Castro's

Couple friends was visiting Hawaii for a few days. Before we hit the beach to relax and enjoy the beautiful island of Hawaii we decided to eat at this gem. Food was amazing and the fresh juices was refreshing. The French toast 10/10. Actually everything we had 10/10. Definitely try this place. Visted back in Aug of 2024

We decided to have our breakfast at this place today. I had seen many good reviews about it, and I can say they were right. The portions here are large, and the food is tasty. I tried a savory breakfast option with sausage, potatoes, and fruit, as well as French toast. I really liked it — the portions were generous, the food was delicious, and the fruit was fresh. Overall, I’m very satisfied. The only thing is that we didn’t try the coffee or drinks, we just came to eat, and I’m happy with the experience.

Best breakfast in Honolulu! Every dish is crafted to perfection. We had the buen dia sandwich, ham and cheese and the avocado toast, the three were spectacular. Also the passion fruit and dragon fruit drinks were amazing!

First time here and the place was easy to find. Parking was not. There isn't dedicated parking but the food is served quickly. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable. The Cuban sandwich was a bit greasy for me but had decent taste considering the bread choice. The pickled veggies and guava juice were delicious. The black beans lacked something. I would go back to try other dishes.

So good, omg the brisket sandwich is the best and I got some house pickles to go. So yummy! Also the staff were nice enough to let us bring next door coffee to their table. Next time I’ll get coffee from Castro’s too 😊.

The reviews are correct, five stars for the food!!! I went early for breakfast, it was nice and quiet and there were plenty of open tables and enjoyed the relaxed vibe. My family came back later and just had everything to go because it got busy for obvious reasons- the food is really good !!! (Service is okay but it be better if the staff adds the aloha spirt)

Came here after reading the reviews. We have been visiting Oahu/Waikiki for years and pass by this place which always seems to have a crowd. Our first impression was lackluster. We were barely greeted by the woman behind the counter, who instead of asking if we had questions about the menu, and/or making suggestions, just stood there, and asked if he were ready to order. We weren’t expecting a lot just a smile perhaps and some suggestions. Not sure if she was having a bad day/moment but she was a bit cold and unwelcoming. We ordered the French toast, traditional Cuban breakfast plate and a small potato salad. French toast looked amazing but was way too sweet and over sauced. Too bad because the toast itself seemed well done but drowned in syrup. Traditional Cuban breakfast plate was OK. Sausage was tasty and egg was cooked just right. Potato salad was also OK. Cubanito came to me not hot, so tasted meh. Overall we were underwhelmed with the food and service. The ambience is nice with outdoor seating. Food came out fast. Maybe the sandwiches are better. Not sure we’ll be back to try them though. When we learned the owner wasn’t Cuban it added to the let-down experience. We are from San Francisco where there are many excellent restaurants and perhaps our expectations are different. Castro’s is a popular spot so it’s worth a try to see for yourself. We were disappointed.

Many places in Waikiki are overrated and not worth the money, but Castro’s is absolutely worthwhile! They are original, use high quality ingredients, and above all, have some of the best food presentation I’ve seen on this island! The staff are great as well!

Recommend sitting at one of the tables under an umbrella. There's trees, and the uncovered tables come with risk of bird poop (a fresh one landed on my hat). Prices rang up higher than what was displayed on menu -- when I asked, that's when they said there's a surcharge when using cards. So, pay cash and save. French toast: 5/5!! Out of this world. One of the best I've had. Crispy edges, fluffy innards, delightful amount and assortment of fruit (blueberries, Asian pear, yellow kiwi, citrus, banana, pineapple, watermelon, and some sort of grape I haven't seen before), all swimming in a delectable rum sauce. Recommend sharing, it's HUGE. Portuguese sausage (side item): 5/5. It's only 1 sausage, but it's delish and comes with a few pickled veggies. Perfect counterpoint to the French toast and rounded out breakfast. cortadito: 5/5. So smooth and rich, best coffee this trip. Also love that it's right next to Vavin -- Vavin's pastry game is right up there with Kona (the infamous, hours-long line in International Marketplace). An entree & coffee from castro's and a croissant from Vavin...perfect shared breakfast for 2.

The cubano was delicious! Food looked amazing! Service was good! Ambiance was pleasant!

If you are looking for amazing tasting coffee - great food (brunch style) Castros is the place to be. Definitely worth it. Cafe con leche- is a must if you enjoy coffee- dark enough yet it's perfectly sweatened.

delightful food and drinks. one of the highlights of any trip to oahu. crab/shrimp toast and brisket sandwich were excellent. fruit salad was fresh and seasonal.

