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    Kaya's Kitchen

    4.7 (244 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 6:00 pm

    Kaya's Kitchen Photos

    KAYA'S KITCHEN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Divey
    Casual
    Good for kids

    Recommended Reviews - Kaya's Kitchen

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    Dan A.

    I finally visited Kaya's Kitchen in Punalu'u - situated inside Kaya's Store, which is an old-fashioned general store Local style plate lunches with daily specials available.I tried their Guava Smoked Pork Plate. It was excellent but the side of pickled cucumbers were a surprise, unwanted as I don't care for cucumbers. Open every day from 700a till 700p. Parking on two sides adjacent to the building. A coyple of food trucks align the Ka'a'awa side and adjacent is a canopy covered picnic table area. The counter has quick bites and I also grabbed a spam musubi. Locals to tourists is about 1:1 ratio.

    Steak combo plate with shrimp.

    We tried this place after a long day and it hit the spot. We got the steak plate combo with half shrimp. We asked the steak to be cooked medium rare but it came well done- but we didn't care because it still tasted so good. The shrimp was so flavorful and the Mac salad was up to par. Honestly the shrimp was really good, i think it beats jennys shrimp truck and other shrimp places we've tried. Service was average/helpful! Overall, the plate felt like home. Bathroom is a porta potty on the side. If we had more time, we would've stopped by here again. We paired it with some beers.

    What's left of the furukakae garlic chicken
    Keeba O.

    Stumbled on this cute spot! Had to kill time and drove along the highway when the hunger pangs hit. Did a quick search and found this gem! Got good reviews so I decided to try it out. Hit the spot for sure! Service was quick and people were super friendly. The aloha vibe is strong here. Picked up snacks in the connected store (Kaya's Store). Would come back!

    Ahi Cheese omelet with chili aioli
    Shea H.

    Holy hell - one of the best breakfasts I've had in awhile!! I had the Ahi Cheese omelette with the chili aioli (instead of the wasabi aioli it come with, I don't like wasabi). My husband had the Loco Moco omelette, which he loved till he tried mine! Little kitchen window inside of a small convenience store. We will def be back!! Super sweet staff and fantastic food! Large portions too!

    We recently visited the island and quickly fell in love with Kaya's Kitchen. The staff is very friendly and the food is Amazing. We will definitely be back. I recommend trying everything on the menu at least once.

    We had the pork cutlet plate and the Surf and Turf. Everything was made to perfection.

    The food was amazing!!!! We stopped here on a whim. Just driving down the coast and I looked it up and thought it be a great place to eat. It absolutely was.

    Mac salad (perhaps with tuna)
    Abby W.

    I was picking up Thai at the food truck next door when I decided to get some mac salad at Kaya's. I'd heard it was good and I'm never one to pass up a mac salad when I'm in Hawaii. While I did like this one, my vegetarian boyfriend wasn't thrilled by what we think was tuna in it. It wasn't listed on the menu as having tuna in it but it definitely looked like tuna and we've seen a few other reviews that say the same. It's now made him ask throughout the islands if the mac salad has tuna and he's often given weird looks but better safe than sorry for him. I, however, would love to come back and get both the mac salad and try other dishes in the future.

    Guava pork and coconut shrimp combo plate with an over easy egg and spam masubi on the side
    Julia J.

    Kaya's was recommended to my boyfriend and we added it to our list of foods to try while spending time in the north shore. We are big foodies, so we were thrilled when we tried the plate (guava pork and coconut shrimp combo). Also added an egg to the side. It was one of our top food stops of the trip. I highly recommend. Spam masubi was also good! Had teriyaki sauce on it which is my favorite. All staff were so nice and helped us pick an option since there are so many good ones. Can't wait to go back on our next trip to the north shore!!

    Garlic shrimp!
    Fabiana E.

    We always stay across the street from Kaya's and it's become a regular spot daily for snack, drinks and the food! The food is downright traditional Hawaiian food. Beats all the food trucks around! Everyone is super kind and very welcoming!

    Cheese omelette
    Gabriela V.

