Food & Dining
Hawaiâi Cuisine: Food, Flavors, and Local Favorites
Exploring all your favorite Island dining, from cheap eats to high-end. Craving omakase? Weâve got you covered. Shave ice? Sure thing! Loco moco? Like weâd forget! Weâve got heaping bowls of poke, and acai. Youâll find pau hana deals, foodie cocktails and delicious mocktails. Of course, none of that would be possible without the chefs, bakers, and mixologists youâll meet here. We also take you to the Hawaiâi farms that fuel our farm-to-table movement.
News
TĆ«tĆ«âs Place by Highway Inn is a new cafe at Bishop Museum
The new cafe is inspired by traditions passed down from kĆ«puna, and emphasizes comfort, hospitality and family recipes. Youâll find some of Highway Innâs signature dishes â including that famous Hawaiian plate with kÄlua pig â along with cafe exclusives.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 26, 2025
Budget Bites: $9.99 jajangmyeon for a limited time
Korean-Chinese eatery Hong Yeon celebrated its opening on Sept. 10. As part of its grand opening special, the restaurant is offering its popular jajangmyeon for $9.99 until the end of the month.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 25, 2025
Merrimanâs Honolulu now offers weekend brunch
The Ward Village extended its brunch specials to both Saturdays and Sundays. Feast on smoked salmon eggs Benedicts, wagyu loco mocos and mimosa flights â plus, the eateryâs full lunch and dessert menus are still available.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 25, 2025
Ochos Latin Vibes brings Mexican and Peruvian cuisine to Kapahulu
The biz features tacos and burritos, along with Peruvian-style ceviche.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 25, 2025
Mama Guava is Chinatownâs new Filipino-inspired pop-up
The pop-up, located in the former space of The Pig & The Lady, is opening the first week of October for lunch only. Chef/owner Monique Cadavona explains the menu is based on what she likes to eat and cook, along with both Hawaiʻi and New York influences.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 24, 2025
Budget Bites: Discounted Hokkaido uni for a limited time
Kaiten Sushi Ginza Onoderaâs uni festival is Friday, Sept. 26 to Sunday, Sept. 28. The special menu features discounts on premium Hokkaido uni.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 23, 2025
Sachi Sweets offers savory bentos along with souffle cheesecakes
The MĆÊ»iliÊ»ili cafe offers a variety of bento and a special menu on Tuesdays. The Tuesday menu includes musubi, gyu don, and egg salad and katsu sandos.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 22, 2025
Café VNTG is tucked away within a furniture warehouse
The cafĂ© â pronounced âvintageâ without the vowels â offers a community space combined with coffee, matcha and Brazilian-inspired beverages.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 19, 2025
Shake Shack is opening its first Hawaiʻi location
Shake Shack is partnering with Hawaiʻi-based company Union MAK corporation to bring the first Shack to Oʻahu in 2027.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 19, 2025
This seafood bowl spot has new specials
Totoya HawaiÊ»i, known for its signature negitoro and seafood bowls, is launching new specials this Saturday. Customers can enjoy maguro and hamachi bowls, specific to the eateryâs KaimukÄ« and PiÊ»ikoi locations.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 18, 2025
Hideout Waikīkī revamped its happy hour
Happy hour deals are now from 1 to 5 p.m. daily. Feast on crispy karaage-style chicken, truffle garlic fries and a burger-and-Mai-Tai-combo.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 18, 2025
Tanto Gyoza & Ramen Bar opens second location
The popular business just opened its PiÊ»ikoi eatery, which is currently open for lunch only and closed Wednesdays. The menu is the same as the original Puckâs Alley location; customers can expect a variety of handmade gyoza, appetizers and ramen.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 17, 2025
Slack key guitar, barbecue and acai: What to do Friday, Sept. 19 to Sunday, Sept. 21
Itâs a foodie weekend! Enjoy a barbecue that supports student scholarships at Windward Community College and a sweet deal on acai on OÊ»ahu's east side. Or catch live music and stage performances. Aloha State Daily did the research so you donât have to. Read this list of 12 things to do this weekend and start planning fun.
