Took a trip to Kauai and based on what I've heard, trying the oxtail soup and banana mac nut pancakes was a must! And my goodness was it the best pancakes I've ever had. It's light, fresh, but packed with soo much flavor that exploded in my mouth! I couldnt get enough of it!!! At first my friend and I were debating whether or not to add macadamia nut inside d/t the extra cost, but boy is it worth it! The oxtail soup was really good too. Especially how easily the meat fell off the bone and the flavor that warmed the heart and soul. By far my favorite food stop in Kauai. And I'd come back to visit just for their food! Service was efficient and fast and at the end they give u a receipt to which u then go up front to pay. Ambiance is like an old school dinner that's frequently packed with locals and guests 5 stars!! read more

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Makes me sad to leave less than a five star review, but honestly I don't understand the hype for this place and I feel the need for an honest review! Hubby and I were recommended by a local to try this place for their macadamia nut pancakes (which were good) and the oxtail soup (which we didn't try as we wanted breakfast)... Upon entering, no proper greeting just a yell from across the dining room from a lady pushing a cart "how many" and then proceeded to point to an empty table. Next, our server came around asking if we would like coffee..yes please! I had to track her down for some sweetener and when I asked for the sweetener she acted as if I was bothering her as she handed it to me. Mind you, I had just heard her tell a different lady who went up to to ask her for something as well to "go have a seat, I'll be right there" :/ I understand this is a busy restaurant but I do feel they need to work on their customer service! Hubby got an omelet that was very runny and ended up making him sick. I ordered the Macadamia nut pancake and it was good! I chose to leave 2 stars for the pancake alone! We will not be back to this restaurant. I think if they were more friendly and cook their omelets a bit more, this could have very well been a 5 star review. read more

As someone who's never been to Kauai, I'll say the one spot/food that was repeatedly recommended by locals was tip top's oxtail soup. Like brah, it kept coming up whenever anyone would list their favorites. So you know your boy had to check em out. The setting is def unique hahaha. It's a lil restaurant on the first floor of a motel? Also, check their hours and days bc they're at least closed on mondays and I think close at like 130 every day. Now what you see is their half-size portion of oxtail. I think I paid $25-30 after tax and tip. Something like that. But brah, even after a sunrise hike, my big back struggled to finish allll that. The taste was definitely solid. I will say I've had better oxtail soup in Oahu, even from Liliha. BUT no complaints, I'm glad I tried out tip top's! It was obviously a local favorite as the entire place was packed with straight up locals--don't think I saw one tourist in there. read more

Tip Top Motel Cafe & Bakery - Ox tail soup - Hotels Near Me - Lihue, Hawaii

My husband goes to Kauai at least once a month and always raves about tip top cafe for breakfast. We finally took a weekend trip together and met friends there early on a Sunday morning and BOY were they packed!! The menu boasts local breakfast favorites, massive pancakes, and a secret saimin menu and oxtail soup. The portions are huge, aunties friendly and efficient, and the price point, affordable for what you get. Despite being totally filled to the brim with diners, service was quick and filtered patrons in and out efficiently. There is a parking lot attached to the motel and restaurant, but both were full so we parked on the street and walked over--and back, which was much needed to help with digestion! read more

Tip Top Motel Cafe & Bakery - Hotels Near Me - Lihue, Hawaii

Iconic landmark famous for their Ox Tail soup, good breakfast a must to so if you arrive in the morning straight to Tip Top! read more

Tip Top Motel Cafe & Bakery - Ox Tail Soup - Hotels Near Me - Lihue, Hawaii

Tip Top Motel Café was one of our absolute favorite food stops in Kauai. It has that classic mom-and-pop feel the second you walk in! Super welcoming, simple, and full of locals, which is always a good sign. The oxtail soup was hands down the best I've ever had. It was so rich, flavorful, and comforting, the kind of dish you think about long after the trip is over. Everything tasted homemade and authentic, not overly fancy, just really, really good food done right. It's also such a popular spot for breakfast and brunch, and now I completely understand why. The portions are generous, the food comes out fast, and the whole atmosphere just feels relaxed and genuine. It's one of those places that makes you feel like you're getting a true local experience instead of a tourist stop. I love that theres just a bunch of aunties working haha! Gives the place a nice homey feel. Parking is terrible! We parked super far at a plaza maybe 3 blocks away, look to rideshare / carpool if going here. read more

