Aloha!

Bishop Museum & Planetarium

Museum of history and science.

Egghead Cafe 🍔

Delicious cafe with breakfast classics, as well as Taiwanese specials. The Boom Boom Chicken is a must-have!

Liliha Bakery 🍔

Yummy bakery and restaurant. Great loco moco, great eclairs!

Double Three Ice Cream 🍔

If you’ve never had ice cream in a bubble waffle before, this is worth a try. Waffles are made hot and fresh, there’s a ton of delicious toppings to choose from, and the portions are huge. Second location in Kailua.

Nami Kaze

Delicious sushi and fancy brunch at this japanese restaurant that gets fish right off the boats. Upscale, but not too pricey, a perfect spot for a celebration or just a lazy sunday morning.

Chau's Fresh Fruit 🍔

The best pirri mangoes!

Fook Lam 🍔

Arguably the best dim sum on Oahu. You know it’s good when they roll out the metal steamer carts!

Sing Cheong Yuan Bakery 🍔

Best jin dui (fried sesame balls, filled with red bean paste) on the island - also known for their chocolate strawberry mochi mooncakes.

Tea at 1024 🍔

High tea with all the fixings! Frilly tablecloths, fancy cups, sweet and savory snacks. Dine in, or even better, rent a basket and do your tea time wherever you’d like!

Senia 🍔

A must-visit for any fine dining fan. Presentation, flavor, pairings - everything about Senia is flawless. If you do decide to visit, try and attend the tasting menu at the Chef’s counter - there’s only one 6:30 seating on Fridays and Saturdays, so book early. For a similar but slightly more casual experience, check out Podmore, the next item on this list, which has the same owners and head chef.

Podmore 🍔

One of our absolute favorite date night spots. With chef Anthony Rush of Senia at the helm, the food and drinks at this swanky upscale bar are excellent, but it’s easier to get a reservation and a more relaxed atmosphere than it’s big sibling. My favorite beverage is the Chung Chow, pictured above - a delight for all the senses.

Iolani Palace

Iolani is the only royal palace in the United States, and learning about its history is an essential part of respecting the culture and heritage of Hawai’i. Guided tours book extremely quickly, so reserve in advance.

H-Mart Kaka'ako 🍔

Asian grocery store with lots of hard-to-find items. Great food court on the 2nd floor!

E.A.R.L. Sandwiches 🍔

Huge, amazing sandwiches.

SALT at Kaka'ako 🐶🍔🛍

Trendy shopping center in the heart of the Kaka’ako neighborhood. Some of our favorite places include:

• Lanikai Juice: Delicious, fresh juices and smoothies
• ARVO: Third-wave coffee bar with extremely instagrammable beverages and food.
• Butcher & Bird: Butcher shop that serves up sausages and burgers. The burger is one of the most delicious I’ve ever had in my entire life.
• Hank’s Haute Dogs: Hot dogs in every variant you could think of, in addition to burgers, sandwiches, and amazing fries.
• Highway Inn: Our favorite place for traditional Hawaiian food, served fresh and hot. Try the pipikaula!

Kaka'ako Murals 🐶🍔🛍

Kaka’ako is one of the most modern areas of Honolulu, filled with breweries and hot eateries. Hundreds of street murals make for a great afternoon activity.

Honolulu Museum of Art

An expansive art museum which includes one of the largest collections Asian and Pan-Pacific art in the United States.

Blaisdell Concert Hall

Oahu’s primary event venue - check the schedule for upcoming shows and events.

Istanbul Hawaii 🍔

Delicious turkish food - their kebabs are amazing. Upscale, but not too fancy, a great place to celebrate the end of your week.

Tali's Bagels & Shmears

Founded by an Oahu local and a New Yorker, Tali’s has the best bagels on the island, boiled and made to New York standards. Their shmears, bialis, and israeli iced coffee are all excellent as well - just be prepared for a line, and get there early because they do sell out.

Scratch Kitchen 🍔🐶

Eatery with great brunch and lunch items. Recommend their chicken and waffles, and milk & cereal pancakes, and grits. Dog-friendly patio.

