Budget Bites in Honolulu

Located on the island of Oahu, Honolulu is known as a pricey Hawaiian destination. The city is also known for its dining, shopping and nightlife. Before your next trip to Honolulu, check out our recommendations for dining out on a budget.

Ahi Assassins Fish Co.

Poke, a raw fish salad, is one of Hawai’i’s most traditional dishes. Ahi Assassin’s Fish Co. offers the freshest, locally caught fish. The menu and prices vary, depending on the daily catch, but an order will cost less than $10.

Diamond Head Market & Grill

A few minutes drive from Waikiki, this gourmet market and deli is a perfect spot for healthy takeout meals and bakery items. The vast menu includes sandwiches starting at $6 and a daily rotating scone menu starting at $3.95 each.

Gina’s BBQ

Plate lunch, a meal consisting of a choice of meat, scoops of rice and sides, is another popular item in Hawaiian cuisine. Gina’s BBQ serves up the traditional meal in big portions with even bigger flavors. At $9.50–12.50, your lunch won’t break the bank.

Helen’s Hawaiian Food

For classic Hawai’ian dishes, look no further than Helen’s Hawaiian Food. The cash-only spot is a James Beard Award recipient. Popular items including luau chicken, lomi salmon and pig and cabbage all cost less than $5 per order.

The Local Hawaii

To round off the list of classic Hawai’ian dishes for a steal, try a shave ice from The Local Hawaii. The simple (pineapple, mango) and unique (tamarind, chili pepper guava) flavors are all made with local ingredients. Prices start at $3.50.