As a tourist destination, Waikiki can be one of the most expensive area of Honolulu, Hawaii to eat in but it is also where a lot of hotels are located so it's likely that you may be staying there. But if you're looking for cheap eats in Waikiki there are plenty if you know where to look. These places combine great food, friendly aloha service and prices for around $20USD per main or less all collated through weeks of personal research!
1 - Steak Shack
Where else can you get a steak dinner right on Waikiki Beach for a mere $12.80USD? There's a reason why Steak Shack is so popular and you'll find a line snaking around the beachside eatery. We first came across Steak Shack on our last visit to Hawaii and I had mentally bookmarked it to come back and try their steak. It's open all day until 7pm or 7:30pm Friday to Sunday so head there 45 minutes before sunset for a meal with a view. The menu is simple and has two options: grilled steak plate or grilled chicken plate. Service is friendly and they'll give you an accurate indication on when your meal will be ready. We take a seat at one of the tables and wait and 15 minutes later the steak and chicken plate are ready.
The steak is tender and comes with a pot of steak jus, steamed rice and organic greens with ranch or Italian dressing. The first couple of pieces are a bit chewy (it's cooked more medium to well done than medium rare that we asked for) but the rest is good and it's a very generous portion of 6ozs or 180g of steak. Yes for $12.80USD.
Out of the two we both preferred the chicken plate with the caramelisation of the grill. The chicken is very tender and delicious and I really love the organic greens dressed simply with ranch dressing.
Before you go: Time it to get there half an hour before sunset.
What To Order: The Signature steak plate and the chicken plate are both delicious and yes those prices are real as of January 2024. I also ordered an extra side salad for $4USD and I did not expect much for that price but we got a container of salad and more steak!
https://www.instagram.com/steakshack/
2 - Penny's Malasadas
Malasadas (Portuguese donuts) have a long history with Hawaii as they were introduced by Portuguese migrants. And while a stop at Leonard's is de rigeur, it's location outside of Waikiki means that you have to either take the 50 minute walk or an Uber. If you're looking for your malasada fix a bit closer to Waikiki, Penny's Malasadas are a worthy contender (some prefer these to Leonard's). Each order is made to order so you'll wait around 10-15 minutes for your donuts.
The malasadas are not available as a single donut, the smallest quantity is 3 for $10.5USD for the custard filled donuts. There are also plain unfilled donuts available too. The two most popular are the original custard filled donuts and coconut cream filled donuts. For my third I choose the daily special strawberry guava. The pile of napkins that they give you has a purpose. The donuts are hot, not enough to burn your mouth but enough for you to know that they are fresh. And they are light as air (without doing a side by side comparison, they're lighter than my memory of Leonard's). The custard is wonderful and not overly sweet given the sugar coating. I would get these again in a heartbeat.
Before you go: don't be in a hurry. These take around 10-15 minutes as they come out FRESH.
What to order: The custard filled malasadas-the most popular are original custard and ube.
https://www.instagram.com/pennyswaikikimalasadas/
3 - Aloha Melt
Sometimes you need a good old fashioned toasted cheese sandwich. And Aloha Melt has quite a following for their toasted cheese sandwiches. This cute little store along Royal Hawaiian Avenue is set among massage shops and other outdoor eateries. Aloha Melt has two things on the menu: toasted cheese sandwiches and a cup of tomato soup. The most popular is the Bacon Patty Melt made with beef mince, cheddar, mozzarella, provolone, American cheese, caramelized onion, bacon and aioli but we love the Aloha Patty Melt or A.P. which is the spicy version of the Bacon Patty Melt just with pickled jalapenos and Sriracha aioli.
The toasted sandwich is a gooey, cheesy delight. The soup has a wonderful intense tomato flavour to it and they add the croutons, bacon and grated cheese just before serving.
Before you go: be hungry! We found sharing one soup and one toasted cheese sandwich plenty for us.
What to order: Bacon Patty Melt or the Aloha Patty Melt if you like things spicy.
https://www.instagram.com/alohameltwaikiki/
4 - Topped
A hundred metres or so away from Aloha Melt is Topped. This is a Korean rice bowl restaurant that is seriously cheap and good. Here you can get lunch for less than $10USD (not including tip). They've also got a range of freshly made smoothie drinks for $5.99USD. The pineapple mango and strawberry is great and not overly sweet, just tasting of real fruit.