Purvé Donut Stop

Delicious, made-to-order donuts made right in front of you. A must for any donut afficionado. Second location at Kahala Mall.

Ala Moana Center 🐶🍔🛍

Hawaii’s largest shopping mall, a sprawling semi-outdoor space with lots of fun shops and food places. Some of our favorite stops here:

• Foodland Farms: Expansive supermarket with lots of quick bites and local items, as well as a bar and small plates restaurant.
• Island Vintage Coffee: Great kona coffee as well as tasty acai bowls. Try their Honey Latte! Also located in Hale’iwa.
• Jejubing Dessert Cafe: Shop serving korean-style shave ice, or bingsu - it has a snow-like consistency totally unlike typical shave ice and the toppings are delicious!

Sushi Murayama 🍔

One of Oahu’s top-rated sushi restaurants, known for their omakase.

'Ili'Ili Cash & Carry 🍔

Italian market with amazing pizzas, one of our two favorite pizzerias on the island.

Tane Vegan Izakaya 🍔

Possibly the best vegan japanese restaurant in the United States. Their sushi are creative and delicious, you will have trouble believing there’s no fish inside.

Tantalus/Round Top Drive

Hands-down, the most beautiful jungle drive on the entire island. Route yourself to Tantalus drive and Kolonahe Place for the full drive. Stops on the drive:

• Nā Ala Hele Trails: Large network of trails on and around Tantalus drive. Something for every hiker, from 30min walks to full-day hikes. View trail map.
• Punchbowl Cemetery: Beautiful national cemetery. Notably, there are clean bathrooms in the cemetery, perfect if you need to go before heading out on the trails.

Tantalus Lookout & Puu Ualakaa State Park

The best vista of Honolulu & Waikiki can be found in this location on Tantalus Drive. Bathrooms are located here as well, and there’s a picnic area where you can enjoy the view (and some chickens). In addition, this location is home to the Nutridge Luau, one of the two Native Hawaiian-owned luaus on this list.

Lyon Arboretum

A beautiful, 200-acre arboretum located in a tropical rainforest. Located right next to Manoa Falls (next item).

Manoa Falls 🐶

A 1.7 mile hike ends at one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Oahu. Bring hiking shoes! And use caution at the waterfall due to the slippery surfaces.

Off The Hook Poke 🍔

Fresh poke that gets people lined up around the block. Good stop for lunch if you’re headed to Manoa Falls!

Morning Glass Coffee 🍔

Our favorite coffee shop on the entire island, with amazing beans plus delicious baked goods and lunch to go with it.

Prince Hotel 🍔🐶

A wonderful hotel on the edge of Waikiki - great for people who want to be away from the bustling crowds but close enough to walk to everything in town. Accepts dogs! Also home to two of our recommended restaurants:

• Katsumidori Sushi: Fun, upscale sushi restaurant, located next to the lobby.
• 100 Sails: In our opinion, the best buffet experience in Hawaii, along with great sunset views. Located on the 2nd floor.

Hilton Hawaiian Village Fireworks

What better to top off your trip than fireworks over the waters of Honolulu? The Hilton Hawaiian Village’s fireworks show starts at 8pm on the dot, Friday evenings. I suggest watching across the bay from Kapiolani Park - check out Barefoot Beach Cafe further down this list for a perfect viewing spot.

House Without a Key

Located within the Halekulani Hotel, House Without a Key offers a spectacular, unobstructed ocean vista, along with live music and hula. Highly recommend coming here for cocktails at sunset (we have seen the green flash here!) but do not recommend dinner - the cocktails are good but the food is mediocre.

Breakout Waikiki

Fun, themed breakout rooms, a perfect rainy day activity.

Royal Hawaiian Center 🛍🍔

Semi-outdoor shopping center in the center of Waikiki. Convenient validated parking. Nightly cultural events Tue-Sat. Some of our highlights:

• Tim Ho Wan: Get your dim sum fix!
• Rock-A-Hula: Campy dinner theatre, featuring local & rock music, celebrity impersonators, and luau-style entertainment.
• Honolulu Cookie Company: Delicious shortbread cookies - buy some to take home, but make sure to get a box for your hotel room, too!

