Restaurants in Haleiwa

This complete Haleiwa restaurant guide will help you find the town's best places to eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Whether you're in the mood for Hawaiian or Mexican food or are eager to try the famous food trucks, we've got you covered.

Haleiwa Town is the main center for dining on Oahu's North Shore. Here, you'll find numerous restaurants, juice bars, local cafes, and popular food trucks, each offering a variety of international influences.

With so many choices available, we'll tell you about our favorite places to eat in Haleiwa for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We also provide recommendations for dining with a view, where to grab some desserts or have a drink, and many more insights.

Breakfast in Haleiwa

We believe you'll truly enjoy having breakfast in Haleiwa Town. Usually in the mornings, we find the town to be quieter and peaceful, setting the perfect backdrop for a good breakfast and the start of the day.

Most places open for breakfast around 8 am and continue to serve breakfast and brunch until lunchtime.

You'll find numerous places to enjoy freshly brewed coffee, pancakes, eggs, burritos, sandwiches, smoothies, and cold acai bowls. Here are our favorite cafes and restaurants for breakfast in Haleiwa:

• Coffee: For a great morning cup of coffee in a cozy local cafe, go to Coffee Galley, Coco's Trading Post, or Island Vintage Coffee. We also have a Starbucks in town.

• Pancakes, eggs, breakfast burritos, and sandwiches: Cafe Haleiwa and 9th Island Vegan are our top choices. The Waialua Bakery in Haleiwa has amazing sandwiches, fresh bread, and pastries daily. Also, Farm to Barn and Kono's offer great food with outdoor seating.

• Smoothies, juices, and acai bowls: If you're looking for healthy smoothies or acai bowls, our favorites are Haleiwa Bowls, Nalu Health Bar and Cafe, and the authentic Brazilian acai bowl from Crispy Grindz food truck!

Favorite lunch spots

You'll find so many places to eat for lunch in Haleiwa! Some restaurants and cafes offer outdoor seating, some are cozy sit-down restaurants, and our favorite is to enjoy takeout while sitting by the beach watching the ocean.

From local Hawaiian cuisine to pizza, burgers, Mexican, Thai, Japanese food and more, let us review our top spots:

Hawaiian food: In town, you can savor the authentic flavors of local Hawaiian cuisine, including traditional plate lunches, poke bowls, kalua pork, and fresh seafood. Our top picks are Poke for the People, L&L Hawaiian Barbecue, and The Smoking Boar & The Coconut (located a couple of minutes outside of Haleiwa Town).

Standard American cuisine: At lunchtime, several of the sit-down restaurants in Haleiwa that serve American-style cuisine include:

• Haleiwa Beach House - offers indoor seating with ocean views.
• Haleiwa Joe's - offers indoor and outdoor seating with ocean views.
• Uncle Bo's - offers indoor and outdoor seating.
• Stonefish Grill - offers indoor and outdoor seating with views of the town.
• Ray's Broiled Chicken - eat outdoors and try Ray's rotisserie chicken! So good!

Mexican food: Mexican fans can devour a big burrito and have a margarita at Cholos Mexican Restaurant located in the North Shore Marketplace. Our favorite place is the Surf N Salsa food truck, known for its homemade, authentic Mexican food.

Thai food: If you're craving Thai food, be sure to visit Khan & Phim Thai food truck or Rajanee Thai, and here's a helpful tip: their 'medium' spice level tends to be quite hot, so be prepared for some spiciness.

Japanese food: If you want Japanese food for lunch in Haleiwa check out No7 Japanese Food Truck.

Best place to get garlic shrimp: Big Wave Shrimp (featured on Food Networks DDD) and Giovanni's Shrimp Truck are two of the most popular places to eat in Haleiwa, both known for their garlic butter shrimp plates.

Burgers and more: For the best burgers in Haleiwa, there are three places you can choose from: Kua' Aina, Teddy's Bigger Burger, and our favorite Seven Brothers. All three places offer indoor and outdoor seating with views of Haleiwa Town.