Tip Top Motel Cafe & Bakery - Oxtail Soup (larger size) - Hotels Near Me - Lihue, Hawaii

Firstly, this place was packed. You can tell it's locally loved and has a lot of character. When we walked in we only waited for a few moments before a waitress noticed us from across the room and called us over to a table. The booth was a bit crammed for us ladies with wide hips and some weight on us but we weren't so uncomfortable that we needed to move seats. Our waitress was very kind, she came by a handful of times to offer refills of coffee and water. Helped us answer any questions we had about the menu. We didn't feel like we were being a burden or taking away too much of her time even though the place was super busy- we really appreciated it. The food came out super fast. The pancake was REALLY good. My medium eggs were more runny than expected but not the end of the world. The rice was a great upgrade for 2.99 and the hash patties were just okay. Overall I would come here again for the kind service and the delicious pancakes. I would also be interested in coming during lunch to check out the menu for those times. At the checkout counter there were cute cat stickers and it made a fun conclusion to our family breakfast read more

Tip Top Motel Cafe & Bakery - Banana and macadamia nut pancakes - Hotels Near Me - Lihue, Hawaii

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Found this place on a whim many years ago and now it's our first stop following our arrival to the island. Service is fast and efficient and always consistent. Sit, eat, pay and go. Prices have gone up but the food is good and worth it. Whatever you get, you won't be disappointed. My go to every time is the oxtail soup. read more

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Excellent food. Very no frills dining area, a bit lacking in sunlight in my opinion. Good, direct, and unpretentious service since they are so busy and don't have time to chat you up. We ordered: - the Single Scratch Pancake with Bananas and Macadamia Nuts - the regular size Oxtail Soup. It was actually pretty large. I think the Small Order Oxtail Soup would've been more than enough, even for sharing - the Beef Stew. We wanted just the Cup Beef Stew but perhaps they didn't hear that. The non-cup order was more than enough - the small Bento. Thank goodness because this was pretty filling - i can't imagine we would've been able to finish the regular size - and the Loco Moco All the dishes looked great and the food was delicious. I think getting only 2 dishes and sharing between 4 people would've been plenty. We only got so many dishes because we wanted to try everything! read more

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Came around 12:30 p.m. on a Tuesday, and this place was packed. The parking lot was full too, though I was able to move my car from the motel side (felt a little sketchy) to the side closer to the café. There's a takeout/pay counter up front, and the dine-in seating is on the other side of the separator wall. Ordered the loco moco and oxtail soup. Asked the waitress for a recommendation and got a very "don't really care" vibe... which honestly might just be part of the charm here. The food came out pretty quickly, like 5 minutes. The loco moco was really good -- a bit salty but super flavorful. The oxtail soup was loaded with meat, clear noodles, and veggies, and the broth was strong and comforting (also on the salty side, but still good). For payment: you ask for the check at the table, then walk it up to the cashier in front to pay. Despite the attitude, the food definitely delivers. read more

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Food was great! Love the oxtail soup. It's by far the best soup on the island in my honest opinion. Service was fast and staff were friendly. We came in 30 mins before closing and they seated us quickly. read more

Tip Top Motel Cafe & Bakery - Oxtail soup - Hotels Near Me - Lihue, Hawaii

Three words: MACADAMIA NUT PANCAKES. GET IT! Cute little spot, local eatery. Nothing fancy, but the macadamia nut pancakes are a must. read more

Tip Top Motel Cafe & Bakery - Macadamia nut pancakes - Hotels Near Me - Lihue, Hawaii

Wowzer, if anyone is looking for a good throwback to cafeteria style (interior wise, not food quality), swing by this place for the experience! Highlights: 1. Parking: There is a private lot next to this place but do note that it can be limited as it's linked to a hotel. Recommend coming early if you want a spot! 2. Interior: Large on the inside, plenty of seating and as mentioned, gives off the old school cafeteria vibes. Definitely digging it for the atmosphere. 3. Service: No waiters but the cool aunties who rolls the carts around. If you need something, ask one of the aunties with the cart and she can help you out. 4. Food: AMAZING. I can see why this place gets so packed with locals and tourists alike. Food I tried was: - Oxtail Noodle Soup = 100% sooooo good. Definitely a refreshing dish from the typical Hawaiian food. Broth was so flavorful on its own and the meat just falls off the bones. Yums. - Tip Top Grand Slam: If you like variety, this dish is it. Has a bit of everything and is equally just so tasty. Favorite thing was the delicious banana pancakes and a side of the corn beef patties. If I wasn't dying of food coma, would have ordered more food. Definitely on my bucket of places to revisit the next time I'm here! read more

