For our bachelor/bachelorette trip, my husband and I did a joint trip to Oahu. We were lucky enough that 10 of our closest friends could join us on our travels and we had a BLAST. As self-proclaimed foodies, my husband and I knew we had to choose a location where we would be surrounded by great eats. We would do anything for a great meal. Although we were only there for a few days, we were able to try out a bunch of amazing spots. We already cannot wait to return to try the rest!
Here’s a list of the foods we ate while we were bopping around. I hope it helps you on your next trip to the beautiful island of Oahu!
Vintage Island Coffee
I first heard of Vintage Island Coffee when I saw Emily Mariko eating a delicious yogurt-filled papaya on social media. Since then, I knew I had to get my hands on it! I can tell you that I was not disappointed. When we walked up to the restaurant, there was a line going out the door. Thankfully, they worked like a well-oiled machine and it only took about 10-15 minutes to get to the front of the line. I ended up ordering an Island Latte (macadamia nut with a hint of coconut) and the papaya and yogurt bowl. I was also able to take a few bites out of my friend’s acai bowl.
I loved the Island Latte. I thought it was the perfect balance of sweet and creamy without being overwhelming. It was a super fun drink that highlighted the local flavors. Though the papaya was small, it was the perfect serving for one person. It was perfectly sweet and the perfect base for the honey-drizzled yogurt and granola they scoop inside. I also really enjoyed the bites of my friend’s acai bowl. It was packed with fruit and everything tasted super fresh.
I thoroughly enjoyed everything and wish I had the chance to go back! I recommend stopping by and taking a look at their extensive menu. If you’re plant-based, they also had a ton of options, as well!
Ginza Bairin – Tonkatsu Room
If you’re visiting Waikiki, you MUST visit Ginza Bairin. It is known for having delicious, Japanese-style, tonkatsu. It often books up so make sure to make a reservation ahead of time! Even so, the restaurant is super accommodating for large groups and was amazing at handling our slightly rowdy group! The servers were extremely kind and patient and the food came out very quickly despite the magnitude of our order.
Although everything on the menu is incredibly fresh and delicious, they are known for their thick cut katsu. I ended up ordering the “Specialty” Kurobuta Pork Loin Katsu Set and the Fried Black Tiger Shrimp Katsu Set. It is a pricier meal but the quality and quantity of the food more than justify the price. Additionally, there is unlimited refills on the miso soup and the cabbage salad.
Even though I’ve had my fair share of katsu before, this was definitely some of the best I’ve ever had. The thick cuts of pork had a flaky crust that just melted in your mouth. The shrimp was also extremely succulent and flaky. It had just the perfect amount of sweetness in each bite. I was amazed to experience how the taste of something familiar could be so different just by eating a much higher quality of it. Each bite was luxurious. Even the cabbage salad and miso soup tasted better than those I’ve had before. They were also the perfect balance to the pork and shrimp.
Foodland Poke
I never thought poke from a grocery store could beat poke from a restaurant but boy was I wrong! Foodland’s poke is a local favorite, known for its freshness and variety. The store offers a wide selection of poke bowls, including classic options like spicy tuna and traditional shoyu ahi. We ended up getting a few tubs of shoyu-based poke and mayo-based poke. Though I preferred the shoyu based poke, each person in our group had a different favorite.
We picked up the poke right before we hit the beach with a few bags of tortilla chips. It was the perfect snack to enjoy on the beach after floating around in the beautiful ocean. Not only was the poke delicious, the prices were reasonable for the quality and quantity of the food. Overall, Foodland’s poke is a delicious and dependable option for a quick, fresh meal. It’s a classic Hawaiian staple and something you cannot miss. Also, I love that it is a grocery store. It makes it super easy to pick-up other snacks/things you may need before spending all day at the beach!
Maguro Brothers
Maguro Brothers is no joke. This establishment only opens from 5pm-8pm and there is ALWAYS a line. After having fresh seafood at a few spots around Oahu, I was convinced that Maguro Brothers couldn’t be THAAAT much better. Boy, was I wrong! Maguro Brothers was that much better. We got there right at 5 pm and got lucky to only have waited 15 minutes before we got our food.