Waikiki Shopping Plaza Parking

Located at 2250 Kalakaua Ave, this parking garage has affordable flat-rate parking for those looking to spend a day in Waikiki.

• $7.50 for 5 hours, $15 for 10 hours
• Credit/Debit only
• No overnight parking

International Marketplace 🛍🍔

Another semi-outdoor mall in the middle of Waikiki. Hula show on Mon/Wed/Fri @ 6:30.

Azure 🍔

Located within the Royal Hawaiian hotel (an attraction in its own right), Azure is a fine-dining restaurant located right on the edge of Waikiki beach, currently serving a four course prix-fixe menu Fri-Sun. Reservations highly recommended. Can’t get in? Hit up the Mai Tai Bar next door, which is less fancy but with much better drop-in availability.

Blue Note Hawaii

Located within the Outrigger Waikiki, Blue Note is Hawaii’s premiere small-scale music venue - check the schedule to see who’s playing. Serves a very tasty dinner as well.

Moana Surfrider🛍🍔

First opened in 1901, the Moana Surfrider is a Waikiki mainstay, and countless guests have passed the time people watching from their lobby rocking chairs. The restaurant has a beautiful view of Waikiki beach, and also serves a luxurious afternoon tea.

Waikiki Beach 🏖

World-famous beach on the edge of Waikiki. Crowded, but a must-do for any visitor to Honolulu. Great place to find a surf bum to give you lessons!

Waikiki Banyan Parking

The most affordable overnight parking in Waikiki at $30 a day or $150 a week, with in/out privleges.

Hula Dog Kuhio 🍔🐶

A uniquely Hawaiian take on a hot dog. We suggest the pineapple relish & lilikoi mustard!

Waikiki Leia 🍔🐶

This wedding venue turned restaurant serves delicious Japanese-inspired French cuisine on gorgeous outdoor grounds.

Honolulu Zoo

Honolulu’s Zoo, which covers 42 acres and over 900 animals, including a petting zoo. Great activity with kids, especially on a cloudy (but not rainy) day.

Kapiolani Beach Park 🏖🐶

Just east of the bustling crowds of Waikiki Beach lies Kapiolani Beach Park, a much less crowded stretch of ocean where you’ll find lots of outdoor activities. Great place to have a picnic or BBQ.

Barefoot Beach Cafe 🍔🐶

Cute little spot to eat, located within Kapiolani Beach Park. Great place to enjoy dinner over sunset without spending a fortune. Live music on weekend evenings!

Waikiki Aquarium

Small but packed aquarium featuring Hawaiian & tropical Pacific marine animals. Located next to Kapiolani Beach Park. Great rainy day activity, especially with kids.

Diamond Head

Arguably the most distinct element in Honolulu’s skyline, Diamond Head towers over the rest of the city. Take the relatively-easy 45 minute hike to the top for spectacular views of Honolulu, especially at sunset. Bring water, because there is very little shade on the path.

Diamond Head Market & Grill

One of the best plate lunch spots in town. Perfect place to stop for lunch or dinner on your way to Diamond Head, or if you’re headed out of town for the day. Probably my favorite mac salad on the whole island..

Tonkatsu Tamafuji

Do you like tonkatsu? Because if so, this may well be THE BEST KATSU IN YOUR ENTIRE LIFE. Although the premises are unassuming, the lines and 3 month reservation wait should be an indication that you’re in for something special. There’s several types of katsu to choose from, you make and customize your own sauce at the table, and there’s endless servings of the most finely-shredded lettuce you’ve ever seen. If you don’t have the time to make a reservation 2 months in advance, you have two options - 1) try calling right when they open to check for cancellations, and they will often be able to squeeze you in, or 2) line up 30min before they open and you’ll usually be able to get a table pretty quickly.

