Looking to enjoy tasty meals in Hawaii without breaking the bank? Food courts are your best bet! Most of them are open from morning until night, so you can grab something to satisfy just about any craving, at a time convenient for your appetite . In this article, we’re highlighting 8 popular food courts in Waikiki and greater Honolulu, and adding some tips that may be helpful in satisfying your food court cravings.
- Paina Lanai Food Court
📍 Royal Hawaiian Center, Building B, 2nd Floor
🕒 Hours: 11:00am–9:00pm (hours vary by shop)
Located inside the massive Royal Hawaiian Center in Waikiki, Paina Lanai is a go-to for locals and tourists alike. It’s packed with Hawaiian must-tries like burgers, poke bowls, and more!
What’s here:
- Mahaloha Burger (Burgers)
- Wicked Maine Lobster (Lobster Rolls)
- Poke Waikiki (Poke Bowls)
- Panda Express (Chinese Fast Food)
- Penny’s Waikiki Malasada (Malasadas)
- Kulu Kulu (Japanese Cakes)
- Kokoro Cafe (Soft Serve & Treats)
🍰 Sweets lovers take note! Kokoro Cafe’s cute and creamy soft serve, Kulu Kulu’s delicate Japanese cakes, and Penny’s Malasadas are all crowd favorites.
- Waikiki Food Hall
📍 Royal Hawaiian Center, Building C, 3rd Floor
This stylish food hall is full of photogenic corners and local eats like Spam musubi, garlic shrimp, and juicy meat plates.
What’s here:
- Meataly Boys (Meat Plates)
- Bar (Beer & Cocktails)
- Po Tama (Spam Musubi)
- Five Star Shrimp (Garlic Shrimp)
Get out of the heat and enjoy some tasty local flavors in this breezy space, perfect for quick lunch breaks or casual dinners.
- Royal Hawaiian Dining Plaza
📍 2233 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI
Unlike traditional indoor food courts, this one is outdoors! Located near DFS Galleria, this open-air eatery offers a more casual experience, perfect for families with children.
What’s here:
- Ezogiku (Ramen)
- Leo’s Taverna Waikiki (Greek)
- Honolulu Tacos (Mexican)
- Betty’s Burgers (Burgers)
- The Happy Hawaiian (Bakery)
Tables are available immediately in front of each counter, making it convenient for each patron choosing to dine there.
- STIX Asia
📍 Waikiki Shopping Plaza, Basement Level
Welcome to the new Asian food hall that took over the old “Waikiki Yokocho” space. This sopt specializes in flavors from different countries in Asia, making it an ideal spot for divergent cravings of Japanese, Chinese, Singaporean, Vietnamese, or other Asian plates.
What’s here:
- Shingen (Soba)
- HK Café Chaki (Hong Kong & Southeast Asian)
- Ramen Bari Uma (Ramen)
- Honolulu Noodle Company (Chinese Noodles)
- Baikohken (Ramen)
- Ribs & Broth (Vietnamese Pho)
- Udon Yama (Sanuki Udon)
- Sushi Matsuri (Sushi)
- Tempura Kiki (Tempura)
- Shanghai Bar (Drinks)
- Nanamusubi (Rice Balls)
- Nana’s Green Tea (Matcha Desserts)
- Ao Gelato
- Good Chicken Waikiki
Highlights include Shingen’s traditional soba and HK Café’s rich, spicy laksa with seafood and toothsome rice noodles.
Also, a fan-favorite, Ramen Bari Uma is now back!
- Kuhio Avenue Food Hall
📍 1st Floor, International Market Place, Kuhio Ave Side
This stylish food hall is perfect for casual date nights. A little more upscale compared to a food court, this location features American classics like burgers, BBQ, and pizza.
What’s here:
- Banzai Burger
- La Piña Cantina (Mexican)
- Aloha Pizzeria
- Tipsy Tiki (Bar)
- Greek Grotto
- Hashi & Spoon (Ramen)
- Hawaii Hoagie Co. (Sandwiches)
- Chee Hoo BBQ
- Cafe Waikiki
- Sushi Ogame (Pop-up Omakase)
- Il Gelato
🍣 Don’t miss Sushi Ogame, a pop-up omakase experience by Chef Koichi Ogame, available Thu–Sat at 5:30pm and 7:30pm ($145 per person, 8 seats per seating).
- Pineapple County Market
📍 342 Lewers St, Honolulu, HI
A brand new food court also near Waikiki’s DFS Galleria, this one features a relaxed vibe with cool breezes to complement the exciting local spots.
What’s here:
- HI Flavor (Cafe)
- HI Burger (Burgers)
- Honolulu Sushi (Rolls & Sushi)
- Ramen Go
- Honolulu Tacos @ Lewers
Covered dining is available, making this a great spot for a quick bite near central Waikiki.
- Makai Market Food Court
📍 1st Floor Ocean Side, Ala Moana Center
One of the largest and most iconic food courts in Hawaii is in Ala Moana Center. With over 30 eateries and about 1,500 seats, it’s a bustling hub of global flavors.
What’s here:
Korean, Filipino, Vietnamese, Japanese, Hawaiian plate lunches, BBQ, smoothies, fried chicken, ramen, and much more!
Popular chains include:
- Panda Express
- CoCo Ichibanya
- Jollibee
- Jack in the Box
- Raising Cane’s
- Steak Teppei
- Lahaina Chicken Co.
- Aloha Pho & Sugarcane Juice
- Mr. Cow (Korean Corn Dogs)
- And many more!
- The Lanai @ Ala Moana Center
📍 2nd Floor, Diamond Head Wing (Macy’s Side)
🕒 10:00am–8:00pm
📞 808-955-9517
A smaller but stylish food court also located in Ala Moana Center, this one is bursting with local charm. Indoor and outdoor seating are available — great for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, or quick, light meals on the go.
What’s here:
- Agave & Vine (Bar)
- Kamukura Ramen
- Teppanyaki Farmer (Grilled Plates)
- Brug Bakery (Japanese Bakery)
- Mana Sandwiches (Fruit & Specialty Sandwiches)
- Yung Yee Kee Dim Sum
- Ahi & Vegetable (Sushi & Bento)
- Soul Mix 2.0 (Korean)
- HiTea Cafe
- Mahaloha Burger
- Musubi Cafe Iyasume (Onigiri)
This food court is among the newer ones, having opened in 2017. This one features great options for light meals and Japanese comfort food.
With rising food prices, food courts are a smart way to enjoy delicious, diverse meals in Hawaii without spending a fortune. Be sure to add some of these spots to your itinerary for your next trip!