The best seller is the Kalbi steak and egg on a bed of steamed white rice. The steak is cut up so that it is easy to eat with a sunny side up egg and a green salad with a honey mustard dressing. I recommend sharing an Aloha melt and soup and then the Kalbi steak and egg here if you're on the hungry side.
Before you go: Everything is made to order so expect to wait around 10 minutes or more during busy times. Also if you're a K-pop fan look out for some autographs.
What to order: Kalbi steak and egg. The chicken bibimbap was fine but the kalbi steak was definitely the pick.
https://www.instagram.com/toppedwaikiki/
5 - Nana Musubi
Stix Asia Food Hall in the basement level of the Waikiki Shopping Plaza is a real treasure trove of eateries. If you're looking for something grab and go head to Nana Musubi which is actually onigiri with a range of rice (white, brown and purple) and fillings. They can be as simple as an umeboshi plum or as delicious as char siu and mayo. They're well priced, filling and tasty and my favourites were the ones with hot fillings like char siu and chicken karaage.
Before you go: Don't forget to order the nori as each onigiri doesn't automatically come with it. Also they have a monthly special only available at night and during the month that we visited it was chicken karaage which was DELICIOUS.
What to order: I loved all of the rice types, especially the purple one and my favourite fillings were the char siu and mayonnaise and the chicken karaage (special only at night).
https://www.instagram.com/nanamusubi_waikiki/
6 - Tempura Kiki
Tempura Kiki is located right next to Nana Musubi at Stix Asia Market and they specialise in one thing only: tempura. You know that it's good when a Japanese restaurant is full of Japanese people eating. The staff are lovely and recommend the Kiki (short for Waikiki) set for lunch. This gives you a piece of each of the tempura and it is all cooked fresh to order.
The set lunches come with rice, miso soup and unlimited pickles in your own personal pot for the table. The prawn or shrimp tempura is delicious of course and a classic but so is the fish and squid. There is also a tasty range of vegetables where our favourites are the sweet kabocha pumpkin and soft and melting eggplant.
Before you go: I had seen a lunch set online but when we went there at lunch, it was just the regular menu so perhaps they've done away with the lunch specials.
What to order: the kiki set gives you a bit of everything. Don't forget to try the matcha salt or chilli salt (on the table) on your rice or tempura.
https://www.instagram.com/tempurakikihonolulu/
7 - Pai's Deli
Sometimes when I travel all I want is a big healthy salad because when I'm at home I eat salad every day and I miss it. If you are in need of a healthy fix head to Pai's Deli slightly hidden away in the Outrigger Waikiki (near the hotel's coin laundry). This tiny little deli is beloved for its friendly service and reasonably priced, tasty, healthy sandwiches.
Having chicken salad and egg salad together on the same sandwich is just genius and it comes with all of the salad (lettuce, cucumber, tomato, sprouts, grated carrot). We upgraded it with avocado for $1.25USD extra and there was a good amount of avocado on it. All sandwiches include a couple of pieces of fresh, sweet pineapple.
I devoured the Captain's salad, with lots of fresh, crunchy salad and sliced ham, shredded cheese, sliced turkey, a whole boiled egg, diced bacon and rice crackers on the side.
Wash it down with a fruit smoothie-the mango pineapple is delightful and just the right amount of sweetness tasting just of sweet fruit.
Before you go: everything is made to order so expect to wait 10 minutes or so. There is a small table to eat on; otherwise take your meal to the beach nearby.
What to order: Captains salad for a big salad or the Chicken and Egg Salad sandwich on wholewheat.
https://www.instagram.com/paisdeli/
8 - Junbi
If you love matcha then head to Junbi in the International Marketplace. Here they combine matcha lattes (or soft serve) with a taste of Hawaii with guava puree, lilikoi or passion fruit taro or POG (passion fruit, orange and guava).
I ordered mine with less sweetness and with minimal ice and with oat milk and it was absolutely delicious. If you don't even like matcha these might change your mind - Mr NQN doesn't like matcha but he really loved this drink!
Before you go: try less sugar and ice!
