Kailua Restaurant Guide: 48 Eateries to Check Out in 2006

Whether you’re looking for a casual, ocean-front dinner, a quick pizza snack or a delicious meal of Mexican cuisine, Kailua eateries have something to offer everyone.

April 1, 2006

Lori Anne Tomonari,

Rock the Casbah at Casablanca, which offers Morrocan cuisine.

Photo: Alex Viarnes

Whether you want to sip a smoothie on the beach, grind a plate lunch at the park, sit down for some live music and happy hour specials or be wined and dined, Kailua restaurants offer it all. Here’s a list of 48 choices.

Amina Pizza

It gets a little busy here–to skip the wait, call ahead and have your calzone, pizza or pasta ready when you arrive.

301 B Hahani St., (808) 263-8201.

Assaggio Italian Restaurant

Assagio offers a sit-down, upscale environment. Dine on seafood, steaks or pasta for lunch and dinner on weekdays and dinner only on weekends.

354 Uluniu St., Suite 408, (808) 261-2772.

Baci Bistro

Choose to dine on the lanai or in the enclosed atrium. Menu options include risotto, veal and pastas.

30 Aulike St., (808) 262-7555.

Big City Diner

Kailua is home to one of Big City Diner's locations. Stop by for kim chee fried rice, ribs, burgers and drinks.

108 Hekili St., (808) 263-8880.

Boardriders Bar & Grill

This local hangout offers kiawe-grilled steaks and fresh catch of the day, and is equipped with pool tables and dart boards.

201 A Hamakua Drive, (808) 261-4600.

Boots & Kimo’s Homestyle Kitchen

This Kailua hot spot opens its doors at 7 a.m. on weekdays and 6:30 a.m. every weekend to serve its famous banana-macadamia nut pancakes.

119 Hekili St., (808) 263-7929.

Boston’s North End Pizza Bakery

Kailua is home to this chain’s first pizza bakery, though its popularity has spread to four more locations across the island. Regulars stop in for fresh, thin-crust pizza with an assortment of toppings.

29 Ho’ola’i St., (808) 263-7757.

Brent’s Restaurant & Delicatessen

This New York-style deli offers made-to-order, fresh sandwiches, an extensive breakfast menu and select kosher items.

629 Kailua Road, Suite A, (808) 262-8588.

Buona Sera

Buona Sera serves generous portions of a wide variety of Italian dishes, and has an extensive vegetarian menu.

131 Hekili St., Suite 101, (808) 263-7696.

Buzz’s Original Steak House

Known for its seafood, steak and casual atmosphere, Buzz’s serves lunch and dinner, with views of the ocean. Credit cards are not accepted here.

413 Kawailoa Road, (808) 261-4661.

Casablanca Restaurant

Forget the utensils and chairs, Casablanca serves up an authentic five-course meal in true Moroccan style–no chairs, no utensils.

19 Ho’ola’i St., (808) 262-8196.

Champa Thai Restaurant

Champa Thai has an extensive vegetarian menu in addition to its traditional Thai menu items.

306 Kuulei Road, (808) 263-8281.

Chinese Garden Restaurant

Order Chinese Garden’s specialties, oyster sauce chicken with cake noodles or a chicken salad, for under $4.

426 Uluniu St., (808) 261-9345.

Chocolate Sushi

Stop in at this Kailua eatery to munch on the unique pairing of gourmet chocolate and sushi hand-rolls.

1020 Keolu Drive, Suite D4, (808) 263-7878.

Cinnamon’s Restaurant Kailua

The food at Cinnamon’s is fresh and natural. The menu offers omelets, loco moco and its No. 1 seller, eggs Benedict.

315 Uluniu St., (808) 261-8724.

Cisco’s Cantina

Cisco’s adds a bit of Hawaiian flavor to its Mexican food, including kalua pig, in many menu items.

131 Hekili St., Suite 103, (808) 262-7337.

Deb’s Ribs & Soul Food

If you’re in the mood for some soul food, this is the place to go for ribs, fried catfish and black-eyed peas. Complete meals start at around $7.

130 Kailua Road, Suite 112, (808) 262-3327.

Fat Boy’s Kailua

Pick a plate lunch from Fat Boy’s wide selection, including chili, hamburger steak and kalua cabbage.

301 A Hahani St., (808) 263-2697.

Food Co.

A broad name for a broad menu, the Food Co. serves ramen, quesadillas, salads, loco mocos and roasted turkey.

1020 Keolu Drive, Suite D1, (808) 262-6440.

Jamba Juice

Swing by for a fruit smoothie from this California-based chain.

539 Kailua Rd., (808) 263-0975.

Kalapawai Market Deli

If you're heading to the beach, be sure to stop by Kalapawai Market Deli for made-to-order sandwiches, salads and pastas. The market is open until 9 p.m., the deli, until 6 p.m.

