Waikiki isn't just shave ice and poke โ it's quietly home to some seriously good burgers. I pulled together 17 qualifying spots and curated this guide to highlight the ones genuinely worth your time, from market pop-ups to beachside cafes.
The list leads with spots carrying the NateEatsHawaii badge โ Nate's hand-picked, verified recommendations โ followed by Waikiki's best-rated burger joints as scored by real visitors on the site. Highlights include Banzai Burger, serving made-to-order burgers with a Hawaiian twist inside the Kuhio Avenue Food Hall, and JOJA Hawaii at the Waikiki Makers Market, known as Hawaii's original truffle smashburger (available every Monday 3:30โ8 PM). Barefoot Beach Cafe at Queen's Surf Beach rounds things out with an only-in-Hawaii vibe: open-air dining, live music, and a weekend beach BBQ.
Wherever the NateEatsHawaii badge appears on the page, that's a spot Nate personally recommends. Use this guide to eat well and skip the guesswork on your next Waikiki outing.