review
Banzai Burger at Kuhio Food Hall: The Best Burger in Waikiki?
I was starving after a coffee run, grabbed the $19 Waimea double — and this is NOT a normal burger.
By Nate · Published June 2026 · prices verified in person
Right after a coffee article, I rolled into Kuhio Food Hall on Kuhio Ave starving. So the choice basically made itself — Banzai Burger.
I went for the Waimea Burger, their $19 double beef. One problem: it doesn't come with lettuce, and let me be real with you, I gotta have lettuce on my burger. Asked nicely if they could add some and the lady said no problem. Burger, lettuce, and a dip ran me about $25.
Burger showed up in about 10 minutes. And let me tell you — this is NOT a normal burger. This is the real deal. I haven't had many like this on the island.
| 📍 Location | Banzai Burger, Kuhio Avenue Food Hall, 2330 Kalakaua Ave. Suite #156, Honolulu, HI 96815 |
| 💰 Price Range | Burgers $16–$19; my meal ~$25 with lettuce + dip |
| 🍽️ Must Order | Waimea Burger (double beef) — add lettuce if you ask me |
| ⏱️ Wait | About 10 minutes for the burger |
| 👥 Best For | Waikiki visitors & burger lovers; indoor + outdoor seating |
| 🕐 Hours | Daily 8:00 am – 9:00 pm |
The Spot: Banzai Burger Inside Kuhio Food Hall
Banzai Burger lives inside Kuhio Avenue Food Hall, right on Kalakaua/Kuhio in the heart of Waikiki. The counter is the loud, fun kind — pink walls, a big wave mural, and a neon-style BANZAI BURGER sign over the order window. 'Make yourself at home & indulge in the flavors of Hawaii' is painted right on the wall.
Here's something we genuinely liked: they've got indoor seating and outdoor seating. That matters more than you'd think in Waikiki. Forecast says rain all day, then the wind kicks in and the sun's out. You can't trust it. Either way, you've got a spot.
They're also now open for breakfast at 8AM — breakfast burrito, breakfast sandwich, loco moco, breakfast skillet, chicken & waffle, Hawaiian French toast, the works. We didn't order breakfast this trip, so we can't speak to it yet.
The Waimea Burger: Honest Taste Review
We ordered the Waimea Burger — two beef patties, american cheese, bacon, grilled and diced onions, garlic mayo, and Banzai sauce. The menu literally says 'Eddie would go!' Since it doesn't come with lettuce, we asked them to add some. That cost 50 cents and it was worth it.
First bite hit just like we hoped. The meat, the patty — amazing. Cooked medium, juicy, exactly how we like it. And it's NOT drowning in sauce, which we appreciated. You can actually taste the beef. Diced onions in there, the bacon, and the lettuce we asked for. This is the real deal — we haven't had many burgers like this on the island.
Little detail we loved: the parchment paper is printed with all the Kuhio Food Hall brands. Nice touch. The whole meal? Incredible.
Burgers here don't come with lettuce by default. If you're like us and need it, just ask — it's a $0.50 add.
Nate's pick
Waimea Burger (add lettuce) — $19.00
Double beef, cooked medium and juicy, not drowning in sauce. Best burger I've had at the food hall — just ask for lettuce, it's only a small add. THIS IS THE MOVE.
Pro Tips
1. Ask for lettuce
Burgers don't come with it by default. It's a small add — request it when you order.
2. Grab outdoor seating when the sun's out
There's indoor and outdoor seating. The Waikiki weather flips fast, so it's nice to have both options.
3. Budget for the fees
Takeout over $10 adds a $1.50 packaging fee, and water costs extra. Factor it in.
4. Plan ~10 minutes
My burger took about 10 minutes — made fresh, not sitting under a heat lamp.
FAQ
Where is Banzai Burger?
Inside Kuhio Avenue Food Hall at 2330 Kalakaua Ave. Suite #156, Honolulu, HI 96815, in the heart of Waikiki.
How much is the Waimea Burger?
The Waimea Burger (double beef) is $19. With a lettuce add and a dip, my meal came to about $25.
Does the burger come with lettuce?
No — by default it doesn't. You can add lettuce for a small charge if you ask.
Is there seating?
Yes — both indoor and outdoor seating, which is handy when Waikiki weather flips between sun and rain.
Do they serve breakfast?
Yes, they're now open for breakfast at 8AM with items like a breakfast burrito, loco moco, and Hawaiian French toast.
Final Verdict
Banzai Burger isn't the cheapest burger in Waikiki — the Waimea runs $19, and my meal landed around $25 with lettuce and a dip. But the burger itself? The real deal. Cooked medium, juicy, not drowning in sauce, with diced onions and bacon doing their thing. I haven't had many like it on the island.
Add in indoor and outdoor seating for whatever the Waikiki sky decides to do, plus that printed Kuhio Food Hall parchment, and the whole experience was incredible.
Next time you're in Waikiki, swing by Kuhio Food Hall on Kuhio Ave and grab the Waimea Burger — extra lettuce if you ask us.
I pay for my own meals. The 'Nate's pick' badge is editorial and not for sale. Prices and hours were confirmed in person at the time of visit and can change. Been there already? DM me on Instagram @nateeatshawaii and I'd love to add your experience to the article.
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