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: Tuesday – Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. 

Friday – Monday 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. 

Address: 3045 Monsarrat Ave #5, Honolulu, HI 96815

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 and 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. – 9:00 p.m.

Sunday Closed

Address: 3114 Monsarrat Ave., Honolulu, HI 96815

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 gives 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

Cost: $

Accepts Credit Cards: Yes

Hours: Sunday – Thursday 5:30 a.m. – 10 p.m. 

Friday and Saturday 5:30 a.m. – 11 p.m. 

Address (Bakery): 933 Kapahulu Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96816

Address (MalasadaMobile): Waikele Shopping Center, 94 Lumiaina Street, Waipahu, HI 96797

When to Stop on the East Oahu Shoreline Drive: Before Hanauma Bay, after Diamond Head.

One word: MALASADAS. If you’re not familiar with the local favorite, malasadas are portugese 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 Oahu, 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. 

4. Kona Brewing Company 

Cost: $$

Accepts Credit Cards: Yes

Hours: Monday – Sunday 11:00am – 10:00pm

Address: 7192 Kalanianaole Hwy, Honolulu, HI 96825

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. 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. 

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

When to Stop on the East Oahu Shoreline Drive: After Waimanalo Bay, before Dave’s Ice Cream. 

If you want local Hawaiian fare, stop by Ono Steak and Shrimp in Waimanalo for a plate lunch. A plate lunch is a staple here in Hawaii. It usually consists 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 Ice Cream

Cost: $

Accepts Credit Cards: Yes

Hours: Monday – Sunday 9:00 a.m.- 7:00 p.m. 

Address: 41-1537 Kalanianaʻole Hwy, Waimanalo, HI 96795

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.

7. Boots and Kimo’s

Cost: $$

Accepts Credit Cards: Yes

Hours: Monday – Friday 7:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. 

Saturday and Sunday 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. 

Tuesday Closed

Address: 151 Hekili St, Kailua, HI 96734

When to Stop on the East Oahu Shoreline Drive: Before or after Kailua Beach.

Boots and Kimo’s in Kailua is a brunch time 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 omelettes 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. Mokes

Cost: $$

Accepts Credit Cards: Yes

Hours: Wednesday – Monday 6:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Tuesday Closed

Address: 27 Hoolai St, Kailua, HI 96734

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 Hawaii. And, Mokes is serving the fish with a twist. Try their smoked ahi sandwich that comes on house-made 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 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. 

Address: 46 Ho’olai Street, Ste A, Kailua, Hawaii 96734

When to Stop on the East Oahu Shoreline Drive: Before or after Kailua Beach.

If you’re looking for vegetarian or vegan options during you Oahu 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

Hours: Monday – Thursday 6:00am – 9:00pm

Friday 6:00am – 9:30pm | Saturday 7:00am – 9:30pm

Sunday 7:00am – 9:00pm

Address: 750 Kailua Rd, Kailua, HI 96734

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 lookout 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.

 

Also check out: Best Places to Get Shave Ice in Oahu!

SHAKA GUIDE OAHU TOURS: 

Heart of Waikiki Walking Tour, Downtown Honolulu Walking Tour; 

Circle Island Driving Tour and more!