Are you going on vacation this summer? If you haven’t yet picked your destination spot, the Hawaiian islands are always a favorite hot spot, and for good reason! Gorgeous beaches, hiking near waterfalls, perfectly warm tropical weather year round and, of course, tasty Hawaiian food!
For all you foodies out there that are visiting these beautiful islands, we’ve researched and collected a list of a few popular restaurants for that authentic island taste that is sure to satisfy, no matter which island you decide to visit. E ‘ai kakou! (Let’s eat!)
Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck, North Shore, O’ahu
This is my personal favorite and is an absolute must every time I go to O’ahu. It’s not exactly a restaurant, but it should be! Once you find Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck, be prepared for a wait. But I promise you, if you love cajun-style seafood, it’s well worth it! They have a “No Refunds” Hot and Spicy flavor and a simpler Lemon Butter option, but trust me when I say the Shrimp Scampi is the way to go. Large shrimps on a bed of rice and covered in a flavorful, garlic lemon butter sauce and, wait, even more garlic!
Bubbies Homemade Ice Cream & Desserts, Honolulu, O’ahu
Unique, homemade ice cream flavors are one thing, but Bubblies Homemade Ice Cream & Desserts are on a whole new level. It offers an array of mochi ice cream flavors you never knew existed, ice cream cakes with bizarre names (how about a slice of Hard Headed Woman or The Pretender?) and sundaes that aren’t your typical banana splits. Take a break from those surf lessons and cool down with these sweet treats!
Da Kitchen, Kahului, Maui
Who doesn’t love spam? Sure, it isn’t the healthiest choice, but you can’t deny that it’s perfect for any time of the day. Da Kitchen’s fried spam musubi, along with the loco moco, is just some of the many favorites at this restaurant. Come hungry or be prepared to share because patrons say these portions are huge!
Koloa Fish Market, Koloa, Kauai
What’s a trip to Hawaii without having some fresh Hawaiian poke? Here, you may find several different flavors that aren’t available in the homeland. For instance, patrons rave about the Wasabi Poke and Korean Style Poke. If you still aren’t a fan of raw fish, they have grilled fish options as well!
Mark’s Place, Lihue, Kauai
If you’ve tried Rainbow Drive-In in O’ahu, locals claim this is Kawaii’s equivalent! With weekly and daily specials on plates and salads, you will never get bored with their menu. They are also known for a dessert called the butter mochi! So if you want to grab a quick and delicious plate of Hawaiian food before burning it off during your next outdoor adventure, this is the place to go.
There are so many more great Hawaiian restaurants around the islands! Which ones have we missed and are your favorites?
Feature image courtesy of dakitchen.com.
