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The best food in Hawaii: From poke to pancakes
Try the best food in Hawaii, from poke and loco moco to pineapple ribs, poi, malasadas, and macadamia nut pancakes. Local flavors you’ll love.
Hawaiian food is bold, comforting, and packed with influences from across the Pacific. It brings together the flavors of native Hawaiian traditions, Japanese lunch counters, Filipino grills, and American diners, all with a tropical twist. From roadside food trucks to casual lunches, you’ll find flavor in every corner of the islands.
To help you navigate the most iconic dishes, we’ve put together a guide to the best food in Hawaii — where to try it, what to expect, and how to explore it like a local. Pack your suitcases for Hawaii, and don’t forget to bring your appetite.
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1. Poke
Poke is a staple of traditional Hawaiian food and a go-to for locals. It usually features raw fish (often ahi or salmon), marinated in soy sauce, sesame oil, and tossed with green onions. Some variations include spicy mayo, seaweed, or avocado. You’ll find it in grocery stores, high-end restaurants, and even convenience stores.
Where to try it:
- Ono Seafood (Oahu): Known for super fresh poke bowls
- Tamura’s Fine Wine & Liquors (Maui, Oahu, Big Island): A surprising poke counter inside a liquor store
2. Kalua pork
Traditionally cooked in an underground oven (imu) and wrapped in banana leaves, kalua pork is smoky, savory, and ultra tender. It’s a popular option in plate lunches, alongside white rice and mac salad, or served with poi at luaus. If you’re budgeting your meals, add kalua pork to your list when planning your Hawaii trip cost.
Where to try it:
- Waiahole Poi Factory (Oahu): Old-school Hawaiian combo plates
- Ululani’s Hawaiian Grill (Big Island): Generous plates with local specialties
3. Spam musubi
Spam musubi is Hawaii’s most portable snack: a slice of grilled Spam over a block of rice, wrapped with seaweed. It’s salty, savory, and shows up in grocery stores, supermarkets, and even upscale bento boxes.
Where to try it:
- Musubi Cafe Iyasume (Oahu): Dozens of variations, including teriyaki sauce glaze
- Minit Stop (Maui): Local chain known for grilled Spam and grab-and-go meals
4. Plate lunch
A plate lunch is simple and satisfying: two scoops of rice, macaroni salad, and your choice of protein. It might be kalua pig, teriyaki beef, fried chicken, or fresh local fish. Expect huge portions and bold flavors.
Where to try it:
- Rainbow Drive-In (Oahu): One of the most famous drive-ins on the island
- Kaʻū Grindz (Big Island): Homestyle plates, local feel
5. Lomi salmon
Lomi salmon is a side dish made from salted salmon, diced tomatoes, and green onions — sometimes with a bit of fresh fruit like mango or pineapple. It’s served cold and often appears next to traditional Hawaiian dishes like poi or laulau.
Where to try it:
- Yama’s Fish Market (Oahu): Great for takeout food and local combos
- Haili’s Hawaiian Foods (Oahu): Solid option for ono Hawaiian foods
6. Shaved ice
Forget your average snow cone in summer temperatures — Hawaiian shaved ice is as refreshing as sweets can be. Made with finely shaved ice and topped with tropical syrups, this dessert can include mochi balls, or a scoop of ice cream inside. It’s slightly sweet, very icy, and deeply satisfying.
Where to try it:
- Matsumoto Shave Ice (Oahu): Legendary lines, worth the wait
- Scandinavian Shave Ice (Big Island): Dozens of flavors and fun toppings
7. Huli huli chicken
Grilled and basted with a sweet-savory mix of soy sauce, garlic, and pineapple juice, huli huli chicken is smoky, juicy, and packed with flavor. It’s often cooked roadside over open coals, especially on weekends. Be sure to track one down when exploring the best Hawaiian island to visit, although they are easy to find throughout Hawaii.
Where to try it:
- Ray’s Kiawe Broiled Chicken (Oahu, North Shore): Cooked over native wood
- No Ka Oi Grindz (Maui): Small-town spot, big flavor
8. Loco moco
No travel guide to Hawaii would be complete without Loco moco. It’s a warm, messy stack of white rice, a beef patty, brown gravy, and a runny fried egg. Comfort food to the core, it’s popular for breakfast, lunch, or late-night cravings.
Where to try it:
- Café 100 (Big Island): Said to be the original
- Liliha Bakery (Oahu): Diner-style loco moco with a cult following
9. Laulau
Made with pork and sometimes fish, laulau is wrapped in taro plant leaves and steamed until the meat is tender and earthy. This is a true staple of traditional Hawaiian cuisine, often served with rice and poi.
Where to try it:
- Highway Inn (Oahu): A reliable source of classic local food
- Verna’s Drive Inn (Big Island): Affordable, casual Hawaiian meals
10. Malasadas
Malasadas are pillowy Portuguese doughnuts, often filled with tropical custards and rolled in sugar. A favorite across the islands, they pair perfectly with a stop at a local coffee shop.
Where to try it:
- Leonard’s Bakery (Oahu): The gold standard
- Tex Drive In (Big Island): Huge, fluffy, and made fresh
11. Haupia
This coconut milk-based dessert is soft, cool, and lightly sweet — a traditional favorite often served at luaus. Made with just a few ingredients, haupia is a simple square of jelly-like texture that brings a refreshing finish to a hearty Hawaiian meal.
Where to try it:
- Helena’s Hawaiian Food (Oahu): A go-to for classic sides like haupia and poi
- Zippy’s (Various islands): Offers haupia pie with a chocolate twist
12. Pineapple-glazed pork ribs
Sweet, tangy, and falling off the bone — pineapple-glazed pork ribs bring the island’s most iconic fruit into a hearty dish. Often served at roadside grills or BBQ spots, they show just how well traditional Hawaiian food blends savory with tropical flair.
Where to try it:
- Big Wave Shrimp (Oahu, North Shore): Not just seafood — the ribs here are underrated
- Smokin’ Pig BBQ (Kauai): Laid-back spot with bold, sticky ribs
13. Macadamia nut pancakes
Soft, fluffy pancakes topped with chopped macadamia nuts and a creamy, often coconut milk-based syrup are a Hawaiian breakfast dream. They’re rich without being too sweet and are considered amazing food by anyone who loves local twists on morning classics.
Where to try it:
- Boots & Kimo’s (Oahu): Known for their famous mac nut sauce
- Island Lava Java (Big Island): Great view, great pancakes
Stay connected while you eat
The Hawaiian food scene blends old traditions with local creativity. From macadamia nuts in your pancakes to poke at a store, or even a gas station, the islands serve up unforgettable local dishes in unexpected places.
Whether you’re navigating stores in Honolulu or tracking down a hidden food truck in Hawaii Kai, you’ll want a solid connection. Use Google Maps to find local gems, post food pics, and look up menus on the fly.
Holafly’s eSIM for Hawaii gives you unlimited data without the stress of roaming fees, physical SIM swaps, or portable hotspots.
It’s easy to fall in love with the aloha lifestyle, so if you decide to prolong your stay, you’ll need reliable internet you can share with your devices. That’s where Holafly Connect steps up. It’s a monthly recurring eSIM that has options for unlimited data sharing. It’s especially useful for remote workers or digital nomads exploring the islands — easy to set up and ready when you land.
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Plans that may interest you
With a background in English literature and a focus on storytelling, I’ve turned my interests in travel and technology into a career helping others stay connected abroad. Originally from Serbia, I work remotely with my husband, experiencing local cultures firsthand and bringing that perspective to my writing for Holafly. Fun fact: before focusing on content creation, I was a professional volleyball player.
