Fun fact: Rainbow Drive-In is still a hot spot among locals. According to Rainbow Drive-In marketing director Crystine Ito, about 60% of customers are locals at the Drive-In’s Kapahulu location.
“We can serve upwards of 1,000 plates a day,” she says of Rainbow Drive-In, which was founded in 1961.
Rainbow Drive-In Kapahulu recently added several new dishes to its menu — and both feature local flavors and nostalgic flair.
The garlic chicken plate lunch ($16.50) and Rainbow Bento ($16) are exclusive to the Kapahulu location, but will be available at Rainbow Drive-In’s Pearlridge Center and Kalihi stores in early 2026.
The garlic chicken plate lunch ($16.50) includes flavorful chicken with two scoops of rice and mac salad. The chicken doesn’t have an overwhelming, garlicky flavor. Rather, it’s a nice blend of sweet-and-savory.
Meanwhile, the Rainbow Bento ($16) includes garlic chicken, barbecue beef, mahi mahi (with tartar sauce on the side) and Spam, served over a bed of rice sprinkled with furikake.
“The bento is prepared fresh to order, offering a hearty and flavorful combination that highlights Rainbow Drive-In’s signature, local-style comfort food,” Ito says.
She explains that the most popular dish varies by Rainbow Drive-In location.
"Here (at Kapahulu), it's the mix plate; the top plate at Pearlridge is the mix plate," Ito says. "At Kalihi, it's the boneless chicken plate."
The Drive-In’s iconic mix plate includes barbecue beef, boneless chicken and mahi mahi with two scoops of rice and mac salad.
Customers can expect tasty new dishes coming in 2026, according to Ito.
“Be on the lookout for new things,” she says. “If we get good feedback — from the garlic chicken plate and bento — we’d love to add more fun things to the menu. We’re also looking to do more collaborations with other local businesses for 2026.”
CONTACT
Rainbow Drive-In
3308 Kanaina Ave., Honolulu
rainbowdrivein.com
Instagram: @rainbowdrivein
Open daily, 7 a.m.-9 p.m.
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Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
