A list of foodie favorites by your favorite stylish local~

Categories Include:

Breakfast
Acai Bowls
Lunch / Dinner
Poke Bowls
Shaved Ice
Local Treats

BREAKFAST:

Koko Head Café

Local, elevated spins on classic breakfasts ( & alcohol!)

Lieutalica’s Favorites: Breakfast Bibimbap, Koko Moco, Eggs Haloa, Cornflake French Toast

ARVO Cafe

One of the newest & trendiest breakfast spots on the island, this cute coffee shop also doubles as a plant and succulent shop!

Lieutalica’s Favorites: Loaded Avocado Toast, Smoked Salmon Toast, Latte, Matcha Latte

Morning Glass Coffee + Cafe

Tucked away in residential Manoa Valley, this quaint coffee shop perfectly depicts a local’s relaxing morning in Hawai’i nei

Lieutalica’s Favorites: Skillet Baked Eggs, Strawberry Lilikoi Scone, Earl Grey Scone, Latte, Matcha Latte

McDonalds

The menu in Hawai’i is a little different than anywhere else and features breakfast platters that include spam, portugese sausage, rice & eggs (a local favorite!)

Lieutalica’s Favorites: Local Deluxe Breakfast Platter (pictured above), Taro Pie, Haupia Pie

ACAI BOWLS:

Jewel or Juice

Fresh, delicious ingredients and an abundance of toppings in each bowl!

Lieutalica’s Favorites: Deluxe Acai Bowl, Warrior Acai Bowl, Pineapple Mango Smoothie

Da Cove Health Bar & Cafe

My favorite acai bowl. The honey is sourced locally and is the thickest, dreamiest honey you will ever taste in your life. This local acai joint is located in a small, often overcrowded lot and is difficult to find parking. I suggest ubering or parking in the residential area across the street and walking over. Worth the hassle of finding parking!

Lieutalica’s Favorites: Mana Acai Bowl (pictured above), Hawaiian Acai Bowl

Their acai is a little different because they infuse it with green tea as opposed to apple juice or soymilk- refreshing & delicious!

Lieutalica’s Favorites: Acai Bowl, Latte, Tropical Sensation Tea, Hawaiian Honey Latte

LUNCH/DINNER:

Contrary to popular belief, Hawaiian food is more than bbq chicken and macaroni salad. To experience a taste of authentic, traditional Hawaiian food, head to Ono’s and try their Shortrib Pipikaula Laulau Plate!

Lieutalica’s Favorites: Shortrib Pipikaula, Chicken Long Rice Soup, Chicken Watercress Soup, Kalua Pig w/ Cabbage, Lomi Salmon, Poi, Haupia

Zippy’s

Hawai’i’s favorite 24-hour diner featuring local comfort foods like Saimin, Loco Moco & Korean Fried Chicken. Multiple locations all throughout the island!

Lieutalica’s Favorites: Korean Fried Chicken w/ Mashed Potatoes, Spaghetti w/ Meatsauce, Loco Moco, Club Sandwich

Rainbow Drive-In

Historic drive-in specializing in mixed plates and local favorites! This vintage drive-in will take you back to simpler times in Hawai’i as you wash down your Boneless Chicken w/ Gravy Plate with an Icy Slush Float.

Lieutalica’s Favorites: Boneless Chicken w/ Gravy Plate, Shoyu Chicken Plate, Beef Stew Plate, Slush Floats

POKE BOWLS:

Pa’ina Cafe

Fresh, quality poke with amazing local sides- you can even build your own poke bowl with traditional Hawaiian sides such as kalua pig & lomi salmon!

Lieutalica’s Favorites: Spicy Ahi Bowl + Taegu (Build Your Own Poke Bowl), Poke Crunch Bowl, Hawaiian Poke Bowl + Taegu, Lychee Iced Tea, Plantation Iced Tea

Foodland

My all-time favorite poke stop. This local supermarket sells poke by the pound, and instead of ordering it with rice in a bowl, pair the poke with Maui Onion Potato Chips for the perfect beach snack!

Lieutalica’s Favorites: California Roll Poke, Spicy Ahi Poke, Wasabi Shoyu Ahi Poke

Ono’s Seafood

This local poke joint was in walking distance of my high school, making it the go-to place for every extended lunch break. Ridiculously fresh & a longtime favorite among locals!

Lieutalica’s Favorites: Spicy Ahi Poke, Shoyu Ahi Poke, Miso Ahi Poke

SHAVE ICE:

Waiola Shave Ice

One of the original shave ice locations, loved by locals & tourists alike! Add delicious toppings like custard pudding, mochi balls and condensed milk!

Lieutalica’s Favorites: Azuki Bowl, Li Hing & Strawberry Shave Ice w/ Condensed Milk, Rainbow Shave Ice w/ Vanilla Ice Cream & Condensed Milk, Custard Bowl w/ Mochi Balls

Shimazu Shave Ice

Shimazu’s is famous for their king sized shave ice called “the Larry”- about the size of your head, the Larry can easily feed 4

Lieutalica’s Favorite Flavors: Lilikoi Passion, Lychee, Li Hing Mui

LOCAL TREATS:

Liliha Bakery

Best Coco Puffs. Period.

Lieutalica’s Favorites: Coco Puffs, Matcha Coco Puffs, Poi Mochi Doughnuts, Butter Rolls w/ Atomic Jelly

Bubbies Homemade Ice Cream and Desserts

Hawai’i’s original mochi ice cream! Absolutely creamy and always handmade, I grew up splitting banana splits with my mom on late night adventures and gorging on way too many mochi ice creams with my friends after a movie at Koko Marina- the absolute best.

Lieutalica’s Favorite Flavors: Mint Chocolate Chip, Green Tea, Azuki Bean, Oreo, Strawberry Cheesecake

Kokonuts Shave Ice & Snacks

A fan of boba? Before boba recently hit the islands, locals used to enjoy shakes and smoothies with mochi balls! Sweet and chewy, the mochi provides a light and delicious middday treat!

Lieutalica’s Favorites: Peach Mango Smoothie w/ Mochi Balls, Cookies & Cream Shake w/ Mochi Balls

Leonard’s Bakery

Famous for their Portugese style doughnuts called Malasadas, Leonard’s is the original Malasada joint on the island and boasts a variety of unique, local flavors like li hing mui!

Lieutalica’s Favorite Malasada Flavors: Original, Li Hing, Custard Filled, Haupia Filled