We ordered the Buen Día breakfast and a cortado. The food was delicious and fresh. The cortado was of the same quality. The service was friendly and the ambiance was relaxing. Definitely, will visit again to try some of their other menu items.

My wife and I thought this was probably the best breakfast we've had all year! Unbelievable. This is the French toast and the traditional Cuban dishes. Go!

The most amazing food you will ever eat on Oahu. We have tried almost everything on the menu and nothing has disappointed us. Please try, you will be pleasantly surprised at how great the food is and find yourself going back multiple times during your stay on the island. Castro's, you guys rock, keep up the great work!

Great service and delicious sandwiches!!! I ordered a Ropa Vieja & a Cubano. Both were wonderful and will be dreaming of that Ropa Vieja- wish they had longer hours since they close pretty early in the afternoon!

I didn't think one of my favorite breakfasts of all time would be Cuban food, especially in Honolulu. I shared this recommendation with friends afterwards and they doubted as well. But trust me, Castro's delivers. The dishes are beautifully plated and they all came with a side of fruit. The Cuban sandwich here was the best I've ever had, better than any I've had in Miami. The crab and shrimp toast and the watermelon and beet salad were also great. This is a must-try.

Great breakfast and lunch. Sandwiches and avocado toast were phenomenal. Prices are high, but expected for the area.

The food was a solid 4 stars! Our order this morning: Ropa Vieja ($16): Brisket, white cheddar, sofrito, green goddess aioli Cubano ($15): Ham, pork roast, cheddar, pickles, garlic aioli, Dijon mustard Mediterranean Potato ($12): Okinawan sweet potato, mushrooms, olives, sea salt, almonds Cafe con Leche ($4, 8oz): Espresso beans, milk, house sugar. Both ciabatta sandwiches were grilled to perfection. My boyfriend enjoyed the brisket in the Ropa Vieja, but felt the sandwich overall lacked a bit of flavor. As for the Cubano, the combination of pork roast and ham just didn't hit the mark, leaving something to be desired. Sadly, this was my least favorite experience with a Cubano to date. If you like sweet potatoes and olives, get the salad! It's sweet, savory and light. The real star of the show was the Cafe con Leche. It was incredibly smooth, slightly sweet and absolutely delicious. I highly recommend it.

Castro is a staple brunch spot for me. They close at 1 PM, and at 12:30 they only do to go. If you manage to get in there before 1 PM, I promise you will not be disappointed. It is a very unassuming place packed with culture and vibrant and authenticity. The Cubanos are on point, the yerba mate is very authentic, and you can't go wrong with any dishes on the menu. This time around, I got the breakfast brisket sandwich, which was so juicy on a local egg. The bread was perfectly crunchy, and the side, fruit salad, and pickled vegetables were great mix. The Ropa Vieja was also another grass fed brisket but a little bit leaner. Overall, the service is always very attentive and they pay attention to detail when it comes to presenting you with an upscale Cuban experience on the streets of Waikiki. Don't sleep on the spot if you're looking for something a little more diverse .

Overall 4 stars: The Traditional Cuban Breakfast hit the spot in the morning! Great food with friendly staff! Food 4 stars: We got the Traditional Cuban Breakfast as takeout. Our favorite part of the breakfast was the beans. It was flavorful and filling! It also came with a sausage, eggs, potatoes, and pickled vegetables. I would recommend trying this dish if you've never tried a Cuban breakfast. This was my first one and I will be going back for another. Service 5 stars: The staff is very friendly and offered us water as we waiting for our food at one of the dine in tables. She also came over to ask if we needed anything else while we waited for our food. Ambiance 4 stars: this is a cute little shop at the beginning of Waikiki that has outside seating. The shop looks clean and has a Cuban theme.

If you are thinking about liking avocado toast or you are an avocado toast aficionado, you must get the toast here. The service is top notch, the outside seating makes for great people watching and extra the food is delicious. Everything is fresh and made with attention to detail.

Love this place. Went with quite a group and tried almost everything. EVERYTHING was really good and the ambiance and service were worthy of mention. I highly recommend it. It's Cuban with a twist?

This adorable little restaurant was one of the best meals we've had on the Island of Oahu. We waited maybe 5 minutes for a table. We waited probably only 10 minutes for our food. And even if we had to wait 30 minutes, it would have been worth it! The food is AMAZING! They know just the right combo of savory, to sweet, to acidic and it makes every bite just as delicious as the first! My wife loves a cubano sandwich and she said this was the best she'd ever had. It was piled high with sliced ham, pickles and an amazing sauce. The Croque Senorita is served with fruit, pickled veggies and two deliciously sweet fruit jams/sauces all on the side so you can decide which to add to each bite and let me tell you, you won't go wrong with this choice. Both meals were served piping HOT and were ssssoooooo delicious we had a hard time stopping eating them. Of note, there's not a ton of seating but there's a beautiful green space across from it where you could enjoy your food to-go, as well.

