Honolulu - Oahu

While Oahu boasts a plethora of popular American restaurant chains, indulging in local Hawaiian favorites should not be overlooked. Savor must-try delicacies such as shave ice infused with tropical flavors like coconut and passion fruit, and poke, consisting of marinated raw seafood. For those craving authentic island cuisine, dishes such as kalua pork, traditionally wrapped in banana leaves and cooked underground, and loco moco, comprising of white rice topped with a hamburger patty, fried egg and brown gravy, are a few options worth exploring. Asian-inspired cuisines, including beef teriyaki and kalbi or Korean barbecue short ribs, are also widely available in plate lunch formats or standalone dishes. Plate lunches typically include one or two proteins, rice, and macaroni salad. Rainbow Drive-In, located near Waikiki, and L&L Hawaiian Barbecue, with multiple city center locations, are two popular eateries to indulge in plate lunches. For elevated Hawaiian fare, travelers recommend Kono’s Restaurant, Ono Seafood, and Uncle Bo’s Pupu Bar & Grill. Alternatively, for a more upscale and premium culinary experience, celebrity chef-owned outposts such as Roy’s Waikiki, led by Roy Yamaguchi, are an excellent choice.