Ahi poke, Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA)

Where to Eat on Shaka Guide's East Oahu Shoreline Drive

May 31, 2024

jennifer

As you’re driving the south-eastern coast of Oahu with Shaka Guide, you’re bound to work up quite an appetite. Because we don’t want any hangry travelers, here are 10 spots we recommend along our East Oahu Shoreline Drive. Try Hawaiian dishes, hearty lunches, healthy acai bowls, or decadent desserts. We’ve outlined when the best time to visit each of these restaurants is so you can plan when you’ll grab a bite along the tour.

1. Da Cove Health Bar and Cafe

Cost: $
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Hours:
- Daily from 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Address: 3045 Monsarrat Ave #5, Honolulu, HI 96815
Phone: (808) 732-8744
When to Stop on the East Oahu Shoreline Drive: Before or after Diamond Head.

If you’re looking for healthy food options along the East Oahu Shoreline Drive, you can stop at Da Cove Health Bar & Cafe for a pre-or-post hike snack. Just a 10-minute drive from Diamond Head, this eatery serves up colorful acai bowls, fresh smoothies, and juices, as well as a small selection of sandwiches.

2. South Shore Grill

Cost: $
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Hours:
- Monday - Saturday 10:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
- Wednesday and Sunday 12:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Address: 3114 Monsarrat Ave., Honolulu, HI 96815
Phone: (808) 734-0229
When to Stop on the East Oahu Shoreline Drive: Before or after Diamond Head.

South Shore Grill is known for their fish tacos. Prepared on locally-made corn tortillas, the spicy sauce and cabbage give them a flavorful crunch! Order a two-taco plate with rice, slaw, and tuna-mac salad to fuel you throughout the tour. Get there early on Taco Tuesdays, when the line is long. Online ordering is available.

3. Leonard’s Bakery Malasada Truck

Cost: $
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Hours:
- Daily from 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Address: Koko Marina Shopping Center 7190 Kalanianaole Highway, Hawaii Kai
When to Stop on the East Oahu Shoreline Drive: After Diamond Head, before Hanauma Bay.

One word: MALASADAS. If you’re not familiar with the local favorite, malasadas are Portuguese doughnuts without a hole. They’re fried to perfection and coated in sugar. At Leonard’s Bakery, perhaps the most famous spot for malasadas on O'ahu, you can get them topped with cinnamon sugar or li hing (salty, dried plum powder). You can also opt for a malasada puff that’s filled with custard, chocolate, haupia (coconut), macadamia nut, or guava-flavored filling.

Note: Check their website for other locations around the island.

4. Kona Brewing Company

A restaurant with a large metal tank and a patio, perfect for outdoor dining and unique decor. Kona Brewing Company

Cost: $$
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Hours:
- Monday – Sunday 11:00am – 10:00pm
Address: 7192 Kalanianaole Hwy, Honolulu, HI 96825
Phone: (808) 396-5662
When to Stop on the East Oahu Shoreline Drive: After Diamond Head, before Hanauma Bay.

Located on the marina in Hawaii Kai, this is a classic pub featuring sustainably-brewed craft beers--which they like to call "liquid aloha." Selections come in year-round, seasonal, and limited release options. Inspired by a traditional Hawaiian canoe house, the best seats are on the lanai. Just be sure not to drink and drive! Although brew is the name, this restaurant has a menu with salads, sandwiches, pizza, and pupus.

Note: You must be 21 or older to enter.

5. Ono Steak and Shrimp

Cost: $
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Hours:
- Monday – Saturday 10:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Sunday Closed
Address: 41-037 Wailea St, Waimanalo, HI 96795
Phone: (808) 259-0808
When to Stop on the East Oahu Shoreline Drive: After Hunananiho (Waimanalo Bay), before Dave’s Ice Cream.

If you want local Hawaiian fare, check out the menu for Ono Steak and Shrimp in Waimanalo. This funky little places is known for their plate lunches. These popular combo meals usually consist of rice, meat or fish (or both), and salad, either macaroni or greens. Ono’s is known for their garlic shrimp and steak plate or one of their fish plate lunches. They have garlic ahi, furikake ahi, or ono with papaya-mango salsa.