Katie HellandSeptember 17, 2025
This acai bowl shop is celebrating a milestone with a BOGO offer
HI Cravings Windward is celebrating the one-year anniversary of its business this Sunday, Sept. 21. Customers can take advantage of a buy-one-get-one-free acai bowl offer from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 16, 2025
Leleâs Bakery is a âlove letterâ to its community
Opened by three friends, Leleâs Bakery is a neighborhood spot that features made-from-scratch pastries using high-quality, locally sourced ingredients.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 16, 2025
Maui hotel GM talks new restaurant, business
Serkan Hizliok, area general manager of Hampton Inn & Suites Maui North Shore, shares about The Palms Bar & BitesÊ» Sept. 16 opening â including who helped with the design/build and his favorite item on the menu â and how business has been for the new 136-room property on the shores of Kahului Bay.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosSeptember 15, 2025
New slushy shop on OÊ»ahuâs North Shore
Seki Slush recently opened its first permanent location in Hukilau Marketplace in LÄÊ»ie. The biz offers refreshing mango and guava slushies with a variety of toppings.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 15, 2025
You can get fresh âulu chips at this Honolulu factory
âUlu season is from July to December, and customers can get freshly fried boxes of âulu chips at âUlu Mana HawaiÊ»iâs Kalihi factory. The biz also now offers cassava chips and more than 15 different flavors of Keithâs Cookies.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 12, 2025
Infernoâs Pizza has a new spot in WaikÄ«kÄ«
The business, known for its late-night hours and Neapolitan-style pizzas, used to operate out of a food truck on Kapiolani Boulevard. Now, the biz opened in Ohana Hale Waikīkī with its signature savory pies and Detroit-style pizzas.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 12, 2025
Olohana Brewpub by Kalihi Beer is now open in Chinatown
Kalihi Beer has closed its former brewery in Kalihi and has relocated to Chinatown. Olohana features a fresh take on traditional brews, along with pizzas and Sunday brunch.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 10, 2025
Slurpâs up: You can get coupons for free ramen this weekend
Hokkaido Ramen Santouka is celebrating the 12th anniversary of its Kaheka store. The first 100 customers on Sept. 12 to 14 can get coupons for a free ramen bowl for future use.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 10, 2025
The Capital Grille is opening in Waikīkī
This fine dining restaurant, known for its high-quality steaks and world-class wines, is opening to the public on Wednesday, Sept. 10.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 10, 2025
Megabon is back this weekend
The 3rd annual Megabon â created by JCI Honolulu and HawaiÊ»i Todaiji â is coming Sept. 13 at Leeward Community College. Hereâs what to expect.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 09, 2025
Budget Bites: $9.99 plates at Zippyâs
From Sept. 8 to Oct. 5, Zippyâs Korean fried chicken and chili mixed plate will be $9.99 for takeout ($11.99 for dine-in) at OÊ»ahu and Las Vegas locations.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 08, 2025
Empty Bowl Hawaiʻi returns after six-year hiatus
Proceeds from the event â set for Saturday, Sept. 27, at the Hawaiâi Convention Center â will benefit Chef Hui and Aloha Harvestâs program, Feed the People Hawaiâi, which combats food insecurity statewide. HawaiÊ»i Pottersâ Guild has contributed more than 3,000 hand-thrown bowls for guests to eat from and take home. Chef Mark Noguchi shares why he has participated in it for over a decade and the deeper meaning behind a bowl.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosSeptember 06, 2025
Much ado about matcha: A taste of Midori Matcha
The new at-home matcha cafĂ©, based in Kapolei, offers iced matcha and espresso lattes, along with homemade pastries â like cookie butter rolls and banana bread muffins â designed to pair with the drinks.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 05, 2025
Hyâs Steak House has a new monthly brunch buffet
The Waikīkī steakhouse, known for its fine dining experience, recently launched a monthly buffet that includes prime rib, leg of lamb, a variety of seafood, and its signature flambé desserts.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 05, 2025
This new surf and turf dinner deal is worth the drive to Kapolei
Kapolei Golf Club Restaurant recently started a three-course dinner thatâs on Sundays only. The $65 meal includes prime rib and your choice of crab legs, a lobster tail or garlic and chimichurri shrimp.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 05, 2025
This Korean yakiniku restaurant has a new, all-you-can-eat option
MooBonGri Soup & Yakiniku, located in the former space of McCully Buffet, recently started a new AYCE option for lunch and dinner.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 04, 2025
This beachfront fine dining restaurant launched a new tasting menu
Located at The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, WaikÄ«kÄ«, Azure WaikÄ«kÄ« is known for its oceanfront views and exquisite fine dining experience. The eateryâs new tasting menu launched this past summer and includes a five-course culinary experience.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 04, 2025
Kyoto Katsuda, which specializes in premium beef katsu, is now open in Honolulu
The biz, which has four outlets in Kyoto, Japan, recently opened its first U.S. location within STIX ASIA food hall in WaikÄ«kÄ«. Youâll not only find U.S. beef katsu, but salmon katsu, shrimp katsu, tuna katsu and more.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 03, 2025
âFowlâ play: New Kahuku biz specializes in chicken tenders
Chick-N-Dips opened in early July. Its chicken tenders-centric menu offers combos and mini sandwiches, along with a variety of flavorful dipping sauces â and chocolate-dipped ice cream.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 02, 2025
Popular Greek restaurant re-opens for dine-in
Since the Covid-19 pandemic, KÄhala-based Olive Tree CafĂ© has been open for takeout only. The neighborhood Greek eatery recently opened for dine-in, and will be launching its next-door deli shop in the coming months.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 02, 2025
Save the date for The Best of HawaiÊ»iâs Best Kitchens 2025
The 10th Anniversary Gala event is Sept. 27 at the Hyatt Regency Waikīkī Beach Resort & Spa. General admission tickets are still available; scroll below to see the restaurant line-up.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaAugust 29, 2025
La Tour CafĂ©âs Ward Village location is now a hybrid cafĂ©
The eatery now offers both, plant-based and non plant-based La Tour Café dishes, including sandwiches, macarons, Kouign Amann and more.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaAugust 29, 2025
(Shave) Ice, Ice, Baby: A look at one of HawaiÊ»iâs oldest shave ice businesses
Original Big Island Shave Ice Company â known as OBISIC â is known for its unique style of shave ice, which originated in 1957. Today, the company features fully loaded shave ice desserts with flavors like Kona Coffee and Chantilly, and will be opening its first Mainland store in the coming months.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaAugust 29, 2025