Visit Oahu’s North Shore and capture some of the bliss the locals enjoy daily. The North Shore is the ultimate laid back retreat for surfers, yogis and nature lovers.
The gateway to the North Shore is Haleiwa an historic country town with surf shops, beach style boutiques, a few cafés, bars and restaurants including some of our favourites – Banzai Sushi Bar and the Celestrial Fine Foods grocer with a vegetarian cafe out the back known as the Beet Box. This rustic surf town is the closest town to all the legendary surf breaks of the North Shore.
So where to then if you have been surfing all day at Waimea Bay, Banzai pipeline, Sunset Beach or Turtle Bay?. The locals turn to no other than the many food trucks and traditional Hawaiian roadside restaurants which range from coconuts, pineapples and acai bowls, to fresh local shrimp, ahi pokes or burritos to name a few – perfect delights between or after a surf.
When you think of a food truck or roadside restaurant you may think of it as an inferior option or maybe not dare go there at all. This is definitely not true of these type of outlets on the North Shore – the food is delicious and fresh.
Here are a few recommendations and those frequented by the locals:
Auntys Lil Green Hut – Vegan (Kamehameha Hwy, Kahuku & Haleiwa)
For the ultimate vegan and for those on a detox. Fresh immortal health elixir – kombucha, green juices, smoothies and health wraps. The green heaven smoothie is incredible and perfect for a raw diet. Aunt Lils is situated next to Giovanni’s or on Thursdays a juice stand is located at the Waimea Bay Farmers Market.
Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck – Hawaiian (293-1839 Kakuhu & Haleiwa)
Giovanni’s is regarded as the go-to shrimp truck on an island full of shrimp trucks. If you are a local you have been here too many times, but if you are not you have been told to go. Try the lemon butter Shrimp, garlic rice and hot sauce on the side.
Sharks Cove Grill – Hawaiian (59-712 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa)
Serves breakfast lunch and dinner. You can’t go wrong with the acai bowl for breakfast or any of the grilled skewers for lunch or dinner. Their smoothies are good too. Great for a quick bite if you are surfing locally at Banzai or Sunset.
The Elephant Truck – Thai (59-720 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa)
The Elephant truck has been running for about a year now. They set the truck up right near the corner of Pupukea across from Foodland. It has a simple menu, with some tasty options. The curry is rich, and the shrimp are fresh.
Delice Crepes – French (66-470 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa)
The coolest Combi van conversion food truck in town and centrally located in the historic town. Great customer service a very welcoming. But do you have a sweet tooth? Try the Aloha crepe with lilikoi butter, fresh strawberries and whipped cream. You will be going back for seconds.
Teds Bakery – American (59-024 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa)
Established at Sunset Beach in the late 80’s. Evidently people travel to the North Shore for its famous haupia cream pie. Ted’s Bakery has more than its delicious pies! Ted’s also serves local plate lunches, smoothies, coffee, cakes and pastries. If it’s your birthday, watch out you might get a cream pie thrown at your face.
For a perfect day at Oahu’s North Shore – start with the 5am hot yoga class at Bikram Yoga North Shore, grab a coconut water or a phantom smoothie at the Beet Box, catch some waves at Waimea Bay, break for an acai bowl from the nearby Beet Box truck or Sharks Cove Grill truck before surfing at Sunset Beach. If its a Thursday pick up some local produce at the farmers market, and if there is time for another afternoon surf, catch some tubes at the Banzai pipeline. If you are not cooking local produce when you get home, head off to Banzai Sushi Bar for dinner and finish up drinking with the locals at Breakers Bar.
Why Oahu’s North Shore:
– The ultimate surfers destination, wave heights in winter can be huge 30-50ft, attracting a lot of spectators to see the best surfers in the world – but many places are also suitable for learning
– An escape for those who prefer to avoid touristy Waikiki
– The island of Oahu offers additional activities for the adventure seeker such as hiking, horseback riding, kayaking, whale watching, snorkelling and diving
– Travel time via car from Honolulu airport is approximately 1.0 to 1.5 hours the first two thirds of the journey being on freeways.
Additional recommendations:
– Try a lagoon swim at beautiful Waimea falls
– At the Turtle Bay Resort treat yourself to spa services, gym and yoga classes. It is also a famous spot for watching the sunset, where you can see the famous ‘green flash’ at the very last second of the sunset
– Attend the famous health and wellness festival “Wanderlust” held at Turtle Bay Resort from 1 March 2014
– For the yogi, Waialua has a yoga co-op that offers yoga classes on a donation basis, or try the traditional hot bikram yoga at the North Shore studio filled with bikini body’s and tattooed surfers
– Attend a traditional luau and island show at the polynesian cultural center
– Ride a bike along one of the many beach paths
– Hike Manoa Falls, Diamond Head Crater, or Kokohead—some of Oahu’s most popular trails.
Beware of:
– The North Shore features some of the most famous surfing beaches in the world. World championship surf contests in November December and January can see tight vacancy for accommodation and huge waves
– The summer tends to be calmer for swimming and stand-up paddle boarding
– Tropical storms and bad weather can occur with little warning and send vacationers indoors usually for a short time but sometimes it can last a few days
– Make sure you lock your car when visiting beaches as theft is common
– Do not park in the wrong place or you will be booked and possibly towed, the police are very aggressive in this respect
– Do not expect service in a hurry. The North Shore is a super laid back rural environment and that is its charm. Best to leave a pushy, impatient or complaining attitude at home.
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