What to order: Guava matcha latte.
https://www.instagram.com/junbiwaikiki/
9 - Ty's BBQ and Grill
It was our second last night on holidays and we were craving some ribs. Ty's BBQ and Grill is a food truck that just happens to sell some of the most delicious ribs you will eat. Ty's BBQ and Grill is run by Todd and his dad also helps out. The menu is short and sweet and the prices reasonable particularly when you see the amount of food that you receive. Their pork ribs can come with a side of tater tots (potato gems), fries or mozzarella sticks but we went with fries on their recommendation. The size is generous enough to share but I will warn you: you won't want to share they're THAT good!
Before you go: Ty's is a little hidden away. You can't really find it on google maps if you put their name in but they're at Suzie Wong's hideaway which is where you can eat the ribs as there is no seating near the food truck. The atmosphere at Suzie Wong's is like a friendly chilled dive bar and the prices for a cocktail can't be beat at $8USD.
What to order: the pork ribs and fries although you may not want to share them...
https://www.instagram.com/tysbbqandgrill/
10 - Kai Poke
Poke is mostly a day time thing, which makes sense as the boats used to bring in the fresh catch in the morning and by mid morning poke would start being sold. But what if you're in the middle of Waikiki, it's Sunday night at 7:30pm and the craving for poke hits? Or you're shopping at Ross (haha my favourite store in Waikiki) and you want some poke? Kai Poke sells poke bowls all made to order along with inari boats. The inari was all sold out when we got there but the poke bowls were absolutely delicious. Go for the big or the regular, the mini is really tiny and the Kai rice is like a Korean style rice with nori and sesame flavour.
Before you go: go to Ross next door and shop to your heart's content!
What to order: any combo works here but especially the Hawaiian ahi with sea asparagus which adds a delicious texture.
https://www.instagram.com/kai_poke_waikiki/
11 - Yardhouse
Another Happy Hour favourite is Yardhouse, a sports bar where the food ranges from delicious poke tacos, blackened ahi tuna to wings and onion rings. Monday to Friday 2-5pm is Happy Hour so it's great for a late lunch or early dinner. Be prepared for a wait depending on the time that you go. Ordering can be done via your server or via the tablet on the table.
There are many apps (appetisers) for half price as well as pizzas. Beers, spirits and wines are $2 off. We try the Kona Big Wave Beer ($7.99USD-$2USD) which Mr NQN loves. For food we share the poke tacos which are fantastic. The blackened ahi tuna is nice although quite strong in flavour with a lot of black pepper flavour to it. Oh and the famous stack of onion rings are $4 off at $14.80USD instead of $18.80USD during happy hour.
Before you go: the Happy hour is from Monday to Friday 2-5pm only. Be prepared to wait (the shops nearby are good for browsing).
What to order: poke nachos and beer and the onion ring stack
https://www.instagram.com/yardhouse/
12 - Five Star Poke
Poke is ubiquitous around Waikiki and some of the quiet back street stands and food trucks sell the best poke. Five star poke is one of them and is located along Kuhio Avenue. The poke here comes in three sizes: regular with one topping, combo with two and large with two types for $21. We opted to share a combo and wash it down with a cup of House Made Ginger Lemonade for $4.20.
We both love spicy so we went for the two spiciest pokes available: Spicy Mayo Salmon Poke and the Spicy mayo ahi poke bowl. Both taste quite similar and the tuna has their signature spicy mayo sauce on top of the fresh ahi with crispy onions and ocean seaweed salad while the salmon poke uses Scottish salmon with our signature spicy mayo sauce ,onion topping and seaweed salad. Next time I would opt for perhaps the spicy yuzu one with the salmon or tuna just for a bit of variety.
Before you go: go hungry and check out all of the food trucks in the area. There's also a coffee truck nearby.
What to order: Spicy poke. Also the ginger lemonade is not too sweet which is a nice change from the sweet drinks that you tend to find and it is also strong in fresh ginger.
https://www.instagram.com/fivestarpoke/
13 - Amy's Shrimp and Poke
If you find yourself craving some of Oahu's North Shore's garlic shrimp but don't want to make the trek out to the North Shore, then head to Amy's Shrimp and Poke. It's located right near the Hilton Hawaiian Village at the Ohana Hale food truck park. The garlic shrimp are enormous and served on a generous bed of rice with greens and sesame dressing. The shrimp can be served head on or off and it still has the shell on it. But the sauce on it is wonderful although the spicyness is mild.
