresh ingredients, and comfort food.
Whether you're a first-time visitor or a returning foodie, these dishes will give you a true taste of the Islands plate Lunch, the ultimate Hawaiian comfort food. The plate lunch is simple, yet incredibly satisfying. It consists of two scoops of white rice. A scoop of creamy macaroni, salad and a protein often kalu, a pork teriyaki chicken loco moco, or Korean barbecue beef.
This dish is a product of Hawaii's plantation era where workers from different cultures combine flavors to create an affordable yet filling meal. So where can you get this on Oahu? I recommend Rainbows Drive-in. It's a local institution known for its barbecue, beef, and boneless chicken plate lunches.
There's also L & L Hawaiian Barbecue, and this is a chain found across the islands and even on the mainland that serves classic plate lunches at reasonable prices. And on Maui, there's Aloha mixed plate. This is a scenic spot that elevates the traditional plate lunch with locally sourced ingredients.
Next up is poke. If you love fresh seafood, poke is a must try. This dish features cubed raw fish. Usually ahi tuna marinated with soy sauce, sesame oil, green onions, and seaweed, sometimes mixed with spicy mayo or wasabi. It's Hawaii's version of sashimi, but with more seasoning and toppings. Unlike the trendy poke bowls you'll find on the mainland, real Hawaiian poke is simple and packed with fresh flavors.
So what are the best spots? Food land. Believe it or not, this grocery store chain has some of the freshest, most affordable poke on the islands. There's also Ono Seafood on Oahu. This is a tiny hole in the wall serving some of the best traditional poke, and there's Tamura's fine wine and liquors on Oahu and Maui, known for its amazing poke selection served by the pound.
All right, next up is Malasadas. These Portuguese-style donuts are a local favorite with a crisp outside and a light, fluffy inside. They're often coated in sugar and sometimes filled with custard haupia, which is coconut pudding or guava cream, originally brought over by Portuguese immigrants.
Malasadas have become a staple island treat. I personally like them plain with just cinnamon and sugar. I think they are fantastic. So where can you get these? Um, on Oahu, you can go to Leonard's Bakery. This is the most famous malasada shop in Hawaii and for good reason. But you'll wanna get there early as a line can get really, really long.
On the Big island, you'll wanna head to Tex drive-in known for its large fluffy malasadas with a variety of delicious fillings. And on Kauai, you'll wanna go to Passion Bakery in Kapa. It's a hidden away spot that has the best filled malasadas on the island. All right, next up is shave ice. This is not your average snow cone.
Hawaiian shave ice is finely shaved, creating a fluffy melt in your mouth texture. It's topped with tropical syrups like lilikoi, which is passion fruit, guava, and coconut. It's the ultimate island treat. Many spots also offer extras like sweetened condensed milk. That's called the snow cap mochi balls or azuki beans.
So what are the best spots to get shave ice in Hawaii? I. Definitely Ululani's Shave Ice, which is on Maui in the big island. It's known for its ultra smooth shave ice and natural syrups. It's amazing. There's also wishing well shave ice on Kauai, which is my favorite place to get shave ice on Kauai. They specialize in all natural flavors with real fruit topping, and there's island vintage shave ice on Oahu and Maui.
It's served on a plate, but it's some of the tastiest gourmet shave ice I've ever had. All right. Next up is Loco moco. This is my husband's favorite meal, a true Hawaiian comfort food Loco. moco is a hardy dish consisting of white rice, topped with a hamburger patty, a fried egg, and rich brown gravy.
It's a perfect meal for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Some variations use Kalu of pork fried chicken or spam instead of a burger Patty. So what are the best spots to get Loco moco Cafe 100 on the Big Island. This is the birthplace of Loco moco and they serve dozens of variations. There's also Rainbow drive-in on Oahu, which has a solid classic version of the dish.
And if you go to Maui, the kitchen, it's known for its massive portion sizes, and its flavorful loco moco. All right. Next up is Spam musubi. This on-the-go snack is a cross between sushi and Hawaii's love of spam. A slice of grilled spam is placed on top of rice and wrapped with nori, which is seaweed, often seasoned with teriyaki sauce.
