Home / Oahu Restaurants / North Shore Restaurant
Best Oahu North Shore Restaurants
Shrimp trucks, roadside Huli Huli Chicken barbecue, and Matsumotos Shave Ice make up Oahu North Shore Restaurants, but there is a lot more to discover during your visit. Whether you decide to keep it simple with some good Hawaiian plate lunch or food trucks options along the coast, or make a reservation at one of the popular establishments like Haleiwa Joe’s for something a special dinner, there are lots of good dining choices up in the Northshore countryside.
The North Shore of Oahu is full of adventure and discovery. Ask most visitors coming from town, and they’ll tell you their heading to Waimea Bay, Haleiwa for shopping and shave ice, in search of the famous Banzai Pipeline, and hike to Waimea Falls if they have time.
The shrimp trucks have also become a big part of the north shore experience. They are hard to pass up with their colorful trucks luring you in, along with the sweet smell of garlic butter saturating the area…you are bound to stop. We will talk more on them below...
But there are many other good choices for food as the culinary in north shore restaurants has come a long way.
Roy’s has created a new restaurant in the Turtle Bay Resort, the Haleiwa Beach House is a great spot to watch a sunset with a mai tai, and the food is delicious, and memorable north shore experiences like ordering the life size nachos with a mango margarita at Cholo's Homestyle Mexican in town.
Haleiwa North Shore Restaurants
Haleiwa Beach Houses
Hands down, the new Haleiwa Beach House has become a popular hit right from the start, and has joined Oahu’s best North Shore restaurants with their fresh fish entrees and tasty innovations!
It shouldn't come as a surprise as Owner Andy Anderson,
has created successful
restaurants in
the
past, including Michel’s at the
Colony Surf in Waikiki.
Enjoy the open air setting for lunch and dinner, and Mai Tais in the upstairs bar & lounge area.
Open Daily Lunch 11 AM to 3 PM & Dinner Fri - Sun 5 PM to 9 PM
62-540 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa - Phone (808) 637-3435
Check out more at Haleiwa Beach House
Haleiwa Joe's
Bone-in Prime Rib, Crunchy Coconut Shrimp, Chipotle Grilled Pork Chop, and Premium Grade Ahi Tuna are a sample of the onolicious selections that you get from this long run establishment.
Catch a sunset with your dinner, and you’ll see why Haleiwa Joe’s has been doing well since opening in 1998. Note that why are open for lunch as well, with great affordable options like fish tacos & ½ rack of baby back ribs!
Open - Open Daily 4:30 PM to 9 PM and Sunday Brunch as well from 10 AM to 2 PM
Location:
66-011 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa HI - Phone (808) 637-8005
Check out more at HaleiwaJoes.com
Uncle Bo’s in Haleiwa
Get a taste of town in the country…no pun intended! The North Shore continues to attract big culinary names and popular Honolulu established eateries, including Uncle Bo’s that recently launched a second location in Haleiwa.
From ono surf & turf combos to an amazing fresh fish menu, it’s a treat to dine at Uncle Bo’s in the country! Try not to go crazy when ordering appetizers!
Open Mon, Tue & Wed 4 PM to 9 PM, Thurs 2 PM to 9 PM, Sat & Sun 11 AM to 9 PM
66-111 Kamehameha Hwy #101, Haleiwa - Phone (808) 797-9649
Check out more at UncleBosrestaurant.com
Cholo’s Homestyle Mexican
If there is one place where Mexican food works well in Hawaii it’s the North Shore, and Cholo’s Homestyle Mexican in Haleiwa is the place to be. Their colorful eclectic environment looks like a party you’ll want to join.
The bar is lined with wide margarita glasses ready to be served. Inquire about their special pineapple & mango margaritas that are a treat! Cholo’s variety of tacos, burritos and enchilada plates are wholesome and filling. If you have a large party, consider the nacho special that is loaded and a crowd pleaser.
Open Daily from 10:30 AM to 9 PM
66-250 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa - Phone (808) 637-3059
Checkout more at Cholo's Homestyle Mexican
Stonefish Grill
This super cute contemporary Haleiwa restaurant serves up a nice variety of wholesome dish throughout the day including breakfast! You had me at Malasada Pancakes, but there’s also a crab benedict and prime rib & eggs featured in the morning.
For lunch you find a nice selection of salads and sandwiches for the most part, including a Blackened Stonefish Sandwich.
When it starts to get dark, the Stonefish Grill is beautifully lit, creating a romantic ambiance. Check out their poke selection for starters, Crabcake Salad, and different fresh fish entrees. You also won’t be disappointed if you stick with the grill by ordering the KC BBQ Ribs, Prime Rib or Braised Beef Ragu served over udon noodles.
