When you’re taking a scenic drive on one of the beautiful Hawaiian Islands and you’re struck with sudden hunger, do you check out one of Hawaii’s countless incredible roadside restaurants, or did you stop by the nearest convenience store or Zippy’s for your go-to lunch? Based on looks alone, it can be hard to tell if any given roadside eatery will serve up mouthwatering food, but we’re certain you won’t regret stopping at any of these 11 roadside restaurants found across the Aloha State – from Kauai’s Kuhio Highway to Hawaii Island’s Mamalahoa Highway.
- Hana Hou Restaurant, Naalehu
Jessika S./Yelp
Romeo K./Yelp For classic Hawaiian food and mouthwatering pie near the southernmost point in the United States, check out Hana Hou Restaurant. Their macadamia nut cream pie is a local favorite - and the perfect complement to one of their mouthwatering burgers or a loco mocos.95-1148 Naalehu Spur Road, Hilo, HI 96720
- Mike’s Kiawe Broiled Huli Huli Chicken, Kaneohe
Alan B./Yelp
Jon M./Yelp This popular yellow food truck off Kamehameha Highway in Kaneohe has been serving up mouthwatering chicken broiled over kiawe wood and fruit smoothies since 2010, and has quickly become a local favorite.47-525 Kamehameha Highway, Kaneohe, HI 96744
- Ulupaluakua Ranch Store & Grill, Kula
Steven H./Yelp
Ulupaluakua Ranch Store & Grill/Yelp This Maui restaurant isn’t your typical roadside eatery. Located on the grounds of a vineyard and featuring a charming gift shop full of souvenirs and work from local artists, Ulupaluakua is known for their mouthwatering burgers and other deli favorites14800 Piilani Highway, Kula, HI 96790
- Shrimp Station, Waimea
Meng L./Yelp
Elaine S./Yelp This modest roadside seafood shack on Kauai serves up mouthwatering shrimp dishes on paper plates at picnic tables. Shrimp Station even boasts having the best coconut shrimp in Hawaii, though don’t take their word for it. 9652 Kaumualii Highway, Waimea, HI 96796
- The Coffee Shack, Kailua-Kona
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr
Judy L./Yelp Located one mile south of the Captain Cook Post Office, this island-style coffee shop is the place to go for stellar coffee, and amazing views – after all, the lanai overlooks 26 miles of gorgeous coastline.Enjoy a freshly brewed cup of coffee, or a variety of special homemade pastries, pies, cakes, freshly baked bread and sandwiches.83-5799 Mamalahoa Highway Honaunau, Hawaii 96726
- Sandy’s Sandwiches, Haleiwa
Sandy’s Sandwiches/Yelp
Sandy’s Sandwiches/Yelp This local lunch spot found along Oahu’s Kamehameha Highway near the popular Shark’s Cove serves up some amazing sandwiches to hungry beachgoers. Their sandwiches and salads are organic - and quite delicious. We suggest trying the chicken pesto sandwich.59-662 Kamehameha Highway, Haleiwa, HI 96712
- Down The Hatch, Lahaina
Todd S./Yelp
Myka P./Yelp An iconic Maui watering hole, Down The Hatch is the place to go on Front Street for fresh fish. Be sure to order the Lava Lava Shrimp, as well as the mouthwatering Mermaid Fries.658 Front Street, Lahaina, HI 96761
- 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
- HI-BBQ, Kahuku
Rissa K./Yelp
HI-Bbq/Facebook Located on the northwestern shore of Oahu is this patriotic food truck that serves up some mighty fine barbecue, including brisket, pulled pork, and ribs.56-970 Kamehameha Highway, Kahuku, HI 96731
- Braddah Hutt’s BBQ, Hana
Al S./Yelp
Gloria Z./Yelp This hole-in-the-wall eatery is - quite literally - a food truck in the middle of nowhere, but that doesn’t mean that it’s not worth the journey. The atmosphere is that of a neighborhood cookout rather than a high-class restaurant, with prices ranging from $8 to $13 for generous portions served on a paper plate with a plastic fork.5305 Hana Highway, Hana, HI 96713
- Chicken In A Barrel, Kapa’a
David S./Yelp
Takashi Y./Yelp This no-frills, walk-up eatery serves up barrel-smoked chicken, pork, beef and ribs. Outdoor seating makes this the perfect spot for a casual - but delicious - lunch.4-1586 Kuhio Highway, Kapaa, HI 96746
Which of these roadside restaurants have you eaten at? If you have to hit up a chain restaurant on your next Hawaii drive, make it one of these 10 local chains.
