Highway Inn Kaka'ako
Hawaii
Try visiting on a Thursday evening to enjoy live local music while dining.
Highway Inn Kaka'ako offers a warm, inviting atmosphere that embodies the spirit of Hawaii, making it an excellent spot for enjoying traditional Hawaiian cuisine. Situated in the vibrant district of Kaka'ako in Honolulu, this restaurant provides guests with an opportunity to savor authentic island flavors. Diners can expect a menu filled with Hawaiian delights such as laulau, a classic dish handcrafted with care and years of tradition.
The restaurant is well-suited for groups, families, and individuals eager to experience local dining in a casual setting. The service reflects traditional Hawaiian hospitality, focusing on creating a comfortable experience for every guest. Besides dine-in options, Highway Inn Kaka'ako also offers takeout and catering services for those who wish to enjoy their meals in a different setting or who are planning a special event.
With a commitment to preserving cultural and culinary heritage, Highway Inn values the quality of its food, which is prepared with attention to traditional recipes. The restaurant also hosts live music events, adding a dynamic touch to its already vibrant setting. Highway Inn Kaka'ako is a place where locals and visitors alike can gather to enjoy good food, good company, and the unique flavors of Hawaii.
Reviews
During a recent visit to Oahu, I was craving authentic local Hawaiian food, so my family decided to check out the Highway Inn Kakaʻako location. The atmosphere is casual and laid back, but this place is all about the food. My husband and I both ordered the Plantation Mixed Plate with pūlehu short ribs, pūlehu boneless chicken, and the grilled local catch of the day (swordfish). My 11 year-old daughter had her first introduction to loco moco. This ended up being one of our favorite meals of the entire trip! The short ribs were incredibly tender with just the right balance of flavor—not overly sweet like some barbecue can be. The mac salad was absolute perfection, creamy and flavorful. I usually avoid ordering chicken at restaurants because it's often the least exciting option, but the pūlehu chicken completely surprised me. It was the first thing I finished on my plate and was packed with flavor. The swordfish was simply seasoned and perfectly grilled, allowing the freshness of the fish to shine. My daughter is still talking about the loco moco and has been craving it ever since, which says a lot! My husband also ordered the Smoked Chili Pepper Bloody Mary and loved the smoky flavor with just the right amount of spice. If you're looking for delicious, authentic Hawaiian comfort food in Oahu, Highway Inn absolutely delivered. We left full, happy, and already talking about coming back the next time we're on the island.
I just finished a Yelp event nearby (she wasnt able to go) and we are starving, so we finally decided to check this place off our bookmark. Highway Inn is known for traditional Hawaiian food, but we ended up trying some of the local-style twists. The kalua pig quesadilla was really good, and the tacos were solid too. The surprise for me was the chicken from the kids menu. I ordered it anyway, and honestly, no regrets. It was juicy, flavorful, and better than a lot of regular chicken plates I've had. The Kaka'ako location is clean and modern, service was quick, and it was exactly what we needed after a long event. We would definitely come back to try more. The on-site music artist was good.
Highway to the danger zone! And that Danger Zone is actually Flavortown. Woo! Hawaiian Food since 1947. They were even featured on Food Network's "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives." First dinner on Oahu and I had it with some of Yelp Honolulu's greatest: "Auntie" Twinsie Nadine C., Cycle Buddy Randy S., Lyla D., E, Mayor of Chinatown Paul C., Angel H., Anthony, Irene M., and Dan O. Thank you to the "mystery" (I'm looking at you, Nadine) person who stole the bill. I shared a pork laulau combo and a regular side of beef stew at the insistence of Randy S. When Randy recommends something, you gotta listen. And wow, what a great me. I had my lomi salmon with poi as I learned from Nadine years and years ago. It was bite upon bite of great flavors. There were even some appetizers, kalua pork nachos and lau lau lumpia, being passed around at one point and everything was delicious. As much as I don't like Guy Fieri, I have to agree with him. This place is five stars!
This is the best Place on the Island if you want Authentic Hawaiian Handmade Food! Best budget prices and AMAZING SERVICE! You can feel the Aloha from servers and the place!! Food is so ono delicious that you will bring all your friends and Ohana back here! Maika'i!!
Our party of 3 had delicious local Hawaiian food at Highway Inn. The dining room is casual, looking close to a diner or cafeteria. We found the service friendly but slow and forgetful. A pineapple beer was brought to us instead of the pineapple margarita we had ordered. It took a reminder and 30 minutes for the right drink to be delivered. Halfway through the dinner I ordered a glass of red wine and it took another reminder to the waiter after 20 minutes for the wine to be delivered to our table. One of the 5 dishes we ordered was never delivered. Since we already felt pretty full from the 4 dishes, we asked the waiter to cancel the 5th dish. We still recommend this place for the food. But one needs to be patient with the service.
