Cheap eats in Honolulu
The best places to eat well in Honolulu without blowing the trip budget — meals under $15, food halls, and lunch specials.
Skip the search — let a CheapoTrav expert do it for you.
Phone-only fares for Honolulu, 24/7.
Call 1 (815) 473-8090Key facts
- Lunch specials often run 30–40% cheaper than the same dish at dinner
- Food halls in Honolulu let a group try multiple vendors with no minimum spend
- Street-food markets — usually most active on weekends
- Grocery stores and bakeries make excellent picnic-meal sources
- Tap water is safe to drink in Honolulu
Eating well in Honolulu doesn't have to cost $40 a person. Waikiki sunsets and Diamond Head hikes on Oahu's south shore. The food scene here rewards travelers who know where the locals actually eat — usually a few blocks off the main tourist drag.
This guide is a shortlist of cheap-eats categories that work in any neighborhood: food halls, street food, lunch specials at sit-down restaurants, family-run holes-in-the-wall, and grocery-store picnic spots. Aim for $10–$15 a meal and you'll eat better than the $30 hotel-block restaurants.
In this guide
- Food halls in Honolulu
- Lunch specials
- Street food
- Local-favorite cheap eats
- Tips to eat well for less
Frequently asked questions
- What is the cheapest meal in Honolulu?
- Street food, food-hall stalls, and lunch combos at family-run restaurants are typically the cheapest options in Honolulu, usually $5–$12 a meal.
- What are typical food prices in Honolulu?
- Budget meal: $8–$15. Mid-range sit-down: $20–$35. Higher-end dinner: $50+ per person. Call 1 (815) 473-8090 for phone-only fares
- Is street food safe in Honolulu?
- Yes at busy, high-turnover stalls — the queue is the best indicator. Avoid stalls with food sitting out at room temperature.
- Where do locals eat in Honolulu?
- A few blocks off the main tourist streets in Honolulu, often in residential neighborhoods. Check local food blogs or ask the front desk for current picks. Call 1 (815) 473-8090 for phone-only fares
- Is tipping expected in Honolulu?
- In US and Canadian destinations: 15–20% on full-service. In Mexico and the Caribbean: 10–15% is standard.
- Are there good vegetarian options in Honolulu?
- Most cities in this guide have an established vegetarian and vegan scene — search the food-hall directories first, then look at standalone restaurants. Call 1 (815) 473-8090 for phone-only fares
More for travelers visiting Honolulu
Nearby destinations
- Cheap eats: Maui
Road to Hana, sunrise on Haleakala, and the best beaches in Hawaii.
- Cheap eats: Kauai
Garden Isle — Na Pali cliffs, Waimea Canyon, and quiet beaches.
- Cheap eats: Kona
Big Island's sunny coast — coffee farms, snorkeling, and volcanoes.