14 of the best cheap eats in Waikiki

Over the years, I have been fortunate to visit Oahu, the home of Waikiki, many times. Whether visiting friends or attending a wedding, I’ve always enjoyed my trips.

I usually stay in Waikiki whenever I visit Honolulu, even though it is touristy. The vibrant neighborhood is known for its world-famous beach, restaurants, bars, shopping, and hotels.

One of the best things about Waikiki is its wide range of restaurants, from celebrity chef spots to poke bowl shops to hole-in-the-wall eateries only locals know about.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, Waikiki is expensive. However, there are affordable and delicious cheap eats if you know where to look.

Here is my list of 14 of the best cheap eats in Waikiki.

1 – Marukame Udon

The first stop on my list of 14 of the best cheap eats in Waikiki is Marukame Udon. Marukame Udon is a casual Japanese eatery popular for its Sanuki-style udon noodles, tempura, and rice bowls.

Thanks to its location in the heart of Waikiki and its affordable prices, the restaurant has become one of Honolulu’s most popular places to eat. As a result, you can find long lines out front of the restaurant at all hours.

As Marukame Udon is self-service, you grab a tray, order your udon, pick add-ons like tempura, and pay at the cashier.

My favorite thing to order is the Curry Udon. While simple, the house-made noodles are thick and chewy, while the savory curry broth is rich and thick with an umami flavor.

Whenever I visit Waikiki, Marukame Udon is my first stop. If you only try one place from this list, make it Marukame Udon.

What to order: Curry Udon, Shrimp Tempura

Marukame Udon
Address: 2310 Kūhiō Ave. #124, Honolulu, HI 96815
Hours: Open daily from 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM

2 – Musubi Cafe Iyasume

If you are looking for an affordable, delicious Spam musubi near Waikiki Beach, then Musubi Cafe Iyasume is the spot. The small shop is well-known for handmade Spam musubi made with high-quality ingredients and premium rice.

Spam musubi is a popular snack with a slice of grilled spam on rice, wrapped in nori. It combines Japanese onigiri with American spam and is a local favorite.

Musubi Cafe Iyasume offers a variety of Spam musubi options. My favorite is the Avocado Bacon Egg Spam Musubi. It’s like breakfast in one bite: savory, rich, crispy, and umami-packed.

Besides Spam musubi, they also serve other items, including rice balls and musubi rolls.

And since it’s near Waikiki Beach, Musubi Cafe Iyasume is a great place to grab a quick snack.

What to order: Avocado Bacon Egg Spam Musubi, Teriyaki Spam Musubi

Musubi Cafe Iyasume
Address: 2427 Kūhiō Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
Hours: Open daily from 6:30 AM – 9:00 PM

3 – Steak Shack

Think you can’t enjoy a steak with ocean views in Hawaii for under $15? You can at Steak Shack, located right on the beach near the U.S. Army Museum of Hawaii.

Steak Shack is a locally owned and operated food stall popular for its Hawaiian-style plates. And they use high-quality ingredients.

On each visit, I go for the most popular item on the menu, the Steak Plate. This made-to-order plate comes with six ounces of steak cooked to your liking, two scoops of rice, and organic greens.

The steak here never disappoints. Each piece is smoky and crispy from the grill while tender and flavorful. The rice and fresh salad complement the smoky meat. And don’t forget to drizzle soy sauce and sesame oil over the steak and greens.

While steak is their specialty, they also serve a chicken plate that is just as delicious.

While there aren’t any sit-down tables, you can use the standing tables. Otherwise, you can take your plate to the beach, steps away.

At Steak Shack, you will find great people, great views, and great food. You can’t ask for more.

What to order: Steak Plate, Chicken Plate

Steak Shack
Address: 2161 Kālia Rd, Honolulu, HI 96815
Hours: Sunday – Thursday: 10:30 AM – 7:00 PM; Friday – Saturday: 10:30 AM – 7:30 PM

4 – Maguro Brothers

Maguro Brothers is the first poke bowl spot on my list of 14 of the best cheap eats in Waikiki.

The Waikiki shop off Kalakaua Avenue is a small, no-frills spot that offers fresh poke bowls and other seafood at affordable prices. Although there can be a line, the wait is worth it.

While most order the tuna, they also have uni (sea urchin), oysters, ikura (salmon roe), scallops, salmon, yellowtail, and more on the Maguro Brothers menu. Most bowls come in two sizes: regular and extra large.

