Thanks to awesome recommendations from Oahu-based foodie Nathan Kam, our friends at Oahu Visitors Bureau, and our own wandering around to sniff out some budget-friendly eats, my husband and I enjoyed some great meals on Oahu during our romantic getaway there in May. Here’s where we ate:
Town The slogan at hip Town restaurant is “Local first, organic whenever possible, with Aloha always.” Indeed, we found the creative menu a bit unusual (pig spleen, anyone?) but the dishes we ordered were fabulous. I ate savory-sweet corn chowder and gnocchi with house-cured bacon, purple cabbage and tarragon, while my husband enjoyed tender grilled leg of lamb, polenta and delicious bitter greens with pine nuts and raisins. Every dish that we saw around the modern restaurant was colorful and beautifully presented. The environmentally friendly Town restaurant uses scrap menu paper for drink coasters — a huge plus in my book! 3435 Waialae Avenue, Honolulu
Mac 24/7 Bar & Restaurant This sleek and modern diner in the Hilton Waikiki Beach is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — “We don’t close unless it snows.” Breakfast is served around the clock, as are lunch and dinner items like sandwiches, soups, salads and diner entrees such as meatloaf and chicken fried steak. Only the heartiest of eaters embark on the crazy “Mac Daddy Pancake Challenge”: attempting to ingest three giant pancakes, 14 inches in diameter, within 90 minutes (no leaving your seat). Anyone who licks their pancake plates clean, gets their picture taken to hang in the restaurant entrance. We had no interest in joining the wall of fame, so we filled up on tasty egg dishes. 2500 Kuhio Ave., Waikiki
Coconut Cafe This hole-in-the-wall shop kitty-corner to our great Waikiki hotel, the Aqua Bamboo & Spa, turns out hearty sandwiches are great for late-night eats or picnic lunches. We particularly enjoyed the crab sandwich on asiago roll, but you can also choose from turkey, ham, roast beef, veggie or the local’s favorite spam on a variety of breads. Coconut Cafe also serves salads, coffee drinks, milk shakes and shave ice. 2441 Kuhio Ave, Waikiki
Cafe Kaila We waited outside for about 20 minutes for a table at this tiny breakfast and lunch spot in a Honolulu strip mall. That’s because Cafe Kaila is incredibly popular among locals. Don’t even try to grab any empty table you see. You need to write your name on the list (directions are on the door!) and you’ll be called when a table comes up. The wait is worth it. My husband raved about his crab benedict; I loved my chock-full-of-veggies omelet. 2919 Kapiolani Blvd, Honolulu
Zaratez Mexicatessan Oahu’s North Shore is known for its shrimp trucks, but we adored the tacos at this food truck on the same block as famous Waiola shave ice. Yummy, authentic Mexican food in the Hawaiian islands? Indeed – thanks to Paul Zarate, a Los Angeles transplant. Try the carne asada, carnitas, chorizo, pollo asada tacos, burritos, quesadilla or mulitas. Or go meatless with cheese quesadillas or bean, rice and cheese burritos. As steady stream of fans came by the white truck (that Paul bought on Craigslist) while we ate our delicious food in a light drizzle in the early evening. Generally, Paul serves up his savory goodies Monday through Friday, 11:30 to 8 p.m. or until he’s sold out (which often happens). Currently, you can find the food truck at 3121 Mokihana Street, Honolulu, but since it’s a mobile restaurant, it has the potential to move! Check the Zaratez Mexicatessan facebook page or follow on Twitter before your Oahu vacation to confirm the spot.
If the truck is still on Mokihana Street when you visit, top off your savory tacos with some shave ice from next-door Waiola. You won’t be disappointed in this refreshing quintessentially Hawaii sweet treat!
