
Highway Inn Kaka'ako
A beloved, long-standing eatery serving traditional Hawaiian comfort food with a lively, casual atmosphere.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Highway Inn Kaka'ako

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A beloved, long-standing eatery serving traditional Hawaiian comfort food with a lively, casual atmosphere.
"Experience real Hawaiian food in a welcoming, down-to-earth spot."
Avoid Peak Hours
Visit mid-afternoon to skip long waits, or be prepared for a wait. Bar seating might be faster.
Sauce Sampler
Ask to try both liliko'i and haupia sauces with sweet bread French toast.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Hawaiian
Price
Mid-range
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Authentic Hawaiian Cuisine
Experience traditional Hawaiian dishes in a down-to-earth, casual setting. A true taste of the islands.

Smokin' Moco
A unique take on the local favorite, featuring kiawe-smoked meat and a creamy sauce.

Deep Fried Fish Collar
A surprisingly delicious and flavorful dish, recommended for its unique taste.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Avoid Peak Hours
Visit mid-afternoon to skip long waits, or be prepared for a wait. Bar seating might be faster.
Sauce Sampler
Ask to try both liliko'i and haupia sauces with sweet bread French toast.
Reservations
Only available for parties of six or more; otherwise, walk-in.
Tips
from all over the internet
Avoid Peak Hours
Visit mid-afternoon to skip long waits, or be prepared for a wait. Bar seating might be faster.
Sauce Sampler
Ask to try both liliko'i and haupia sauces with sweet bread French toast.
Reservations
Only available for parties of six or more; otherwise, walk-in.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Diners praise Highway Inn Kaka'ako for its authentic and flavorful Hawaiian cuisine, with many highlighting specific dishes like the fish collar and Smokin' Moco. Service is generally described as friendly and fast, though some mention disorganization during busy periods and occasional order mix-ups. While most reviews are positive, a few found certain dishes too salty or dry.
"I visited Highway Inn Kaka'ako to try traditional Hawaiian food, and it went far beyond my expectations. The flavors, the presentation, and the overall experience were all fantastic. If you're going solo and don't mind sitting at the bar, you might get seated pretty quickly. Otherwise, be prepared for a bit of a wait—this place is popular for a reason! That said, once seated, the food came out fast, and the service was excellent.
The quality of the food was phenomenal—authentic, flavorful, and clearly made with care. Prices were very reasonable, especially considering the portion sizes and quality. I also really appreciated the small guide they provide, which explains what each traditional dish is—super helpful if you're new to Hawaiian cuisine.
I'd highly recommend Highway Inn Kaka'ako to anyone looking to experience real Hawaiian food in a welcoming, down-to-earth spot."
Alvaro Zevallos Barboza
"This place was recommended by the local guide on our harbour tour as the best Hawai’i food, and he wasn’t wrong! The deep fried fish collar with gravy was amazing, sounds weird I know, but it was so tasty! We got the Highway Inn sampler plate, and the Haupia was better than the one we got at a Luau last night. The waitress Angie was so friendly to the kids, and she made some great dish recommendations. Best Hawaiian food so far!"
Ness Lui
"We visited Highway Inn in Kakaʻako to try some local Hawaiian food, and overall it was a good experience. The menu had a great variety of traditional dishes, which made it easy to explore different flavors of the islands.
However, the seating area felt a bit disorganized, and perhaps because the staff were very busy, the service didn’t feel very attentive. That said, the atmosphere was still pleasant, and the food made it worth the visit. It’s a good spot if you’re looking to experience local cuisine in a casual setting."
Eva J
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Highly recommended are the Deep Fried Fish Collar with Gravy, the Smokin' Moco, and the Lau Lau. The Highway Inn Tasting Plate is also a great option to sample various traditional dishes.
The restaurant is very popular and can have a wait. Visiting mid-afternoon or during off-peak hours is advised. Reservations are only accepted for parties of six or more.
It's a unique variation of loco moco featuring kiawe-smoked meat instead of a traditional beef patty, topped with sautéed onions, peppers, aioli, and a fried egg over rice.
The menu primarily focuses on traditional Hawaiian meat dishes. It's best to inquire directly with the restaurant about specific dietary accommodations.
Reservations are typically only available for larger parties of six or more. For smaller groups, expect to wait or try visiting during less busy times.
Haupia is a traditional Hawaiian dessert made from coconut milk, often described as a pudding or jello-like confection. It's a popular sweet treat here.
