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OAHU GUIDE from a college alumni 🌴🤙🏼
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items I lived in Oahu for six years including the 5 years I attended University of Hawaii Manoa graduating with my BS in Marine Biology so here's all my recommendations for your next island vacation!!
Map
Sections
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Waikiki Food
Other Oahu Food Recs
Oahu Must-See Activies and Beaches
Waikiki Food
Recommended spots in Waikiki you can easily walk to or bike to!
Inexpensive delicious musubi to satisfy your craving!! I always go here to grab some musubis!!
Musubi Cafe Iyasume
Delicious, great quality sushi in a nice environment. Happy hour too! Used to frequent this spot A LOT in college.
Also another location on Kapiolani Blvd outside Waikiki.
Doraku Sushi Waikiki
THE BEST FRESH POKE ON THE ISLAND IMO. Worth the price!!! You get a free Hawaiian Sun juice too with your order. They sell until they're out which usually happens around 3pm-4pm so go for lunch!!
Ono Seafood
I loooove coming to dukes. Live music by the bar. Great (but expensive) food menu. Ambiance is fun. Known for their HULA PIE you must try! Patio seating or nicer dining area with different food menu than the bar. You can either seat yourself in the b...
Duke's Waikiki
Great spot for breakfast with a view (potentially). Happy hour as well! Mondays they usually have a dj at night and it turns into a big dance floor situation. Used to frequent this spot Monday nights in college!
Lulu's Restaurant Waikiki
Great coffee spot in Waikiki! Usually has a line in the morning but worth it in my opinion!
Kai Coffee Hawaii: Coffee Roasters Hawaii
Coffee, smoothies, açaí bowls, breakfast. Hot spot for all the above with a long wait but worth it to at least try their coffee and breakfast or açaí bowl!!
I used to love their breakfast with toast, eggs and greens and I believe smoked salmon somet...
Island Vintage Coffee Waikiki
Nightlife spot for dancing! Pricey, but most places in Waikiki are. Also a great spot with beach view patio dining for lunch or dinner or even just having drinks for sunset. Inside the Sheraton Hotel.
RumFire
Gay Bar with Karaoke!!! I love taking crews here for a good night !! Always a fun time. Inside a boutique hotel.
Wang Chung's Karaoke Bar
I love me a good brewery and this spot is just that. Happy hour food and great menu selection! They also have live music too!
Maui Brewing Co. WAIKIKI
The place you always see a line down the road. FRESH UDON!! And it's worth it imo because who doesn't love fresh noods 🤤 they literally make it right in front of you as you move down the line inside the restaurant and that's why there's always a lon...
Marugame Udon
BREAKFAST BOMBERS (aka burritos!) there's also a location on North Shore perfect for that morning burrito on your way to the beach! Or post surf! AND another location up Kapahulu next to Leonard's Bakery!
Kono's Northshore - Waikiki
MALASADAS. That is all. Portuguese style donut aka heaven in your mouth.
Famous bakery been around for ages, worth the hype and such a delicious treat!!! You will see a long line in the mornings!
Leonard's Bakery
WAFFLE TOAST!! Known for their delicious specialty dessert, this Japanese restaurant is A FREAKIN' FAVORITE. I think I dined here for multiple birthdays of mine in college 😂 their sushi is great, all food is great and the drinks are amazing! They al...
Shokudo Japanese Restaurant & Bar
Another local brewery I enjoy. Food is sooo good and drinks are top notch!
Waikiki Brew Co. | Brewery in HI
Cute little food truck nestled off Kuhio Ave with really good poke bowls!
Fresh Fish | Five Star Poke | Honolulu
Great for breakfast sandwiches, crepes, açaí and smoothies! And their Hawaiian Mana latte is TO DIE FOR. Very sweet but holy guacamole was it gooooood
Cafe Alani
Live music and AMAZING food! There's also a location in Ko'Olina on the west side. Their pumpkin ravioli is straight 🔥🔥🔥 all their food is great honestly. Love the ambiance here and live music.
Monkeypod Kitchen - Waikiki
Great spot for breakfast!! Huge plates. Brunch. They even do happy hour!
ShoreFyre Restaurant in Waikiki- Fresh Grill, Live Music, Bar
Delicious breakfast in a small spot. Two locations on both ends of Waikiki, both small restaurants. Prepare to wait anywhere from 40-75 minutes.