Before you go: If you need a coin laundry there is a place right across the road. Bring quarters or $5 or $10 notes.
What to order: Garlic shrimp or spicy garlic shrimp and the pineapple juice
https://www.instagram.com/aloha_wasabee/
14 - Sansei Sushi
If you don't mind eating a little early, then head to Sansei Sushi on the third floor at the Marriott Waikiki for their Happy Hour which is renowned for its half price sushi and sashimi from 4:45pm-5:30pm Sundays and Mondays. It's very popular so you have to arrive early though, as the queue starts forming before 4pm and there is a limited number of tables. We arrived at 4:26pm and were literally the last people to get a table and everyone else after us got turned away.
While sushi and sashimi is half price, drinks and anything non sushi or sashimi are full price so it can add up unless you stay focused on the sushi. Their signature dish is the Panko crusted Ahi tuna, a roll of tuna loin coated in tempura batter and panko and served with the most delicious soy butter wasabi sauce.
The DK crab ramen with truffle butter broth is also worth ordering and is fragrant in truffle with perfect textured ramen and just enough crab on top. The three sushi we tried were pretty good. The Sansei sushi roll is rolled urumaki style (in a triangle) with a spicy crab, coriander, cucumber and avocado filling and is served with a Thai sweet chilli sauce (they like things sweet here). The Spider roll is 8 pieces of tempura soft shell crab, cucumber, masago aioli and kaiware sprouts with an unagi glaze and Thai sweet chilli sauce. I have to admit I wasn't a huge fan of the sweet chilli sauce with the sushi but overall it's half price and decent. My favourite items were the crab ramen and the Panko crusted ahi tuna.
Before you go: Get there early! The 50% off offer is strictly only sushi and sashimi. Salads, drinks, desserts and steaks are full price. There is an automatic 20% gratuity added onto the bill.
What to order: Crab ramen, panko crusted ahi tuna
https://www.instagram.com/sansei.waikiki/
15 - Double Fat Ice Cream
A couple of streets away is Double Fat Ice Cream, a food truck that is as hard to find as it is delicious. It's at the side of the Alohilani hotel perpendicular to the beach. The food truck is by Chef Brandon Lee and is a small batch, artisan and locally made ice cream with unique Hawaiian inspired flavours.
The flavour that sells out consistently of the brown sugar vanilla - it's nice and a classic vanilla with brown sugar mixed through it and has the distinct licoricey flavour of brown sugar. But I much prefer the banana with salted caramel that doesn't hold back on the salt.
Before you go: the hardest thing will be trying to find the food truck. Go to the Kalakaua Avenue exit of the Alohilani then turn left on Kealohilani Street (past the Haagen Daaz) and follow the signs up a ramp on your left. Check out the greetings mural! The hotel will also validate your parking for up to 2 hours for free with purchase.
What to order: the Crack Seed Delight Sundae is delicious.
https://www.instagram.com/doublefaticecream/
16 - Pit Stop
Some say that Pit Stop is their favourite burger spot in Honolulu and this unprepossessing food truck delivers in charm, warmth and tasty food. Their bestseller is the crispy cheeseburger and the double fried fries. Service is super friendly and there's an adjoining restaurant area in the building adjacent to the truck.
Horchata Hawaiiana $8USD, Cheeseburger slider $9USD Kalua Pork Fries $15USD
The Horchata hawaiiana is made with macadamia milk, agave, cinnamon, Mexican vanilla and coconut milk and is sweet and strong in cinnamon. The 1/4 lb/113g cheeseburger slider comes out with a skirt of crispy cheddar cheese on a Hawaiian sweet roll with grilled onions, pickles and sauce. The crispy cheddar really gives this burger a nice crispy texture to it while still being soft and melting in the centre.
A lot of things here specify the weight of items - like the fries involves 1lb or 454g of fresh hand cut double fried fries. There are a few toppings: cheese, bacon and cheese with sour cream or the Hawaiian choice of Kalua pork. The pork is meltingly tender and roughly shredded on top of the fries along with some cheese. They bring out a couple of hot sauce options: a mild Li Hing hot sauce (the salted plum powder is popular here) and a Hot AF sauce that is housed in a glass grenade. I love the Hot AF one that gives it a resounding but not overly fierce heat to the fries.
