Not sure where to eat on Oahu's North Shore? This guide walks through restaurants, food trucks, and cafes along the coast, organized by area, so it's easy to plan where to stop.
Where to eat on the North Shore (at a glance)
- 📍 Area: Haleiwa Town to Kahuku
- 🍴 Includes: Restaurants, food trucks, and cafes
- 🗺️ Organized by: Location, so it's easy to plan where to eat
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You probably know the North Shore for surfing, but there's a lot of good food here too. Restaurants, food trucks, and cafes are spread along the coast, from Haleiwa to Kahuku.
I organized this guide by area so it's easy to plan meals as you go. If you want something near the beach or you want to check out food trucks in Haleiwa, here's where to start.
📍 Restaurants on the North Shore by area
The North Shore of Oahu stretches about 20 miles from Ka'ena Point to Kahuku Point, and along the way you'll find plenty of places to grab a bite.
I've broken it down by the main areas so you can see what's nearby, where to stop for food, and how everything fits along the coastline:
Here's a map to help you get your bearings:
You'll see a mix of well-known places like Haleiwa Joe's, Seven Brothers, Sunrise Shack, Ted's Bakery, Matsumoto Shave Ice, and Giovanni's Shrimp Truck, along with plenty of smaller local spots mixed in.
Now that you know where everything is, let's take a closer look at the food scene in each area and how to plan where to eat.
Haleiwa Town restaurants
Haleiwa Town is where most of the North Shore's restaurants are located. You'll find everything from cafes and food trucks to waterfront dining.
There's a wide range of options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with many places offering outdoor seating and menus that work for different tastes and budgets.
If you're in the mood for Mexican, Hawaiian, Japanese, Thai, burgers, pizza, seafood, or vegan options, you'll find plenty of choices here.
Here are some well-known places you'll find in Haleiwa Town:
- Matsumoto Shave Ice: A longtime Haleiwa staple serving shaved ice since 1951. It's one of the most well-known stops in town and a common place to cool off on a warm day, especially after time at the beach.
- Haleiwa Joe's: A popular spot with a diverse menu and locally sourced seafood, offering indoor and outdoor seating near Haleiwa Harbor.
- 9th Island Vegan: A well-known vegan option on the North Shore, open for breakfast and lunch. It's a convenient stop for plant-based meals, and we often come here after a morning surf.
- Uncle Bo's: Features a cozy ambiance with both indoor and outdoor seating and a varied menu blending flavors from Hawaii, Asia, and beyond.
- Surf N Salsa: This food truck serves authentic Mexican cuisine and is a popular stop in town. I usually order the spicy shrimp burrito with black beans.
- Crispy Grindz: A Brazilian food truck serving acai bowls and other Brazilian dishes, including pastel and chicken coxinha.
- Big Wave Shrimp: Known for its garlic butter shrimp plates. This food truck has been featured on the Food Network.
- Seven Brothers: A popular burger spot in Haleiwa known for generous portions and a laid-back vibe.
For a broader look at places to eat in Haleiwa, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner options, see our full Haleiwa restaurants guide.
Restaurants in Waialua
Just west of Haleiwa, Waialua has a smaller food scene with a mix of bakeries, casual cafes, and a few sit-down options.
Over the past few years, more places have opened, and there are now a handful of spots worth knowing about if you're nearby.
- Mele Mele Bakery: A casual stop for coffee, fresh pastries, and a light breakfast to go.
- Paalaa Kai Bakery: Known for sweet treats like malasadas and snow puffies, and a popular stop in Waialua.
- Molino by Surf N Salsa: This Waialua location serves the same Mexican dishes as the Haleiwa truck and is an easy option when you're in town.
- Jerry's Pizza: A casual spot for pizza with a thin, crispy crust, popular for quick lunches and easy dinners.
- Nani's Cafe: A local cafe serving breakfast, lunch, and early dinners, with plant-based options and Hawaiian plate lunch-style dishes.
- Peruvian Corner Hawaii: A food truck serving classic Peruvian dishes, usually open for brunch and early dinners.
- Josie's Italian Comfort Food: A dinner-only spot offering classic Italian comfort dishes.
Recently closed: The Smoking Boar & The Coconut, Wicked Hi Cafe, and Ka'ala Kitchen.
On Saturdays, you can also check out the Waialua Farmers Market, which features fresh produce, baked goods, and local vendors.
Where to eat between Waimea Bay & Sunset Beach
Along Kamehameha Hwy, between Waimea Bay and Sunset Beach, you'll find a handful of places to eat.
Some are near Waimea Valley, Shark's Cove, and Sunset Beach, so it's easy to plan a meal during your day out. Below is a closer look at what you'll find in each area.