6. Dave’s Hawaiian Ice Cream

Cost: $
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Hours:
- Monday – Sunday 9:00 a.m.- 7:00 p.m.
Address: 41-1537 Kalaniana'ole Hwy, Waimanalo, HI 96795
Phone: (808) 259-0356
When to Stop on the East Oahu Shoreline Drive: After Waimanalo Bay, before Kailua Beach.

During the East Oahu Shoreline Drive, we’ll guide you to Dave’s Ice Cream; a great spot to stop for a sweet treat. This ice cream parlor has dozens of flavors, including unique, Hawaii-inspired creations like Hawaiian mud pie, ube, chocolate macadamia, and haupia (coconut).

7. Boots and Kimo’s

Cost: $$
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Hours:
- Monday, Thursday, Friday 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
- Saturday & Sunday 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
- Closed Tuesday & Wednesday
Address: 1020 Keolu Drive D1, Kailua, HI 96734
(808) 263-7929
When to Stop on the East Oahu Shoreline Drive: Before or after Kailua Beach.

Boots and Kimo’s in Kailua is a brunchtime favorite. They’re known for their mac nut sauce — a decadent topping for pancakes, waffles, or French toast. The restaurant has over a dozen types of omelets with interesting combinations like shrimp alfredo, spam and cheese, chili and beans, and eggplant parmesan. If you’re not in the mood for breakfast, Boots and Kimo’s also has plate lunches like garlic chicken, Hawaiian-style kalbi short ribs, and fried chicken. We recommend you arrive hungry! Online ordering is available.

8. Moke's Bread and Breakfast

Cost: $$
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Hours:
- Wednesday – Friday 7:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
- Saturday - Sunday 7 a.m. - 2 p.m.
- Closed Monday & Tuesday
Address: 27 Hoolai St, Kailua, HI 96734
Phone: (808) 261-5565
When to Stop on the East Oahu Shoreline Drive: Before or after Kailua Beach.

In case you haven’t heard, ahi tuna is a staple here in Hawai'i. And, Moke's is serving the fish with a twist. Try their smoked ahi sandwich that comes on homemade bread. You can also grab corn beef hash, lilikoi (passionfruit) pancakes, a Reuben sandwich, or steak and eggs with fried rice at this eatery that caters to the breakfast and lunch crowd. Online ordering is available.

9. Beet Box Cafe

Cost: $$
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Hours:
- Monday – Sunday 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Address: 46 Ho’olai Street, Ste A, Kailua, Hawaii 96734
Phone: (808) 262-5000
When to Stop on the East Oahu Shoreline Drive: Before or after Kailua Beach.

If you’re looking for vegetarian or vegan options during your O'ahu road trip, we suggest you wait until you get to Kailua for Beet Box Cafe. Try the restaurant’s veggie burger, breakfast burrito, or Thai tacos. They have daily specials, baked goods, acai bowls, smoothies and juices. The best part? Everything is vegetarian-friendly, and online ordering is available.

10. Kalapawai Cafe & Deli

Cost: $$
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Kailua Beach Hours:
- Daily from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Kailua Beach Address: 306 Kalaheo Ave. Kailua, HI 96734, (808) 262-4359
Kailua Town Hours:
- Monday - Thursday 6 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.
- Friday 6 a.m. - 9 p.m.
- Saturday 7 a.m. - 9 p.m.
- Sunday 7 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Kailua Town Address: 750 Kailua Rd, Kailua, HI 96734, (808) 262-3354
When to Stop on the East Oahu Shoreline Drive: Before or after Kailua Beach.

A favorite stop in Kailua for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Order a thin-crust pizza and look out for roaming local chickens! The restaurant has a casual lunch menu and then amps up their entrees for the dinner crowd. Online ordering (here) and takeout are available.

SHAKA GUIDE OAHU TOURS:

Heart of Waikiki Walking Tour, Downtown Honolulu Walking Tour;

Circle Island Driving Tour and more!