Eating out in Hawaii might cost more than you expect, but with local knowledge and smart planning, you can savor island cuisine without emptying your wallet. In this guide, I’ll break down real-world prices, explain why costs are high, and share insider tips I’ve gathered while living across the islands.
Typical Meal Costs Across Hawaii
Casual breakfasts at local diners or cafés usually run between $15 and $20. An omelet at a mid-range eatery can even reach an average of $18.67—among the highest in the U.S.
Lunch is often where locals and visitors find value. Plate lunches—think teriyaki chicken or loco moco served with rice and mac salad—typically cost $15 to $25, especially at food trucks and local spots. Mid-range restaurants will charge more, but fast casual options stay within that range. Pricing ranges are similar to the Mainland in that the off the beaten path places tend to be more affordable than a cafe in Waikiki Beach.
Dinner is where prices climb. A mid-range entrée will usually cost $30 to $45 at local restaurants. Resort-area and fine-dining spots often start at $65 and can go much higher once you add drinks and appetizers.
Daily Food Spending: Local Reality vs. Tourist Days
Locals who pace their meals carefully might spend $60 to $85 each day on food—covering breakfast, lunch, and dinner—but that’s with a balance of cooking at home and eating out. That comes out to around $1,800 to $2,500 per month if done consistently.
By contrast, tourists who dine out for every meal may easily spend an average of $85 per day—about $595 a week.
Residents in Honolulu spend roughly $1,260 per year dining out—about 3.14% of pre-tax income—thanks to careful budgeting between home cooking and occasional meals out.
Poke bowls are similar to plate lunches in that the whole meal is encompassed in one plate.
Ahi tuna Poke by Openmalware.exe is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Image may have been resized or cropped from original.
What Drives Up Prices in Hawaii?
Shipping costs are one of the biggest factors. The Jones Act requires goods transported between U.S. ports to travel on U.S.-built and crewed ships—raising costs significantly, particularly for remote locations like Hawaii. Some estimates say the Jones Act adds over $650 million annually to Hawaii’s shipping expenses.
Tourism also drives prices up. Many menus are priced for visitors willing to spend $18 on a cocktail or $40 on an entrée, which influences pricing even at local spots.
Add in food inflation—recent years saw cereal and baked goods up 14%, meat and eggs up 12%, produce and dairy up around 10%—and you’ve got a pricey dining environment.
Fast Food is Also Expensive
Hawaii claims the top spot for highest fast-food prices in the U.S. A Big Mac averages $5.31, a Taco Bell combo $7.70, and a medium Domino’s pizza nearly $19.
Hawaii Spam Musubi Rice Meat Sandwich with Nori Laver Belt, Served with Tea
Strategies to Eat Smart and Save
Food trucks and plate lunch counters are local favorites—they offer authentic, filling meals for $15 to $25. Happy hour specials at bars and restaurants often include discounted pupus and drinks during off-peak hours.
Grocery stores and farmers markets are treasure troves of affordable eats. Pre-packaged poke, bento boxes, and spam musubi cost between $5 and $12 and make for convenient, budget-friendly meals. Local fruit stands offer fresh produce at better prices than big supermarkets. As I’ve mentioned in the past. My favorite, meaning affordable and good, Poke is grocery store Poke. On the Big Island it’s KTA or Food Land and on Oahu the Foodland Poke counter is the go to. There’s a reason for the long line at the counter.
Sample Budget Scenarios
- Budget weekday week: five breakfasts at $15, five lunches at $20, and two casual dinners at $35 each = about $350 weekly
- Mid-level lifestyle: adding brunches, primo poke, and a couple of sit-down dinners = around $500 weekly
- Splurge mode (resort dinners, cocktails, special occasions): $700+ weekly isn’t uncommon
Balancing Island Life and Food Choices
A smart approach keeps home cooking central—rice bowls, stir-fries with local ingredients, farmer’s market finds. Sprinkle in a plate lunch now and then, enjoy happy hour appetizers, and plan a weekly sit-down dinner for special occasions. If you want to indulge—say at a resort brunch or a seafood feast—that’s great. But tying it into your weekly rhythm keeps things sustainable.
Final Takeaway
Yes, eating out in Hawaii costs more than most places—but it also feeds your connection with local culture, food, and community. With local awareness, meal planning, and a few budget tricks, you can enjoy island fare without stress. It’s all about mixing the occasional splurge with everyday smart choices.
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