Escape the bustle of the city with a visit to Hale‘iwa, located on the North Shore of Oʻahu. Known as one of the most charming towns on the island, Hale‘iwa brims with country ambiance, unique stores, art galleries and a variety of restaurants to fit everyone’s taste.

Begin your day with a hearty, homemade breakfast at Café Haleiwa. Situated on the western end of town, along Kamehameha Highway, this casual, family-owned establishment has been in business since 1982. Specializing in fresh, made-to-order breakfast and lunch, Café Haleiwa offers American diner classics and California Mexican fare with a local twist. One popular breakfast entrée is their Dawn Patrol which features two fluffy buttermilk pancakes served with two island fresh eggs any style and your choice of blueberries or bananas. Another favorite is their Huevos Rancheros, which starts with two eggs served on a corn tortilla and their homemade red salsa. Along with its regular breakfast menu, the restaurant has expanded its offerings to include waffles, an espresso bar and Sky kombucha on tap.

After breakfast, head next door to peruse the excellent collection of craft and local beers, fine wines, spirits and gourmet foods at Hale‘iwa Bottle Shop. This hidden gem’s lineup includes locally made selections from Aloha Beer, an independent brewery located in historic Kaka‘ako, Maui Seltzers and Lanikai Brewing Company in Kailua. They are also known for the beers they bring in from the continent from companies like Heretic and Rogue. Wines are a huge draw for fans of this store which sources wines from around the globe to include bold bottlings from Napa Valley to delicate rosés from Provence. Meads from Mānoa Meadery, Kentucky Whiskey and non-alcoholic drinks are just some of the other treasures waiting to be found.

A stone’s throw away from Hale‘iwa Bottle Shop is Coco’s Trading Post, which specializes in stylish and unique hand-selected goods created by local vendors and artists. Each piece in their curated collection is meant to radiate modern aloha and fit the laid-back yet chic lifestyle of their customers. As you enter their welcoming double doors, you’ll be transported to a world of wonder as you browse their goods that range from hand-woven pāpale (Lauhala hats) to beauty supplies and even home décor. Whether purchasing a gift for a loved one, something special for yourself or just window shopping, visiting Coco’s Trading Post will be a delightful addition to your morning.

After you’ve walked off a bit of your breakfast, head to the North Shore Marketplace, home to 20 locally owned shops, restaurants and galleries. It’s the perfect time to refuel at Coffee Gallery whose mission is to serve exceptional, small-batch coffee. Along with smoothies and açaí bowls, their caffeinated offerings are the main attraction on the menu. In addition to their flavorful drip coffees, their velvet-soft lattes are a must-try. One popular drink is their Cinnamon Honey Latte, which starts with a hardy shot of espresso and your choice of milk. The blend of robust espresso, sweet honey and cinnamon makes for a crave-worthy drink. While there, don’t forget to check out their pastry display full of tasty sweets baked in-house daily.

Continue your day by exploring the stores and galleries the North Shore Marketplace offers. One must-visit spot is Wyland Galleries, home of the works of Robert Wyland, an American artist and conservationist best known for his “100 Whaling Walls.” Born in Detroit, Michigan, he became enamored with whales and marine life in his teens during a family trip to Laguna Beach, California. Over the past decades, he has become one of the most collected artists in the world with brilliant and lively pieces of art that center around the ocean and all its wonders. At his Hale‘iwa location, you can view pieces of his classic art as well as never-before-seen originals with the assistance of his friendly and knowledgeable art consultants, who are happy to help you.

Along Kamehameha Highway, heading northward, you will find Kōkua General Store, a bulk, refill and low-waste lifestyle product store within the umbrella of Kōkua Hawai‘i Foundation. The Foundation, created by Kim and Jack Johnson in 2003, aims to promote local, healthful food awareness and environmental education in schools. To complement their foundation, they created the Kōkua General Store to provide the community with tools to reduce waste in their lives. Nestled within the store, you can also find Kōkua Vintage, a curated collection of second-hand clothing, records, books, houseware, artwork and more that turns shopping into a treasure hunt.

Head farther down Kamehameha Highway, either on foot or by car, to The Soap Cellar located in a one-story plantation building on the right side of the road. Within this tiny shop, owner and operator Lori creates every recipe for soap, body lotion, candles and more. With an intentional blend of herbs, plants and fruits, Lori creates bath products to heal, cleanse, nourish and protect skin. Treat yourself, or a loved one, to her one-of-a-kind creations like her Pono Bath Bar that blends Frankincense, oranges, palmarosa, patchouli, cedarwood and sandalwood for an aromatic bath bar topped with dried lemon and orange peels for exfoliation. Her body truffles are also popular, especially her Rose Cocoa Salt Body Truffle, which is scented with rose oil and is the perfect-sized gift for a friend back home.