I enjoy the Hawaiian Limu Ahi Poke Bowl with seaweed, chili, sesame oil, soy sauce, and green onions over rice whenever I visit. The tuna is fresh and delicious. The seaweed (limu) adds a crunchy texture and salty flavor, while the chili oil adds a kick of heat. The sesame oil and soy sauce brings everything together.

While their new location has some seating, most take their bowls to go. Also, the beach is only a few blocks away if you want to eat there.

While there are plenty of great poke spots in Waikiki, Maguro Brothers is one of my favorites.

What to order: Hawaiian Limu Ahi Poke Bowl

Maguro Brothers
Address: 2250 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96815
Hours: Monday-Saturday: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM; Sunday: Closed

5 – Teddy’s Bigger Burgers

I have been visiting Teddy’s Bigger Burgers for as long as I can remember on my visits to Hawaii. Founded in 1998, Teddy’s Bigger Burgers has grown into one of Hawaii’s most popular fast-casual burger chains.

You will find flame-broiled hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, chicken tenders, fries, salads, and more on the menu. You will also find some Hawaiian-themed items, including the Kaneohe Burger, Kailua Burger, and Aiea Burger.

One of my favorite items to order is the Hawaiian Burger. This burger comes with a fresh ground 1/3 pound beef chuck patty, teriyaki sauce, pineapple, cheese, lettuce, pickles, onion, and tomato.

At first, the burger might sound strange. However, the smoky grilled beef patty mixed with the sweet and salty teriyaki sauce, fresh pineapple, and crispy veggies is a great combination.

Their Waikiki branch, located a block away from the beach on Kapahulu Ave, can get busy during the lunch and dinner rush. And with food made fresh to order, orders can take a while. So, be patient if you are planning to visit this location.

While there are better burgers in Waikiki, Teddy’s Bigger Burgers serves an affordable, dependable, and delicious burger that I can count on every time.

What to order: Hawaiian Burger

Teddy’s Bigger Burgers
Address: 134 Kapahulu Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
Hours: Open daily from 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM

6 – Island Vintage Shave Ice

If you are traveling to Hawaii, you can’t leave without trying one of their most famous desserts: shave ice.

Shave ice is a Hawaiian dessert made by shaving ice into a fine, fluffy texture and adding flavored syrups or toppings.

One of the best places to try shave ice is at Island Vintage Shave Ice at the Royal Hawaiian Center. Their shave ice, which resembles a volcano, looks more like a work of art than a dessert. And they use organic ingredients.

You can choose from their signature shave ice or create your own. If you customize, you can add classic toppings like mango, strawberry, pineapple, and coconut.

Those more adventurous can choose unique ingredients such as acai, lilikoi, lychee mint, yuzu, matcha, mochi, and azuki bean.

When I visit, I order the Heavenly Lilikoi with passion fruit (lilikoi), strawberry, frozen yogurt, and popping boba. The tart passion fruit, sweet strawberry, creamy frozen yogurt, and chewy boba are delicious and unique.

What to order: Heavenly Lilikoi

Island Vintage Shave Ice
Address: 2201 Kalakaua Ave, Kiosk B-1, Honolulu, HI 96815
Hours: Open daily from 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM

7 – Topped Waikiki

If there is one food ubiquitous to Hawaii, it’s Japanese food. You can walk down any street and find shops selling ramen, sushi, or tonkatsu. And I love these foods. Another type of food I love is Korean.

While Waikiki isn’t known for its Korean food, you can find it if you know where to look. And you can find great places that won’t break the bank.

One of the most affordable spots to try Korean food is Topped Waikiki, located a block off busy Kalakaua Avenue. The small quaint shop with outdoor seating has a local island vibe. As soon as you walk in, the spot makes you feel like you are eating at someone’s house.

Topped Waikiki is best known for its affordable and filling Korean plates. Plates include bibimbap, braised chicken bowls, braised pork bowls, japchae, kimchi fried rice, and mayo bowls.

I like ordering the Spicy Chicken Mayo. This dish has tender, shredded chicken, two fluffy scrambled eggs, pickled onions, teriyaki sauce, mayo, and rice. You can also add gochujang for an extra kick of heat.

Topped Waikiki is the spot for you if you are craving Korean food and enjoy K-pop music.

