The Complete Aulani Dining & Restaurants Guide

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One of the best parts of a Hawaiian vacation is the unique dining experiences, and a stay at Aulani is no exception.

With eight different dining locations, Aulani has you covered throughout the day with causal and elegant fare alike. You can find plenty of familiar favorites as well as distinctly Hawaiian tastes, depending on your mood (or culinary bravery).

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These meal options include kid-friendly and adult-centered locations, making it easy to build the kind of Aulani dining experience that fits your vacation style. Enjoy snacks by the pool, breakfast in the sun, and a relaxing dinner, or munch throughout the day. Whatever your idea of Hawaiian paradise, Aulani has the dining to make your dream a reality.

Aulani Dining & Restaurants

Aulani Snacks & Walking Eats

When we say walking eats we mean a location where you come to a counter and take the food away to another spot – there isn’t necessarily seating.

While at the Disney parks this could also constitute quick service, for Aulani purposes, quick service locations will still be a place where you can find a seat at a table to eat your meal.

At Aulani, there’s food available throughout the resort property, much of it made to be portable. Take a frozen treat with you as you walk along the path, grab a refreshing beverage to enjoy on the beach or at the pool, or grab a quick snack to eat as you head to catch your ukulele class.

Mama’s Snack Stop

Located by the Waikolohe Valley pool area, Mama’s Snack Stop is the perfect example of to-go Aulani dining. You can get a savory snack or a substantial lunch, all while keeping your pool spot.

When it comes to snacks, feed your salty cravings with French fries or potato chips, or get a healthy alternative in a fruit or veggie. Seasonal cupcakes meet the sweet need, with the Macadamia nut and pineapple cupcake as one of the favorites.

For something more substantial, local ono comes as either beer-batter fish and chips or on a sandwich, both serves with crispy fries. We also love the coconut shrimp, butterflied and perfectly crunchy. If you’re looking for kid-specific options, Mama’s Snack Stop also has a mini version of the fish and chips (without the beer batter) and a PBJ made with guava jam.

In short, Mama’s Snack Stop is one of those Aulani dining spots that gets you fed quickly and right back to the fun!

Pāpālua Shave Ice

In the hot Hawaiian sun, what could be better than shave ice?

Extremely popular in Hawaii, this style of frozen treat is part of the quintessential Hawaiian vacation experience. One of the ultimate walking eats, shave ice is a perfect dining option a wander around Aulani on your first day. The flavors rotate on a seasonal basis, although there are favorites you can find most times of the year.

Some flavors you might recognize, like root beer, vanilla, and strawberry, while others are unique to the islands. Haupia, or a coconut cream, is one of our favorites, as is lilikoi, which is a yellow passionfruit native to Hawaii. Combining flavors is fun as well, especially the creamy and fruity flavors.

Conveniently, Pāpālua Shave Ice is right by Mama’s Snack Stop in the pool area, so you can get your meal and dessert all in one. This location is open from 11:00am-6:00pm every day, so get it while it’s cold!

Little ‘Opihi’s – Beachside Kiosk

While in the past Little ‘Opihi’s had sandwiches and other savory items, since the pandemic this location has more of a focus on frozen treats, fruit, and beverages.

Dole Whip lovers will rejoice at the different flavors – right now Little ‘Opihi’s has watermelon and the regular pineapple, with a swirl option as well. However, in the past, they have had guava and an adult Blue Hawaiian style that we’re hoping will make a comeback. Dole Whips come in a cup, or in an adorable Mickey or Minnie waffle cone bowl. The standard bowl has sprinkles, but for a few extra bucks, you can get fresh fruit on top.

For me, it wouldn’t be a Disney vacation without a Mickey ice-cream bar. Little ‘Opihi’s is your spot for a Mickey-shaped treat, both as a premium bar or ice-cream sandwich. You can also get a bobo ice cream bar, strawberry cheesecake or green tea flavored, and a unique samanco frozen treat filled with Japanese red bean paste and vanilla ice cream.

If you want a healthier option, Little ‘Opihi’s also has fresh fruit bowls and chocolate dipped fruit, feeding that sweet tooth without overdoing it on the calories.

Check out some of these fun portable eats in this video:

Aulani Quick Service Dining & Lounges

One of the best parts of Aulani is the laid-back atmosphere, which also applies to their dining.

When it comes to quick service, you can get delicious food at almost any time of day, much of it poolside. In the lounges, take a break from the sun to snack on delicious appetizers and enjoy refreshing beverages of the islands.

Wailana Pool Bar

Specialty Coffee

From 6:00am-10:30am, you can get amazing coffee right out by the pool. Whether you go for something a bit simpler, like a cappuccino or café latte, or jump right in to a blended drink, the local Kona coffee will wake you right up. One of our favorite blended coffees is the Aulani special, a macadamia nut mocha that is absolutely delicious.

Not much of a coffee drinker? No problem! Wailana has shakas, blended milk and ice drinks, as well as tea and hot chocolate. Both the chai tea latte and the red passion fruit iced tea are our tea picks. The chai tea latte gives you that hot beverage pick me up without the coffee jitters, while the passion fruit iced tea is a refreshing complement to your breakfast.

