11 Best Restaurants for Delicious Loco Moco on Oahu
Oahu is known for many delicacies, and the loco moco option is a fun, cheap, and tasty novelty that deserves to be sampled. Put your adventurous taste buds to the test and try one of these top-tier spots for your loco moco debut.
These are places near and dear to our hearts and many other people’s as well. You can’t stay in Oahu without getting your “been there done that” shirt at one of these local premium spots. Loco moco may seem like just an eclectic commune of ingredients when plated. Still, a good serving should be accessible on both the pocket and palate.
So without further ado, here’s our list of the best moco loco joints on Oahu:
1. Rainbow Drive-In
Hours Of Operation: Daily: 7:00am – 9:00pm
⭐ RATING: 4.3 out of 5
Location: 3308 Kanaina Ave, Honolulu
Price: $
Website: Rainbow Drive-In
Rainbow Drive-In has been a well-loved and respected family affair since 1961. The restaurant has received many deserved accolades over the years and, with its success, has expanded to four locations, each attracting local, national, and international acclaim.
Why we love this place: As a long-time admirer of the classic, hearty loco moco, Rainbow Drive-In never misses to hit the spot. This is by far one of our favorite restaurants on Oahu.
Their loco moco is ridiculously cheap, especially considering the served rice heap, thick burger patty, chunky and fat-oozing burger patty, perfectly cooked eggs, and rich, brown gravy spread over the meal like a recently replenished river. Overall, the presentation has no frills, just culinary thrills for the everyday palate.
2. Liliha Bakery
Hours Of Operation: Daily: 6:00am – 10:00pm
⭐ RATING: 4.6 out of 5
Location: 515 N Kuakini St, Honolulu
Price: $$
Website: Liliha Bakery
Comfort food is Liliha Bakery’s specialty, and they have been giving homely feels since 1950. True to their moniker, they serve up freshly baked wonders every day. Still, their loco moco plates are revered enough to garner a local following and spots in publications like the Honolulu Magazine.
Why we love this place: Whenever my primal depths crave a classic-tasting loco moco that’s presented more respectably, Liliha Bakery is my go-to spot. Their peppy charbroiled 5 or 7-ounce patty sits snuggly under a fair serving of rice and is washed in a thick coating of gravy, and the whole nostalgic ordeal is topped and put to sleep with a perfectly prepared sunny-side-up egg.
Tips for travelers: Psst! Treat yourself to their cream puffs for dessert, saddle up by the counter seats, and watch them concoct their baking wizardry. Also, try to come earlier during the day to avoid crowds.
3. Papa Ole’s Kitchen
Hours Of Operation: Thur-Mon: 7:00am – 3:00pm, Tue-Wed: Closed
⭐ RATING: 4.6 out of 5
Location: 54-316 Kamehameha Hwy #9, Hauula
Price: $$
Papa Ole’s Kitchen stands apart as one of the most genuine mom-and-pop restaurants on Oahu. They specialize in authentic homestyle Hawaiian foods without any unnecessary showmanship.
Why we love this place: Although many people stumble into this spot while on the North Shore, once you allow yourself to be absorbed by the truckstop-esque appearance, any of their plates is filled with a beautiful memory, and their loco moco busts egos.
Tips for travelers: For the introverts among us, if you want a “quieter” environment with still a ton of sights and attractions, plan a trip around Papa Ole’s Kitchen and spend the day on that side of the world. If you are also blessed with iron glutes, you can start the day with a majestic hike around the Hau’ula Loop Trail and replenish your strength with this championed loco moco.
4. Helena’s Hawaiian Food
Hours Of Operation: Tue-Fri: 10:00am – 7:30pm, Sat-Mon: Closed
⭐ RATING: 4.5 out of 5
Location: 1240 N School St, Honolulu
Price: $$
Website: Helena’s Hawaiian Food
This is another absolute treasure of a family-owned restaurant serving traditional and mouth-watering Hawaiian meals since 1946. Helena’s Hawaiian Food works to imbue every dish flying out of their kitchen with the aloha spirit.
Why we love this place: One thing you’ll notice with many of the spots that make loco moco noteworthy is that they have pared-down aesthetics that gently model ohana. Helena’s is the epitome of this class with its friendly staff, framed family treasures on the walls, simple plating, and ridiculously taste-stacked loco moco.
5. The Alley Restaurant
Hours Of Operation: Daily: 10:00am – 9:00pm
⭐ RATING: 4.5 out of 5
Location: 99-115 Aiea Heights Dr #310, Aiea
Price: $$
Website: The Alley Restaurant
A restaurant in tandem with Aiea Bowl, this spot may be more known for tall and mean burgers, but their loco moco is an all-out strike. What The Alley Restaurant lacks in familial appeal more than makes up for in its service diversity.
Why we love this place: This relaxed spot makes for a fun time any day with their creative take on classic Hawaiian classics injected with an Asian light touch. Despite all that, their fresh-gravied loco moco easily deserves a licking attempt from you.