This place was incredible and the best breakfast we have ever had! We actually went back a second time on the way to the airport to try more of the options. Everything was fresh, delicious and flavorful. Coffee was also delicious. Service is excellent and really cute restaurant. It also helped that there is hourly parking across the street at the post office so it was easy to come and go. If we can ever come back to the Waikiki area, this will be our first stop :-)

Presentation for the food was very good and exciting. The Tres Leches French Toast is highly recommended and very good. The brisket however was very dry and the sandwich lacked a bit of flavor. Lady at the register was very kind and helpful. The place was very busy and outdoor seating only at the time.

(Last visited 12/10/2022.) While vacationing in Hawaii we were told to check out Castro's for their incredible Cuban food! Well, their hours are so where they're open from 7:00am to 2:00pm each day (when I went, Google says different now). Like, that's SLIM fam. Truly a breakfast and lunch place, but I'm here to tell you why it's worth waking up early to check this place out! Atmosphere/Appearance: Located as a part of a multi-business building right on Kalakaua Avenue is this gem. There really isn't much for parking, but there is some space on various streets in the area. Just be careful. Inside is quaint and cozy. It's beautifully decorated, maybe a couple of tables, but on the left side is where you can order, see into the kitchen and check out the menu. It's Hawaii, so you naturally will want to sit outside to enjoy the beautiful weather. Service: There isn't much service. You just walk up to the counter, take a look at the menu and tell them what you want. You pay then the food is brought right out to your table. Nothing too crazy. Food: First up we started with the Meal Tamal. Let me tell you, the presentation of the food is absolutely BEAUTIFUL. It came out on this beautiful blue plate covered by smoke and then the glass dome gets removed revealing the incredible dish. So in the Meat Tamal is grass fed brisket, roasted seasonal vegetables, sofrito, organic corn, chimichurri that's all wrapped in a banana leaf. This is a heartier dish than an actual Mexican tamale. They are very different. The filling was like a red beans and rice kinda consistency. Flavored very well. The brisket was so crazy-tender. Really floored me and left me speechless. The flavors were so powerful and went so deep into my taste buds. It's just cooked so perfectly and is even better with the chimichurri or even the hot sauce. Next up was the Croque Señorita which is local ham, truffle mornay sauce, egg, guava jam, lilikoi yuzu gel, Gruyere cheese, not all between brioche bread. Again, another looker of a dish that you don't even want to touch because you're afraid of destroying art. Lol. It was light, airy, fluffy, the cheese was perfect and the egg added some extra texture to it. The guava jam was phenomenal. This was a plate that as you checked out different things on the plate, it was like exploring parts of a city or country, experiencing something new. On our 2nd visit we checked out 2 sandwiches... that left a bit to be desired so I won't get to into them. The Cordero was like a brisket beef kinda sandwich that lacked in a flavor a bit. Same for the Cubano. Good sandwiches, but we just weren't blown away by them like we were with the dishes from our first visit. Value: It's Hawaii. It's not going to be cheap, but you won't spend more than $20.00 or $30.00 here per person. In conclusion, I loved it here at Castro's and it's totally worth getting up early to come check this place out! It's family-owned with everything made in-house with such an amazing reputation! Make this a place you check out when you're in Hawaii!

For starters there food was fantastic, we've been here twice on our trip so far and hands down some of the best breakfast and lunch we have had. Both times I got the brisket breakfast sandwich which was a 10/10 bread was crispy meat was tender the aioli they put on was superb. My fiancé got the trés lechés French toast and the monte Castro sandwich, they were both fantastic, there French toast is amazing so thick and fluffy good portions enough to feel full, fruit is fresh and not soggy or old, there atmospher is great, so on brand with the Cuban style cute and cozy, servers friendly and attentive. would highly recommend to anyone staying in Waikiki

Delicious Cuban food for brunch. Order at the counter from a friendly server. Then hope to find a table for two indoors or tables for four outdoors at this busy restaurant.

Tried the tres leches french toast , cafe con leche and ropa vieja sandwich which were all exceptional. The whipped cream was supposed to be dragonfruit flavored but it was just a regular whipped cream to my disappointment. The fresh fruits were a good add on to the french toast. We spent $50 for all 3 items but it was well worth it.