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Despite my initial skepticism about the restaurant's plain, cafeteria-like appearance inside a motel, this place completely won me over. The fact that it was bustling at 2 p.m. on a weekday was a clear sign of its popularity. The food was truly incredible. I'm very critical of pancakes and really try to limit my carb intake, but the banana pancakes were so delicious I couldn't stop eating them. The oxtail soup was another standout, and I could have easily eaten a large bowl on my own. The clear noodles were a nice touch. Even my kids, who were hesitant at first, loved the loco moco, especially the rice and gravy. To top it all off, the passionfruit cheesecake from Orly's bakery was the perfect ending to the meal. So good, must order! read more

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I've been coming here for decades whenever we're in Kauai. Hidden gem hole in the wall, local place. Food is delicious and very much like home cooked. Nothing super fancy but great place and prices are way more reasonable than the touristy restaurants. Service is quickest you've ever had. Highly recommend for a quick, delicious, local style spot. read more

Tip Top Motel Cafe & Bakery - Cup of Beef Stew (delicious and hearty), comes with rice - Hotels Near Me - Lihue, Hawaii

A solid local Kauai diner for locals and visitors. Friendly service and reasonable prices for the island with real Hawaiian style food. The loco Moco and Hawaiian breakfast were solid. One of a few establishments open at 7 am. Tons of locals eat there so it has to be good. read more

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We were in Kauai awhile back and a friend of my husband who lives on the island, wanted to meet us for breakfast here. I'm so glad he did! I had the best corned beef hash patties I've ever had in my life. Not only was the corned beef hash home made, it was deep fried and so crispy on the outside. It was absolutely delicious. My husband had the banana pancakes and loved them. The next time I'm on Kauai, I'll definitely be back for the corned beef hash! read more

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Definitely doesn't get the recognition it deserves. We read a bunch of reviews about how this place was not a good place to stay, but we found nothing to complain about. Very affordable and it's the perfect place to stay at when you are looking for somewhere to just sleep and shower after exploring the island. Auntie at the front desk was so kind and helpful when we were checking in. There wasn't a check in necessary but she helped us anyway. Very quiet place to stay at and it was so seamless to get to our room and to checkout. read more

Fancy how after all of these years this place still draws a crowd. The menu offers the same local favorites. The service team effectively takes care of the customers, carting around everything they need to service the tables, coffee and water ready to refill. Prices reflect current state of economy. I would still recommend visiting this place at least once during your holiday visit. read more

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Best breakfast. Best prices. Best staff. Love the energy here. I always get the loco moco, just can't help it. Always wanting to try something else, but their loco moco is too yummy to not get!! read more

Nothing fancy about this place but definitely brings back some childhood memories. Get there early as the line starts forming outside on a weekend day. If there's a line, not too worry as the service is quick and the food is good. I had the loco moco and the husband had a traditional local breakfast with Portuguese sausage, eggs and rice. My gf had saimin and her bf had the same as my husband with a side bacon. Everything came out fast. The place was filled with local families as well as tourists. Again, not a fancy place but it's hard to mess up breakfast. lol! read more

Tip Top Motel Cafe & Bakery - Portuguese sausage, eggs and rice - Hotels Near Me - Lihue, Hawaii

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Extremely disappointing experience. The service was slow, the wait was far too long, and the food was well below expectations. Overall, I would rate it 0/10 if that were possible. I genuinely don't understand how this place maintains a rating above 3 stars--perhaps due to a lack of alternatives in the area. Unfortunately, I won't be returning. The entire experience was unpleasant and not worth the time or money. read more