306 S. Kalaheo Ave., (808) 262-4359.

Kim Chee Restaurant

Many residents find old favorites on the Kim Chee menu of barbecue chicken, kal bi and other Korean dishes.

1020 G Keolu Drive, (808) 261-5719.

Lanikai Juice

Lanikai Juice opens at 6 a.m. on weekdays to curb those early morning smoothie cravings. Check out the selection of baked goods as well.

572 Kailua Road, (808) 262-2383.

Lani’s Café & Restaurant

Sit at umbrella-shaded tables outside for breakfast or lunch. The local-style menu offers Spam, hamburger steak, loco mocos and other local favorites.

43 Oneawa St., (808) 262-7122.

Los Garcias

For live music on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays and authentic Mexican any day of the week, grab an outside table at Los Garcias.

14 Oneawa St., (808) 261-0306.

Lucy's Grill & Bar

Lucy’s serves “Euro/Local” cuisine and has both indoor and outdoor seating areas.

Lucy’s Grill & Bar

Dine among the tiki torches and saltwater fish tanks at Lucy’s and enjoy the seafood, steaks and innovative wine list.

33 Aulike St., (808) 230-8188.

Mama’s Island Pizza

Kailua got its newest pizza shop this year. Order off Mama’s chalkboard menu of options, including pizzas, wraps, sandwiches and wings.

108 Hekili St., (808) 624-6262.

Maui Tacos Kailua

If you’re looking for a big meal, Maui Tacos serves huge burritos, weighing 14 to 16 ounces.

539 Kailua Road, Suite 102, (808) 261-4155.

Morning Brew

Need a morning espresso? Morning Brew welcomes customers at 6 a.m. every day. Sip on your drink of choice in the café filled with local art.

572 Kailua Road, (808) 262-7770

New Mui Kwai Chop Suey

Chinese dishes offered à la carte, or choose a set menu for your party.

132 Oneawa St., (808) 262-7800.

Noboru Japanese Restaurant

Noboru Restaurant serves a wide variety of Japanese food and has dinner specials from 5 to 7 p.m.

201 Hamakua Drive, Suite 102, (808) 261-3033.

’Ohana Korean BBQ

’Ohana Korean BBQ offers Korean-style cooking for dine-in or takeout.

16 Kainehe St., (808) 263-0024.

Pepper’s Place

Pepper’s is known throughout Kailua and beyond for its Philly cheesesteak sandwiches. As seating is limited at this popular spot, plan to take out.

600 Kailua Road, Suite 125, (808) 262-3337.

Peppino Italian Food

Peppino’s has been around for more than 30 years, serving homemade ravioli, pasta and sausages. Open for dinner only; BYOB.

23 Ho’ola’i St., (808) 262-5833.

Pinky’s Pupu Bar and Grill

For casual dining with the neighborhood crowd, stop in at Pinky’s. Dine on baby-back ribs, New York steak and barbecue wings.

970 N. Kalaheo Ave., (808) 254-6255.

Princess Chop Suey

The menu offers Chinese specialties such as orange chicken, oyster sauce spare ribs and oxtail soup.

131 Hekili St., Suite 106, (808) 262-7166.

Roundtable Pizza

You can design your own pizza or choose from a menu of options.

1020 Keolu Drive, (808) 261-4644.

Saeng’s Thai Cuisine

Kailuans have been going to Saeng’s since 1989 for delicious Thai food.

315 Hahani St., (808) 263-9727.

Saigon Noodle House

Saigon Noodle House offers all your Vietnamese favorites: french-bread sandwiches, rice dishes, spring rolls and summer rolls.

1020 Keolu Drive, (808) 261-2466.

Starbucks

Get your latté fix at this comfy outpost of the coffee giant.

539 Kailua Rd., (808) 263-9548.

Sushi Kai

Decorated in feng shui fashion and serving up creative sushi rolls in a bustling environment.

20 Kainehe St., (808) 262-5661.

Sushi Man

One of 10 locations on O’ahu, this eatery offers affordable sushi.

108 Hekili St., Suite 104, (808) 230-2020.

Teddy’s Bigger Burgers

HONOLULU Magazine named Teddy’s the best burger in town in 2005. Choose between the big burger (5 oz.), the bigger burger (7 oz.) or the biggest burger (9 oz.), with your choice of toppings.

539 Kailua Road, (808) 262-0820.

The Shack

Happy hour runs from 3 to 6 p.m. daily, offering $2.50 drink specials and yummy food. Be sure to come by on a Tuesday–happy hour runs until closing time.

1051 Keolu Drive, (808) 261-1191.