    Incredible food, big portions and local plates. Picnic tables outside to eat - the kitchen is inside a bodega style/ store. Great service and people were nice!

    Timothy W.

    The roast pork plate special was delicious. Tender roast pork with gravy, white rice, mac salad and pickle cucumber. The fried ahi with wasabi sauce and egg plate was delicious too. Good flavor and tender. Lady at counter was friendly. We sat at covered tents outside the store. There four other lunch wagons outside the Kaya's store: a Country Wok, Pho Vientiane, Thai food, & scrimp place. We will return again on our next road trip.

    Loco Moco omelette

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    Vern H.

    Thanks for supporting our family business.

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    3 years ago

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    Vern H.

    Thanks Sebastian. Yes, the Guava Smoke Meat is a very popular item.

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    2 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    Vern H.

    Thank you for visiting us!

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    4 years ago

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    Vern H.

    Thank you so much! We are happy you enjoyed our food!

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    Vern H.

    Thank you for visiting us!

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    3 years ago

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    1 year ago

    We had the guava smoked pork and ahi on their recommendation and it was super delicious. It was enough for the two of us for lunch.

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    Vern H.

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    2 years ago

    Shhhhh...it's a secret spot that serves grandma's home style cooking. Not fast food. So good you gotta try.

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    Vern H.

    Thanks for your support Richard.

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    2 years ago

    Food was awesome and portions big. Loved the authentic Polynesian/Hawaiian options. Cooked fresh but fast.

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    Vern H.

    Thanks for stopping by Sue. Glad you enjoyed our offerincs. Mahalo.

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    1 year ago

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    Thanks Micah. Glad we could start your day right. Mahalo.

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    Glad you liked the pan fried ahi!

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    Page 2 of 7

    Kaya's Kitchen Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Kaya's Kitchen

    Best restaurant for thanksgiving dinner?

    Unfortunately, not us. LeiLei's at Turtle Bay Resort has the best food in Thanksgiving dinners. Turkey, Lamb, Ham, etc.

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    Coffee Cove Hawaii

    Coffee Cove Hawaii

    5.0
    (128 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $

    This was an amazing stop for coffee. The flavors were rich and bold. They were so good we bought…read moregrinds to take home. Definitely worth multiple trips to this coffee spot. Added: okay. Went back to get an açaí bowl and omg, so glad I did. The flavors are spot on, not overly sweet, and the fruit is really fresh. My hubby got the coconut flake and highly recommends adding them too. Wish I could have added more stars.

    Such a cute little coffee shop right next to the beach! My friends and I came here to get some…read morecoffee and milkshake and oh my goodness, it is super worth the trip! There's no indoor seating there but there's some tables and chairs right next to it, or better yet, get your drinks and snacks and walk across the street to the beach to enjoy it! The menu is displayed in the front of the shop and on the side as well along with other little goodies that they had for sale- coffee beans, honey, cookies and slices of bread and other little yummy delights! The person who took our order was super nice and we got out stuff quickly! I ordered the banana bread latte, my friend got the ube milkshake and her husband got the peanut butter chocolate milkshake- omg soooooooo yummy and so delicious! Next time I go, I'm going to get the ube milkshake for sure! We also got a slice of their banana bread and it was moist and so flavorful!! All in all, so delicious and absolutely worth stopping by!!

    Photos
    Seating area
    Seating area
    Lavender iced mocha and Açaí bowl
    Lavender iced mocha and Açaí bowl
    Covered and open air seating

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    Covered and open air seating
    Hala Tree Cafe

    Hala Tree Cafe

    4.4
    (111 reviews)
    2.6 mi
    $$

    This place is sort of an Instagram gem. Beautiful location and well decorated with friendly,…read morehelpful and polite staff. You could make a visit Oahu flyer taking pictures here. The food and drinks are also so obviously fresh and well presented it just sets the tone for a nice relaxing break. Pricing is reasonable and you have to consider the great service and sitting in the open air overlooking the ocean with delicious drink and snack. Such a great vibe here and not to be missed if you have some time or are looking to take a break and check out for a few.