Just moments down the road, you will pass the historic Waialua Courthouse on the left-hand side of the road. That is your cue to slow down, or you might miss one of the best bakeries on the North Shore. Waialua Bakery & Juice Bar is located along a narrow road between Spaghettini and Malama Market. This tiny bakery lures people from across the island for fresh baked goods and smoothies. Many opt for wholesome favorites like chocolate chip or oatmeal raisin cookies, but others visit for their Wonder Bars, which is a combination of a chocolate chip cookie with shredded coconut and condensed milk. While there, don’t forget to order their Hot Hunk of Bread, a generous slice of warm bread served with butter and your choice of honey, strawberry jam cinnamon sugar or Vegemite.

Directly across the street from Waialua Bakery, in the red-tiled building, you will find some of the best burgers and fries on the island. Seven Brothers is the dream of the seven sons of the Hannemann family. From their wild and chaotic household filled with laughter came the dream of creating a business where all seven brothers could one day work together. Their four locations now serve burgers, salads and fries made with the same love that would be put into a home-cooked meal. As you continue along Kamehameha Highway, make a quick stop here to try their Crazy Fries, which start with sliced home fries that are fried and topped with seasoning, caramelized onions, melted cheese and their house sauce.

If you have room for more onolicious food, when lunchtime rolls around, head to Uncle Bo’s, located in Hale‘iwa Store Lots, just one shopping center over from Seven Brothers. Here, you will find unpretentious American and Asian-inspired dishes served in an ‘ohana (family) atmosphere. Start your meal with their Boca-Rota which combines chunks of prime rib sauteed with mushrooms and chili oil served with garlic cheesy bread. You can also order one of their delicious pizzas or bowls of pasta as your entrée. For the keiki (children) in your group, Uncle Bo’s has options that are kid-approved, like their corn dog and fries and keiki spaghetti with a big meatball. Whether you are visiting for brunch or lunch, be sure to check out their drinks menu, which features handcrafted drinks, wine, a full bar and top-shelf liquors.

After lunch, visit Matsumoto Shave Ice, located in the same shopping center as Uncle Bo’s. This iconic, family-owned shave ice spot has been delighting old and young since 1951. Serving 100% cane sugar syrup, Matsumoto has become a mandatory stop for many visiting the North Shore. Now serving over 1,000 cups of shave ice daily, they have become synonymous with the frosty island treat. To place your order, you will first need to decide whether you’d like a small or large shave ice. Then, choose from toppings like condensed milk, mochi balls or even a scoop of ice cream. The fun begins when you get to select the syrup to decorate your shave ice. From mango to sour apple and even green tea, the combinations can be endless at Matsumoto. Or select the store special “Ichiban” shave ice, which starts with your choice of shave ice syrup topped with a scoop of ice cream, azuki beans, mochi balls and a drizzle of condensed milk, all served in an edible waffle tray.

A few stores down from Matsumoto Shave Ice is The Growing Keiki, an adorable infant and toddler boutique specializing in funky, fun fashion for little ones. Established in 1986, their store offers the best gifts for keiki back home or something special for your little ones to wear during their trip to Hawai‘i. From graphic tees adorned with tropical patterns to aloha wear sets and even swimsuits with matching hats, you will want to visit this store to stock up on all your wardrobe must-haves. They also have a great selection of picture books that are excellent gifts and keepsakes from your time on the island.

As your day heads to mid-afternoon, it might be a good time to take up one of the many tours held in Hale‘iwa. One tour gaining a lot of attention is the Little Plumeria Farms tour, which takes guests through their 20-acre farm to view the largest collection of rare and hybrid plumerias in the world. Now, with three generations of Littles running the farm, this tour was named the 2024 Best New Attraction in America by USA Today. Their one-hour partially guided farm tour allows you to pick your own flowers and learn about the stages of the plumeria plant along this walking tour. Others opt for their Private Tour experience that includes the attractions of the standard farm tour plus an ATV ride to view exclusive zones on their property.

At the same pick-up spot for the Little Plumeria Farms tour, you can also enjoy a guided tour at Tsue’s Farm. Whether signing up for a guided kayak tour along the majestic Anahulu River or spending time feeding their ducks, rabbits and turtles, Tsue’s Farm is a great place to relax and regroup while in Hale‘iwa. Also on site is their fruit and smoothie stand that serves much more than just refreshing sweets. They also offer lunch plates with your choice of Garlic Shrimp, Coconut Shrimp, Spicy Shrimp, Kalua Pork, Teri-Chicken, Fried Noodle Vegi-Style and different types of sandwiches, just in case you work up an appetite after kayaking. Visit this family-owned farm and enjoy this cozy corner of Hale‘iwa.

As the day carries on, you might be in the mood for something sweet and cold. Head to Banzai Bowls’ Hale‘iwa location at the corner of Kamehameha Highway and Lokoea Place. Here, you will find handcrafted acai bowls and smoothies made from the freshest ingredients possible. Nothing on their menu is premade or prepackaged. The signature item on their menu is the Banzai Bowl, which blends apple juice or hemp milk with açaí, bananas, strawberries and papayas topped with granola, sliced bananas, strawberries, blueberries, kiwi, bee pollen, coconut shreds and honey. They also offer delicious fruit smoothies like their Wind N Sea, which blends pineapple juice, bananas, mangos, papayas and coconut shreds.

