Are you planning a trip to Oahu and are going to drive up to the famous North Shore Oahu? Keep scrolling to find out the best North Shore food trucks that are totally worth the drive!
This North Shore Oahu food trucks post was written by Hawaii travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
Look, I’ve been visiting Oahu’s North Shore since I was 13 years old, and I can tell you the food truck scene here is absolutely legendary.
After 40+ trips to Hawaii as both a professional tourist and certified Hawaii Destination Specialist, I’ve eaten my way through pretty much every food truck between Haleiwa and Kahuku.
The North Shore isn’t just about watching surfers catch massive waves.
The real magic happens when you pull over at one of these trucks, order a plate of garlic shrimp (my personal obsession), and eat it at a picnic table while the ocean breeze hits your face.
This isn’t your typical food truck list. I’m giving you the current details, what to actually order, and which trucks are worth the drive in 2025.
Quick tip: You’ll definitely need a car to hit these trucks. I always recommend booking through Discount Hawaii Car Rental since they compare all the major companies and usually have the best rates.
The North Shore Food Trucks You Actually Need to Visit
Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck (The OG)
Giovanni’s started the whole North Shore shrimp truck phenomenon back in 1993. They literally converted a bread truck and started serving garlic shrimp. Now there are signatures covering every inch of the truck.
Giovanni’s has two North Shore locations now:
- Kahuku: 56-505 Kamehameha Highway (open daily 10:30am-6:30pm)
- Haleiwa: 66-472 Kamehameha Highway (open daily 10:30am-5pm)
The Kahuku location is the famous one with all the food trucks clustered together. The Haleiwa spot is closer to town if you’re coming from that direction.
Order the shrimp scampi. It comes with a dozen jumbo shrimp swimming in garlic butter, plus two huge scoops of rice. The plate runs around $13-14, which honestly isn’t bad considering how much food you get.
As a Hawaii travel expert, I’ll be straight with you: yes, there’s usually a line. But it moves faster than you’d think, and watching people add their signatures to the truck while you wait is part of the experience.
You can grab garlic shrimp from several tour companies too, but there’s something about ordering it yourself from the truck.
Big Wave Shrimp Truck
Here’s a secret: a lot of locals skip Giovanni’s and head straight to Big Wave. The shrimp is just as good (some say better), the portions are generous, and the lines are usually shorter.
I’m obsessed with Hawaiian garlic shrimp, so I’ve tried most of the trucks. Big Wave’s garlic butter shrimp hits different. The garlic comes in huge chunks, the butter sauce is rich without being greasy, and the shrimp are massive.
Location: 66-521 Kamehameha Highway, Haleiwa
Hours: Daily 10am-6:30pm
Try their coconut shrimp if you want something a little different. It’s fried crispy and has this perfect sweetness that balances the savory garlic.
Guy Fieri featured their coconut shrimp on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, and it’s easy to see why.
Every plate comes with at least 10 shrimp, rice, salad, and a slice of fresh pineapple. Portions are huge for the price.
Surf N’ Salsa (Mexican Done Right)
When you need a break from shrimp, Surf N’ Salsa is your answer. This family-run Mexican food truck has been serving authentic tacos and burritos since 2013.
Location: 66521 Kamehameha Highway in Haleiwa
Hours: Monday-Saturday 10:30am-8:30pm (closed Sundays)
They use farm-to-table ingredients and make everything fresh. The burritos are huge and run about $12-15. The handmade tacos are under $5 each, which makes them perfect for trying a few different kinds.
Get the chimichanga or the fajita burrito. Both are packed with flavor and way bigger than you’d expect. The salsa bar has multiple options so you can customize your heat level.
They have this cool seashell handwashing station that’s become kind of Instagram-famous. But honestly, people keep coming back for the food.
Mike’s Huli Chicken (Kiawe Wood BBQ)
Mike Fuse is a North Shore local who’s been grilling chicken over kiawe wood since 2010. “Huli” means “turn” in Hawaiian, and that’s exactly what he does with this chicken.
Location: 56-565 Kamehameha Highway in Kahuku
Hours: Daily 11:30am-7pm
The bright yellow truck is hard to miss. The smoky kiawe wood gives the chicken this incredible flavor you won’t find anywhere else.
Mike also serves kalua pig, lomi lomi salmon, pulehu steak, ahi, spicy shrimp, and fresh fruit smoothies.
This truck gets busy during lunch, especially on weekends. But the food is worth planning your North Shore day around.
If you’re looking for more ideas on what to do up here, check out my Oahu Travel Guide for Families for a complete North Shore itinerary.
Haleiwa Bowls (Best Acai on the North Shore)
Location: 66-030 Kamehameha Highway in Haleiwa
Hours: Daily 7:30am-6pm
Haleiwa Bowls makes some of the best acai bowls I’ve had in Hawaii, which is saying something. Everything is organic, homegrown, and totally sugar-free.
The base is frozen acai puree topped with granola, fresh bananas, raw coconut flakes, and raw Hawaiian honey. You can add extra toppings like papaya, strawberries, and Maui bee pollen.
This is the perfect breakfast or post-beach snack. The truck has this beachy, tropical vibe with wooden planks that make it look more like a shack than a food truck.
Sunrise Shack (Surfer-Approved Health Food)
Run by local surfers, Sunrise Shack is all about healthy eating with that beachy North Shore energy. Their bright yellow trucks are easy to spot.
