After you’ve finished your beach bathing, surfing, dolphin watching, or whatever other island adventure you’ve done on your Hawaiian vacation, you will have worked up an appetite. How about trying some of these healthy local restaurants in Honolulu? You’ll be feeding your body tasty and healthy nutrients to get yourself fueled up for another day of fun!
1. Cafe Haleiwa
Cafe Haleiwa is family owned North Shore hot spot that’s been around for decades. They’ve expanded their tasty breakfast menu to include dinner and word around town is that it’s one of the best dinner spots in the neighborhood. And the dinner menu offers inventive dishes such as savory thyme cheesecake served with greens and fruit or a deliciously warming ginger potato soup. You can also bring your own beer and wine to this top rated eatery.
2. Waiahole Poi Factory
Another family owned business that’s on the lush east side of Oahu is the Waiahole Poi Factory. The menu includes delicious traditional dishes such as poi (pounded taro root), kalua pig, and squid or beef laulau. Beyond just selling delicious Hawaiian food, they also sell traditional Hawaiian arts and musical instruments and offer workshops for people interested in Hawaiian crafts to learn ‘ohe hano ihu (bamboo nose flutes) and ipu (gourd instrument). Enjoy your meal looking at the ocean or take it to go. Or just stop by for a “Haupia”, or coconut dessert that is absolutely mouth-watering!
3. Pa’akai
Reserve a table at this this newly revamped and renamed upscale restaurant at the Turtle Bay Resort, which showcases local cuisine with fresh ingredients and watch the surf on the North Shore. Try to get a table by the floor-to-ceiling windows for a magnificent view while you enjoy seasonal dishes that change, but never fail to impress. Using locally raised and grown food and presenting entrees like Thai chili-braised fish with cucumber gazpacho Pa’akai also offers a five-course tasting menu.
4. Down to Earth
If you want to do all vegetarian, then check out Down To Earth, which has three locations around the island of Oahu. They’ve got a salad bar, hot food, and a grocery store that has outdoor tables to enjoy your healthy, organics dishes. They’ve also got convenient operating hours if you want a late night snack that’s satisfying but healthy, too!
5. Town
A well-designed contemporary bistro that has a simple, yet creative menu. The stellar chefs use local ingredients to create dishes like a grilled half-chicken with pancetta, slow-braised pork cheeks, black mussels with fennel-tinged homemade pasta, and other delicious plates. Enjoy your meal with some of their featured wines while you enjoy the views, but plan ahead because you’ll need a reservation here any night of the week.