Aulani Poolside Dining Menu

While Wailana doesn’t have their own food, you can use their poolside menu to order lunch items made in the quick service kitchens. Aulani is all about bringing their dining to you, so you can maximize your pool time.

Appetizers & Salads

Looking for something sharable?

Try the chicken wings, tossed in Buffalo or sweet teriyaki sauces, with ranch or blue cheese dip on the side. The Maui-style onion rings are another treat for the table, with a zesty jalapeno-buttermilk dipping sauce. If you just want an appetizer for yourself, the Volcano Chicken Quesadilla is a great hot meal. Savory chicken cooked with chorizo spices comes topped with a blend Cotija and Monterey Jack cheese, all melted together between two soft tortillas.

For something a bit fresher, we recommend the Crab Louie Salad (a fun nod to the chef from The Little Mermaid). Snow crab and surimi top fresh local lettuce, along with sliced avocado, egg, tomato, and a sweet and spicy dressing. You can also get a classic Caesar salad, topped with jumbo shrimp or chicken breast.

Burgers & Tacos

Sometimes you just need a hot and juicy burger, and Aulani is more than happy to oblige.

Grab a standard burger topped your choice of cheese, lettuce, and tomato, or the plant-based patty without the cheese. The specialty burger is the Umami Truffle Burger, topped with truffle cheese, roasted mushrooms, arugula for a peppery taste, and a special umami sauce. All the burgers come with a side of Maui chips, French fries, fruit, or a side salad.

If you want something a bit different, go for one of the taco options. Try locally caught fresh fish, shrimp, or roasted chicken, each topped with a combination of beans, cheeses, and fresh salsa. The tacos also have the same side choices as the burger, giving you the chance to build some healthier options into your day.

Poolside Favorites

For a taste of Aulani dining specialties, try one of these hot items.

The Spicy Ahi Sandwich features perfectly seasoned ahi tuna with a wasabi-ginger slaw, while the Toasted Turkey and Brie Sandwich combines roasted turkey and rich brie cheese with the freshness of green apple and arugula on a ciabatta bun.

You can also try an island favorite, the Kalua Pork Dog. In spite of the name, Aulani uses an all-beef hotdog, topped with a pineapple relish on a Portuguese sweet bun. It may seem like a weird combination, but don’t knock it till you try it.

The ‘Ōlelo Room

One of the premier lounges at Aulani, this is a prime example of casual adult dining.

You do have to cover your swimsuit at the least, and barefoot is a no go. Ōlelo means language in the native Hawaiian tongue – so be sure not to wear anything that contains inappropriate words or images. The spot is about a celebration of food, language, and Hawaiian culture, so they like to keep things positive.

Sushi & Sashimi

Sushi lovers are going to love The ‘Ōlelo Room, with plenty of freshly caught options for you to try. There are two different locally caught Ahi options, each flavored a bit differently, and one more spot for the Ahi on their Moriawase Platter. This platter also includes fresh salmon and a Hamachi sashimi assortment.

You can also get freshwater eel, king crab, Pacific yellowtail, and Hawaiian Big Eye Tuna all in the nigiri style, some wrapped in nori while others have a savory garlic-miso glaze. If you prefer rolled sushi, The ‘Ōlelo Room has well known favorites – California Roll, Smoked Salmon Roll, Rainbow Roll, and a Spicy Tuna Roll. Something a bit more unique is the Peking Duck Roll – five spice marinated duck, roll up with spring onions and crispy skin from the duck. This comes topped with hoisin sauce and sesame seeds for a crunch.

Wash all this sushi down with an assortment of sake, giving you that full Japanese sushi experience.

Pūpū Appetizer Menu

If sushi isn’t quite your thing, the Pūpū Appetizer Menu provides amazing alternatives. Each of the items has a fun Hawaiian twist that fits right in with the overall atmosphere of The ‘Ōlelo Room.

Our pick would have to be the Hawai’i Ranchers Hōlua Sliders – beef sliders topped with bacon, cheddar cheese, avocado, and a Maui onion marmalade. These are great bits for a light meal, and perfect for sharing. Another great sharable dish is the Pua’a Kālua Gratin. Here, kalua pork comes mixed together with cream cheese and Maui onion, topped with parmesan cheese and Lomi Lomi tomato relish. Accompanied by naan bread for dipping, this gratin will fill you right up!

On the sweet side, we love the Roasted Pineapple Cobbler, a macadamia nut and cinnamon streusel topping fresh baked pineapple served with vanilla bean gelato. If you’re finishing your night at The ‘Ōlelo Room, you’re going to love this sweet treat.

Ulu Café – Aulani Quick Dining & Market

Nothing says Disney dining quite like a quick service and market combo. At Aulani, Ulu Café meets that need, serving as your all-day eatery and convenience market. Grab breakfast, lunch, and dinner, along with snacks, starting at 6:30am. Since Ulu Café doesn’t close until 8:30pm, you don’t need to worry about coming back late from and excursion and not having something to eat.

