Top pick1$10 Empanadas
Kailua·Argentinian Restaurant
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Kailua has one of Oahu's most beloved local dining scenes, and this list ranks the best of it using real visitor ratings submitted right here on NateEatsHawaii. From the Argentine-inspired flavors at 10 Empanadas to the cozy Italian-American comfort of Assaggio Kailua, there's something for every appetite on the windward side.
With 78 qualifying restaurants in the area, I pulled together the spots consistently rising to the top based on how real diners rate them on the site. Whether you're after a hearty breakfast at Cinnamon's Restaurant Kailua or fresh, locally sourced salads at Aloha Salads, Kailua delivers quality and variety in a laid-back beach-town setting.
Spots that Nate has personally visited are marked with the NateEatsHawaii badge on the page — a handy signal when you're deciding where to head next. Ratings are updated as new visitor reviews come in, so this list always reflects what's earning the most love right now.
The ranking
Top pick1$
2
3$Relaxed health- & eco-conscious eatery serving locally sourced salads & sandwiches.
4$$Cozy chain eatery for romantic dining offering Italian-American classics & a full bar.
5$$Quaint Italian restaurant serving lunch & dinner in a cozy dining room or gardenlike covered patio.
6$$Relaxed local diner chain serving breakfast, burgers & Hawaiian takes on classic American dishes.
7
8$$Casual restaurant serving Hawaiian-American breakfast & lunch dishes, with patio seating available.
9$Counter-service place offering a limited menu of burritos, tacos & other casual Mexican fare.
10$$Laid-back steakhouse presents a surf 'n' turf menu & drinks in a tiki hut-style space.
11$$Breakfast & lunch menus including red velvet pancakes, cinnamon buns & crab cakes in a casual space.
12$$
13$$Brisket, fried chicken & other comfort eats served in a hip restaurant offering cocktails & beer.
14$$Casual establishment offering classic Korean food & an all-you-can-eat vegetable bar.
15
16$$
17
18A contemporary setting with Asian-inspired small & shared plates from lauded chef, Roy Yamaguchi.
19$$
20
21$Local institution for athletic clothing from popular Hawaiian brands, with a shave-ice machine.
22
23
24$Low-key, quick-serve outpost offering Hawaiian & Asian BBQ fare plus assorted sides.
25$$Wood-paneled bar & grill serving American pub grub & offering weekly live music & televised sports.
26Down-to-earth outfit with extensive à la carte or platter sushi, plus soups & salads.
27$$Eatery offering sandwiches & salads before 5PM & contemporary dinners with table service at night.
28$$
29$$Hawaiian kitchen preparing slow-roasted pork sandwiches, platters & more in laid-back surrounds.
30$Island-themed fast-food chain whose menu features traditional Hawaiian plate lunches.
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FAQ
Based on real visitor ratings on NateEatsHawaii, standout spots include 10 Empanadas, 22 Kailua, Boots & Kimo's Homestyle Kitchen, and Buzz's Original Steak House, among many others across the 78 qualifying Kailua restaurants tracked on the site.
Kailua has plenty of wallet-friendly options — Bowles Burritos offers casual counter-service Mexican fare, Aloha Salads keeps things fresh and light, and Bob's Pizzeria is a go-to for a straightforward, satisfying meal without breaking the bank.
This list is driven by real visitor ratings on NateEatsHawaii and updates as new reviews come in, so the rankings reflect current diner sentiment rather than a one-time snapshot.
Kailua