Dining

Explore Hawaii’s vibrant dining scene with our curated guide to local favorites, hidden gems, and military-friendly restaurants near every base. Whether you’re in search of island comfort food, international cuisine, or budget-friendly bites, we help service members and their families eat well and feel at home across the islands.

Asian Cuisine

  • Banzai Sushi Bar

    ➤ 66-246 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, HI 96712
    ☎ (808) 637-4404

    Banzai Sushi is a well-known sushi restaurant located in Haleiwa on Oahu’s North Shore. It specializes in fresh, locally sourced sushi and Japanese dishes.

  • Chong Qing

    ➤ 1200 Ala Moana Blvd bldg 4 fl 2, Honolulu, HI 96814
    ☎ (808) 593-8818

    Chong Qing Hot Pot offers an all-you-can-eat Chinese hot pot experience. The restaurant features a menu with over 50 specialty meats, seafood, vegetables, tofu, and noodles.

  • K Street Food

    ➤ 138 Uluniu Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
    ☎ (808) 927-6077

    K-Street Food is a food truck located in Waikiki serving authentic Korean street food. The menu features sizzling plates, rice bowls, kimbap, and spicy tteokbokki.

  • Fuji Sushi & Teppanyaki

    ➤ 98-129 Kaonohi St, Aiea, HI 96701
    ☎ (808) 486-7777

    Fuji Sushi & Teppanyaki is a Japanese restaurant located in Aiea. The restaurant offers a variety of dishes, including fresh sushi, sashimi, specialty rolls, and sizzling teppanyaki. 

  • Gyotaku

    ➤ 1824 S King St, Honolulu, HI 96826
    ☎ (808) 949-4584 (honolulu)

    Gyotaku Japanese Restaurant is a local chain with three locations on Oahu: Honolulu, Niu Valley, and Pearl City. Known for its authentic Japanese cuisine.

  • KOROMO Katsu & Curry Bistro

    ➤ Pearlridge Center Makai, 98-1005, Moanalua Rd #545, Aiea, HI 96701
    ☎ (808) 468-0009

    Koromo, located in Pearlridge Center, specializes in authentic Japanese-style katsu and curry.

  • Sakura Japanese Restaurant

    ➤ 94-780 Meheula Pkwy Ste B, Mililani, HI 96789
    ☎ (808) 625-6688

    Sakura, located in Mililani, offers a traditional Japanese dining experience with a variety of dishes including sushi, sashimi, hibachi, and bento boxes.

  • STIX ASIA

    ➤  2250 Kalākaua Ave Lower Level 100, Honolulu, HI 96815
    ☎  (808) 744-2445

    Hawaii's premiere asian food hall, located on the lower level of the Waikiki Shopping Plaza, offers an immersive culinary journey through Asia with over 15 different dining spots.

  • Tanaka of Tokyo

    ➤  2250 Kalākaua Ave 3rd Fl, Honolulu, HI 96815
    ☎  (808) 922-4702 (honolulu/central)

    Tanaka of Tokyo has three locations in Honolulu. Each location offers traditional Japanese food and a teppanyaki dining experience. 

  • Waikiki Snack Store

    ➤  1778 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu, Hawaii 96815
    ☎  808-818-3777

    Waikiki Snack Store is a true hidden gem serving up authentic Chinese comfort food. Known for its freshly made dumplings, hand-pulled noodles, and refreshing shaved ice.

  • Genki Sushi

    ➤  1450 Ala Moana Blvd #2096, Honolulu, HI 96814
    ☎  (808) 942-9102

    Genki Sushi is a popular Japanese sushi chain known for its innovative and efficient dining experience.

  • Chowmein Express

    ➤ 4725 Bougainville Dr, Honolulu, HI 96818
    ☎ (808) 422-4888

    Chowmein Express serves fresh wok-tossed noodles with bold flavors and hearty portions. It’s a fast, reliable spot for a satisfying Asian-inspired meal.

Island-style Favorites

  • Aloha Shrimp

    ➤ 53-534 Kamehameha Hwy Hauula, HI 96717
    ☎ (808)387-7394
    alohashrimp@gmail.com

    Located on Oahu’s North Shore. Aloha Shrimp is a food truck in Hauula offering shrimp dishes like spicy garlic lemon shrimp and coconut shrimp.

