The BEST Local Places to Eat in Honolulu & North Shore of Oahu

1/20/2023

**Updated : January 2023**
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We recently spent a few days on the island of Oahu before jumping over to Maui, and although that's not too much time to check out all the best places to eat, this list will definitely save you some time when you search for GOOD places to eat on the island. (Check it out for yourself, most places are either super spendy or have terrible reviews.) Read on for our favorite places to eat in Oahu - both on the North Shore and in Honolulu - when on a budget, that are also taste test approved. It's also worth noting that Honolulu and Waikiki are excellent places to find some incredible cafes!

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Where to Eat - Honolulu

Beachwalk Cafe - located near Waikiki Beach, they have delicious healthy foods and we loved their Acai & Pitaya Smoothie Bowls!

Gilligan's Beach Shack - located on Waikiki Beach, this bright yellow food truck will be hard to miss, and you'll definitely want to try their garlic & coconut shrimp (we got their platter for a mix of both!)

Milk - located inside the Waikiki Food Hall of the Royal Hawaiian Center, they have "fresh cream" desserts with toppings like strawberries and chocolate drizzle!

Potama - also located inside the Waikiki Food Hall, Potama serves Spam, Egg & Rice rolls called "onigiri" - a.k.a. musubi - and they have 6 different kinds! (we got their box to try all 6!)

5 Star Shrimp - again, also located inside the Waikiki Food Hall 5 Star Shrimp has a great Pineapple Bowl with Garlic Shrimp (can't recommend this one enough!)

Tapbar - last one located inside the Waikiki Food Hall, Tapbar features local beers from breweries in Hawaii!

Where to Eat - North Shore

Hale'iwa Bowls - the cutest little smoothie shack located right next to the local bus stop, I highly recommend their Blue Majik Bowl!

The Sunrise Shack - another local shack right off the beach (turns out they have two locations!) we opted for their fresh papaya bowl (no smoothie) and were not disappointed, our only wish would have been that the papaya had been a little chilled

North Shore Shrimp Truck - inside a cove of food trucks right off the beach, we simply got the cold brew float to cool down, but the rest of their options looked great!

North Shore Tacos - located right next to the North Shore Shrimp Truck, we opted for their chips & guac which was delicious!

Haleiwa Seafood - another seafood trucks that we only got a smoothie at, we promise you can't go wrong with their Sunrise Smoothie

McDonalds - ok this sounds like a weird recommendation, but hear me out - the McDonald's in Hawaii have their own menu including a rice and spam platter as well as fried apple pies and occasionally taro pies!

Watch our Oahu Adventures here!