WAIKIKI FOOD GUIDE
Best Late Night Food in Waikiki 2026
Your guide to eating after hours — from izakayas open until 1 AM to 24-hour options
Finding quality late-night food in Waikiki can feel impossible. Most restaurants close by 9 or 10 PM, leaving hungry night owls, jet-lagged travelers, and post-bar crowds scrambling for options. After years of covering the Honolulu food scene, I've mapped out every worthwhile spot that stays open past 10 PM.
This guide covers the actual late-night options in Waikiki—from Japanese izakayas serving until 1 AM to 24-hour convenience stores with surprisingly good grab-and-go meals.
The honest truth: Waikiki's late-night food scene doesn't compare to cities like New York or Tokyo. Post-pandemic, many previously 24-hour spots reduced hours permanently. Plan accordingly.
Every spot below was personally visited and paid for by me. I don't accept payment for placement. My review policy
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Late Night Hours at a Glance
| Restaurant | Closing Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Waikiki Shokudo | 1:00 AM | Izakaya, sashimi, drinks |
| Aloha Melt Waikiki | 1:00 AM | Grilled cheese, comfort food |
| Duke's Waikiki | Midnight | Beachfront dining, live music |
| Rice & Fries | Midnight (Fri-Sat) | Korean-Hawaiian fusion, food truck |
| Zippy's (Makiki) | Midnight | Local chain, chili, oxtail soup |
| King of Thai | 1:00 AM | Thai curry, spicy noodles |
| Marukame Udon | 10:00 PM | Fresh udon noodles |
| Waikiki Yokocho | Varies | Japanese food hall |
| ABC Stores | 24 hours | Quick grab-and-go |
| Denny's Waikiki | 24 hours | American diner classics |
| Don Quijote | 24 hours | Japanese bento, onigiri, hot food |
| Safeway (Makiki) | 24 hours | Deli, poke, hot food bar |
Best Late Night Japanese
Izakaya vibes and fresh udon after dark
Hawaii has some of the best Japanese food outside of Japan, and that extends to late-night options. Waikiki Shokudo operates as a proper izakaya—the Japanese equivalent of a neighborhood pub where food and drinks share equal billing.
waikiki shokudo
355 Royal Hawaiian Ave #201
Proper izakaya open 5pm-1am daily. The handroll set gives you a live binchotan grill at your table. Late-night happy hour 10:30pm-close makes this one of the best deals after dark.
Phone: (808) 425-4061
waikiki yokocho
2250 Kalakaua Ave (Waikiki Shopping Plaza basement)
Underground Japanese food hall with multiple vendors. Great variety for groups or indecisive solo diners.
marukame udon
2310 Kuhio Ave #124
Fresh handmade udon for under $15. The line moves fast - 30 people typically means 20-25 minutes.
Phone: (808) 931-6000
Pro tip: Waikiki Shokudo Happy Hour
The Suntory highball machine uses a five-times carbonation process that creates smaller, longer-lasting bubbles—locals call it "whisky champagne." Happy hour runs from 9 PM onward, making it one of the few spots with late-night drink specials.
Best Late Night Comfort Food
Grilled cheese at 1 AM and beachfront until midnight
Sometimes you need comfort food after a long night out. Aloha Melt stays open one hour past last call specifically for post-bar crowds, while Duke's Barefoot Bar offers the unique experience of beachfront dining until midnight.
aloha melt waikiki
355 Royal Hawaiian Ave
Grilled cheese perfection open one hour past last call. Expect lines around midnight on weekends.
Phone: (808) 600-8887
Duke's Waikiki
2335 Kalakaua Ave #116
Iconic beachfront dining with live Hawaiian music. Barefoot Bar doesn't require reservations. Late happy hour 9-11 PM.
Phone: (808) 922-2268
View full details, photos & reviews →rice & fries
2002 Kalakaua Ave
Korean-Hawaiian fusion food truck with late hours on weekends. The K-Loco Moco (bulgogi patty with kimchi gravy) is perfect post-bar food. Animal Style Fries hit the spot at 11 PM.
zippy's
1222 S King St (Makiki)
Hawaii's beloved local chain with comfort food that hits different at 11 PM. The chili is legendary, oxtail soup is soul food, and Napoleon's Bakery counter has fresh pastries. About 10 min from Waikiki.
Phone: (808) 973-0880
Aloha Melt timing tip
Lines form around midnight on Friday and Saturday nights. Arrive around 10:30 PM or after 12:30 AM to avoid the rush. The combination of dipping grilled cheese into hot tomato soup at midnight hits differently than any fine dining experience.
Best Late Night International
Thai food until 1 AM
King of Thai Boat Noodles Waikiki
2146 Kalakaua Ave
Bold Thai flavors until 1 AM. Warning: spice levels run authentic - communicate clearly if you have low tolerance.
Phone: (808) 888-2112
View full details, photos & reviews →24-Hour Options
When everything else closes
Let's be real: your 24-hour options in Waikiki are limited. But ABC Stores function as Hawaii's answer to convenience stores with significantly better food options than mainland equivalents.
abc stores
Multiple locations
Hawaii's answer to convenience stores with surprisingly decent grab-and-go food. Morning batches are freshest.
denny's waikiki
205 Lewers Street
The reliable backup plan. Fills up after 2 AM when bars close.
safeway
1121 S Beretania St (Makiki)
Full grocery store with decent prepared food options. The poke and deli section are solid for late-night runs. About 10 min from Waikiki.
don quijote
801 Kaheka St, Honolulu
Japanese discount store with surprisingly good food section. Fresh bento, onigiri, and hot items available 24/7. Better food selection than most convenience stores.
