7 New Places to Eat and Drink on Oʻahu’s North Shore

People are lured to Oʻahu’s North Shore because of its famous surf breaks and beautiful beaches. And while these alone are great reasons to venture north, there are plenty of others, including dozens of local coffee shops, shave ice stands and restaurants.

And lately, it seems like anytime I’m on the North Shore, an exciting shop or eatery is opening.

So, I recently spent a morning exploring and wandering around Waialua, Haleʻiwa and Pūpūkea. On this excursion, not only did I finally make it to a few cafés that I’d been eyeing, but I was also reminded just how helpful the coconut wireless can be. While I was sitting at a café in Haleʻiwa, a resident told me about a coffee stand that opened just a few days prior across from Sunset Beach—and it turned out to be a great tip.

Whether you visit Oʻahu’s North Shore a lot or a little, these are seven new businesses worth checking out.

1. Saylor’s Haleʻiwa

Saylor’s Haleʻiwa perfectly fits the laid-back vibe of Haleʻiwa.
Photo: Grace Maeda

Saylor’s Haleʻiwa perfectly fits the laid-back vibe of Haleʻiwa with its bright beachy aesthetic and surf art. This café opened next to Haleʻiwa Bowls in November 2024 and is already a popular place for locally roasted coffee, espresso drinks, matcha lattes and chai tea. (There’s no extra charge for plant-based milk in your latte!) It’s also a sweet spot for baked goods, with options like banana bread, blueberry lavender muffins and cardamom cinnamon buns. @saylorshaleiwa.

2. Bird’s Nest Coffee

You can sip on a latte and snack on rosemary sourdough focaccia bites at Bird’s Nest Coffee.
Photo: Grace Maeda

Bird’s Nest Coffee has been around for a few years, selling coffee, herbal teas and plants out of a cute van. But in May 2024, the team opened a cozy brick-and-mortar shop in Haleʻiwa. Along with satisfying your caffeine fix, you can grab a breakfast burrito or indulge in a variety of sourdough pastries like sourdough kolaches, sourdough doughnuts, rosemary sourdough focaccia and even sourdough cookies. thebirdsnestcoffee.com.

3. Lucky’s

These three gal pals opened Lucky’s, located across the street from Sunset Beach in Pūpūkea, with the goal of filling the neighborhood’s coffee void.
Photo: Grace Maeda

Thanks to a tip from a North Shore resident, I stopped by Lucky’s during its first week in business. The coffee stand opened on Aug. 4 in the original Sunrise Shack spot, across the street from Sunset Beach in Pūpūkea. Three gal pals opened the coffee stand with the goal of filling the neighborhood’s coffee void. You can grab your drip coffee, espresso or matcha beverage here. But the specialties are already popular, like the Banana Barrel, a coffee concoction with homemade cinnamon banana syrup; the White Cap coffee with macadamia nut syrup and vanilla cold foam; and Strawberry Fields with matcha and homemade strawberry syrup. The stand also whips up smoothies, açaí bowls, soft serve, breakfast burritos and more. @luckys.

4. Nani’s Café

Opening its doors on July 1, Nani’s Café is one of the newest businesses in the quiet neighborhood of Waialua. Residents from across the island have flocked to try the new okazuya spot on the North Shore. At Nani’s Café, you can build your own bento with Island classics like crispy mochiko chicken, hamburger patties, chow fun and cone sushi. You can even find      Goteborg  musubi here. But this okazuya spot also offers a creative variety of vegetarian options, like kalbi tofu, ube ʻulu (breadfruit) hash and pono potato salad (made with Okinawan sweet potatoes). @nanishapacafe.

READ MORE: Your Ultimate Guide to Okazuya in Hawaiʻi

5. Kaʻala Kitchen

Kaʻala Kitchen in Waialua opened in December 2024.
Photo: Grace Maeda

If you’re driving through Waialua, it’s hard to miss Kaʻala Kitchen. The casual eatery sits next to the “I Heart Wailua” sign at the intersection of Goodale Avenue and Kealohanui Street. Kaʻala Kitchen opened in December 2024 and serves fresh and flavorful dishes like green curry and coconut stew, along with sandwiches and hearty salads. @kaalakitchen808.

6. Haleʻiwa Distilling Co.

You can stop by Haleʻiwa Distilling Co. to try its small-batch rum, whiskey, gin and moonshine.
Photo: Grace Maeda

I was in Waialua for an event one evening in July when I first noticed the lights on at Haleʻiwa Distilling Co. The distillery, which had its grand opening on July 5, is tucked in the old Waialua Sugar Mill, where it produces small-batch rum, whiskey, gin and moonshine. You can book a tour to learn more about the unique process of creating the distillery’s signature spirits, and you can stop by the bar to sample them and some cocktails, too. Surf N Salsa also has a food truck here. haleiwadistillingco.com.

7. Kava Queen Kava Bar

Every evening since October 2024, Mele Mele Bakery in Waialua transitions into Kava Queen Kava Bar. On any night, you can stop by for traditional kava or try creative kava mocktails. @kavaqueenkavabar.

Grace Maeda is the editor of HAWAIʻI Magazine.