Kono's Honolulu 🍔

Some of the best kalua pig on the island, this place is known for their kalua pig burritos and tasty milkshakes. More locations in Waikiki, Kailua, and Hale’iwa.

Leonard's Bakery 🍔

The famous bakery known for their malasadas, a local donut-like treat. A must-do! There are also Leonards Malasadamobiles (food trucks) located around the island, but the original location is the best.

Breadshop 🍔

Small bakery selling made-from-scratch, artisinal breads. If you’re headed here, make sure to make a reservation on their website.

The Curb 🍔

Cozy cafe with great coffee, plus tasty baked goods and chocolate.

The Local General Store & Mud Hen Water 🍔🐶

These two businesses share an outdoor seating space. The Local General Store is a butcher and bakery - get here early because their pastries sell our by mid-day. Arguably the best croissants in Hawaii. Mud Hen Water, open for dinner, serves delicious, inventive Hawaiian small plates & cocktails. Also in the same space is Local IA, a seafood wholesaler, and Little Vessels, a vegan donut popup open on the weekends.

Miro Kaimuki

For a fancy night out, check out this modern french bistro featuring Japanese-inspired prix-fixe gastronomic tours as well as guest chefs. One of the hottest new fine dining spots in Honolulu.

XO & AV Restaurants 🍔

AV stands for “All Vegan”, but you wouldn’t know it looking at many of AV Restaurant’s 13-16 course menu. A culinary delight for vegans and non-vegans alike. $99 per person, not including tax/tip or sake pairings. XO, right down the road and owned/operated by the same folks, serves delicious izakaya-style plates that change on a weekly basis.

Koko Head Cafe 🍔🐶

Celebrity Chef Lee Anne Wong’s popular Oahu brunch spot, serving traditional as well as fusion brunch fare. The hash browns are like nothing you’ve tried before, and the dumplings are equally delicious.

Cowcow's Tea 🍔

Our favorite boba shop - try their purple rice yogurt drinks, SO GOOD!

Chubbies Burgers 🍔

Best burgers in town, made “smash burger” style. Closest thing you can get to In-n-Out in Hawaii, especially with a side of Chub Fries. Their shakes are also legit.

The Surfing Pig 🍔

Surf-themed, contemporary Hawaiian restaurant - the upscale sister restaurant of Kono’s. Great food and drinks!

KCC Farmer's Market 🍔🛍

Oahu’s largest and most popular farmers market. Sat 7:30-11am, Tuesday 4-7pm. Other farmers markets include Kaka’ako Farmers Market (Sat 8a-12p) and Honolulu Farmers Market (Wed 4-7p).

Shangri La Museum

Beautiful museum showcasing arts and cultures of the Islamic world. Advance reservations required through HMoA (includes museum admission).

Hanauma Bay 🏖

Best snorkeling spot on Oahu. Recommend getting there early before the crowds arrive. Click here for the online reservations system - reservations are required for visitors and fill up quickly.

Koko Crater Hike

1.8mile stairway with panoramic views of the Hawaii Kai neighborhood from the top. Recommended earlier in the day (before dawn is popular) when it is cool - bring water!

Halona Blowhole

Geysers of seawater shoot as high as 30 feet through this lava tube, located in a scenic cove.

Sandy Beach 🏖

Popular beach for bodyboarding and bodysurfing. A local favorite, can get crowded on the weekends. Great place to watch sunrise.

Makapu'u Point Lighthouse Trail 🏖

A 30 minute hike which offers panoramic views of the ocean and Waimanalo Bay. Great spot for whale-watching! Paved trail, but no shade so another spot recommended earlier in the day. Not recommended for dogs for this reason. There are two detours you can take along the trail:

• Alan Davis Beach: A secluded beach with a great cliff jump into the ocean. The trail is well marked but the beach is relatively secluded for this part of Oahu.
• Makapu’u Tidepools: Beautiful tidepools are located down a steep cliff a short distance off the trail. WARNING: Bring water and a hat for this trek. In addition, be aware of your surroundings at the tidepools - large and sudden waves have injured and even drowned visitors to this location. Please watch videos before considering this stop, it is not for the faint of heart.

