Since moving to Kailua in 2021, I’ve had the pleasure of trying countless different restaurants, bars, and smoothie shops that have popped up through the years. Whether you’re looking for a casual family breakfast spot or a fancy restaurant to celebrate your anniversary, I’ve compiled a list of my top 30 recommendations for the best food in Kailua.
One of the first things I noticed when I moved to Kailua from Honolulu was how much of a morning town it is in comparison! People here are up early doing sunrise paddles, hikes, and coffee dates which means there are a TON of AWESOME breakfast places to choose from when visiting!
POG (Passion Orange Guava) Smoothie Bowl at Sunrise Shack
1. Over Easy – easily the most popular breakfast spot in Kailua, boasting local favorites like kalua pig hash and custard french choice. Closed Monday, Tuesday and no reservations available. Prepare to wait anywhere from 30-90 minutes.
2. Cinnamons – a Kailua mom & pop staple since 1985, Cinnamons is somewhat famous in the local community. Be sure to try one of their loco mocos or their liliko’i/guava chiffon pancakes and I promise you won’t be disappointed. Reservations not available.
3. Mokes – another family owned, Kailua breakfast gem. Moke opened in 2004 and has since expanded to Tokyo! They are most known for their Loco “Moke” which is a modified loco moco with house cut rib eye instead of a hamburger patty.
4. Boots & Kimo’s – 30 year old local family run business best known for their steak (kalbi) and egg plates as well as their macadamia nut pancakes and french toast.
5. Kalapawai – the most iconic market place in Kailua with two separate locations minutes apart from each other, at kailua beach and kailua town. You can find pastries, breakfast sandwiches and salads here.
6. Konos – If you’re craving pulled pork this is your spot. They have a bunch of different breakfast burritos to choose from, all named after local surf spots!
7. Sunrise Shack – acai bowls, avocado specialty toasts, and tropical smoothies are all available here, making it the perfect stop for a lighter meal.
If you happen to be visiting Kailua on Saturday or Sunday, check out one of these options that only do weekend brunches!
BBQ chicken plate at Easy Que
8. Banyans – fairly new to kailua this trendy restaurant has a live Banyan tree growing through the interior! The chef is from San Antonio, Texas so much of the menu is a play on southern favorites like biscuits and gravy, smoked gouda grits and hot honey chicken. Reservations are available on Open Table.
9. Easy Que – is a BBQ staple in Kailua for lunch and dinner but they also do a weekend brunch that features brisket loco mocos and brisket benedicts!
I know this is a list of the best “food” in kailua but coffee is my love language! Plus, we have some of the cutest coffee shops on the island here in Kailua! Skip the Starbucks while you’re here and check out one of these locally owned coffee shops instead! A few even sell specialty beans which make great gifts to bring back for friends and family.
Outdoor seating at ChadLou’s
10. HoloHolo – a drive through coffee spot featuring local twists on coffee classics like coconut espresso and macadamia nut cold foam.
11. ChadLou’s – this is an upscale roastery in Kailua that focuses on building relationships with local farmers. They also offer specialty whole bean coffee bags for sale that make great gifts to bring back home!
Cold brew from Cafe Kopi
12. Cafe Kopi – a trendy Singaporean neighborhood bakery / cafe with tasty pastries, and delicious coffee. On the weekends they sell their famed laksa which people from around the island come to Kailua for!
13. Tradition coffee roasters – is located in a more industrial area of Kailua and therefore very popular among the local workforce. It’s reasonably priced and usually comes with cute latte art! They also have a ton of fresh roasted coffee bags here to take home with you!
I get it… you’re busy… and want to maximize your time at the beach, not indoors at a restaurant. If you just want to grab something tasty to bring with you on the go, check out these grab and go options in Kailua. You’ll notice many local residents frequent them as well!
Spinach Garlic Pizza from Boston’s in Kailua
14. Food Company – best known for their local style plate lunches, you can grab anything from shoyu chicken to teri beef here. Their bento options also make for the perfect on the go meal!
15. Hibachi – has a reputation for the freshest local fish in Kailua, this is a great stop to grab a Poke bowl before heading to the beach.
16. Mala Market – offers instagram-worthy rainbow sandwiches stuffed with fresh vegetables and sprouts.
Kono’s – pulled pork burritos
18/19. Bob’s Pizza OR Boston’s Pizza – there’s a big debate between locals over which is the better pizza joint. They are pretty similar, but are on opposite ends of Kailua so pick whichever is more convenient!
20. Paia Fish Market – originally from the island of Maui, Paia fish market just opened in Kailua a year or two ago. The lines here are much shorter than those in Waikiki, and they’re known for their large portions of mahi, ono, snapper and ahi.
21. Nalu Health Bar – has the best acai bowls in Kailua because they aren’t sweetened and mixed with other frozen berries and juices. You’ll notice they’re much darker than normal acai bowls for that reason!
22. Jalapenos 808 – everyone knows good Mexican food is hard to find in Hawaii… so when this place opened a few months ago, I was ecstatic! Definietly worth a stop if you’re craving tacos or a burrito!
23. Maui Brewing Co. – has an open air vibe with an outside patio, making it perfect for lunch. They have many craft brews on tap and quite an extensive food menu featuring fish tacos, burgers, and pizzas.
If you stay for dinner in Kailua, you’ll notice the town gets a bit quieter as tourists head back to Waikiki. Because there are no hotels in Kailua, many people just come for the day and head out when the sun sets.
24. Goen – is an open air asian fusion restaurant, by locally famed chef Roy Yamaguchi. It’s perfect for a date night in Kailua town. They rotate their menu seasonally, but my favorite dish so far has been the misoyaki butterfish.
25. 22Kailua – a hole in the wall omakase (sushi) experience, 22kailua only seats 8-12 guests at a time and requires reservations in advance. It’s the priciest restaurant on my list ranging from $135-$185 per person but you’ll get approximately 16 courses. It’s also BYOB!
26. Buzz’s – the original steakhouse of Kailua that opened in 1962 is situated right near the water. It has a local upscale feel to it and makes the perfect restaurant for special occasions or celebrations.
27. Willow Tree – is a Korean staple in the Kailua community and another hole in the wall spot that you will likely not see many tourists at. Try the kalbi, bulgogi, or meat jun to have your mind blown!
I couldn’t make a list of the best food in Kailua and not include dessert!
28. Please Come Again – locally sourced ice cream parlor with unique flavors like ube crush and shiso mint. They even have ice cream flights available which are perfect to share with friends!
29. Double Three – this instagram famous dessert spot features bubble waffle cones and decadent ice cream toppings.
30. Island Snow – an iconic shave ice spot in Kailua with 2 different locations. One near Kailua beach and the other in Kailua town.
Kono’s – if you’re just craving a tasty milkshake.
Not really. Although Buzz’s steak house and Nico’s Kailua are “near the water”, you won’t have the picturesque views that you’d normally assocaiate with ocean front dining.
We really don’t have authentic Hawaiian Food in Kailua but you can drive a few extra minutes to windward mall in Kaneohe to grab Waiahole Poi Factory, some of the best Hawaiian food on the island!
Jalapenos 808 is the best Mexican spot in Kailua hands down. However, if you’re just looking for big margaritas… check out Mexico Lindo.
Post photos were taken in collaboration with Matt Tonokawa.
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