    If you have a little time to spare before your tour at Kualoa Ranch, make a quick stop at Hala Tree…read moreCafé it's just down the road and absolutely worth it. This charming little café has such a relaxed, local feel. It's tucked upstairs above what seems to be a coffee roasting area, which adds to its cozy, tucked-away vibe. The coffee was delicious- fresh, flavorful, and exactly what you want before heading out on an adventure. What really makes this spot stand out, though, is the view. You get a beautiful oceanfront backdrop while you sip your drink, making it a perfect place to slow down for a bit. It's also super convenient, located right off the main road, so it's an easy and worthwhile stop. Overall, it's a cute and scenic coffee shop that's perfect for a quick break; highly recommend if you're in the area.

    Photos
    Service counter
    Service counter
    Avocado toast
    Avocado toast
    Egg bites

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    Egg bites
    Papa Ole's

    Papa Ole's

    4.5
    (1.5k reviews)
    2.8 mi
    $$

    The closing date is set, December 15, 2025…read more Their regulars have stepped up their visits while locals living farther away are making their final pilgrimages. By now, anyone who is a fan knows their food so rather than another review, some tips for securing that last taste. 1. They are in a cellular dead zone. All calls made to their number from a cell phone will fail to connect. You MUST call using a land line phone (those things plugged in the wall with physical buttons to press). BUT... 2. They do not answer their phone if they are busy helping customers. Good luck. SO... 3. Go early and order in person. Popular items like the roast pork and hamburger steak sell out by 10am. Others like the kalbi and pulehu shrot ribs by 11:30. 4. Be patient. The wait time is 45min - 1hr. It is accurate. Use the time to grab poke and drinks in neighboring Laie or Kahuku. It's all worth it. Same loaded plates. Same nostalgic taste. Same aloha delivered with a smile. One last time.

    Papa Ole's is a spot I heard about from a friend, and it hasn't disappointed me yet. It feels like…read morea small mom and pop type place that locals enjoy, which is always a good sign. My personal favorite is the kalbi ribs. They've got that backyard BBQ taste that feels like a homecooked meal, and it's usually what I end up ordering. Simple, comforting, and it just hits. I also love grabbing food here and taking it down the street to eat at the beach. It's one of those meals that feels even better when you're eating it by the water. I just read that they may be closing soon, and if that's true, thank you for all the delicious meals over the years and wishing the team nothing but the best moving forward.

    Photos
    Papa Ole's Menu
    Papa Ole's Menu
    Papa Ole's Sign
    Papa Ole's Sign
    Jumbo Shrimp Plate

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    Jumbo Shrimp Plate
    Da Bald Guy

    Da Bald Guy

    4.6
    (747 reviews)
    7.3 mi
    $$

    I'm so grateful he does pop ups in town because venturing out to Kahuku takes a bit of planning. So…read morefar my favorites would have to be hands down the Ribeye and Shrimp plates. The ribeye is super tender and both plates have so much flavor packed into it! I tried the Braised Boneless Kalbi and it is good and super soft! But the flavor isn't my cup of tea; I prefer my kalbi to be LA kalbi style so just something to keep in mind if that's what you were expecting Each plate can easily be shared between two people which gives you more room to try other items hehe I highly recommend coming super early for his pop ups because the lines gets ridiculously long. He is always our first stop of the list because you just can't risk certain items running out! (Trust me, I had this happen to me the first time and I was a very sad camper with what was left)

    Da Bald Guy was at the Moili'ili Summerfest, this review is based on that experience…read more And HO my wife and I got two plates, one Pan-fried Poke and one Cajun Garlic Shrimp, and both were moono'ono. Both extremely solid 9/10. If you like poke, you'll probably like it pan-fried. The spicy ahi flavor is familiar, but the change in cook method adds a different dimension. If you like shrimp, and can handle a smidge of spice, you'll probably like the Cajun version. However, the limiting factor could be location. If you're in the area, or see them at an event, try go fa sho!

