From poke bowls to malasadas, plate lunches to shave ice โ your complete guide to the most delicious food in Hawaii across all four islands.
You haven't truly experienced Hawaii until you've tried these iconic local dishes. Don't leave without eating every single one!
Hawaii's greatest gift to the world. Fresh raw fish (usually ahi tuna) marinated in soy sauce, sesame oil and sea salt, served over rice with toppings like avocado, edamame and crispy onions. Every island has its own style.
The ultimate local Hawaii meal. A scoop of white rice, a scoop of macaroni salad and your choice of protein โ teriyaki chicken, kalua pork, loco moco, katsu chicken or beef stew. Pure comfort food and quintessentially Hawaiian.
Not a snow cone โ shave ice is an art form in Hawaii. Ultra-fine ice shaved to a silky smooth texture and drenched in tropical flavored syrups. The best versions include a scoop of ice cream at the bottom and sweetened azuki beans.
Portuguese fried doughnuts brought to Hawaii by immigrant sugarcane workers. Light, airy, deep-fried and rolled in sugar โ they are absolutely irresistible fresh and hot from the fryer. Leonard's Bakery on Oahu is legendary.
A uniquely Hawaiian invention โ white rice topped with a hamburger patty, a fried egg and smothered in rich brown gravy. Pure comfort food perfection. Some places add Portuguese sausage, spam or kalua pork for island twists.
Don't laugh โ this is one of Hawaii's most beloved snack foods. Grilled spam on a block of seasoned rice wrapped in nori seaweed. A remnant of WWII military rations that Hawaii turned into a culinary icon.
A whole pig wrapped in ti leaves and slow-cooked underground in an imu (earth oven) for hours. The result is impossibly tender, smoky, pull-apart pork with a deeply Hawaiian flavor. The centerpiece of every traditional luau.
Hawaii's version of noodle soup โ thin wheat noodles in a savory dashi broth topped with char siu pork, fishcake, green onions and a soft boiled egg. A beloved local comfort food unique to Hawaii, born from Japanese, Chinese and Filipino culinary traditions.
A traditional Hawaiian dish of salted salmon massaged (lomi means massage in Hawaiian) with tomatoes, onions and green onions. The bright, fresh flavors are the perfect counterpoint to rich kalua pig at a luau plate.
A traditional Hawaiian coconut pudding dessert with a firm, silky texture somewhere between jello and panna cotta. Pure coconut flavor, pure white color and completely addictive. Often served at luaus and as a pie filling.
With the freshest fish in the world caught daily just offshore, Hawaii's fish tacos are in a league of their own. Mahi-mahi, ono (wahoo), ahi and opah wrapped in warm tortillas with tropical slaw and fresh salsa.
Hawaii helped popularize the acai bowl to the world. Thick blended frozen acai topped with granola, fresh tropical fruits, honey and coconut flakes. Every island has its own favorite toppings โ lilikoi (passion fruit) is uniquely Hawaiian.
The best local restaurants, food trucks and hidden gems on every Hawaiian island โ handpicked by people who actually live here.
Maui's most beloved poke counter. Fresh daily varieties including shoyu ahi, spicy ahi and Hawaiian-style. Locals swear by it.
Don't underestimate the supermarket โ Foodland's poke counter is legendary among locals for quality and variety.
Fresh local fish served simply and perfectly in a casual surf-town setting. The fish and chips are equally incredible.
Maui's most famous plate lunch spot. Giant portions of local favorites โ loco moco, katsu chicken and kalua pork.
Chef Sheldon Simeon's casual spot serving elevated local food. The garlic noodles with spam and egg are life changing.
Open since 1944 โ the oldest restaurant on Maui. Locals pack this diner for the hotcakes, loco moco and local comfort food.
Voted best shave ice in Hawaii multiple times. Ultra-fine silky shave ice with house-made natural syrups.
A close second to Ululani's with creative flavor combinations and excellent quality.
Famous garlic butter shrimp truck that locals drive across the island for. Massive portions, incredible flavor.
The original Hawaii Mexican fusion. Fresh fish tacos and burritos using local catch and Hawaiian ingredients.
Famous for Hawaiian pies โ banana cream, haupia and mac nut. Also serves incredible local sandwiches.
Maui's most beloved saimin spot since 1933. The dry mein (noodles with broth on the side) is extraordinary.
A charming French-Indian cafe in bohemian Paia serving incredible crepes, curries and fresh juices.
Fresh local fish served simply in a casual setting. The best fish sandwich on Maui.
THE original malasada bakery since 1952. The line out the door every morning tells you everything.
Leonard's biggest rival and some say better. Lighter, airier malasadas with incredible filled varieties.
A tiny no-frills poke shop with some of the freshest and most authentic poke bowls in Honolulu.
40+ poke varieties daily. The quality is extraordinary for a supermarket.
The oldest fish market in Hawaii (1944). Multiple poke varieties made daily with fish from their own boats.
Possibly the most famous shave ice shop in the world. A Haleiwa institution since 1951.
The local favorite shave ice shop in Honolulu since 1940.
Right next to Matsumoto's โ equally excellent and usually shorter line.
An Oahu institution since 1961. The mixed plate is iconic โ a little bit of everything Hawaii on one plate.
Hawaii's favorite fast food chain. Open 24 hours and serving local comfort food.
James Beard Award winning Hawaiian food restaurant. The most authentic traditional Hawaiian cuisine in Honolulu.
A tiny hole-in-the-wall lunch spot serving some of the best local Japanese-Hawaiian food in Honolulu.
Famous for macadamia nut pancakes smothered in mac nut cream sauce.
A pilgrimage for any serious foodie visiting Kauai. This legendary tiny shop has been serving perfect saimin since 1952.
Excellent local noodle dishes in the same spirit as saimin.
Kauai's most beloved local poke and plate lunch spot. Fresh daily poke varieties alongside classic plate lunches.
Fresh fish straight from local fishermen daily. Multiple poke varieties and fresh fish.
The most beloved plate lunch spot on Kauai. Enormous portions of incredibly cooked local favorites.
Fresh fish plate lunches and poke near Poipu. A local favorite in the south shore area.
Gourmet local burgers made with Big Island beef and topped with local produce.
Vegan and vegetarian food truck in the charming art town of Hanapepe.
A charming local cafe serving excellent breakfast and lunch with Kauai-grown coffee.
A Kauai landmark serving local beef and plantation-era recipes in a gorgeous old building.
Fresh fish restaurant right on the Hanalei River with stunning mountain views.
One of the most beautiful coffee farms in Hawaii with free tours. The coffee is extraordinary.
One of the oldest and most respected Kona coffee farms. Free tours daily.
Charming cafe in the artists' village above Kona surrounded by coffee farms.
The birthplace of loco moco! Since 1946 this Hilo institution has served 30+ varieties of loco moco.
Open 24 hours and beloved by Hilo locals for generations. Enormous pancakes and local plates.
The Big Island's most famous malasada shop. Hot, fresh malasadas made to order since 1969.
The best kept secret on the east side. Fresh malasadas and local plates in funky Pahoa.
Fresh tropical smoothies and local fruit stands along the highway in coffee country.
One of the most acclaimed poke shops in Hawaii. Fresh daily poke with creative combinations.
The godfather of Hawaii Regional Cuisine. Peter Merriman pioneered farm-to-table in Hawaii 30 years ago.
The best poke and fresh fish in Kona. Incredibly fresh fish straight from local boats.
The best farmers market in Hawaii every Wednesday and Saturday.