Top pick1$Serg's Mexican Kitchen
Manoa·Mexican Restaurant
Verified visit
Welcoming restaurant with open-air seating, serving Mexican classics for breakfast, lunch & dinner.
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💸Cheap Eats·Manoa
Best Cheap Eats in Manoa
Tucked in the valley behind the University of Hawaii, Manoa is one of Oahu's best neighborhoods for eating well without spending much. I pulled together the 5 spots worth knowing for cheap eats here — combining our editors' verified picks with the area's best-rated restaurants.
Updated August 2026
The ranking
5 cheap eats in Manoa
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Nate's Picks — Book an Experience
The experiences I actually send visitors on.
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Editor's Pick Free cancellationCircle the island
Oahu Ultimate Circle Island Tour Full Day Experience
4.54.5 out of 5· 840 bookedBest single day on Oahu if you've got wheels-envy: turtles, the North Shore shrimp trucks, the lookouts — all in one guided loop.
From $84Check availability
Free cancellationHonolulu tasting walk
Honolulu: Off The Beaten Path Food Tour
5.05.0 out of 5· 765 bookedIf you like eating your way through a neighborhood, this off-the-beaten-path Honolulu tasting walk hits spots you'd never find solo. Come hungry.
From $150Check availability
Free cancellationOahu luau night
Chief's Luau Admission
4.74.7 out of 5· 3,077 bookedThe eating doesn't stop at dinner — a real luau is the one Waikiki night out worth booking ahead. Kalua pig, fire knife, the whole thing.
From $144Check availability
Editor's Pick Free cancellationWaikiki sunset sail
Waikiki Sunset Cocktail Sail on the Moana Catamaran
4.94.9 out of 5· 2,351 bookedAfter happy hour, get on the water. A sunset cocktail sail off Waikiki is the move — drinks aboard, Diamond Head glowing behind you.
From $90Check availability
Editor's Pick Free cancellationDiamond Head + breakfast
Diamond Head Hiking Tour with Ticket and Reservation Inclusion
4.74.7 out of 5· 156 bookedEarn the breakfast plate: hike Diamond Head first, then eat. Shuttle + reservation ticket included, so the morning's sorted before you refuel in Waikiki.
From $50Check availability
Andy's Sandwiches & Smoothies is a tiny neighborhood fixture known for breakfast, sandwiches on freshly baked bread, and vegetarian options, while Off the Hook Poke Market has built a strong reputation for its poke bowls. Serg's Mexican Kitchen rounds things out with Mexican classics and welcoming open-air seating.
Spots our editors have personally been to carry the NateEatsHawaii badge, so you can tell at a glance which places come with first-hand experience behind them.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What's the best cheap eats spot in Manoa?
Andy's Sandwiches & Smoothies tops this list — it's a long-standing neighborhood fixture known for affordable breakfasts, fresh-baked bread sandwiches, and smoothies. Off the Hook Poke Market is another popular budget-friendly choice.
Where can I eat cheaply near the University of Hawaii Manoa?
Manoa sits right next to the UH campus, so all five spots on this list are convenient for students and visitors. Options range from snack-shop plates at Rainbow's End to Mexican classics at Serg's Mexican Kitchen.
Is this list of Manoa cheap eats up to date?
Yes — this guide is kept current based on the restaurants cataloged on NateEatsHawaii. Spots our editors have personally visited are marked with the 'Verified visit' marker, and his hand-picked recommendations carry the NateEatsHawaii badge.
Cheap Eats
Cheap Eats in nearby neighborhoods
Manoa