Waikiki, a vibrant hub of tourism and Hawaiian culture, offers more than just stunning beaches and surf. For health-conscious travelers, Waikiki presents a surprising array of dining options that cater to various dietary needs and preferences. This guide explores the best healthy food choices in Waikiki, from local favorites to hidden gems, ensuring you can maintain your healthy lifestyle while enjoying your vacation.
Embracing Local Flavors: Farm-to-Table and Fresh Ingredients
Waikiki's healthy food scene thrives on the abundance of fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. Many restaurants prioritize using organic vegetables and meats, local seafood, and locally-grown greens to create dishes bursting with flavor and nutrition. This commitment to local sourcing ensures that you're not only enjoying a delicious meal but also supporting the local economy and sustainable practices.
Heavenly Island Lifestyle waikiki, is one such establishment. They strive to use ingredients nurtured by the blessed weather and lands of our islands. They elevate the natural health food experience with innovative dishes that celebrate the bounty of Hawaii, transforming the freshest fruits, vegetables, seafood, and meats into healthy and delicious meals that nourish your body and soul.
Beyond Waikiki: Exploring Healthy Options in Neighboring Areas
While Waikiki itself offers a selection of healthy eateries, venturing slightly outside the main tourist area can reveal even more hidden gems. Kaka'ako and Ala Moana, easily accessible by rental bike or a short drive, boast a variety of health-focused restaurants and supermarkets.
Kaka'ako: A Hub for Health-Conscious Eaters
Kaka'ako, a trendy neighborhood known for its street art and vibrant atmosphere, is home to several healthy food destinations. The new Whole Foods in Kaka'ako is a must-visit for health-conscious travelers. Here, you can grab a Bulletproof coffee or Allegro iced tea before hitting the beach, or create your own nutritious meal at the salad bar.
Read also: Healthy food access with Highmark Wholecare explained.
Moku Kitchen, located in the Salt complex in Kaka'ako, is another excellent option. This Peter Merriman restaurant offers a happy hour with 50% off all small plates (excluding oysters and poke dishes) and live music after 4 PM. It's a great place to sample local flavors in a lively setting.
Ala Moana: Supermarkets and Salad Bars
Ala Moana Mall, a short bike ride from Waikiki, is home to Foodland Supermarket. During one trip, the new Foodland at Ala Moana Mall was a go-to for salad. Now that there are rental bikes all over, it's easy to ride a bike to Whole Foods in Kaka'ako.
Vegetarian and Vegan Paradise: Discovering Plant-Based Delights
For hardcore vegans or vegetarians, Down to Earth Organic and Natural Supermarket is a paradise. While some may question why you'd visit when there's a Whole Foods nearby, Down to Earth offers unique options like avocado and creamy sweet potato salad at their salad bar, as well as almond buttery kale smoothies.
Peace Cafe: A Vegan Japanese Haven
Don't let the modest exterior of Peace Cafe deter you. This vegan Japanese restaurant offers all organic ingredients and delicious home cooking. Try the bibimbap with TVP or the vegan katsudon, made with tempeh and a scratch-made sauce with over 20 ingredients.
Acai Bowls and Smoothie Bars: A Refreshing Treat
Acai bowls are a popular choice for a healthy breakfast or dessert in Waikiki. Nalu Health Bar is a local favorite for acai bowls, but there are other options like HiBlend Health Bar. These bowls are packed with vitamins and antioxidants from the fruit toppings, making them a guilt-free indulgence.
Read also: Healthy Eating on the Run
Quick and Convenient: Healthy Options on the Go
For those seeking a quick and healthy meal, Waikiki offers several options. Poké Bar allows you to customize your own poke bowl with a variety of protein, starch, and vegetable options. Tucker and Bevvy sells picnic food that you can easily pack for the beach or park.
Restaurants
Arancino on Beachwalk
Arancino on Beachwalk is the original Arancino location which opened in 1996. You can enjoy a cozy Italian family style dining atmosphere in the heart of Waikiki.
Basalt Waikiki
Basalt Waikiki is a locally inspired restaurant serving globally influenced comfort food in the heart of Waikiki. Whether you’re here for a relaxed family brunch or a casual date night, their menu offers something for everyone - from signature dishes like Charcoal Pancakes and Prime Rib to chef-crafted specials that blend local ingredients with global flavors. Led by Executive Chef Lance Kosaka and Sous-Chef Zoe Shinjo, their kitchen focuses on food that’s approachable, familiar, and elevated.
