10 Hawaii Restaurants Serving Classic Plate Lunch Comforts
Nothing captures the essence of Hawaiian food culture quite like the beloved plate lunch. These hearty meals typically feature two scoops of rice, macaroni salad, and a protein like teriyaki chicken or kalua pork.
The plate lunch tells the story of Hawaii’s plantation era and diverse cultural influences, creating a unique island comfort food tradition that locals and visitors can’t get enough of.
1. Broke Da Mouth Grindz
Located in Kailua-Kona, this family-run gem serves plate lunches that truly live up to their name, so ono (delicious) they’ll ‘break your mouth.‘ Their Korean-inspired plates feature crispy garlic chicken with perfectly sticky rice and creamy mac salad.
The restaurant’s cozy atmosphere makes you feel like part of the ohana (family) while you dig into generous portions that won’t break the bank. Don’t miss their famous garlic furikake chicken—it’s what food dreams are made of!
2. 808 Grindz Cafe
Morning cravings meet plate lunch traditions at this local favorite. Their loco moco redefines breakfast comfort with island flair and generous portions that’ll fuel your entire day.
The friendly staff treats everyone like neighbors, creating a welcoming vibe that keeps the place packed with locals. Fried rice plate with Portuguese sausage has a secret spice blend that keeps customers guessing.
3. Island Ono Loa Grill
Imagine savoring a traditional Hawaiian plate lunch while ocean breezes ruffle your hair. Island Ono Loa’s beachside location adds extra magic to their kalua pork plate, smoky, tender meat paired with cabbage that melts in your mouth.
Fresh ingredients and authentic recipes passed down through generations make this spot stand out from the tourist traps. The mac salad has just the right balance of creaminess and tang.
4. Hawaii BBQ Deli
Small in size but mighty in flavor, this unassuming spot creates magic with their Korean-inspired plate lunches. The bulgogi beef plate features thinly sliced meat marinated in a sweet-savory sauce that caramelizes perfectly on the grill, served alongside their signature purple rice.
Unlike chain restaurants, Hawaii BBQ Deli cooks everything to order, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor in every bite. Their chicken katsu has the perfect golden crunch factor while staying juicy inside!
5. Pine Tree Cafe
Hidden away from tourist spots, Pine Tree Cafe serves plate lunches exactly how locals like them-generous, affordable, and bursting with flavor. Their mahi-mahi plate features fresh-caught fish seasoned simply to let the natural flavors shine through.
The unpretentious setting might fool visitors, but regulars know this is where authentic island food happens. Mac salad recipe remains a closely guarded secret, but the creamy, slightly sweet result has spawned countless (failed) copycat attempts.
6. Big Island Grill
Hungry surfers and locals flock to Big Island Grill when serious appetite satisfaction is needed. Their mixed plate (featuring teriyaki beef, chicken katsu, AND mahimahi) could easily feed two people, but regulars proudly polish it off solo.
The restaurant’s bustling atmosphere feels like a community gathering place where everyone knows your name. Homemade gravy has achieved legendary status among plate lunch aficionados who sometimes ask for extra just to take home.
7. Tante’s Island Cuisine
Tante’s brings Filipino flavors to the classic plate lunch format with spectacular results. Their adobo chicken plate delivers tender meat swimming in a tangy-savory sauce that’s perfect for spooning over rice, creating flavor combinations that dance across your taste buds.
Family recipes passed down through generations give these plates an authenticity you can taste in every bite. The warm, inviting atmosphere makes this spot popular with multi-generational local families who come for weekly meals together.
8. Chubby’s Diner
Step back in time at this 1950s-style diner serving island comfort food with mainland nostalgia. Their hamburger steak plate lunch features a hand-formed patty smothered in mushroom gravy that would make your grandmother proud, alongside perfectly sticky rice.
The vintage decor and old-school jukebox create an atmosphere as comforting as the food itself. Their mac salad has a secret ingredient (rumored to be a splash of pineapple juice) that gives it a subtly sweet undertone.
9. Kaaloa’s Super Js Authentic Hawaiian
Family-owned for generations, Kaaloa’s serves traditional Hawaiian plate lunches that connect you directly to ancient island food traditions. Kalua pig and laulau plate features tender pork wrapped in taro leaves, steamed to perfection, alongside fresh poi made from locally grown taro.
The tiny roadside spot might look humble, but it holds Hawaii Regional Cuisine awards for its authentic preparations. Many consider their laulau the best on the island-moist, flavorful meat with subtle smokiness.
10. Manago Hotel
Operating since 1917, this historic spot serves perhaps the most authentic plate lunches on the island. Their famous pork chops come with rice that’s somehow fluffier than anywhere else and mac salad made from a recipe unchanged for decades.
The vintage dining room feels like stepping into Hawaii’s plantation era, complete with wooden tables worn smooth by generations of diners. Don’t let the “hotel” name fool you, locals make up most of the crowd.
