Trying to stick to your gluten-free regime while vacationing on Oahu? We’ve done the homework for you on the best GF options at popular restaurants. We can’t guarantee these are OK for those with celiac disease, so please check with the chefs if you have a serious reaction to gluten.
But wait, there’s more. We’re here to help demystify some of the unusual words you might see on menus like furikake, laulau and lilikoi — and explain which meat is being served and why. And possibly most importantly of all, provide the fun facts on the origins of local dishes.
Gluten-Free Food near Honolulu / Waikiki
Barefoot Beach Cafe
2699 Kalakaua Ave., Waikiki
808.924.2233
Located at Queen’s Surf Beach, on the Diamond Head side of Waikiki. Enjoy a nice stroll through Waikiki to sit down outside and enjoy some fresh food at this family owned and operated cafe. Barefoot Beach Cafe appears to be a snack bar but don’t be fooled, it’s whipping up some delicious and refreshing food with some of the best views in all of Waikiki. The whole North Shore pineapple smoothie is a good place to start. The vegan menu is plentiful and the gluten free options are clearly noted with the GF. Open daily 7:30am to 8:30pm.
Cafe Kaila
2919 Kapiolani Blvd., Honolulu
808.732.3330
Pick one of the hearty omelets or other egg dishes, and opt for rice (the local favorite) or potatoes versus toast, and you’ve got a tasty gluten-free breakfast at this bustling, award-winning cafe. At lunch, a half-dozen salads with ample proteins — roasted chicken and avocado, pan-seared salmon and seasoned ribeye steak among them — should fill the bill. Cafe Kaila is open Monday to Friday 7am to 6pm, Saturday and Sunday 7am to 3:30pm.
Fete
2 N. Hotel St., Honolulu
808.369.1390
Fete is the creation of a husband and wife duo. Think Brooklyn, New York meets Honolulu. This food is arguably some of the best that you can get on Oahu. American style dishes, fresh fish, mouthwatering appetizers, and a great cocktail list; Fete is a great place to stop into while exploring Chinatown. Open Monday through Saturday 11am to 9pm. Closed Sunday.
Juicy Brew
3392 Waialae Ave., Honolulu
808.797.9177
These ladies are some creative vegan chefs! Located on Waialae, in the cute little neighborhood of Kaimuki, these ladies have some special vegan meals you can grab and then go on to whatever adventure you fancy! Their selections are various bentos to bowls to sandwiches to wraps with made to order specials and of course some serious sweet treats! It’s creative, tasty, good for you, and with plenty of gluten free options too! Juicy Brew is open Tuesday to Friday 11am to 6pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am to 3pm. Closed on Monday. Order online, swing by and pick it up!
Mud Hen Water
3452 Waialae Ave., Honolulu
808.737.6000
Ed Kenney and Dave Caldiero are to thank for the delicious locally sourced food that’s been coming out of the kitchens on the corner of 9th and Waialae for nearly two decades. Mud Hen Water is their newest addition to the neighborhood restaurants. It’s a stylish spot, with a large outdoor seating area that’s pup friendly. The staff here is friendly, but the food here is an experience you won’t have at most other restaurants. Their open fire hearth makes for some seriously amazing dishes like grilled paiai wrapped in nori, ulu roasted with a fermented black bean sauce and their loaded baked banana. The vibe is hip, the menu is innovative and the ingredients are local. Go with a party that likes to share, this menu is best experienced family style, and there’s so many good dishes, you may want to keep ordering. For all those reasons, Mud Hen Water makes it to the top of the list for places to try in Honolulu. Open Tuesday through Friday 5:30pm to 10pm. Saturday and Sunday brunch 9:30am to 2pm and dinner 5:30pm to 10pm. Closed Monday.
Rangoon Burmese Kitchen
1131 Nuuanu Ave., Honolulu
808.367.0645
The sister restaurant to Dagon, this downtown location features more amazing Burmese cuisine. Take a culinary journey at Rangoon and try some of these spicy and savory salads and curries. Definitely bring your friends, you’re going to want to try a bunch of these dishes. Open for lunch Monday to Saturday 11am to 2pm. Dinner 5pm to 10pm. Closed Sunday.
Sushi II
655 Ke’eaumoku St. #109, Honolulu
808.942.5350
This is one of Honolulu’s best kept secrets. Sushi ii is in a hidden little back alley location, it’s a small space, and it’s usually filled with some of Hawaii’s restaurateurs and foodies. It’s rumored the chef is the tempora master on the island. There’s plenty of things to choose from, come hungry! Open Tuesday through Saturday for lunch 11am to 2:30pm and for dinner from 5:30pm to 11pm. Sunday for dinner 5pm to 10pm. Closed Mondays.
Tane Vegan Sushi
2065 South Beretania St., Honolulu
808.888.7678
This fully plant based restaurant is pretty new to the Honolulu dining scene and was received with raving reviews and longgggg wait times, so definitely make reservations! Honolulu is a pretty healthy city and good healthy food is worth its weight in gold. Tane is pretty much serving culinary gold, it’s so tasty you’ll have a hard time believing that there’s no fish or meat you’re consuming. It’s just exquisitely executed Japanese culinary techniques that transform these plants into some sort of culinary art! Open Tuesday through Saturday 4:30pm to 10pm (last seating at 9:30pm). Closed Sunday and Monday.
To Thai For
3571 Waialae Ave., Honolulu
808.734.3443
Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free, find them all at To Thai For, that’s known for serving authentic, not watered down Thai food. A great thing about this cuisine? Most curries, rice noodle-based dishes, and desserts like mango with sticky rice are naturally gluten-free. Open Wednesday through Monday 11am to 8pm and Sunday 4:30 pm to 8pm. Closed Tuesday.
Gluten-Free Food on Oahu’s North Shore
Maya’s Tapas & Wine
66-250 Kamehameha Hwy., Haleiwa
808.200.2964
Maya’s is a chef-owned-and-operated local favorite. The inside has a bar that peeks into the open kitchen and there is plenty of fresh air seating on the front deck. The dishes are Spanish and Mediterranean inspired, featuring locally sourced ingredients. The service is fantastic and the cocktail, beer and wine menu is on point. This is a perfect spot to grab a meal in Haleiwa town. Open for lunch Tuesday through Sundays 11am to 3pm. Dinner is Tuesday through Saturday 5pm to 10pm with a 5pm to 6pm happy hour. Closed on Monday.
Wicked Hi Cafe
66-935 Kaukonahua Rd., Waialua
808.636.8162
Located in Waialua, just next to Haleiwa, this cute little cafe is making some seriously good food. The salads are amazing, the breakfast choices are delicious, and the coffee is bomb. They’ve also got slushies with local honey drizzled on top. If you’re staying away from gluten, but are looking for alternatives, sourdough is the way to go, these guys have mastered it, it’s fresh and made to order. The salads are tasty, the service is friendly, and the coffee is bomb. Wicked Hi is open Wednesday through Mondays 9am to 6pm. Closed on Tuesdays.
Did we miss your favorite restaurant?
Our always-hungry team of foodies have compiled this list.
Please let us know if we’ve missed your favorite eat@localgetaways.com.
