Kelli Shiroma Braiotta
“Where should I go to eat?” Is a question I get a lot — whether it’s in person or via Instagram, from both friends and acquaintances via social media. I’m excited to share my findings and adventures with our community — not necessarily to tell them where to eat, but to give an accurate representation of what’s available out there. I love covering the new restaurants and new, local businesses popping up. Limited-time offerings (holiday cocktail bars, weekend pop-ups, etc.) are also exciting because sometimes they’re the result of fun collabs between local businesses.
I received my bachelor’s degree from Biola University, as well as my master’s degree in journalism at the University of Southern California. I was the associate editor of Frolic Hawaii from 2017 to 2021 under Honolulu Magazine, and then worked most recently as the dining editor of Crave with the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
My goal is for ASD’s dining section to be the premiere guide for the state. I’m excited to cover the food and dining scene, and to help our readers stay updated with all things food-related. It’ll be a fun, fresh start and I’m excited to be able to cover everything.
Latest from Kelli Shiroma Braiotta
Kapiʻolani Seafood Restaurant moves to new location
The eatery’s new location on Amana Street is just steps away from its former spot on Kapiʻolani Boulevard. The restaurant’s menu is the same, so customers can look forward to signature dim sum staples and shareable dishes like peking duck, honey walnut shrimp, Hong Kong style wonton noodles and more.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMarch 13, 2026
Elotes business Corn Onoz Hawaiʻi opens its first store
The business, which specializes in creative dishes centered around corn, pops up at night markets and events across Oʻahu. It just celebrated the grand opening of its new storefront in Pearl City.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMarch 13, 2026
Le Petit Chef dinner experience available in Honolulu
This creative experience features a combination of 3D projection technology and culinary excellence. The dining experience is available nightly at Romer House Waikīkī.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMarch 12, 2026
Preview of Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaiʻi’s new Honolulu store
The biz is officially opening its first Honolulu store in Kaimukī on March 13, but its soft opening is tomorrow. The menu features a variety of hot and cold drinks.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMarch 12, 2026
San Paolo Pizza & Wine is starting brunch
The Honolulu-based eatery, known for its Italian-Brazilian fusion, is launching its new brunch menu starting March 14. Brunch will be from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on weekends only for now. The menu features a mix of classics — including French toast, pancakes and avocado toast — with unique options like Brazilian breakfast platters, spaghetti carbonara and bombolonis (malasadas).
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMarch 11, 2026
ZIGU launched a new late-night happy hour
Located in Waikīkī, the Japanese izakaya’s new late-night menu is offered from 9 to 11 p.m. Sundays to Thursdays. Customers can enjoy discounted dishes like mochiko fried chicken, spicy tuna roll, hot sukiyaki soba and more.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMarch 10, 2026
Cool Cat Express brings its burgers back to West Maui
Cool Cat Café, known for its burgers and shakes, originally opened on Front Street in Lahaina in 2003. After the 2023 Lahaina fires, the business reopened in Kihei; last summer, the biz opened an express location in Whaler’s Village, and is now open there daily.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMarch 09, 2026
Thirty Eight Honolulu launches lunch service
The new eatery, which recently opened for dinner at Pier 38, just debuted its new lunch menu. The menu features some of the most popular pūpū from the dinner menu, along with elevated plate lunches like a mix plate, Korean fried chicken, loco moco and more.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMarch 07, 2026
Where to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day 2026
Get ready to (sham) rock and roll with green beers, corned beef and these limited-time specials.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMarch 06, 2026
New happy hour at Prince Waikīkī
100 Sails Restaurant & Bar’s new happy hour menu is available daily from 4 to 6 p.m. in the restaurant’s bar and lounge area. Dishes include poke nachos, brisket sliders — a happy hour exclusive — coffee rib-eye steak and barbecue chicken pinsa flatbread. Also new: The eatery’s secret menu, which includes a mouthwatering bone-in beef rib platter.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMarch 05, 2026
Alejandro’s Mexican Food opens in Pauoa
This is the third location for the business, which opened its first store in Kalihi Valley in 2015. Customers can look forward to tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nacho fries and more.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMarch 04, 2026
Leonard’s Bakery has a new malasada mobile location
The newest malasada mobile location is on Lagoon Drive, near Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. It’s open daily from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and customers can get “travel packs” of malasadas right before catching their next flight.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMarch 03, 2026
Budget Bites: Da Crawfish & Crab Shack’s $10 plate lunches
This Kapolei eatery is known for its seafood boils, but offers $9.99 lunch specials from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays to Fridays.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMarch 02, 2026
New bento and musubi shop opens in Downtown Honolulu