    Photos
    Da Bald Guy
    Chopped Steak (@miguelmoralesphotography on Instagram)
    Chopped Steak (@miguelmoralesphotography on Instagram)
    Chipotle Garlic Cajun Garlic Butter Shrimp

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    Chipotle Garlic Cajun Garlic Butter Shrimp
    A Country Wok

    A Country Wok

    5.0
    (5 reviews)
    0.0 mi

    We visited last weekend on Easter Sunday, and it was busy! Everything is prepared fresh to order,…read moreso it's worth the wait, for sure. My husband and I ordered the Mongolian beef with ahi cakes, the char siu with ahi cakes, and the Teri burger. We started with the Teri burger, which was served with a pineapple slaw on top. At first I was a little apprehensive, but it was absolutely delicious. Mild but flavorful, the slaw was the yin to the burgers yang - a perfect combination. The patty was thick and juicy, which was also completely unexpected. The Mongolian beef was well-executed - a good balance of meat and bell peppers; I was expecting this dish to be too spicy for me, but I found it to be just right. The ahi cakes were huge, so you would think they would be dry...you would also be wrong. They were perfectly dense while still moist, with the perfect aioli drizzled on top. The bonus? You get two! I didn't try the char siu, but my husband said it hit the spot. While char siu can sometimes be greasy, this was anything but. The pork was wok fried with a combination of fresh veggies, and was the perfect complement to the ahi cakes. The drive was long but scenic, and this food truck is right across the street from the ocean. Beautiful views, mouth-watering food, and great service (thanks, Jon!) make this place a must.

    Probably the best ahi cakes I've ever had. Wish the wasabi aioli had more wasabi, but they're…read moredelicious even without sauce. The garlic shrimp was actually perfect too. I didn't even feel hungry since we went right when they opened at 10am, but I could not stop eating haha! I don't write many reviews, but I'm trying to do better, and this food truck really earned it. Great option from Windward side, not too far, gorgeous drive. The guy/owner working there was really funny and friendly too. Super good vibes. Right next to Kaya's so we were able to grab some drinks and other goodies. Clean tables and hand wash station right across from the water. Definitely recommend!!

    Photos
    A Country Wok food truck in Hau'ula
    A Country Wok food truck in Hau'ula
    Char siu with ahi cakes
    Char siu with ahi cakes
    Side view from the parking area

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    Side view from the parking area
    The Bistro

    The Bistro

    3.3
    (22 reviews)
    4.2 mi
    $$
    Outdoor seating
    Grab-and-go

    The Bistro is located inside the Courtyard Marriott and for that reason we ended up going here…read moreseveral times for breakfast. In 2021, it had abbreviated hours due to the pandemic but in 2024 it is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, although there are breaks between meals when it is closed. The menu offers a lot of choices for each meal. There seem to be people eating here all the time so I guess it is a convenient and popular option for guests at the hotel (like us). This trip we had a full breakfast with eggs, bacon, and potatoes; bagel; pancake;, oatmeal; and assorted drinks (latte, tea, juice, hot chocolate). The food is genrally good, but it is a bit pricey. I suppose that is to be expected in Hawaii and in a hotel. A very modest breakfast for 2 with tax and tip usually exceeds $50. Service is friendly and the food comes out moderately quickly. You order at the cash register, they give you a number, and you find a table inside or outside and they bring your food. We like to sit outside and enjoy the weather so the ambience is pleasant. There are other restaurants in the area that are cheaper if you want to get in your car. Or, you can walk to the Polynesian cultural center where there are quite a number of food trucks and some of them serve breakfast. All trucks are open during lunch and dinner time.

    Honestly our best meal on the island yet!! The ribs are incredible, like maybe some of the best…read moreribs I've ever had in my whole life, and the salad was fresh and the fries were perfectly crunchy and seasoned. 10/10 experience- the girls at the counter were so sweet and helpful, I'm bummed we're leaving tomorrow to go back to Waikiki, because if we'd known this little restaurant in the Marriott hotel was this good, we'd have eaten here every day!

    Photos
    The Bistro
    The Bistro
    Lunch at The Bistro
    Lunch at The Bistro
    The Bistro

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    The Bistro

    Kaya's Kitchen - hawaiian - Updated June 2026

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