Are you planning a trip to Oahu and want to know the best places to eat in North Shore Oahu? Keep scrolling to find out the best cafes on the North Shore of Oahu worth a stop.
This list of the best cafes on the North Shore of Oahu 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.
After visiting Oahu’s North Shore 40+ times, I’ve tried every cafe worth talking about.
As a professional tourist and Certified Hawaii Destination Expert, I know which spots actually deliver and which ones are tourist traps.
Here’s the thing about North Shore cafes: you don’t need to hit every single one.
What you need are the spots that serve incredible food made with local ingredients, where you’ll actually want to return every trip. That’s what this list is.
These cafes run along Kamehameha Highway from Waialua to Kahuku, so you can easily stop at a few while exploring beaches and surf spots.
I’ve narrowed it down to my top picks based on quality, consistency, and that hard-to-define magic that makes a place special.
Planning your North Shore adventure? Download my comprehensive Oahu Travel Guide with daily itineraries, kid-friendly activities, and insider tips.
Or if you’d rather have someone else handle the planning, check out my Hawaii travel consultation services.
Wicked Hi Café
66-935 Kaukonahua Rd, Waialua
Open: 9am-6pm (Closed Tuesdays)
This place is a hidden gem tucked away in Waialua, and it’s worth the slight detour off the main highway.
Wicked Hi started as a farmers market vendor selling honey slushes, and now they’ve got a full cafe serving sourdough pizza, Belgian waffles, and those famous slushes.
The owners are beekeepers, so everything comes drizzled with local honey. Their six-year sourdough starter makes incredible waffles and pizza crust.
Get the honey dragonfruit lemon slush if you want something refreshing, or try their sourdough pizza if you’re hungry.
Pro tip: Items sell out fast, especially the waffles. Get there before noon if you want the full menu.
Kono’s North Shore
66-250 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa
Open: 7am-2:30pm daily
Kono’s is a family favorite for one simple reason: their kalua pork is ridiculously good.
They slow-roast it for 12 hours, and it’s so flavorful and juicy that we order it every single time we’re on North Shore.
The breakfast bombers (their version of breakfast burritos) are massive and perfect for fueling up before a beach day.
My kids love the bombers with kalua pork, but honestly everything on the menu is solid.
Founded in Haleiwa in 2002, Kono’s has grown to multiple locations across Hawaii and even Las Vegas. But the original North Shore spot still has that authentic local vibe.
You can book North Shore tours on Viator or Get Your Guide and make Kono’s your lunch stop.
Don’t skip: Kalua pork plate or any breakfast bomber. And their handcrafted milkshakes are perfect for Hawaii’s heat.
Coffee Gallery
66-250 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa
Coffee Gallery has been a North Shore institution for years, and they’re considered one of the best coffee roasters on the island. They roast small-batch coffees in-house, and you can taste the difference.
The cafe has an adorable gift shop, local art on the walls, and fresh pastries under glass. It’s a great spot to grab quality coffee and browse their selection of beans to take home.
There’s also a huge parking lot, which is rare for Haleiwa, making it an easy stop when the town gets crowded.
Sunrise Shack
Two North Shore locations: Shark’s Cove (59-712 Kamehameha Hwy) and Sunset Beach (59-158 Kamehameha Hwy)
Open: 7am-6pm daily
My kids are obsessed with Sunrise Shack’s acai bowls. Like, we-have-to-go-there-every-trip level of obsessed. The bright yellow shacks are impossible to miss, and the positive vibes match the cheerful aesthetic.
Founded by pro surfers (Koa Rothman and the Smith Brothers), Sunrise Shack specializes in organic bullet coffee, smoothie bowls, and healthy food.
The papaya bowl is a crowd favorite, but my family always gets the acai bowls.
Sunrise Shack now has five locations across Oahu, including a brand new spot on Kapahulu Avenue that opened in 2025. But the North Shore locations still have that original laid-back surf culture feel.
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Pro tip: Parking at both locations can be challenging. The Shark’s Cove location tends to be slightly less crowded.
Island Vintage Coffee
66-111 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa
Open: 7am-5pm daily
Island Vintage Coffee is one of my personal favorites because their coffee menu is full of tasty options. They roast 100% Kona coffee fresh daily, and the quality shows in every cup.
The Haleiwa location at Haleiwa Store Lots is beautiful, with a clean, glowing cafe aesthetic and outdoor seating overlooking a lawn covered in shade trees.
They serve breakfast plates, acai bowls, poke bowls, and sandwiches alongside their extensive coffee menu.
Their specialty drinks like the Lava Mocha Latte and Hawaiian Honey Latte are Instagram-worthy and delicious. If you’re staying in Waikiki, they also have locations at Royal Hawaiian Center and Ala Moana Center.
Looking for where to stay on North Shore? Check out hotels on Expedia to compare options near these cafes.
Ted’s Bakery
59-024 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa
Open: 8am-6:30pm daily
Ted’s Bakery is a North Shore landmark, and their chocolate haupia cream pie is legendary for good reason.
