10 Unique Restaurants in Hawaii: Elvis Pancakes, Luau Nachos, and Honey Slushes

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Ready to explore Hawaii’s unique restaurants? Picture beachfront luaus, fresh poke bowls at local spots, and spam musubi delights. Let’s dive into some of the coolest restaurants in HI.

If you’re planning your next trip to this island paradise, let me take you beyond the beaches to the heart of Hawaii’s food scene. From massive macadamia nut pancakes at Café Kaila to fresh, made-to-order poke at Ono Seafood, Hawaii is a dream for foodies. Craving something offbeat? Try Helena’s Hawaiian Food for authentic kalua pork or Ba-Le Sandwich Shop in Honolulu for the best bánh mì in town.

Get ready for meals that turn into memories. Trust me, these 10 unique spots are worth the trip, especially after you fly to Hawaii!

👉 Pro Tip: The Sunset Dinner Sail in Maui is a total vibe! You’ll get amazing food, chill drinks, and the most epic sunset views. Show up early to grab the best spot on deck, and don’t forget your phone—sunset pics are a must. It’s the perfect way to wrap up your day in paradise!

Unusual places to eat in HI

Ready to uncover Hawaii’s best eateries? We’re talking beachside luaus to poke bowl paradises. Join me as we delve into the most unique restaurants across the Aloha State.

Ever imagined dining under the stars or inside a historic plantation home right here in Hawaii? Our food scene is bursting with surprises, offering everything from traditional Hawaiian feasts to Vietnamese delights, reflecting the vibrant Hawaiian lifestyle. Let’s dig into the most unique places to eat in HI!

1. Rock Island Cafe

• 📍 Location: Honolulu, Oahu
• 💲 Price range: $15 – $30 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Classic American Diner / Retro
• 🔥 Standout Features: 1950s diner decor, jukebox music, nostalgic comfort food.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Retro lovers, milkshake fans, casual themed dining.

Crank up the jukebox at Rock Island Cafe, a full-throttle trip back to the 1950s! This Honolulu gem is decked out in classic diner style, from checkered floors to vintage memorabilia. The air hums with oldies and the sweet smell of griddle cakes.

You should grab one of their towering milkshakes, like a classic chocolate or strawberry. A juicy classic cheeseburger with a side of crispy onion rings, or their fluffy pancakes, are also must-haves. It’s pure, unadulterated retro fun.

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2. The Pig and The Lady

• 📍 Location: Honolulu, Oahu (Chinatown)
• 💲 Price range: $25 – $50 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Modern Vietnamese / Asian Fusion
• 🔥 Standout Features: Modern Vietnamese fusion, bold flavors, lively atmosphere.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Adventurous eaters, trendy food spots, pho lovers.

Get ready for a flavor explosion at The Pig and The Lady! This Chinatown hotspot takes Vietnamese cuisine and cranks it up to eleven with creative, modern twists. The energy in here is electric, always buzzing with a cool crowd.

Trying their legendary LFC Wings (Laotian Fried Chicken) with a spicy, tangy sauce is essential. The incredibly rich and complex Pho French Dip sandwich, or their inventive seasonal vegetable dishes, are also total knockouts. It’s a full-on culinary adventure.

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3. The Sunrise Shack

• 📍 Location: Multiple locations
• 💲 Price range: $10 – $20 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Coffeehouse / Healthy Bowls / Juice Bar
• 🔥 Standout Features: Bright yellow shack, roadside location, bullet coffee, Instagram famous.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Health-conscious surfers, Instagrammers, and anyone needing a morning boost.

This isn’t just a coffee stand; it’s a literal ray of sunshine on the side of the road. The Sunrise Shack is a tiny, ridiculously cheerful bright-yellow hut that feels like the happiest place on the North Shore. The air smells like strong coffee and fresh papaya, and the vibe is pure, laid-back surf culture. It’s a must-stop spot.

This is the place that put bullet coffee on the map in Hawaii, so getting one is basically a requirement. For food, you are here for the incredible, vibrant smoothie bowls. A classic acai bowl is always a win, but the stunningly blue blue dream bowl is the one you’ve seen all over Instagram for a reason.

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4. Waiahole Poi Factory

• 📍 Location: Kaneohe, Oahu
• 💲 Price range: $15 – $25 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Authentic Hawaiian / Traditional
• 🔥 Standout Features: Traditional Hawaiian dishes, fresh handmade poi, historic roadside spot.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Authentic Hawaiian food, cultural dining, laulau and poi enthusiasts.

For a true taste of old Hawaii, make the pilgrimage to Waiahole Poi Factory. This historic spot on Oahu’s windward side serves authentic Hawaiian food for generations, still making poi the traditional way. The air is thick with the earthy scent of taro.

Getting the Kanaka Nui platter is a must, which includes their incredible fresh poi, savory laulau (pork wrapped in taro leaves), and smoky kalua pig. Their squid luau (cooked with taro leaves and coconut milk) is also fantastic. This isn’t fancy; it’s real.

5. Bella Banh Mi Cafe

• 📍 Location: Honolulu, Oahu
• 💲 Price range: $10 – $15 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Vietnamese / Banh Mi Sandwiches
• 🔥 Standout Features: Fresh banh mi sandwiches, fast service, budget-friendly meals.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Vietnamese sandwich fans, quick lunches, and affordable eats.

Get ready for a flavor punch at Bella Banh Mi Cafe! This Honolulu gem is slinging some of the best banh mi sandwiches on the island, packed with fresh herbs, pickled veggies, and savory meats all stuffed into a perfectly crusty baguette.

