As the most isolated population center on earth and a true melting pot of cultures, the Hawaiian Islands are home to some of the world’s greatest cuisine. But in order to taste some of most mouthwatering food Hawaii has to offer, you must be willing to leave the resort areas and check out local restaurants. From unassuming roadside food trucks to casual neighborhood eateries, serving everything from sushi seafood to gourmet hot dogs and nachos, these 13 Hawaiian eateries all have at least four stars on Yelp and less than 200 total reviews – indicating that they are not only incredible – but severely underrated as well.
- Yamas Mediterranean Cuisine, Kailua
Lyla D./Yelp
Emi H./Yelp Mediterranean fare isn’t easy to find throughout the Hawaiian Islands, but Yamas does not disappoint. With local art adorning the walls and mouthwatering greek cuisine - including gyros and soulvaki – Yamas is worth a visit if you’re on Oahu’s windward coast.1020 Keolu Drive, Kailua, HI 96734
- Fresh Bite Kauai, Hanalei
Cara C./Yelp
Trang M./Yelp This roadside food stand in Hanalei serves up mouthwatering, organic farm to beach meals (because there are no tables here, most patrons opt to take their food to the beach). Utilizing seasonal produce, Fresh Bite tries to support local farmers and vendors whenever possible. 5-5100 Kuhio Highway, Hanalei, HI 96714
- Honi Wai Cafe, Mountain View
Honi Wai Cafe/Yelp
Cass K./Yelp Closed Sundays and Mondays is this small country restaurant serving up sandwiches, soups, and Hawaiian dishes. The inside of this roadside eatery is positively charming, and their kalua pork nachos are absolutely heavenly.17-937 Volcano Road, Mountain View, HI 96771
- Fresh Off The Boat, Kahului
Jerry M./Yelp
Maria P./Yelp Food trucks are a dime a dozen in Hawaii, but what about food boats? Fresh off the boat is not only located in an incredibly unique setting, but serves up mouthwatering seafood dishes. 2000 Mokulele Highway, Suite 63F, Kahului, HI 96732
- Back Alley Cafe, Honolulu
Angel H./Yelp
Johnny H./Yelp This Honolulu hole in the wall serves up some scrumptious sushi in a relaxed, dive bar atmosphere. There’s really no better spot to go for good drinks and awesome sushi.920 Sheridan Street, Honolulu, HI 96814
- Midnight Bear Breads, Hanapepe
Tara J./Yelp
Midnight Bear Breads/Yelp Part organic artisinal bakery and part sandwich shop, Midnight Bear Breaks is the perfect place to grab breakfast or lunch - or simply stock up on rustic European breads.3830 Hanapepe Road, Hanapepe, HI 96716
- Privateer’s Cove, Kailua-Kona
Jonathan O./Yelp
Sam S./Yelp This eclectic eatery may not look like much, but once inside you’ll find mouuthwatering cuisine from around the world - from Mongolian stir fry to pasta dishes.74-5565 Luhia Street, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
- Umi Maui, Wailuku
Mark O./Yelp There’s little better than an epic sushi bar, and Umi Maui is one of the best. After all, chef Jayse Sato is famous on Maui for his creative sushi concoctions.1951 E Vineyard Street, Wailuku, HI 96793
- Thailand Cafe, Honolulu
Thailand Cafe/Yelp
Nicole F./Yelp For authentic Thai food in Honolulu, look no further than Thailand Cafe. This hidden gem in Kalihi serves up mouthwatering Thai food at affordable prices in a relaxed atmosphere. 1502 Liliha Street, Honolulu, HI 96817
- Kikuchi’s, Lihue
Brittany T./Yelp
Kirstie Mai P./Yelp It’s hard to miss this bright red Kauai food truck parked near Kalapaki Beach. If you stumble across Kikuchi’s, you absolutely must order their shrimp or sushi sandwiches. 3501 Rice Street, Lihue, HI 96766
- Saucy Dogs, Hilo
Andy O./Yelp
Saucy Dogs/Yelp Found off Hilo’s main highway, this tiny shop serves up creative and delicious gourmet hot dogs. Their macaroni and cheese hot dog is absolutely to-die-for… trust me.14 Furneaux Lane, Hilo, HI 96720
- Baya Bowls, Lahaina
Winnie T./Yelp
Cheryll G./Yelp Do you sense a theme here? It seems as though most of Hawaii’s most underrated restaurants are food trucks. The acai bowls from this Lahaina food stand are as decadent as they are gorgeous. 741 Wainee Street, Lahaina, HI 96761
- Fatboy’s, Haleiwa
Malia H./Yelp
Jocelyn C./Yelp For delicious Hawaiian plate lunches, head to Fatboy’s in Haleiwa. This fast-casual dining establishment is a staple on Oahu, but their new location in Haleiwa should not be overlooked.66-111 Kamehameha Highway, Haleiwa, HI 96712
What is your favorite underrated Hawaiian eatery? If you love these overlooked Hawaii restaurants, you’ll want to add these 14 under the radar eateries to your Hawaii dining bucket list.
