8 Best Restaurants in Windward Oahu, Oahu

The historic Waiahole Poi Factory, which made poi for 70 years before serving as an art galley and then a commercial kitchen, returned to its roots back in 2009 and now makes some of the island's freshest and best-tasting poi. Along with that Hawaiian food staple, you can get plate lunches with other classics like squid luau (a dish with taro leaves and coconut), lomi lomi salmon (pieces of salted salmon mixed with onion and tomatoes), chicken long rice, and laulau (meat or fish wrapped in leaves and cooked); outdoor seating is limited, so it's good for takeout. A menu favorite is the Sweet Lady of Waiahole dessert, named after a popular local song, with warm kulolo (taro-coconut pudding) and haupia (a type of coconut pudding) ice cream. A second location recently opened in the food court at Windward Mall and is convenient for those who don't end up going farther north along the coast.

A long-time local favorite, the elegant, inviting bistro is a classic Italian restaurant offering an extensive range of pastas, antipasti, mains, and really excellent desserts. Consider the ravioli del giorno followed by vitello (veal) cooked with a variety of sauces. Top off your meal with a dessert specialty: crème brûlée.

Sometimes you wait an hour for a table here while patrons clamor for the banana pancakes topped with a thick macadamia-nut sauce. At lunch, the signature dish is a plate of pulehu (grilled) ribs. When the operation moved from a hole-in-the-wall to a larger space in 2010, and moved again in 2021, the line stayed just as long—but the food didn't change.

Virtually unchanged since opening in 1967, this neighborhood institution opposite Kailua Beach Park is filled with the aroma of grilling steaks and plumeria blooms. It doesn't matter if you're a bit sandy and beach bedraggled (though bare feet are a no-no, as are tank tops after 4:30 pm)—just find a spot in the cozy maze of rooms; order a steak, a burger, teriyaki chicken, or the fresh fish special. Leave room for desserts. Get a table on the lanai if you can, especially at lunch when the menu is a bit less expensive; the view alone makes it worth the visit. If you sit at the bar, expect to make friends. Be warned: the mai tais here are the strongest you'll find anywhere; if you order the "B.F.R.D." don't expect to drive home.

This spinoff from famous chef Roy Yamaguchi serves elevated Hawaii regional cuisine and cocktails in the Lau Hala Shops complex, right where the old Macy's used to be. The kids' menu goes above and beyond the typical fare.

One of four Jolene’s locations in Oahu, the Kaneohe restaurant with an open-air dining room and deck is next to the Bayview Golf Course and Bay View Mini-Putt and Zipline; the deck has a golf course view and a peek-a-boo glimpse of Kaneohe Bay. The eatery is best known for its lobster “buttah” rolls—toasted, buttery bread stuffed with pickled vegetables and lobster salad—and also has a range of coastal Atlantic hot and cold sandwiches, salads and burgers, many with some Asian spin, too. For beverages, choose from iced milk teas, sweet teas, and tropical slushies you can spike, plus other alcoholic beverages. 

The Dymond family, two generations of restaurateurs who have shaken up the windward food scene, created this one-stop, green-and-white, Mediterranean-leaning café, wine bar, bakery, and gourmet deli. Come in on your way to the beach for a cup of coffee and bagel, and stop back for a delicious pizza or bruschetta for lunch or a candlelight dinner at night. The breakfast and lunch menus are a mix of sandwiches, salads, and other creative offerings; the place transforms at night, with table service, candles, and a frequently changing menu of freshly grilled fish and turf offerings. The original Kalapawai Market, a grab-and-go spot, is right at Kailua Beach.

Generations of children have purchased their beach snacks and sodas at Kalapawai Market near Kailua Beach. A Windward Oahu landmark since 1932, the green-and-white market has distinctive charm. You'll see slipper-clad locals sitting, sharing a cup of coffee, and talking story at picnic tables or in front of the market. It's a good source for your carryout lunch since there's no concession stand at the beach. The market also has one of the better selections of wine on the island. There's a sister Kalapawai Cafe with a sit-down menu in the center of Kailua and two more locations in Waimanalo and Kapolei.