Rainbow Drive-In

Friday night visit, first time, the macaroni salad had entirely too much mayonnaise. The rice was ok. The meats were the best parts of the entrees:braised chicken thighs and bbq pork. The bbq pork would've been better if it was served with some bbq sauce. The service was fine. They have several tables to sit at or you can get your food to go. The noise level was not too loud, you could easily hear the person next to you.

So i ordered a pork cutlet... the breading basically slipped off the meat, gravy has no flavor to it, and it is super thick. Mac salad the only highlight of this. Really expected it to be good because the other drive ins are better. The area is just not the best. Lots of homeless. The worker was really grumpy and wasn't the very nicest.

Rainbow Drive-In is one of those places that completely lives up to the hype. I’ve been here a couple of times now, and every visit reminds me why this spot is such a must-try on Oʻahu. It’s got that classic local feel, delicious comfort food, and prices that are surprisingly reasonable, especially for how famous it is. We came on a Thursday night, and luckily it wasn’t too busy. Parking was easy, and the line moved quickly. I ordered the chili loco moco this time, and wow—it was absolutely worth every calorie. The rice, hamburger patty, egg, and that signature chili all come together perfectly in one hearty plate. It’s the kind of meal that leaves you full and happy, the way true local plate lunches should. I also ordered a bowl of saimin on the side, which was the perfect balance—simple, flavorful, and comforting. We came with a big group of 13 people, and we actually lucked out with seating together, which I know doesn’t always happen at popular spots like this. There’s a good amount of outdoor seating available, but I can imagine on a weekend or during peak hours it might get packed. Still, the staff were friendly and efficient, and even with a large group, our food came out quickly and everything was fresh and hot. What I love most about Rainbow Drive-In is that it feels authentic. It’s not fancy, but it doesn’t need to be—the food speaks for itself. You can tell this place has been a staple for both locals and visitors for years. Whether you’re craving loco moco, plate lunches, or just want to experience a true taste of Hawaiʻi, this spot delivers every time. If you’re on this side of the island, definitely make the stop. Grab a plate, find a seat, and enjoy some of the best local comfort food around. Rainbow Drive-In is an island classic for a reason!

This place has rave reviews on social media and is described as a must-try spot when visiting Oahu, so my family and I decided to check it out. The atmosphere is really cool — it has that old-school, retro vibe that makes it feel like a true local favorite. I ordered the famous Loco Moco since everyone online said it was a must, but I personally prefer more flavor in my food. The patties were thin and reminded me of a high school lunch meal — not terrible, just not as flavorful as I expected. My son got the cheeseburger and said it was also pretty bland, which was a bit disappointing considering all the hype. On the bright side, the macaroni salad was excellent — creamy, tasty, and probably the best part of the meal. Overall, it’s worth stopping by for the experience and local vibe, but the food didn’t quite live up to the social media buzz for us.

I personally prefer more flavor with natural spices so this place just wasn’t a fit for me. I did like the atmosphere, ambiance etc and was glad I came out as this place came highly rated. Good portion sizes for sure.

The venerable local plate lunch spot that’s been here for decades. Got the mixed plate for old time sake and food was up within a few minutes. Sad to say it wasn’t as excellent as I remember. I don’t know if it’s just me, but the taste was just OK. some of the other places on the mainland is better (not L&L there though). Meat a little on the dry side and excess mayo in the Mac salad. Would still recommend, to check that off your list, and in the case, I may have come on a bad day. I probably won’t be back this trip because there are a bunch of other places I need to try.

Finally got to try the iconic Rainbow Drive-in and while it’s been around for a long time, I wasn’t that impressed by the food. My sister-in-law ordered the shrimp tempura and spam and eggs plate. Taste was good, average, nothing exciting. My boyfriend ordered the loco moco and was sorely disappointed by the size of the burger patty - small and thin. I did grab a couple of shirts and stickers that were super cute. Probably won’t come back but glad I came to say that I tried it.

Great throwback memories. This place is legendary to this area. It was packed and parking was hard to find. Food was good.