The fish was incredibly fresh. It was like they had just caught the fish right then and there to make this delicious meal. Each cut of seafood was at peak quality. The entirety of the bowl was as close to a piece of heaven as you can get. Although everything was delicious, my favorite bite was probably the salmon. The fattiness of the fish just melted in your mouth and the flavor of the salmon was super clean. If you get the opportunity to visit this establishment, I highly recommend you get a variety of dishes. We had a mix of Donburi and Poke bowls to get a little taste of everything. It was well worth it and maybe my favorite bite in all of Oahu.
Waiola Shave Ice
After a long day at the beach, Waiola Shave Ice hit the spot. It is a local gem that is known for its finely shaved ice, which provides a smooth, fluffy texture. What I really liked about this spot was the extensive flavor selection. It can get a little overwhelming to choose but it was mostly fun to see what you could mix and match. I enjoyed the POG and lilikoi together with mochi and ice cream as toppings. It was so delicious and refreshing that all my friends and I ended up getting second bowls.
The shop is on the corner of a neighborhood so parking can be a bit difficult to find. Thankfully, we found a spot after only a few laps around the neighborhood. It’s super laid back and the staff was very friendly. It was really cool to go to a spot where locals and tourists alike could enjoy a sweet and refreshing treat.
Leonard’s Bakery
You can’t visit Honolulu without eating at Leonard’s Bakery! Leaonard’s is famous for its malasadas, a traditional Portuguese filled donut. The donuts are deep-fried to golden perfection, they have a fluffy interior and a crispy exterior. Each bite delivers a deliciously sweet experience.
One of the bakery’s highlights is its variety of fillings, including classic options like custard and chocolate, as well as unique flavors such as haupia (coconut) and guava. Although I’m not typically a person who likes a filled donut, I found myself very much enjoying these! I opted for the chocolate-filled malasada as it seemed the least overwhelming for a gal who doesn’t like custardy things. The chocolate was almost like a jello texture and each bite tasted like a hot chocolate.
The bakery’s ambiance is cozy and welcoming, with a friendly staff that makes the experience even more enjoyable. Although there might be a line, it’s well worth the wait. For anyone with a sweet tooth, these malasadas are a must-try—delicious, satisfying, and a true taste of Hawaiian indulgence.
Rainbow Drive-In
On our last night, we had the Rainbow Drive-In for dinner. It’s a classic spot on the island and I was excited to get a taste of the local Hawaiian comfort food. When we arrived, we were starving. I ended up getting the Mix Plate and sharing the chili tots.
The Mix Plate was perfect for trying a little bit of everything. It consisted of short rib, mahi mahi, and chicken katsu over rice and with a side of mac salad. Although everything was flavorful, my favorite was the mahi mahi. If I were to go back, I’d probably get the mahi plate. Overall, it’s a well-rounded meal that blends savory, sweet, and tangy flavors.
Rainbow Drive-In’s Chili Tots are another highlight. This was not something I was expecting to order but ended up sharing with a bunch of friends after seeing it was a local favorite. The combination of the crunchy tots with the hearty chili creates a comforting and unexpectedly delicious dish. The chili is robust, with a satisfying blend of spices and flavors, while the cheese adds a creamy finish.
Overall, Rainbow Drive-In offers a delicious, no-frills experience that captures the essence of local Hawaiian cuisine. There was plenty of outdoor seating and we loved that we could walk over to the 7-11 right after to check out some of the fun snacks!
Iyasume Musubi Cafe
I absolutely loved the Iyasume Musubi Cafe. If you ever wondered where people get those super cute spam musubi-themed bags, they’re from here! There are multiple locations around Waikiki but the one we visited was the biggest. It was a 5 minute walk from Waikiki Beach and it had a ton of different musubi, onigiri, and bento options.
Although the line is typically quite long, we got lucky and only waited for about 10 minutes before we ordered. It was actually helpful to be able to stand in line for a bit so we could make our choices. The musubi is a bit more expensive than you can find at other places but the quality and optionality make it worth it. We ended up ordering a ton of different musubi and onigiris to share with friends and take to the beach. Amongst my favorites were the yuzu onigiri and the eel and egg spam musubi. Whatever you get, I truly don’t think you can go wrong! It’s a great snack to take on the go or even before you hop on your flight back home.
Final Thoughts
There is so much good food to eat in Waikiki and Oahu as a whole. This is by no means an exhaustive list but I do hope it helps you narrow down a few good eats while you’re there. Oahu is a beautiful island and I cannot wait to go back to eat and experience more of the people and place. If you have any good spots you think I should try next time, please leave them in the comments!