6. Heavenly Island Lifestyle
Hours Of Operation: Mon-Sun: 7:00am – 2:30pm & 4:00pm – 10:00pm
⭐ RATING: 4.4 out of 5
Location: 342 Seaside Ave, Honolulu
Price: $$
Website: Heavenly Island Lifestyle
Sitting snuggly and smugly in the bustle of Waikiki, this spot is an excellent look into the islander lifestyle. The flavors from this slice of paradise are explosive with clean and loud ingredients, and the presentation lulls any lingering nerves.
Why we love this place: Heavenly Island Lifestyle fully embodies its name by offering a space that matches its menu: bright, colorful, and perky. Their breakfast is a force of its own in the Waikiki area, and their loco moco is a trimmed-down rendition of a classic.
Tips for travelers: Ahoy, this loco moco is perfect for the waist-conscious or those that aren’t into triple c thick gravy. If you are a fan of super smoothies, grab one of their green smoothies to experience their organic ingredients’ light and fresh flavor.
7. Hula Grill Waikiki
Hours Of Operation: Daily: 7:00am – 10:00pm
⭐ RATING: 4.4 out of 5
Location: 2335 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu
Price: $$-$$$
Website: Hula Grill Waikiki
Hula Grill Waikiki made its home on the second floor of the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort, which allows patrons to enjoy proper Hawaiian heritage food with locally sourced ingredients overlooking the leisurely scuttle of island life.
Why we love this place: The environment is incredibly laid-back, with sweeping views of the beach and good-quality food. The loco moco has prime meat, medium thickness but spunky gravy, and a solid assortment of other ingredients to take it home.
Tips for travelers: Hula Grill’s loco moco is probably one of the best around, with good portion size and taste, so make sure to book your table in advance because the views and eats attract lots of traffic.
8. ShoreFyre
Hours Of Operation: Daily: 8:00am – 11:00pm
⭐ RATING: 4.1 out of 5
Location: 2446 Koa Ave, Honolulu
Price: $$
Website: ShoreFyre
ShoreFyre is sure to leave you satisfied and is an easy choice, especially when presented with all the many alluring options around Waikiki. Their food strives for freshness with an aloha spirit.
Why we love this place: Contrary to popular belief, it’s not because of the all-day happy hour on Tuesdays that makes the Koa Ave ShoreFyre a… sure-fire spot. Their loco moco has that all-important gravy with molasses consistency and color, with all the other regular culprits stacked and packed with the blanketing egg topped in fresh chives.
9. Aloha Kitchen
Hours Of Operation: Tue-Sun: 7:30am – 1:30 pm, Mon: Closed
⭐ RATING: 4.5 out of 5
Location: 432 Ena Rd, Honolulu
Price: $$
Website: Aloha Kitchen
A well-liked local diner surrounded by some of Waikiki’s standout attractions, Aloha Kitchen’s setting is homely and sweet, like their souffle pancakes.
Why we love this place: Besides the rice, loco moco rookies won’t be too overwhelmed with this one if they’ve had a breakfast or two in their lifetime. The egg and patty are deliciously prepared, and the gravy combines the tasty ordeal with the rice. The portion is also more than manageable for even light to medium eaters.
Tips for travelers: True to island life, the place is a bit humble in size, and you might need to wait some 15 minutes or so to be seated, so come packing that island patience. Also, I wouldn’t bother with the more expensive wagyu patty option in the loco moco.
10. Pancakes & Waffles
Hours Of Operation: Daily: 6:30am – 8:00pm (Tues to 2:00pm)
⭐ RATING: 4.3 out of 5
Location: 1284 Kalani St d100, Honolulu
Price: $$
Website: Pancakes & Waffles
Blossoming from an Oahu-born couple’s love for fried chicken and waffles from the mainland, this friendly eatery opened its doors in 2010, and the island has been better off ever since.
Why we love this place: Love, love that you can order ahead and avoid the lines, their roast pork and fried rice loco moco has me gushing in fancy speak—simply magnificent!
Tips for travelers: A little heads up to not surprise your data plan, new customers can download and order using the Beluga Eats app and should get a $10 discount as first-timers; make sure to order from the correct location!
11. Liliha Drive Inn
Hours Of Operation: Mon & Weds-Sun: 9:00am – 8:30pm, Closed Tues
⭐ RATING: 4.6 out of 5
Location: 1408 Liliha St #101, Honolulu
Price: $
Website: Liliha Drive Inn
Genuine eating that’s served in spades, Liliha is known for great Hawaiian food and barbeque, and they don’t fall short of their hundreds of glowing reviews.
Why we love this place: The option to order a mini loco moco is a welcomed one because their “regular” is a feast. Liliha Drive Inn also feels like the neighborhood spot that’s been doling out homemade eating for as long as anyone can remember.
The Wrap-Up
So there you have it! These are our top 11 picks for the best loco moco on Oahu. If you’re looking for a delicious and authentic experience, then any of these restaurants will not disappoint.
Mahalo for reading our post!