Sherwood & Bellows Beaches 🏖🐶

Wide, white-sand beaches, among the most beautiful in Oahu (along with Kailua & Lanikai beach, just a short distance down the shoreline). BBQs allowed, can get very busy on weekend afternoons. Bellows Beach is on property owned by the military and only open to the public from noon Friday to midnight Sunday. There is also a small marketplace with food and vendors at the entrance from 11am-4pm. Bellows AFS also has lodging and recreational facilities for those with military ID.

Frankie's Nursery 🍔

A fruit tree nursery, nestled in the hills of Waimanalo. Sells all kinds of hard-to-find tropical fruit, but the must-try is the Honey Cream Pineapple, only available here and so sweet it tastes like candy. Also keep a lookout for White pineapple or Kaua’i Sugarloaf pineapples at farmers’ markets, which are of similar sweetness.

Lanikai Pillbox 🐶

Popular hiking trail - not too hard, with a rewarding view of the windward coast from the top.

Lanikai & Kailua Beaches 🏖🐶

These beaches are on the same shoreline as Sherwood & Bellows, mentioned above. They bring the same beautiful white sand shores to the table - if you’re looking for the beaches you see in advertisements for Hawaii, these are them.

Easy 'Que 🐶🍔

BBQ restaurant in Kailua with refreshing outdoor misters, and a good bar selection to boot.

The Beet Box Cafe 🍔

Tasty vegetarian and vegan cuisine, serving a wide variety of breakfast and lunch items, as well as juices. There’s a second location in Hale’iwa on the north shore, as well.

Taqueria El Gallo Rosa 🐶🍔

Delicious Mexican restaurant, with handmade tortillas and vegan options. Their fish tacos & chips and guac are amazing!

R. Field Wine Co. 🍔

Located within Foodland Kailua, this is probably the best place on the island to find ingredients for an amazing charcuterie plate. Great wine selection as well.

Boston Pizza 🍔

Our other favorite pizza place - it’s worth making the drive out to the windward side just for these huge, delicious pies. There are several Boston Pizzas on the island, but none have the same owners (the business was sold off many years ago). This one is the best - the one in Aiea is also pretty good - the others are not worth it.

Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden

Beautiful botanical garden with picturesque views of the Ko’olau mountains. Free admission!

Fresh Catch Kaneohe 🍔

Local seafood deli with amazing poke and seafood dishes. Also sells beer to-go, a perfect place to stock up for a beach day on the windward shores. Also located in Honolulu and Aiea.

Haleiwa Joe's Haiku Gardens

This restaurant serves some delicious, contemporary American cuisine with island twists. However, the real appeal is the stunning grounds on which the restaurant is located, which are also used as a wedding venue. No reservations, so arrive early.

Byodo-In Temple

Beautiful Buddhist temple. Make sure to buy bird feed at the shop, the birds will eat straight from your hands! $5 admission.

7-Eleven

This may seem like an odd addition to the list, but 7-Eleven Hawaii is a separate subsidiary from the rest of the US, and stocks some great Hawaiian food items. Great place to try a spam musubi! Locations all over the island.

Kaneohe Sandbar 🏖

The only sandbar in Hawaii, this is a favorite local spot to enjoy the water and have a beach day away from the tourists. You’ll need to rent a boat or kayak as it is only accessible via the water.

Waiahole Poi Factory 🍔🐶

Famous spot for traditional Hawaiian food such as laulau, kalua pork, lomi salmon, haupia, and of course, fresh poi.

Kualoa Ranch

Popular nature retreat featuring ATVs, zipline, horseback riding, and tours of film locations such as Jurassic Park.

Kokololio Beach Park 🏖🐶

At the very edge of the north shore, this beach park is a great place to have a BBQ. Usually less crowded than other beaches.

Polynesian Cultural Center

I’ll start by saying that I have not included this attraction on my guide in the past; however, many people do enjoy their time at the PCC so I feel like it should be included. The Polynesian Cultural center offers a full day’s worth of attractions that will allow visitors to learn more and partake in cultural experiences which represent several different Polynesian cultures. There is also a luau which is the largest on the island.