Stopped by here before we headed to the airport, Ordered the mixed plate with gravy, It was all delicious! My favorite meat had to be the bbq beef. It was packing with so much flavor. When you get there you line up and someone helps you out at one of the windows, the food came out fairly quick. Glad we were able to stop by before going home.

As soon as we got off the plane, we asked a local for a quick bite to eat. He recommended Rainbow Drive-In. I ordered the mixed plate with gravy and my boyfriend got the loco moto. This was our first taste of Hawaii and we both enjoyed our dishes. The portions were huge. I liked how mine came with a little bit of everything to try and my boyfriend liked trying his new dish too. I really liked the maki maki and the macaroni salad. Lot of carbs and lot of protein, a filling plate! This spot was more casual and we noticed lots of locals eating here which was a good sign. Lots of outdoor eating accompanied by some birds which became my friends. Check this spot out if you want a taste of some authentic food!

Ordered the plate with chicken, fish stick, and Galbi. I can't remember the name of it but I do wish that I got it with gravy! It was flavorful and the portion was so generous, I had to share it with my son and he definitely helped me finish it. My only qualm is the birds around but I know that's not something that the restaurant can control

This place is a classic and great place for a filling meal at reasonable prices. It's better than the fast food chains. Excellent cheap eat and good place for people to try some local food in Hawaii. I came back after trying this place 15 years ago on my honeymoon. I had the kalua plate with cabbage that was the daily special. The loco mock can come in a bowl as a smaller size and I tried that too. The service is always friendly it's Hawaii.

We got caught in the pouring rain and decided to wait it out at Rainbow Drive-In and grab some breakfast. Even though this is an outdoor eating establishment, they have the seating covered well so we were safe from the rain. We liked that they offer daily specials, but opted for the classic loco moco to split. The person taking orders was friendly and we even chatted with some people in line to see what they were ordering and what they recommended. Our food was out in no time and we found a seat at a picnic table and dug in. The loco moco was a generous portion of rice, beef patties, eggs, and gravy, along with a scoop of mac salad. It was hearty and was exactly what we'd expect from a loco moco. While it wasn't our favorite of the trip, it was perfect on a rainy morning. It was cool seeing a mix of tourists and locals enjoying their meals here, and despite the rain everyone was in good spirits.

Update on Rainbows drive in for starters very disappointed. For dinner I ordered their chili with hot dog . For one look at that macaroni salad over kill In mayonnaise. Also the hamburger they used I found 2 small hard cartilage of some kind and their chili is not same compared to several years ago . The positive is that their customer service is always fast and friendly.

Three words come to mind:, delicious, authentic and inexpensive!!!! Yes, it is a drive-in and you will have to eat at a picnic table on the parking lot but believe me the food is worth it. We ordered the loco moco and they shoyu chicken plate. Will have to come back again!

This is the popular and original Kapahulu location Rainbow Drive-In that is affordable, fun and convenient. All of the typical local Hawaiian food are here, all the ono kine. Servings are very generous and fast, prices are very reasonable. I've had the loco moco plate that comes with two scoops of rice, mac salad and two over easy eggs. My friend had the mix plate with gravy. Both kine were good, satisfying and broke da mouth. Chee Hoo!

Food was alright but we loved the green soda (Green River)! Service was great, everyone was quick and friendly. This place had plenty of outdoor seating and tables which made it easier to drop by for a quick meal.

Friday night visit, first time, the macaroni salad had entirely too much mayonnaise. The rice was ok. The meats were the best parts of the entrees:braised chicken thighs and bbq pork. The bbq pork would've been better if it was served with some bbq sauce. The service was fine. They have several tables to sit at or you can get your food to go. The noise level was not too loud, you could easily hear the person next to you.

Solid mix plate for decent value. Get it with gravy so it's not as dry. Chicken is great, even has the skin under the breading. Beef and mahi mahi are ok. Mac salad a little too much mayo but compliments the dish well. Service is fast, no frills and super easy meal.

You get so much food for such a great price! Just walk up to the window and order. It's not an indoor place but we did not mind it.

