Waikiki doesn’t have a terribly strong morning cafe scene but there are quite a few breakfast-worthy spots hidden throughout the seaside neighborhood.
Get to know Hawaii’s breakfast specialties including loco moco, macadamia nut pancakes, and Portuguese sausage, eggs and rice plates, to name a few.
Barefoot Beach Cafe
Barefoot Beach Cafe is the place to enjoy a relaxed meal on picnic tables by Waikiki’s sandy shore. Try local favorites like Hawaiian Sweetbread French Toast. Musicians make the evenings extra-special providing local tunes (5:30-9:30pm). There’s a Beach BBQ Buffet every Friday night.
Basalt
Basalt at Duke’s Lane Market & Eatery is a winner for breakfast, served until 2pm. The Charcoal Buttermilk Pancakes are the hero dish, they come with guava-strawberry sauce, whipped cream, and fresh berries. The Avocado Garden Toast rocks too. We love the special touches, like the fresh fruit and toast with jam that comes with the Vegetable & Feta Omelet.
Deck
Deck is the best! Enjoy a memorable brunch on a large deck with uninterrupted ‘wow’ views of Diamond Head. This restaurant is located inside the Queen Kapiolani Hotel but is open to the public. Find a nice mix of menu items for breakfast (or dinner).
Halekulani Bakery & Restaurant
Halekulani Bakery is a top-tier cafe that creates epicurean bread, pastries, cakes, chocolates, and bite-sized confectionery. Pop in for a morning sweet treat and coffee, or savor the experience by sitting down for a meal. Try the Halekulani’s Signature Coconut Cake with raspberry coulis, it’s legendary.
Heavenly Island Lifestyle
Heavenly Island Lifestyle is a health-conscious cafe that’s local first, organic whenever possible. This spot sources high-quality ingredients from across the islands resulting in super tasty food, especially the Flat Omelet. Their Morning Veggie dish is said to help with jet lag recovery.
The Hideout
The Hideout is my favorite rooftop bar in Waikiki, an urban oasis with a hipster vibe hidden in The Laylow Hotel. The breakfast food is yummy, especially the Townside Breakfast Sandwich, and the bacon-adorned Hideout Bloody Mary is tops! The nightly entertainment sets this place apart with Hawaii’s finest live music and DJs.
Tucker & Bevvy
Tucker & Bevvy is the go-to for dukkah-dusted avo toast, hot-pressed sandwiches, and fresh juice. They’re chock-full of gourmet catering ideal for a picnic. Tops for gluten-free folk. This is the Park Shore store; find a second location with outdoor seating at Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort.
Cinnamon’s at the Ilikai
Cinnamon’s at the Ilikai is a Mom and Pop restaurant from Kailua that expanded into Waikiki. Famed for hearty breakfasts in a lovely al fresco restaurant setting. They offer a large menu from award-winning Eggs Benedict, French toast, and omelets to nachos, frittata, and beef stew.
Aloha Kitchen
Aloha Kitchen is a cute cafe in Waikiki’s backstreets famed for fruity souffle pancakes. Find a full spectrum of breakfast dishes from pancakes, omelets, and Eggs Benedict to waffles, French toast, and acai bowls. They make mimosas, too. Expect to wait a while be seated.
The Sunrise Shack
The Sunrise Shack is the result of local entrepreneurs turning their passion for surfing and healthy living into a coffee shop focused on organic food (like smoothie bowls) and bulletproof coffee. This grab-and-go spot at Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort is close to the beach.
Image Credit: Waikiki Beach Stays/Ashlee Galea
