Tasting Plate
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Highway Inn Kaka'ako

4.6
·491k reviews·,

A beloved, long-standing eatery serving traditional Hawaiian comfort food with a lively, casual atmosphere.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

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Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

CrowdLow
Tasting Plate

Highway Inn Kaka'ako

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A beloved, long-standing eatery serving traditional Hawaiian comfort food with a lively, casual atmosphere.

4.6
(491k reviews)

"Experience real Hawaiian food in a welcoming, down-to-earth spot."

TIP

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.

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Quick Facts

Closed·Opens 9:30AM

Cuisine

Hawaiian

Price

Mid-range

Phone

(808) 954-4955

Address

680 Ala Moana Blvd #105, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA

Insta-Factor

Medium

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Authentic Hawaiian Cuisine

Authentic Hawaiian Cuisine

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

Smokin' Moco

Smokin' Moco

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

Oahu’s 11 Best Loco MocosThe Best Loco Moco in Oahu: 15 Spots You Need to Try (2025)History of Loco Moco and Where to Find The Best Loco Moco on Oahu! - Waikiki Boutique Hotel | Coconut Waikiki
Deep Fried Fish Collar

Deep Fried Fish Collar

A surprisingly delicious and flavorful dish, recommended for its unique taste.

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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.

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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

4.6
(491k reviews)

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

Authentic Hawaiian flavors
Friendly and fast service
Unique dishes like fish collar

What People Dislike

Occasional saltiness
Service can be spotty when busy

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.

Oahu’s 11 Best Loco MocosHistory of Loco Moco and Where to Find The Best Loco Moco on Oahu! - Waikiki Boutique Hotel | Coconut WaikikiGoogle Review

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.

Google Review+1

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.

Oahu’s 11 Best Loco MocosThe Best Loco Moco in Oahu: 15 Spots You Need to Try (2025)

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.

Google Review

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.

History of Loco Moco and Where to Find The Best Loco Moco on Oahu! - Waikiki Boutique Hotel | Coconut WaikikiGoogle Review

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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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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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