"I've been a breaker and broken Every mistake turns to moments Wouldn't take anything back..." This place is Groundhog Day for me. I've been here before, maybe once every 3-5 years for no particular reason. Always early in the morning to beat the Waikiki tourists venturing on the cusp. I recall writing a review here, perhaps 5 years ago, but oddly that review blew away with the Mauka trade-winds, or maybe that conspiracy theory that Area-51 does hold the bodies of... Ok, so it's Groundhog Day and yea been here, done that. Seems more spiffy since the last time I was here. Maybe pre-pandemic? Don't even recall what I ordered then, but hey this time I'm craving a Loco Moco with fried egg, Gravy all over, and the AUTOMATIC rice & mac salad. Ok, things did change 'cause that plate is now $13.09 after (HART) taxes, a semi-autonomous government agency that has been building your RAIL since the opening of Rainbow Drive-In, way back in 1961. Ok, maybe not that far back lol, but you get the gist that your taxes are still paying for government waste, and overtime, right? Pau! Back to the iconic Rainbow Drive-In. This is the original location, but renovated so it's actually modern, sans the restrooms lol. I ended up ordering the Loco Moco with fried egg, Gravy all over, and the AUTOMATIC rice & mac salad for my early Sunday breakfast. Since it was 7:02am only a handful of locals were there, but iykyk in a couple hours tourists of all sorts will be in line "acting local" lol. I avoid those hours, trust lmao! Time to grindz, sista! Loco Moco with fried egg, Gravy all over, and the AUTOMATIC rice & mac salad still onolicious like back in the day. $13.09 seems eh ok considering what nearby restaurants are changing for plate lunches! Or if you're really Chang get the breakfast deal for $9! RAINBOW DRIVE-IN BACKSTORY: Founder Seiju Ifuku was born in Okinawa in 1915, moved to Hawaii, later joining the legendary U.S. 100th Battalion of WWII. Gone are the days of the 50-cent chili and rice plates, $1 BBQ beef plates, 25-cent hamburgers and 14-cent fries that our parents or grandparents enjoyed. RAINBOW DRIVE-IN FUN FACTOID: This iconic restaurant is a landmark and featured in The Food Network's Diners, Drive Ins and Dives, CBS' Hawaii 5-0 and Magnum P.I., etc. In the end, it's Groundhog Day for me. It's a good spot in the area if looking for local plate lunches! I won't be back at Rainbows Drive-In for a couple years or? Hopefully RAIL pau by then? Or maybe next time, next time? Cheeee hooo Honolulu! Pls follow my IG adventures: @eric_travel_guru

We were driving back from the north shore after a day of snorkeling, and were very hungry. The sun was down, it was getting late, and we didn't really want to stop at a restaurant after driving for an hour. I had heard about Rainbow Drive-In and after combing through their menu online, we were sold. This place is exactly what it says it is. No frills, drive in, FAST food. There are only parking spaces, outside tables, and the main outdoor windows you order the food from. The prices are probably some of the best you're gonna find on the island, and the menu has many options. I chose the Teri-Beef plate lunch which comes with rice and mac salad. We have many Hawaiian food joints in California, but I have never seen them prepare their plates as fast as Rainbow. In fact, the woman taking my order almost seemed in a rush to get me my food and on my way. They're not unfriendly by any means, but it's quick no nonsense service, and they had my food out quite literally a minute after I ordered it. The food itself is tasty and will get the job done. Is it life changing? No. But it's solid and definitely one of those dependable spots you go to for a decent, cheap, but filling meal. As far as fast food gets, this beats McDonalds any day. I definitely would come back here and I recommend this spot to anyone looking for a full meal with no hassle. I have no trouble understanding why this joint is so popular!