That being said - the PCC is owned and operated by the LDS (Mormon) Church and the experiences, while entertaining, do not touch on the colonist history and struggle of these peoples. IMO this is a great place to visit if you’re looking for a “Polynesian Disneyland” - if you are interested in the history of Polynesian culture, I strongly recommend a guided tour of Iolani Palace, an authentic Native Hawaiian-run luau such as Toa or Nutridge, and volunteering on the island in activities that benefit Native Hawaiians, such as the restoration of Hawaiian fishponds. If you do visit the PCC, be aware that the “free tram tour” is a thinly-veiled advertisement for the LDS and Brigham Young University, located next door.

Kahuku Superette 🍔

The sign on top of this convenience store in Kahuku says it all - best poke bowl! Several different kinds, but the limu is our favorite.

Kahuku Sugar Mill 🍔

This food truck spot has over 20 different trucks for you to sample, and is the center of the town of Kahuku. Some of our favorites:

• Ono Yo: Tasty frozen yogurt concoctions!
• Giovanni’s Shrimp: The most famous north shore shrimp truck of all.
• Mike’s Huli Huli Chicken: Delicious, slow roasted rotisserie chicken.
• Raised by the Waves: Tasty vegan dishes.

Fumi's Kahuku Shrimp

Giovanni’s may be the most well-known, but Fumi’s is our favorite stop for north shore shrimp. Whether it be here or one of the other venues, garlic shrimp should be a must-try on your north shore journey!

Turtle Bay 🍔

This famous upscale resort has several places that visitors can enjoy without needing a room:

• Turtle Beach: Calm waves, good snorkeling, and a beachside grill. There is a public parking lot right next to the beach entrance.
• Beach House by Roy Yamaguchi: The only fine dining establishment you’ll find on the north shore, this sister restaurant of the famous Roy’s has delicious food served right next to the ocean. A wonderful place to have sunset over dinner. Reservations recommended!
• Turtle Bay Lobby: Whether you’re waiting for your table at Beach House or just want a drink and some appetizers, the lobby bar at turtle bay has tasty plates and strong drinks.
• The Stables at Turtle Bay: Make a reservation for fun oceanside horseback riding!

Kawela Bay Beach Park 🍔🐶

Located right next to Turtle Bay, Kawela Bay has miles of trails open to the public. In addition, the beaches of Kawela Bay are quiet compared to the others on the north shore - we often come here and have the beach all to ourselves. Our favorite place to take the dogs! You’ve also got a good chance of spotting turtles on the beach here, but please keep a 10ft distance from these beautiful creatures.

Kulima Farm Stand 🍔🐶

Across the street from Kawela Bay is this fruit stand, with delicious food and freshly cut fruit (plus clean bathrooms). Try the mango with li hing powder, a local specialty!

Ted's Bakery 🍔

A local favorite, Ted’s serves plate lunches but are best known for their delicious pies.

Sunset Beach 🏖

Picturesque beach known for big wave surfing and, of course, sunsets.

Shark's Cove 🏖

A rocky cove with tide pools perfect for snorkeling or just wading. Restrooms and lots of food stands across the street.

Waimea Bay 🏖🐶

One of the most beautiful beaches in Hawaii, perhaps the world. Famous for 30 foot waves in the winter and a rock for jumping when waters are calmer. Come early, parking fills up fast.

Waimea Valley

This valley across from Waimea Bay, owned and operated by Native Hawaiians, is the most easily-accessible waterfall on the island. In addition, the valley is a beautifully-maintained piece of land worth making an excursion to if you are headed to the north shore. Also home to the Toa Luau, one of the most recommended authentic luaus on the island.

Laniakea Beach 🏖

This spot is known for the turtles that come to sun on the sand, your best chance of seeing one is here. They’re known to frequent the beach the most often in the early afternoon! Turtles have also been known to beach at Kawela Bay, and at the Ko’Olina lagoons on the southwest shore.