What to order: Spicy Chicken Mayo, Spicy Pork

Topped Waikiki
Address: 333 Royal Hawaiian Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
Hours: Sunday – Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM; Thursday – Saturday: 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM

8 – Maguro Spot

Maguro Spot is a shop specializing in Hawaiian-style ahi tuna bowls. Also known as a poke bowl, these bowls often consist of cubed raw fish, rice, and other toppings or sauces.

Maguro Spot may be a hole-in-the-wall, but they buy fresh tuna and bluefin marlin daily from local markets, never frozen. With fresh seafood at affordable prices, it’s popular with tourists. Not surprisingly, there’s often a line out the door.

While they specialize in ahi tuna, they also have salmon, blue marlin, and shrimp. If unsure what to order, look at the photos on the walls. Or, ask the friendly workers for their recommendations.

You can pick a bowl or customize your own. If you’re customizing, start with a bowl size, choose your fish, pick a rice type, add up to two sauces, and select any toppings. Just know that toppings cost extra.

I like to get the Tuna Bowl with brown rice, green onions, and rainbow sauce—a mix of teriyaki and spicy mayo. The combination of fresh ahi tuna and creamy, salty sauce makes this one of the better spots in Waikiki for poke bowls.

While there are many places for poke in Waikiki, Maguro Spot stands out. With affordable prices, it’s worth a stop if you’re in the area.

What to order: Tuna Bowl

Maguro Spot
Address: 2441 Kūhiō Ave., Honolulu, HI 96815
Hours: Open daily from 10:00 AM – 8:30 PM

9 – Mami’s Empanadas

Mami’s Empanadas is a food truck on Cartwright Rd near Kuhio Beach specializing in Latin American cuisine. But they are best known for their empanadas.

Chef Alex Arango runs the small food cart, which he started in 2013. Born in Colombia, he brought the flavors he grew up with to Oahu.

On my last visit, I had to text Chef Alex in the morning to get the daily menu. He then texted me back with the menu and hours. I then told him what I wanted to order and when I would arrive.

On this day, he offered four types of empanadas, and I ordered one of each: Colombian Beef and Potato, Sofrito Chicken, Colombian Vegan Potato, and Samosa.

The flavors in each empanada and the crispy, crunchy, chewy corn-flavored breading were special. And don’t forget to ask for some of the homemade sauces on the side.

Although authentic empanadas from a food cart in Waikiki aren’t something you would expect, they’re worth trying at Mami’s Empanadas.

What to order: Empanadas

Mami’s Empanadas
Address: 2525 Cartwright Rd, Honolulu, HI 96815
Hours: Wednesday – Monday: 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM; Tuesday: Closed

10 – Pai’s Deli

Pai’s Deli is a small deli tucked inside the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort. The hidden gem near Duke’s is one of the best places in Waikiki for a quick, affordable, fresh sandwich.

While the deli may be simple, don’t let its looks fool you. Everything is made fresh to order and is affordable.

Their menu features sandwiches, salads, smoothies, and drinks, all made fresh with high-quality ingredients.

Most order one of the sandwiches. Each comes with spinach, cucumber, tomato, sprouts, shredded carrot, and mayo on your choice of bread. They have a great selection of sandwiches such as Tuna Salad, Turkey, Ham & American Cheese, and Pastrami.

When I visit, I usually order the Chicken Salad Sandwich on a croissant. The fresh, crispy veggies, tender chicken mixed with creamy mayo, and buttery, flaky croissant make a fantastic combination.

While there are a couple of tables to eat near the counter, do what everyone else does and take your sandwich to the beach, which is only a few steps away.

What to order: Chicken Salad Sandwich, Turkey and Avocado Sandwich

Pai’s Deli
Address: 2335 Kalakaua Ave #113, Honolulu, HI 96815
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

11 – Hula Dog Kuhio

Hula Dog Kuhio is a food truck specializing in Hawaiian-style Polish hot dogs. Here, they top their savory sausages with relishes, using local fruits and a spicy garlic lemon sauce.

On the Hula Dog Kuhio menu, you will find sandwiches, hot dogs, a breakfast plate, a salad, and various drinks, including coffee, soda, tea, and lemonade.

You can also build your own hot dog. Start with a bread choice—white brioche, Hawaiian sweet roll, or purple taro. The bread is then punched with a hole, and the sausage is placed inside.

Next, pick a Polish sausage or veggie dog, then choose your heat level for the garlic lemon sauce (mild, medium, or habanero). Add a tropical relish (pineapple, mango, coconut, or papaya), and finish with a mustard.

