Food & Dining
Hawai‘i Cuisine: Food, Flavors, and Local Favorites
Exploring all your favorite Island dining, from cheap eats to high-end. Craving omakase? We’ve got you covered. Shave ice? Sure thing! Loco moco? Like we’d forget! We’ve got heaping bowls of poke, and acai. You’ll find pau hana deals, foodie cocktails and delicious mocktails. Of course, none of that would be possible without the chefs, bakers, and mixologists you’ll meet here. We also take you to the Hawai‘i farms that fuel our farm-to-table movement.
News
Side Street Inn’s new location is open
The eatery, known for its local comfort food and generous portions, closed its Kapahulu location in April. Side Street Inn’s new location is on Beach Walk in Waikīkī; customers can take advantage of a kamaʻāina discount and validated parking.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 27, 2026
Oakberry Hawaiʻi is opening its newest location with free acai bowls
The acai bowl business is celebrating its grand opening on Sept. 26 at Waiānuenue at Kapaʻakea in Mōʻiliʻili. The store — which opens at 10 a.m. — is the first business to open at newly revitalized Waiānuenue at Kapaʻakea (formerly known as Varsity Center). The first 100 customers will get free acai bowls; customers can also enjoy 50% off for the remainder of grand opening day.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 25, 2026
These Hawai‘i coffee shops, distilleries are nominated for 10Best lists
The USA Today 10Best Readers' Choice Awards aim to rank the 10 best in several areas of travel and lifestyle. Nominees are chosen with the help of a panel of experts but the final 10 will be determined by voters.
Stephanie SalmonsSeptember 25, 2026
Zarina Dessert Studio’s viral fruit desserts are now in Kapolei
The online dessert shop’s fruit-shaped confections are now available at HI Cravings’ Co-Op in Kapolei. The fruit desserts feature a white chocolate crunchy shell with a ganache filling inside; popular flavors include mango, pina colada, pistachio, banana and coffee caramel.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 25, 2026
Cae’s Smash and Grindz is a new smashburger biz
The business, which pops up at events across Oʻahu, celebrated its grand opening in July. Cae’s Smash and Grindz is known for its smashburgers with ube buns; the business’s bacon and mushroom smash is its bestseller and most popular dish.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 25, 2026
Kate Bakes serves up chunky cookies made with love
The business — which started in January 2024 — was created as a result of owner Kate Borja’s love for baking, combined with her own personal pregnancy journey. Kate Bakes pops up at events across Oʻahu; you can find the biz this Saturday at Nordstrom at Ala Moana Center.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 24, 2026
Mosa! opens late-night spot in Kakaʻako
The business, known for its ice cream desserts with a shaven peanut brittle topping, just opened its third location in SALT At Our Kakaʻako. This store is open daily from 8 a.m. to midnight, and includes brand-new menu items like matcha and coffee.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 24, 2026
Kingdom Market Hawaiʻi launches first Christian market this Saturday
The market will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sept. 26 in Kapolei; the event is free to attend and features more than 45 vendors. Attendees can look forward to food, live worship, kids’ activities, and interacting with a variety of local businesses.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 23, 2026
Izakaya Lala is opening in Honolulu
Located above Totoya on Piʻikoi Street, the new eatery features Fukuoka-style maki kushi — or grilled pork-wrapped skewers — oden, and an extensive sake selection. The restaurant’s name is inspired by the Japanese kanji for “enjoy.”