Hale’iwa Beach Park 🐶🏖

This park is at the edge of the town of Hale’iwa, and the perfect spot to enjoy the sunset over some beers and a BBQ, or to look for some surfing lessons.

Hale’iwa Bowls 🍔

The north shore is famous for its acai bowls, and Hale’iwa Bowls is the place to get the best, with delicious locally-sourced ingredients.

Sweet As 🍔

This cute little shop serves “New Zealand Style” soft serve, which is your choice of ice cream/yogurt base mixed with frozen fruit, right there in front of you. It’s super delicious, especially on a hot day! Lilikoi and raspberry are our favorites. There’s also a cute “angel wings mural” photo op right outside.

Matsumoto’s Shave Ice 🍔

A famous north shore destination for shave ice, a Hawaii specialty. Make sure to try the ichiban special - shaved ice with your choice of up to 3 syrups, topped with condensed milk, vanilla ice cream, sweet azuki beans, and mochi balls - and served in an edible bowl!

Coffee Gallery 🍔

The best hand-roasted coffee on the north shore, as well as fresh-baked goods. Their Crown Jewel drink is our favorite!

Farm to Barn 🍔🐶

Cute restaurant with fresh, locally sourced breakfast and lunch and plenty of outdoor seating. Delicious fresh juices as well, and their burger is one of our favorites on the island. Free yoga classes Monday-Thursday @ 5:30pm.

Nalu Health Bar 🍔

Healthy cafe serving delicious salads and sandwiches. Also located in Honolulu and Kailua.

Surf N Salsa

Tasty food truck serving giant, delicious burritos as well as other mexican dishes. Parking lot is $2 cash only (free for kama’aina)

Dole Plantation 🍔🛍

First things first: The Dole Plantation is on this guide mainly so that I can tell you that it is a tourist trap. There is a train ride that tells you about the history of growing pineapples in Hawaii. There is a gift shop with pretty much any pineapple-themed item you could imagine. There is a garden with some actual pineapples. There is a food court with mediocre food and Dole Whip (which is available at several other places on the island.) If you are traveling through Central Oahu and you really love pineapples, or you have children that would enjoy the train ride, this may be worth a stop. If you are looking to explore the beauty and wonder of Hawaii, this is not worth the time spent, especially if you are traveling out of the way to get here.

Green World Coffee Farm 🍔🐶

Tasty cafe with coffee grown on site, as well as pastries and shopping. Outdoor seating area that is kid and dog friendly.

Shige’s Saimin Stand 🍔

Saimin is Hawaii’s version of ramen, and Shige’s is the saimin spot that locals swear by, featuring homemade noodles. Definitely be sure to get a teri beef stick with your order.

Black Sheep Cream 🍔

Our favorite ice cream shop - their affogatos (espresso on top of ice cream) are amazing! Also located in Waipio and Kaka’ako.

Taqueria El Ranchero 🍔

One of the best, most authentic Mexican restaurants on the island. Delicious carne asada and salsas, rivals what you’d find in the Mission District of San Francisco. Take out section, as well as a fun cantina area serving drinks. Gets busy in the evenings with folks from the nearby military base.

Wahiawa Botanical Garden

A 27-acre botanical garden nestled in the middle of quiet Wahiawa, featuring native flora and docent-led tours.

Aloha Salads 🍔

Fresh soups and salads, perfect for a quick lunch. The seared ahi salad is our favorite! Locations spread around the island.

Starbucks 🍔

It’s Starbucks. Hawaii only items:

• Coconut mocha frappe and other coconut-milk-themed drinks
• Kona coffee
• Get your drink with “Thai Walls”, aka condensed milk drizzled down the sides of your cup
• Hawaii-themed cups and merchandise

Ba Le Bakery 🍔

Local vietnamese cafe chain offering delicious banh mi & pho. Locations around the island.

The Shack 🍔

Mililani is a quiet suburb of Oahu, and if you’re looking for some nightlife, there’s pretty much just one place for it - The Shack. Like El Ranchero above, this is a hot spot for the military crowd in the evenings, and there’s live music on the weekends.

