If you're hunting for a solid アラモアナ フードコート おすすめ list, you're probably already halfway through a shopping spree and starving. Let's be real, Ala Moana Center is absolutely massive. By the time you've walked from Neiman Marcus to Bloomingdale's and back again, your feet are killing you and your stomach is definitely making its presence known.
The great thing about Ala Moana is that you don't have to spend $50 on a sit-down lunch just to get back on your feet. The food courts here are legendary, but they can also be pretty overwhelming if you don't have a game plan. Between the Makai Market and The Lanai, there are dozens of options. I've spent way too much time (and money) wandering these halls, so here are my personal favorites and some tips to help you navigate the chaos.
The Classic Choice: Makai Market Food Court
When most people think of an アラモアナ フードコート おすすめ spot, they're thinking of Makai Market. It's located on the street level (Level 1) and it's basically a rite of passage for anyone visiting Honolulu. It's loud, it's crowded, and it smells like a mix of teriyaki, garlic shrimp, and cinnamon buns. It's great.
One of the best things about Makai Market is the sheer variety. If you're with a group of friends and everyone wants something different—one person wants pizza, another wants bibimbap, and you're craving a burger—this is where you go.
Steak & Fish Company
If you want that classic "plate lunch" experience without leaving the mall, this is my go-to. Their sirloin steak and garlic shrimp combo is a total winner. It's not fancy, but the steak is usually cooked just right, and that garlic butter sauce on the shrimp is addictive. It comes with the standard two scoops of white rice and a salad (toss the salad, let's be honest, you're here for the meat). It's filling enough to keep you going for another three hours of shopping.
Jollibee
Okay, I know what you're thinking—Jollibee is a massive chain. But there's a reason there's almost always a line here. If you haven't tried their Chickenjoy, you're missing out. It's incredibly crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Pair it with the Filipino-style spaghetti (it's sweet, don't be surprised!) or the peach mango pie for dessert. It's cheap, it's fast, and it hits the spot every single time.
Sura Hawaii
If you're feeling like you need some veggies but still want a lot of flavor, Sura is a great Korean option. Their BBQ beef or spicy pork bowls are solid. They pile on the meat and then give you those little side dishes (banchan) like kimchi and bean sprouts. It feels a bit healthier than some of the fried options nearby, even if the portions are still huge.
The Modern Vibe: The Lanai @ Ala Moana Center
If Makai Market feels a bit too "old school mall" for you, head up to the second floor near Macy's to find The Lanai. This place feels much more like a modern food hall. It's got sleeker furniture, better lighting, and the food options are a bit more "trendy." It's generally a little less chaotic than Makai Market, making it a better アラモアナ フードコート おすすめ choice if you actually want to hear the person sitting across from you.
Musubi Cafe Iyasume
You can't come to Hawaii and not eat spam musubi. Well, you can, but why would you? Iyasume is famous for a reason. They have all sorts of variations—spam with egg, spam with avocado, or even bacon. My favorite is the Teriyaki Spam with Egg. It's the perfect mid-afternoon snack when you're not quite ready for a full dinner but need a salty, savory pick-me-up. They also have great bento boxes if you want something more substantial to take back to your hotel.
Agura Ramen
Sometimes you just need a warm bowl of noodles, even if it's 85 degrees outside. Agura serves up some really decent ramen for a food court setting. Their Tonkotsu broth is rich and creamy. It's not the best ramen in all of Oahu, but for a mall lunch, it's surprisingly high quality. The noodles have a good chew to them, and they don't skimp on the toppings.
Teppanyaki Farmer
This is a really cool spot where they cook your food right in front of you on a flat-top grill. Their signature is the Hibachi Steak Roll, where thin slices of beef are wrapped around bean sprouts and topped with a savory sauce. It's a bit different from your standard plate lunch and feels a little lighter since it's packed with sprouts.
Don't Forget the Sweets and Drinks
You can't do an アラモアナ フードコート おすすめ list without talking about dessert. After all that salty food, you're going to want something sweet.
Somisomi (The Lanai)
This place is Instagram famous for a reason. They serve Ah-Boong, which is soft-serve ice cream inside a fish-shaped waffle cone (taiyaki). You can choose your filling (like nutella, custard, or taro) and your ice cream flavor. The matcha and ube swirl is my personal favorite. It looks cool, but more importantly, it tastes delicious. The waffle is warm and crispy, and the cold ice cream is the perfect contrast.
Uncle Lani's Poi Mochi
If you happen to see a stand for Uncle Lani's, stop everything and get the Poi Mochi. These are little deep-fried nuggets of heaven made from taro. They're chewy on the inside and crispy on the outside, usually glazed with something sweet. They are dangerously easy to eat—you'll buy a bag of six and realize they're gone before you've even left the food court.
Pro Tips for Navigating the Food Courts
Since you're looking for an アラモアナ フードコート おすすめ experience, here are a few "insider" tips to make your life easier:
- Timing is Everything: If you go at 12:30 PM on a Saturday, you're going to be circling the tables like a shark for 20 minutes. Try to eat an early lunch (around 11:00 AM) or a late one (after 2:00 PM). You'll actually be able to find a seat and the lines will be much shorter.
- Divide and Conquer: If you're with a partner or a friend, have one person go grab a table while the other orders the food. It sounds aggressive, but it's the only way to ensure you have a place to sit once your tray is full of hot food.
- Water is Your Friend: Most of the food court meals are high in sodium. Instead of buying a $4 soda, look for the water dispensers or just grab a bottle from the ABC Store nearby to save a few bucks.
- Check for Samples: Some of the stalls in Makai Market still do samples. It's a great way to try that "Orange Chicken" or "Bourbon Chicken" before you commit to a whole plate.
- The Bathrooms: The bathrooms inside the food courts are busy. If you can wait, the bathrooms near the higher-end department stores (like Nordstorm or Neiman Marcus) are usually much cleaner and quieter.
Wrapping It Up
Whether you end up at the bustling Makai Market or the more relaxed Lanai, you really can't go wrong with these アラモアナ フードコート おすすめ picks. Ala Moana is a place where you can find high-end luxury, but the food court is the great equalizer. Everyone from tourists to locals ends up here eventually.
It's all about finding that perfect balance between price, speed, and flavor. You don't need a reservation, and you don't need to dress up. Just grab a tray, find a spot, and enjoy some of the best casual eats Honolulu has to offer. Now go get that spam musubi—you've earned it!