Oahu’s North Shore is famous for the big waves and beautiful scenery, stretching from Kaena Point to La’ie. Not only does the surf change with the seasons, the scenery changes from rocky to lush landscapes as you travel along Kamehameha Highway.
When traveling up to the country, you’ll likely want to spend an entire day here, visiting local shops on Haleiwa, basking in the sun at Waimea Bay, stand-up paddle boarding at Haleiwa Beach Park, and finally watching the sun set at Sunset Beach, capping a great day with an unforgettable sunset.
With all of the activity and so much to do, you're bound to get hungry, and will need to refuel for the remainder of your day. But where do you eat? Locals know, and are always willing to help out with suggestions, but if you have an idea of where to go beforehand, you can plan accordingly and prepare yourself for a delicious meal.
North Shore Food Trucks
Found all along the North Shore, food trucks feature local shrimp and amazing plate lunches. Everyone has his or her favorite, and each has its specialty, so you really can’t go wrong. The food trucks in Haleiwa are the most accessible and the most convenient following the drive from Waikiki, and there are plenty of options, as you get closer to Waimea Bay. The most famous is Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck in Haleiwa, not to be confused with Giovanni’s Aloha Shrimp in Kahuku. No matter which you choose, you really can’t go wrong.
Hawaii Discount recommends: Garlic Shrimp Plate Lunch
Opal Thai
Until recently, Opal Thai operated out of a food truck in Haleiwa, and had quite the following among locals on the North Shore, and locals in town that frequented the surf breaks here. Now, Opal Thai is located in Haleiwa and continues to create amazing dishes. It's easy to see way the local favorite has gained so much popularity and has a 4.5 star rating on Yelp, and that’s out of nearly 1,100 reviews!
Hawaii Discount recommends: it's really tough to choose. The Pineapple Curry is really good, as are the Shrimp Noodles. Really, you can't go wrong, and don’t be afraid to try something new.
Haleiwa Joe’s Seafood Grill
The benchmark for causal dining on the North Shore, Haleiwa Joes features a variety of seafood plates, burgers, sandwiches, and salads. Evenings feature live entertainment and a great place for a refreshing cocktail with friends.
Hawaii Discount recommends: try the Black and Blue Ahi.
Matsumoto Shave Ice
Not exactly a secret that Matsumoto’s has the best shave ice on the island, but we have to include it. When the sun is high in the sky and the heat is getting to be a little too much, take a stroll into Haleiwa and grab a shave ice to cool off. The flavors are endless and you’ll be glad you stopped in to try one of the most famous places on Oahu.
Hawaii Discount recommends: no matter the flavor you choose,
Due to the high volume of visitors traveling to Hawaii year round, our Oahu tours and Oahu activities sell out quickly. In many cases, tours sell out weeks or months in advance, especially our top seller Sea Life Park Luau. To ensure your spots on tour, we recommend reserving your tours today. Call our office or book online to take advantage of our low price guarantee today.
back to trip planner