Eggs 'n Things Waikiki
Irish bar in Waikiki with live bands and fun atmosphere. Have never tried the food so I'm not sure on that but looks decent! Gets pretty packed at night
Kelley O'Neil's
Live music. Sunset views on an upper level. Good food. Happy hour. What else can you ask for?
Tiki's Grill & Bar
Incredible Italian food if you're craving Italian in a cozy setting whether you're outside on the lit up patio area or inside under the dim lighting.
Arancino di Mare
Other Oahu Food Recs
Restaurants, Shops, Beaches on the north shore of Oahu I love to visit!
You can either order poke and seafood to-go fresh from the deli (eat it at your table or take to-go), or order off their food menu in the restaurant. Live music every day - check the times on their website!
Drinks and food, sunny open aired ambiance...
Nico's Pier 38
Two locations: just outside Waikiki on Kapahulu or up on Norh Shore! Cute little boujee spot for pupus and drinks! Or stay for a fancy dinner!
Home | Uncle Bo's Pupu Bar & Grill
CASH ONLY Sandwich shop on north shore!!! Get the papaya dressing! It's sooo delicious adding a little sweetness to your salty sub!
Storto's Deli and Sandwich Shoppe
Pretty much the number one recommended place to get fresh shrimp !! GARLIC SHRIMP YUUUUM. Up on north shore!!
Giovanni's Shrimp Truck
AMAZING PIZZA outside the hustle and bustle of Waikiki in Downtown Honolulu.
J. Dolans
PANCAKES. And fried rice!!! Quick service spot for delicious inexpensive breakfast! Can't go wrong with anything on their menu. Multiple locations !!
Koa Pancake House
I seriously love their food and beer. And the marina views are so beautiful. Great open aired breezy location on the east side of the island in Hawaii Kai.
Kona Brewing Company
For your grocery needs and POKE BOWLS. They usually have previously frozen poke by their bowls are still good and satisfy the craving!
Foodland Super Market
LOOOVE their smoothies! I always got a smoothie here when headed to the beach or home from the beach wanting something cold! The Cacao Milkshake was always my favorite protein smoothie! Their açaí bowls are amazing too!
Lanikai Juice
Hawaiian-American breakfast / brunch. Mac Nut pancakes!!! Everything here is so good. Located in Kailua. Long wait expected and WORTH IT.
Boots & Kimo's Homestyle Kitchen
Red. Velvet. Pancakes. Cinnamon Buns. 🤤🤤🤤 breakfast and lunch spot in a casual dining spot. Usually has a long wait and also worth it!
Cinnamon's Restaurant Kailua
Oahu Must-See Activies and Beaches
All my top beach spots, places to see dolphins, snorkeling, diving and hikes!
MY FAVORITE BEACH ON THE ISLAND. Family friendly bay to swim, clear blue waters, easy to get in and out of (of course depends on time of year but most of the year it's easy). Can even go snorkeling either on the far left side behind the giant rock or...
Waimea Bay Beach Park
Family friendly. Super soft micro bead sand beach. Popular to spot turtles. Can get windy. Lots of families and dogs at this beach. Close to military side of the island so a lot of military families like this beach too for little ones. Calm waters to...
Lanikai Beach - What to Know BEFORE You Go (with ...
Great for people watching 😆 this beach is definitely for the advanced/skilled swimmers and body surfers. It's a famous beach for body surfing and boogey boarding. Lifeguards on the lookout for anyone who shouldn't be near the water or in the water w...
Sandy Beach Park - All You Need to Know BEFORE ...
SUNRISE OR SUNSET VIEWS. Short and simple straight hike to the top climbing an old railway used back in the war days to reach the bunker at the top. There is a sketchy part towards the top on the railway where there is essentially a bridge going over...
Koko Crater Railway Trailhead
Popular Family Friendly tourist hike in Waikiki. You can walk here or taxi/drive. There's a parking lot but I believe you have to pay to park. You may have to make a reservation to hike as well? Since Covid they required reservations online but don't...
Diamond Head Crater (Lēʻahi) Summit Trail - Hawaii
DOLPHIN SPOTTING SNORKEL SPOT. This is a great beach to potentially spot dolphins passing by!! They come pretty close near the pipes underwater there where everyone snorkels because there's also always turtles and tons of fish in the area!
When I go...
Electric Beach (Kahe Point Beach Park)
Easy Family Friendly paved trail to the Makapu'u Lighthouse. Great for a quick evening trek to catch the sun setting or early morning for sunrise. There is a parking lot available or roadside parking. Also a chance to see some whales!
Makapuʻu Point Lighthouse Trail