We work from home and often take our lunch break in Waikiki. You can find an abundance of casual eateries ideal for a midday meal in Waikiki, they’re perfect pit-stops for refueling. From a quick burger and fish n’ chips, to a Japanese set meal and Hong Kong dim sum (yum cha), Waikiki’s food scene is so ono (delicious).

Chibo

Chibo Restaurant, Waikiki, Oahu

Chibo specializes in Okonomiyaki (‘pancake’ made of flour, egg, cabbage, mountain yams, and more topped in plum sauce), Teppanyaki (Hibachi), and Yakisoba noodles. Go for Lunch Specials including Ginger Beef, Teriyaki Chicken or Garlic Shrimp with rice, salad, pickled vegetables, and miso soup. This is our favorite lunch stop in Waikiki.

Duke’s Lane Market & Eatery

Duke's Lane Market & Eatery, Waikiki, Oahu

Duke’s Lane Market & Eatery hero eatery is Basalt, a highly-rated restaurant and bar catering to a sophisticated palate. Casual lunch eats include tasty salads and burgers. Add a side of fries (French, garlic, togarashi, and waffle). There are also food outlets where you can grab and go a meal.

Momosan Waikiki

Momosan, Waikiki, Oahu

Momosan Waikiki is ramen and sake bar by Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto with a beer-garden-like outdoor area opposite Waikiki Beach. Perfect for lunch! The ramen is sensational. Pair it with fantastic Japanese bites like tetsunabe pork gyoza or bao buns (pork belly or soft shell crab).

Lulu’s Waikiki

Lulu's, Waikiki, Oahu

Lulu’s Waikiki is a Hawaii-themed open-air restaurant with Waikiki surf club and sports bar vibes! Find it on the corner directly across from Waikiki Beach and Kapiolani Park. A wide-ranging menu of meals awaits breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Paia Fish Market Waikiki

Paia Fish Market, Waikiki, Oahu

Paia Fish Market Waikiki is a seafood-focused cafe that was made famous in Paia, Maui, now open in Waikiki, Oahu. Fresh local fish is their trademark, choose from mahimahi, ono, snapper, ahi, salmon, and opah. It’s an obvious place to get your fish fix but not everything on the menu is seafood.

Steak Shack

The Steak Shack, Waikiki, Oahu

Steak Shack is a cheap and cheerful food outlet at the Waikiki Shores Hotel famous for well-seasoned steak and chicken plates with rice and salad from $8. Grab a box to-go and make Waikiki Beach or the nearby Fort DeRussy Beach Park your restaurant for the night.

Tim Ho Wan

Tim Ho Wan, Waikiki, Oahu

Tim Ho Wan is a Michelin-starred Hong Kong-style dim sum specialist. Meaning ‘adding luck’ in Chinese, this restaurant has a smaller menu than other dim sum (yum cha) spots. There isn’t a cart in sight instead all dishes are made-to-order. The Steamed Dumplings/Rice Rolls are scrumptious.

Pai’s Deli

Pai's Deli, Waikiki, Oahu

Pai’s Deli is the only place to go in Waikiki for a made-to-order fresh salad sandwich. It’s an easy lunch option, grab a sanga and take it straight to the beach to enjoy it. They cram as many crisp vegetables and cold meats as possible between two slices of bread and serve it with a pineapple wedge.

Paina Lanai Food Court

Paina Lanai Food Court, Waikiki, Oahu

Paina Lanai Food Court is one of two food courts inside Royal Hawaiian Center in Waikiki (the second is Waikiki Food Hall). A gourmet setting where diners can enjoy an easy lunch on a large, open-air balcony. Highlights include Champion’s Steak & Seafood, Mahaloha Burger and Poke Waikiki (poke bowls and poke burritos). 

Sam’s Kitchen

Sam's Kitchen, Waikiki, Oahu

Sam’s Kitchen specializes in shrimp plates, an ideal Hawaii lunch option. Choose from a variety of shrimp sauces including garlic butter, spicy garlic, pineapple teriyaki, summer pesto or Japanese matsuri sauce. Plates are served with rice, potato salad and greens. They also serve steak, chicken and poke.

BUY // Oahu Eats Guide: Honolulu’s Best Restaurants & Food Experiences

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Image Credit: Ryan Tishken