Pizza: If you're in the mood for pizza, Spaghettini is a local favorite. There's also Jax Wood Fire Pizza, and our top choice is a food truck called Wicked Pizza that makes its crust from sourdough.

Sandwich shops: Popular sandwich shops in Haleiwa include Konos, Waialua Bakery, Farm to Barn, and Storto's Deli. Each of these places offers outdoor seating with views of Haleiwa Town.

Dinner restaurants in Haleiwa

As the sun sets, charming Haleiwa Town takes on a tranquil ambiance, yet it remains a hub for exceptional dinner experiences. Here, you'll discover a selection of restaurants that truly shine during the evening hours.

Our go-to spots include Uncle Bo's, Jorges Taco & Ceviche Bar, and Rajanee Thai. However, rest assured that there are numerous other options to explore. Here are a few noteworthy recommendations based on their specialty cuisine:

Standard American cuisine:

• Haleiwa Beach House - Above all, it's a great place to have dinner overlooking the sunset by the Haleiwa Boat Harbor.
• Haleiwa Joe's - Joe's is one of the most popular restaurants on Oahu and a great place to dine outdoors while watching the sunset.
• Uncle Bo's - With its warm atmosphere, it offers a diverse menu that expertly combines flavors from Hawaii, America, Asia, and beyond.

• Stonefish Grill - Serves fresh, delicious food in a welcoming atmosphere with occasional live music. They have indoor and outdoor seating and a bar. Their crab cake salad is one of our favorite dishes!

Mexican food:

• Cholos - One of the oldest, most popular Mexican restaurants in town, adorned with vibrant Mexican decorations and complimentary (to-die-for) chips and salsa.
• Jorges Taco & Ceviche bar - Specializes in serving delicious tacos and ceviche dishes. We recommend trying their giant beer-bared fish burrito!
• Surf N Salsa (food truck)- One of our favorite Mexican foods on the North Shore. Be aware that they have long waits and lines, so order ahead online on their website!
• Killer Tacos - Family-friendly and fast-casual, they serve tasty and affordable tacos and burritos.

Sushi and Japanese food:

• Banzai Sushi Bar - A renowned sushi restaurant in town known for its high-quality and delicious sushi. With both indoor and outdoor seating, the vibe is super cool and chill.

• No7 Japanese Food Truck is not only open for lunch but also for dinner!
• Aji Limo - Sit down restaurant serving Japanese and Peruvian food.

Thai food:

• Rajanee Thai - This Thai restaurant in Haleiwa serves delicious fresh papaya salads, curries, and stir-fry dishes.

• Khan & Phim Thai - Formerly known as Thai Bo, this Thai food truck is absolutely amazing, and we highly recommend it for dinner (or lunch)! We love them because they offer reasonable prices, and their dishes, such as curries and stir-fries, are loaded with veggies and taste incredibly delicious.

Spanish and Mediterranean cuisine:

• Maya's Tapas & Wine - Vibrant and eclectic tapas restaurant located in the North Shore Market Place. The food is delicious, and we highly recommend the lamb empanadas and the ceviche! It's a great spot for celebrating anniversaries or other events. Highly recommended!

Pasta and pizza:

• Spaghettini - Quite frankly, one of the best pizzas on Oahu. Their pizza rivals authentic New York-style pizza with a great crust and sauce. They serve fantastic pasta dishes too! The staff is courteous, and the pricing is reasonable. This spot has a great island feel in the middle of a little beach town. Highly recommend!

• Jax Wood Fire Pizza - Amazing pizza! The gluten-free option is a plus. Fresh ingredients, a laid-back atmosphere centrally located in Haleiwa, and the staff are super friendly.
• Wicked Pizza food truck- We love having their pizza for lunch and dinner! The thin and delicious sourdough crust is a definite highlight.
• Jerry's Pizza - They're located just 2 minutes outside Haleiwa Town in Waialua. They're worth checking out because they serve delicious thin, crispy crust pizzas and are a local favorite.