Came here straight from the airport for some breakfast. We had a big group but they have a lot of tables surprisingly so were still able to be seated right away. They serve standard breakfast items but a must get is the pancakes. They were so buttery & yummy. I ordered the hashbrown with my meal but didn't expect it to be like the ones you can get from McDonald's. It was still good but I would probably try their fried rice next time. Our server was fast & nice. Great spot to start the day. read more

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Tasty island breakfast with my new favorite side: fried rice! The server was friendly and quick with our water, coffee and taking our order. The restaurant is reminiscent of an old school cafeteria that you might see in an old movie. Food was hot and quick, and tasty. Enjoy! read more

Tip Top Motel Cafe & Bakery - Tip Top Motel and Cafe - Hotels Near Me - Lihue, Hawaii

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We were so glad to find this great local restaurant for breakfast that we then went back another time for lunch. Highly recommend for anyone wanting to eat local instead of paying ridiculous prices at the tourist traps. read more

Tip Top Motel Restaurant serves good, well-prepared food that definitely hits the spot, though it's a bit on the expensive side for what you get. The service was quick, and the aunty servers were very nice and welcoming, which made the experience even better. Overall, it's a pleasant place to eat with solid food and friendly service--just be prepared to spend a little more. read more

The Oxtail soup is a must!!! It's absolutely savory. We like to eat it with rice. The meat was so tender and it almost falls off the bone; just perfect. My son got his Loco Moco and he enjoyed every bite. We also got the smaller size of Tip Top Yokozuna Bento. It comes with chicken, corned beef hash, ribeye steak, goteborg sausage served with rice. The steak was cooked to perfection. It's smokey, tender and juicy. Friendly service and the food came out fast. Inside looks like your typical local hole in a wall. Nothing boujee but the food will make it up for it. read more

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Quick and easy breakfast spot for business meetings and bites close to the airport. Standouts were banana pancakes (get the double and share) and bacon (order it crispy-great flavor!) Have your order ready as the ladies come around, they are efficient and get you in and out. The tables in the back right corner are roomier. read more

Still amazing all around! Ordered our fave oxtail soup and fried rice. We came in around 9am and was seated right away. The place still looked the same, but bit dated. Generous portions and reasonable price. read more

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Just go! Seriously amazing. Historic 107yr old classic diner place. Oxtail soup will bring you a step away from heaven. Breakfast is delicious. Best food I've had just about anywhere. read more

One of the few places we returned to after our last trip, and I'd see it was even better than the first time. The mac nut pancakes were heavenly. I love the crunch, the way they are blended into the batter, the texture, everything. It's easy to make good pancakes but hard to make great ones, and Tip Top has them. Per my last review, I went for bacon instead of Portuguese sausage, and it was crunchy-excellent. The coffee is fine. The scene itself is a model of efficiency, if not ambience. It feels like a prison canteen with booths. Glad we made the choice to come back and I'd do it again! read more

Tip Top Motel Cafe & Bakery - Loco moco for the mister. - Hotels Near Me - Lihue, Hawaii

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Don't let the sketchy motel exterior or the old-school interior fool you--this place is an absolute treasure. Tucked away in what looks like a forgotten roadside inn, this little restaurant serves up one of the best oxtail soups we've ever had. We were thrilled to find out they offer a peanut-free version of the oxtail soup, which was perfect for our daughter with allergies. Every single one of us (except our son, who went rogue with a pineapple pancake + bacon + rice combo--also fantastic) ordered the soup, and we were all in heaven. Rich, flavorful broth, fall-off-the-bone oxtail, tender veggies--pure comfort in a bowl. The vibe is definitely no-frills--think grandma's kitchen meets local dive--but it's clean, cozy, and filled with warmth. The aunties working there were so sweet and attentive, making us feel right at home. Prices were totally reasonable, no crazy wait time for a table, and the portions were generous. It's the kind of place you almost don't want to tell people about because it's that good. Pro tip: Come hungry, as oxtail soup comes with a rice on the side. You'll want to soak up every drop of that broth with the rice! read more

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Don't let the "motel" part fool you--the restaurant here is absolutely delicious and worth stopping for on its own. The oxtail soup was SO good--rich, deeply flavorful, and comforting in the best way. Easily a standout. The macadamia nut pancakes are divine: fluffy, perfectly sweet, and exactly what you want for breakfast. We also had the loco moco, which was hearty, well seasoned, and very well done. This is one of those places where the food clearly outshines expectations. If you're anywhere nearby, it's worth coming for the restaurant alone. read more

