The north shore of Oahu has cemented its place as the birthplace of big wave surfing, but it is so much more! Oahu’s north shore is also popular for travelers seeking a more authentic Hawaiian island experience. With its surplus of white sand coastline, clear turquoise blue water, and an endless supply of traveler opportunities, it’s no secret why north shore Oahu shines in the spotlight.

But what often goes unmentioned is the vast array of unique, high-quality food options available in this famous piece of Hawaiian paradise. That’s why I will share the 17 best north shore Oahu restaurants. And since I lived in the area for over a year, I’ll be able to give you the inside scoop!

About North Shore Oahu Culture

But first, a little bit about the north shore. The north shore of Oahu has a laid-back surfer vibe where lifestyle is everything. This chill approach to life spills over into the food scene, often equating to flexible operating hours and sold-out menu items. Don’t let this scare you away, though. It is all part of the relaxed vibe that makes Hawaii so great! And rest assured, there are enough fantastic options that you will always be able to find something to make your belly happy.

You’ll find everything from re-purposed buildings, modest shacks, food trucks, and even small trailers serving up some of the best “grindz” on the island. These unique characteristics and strong aloha spirit make for an exceptional dining scene.

It’s about one hour from Honolulu to the north shore, and the shoreline is expansive. So it is best to rent a car to access all of the available north shore places to eat and to get the most out of your time on the island.

Now, let’s get to the best restaurants on Oahu’s north shore!

Best North Shore Oahu Restaurants

Here’s our list of the best places to eat on north shore Oahu.

1. Ted’s Bakery

This award-winning restaurant has deep roots in Oahu. It dates back to the early 1950s when Ted’s father and grandfather, working in the sugarcane industry, purchased land in Sunset Beach. A small grocery store was built and operated for about 30 years before Ted opened his bakery within the store. He began selling doughnuts, cornbread, and other pastries.

Ted’s menu grew with the north shore’s surfing popularity. Many big-time surf competitions began to call the Sunset area home. This attracted some of the best surfers in the world, along with crowds of spectators.

Some must-try menu items at Ted’s Bakery are the Garlic Shrimp Plate Lunch, Chicken Katsu, Loco Moco, and Chocolate Haupia Pie. It’s hard to go wrong at Ted’s!

• Open every day 8 am – 6:30 pm
• Limited outdoor seating and takeaway are available
• Adequate parking available on site

2. Ken’s Fresh Fish

Calling all seafood lovers! Ken’s Fresh Fish in Laie has been serving up the freshest Hawaiian seafood not just on the north shore but on the whole island of Oahu since 2006.

This unassuming family-owned restaurant finds its success by offering freshly caught island fillets you can cook yourself, handcrafted poke, dried fish, and sashimi at low prices.

Not only is Ken’s famous for its raw seafood selection, but the cooked offerings have the reviews going wild. The best menu items are Coconut Shrimp, Ahi Katsu, and the fresh Poke Bowl.

• Open Fri. Sat. Tues. Wed. from 11 am – 4 pm | Closed Sun. Mon. Thurs.
• Takeaway only
• Adequate parking on site

3. Surf-N-Salsa

In the mood for some Mexican food? No problem. The Surf-N-Salsa food truck in Haleiwa is widely known as the ‘go to’ spot for Mexican and Latin dishes on Oahu’s north shore.

This family-owned restaurant prepares each meal from scratch using the freshest organic ingredients sourced locally from farmers, fishermen, and island suppliers.

The items to try on the menu are the California Burrito, Tacos (fish and pastor are the best), Chips and Guac, and the Vegetarian Burrito.

• Open Fri – Sat 10:30 – 8:30 pm. Closed Sunday
• Outdoor seating and takeaway are available
• Limited parking available nearby

4. Seven Brothers Burgers

Hands down, this is the best burger spot in Hawaii and arguably beyond! Seven Brothers started in 2009 when the parents of the “seven brothers” purchased a hole-in-the-wall restaurant in the small town of Kahuku on Oahu’s north shore.

The dream was to create something where all the boys could work and live closely together. By leading with the family-taught value of ‘service first’ as their mission, this restaurant almost immediately exploded in popularity.

Seven Brothers has expanded to four locations on north shore Oahu with restaurants in Laie, Kahuku, Haleiwa, and Sharks Cove.

The top items to try at Seven Brothers are Paniolo, Teri-Samoa, Max, Shem burgers, and the Coconut Mac Shrimp!

• Open Mon – Thurs from 11 am – 10 pm | Fri 11 am – 10 pm | Sat 11 am – 9 pm | Closed Sunday
• Outdoor/indoor seating and takeaway are available
• Adequate parking available
• Kids menu

5. The Smoking Boar and the Coconut

This hidden gem in Waialua stormed onto the north shore food scene in 2020. Combining tried and true family recipes, friendly customer service, and locally sourced fresh ingredients The Smoking Boar and the Coconut is a home run!

