Top pick1$$Boots & Kimo's Homestyle Kitchen
Windward·Hawaiian Restaurant
Casual restaurant serving Hawaiian-American breakfast & lunch dishes, with patio seating available.
View details
🌺Hawaiian Food·Kailua
Best Hawaiian Food in Kailua
Kailua is one of Oahu's most beloved towns, and its Hawaiian food scene punches well above its weight. From no-frills plate lunch counters to laid-back kitchens piling on the kalua pork, I pulled together the nine spots worth knowing for anyone eating their way through this windward gem.
Updated September 2026
Your shortlist
Save the spots you want to try 🌺
Bookmark restaurants, build collections, and share your list. Works in your browser — no app needed.
Also on the App Store →The ranking
9 hawaiian food in Kailua
See every spot on a live map
Filter, get directions, and find what's open right now.
The list leads with spots that carry the **NateEatsHawaii badge** — our editors' personally verified picks — followed by the area's best-rated restaurants based on reputation and visitor favorites. Boots & Kimo's Homestyle Kitchen is a well-known windward staple celebrated for its Hawaiian-American breakfast and lunch, while Kono's Northshore has built a loyal following around its slow-roasted pork sandwiches and platters. For a quick, reliable plate lunch fix, K and K Bar B-Que Inn and the Kailua outpost of Zippy's are consistently popular with locals and visitors alike.
Whether you're after a hearty loco moco, a classic BBQ plate, or just soaking up the relaxed Kailua vibe over a meal, this guide has you covered. Spots our editors have personally visited are marked on the page with the NateEatsHawaii badge — look out for it as you browse.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Hawaiian food restaurant in Kailua?
Boots & Kimo's Homestyle Kitchen is one of the most talked-about spots in the area, known for its hearty Hawaiian-American breakfast and lunch dishes with patio seating. Kono's Northshore is another local favorite, particularly for its slow-roasted pork sandwiches and platters.
Where can I find affordable Hawaiian plate lunches in Kailua?
K and K Bar B-Que Inn, L&L Hawaiian Barbecue, and Zippy's Kailua are all well-regarded quick-serve or casual dining options that keep things budget-friendly while delivering classic Hawaiian comfort food like BBQ plates and stews.
How is this Kailua Hawaiian food guide put together, and is it kept up to date?
This is a curated BEST guide — our editors' personally verified picks appear first (marked with the NateEatsHawaii badge), followed by the area's highest-rated spots based on visitor feedback. The list is reviewed regularly to keep recommendations accurate and relevant.
Hawaiian Food
Hawaiian Food in nearby neighborhoods
Kailua
More to eat in Kailua
🍽️Where to eat restaurants in KailuaRestaurants💸Cheap Eats in KailuaCheap Eats☕Top-rated coffee shops in KailuaCoffee Shops🍳Best Breakfast in KailuaBreakfast🍸Kailua nightlifeBars & Nightlife🥐Where to eat bakeries in KailuaBakeries🥪Sandwiches in KailuaSandwiches🍱Top-rated japanese food in KailuaJapanese Food
The 10 Oahu spots I send my own friends
Restaurants, beaches, hikes — my exact shortlist as a free printable PDF. Plus first dibs on the app when it drops.
Nate's 10 + app news. Unsubscribe anytime.