Oahu — Our Local Favorite Activities and Restaurants by Areas in Oahu!

1. Waikiki Day

Kaimana Beach (near Diamond head, small public beach next to Kaimana Beach Hotel near Diamond Head, more private and less touristy than Waikiki) vs. Waikiki Beach (crowded, touristy, watch surfers). Get coffee fix at Island Vintage Coffee (for specialty coffees, relaxing vibe) or Kona Coffee Purveyors | b patisserie (coffee, pastries, get kouign amann) or Hawaiian Aroma Cafe (cute place for pictures). No reservations to eat at Musubi Iyasame Café (quick takeout, famous for musubis, takuan spam musubi, cute place for souvenirs too), Marukame Udon (best udon noodles, freshly made on the spot, Nikutama! did not like chicken katsu or karaage here, long lines), or Liliha Bakery Waikiki (oxtail soup, bacon cheeseburger, loco moco). Get Tonkatsu Bairen (best Tonkatsu) for take out! Needs reservations to eat at Tonkatsu Bairen (best tonkatsu, needs reservations 1 mo in advance!) vs. Tonkatsu Tamafuji (better tonkatsu, further away from Waikiki, nicer ambience) or Gyukaku (best Japanese AYCE, much higher quality meat than Gen) or Tanaka of Tokyo Central (fun, fiery teppanyaki chef show, flag ship location, drinks) or Duke’s Waikiki (American, beautiful beach view if you sit outside, live music, drinks, hula pie!) or Ruth Chris’s Steak House (tomahawk steak). Dessert at Liliha’s Bakery (waffle+custard=waffard!, coco puffs…