It's the perfect snack to grab before heading to the beach. My kids are obsessed with spam, be in Hawaii, so what are the best spots to get it? Seven 11 in Hawaii, surprisingly, Hawaii's seven 11 stores sell some of the best spam musabi made Fresh Daily. They also have other variations like moco chicken Musabi.
That's amazing. And there's Musabi Cafe Iyasume on Oahu. It's a tiny shop offering unique musabi variations, including spicy mayo and avocado. There's multiple locations on Oahu and there's huli chicken. This dish features marinated chicken cooked over a grill, often turned. The Hawaiian word huli means turn over an open flame, giving it a smoky, juicy flavor.
The marinade typically includes soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and brown sugar. It's a roadside favorite, so where can you get Hulu chicken? Well, there's Mike's Hli chicken on Oahu. It's famous for its flavorful huli huli chicken cooked over kiawe wood. And you'll find all kinds of Hulu Hli chicken stands all over the islands, especially Maui in the big island.
These offer fresh, smoky, juicy chicken. Next up is lau lau, a traditional Hawaiian dish where pork, fish or chicken is wrapped in taro leaves, then steamed in an underground emu oven until tender. It has a rich, earthy flavor and is often served with poi and lomi salmon. So where can you get lau lau? There is definitely Helena's Hawaiian food on Oahu.
This is one of the best places for authentic Hawaiian food, and there's Young's Fish Market on Oahu. It's well known for its lau lau and other traditional dishes.
All right, next is manapua. Hawaii's take on char siu Bao. These soft, fluffy buns are filled with sweet barbecue pork, chicken, or sweet fillings like coconut or black sugar. They're the go-to snack for locals and can be found in bakeries and convenience stores across the islands. So what's the best spot to get it?
I think it's Royal Kitchen on Oahu. It's famous for its baked man pua with unique fillings like curry chicken, and there's haupia and butter mochi. If you have a sweet tooth, these two Hawaiian desserts are a must. Jia is a coconut pudding, often served as a side at Luaus.
While butter mochi is a chewy, buttery, coconut flavored treat with a texture between cake and mochi. So what are the best spots to get it? Ted's Bakery on Oahu, it's famous for its chocolate. haupia pie. That is amazing. And you can hit up local bakeries and farmer's markets. That's where you'll often find homemade butter mochi for sale.
With so many delicious options, Hawaii is truly a foodie's paradise. But what if you want to eat where the locals go? Let's explore some hidden gems and hole-in-the-wall spots that serve up some of the best food in the islands. If you wanna skip the touristy restaurants and eat where the locals go, these hidden gems and hole-in-the-wall spots serve up some of the best food in Hawaii.
These places may not have flashy signs or fancy seating, but they make up for it with authentic flavors and amazing dishes. So on Oahu, there's Tanaka's Seafood and Catering. One of the best places to grab fresh poke bento boxes and Hawaiian style fried chicken. It's a great stop before heading to the beach.
And there's Gulick Delicatessen, a beloved local deli serving Japanese style Bento boxes in Musabi with everything from spam to showy chicken. Heading over to Maui, there's Tin Roof. This is owned by Top Chef finalist Sheldon Simeon. This small takeout spot serves Hawaiian comfort food with a gourmet twist.
Try the garlic shrimp mo Chico chicken or pork belly bowl. Everything is packed with flavor. And there's Sam Sedo, a mom-and-pop diner. Famous for its dry mein noodles, which are a local favorite. This dish is similar to saimin, but served without broth, making it perfect for a quick, satisfying meal.
And there's Geste shrimp truck. This food truck in Kahului is famous for its Hawaiian style garlic shrimp, often compared to Giovanni's on Oahu. The shrimp are juicy, buttery, and packed with garlic flavor. Heading over to Kauai, there's a Kilauea fish market, a casual seafood market in deli, serving some of the freshest fish plates and wraps.
Their Ahi wraps and pokey bowls are especially popular and they're perfect for a quick meal after exploring North Shore. After exploring the North Shore, there's also Hamura Saimin Stand. It's a tiny noodle shop that has been serving up classic Simon, which is Hawaii's version of Ramen for decades. The noodles are springy, the broth is rich, and it's one of the most authentic local experiences you'll find.
And there's a tarot co factory, a tiny road size shack in Hape serving handmade tarot chips that are perfectly crisp and lightly salted. These make for a great snack for road trip around the island.
