13 Hawaii Breakfast Spots Everyone’s Raving About (And You’ll Understand Why)
Waking up in Hawaii should feel like winning the breakfast lottery, and trust me, it does. Across these islands, morning plates arrive loaded with flavors you cannot find anywhere else on the mainland.
I have spent years chasing the perfect stack of pancakes, the crispiest bacon, and those omelets that make you want to high-five the chef.
Every spot on this list has earned its reputation through consistently delicious food, friendly service, and that unmistakable aloha spirit that turns a simple meal into a memory you will replay for months.
1. Koko Head Café (Kaimukī, Oʻahu)
Creative island-style brunch arrives with a playful twist at this Kaimukī favorite. House-baked pastries fill the display case while the open kitchen hums with energy from the moment doors swing open at 7 a.m.
Cheeky plates blend nostalgia with innovation, turning familiar flavors into something worth photographing.
The line outside tells you everything before you even step inside. Locals and visitors queue up willingly because they know what awaits them.
Every dish feels like a love letter to Hawaii, crafted with care and served with genuine warmth that makes the wait worthwhile.
2. Over Easy (Kailua, Oʻahu)
Sunlit tables and farm-fresh ingredients define this Kailua gem on Kuʻulei Road. Breakfast here feels like visiting a friend who happens to cook better than anyone you know.
When the doors open each morning, the rush becomes a happy ritual for regulars who would not dream of starting their day anywhere else.
I stumbled into Over Easy on a lazy Saturday and left plotting my return before I even finished my coffee. Everything tastes like it was picked or made just steps from a farm stand.
Neighborhood comfort radiates from every corner of this welcoming space.
3. Cinnamon’s (Kailua, Oʻahu)
Guava-chiffon-topped pancakes tower over plates at this Kailua classic that has perfected the art of making guests linger.
Eggs Benedict arrives with the kind of hollandaise that convinces you to stay till lunch, even when you planned a quick bite. Daily hours run from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., giving you plenty of time to experience old-school hospitality in a cozy room.
Regulars guard their favorite tables like treasures. The menu reads like a greatest hits album of breakfast comfort. Every visit reinforces why this spot has remained beloved for so many years.
4. Liliha Bakery (multiple Oʻahu locations)
Counter-seat breakfasts and grilled butter rolls have made this bakery a legend across multiple Oʻahu locations.
Early birds almost always find a seat because the bakery operates several spots around town. Plates arrive hot and generous, fueling mornings with the kind of comfort that keeps people coming back decade after decade.
Leaving without a box of Coco Puffs for later feels like a missed opportunity. The aroma of fresh baking fills the air before you even walk through the door. Simple pleasures rule here, served with efficiency and a smile.
5. Café Kaila (Honolulu/Market City, Oʻahu)
Scratch-made waffles and French toast dominate the menu at this cheerful Market City spot locals swear by.
Omelets arrive fluffy and loaded, making every bite feel like a small celebration. The room radiates warmth and friendliness, turning strangers into smiling neighbors over shared tables.
Come hungry because portion sizes do not disappoint. I left my first visit already plotting my next order before the plate was clean.
Café Kaila understands that breakfast should feel special, not rushed, and every detail reflects that philosophy beautifully.
6. Kihei Caffe (Kīhei, Maui)
Up with the surfers at 5 a.m., this breezy Kīhei staple piles hearty plates before the sun climbs high.
Grab a seat with your coffee and watch South Maui shake off sleep while your breakfast arrives hot and generous. The vibe stays casual and welcoming, perfect for fueling up before a day exploring the island.
Locals know this spot serves serious value alongside serious flavor. Portions could feed two if you are not particularly hungry.
Early risers get rewarded with the best seats and the freshest morning energy buzzing through the cafe.
7. The Gazebo (Napili, Maui)
Ocean-edge breakfasts taste like vacation at this beloved Napili ritual spot. Towering pancakes and skillet plates arrive with waves providing the soundtrack, creating a sensory experience that defines island mornings.
Going early secures your spot because word has spread about this northwest shore treasure.
I waited nearly an hour once and regretted nothing when my plate finally landed. The view alone could justify the visit, but the food seals the deal.
Every bite feels like a postcard you can taste, making this a must-visit for anyone exploring Maui.
8. Tasty Crust (Wailuku, Maui)
A 1942 diner where pancakes rule the morning and regulars trade stories across the counter like old friends.
Doors open at 6 a.m., welcoming early birds into a space that has barely changed in decades. Breakfast vibes run all day here, proving that good food never goes out of style.
Stepping inside feels like traveling back to simpler times. The menu stays straightforward, focusing on classics done right rather than chasing trends.
Tasty Crust earns its name with every golden-brown stack that leaves the kitchen.
9. Ken’s House of Pancakes (Hilo, Hawaiʻi Island)
A Big Island landmark serving plate-size breakfasts from first light through evening, making hunger obsolete any time of day.
Saimin steam and coconut-syrup sweetness drift through the room, creating an atmosphere that feels uniquely Hawaiian. This Hilo institution has fed generations of families, travelers, and late-night adventurers seeking comfort food.
The menu spans pages because variety matters here. Pancakes arrive big enough to share, though you probably will not want to. Ken’s understands that breakfast cravings do not follow a schedule, so neither do they.
10. Hawaiian Style Café (Hilo & Waimea, Hawaiʻi Island)
Legendary Hawaiian-portion breakfasts make friends of strangers at this Big Island favorite with locations in both Hilo and Waimea. Loco mocos arrive loaded with gravy that creates memories lasting all day.
Pancakes stack high enough to challenge even the heartiest appetites, proving that bigger really can be better.
First-timers always look shocked when their plates arrive. I watched a couple share one order and still leave satisfied.
The cafe embraces the island tradition of generous hospitality, serving food that fuels adventures and creates stories worth retelling.
11. Island Lava Java (Kailua-Kona & Waikoloa, Hawaiʻi Island)
Ocean-view brunch with Kona coffee in its hometown creates the perfect island morning. Sun spills across your table while mac-nut pancakes arrive golden and fragrant, making time slow to island speed.
Locations in both Kailua-Kona and Waikoloa mean you can enjoy this experience from multiple stunning vantage points.
Sipping locally roasted coffee while watching waves roll in feels almost therapeutic. The menu balances classic breakfast comfort with creative island touches.
Island Lava Java proves that location and flavor can combine into something truly memorable.
12. Kountry Kitchen (Kapa’a, Kauaʻi)
Plate-size mac-nut pancakes and Kalua pork Benedict define mornings in the heart of Old Kapa’a Town.
Strong coffee fuels the wait because the line outside has become part of the charm. Coming early improves your odds, though locals will tell you the food makes any wait worthwhile.
I arrived at the opening once and still found a queue of eager breakfast seekers ahead of me. The energy stays positive because everyone knows what awaits them inside.
Kountry Kitchen delivers island flavors with portions that respect your appetite and your wallet.
13. Java Kai (Kapa’a & Kōloa, Kauaʻi)
House-roasted coffee and breakfast burritos fuel beach days at this bright surf-town favorite with locations in both Kapa’a and Kōloa.
Bowls and pastries round out the menu from open to early afternoon, providing options for every morning mood. Colors pop throughout the space, matching the energy of the island adventures waiting outside.
Grabbing breakfast here feels like the perfect start to exploring Kauaʻi. The coffee tastes noticeably fresher because they roast it themselves.
Java Kai understands that mornings should taste good and feel easy, delivering both without compromise.