Favorite Plate Lunch Spot In Honolulu?

Question

Looking for a delicious and affordable plate lunch spot that locals go to.

Also looking for a tropical breakfast place with unique pancakes.

Answer

For an authentic local plate lunch experience in Honolulu, you’ll want a spot where the portions are hearty, prices are reasonable, and the flavors reflect true Hawaiian comfort food. Here are some top recommendations:

Rainbow Drive-In: A classic and iconic plate lunch spot located near Kapahulu. Locals love it for its generous portions of loco moco, BBQ beef, and mixed plate options. Affordable, casual, and consistently tasty.
Ono Hawaiian Foods: Known for traditional Hawaiian dishes such as kalua pig, laulau, and pipikaula short ribs. A favorite among locals and visitors seeking authentic Hawaiian flavors.
Highway Inn: Offers both traditional Hawaiian dishes and plate lunch combos. Good for trying Hawaiian classics like laulau and chicken long rice.
Leonard’s Malasadas: While not a plate lunch, if you’re in the area, stop for a sweet treat to complement your meals. Malasadas are a must-try Hawaiian donut.

For a tropical breakfast with unique pancakes, these spots stand out:

Koko Head Cafe: Creative breakfast dishes with unique pancake offerings like ube pancakes or cornflake-crusted pancakes. Popular with locals and tourists alike, so plan for a short wait.
Sweet E’s Cafe: Known for generous portions and tropical pancake options, such as macadamia nut or coconut pancakes. Friendly, casual atmosphere.
Boots & Kimo’s Homestyle Kitchen: Famous for their macadamia nut pancakes with lilikoi (passion fruit) butter. A must-visit for a tropical breakfast treat.

These spots give you a mix of true local flavor for lunch and creative, tropical breakfasts with memorable pancakes. For a first visit, pairing a plate lunch at Rainbow Drive-In with breakfast at Boots & Kimo’s provides a quintessential Honolulu foodie experience.