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In addition to satisfying your pipikaula and lau lau needs, this 68-year-old local institution’s Kaka'ako location offers a mélange of loco moco creations on a secret menu. That said, the on-menu Smokin' Moco, a smoky meat option, is a crowd favorite, omitting the traditional beef patty for slightly sweet kiawe-smoked meat covered with sautéed onions and peppers, a special aioli sauce, and two runny eggs over rice. Order with a side of squid luau, and you can have your traditional Hawaiian and local food...
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Noteworthy for: The Highway Inn's story dates back to WWII, when original owner Seiichi Toguchi mastered his culinary skills in Japanese Internment Camp mess halls in the US before opening his restaurant in Hawaii.
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Looking for a place to try some traditional Hawaiian food during your visit?. Then head to Highway Inn in downtown Honolulu. ( Hawaii Magazine named this spot the best Hawaiian food restaurant in town).
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Anchored by the popular Salt at Our Kakaʻako complex, Kakaʻako breweries and eateries are diverse and world-class, including favorites like Arvo, Bevy, Butcher & Bird, Hank’s Haute Dogs, Highway Inn, Moku Kitchen, Pioneer Saloon and Village Bottle Shop & Tasting Room. Coffee drinkers and juicers alike can find solace at 9Bar HNL, Insomnia, Juic’d Life Health Bar, Lanikai Juice, Morning Brew and Starbucks. If you’re looking to work off your dining selections, hit up Infinity Movement Studio or Orangetheory Fitness.
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Featured on the Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives with Guy Fieri, Highway Inn has been serving up traditional Hawaiian food since 1947. (This third-generation family-run establishment has been relocated to the trendy new SALT at Our Kakaako development.) While its claim to fame is its family recipe lau lau, you’ll find all the Hawaiian classics here: kalua pork, loco moco, chicken long rice, pipikaula, poi, haupia, and more. When in doubt, a Hawaiian combo plate covers the basics.
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The menu here is huge so if you’re traveling with a big group, bring the whole gang to make a dent in it. They have a few locations (including one at the Bishop Museum), but I would recommend the one at Kaka’ako. They have a prime location in Salt at Our Kaka’ako (a new/renovated dining development between Waikiki and downtown Honolulu) and you’ll get great food in an environment that’s really accessible to visitors (but still popular with locals).
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Wondering where to get your Hawaiian food fix amongst the best Honolulu restaurants?. Highway Inn has been in business since 1947, but has taken on a refreshed look as it opened up in the new Kakaako SALT center along with Moku, Bevy, and other new hip eateries. You can order a Super Combo Plate and layer on all your Hawaiian favorites like Kalua Pig, Chichen Long Rice, Lomi Salmon, Lu’au, and of course a bowl full of Poi!
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Served in three different versions, the Smoked Moco is the one that gets the repeat business though. Sweet smokey meat smothered in a creamy sauce and topped off with sautéed onions, peppers, and two eggs is the perfect balance between sweet and salty. Serving up one of the biggest loco mocos on the island, this classic eatery in Kaka’ako is worth finding if you’re in the area.
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Highway Inn (@myhighwayinn) – A Hawaiian food mainstay on the island, making traditional plates since 1947!. Order their “Kamaaina Favorites” such as Loco Moco (or other variations Smoked Loco, Hawaiian Moco), Hawaiian Beef Stew Plate, Pork Lau Lau, the Kalua Pig and chicken long rice!. Enjoy live local music at their Kaka‘ako location every Friday at 5:00PM!.
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Highway Inn originally opened its doors in 1947 in Waipahu – right after Helena’s Hawaiian Food. Since then, it has gained so much popularity that it has opened two more locations, both in Honolulu. This expansion is a huge sign of Highway Inn’s fabulous food, since no other authentic Hawaiian restaurant in Hawaii has managed to open multiple locations.
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Perfect for diving into Hawaiian cuisine for the first time. 📍 680 Ala Moana Blvd #105, Kakaʻako 🕒 Open: Daily for Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 🍹 Happy Hour: None 🎵 Live Music: None 🎟️ Reservations: Walk-in only. Highway Inn, a third-generation family business, is a great place to eat traditional Hawaiian food — especially for the first time.
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Adjacent to the shop is a café operated by Highway Inn, selling hearty plate lunches, Spam musubis, sandwiches, baked treats and other foods. If you’d rather bring snacks from home to save money, an ideal place to eat is on the covered patio or on the lawn between the Science Adventure Center and Hawaiian Hall.