Now heading over to the big island, Ka'aloa's super js. If you want to try the best La Lao, which is steamed pork wrapped in taro leaves on the big island. This is the place where the small family-run spot is nothing fancy, but the food is cooked. Hawaiian style with love and tradition. This is my personal favorite place to have traditional Hawaiian food in all of the islands.
There's also text drive-in. Located in Honoka'a, the spot is famous for its giant fluffy malasadas. They come with fillings like guava, haupia, and Bavarian cream, and there's Umeke's fish market and grill. This hidden gem in Kona serves some of the best poke bowls and Hawaiian plates on the island. Their poke nachos and fish plates are highly recommended.
So if you're looking for an unforgettable meal away from the tourist crowds, these local favorites should be at the top of your list. But what if you wanna pair your meal with an amazing cocktail or enjoy the best happy hour deals? Let's talk about the best bars and cocktail spots in Hawaii. Nothing says Hawaii vacation.
Quite like sipping a tropical cocktail while watching the sunset over the ocean. Whether you're a mai tai connoisseur or just looking for a great place to unwind, Hawaii has plenty of bars and lounges serving island inspired drinks with unbeatable views. Here are some of the best places to grab a Hawaiian cocktail and enjoy happy hour specials.
Starting with Oahu house without a key. This has classic Waikiki vibes with live Hawaiian music, Hulu performances, and an ocean front setting. Their signature, ma Tai is one of the best in Honolulu and it pairs perfectly with their pupus like poque and coconut shrimp. There's also rum fire located at the Sheraton Waikiki, the beach French.
This beachfront lounge offers stunning views of Diamond Head and the Pacific Ocean. Their cocktails are known for bold tropical flavors and the happy hour deals make it a great spot to kick back after a day at the beach. And there's the Mai Tai bar at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. If you wanna sip a Mai Tai at the hotel that invented it, this is the place located at the iconic Pink Palace.
The drinks are strong, fruity, and beautifully presented. Let's head over to Maui. There's Monkey Pod Kitchen. This spot is famous for its lilikoi foam mai tais, which are a delicious twist on the classic and my personal favorite, mai tai in Hawaii.
Happy Hour features half off appetizers, local beers and handcrafted cocktails, making it a great place to start your evening. There's also Threes Bar and Grill. For laid back happy hour in Kihei threes, bars and grill serves up a mix of Hawaiian southwestern and Pacific Rim flavors with great deals on sushi cocktails and small plates.
And there's the Pinton Cork located in the shops. At Lea. The Pinton Cork offers a relaxed yet upscale happy hour with craft cocktails. Local beers and delicious bar bites, making it the great spot to unwind after a beach day. Let's head over to the big island.
There's hugs on the rocks, which is a casual open air bar in Kona with colorful tropical drinks, fresh seafood, and nightly live music. They're lava flow, which is a creamy mix of coconut, pineapple, and strawberry is a vacation. Must have. There's also Don's Mai Tai Bar. Located at the Royal Kona Resort, this spot is known for its extensive mi Thai menu.
The sunset views over Kailua Bay make it one of the best picturesque bars on the island, and they claim that they're the ones who invented the mai tai. And there's Merriman's in Waimea famous for their farm to glass cocktails. Merriman's offers handcrafted drinks made with fresh local ingredients.
Their hibiscus, margarita and ma Thai made with house infused rum are must tries. And heading over to Kauai, the beach house, a gorgeous ocean front restaurant with some of the best sunset views on Kauai. Their coconut rum punch and classic mi thai are the perfect pairings for the stunning scenery.
Tahiti Nui. A legendary tiki bar in Hanalei, famous sports, strong MI ties, laid back vibe, and occasional life music. This bar has been featured in movies like The Descendants, and it's a local favorite and Lava. Lava Beach Club. A toes in the sand bar where you can enjoy a mango margarita while listening to the waves.
The setting is relaxed and fun. Perfect for a casual cocktail. A delicious cocktail with an ocean front view is the perfect way to end the day, but why stop there? If you're looking for more than just a meal and want a truly immersive food experience? Hawaii has some amazing foodie activities you won't want to miss.
