I Live in Waikiki. Here Are My 7 Favorite Places for Brunch in Paradise 🥂🌺
From tropical mimosas to island-inspired Eggs Benedict, brunch is something special in Hawaii. Here’s where to go for brunch in Waikiki.
Yes, I love breakfast.
But, you know what? I love brunch even more.
If you’ve read my guide to the best breakfast spots in Waikiki, you already know I take my morning meals seriously.
Read More: 7 Best Breakfast Spots in Waikiki (according to a local!)
Note: This post may contain affiliate links. If you choose to book through these links, I receive a small commission, which I will likely blow on mai tais, poke, and shave ice. All of this internet voodoo takes place at no additional cost to you.
But most of the places on that list are early-bird affairs. Show up at noon, and you’ll find the kitchen switched to lunch or the doors locked for the day.
That’s why the best brunch spots in Waikiki deserve their very own list. I mean, sometimes you just NEED eggs at noon. Am I right?
So, for this post, I set one simple rule. Every restaurant on my brunch list has to serve breakfast after 11 AM.
That knocked out almost every spot on my breakfast list (sorry, Monkeypod Kitchen). But it made room for a delicious new lineup of late-morning favorites.
What Makes Brunch Different from Breakfast?
Breakfast is fuel. Brunch is an event.
Breakfast is what you grab before a sunrise hike or an early snorkel tour.
Brunch is what happens when you sleep in, skip the alarm, and have absolutely nowhere to be. It’s a long, lazy meal where nobody rushes you out the door.
Here’s what sets a great brunch in Waikiki apart:
- The timing. Brunch lives in that sweet spot between late morning and early afternoon. It’s the perfect meal after a morning swim or a late night out.
- The menu. You get the best of both worlds. Eggs Benedict and pancakes share the table with sandwiches and poke, so the savory crowd and the sweet tooth crowd both go home happy.
- The drinks. Brunch is the one meal where a cocktail before noon is not only acceptable; it’s expected. Mimosas, Bloody Marys, and even a breakfast mai tai are all fair game. Though sometimes, all you need is a really fantastic coffee.
In Hawaii, brunch has a flavor all its own. Think guava and lilikoi mimosas, kalua pig on the Eggs Benedict menu, and a view of the Pacific that makes you want to stick around for a while.
The Best Brunch Spots in Waikiki
Enough talk. You’re familiar with brunch. What you need to know is where to find it.
So, let’s jump straight to all my favorite places for brunch in Waikiki…
1. Aloha Kitchen
Location: 432 Ena Road, Honolulu, HI 96815
Brunch Hours: 8 AM to 1 PM (closed Mondays)
Aloha Kitchen is the only restaurant that made both my breakfast list and my brunch list. And there’s a good reason for that.
Known for its light and fluffy soufflé pancakes, Aloha Kitchen is a charming, low-key diner with friendly, efficient service and terrific food. It’s truly a hidden gem tucked away down a side road near the Hilton Hawaiian Village.
At 9 AM, this cozy little diner has a line out the door. By noon, the breakfast rush is long gone. That’s the secret.
My husband and I love to roll in around noon on the weekend and settle in for a proper brunch. It’s the same great food, minus the wait in line.
Tip: They don’t take reservations; just add your name to the sign-in sheet at the door if there’s a wait.
What to order
My favorite things on the menu here are the Lobster Benedict and the Fruit Souffle Pancake.
My husband loves their acai bowls and omelets.
The best brunch drink
Aloha Kitchen has a fun lineup of tropical mimosas, and they’re the perfect match for a plate of souffle pancakes. My favorite is the guava mimosa.
Brunching with a group? Order a pitcher of do-it-yourself mimosas and mix and match your tropical juices.
2. San Paolo Pizzeria
Location: 1765 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu, HI 96815
Brunch Hours: Saturday and Sunday, 8 AM to 12:30 PM
San Paolo has been my favorite pizza place in Waikiki for a while now, and it’s one of our go-to spots for dinner.
