Top 10 Must Try Food Trucks When Visiting Oʻahu

Hawaiian cuisine isn’t found in fancy restaurants, it lives in tiny little trucks, set up under the sun and wind, always with mouthwatering smells billowing out and long, winding lines of hungry people. Below are 10 food trucks you have to try to the very last one, because each is a “soul specialty” of the island.

1. Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck

Located at 56‑505 Kamehameha Hwy, Kahuku, HI 96731, Giovanni’s is a modest little truck, covered with tourists’ signatures, but it’s the smell of sizzling garlic and hot butter wafting from afar that’s become its signature mark.
Giovanni’s opens from 10:30 AM to 6:30 PM every day, but in reality, the sheer number of customers often means the main dish sells out early. So, if you want the full experience, come before the rush.

The star here is the Garlic Butter Shrimp. The shrimp are carefully chosen: big, firm, and meaty sautéed with butter and garlic just until cooked, keeping the perfect balance of sweetness and richness. Meals are served plate lunch-style: with sticky white rice and macaroni salad, creating a harmonious combo of flavors and satisfying fullness.

Giovanni's food truck famous for the Garlic Butter Shrimp

In addition to the main dish, diners can choose the Shrimp Scampi with a lighter lemon-herb twist, or the Hot & Spicy Shrimp, a fiery version for spice lovers. Everything is simply prepared but spot-on in flavor, respecting the freshness of the ingredients and the local culinary style.

And if you’re in Honolulu, you can still enjoy this flavor at their new location at 458 Keawe St, 2nd floor of H‑Mart.

2. Aji Limo

Located by the roadside near Shark’s Cove, Aji Limo Truck is famous for its poke bowls: light, refreshing, and distinctly modern Hawaiian.

Unlike traditional seafood trucks, Aji Limo focuses on poke bowls, a dish of raw fish and rice rooted in local culture, but fused here with flavors from Japan, Peru, and Hawaii. Each bowl is a symphony of color and taste: diced fresh tuna or salmon laid over lightly vinegared sushi rice, topped with mango, avocado, veggies, and a house-made sweet-sour sauce. The richness of the fish, the crunch of the veggies, and the tangy kick of the sauce make it not only non-greasy but increasingly addictive.

A food truck with bright colors

3. Surf N Salsa

Hidden away in the North Shore, Surf N Salsa is one of the rare food trucks that brings bold Mexican flavors, carefully tailored to local tastes and rhythms.

The highlight here lies in the tacos and burritos made with fresh daily ingredients. The crispy fish taco stands out the most. The fish is just-right seasoned and deep-fried golden, paired with fresh salad, mild spicy sauce, and soft tortillas.

The burritos are another crowd favorite. Oversized and stuffed with grilled meat, rice, beans, and cheese, all neatly wrapped in warm tortillas. This combo not only fills you up but also refuels you perfectly after surfing, swimming, or hiking.

Tacos and Burritos as Bold as the Ocean

4. North Shore Crepes

Right along the main road of North Shore sits North Shore Crepes Café, one of the most unique food trucks on Oʻahu thanks to a classic Volkswagen bus transformed into a mobile kitchen with serious character. It’s the perfect pit stop for those craving a refined light meal mid-journey.

North Shore Crepes Café

The menu is simple yet rich, with two clear paths: savory and sweet crepes. The most raved-about dish is the garlic butter shrimp crepe, with thin, lightly crispy crepes wrapping hot shrimp sautéed in butter and garlic, rich, aromatic but never overwhelming.

For dessert fans, the Nutella banana strawberry crepe is a must-try. Melted Nutella blends with ripe banana and fresh strawberries for a naturally sweet flavor. Add a scoop of cold whipped cream, and the whole thing is elevated to a simple yet elegant dish.

