What to eat in Hawai’i: The best food spots on the island of O’ahu

Visit Hawaii This has been a dream of mine since I was a child.

From chasing sunsets on Waikiki Beach to the amazing hikes and welcoming Aloha spirit, it’s no wonder so many fall in love with this stunning island nation.

But aside from the endless list of activities to do within the Hawaiian Islands, it is also known for its foodie A paradise with a rich variety of flavours and traditions.

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Here are some of the best restaurants, bars and dining experiences on the island of Oahu.

For breakfast: UMI by Vikram Garg, Honolulu

When you wake up for a day of exploring, we all know that a hearty breakfast is essential.

We headed to Chef Vikram Garg’s restaurant. UMI By Vikram GargLocated in the lobby of the Halepuna Waikiki Hotel across from Halekulani.

Hawaiian breakfasts…let’s just say you’ll be feeling full for hours.

It was hard to choose between the Mai Tai, Masala Omelette and Shakshuka, but I wanted to try something truly iconic in Hawaii – the Loco Moco.

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The dish consists of white rice topped with a hamburger patty, brown sauce, and finally a fried egg. I already knew Jason Momoa loved this dish, and now I do too. The flavors, the textures… I didn’t think it would work, but it was so delicious.

I never thought I would eat such a hearty dish for breakfast, but I have been craving it since I returned to Australia. It is so delicious.

For a traditional dish: Waiahole Poi Factory, Kaneohe

This was one of the most unique places we visited on Oahu. Originally built in 1905, wine bottle factory It carries more than a century of tradition within its walls.

Poi is a traditional Hawaiian dish made from cooked and ground taro root. Once mixed with water, it forms a soft, sticky paste that is often served as a side dish. It has cultural significance and is an essential part of Hawaiian heritage.

“Texture-wise, it’s very similar to spinach. Taste-wise, to me… it almost tastes like meat,” Liko Hoi, owner of Wayahole Poi, told us.

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People travel from far and wide to get their hands on the special dish; you can choose from beef, pork, chicken, squid… the list goes on. I had the beef, and I couldn’t believe how delicious all the ingredients were once combined.

It was a truly unique experience and warm atmosphere, and there is a reason why people keep coming back.

“For me, the part I love the most is that we get to tell our story about our culture in our place,” Howie added. “That’s my favorite part of what I do.”

For a home remedy: Bono Doses, Honolulu

For something a little different, we headed to Required doses Specialists in naturally flavoured coffee drinks, cocktails and culinary creations.

Owner Peter A. Heisler incorporates ingredients from local farms and businesses to create syrups in flavors like Aliʻi Lavender, Molokai Hibiscus, and Waialua Honey Ginger.

“I worked as a chef for about 10 years, then I worked as a bartender and a cocktail maker,” Heisler explained. “I just had the idea to start making drinks one day. It took me a long time; we started with just four flavors, and then we expanded from there.

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“Our first target was coffee shops. Now, most local coffee shops in Waikiki use our syrup, if they don’t make it themselves. We have a total of nine flavors, and we also do seasonal flavors.”

After the amazing wreath making session, we made some cocktails using the syrup, and I walked out with a bottle of vanilla coconut in my hand to take home – I’ve been using it in my coffee every morning since.

Anyone who wants to give their friends back home a little taste of Hawaii should visit this place.

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For fine dining: NatuRe Waikiki, Honolulu

Our first stop was nature waikikiA modern French restaurant that uses locally sourced ingredients from sustainable sources.

The restaurant offers two six-course tasting menus, including a vegetarian option.

I opted for the meat menu – which certainly did not disappoint – with highlights including venison, Molokai shrimp and a melt-in-your-mouth beef tenderloin.

You can also watch the chefs work their magic right in front of you while you eat.

Paired with a cocktail, this dish makes for a great dining experience that you won’t forget in a hurry.

For a night out: EP Bar, Honolulu

Although there are a wide variety of delicious restaurants throughout Ohio, Chinatown is a must-visit destination for those looking to expand their palate.

Located at the westernmost tip of Honolulu’s financial district, Chinatown features an exciting mix of shops, herbalists, wreath makers, antique dealers, bars and restaurants.

We have entered Ibb tapeThis venue houses a large vinyl collection of around 3,000 song titles, while DJs create eclectic playlists on MasterSounds turntables. It is a cozy and intimate venue that provides the perfect ambiance for visitors to enjoy.

The cocktails are enough to tantalize anyone’s taste buds – from the refreshing and zesty Luminescent Dreams to the whiskey-infused Stranger Things.

If you’re looking for something sweet, I recommend trying the Plantation Girl, which combines Kuleana Nanea rum, pineapple, Sverna liqueur, banana, and Aztec bitter chocolate. It’s a great flavor.

For Americans: Fête, Honolulu

For dinner, we went intoa party In Honolulu’s Chinatown, this is a new seasonal American restaurant that celebrates the wonderful flavors of the island.

The menu includes a wide variety of local seafood to soups, salads and steaks.

I had the pork ragu. Rigatoni pasta, pork cooked in whey, cabbage, tomato compote, homemade ricotta cheese… This was a dish I never wanted to finish. Delicious.

Robin May is the chef and co-owner of the restaurant and the first Hawaiian woman to win the James Beard Award for Best Chef in the Pacific Northwest in 2022.

“[Fête] “He’s our baby too,” May told us. “We wanted to have kids and it didn’t happen, but we made the decision to go ahead with it.

“This is our hapa baby – hapa in Hawaii is half of it. It’s half Brooklyn, half Hawaii as Brooklyn has been our home for a decade. It’s tough, it’s satisfying with very high highs and very low lows… but I love it so much.”

This passion seeps into the menu, and I highly recommend anyone try it.

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For dessert: Pig and Lady, Honolulu

What better way to end the evening than with dessert?

The pig and the lady It offers a blend of Vietnamese cuisine with a modern and refreshing twist on traditional Southeast Asian flavours.

We went for the soft serve ice cream, the yuzu guava ice shaved – a must in Hawaii – and the Uncle Chu Hi, a profiterole with black pepper cracklings, Hennessy pastry cream and salted whipped cream.

But the most unexpectedly delicious dessert was the warm cornbread pudding. It was a combination of honey ice cream, caramel, sorghum, and kakimochi (crunchy cookies). It was simply incredible, and the presentation was even better.

For Sunset Dinner: Halekulani Orchards, Honolulu

If you love watching the sunset, watching beautiful hula dancing and eating food that will take your breath away, Fruit orchards in Halekulani It’s the place to be.

The elegant oceanfront restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and a lavish Sunday brunch, where Executive Chef Christian Testa creates some exquisite, simple dishes that are as memorable as they are delicious.

From 72-hour slow-cooked beef cheeks to sirloin steaks and melt-in-your-mouth burrata cheese, every bite gives you an “oh my god, this is incredible” moment.

It’s a memory I will cherish forever – not just because of the food, but also because of the atmosphere around us.

The author traveled as a guest of Hawaii Tourism.