I feel like I'm back in high school, where I had my first Loco Moco plate during a summer field trip near Kapiolani Park. Their Loco Moco was bomb with sunnyside up eggs, smothered in gravy, Mac Salad scoop, and two scoops of rice. Wayyy better than Zippy's. After a decade living on the Mainland, I went back to try their Portuguese Sausage with Sunnyside up eggs for breakfast from my morning hike in Diamond Head Crater. They open at 7 and serve breakfast until 10:30 am. The sausages were a little burnt, yet still flavorful and juicy. They went well with the eggs. I also recommend getting a mixed plate to share with your friends and family for first-timers. The service was fast and easy to order through their diner-style window. I love how they serve their take-outs in a full pie box and cover the plate with wax paper on top. It's like unboxing a rare dessert. Parking is available near their outdoor dining area. Just watch out for flying birds and some sticky tables when you dine here.

Opened on 10/2/1961 by Seiju "George" and Ayako Ifuku, Rainbow Drive In sits on its iconic location off of Kapahulu Ave. Seiju was raised in Okinawa and moved to HI to join the army where he learned to cook. After WWII, he worked at Kapiolani Drive In, and then opened Rainbow Drive In in Kapahulu. It served 50 cent chili rice plates, $1 bbq beef plates, 25 cent hamburgers, and 14 cent fries. The Ifuku Family's philosophy was to serve plates with generous portions of hearty, simple foods with 2 scoops rice and side of mac salad at reasonable prices, which continues to be the restaurant's philosophy today. It kept prices low and focused on volume sold. Their target group was the working person and the Waikiki Beach crowd, as it was situated right outside of Waikiki. Seiju's son helped named the restaurant, as he lived in Manoa Valley ad saw frequent morning rainbows, hence, Rainbow Drive In became its name. Today, 3rd generation Chris Iwamura, who is the grandson of Seiju, oversees the restaurant today, which continues to be family owned and operated and sells 1,000+ plates daily! Over the years, Rainbow Drive In was featured on Diners, Drives Ins and Drives, Hawaii 5-0, and Magnum PI. The publicity brought in many visitors (now 40% of all customers) that in 2005, a souvenir shop opened right next to the restaurant, selling logo wear and food items, e.g., original chili mix, related to the restaurant. The successful restaurant then expanded to 4 franchised locations in Kalihi, Pearlridge, Waipahu, and Ewa Beach, with each having its strengths and drawbacks. Rainbow Drive In Kapahulu serves a mixture of Asian, American, and Hawaiian cuisines that include the following: * Plate lunches: mix, bbq beef/pork, loco moco, mahi mahi, hamburger steak, Portuguese sausage + 2 eggs, bacon w/ 2 eggs, chili, beef/pork cutlet, boneless chicken + gravy, spam + 2 eggs, chili moco, shrimp tempura. * Sandwiches & burgers: Rainbow Royal/Special, bbq pork/beef, spam, egg salad, mahi, boneless chicken, hamburger, cheeseburger, hot dog, chili dog, bacon, tuna salad. * Sides: loco moco, saimin, chili rice, mac salad, fries, tater tots. * Daily specials: shoyu chicken, roast pork w/ gravy, shoyu pork, fried saimin w/ bbq beef, chopped steak, bbq ahi, kalua pig & cabbage, beef stew, curry stew. * Breakfast: special, fried rice, corned beef hash, arabiki, French toast, pancakes, waffles. * Drinks: soft drinks, slush, slush float, tea, coffee, water, orange juice. All plate lunches come with 2 scoops rice and 1 scoop mac salad. Fries can be substituted for rice, and cole slaw may be substituted for mac salad at no extra charge, which I like. I normally order the boneless chicken + gravy with fries. I used to order the mix plate, but it is on the dry side without any gravy and there is an extra charge for gravy. The generous plates would last for several meals. In recent years, however, I notice that the quality of the food often is not the same as before, as their recipes haven't changed to reflect the times. While meat items are sometimes dry, the gravy is the lifesaver and yet plate lunches are comfort food that are sold in quantities based on nostalgia. It's a good deal if you're looking for a bargain. The popular ice float is always refreshing to have on a hot day, which I've always enjoyed! I also like the old-fashioned takeout boxes with covers that the plate lunches come in, which may be of an added cost, but is nostalgic to Rainbow Drive In from the get-go. A few years back, my favorite was their fried half chicken, which they no longer offer. It took about half hour to prepare, so I can imagine it was time consuming and therefore, removed from their menu. I wish they could bring that back! Construction workers appear to like their plates. Whenever I do repairs at my home and need to feed lunch to the workers, they enjoy anything from Rainbow Drive In! Staff is friendly, efficient and works quickly; however, during the busy lunch hour, there is a wait to get your orders, as staff is working as quickly as they can and at times, may have a shortage of workers. It's best to call in your order, as it will be ready for pickup when you arrive. Rainbow Drive In has a rewards program. At first, I wasn't aware of it, but was told by staff when I called in an order and paid by credit card upon pick up. Staff enrolled me quickly with discounts on future purposes. Hours of operation are Mon to Sun 7a to 9p. There is a private parking lot for the restaurant that gets very busy during meal times. Just wait on the side, as people come and go. The iconic Rainbow Drive In Kapahulu still sits where it started 64 years ago and offers the same classic dishes! This nostalgic establishment is part of history which will always have generations saying that time stands still and will always have conversations about these classic local dishes! Support local!

