If you want to hit an amazing local’s joint for breakfast, there is not a better spot than Tip Top Cafe, conveniently located near the Lihue Airport. This restaurant may appear to be no frills, but it literally opened over 100 years ago in 1916 and later moved locations to where it is currently in 1956, adding on a bakery and motel.  The restaurant is now run by the fourth generation of the Ota family.
They are famously known for comfort food, but especially for their rich oxtail soup served with Chinese long rice and their amazing banana macadamia nut pancakes. You can taste the ginger and slight hints of anise in the rich Chinese broth of the oxtail soup. Paired with ox tail that is gelatinous and literally falling off the bone, this dish is great for when you’re not feeling well, want some warm nourishment or just are craving something delicious.  the pancakes made with sweet, tropical bananas, are dense, but still fluffy.  A little birdie told me that the guava jam that you can ask for makes a great accompaniment with maple syrup. These recipes are generations old.
Expect to see a line when you get there. This restaurant does an amazing job of getting people seated and eating quickly. They utilize carts to serve and bus tables and you can tell that they’ve been doing it forever because their efficiency is on point.
If you enjoy really incredible comfort food in a diner-like setting, look no further than Tip Top.
They are open every day except Monday from 7:30 AM-1:30 PM.
 https://www.tiptop-motel.com/
