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Kaya's Kitchen

4.7 (251 reviews)
Closed • 7:00 am - 6:00 pm

Kaya's Kitchen Photos

KAYA'S KITCHEN ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Divey
Casual
Moderate noise
Outdoor seating

Recommended Reviews - Kaya's Kitchen

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Reviews With Photos

Loco moco omelette
Ashley W.

Amazing breakfast, amazing price! Kaya's kitchen is a must visit on north shore for breakfast

Dan A.

I finally visited Kaya's Kitchen in Punalu'u - situated inside Kaya's Store, which is an old-fashioned general store Local style plate lunches with daily specials available.I tried their Guava Smoked Pork Plate. It was excellent but the side of pickled cucumbers were a surprise, unwanted as I don't care for cucumbers. Open every day from 700a till 700p. Parking on two sides adjacent to the building. A coyple of food trucks align the Ka'a'awa side and adjacent is a canopy covered picnic table area. The counter has quick bites and I also grabbed a spam musubi. Locals to tourists is about 1:1 ratio.

What's left of the furukakae garlic chicken
Keeba O.

Stumbled on this cute spot! Had to kill time and drove along the highway when the hunger pangs hit. Did a quick search and found this gem! Got good reviews so I decided to try it out. Hit the spot for sure! Service was quick and people were super friendly. The aloha vibe is strong here. Picked up snacks in the connected store (Kaya's Store). Would come back!

Steak combo plate with shrimp.

We tried this place after a long day and it hit the spot. We got the steak plate combo with half shrimp. We asked the steak to be cooked medium rare but it came well done- but we didn't care because it still tasted so good. The shrimp was so flavorful and the Mac salad was up to par. Honestly the shrimp was really good, i think it beats jennys shrimp truck and other shrimp places we've tried. Service was average/helpful! Overall, the plate felt like home. Bathroom is a porta potty on the side. If we had more time, we would've stopped by here again. We paired it with some beers.

Ahi Cheese omelet with chili aioli
Shea H.

Holy hell - one of the best breakfasts I've had in awhile!! I had the Ahi Cheese omelette with the chili aioli (instead of the wasabi aioli it come with, I don't like wasabi). My husband had the Loco Moco omelette, which he loved till he tried mine! Little kitchen window inside of a small convenience store. We will def be back!! Super sweet staff and fantastic food! Large portions too!

Mac salad (perhaps with tuna)
Abby W.

I was picking up Thai at the food truck next door when I decided to get some mac salad at Kaya's. I'd heard it was good and I'm never one to pass up a mac salad when I'm in Hawaii. While I did like this one, my vegetarian boyfriend wasn't thrilled by what we think was tuna in it. It wasn't listed on the menu as having tuna in it but it definitely looked like tuna and we've seen a few other reviews that say the same. It's now made him ask throughout the islands if the mac salad has tuna and he's often given weird looks but better safe than sorry for him. I, however, would love to come back and get both the mac salad and try other dishes in the future.

Roast Pork Plate

Went and got a couple things with my family, and I personally got the Roast Pork Plate. The food tasted amazing, and even though it was a mini version, it still filled up my stomach nicely. It was only around less than 10 minutes of waiting for 3 food items and the tables outside were ok, with the canopy providing good shade from the sun but lots of flies! The proportions were on point with the pork & gravy to rice ratio, and the gravy added an amazing saucy taste. The pork was cooked well and was tender with no chewy or rough parts with a good taste. The rice itself was cooked nicely and each grain separated nicely in my mouth. The Mac salad tasted pretty good, for me it was only the tiniest amount of too sweet for me, but I do wish there was slightly more mac salad. Overall I liked the food a lot!

We had the pork cutlet plate and the Surf and Turf. Everything was made to perfection.

The food was amazing!!!! We stopped here on a whim. Just driving down the coast and I looked it up and thought it be a great place to eat. It absolutely was.

Garlic shrimp!
Fabiana E.

We always stay across the street from Kaya's and it's become a regular spot daily for snack, drinks and the food! The food is downright traditional Hawaiian food. Beats all the food trucks around! Everyone is super kind and very welcoming!