Waimea Valley
Waimea Valley is home to Open Kitchen, a casual restaurant located inside the park with views of the botanical garden. It's a convenient option if you're already visiting the valley or spending time nearby.
The menu includes dishes like kalbi steak and other Hawaiian-style plates, along with sandwiches, salads, snacks, coffee, and drinks.
Shark's Cove
Shark's Cove is a popular snorkeling area on the North Shore. Across the street, there's a cluster of food trucks.
You'll find a mix of options here, including Pupukea Grill, Seven Brothers, and Hawaii's Best Fish Tacos, which are typically open during the day and into the early evening.
Sunset Beach
Around Sunset Beach, you'll find several places to eat within a short drive or walk of the shoreline.
At the Chevron gas station, there's Banzai Bowls, which serves acai bowls and smoothies, along with Elephant Thai, a food truck located toward the back of the lot.
Across the street from the beach is Sunrise Shack, a well-known stop for smoothie bowls and coffee drinks.
Just north of Sunset Beach is Ted's Bakery, which offers sandwiches, Hawaiian plate lunches, and baked goods, including their well-known chocolate haupia pie.
Between Waimea Valley and Sunset Beach, there's a Foodland supermarket across the street from Shark's Cove, with a deli and a Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf inside.
Restaurants at Turtle Bay Resort
Turtle Bay Resort has several on-site restaurants that are open to the public, not just resort guests. Options range from casual poolside dining to sit-down restaurants with ocean views.
Here's an overview of the dining options:
- Lei Lei's: A sit-down restaurant with views of the golf course, offering a menu that includes ribs, seafood, and seasonal dishes.
- Beach House by Roy Yamaguchi: An upscale restaurant focused on locally sourced ingredients, with a fine dining atmosphere and ocean views.
- Alaia: Open for breakfast and dinner, with views of the ocean and pool. The menu includes seafood, meat dishes, and gluten-free options.
- Sunset: A poolside restaurant and bar serving lunch and dinner, often with live music and views of the surf lineup.
- Off the Lip: An evening spot with ocean and infinity pool views, offering food, drinks, and live music on many nights.
- Ho'olana: A casual option for breakfast and lunch, often chosen for lighter meals during the day.
- Paniolo Luau: A weekly dinner event featuring a buffet, drinks, kids' activities, a hula show, and fire dancing.
- The Beach Club: Located along Kuilima Cove beach, this spot has cabanas and daybeds where you can order drinks and light bites from Beach House by Roy Yamaguchi.
Food trucks in Kahuku
Kahuku sits on the northeastern end of the North Shore and is known for its cluster of food trucks, along with a few longtime local food stops.
One of the most well-known trucks here is Giovanni's, which serves garlic shrimp plates and is often busy throughout the day.
Around the food truck area, you'll also find small shops, public restrooms, and outdoor sinks that people use before and after eating.
A short drive east, Kahuku Superette is a local place to grab poke bowls made with fresh ahi tuna.
Dinner, views, & outdoor seating
If you're choosing where to eat based on the kind of experience you're after, this section groups a few options by setting to help narrow things down.
Dinner options: Haleiwa Joe's, Haleiwa Beach House, Maya's Tapas & Wine, Stonefish Grill, Beach House by Roy Yamaguchi, and Lei Lei's.
Fine dining and special occasions: Beach House by Roy Yamaguchi, Lei Lei's, Haleiwa Joe's, and Maya's Tapas & Wine.
Ocean views and outdoor seating: Haleiwa Beach House, Haleiwa Joe's, Stonefish Grill, restaurants at Turtle Bay Resort, and food trucks near Shark's Cove.
Good to know
- Parking is free at or near restaurants across the North Shore.
- Expect to spend around $15-$50+ per person, depending on where you eat.
- Tipping in Hawaii is customary, typically 15-20% for good service.
- Many places open around 8 or 9 AM, and close a bit early, usually by 10 PM.
- Most restaurants offer takeout, so you can enjoy your meals wherever you like.
FAQs
Most places on Oahu's North Shore don't offer delivery. Food delivery services like Uber Eats or DoorDash generally don't operate out here, so you'll usually be eating in or picking up takeout.
Yes. There are a few good vegan options, including 9th Island Vegan and Cosmic Kitchen, and many restaurants have at least one vegan dish on the menu. There aren't any fully gluten-free restaurants on the North Shore, but you'll still find gluten-free options at some places.
Have you tried any of these places? How was your experience? If there's somewhere else on the North Shore we didn't mention, I'd love to hear about it. Leave a comment below and let's chat.
Looking for more places to eat on the North Shore? Here are a few guides you might find helpful:
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