Castro's was a great spot for a late morning stop. I loved that they have both outside and inside seating. You order your food first and then take a seat inside or outside, depending on your preference. They offer breakfast and lunch, so it all depends on what you're in the mood for. I ordered their Traditional Cuban, which came with an egg in the shape of a triangle, roasted potatoes, linguica sausage, parsley mojo, house pickled vegetables, and amazing local fruit. The whole plate was DELICIOUS and just the right portion size--not too full but just full enough. I also got their iced mocha. My wife got their Buen Día plate, which comes with egg, aged cheddar, and dill crème fraîche. To drink, she got a cortadito. Again, delicious food and the fruit was so good. I enjoyed the experience, and the Cuban music added a great vibe. The service was great, and I would definitely come again.

Helpful to know: they do not take reservations. You order at the counter and they'll bring the food to your table. There's a few tables inside and a few outside, not a ton of seating. The outdoor tables were shaded for the most part. Not the restaurant's fault, but there were some flies and pigeons around, which diminished the eating experience. Decent coffees with nice foam hearts. Hard to resist the tres leches french toast with its impressive presentation! They also gave a generous amount of fruit with it. I'd be willing to come back and try one of the savory dishes.

I am still dreaming about the wonderful breakfast I had here during vacation last week. I had the Croque Senorita and is seriously one of the best things I've ever eaten. The guava jam and rich Gruyere cheese really rounds out the flavors and I can't wait to go back. The service was quick and attentive, and the patio was lovely to sit out on in the morning.

One of my favorite food stops in Oahu! We stopped for a quick lunch and split the Cubano sandwich with a side of black beans. It was so good! Our server was so friendly and she really understood the assignment when I asked for more ice, thank you!!! My biggest regret was not being able to come back to the French toast. I hope to come back again someday!

We've been wanting to try this delightful Gem of a restaurant for some time, and finally today we did it. We knew it was going to be a super meal and it was... Hands Down Outstanding breakfast. Staff were all polite and welcoming. Service was really good too! We order the Traditional Cuban breakfast, Avocado Toast and of course a Cafe con leche. Presentation was amazing too. We will be back... for lunch. Gotta try the Cubano!

Beautiful and delicious food and coffee. Cozy brunch restaurant, fast service but food quality and decoration is fantastic.

So charming and delicious! We tried the tres leches French toast, ham and cheese sandwich, and the Cuban breakfast. The juice of the day was pineapple, and I ordered a cappuccino as well. The service was very helpful and polite. We enjoyed eating outside and listening to their Cuban music. Highly recommend!

Really disappointed. First time visit. The two girls working behind the counter were rather snooty. They did NOT want to be working. Not a smile, not an aloha, not even an hola to greet. Hopefully they were just having a bad day. But it's also why I give this place 2 stars. The food was good & fresh. Small portions. I'm half Cuban & grew up in Miami before moving here, so it's definitely much fancier than anything my abuelita cooked. Nice side street atmosphere. Unfortunately, there's no desire to return, which is a bummer because we always want to support local. However, the actitud of the staff left too much of a bitter taste in my mouth.

Yo!!! Not gonna lie the food here hit every note. I'm not one to over hype food but this restaurant would get 6 stars if I could give it.

The food at Castro's is exceptionally unique and satisfying. The Monte Castro and French toast are both standout dishes, and the avocado toast is equally impressive. Their coffee is hands down the best in the area!

Wow, the tres leches French toast indescribable. The variety of seasonal fruit can be a bit messy with the skin on some. Eating outside was a bit of an experience with the birds so be wary of that

My family found this cute spot when we were searching for Latine food. The presentation alone is mouth watering.

Walkable from our hotel. The people were friendly and helpful. They have indoor and outdoor seating. 4 tables outside a 4 outside. With 2 to4 seats per table. So small but nice. We got the papaya bowl. Which was a half of papaya with yogurt and granola in the middle surrounded by local and what seemed non local fruit. The local ( papaya kiwi leche and Asian pear were sweet and ripe.) the cantaloupe strawberries and blueberries not so much. It as tasty all in all and I'd order again. We also got the salmon board. Good but not what we expected. We did get to try things we've not tried before. Would like to try a few more things and the coffee. Will have to return. The people super nice and convince was very handy. So location and service top notch

The sound of Cuban music spilled into the street, setting the perfect tone before I even walked in. Kept it simple this time--an iced Cubanito and avocado toast. Both were chef's kiss. Flavorful, fresh, and exactly what I needed

Good service and delicious food. I had the tres leches French toast. The variety of fresh fruit was amazing. I would definitely be back if I could - but I'll be at work during the hours they are open.