Before you go: be hungry if you get the fries. The slider is like a mini burger (not as small as Australian sliders).
What to order: Cheeseburger slider and kalua pork fries with hot sauce.
https://www.instagram.com/pitstophawaii/
17 - Waikiki Market
Most Hawaiian hotels do not stock a mini bar, it is just an empty fridge. It's just one of those things but if you want something snacky, tasty or more substantial head to Waikiki Market. This is actually a supermarket by the Foodland chain where most stores are located outside the main area of Waikiki (the closest Foodland is at Ala Moana shopping centre). There's nothing about it that says Foodland but you'll recognise the products.
I'm not joking - for some of the best poke head to Waikiki market or the Ala Moana location of Foodland. There is a range of poke available and it's super fresh and delicious. It's slightly cheaper than the poke at a poke store too. You can buy it by the 1/4, 1/2 or full pound and they can also make up a poke bowl with rice and toppings. The poke here is delicious and very satisfying (ask which poke is made from fresh fish vs frozen too).
Before you go: Do all of your mini bar shopping here so bring a bag along.
What to buy: mini bar snacks and drinks. And all the poke!
https://www.instagram.com/waikiki.market/
18 - Maguro Spot
Maguro Spot is another poke place located one block away among a rich cluster of food outlets. Their poke is entirely customisable so take your time looking at the menu. There's also a small outdoor section that gets busy but turnover is quick. Select your preferred fish, rice type (brown, white, or sushi), sauces of your choice (spicy mayo, shoyu, or spicy volcano), and any additional ingredients such as ginger and spring onions along with the size.
Before you go: there are a few good, cheap eateries around here so walk around.
What to Order: Our favorites include tuna and salmon on sushi rice with a blend of volcano sauce and spicy mayo, enhanced with spring onions and ginger. Also the marlin (a fish you don't see much in Australia) with house shoyu was delicious.
https://www.instagram.com/magurospot/
19 - Musubi Iyasume
I love SPAM. I don't care what anyone says, I love the stuff and so do the people at Musubi Iyasume. Musubis are like extra large nigiris topped with a range of things from a slice of fried SPAM, avocado, bacon and egg. They're a great post surf snack and are inexpensive, delicious and very filling. The hardest part will be deciding which one to order.
Before you go: there are a few branches of Musubi Iyasume in Waikiki so check for your closest one. Also, they're very filling so go hungry!
What To Order: All of the musubi are delicious, especially the ones with SPAM.
https://www.instagram.com/musubi_cafe_iyasume/
20 - Marugame Udon
The consistent and lengthy queue outside Marugame Udon from its 11am opening to the 10pm closing attests to its popularity. Marugame Udon effortlessly combines the familiarity of a high school cafeteria setup with the well-known Japanese udon chain concept churning out fresh udon throughout the day. The menu features regular and large sizes, with just an additional $1 for the latter which I suspect is part of the reason it is so popular.
Before you go: go hungry and be prepared to queue and bus your own trays.
What To Order: The curry nikutama is their signature udon served with sweet and savory beef, hot spring egg and BK sauce. If you want something lighter go for the beef nikutama with a broth rather than curry sauce. Also try the tempura going for either the classic prawn tempura or the tamagoyaki tempura with the springy, sweet egg omelette inside.
https://www.instagram.com/marugame_udon_usa/
21 - Rainbow Drive-In
One of former President Obama's favored spots is reportedly the Rainbow Drive-In known for its plate lunch. These originated with sugar cane workers from various parts of the world including Japan, China, the Philippines and Portugal. A plate lunch typically comprises two scoops of rice, macaroni salad and a meat dish. Rainbow Drive-In was established in 1961 by Seiji Ifuku, who honed his cooking skills while serving in the US Army. Rainbow became popular for serving substantial, wholesome meals to both workers and beachgoers. Both tourists and local continue to flock to this iconic establishment, with tourists often asking, "Is this where Obama eats?"
Before you go: Rainbow Drive-In is great for eat in or take out. Place your order at the counter and within minutes your meal will arrive in a square take out box suitable for either on-the-spot consumption or takeout.