Located in downtown Lihue this restaurant is the bomb. Small parking lot but tons of street parking. The line to seat is always long but moves quickly. All the food is large portions and onolicious. Definitely recommend the ox tail soup. read more

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Came here while visiting Kaua'i and after receiving multiple recommendations from multiple different people to eat here. And it did not disappoint! We arrived at 6:30 am and were looking for a good breakfast spot to eat with our big group. We got banana and macadamia nut pancakes that were cooked to perfection! Crispy on the edges and fluffy on the inside. We also got the two eggs any style with crispy bacon and corned beef hash. The corned beef hash patties were deep fried patties (reminded me of okazuya patties) and soooo good. The hash browns were like the ones that you get from McDonalds, but crispier. My son was hoping that it was homestyle hash browns (shredded), but he said they were still good. The staff was so friendly. We came during what seemed like a busy time and got sat right away. There was ample amount of seating. Would definitely recommend this spot for anyone looking for a good breakfast spot in Lihue close to the airport! read more

Tip Top Motel Cafe & Bakery - Hotels Near Me - Lihue, Hawaii

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A MUST STOP ! Love their oxtail soup and desserts. Cant go wrong as their portions here are huge. I been coming here for years and always recommend it to people visiting. The service can be improved but its worth it. Its always crowded so expect to wait- parking is also tight sometimes you end up parking on the street. read more

Learned about Tip Top Motel & Bakery from YouTube influencers. I was intrigued that's it's served the community for over a century! Hawaii family highly recommended the Oxtail Soup and Loco Moco. I was told the food was great but the service sucks and the lines were long. Our family came to grub on a Thursday for lunch and it wasn't congested. The ambience was definitely diner vibes with large old vintage photographs of what the restaurant and motel looked like back in day. The service was on point and the waitresses were very cordial to our party. We had a pleasant Tip Top experience. read more

Tip Top Motel Cafe & Bakery - Famous Oxtail Soup "Favorite of Kauai" - Hotels Near Me - Lihue, Hawaii

Recommended first stop for breakfast and I regretted wasting $20 on my plate! Asked for steak to be well done but it was medium rare. The wing was this frozen bagged wings, rice was hard, tempura was ok, The mac salad here was sweet. It was like eating filipino fruit salad . The best thing in there was the corned beef hash and that lacked flavor. They charge $1 extra per take out place without explanation on the receipt. Workers are not to friendly. They make Filipinos look bad. Desserts are not of their own but from a small local business. read more

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As they say, don't judge a book by its cover - that applies to restaurants as well! We stumbled on Tip Top Cafe when our helicopter tour was cancelled. For starters, the sticky rice was the best any of us have ever had! Amazing. The portions are huge, come with an empty stomach, you will leave full. The staff moved tables through quickly without much chit chat and conversation. The food arrived as fast as McDonalds or Taco Bell. It looks strange walking in the door, I wasn't sure if it felt like a cafe or food bank but as soon as we sat down; you could see this is a local favorite and everyone was here to eat. My meal was the Loco Moco - a burger patty with two fried eggs on top of a bed of sticky rice; all covered in brown gravy. Even the grilled cheese was just like we make at home! Highly recommend getting off the beaten pass and experiencing Tip Top Cafe. read more

Tip Top Motel Cafe & Bakery - Bento, Fried Noodles, Grilled Cheese and Loco Moco - Hotels Near Me - Lihue, Hawaii

We went to Tip Top twice in five days because we LOVED the hearty and filling, flavorful breakfast we enjoyed here. First, upgrade to fried rice always and thank me later. Second, yes, you want banana Mac pancakes, even if you think you don't like them. Lastly, the coffee is supreme here. Just the best black diner coffee you'll ever experience in your life. The restaurant is located in the lobby at the front of the motel and the seating of fun and unique because there are removable dividers between the booths so you can kinda eat with your neighbors. The he food comes fast so this is where you want to be if you show us hungry. 11/10. read more

Tip Top Motel Cafe & Bakery - Tip tip grand slam - Hotels Near Me - Lihue, Hawaii