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Foodie Dream Vacation: Oʻahu Edition

7 Days / 6 Nights | Eat, Cook, & Explore for Culinary Travelers

Explore Oʻahu one bite at a time. From hidden mom‑and‑pop eateries to upscale ocean‑front dining, this Foodie Dream Vacation is built for travelers who want every day to revolve around flavor. Expect hands‑on cooking classes, bustling farmers’ markets, off‑the‑beaten‑path tasting tours, and plenty of free time to savor the island’s scenery between courses.

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What's Included

6 nights at a Waikīkī ocean‑view or boutique hotel (3‑, 4‑, or 5‑star)
Round‑trip airfare from major U.S. gateways
Full‑size rental car for entire stay (driver upgrade available)
Curated foodie itinerary with confirmed daily dining & activity reservations
Daily culinary experiences (lunch & dinner reservations*)
Two hands‑on cooking classes with tastings & recipe cards
Farm tours & market visits (KCC & Kahuku Farms)
Optional add‑ons: cultural lūʻau, lei‑making, storytelling evenings
VIP local advisor support before & during travel
All taxes, resort fees, and booking‑service fees included

*Menu costs vary by selection; dinner reservations secured in advance.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1 – Welcome to Oʻahu

Land in Honolulu and breathe in ginger and ocean air. A flower‑lei greeting leads to your boutique hotel check‑in. After a beach stroll, enjoy your first elevated island meal at Hen Water, where local produce meets inventive technique.

Lei greeting & private transfer or rental‑car pick‑up
Ocean‑view room check‑in & refresh
Sunset walk along Waikīkī Beach
Dinner reservation at Hen Water (modern Hawaiian)
Nightcap or early rest for jet‑lag recovery

Day 2 – Hole‑in‑the‑Wall Tasting Tour

Embark on a private, full‑day tasting safari—spam musubi for breakfast, tender kalua pork at lunch, and malasadas still warm from the fryer. Guides share stories of plantation history and immigrant flavors that shaped Hawaiʻi’s plate lunch culture.

Breakfast at Jack’s Restaurant (local fave)
Hawaiian food tasting at Young’s Fish Market
Lunch at Helena’s Hawaiian Food (James Beard awardee)
Dessert stops: Leonard’s Bakery & Waiola Shave Ice
Optional casual dinner at Side Street Inn (if you have room!)

Day 3 – Chinatown Crawl & Fusion Cooking Class

Fuel up at Eggs ’n Things, then follow a culinary historian through vibrant Chinatown—dim sum steam baskets, roast‑duck stalls, crack‑seed shops. Afternoon brings an interactive Asian‑Fusion class where you craft poke wonton tacos and lilikoi‑glazed ribs.

Breakfast at Eggs ’n Things (pancakes & Kona coffee)
Guided Chinatown food crawl (dim sum, roast meats, snacks)
Hands‑on Asian‑Fusion cooking workshop
Craft cocktails & pupus at Pint & Jigger
Optional fine‑dining reservation at Senia or Fête

Day 4 – Market Morning & Hawaiian Comfort Classics

Rise early for the KCC Farmers Market—sample white‑pineapple chunks, sip mac‑nut cold brew, chat with taro‑chip makers. Afternoon class dives into Hawaiian comfort food: laulau, loco moco gravy tricks, and haupia for dessert.

Market visit: KCC or Kailua Town (seasonal)
Vendor tastings & artisan browsing
Afternoon cooking class: Hawaiian classics
Relaxed beach time or spa
Dinner at Orchids (Halekulani) or 12th Ave Grill

Day 5 – Cultural Tour & Hidden‑Gem Eats

Circle the island with a storytelling guide—from sacred heiau ruins to pineapple fields. Lunch on poke bowls at Ono Seafood or plate lunch at Rainbow Drive‑In. Toast sunset with a signature Mai Tai at Ka La‘i, then dive into Vietnamese‑Hawaiian fusion at Pig & The Lady.

Secret Circle‑Island cultural tour (full day)
Lunch at Ono Seafood or Rainbow Drive‑In
Sunset cocktail at Ka La‘i (Mai Tai)
Dinner at Senia (if missed) or Pig & The Lady

Day 6 – South‑Shore Savor & Chef’s Table Finale

Brunch on stuffed French toast at Sweet E’s Café, then choose beach‑hopping, boutique shopping, or an optional lei‑making workshop. Evening finale: chef‑curated tasting menu at La Vie or MW Restaurant—innovative courses paired with island‑grown wines.

Breakfast at Sweet E’s Café (brunch)
Free day: beaches, shops, or lei‑making add‑on
Time for pool / spa relaxation
Chef’s‑table tasting dinner at La Vie or MW Restaurant

Day 7 – A Hui Hou (Until We Meet Again)

Grab a last malasada or lilikoi pastry, snap a final Waikīkī photo, and return your rental car. Depart Oʻahu with new recipes, new cravings, and a phone full of food pics.