You know this place must be good if there’s always a lot of people outside waiting to be seated. Moke’s Bread & Breakfast has become a popular breakfast/brunch/lunch spot in the quaint town of Kailua that serves everything from pancakes to loco mocos. Named after the Mokulua Islands, there’s no doubt it has found a home in the heart of this windward Oahu town.
But what I like the most about this restaurant is that it’s a family-run business that vows to serve “food that reminds you of home…fresh, never frozen, and prepared by our family with Aloha,” as stated on its website. Every menu item’s made from scratch, particularly the bread, which they bake every morning.
I went here for the first time this weekend for a bon voyage brunch with some friends returning to Colorado. While I can’t personally say that I’ve had such elaborate breakfasts in my childhood home, I will admit that the food was definitely fresh and the pancakes just as fluffy as my dad used to make them.
I ordered the Mokapu omelette ($9.50) – stuffed with portuguese sausage, green onion, mushroom and cheddar cheese. I also got hash browns and shared some pancakes with my boyfriend. He got the Moke’s Sunrise Special #1 ($8.50), which came with two eggs and a choice of bacon, ham or sausage. Nothing too out-of-the-ordinary for a breakfast menu, but as mentioned earlier, the freshness was what really made this place a standout.
Moke’s is known for its lilikoi pancakes.
One word of advice: Avoid going here during the weekend, if possible. We went on a Sunday morning and waited about 45 minutes to be seated. We decided to stay because pretty much every other breakfast spot in Kailua had similar wait times. We were pleased, however, that the food didn’t take long once we ordered, which made my rumbling tummy very happy.
MOKE’S BREAD & BREAKFAST • 27 Hoolai St., Kailua, HI 96734 • Opens daily (except Tues), 630am-2pm • Metered parking on street
Photo Courtesy: Moke’s Bread & Breakfast Facebook