On my visit, I ordered the Polish Hula Dog on a Hawaiian roll with pineapple relish. The mix of fluffy bread, savory sausage, sweet relish, and spicy sauce was unique and delicious.

If you are looking for a quick bite off Kuhio Ave, then Hula Dog Kuhio is an excellent choice.

What to order: Polish Hula Dog

Hula Dog Kuhio
Address: 206 Kapuni St, Honolulu, HI 96815
Hours: Open daily from 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM

12 – Kono’s Northshore

I can’t have a list of the best cheap eats in Waikiki without including at least one breakfast burrito spot. And that spot goes to Kono’s Northshore.

Since opening in 2002, Kono’s Northshore has gained a following among locals and tourists for its Hawaiian-influenced food. Food options include Kalua pig, plate lunches, milkshakes, sandwiches, and breakfast burritos.

Today, Kono’s Northshore operates four locations on Oahu and one in Las Vegas, with their newest location in Waikiki, right next to Marugame Udon.

When I am in the mood for a breakfast burrito, called Bombers on their menu, I go for Chuns Bomber. This burrito has eggs, potatoes, jack and cheddar, bacon, and 12-hour slow-roasted Kalua pork in a flour tortilla.

Besides Kalua pork, there are burritos with bacon, Portuguese sausage, and chorizo.

If you are looking for a quick breakfast before heading out to the beach for the day, Kono’s Northshore is the perfect choice.

What to order: Chuns Bomber Breakfast Burrito

Kono’s Northshore
Address: 2310 Kūhiō Ave. #1-A, Honolulu, HI 96815
Hours: Open daily from 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM

13 – Maleko Coffee and Pastries

While known to locals, Maleko Coffee and Pastries might be the least known spot on my list. The small coffee shop at the Waikiki Monarch Hotel is popular for its pastries and malasadas.

A malasada is a Portuguese-style deep-fried doughnut popular in Hawaii. The fried treat made its way to Hawaii thanks to Portuguese laborers working on the islands in the 19th century.

Malasadas are made with sweet, yeasted dough, fried until golden brown, and coated in sugar. Unlike regular doughnuts, malasadas don’t have a hole. Some come filled with custard, guava, or mango.

Today, many bakeries and coffee shops in Hawaii specialize in malasadas. Maleko Coffee and Pastries sells an assortment of affordable pastries and drinks. But the malasadas are the stars.

While they sell out of items, you can usually find custard, mango, and guava malasadas if you go early enough.

The malasadas here are soft and airy, like a pillow, with a chewy, doughy texture. And the outside of each is sweet after being rolled in sugar.

The guava is thick, sweet, and tart. The mango has a refreshing, distinct mango flavor. And the custard is thick and sweet but not too sweet.

Trying a malasada is a must for any visitor to Hawaii, and Maleko Coffee and Pastries is one of the best places to try them.

What to order: Malasadas

Maleko Coffee and Pastries
Address: 444 Niu St Ste 106, Honolulu, HI 96815
Hours: Open daily from 4:00 AM – 12:00 PM

14 – Henry’s Place

On a hot and humid day, ice cream is always refreshing. And, one of my favorite places for ice cream in Waikiki is at Henry’s Place on Beach Walk.

This no-frills, nondescript store, surrounded by resorts, has been around for over 30 years. Henry’s Place, operated by Henry Takahashi, is a hidden gem. Although located in Waikiki, it is overlooked by many tourists.

Though a hole-in-the-wall, Henry’s Place has a wide selection of homemade ice creams, sorbets, sandwiches, fresh fruits, and more.

Most come for the ice cream. Popular flavors include mango, guava, passion fruit, Kona coffee, and pineapple. You have lychee, taro poi, and purple yam for the more adventurist types. Flavors change often, so you will always find something interesting to try.

While there are many great items, my preferred choice is the Mango Ice Cream. The mango ice cream is creamy and luxurious in texture with a sweet, tart flavor. And it tastes like you are eating fresh, cold mangoes.

No matter what you order, you will get something delicious and satisfying. But bring cash since Henry’s Place doesn’t take credit cards.

While there are a few seats out front, the beach is only a five-minute walk away if you want to take your ice cream or sorbet to go.

What to order: Mango Ice Cream, Kona Coffee Ice Cream

Henry’s Place
Address: 234 Beach Walk, Honolulu, HI 96815
Hours: Open daily from 11:00 AM – 9:30 PM