These 11 Restaurants Serve The Best Loco Moco In Hawaii
Nestle a beef patty into a bed of rice with a fried over-easy egg balanced on top. Then smother it with a mountain of brown gravy to bring everything together. This is how to make the best loco moco in Hawaii, and it is absolutely to die for. Whether you are in Maui, Kauai, or any of the Hawaiian Islands locals will show you the best place to grab a heavenly coco loco near you.
Said to have originated in the 1940s, the dish is the epitome of Hawaiian plate-lunch cuisine. It can satisfy the raging appetite of a surfer or hiker, or even cure the occasional hangover. Because the loco moco may not be something you want to eat on a regular basis, you’ve really got to make the best choice possible – and you can’t go wrong with the local favorite from any of these 11 restaurants. You’ll find the absolute best loco moco in any of these amazing restaurants in Hawaii, so put them on your to-do list!
While many people have claimed to have invented the loco moco, local legend says that it is either Lincoln Grill or Café 100 that created the perfect dish. Though Lincoln grill is no longer around, Café 100 is still serving up their signature dish, with chicken, fish, vegetables, sausage, or the traditional hamburger patty. Check out their entire menu on their website, and realize you’ll need to order more than one dish to satisfy your love of this restaurant!
With two hamburger patties and mushroom gravy, it’s no wonder this remote eatery has found a spot in the hearts of people from across the islands – and the country. It was once recognized by Food Network as serving one of the best in the state. Looking for more rave reviews of this unbelievable cafe? Make sure to read them on on TripAdvisor.
Hukilau Cafe, 55-662 Wahinepee St, Laie, HI 96762, USA
If you’re looking for local comfort food at affordable prices in Kapaa, look no further than Kountry Kitchen, where the loco moco is rich in flavor and served with two sunny side up eggs and two huge scoops of rice. Want to make reservations at this hopping place? Make sure to check out their website for the best place to book.
Kountry Kitchen, 4-1489 Kuhio Hwy, Kapa?a, HI 96746, USA
4) Local Food, Lahaina
Brian C./Yelp
Note: Unfortunately Local Food is permanently closed.
Substitute fried rice for the white rice in your loco moco for a more unique flavor experience at this small mom and pop style eatery. This small spot may be tiny in stature, but it’s big on flavor.
While the loco moco isn’t the most popular choice at Liliha Bakery, the dish comes in two different sizes and with one of their infamous butter rolls, perfect for soaking up that extra gravy. Fill up on this classic dish at one of their many locations!
Liliha Bakery, 580 N Nimitz Hwy, Honolulu, HI 96817, USA
Tucked away into a nondescript strip mall, this local joint may be known for their excellent chicken plate lunches, but their loco moco is pretty phenomenal as well. This offbeat neighborhood nook is the place to go for great food and outstanding loco moco in Hawaii. Stay up to date on their hours on its webpage.
Broke Da Mouth Grindz & Catering, 74-5565 Luhia St, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA
Serving up standard local Hawaiian fare at affordable prices, Mark’s Place is unfortunately closed on weekends – so don’t get your hopes up for a Mark’s loco moco after a night of drinking. Around since 1998, this gold standard of lunch spots needs to be on the top of your list for some of the best loco moco in Kauai.
Mark's Place, 1610 Haleukana St, Lihue, HI 96766, USA
Is anyone really surprised that a classic Hawaiian diner serves up perhaps the best comfort food in the area, including the epitomized loco moco? This cafe is best local restaurants in Hawaii, and the loco moco is not to be missed. Grab a friend and get some Hawaiian home cooking at this gorgeous spot in Hilo.
Hawaiian Style Cafe - Waimea, 65-1290 Kawaihae Rd, Waimea, HI 96743, USA
Smothered with gravy and served with a side of mac salad, the loco moco at Ted’s Bakery is ono. Don’t forget to pick up a slice of pie as well! You may not want to eat it right away, but if you skip it you will regret it later. But don’t just take our word for it: this amazing spot wins award after award each and every year, so everyone else knows this place is one of the best spots to get local foods in Hawaii.
Ted's Bakery, 59-024 Kamehameha, State Rte, Haleiwa, HI 96712, USA
With an open air concept and flavor infused water, Nalu’s is a great spot for any meal of the day – as long as you have a hefty appetite. One of the hidden gem restaurants in Hawaii, this spot is begging to be visited. Open seven days a week, you can satisfy your appetite all day long for loco moco, because that dish is so popular they never stop serving it.
