Ai Ono Cafe

Lihue, HI 96766, United States
$$$ Cafe
(61 Reviews)
Price Range $10–20

Welcome to Ai Ono Cafe, a hidden gem nestled inside the bustling Lihue Airport in Kauai, HI. This charming cafe offers a delightful escape for travelers to indulge in a delicious meal or grab a quick bite before departing for their next adventure. With a focus on serving hearty local cuisine with a modern twist, Ai Ono Cafe has quickly become a favorite among both locals and visitors.

The menu boasts enticing offerings that highlight the best of Hawaiian flavors. Start your day right with the Local Boy Breakfast, a satisfying plate that features fluffy scrambled eggs, savory pork patties, and a generous serving of fried rice, all for just US$15.99. The Kauai Fried Rice, a steal at only US$4.99, is a must-try for those looking for a quick yet filling snack.

For lunch or dinner, treat yourself to one of their popular sandwiches. The Pulled BBQ Pork Sandwich or the Teri & Swiss Burger, priced at US$21.99, are perfect examples of how Ai Ono Cafe elevates traditional fare, offering bold flavors in every bite. If you're in the mood for something lighter, the refreshing Caprese Sandwich at US$16.99 combines fresh ingredients that delight your palate.

Reviews from satisfied customers echo the cafe's dedication to quality and speed of service. John R. remarked on the mouthwatering teriyaki chicken plate while another patron praised the local boy breakfast for its generous portions and quick service—delivering orders in just five minutes at times! Violet highlighted the friendly atmosphere and cleanliness, making it an inviting spot to relax and recharge before your flight.

Despite being airport food, the quality and taste at Ai Ono Cafe are unexpectedly excellent, often exceeding expectations for dining on-the-go. As noted by Daniel Huang-Talbot, the Loco Moco could rival some resort dishes, making it clear that Ai Ono Cafe is about more than just convenience; it’s about delivering a memorable culinary experience in a unique setting.

Next time you find yourself at Lihue Airport, make sure to take a moment to step into Ai Ono Cafe. You won't just be eating a meal; you'll be savoring the essence of Hawaii, one delicious bite at a time. Enjoy great food, quick service, and an inviting atmosphere that makes travel feel just a little bit more like home.

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Service options
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
No delivery
Popular for
Popular for breakfast
Popular for lunch
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Quick bite
Dining options
Serves breakfast
Serves lunch
Serves dessert
Atmosphere
Casual
Crowd
Popular with tourists
Payments
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
Openings Hours

Monday

5:30 AM - 8:30 PM

Tuesday

5:30 AM - 8:30 PM

Wednesday

5:30 AM - 8:30 PM

Thursday

5:30 AM - 8:30 PM

Friday

5:30 AM - 8:30 PM

Saturday

5:30 AM - 8:30 PM

Sunday

5:30 AM - 8:30 PM

61 Reviews
John R

01 Aug 2025

Given that it's airport food in Kauai, the price for what you get is typical. The teriyaki chicken plate was great - comes with Mac salad and rice. The Katsu was good.

Hi I Am

26 Jul 2025

This cafe is located inside Lihue Airport. As soon as you go past through security it is across to the left. We came around 9:15pm and ordered the roast pork loco moco. The price had jumped significantly after one year. This plate is now $22.xx. It was just $16.xx a year ago! The portion is generous though. Enough for 2 people to share. The pork was slightly dry though. Took about 10 minutes to receive my order. We were the only diners at this time.

Arjun 7771

06 Jul 2025

Stopped for breakfast after security. Quick service, got food in 5 minutes after ordering. I had local boy breakfast which had generous portions of scrambled eggs, fried rice and 2 pork patties.

Violet

04 Jul 2025

This is inside the Lihue Airport. We were early for our flight so we dined here for lunch. The prices were competitive to the prices around the island for similar plates. We liked our orders and we bought spam musubi to eat on the plane. Staff were friendly, service was fast and efficient and place was clean.

Daniel Huang-Talbot

08 Jun 2025

It's really good for an airport. Order off the hot food menu. Tastes better than the EWR United Club. Loco Moco better than some resort plates. Wife had the teriyaki burger.

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