Oahu restaurants?

[ESF]

We are going there soon. Two nights will be at the Marriott Ko'Olina for a wedding, so we are set for dinner those nights.

The other three nights, we have a VRBO in Waimanolo, on the eastern part of the island.

We land around lunch time. Ideally, I'd like to find a place for lunch with a view of the water with amazing seafood. Preferably somewhere near the airport, or either on the way up to Ko'Olina, or nearby.

Beyond that, our plans include driving up to the North shore, kayaking near Kailua, and hiking Diamondhead.

What have you got for me?

[lys]

Be sure to do Diamondhead early in the morning.
Have fun - you will hate to leave.

[sporky]

Definitely do House Without A Key for dinner.

[rootbeerfloat]

Monkeypod while you're at Ko Olina.

In Kailua, Cinnamon's for breakfast. I also like Buzz's and Kalapawai Cafe. You can grab shave ice from Island Snow after you kayak.

It's pretty easy to drive around to Hawaii Kai from Waimanalo. There's Kona Brewery and a Roy's (also one in Ko Olina).

[rootbeerfloat]

Nico's is close to the airport, though slightly opposite of the way to Ko Olina. Local food, seafood, on the water, mediocre view.

[wannabe]

Oh man...the shrimp trucks on north shore!

[RoxMonster]

I second the shrimp trucks on the North Shore. We ate at Fumi's twice--it was delicious!

Stop at Aoki's in Hale'iwa for shave ice (also on North Shore).

[lilles]

Sept 20, 2014 14:56:28 GMT -5 rootbeerfloat said:

Nico's is close to the airport, though slightly opposite of the way to Ko Olina. Local food, seafood, on the water, mediocre view.

[b

If you go to Nico's get the furikake encrusted ahi tuna. I miss it so much.

[lilles]

Also, Pinky's in Kailua.

And of course Spam musubi from Seven Eleven.

[ESF]

Thanks everyone!!!

wannabe and @roxmonster - can you explain the fish trucks? Are they just like food trucks parked in random places that sell shrimp things?

[rootbeerfloat]

When drive around the North Shore, you will see trucks on the side of the road that sell plates of shrimp (not fish or other seafood, just shrimp), sauteed in buttery deliciousness.

[spunkarella]

No restaurants recs for Oahu, but eat shave ice every day! Ling hing mui is where it's at.

[daisypaloma]

I don't think there's really notable restaurants meeting your preferences (good seafood, water views) between the airport and Ko Olina, but 53 By The Sea is 8 miles south of the airport with amazing views.  I haven't been, but I've dined there when it was called something else.  If you're looking for something low-key, there's Uncle's Fish Market on Nimitz Highway 4 miles south of HNL.  There's no water view, but the food is good.

Kapolei is a town near Marriott.  I'd also recommend Koa Pancake House, Zippy's, Jurison's, Shiro's Saimin (city of Ewa Beach) for some low-key, local flavor.

Stay out of the cities of Waianae or Makaha (cities further north of Ko'Olina) unless you really need to. Good beaches, but there are much safer beaches on the other sides of the island. 

Boots N Kimo's in Kailua for lunch.  I personally like Saeng's Thai's Evil Jungle Prince, have it to go, and hang out at Lanikai beach to people watch.

Diamond Head Market & Grill is near Diamond Head.  12th Avenue Grill in Kaimuki is fancier.  I personally love Kim Chee 2's Butterfish dish.  Big City Diner is also nearby.

I was told many times Giovanni's is arguably the best shrimp truck in the North Shore.  I ate at a different one the last time we went.  I loved Foodland Store's poke but I heard Kahuku Superette's is way better. Matsumoto Shave Ice in North Shore.  I'm partial to Ehukai beach, but Waimea Bay Beach is just as nice.

Since you'll be staying in Waimanalo, if you can put in some snorkeling in Hanauma Bay, I would recommend it.  Sandy beach to surfer-people watch.

If you're looking for really good, fancier food in the island you will have to venture out in Honolulu/Waikiki as that's where most of these places are located. I don't go to these places when I go to O'ahu, but there's a ton of them (Morimoto, Mavro's, La Mer, Vintage Cave, etc).

www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=Fine+Dining+Restaurants&find_loc=Honolulu%2C+HI

Sushi Sasabune has good omakase if you'd be interested. Location is crap, though.

If you want decent spam musubi, L&L and most of the local restaurants mentioned above would be a good bet.

Leonard's Malassadas wherever you can find them. And Ted's pies.

[stealthmom]

Sept 20, 2014 15:41:07 GMT -5 RoxMonster said:

I second the shrimp trucks on the North Shore. We ate at Fumi's twice--it was delicious!

Stop at Aoki's in Hale'iwa for shave ice (also on North Shore).

aoki's is closed. i miss it. I much preferred it to matsumoto's.

[stealthmom]

Honestly? Unless you're flying in on sat or sun I'd grab something and get the hell out of the airport as quickly as possible. This way you can avoid traffic, get to the ihilani faster and you can enjoy happy hour at the monkeypod kitchen. I think that would be a much better use of your time.

Also- if you're going to the north shore we like romy's the best. But call way ahead. Waits during peak time can be up to an hour.

If you're in haleiwa town I really like blue water shrimp and seafood. It's a truck. Best calamari steak I've ever had.

There's a serg's in waimanalo. It's arguably the best mexican on the island which isn't saying much but they're known for their flautas and they have taco tuesday which is a good deal.

[stealthmom]

Oh almost forgot- if you have time while on the leeward side snorkel at electric beach.

[RoxMonster]

Sept 22, 2014 1:53:03 GMT -5 stealthmom said:

Sept 20, 2014 15:41:07 GMT -5 RoxMonster said:

I second the shrimp trucks on the North Shore. We ate at Fumi's twice--it was delicious!

Stop at Aoki's in Hale'iwa for shave ice (also on North Shore).

aoki's is closed. i miss it. I much preferred it to matsumoto's.

Noooooo! That makes me so sad It's been three years since I've been there. I had no idea.

[ESF]

Sept 22, 2014 2:17:57 GMT -5 stealthmom said:

Honestly? Unless you're flying in on sat or sun I'd grab something and get the hell out of the airport as quickly as possible. This way you can avoid traffic, get to the ihilani faster and you can enjoy happy hour at the monkeypod kitchen. I think that would be a much better use of your time.

Also- if you're going to the north shore we like romy's the best. But call way ahead. Waits during peak time can be up to an hour.

If you're in haleiwa town I really like blue water shrimp and seafood. It's a truck. Best calamari steak I've ever had.

There's a serg's in waimanalo. It's arguably the best mexican on the island which isn't saying much but they're known for their flautas and they have taco tuesday which is a good deal.

Ah, I hadn't thought about traffic.  I think this will be our plan!!

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions!  We are definitely going to check out these shrimp trucks and some of the other suggestions here!

[Deleted]

Giovanni's Shrimp Truck is my favorite!

[livinitup]

Roy's. Definitely Roy's for dinner.

www.royshawaii.com/index.html

[Deleted]

Sept 22, 2014 14:56:34 GMT -5 livinitup said:

Roy's. Definitely Roy's for dinner.

www.royshawaii.com/index.html

::Whispers:: She can do that at home. 

www.roysrestaurant.com/locations/