Koko Head Cafe is a brunch restaurant in Kaimuki, Honolulu.
Koko Head Cafe in Kaimuki Honolulu is chef Lee Anne Wong's brunch room where the cornflake French toast and breakfast bibimbap have anchored 12th Avenue since 2014.
Signature dishes: Cornflake-crusted French toast, Breakfast bibimbap, Hangtown fry
Must order: Cornflake French toast and the breakfast bibimbap with kimchee bacon.
Tip: Daily brunch; dinner Friday to Monday from 17:00. Walk-in queue steady at 09:00 weekends.
Address: 1120 12th Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96816
Helena's Hawaiian Food on North School Street has served traditional Hawaiian plates in Kalihi Honolulu since 1946, now run by the founder's grandson Craig Katsuyoshi.
Signature: Pipikaula short ribs, Kalua pig, Butterfish collar
Order: Pipikaula short ribs, butterfish collar and a side of poi.
Tip: Tuesday to Friday, 10:00 to 19:30. Cash and card; closed Saturday and Sunday. Arrive by 17:00 for the full board.
Highway Inn Kakaako is the 2013 Honolulu outpost of the Toguchi family's 1947 Waipahu original, serving the same kalua pork, laulau and combo plates inside the SALT block of Kakaako.
Signature: Kalua pork plate, Laulau, Lomi salmon
Order: The kalua pork combo with laulau, lomi salmon and a side of poi.
Tip: Free parking with validation, ninety minutes in the SALT lot. Lunch wait shortens after 13:00.
Side Street Inn Ala Moana is the original 1992 Hopaka Street bar in Honolulu from the late Colin Nishida, the off-duty chef hangout known for pan-fried pork chops and kim chee fried rice in a no-frills sports-bar room behind Ala Moana Center.
Signature: Pan-fried pork chops, Kim chee fried rice, Spicy fried chicken
Order: Pan-fried pork chops with kim chee fried rice; share among four.
Tip: Open Mon to Fri from 16:00, weekends from 12:00, until 20:30. Bring four people minimum; portions are family-size.
Marukame Udon Waikiki in Honolulu is the theatre-kitchen Sanuki udon counter on Kuhio Avenue where you watch handcut noodles boiled to order and finished with tempura sides.
Signature: Kake udon, Niku udon, Tempura
Order: Niku udon with sweet beef and a kakiage tempura side.
Tip: Queue on Kuhio moves fast; daily 10:00 to 22:00. Average bowl is around $6.
Rainbow Drive-In on Kanaina Avenue in Kapahulu Honolulu has slung plate lunches since 1961, founded by Seiju and Ayako Ifuku and voted top loco moco by Hawaii Magazine readers.
Signature: Loco moco, Mix plate, Boneless chicken plate
Order: Mix plate with loco moco, BBQ beef and boneless chicken.
Tip: Open 07:00 to 21:00 daily. No inside seating; eat at the parking lot picnic tables.
Zippy's Kapahulu in Honolulu is the 24-hour diner of the local Higa-family chain that sells over 110 tons of chili per month, founded by Francis and Charles Higa in 1966.
Signature: Zippy's chili, Zip Pac, Saimin
Order: A bowl of Zippy's chili and rice, plus a Zip Pac bento on the way out.
Tip: Open 24 hours, dine-in and drive-through. Napoleon's Bakery counter at front holds apple napples.
