Joints implies a dive, diner or casual place. The top 10 breakfast joints in Oahu also offer value and a meal with an island flair.
Ted’s Bakery
Ted’s Bakery in Sunset Beach is a local favorite. Pies and cakes for breakfast are certainly a fun option and you can (and should) get one to go. You can take to the beach across the street and enjoy or back to your vacation home or hotel room. Ted’s signature pie is the chocolate haupia (coconut pudding). Breakfast is reasonably priced and you can get a hearty plate of eggs and meat with a side of rice or hash browns. Plate lunches, salads, breakfast sandwiches and a fried rice special are all on the menu. The bakery items are as extensive and include a variety of pastries and breads—muffins, scones, cornbread, French doughnuts, turnovers and more. Coffee drinks and smoothies are available to wash it all down with.
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Farmers’ Market
Dine in the sunshine at the Saturday Farmers’ Market in Honolulu, located at Kapiolani Community College. With dishes from the students of the Culinary Institute of the Pacific, a different restaurant creating breakfast each week and Hawaiian-grown coffee, you’re guaranteed a fulfilling breakfast. In addition, a tip sheet is available online the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation to give you the details of the items featured that week. Fruit smoothies, fresh island fruit, artisan breads and a myriad of pastries are just a small sampling of what’s available.
Cinnamon’s
Cinnamon’s Restaurant in Kailua gives its customers an island hometown meal. Considering breakfast is served till 2pm, you really can start your day right, just about whenever it begins. Cinnamon’s turned 25 in 2010 and can offer favorite comfort funds with a cool twist. How does breakfast sound if it’s an order of carrot cake pancakes with a cream cheese sauce or red velvet pancakes? If that’s not your taste, there are plenty of mainstream items, but guava chiffon pancakes, a variety of omelets or coconut syrup for an order of pancakes are part of this eatery’s menu. Enjoy your breakfast outdoors.
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Duke’s Canoe Club
Duke’s Canoe Club in Honolulu is somewhat of an institution for visitors, a must, for at least one meal or drink. The breakfast buffet is generous, with pancakes, French toast, waffles, omelets and plenty of meats and sweets. Try Duke’s pina colada bread pudding.
Sam Choy’s
Sam Choy’s in Honolulu offers hearty breakfasts—eggs, bacon, Portuguese sausage, Spam and corned beef hash patty and that’s just one of the dishes on the menu. If it sounds like a heart attack on a plate (once in a while, it’s good to enjoy a little bit of everything), then go for the fresh fruit and banana macadamia nut pancakes or check out the daily fish platter.
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Leonard’s Bakery
Bakeries are always a hit for breakfast so Leonard’s Bakery makes the list, for that reason and because they’re home to malasadas (donuts without the hole so you can enjoy this treat all the more) and pao doce (sweet bread). Malasadas are enjoyed plain, with cinnamon sugar or sweet fillings such as macadamia, pineapple, lilikoi, mango, banana or guava. Dobash or haupia, more island specialties, are also excellent fillings to taste. Pao doce make great wraps for Portuguese sausage or hot dogs. Both are Portuguese delicacies fortunately prevalent on the island to enjoy. You can dine at Leonard’s Bakery but also fun are the two wagons featured at many area malls and Chinatown (check the website for schedule and details).
Boots & Kimo’s
Boots & Kimo’s Homestyle Kitchen is another local favorite, despite the move to a new location that has elevated it from a hole in the wall to less secret location in Kailua. More seating is available, there’s often a wait time so be prepared and bring cash as credit cards are not accepted. Most patrons, both locals and visitors, enjoy the macadamia nut pancakes and the macadamia nut sauce over them.
Anna Miller’s
Anna Miller’s 24-Hour Restaurant includes a 24-hour breakfast, making this an easy choice for anyone who likes lots of options any time of day. It’s the island’s answer to the mainland’s IHOP. Locals and visitors rave about the pancakes and omelets—both good portions. The hash browns are also a popular item. The pies (more than 30 varieties) also generate a lot of good buzz.
Eggs ‘n Things
Eggs ‘n Things is another institution (35 years now) and is a nice departure from the many pancake places. The breakfast menu is available during dinner time and the omelets, steak and eggs and special items (loco moco, sweet bread French toast) comprise an expansive menu. Vegetarians will find plenty to eat and there actually are pancakes on the menu (you can even buy the mix to take home) plus waffles. If you’re in the mood for crepes, you’ll find them here—sour cream blueberry is a favorite.
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Wai´oli Tea Room & Bakery
Wai´oli Tea Room & Bakery in Honolulu offers indoor and outdoor seating, both tranquil. Outside, there’s a fountain and a lovely tropical setting. Afternoon tea is also available daily, by reservation, with a rotating menu from 10:30am – 3:30pm. Quiche, frittata omelets, breakfast burritos and more are on the breakfast menu, which is only served on Saturday and Sunday. If you’re in a group of 20, you can opt for the breakfast buffet menu.