Aloha! With the snow coming down here in Seattle, I wanted to think warm thoughts and write about one of my absolute favorite places in the world: Oahu, Hawaii! There is so much to do and eat in Oahu, even on a budget! Below I have listed places that we went to, and the food we ate (although there are MANY more options available at each place)!
FOOD/HAPPY HOUR
Bills – Happy Hour 3-6pm https://www.billshawaii.com/system/location_menus/pdf_ens/000/000/005/original/Bills_HappyHour.pdf
- poke with brown rice and avocado
- JR burger with fries
- Calamari
- Espresso martini
Tsuru Ton Tan Udon Noodle – Happy Hour/ Lunch special 2:30-5:30pm https://194d175c-38f5-4167-8d49-58508445fbce.filesusr.com/ugd/2019ca_299d5815189f483b9342b53d0f5d0055.pdf
- garlic shrimp
- Beef udon
- Mini don set w tempura shrimp
Roy’s Hawaii – Sunset dinner (3 courses) https://www.royyamaguchi.com/roys-waikiki-oahu
- Starters: edamame and
- Poke trio Waikiki Poke Trio: Traditional Poke (big-eye ahi, green onions, ogo, shaved onions, chili sesame soy); Salmon Poke (organic king salmon, “fuki-bubu,” truffle ponzu, Kahuku sea asparagus); Kamuela Cucumber Poke (Kamuela cucumber, kochujang, bonito, tobiko)
- Main: Petite 4-ounce Filet Mignon and Jumbo Shrimp Scampi, Spaetzle “Mac & Cheese,” natural essence
- Dessert: Roy’s Signature Chocolate Souffle Raspberry Coulis, Lappert’s Vanilla Bean Ice Cream Lava cake and ice cream
Ruth’s Chris – Happy Hour https://www.ruthschris.com/menu/waikiki-oahu/happy-hour/
- Ravioli
- Barbecued Shrimp
- Oysters Rockefeller
- Calamari
- Veal Osso Buco Ravioli
- Mai tai
Top of Waikiki – Happy Hour 5-9:30pm https://topofwaikiki.com/menus/
- Goat Cheese Rangoons
- Kaluah pork tostadas
- Top of Waikiki Famous Gummy Bear Martini (Vodka, Giffard’s lychee & peach liqueurs, lemon juice)
- Hawaiian Hurricane (KoHana Kea Hawaiian Agricole rum, Plantation 3 Stars rum, strawberry, lilikoi, mango, pineapple, lime)
- Loaded Baked Potato Tots
- Fried calamari
- Duck Pizza
Tim Ho Wan – Happy Hour 2-5pm week days http://timhowanusa.com/menu/ (happy hour menu not online)
- Pork bun
- Wontons/dumplings
- Dim sum
Strip steak – Happy Hour 4-6pm https://www.michaelmina.net/restaurants/hawaii/stripsteak-waikiki/#menus
- White tai
- Truffle Duck fat fries
- Ahi Poke tacos
Eating House – Happy Hour 4-6pm daily http://www.eatinghouse1849.com/#waikiki (happy hour not on website)
- Egg roles
Camaron food truck (North Shore)
- Garlic shrimp
Mi Almita Cantina – Happy Hour open-6pm https://www.michaelmina.net/restaurants/hawaii/almita_cantina/#menus (happy hour not on website)
- Chicken and pork tacos
- Pina colada
Flower and Barley Brick Oven Pizza – Happy Hour 2-6pm & 10-close https://flourandbarley.com/waikiki/happy-hour/
- Pepperoni pizza
- Garlic cheese bread
Coco Cove (convenience store)
- Lots of poke options
- Cheap bottle of wine
COFFEE/PASTRIES
Maleko coffee & pastries
Island vintage coffee
Kona coffee
Starbucks reserve
SHAVE ICE
Matamoto shave ice (North Shore)
Island vintage shave ice (Waikiki)
THINGS TO SEE
*We rented a car for several of the days, but the other days that we wanted to get around we used Waikiki Trolley! You can buy discounted tickets online.*
Near Waikiki
- Halona blowhole
- Hanauma Bay
- Sandy beach park
- Makapu’u lighthouse
- Diamond head
- Diamond head lighthouse
North Shore
- Haleiwa beach
- Waimea Bay
- Dole plantation
I hope these ideas help next time you are on the island! Aloha!
~McKenna