Breakfast

Acai Bowls

If you’ve never had an acai bowl, you’ve got to try at least one while you’re at Aulani. This is the pinnacle of local Hawaiian dining, at least when it comes to breakfast. Acai bowls have a base of blended acai berries, typically frozen, and topped with granola, fruit, and other goodies.

At Aulani, their signature acai bowl includes granola, banana, strawberries, blueberries, chia seeds, and dragon fruit. If you want something tropical, you can get the pineapple, banana, mango, papaya, coconut chips, and honey version instead. Not only are these bowls filling, but they are a healthy alternative to some of the carb-heavy options you might have otherwise.

The best part? You can get an acai bowl all day!

Eggs & Platters

For a more protein-rich breakfast, try the breakfast platter or one of the many breakfast sandwich options. Our favorite is the croissant sandwich, which includes scrambled eggs, bacon, and cheddar cheese. For a bit of a twist, the breakfast wrap has the same ingredients, with the addition of avocado.

Specialty Flatbreads

Grab a breakfast flatbread, a great sharable item. All have a base of scrambled eggs, with a variety of toppings that include bacon and cheddar cheese, sausage gravy, and a Western scramble with bell peppers and grilled onions. You can also get these with a gluten free crust upon request.

Available until 11:00, these flatbreads are an ideal brunch item or an early poolside lunch.

Keiki Breakfast

If you want something specifically for your kiddos, these Keiki items fit the bill. You can get a simplified version of the breakfast platter or a French toast platter, or go simple with a continental breakfast option. Kids also have the option of a fresh fruit platter, which appeals to the young palates.

Check out this video to get a full view of Ulu’s breakfast:

Lunch & Dinner

Poke Bowls

Another Hawaiian favorite, Ulu Café has poke bowls during the lunch period (11:00am-3:30pm). Poke bowls top either white or brown rice with sushi grade seafood, sauces, and other toppings. You can build your own from the choices available, or try one of their premade options. We like the California, brown rice topped with shrimp, avocado, cucumber, and a creamy sesame dressing.

Sandwiches & Flatbreads

Ulu Café features a rotating hot sandwich, different based on both the day of the week and the season. This is nice, as weeklong vacationers can try a variety of sandwiches throughout their stay.

Similarly, at dinnertime there’s Ulu Café has a nice selection of flatbreads, providing Aulani guests with a solid quick dining option. Choose a classic Margherita or mushroom and spinach, or you can expand your horizons with a Kālua pork. As with the breakfast flatbreads, you can get any of the options with a gluten free crust.

Snacks & Treats

What would an Aulani quick dining spot be without Dole Whip? This is your spot for classic Dole Whip, or a vanilla swirl combo. You can also get a refillable popcorn bucket, which is a fun collectable as well as a cost saving snack option.

In the market, there’s a solid selection of other wrapped treats and snacks, many of them Mickey-shaped. You can also find yogurt, fresh fruit, and other healthy alternatives to the salty snacks.

Kids’ Meals

For the lunch and dinner hours, kid’s enjoy the fresh catch of the day, peanut butter and local jam sandwich, or chicken tenders. These meals all come with milk or a small bottled water. Always check what the local jam is before selecting – if your kiddos are selective about their jam preferences, they might want to go with a different option.

Aulani Signature Dining Experiences

Ka Wa’a, Aulani Luau

Ka Wa’a, a luau at Aulani, is one of the best luau experiences on the entire island of Oahu.

With a focus on the history of the local Oahu region, the luau throws a meticulous light on the historically significant dishes, activities, dances, and songs of Hawaii.

Read my full guide & review of Ka Wa’a, the Aulani luau here.
Full menu included.

Off the Hook

An open-air, no reservations spot, Off the Hook is great for a casual meal for lunch or dinner. While it is technically a table service spot, the atmosphere is much more laid back than some other Aulani dining experiences. In addition to the tables, where a hostess formally seats guests, there is bar seating available on a first come, first serve basis.

Off the Hook is the source of food for the Poolside Menu, which means the options are the same. However, we suggest going for something lighter during your poolside lunch, and treating yourself in the evening at Off the Hook.

Aulani Character Dining Experiences: Eat with Mickey Mouse

Makahiki – The Bounty of the Islands

Open for breakfast and dinner, Makahiki is a signature table service featuring a fixed price three-course meal. Breakfast is $45 per adult and $28 per child (nine and under). Meanwhile, dinner is $65 per adult and $28 per child. Also at breakfast, you can see Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and Goofy in Hawaiian attire, which is the perfect time for a family photo op!

Read my full guide & review of Makahiki, the Aulani character breakfast experience. Full menu included.

Grace Hoyos, Staff Writer

Grace is a life-long lover of all things Disney, particularly the parks at Walt Disney World. She is also an avid Disney Cruise Line enthusiast who regularly dreams of the white sands of Castaway Cay. Grace loves the fact that her Disney trips give her time to spend with her family, enjoy incredible food, and try new experiences.

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