Jessika S./Yelp
Romeo K./Yelp
For classic Hawaiian food and mouthwatering pie near the southernmost point in the United States, check out Hana Hou Restaurant. Their macadamia nut cream pie is a local favorite - and the perfect complement to one of their mouthwatering burgers or a loco mocos.95-1148 Naalehu Spur Road, Hilo, HI 96720
Alan B./Yelp
Jon M./Yelp
This popular yellow food truck off Kamehameha Highway in Kaneohe has been serving up mouthwatering chicken broiled over kiawe wood and fruit smoothies since 2010, and has quickly become a local favorite.47-525 Kamehameha Highway, Kaneohe, HI 96744
Steven H./Yelp
Ulupaluakua Ranch Store & Grill/Yelp
This Maui restaurant isn’t your typical roadside eatery. Located on the grounds of a vineyard and featuring a charming gift shop full of souvenirs and work from local artists, Ulupaluakua is known for their mouthwatering burgers and other deli favorites14800 Piilani Highway, Kula, HI 96790
Meng L./Yelp
Elaine S./Yelp
This modest roadside seafood shack on Kauai serves up mouthwatering shrimp dishes on paper plates at picnic tables. Shrimp Station even boasts having the best coconut shrimp in Hawaii, though don’t take their word for it. 9652 Kaumualii Highway, Waimea, HI 96796
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr
Judy L./Yelp
Located one mile south of the Captain Cook Post Office, this island-style coffee shop is the place to go for stellar coffee, and amazing views – after all, the lanai overlooks 26 miles of gorgeous coastline.Enjoy a freshly brewed cup of coffee, or a variety of special homemade pastries, pies, cakes, freshly baked bread and sandwiches.83-5799 Mamalahoa Highway Honaunau, Hawaii 96726
Sandy’s Sandwiches/Yelp
This local lunch spot found along Oahu’s Kamehameha Highway near the popular Shark’s Cove serves up some amazing sandwiches to hungry beachgoers. Their sandwiches and salads are organic - and quite delicious. We suggest trying the chicken pesto sandwich.59-662 Kamehameha Highway, Haleiwa, HI 96712
Todd S./Yelp
Myka P./Yelp
An iconic Maui watering hole, Down The Hatch is the place to go on Front Street for fresh fish. Be sure to order the Lava Lava Shrimp, as well as the mouthwatering Mermaid Fries.658 Front Street, Lahaina, HI 96761
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
Rissa K./Yelp
HI-Bbq/Facebook
Located on the northwestern shore of Oahu is this patriotic food truck that serves up some mighty fine barbecue, including brisket, pulled pork, and ribs.56-970 Kamehameha Highway, Kahuku, HI 96731
Al S./Yelp
Gloria Z./Yelp
This hole-in-the-wall eatery is - quite literally - a food truck in the middle of nowhere, but that doesn’t mean that it’s not worth the journey. The atmosphere is that of a neighborhood cookout rather than a high-class restaurant, with prices ranging from $8 to $13 for generous portions served on a paper plate with a plastic fork.5305 Hana Highway, Hana, HI 96713
David S./Yelp
Takashi Y./Yelp
This no-frills, walk-up eatery serves up barrel-smoked chicken, pork, beef and ribs. Outdoor seating makes this the perfect spot for a casual - but delicious - lunch.4-1586 Kuhio Highway, Kapaa, HI 96746
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