U-Kitchen Hawaiʻi — whose original location is in Kalihi — is known for its affordable bentos, but the Downtown Honolulu store has several exclusive items, including assorted musubi, chicken katsu bentos and chicken katsu curry.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMarch 02, 2026
‘Sip’ on these aesthetic matcha lattes
Sippin’ Pretty specializes in curated matcha lattes and coffees. The biz pops up at various events across Oʻahu. While the banana bread latte and cream latte are popular choices from its regular menu, the biz also offers monthly specials. March brings St. Patrick’s Day-themed specialties like End of the Rainbow and Charmed & Lucky.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaFebruary 28, 2026
Pitch Sports Bar launches a new lunch sushi omakase
This Kakaʻako sports bar’s omakase is a hidden gem. Its new lunch offering costs $80 per person, features 12 courses, and is available daily between 12 and 1 p.m.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaFebruary 27, 2026
This late-night Chinatown spot has a new menu
Bar 35’s new food menu launched in December and now includes tacos and more shareable dishes. Its new chef, Julio Gutierrez, came from now-closed Tlaxcalli — and brought his popular tacos with him.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaFebruary 27, 2026
This “Shokudo Throwback” menu is available for a limited time
Shokudo is celebrating its 21st anniversary with different specials at its various locations from March 1 to 14. Waikīkī Shokudo will offer 21% off select dishes; Kaimukī Shokudo will feature a “throwback” menu — with favorites from the business’s original Kapiʻolani location — and Poke Stand by Shokudo will offer $10 poke bowls.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaFebruary 26, 2026
Where to find treats for Girls’ Day 2026
Whether you’re looking for mochi or specialty desserts, we’ve got you covered.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaFebruary 25, 2026
CU Hawaiʻi opens in Kāhala
The Korean convenience store just opened its second location in Kāhala Korner, the same plaza as Kapa Hale and Olive Tree Café. The store opened in the former Subway space, and while not as big as the brand’s Downtown Honolulu location, it includes some of its most popular features.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaFebruary 25, 2026
Kanoya Sushi Grill & Bar launches new lunch specials
The Honolulu eatery just started a new menu of lunch specials, which are available from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays. Customers can choose two- or three-roll lunch sets, entrée lunch combos and even a sashimi option.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaFebruary 24, 2026
New Kamana Kitchen 3 opens in Kailua
The eatery — which has locations in downtown Honolulu and Kapahulu — recently opened in Kailua Shopping Center. The biz prides itself on serving authentic Indian cuisine using traditional recipes. Customer favorites range from butter chicken and mango lassi to tandoori chicken.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaFebruary 24, 2026
James Beard Foundation collaboration dinner coming to Waikīkī
Beachhouse at the Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, and Azure Restaurant at The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, are featuring dinner menus from a sold-out James Beard Foundation event last month in New York City. These “Modern-Day Lūʻau” experiences will be available in Honolulu for a limited time.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaFebruary 24, 2026
New Vietnamese cafe opens in Kakaʻako
Rollin’ Rolls Cafe opened recently in the former space of Hibachi Honolulu, next to Mad Pie in Kakaʻako. The biz offers a variety of spring and summer rolls, banh mi sandwiches and Vietnamese coffees.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaFebruary 23, 2026
Executive Vineyards 2026 is coming this March
The annual fundraising event for the Shidler College of Business Alumni Association will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. at The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort. Here’s a sneak peek of the restaurant line-up.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaFebruary 21, 2026
New Korean grocery store open in Honolulu
You Me Mart just soft opened on Ke‘eaumoku Street. The business is located in the same space as French-Korean bakery TOUS les JOURS, in the former Ross space.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaFebruary 21, 2026
New weekday dinner buffet at Prince Waikīkī
100 Sails Restaurant & Bar just launched a new chef selection dinner buffet, available from 5 to 9 p.m. Mondays to Wednesdays. This buffet costs $62 per adult; instead of action stations like prime rib or sushi handrolls, it features specialty items like roasted beef tri tip, guava barbecue pork ribs, mushroom risotto and more.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaFebruary 20, 2026
New seafood restaurant opens at Pier 38
Located in the former space of Nami Kaze Hawaiʻi at Pier 38, Thirty Eight restaurant just opened to the public for dinner. The menu focuses on fresh seafood; customers can enjoy dishes like hamachi crudo, poke crackers, shrimp toast, and a fried whole moi.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaFebruary 19, 2026
Aloha Beer Co. launched a new menu
The Kakaʻako brewpub’s new menu features a variety of appetizers, seafood dishes, entrees and pizzas that are designed to pair well with the venue’s beverages. Customers can also create their own mixed six-pack of canned beers.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaFebruary 19, 2026
New dumpling shop in Honolulu
Located on the second floor of Discovery Bay Center, Waikīkī Snack Store recently opened. The shop — which specializes in Northern Chinese cuisine, including handcrafted dumplings and wontons in bone soup — also offers interactive ramen and shave ice stations.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaFebruary 18, 2026
