Are you planning to visit Pearl Harbor on your trip to Oahu? Check out these places to eat near Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Scroll for the full list!
This list of the best places to eat near Pearl Harbor 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.
Spending a day with the entire family at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial can be rewarding, but it does get to a point when everyone’s hungry. That’s why we listed down the top restaurants near Pearl Harbor to keep your family vacation pleasant and memorable.
You might not know that the harbor is still an active American military base. It’s neat to see everything in action, but there are a lot of rules, especially around food. While there are a few spots for food at Pearl Harbor, options are somewhat limited.
So, if you’re looking for places to eat near Pearl Harbor, I’ve got you covered.
When we took our family, we started early and made a day of it. By the afternoon, the boys were hangry and ready to get out of the summer sun!
While we were at the memorial, we could buy snacks inside, but there wasn’t a lot of variety in the places we ate.
You’d have to be at least at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center where you’ll find a small selection of packaged snacks, hot dogs, and soft drinks, but full meals aren’t readily available.
Your best bet is to check out one of the wonderful Pearl Harbor restaurants nearby.
Below, you’ll find a list of 15 of the top-rated restaurants, cafes, and even dessert shops close to the memorial. We can even consider these as the best places to eat in Oahu!
And if you need more ideas on what to expect at Pearl Harbor, you can read my honest review on visiting Pearl Harbor with kids!
Want to skip all the planning and just access my detailed Oahu Itinerary, complete with daily schedules, kid-friendly activities, and travel hacks? Click the button below.
Visiting Pearl Harbor FAQs
Just plan on taking a whole day! If you plan on seeing all 4 Pearl Harbor historic sites, you’ll need a few hours for each. If you only plan on seeing specific sites like the main USS Arizona Memorial, plan on taking 2 or 3 hours.
I don’t recommend going on-base unless you have previous access or have plans to meet someone who lives or works with the DOD. Even escorted non-military guests have to go through a lengthy process to access the base. If you’re looking for places to eat near Pearl Harbor, there are plenty of great options off-base.
You can’t bring a bag that conceals what’s inside, so they actually sell clear plastic bags to hold your things if you need one. Even medication and wallets have material and size restrictions. But for a fee, you can keep your bags and things at a storage facility near the entrance.
What’s great about the Pearl Harbor Memorial is that you don’t have to book a tour to visit, and it’s free to get in! Some sites inside the base are separate and cost money, but you don’t have to book them to visit. So, if you want to leave to go get food and come back, it’s not a big deal. Just keep in mind that there’s a limited number of admissions per day and you’re not guaranteed to get back in.
Can you eat at Pearl Harbor?
You’ll find a few places to eat inside the Pearl Harbor National Memorial entrance.
When my boys got tired of walking around, we took a break and got Dole Whip at the snack hut outside the USS Battleship Missouri.
They also have lunch items, packaged snacks, and drinks. And there are tables and chairs outside where you can sit and eat.
Also, inside the aviation museum, there’s the Lanaikea Café. It’s a great place to cool off in the AC and enjoy a burger or salad!
But remember that only bottled water is allowed inside the memorials if you go on a tour. Plus, there’s tons of walking, and if you have younger kids, they can get bored pretty fast.
Sometimes, breaking up the day or ending your tour with some nearby food is the best thing! So, let’s look at some great food options near Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
Great Restaurants Near Pearl Harbor
Restaurant 604
57 Arizona Memorial Dr
Honolulu, HI 96818
Located at the Rainbow Bay Marina next to the memorial parking lot is Restaurant 604.
When you’re looking for food near Pearl Harbor, this is the closest stop! You can enjoy great views of the boats on the water while you relax in a friendly atmosphere.
Try the Kalua Pork loaded nachos or one of their famous bloody marys. They have a small children’s menu as well.
Thai Cuisine Express
98-020 Kamehameha Hwy
Aiea, HI 96701
Most places to eat near Pearl Harbor are a few minutes north in Aiea. The furthest out is just 2 miles up Route 99 from the Pearl Harbor National Memorial.
Thai Cuisine Express is inside the Waimalu Shopping Center. There are several laid-back dives in the strip mall where you can get various local food. But Thai Cuisine Express is a quality choice!
Their pad thai and Panang curry are some of the lunch items that stand out, making this a great option for those looking for a delicious, casual meal.
Kapiolani Coffee Shop
98-020 Kamehameha Hwy
Aiea, HI 96701
Inside the Waimalu Shopping Center, a few storefronts down, is the Kapiolani Coffee Shop, which has been in Oahu for over 70 years.
It’s actually an excellent diner for local food, like their delicious oxtail soup! There are tons of booths and tables for enjoying a meal. Everything feels like home with cozy chinaware and hot coffee.
They also have hearty breakfast items for those who want to start their Pearl Harbor tour with a filling meal.
Kehau’s Kitchen
98-150 Kaonohi St b118
Aiea, HI 96701
For places to eat near Pearl Harbor that guarantee a quick and delicious meal, go to Kehau’s Kitchen. Also on Kaonohi Street, this one’s in the smaller Westridge Shopping Center behind Anna Miller’s.
It’s a local favorite with authentic no-frills Hawaiian food. They hit everything out of the ballpark like their Mexican street tacos and poke nachos! But everyone loves the lau lau and the pulehu ribs.
If you’re in a hurry, this is a great stop to save time while still enjoying a fantastic Hawaiian meal.
Anna Miller’s Restaurant
98-115 Kaonohi St
Aiea, HI 96701
If the family craves good old American classics, you must visit Anna Miller’s. It’s at Kaonohi Street and Route 99 on the way to the Pearlridge Shopping Center.
You can’t miss the beautiful diner on the corner! The restaurant opened in 1973 and everything inside is nostalgic for that time.