Nalu's South Shore Grill, 1280 S Kihei Rd, Kihei, HI 96753, USA
Now, if you’re anything like me, any eatery featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives is worth a shot – and this restaurant, located above a bowling alley, does not disappoint. One of the best local restaurants in Hawaii, we can’t stop coming back to this funky spot with awesome ambiance. Grab a bite to eat, go bowling, and chow down again! Sounds like the perfect day.
The Alley Restaurant at Aiea Bowl, 99-115 Aiea Heights Dr # 310, Aiea, HI 96701, USA
Have you had the loco moco at any of these restaurants yet? If you are totally craving this hearty Hawaiian favorite where have you found the best loco moco in Hawaii? If we missed your favorite loco moco restaurant share your favorite spot with us in the comments!
Address: Cafe 100, 969 Kilauea Ave, Hilo, HI 96720, USA
Address: Hukilau Cafe, 55-662 Wahinepee St, Laie, HI 96762, USA
Address: Kountry Kitchen, 4-1489 Kuhio Hwy, Kapa?a, HI 96746, USA
Address: Liliha Bakery, 580 N Nimitz Hwy, Honolulu, HI 96817, USA
Address: Broke Da Mouth Grindz & Catering, 74-5565 Luhia St, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA
Address: Mark's Place, 1610 Haleukana St, Lihue, HI 96766, USA
Address: Hawaiian Style Cafe - Waimea, 65-1290 Kawaihae Rd, Waimea, HI 96743, USA
Address: Ted's Bakery, 59-024 Kamehameha, State Rte, Haleiwa, HI 96712, USA
Address: Nalu's South Shore Grill, 1280 S Kihei Rd, Kihei, HI 96753, USA
Address: The Alley Restaurant at Aiea Bowl, 99-115 Aiea Heights Dr # 310, Aiea, HI 96701, USA
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Loco Moco in Hawaii
November 30, 2021
Megan McDonald
What does loco moco mean?
Loco means “crazy” in Spanish, and moco means burger. Put it together? Possibly one of the tastiest breakfast items you’ve ever had, and ever will have. It’s a popular Hawaiian dish that pairs fried eggs, gravy, burgers, and white rice for a fabulous breakfast, lunch, or dinner option.
What is the loco moco gravy made out of?
The loco moco gravy is legendary, and not like any other gravy you’ve ever had before. That’s because there are extra unusual and incredibly delicious ingredients like shoyu and Worcestershire sauce that are paired with the traditional beef stock, ketchup, and cornstarch. The result is a heavenly rich gravy that ties the whole dish together. Each bite fuels you up for more time at the beach hitting those famous Hawaiian waves.
Address: Cafe 100, 969 Kilauea Ave, Hilo, HI 96720, USA
Address: Hukilau Cafe, 55-662 Wahinepee St, Laie, HI 96762, USA
Address: Kountry Kitchen, 4-1489 Kuhio Hwy, Kapa?a, HI 96746, USA
Address: Liliha Bakery, 580 N Nimitz Hwy, Honolulu, HI 96817, USA
Address: Broke Da Mouth Grindz & Catering, 74-5565 Luhia St, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA
Address: Mark's Place, 1610 Haleukana St, Lihue, HI 96766, USA
Address: Hawaiian Style Cafe - Waimea, 65-1290 Kawaihae Rd, Waimea, HI 96743, USA
Address: Ted's Bakery, 59-024 Kamehameha, State Rte, Haleiwa, HI 96712, USA
Address: Nalu's South Shore Grill, 1280 S Kihei Rd, Kihei, HI 96753, USA
Address: The Alley Restaurant at Aiea Bowl, 99-115 Aiea Heights Dr # 310, Aiea, HI 96701, USA
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
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With more than 10 years of experience as a professional writer, Megan holds a degree in Mass Media from her home state of Minnesota. After college, she chose to trade in her winter boots for slippahs and moved to the beautiful island of Oahu, where she has been living for more than five years. She lives on the west side but is constantly taking mini-road trips across the island and visits the neighboring islands whenever she can getaway. She loves hiking, snorkeling, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu.