Guava pork and coconut shrimp combo plate with an over easy egg and spam masubi on the side
Julia J.

Kaya's was recommended to my boyfriend and we added it to our list of foods to try while spending time in the north shore. We are big foodies, so we were thrilled when we tried the plate (guava pork and coconut shrimp combo). Also added an egg to the side. It was one of our top food stops of the trip. I highly recommend. Spam masubi was also good! Had teriyaki sauce on it which is my favorite. All staff were so nice and helped us pick an option since there are so many good ones. Can't wait to go back on our next trip to the north shore!!

Best home cooked food on the island, seriously ! It's budget friendly, you won't leave hungry, and the service is equally amazing. We love this place !

We recently visited the island and quickly fell in love with Kaya's Kitchen. The staff is very friendly and the food is Amazing. We will definitely be back. I recommend trying everything on the menu at least once.

Cheese omelette

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Reviews are largely positive. People highlight the flavorful local food, friendly staff, and large portions. The casual outdoor seating is also appreciated.

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3 years ago

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5 years ago

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2 years ago

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Vern H.

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3 years ago

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Vern H.

Thanks Rissa. Glad you enjoyed the Ai and Furikake Garlic Chicken.

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4 years ago

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Vern H.

Thank you for finding our kitchen! We strive to keep it yummy!

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2 years ago

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3 years ago

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Vern H.

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3 years ago

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Vern H.

Thanks for supporting our family business.

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

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Vern H.

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2 years ago

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Vern H.

Thanks Jason. Glad you enjoyed your breakfast. Come again soon.

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3 years ago

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Vern H.

Thanks Sebastian. Yes, the Guava Smoke Meat is a very popular item.

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3 years ago

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Vern H.

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2 years ago

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Vern H.

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4 years ago

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Vern H.

Thank you for visiting us!

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2 years ago

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Vern H.

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1 year ago

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2 years ago

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4 years ago

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Vern H.

Thank you so much! We are happy you enjoyed our food!

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4 years ago

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4 years ago

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4 years ago

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Vern H.

Thank you for visiting us!

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3 years ago

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Vern H.

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1 year ago

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7 years ago

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5 years ago

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3 years ago

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2 years ago

Shhhhh...it's a secret spot that serves grandma's home style cooking. Not fast food. So good you gotta try.

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Vern H.

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2 years ago

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Vern H.

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3 years ago

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Vern H.

Thanks for your support Richard.

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2 years ago

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Vern H.

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

We had the guava smoked pork and ahi on their recommendation and it was super delicious. It was enough for the two of us for lunch.

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4 years ago

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2 years ago

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4 years ago

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4 years ago

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Page 2 of 7

Kaya's Kitchen Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Kaya's Kitchen

Best restaurant for thanksgiving dinner?

Unfortunately, not us. LeiLei's at Turtle Bay Resort has the best food in Thanksgiving dinners. Turkey, Lamb, Ham, etc.

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Papa Ole's - Pulehu Short Ribs

Papa Ole's

4.5(1.5k reviews)
2.8 mi
•$$

Papa Ole's is a spot I heard about from a friend, and it hasn't disappointed me yet. It feels like…read morea small mom and pop type place that locals enjoy, which is always a good sign. My personal favorite is the kalbi ribs. They've got that backyard BBQ taste that feels like a homecooked meal, and it's usually what I end up ordering. Simple, comforting, and it just hits. I also love grabbing food here and taking it down the street to eat at the beach. It's one of those meals that feels even better when you're eating it by the water. I just read that they may be closing soon, and if that's true, thank you for all the delicious meals over the years and wishing the team nothing but the best moving forward.

The closing date is set, December 15, 2025…read more Their regulars have stepped up their visits while locals living farther away are making their final pilgrimages. By now, anyone who is a fan knows their food so rather than another review, some tips for securing that last taste. 1. They are in a cellular dead zone. All calls made to their number from a cell phone will fail to connect. You MUST call using a land line phone (those things plugged in the wall with physical buttons to press). BUT... 2. They do not answer their phone if they are busy helping customers. Good luck. SO... 3. Go early and order in person. Popular items like the roast pork and hamburger steak sell out by 10am. Others like the kalbi and pulehu shrot ribs by 11:30. 4. Be patient. The wait time is 45min - 1hr. It is accurate. Use the time to grab poke and drinks in neighboring Laie or Kahuku. It's all worth it. Same loaded plates. Same nostalgic taste. Same aloha delivered with a smile. One last time.