Stone Fish has a full bar with local beers on tap and some fun special crafted cocktails fusing island tropical flavors with some popular traditional drinks. I like the Stone Tai which is twist on the Mai Tai with Lilikoi (passion fruit) puree.
Open Daily Breakfast Thurs - Mon 8 AM to 11 AM, Lunch Daily 11 AM to 4 PM & 9:30 PM, Dinner Daily 4 PM to 8:30 PM (Closing 9:30 PM Thurs - Sun)
66-145 Kamehameha Hwy Suite 3-1, Haleiwa - Phone (808) 637-5015
Check out more at Stonefish Grill
Ray’s Kiawe Broiled Chicken
This is one of the best stops you can make right as you roll into Old Town Haleiwa. Ray’s Kiawe Broiled Chicken is a special treat if they got the grill fired up! Folks describe it as fall-off-the-bone, juicy, mouth watering chicken.
It’s not your typical barbecued chicken, but smoked with Hawaiian kiawe wood, which intensifies the flavor! Topped off with a side of their popular pineapple coleslaw, you’re all set for lunch! Unlike most North Shore restaurants, note that they are only open on weekends.
Open Sat & Sun 10 AM to 4 PM
Location: 66-160 Kamehameha Hwy,
Haleiwa - (808) 351-6258
Check out more reviews for Ray’s Kiawe Broiled Chicken
Rajanee Thai Haleiwa
How about Thai cuisine with a Hawaiian twist? I love Rajanee Thai for its balance of perfected traditional dishes and their innovation for new creations, synonymously coming together in a hip modern environment with some Thai accent pieces.
You'll find a menu full of favorites including Pad Thai, Chili Basil Chicken, Tum Yum Soup, and a line-up of different style of curries. But also consider some entrees that really spice up the menu a notch, including Soft Shelled Crab Drunken Noodles, Short Rib Green Curry, Coconut Shrimp, and Pineapple Fried Rice.
Open Thurs - Tue 11:30 PM to 8 PM (Closes 9 PM Fri - Sun), Closed on Wed
Location: 66-111 Kamehameha Hwy #1001, Haleiwa - (808) 784-0023
Check out more at Rajanee Thai Haleiwa
Teddy's Burgers
Teddys Burgers HaleiwaNot just another burger joint, but a small local chain that continues to rank at the top over the years. And to no surprise when you see their juicy line up of burgers on the menu, pushing the limits on their creations, including favorites like crispy onion rings, Kileuea Fire BBQ Sauce, and loads of bacon. But would you try a crispy hashbrown, garlic, jalepenos, or nacho cheese on your burger?
Testimonials can be found in the long lines of returning customers. As a bonus, Teddy's is located in a lively environment with tiki decor and a walkup grass hut bar. I personally like to enjoy a mai tai or local micro beer with my meal.
Location - 66-111 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa / (808) 637-8454
Open Daily 10 AM to 9 PM
Wahiawa Restaurants
Wahiawa is a small North Shore town that sits above the pineapple plantations. You'll pass through it before descending into Haleiwa. And you'll find a handful of some of the best Oahu North Shore Restaurants here including Shige's Saimin Stand, Dong Yang Inn plate lunches, Chicken In A Barrel BBQ, and Kiani's Original Guava Chicken that is ono delicious! There's even a Zippy's if you want Zip Pac or chili rice bowl to go...it's worth it.
Guieb Cafe
Guieb Cafe Lobster RollGuieb Cafe is a treat waiting to be discovered. Their breakfast and lunch creations will have you salivating. Grilled Mahi Mahi, Ribeye Steak, and a featured Prime Rib entree with affordable prices.
Or how about Golden Fried Chicken & Waffles, Crab Cake Benedict, and their Adobo Fried Rice Omlette... good luck trying to choose just one! And an absolute must for the table is Guieb's Mascarpone Ube Pancakes.
Open Daily 7 AM to 3 PM
Location: 1311 North King Street, Wahiawa - (808) 762-9247
Check out more at Guieb Cafe
Turtle Bay Area Restaurants
Beach House by Roy Yamaguchi
Turtle Bay is a grand resort on a unique peninsula tip of the rural north shore, where the crowds thin out and the beauty extends on ocean bays on each side.
Renowned chef Roy Yamaguchi took the opportunity to launch another signature North Shore restaurant at Turtle Bay that also happens to be center beach front.
Personally I could settle for some of their stellar appetizers and sushi rolls with a round of signature mai tais. Twice Cooked Baby Back Pork Ribs, Poke with smoked soy, and a Surf n Turf Banzai Roll with crab & filet mignon to temp you!
