Get ready to try the most delicious and cheap eats Waikiki is home to—I hope you’re hungry!
Whether you’re looking for a quick bite on the go or something more unique, this guide will help you find the perfect spot.
Hawaii is one of the most beautiful places to visit but can also be expensive.
Luckily, many budget-friendly hidden gems and food trucks serve delicious, affordable meals in the Honolulu neighborhood of Waikiki.
You’ll find everything from the best Hawaiian plate lunch options to international flavors such as Korean tacos and Japanese bento boxes.
Whatever you’re craving, this cheap eats Hawaii guide will help you find the tastiest spots without breaking the bank.
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Cheap Eats Waikiki: 14 Delicious Spots
1. Marugame Udon
Marugame Udon (sometimes called Marukame Udon) is a famous Japanese restaurant chain specializing in handmade Sanuki-style udon noodles.
Enjoy delicious dishes starting from under $10, but prepare for a line—as a local and tourist favorite, the restaurants get exceptionally crowded.
For something unique, try the loaded bowls, which feature some of the best noodles on the island.
The most popular option is the Nikutama Bowl, featuring handmade Udon noodles served with beef, egg, and BK sauce. Chef Aki Yamato hit the nail on the head with this one!
2. Cuckoo Coconuts Waikiki
Conveniently situated on Royal Hawaiian Ave is a budget-friendly hidden gem called Cuckoo Coconuts, perfect for quick, authentic Hawaiian food.
Cuckoo Coconuts has a retro Tiki bar with daily live music performances.
My favorite thing about this place is that it’s entirely outdoors, so you can appreciate Hawaii’s natural beauty while dining on fresh, tropical cuisine.
The menu has reasonably priced meals ranging from $10-20, including poke salad, coconut shrimp, loco moco, and Hawaiian-style fish and chips.
Try the signature Shave Ice Bowl with ice cream and fruit toppings for dessert—it’s a delicious way to end your meal.
3. Poke Fix
Poke Fix is one of my favorite places on the island to purchase food on the way to the beach.
This small takeout shop serves some of the best poke bowls with fresh fish.
The portions are generous, and prices start at around $15 for a single protein bowl— upgrade to double protein for a reasonable charge.
I recommend visiting early in the day as they often sell out of popular fish, like yellowfin tuna, hamachi, and salmon.
4. Paia Fish Market
No trip to Waikiki is complete without visiting the iconic Paia Fish Market, founded in 1989 in Maui.
Since then, the market has expanded across the state, including a location in Waikiki.
Paia is known for its delicious tropical flavors and seafood dishes that are freshly prepared using local ingredients.
Lunch plates start around $15 and include popular items like seared ahi, Mahi tacos, and shrimp dishes.
For something with more oomph, try one of the fresh-catch plates—they’re more expensive but guarantee the freshest fish cooked exactly how you like!
5. Rainbow Drive-In
If you’re visiting Oahu, don’t miss the chance to try Rainbow Drive-In, one of the best cheap eats Waikiki offers.
It’s so tasty and affordable it’s been featured on TV shows like “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.”
One of the most famous dishes is the Loco Moco, a Hawaiian meal with meat, rice, fried egg, and gravy, but you can’t go wrong with the hot dogs.
Despite its popularity, Rainbow Drive-In still offers generous portions served with hearty scoops of rice.
Expect to pay under $10 for sandwiches, burgers, and a little more for meals with sides—you won’t find better in Waikiki.
6. Steak Shack
After spending an afternoon at Waikiki Beach, visit the Beach Walk Steak Shack to satisfy your craving for classic American fare.
The menu features delicious, wallet-friendly steak and grilled chicken plate variations with macaroni salad and rice.
For instance, the 6-ounce steak plate lunches include two rice balls and a side salad for less than $13!
The food is so tasty you’ll probably return more than once during your Hawaii vacation.
You can also enjoy great views of the Waikiki Beach Boardwalk from the restaurant’s outdoor seating area.
7. Topped Waikiki
Topped Waikiki is typically crowded, as it ranks among the best cheap eats Waikiki is home to.
The Kalbi Steak and Eggs is the winner at Topped—it’s the priciest menu item, but it’s 100% worth it for the 72-hour marinated meat served with fried eggs and salad.
Try the chicken or pork bibimbap for something more reasonably priced that doesn’t compromise flavor or freshness.
Another fan favorite is the signature Korean Short Rib Kalbi Bibimbap, which you can enjoy for under $15.
8. Musubi Cafe Iyasume
Musubi is a traditional Hawaiian snack that incorporates many Japanese flavors—it consists of a small portion of high-quality rice, meat or seafood, and eggs wrapped in seaweed.
My favorite place to get it is Musubi Cafe Iyasume, conveniently located in the heart of Waikiki.
The cafe specializes in musubis filled with everything from salmon to teriyaki chicken and Spam, each starting under $5.
I highly recommend the Spam musubi, a beloved Hawaiian choice that all locals love (and you will, too).
Musubi Cafe also has bento combo boxes for less than $20, making it one of Waikiki’s most affordable dining spots.
9. Henry’s Place
Henry’s Place is my go-to spot for ice cream in Waikiki, and it’s entirely worth the wait.
Once inside, select any sweet treat that catches your eye—fruit flavors like mango and lychee are delicious.
Try the macadamia nut ice cream or fudge brownie if you want something more indulgent.
Don’t be deceived by the plain styrofoam cups because the desserts are delicious.
A cheap eats Waikiki guide would be incomplete without Henry’s.
10. Oahu Mexican Grill
Oahu Mexican Grill is a wildly popular spot on Waikiki Beach, serving Tex-Mex cuisine made with fresh ingredients.
The full menu contains delicious and affordable items like tacos, burritos, and quesadillas priced between $10-15.
The portions are generous, and you could easily split one dish between two people.
Enjoy chips, salsa, and a margarita while admiring the beautiful blue waters of Waikiki Beach.
Oahu Grill is a fast and inexpensive place to visit with friends—the lively atmosphere will transport you to Mexico!
11. L&L Hawaiian Barbecue
Sometimes, you need a delicious barbecue plate after a long day of shopping at Ala Moana Center.
While L&L Hawaiian Barbecue is a chain restaurant, it’s delicious and affordable for budget-conscious tourists.
They’ve been serving delicious Hawaiian food for many years and show no plans of stopping.
This BBQ joint serves everything from chicken katsu and garlic shrimp to Spam noodle soup.
12. Helena’s Hawaiian Food
Helena’s Hawaiian Food is the cheap eats Waikiki spot to try authentic, mouthwatering local cuisine.
This laid-back restaurant has a casual, understated atmosphere that lets the food take center stage.
Since 1964, Helena’s has offered exceptional food at low prices for an unforgettable experience that won’t break the bank.
Popular options include poi (taro root paste), lomi salmon, and kalua pig.
13. Ono Seafood
I highly suggest visiting Ono Seafood if you love fresh poke bowls bursting with flavor.
Ono is a classic seafood spot specializing in fresh, never-frozen ahi and toku (octopus) poke and sashimi.
All the delicious food offerings are paired with fresh local vegetables, sauces, seasonings, and toppings for ultimate customization.
You won’t be disappointed regardless of what you order at Ono Seafood.
14. Leonard’s Bakery
I’m ending this cheap eats Waikiki travel guide on a sweet note with the legendary Leonard’s Bakery.
Experience a taste of Brazil with the bakery’s malasadas, Portuguese fried balls of dough similar to a donut.
The donuts are a must-try at Leonard’s, but all the pastries at this local bakeshop are delicious.
Keep your eye peeled around town, whether at the grocery store or heading to the beach, for the Malasadamobile, the bakery’s mobile food truck!
After creating this roundup of the best cheap eats Waikiki offers, I’m ready to plan my next vacation.
If you’re going to Hawaii, check out my other Honolulu content for more guides and recs.
13 Best Happy Hours in Waikiki
Waikiki Beach Bars: 10 Can’t-Miss Spots
11 Best Rooftop Bars in Waikiki
FAQs
Waikiki is located in the city of Honolulu on the island of Oahu.
Check out the Outrigger Reef Beach Resort—it’s worth splurging on.
I suggest Rainbow Drive-In and Musubi Cafe Iyasume.
Elise Armitage is an entrepreneur and founder of What The Fab, a travel + lifestyle blog based in California. At the beginning of 2019, Elise left her corporate job at Google to chase her dreams: being an entrepreneur and helping women find fabulous in the everyday. Since then, she’s launched her SEO course Six-Figure SEO, where she teaches bloggers how to create a passive revenue stream from their website using SEO. Featured in publications like Forbes, Elle, HerMoney, and Real Simple, Elise is a firm believer that you can be of both substance and style.