Best ABC Stores for late-night food
- • ABC Store at 2155 Kalakaua Ave #102 — consistently well-stocked
- • ABC Store at Royal Hawaiian Center — good variety
- • Pro tip: Morning batches of spam musubi taste fresher
Food Trucks Worth Seeking Out
Several food truck pods operate in Waikiki, though hours vary significantly. The most reliable late-night options cluster along Kuhio Avenue and Kalakaua Avenue.
Rice & Fries
2002 Kalakaua Ave • Until Midnight (Fri-Sat)
Korean-Hawaiian fusion from a food truck that actually stays open late on weekends. The K-Loco Moco ($15) puts a Korean spin on Hawaii's classic comfort food with a bulgogi patty and kimchi gravy. Animal Style Fries ($10) are perfect post-bar fuel. David runs it solo and the quality shows.
Blue Ocean Seafood & Steak
2449 Kuhio Ave • Until ~10 PM
Surprisingly upscale lobster and steak plates at food truck prices.
Hula Dog
Near Kapuni St & Kuhio Ave
Hawaiian spin on hot dogs—try the purple taro bun with pineapple relish and lilikoi mustard.
Ohana Hale Waikiki
1944 Kalakaua Ave (at Niu St)
Food truck park with multiple vendors—individual closing times vary.
Note: Food truck hours shift seasonally and based on demand. Confirm current hours before making the trek, especially on weeknights.
Late Night Eating Tips
🌙 After Midnight Reality
Expect limited options after midnight. The honest truth: Waikiki's late-night food scene doesn't compare to cities like New York or Tokyo. Plan accordingly.
💵 Cash Helps
Some smaller vendors and food trucks still operate cash-only or offer cash discounts. Keep some bills handy for late-night eating.
📱 Delivery Options
Uber Eats and DoorDash work in Waikiki. If walking sounds unappealing, delivery apps cover most restaurants and deliver until their closing times.
✈️ Jet Lag Strategy
If arriving from the mainland or Asia, your internal clock will want food at odd hours for the first few days. Save this list on your phone before arrival.
📅 Weekend vs Weeknight
Friday and Saturday nights keep more options open later. Tuesday at 11 PM narrows your choices significantly.
🍺 Sansei Late Night Deal
Sansei offers 50% off sushi and appetizers Friday and Saturday after 10 PM. It's one of the best late-night deals in Waikiki.
Frequently Asked Questions
What restaurants are open late in Waikiki?
Most Waikiki restaurants close by 9-10 PM. For late night options: Waikiki Shokudo and King of Thai stay open until 1 AM, Aloha Melt until 1 AM (Mon-Sat), Duke's until midnight, and Marukame Udon until 10 PM. ABC Stores and Denny's are open 24 hours.
Where can I get food after midnight in Waikiki?
After midnight, your best options are Waikiki Shokudo (izakaya until 1 AM), Aloha Melt (grilled cheese until 1 AM), King of Thai (until 1 AM), ABC Stores (24 hours), and Denny's (24 hours). Sansei offers 50% off sushi after 10 PM on weekends.
Is there 24-hour food delivery in Waikiki?
Uber Eats and DoorDash operate in Waikiki but most restaurants stop delivering by 10-11 PM. For late night delivery, you're mostly limited to fast food chains and ABC Stores. Your best bet is walking to nearby late-night spots.
What's the best late night Japanese food in Waikiki?
Waikiki Shokudo is the top choice for late-night Japanese, open until 1 AM with proper izakaya food and drinks. Waikiki Yokocho food hall has multiple Japanese vendors open until midnight. Marukame Udon closes at 10 PM but is worth it for fresh udon.
Where do locals eat late night in Waikiki?
Locals hitting Waikiki late night typically go to Waikiki Shokudo for izakaya vibes, Aloha Melt after bar hopping, or Waikiki Yokocho for variety. Many also grab spam musubi from ABC Stores or hit up the food trucks on Kuhio Avenue.
Are there food trucks open late in Waikiki?
Some food trucks operate late on Kuhio Avenue, though hours vary. Blue Ocean Seafood & Steak usually runs until 10 PM. The Ohana Hale Waikiki food truck park at 1944 Kalakaua Ave has multiple vendors. Confirm hours before making the trek, especially on weeknights.
What's the best late night drunk food in Waikiki?
Aloha Melt is perfectly positioned for post-bar food - grilled cheese and tomato soup at 1 AM hits different. Waikiki Shokudo offers substantial izakaya food with drinks. ABC Stores' spam musubi is the classic 2 AM convenience option.
Does Sansei have late night specials?
Yes, Sansei offers 50% off sushi and appetizers on Friday and Saturday nights after 10 PM. It's one of the best late-night deals in Waikiki, though expect crowds for this popular special.
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The Bottom Line
Late-night eating in Waikiki requires planning. The days of abundant 24-hour options ended years ago, and the current landscape demands knowing where to go before hunger strikes.
Best Quality
Waikiki Shokudo — izakaya until 1 AM with proper drinks and atmosphere
Best Comfort
Aloha Melt — post-bar grilled cheese cravings handled perfectly
Best Vibes
Duke's Barefoot Bar — beachfront dining until midnight
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