The Windward Side of Oahu (the island’s eastern coast stretching from Makapuu up to Kualoa Ranch) is known for its lush green landscapes, a slower pace of life, and some of the most beautiful beaches you’ll find anywhere. Nothing says “laid back living” quite like a relaxing brunch on the weekend paired with beach time, whether that means getting your feet wet during an early morning beach walk or enjoying the sand, sun and blue water after a mid (or late) morning meal!
The Windward Side is home to a number of popular breakfast spots, like Cinnamon’s and Boots & Kimo’s in Kailua and Koa Pancake House in Kaneohe, but this list is specific to restaurants with specific brunch menus or that serve breakfast and lunch options throughout the morning.
Ai Love Nalo Cafe
This homey cafe in Waimanalo serves a 100% vegan, 99% gluten free menu that has gotten rave reviews over the last couple years. Partnering with farms across Windward Oahu, Ai Love Nalo uses local, organic produce whenever it’s available and imported organic produce when local is unavailable. They’ve managed to create plant-based versions of traditional Hawaiian dishes that are meat-heavy, and diners (from vegans to carnivores) can’t get enough of them. A favorite local dish is the Oh Wow Lau’lau, traditionally pork wrapped in taro leaves. Their version is completely vegan, made with slow roasted vegetables, homemade sauce, and tofu poke. The Medi Bowl, another favorite, consists of taro falafel, beet hummus, millet tabouleh and fire roasted baba ganoush covered in housemade, vegan balsamic dressing. Brunch options include gluten free waffles with local fruit and vegan whipped cream and a chia seed parfait layered with local fruit and homemade granola. THe menu also offers smoothies, acai bowls, kombucha and cold brew coffee. Open from 10:30am – 4:00pm on the weekends, this is a perfect place to grab a satisfying, healthy meal. Fuel up after a morning surf session at Sandy’s or Makapuu, snorkeling Hanauma Bay, hiking Koko Head, or on your way around the island heading to the North Shore!
41-1025 Kalanianaole Hwy, Waimanalo
(808) 888-9102
www.ailovenalo.com
Cactus
Located at the entrance to Kallua Town, Cactus specializes in traditional dishes from Central and South America that incorporate fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. Brunch is served on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00am – 2:00pm and features dishes and drinks with a Latin flair. The Nacho Libre combines homemade turkey chorizo, eggs and vegetables with tortilla chips and avocado-tomatillo salsa, topped with queso fresco and chipotle crema. Another popular dish, the Cactus Torrejas, is a french toast dish made with custard-dipped spice bread, topped with caramelized pineapple and macadamia nut butter.
Cactus uses only local, cage free eggs! The breakfast drink menu is full of creative cocktails that will help get you into the weekend mode, if you’re not there already. Try a Cactus Mimosa, or one of their takes on the Bloody Mary, like the spicy Hail Mary! and Ave Maria!
767 Kailua Road, Kailua
(808) 261-1000
www.cactusbistro.com
Crepes No Ka Oi
This popular Kailua restaurant serves an impressively wide selection of gourmet crepes all day long, with indoor and outdoor seating available. Breakfast options like the Crepes Benedict, poached eggs, black forest ham and hollandaise sauce, and the Southwest, melted colby jack cheese, scrambled eggs, tomatoes, and your choice of turkey breast or black forest ham, will satisfy anyone looking for a traditional breakfast. Those looking beyond a standard morning meal, however, can choose from the many sweet and savory options. Savory menu favorites include The Godfather, with mozzarella, tomatoes, fresh basil, and a balsamic vinegar and olive oil drizzle, and the Get Mushy, with colby jack cheese, mushrooms, turkey breast or black forest ham and homemade roasted garlic butter. Anyone with a sweet tooth, or who wants to end the meal with dessert, can choose from tempting dishes such as the Cookie Monster, filled with crushed Oreos, fresh strawberries and vanilla ice cream, the Lovers Delight, with fresh strawberries, bananas and Nutella, and the Banana Split, with housemade Hawaiian sea salt caramel, macadamia nuts, and your choice of dark, milk or white chocolate.
With just a few exceptions, the menu items are served all day long, and diners can make any crepe gluten free for an additional $2. To accompany your meal, Crepes No Ka Oi offers a variety of loose leaf teas, coffee and espresso drinks, local beers and mimosas!
143 Hekili Street, Kailua
(808) 263-4088
www.crepesnokaoi.com
Haleiwa Joe’s
Located in the Haiku Gardens section of Kaneohe, this is truly a locals favorite hidden gem! Escape the world for a bit, as you take in the lush Koolau Mountains, lily ponds and gardens blooming with tropical flowers. The brunch buffet is served on Sundays from 9:00am – 2:00pm, and offers a wide variety of options that include traditional dishes, local favorites, and the super popular Haleiwa Joe’s prime rib. The egg dishes, breakfast meats like bacon, link sausage, and portuguese sausage, breads, muffins, fruit and salads would be enough to satisfy most diners, but the brunch buffet offers more! There’s a made-to-order omelette station, prime rib carving station, and full bar offering wines, beers and cocktails. There’s also a dessert section in case you need something sweet to make your meal complete.
Haleiwa Joe’s in Kaneohe is a good idea anytime, but there are benefits to going for the Sunday brunch. The rest of the week, the restaurant is only open in the evenings, so if you get there after the sun sets, you’ll miss the amazing views. However, during brunch, the scenery is on full display. In addition, every evening there is a limited number of prime rib dishes, and it sells out early. But during brunch, you’re able to try the prime rib – and go back for more if you like!
46-336 Haiku Road, Kaneohe
(808) 247-6671
www.haleiwajoes.com
Over Easy
Kailua’s newest breakfast joint, open for just one year, came out with a bang and its popularity has been growing ever since! Over Easy serves breakfast and lunch everyday (they’re closed on Mondays) and is open from 7:00am – 1:30pm on the weekends. Breakfast is served all day; the lunch menu begins at 11:00. They’ve earned a reputation for generous portions, delicious dishes you can’t stop eating, and giving local flavors a refined touch. For instance, the Brunch Bowl is melds of eggs, avocado and spinach with homemade yogurt, tomato jam, candied bacon and local microgreens, while the Kailua Eggs features a bacon cabbage broth, portuguese sausage and rice. The menu is limited, but the owners truly believe in quality over quantity. It’s almost guaranteed that you won’t leave hungry or disappointed. The space, with indoor and outdoor eating, is also limited and they don’t take reservations. On the weekend, expect a wait, but trust us, the food is well worth it!
418 Kuulei Road, Kailua
(808) 260-1732
www.overeasyhi.com
Uahi Island Grill
For 10 years, Uahi Island Grill has been wowing diners with their delicious take on homestyle comfort food that uses fresh, local meat and produce. Their Sunday brunch menu, served from 10:00am – 2:00pm, features a variety of breakfast and lunch dishes, with traditional and local flavors, so there’s something for everyone! From the Belgian Waffles with Garlic Chicken, to unique omelette and biscuit dishes like the Korean Steak Omelette and the Kalua Pork Biscuit, to sandwiches and lunch plates, it can be hard to order just one thing! If you’re feeling like a drink will help increase your appetite, choose from a variety of wines and local beers, or try a specialty cocktail like the Kimchi Bloody Mary, Li Hing Mangotini, or Cucumber Calamansi Mule.
33 Aulike Street
(808) 266-4646
www.uahiislandgrill.com
If your weekend plans include quality time with friends and family, recuperation after a busy, stressful week, or adventure and with hikes, kayaking, or surfing, getting your brunch on at any of these Windward favorites will add extra flavor to your weekend fun!