Papa Ole’s Kitchen is a true hidden gem on the North Shore, and the first good sign was seeing the place packed with locals—always a great indicator. It’s not a formal restaurant, but more of a casual spot with picnic tables outside and a take-out style setup. Don’t let the laid-back vibe fool you—the food is absolutely top-tier. We tried the sweet bread French toast and the macadamia nut pancakes, and both were phenomenal. The pancakes come smothered in a rich, custard-based sauce and are topped with a generous handful of macadamia nuts. Every bite was decadent and satisfying, perfectly balancing sweetness and texture. They are cash only, so be prepared—but it’s more than worth it. The portions are generous, the flavors are spot-on, and it’s one of the best meals we’ve had on the island. Whether you’re passing through or staying nearby, Papa Ole’s is a must-visit for breakfast or brunch. Grab your food, find a table, and enjoy the best comfort food Hau‘ula has to offer. Highly recommended!

The big j special literally had my knees wobbling it was so good lol. The sauce on that shrimp was insane I dipped the ribs into it. Top 3 meals I’ve had on the island

Easily the 2nd best meal I had in Oahu. The best meal cost over double Papa Ole's, so that's not really fair. Caution, this place is CASH ONLY. We knew that coming here and were prepared. It was so good and they gave great portions. Pulehu (this was salty instead of sweet style) ribs were amazing. Garlic chicken was also good, but not as good as the ribs. Fries were also great (crunchy on outside, soft on inside). It is quite a bit of a wait as they cook it, but it wasn't long by any means. There are some benches just right outside where you can sit and eat on when your food comes out. The mac salad as well was probably the best mac salad I've ever had. If I do go back to Oahu, I'm booking a hotel In the north so I'm closer to this place.

Great local place! You know it's gonna be good when it's mostly locals there that the owners know. Our favorite dish from there were the peanut butter buns. This cannot be missed! If you like peanut butter - please don't leave workout trying it from here. Gooey delicious and divine. The garlic shrimp were yummy. Loco moco was above average. Kalbi beef was great.

I kid you not, this place is my top 10 in the whole world. Must have the sautéed shrimp, but I’ve never had a bad thing there over multiple visits over the span of 8 years. It’s so simple but so good. It’s like home cooking but the flavors are good with every bite. Good portions and good variety. Love this place so much.