E komo mai —
ranked by locals — not Yelp tourists
Four islands · Mom & pop only · Photos required
Annual Editorial · Volume I · 2026
Paeʻāina 50
Exactly fifty mom-and-pop joints, hand-picked across all four islands. No paid placement. No algorithm. One editor with a working jaw and a long memory.
if you cannot find ‘em on this page, dey not on da list this year
- 01Tamashiro Market
Kalihi · poke · ahi · fish
- 02Mitsu-Ken Okazu-Ya
Kalihi · plate lunch · musubi · garlic chicken
- 03Helena's Hawaiian Food
Kalihi · plate lunch · kalua pork · lau lau
- 04Cafe 100
Hilo · loco moco · plate lunch · super loco
- 05Hamura Saimin
Lihue · saimin · noodles · lilikoi chiffon pie
- 06Kahuku Superette
Kahuku · poke · ahi · fish
- 07Rainbow Drive-In
Kapahulu · plate lunch · loco moco · teri
- 08Champion Malasada
Kapahulu · malasada
- 09Romy's Kahuku Prawns & Shrimp
Kahuku · garlic shrimp · shrimp · prawn
- 10Leonard's Bakery
Kapahulu · malasada · pastry
- 11Side Street Inn
Kapahulu · plate lunch · pork chop · fried rice
- 12Sam Sato's
Wailuku · saimin · manapua · dry mein
- 13Komoda Store and Bakery
Makawao · malasada · stick donut · cream puff
- 14Giovanni's Shrimp Truck
Kahuku · garlic shrimp · shrimp · scampi
- 15Ono Hawaiian Foods
Kapahulu · plate lunch · kalua pork · lau lau
- 16Ono Seafood
Kapahulu · poke · ahi · fish
- 17Tasty Crust
Wailuku · plate lunch · loco moco · pancake
- 18Hawaiian Style Cafe
Waimea · loco moco · plate lunch · kalbi
- 19Pono Market
Kapaa · poke · plate lunch · musubi
- 20Ethel's Grill
Kalihi · plate lunch · loco moco · ahi
- 21Waiahole Poi Factory
Waiahole · kalua pork · lau lau · haupia
- 22Liliha Bakery
Liliha · malasada · coco puff · pastry
- 23Da Poke Shack
Kailua-Kona · poke · ahi · fish
- 24Suisan Fish Market
Hilo · poke · ahi · fish
- 25Koloa Fish Market
Koloa · poke · plate lunch · ahi
- 26Mark's Place
Lihue · plate lunch · loco moco · chicken
- 27Punaluʻu Bake Shop
Naalehu · malasada · sweet bread · pastry
- 28Ted's Bakery
Sunset Beach · plate lunch · haupia · chocolate haupia
- 29Highway Inn
Kakaako · plate lunch · kalua pork · lau lau
- 30Aloha Mixed Plate
Lahaina · plate lunch · kalua pork · loco moco
- 31Da Kitchen
Kahului · plate lunch · kalua pork · lau lau
- 32Ken's House of Pancakes
Hilo · loco moco · pancake · chicken
- 33Star Noodle
Lahaina · saimin · ramen · noodles
- 34Tamura's Fine Wines & Liquors
Waianae · poke · ahi · fish
- 35Tip Top Cafe
Lihue · loco moco · plate lunch · oxtail
- 36Tex Drive In
Honokaa · malasada · plate lunch · filled malasada
- 37Sushi Katsu Japanese Restaurant
Lihue · sushi
- 38Roberto'S Grill
Captain Cook · plate lunch
- 39Kaaloa'S Super Js
Captain Cook · plate lunch
- 40Pu'U Hale Shave Ice Stand
Anahola · shave ice
- 41Gill'S
Kapaau · plate lunch
- 42Shiro's Saimin Haven & Family Restaurant
Aiea · saimin · plate lunch · noodle soup
- 43Mama'S Fish House
Paia · fish · seafood
- 44Mema Cuisine
Kapaa · plate lunch
- 45Higashi'S Inc.
Kapaa · plate lunch
- 46Andy's Kahuku Shrimp
Kahuku · garlic shrimp · shrimp
- 47Kalama'S & The Yellow Feathered Friend Gallery
Captain Cook · plate lunch
- 48Kauai Kombucha
Kapaa · plate lunch
- 49Blue Hawaiian Ice Creams
Kihei · plate lunch
- 50Ululani'S Hawaiian Shave Ice, Llc
Lahaina · shave ice