Oahu, Hawaii: Artisanal Cafes and Unforgettable First Bites

Join me as we explore the island’s vibrant restaurant and food truck scene, discovering mouthwatering dishes that showcase the rich cultural heritage and fresh local ingredients that define Hawaii’s dining experience. Get ready to indulge in a gastronomic journey that promises unforgettable tastes and unforgettable memories!

• Yoshitsune
  • What to get: sukiyaki with wagyu beef, matsutake rice, unagi chazuke – the rice and sukiyaki come with a dinner set. 

• Sushi Sho
  • Reservations and togo orders are now on Tock!
  • What to get: I have done both the omakase experience and ordered takeout – the omakase is a formal sit-down dinner whereas with takeout, you can chill at the beach or at home on the balcony with a bottle of wine or sake.

• Kona Coffee Purveyors | b patisserie 
  • What to get: Can’t go wrong with any of their coffee options or baked goods. I went almost every morning when I worked there for 2 months.

• Kai Coffee 
• Yummy Huli Huli Chicken 
  • What to get: their iconic chicken and shrimp plate!

• Poke from Foodland
• Island Vintage Wine Bar
  • Happy hour available!
  • What to get: Acai bowl, bagel with the taro cream cheese, and ube burger.
• Matcha Cafe Maiko
  • What to get: Hojicha and matcha soft serve

• Musubi Cafe Iyasume
  • What to get: Musubi!! I love the avocado, egg, and eel, spicy cod roe + salmon roe, and spicy tuna mayo.

• Leonard’s Bakery 
  • What to get: We tried all their flavors – Original (malasada) and Custard (malasada puff) are my top choices! They have great seasonal flavors that I highly recommend trying!

Highlights from recent trip:

• Coffee Gallery

• Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck
  • What to get: Shrimp Scampi (their rice is very hit or miss)

• Matsumoto Shave Ice 
• KCC Farmers’ Market
  • There’s something for everyone here because they have a variety of food vendors.

• Tonkatsu Tamafuji
  • What to get: Pork and Shrimp plates

• Marugame Udon
  • The line will most likely be really long during peak dining hours, but it moves relatively quick. This was my mom’s favorite place, so we went back multiple times!
  • What to get: Any of their top loved noodle bowls are solid. Decent and extensive tempura options.