Rainbow Drive-In
Plate Lunch $10.25–12.95
The plate-lunch icon since 1961 — Food Network famous, even an Obama favorite. Loco moco is $11.25, the mix plate $12.95, the chili plate $10.25, all with two scoops of rice and mac salad. Portions are huge (one plate can feed two), so two eat for around $20. The lowest prices you'll find this close to Waikiki.
Highway Inn
Traditional Hawaiian · Since 1947
Three generations of real Hawaiian food at the SALT block in Kaka'ako — lau lau, kālua pig, squid lū'au, poi, lomi salmon (also a D,D&D pick). Full combo plates are market-priced and run higher, so the value play is the kālua-pig sliders and 'uala chips, which regulars call more than enough for two, or splitting a combo. Near the top of our range, but the real deal.
Ono Seafood
Classic Kapahulu Poke
A Kapahulu poke institution locals have lined up at for decades — shoyu ahi and spicy ahi over rice, cut fresh, with the tempura-flakes tip. Bowls run a touch smaller and pricier than some spots (figure low-to-mid teens each), so two bowls land right around $20. Tiny storefront, limited parking, worth it. Closed Sun–Mon.
Off the Hook Poke Market
Manoa Poke · Best on Oahu
Tucked in Manoa and called by many the best poke on the island — ridiculously fresh ahi in flavors like spicy, wasabi furikake and Kilauea Fire. The mini bowl is filling enough for a light lunch, so two minis (or a regular to share) keep you around $20. Free parking by the Safeway across the street. Closed Sun.
Palace Saimin
Saimin · Beef Sticks
An old-school Kalihi saimin counter going strong since the 1940s — steaming bowls of saimin and wonton min in a delicate dashi broth, plus those famous teriyaki beef sticks. Wonton udon runs about $11.25 and beef sticks $4, so two share bowls and a stick or two for around $16–20. A genuine piece of old Hawai'i. Closed Sun–Mon.
Musubi Cafe IYASUME
Spam Musubi · Onigiri
The go-to for fresh-made musubi — spam, of course, but also tamago, unagi, shrimp-avocado, and onigiri, all made to order with Koshihikari rice. Musubi run a few dollars each, so two can load up on a handful of varieties plus drinks for well under $20. A perfect cheap beach or hike grab. Worlds better than the convenience-store version.
Leonard's Bakery
Famous Malasadas
The malasada landmark since 1952 — warm, fluffy Portuguese donuts rolled in sugar, plain or filled with custard, chocolate-haupia or mac-nut. At roughly $2 each (a couple bucks more for filled), two can share a half-dozen warm ones for well under $20. There's always a line on Kapahulu; it moves fast and it's worth it.
Pho Kapahulu
Pho · Banh Mi · Spring Rolls
A tiny family-run Vietnamese spot on Kapahulu with fans blowing and street sounds drifting in — comforting, flavorful pho, banh mi, summer rolls and vermicelli bowls. Locals share everything here, and bowls run in the low teens, so two eat for around $20. The kind of friendly neighborhood place worth getting off the Waikiki strip for.
Lam's Kitchen
Chinatown Noodles · Cheung Fun
A small, old-fashioned Chinatown noodle shop on Maunakea St — soft warm cheung fun (look fun rolls) with hoisin and peanut sauce, beef chow fun, fish noodle soup and Chinese donut sticks, all on the cheaper end for the neighborhood. Two split a couple of noodle dishes for well under $20. Fast turnover, friendly staff, the real Chinatown deal.
Sing Cheong Yuan
Manapua · Mochi · Char Siu Buns
A beloved old Hong Kong-style bakery in Chinatown famous for char-siu puffs, manapua, egg tarts, and a rainbow case of fresh mochi (peanut, black sesame, coconut). Everything's a couple of dollars, so two can graze across buns, dumplings and mochi for well under $20. Big taste, tiny prices, generations of regulars.
Nanding's Bakery
Filipino Spanish Rolls · Pandesal
A Kalihi Filipino bakery locals line up at before dawn for hot, buttery-sweet Spanish rolls — you cannot eat just one. Also pandesal, ube rolls, ensaymada and adobo rolls, all dirt cheap (one reviewer grabbed an ube roll, ensaymada and adobo roll for $9.15). Two leave with a loaded box for well under $20. Get there early; parking's tight.
South Shore Grill
Plate Lunch · Fish Tacos
A counter-service local favorite on Monsarrat near Diamond Head — plate lunches, garlic shrimp, kalbi, and some of the best ono fish tacos on the island, with that crazy-good coleslaw. Prices are great for Honolulu, and the mauka-makai plate is built to share, so two eat well for around $20. Order at the counter, grab a seat, dig in.
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These chain deals work anywhere in the country, including Honolulu.
Buffalo Wild Wings
Pick 6 — Meal for Two from $19.99
The Pick 6 lets two people build a shared meal — choose six items across wings, tenders, and sides — starting around $19.99. A reliable two-for-$20 play at any BWW. Dine-in or takeout; pricing varies slightly by market.
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