Hawaii's food culture isn't just about eating. It's about immersing yourself in the flavors, traditions, and history behind the islands unique cuisine. If you're looking for a memorable hands-on food experience beyond just dining out, here are some must try culinary adventures to add to your trip. A luau feast.
A visit to Hawaii isn't complete without experiencing a traditional luau where you can enjoy Kalua Pig, which is slow roasted in an underground IMU oven, lomi Lomi salmon poi, and ha pia while watching Hulu performances and fire dancing.
Some of the best luaus include old Lahaina luau on Maui Toa luau on Oahu and Aulii luau on Kauai. They're also farm to table tours. Hawaii is home to incredible local farms growing everything from coffee to cacao to tropical fruits and organic greens. Take a tour at OO Farm on Maui, Kahuku Farm on Oahu or Greenwell Farms on the big island to see how local ingredients are grown, harvested, and used in local meals.
There are also Hawaiian cooking classes. If you love cooking, why not learn how to make traditional Hawaiian dishes? Hands-on classes teach you how to prepare favorites like Poke loco moco, lau lau, and help you pie using fresh local ingredients. Some classes even include a market visit to pick out ingredients.
There's also cacao and chocolate tastings. Hawaii is one of the only places in the United States that grows cacao. And you can tour chocolate farms like Lydgate Farms, on Kauai, or Lavaloha on the big island to learn about the Bean to bar process while sampling handcrafted Hawaiian chocolate. There are also coffee plantation tours.
Hawaii's famous Kona Coffee is a must try, and you can tour Greenwell Farms, mountain Thunder or Hula Daddy on the big island to see the coffee making process from bean to cup. If you're on Maui, check out Maui Grown Coffee for a taste of locally grown beans there's also night market food tasting experience.
The local food scene after dark at Hawaii's Night Markets. The Waikiki Night Market on Oahu and the Hilo Night Market on the big island offers a mix of food vendors, live music, and local crafts, making it a great way to enjoy Hawaii's diverse food culture. They're also fishing and catch and cook excursions for a true ocean to table experience, join a fishing charter where you can catch your own Ahi, mahi Mahi or Ono, and have it prepared for you at a local restaurant.
This is especially popular on the big island and Maui. There's also Hawaiian sea salt and honey tastings. Try unique locally made Hawaiian flavors at places like the Hawaiian Vanilla Company on the big island, volcano island, honey on the big island, or Kauai Sea salt farm on Kauai, where you can sample flavored honey, vanilla products, and artisanal sea salt.
Whether you're learning to cook Hawaiian dishes, tasting fresh cacao on a farm, or enjoying a traditional luau, these experiences give you a deeper connection to Hawaii's culture through food. Now let's switch gears and talk about fine dining, because if you're looking to splurge on a truly special meal, Hawaii has some incredible high-end restaurants for foodies who love fine dining and elevated island cuisine.
Hawaii has some incredible high-end restaurants that blend fresh local ingredients and world class culinary techniques. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or just wanna treat yourself to an unforgettable meal, these spots are worth the splurge. On, Oahu.
There's Senia, a modern fine dining experience blending local Hawaiian flavors with contemporary techniques. Opt for the chef's tasting menu for a multi-course artistic meal that highlights the best of Hawaii seasonal ingredients on Maui. There's Mama's Fish House. One of the most famous restaurants in Hawaii.
This ocean front gem serves incredible ultra fresh seafood in a stunning setting. Each fish is caught daily by local fishermen and listed on the menu with their names. Talk about ocean to table dining. Reservations fill up months in advance, so you'll definitely wanna book early on the Big island.
There's Merriman's known for its commitment to farm to table dining. 90% of its ingredients are locally sourced from Big Island beef to fresh island grown produce. Their signature macadamia nut crusted fish is a must try. It's so good. And on Kauai, there's Tidepools, a romantic open air restaurant at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Set over a koi filled lagoon.
Their fresh island fish, prime steaks, and handcrafted cocktails make for a dreamy, elevated dining experience. Okay. While these restaurants come with a high price tag, the exceptional service, ambiance and quality of ingredients make them worth every penny. If you're looking to indulge in Hawaii's top tier dining scene, these are the places to go.
