Photo: Google
Photo: Google
Photo: Google
Giovanni's Shrimp Truck
★3.6(3,859 reviews)$$Restaurant
🕑 30-45 minutes including ordering, waiting, and eating👶 Best for ages 4 and up. Younger kids who enjoy seafood and eating with their hands will have a blast peeling shrimp, though parents should be prepared with plenty of napkins. Teens particularly love the Instagram-worthy, authentic local experience and the famous garlic scampi.🧡 Saved by 11 families
About
This legendary North Shore food truck has been serving up mouthwatering garlic butter shrimp since 1993, and it's a must-stop adventure for families exploring Oahu's famous beaches. Kids love the casual, picnic-style dining experience where they can watch the shrimp being cooked fresh and enjoy their meal at colorful outdoor tables covered in graffiti from visitors worldwide. The simple menu and quick service make it perfect for hungry families coming from or heading to the beach.
Highlights
- ✓World-famous garlic butter shrimp served with two scoops of rice and mac salad
- ✓Signing the graffiti-covered tables and truck with permanent markers
- ✓Watching shrimp being cooked fresh on the truck's outdoor griddles
- ✓Authentic local food truck experience on the scenic North Shore
- ✓Casual outdoor picnic setting perfect for sandy, post-beach families
Pro Tips
- 1.Arrive before 11:30am or after 1:30pm to avoid the lunch rush when tour buses stop by,lines can stretch 30+ minutes during peak times
- 2.Bring wet wipes or hand sanitizer as shrimp peeling gets messy and restroom facilities are basic portable toilets
- 3.Order the regular size plate first,portions are generous and often enough to share with younger kids
- 4.Let kids add their names to the graffiti-covered tables and truck (markers provided), making it an interactive experience they'll remember
- 5.Park on the opposite side of the highway in the dirt lot if the main lot is full, but watch for traffic when crossing
Best Time to Visit
Weekday mornings (11:00-11:30am) are ideal before lunch crowds arrive. Avoid weekends and midday hours when tour groups visit. The truck operates year-round, but visiting on sunny days is more pleasant since seating is entirely outdoors.
What to Know
This is cash-only (though they now accept Venmo), and expect to spend $30-50 for a family of four. Seating is at picnic tables outdoors with no shade, and facilities are limited to portable restrooms, so plan accordingly with sunscreen and hats.
Seasonal Notes
Open year-round, but outdoor seating can be hot and sunny in summer months (bring sunscreen and hats). Winter brings occasional rain showers to the North Shore, so check weather before visiting. The truck typically closes around 5-6pm, so plan for lunch or early dinner.
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