This family-owned spot has been serving the area since 1996, and it stays busy selling out their glass cases of pies every single day.
While the pies are the star, their plate lunches are also excellent. The portions are generous, the prices are reasonable, and you can get breakfast, lunch, or just dessert.
Try the garlic shrimp, loco moco, or their pineapple macadamia nut cheesecake.
Ted’s has won first place in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s Hawaii’s Best awards for seven consecutive years. There’s outdoor seating under tarps, but it fills up fast during peak hours.
Note: Since COVID, Ted’s no longer ships their pies. If you want one, you have to visit in person.
Kahuku Farms
56-800 Kamehameha Hwy, Kahuku
Open: 11am-4pm (Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays)
This is hands down my favorite cafe on the entire North Shore. Kahuku Farms just won Newsweek’s 2025 Best Farm-to-Table Restaurant in America, and it’s completely deserved.
Here’s what makes Kahuku Farms special: they grow their own acai berries. Like, actually grow them on the farm.
They’re the first farm in Hawaii (maybe anywhere in the US?) to successfully grow acai, and it makes their acai bowls the best I’ve ever had. The difference in freshness is incredible.
I’m also obsessed with their farm store. They sell their homemade lilikoi butter (which is amazing on everything), salad dressings made from farm ingredients, chocolate bars from their cacao, and other products you can’t find anywhere else.
The menu features smoothies, paninis, salads, and pizza, all made with ingredients from the farm or neighboring farms.
Their lilikoi butter mochi is a local favorite dessert. You can also take a wagon tour of the farm to see where your food actually comes from.
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Don’t skip: The acai bowl with farm-grown acai. And grab some lilikoi butter from the store to take home.
Saylor’s Haleiwa
66-111 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa (next to Haleiwa Bowls)
This bright, beachy cafe opened in November 2024 and has quickly become popular with locals.
Saylor’s serves locally roasted coffee, espresso drinks, matcha lattes, and chai tea. They don’t charge extra for plant-based milk, which is refreshing.
Their baked goods include banana bread, blueberry lavender muffins, and cardamom cinnamon buns. The cafe has that perfect laid-back Haleiwa vibe with surf art and a welcoming atmosphere.
As one of the newest cafes on North Shore, Saylor’s is worth checking out if you want to experience what locals are excited about right now.
Getting to North Shore from Waikiki
The drive from Waikiki to North Shore takes about 45 minutes to an hour depending on traffic. You’ll definitely want a car to explore the area and hit multiple cafes.
I always recommend booking through Discount Hawaii Car Rental because they compare all the major companies and usually have the best rates.
If you don’t want to drive, you can book North Shore tours on Get Your Guide that include stops at popular cafes and beaches. It’s a good option if you want someone else to handle navigation and parking.
For more North Shore planning help, check out my posts on best things to do in North Shore, North Shore beaches, and North Shore food trucks.
My North Shore Cafe Strategy
Here’s how I typically do North Shore cafe hopping with my family:
Start early and grab breakfast or coffee at Kono’s or Saylor’s in Haleiwa. Spend the morning at the beach (Sunset Beach, Waimea Bay, or Shark’s Cove).
Around lunch, hit either Wicked Hi Café or Kahuku Farms depending on which direction we’re headed. If we’re still hungry later, we’ll stop at Ted’s for pie or Sunrise Shack for an acai bowl.
The key is not trying to do everything in one day. Pick 2-3 cafes max and actually enjoy them instead of rushing around.
I also talk about North Shore cafe stops and food recommendations on my podcast, Hawaii Travel Made Easy. Check it out for more insider tips on planning your Oahu trip.
Which North Shore Cafe Should You Visit First?
If you only have time for one cafe, go to Kahuku Farms.
The combination of incredible farm-fresh food, that award-winning acai bowl, and the beautiful farm setting makes it worth the drive to the farthest point of North Shore.
If you want the quintessential North Shore breakfast experience, head to Kono’s for their kalua pork breakfast bomber. It’s everything Hawaii breakfast should be.
And if you’re traveling with kids who love acai bowls (like mine), Sunrise Shack is non-negotiable. Those bright yellow shacks have become as much a part of our North Shore routine as hitting the beach.
Want help planning your entire Oahu itinerary? I offer personalized travel consultations where I’ll create a custom plan based on your family’s interests, budget, and schedule.
As a Hawaii travel expert who’s been to Oahu more than 40 times, I can save you hours of research and help you avoid common mistakes.
Or download my comprehensive Oahu Travel Guide with complete day-by-day itineraries, beach recommendations, and all my insider tips for families.
The cafes on North Shore Oahu offer way more than just good coffee and food.
They’re where surf culture meets farm-to-table dining, where you can taste ingredients grown just yards away, and where locals and visitors gather to fuel up before hitting world-famous waves.
These aren’t just pit stops. They’re destinations worth planning your day around.
