PerkJolt
Are there cheap places to eat in Waikiki?
Short answer: Yes, but you have to steer away from the resort and beachfront restaurants. The best value is counter-service spots, grab-and-go food, plate lunches on the edges of Waikiki, and a Saturday farmers' market. Menu prices move often, so treat any price you read online, including on blogs, as a rough guide.
The details
1. Grab-and-go musubi and bento. Spam musubi (grilled Spam on rice, wrapped in nori) is the classic cheap Hawaii meal. Musubi Cafe Iyasume is one name that comes up often for it in Waikiki. Convenience stores sell musubi, onigiri and bento boxes, and ABC Stores, 7-Eleven and Foodland are all easy to find around the neighborhood. We haven't price-checked any of these, so look at the shelf tags. They are usually well below a sit-down meal.
2. Counter-service noodles. Marukame Udon is a cafeteria-style udon shop that visitors often mention as a good-value meal. Expect a line at peak lunch and dinner times. Check the shop's own site or listing for current hours and prices.
3. Plate lunches just outside the strip. A plate lunch is a protein with rice and macaroni salad, and it's usually the biggest meal for the least money. Kapahulu Avenue, on the Diamond Head side of Waikiki, has local places such as Rainbow Drive-In and Teddy's Bigger Burgers. Leonard's Bakery, known for malasadas, is also in that area. It's a short ride or a longer walk from most Waikiki hotels.
4. The KCC Farmers' Market (Saturday only). The Hawaii Farm Bureau lists this market on Saturdays from 7:30 to 11:00 am (checked Oct 12, 2026). It's at Kapiolani Community College, 4303 Diamond Head Rd, Parking Lot B (checked Oct 12, 2026). The same page notes an on-site ATM (checked Oct 12, 2026). It's good for a cheap breakfast: fruit, baked goods and prepared food from the booths. Vendors and days vary, so check the Hawaii Farm Bureau page before you go.
5. What to skip. Beachfront and resort restaurants charge for the view. Save them for one special meal. If you want a sunset drink, look for a happy-hour menu instead of a full dinner. Hours and deals vary by venue, so check the restaurant's own site.
Tips
- Eat your big meal at lunch. Plate lunches and noodle shops are filling enough to carry you to a light dinner.
- Carry some cash. Small stands and food trucks may not take cards. Check before you order.
- Walk a few blocks off Kalākaua Avenue. Prices generally drop as you move away from the beachfront.
- Buy breakfast and snacks at a grocery store or convenience store. Fruit, yogurt and musubi make a cheap first meal and a good beach snack.
- Share plates. Plate lunch portions are often big enough for two light eaters.
FAQ
How much should I budget for food per day in Waikiki?
It depends on how you eat. Mixing grocery breakfasts, plate lunches and one casual dinner costs far less than three restaurant meals. We haven't verified current menu prices, so look up two or three spots you like and add up a sample day before you go.
Is it cheaper to eat outside Waikiki?
Usually, yes. Neighborhoods like Kapahulu are close and have more local-style, lower-priced options than the resort strip. Getting there takes some time or a short ride, so weigh that against your savings. Check TheBus or your ride-hailing app for current options.
Can I save money by staying somewhere with a kitchen?
Often, yes. A kitchen or kitchenette lets you make breakfast and some dinners from grocery items. Check each property's own page for what's in the room, and for any resort or parking fees that could cancel out the savings.
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Last verified: 2026-10-12. Restaurant prices and hours change most often, and the market's schedule can shift, so check the Hawaii Farm Bureau page (https://hfbf.org/farmers-markets/kcc/) and each restaurant's own site.
Good to know before you go
. Confirm hours, fees, schedules and road or trail status on the official page before you book or go.
Sources
- https://hfbf.org/farmers-markets/kcc/