  • Paradise Cove Luau

    ➤ 92-1089 Aliinui Dr, Kapolei, HI 96707
    ☎ (808) 842-5911

    Paradise Cove Luau offers a traditional Hawaiian dining experience in a beachfront setting in Kapolei. The evening includes cultural demonstrations, live music, hula, and a fire knife show..

  • Rainbow Drive-In

    ➤ 1339 N School St, Honolulu, HI 96817
    ☎ (808) 784-1163

    Rainbow Drive-In serves classic Hawaiian plate lunches at its Kapahulu, Kalihi, and Pearlridge locations.

  • Teddy's Bigger Burgers

    ➤ 134 Kapahulu Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
    ☎ (808) 926-3444 (waikiki)

    Teddy’s is a popular Hawaii-based burger chain with multiple locations across Oʻahu.

  • Ululani Hawaiian Shave Ice

    ➤ 300 Hukilike St. #2-I, Kahului, HI 96732
    ☎ (808) 877-3700

    Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice is a beloved Hawaiian chain renowned for its finely shaved ice. They have two locations on Oʻahu: Kapahulu (Honolulu) and Pearl City.

American Restaurants

  • Big City Diner

    ➤ 108 Hekili St #101, Kailua, HI 96734
    ☎ (808) 263-8880

    Big City Diner is a local restaurant chain in Hawaii known for its American comfort food with a local twist.

  • Dixie Grill BBQ & Crab Shack

    ➤ 99-016 Kamehameha Hwy, Aiea, HI 96701
    ☎ (808) 485-2722

    Dixie Grill is a Southern-style BBQ and seafood restaurant in Aiea. The menu features smoked meats like brisket, pulled pork, and ribs, along with seafood options such as fried catfish and crab legs.

  • Koko at Kalia

    ➤ 2055 Kālia Rd, Honolulu, HI 96815
    Hale Koa Hotel
    ☎ (808) 955-0555

    Koko at Kalia is an oceanfront breakfast buffet at the Hale Koa Hotel in Waikiki. Seating is first-come, first-served, and the buffet is available to registered guests and eligible patrons.

  • Bibas Courtyard Grill

    ➤ 2055 Kālia Rd, Honolulu, HI 96815
    Hale Koa Hotel
    ☎ (808) 955-9635

    Bibas Courtyard Grill is a signature restaurant at the Hale Koa Hotel. The restaurant is open to registered guests of the hotel, eligible patrons, and accompanying sponsored guests.

  • Ruby Tuesday

    ➤ Moanalua Center, 930 Valkenburgh St Suite 211, Honolulu, HI 96818
    ☎ (808) 422-8585 (honolulu)

    ​​Ruby Tuesday Hawaii operates several locations across Oʻahu and Maui, offering American-style dining with some island-inspired dishes.

  • TEX 808 Barbeque

    ➤ 377 Keahole St. Hawaii Kai
    ☎ 808-207-8198 (Hawaii Kai)

    TEX 808 BBQ + Brews is a Texas-style barbecue restaurant with three locations on Oʻahu: Moanalua, Waikīkī, and Hawaiʻi Kai.

Breweries & Distilleries

  • Ko‘olau Distillery

    ➤ 905 Kapaa Quarry Pl Building 50 Unit 5014, Kailua, HI 96734
    ☎ (808) 261-0685

    The distillery is a veteran-owned craft spirits producer located in Kailua. Tours are available by reservation, and the distillery also offers a retail shop where visitors can purchase their spirits.

  • Kona Brewing Company

    ➤  7192 Kalanianaʻole Hwy Bldg I, Honolulu, HI 96825
    ☎ (808) 396-5662

    Kona Brewing Company at Koko Marina Center in Hawaii Kai is a waterfront pub offering a relaxed atmosphere with indoor and outdoor seating.

  • Kō Hana Rum

    ➤ 92-1770 Kunia Rd #227, Kunia Camp, HI 96759
    ☎ (808) 649-0830

    Kō Hana Rum Distillery produces handcrafted Agricole rum made from heirloom Hawaiian sugarcane grown on-site. The distillery also offers guided tours and tastings.

Other Food Options

  • Alejandro’s

    ➤ 2831 Kalihi St Unit E, Honolulu, HI 96819
    ☎ (808) 777-0038 (kalihi)

    ➤ 850 Kamehameha Hwy #135, Pearl City, HI 96782
    ☎ (808) 888-8855 (pearl city)

    Alejandro’s Mexican Food serves primarily Mexican cuisine, with some Salvadoran influences. There are two locations on Oahu: the original spot in Kalihi, and a second in Pearl City.