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Everyday Hawaiian food: “Close to my Honolulu daily routine is Highway Inn, that’s in the Kaka’ako neighborhood. They have amazing traditional Hawaiian food, and I’d recommend going a la carte to get a good assortment. Don’t forget the side of poi – it’s a staple with every Hawaiian food meal.
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You’ve not visited Hawaii if you haven’t dined at a local Hawaiian eatery (and luaus don’t count). We frequent Highway Inn several times a month for their combo plates which the kids absolutely devour. We visit the one in Waipahu, but they have a newer location in Honolulu, in Kakaako.
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94-830 Moloalo St #101, Waipahu, HI 96797 (also in Kaka’aka). Highway Inn has been serving authentic Hawaiian food since 1947, and their loco moco is a fan favorite. Their gravy is made in-house and pairs perfectly with their well-seasoned burger patty and eggs cooked to your liking.
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Helena’s Hawaiian Food and Highway Inn, two beloved Honolulu institutions, serve some of the city’s best lau lau alongside other plate lunch staples like kalua pig, poi, and lomi salmon. Each bite connects diners to the islands’ Polynesian roots and communal eating traditions.
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Highway Inn has been serving island favorites to locals for more than half a century, and they’re clearly doing something right. Traditional loco moco, fried rice with meat or kimchi and the beef stew plate are favorites here, where you’ll eat for less than $15.
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The Highway Inn is known for its authentic Hawaiian food and one of the best places to eat on the island of O’ahu. We stopped in here on our way to the airport and grabbed breakfast on the run. It was just by chance that we spotted it while driving past.
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Located in SALT at Kaka‘ako, this locally owned eatery has served authentic Hawaiian staple foods for more than 60 years. Try the kalua pig and loco moco!. 680 Ala Moana Blvd #105, Honolulu, HI 96813, (808) 954-4955, myhighwayinn.com, @myhighwayinn
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Highway Inn is a restaurant that serves traditional Hawaiian food. It has been running since 1947, and the menu has not changed much at all since that time. This restaurant serves the foods that native Hawaiians have been eating for generations.
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A post shared by Jeff Siaris Jr (@junyaboi808) on Jun 3, 2015 at 9:53pm PDT. This family-friendly restaurant is no-frills with an all-day menu of classic Hawaiian home cooking. The food is contemporary without losing sight of its roots.
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The original Highway Inn opened in 1947 in in Waipahu on Oahu's Leeward side. The Toguchi family opened its second location in Kakaako in Honolulu in 2013. The family-run Highway Inn is Hawaiian and local comfort food at its finest.
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We love how many gluten-free options are available at this Kakaako restaurant. Enjoy Hawaiian and contemporary favorites, along with desserts that are great for gluten-free Honolulu diners. Highlights include Kalua Pig and.
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My husband got the Loco Moco, and I got the Seared Ahi Salad with sweet potatoes on the side (see the picture above). Just thinking about this place is making my mouth water. Don't miss a visit to Highway Inn!
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680 Ala Moana Blvd #105Honolulu, HI 96813(808) 954-4955 Visit Website See Menu Open in Google Maps. The Highway Inn Kaka’ako, which debuted in 1947, is a family-friendly restaurant located in a shopping mall.
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The younger sister store to our establishment was founded in 1947 in Waipahu. Serving Traditional Hawaiian Fare alongside Hawaiian inspired local plates to appeal and introduce our guests to Hawaiian Cuisine.
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Appears in: Season 8, Episode 11 “Triple D Goes Hawaiian” (4/5/10). You can’t make a Triple D episode about Hawaiʻi without featuring traditional Hawaiian food. That’s where Highway Inn comes in.
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Visit Highway Inn if you’re a fan of good food and happen to be on Oahu. The Smoked Moco is the most popular dish here, served in three different versions. What makes people come back for more?
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It’s unpretentious and you haven’t tried truly local food until you’ve had their loco moco a hamburger patty over rice with eggs and gravy.
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Traditional Hawaiian food plate lunch options from Highway Inn (left) & Nico’s Pier 38 in Honolulu. (Honolulu Vibes photo Ronen Zilberman)
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Young's Fish Market, Highway Inn, Poi Bowl at Ala Moana, or even Foodland might have laulau if you're in a pinch.



Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit