I thought California was home to the best street food trucks in the country, but I had no clue about all the great food trucks Honolulu has to offer!
Some of my best meals in Honolulu came from mobile restaurants scattered around town, from tacos and Thai food to pizza and poke bowls—each Honolulu food truck has something unique and delicious.
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Dining at a food truck is a great way to experience some of Hawaii’s best flavors without breaking your budget. Plus, you’ll get the unique opportunity to meet and interact with locals, as food trucks are a popular gathering spot in Hawaii.
In this post, I’ll cover the nine best food trucks Honolulu is home to, so I hope you came hungry.
Pssst, heading to Honolulu? Don’t miss these travel guides to help you plan your trip!
Top 20 Things to Do in Honolulu at Night
9 Tastiest Honolulu Chinese Restaurants
As we go through this food truck guide, remember that Honolulu is the capital city of Hawaii, located on the island of Oahu, so you might see the terms “Honolulu food trucks” and “Oahu food trucks” used interchangeably.
9 Best Hawaii Food Trucks: Honolulu Edition
1. Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck
As one of the most popular food trucks Oahu offers, Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck is undoubtedly a top Oahu food truck. The legendary garlic shrimp dishes served by Giovanni’s are simply irresistible.
Located on the iconic Kamehameha Highway, Giovanni’s has treated hungry locals and tourists to its world-famous eats seven days a week since the early 1990s.
The signature Shrimp Scampi from Giovanni’s is loaded with a rich, buttery sauce that’s the perfect combination of garlic and lemon.
For a fun and flavorful twist on a classic shrimp dish, try the “No Refunds Hot & Spicy Shrimp,” served with two scoops of rice to cool your mouth off between bites!
Hawaii is one of the best places in the country to sample fresh seafood, and Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck is a fantastic starting point.
2. Five Star Poke
With a name like Five Star Poke, you know this is the place to be in Oahu for delicious poke bowls.
Poke bowls are a mouthwatering combination of diced raw fish, like salmon or tuna, often mixed with sauces, seasonings, and vegetables.
Sometimes poke bowls can be overpowered by all the different flavors and ingredients, but Five Star Poke knows how to complement the natural seafood flavor to let it be the star of the show.
Some fan favorites at Five Star Poke are the Cold Ginger Shoyu Ahi Poke Bowl and Fresh Jalapeno Salmon Poke Bowl. I don’t know how anyone decides on just one dish—everything sounds so delicious!
This poke food truck also has outdoor seating, making it the perfect place to enjoy the beautiful Hawaiian landscape while you chow down.
3. Elena’s Filipino Lunchwagon
If you’re staying in downtown Honolulu, Elena’s Filipino Lunchwagon is about to become your favorite spot.
Elena’s Lunchwagon has been feeding hungry folks the tastiest Filipino cuisine in the heart of Hawaii for over four decades.
Elena’s started in Waipahu and attracted the attention of so many food lovers that the restaurant has now expanded to three bustling lunch trucks serving the downtown area.
I think everyone in Honolulu is eternally grateful to the Butuyan family for bringing their tasty family recipes straight from the Philippines.
The most popular dish at Elena’s is the Pork Adobo Fried Rice Omelette, featuring tender pork adobo and steaming rice wrapped in a light, crepe-style egg.
Other classics include the Lechon Special with mouthwatering crispy pork belly pieces and Sari-Sari, a vegetable and shrimp soup that’ll warm your soul.
4. Aji Limo Truck
With its colorful paint job, vibrant outdoor seating, and secluded location near Shark’s Cove, Aji Limo is a go-to Oahu food truck that screams island life.
Serving various flavorful Peruvian-inspired dishes, Aji Limo is about to make your ceviche dreams come true.
Fresh seafood is the highlight of the Aji Limo, and almost all of the food truck’s dishes are centered around shrimp, salmon, white fish, and more.
Aji Limo is the perfect spot to try Hawaiian dishes like poke bowls and fish tacos packed with locally-sourced ingredients.
Some of the top dishes at Aji Limo include a Chirashi Bowl, Sunset Shrimp, and Hawaiian Poke—they make the food truck 100% worth the drive!
5. Impossibles Pizza
If you’re in the mood for some wood-fired pizza, Impossibles Pizza is the place to beat.
This mobile pizzeria whips up handmade Neapolitan-style pies with a twist, like pies topped with anchovy cream sauce and truffle oil.
Just one look at the menu, and you’ll realize this pizza joint is like no other!
The signature dishes at Impossibles are all about combining unexpected flavors and ingredients to create a one-of-a-kind pizza.
The Hawaiian Volcano Pizza, for example, features a blend of mango salsa, sweet and spicy chorizo, and loads of ooey-gooey melted cheese—the combination might sound weird, but it’s to die for.
If you’re in the Haleiwa area, keep an eye out for this food truck cruising along Kamehameha Highway, as it travels around quite a bit!
6. Gilligan’s Beach Shack
A fantastic view and even more incredible food await you at Gilligan’s Beach Shack.
Enjoy the breathtaking sights of Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head while relaxing near the Hilton Hawaiian Village Resort along Hawaii’s sparkling shoreline.
I thought the view from Gilligan’s would be the best part, but boy was I wrong—this seafood truck has some of the most mouthwatering dishes in town.
To start, try the fan-favorite Surf & Turf, overflowing with succulent jumbo garlic shrimp and teriyaki steak bites cooked to perfection.
This dish also comes with a generous helping of shoestring fries and coleslaw, and every bite will leave you wanting more.
7. Surf N Salsa
I don’t know about you, but I’m always down for some Mexican food, and if you find yourself in Waikiki, Surf N Salsa will satisfy your every craving.
With an eye-catching tropical-inspired exterior, this food truck is unmistakable and the perfect addition to your Insta feed.
Surf N Salsa is a step above the rest, thanks to the laid-back atmosphere that makes everyone feel welcome.
Indulge in flavorful Carne Asada Fries or keep it light with a Surf & Turf Taco Salad, but leave some room for the delicious chips and salsa that come with every meal.
The cherry on top is Surf N Salsa is BYOB, so you can liven lunch up by bringing the beer of your choice.
8. Mike’s Huli Chicken
Mike’s Huli Chicken is a must-visit Honolulu food truck for anyone who loves authentic Hawaiian grub.
Situated in a bright yellow food truck tucked away in North Shore, Oahu, this family-owned business cooks up island-style eats unlike any other.
The truck’s signature Huli Chicken is drenched in an excellent homemade marinade and grilled over an open flame, giving it a unique smoky flavor.
To bring out the authentic tropical flavors even more, Mike’s uses Kiawe wood and Hawaiian sea salt, yum!
Mike’s Huli Chicken also serves up delicious sides like sweet and spicy pepper slaw and generous servings of fried rice.
9. Haleiwa Bowls
You can’t take a trip to Hawaii without having at least one acai bowl—it would be a crime!
Haleiwa Bowls is more of a walk-up kiosk than a traditional food truck, but it’s worth a visit.
Serving smoothie creations that are just as vibrant and colorful as Hawaii’s landscapes, every sip will bring you one step closer to health and happiness.
Haleiwa Bowls specializes in organic eats that are locally sourced, so the menu always has something new and delicious to try.
The Hapa Bowl and Mana Bowl are two favorites you can’t go wrong with, or you can create your own bowl with toppings like fresh fruits, bee pollen, and cacao nibs.
You have to explore Honolulu’s food trucks for some of the best Hawaiian flavors and ingredients, starting with this list!
Be sure to tag me on Insta (@wtfab) if you visit any of these food trucks so I can see all the tasty food you try.
Heading to Honolulu? Be sure to explore more of my Honolulu travel guides here.
Top 20 Things to Do in Honolulu at Night
9 Tastiest Honolulu Chinese Restaurants
FAQs
Yes, Hawaii is home to many delicious food trucks serving various cuisines.
Hawaiian food contains fresh, tropical flavors like salmon, mangos, coconut, and more.
I recommend Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck or Haleiwa Bowls.
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.