Went here blindly... best meal of my life no joke. Was sooo pleasantly surprised by quality, flavors, presentation, and overall experience. Will be coming back, snd 1110000/10 recommend!!

Very cute little cafe in Waikiki. We went on a Monday morning around 745 and it was pretty quiet. We ordered the tres leches French toast and the brisket breakfast sandwich to go. They both came with really fresh seasonal fruit. Both were tasty. I had my baby with me and the barista was very considerate and brought our coffee out to us at a table while we waited for the food so I wouldn't have to walk with a hot espresso and the little one. It's a great place to stop in for breakfast that isn't crazy busy.

Day 2 of Oahu started with breakfast at Castro's. With authentic Cuban food, we had great expectations for this spot. Walking distance, we got there around 10AM and there was no line. I ordered their café cubano and a torta. Your food is delivered to your table, and the ambiance is very tranquil here The climate was perfect for outdoor seating. Please give it a try here, and experience some good Cuban food PS: order their French toast for an epic picture

A little slice of home in paradise. Yes, I did, I found a Cuban haven in Waikiki, and this breakfast is absolutely incredible. You get every island fruit imaginable on your plate. Delicious, great atmosphere, amazing Cuban coffee, pure bliss. When in Waikiki, you owe it to yourself to try it.

This review is solely based on takeout, even though this place looks super cute and I'm sure it's MUCH better to dine in. Having said that, the food is really delicious. We've tried a few of their sandwiches (breakfast and lunch) and the tres leches french toast, and everything has been solid. Sure, it comes messy and a bit mushy if you get it to-go, but that's expected if you get takeout anywhere. The portions are generous! The sandwiches have been big enough to share or eat twice, and the french toast was also B-I-G enough for two. The cream and caramel sauce was yummmmyyyy and they did not skimp out on the fruit it comes with. I'd say it's pretty rare that you get that much fresh, ripe fruit with any breakfast/brunch order at other places, so that definitely did not go unnoticed. The sandwiches also came with a small side of pickled vegetables, which were just okay for me. But the quality and quantity of the meat and cheese that came with them made it more than worth it. We cannot wait to try Castro's and actually dine in when we get the chance. Really happy there's a Cuban spot here.

Awesome food! I had the brisket sandwich and it was amazing. I added an egg to it but I didn't even need to do that. I eat a lot and the sandwich was very filling! Definitely will be coming back here!

Amazing service and the best cafe con leche. Highly recommend this place. Made a quick stop for coffee but will definitely be back for their breakfast. It all looks so yummy!

Yelp said they closed at 2pm... I went there at 1:20 hoping for Cuban food. But apparently they were closed at 1 pm and seemed a bit annoyed that I was there while they were cleaning up... It's a free country, set your own schedule, but why would you say you serve breakfast & lunch in a tourist hot spot & close by 1 pm???

Cuban Yum! A great spot located in Waikiki especially since we don't have that many Latin food options in Hawaii. Order and pay at the counter, find a seat indoor or outdoors. I've been meaning to try this place, but it's only open for breakfast/lunch so it makes it hard to get to this area during that time. 1) Tres Leches French Toast - visually pretty and IG worthy. Delicious take on their version of French toast. The dulce de leche sauce was so yummy. Caramelized toast. Dragonfruit whipped cream was light. Love the fresh fruits surrounding the plate. Was on the sweeter side, but well balanced with the fresh fruits. Good portion, enough to share. The only thing I find odd is that this dish is listed as Market Price, so you don't know how much you'll be paying. The current price we paid was $18.72 though in case people were wondering. 2) Ropa Vieja Sandwich - I enjoyed this! Included tender slices of flavorful brisket. Comes on a toasted ciabatta bread and a few pickled side veggies. I liked that they actually gave a good amount of meat in the sandwich and didn't skimp! $14.56 I will definitely be back here again to try their Cubano and other dishes! One of the best brunches I've had in a while. Room for Improvement: Service could have been better. We were not greeted until some time passed by since we were unsure whether to sit down or order at the counter first. We also did not get any refills on water. Eventually we just had to walk up to the counter and ask. Service could have been friendlier too.

wow, just wow. I was looking for something different for brunch and a break from the local fare and stumbled here. Must try the tres leches french toast and the cubano! Cubana was fully loaded and was exactly what i was looking for. The french toast was stacked, light and delicious. That guava syrup soaks up your bread and goes well with the creme. Make sure to get a cafe con leche at the end too! The food, presentation, service was exceptional. Come here early to beat the heat and long wait line.

Amazing brunch on Oahu ! Calm and classy but order at the counter . Food was truly excellent .

The lady taking orders was super rude to me They have a weird system about sitting and and waiting