Read More: From Casual Date Nights to Special Occasions, Here Are My 11 Favorite Restaurants on Oahu
So when they started serving weekend brunch, I couldn’t wait to try it.
San Paolo blends Italian tradition with Brazilian heritage, and that same mix carries over to the brunch menu. You’ll find American brunch classics with a Brazilian twist. Think Catupiry cheese, Calabresa sausage, and a pão de queijo waffle.
It’s a fresh take on brunch you won’t find anywhere else in Waikiki.
What to order
The Bacon & Mozzarella Eggs Benedict is my pick. It’s rich, cheesy, and exactly what brunch should be. And it comes with a side salad for good measure.
The Avocado Toast is packed with flavor, and it’s a lighter option if you’re saving room for pizza later.
For something heartier, go for the Calabresa & Catupiry Sandwich. The smoky Brazilian sausage and creamy Catupiry cheese make a perfect combination.
The best brunch drink
San Paolo pours mimosas and a classic Bloody Mary. But my favorite brunch drink here is the Irish Coffee. It’s smooth, warming, and the perfect way to ease into a lazy weekend morning.
3. Chart House Waikiki
Location: 1765 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu, HI 96815
Brunch Hours: Sunday only, 10 AM to 2 PM
Chart House is a Waikiki classic. Legendary surfer Joey Cabell opened it back in 1968, and it’s been a gathering spot for locals and visitors ever since.
We already love it for happy hour, but Sunday brunch has become one of my favorite reasons to visit.
Read More: The 7 Best Happy Hours in Waikiki for Deals with a View 🍸
The dining room overlooks the Ala Wai Boat Harbor, where you can watch the boats bob in the marina while enjoying your brunch.
Reservations are recommended but not required. Since brunch is only served on Sundays, I’d book ahead if you have your heart set on a specific time, but we’ve never had a problem walking right in.
What to order
My husband loves the omelets, and “huge” doesn’t quite do them justice. Come hungry.
My favorite thing on the menu is the Crab Cake Benedict. It’s rich, indulgent, and exactly the kind of dish that makes brunch worth waiting for all week.
The best brunch drink
Chart House is famous for its Guy Tai. But on Sundays, the drink to order is the Breakfast Mai Tai. It’s a special brunch version of the classic, and it’s exactly as fun as it sounds.
4. Hau Tree
Location: Kaimana Beach Hotel, 2863 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
Brunch Hours: Weekdays – 8 AM to 1:30 PM, Weekends – 7:30 AM to 1:30 PM
If you want brunch with your toes practically in the sand, Hau Tree is the spot.
Not to be confused with the Hau Tree bar in the Hilton Hawaiian Village, this cozy spot is tucked inside the Kaimana Beach Hotel at the quiet (Diamond Head) end of Waikiki. The open-air restaurant sits right on Kaimana Beach under the shade of sprawling hau trees.
It’s a little removed from the hustle of central Waikiki, and that’s exactly what makes it special. The water is calm, the breeze is steady, and the view might be the best of any brunch spot in town.
Hau Tree takes reservations, and I recommend booking ahead, especially on weekends. Ask for a table near the sand for the best views.
What to order
The Eggs Benedict here is amazing, and it’s a must if you’re a Benny fan (and I think you can tell from this post that I am!).
If you’ve got a sweet tooth, get the Calamansi Ricotta Pancakes. Calamansi is a bright, tangy citrus that cuts through the richness of the ricotta. They’re light, fluffy, and just the right amount of tart.
The best brunch drink
Hau Tree makes a delicious Mai Tai. Sipping one with an oceanfront view is about as Hawaiian as brunch gets.
5. Earls Kitchen + Bar Waikiki
Location: 2280 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
Brunch Hours: Saturday and Sunday, 10 AM to 2 PM
Located in the heart of the Waikiki hotel zone, we love Earls for happy hour. And it turns out they serve a pretty terrific weekend brunch, too.
While it doesn’t have a view, the open-air walls let the trade winds drift through, and the lush, tropical space feels like a relaxed island escape just steps from the beach.