Two locations:
- Sunset Beach: 59-158 Kamehameha Highway
- Shark’s Cove: 59-712 Kamehameha Highway
They’re famous for smoothie bowls, bullet coffee, and fresh juices. Everything is super fresh and gives you that clean energy you need for a beach day.
The acai bowls come loaded with bananas, blueberries, coconut oil, honey, and gluten-free granola. The Monkey Bowl is a customer favorite.
The Elephant Truck (Thai Food Near the Beach)
Location: 59-186 Kamehameha Highway near Sunset Beach
Hours: Monday-Saturday 12pm-8:30pm
The Elephant Truck serves authentic Thai food that locals swear by. It’s tucked near Sunset Beach, making it perfect for grabbing dinner after a beach day.
Their pad thai is legendary. They also have great curries, stir-fries, and tons of vegan options if that’s your thing.
The menu changes regularly, but staples include papaya salad, tofu & herb salad, and various noodle dishes. Portions are generous and prices are reasonable for the North Shore.
Impossibles Pizza (Wood-Fired Pies)
Location: Around 59 Kamehameha Highway (near Shark’s Cove)
Hours: Thursday-Friday 2pm-6:30pm (call ahead: 808-499-4741)
Impossibles is the only pizza truck on the North Shore, and honestly, it’s better than most brick-and-mortar pizza places on the island.
The pizzas are cooked in a wood-fired oven on a converted tour bus. Each pie is massive and literally doesn’t fit in the box. One pizza easily feeds 4-6 people.
BBQ chicken and pepperoni are the classics, but you can build your own with toppings like kalua pig, Maui onions, and fresh pineapple. Prices run $25-45 depending on toppings.
The owner runs this solo, so be patient. Order ahead by phone if you can. The limited hours and one-man operation mean you might find it closed, so definitely call first.
Pro tip: grab your pizza and walk down to the beach to watch the sunset. That’s a North Shore experience right there.
North Shore Crepes Cafe (French Crepes in Hawaii)
This remodeled VW bus serves authentic French crepes made by an actual French owner. You can get savory galettes or sweet dessert crepes.
Try the garlic shrimp galette or the Hawaiian crepe (kalua pig, mozzarella, coleslaw, sauteed onion, and BBQ sauce). For dessert, the Nutella banana strawberry crepe is perfect.
They also offer gluten-free buckwheat crepes. Parking costs $2 but you can find free spots in Haleiwa town if you don’t mind walking.
Planning Your North Shore Food Truck Adventure
The North Shore spans from Haleiwa to Kahuku along Kamehameha Highway. Most food trucks cluster in three main areas:
- Haleiwa Town (multiple trucks near the beginning of town)
- Shark’s Cove area (Pupukea)
- Kahuku (largest concentration near the shrimp farms)
From Waikiki, the North Shore is about 45 minutes during off-peak hours. But plan for 2+ hours if you’re driving during rush hour. You absolutely need a car for this. Public transportation exists but takes forever.
Book your rental through Discount Hawaii Car Rental to compare rates and save money. Trust me on this one.
Most trucks accept credit cards now, but carrying cash is smart. Some smaller operations are cash-only, especially when their card readers act up.
Hours vary by truck and weather. Most open between 10-11am and close around sunset or early evening. Call ahead for trucks with limited hours like Impossibles Pizza.
Parking is free but gets tight during lunch rush. Morning and late afternoon are usually easier.
North Shore Food Truck Questions
What exactly is Hawaiian garlic shrimp?
Hawaii grows some of the sweetest shrimp in the world. The classic preparation involves sauteing the shrimp in garlic and butter with the shells still on. The shells add flavor and the whole thing comes served over white rice.
Yes, you eat it with your hands. It’s messy and perfect.
How much should I budget for food trucks?
Shrimp plates run $13-18, tacos are $4-6 each, burritos $12-15, acai bowls $10-15, and pizzas $25-45. Budget about $15-20 per person per meal.
What else should I do on the North Shore?
The North Shore is about way more than food trucks. You’ve got the Polynesian Cultural Center, incredible surfing (just watching is amazing), beautiful beaches, and great hiking.
Haleiwa town itself is worth exploring. You’ve got surf shops, shave ice stands, and local boutiques.
If you’re planning your whole Oahu trip, grab my free 7-Day Email Course on How to Plan a Trip to Oahu. It walks you through everything step-by-step.
Which food truck should first-timers try?
Giovanni’s is the most famous for a reason. Start there. Then hit Big Wave for comparison. Add Haleiwa Bowls if you want something fresh and light.
Make the Drive
As someone who’s been eating at these trucks for over 30 years, I can tell you the North Shore food truck scene keeps getting better.
New trucks pop up, old favorites keep improving, and the whole experience never gets old.
Pack some wet wipes (garlic shrimp is messy), bring cash just in case, and plan to spend a few hours up here. Eat slowly, watch the waves, and enjoy being on the North Shore.
Need help planning your whole Hawaii trip? That’s literally what I do as a Hawaii travel expert. I offer one-on-one Hawaii travel consultations where we build your perfect itinerary together.
I’ve helped dozens of families avoid the common mistakes and find the hidden gems.
For more Oahu tips, check out my complete Oahu Travel Guide for Families. It covers everything from beaches to hiking to where to stay.
The North Shore food trucks are waiting. Get up there and start eating.