Open early (7:30 am), the menu offers options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The pork dishes are the clear favorites here, with the Roast Pork, Kalbi Ribs, and Hawaiian Plate Lunch leading the charge.

Other must-try items include Loco Moco, Poke Bowls, and smoothie and coffee drinks!

• Open Thurs – Sun from 7:30 am – 8 pm | Mon & Tues 7:30 – 3 pm | Wed 7:30 – 11 am
• Indoor/outdoor seating and takeaway are available
• Adequate parking available

6. Kahuku Farms

Kahuku Farms is a collaborative effort that brings two local families’ lands together to create the most trusted source of locally grown food in the north shore area. To keep the family-owned farm spirit alive, they created the Farm-Fresh Cafe with homegrown foods.

Kahuku Farms loves sharing its passion with the community and visitors by offering tours and even wagon rides around the farm. Unlike many restaurants on the north shore, there is plenty of parking, table, and grass space available to accommodate families or groups.

Some of the must-try menu items at Kahuku Farms are the Acai Bowl, Fresh Smoothies, Panini Sandwich, Lilikoi Mochi, and the Grilled Banana Bread!

• Open Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon from 11 am – 3 pm | Closed Tuesday & Wednesday
• Outdoor seating & takeaway are available
• Plenty of parking available
• Kids Menu

7. Papi’s Tacos

I discovered this little taco truck (more like a shack on wheels) by accident when one of the other Kahuku food trucks nearby was closed. I’m forever grateful that I did! Papis Tacos doesn’t look like much, but they offer some of the best tacos I’ve ever tasted.

Papi came from Southern California, the taco mecca of the US, bringing with him the authentic tastes of true Mexican food. He is a trained chef, but his secret lies in his family’s recipes. Everything is lovingly made by hand, and it’s not a stretch to say that Papi’s Tacos are the best on the island.

The favorite menu items at Papi’s are any of the tacos or burritos, with choices of Al Pastor (pork), Carne Asada (steak), Polls (chicken), or veggie. My personal favorite is the Al Pastor taco!

• Open every day 11 am – 8 pm
• Outdoor seating and takeaway are available
• Plenty of parking available
• Kids Menu

8. Ono Yo

Here’s the recipe: Frozen yogurt + local fruits/toppings + Brazillian Acai = Ono Yo!

This delicious frozen yogurt truck in Kahuku has been a top option for cold refreshing treats on Oahu’s north shore for over a decade. 

They’ve fine-tuned the Ono Yo yogurt recipe to bring the most health benefit while prioritizing flavor. The result is hands down the best froyo you will ever taste.

The ‘must try’ items on the menu are the Fruit Bowl, the Tropical Bowl, and the PB&J.

• Open every day 11 am – 7 pm
• Outdoor seating and takeaway are available
• Parking available

9. Foodland (Poke Bowls)

This one may seem odd because Foodland is a supermarket. But I couldn’t leave it off the list because the Poke Bowls at Foodland are that good! We were first tipped off about this secret tip by a local friend that grew up on the north shore, and it turned out to be a stellar tip. Foodland poke is high quality, delicious, and cheap!

The signature poke bowls are made fresh daily and loaded up with 2/3 pounds of poke served over either white or brown rice or even mixed greens. 

Some of the local favorites you’ll want to try are Spicy Ahi and Shoyu Poke. If you’re looking for something unique, each Foodland location has exclusive recipes. The north shore Foodland stores are located in Laie and Pupukea.

• Open Fri, Sat, Sun 11 am – 8 pm | Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs 11 am – 3 pm
• Only takeaway available
• Plenty of parking available

10. Haleiwa Beach House

Haleiwa Beach House is considered by many to be one of the best restaurants in Haleiwa. The ambiance is casual but sophisticated, with a stunning view of the beach. The ideal time to go is at sunset when the views are epic.

The menu has something for everyone featuring local seafood, steaks, and sandwiches. Start with the Edamame or Pork Grilled Cheese before diving into the delicious entrees like their Signature Fish & Chips basket, Loco Moco, or the Lobster and Shrimp Red Thai Curry.

Drinks are also on point, and be sure to save room for dessert. They have a delicious selection of cakes and ice cream. The Butterscotch Cake is to die for.

• Open only for lunch Mon-Sun 11 am – 3 pm | Open only for dinner Fri-Sun 5 pm – 8 pm
• Indoor/Outdoor seating and takeaway are available
• Plenty of parking is available in the lot next door.

11. Kono’s North Shore

Another fabulous Haleiwa restaurant is Kono’s North Shore, open only for breakfast and lunch. This funky joint has been serving up some of the best breakfast burritos, pulled pork, and milkshakes since 2002.

Their signature Bomber burritos are a must-try. They come stuffed with eggs, bacon, cheese, potatoes, and your choice of meat. The Old School pulled pork sandwich also comes highly recommended due to its perfect combination of sweet and savory flavors.