You can get $1 shave ice this Saturday
Matsumoto Shave Ice is celebrating its 75th anniversary this Saturday, Feb. 21. The community is invited to enjoy a variety of specials, including $1 small shave ice (no toppings included), discounted anniversary T-shirts and more.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaFebruary 18, 2026
The Savellano’s Lechon business specializes in crispy pork belly
The biz officially launched in 2023 and offers lechon pork belly plates, along with whole lechon rolls. Its lechon is made using a family recipe, and is known for its ultra-crispy texture and tender meat.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaFebruary 17, 2026
Celine’s Best launches new potato wand snack
The business, originally known for its waffle dogs, participates in various events across Oʻahu. It just launched new potato wands — shredded potatoes with a cheesy crust — which are available in six topping combinations.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaFebruary 16, 2026
Viral seafood rice bowl spot is opening in ʻAiea
Totoya Hawaiʻi, known for its negitoro bowls, is opening in ʻAiea Shopping Center on Sunday, Feb. 15. The menu here is the same as the business’s other two locations in the Ala Moana and Kaimukī neighborhoods. Customers can now add “ikura showers” when ordering specific seafood bowls.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaFebruary 14, 2026
Egghead Café is offering Lunar New Year specials
Starting Feb. 17, the business will be handing out lucky red envelopes to kamaʻāina who spend $25 or more. The envelopes will include coupons with prizes ranging from free entrees to discounts on the customers’ entire meal.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaFebruary 13, 2026
Buy one, get one free ramen deal at this new shop
The Broth Bar Noodle House is opening Feb. 14 in Kāhala. Its grand opening festivities are Feb. 14 to 16, and customers can take advantage of a BOGO ramen deal during all three days.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaFebruary 13, 2026
New Casamigos lounge experience in Honolulu
Located on the 37th floor of the Hilton Waikīkī Beach Resort & Spa, Casamigos House of Friends is a new lounge that’s open to both, local patrons and hotel guests. Enjoy curated Casamigos tequila cocktails, along with shareable appetizers.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaFebruary 13, 2026
Sakura Sushi & Hibachi has a new all-you-can-eat sushi menu
The eatery, located in Ka Makana Aliʻi, now offers AYCE sushi during lunch and dinner on Mondays to Thursdays. The AYCE experience costs $28.95 per adult during lunch and $38.95 per adult during dinner.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaFebruary 12, 2026
Bakudan's Poke is now open in Kalihi
The business, which used to be in Mapunapua, is known for its poke flavors and Bakubombs, which are cone sushi stuffed with a torched crab filling or poke. Bakudan's Poke has teamed up with Laʻakea Fish Company and operates out of the business’s store in Kalihi.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaFebruary 12, 2026
Lil T Cup Café is now open in ‘Aiea
The new café is celebrating its grand opening this Saturday, Feb. 14. The community is invited to check out the café for free samples and prizes.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaFebruary 11, 2026
New Adult Happy Meals available in Honolulu
Located within the AC Hotel Honolulu, The Dotted Line’s new Adult Happy Meals are available from 1 to 6 p.m. Mondays to Fridays. They cost $25 and include an entrée of your choice, fries, a cocktail and candy bar.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaFebruary 10, 2026
New sandwich shop opening in Kapolei
Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop is opening its new Kapolei location on Tuesday, Feb. 10. The business is known for its loaded hot and cold subs; bestsellers include Cap’s BLT, classic cheesesteak and The Bobbie.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaFebruary 09, 2026
Where to celebrate Lunar New Year 2026
Welcome the Year of the Fire Horse with these limited-time specials.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaFebruary 07, 2026
Where to eat on Valentine’s Day – part 3
From prix fixe menus and specials to limited-time desserts, we’ve got your Feb. 14 covered.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaFebruary 06, 2026
Alan Wong’s Kāhala restaurant is opening March 25
Hoku’s at The Kāhala’s last dinner service is Feb. 20. Alan Wong’s Kāhala Hotel & Resort will open to the general public on April 8; guests who book The Kāhala Hotel & Resort’s Legacy of Aloha package can secure early access to experience the new restaurant.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaFebruary 06, 2026
This Japanese-style hamburger steak spot now has curry
Located in Kaimukī, Marujuu Hawaiʻi opened last November with its sizzling hamburger steaks. The eatery just added new dishes to its menu — customers can look forward to curry lunch specials, and new meaty entrees like rib-eye steak and a meat lovers set.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaFebruary 05, 2026
Inari Factory brings back $1.50 deals
The business, located at Don Quijote Kāheka, is celebrating its two-year anniversary. Customers can take advantage of $1.50 inari bombs and hand rolls from Feb. 5 to 10.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaFebruary 05, 2026
Grill N’ Eats specializes in smashburgers with ube buns
The family-owned and -operated business officially launched last December. It specializes in smashburgers, which feature double patties and the business’s signature ube brioche buns.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaFebruary 04, 2026