3 Days of Eating in Oahu, Hawai'i

Watch a luau

This is a must-do! Luaus are a traditional Hawaiian feast featuring live music, dancing, and food to celebrate Hawaiian history and culture.

Laniakea Beach

Laniakea Beach is located along the northern shore of the island and is a well-known spot for seeing sea turtles hanging out in the sand during the day.

Diamond Head

If you’re up for going on a hike, Diamond Head is a volcanic tuff cone that sits along the eastern side of the island. I would highly recommend arriving early, as the parking lot fills up quickly, but this is Oahu’s most iconic trail to hike—with views that will take your breath away.

Hanauma Bay

Hanauma Bay is a state park that features a marine embayment. It’s fun to snorkel and see the beauty of the sea animals who call the bay their home.

Ho’omuhia Botanical Gardens

The Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden is home to some really magnificent and lush trees, tropical gardens showcasing plants from various regions of the world, and beautiful species of birds. This is a retreat from the busyness of Waikiki and a place to relax, recharge, explore, and take a breath of fresh air.

Dole Plantation

It’s hard to go to Oahu and not visit the Dole Plantation! Learn about all things pineapple, take the Pineapple Express Train Tour, watch a tutorial on how to cut a pineapple, and taste the famous Dole soft serve for yourself.

Musubi Cafe

After swimming in the ocean along Waikiki, this is a perfect place to grab a snack. This little shop features all sorts of different musubis. Whether you’re a classic musubi or triangle-shaped musubi fan, there’s sure to be something for everyone!

Eating House 1849

Chef Roy Yamaguchi created this restaurant as an homage to Hawaii’s culinary heritage. The menu boasts the bold flavors of the beautiful ingredients found on the island. As a pro-tip, the butterfish kamameshi dish is out of this world—the fish literally melts in your mouth.

Marukame Udon

There’s nothing fancy about this udon shop, but the line is out the door all day long—and it’s worth the wait. You’ll see the food being prepared in the kitchen as you make your way through the line. The noodles are made fresh every day, and the broth flavor makes you salivate and want more.

Giovanni’s

Giovanni’s sits along the North Shore area of the island with a group of other food trucks. This truck features shrimp that’s tossed in butter and garlic and served on a bed of rice—you can smell and taste it from a mile away.

Sushi Bay

Who doesn’t like kaiten (conveyer-belt) sushi? This is a place where the locals go for some solid sushi, sashimi, noodles, and meat!

Monkeypod

Although the restaurant celebrates the breadth of Hawaii’s culinary scene, the star of the show is the monkeypod mai tai, which is topped with an airy honey-lilikoi foam. The restaurant hosts live musicians throughout the week, giving it a fun, relaxed feel.

Helena’s Hawaiian Food

If you’re looking for authentic Hawaiian food, this is the place to go. This traditional eatery features authentic dishes like kalua pig, pipikaula short ribs, and, yes, of course, the mac salad.

Ono Seafood

This is a local hidden gem where you can get high-quality poke. There’s limited seating (there’s really none—you eat outside). You can order personalized poke bowls with high-quality fish—perfect for a leisurely lunch.

Sweets

Leonard’s Malasada donuts

Malasadas are Portuguese doughnuts that are made with a special dough. These doughnuts are fried to order and filled with some of your favorite flavors.

Island Vintage

This is a little food stand that sells shave ice all day long! Experience the refreshing taste of shave ice with fun flavors and toppings.