Photos
Papa Ole's - Papa Ole's Menu

Papa Ole's Menu

Papa Ole's - Papa Ole's Sign

Papa Ole's Sign

Papa Ole's - Jumbo Shrimp Plate

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Jumbo Shrimp Plate

A Country Wok - Garlic Shrimp

A Country Wok

5.0(5 reviews)
0.0 mi

We visited last weekend on Easter Sunday, and it was busy! Everything is prepared fresh to order,…read moreso it's worth the wait, for sure. My husband and I ordered the Mongolian beef with ahi cakes, the char siu with ahi cakes, and the Teri burger. We started with the Teri burger, which was served with a pineapple slaw on top. At first I was a little apprehensive, but it was absolutely delicious. Mild but flavorful, the slaw was the yin to the burgers yang - a perfect combination. The patty was thick and juicy, which was also completely unexpected. The Mongolian beef was well-executed - a good balance of meat and bell peppers; I was expecting this dish to be too spicy for me, but I found it to be just right. The ahi cakes were huge, so you would think they would be dry...you would also be wrong. They were perfectly dense while still moist, with the perfect aioli drizzled on top. The bonus? You get two! I didn't try the char siu, but my husband said it hit the spot. While char siu can sometimes be greasy, this was anything but. The pork was wok fried with a combination of fresh veggies, and was the perfect complement to the ahi cakes. The drive was long but scenic, and this food truck is right across the street from the ocean. Beautiful views, mouth-watering food, and great service (thanks, Jon!) make this place a must.

Probably the best ahi cakes I've ever had. Wish the wasabi aioli had more wasabi, but they're…read moredelicious even without sauce. The garlic shrimp was actually perfect too. I didn't even feel hungry since we went right when they opened at 10am, but I could not stop eating haha! I don't write many reviews, but I'm trying to do better, and this food truck really earned it. Great option from Windward side, not too far, gorgeous drive. The guy/owner working there was really funny and friendly too. Super good vibes. Right next to Kaya's so we were able to grab some drinks and other goodies. Clean tables and hand wash station right across from the water. Definitely recommend!!

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A Country Wok - Char siu omelette

Char siu omelette

A Country Wok - Teri hamburger

Teri hamburger

A Country Wok - Side view from the parking area

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Side view from the parking area

Walsh  Farm Shrimp Express

Walsh Farm Shrimp Express

3.3(3 reviews)
1.7 mi
•$$

I am so sorry that Thomas had such a bad experience at the Shrimp Express! I live on the windward…read moreside and of all the places (I think there are 6) to eat this one is my casual favorite! I personally am not a big shrimp fan but I love the fish & chips and there hamburger is nothing short of delicious! They make real maui onion rings and the portions are certainly large. We usually order a side of onion rings & a hamburger to split because the burgers are so big. The staff is very friendly and must of been having a bad day when he was there or something because it is a family owned / run place and they are very nice people that take great pride in the quality of food & service. I would like to tell Thomas to give the Shrimp Express another try! I would certainly recomend this place to anyone who is looking for an inexpensive, casual meal for around 10.00 - 15.00. It also has the only bar on the windward side from Haleiwa to Kaaawa! So stop in for a beer with a friendly local crowd, you are sure to have a few laughs!

We drove around the island and stopped at this food truck for lunch. Best, freshest shrimp we've…read moreever had! SO fresh, and cooked to order (so you'll have to wait a few minutes - it's worth it!) We had garlic shrimp and plain deep fried shrimp, both were out of this world good! Fries and salad (which included starfruit) were good too! We live a long ways from Haleiwa but will make the drive back just to get lunch here. Generous servings, reasonable prices, very friendly service.

Kaya's Kitchen - hawaiian - Updated October 2026

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