What exactly makes a restaurant a hole in the wall? Is it cramped seating, a hard-to-find location, cheap food, a dated facade, or simply a food truck? Perhaps it can be any of these things, though the one aspect these 12 hidden gem restaurants in Hawaii share is absolutely incredible food… in perhaps a less-than-ideal setting.
- Ray’s Cafe, Honolulu
Taka T./Yelp
Jeffery A./Yelp With just five tables inside and a line outside the door, Ray’s Cafe is certainly a Kalihi favorite. Learn more about this unassuming restaurant on the Facebook page.
- Broke Da Mouth Grindz, Kailua-Kona
Allan Jay Garcia/Google
Liezel G./Yelp My mouth is watering for those pork adobo fries… This place takes dining out in Hawaii to a whole new level! To learn more about Broke Da Mouth Grindz, visit the Facebook page.
- Ono Tacos, Lahaina
Ellie J./Yelp
Samantha L./Yelp Hawaii is home to some killer food trucks, including this Mexican joint that serves up the burritos, torta, and tacos for miles. Learn more on the Ono Tacos Facebook page.
- Pono Market, Kapaa
Food N./Yelp
Prianka K./Yelp This unassuming joint is the spot for killer Hawaiian food in Kapaa. The Lau Lau is awesome, though unfortunately only available during specified lunch hours.
- Rainbow Drive-In, Honolulu
Sophia N./Yelp
Ramfis B./Yelp This Honolulu classic is one of Obama’s favorite places to visit when he’s in town, and for good reason. This casual eatery is one of the best local restaurants in Hawaii. Read more about Rainbow Drive-In in our previous coverage.
- Kohala Burger and Taco, Kawihae
Cary P./Yelp
MiYong E./Yelp This casual Mexican-American Grill serves up local fish, grass-fed beef, and 1950s milkshakes for a dose of nostalgia. Learn more about Kohala Burger and Taco on the website.
- Mark’s Place, Lihue
David B./Yelp
Kenny P./Yelp From plate lunches to bento boxes, Mark’s Place is known for serving up some delicious meals. Learn more about this unassuming restaurant on the official website.
- Blue Ginger Café, Lanai City
Wyatt G./Yelp
Kristy-Kean C./Yelp With a casual, old-school vibe and simple American and Pan-Asian fare, Blue Ginger Cafe is a must-visit while in Lanai City. To learn more, visit the website.
- Helena’s Hawaiian Food, Honolulu
Victor L./Yelp
Lyla D./Yelp This laid-back eatery is known for serving up the best Hawaiian food around - from Lau Lau and Kalua pork to poke and poi. Learn more by visiting the Helena’s Hawaiian Food website.
- Hawaiian Style Café, Waimea
Kent D./Yelp
Tony L./Yelp If you’re looking for home-cooked American and Hawaiian food, look no further than this local favorite for breakfast and lunch. Read more about Hawaiian Style Cafe in our previous coverage.
- Da Crack, Koloa
Angie S./Yelp
Philip D./Yelp This Mexican eatery may be tiny, but the portions are anything but and the prices are affordable. Visit the Da Crack website for more information.
- Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck, Kahuku
Alvin C./Yelp
Cynthia C./Yelp Kahuku is known for a plethora of shrimp trucks, but Giovanni’s is by far the most famous and it started out in 1953. Learn more by visiting the website.
Which of these places is your favorite? What other hidden gem restaurants in Hawaii would you add to this list?
Taka T./Yelp
Jeffery A./Yelp
With just five tables inside and a line outside the door, Ray’s Cafe is certainly a Kalihi favorite. Learn more about this unassuming restaurant on the Facebook page.
Allan Jay Garcia/Google
Liezel G./Yelp
My mouth is watering for those pork adobo fries… This place takes dining out in Hawaii to a whole new level! To learn more about Broke Da Mouth Grindz, visit the Facebook page.
Ellie J./Yelp
Samantha L./Yelp
Hawaii is home to some killer food trucks, including this Mexican joint that serves up the burritos, torta, and tacos for miles. Learn more on the Ono Tacos Facebook page.
Food N./Yelp
Prianka K./Yelp
This unassuming joint is the spot for killer Hawaiian food in Kapaa. The Lau Lau is awesome, though unfortunately only available during specified lunch hours.
Sophia N./Yelp
Ramfis B./Yelp
This Honolulu classic is one of Obama’s favorite places to visit when he’s in town, and for good reason. This casual eatery is one of the best local restaurants in Hawaii. Read more about Rainbow Drive-In in our previous coverage.
Cary P./Yelp
MiYong E./Yelp
This casual Mexican-American Grill serves up local fish, grass-fed beef, and 1950s milkshakes for a dose of nostalgia. Learn more about Kohala Burger and Taco on the website.
David B./Yelp
Kenny P./Yelp
From plate lunches to bento boxes, Mark’s Place is known for serving up some delicious meals. Learn more about this unassuming restaurant on the official website.
Wyatt G./Yelp
Kristy-Kean C./Yelp
With a casual, old-school vibe and simple American and Pan-Asian fare, Blue Ginger Cafe is a must-visit while in Lanai City. To learn more, visit the website.