Rainbow Drive-in is a tradition and fits into a specific category - plate lunches with a drive-in overall theme. Think chili, burgers, and a variety of great playe lunches. We had the mix plate with gravy, the shoyu chicken plate (Monday special), and the Loco Moco. The mix plate was huge and really tasty. The shoyu chicken was three tender basted thighs. The loco Moco had great gravy. I appreciate the thin burger patties - I dislike super thick patties that tend to be overcooked. The Loco Moco elements all work together. The key here is that the locals know what they want and many of the orders were to go. Plenty of tables available for eating at though.

The value here is great because the portions are huge. The plates are perfect for takeout since they pack everything neatly on a plate inside the box. The slush floats are also a must.

Nostalgia hits hard at Rainbow Drive-In. Nothing beats a mixed plate and slushie float after spending all day at a beach in Waikiki. Here you can find a good ol' fashion plate lunch with ample rice, mac salad, and multiple types of proteins and don't forget about the "gravy all over". I think typically a "drive-in" is usually when you can stay in your car but here you do have to park and then order at the walk-up window. They have plenty of seating but if you ask for your order to-go, you get it in a different takeout box which makes it easier to transport or eat in your car. The iconicness of this spot has made it very popular with tourist, and if you are visiting I do suggest you come by and get your plate lunch fix here. For international visitors, the portions are huge and I'd probably suggest sharing a plate. I tried their burger for the first time recently and it was actually really good- kinda reminded me of an in-n-out burger! There's a lot to try on the menu, and everyone has their favorite but you can't go wrong with their loco moco or mixed plate.

Yummy food with insane value! While not the greatest or the healthiest, the food is definitely comforting, filling, and cheap while being flavorful. Skip the rice because it's dry, sub with mac salad and fries to share. Seating available and a decent amount of parking but people come in waves so the parking lot can get full fast. Mixed Plate with Mac Salad and Fries - beef was fair but the other two proteins were better. Mahi mahi was good while the boneless fried chicken had a light fry and was juicy. Definitely a greasy plate but such good value while satisfying cravings.

Rainbows is a must eat for me in Waikiki. It's an outdoor order up window. It's on a busy street corner with a huge Rainbow. We shared a mixed plate and chili moco. It was more than enough for 3 people. I love Rainbow's chili vs other places. Line was long as usual. Beware, watch for birds. They are vicious and tried to get to my wife's mixed plate. They did a piece of a friend's fish sandwich. They have shared picnic benches. Always catch a good conversation with other tourists or locals at Rainbows. Thank you Rainbow's! Come to Vegas pls. We need you.

Nice quick meal that we had before climbing Koko. The ribs and shoyu chicken plate were both 7-8/ 10. Mac salad felt a little too creamy and salty. Fries were also a miss and were not fresh. Portions were huge and enough to feed 1-2 people! Surprisingly their vegan "chicken" option was solid.

I wanted to like this place so badly, unfortunately the food is up to standard. However I've heard this establishment is a local favorite and they do have outstanding service and we very much appreciated hospitality. The mix plate was underwhelming with little to no flavor but the gravy saved the dish. The loco moco was my favorite out of the two. The outdoor seating was enjoyable to get a good view of the neighborhood.