Brunch runs until 2 PM, so this is the place for serious sleep-in days. However, it pays to show up between 10 AM and 12 PM. Brunch early birds get discounted prices with the “Brunch Happy Hour” menu (which obviously combines two of my favorite things!).
What to order
The Guava Pineapple Pancake is delicious and one of the more unique options on the menu here. It’s a tropical twist on a classic, and it tastes like vacation on a plate.
My husband is a big fan of the Nashville Crispy Chicken & Waffles. It’s crispy, spicy, and sweet all at once.
The best brunch drink
With a full bar at Earl’s, you’ll find the obvious brunch favorites like mimosas and Bloody Marys. But the Brunch Happy Hour menu also includes martinis and, my pick, the Strawberry Cosmopolitan.
6. Castro’s Waikiki
Location: 2113 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
Brunch Hours: 7 AM to 1 PM
Castro’s is a local favorite, and most visitors walk right past it on their way to Eggs n Things down Saratoga Road. Don’t be one of those visitors.
Chef and owner Luis Castro grew up in Bogotá, Colombia, and cooked in some of Waikiki’s top restaurants before opening his own place. His Latin-inspired menu leans on local ingredients, from Hawaii-raised pork to fresh farmers market fruit.
The space is small, colorful, and full of personality, with Latin music and bold colors that feel a world away from the tourist spots next door.
What to order
My favorite dish here is the Monte Castro Sandwich. Served on French toast bread, it’s loaded with smoked brisket, local eggs, aged cheddar, house-pickled cucumber, and chipotle aioli, topped with a caramel rum sauce.
The Croque Señorita is a close second. It’s local pork layered on brioche, topped with a baked egg and Gruyère Mornay sauce, and finished with guava jam and a lilikoi yuzu gel.
But the real star might be the fresh local fruit served on the side. Between the passionfruit, papaya, and whatever else is in season, it’s practically a meal in itself.
Come hungry. The portions here are huge.
The best brunch drink
There are no brunch cocktails here; instead, Castro’s is famous for excellent coffee drinks. Pair your brunch with a Cubanito, a Cortadito, or a creamy Cafe Con Leche.
7. Munch N Brunch Cafe
Location: 438 Hobron Lane, Honolulu, HI 96815
Brunch Hours: 7 AM to 2 PM
Munch N Brunch started as one of the most popular breakfast food trucks in Waikiki. Recently, they also opened a brick-and-mortar location just down the road. The new cafe serves mostly the same menu with a few extra additions.
Don’t worry, the truck is still in business.
But now there’s a second location with indoor seating, which means you can finally enjoy your brunch and air conditioning at the same time.
What to order
The Lilikoi Pancakes are delicious. But it’s the Waikiki B.E.A.S.T. Sandwich and the Hangover Burrito that put this spot on the map.
The B.E.A.S.T. is a monster of a breakfast sandwich. And the Hangover Burrito is exactly what you need after one too many Mai Tais the night before.
The best brunch drink
Like Castro’s, they don’t serve adult beverages here. But no visit to Munch N Brunch is complete without trying one of their iced coffees. The tropical lemonades and smoothies are also a refreshing way to cool off on a hot morning.
Cheers to Brunch in Waikiki! 🥂
And there you have it. My favorite spots for brunch in Waikiki, from Ala Moana to Diamond Head.
Whether you want an oceanfront table, a lively weekend scene, or just a really good breakfast sandwich at noon, there’s a brunch spot on this list for you.
So go ahead and sleep in. Brunch will be waiting.
Still hungry? Here are more of my favorite eats around Oahu:
7 Best Breakfast Spots in Waikiki (according to a local!)
From Casual Date Nights to Special Occasions, Here Are My 11 Favorite Restaurants on Oahu
The 10 Best Cheap Eats in Waikiki (#1 is a beachfront gem!)
The 7 Best Happy Hours in Waikiki for Deals with a View 🍸
17 Delicious Eats on Oahu’s North Shore (Food Trucks, Cafes, & More!)🍤🍍
Oahu’s Sweet 16: From Waikiki to the North Shore, Don’t Miss These Hawaiian Treats 🍧🍦🍩
