There are so many great places to eat in Kailua! I'm often in the neighborhood for lunch with friends. Here's where we like to go for lunch...plus dessert and coffee. These are all tasty, affordable, and unique Kailua restaurants. Hope you enjoy ^_^
Good Lunch Spots!
There are MANY lunch options in Kailua and these are my favorites. I like things to be tasty, fresh, and a good value. If I missed any Kailua restaurant that you like, just let me know! I will update this list quarterly ^_^
Over Easy
Hands down, my favorite lunch spot in Kailua! I've been coming to Over Easy since they first opened in 2016 and love it more and more with every visit. The Brunch Bowl (pictured above) is my go to order. I get that 9 out of every 10 visits. Also a fan of the Kailua Eggs and the Pancakes, especially when they do seasonal specials like pumpkin crunch pancakes.
If you come after 11am, you can also order off the lunch menu and the eggplant sandwich (first photo at the top of this post), is super good. Especially because you can have it with crispy potatoes. And yes, there are purple potatoes in there! Over Easy, 418 Kuulei Rd #103, Kailua, HI 96734.
Ganesh Dosa
Dosas are a pretty rare find on Oahu! I only started going to Ganesh Dosa recently (even though I've been meaning to try it for years). It is SO GOOD. Each time I come, I want to come back again the next day. Simple and fresh. I love the tang of the fermented dosa batter and the sambar soup is warm and nourishing.
I usually order the Chef's Recommendation dosa which has potato masala, mozzarella cheese, tomato, avocado, olives. Vegans can replace the mozzarella cheese with avocado. The doas come with sambar soup and your choice of tomato or coconut chutney. Ganesh Dosa, 315 Uluniu St, Kailua, HI 96734
Tokyo Central
Tokyo Central is a Japanese supermarket with a large prepared foods, desserts, and hot foods section. Great for takeout bentos and fresh musubi (Spam, tuna, salmon, etc), especially when you are in a rush and need a grab-and-go option. There are tables outside at Kailua Shopping Center so you can sit and eat there.
Also! I like to pick up a few roasted sweet potatoes when I go. It's so good for afternoon snack and to make shio kombu sweet potatoes. Tokyo Central, 590 Kailua Rd, Kailua, HI 96734
Nalu Health Bar
What is it about sandwiches? No matter how many I make at home and how "fancy" the ingredients, sandwiches always taste better when someone else makes it for you haha.
Nalu is popular for acai bowls and smoothies, but I come for the sandwiches. All so good! Pictured above is the caprese sandwich. I also enjoy the grilled cheese, ahi tuna sandwich, and steak sandwich. Can't go wrong with any of the options. There is plenty of indoor seating, but I like the little outdoor counter seating area outside even more. Nalu Health Bar, 131 Hekili St #109, Kailua, HI 96734
Mala Market
If you want a sandwich or wrap with A LOT of vegetables, go to Mala Market! Love the chicken salad and tuna salad sandwiches. Anytime there is a "salad" type sandwich, I tend to order it haha. Maybe it's just because I really love mayo.
They pack in the vegetables here. Red cabbage, carrots, tomatoes, sprouts, cucumber, and lettuce. I sometimes hear people say that it's hard to find a good salad or lots of veggies when eating out in Hawaii...well, here is your solution!
Mala Market is located in the same strip mall as Tokyo Central (so you can get groceries after lunch). Mala Market, 600 Kailua Rd #105, Kailua, HI 96734
Moke's Bread & Breakfast
There's a Moke's in Kaimuki, but the original is in Kailua. They actually moved from the original, original location, but this one is pretty great. When I crave pancakes for lunch in Kailua, I either go to Over Easy or Moke's! They make great lilkoi pancakes - real light and fluffy with lilikoi sauce all over.
Other menu favorites that I like: corned beef hash and their honey butter biscuit. They also make a cute Micky Mouse shaped pancake for kids. It's a great family spot. Moke's Bread & Breakfast, 27 Hoolai St, Kailua, HI 96734
Paia Fish Market
We all love a good fish taco! Their lunch places some with Cajun rice, fries, or home potatoes (pictured above). Fresh, filling, and tasting.
I also like the "fresh catch" plates where you can pick between mahi mahi, ahi, ono, salmon, and snapper. And then you get to pick the cooking method: charbroiled, saute, Cajun-style, or blackened. All good!
There's plenty of indoor seating and some outdoor seating for nice and not-too-hot days ^_^ Paia Fish Market Kailua, 151 Hekili St #150, Kailua, HI 96734.
More lunch spots!
I've been meaning to try the below (will update this list once I do!):
- Poke bowls from 22 Kailua.
- Lunch at Down To Earth.
- Lunch at Cinnamon's (used to go a lot in high school and college but haven't been back in years).
- Sandwiches from Great Harvest Bread.
After Lunch Treats
Tradition Coffee Roasters
One of my favorite coffee shops on the island! Tradition is tucked along a hidden road and nestled between warehouses in Kailua. They have great drinks and are family friendly (love that basket of toys and games for kids to play with!)
They roast coffee beans on-site and I always buy a fresh bag to take home. Make sure to try the Mexican Mocha, hot or iced, it's delicious ^_^ Tradition Coffee Roasters, 905 Kalanianaʻole Hwy #3201, Kailua, HI 96734
Agnes Bakery / Agnes' Portuguese Bake Shop
We were all pretty sad when the original Agnes closed several years ago. So when they reopened as a malasada food truck everyone was thrilled. Best part? It's just as good (or even better) than the original!!
Go early because they often sell out. You can call ahead if you need to place a big order. But if you just want a couple malasads, just order at the truck. There's no seating, so I eat the malasadas in the car. Make sure to bring napkins haha. Agnes Portuguese Bake Shop, 5 Ho'olai St, Kailua, HI 96734
Manoa Chocolate
Local chocolate! We grow cacao beans in Hawaii and the chocolate is GOOD! You can find Manoa Chocolate bars at speciality shops and supermarkets, but it feels special when you buy it straight from the source. They have a large variety of chocolate bars, seasonal specials and other chocolate items like cacao tea.
If you come at the right time you can sit at the bar for chocolate tasting! The tasting takes about 15 minutes and is fun and free. Here's a look from my visit.
FYI, Manoa Chocolate is next door to Ganesh Dosa. A great dosa lunch followed by chocolate dessert makes for a pretty wonderful lunch break. Manoa Chocolate & Wine Bar, 333 Uluniu St # 103, Kailua, HI 96734
Please Come Again
It's about time we had a great ice cream shop in Kailua! Please Come Again is a newer spot and so welcomed to the neighborhood. The flavors here are super fun and focus on local ingredients.
Think Cinnamon Malasada made with malasada from Agnes Bakery and Kona Snow with coffee from Tradition Coffee Roasters. There's also Strawberry Guava Li Hing Mui (so good) and Shiso Chip with chocolate chips from Manoa Chocolate. Please Come Again, 322 Kuulei Rd, Kailua, HI 96734
Ando Cafe
Ando Cafe is also a newer spot! Matcha lattes, hojicha lattes, and the occasional pastry special like basque cheesecakes and strawberry daifuku.
I love their outdoor seating area, so nice and calm while being centrally located in Kailua. Sometimes we bring lunch (if coming from town, I like to pick up kimbap!) and pair it with drinks from Ando. They are on Hekili Street, right by Nalu Health Bar, Great Harvest Bread, and cute boutiques. Ando Cafe, 143 Hekili St #120, Kailua, HI 96734
Mahalo for Reading!