But it would be a shame not to indulge in one of Roy’s entrees. You can never go wrong ordering a ribeye or beef short ribs here, but his fresh fish entrees are a treat.
Pan Roasted Hawaiian Swordfish with a Ginger Tomato Jam and Chili Basil Oil or Misoyaki Deepwater Black Cod for example. And even if you are stuffed in the end, Roy is the master at creating the Molten Lava Cake…a must try!
Open Daily 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM & 4:30 PM to 9 PM
57-091 KAMEHAMEHA HWY, KAHUKU (808) 293-7697
Ted’s Bakery
Along with Hawaiian shave ice and shrimp trucks being a must on the North Shore, so are Ted’s Pies. Flavors such as chocolate haupia (creamy coconut) and macadamia nut draw the crowds.
But their tasty BBQ plate lunches are the real reason why the locals continue to return and keep those lines long! Grab some lunch for the beach and a memorable pie to take back to town!
Open Daily 8 AM to 6:30 PM
Location: 59-024 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa HI - Phone (808) 638-8207
Check out more at Tedsbakery.com
Waialua Side
The Smoking Boar & the Coconut
If you’re in the mood for wholesome Hawaii comfort food, consider heading down the road about 5 miles from Haleiwa to Waialua. There is a really cute family run restaurant that opened up during the pandemic.
It’s an open air no frills eatery, but has its charm with some fun surfing posters on the walls and hanging rope lights for some evening ambience. Much of the menu is plate lunch style…entrees served with white rice, mac salad or a green salad.
But the entrees like large Kalbi Ribs, Local Grilled Fish served with Furikake and tropical infused tartar sauces like Guava & Lilikoi, or a wholesome Hawaiian Kalua Pork plate with sides, are all taken up kotch and cooked to perfection. Make sure to check out their nice Poke selection when available.
Open - Mon & Tue 7:30 AM to 3 PM, Wed 7:30 AM to 11 AM, Thurs - Sun 7:30 AM to 8 PM
Location - 67-456 Goodale Ave, Waialua Phone - (808) 282-8162
Learn more at The Smoking Bear & The Coconut
Kahuku Countryside
North Shore Shrimp Trucks
It’s easy to find the popular North Shore Shrimp Trucks, as there are probably about a dozen of them spread throughout the North Shore of Oahu. There are a handful of them that set up in Haleiwa and also in Kahuku, which is on the other side of the North Shore.
Folks will argue who serves up the best butter garlic shrimp, but I think it safe to say they are all good, and serve up a satisfying plate of tasty shrimp.
So make a point to stop when you see one of the colorful shrimp trucks, so you can fulfill your craving by snacking on a bucket of freshly caught shrimp. The garlic shrimp is a crowd favorite.
Giovanni's Shrimp Truck - Open Daily 10:30 AM to 6:30 PM / Located at 66-505 Kamehameha Hwy, Kahuku
Kahuku Farms - Open Thurs - Tues 11 AM to 4 PM, Closed Tue & Wed / Located at 56-800 Kamehameha Hwy, Kahuku
Romy's Shrimp Farm - Open Fri - Tue 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM - Located at 56-1030 Kamehameha Hwy, Kahuku
Kahuku Food Trucks
Not to be confused with the shrimp trucks, but there is now a community area in Kahuku, where you’ll find over a dozen or more local food trucks featuring an array of choices from signature burgers to Brazilian to Thai Food…oh, and garlic shrimp too!
I love visiting these food trucks as they stand up to the quality of the North Shore restaurants. There is some good innovation and creativity taking place in the food truck community.
I like the Da Bald Guys, who are known to make one the best burgers on the island. Mike’s Huli Huli Chicken is also a homerun choice if they are around barbecuing their chicken to perfection.
Location - 56-505 Kamehameha Hwy, Kahuku - Open Daily 6 AM to 2 PM
Mike's Huli Chicken
If you’re in the mood for some delicious local style Hawaiian barbecue, then save your appetite for some ono side-of-the-road huli huli chicken. You’ll see a colorful sign and food truck in the Kahuku North Shore Food Truck area... hard to miss!
Make sure to order some of their signature Huli Huli Chicken!
Location - Location - 56-565 Kamehameha Hwy, Kahuku - Open Fri - Tue 11 AM to 7 PM
Aloha & Enjoy!
Subscribe to receive Best of Oahu updates on events, updates, and new articles. It's the closest way to paradise while you are away...
We will never sell or spam your information, and we'll respect your email privacy.
