Waikiki breakfast prices are brutal. Hotel buffets run $35-50. Beachfront cafes charge $20 for eggs and toast. But if you know where to look, you can eat well for under $10 — sometimes under $5.
I've been hunting down the best cheap breakfast spots in Waikiki for NateEatsHawaii.com. These aren't tourist traps. They're where locals grab food before work, where families go on weekends, and where you can actually taste Hawaii without emptying your wallet.
Whether you want a quick $3 spam musubi before hitting the beach, a loaded breakfast burrito to cure last night's decisions, or Instagram-worthy crepes from a family-run food truck — I've got you covered.
Grab-and-go musubi is the cheapest breakfast in Waikiki
My picks below are places I visited and paid for myself. Wider map listings are there for discovery — the badge marks the ones I've been to. My review policy
1. Musubi Cafe IYASUME — $2.68-$4.68
Waikiki Beach Walk
The cheapest breakfast in Waikiki. Period.
Musubi Cafe IYASUME is a no-brainer if you're on a budget. Grab a spam musubi and you're out the door with breakfast for under $3. Two musubis and you're stuffed for under $6.
Menu & Prices
| Musubi | Price |
|---|---|
| Black Pepper Spam | $2.68 |
| Shiso Spam | $2.78 |
| Avocado Shrimp Spam | $3.98 |
| Double Shrimp Spam | $4.68 |
They also have salmon, mentaiko, tuna-mayo, and ikura options ranging from $3-5.
The rice is perfectly seasoned — sticky but not mushy. The spam-to-rice ratio is on point. And the portions are bigger than they look. This is real local food at local prices.
The Vibe
Quick grab-and-go. No frills, just good musubi. Perfect for grabbing breakfast before an early beach session.
Best for: Budget eats, quick grab-and-go, beach breakfast
Nate recommends: Double Shrimp Spam or Avocado Shrimp Spam
Price for 2 people: ~$8-10
2. HI.Shack Taste of Aloha — $8-$18
Kalakaua Ave (next to 7-Eleven)
From fluffy pancakes with coconut syrup to loaded breakfast burritos — HI.Shack does it all. This is where you go when you want a real breakfast, not just a snack.
Menu & Prices
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Breakfast Burrito | ~$10 |
| Lobster Taco | ~$8 |
| Glory's Smash Burger | $17.99 |
| Pancakes + Coconut Syrup | ~$12 |
Prices updated December 2025 — they run monthly deals so check for specials
The breakfast burrito is stuffed — eggs, meat, cheese, all the good stuff wrapped tight. The pancakes come fluffy and drenched in coconut syrup, which tastes like Hawaii on a plate. And if you're feeling it, the lobster taco is surprisingly affordable for what you get.
Pro tip: They run breakfast deals monthly. The November 2025 deal had the breakfast burrito at $9.99 and lobster tacos at $7.99. Follow them on Instagram to catch the next one.
The Vibe
Casual local spot. Order at the window, grab a seat, enjoy. No pretense, just good food.
Best for: Full breakfast, pancake lovers, hangover cure
Nate recommends: Breakfast Burrito or Pancakes with Coconut Syrup
Price for 2 people: ~$20-30
3. Waikiki Crepes — ~$16
Waikiki
This one's for the brunch crowd. Waikiki Crepes is a family-owned food truck run by a mom and daughter who are genuinely the sweetest people.
Menu & Prices
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Pancakes with Cream Cheese + Salmon | $16 |
| Savory Crepes | ~$14-18 |
| Sweet Crepes | ~$12-16 |
The crepes have this soft, delicate texture — not rubbery like some places. The salmon pancakes come generously filled with cream cheese and smoked salmon. It's more brunch than breakfast, but worth every dollar.
The Vibe
They've set up a cute photo spot with flowers and an Eiffel Tower backdrop — perfect for Instagram. You can eat at the benches nearby or take it to go in a nice bag with a handwritten thank-you message. This is the kind of local business that deserves your support.
Best for: Brunch date, Instagram content, supporting local families
Nate recommends: Cream Cheese + Salmon Pancakes
Price for 2 people: ~$30-35
Quick Comparison
| Spot | Best Dish | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Musubi Cafe IYASUME | Double Shrimp Spam | $2.68-$4.68 | Cheapest option, grab & go |
| HI.Shack | Breakfast Burrito | $8-$18 | Full breakfast, hangover food |
| Waikiki Crepes | Salmon Pancakes | ~$16 | Brunch vibes, Instagram |
Nate's Verdict
Tightest budget? Musubi Cafe IYASUME — legit $5 breakfast, no joke.
Want a real meal? HI.Shack Breakfast Burrito — stuffed and satisfying.
Date morning or content creator? Waikiki Crepes for the vibes and the 'gram.
Skip the overpriced hotel buffet. These three spots prove you can eat well in Waikiki without going broke.
Map
All three spots are on the NateEatsHawaii Food Map. Filter by "Breakfast" to find them plus more cheap eats across Waikiki.
Open Food MapFAQ
What's the cheapest breakfast in Waikiki?
Musubi Cafe IYASUME at Waikiki Beach Walk — spam musubi starts at $2.68. You can get a filling breakfast for under $5.
Where can we get breakfast in Waikiki under $10?
Musubi Cafe IYASUME ($2.68-$4.68) has the cheapest options. HI.Shack on Kalakaua Ave has breakfast burritos and tacos in the $8-10 range, especially during their monthly deals.
Is there good breakfast near Waikiki Beach?
Yes — Musubi Cafe at Waikiki Beach Walk is steps from the beach, perfect for grab-and-go before surfing. HI.Shack on Kalakaua Ave is also a short walk from the sand.
What time does breakfast start in Waikiki?
Most spots open between 7-8 AM. Musubi Cafe opens early for grab-and-go. Check individual hours on the Food Map for exact times.
Where do locals eat breakfast in Waikiki?
Locals hit Musubi Cafe for quick, cheap musubi and HI.Shack for real food at reasonable prices. You won't find many locals at the $40 hotel buffets.
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Last Updated: December 6, 2025
Written by: Nate — Founder of NateEatsHawaii