Service was ok today- probably because it was super busy- the guy was mis- taking orders, but he also fixed everything and apologized- more than you can ask for in CA- lol the food comes out pretty quick so don't worry about the line. The place is known for its quaint drive in vibes. The seating is not too bad- most people take it to go. There's a store there for merch so you never forget! The food is solid. Nothing game changing, but everything is cooked perfectly, perfect portions and the price is on point. If you want variety, get the mix plate, but don't skip on the bbq pork! Don't expect a culinary revolution- some people have this place low star reviews because they were expecting more. The food is excellent for what you come to a place like this for. 100% worth the visit. And don't forget the strawberry slush!

Update 6-15-25. Wanted to have a slush float after our shrimp lunch so I told hubby let's go rainbow drive in. Wasn't that busy I guess it's father's day and maybe everybody is at the park making BBQ. Lol. Was refreshing at plentiful also saw a menu for dessert so I got lemon bars. Will see how it taste tonight. The lemon bar wasn't tart. But the crust could have been baked a little longer. It was buttery.

Standard issue and GOOD "fast" Hawaiian food. Grabbed two plates after a looooong day at Waikiki beach. Pro tip: order ahead on door dash as you'll usually see a long line to order. Strictly outdoor seating with several tables in front and to the side of the building. You can order at the window. Limited parking out front but plenty of surrounding street parking. Good and quick eats. Can't go wrong with whatever you choose!

An instant classic. If you're a local, u know about rainbows drive in. But if you're a tourist it's definitely something you should add to your day in waikiki plans. Absolutely delicious food at a cheap price. My go to plate is the teri beef plate. Two scoops of rice, 1 scoop mac salad, some cabbages and 3 gorgeous pieces of teriyaki beef. A pleasant surprise though is the chilli dog plate. My mom and I literally chop up the hot dog into tiny pieces then mix everything together to for a delicious mesh of chilli, rice, hot dog, and mac salad. If you're a tourist and only plan on coming here once I recommend the mix plate as it gives u teri beef, boneless breaded chicken, and a slab of cooked fish with tartar sauce and gravy all over with of course the 2 scoops rice and 1 scoop mac salad (a Hawaii staple). Dont forget the strawberry slush float for dessert. I always love getting one after a full day boogie boarding at the beach. Parking can be a little bit limited and tight but there's street parking in the neighborhood as well. It's outdoor seating which can get hot especially in the sun and staff is friendly and respectful. I usually take off a point for parking and the hot outdoor seating but this place is soo good I'll keep it at 5 stars!

It really takes a lot for me to give an establishment anything less than 4-stars, but unfortunately, I need to give Rainbows 3-stars today. We've been here hundreds of times, but I don't know what's been happening lately. Tonight, my meal was horrible. I got the mix plate with gravy, bbq beef plate and a chili bowl. The bbq beef looked and tasted like it had been sitting in a pan for a while. The chicken also tasted like it was reheated one too many times and it was very chewy and not crunchy like it used to be. The fish was ok. The chili wasn't even hot by the time I got home (literally live 3 minutes away). Just super disappointing. I've heard from people that the quality has gone down, and unfortunately after tonight's meal, I would have to agree. I really hope they can change it up and go back to how it used to be. Honestly, I would only give them 1-2 stars after tonight, but we used to love coming here and always had a good experience, so I'll give an extra star. I'll most likely visit again (but not right away) so I'll update my review once that happens.

If you grew up in Hawaii then you know Rainbows is one of the most iconic plate lunch places on Oahu. Mixed plate, extra gravy, Teri sauce and a slushee float will never do you wrong. Their bbq burger with French fries is also a good alternate if you're not in the mood for rice. This location is right by Waikiki aka a tourist hot spot so lines can get long but they do have online ordering now. If not then it's walk up ordering with a good amount of seating. BUT BEWARE OF THE BIRDS. They will snatch your food up if you give them a chance.

