 | Hawaii Kai Places to Eat |
| Oahu, HI Print Leave a comment |
Description
Hawaii Kai has some great marina-front places to eat or grab a picnic to take with you to Hanauma Bay or Sandy Beach! There are three shopping centers to choose from.
Hawaii Kai Towne Center is the first if you're coming from Waikiki (see directions below):
There are a number of fast food places to choose from and it's nice because you can take your food and eat it at the tables overlooking the marina (see photo above). The tables are in the area behind Panda Express. Other choices include: Taco del Mar, Quiznos Sub Sandwiches, Starbucks Coffee, Yogurtland, and SushiMan. Sit-down restaurants include: Roy's (on Kalanianaole Highway), Maile's Thai Bistro, and Outback Steakhouse.
Hawaii Kai Shopping Center is the second shopping center you come to on Keahole St (see directions below):
Here you could eat at Bale Sandwiches, The Shack, or Cha Cha Cha. Bale Sandwiches is the yummiest and is a good takeout choice because it's not very nice inside. Their tofu sandwich or lemon grass sandwich (which isn't on the menu but you can ask for it) are amazing. Crunchy French bread filled with tofu or chicken, and delicious veggies sliced thin in a Vietnamese sauce. $4.50 a sandwich- you can't beat that! Try their yummy papaya tapioca pudding too!
The Shack is a good dine-in choice. Inside is a rowdy, rough bar, but outside is a balcony overlooking the marina, done in nice wood, with tiki torches lit at night. I like the Fresh Catch of the Day Teriyaki Style. The fries here are the best fries ever! The fish is caught daily on their own boat and brought over to the dock right by the balcony. Now that's fresh! It's not the cleanest place but the view makes it worth it.
Cha Cha Cha has delicious, massive burritoes for lunch or dinner. The coleslaw is tasty, and contains no greasy mayonnaise! There is live music on the balcony outside, with nice views
.
Your last choice for eateries is Koko Marina Shopping Center. Don't turn on Keahole Street but continue on Kalanianaole Hwy and it'll be on your left. This is a romantic spot with gorgeous views of the marina and the jagged mountains. Some of your choices:
Kona Brewery has some great live music and tiki torches at night. Greek Marina has good food! Try the Spanakopita.
For takeout options, there is a Starbucks, Subway sandwiches, Kozo Sushi, and a local food place called "Loco Moco" where you can get "plate lunches," which are very greasy: meat, rice, and macaroni with mayonnaise. Good to get a taste of local culture but only if you have time to take a nap after eating something so heavy!
There is also a movie theatre with modern seating.
On the far end is a good, formal, indoor Italian restaurant called Assagio's. The AC is a little freezing in there so bring a jacket. Further down is Bubbies Ice Cream, where the names of the flavors are interesting in a sleazy sort of way. On the very end is Zippy's, a local-food diner, with a bakery where you can get Haupia Cake. You must try Haupia (Coconut) Cake while in Hawaii and this is the best place to get it! It's light and creamy. The seating by the marina is nice at Zippy's.
Walking around Koko Marina by the walkway with handrail behind Assagio's and Zippy's is pleasant because of the views of cliffs across and above the marina.
While you're in Hawaii Kai, make sure you do the southeast oahu scenic drive, stopping for a snorkel at Hanauma Bay or a heavenly swim at Eternity Beach, and then doing a hike up to Makapuu Lighthouse.
For a place to picnic with your yummy sandwich, sit on the grass over the water at nearby Portlock Point- this is especially good at sunset- and then go for a stunning walk around the corner at Spitting Cave.
Photo Gallery
Click on photo to see large versionAnyone can sit at these waterfront tables behind Panda Kitchen- what a view, and free! |
View from public tables at Hawaii Kai Towne Center. |
Ooooh, yeaaaah! Nothing like relaxing in Hawaii. |
A little table tucked away, waiting for you! That's Koko Crater in the background. |
Views of Koko Head, from Hawaii Kai Shopping Center, near Bale Sandwiches. |
A Bale sandwich half- don't you just want to sink your teeth into this one! We eat here as much as we can when we are back in Hawaii Kai. |
The gorgeous cloudy mountains, as seen from Hawaii Kai Shopping Center. |
Sunset at The Shack...this is the life! |
Directions
Coming along Kalanianaole Hwy from Waikiki, when you reach the suburb of Hawaii Kai
you pass a bridge over a marina. Turn left at the second light after the
bridge, on Keahole Street and you will come to Hawaii Kai Towne Center on the right (the one with Costco) and then Hawaii Kai Shopping Center also on the right (the one with McDonalds and Safeway). If you don't turn left on Keahole Street but continue on Kalanianaole Hwy you will come to Koko Marina on the left.
The map shows the location of Hawaii Kai Towne Center.
Cha Cha Cha, call (808) 395-7797.
Bale Sandwiches, call (808) 396-6556.
The Shack, call (808) 396-1919.
Greek Marina, call (808) 396-8441.
Kona Brewery, call (808) 394-5662.
Assagio's, call (808) 396-0756.
This is an interactive map, you can zoom and move it.
Visitor Ratings
Overall Visitor Rating: 
Jeremy 10/22/2009 20:23 | wooohoooo Bale. Good food so close to home! |