But let's switch gears and talk about Hawaii's best budget. Friendly eats that deliver big flavors without breaking the bank. Hawaii is known for its amazing food, but that doesn't mean you have to spend a fortune to eat well. There are plenty of affordable local spots where you can enjoy delicious, authentic Hawaiian flavors without breaking the bank.
Here are some of the best budget friendly eats across the islands On Oahu, there's Rainbow Drive-in Famous for their plate lunches, packed with teriyaki beef loco, moco, and shoyu chicken at super affordable prices. There's also Musubi Cafe Iyasume, if you love Spam Musubi, this tiny spot in Waikiki and Honolulu has tons of creative Musubi flavors for even just a few bucks each.
And Maru Kame uan, one of the most famous, one of the most popular spots for fresh, handmade UDA noodles with dura topping. And the best part, a filling meal here can cost less than $10. Heading over to Maui, there's Tin Roof owned by Top Chef finalist.
This hole in the wall serves up Hawaiian comfort food like mochiko chicken and poke bowls at great prices. There's also the South Maui Fish Company, affordable, super fresh Poque. Served from a food truck in Kihei. Their poque bowls and grilled fish plates are some of the best on the island.
And Sam Satos, a local hidden gem featuring dry Maye noodles. A unique twist on Simon for under $10. And on Kauai there is Hamura Simon Stand, which is a no frills noodle shop that has been serving Hawaii's favorite Simon for generations, there's also Puka Dog. Try a Hawaiian style hot dog with tropical relishes like mango mustard or lilikoi sauce.
It's a quick, cheap, and tasty snack. And Kilauea fish market. It's great for fish tacos, poke bowls, and fresh seafood plates that won't break the bank. Heading over to the big island, there is text drive-in which is home of the best malasadas on the big island, stuffed with tropical flavors like Lili Coi and how Pia.
There's Cafe 100, which was the birthplace of loco moco. This spot serves up massive portions of Hawaii's iconic dish, which was rice, hamburger, patty egg, and brown gravy at super affordable prices. And there's Umeke's. If you want high quality poke at a reasonable price, this is the place to go.
So even if you're traveling on a budget, you can still enjoy incredible meals across the islands. But what if you get hungry after hours? Let's talk about where to grab the best late night eats in Hawaii. Hawaii may not be known for its nightlife, but if you're craving a midnight snack or post adventure meal, there are some great late night spots to check out.
Whether you're coming back from a sunset, hike a night out, or just need a quick bite. Here's where to go. When hunger strikes after hours, there is Zippy's on Oahu and Maui. This is Hawaii's version of a diner serving plate lunches, chili, Simon and Malasadas well into the night. Many locations are open 24 hours making it a go-to for locals and visitors alike.
There's also 7-11 on all the islands. Don't overlook this convenient store favorite. Hawaii's 7-11 locations sell surprisingly good. spam musubi, poke bowls, and bentos. All made fresh Daily is the perfect quick budget, friendly late night snack. There's also Ken's house of pancakes on the big island, a Hilo institution that's open 24 7 serving up massive local moco fluffy pancakes and their famous macadamia net syrup. It's a must visit if you're in the area after dark. There's also Side Street Inn on Oahu. Open late and loved by chefs and locals. This casual spot is known for its legendary pan fried pork chops, garlic chicken, and kimchi fried rice, perfect for sharing after a night out.
And there's Teddy's bigger burgers on Oahu and Maui if you're craving a late night burger. This retro style burger joint stays open late and serves up Juicy Island inspired burgers with crispy fries and milkshakes. From 24 hour diners to hole in the wall gems, these late night spots keep the food adventure going well past sunset.
Now let's wrap things up with some final tips and takeaways to help you plan the perfect foodie trip to Hawaii. Hopefully, you're excited to eat your way through the islands from plate lunches to fine dining and everything in between. So to recap, you'll wanna try the local dishes like poke, malasadas, and Plate Lunch.
You'll wanna explore hidden gems. Food trucks and farmer's markets, and don't miss Hawaii's cocktail scene and unique food experiences. I'd love to hear from you. What's your favorite Hawaiian food or what are you most excited to try? Send me a DM on Instagram at Hawaii, travel with kids, or check out my blog for even more recommendations.
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review. Mahalo for listening, and I'll see you in the next episode. Aloha.
