Not far from beautiful Kailua Beach on Oahu's windward side, this venerable institution captures the spirit of Hawaii as it existed in years past. Rustic and comfortable, Buzz's Original Steakhouse also boasts walls full of photographs, which add a note of personality. The menu is relatively uncomplicated and more than capably done. At lunch, folks come in for juicy burgers, salads, and other light fare, while dinner is a touch more refined, with steaks, lobster, and fresh fish getting most of the attention. The bar serves refreshing drinks; the ambiance just happens. It's a good idea to make reservations for dinner at this establishment.
Recommended for Windward Oahu's Best Restaurants because: Close to Kailua Beach, Buzz's serves delicious proteins and salads in a lovely environment.
Jade's expert tip: The calamari steak is a must try dish.
This juice bar is famous with locals. You'll find a combo of treats, smoothies and juices. Lanikai Juice is located in the Kailua shopping center and is named after beautiful Lanikai Beach, a long, white sand stretch of heaven on the east side. The smoothies from Lanikai Juice are a wonderful treat on a hot Hawaiian day. They try to incorporate healthy ingredients such as the power food acai berry and many other healthy fruits and vegetables. There's several locations around the island, one in Haleiwa and one in Kahala. Hawaii has been hit hard when it comes to finding smoothies and acai bowls popular, and locals love this place.
Recommended for Windward Oahu's Best Restaurants because: Named after the famous Windward Side Beach, Lanikai Juice blends up delicious and healthy smoothies with locally grown fruits.
Jade's expert tip: Keep an eye out of the other locations in Haleiwa and Kahala as you explore the island.
A true local style hole in the wall, Hukilau Cafe is a favorite with locals and visitors alike. The small restaurant is modest, nothing fancy here and the food is served on disposable plates with plastic utensils. But it's true local food at very affordable prices. Eggs, Portuguese sausage, rice, bacon, and stews are served daily. This is the type of place where locals run into friends, and regulars are buddies with the servers. Decor is limited to football photos, many of which are dedicated to local football stars. It's often crowded in the morning, but that's a sign of how much people like it. By now you may be wondering if this is the place in the Adam Sandler movie 50 First Dates. The restaurant itself wasn't, but the movie used the name.
Recommended for Windward Oahu's Best Restaurants because: Hukilau is a local favorite, and one of those places to go for a truly local experience.
Jade's expert tip: Hukilau Cafe closes at 2 p.m.
Delicious, funky and affordable is how locals describe Serg's Mexican Kitchen. Their food is very traditional, kind of like you'd find in Mexico. Tacos are made with two corn tortillas, with just meat, onions and cilantro. The flautas are huge and topped with great green sauce, and they also serve burritos, fish and steak, and their rice and beans are delicious. Serg's keeps it pretty simple with no servers, just go up and order at the counter. The colorful restaurant is as festively painted as many places in Mexico, with multiple bright colors on the front. They don't serve any alcohol here.
Recommended for Windward Oahu's Best Restaurants because: Serg's is a favorite with locals, and is renowned for being delicious and affordable.
Jade's expert tip: Don't forget you can always get the food to go and enjoy it on a nearby white sand beach.
Haleiwa Joe's is a wonderful chart house style restaurants with two locations, this one on the east side and one in Haleiwa. relax in the lush garden setting, take a pre-meal stroll around the pond and the exquisite view of the Ko'olau Mountain Range. After exploring the grounds you'll be treated to terrific seafood and steak entrees. Prime rib is always popular, and coconut shrimp maintain a faithful following as well. You'll also find grilled fish, fresh soups and salads, and tempting desserts. In the bar, a wonderful selection of appetizers makes for great nibbling. Go before sunset to watch the light change over the mountains.
Recommended for Windward Oahu's Best Restaurants because: A delicious menu of local seafood and steaks and offering an exotic garden setting, makes Haleiwa Joe's a favorite for locals.
Jade's expert tip: Don't get confused between Haleiwa Joe's and the one in Haleiwa.
Lei Lei's Bar and Grill sits right on the golf course at Turtle Bay Resort on the North Shore of Oahu. Like a bar and grill would be, it's laid back and casual, yet somewhat upscale and classy. There's a putting green out front where the kids can hang out (in full view) if they get restless, and views of the golf course and the mountain range offer gorgeous sights. Unlike the other restaurants at Turtle Bay, this one isn't right in the resort. The full bar can serve up anything you'd like, but their famous for mai tais and Lei Lei's lemonades. The menu has a broad spectrum of great food - burgers, pastas, salads, local fish specials with sides of mashed potatoes, ribs, and the list goes on.
Recommended for Windward Oahu's Best Restaurants because: Known for using local grass fed beef and local fish, Lei Lei's offers delicious food in an lovely golf course environment.
Jade's expert tip: There's a different menu for lunch and dinner.
Many say this is hands down the best luau on Oahu. They can feed up to 1,200 guests at one time, so get ready to party down! Except of course, since the Polynesian Cultural Center is part of the Mormon Church there's no alcohol in any drinks here. The dancing, fire acts, and other entertainment is fun and at times a little over the top. They'll probably try to get a lot of people at tables to come up and participate, so if you're shy you better hope it's not you! But there's a LOT of food, lots to see, and you'll leave so stuffed you won't want to eat for the rest of your vacation. If you're looking for a luau, this is you're best bet.
Recommended for Windward Oahu's Best Restaurants because: The Polynesian Cultural Center is an attraction on it's own, but the all you can eat Hawaiian buffet is known as some of the best around.
Jade's expert tip: It can be a good idea to hit the North Shore beaches and end the day at this luau.
The Heeia Pier General Store and Deli is a classic Kaneohe eatery enjoyed by dedicated locals for three decades as it served up local classic like plate lunches and loco mocos (beef patty, egg and gravy over rice). But recently top chef Mark Noguchi took over the classic eatery and put a modern sustainable and healthier take on the local comfort food. All of the beef is from the Big Island and grass fed, the fish is caught nearby, and other vegetables are all grown locally - a locovore's dream. Located ocean front on the pier, diners can enjoy casual - but really good breakfast and lunch right on the water.
Recommended for Windward Oahu's Best Restaurants because: This oceanfront eatery blends a traditional local menu with locally sourced fish, meat and vegetables.
Jade's expert tip: Try the guava chicken.
If you can drag yourself away from the pounding surf of the North Shore, reserve a table at this this newly revamped and renamed upscale restaurant, which prepares local cuisine with fresh ingredients. Aim for a table by the floor-to-ceiling windows for a magnificent view while you dine. Based on the theme of going "locovore," the menu changes often according to what's in season, guaranteeing new pleasures with each visit. They also use as much locally raised and grown food as possible. Innovative entrees include Thai chili-braised fish with cucumber gazpacho, and seared scallops in "faux" polenta (sweet creamed corn). A five-course tasting menu is also available.
Recommended for Windward Oahu's Best Restaurants because: Utilizing locally grown produce and proteins, Pa'akai is the newest farm to table restaurant on the Windward Side.
Jade's expert tip: Try the Slice of North Shore Grown Chocolate for dessert.