Economical Restaurants in Oahu; Especially Waikiki
 

Could you please give me your suggestions on economical, local restaurants in Oahu. We especially love "hole in the wall" types. We will be staying at the Hawaiian Village so would also like places within walking distance from there as well. We are planning on renting a car a couple days to see the island but staying close to our hotel and/or using bus transportation some of the days.
Thank you!

I made a reply and don't see it, so I'll try again.

Hilton Hawaiian Village shops and food are on the pricey side, but no more than any other hotel in Hawaii. Next door is the military owned Hale Koa Hotel, and you can go to their snack bar right off the beach even if you're not military. Basic food. You're withing walking distance to the massive (more than 20 stalls) food court at Ala Moana Center and the smaller one (maybe 8 stalls) at Royal Hawaiian Center. Wailana Coffee Shop is an oldie but goodie at the corner of Kalia and Ala Moana, maybe a quarter mile from the HHV. Most of the small local places in Waikiki have been bought, demolished, and replaced with high end designer stores, so your only chance of finding something like that is to walk along Kuhio Ave, which splits off from Ala Moana (becoming Kalakaua to the right and Kuhio to the left) and see if any small places are left. Feel free to contact me, I lived there several years.

Hi! Is this your first time to Oahu? Waikiki isn't known for their most economical eateries. You WILL find a place called Marukame Udon in Waikiki that is pretty cheap and amazingly, their udon noodles are made fresh. Since they're so cheap and good, they almost always have a long line. But it moves fast.

Also in Waikiki you'll find a place called Waikiki Yokocho in the basement level of the Waikiki Shopping Plaza. It's a food hall, not a food court, and it's not bad on pricing. The vendors there are all straight from Japan.

Across the way is Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center, and they have food court with a dozen or so fairly reasonable eateries.

And next to that is Waikiki Beach Walk (227 Lewers) and they have a few spots that aren't as expensive as other Waikiki restaurants.....Giovanni Pastrami, Cheeseburger, and Subway.

If you want real Hawaiian food, try Highway Inn, located in Kakaako. It's a big up-and-coming district. Adjacent to Kakaako, located between there and Ala Moana, is Ward Center/Ward Village, and there's quite a few places to eat there, both reasonable and not.

For more places to eat in Hawaii, check out my website http://www.frolichawaii.com or my specific blog there http://www.frolichawaii.com/urbanmixplate

Also I did a blog on where to take out of town guests: http://www.frolichawaii.com/eating/m...f-town-guests/

Both are the other end of Waikiki from where you are but I really like ME Korean BBQ at the Royal Grove hotel.

And on the beach same end of town, toward DiamondHead is: http://barefootbeachcafe.com/

Don't miss the various food courts (in shopping plazas) and farmers market (on the street) for cheap local eats.

For the more "hole in the wall" but well-known spots maybe Ono Hawaiian and Rainbow Drive-In?

I'll second ME Korean BBQ and Rainbow Drive-In.

Be sure to check MelissaHI's recommendations as well.

Lee Ann

Alohaaaaaaaa MelissaHI. ;;)

food court in the Ala Moana Shopping center if it is still there with all the remodeling.....Lots of Happy Hour restaurants provide reasonable prices. Food trucks on Kuhio.

We liked Lulu's tho' not a hole in the wall, decent prices and food. Pleasant setting too.
http://www.luluswaikiki.com/

Halloooooooo Kal!

Happy hours in Waikiki are a true bargain.
Eating and drinking for super cheap.

Hula grill
Dukes
Sansei
Top of Waikiki
Ruth Chris
Rumfire Waikiki
House without a key..

Aloha

Follow Melissa on Frolic for fab ethnic good eating grub...she known her food and drinkey!