The morning drive from the East side of the island up to the North Shore is one of the best little road trips the island has to offer. The snorkeling at Sharks Cove is top notch and the beaches on the North Shore, like Waimea Bay, are world famous. Check out the surfers doing their thing at Pipeline or explore the shopping in the quaint little town of Haleiwa. When it’s time to stop for lunch, here’s a list of our favorite places on the North Shore of Oahu!
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.
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Feature Photo: Jess Loiterton from Pexels
Ko Olina Center & Station, 92-1047 Olani St, Unit 1112, Kapolei
Now open for lunch as well as dinner, this lively watering hole in Ko Olina Center & Station makes a great alternative to Ko Olina resort fare. On the drinks side, it offers Waikiki Brewing Company draft beers, rotating guest taps and another 20 brews in cans, many locally sourced, including hard cider and three non-alcoholic beers. On the food side, you can’t go wrong with a burger like the Founders Smash, which piles pineapple, avocado and cheddar atop a Wagyu patty on a house-made brioche bun.
Looking for a super satisfying vegetarian restaurant? The Beet Box menu is strictly vegetarian with many vegan and gluten free options. At both their Haleiwa and Kailua locations breakfast is served all day; they have an extensive smoothie, juice and acai bowl menu. For lunch goers there are hearty salads and some creative vegetarian takes on burgers, burritos, tacos, and sandwiches. Believe us, even the most enthusiastic carnivore will be satisfied.
66-472 Kamehameha Hwy., Haleiwa
808.293.1839
Looooove this spot, but not when you get behind a bus of tourists. So if you’re feeling lucky stop by Giovanni’s – and if it’s too crowded, you can shop and move on to another shrimp truck, there are plenty around.
66-250 Kamehameha Hwy., Haleiwa
808.200.2964
Maya’s Tapas & Wine is a chef owned and operated local favorite with an inside bar peeks into the open kitchen and pleasant fresh air seating on the front deck. The dishes are Spanish and Mediterranean style 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 lunch in Haleiwa town.
This joint is healthy, fresh and a crowd pleaser. People love it so much they have multiple locations! You can enjoy this deliciousness in Haleiwa, Kailua or the South Shore Market at Ward. The Nalu menu is focused on healthy food to fuel you up for your active lifestyle. Wraps, salads and sandwiches with vegan, vegetarian and carnivore options for your taste buds pleasures. Try one of their açaí bowls for a refreshing light lunch.
Burger porn. Sorry to be so graphic, but that’s all we got. Let us know if you agree. Family-owned and operated, these guys are serious about their burger game. The Seven Brothers mission is “your happiness always,” which begins with their grass-fed beef patties. With two locations on the North Shore, one at The Mill in Kahuku and the other in Laie, if you’re craving some deliciousness, stop by and get your burger on.
Foodies flock to Uncle Bo’s, because this “Uncle” is a.k.a. Chef Bo Pathammavong, who with his partner, Ho Suk Lee have created a fun, hip and (tasty) empire on the island.
Located at the Kahuku Sugar Mill, Country Eatery and Juicery serves up a variety of organic juices, smoothies, wraps, salads, and breakfast sandwiches. A must-have is The Ultimate Veggie Burrito stuffed with peppers, roasted sweet potato, spinach, black beans, and other veggie delights.
56-565 Kamehameha Hwy #B9, Kahuku
This plant-based, vegan-friendly, eco cafe is a favorite of north shore locals. Raised by the Waves has an extensive menu with veggie-friendly smoothies, bowls, sandwiches, and more all made from local or organic ingredients. Try their Spicy Vegan Poke bowl or for some sweet plant-based treats try the hapa milkshake or holoholo sundae. This is not a fast food joint, so sit back and relax in the sun or take a walk around the Sugarmill as you wait.
200 Kamehameha Hwy., Haleiwa
808.341.2838
This place is a fav, it’s tucked back from the road, next to the Malama Market. Waialua Bakery is a family owned and operated bakery features locally grown fruits and veggies. The smoothies perfectly accompany the sandwiches featuring homemade bread. Their cookies are abundant and you can even make your own ice cream sandwich! This intimate little spot has some dine in seating, but it’s the perfect place to order lunch and head to the beach.