This charming diner is known for its nostalgic decor and homemade pies. They serve breakfast items, lunch, and dinner, making it a convenient spot no matter what time of day you visit.
Make sure to save room for Anna Miller’s famous pies!
Bravo Italian Restaurant
98-115 Kaonohi St
Aiea, HI 96701
For a place with a solid kids’ menu and great Italian food in a casual setting, head to Bravo Italian Restaurant. They share the building with Anna Miller’s! It’s a roomy, dated place in all the best ways.
This restaurant is open daily, at 11 AM for lunch and stays open till 9 PM. They serve Italian favorites like garlic knots, calamari, pizza, and all kinds of pasta. It’s a great option if you’re looking for a hearty meal after your Pearl Harbor visit.
Mamaya
98-199 Kamehameha Hwy A-7B
Aiea, HI 96701
Enjoy an easy meal of Japanese bento boxes to go at Mamaya on the southern side of Route 99 inside the Pearl Kai Shopping Center.
Pretty much everything is prepackaged, making for an easy and quick checkout. Take it with you or sit and eat! There’s everything from chicken and fish bento boxes and poke bowls to sushi and desserts.
They’re open daily from 8 AM to 2 PM and sell out fast, so come a little early!
MangoMango Dessert
98-1005 Moanalua Rd Unit# 2208
Aiea, HI 96701
For lighter places to eat near Pearl Harbor, take a break from all the history and enjoy some ice cream with fun toppings at MangoMango! You’ll find it inside the Pearlridge Shopping Mall, very close to a children’s activity center.
Try a dessert of mango juice with white rice and mango ice cream or a million different decadent variations. There are also crepe cakes, smoothies, bubble tea, and more.
Uncle’s Fish Market & Grill
98-1005 Moanalua Rd
Aiea, HI 96701
Also, inside the Pearlridge Shopping Mall is Uncle’s Fish Market & Grill. This restaurant has deep roots in the local community, started by a local fisherman and islander.
You can enjoy some of the best fresh fish on Oahu and some of Uncle’s famous drink specials! There’s something on the list for all seafood lovers, from poke and sushi to fish tacos, sandwiches, and pasta.
Or for the family member who’s not a fan of seafood, there are steaks, burgers, and desserts!
Leonard’s Pearlridge Malasada Mobile
98-1005 Moanalua Rd
Aiea, HI 96701
For a fun place to eat on your way to Pearl Harbor National Memorial, consider a stop at Leonard’s Mobile Malasada shop! It’s open daily from 7 AM to 7 PM and stays busy.
Locals and regular island visitors come to get their pink box of assorted Portuguese fried donuts. You can try them with a few different sugar toppings and custard fillings.
For the best experience, eat them hot and cut them in half with a knife!
Forty Niner Restaurant
4304, 98-110 Honomanu St
Aiea, HI 96701
It’s worth the trip to the Forty Niner Restaurant on the corner of Honomanu Street and Route 99!
You’ll love this casual family-owned restaurant serving burgers and pancakes since 1947. Their garlic chicken is a must. Or order the popular saimin.
For a treat, get the banana macadamia nut Forty Niner Pancakes.
Dixie Grill
4111, 99-016 Kamehameha Hwy
Aiea, HI 96701
You can find all kinds of places to eat near Pearl Harbor, including great American BBQ! Dixie Grill has a passion for BBQ, especially from the southeastern United States.
You can try everything from po’boys and brisket to cornbread and even key lime pie. Fresh butter popcorn is served at every table. And everything is served butcher style by the quarter-pound on tin trays.
The open-air seating adds to the laid-back and inviting atmosphere, making it a comfortable spot for families.
There’s a bar with great beer options, and in the back, there are games for the kids!
Aiea Manapua & Snacks
99-149 Moanalua Rd #103
Aiea, HI 96701
There’s a great “hole in the wall” type place if you’re looking for really great food that the tourists don’t know about. Aiea Manapua & Snacks is a storefront and a city’s hidden gem.
Besides shelves of packaged items and coolers of drinks, you can enjoy Hawaiian-Chinese steamed or baked manapua. These savory pastries make for a great meal that travels well.
Shaka Shaka Tea Express
848 Ala Lilikoi St
Honolulu, HI 96818
For a caffeine fix and some sweet snacks to or from the memorial, make a stop at Shaka Shaka Tea Express. You’ll find this bright and colorful storefront inside the Salt Lake Shopping Center off Salt Lake Boulevard in Honolulu.
They have walls lined with everything from candy and chips to macarons and fresh pastries. But the big draw to Shaka Shaka is the milk teas, coffees, and smoothies.
Kau Kau Grill
852 Mapunapuna St,
Honolulu, HI 96819
When you start to look for places to eat near Pearl Harbor, you realize there aren’t a lot of places outside of Aiea. That’s because no one is allowed on Pearl Harbor base without privileges.
So, while there are only a few places on the west side of Honolulu near Pearl Harbor, one of the great ones is Kau Kau Grill off Puuloa Road. You’ll be content and happy with heaping portions of southern and Hawaiian BBQ!
Best Restaurants Near Pearl Harbor Wrap-up
Our trip to the Pearl Harbor National Memorial was such a rewarding experience! But we realized pretty quickly that it makes for a long day.
Now you have a list of a variety of places to eat near Pearl Harbor, both before and after your trip.
You can fuel up and enjoy a day of walking in the Hawaiian sun and learning about a huge part of the island’s past and present. Or break up your day with a quick trip out for some amazing local cuisine.
And why not cap a beautiful trip to Pearl Harbor with a memorable family meal? From tea and dessert to a hearty BBQ or Italian dish, you’ll find it near Pearl Harbor.