What To Order: Mix Plate BBQ + Mahi + Boneless Chicken with tartar sauce. Their house-made gravy is a distinguishing factor receiving frequent praise, with some customers opting for the common request of "gravy all over."
https://www.instagram.com/rainbowdrivein/
22 - Liliha
So it's the afternoon and you're looking for a sweet fix. Head to Liliha Bakery. Over the years Liliha has expanded to multiple locations including one on the third floor of the International Marketplace in Waikiki with an attached café. After being passed down to their son Fred, the bakery eventually changed hands to restaurateur Peter Kim ensuring its continued legacy.
Liliha Bakery is renowned for its cream puffs, particularly the iconic Coco Puffs. This consists of choux pastry balls filled with chocolate "pudding" and topped with what they call chantilly. This isn't chantilly cream, instead the topping is made of sugar, egg, evaporated milk, and butter and salt.
Before you go: The Coco Puffs are made fresh all throughout the day so you don't have to get there super early.
What To Order: Coco Puffs
https://www.instagram.com/lilihabakery/
23 - Cheesecake Factory
I've been told Australians are obsessed with the Cheesecake Factory because of The Big Bang Theory and I was so curious to go when I first saw it. I even did a deep dive into the business here and it is so interesting!
The Cheesecake Factory isn't expensive but it isn't cheap either especially once you figure in the tax, tip and exchange rate but if you're craving their avocado egg rolls (and sometimes I do), head there for happy hour. Between 3-5pm Monday to Friday they have a wide range of their dishes half price including the Avocado Egg Rolls, Hot Spinach and Cheese Dip, Factory Nachos, Roadside Sliders and a Happy Hour double patty and double cheese burger and cocktails. It is also the time where you won't have to join a massive queue!
Before you go: Happy Hour is in the bar area from Monday - Friday from 3:00pm - 5:00pm
What To Order: the avocado egg rolls and hot spinach and cheese dip!
https://www.instagram.com/cheesecakefactory/
24 - Paia Fish Market
Founded in 1989 in the tranquil fishing village of Paia, Paia Fish Market has become known for its fish tacos, burgers and "fresh catch" plates. It is located on Kuhio Avenue (below the Laylow Hotel and opposite Marugame Udon). Their grilled fish tacos are a healthier alternative to battered fish. We got a generous serving of two fish tacos with a choice of fries or rice and a side of hearty potatoes. The savory herby potatoes stand out for their taste. However, the coleslaw can be a bit bland.
Before you go: Paia Fish Market is located on the upper level so it's not strictly on the ground level. We walked past it a few times before looking up!
What To Order: Grilled Fish tacos, potatoes and rice.
https://www.instagram.com/paiafishmarket/
Tips for Cheap Eats:
1- Go to eateries one block away from the beach and not on the beach promenade. There is one beachfront exception (Steak Shack). Eateries and food trucks are usually clustered together.
2 - If you haven't been to Hawaii (or America) since COVID you may be surprised when you go to buy a coffee at the counter and they spin around the tablet and ask you to select which percentage you'd like to tip. This happens everywhere, even places where you are walking up to the counter and collecting the food or drink yourself. It's the new normal so you just have to add tax and tip to your budget. You can also choose to tip zero and then add a few bills to the tip jar.
3 - Americans really love ice and drinks are totally full of ice: the regular level of ice is where more than half of the drink is ice (which is excessive for me personally as I drink slowly and the ice waters down the drink) while asking for "light ice" is a quarter of the drink as ice. But I have a tip: I asked for a tiny, tiny bit of ice like 6 ice cubes and drinks were perfect - still cold but they didn't water down quickly. You also get much more drink that way!
4 - If you're looking for edible gifts to take home or plane snacks, head to Longs Drugs, a drugstore/chemist on Kalākaua Avenue. Their bags of lollies are a fraction of the price you'll find elsewhere at around $1.29USD. You may see a lot of Japanese people buying their Omiyage (souvenir gifts) there because they know the prices are good!
5 - ABC stores are everywhere and are generally not the cheapest place to buy things as they're more about convenience. But they do sell poke, fruit and salads and if you're after a dashboard Hawaiian figurine, I found them to be the cheapest there!
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