Made my way to the beautiful island of O'ahu and visited the Rainbow Drive-in. There are 4 locations that you can visit. I went to the location on Kanaina which is the original location and has been up and running since 1961. They have an outdoor seating area where you can enjoy your meal at a picnic table. Since I'm on the island I had to try their Loco Moco. For those of you that haven't had the pleasure of trying this dish it is rice, hamburger patties, covered with a brown gravy and then topped off with eggs (typically over easy). While this dish seems a very simple recipe the combination of the flavors make you come back for more. I thoroughly enjoyed the way Rainbow made their Loco Moco with the side of Mac Salad. I also had to try their slush float which is a strawberry slush with some vanilla ice cream in it. It was the perfect way to cool down and a great way to satisfy my sweet craving after that savory meal.

We stopped by here on 5/15 after hiking Diamond Head. The burger and Mahi sandwich were good. The fries were crispy and good. The service was very efficient. Nothing to write home about, but good. We dropped by again on 5/18 after our morning walk up the Makapu'u Lighthouse Trail to try the loco moco. It's a fairly odd mixture of ingredients, but it worked very well. White rice, topped with two ground beef patties and brown gravy with two fried eggs on top and macaroni salad on the side. We really enjoyed it. The macaroni salad was one of the best we've ever had.

Sad the cook served burnt bbq pork. It was obviously intentional because every piece was placed burnt side facing down. Still like the slush float. @rainbowdrivein

Great place to grab some quick Hawaiian food! A classic spot to chill and eat. Overall I'd recommend to try at least once.

This was the first stop we made after arriving on Oahu from the airport. (October 5, 2026)The service was fast and friendly but the food was lackluster. I ordered the mix plate with gravy. The Mac salad tasted like they forgot any seasoning just mayonnaise. The fried fish wasn't bad but it didn't seem fresh maybe a frozen patty. The beef was ok. The chicken was the best out of the plate. Maybe with rising costs of food the owners have begun to cut corners.

Shoyu chicken stole the show! Chicken so Tender it fell Right off The bone! Literally. Flavor was good too! Not overpowering. Loved the Mac too! Loco moco was lacking flavor to me. Meat was a little dry even with gravy over it.

Rainbows is not what it used to be. The next generation took over. Like everywhere else, prices went up, shortages of workers. Food quality not the same. We had the corned beef hash with one egg and gravy ~ this is yummy and the beef cutlet with gravy ~ another one of my favorite. Sometimes the rice is dry, sometimes the Mac salad is not but drained well so it's watery. The service at the window is slow, yet confusing. It's open but no one is manning the window. ‍ yes, best to do online order. The area was a little dirty today.

In Oahu, one of the best ways to enjoy local comfort food is by stopping at Rainbow Drive-in that offers a great mix of BBQ plates, breakfast sandwiches, and loco mocos. This spot is beloved for their laid-back atmosphere, where you can grab a satisfying meal in the comfort of your car or enjoy the breeze from their outside tables. The BBQ plates are so delicious with macaroni salad, and white rice. The loco moco is an iconic dish of Hawaii, that is must-try for anyone visiting. The classic loco moco--beef patties smothered in rich brown gravy, topped with a perfectly fried egg, and served over a bed of white rice. It's the kind of hearty meal that sticks with you, combining comfort and local flavor in every mouthful. The ladies taking your order are helping and are great at providing recommendations. Definitely a must try when visiting the area, you won't be disappointed!

Always great to visit this from my hanabata days Food is cheap! Can tell you're out of Waikiki enough. Wife says quantity over quality. The chili tots were not very good. I did like the mix plate - mahi, chicken, Teri beef - I thought all was good Kids had chili fries and said was good. Food came out pretty quick, and the outside seating was enough for our party. If this wasn't a place that was part of my childhood, I am not sure that I would come back

Overall had a decent experience here - staff are very friendly. I got there just before the lunch rush around 1:30pm. They have three windows - one for online and phone orders and two for in person orders. I had the chicken lunch plate, which was not bad, though I'd have preferred the chicken to be slightly crunchier. There are at least ten tables around the restaurant but sadly all were full at the time I was there so I ended up taking my lunch to enjoy at Waikiki beach (around a 15 min walk).

