Any restaurant recommendations for Oahu? (non-chain)

[soccerchick]

We will be island hopping next week and I am looking for any recs on good, local restaurants that are casual and kid friendly. I like going to the places we can't eat at when we're home.

Thanks

 

[DawnCt1]

Cheeseburger in Paradise is fun. For "local kine grinds" there are a lot of plate lunch places; Rainbow Drive Inn, Kenekee's in Waimanalo on the way to the north shore, etc. Don't forget to get Kona Pie ice cream at any Lapperts. And of course, shave ice. Even McDonald's served saimin noodles with fish cake when we were there and of course, no visit to Hawaii is complete without SPAM!!

 

[hereyago]

There is a small pizza place near the airport: Big Kahuna's pizza!!!!!!!! They have several types of pizza, but they have this garlic cheese balls, I would smack someone in the head for some right now!!!!!!!!

Also, North Shore, Kua Aina' hamburgers, sandwich, sub shop. It is within walking distance of Matsumoto's shave ice.

Great, now I am hungry. Have a great trip though!!!!!!!!!

 

[goofy's friends]

Toward the North Shore is Halewea Joe's---excellent sea food, casual, and great views! Highly recommend it and the kids loved it too. Cheeseburger in Paradise was really fun--it is by Waikiki. Dole Plantation has the Dole Whips, if you are a fan from Disney World--they are to die for! McDonald's had these coconut fried pies (like their apple pies) that are wonderful!

 

[MrJT]

There is a small pizza place near the airport: Big Kahuna's pizza!!!!!!!! They have several types of pizza, but they have this garlic cheese balls, I would smack someone in the head for some right now!!!!!!!!

I was gonna say this. The cheese balls are AWESOME! And you don't get the pizza, get the pizza sandwiches. They are served on a homemade bread that is SOOO good!

 

[suzannews]

Cheeseburger in Paradise in Waikiki was good. The Yardhouse, also in Waikiki, was excellent (they are a chain but none close to Orlando) and they have over 100 beers on draft! Bubbie's ice cream was great. The Shack in Waikiki was good for sandwiches, typical bar and grill type place. JJ Dolan's in Chinatown was excellent for fish and chips, chicken and fries and NY style pizza. We were there for 8 nights last month and only had one bad meal. Already planning on going back!!

 

[rparmfamily]

My computer hiccuped LOL

 

[rparmfamily]

Funny, we were just talking about favorite local places on my local O'ahu group board LOL! I just mostly cut and paste the list, so there are comments. This is what most of them were saying--

Here's our list:
Zippy's
Koa Pancake House by the airport/Pearl harbor, yummy sweet bread french toast!
Beard Papa.. Best pitas and baked goods on island
Islands burgers at the Ala Moana
Banditos (mexican)
Liliha Bakery have the BEST cream puffs.
Baldwin's bakery (shave ice)
Love the pizza from Boston's Pizza.
mac nut pancakes at Boots & Kimos.
Cinnamon's in Kailua is the BEST place for breakfast
The Olive Tree by Kahala Mall for Greek
Hale'iwa Joes
L&L for fast plate lunch
Genki has the conveyor belt sushi, fun!
Big Kahuna's Pizza is good deep dish, on Paiea by the airport.
Soon's Kalbi, I also like Bob's on Dillingham
I <3 Country Cafe in the NEX is my fav...kalua pork and cabbage and mac salad--yum!
Leonard's Malsadas, look for the red/white van in the parking lot of the outlets, or the small bakery across from Best Buy in Aiea
Costco for cheap hotdogs and pizza LOL
Big City Diner is another local place, by Pearl Ridge Mall
Personally I love Cali Pizza Kitchen, though it's a chain
any of the shrimp places up on the North Shore or in Haleiwa, such as Big Wave or Giovanni's
Killer Tacos
Cafe Olive (italian)
Baci Bistro
Ruth's Chris - for special occasions
Grass Skirt Grill
Waialua Bakery
Maui Mike's
Thai Kitchen express in the shopping strip across from best Buy on kam HWY
The Noodle Factory
Los Chaparros is our favorite Mexican place on the island.
Shokudo - for sushi, drinks, ramen
Storto's Sandwiches
Puka Dog
Hy's Steakhouse -or- Ruth Chris (special occasions)
Top of Waikiki
Aloha Sushi for their rolls
Genki Sushi if we are pressed for time
Dixie Grill
Haleiwa Joe's
El Mariachi. There is one in Aiea (really close to AMR) and one in Kaneohe. (We used to go to Los Chapparos for Mexican until we found something closer )
Serg's Mexican - good flautas and rice and beans (in Manoa)
The Counter - Custom built burgers
Kona Brewing Company
Islands

 

[rparmfamily]

Cheeseburger in Paradise is fun. For "local kine grinds" there are a lot of plate lunch places; Rainbow Drive Inn, Kenekee's in Waimanalo on the way to the north shore, etc. Don't forget to get Kona Pie ice cream at any Lapperts. And of course, shave ice. Even McDonald's served saimin noodles with fish cake when we were there and of course, no visit to Hawaii is complete without SPAM!!

I think the only Lapperts on the island is at the HHV. There is a Dave's in Waimanalo and another homemade ice cream place in Hale'iwa. (maybe that one's Dave's too?)

Good rule of thumb...buying food off the side of the road, especially from a place that looks like it was a bus or van or is dirty usually means the food is awesome. If you see chickens being grilled out in the open, you must stop. This would be Huli-huli chicken (or the same,minus the brand name) and it is to die for!

Toward the North Shore is Halewea Joe's---excellent sea food, casual, and great views! Highly recommend it and the kids loved it too. Cheeseburger in Paradise was really fun--it is by Waikiki. Dole Plantation has the Dole Whips, if you are a fan from Disney World--they are to die for! McDonald's had these coconut fried pies (like their apple pies) that are wonderful!

The Dole Whips at Dole taste better, I swear!!

I don't think Mcd's has haupia pie (the coconut pie you are talking about), they change the pies and I think we just have cherry, but you can always ask! Sometimes it's taro pie too!


OP--where are you staying? In Waikiki I assume? Will you have a car?