The classic combination banh mi (dac biet) is a flavor explosion. Their grilled pork banh mi or the savory lemongrass chicken banh mi are also total winners. The smell of toasted bread and fresh cilantro will draw you in. It’s fast, fresh, and fantastically flavorful.

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6. Hali’imaile General Store

• 📍 Location: Makawao, Maui (Upcountry)
• 💲 Price range: $30 – $60 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Hawaii Regional Cuisine / Pacific Rim
• 🔥 Standout Features: Plantation-era setting, island-sourced cuisine, award-winning dishes.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Upscale dining, special occasions, and Maui food lovers.

Step into a piece of Maui history at Hali’imaile General Store, a celebrated restaurant in a charming former plantation store. This Upcountry gem is renowned for its innovative Hawaii Regional Cuisine, blending fresh island ingredients with global influences.

Ordering their famous sashimi napoleon with crispy wontons is a great idea. The incredibly flavorful paniolo ribs with a house-made BBQ sauce, or their legendary pineapple upside-down cake for dessert, are also must-tries. It’s a true taste of Maui’s culinary artistry.

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7. Kaaloa’s Super J’s

• 📍 Location: Captain Cook, Big Island
• 💲 Price range: $10 – $20 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Authentic Hawaiian / Local Food
• 🔥 Standout Features: Legendary laulau, local-style cooking, low-key atmosphere.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Traditional Hawaiian food and casual roadside meals.

If you’re on the Big Island and craving the real deal, you HAVE to find Kaaloa’s Super J’s. This unassuming spot in Captain Cook is a local legend, famous for serving some of the best, most authentic laulau you’ll ever taste – tender pork and fish steamed in taro leaves.

Their kalua pig is also out of this world, smoky and succulent. The poi is fresh, and the lomi-lomi salmon is a perfect accompaniment. Don’t expect fancy decor; expect mind-blowingly good Hawaiian food that tastes like it came from a family luau.

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8. Sandy’s Cafe

• 📍 Location: Kailua-Kona
• 💲 Price range: $25 – $50 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Cantonese / Dim Sum / Hong Kong BBQ
• 🔥 Standout Features: Authentic Cantonese BBQ, fresh dim sum, classic Hong Kong diner vibe, surprising find.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Dim sum lovers, fans of authentic Chinese food, and adventurous eaters.

Don’t let the simple name fool you; this isn’t your average cafe. Sandy’s Cafe is a total surprise, a portal to a bustling Hong Kong-style restaurant right in Kona. The air is thick with the incredible smell of five-spice and roasting duck hanging in the window. The vibe is loud and energetic, with the clatter of plates and happy families sharing huge meals.

The menu is a masterclass in real-deal Cantonese cooking. You are here for the barbecue, so ordering the deep fried chicken wings and the perfectly glazed char siu is a must. During the day, their dim sum is fantastic—go for the delicate, translucent har gow (shrimp dumplings).

9. Tahiti Nui

• 📍 Location: Hanalei, Kauai
• 💲 Price range: $25 – $50 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Hawaiian / American / Tiki Bar
• 🔥 Standout Features: Iconic tiki bar, strong mai tais, live Hawaiian music.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Island nightlife, tropical cocktails, and Kauai history buffs.

Step into a Kauai legend at Tahiti Nui in Hanalei, a place so iconic it was in “The Descendants.” This family-run spot has been serving aloha (and strong drinks!) for generations. The vibe is pure old-school Hawaii, with live music and a tiki bar.

Grabbing one of their famous mai tais is essential. For pupus (appetizers), their ahi poke or coconut shrimp are popular choices to soak in the classic island atmosphere. It’s not just a bar; it’s a piece of Kauai history.

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10. Barrio Cafe

• 📍 Location: Wahiawa
• 💲 Price range: $15 – $30 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Mexican / Latin American
• 🔥 Standout Features: Authentic street tacos, vibrant decor, Latin-inspired flavors.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Mexican food lovers, casual group dining, and off-resort eats.

Get your fiesta on at Barrio Cafe in Wailuku, Maui! This vibrant spot is dishing out seriously authentic and flavorful Mexican and Latin American street food that’ll transport you south of the border. The colorful decor and lively atmosphere make it a fun place.

Trying their amazing street tacos is a must – the carnitas are incredible, as are the al pastor or pescado (fish) tacos. The fresh, zesty ceviche or their loaded nachos are also great choices. Wash it all down with an agua fresca.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the quirkiest restaurants in Hawaii

Are you searching for more information about where to eat in Hawaii? Here are some common questions (and answers) I get asked a lot about Hawaii’s most unique restaurants.

What food is Hawaii famous for?

Hawaii is famous for its luau foods, especially kalua pig and poke. Poke, fresh raw fish seasoned and mixed with tasty add-ins, really steals the spotlight.

What is a typical Hawaiian breakfast?

A typical Hawaiian breakfast? You can’t go wrong with a plate of loco moco. It’s rice topped with a burger patty, egg, and gravy.

Why is pork so popular in Hawaii?

Pork’s big in Hawaii mainly because of luau traditions. The slow-cooked, smoky kalua pig is a real crowd-pleaser.

Why is SPAM a big deal in Hawaii?

SPAM became a big deal in Hawaii during World War II when fresh meat was scarce. Now, it’s a local staple, popping up in everything from sushi to breakfast plates. Hawaiians have turned it into an art form!