Driving home from lunch in Kaneohe my wife suggested we go to Rainbow Drive Inn for dessert. She wanted a slush float. It sounded good to me. So off we went. Got lucky and found parking in their parking lot. She got out to get her slush float. well when she returned she also bought a couple of slices of Lemon Squares. Service was fast and friendly. Well I had my slice of the lemon Squares after dinner. The crust seemed a little under cooked. The lemon filling was tasty and a had just a bit of tartness. The slush float was refreshing. Both items are worth buying. Enjoy

This place is walking distance from the zoo! Great place to come and eat after. They have outdoor seating and the food doesn't take long to come out.

After hiking Diamond head summit trail, we went there for a super late lunch. Staff were friendly and helpful. Parking is a little tight. The decor is a little old style but looks just fit the food style. We ordered bbq pork plate and I have the special: fried saimin with bbq beef plate. It came with noodles, Mac salad, a scoop of rice , chat siu, bbq beef. Bbq pork plate came with French fries, Mac salad, slaw and the pork. They are both very tasty and value for the money. Very filling for sure.

We've come here a few times since we've visited the island. We ordered our food online - took about 15 minutes and picking up was easy and there is parking and plenty of outdoor seating. Big portions for the price of food ordered, you can share the food with someone

Cute drive in with the colors. We ordered the mixed plate and you won't be disappointed. Order double of macaroni!! They weren't busy and easy to find parking up front. They have tons of tables on either side of the drive in. Service was fast and live the colors of the drive in hard to miss it.

It was a little tricky getting to it because of some construction on the road (I think that won't be an issue much longer) but totally worth making the effort. The portions are generous; a great value for the money and for a happy belly. Had the Loco Moco (good for a baseline) and the Mix Plate with gravy and sat at the lit outdoor tables to eat. There was a tasty, finely-shredded cole slaw (?) under the meats in the Mix Plate. Could have had that as a larger side, it was a hidden gem. Food came out decently quick given how busy they were. There's a cute shop with branded and some general Hawaii-themed items (bought a shopping bag) but forgot to snap any pics because I was distracted by food.

From out of town and walked by this place and decided to come back and try their loco moco and Mac salad. The patties are pretty dry and tough and the Mac salad was contained a lot of mayonnaise that didn't taste quite right to me. The best thing was the coke out of their soda fountain. It was sweet and carbonated nicely.

My bf and I must have rainbow whenever we're in town. The pork sandwiches are my favorite. The Teri burger is good too. Must stop after a day at the beach or just a quick bite.

We went during breakfast and it was kinda crowded. We had ARABIKI WITH 2 EGGS PLATE, BREAKFAST SPECIAL- CORNED BEEF HASH WITH GRAVY AND EGG*, and the BREAKFAST SPECIAL*. The arabaki was delicious but very greasy and I liked how they were small sausages lol. The eggs were nicely cooked, not as greasy as before which was good. I like how you can choose between getting toast or rice with your meal. The corned beef hash with gravy and eggs was really good!! Might get that one next time.

Old school vibe serving classic Hawaiian plate lunches. Prices are reasonable for the area and portions are filling. We ordered a Loco Moco Plate with rice and macaroni salad, and a Corned Beef Hash and Eggs plate with fries and coleslaw. Each plate comes with rice or fries plus macaroni salad or coleslaw. We were sharing our 2 plates so we figured to mix it up so we can try all the sides. The star of the meal was definitely the coleslaw! It wasn't your regular mayo styled coleslaw, but more of an oriental dressing coleslaw. It was light, had a nice flavor punch and refreshing. Rest of the meal was good, nothing spectacular but nostalgic. Small parking lot and outdoor tables for you to enjoy your meal there. It can get quite busy, so they also have the option to order online if you want to go that route. Workers are quick and will call your name when your order is ready. If you're hungry and in the area, worth a stop to check it out and see how you like it. They do have the classic local plate lunches and breakfast plates or burgers.