Victor L./Yelp
Lyla D./Yelp
This laid-back eatery is known for serving up the best Hawaiian food around - from Lau Lau and Kalua pork to poke and poi. Learn more by visiting the Helena’s Hawaiian Food website.
Kent D./Yelp
Tony L./Yelp
If you’re looking for home-cooked American and Hawaiian food, look no further than this local favorite for breakfast and lunch. Read more about Hawaiian Style Cafe in our previous coverage.
Angie S./Yelp
Philip D./Yelp
This Mexican eatery may be tiny, but the portions are anything but and the prices are affordable. Visit the Da Crack website for more information.
Alvin C./Yelp
Cynthia C./Yelp
Kahuku is known for a plethora of shrimp trucks, but Giovanni’s is by far the most famous and it started out in 1953. Learn more by visiting the website.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: 2033 N King St, Honolulu, HI 96819, USAAddress: 74-5565 Luhia St, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USAAddress: 910 HI-30, Lahaina, HI 96761, USAAddress: 4-1300 Kuhio Hwy, Kapa?a, HI 96746, USAAddress: 3308 Kanaina Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815, USAAddress: 613665 Akoni Pule Hwy, Waimea, HI 96743, USAAddress: 1610 Haleukana St, Lihue, HI 96766, USAAddress: 409 7th St, Lanai City, HI 96763, USAAddress: 1240 N School St, Honolulu, HI 96817, USAAddress: 65-1290 Kawaihae Rd, Waimea, HI 96743, USAAddress: 2827 Poipu Rd, Koloa, HI 96756, USAAddress: 56-505 Kamehameha Hwy, Kahuku, HI 96731, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Hidden Gem Restaurants In Hawaii May 10, 2021 Melissa M What are some of the best restaurants for dining out in Hawaii? Some of the best restaurants not only have great food but a memorable ambiance and service as well. With its gorgeous decor and ocean views, Mama’s Fish House on Maui’s North Shore is an experience to remember. Patrons can’t get enough of the delicious fresh seafood that is served here. Offering fresh, handmade udon noodles, Marukame Udon is a popular choice with two locations in Honolulu. As you wait for your order, you can watch as the chefs make noodles in the open-concept kitchen. Everything here is delicious and affordable! What are the best places to find shave ice in Hawaii? The best and most popular snack in Hawaii has to be shave ice and with numerous places selling this sweet treat, it may be hard to decide where to go. From Matsumoto Shave Ice in Haleiwa to Wishing Well Shave Ice in Hanalei and several others, we have put together this list of shops that serve the best shave ice in Hawaii. What can I find some of the best poke in Hawaii? Ono Seafood in Honolulu is an unassuming eatery with some of the best poke around. With super fresh seafood and poke that’s made to order, you will become a repeat customer. Kailua-Kona’s Da Poke Shack is another awesome poke place that is highly rated and specializes in take-out.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Hidden Gem Restaurants In Hawaii
May 10, 2021
Melissa M
What are some of the best restaurants for dining out in Hawaii? Some of the best restaurants not only have great food but a memorable ambiance and service as well. With its gorgeous decor and ocean views, Mama’s Fish House on Maui’s North Shore is an experience to remember. Patrons can’t get enough of the delicious fresh seafood that is served here. Offering fresh, handmade udon noodles, Marukame Udon is a popular choice with two locations in Honolulu. As you wait for your order, you can watch as the chefs make noodles in the open-concept kitchen. Everything here is delicious and affordable! What are the best places to find shave ice in Hawaii? The best and most popular snack in Hawaii has to be shave ice and with numerous places selling this sweet treat, it may be hard to decide where to go. From Matsumoto Shave Ice in Haleiwa to Wishing Well Shave Ice in Hanalei and several others, we have put together this list of shops that serve the best shave ice in Hawaii. What can I find some of the best poke in Hawaii? Ono Seafood in Honolulu is an unassuming eatery with some of the best poke around. With super fresh seafood and poke that’s made to order, you will become a repeat customer. Kailua-Kona’s Da Poke Shack is another awesome poke place that is highly rated and specializes in take-out.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Some of the best restaurants not only have great food but a memorable ambiance and service as well. With its gorgeous decor and ocean views, Mama’s Fish House on Maui’s North Shore is an experience to remember. Patrons can’t get enough of the delicious fresh seafood that is served here. Offering fresh, handmade udon noodles, Marukame Udon is a popular choice with two locations in Honolulu. As you wait for your order, you can watch as the chefs make noodles in the open-concept kitchen. Everything here is delicious and affordable!
What are the best places to find shave ice in Hawaii?
The best and most popular snack in Hawaii has to be shave ice and with numerous places selling this sweet treat, it may be hard to decide where to go. From Matsumoto Shave Ice in Haleiwa to Wishing Well Shave Ice in Hanalei and several others, we have put together this list of shops that serve the best shave ice in Hawaii.
What can I find some of the best poke in Hawaii?
Ono Seafood in Honolulu is an unassuming eatery with some of the best poke around. With super fresh seafood and poke that’s made to order, you will become a repeat customer. Kailua-Kona’s Da Poke Shack is another awesome poke place that is highly rated and specializes in take-out.