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 23, 2026
Flavors of Waikīkī Restaurant Week is coming in October
Fourteen Waikīkī restaurants will feature limited-time specials and prix fixe menus during this new, 11-day dining event.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 23, 2026
Nobu Grand Wailea celebrates one-year anniversary
The restaurant, located at Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria Resort, opened last April. Aloha State Daily caught up with chef Nobu Matsuhisa when he was on Maui for the resort’s “An Evening with Chef Nobu” anniversary event. Matsuhisa talked more about his cooking style, recent projects, and what makes the Grand Wailea restaurant special.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 23, 2026
Sushi Sky is a new omakase with an 'entertainment sushi' experience
The new sushi restaurant, located on Kalākaua Avenue, features two dining experiences — a relaxed sushi course (without any entertainment), and a signature sushi experience, which includes music, interactive elements and special presentations. The entertainment sushi course will be offered for the restaurant’s 7:30 p.m. seating.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 21, 2026
Blue Bird Kauaʻi reopens in Līhu‘e
After being temporarily closed due to Hurricane Lowell, Blue Bird Kauaʻi — which opened its Līhu‘e storefront last November — recently reopened its doors. The locally owned and operated business got its start as a trailer in 2023, and encourages the community to support one another.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 21, 2026
Podmore has a $20 exclusive burger combo for takeout only
The downtown Honolulu spot recently launched a burger-and-chips combo that’s available for takeout during lunch on Mondays and Tuesdays. The Rush burger is exclusive to this lunch option, according to chef Anthony Rush.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 20, 2026
Diamond Head Market & Grill opened a gourmet shave ice stand
The stand — on the corner of Monsarrat and Campbell Avenues — goes beyond traditional shave ice. Choose from desserts inspired by the bakery’s signature creations, including lemon crunch cake and blueberry cream cheese scones.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 19, 2026
Ahi & Vegetable is giving out free mini poke bowls
The biz will be giving out free mini poke bowls at all of its locations (except downtown Honolulu) from 2 to 6 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 28, for International Poke Day. No purchase is necessary to get a free mini poke bowl. One mini free poke bowl will be available per guest, while supplies last, in-store only.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 18, 2026
Ballet Hawaiʻi is featuring a bespoke ballet performance at Noe
The Italian restaurant at the Four Seasons Resort Oʻahu at Ko Olina will offer an exclusive five-course dining experience — with ballet performances featured in between each course — on Saturday, Oct. 3. Attendees can look forward to a unique culinary experience; a portion of the proceeds benefits Ballet Hawaiʻi.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 18, 2026
Aloha Tofu Factory is offering $1 tofu for Aloha Tofu Day
While Aloha Tofu Day is technically on Oct. 2, the family-run tofu business is celebrating on Oct. 1. Customers can get $1 tofu from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on that Thursday only; online pre-orders will also be accepted.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 18, 2026
Cino is starting weekend brunch in Kakaʻako
The Ward Village restaurant, known for its Italian specialties and seafood, is starting weekend brunch on Sept. 19. Brunch will be every weekend from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; the menu features some of the restaurant’s most popular dishes. A keiki menu is also available.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 17, 2026
Choco leʻa is celebrating its 12th birthday
From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19, the Mānoa-based business will be offering free samples, a free gift with purchase, and a first look at its new merchandise. Choco leʻa also recently launched a variety of interactive experiences; come with Aloha State Daily on its mini kitchen access tour, where we learned more about the chocolate-making process.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 16, 2026
Taste of Ward is back Sept. 16 to 30
For two weeks, you can take advantage of featured dishes and limited-time offers at participating Ward Village restaurants and businesses.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 16, 2026
Jessica’s Restaurant is now open in Kapolei
The business, known for its local-style Filipino comfort foods, recently moved from ʻAiea to Kapolei. Jessica’s Restaurant has added Italian dishes — ranging from chicken fettucine alfredo to garlic shrimp linguine — to its menu, and plans to eventually open until 2 a.m.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 15, 2026
Neighbors is a new bakeshop pop-up in Honolulu
Owned by Sean Miguel and Mehana Coen, Neighbors Bakeshop opened in July and pops up at events across Oʻahu. The biz specializes in cookies and cinnamon rolls; you can catch Neighbors at fishcake in Kakaʻako every other Wednesday.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 15, 2026
At Lahaina bakery Papi's ‘Ohana, every pastry is a blessing
Behind every fresh cinnamon roll is days of work and love at this family-run business. Lahaina-based Papi’s ʻOhana, known for its huge, warm cinnamon rolls, celebrated its fourth anniversary this summer. Aloha State Daily recently caught up with chef David and Linda Escobar, who tell us more about the bakery’s early days, how it got its name, and what lies ahead for 2027.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 15, 2026