Lyla D./Yelp
Emi H./Yelp
Mediterranean fare isn’t easy to find throughout the Hawaiian Islands, but Yamas does not disappoint. With local art adorning the walls and mouthwatering greek cuisine - including gyros and soulvaki – Yamas is worth a visit if you’re on Oahu’s windward coast.1020 Keolu Drive, Kailua, HI 96734
Cara C./Yelp
Trang M./Yelp
This roadside food stand in Hanalei serves up mouthwatering, organic farm to beach meals (because there are no tables here, most patrons opt to take their food to the beach). Utilizing seasonal produce, Fresh Bite tries to support local farmers and vendors whenever possible. 5-5100 Kuhio Highway, Hanalei, HI 96714
Honi Wai Cafe/Yelp
Cass K./Yelp
Closed Sundays and Mondays is this small country restaurant serving up sandwiches, soups, and Hawaiian dishes. The inside of this roadside eatery is positively charming, and their kalua pork nachos are absolutely heavenly.17-937 Volcano Road, Mountain View, HI 96771
Jerry M./Yelp
Maria P./Yelp
Food trucks are a dime a dozen in Hawaii, but what about food boats? Fresh off the boat is not only located in an incredibly unique setting, but serves up mouthwatering seafood dishes. 2000 Mokulele Highway, Suite 63F, Kahului, HI 96732
Angel H./Yelp
Johnny H./Yelp
This Honolulu hole in the wall serves up some scrumptious sushi in a relaxed, dive bar atmosphere. There’s really no better spot to go for good drinks and awesome sushi.920 Sheridan Street, Honolulu, HI 96814
Tara J./Yelp
Midnight Bear Breads/Yelp
Part organic artisinal bakery and part sandwich shop, Midnight Bear Breaks is the perfect place to grab breakfast or lunch - or simply stock up on rustic European breads.3830 Hanapepe Road, Hanapepe, HI 96716
Jonathan O./Yelp
Sam S./Yelp
This eclectic eatery may not look like much, but once inside you’ll find mouuthwatering cuisine from around the world - from Mongolian stir fry to pasta dishes.74-5565 Luhia Street, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Mark O./Yelp
There’s little better than an epic sushi bar, and Umi Maui is one of the best. After all, chef Jayse Sato is famous on Maui for his creative sushi concoctions.1951 E Vineyard Street, Wailuku, HI 96793
Thailand Cafe/Yelp
Nicole F./Yelp
For authentic Thai food in Honolulu, look no further than Thailand Cafe. This hidden gem in Kalihi serves up mouthwatering Thai food at affordable prices in a relaxed atmosphere. 1502 Liliha Street, Honolulu, HI 96817
Brittany T./Yelp
Kirstie Mai P./Yelp
It’s hard to miss this bright red Kauai food truck parked near Kalapaki Beach. If you stumble across Kikuchi’s, you absolutely must order their shrimp or sushi sandwiches. 3501 Rice Street, Lihue, HI 96766
Andy O./Yelp
Saucy Dogs/Yelp
Found off Hilo’s main highway, this tiny shop serves up creative and delicious gourmet hot dogs. Their macaroni and cheese hot dog is absolutely to-die-for… trust me.14 Furneaux Lane, Hilo, HI 96720
Winnie T./Yelp
Cheryll G./Yelp
Do you sense a theme here? It seems as though most of Hawaii’s most underrated restaurants are food trucks. The acai bowls from this Lahaina food stand are as decadent as they are gorgeous. 741 Wainee Street, Lahaina, HI 96761
Malia H./Yelp
Jocelyn C./Yelp
For delicious Hawaiian plate lunches, head to Fatboy’s in Haleiwa. This fast-casual dining establishment is a staple on Oahu, but their new location in Haleiwa should not be overlooked.66-111 Kamehameha Highway, Haleiwa, HI 96712
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