Hau Tree
Hau Tree, at Kaimana Beach Hotel, offers a beach-centric menu in a casual setting. Hau Tree serves daily beachside brunch, and culinary casual dinner offerings. Their open-air outdoor dining room features oceanfront views of Kaimana Beach under a canopy of hau trees.
Island Vintage Wine Bar
The Island Vintage Wine Bar serves an array of fresh, local foods and a range of wines for you to enjoy.
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Skybox Taphouse
Skybox Taphouse: Where Sports Thrills and Italian Flavors Converge in Waikiki! Nestled in the bustling International Market Place, their open-air haven overlooks Waikiki's lively strip and offers a serene partial ocean view. With 20+ big-screen TVs, indulge in sports excitement while relishing scratch-made Italian cuisine, crafted from locally sourced ingredients. Savor every moment as you enjoy our finger foods paired with your favorite games. Their menu boasts classic pasta dishes, artisanal pizzas, and more, celebrating the essence of Italy's flavors. Wash it down with libations from their full bar, offering signature cocktails, fine wines, and craft beers. At Skybox Taphouse, they blend the thrill of sports with the richness of Italian culinary delights, all against the stunning backdrop of Waikiki.
Taormina
Inspired by authentic Sicilian recipes from the kitchens of Southern Italy's seaside town of Taormina, Chef Hiroyuki Mimura pairs fresh pastas with the highest quality seafoods and meats. Unspoiled by heavy sauces, Sicilian-style pastas are dressed in pure, extra virgin olive oil. Fresh vegetables, lightly grilled fresh local fish, and lamb seasoned with herbs offer diners a healthy range of options. Featured dishes include fresh Fettucine Carbonara finished with tableside Truffle service, grilled Lamb Chops "Luca pecorini" and Veal "Siciliana." Taormina's specialty dish is Uni Pasta (Sea Urchin), a delicacy enjoyed in Sicily, Italy. Italian Lavazza espressos compliment selections of house made desserts (Dolci).
TR Fire Grill
Located in the heart of Waikiki, TR Fire Grill is well-known for its BBQ Baby Back Ribs and Smoked Prime Rib uniquely served in a glass dome. Their experienced and passionate culinary team have also created many new fabulous dishes from fresh seafood, pastas, burgers, tacos, salads, flatbread pizzas and many more. When dining with them you will experience excellent service and great food in a clean comfortable cozy atmosphere. TR Fire Grill’s fantastic bar is a local and visitor favorite for whiskeys, wines, local craft beers and handmade cocktails. Their restaurant offers intimate dining for two, family sized dinners and large group meals.
The Pig and the Lady
From it’s humble beginnings as a pop-up restaurant, to a farmer"s market stand and now a successful brick-and-mortar eatery, The Pig and the Lady, led by twice-nominated James Beard semifinalist Chef Andrew Le (with help from his family including his mother, Mama Le), cook up what is essentially the family meal in the truest sense -- Exposing Honolulu diners a cross-section of cuisine that has Vietnamese origins, but is eclectic and daring. Chef Le and his team have developed a modern, fresh take on traditional Southeast Asian food, utilizing local products -- serving their famous banh mi and pho, along with new favorites. Le is the one of the few chefs cooking contemporary food built on Southeast Asian flavors that has garnered rave reviews -- a foundation built on delicious memories first introduced by his mother. They are open Monday through Saturday, serving lunch and dinner. You can also still find them at the Farmer’s Markets at Blaisdell, Kailua and KCC.
West of Waikiki, a road leading to ‘Bowls’ where goofy surf spots
Breakfast-Lunch-Cafe-Dinner,anytime,surfer’s cafe is open, welcoming you. They are always standing by healthy and natural foods,sweets, and drinks are concerned with the using Hawaiian local food theme-based on’EAT LOCAL’.
ALO Cafe Hawaii
ALO Cafe Hawaii is a plant-focused café started from Waikiki, Honolulu, HI in 2021. They specialize in plant-focused food, offering the best dishes that a plant-focused café can offer. Their professional staff is ready to serve up various healthy food options that are tasty and affordable. They provide the most satisfactory services to their customers and serve food made with only the freshest and highest-quality ingredients.
Staying Active: Complementing Your Healthy Diet
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is not just about food; it's also about staying active. Waikiki offers numerous opportunities for outdoor activities, from swimming and surfing to hiking and biking. Consider starting your day with a workout at Crossfit Oahu, followed by a healthy meal at a nearby restaurant.