Burgers:

• Kua' Aina - With reasonable prices, this burger spot stands as one of Haleiwa's oldest. Front parking is limited, but there are extra spaces behind the building. Enjoy the friendly service in a kid-friendly environment with both indoor and outdoor seating. Fun fact: rumor has it this is Obama's favorite burger joint!
• Teddy's Bigger Burger - Delicious burgers with customizable options to suit your preferences, vegan options, and a fun, casual vibe. Fast, friendly service, and their fries and onion rings are a must-try. Worth a stop for a satisfying burger fix!

• Seven Brothers - Exceptional service, a lively vibe, massive and delicious burgers - come hungry! The occasional line out the door is worth it for the absolutely delicious food.

Food trucks

There is no shortage of amazing food trucks scattered throughout Haleiwa Town, and their popularity is growing stronger and stronger on Oahu's North Shore!

There are so many food trucks in town that we recommend you drive around and try as many as you can, not just the well-known Giovanni's Shrimp truck.

Most are open for lunch, but many are also open for breakfast and dinner, so double check the hours before you head over.

Also, be aware that some of the most popular trucks can have very long lines and wait times, so go before you’re starving or order online, just in case!

Here are some food trucks in town we think you'll love:

• Haleiwa Seafood & Grill (sea food)
• Surf N Salsa (Mexican)
• Ry’s Poke Shack (local Hawaiian)
• Khan & Phim Thai, formally Thai Bo (Thai food)
• Hono’s Shrimp Truck
• No7 Japanese Food Truck

Desserts & sweet options

When it comes to dessert in Haleiwa, you're in for a treat! While most sit-down restaurants offer desserts, there are a few dedicated dessert shops that are worth a visit. Check these out:

• IL Gelato Cafe - Authentic Italian gelato shop, also serving delicious warm crepes.

• Matsumoto Shave Ice - They're world-famous for their signature shave ice, so be prepared to stand in a long line to order!

• Sweet As - A super delicious newer ice cream shop near the Rainbow Bridge.
• Bananza! - Famous for their custom chocolate-dipped frozen banana.
• North Shore Crepes Cafe - Known for delicious sweet crepes.
• Waialua Bakery - Charming bakery in town, popular with locals and visitors alike, offers a variety of freshly baked pastries, bread, and other sweet treats.

• North Shore Goodies - Technically not a dessert shop, they offer homemade peanut butter with flavors that taste so good, they can be enjoyed just like a dessert! Try the chocolate coconut or the coconut peanut butter, they're amazing 🤤!!

Restaurants with a bar

Although Haleiwa is a sleepy town, here are a few restaurants that also have a bar to enhance your dining experience and order a cocktail. Be sure to check their hours because the majority close around 10 pm.

• Cholos Mexican
• Haleiwa Joe's
• Mayas Tapas & Wine
• Uncle Bo's
• Stonefish Grill
• Jorges Taco & Ceviche bar
• Teddy's Bigger Burger

Restaurants with ocean view

We often get asked if there are any restaurants on the beach in Haleiwa. So, let's explore where you can have a meal with scenic ocean views. You'll have 3 options:

1. Haleiwa Joe's: Opened for brunch and dinner, one of the standout features of Haleiwa Joe's is its oceanfront location. They have indoor and outdoor seating with great views of Haleiwa Harbor, the iconic Rainbow Bridge, and a beautiful sunset. This restaurant has a relaxed and inviting atmosphere, perfect for a casual meal or a celebratory evening. Their menu offers fresh, locally sourced ingredients from seafood to juicy steaks, inventive appetizers, and signature cocktails.
2. Haleiwa Beach House: This restaurant is open for lunch and dinner in a prime beachfront location just across the street from Haleiwa Beach Park. With a menu and atmosphere reminiscent of Haleiwa Joe's, the two-story building offers a beautiful view of the ocean. While the top floor, providing an even better view, is currently closed to diners, the street-level floor remains open and is well worth experiencing.
3. Picnic benches at the beach: Most restaurants in the area offer takeout and a great option for dining by the beach overlooking the ocean is to sit at one of the benches located at one of the beaches in Haleiwa.