12 Best Restaurants in North Shore, Oahu

An array of authentic Japanese dishes made with Hawaiian seafood and fresh, seasonal, mostly organic North Shore veggies and fruits attracts locals and visitors alike to this hip yet family-friendly sushi house. The extensive menu includes classic sashimi and tempura, standard and off-the-wall sushi rolls, Wagyu beef, broiled fish entrées, and various vegetarian and gluten-free options.

Loyalists of Roy Yamaguchi's celebrated spots in Hawaii Kai and Waikiki are thrilled to find his North Shore outpost—a rustic, beam-and-concrete-floor pavilion literally on the sand at Turtle Bay. All the favorites are served at this more beach-casual spot, from miso deep-water black cod to beef short ribs, along with a more casual lunch menu.

A cozy, romantic space with a slightly sophisticated (for the North Shore) vibe, Maya’s serves up classic Spanish and Mediterranean dishes with island twists, including a variety of tapas as well as some larger plates. Here, seafood paella is made with local line-caught fish and shrimp, a burger showcases Kunoa beef, and hand-tossed flatbreads come with roasted local veggies and macadamia nut pesto. Sit indoors at a table or the bar or on the patio overlooking the scene at the North Shore Marketplace.

The menus at Turtle Bay Resort’s signature restaurant—a casual but chic open-air space overlooking Turtle Bay and the Seven Mile Miracle—showcase Hawaiian comfort food with a modern, upscale twist, for example, braised kalbi short ribs, roast chicken with macadamia nut mole, and Salanova lettuce. About 95% of the fresh produce, from lettuce, tomatoes, and breadfruit to apple bananas and kitchen herbs, comes from the 100-acre organic farm across the road and is grown in partnership with local farmers. Alaia serves breakfast daily, as well as dinner. 

There are only a couple of North Shore institutions that are considered gathering places—Foodland (the great grocery store) is one, and Cholo's is the other. Festively done up with Mexican tchotchkes, it serves decent rice-and-beans plates of Mexican standards (steak fajitas, burritos, enchiladas) at affordable prices.

This large, modern, two-story space on the North Shore takes full advantage of its epic water views; note that it doesn't take reservations. The menu is chock-full of surf-and-turf options, from juicy burgers to grilled steaks, blackened fish to red Thai curry with lobster and shrimp.

After the long drive to the North Shore, watching the boats and surfers come and go from the harbor while you enjoy a mai tai on the open-air lanai here may be just what you need. This casual little joint, just past the Rainbow Bridge, rarely changes (to some, that might feel dated, but regulars appreciate the familiarity); a more upscale Kaneohe location overlooks the lush Haiku Gardens.

This North Shore spot has gone from funky burger shack (it first opened in 1975) to institution, with crowds of people standing in line to order the large, hand-formed burgers heaped with bacon, cheese, and pineapple. Frankly, there are better burgers to be had around the island, but this place commands a truly loyal following.

The community-minded sons and the next generation of a Samoan-Californian couple run this casual eatery across from Shark’s Cove, as well as other locations such as Kahuku and Haleiwa. Surfers and sightseers flock here for burgers, salads, fries, and, in some locations, seafood dishes; this location has outdoor seating.

Sunburned tourists and salty surfers rub shoulders in their quest for Ted's famous chocolate haupia cream pie (layered coconut and dark chocolate puddings topped with whipped cream) and hearty plates such as garlic shrimp, gravy-drenched hamburger steak, and mahi mahi. Parking spots and the umbrella-shaded tables are at a premium, so be prepared to grab and go; if you can't get enough of that haupia goodness, Foodland and other grocery chains typically stock a selection of the famous pies.

This casual eatery with tables inside and outdoors serves authentic Thai dishes in a tiny, unassuming spot in the Sugar Mill complex, next to Seven Brothers. It also operates a food truck nearby and is a good bet when the food trucks have closed for the day.

One of the North Shore’s liveliest eateries is set in a casual, contemporary space. It serves Hawaiian-style fare including pupus—from poke bowls and fresh wild-caught moonfish to nachos with ham and kalua pig on wonton chips—as well as pasta dishes, pizza, soups, and salads.