A Foodie’s Guide to Hawaii: What to Eat and Where
On the windward side of Oahu, a visit to the Kailua Farmers Market, just about 20 minutes from downtown Honolulu, offers an authentic taste of local life and fresh island produce. This vibrant open-air market bursts with tropical fruits like mangoes, lychee, and starfruit, but it’s the prepared foods that truly capture the spirit of Hawaiian cuisine. Here, you can savor a freshly made plate of kalua pork, traditionally slow-cooked in an underground imu pit, offering smoky, tender meat that melts in your mouth. Visiting in the morning ensures the best selection and lively atmosphere, as locals come to pick up provisions for the day or enjoy casual bites amid the gentle trade winds.
On the Big Island, Hilo’s Downtown Farmers Market, about 45 minutes from Hilo International Airport, is a treasure trove for food lovers seeking a mix of indigenous Hawaiian staples and Asian influences. This market hums with vendors selling everything from fresh seafood to handmade mochi. Don’t miss sampling the local sweet potato varieties here, often prepared into lau lau—a dish of pork and fish wrapped in taro leaves and steamed until tender. The market’s location near the bay means you can enjoy your finds while gazing at Hilo’s famously green and lush bayfront, best experienced on clear mornings when the rain clouds lift to reveal the towering Mauna Kea in the distance.
For a refined culinary adventure on Maui, the town of Makawao in Upcountry offers a unique blend of paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) culture and farm-to-table cuisine. Roughly 30 minutes from Kahului, Makawao’s small eateries serve up dishes using locally raised beef and produce harvested from nearby farms. The Makawao Steak House is a must-visit for its commitment to sourcing from Maui’s ranchers, offering cuts that showcase the island’s rugged terrain and diverse growing conditions. Eating here during the cooler early evenings, when the mountain breeze shifts in, adds a refreshing contrast to the hearty flavors on the plate.
In Kauai, the town of Hanalei on the North Shore, about an hour’s drive from Lihue Airport, is a haven for fresh seafood and laid-back dining. Hanalei Bay Poke Shack exemplifies the island’s fresh catch ethos, where daily haul comes straight from the nearby Pacific waters. Their poke bowls, crafted with locally caught ahi tuna and seasoned with shoyu and seaweed, encapsulate the flavors of the sea. Visiting during the late afternoon grants diners spectacular views of the setting sun over the bay, turning the sky vivid shades of orange and pink—a perfect backdrop for savoring raw, perfectly marinated fish.
Back on Oahu, the historic town of Haleiwa on the North Shore offers more than just legendary surf breaks; it’s a hotspot for shrimp trucks serving up garlic-laden dishes made with locally farmed prawns. The Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck, a short drive from Waimea Bay, is a celebrated stop for visitors craving a plate of succulent garlic butter shrimp. The casual outdoor atmosphere, often buzzing with other hungry adventurers, allows patrons to eat while taking in the rugged coastline and the occasional sighting of sea turtles near the shore. Early evening is ideal here, as the golden hour light enhances the surrounding landscape and tempers the tropical heat.
In Honolulu’s Chinatown district, just minutes from Waikiki, the blend of Asian and Hawaiian culinary traditions comes alive in bustling eateries and markets. The Pig and The Lady is renowned for its innovative fusion of Vietnamese and Hawaiian flavors, creating dishes that celebrate island ingredients with bold spices and fresh herbs. Exploring Chinatown during the lunch rush provides a lively, sensory-rich experience where you can sample everything from pho infused with local twist to tropical fruit cocktails. The neighborhood’s mix of historic architecture and vibrant street art adds cultural texture to the meal, making it a feast for all the senses.
Finally, a food journey to Molokai, often called Hawaii’s most untouched island, reveals a quiet but rich culinary heritage centered in Kaunakakai, the island’s main town about 20 minutes from the ferry dock. Here, traditional Hawaiian flavors thrive in simple, family-owned eateries like Kanemitsu Bakery, famous for its sweet bread and Hawaiian-style malasadas—light, fluffy doughnuts dusted with sugar. The slower pace of Molokai, combined with the friendly, community-oriented vibe of Kaunakakai, invites visitors to savor each bite and connect with the deep agricultural roots that sustain the island’s cuisine. Morning visits are best to enjoy freshly baked goods and the peaceful seaside ambiance before the day heats up.