5. Haleʻiwa Seafood

Among the many street food choices in North Shore, Haleʻiwa Seafood stands out thanks to top-notch ingredients and thoughtful preparation. The menu revolves around fish and shrimp done Hawaiian style. The most beloved dish might be the coconut-glazed fried mahi-mahi: lightly crispy outside, sweet and juicy inside, coated in a rich but not cloying coconut sauce. Other great picks include crispy coconut shrimp and spicy grilled blackfish.

A big plus here is the signature dipping sauce, a blend of creamy coconut and tangy Hawaiian lime which lifts the seafood’s natural sweetness without overpowering it. A simple meal, but one that leaves a lasting impression.

If you want to eat seafood, come Haleʻiwa Seafood 

6. Crispy Grindz

Located in the North Shore area, Crispy Grindz is a deeply personal food truck run by a Brazilian family. The two signature dishes acai bowl and pastel are classic Brazilian street food, slightly adapted to fit Hawaiian palates.

The acai bowl is served ice-cold, with a velvety acai smoothie and a variety of toppings like banana, fresh strawberries, crunchy granola, and a drizzle of honey for natural sweetness and a refreshing finish.

Crispy Grindz is a deeply personal food truck run by a Brazilian family

Meanwhile, Brazil’s famous Pastel pastry offers a contrasting yet complementary experience. The pastry is rolled out thinly and fried to a golden brown, and filled with cheese, sausage or ham of your choice. Served hot, Pastel is absolutely delicious: crispy on the outside, flavorful on the inside, perfect for a light meal without feeling heavy.

7. The Elephant Shack

In a sea of grilled shrimp, fried fish, and poke bowls, The Elephant Shack brings something different: Thai cuisine.

Its highlight dishes include rich, creamy yellow curry bursting with coconut milk and traditional spices, warm and well-balanced without being too sharp. The Pad Thai here hits that rare harmony of sour, sweet, and spicy, with perfectly cooked noodles, tofu, egg, sprouts, and tamarind sauce. For plant-based eaters, the Ganesha Vegan dish is a wholesome and full-flavored choice.

The Elephant Shack Brings a Different Taste of Hawaii

8. Pupukea Grill

Near Pupukea Beach, Pupukea Grill is modest in appearance but leaves a strong impression with its fusion-style menu.

It blends modern culinary techniques with traditional Hawaiian ingredients. Signature dishes include the spicy tuna bowl - lightly spicy raw tuna over rice with veggies and a bold sauce and spicy tuna quesadilla, a fun fusion between Mexican cuisine and island soul. Every dish is made from fresh ingredients, served in generous, no-fuss portions that leave you full but not stuffed.

Pupukea Grill

9. Kalena’s Hut

Kalena’s Hut is known for “Hungry Man”-style meals: big portions, balanced nutrients, all handmade from fresh ingredients. The most popular is the teriyaki chicken marinated in rich sauce and grilled just right, releasing that signature caramelized-sauce-meets-charcoal aroma.

After the main dish, diners often go for the pani popo: soft bread rolls soaked in creamy coconut milk sauce, a gentle dessert that ends your meal on a sweet, island-style note. Everything here is handcrafted, from marinade to plating just like a true homemade meal should be.

Kalena’s Hut

10. Haleiwa Bowls

With just two main offerings: acai bowls and smoothies, Haleiwa Bowls is the perfect stop for a morning treat or mid-day refreshment.

Their acai bowls are praised for their freshness, smooth texture, and balanced consistency. The acai is blended just right, cold but not frozen hard, cool and refreshing without being icy. The toppings are generous and thoughtfully chosen: banana, strawberries, sliced almonds, crunchy granola, and a drizzle of pure honey, just sweet enough, just cooling enough.

Smoothies are a great option too if you need a quick, nutritious snack especially after working out or before a surf session.

If you’re planning your Oʻahu itinerary, don’t just think of Waikiki or those fancy overpriced restaurants. Honestly, it’s these humble little roadside food trucks that hold the real soul of the island’s cuisine. Cheap, delicious, and authentically Hawaiian.