Before the day gets too late, head back towards historic Hale‘iwa town and visit Maui Divers Jewelry, near the intersection of Kamehameha Highway and Emerson Road. With a 64-year legacy, Maui Divers has built a reputation on craftsmanship, designs and their signature Hawaiian jewelry. You can pick up a keepsake to remember your day from their collection of Tahitian pearl necklaces, plumeria pendants and equally stunning rings. They are also known for their Hawaiian jewelry bracelets, which originated back to Queen Liliu‘okalani. Ornate scrollwork and tropical flowers that adorn Hawaiian jewelry often have hidden meanings within the engraved messages and in the flowers, ferns and leaves. Speak with their friendly associates to learn more about the meanings of the jewelry.

As your day in Hale‘iwa ends, head towards the harbor to enjoy a casual and island-inspired dinner at Hale‘iwa Joe’s, a beloved spot for locals and visitors. Known for its seafood, prime rib dinners and Mai tais, the stunning views of the harbor at sunset are another major draw for this location. Start your meal with their Black and Blue ‘ahi served with wasabi ranch sauce or their lū‘au crab dip, which blends lū’au leaf, coconut milk and cream cheese served with toasted flatbread. For entries from the sea, you can enjoy items like their Coconut Shrimp or Grilled Fish served with mac nut pesto and lobster cream sauce. Despite their outstanding fish and poultry dishes, many visit Hale‘iwa Joe’s for their Prime Rib Dinner, which is a bone-in rib-eye served with au jus, horseradish cream, garlic mash and local vegetables.

Whether soaking in the sun and learning about plumerias at the Little Plumeria Farm tour or recharging with a smooth latte at Coffee Gallery, you can spend the entire day exploring this beloved destination while getting to know the commercial center of the North Shore.

Café Hale‘iwa; 66-460 Kamehameha Hwy., Hale‘iwa; (808) 637-5516; Open Monday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.; cafehaleiwahawaiianislands.com.

Hale‘iwa Bottle Shop, 66-452 Kamehameha Hwy., Hale‘iwa; (808) 637-3420; open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; haleiwabottleshop.com.

Coco’s Trading Post; 66-437 Kamehameha Hwy., #101a, Hale‘iwa; (808) 784-0707; open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; cocostradingpost.com.

Coffee Gallery; 66-250 Kamehameha Hwy., Hale‘iwa; (808) 824-0368; open Monday – Sunday from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; coffee-gallery.com.

Wyland Galleries; 66-250H Kamehameha Hwy., Haleiwa; (808) 637-8729; open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; signaturegalleries.com/galleries/wyland-Haleiwa.

Kōkua General Store; 66-249 Kamehameha Hwy., Hale‘iwa;(808)744-5222; open Wednesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; kokuahawaiifoundation.org.

The Soap Cellar; 66-218 Kamehameha Hwy., Hale‘iwa; (808) 780-2505; open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; thesoapcellar.com.

Waialua Bakery & Juice Bar; 66-200 Kamehameha Hwy., Hale‘iwa; (808) 744-1032; open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; thewaialuabakery.com.

Seven Brothers; 66-197 Kamehameha Hwy., Hale‘iwa; (808) 460-5751; open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; sevenbrothersburgers.com.

Uncle Bo’s; 66-111 Kamehameha Hwy., #101, Hale‘iwa; (808) 797-9649; open Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Thursday and Friday from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; unclebosrestaurant.com.

Matsumoto Shave Ice; 66-111 Kamehameha Hwy., #605, Hale‘iwa; (808) 637-4827; open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; matsumotoshaveice.com.

The Growing Keiki; 66-051 Kamehameha Hwy., Hale‘iwa; (808) 637-4544; open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; @thegrowingkeiki on Instagram.

Little Plumeria Farms; seasonal tours pick up at Tsue’s Farm, 62-400 Joseph P. Leong Hwy, Hale‘iwa; (808) 367-4119; parking lot opens at 9:00 a.m.; littleplumeriafarms.com.

Tsue’s Farm; 62-400 Joseph P. Leong Hwy., Hale‘iwa; (808) 744-5428; open daily from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; tsuesfarmhaleiwa.com.

Banzai Bowls; 62-594 Kamehameha Hwy., Suite 100, Hale‘iwa; (808) 637-5000; open daily from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.; banzaibowls.com.

Maui Divers Jewelry; 66-111 Kamehameha Hwy., #606, Hale‘iwa; (808) 637-4025; open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; mauidivers.com.

Hale‘iwa Joe’s; 66-011 Kamehameha Hwy., Hale‘iwa; (808) 637-8005; open daily for dinner from 4:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., brunch on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Bar daily from 4:30 p.m. to 12 a.m.; haleiwajoes.com.