Assaggio 🍔

Like I just mentioned, Mililani is a pretty small town - there’s one place for nightlife, and there’s also just one place for a nice, white-tablecloth dinner. Assagio serves tasty Italian cuisine and has multiple locations around the island.

Zippy’s 🍔

Zippy’s is Hawaii’s local fast food chain, serving classics like loco moco, korean fried chicken (my favorite), Hawaiian-style chili, and malasadas. It won’t be the best version of any of these items, but it’s legit and deserves to be on this guide as a local classic, especially if you’re looking for some late night fast food while you’re on the island.

McDonalds 🍔

If there’s one thing that can be said about McDonalds, it’s that you know exactly what you’re going to get here. However, you may not know about these McD’s Hawaii-only items:

• Fried pies (the rest of the country serves baked pies now), in Taro and Haupia (coconut) in addition to the normal apple
• Spam & portuguese sausage breakfast with rice
• Saimin (ask for it, not available at all locations)
• Hawaiian Punch
• McTeri (seasonal item)

Beer Lab HI 🍔

Local taproom with lots of tasty beers and ciders. Has a rotating kitchen featuring local food truck cuisine.

Pearl Harbor National Memorial

Memorial for the USS Arizona, a warship sunk during the attack on Pearl Harbor. The memorial is located directly over the sunken ship, accessed via boat. Also features a museum with lots of history about the base. Free admission, but pre-purchasing tickets online is recommended as there are a limited amount daily.

Restaurant 604 🍔

Great restaurant to stop by if you’re headed to Pearl Harbor, as it’s right next door. The best bloody mary in town and a great brunch spot.

Hawaiian Railway Society

The only active historical railroad on Oahu (Dole Plantation doesn’t count). The railroad broke ground in 1889 and was in commercial and military use until 1970, when it was added to the national register of historic places. The HRS provides train rides on Wed/Sat/Sun. which go through the towns of Kapolei and Ko’Olina. Great fun for kids or any railroad fans.

Ko Olina 🍔

Ko Olina is a master-planned vacation community on the west coast of Oahu. It is essentially its own self-contained resort town, perfect for those who want to stay in a large resort but want to be somewhere a little quieter than Waikiki.

Resorts:

• Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa
• Four Seasons Resort at Ko Olina
• Beach Villas at Ko Olina
• Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club

Recommended Restaurants:

• Roy’s Ko Olina
• Monkeypod Kitchen
• Longhi’s
• Mina’s Fish House
• Eggs ‘n Things
• Paradise Cove Luau

Ko Olina Lagoons 🏖

Four Public lagoons located in the Ko Olina complex, featuring white sand and shallow waters. One of the better places on Oahu to spot seals and sea turtles. Public parking available but extremely limited so get here early if you’re planning a trip.

Hawaiian Electric Beach Park 🏖🐶

Very popular snorkeling spot, with a beautiful reef - turtle sightings are common here as well. The warm (clean) water from the electric plant across the highway attracts all types of marine life. WARNING - The current can be rough on all west Oahu beaches, so if you’re not a confident swimmer we’d recommend the lagoons above.

Kahumana Organic Farms & Cafe 🍔

Organic farm on the west side with a cute little cafe, serving locally-sourced meals. Great place to stop for a bite on your way to the beach.

Yokohama Bay 🏖

Located right before the road ends (and the walk to Ka’ena Point begins), Yokohama Bay, also known as “Yokes” is a popular surfing spot. WARNING - The current can be rough on all west Oahu beaches, so if you’re not a confident swimmer we’d recommend the lagoons above.

Ka'ena Point State Park 🏖🐶

At the western tip of O’ahu lies Ka’ena point, one of the most beautiful and remote beaches on the island. This area is only accessible by foot, you’ll have to drive to the end of the road and walk a couple miles out. WARNING - The current can be rough on all west Oahu beaches, so if you’re not a confident swimmer we’d recommend the lagoons above.