• Open everyday 7 am – 2:30 pm
• Indoor/Outdoor seating and takeaway are available
• Plenty of parking available around the building
• Kids Menu

12. Matsumoto’s Shave Ice

You can’t talk about the best places to eat on the north shore without mentioning Matsumoto’s Shave Ice. You heard that right! It is ‘shave’ in Hawaii, not shaved. This north shore Oahu restaurant in Haleiwa has been serving up the best shave ice on the island since 1951.

The secret is in their fluffy, finely shaved ice and flavorful homemade syrups made with local ingredients like guava, passionfruit, pineapple, and more. For an authentic Hawaiian experience, go for the Tropical or the Rainbow combinations.

The shaded outdoor seating and the additional add-ons like ice cream, condensed milk, and mochi balls are just the cherries on top of this sweet Hawaiian experience. Matsumoto’s is high on the list of our favorite Oahu activities for families.

• Open every day 10 am – 6 pm
• Outdoor seating and takeaway only
• Adequate parking available

13. Haleiwa Joe’s

Sitting directly across from Haleiwa Marina, the beginning of the ‘Seven Mile Miracle’ is Haleiwa Joe’s. This fantastic restaurant has live music and incredible ocean views.

Haleiwa Joe’s location is ideal, especially if you plan on spending the day enjoying the area. This restaurant is perfect after a day of kayaking or paddleboarding up the river or taking a boat out of the Haleiwa marina to sightsee or experience snorkeling with turtles. It’s also an ideal location to watch an epic Oahu sunset over dinner and a cocktail.

Haleiwa Joe’s menu features local favorites from the sea, such as the fresh fish cooked any way you like, Coconut Shrimp, or the Spicy Poke Bowl. If you’re not up for seafood, the extensive menu includes its well-known Prime Rib, Baked Chicken, or Sirloin Steak.

• Open every day 4:30 pm – 9 pm, also Sundays 10 am – 2 pm
• Indoor/Outdoor seating and takeaway are available
• Adequate parking available surrounding the restaurant
• Kids Menu

14. Pupukea Grill

Pupukea Grill is an easy-going food truck sitting across from Sharks Cove. This Grill almost has a cult following because of its many healthy and delicious offerings, including vegan options and even some gluten-free choices.

Some of the most popular menu items are the Spicy Poke Bowl, Shoyu Chicken Dish, and the Hawaiian Bowl with Avacodo. Their smoothies are also on point, and the Banana Bread is worth waiting in the (sometimes) long line.

• Open every day except Mon & Wed from 11 am – 5 pm
• Outdoor seating and takeaway are available
• Adequate parking available around the area

15. Cholo’s Homestyle Mexican

If you’re looking for an excellent sit-down Mexican restaurant on the north shore, Cholo’s is your place. This authentically decorated and brightly colored restaurant serves up some of the best Mexican food on this side of the island.

Their menu contains all your favorite Mexican dishes, including tacos, enchiladas, burritos, and even homemade chips and salsa (unlimited at a small price). Don’t forget to try their signature Cholo Quesadilla or a Margarita for an extra kick.

• Open Sun-Thurs from 11 am – 8:30 pm and Fri-Saturday 10:30 am – 9 pm
• Indoor/Outdoor seating is available
• Adequate parking available

16. Banzai Sushi Bar

Banzai Sushi Bar is hands down the best sushi on the north shore. The laid-back but high-end atmosphere created at Banzai makes for a fabulous sushi night out in Haleiwa. You can either sit at tables or have traditional Japanese-style seating. There is even an outdoor patio to add to the ambiance.

The food is incredibly fresh, and the presentation and service are exceptional. The best menu items are the Lemon Drop Roll, Volcano Roll, and Coconut Shrimp.

• Open Wed-Sun from 4 pm – 9 pm
• Indoor/Outdoor seating is available
• Adequate parking available

17. Haleiwa Bowls

Last but certainly not least is a small thatched shack in Haleiwa with the best custom Acai Bowls, smoothies, fresh juices, and cold-brew coffee on the north shore. Haleiwa Bowls has become quite the north shore hot spot, attracting locals and tourists alike.

They take their bowls seriously and have perfected each of their recipes, like the Hapa Bowl (made with an organic base of açai blended with bananas, strawberries, and blueberries, topped with granola, banana, and raw coconut flakes) or the Local Bowl (made with a base of frozen acai puree, topped with granola, fruit poi, bananas, papaya, strawberries, maui bee pollen, local raw honey, & raw coconut flakes).

These bowls are a dream, and I love that they value sourcing high-quality ingredients from local farmers and vendors locally.

• Open every day 7:30 am – 6:30 pm
• Outdoor seating benches or takeaway available
• Adequate parking in the lot nearby

Last Word: Best North Shore Oahu Restaurants

There you have the 17 best restaurants on the north shore of Oahu. Whether you’re looking for a quick bite or something more unique to end your day, the north shore has plenty of options. From local favorites like Matsumoto’s Shave Ice and Haleiwa Joe’s to healthy food truck options like Pupukea Grill and cozy restaurants like Cholo’s Homestyle Mexican, these eateries will not disappoint.

Featured Image Credit: Kahuku Farms