My Swedish friend Sara's first spam musubi
Leonards malasadas above, liliha's lilikoi filled malasada below
Both delicious but Leonards has the malasada key. Leonards cream puffs and malasadas
Lilikoi with coconut cup
Perfect for a hot day after hike or surf BananBanan bowl has two locations. Their food truck in Diamond head is a cute spot perfect for post Diamond Head beach, hike, or surf! Though some of their female employees have quite the attitude so I am hoping on your visits you get good customer service and aloha! They currently have 4 different flavours, the original banana, Acai, Stairway to Heaven (green which you see to the right), and lilikoi! There is also a banana, acai swirl mix. You can either make your combination or choose one already listed. My favourite aspect to their bowls is their "boat" where instead of using a cup, the "bowl" is half a papaya.
D e l i c i o u s Lani Kai green bowl
JuicdRight around the corner from Lani Kai Juic in Kakaako is Juicd. If you like toppings, go here. With their different variations of acai bowls or even a prickly pear bowl option, you can load your bowl with one or ALL of their toppings (which is a lot), for no additional cost. Same goes with their salad!
Japan InfluenceJapanese restaurants do not compare to the amount of Japanese tourists here in Hawai‘i. O‘ahu does a lot to cater to the Japanese. Waikiki is a prime example of this. Some places do not even have english menus due to the amount of Japanese customers. Although thanks to this, we get some delicious sushi and Japanese restaurants!
The images to the right are from Shokudo, right next to the Ala Moana mall. Island Vintage CoffeeThere are a few locations, one in Waikiki, a small one at the Ala Moana mall next to the stage, and one on the north shore next to famous Matsumoto's shave ice where there is ALWAYS an insane line, but the shave ice is pretty amazing!
Island vintage coffee has delicious drinks as well as food such as bagels, poke, acai bowls and more. Their drinks are especially my personal favourite, the image to the right is their frozen matcha latte, YUM. I have never been unsatisfied with any order A lot food in town is delicious but I definitely have a few favourites if you're headed up to the north shore
|
Where to even begin?! You must of course have a taste of our local food. Get to a good luau to try haupia (coconut dessert), lau lau, poi (taro), and of course kalua pig (specially made in an imu, where the entire pig is steamed underground covered by banana leaves). Coming to Hawai‘i you must also try more of our local heartburn foods like loco moco (rice, hamburger patty, egg, and gravy) and spam musubi (rice, spam, teriyaki sauce, furikake, wrapped in seaweed). Hawai‘i is such a melting pot of cultures. Our food is very islander but also includes many fusions of different cultures, especially asian influence.
Malasadas: Hawaiian or Portuguese doughnutTo the far left Arielle and I swung by the local farmers market to get ourselves a bag of fresh hot malasadas. My favourite are coconut custard filled that you can get from Leonard's bakery, which is open 24/7! Talk about a great midnight snack!
Below this image to the left is San Diego's, Summer, biting into Leonard's East Side food truck chocolate dobash filled li hing mui malasada. Absolutely love being able to meet the incedible people I have met on my journeys and being able guide these eager, happy people around spots like Hawai‘i! Leonard's Bakery food truck
Speaking of Pastries... Liliha Bakery!Leonards might have the best malasadas but Liliha bakery has the best cream puffs! Famous for their coco cream puffs, my favourite by far is their green tea cream puff (bottom left image). So good my mouth waters thinking about it. Another mouth watering pastry are their new taro doughnuts, T O O G O O D I could easily eat a dozen, giving Krispy Kreme a run for their money.
They also have a sit down restaurant with delicious waffles they put their signature custard over, we didn't even touch the syrup (image to the left). I like my greens, mostly because it tastes better eating them this way! Do not let the colours fool you!
Lani Kai JuiceWhat is not to love about Lani Kai Juice?
They have got my green bowls as well as other tasty bowls, sandwiches, juices, and smoothies. The Nook Neighborhood Bistro
|
Sweet E'sRight across the street from Leonards bakery. Everything is good, you cannot make a bad decision! Famous for their omelets, their sandwiches and salads are also tasty.
|
Koko Head CafeThis is another well known cafe where you will have to wait in line for a bit, but it is all well worth it! To the left is the volcano skillet. Overall their food is so yummy and definitely the perfect go to brekky
BrueIf you need a cup of coffee to reawaken you and keep you going throughout the entire day (literally). I am obessed with their nitrogen cold brew. Obsessed.
ArvoAustralian influenced cafe/ plant shop. Super innovative, artsy/ creative, and very aesthetically pleasing with great vibes. Also serve very interesting lettes such as lavender, unicorn piss, and tide dye
To the left is their matcha chai pudding, was surprisingly so full after eating this delicious beautiful meal. |