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
Little Pickle is a new specialty hog dog shop in Kailua
Located next to Please Come Again Ice Cream, Little Pickle celebrated its grand opening this past Saturday. The biz specializes in all-beef, pasture-raised hot dogs made with no hormones, nitrates or antibiotics. Choose from a rotating selection of flavors, ranging from the Chicago dog and chili cheese dog to the Japanese-inspired nori dog.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaOctober 06, 2026
Stop by and say ‘aloha’ to Aloha State Daily at OnoFest & Fall Expo
Experience new food, shop with emerging brands and participate in family-friendly activities at the OnoFest & Fall Expo, slated for Oct. 17 to 18 at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall. Plus, we are giving away free tickets to our newsletter subscribers ahead of the event.
Kady PascualOctober 06, 2026
Yours Truly to launch a limited-time Halloween speakeasy
The downtown Honolulu’s “Dead Letter Office” Halloween speakeasy will run starting this week from Oct. 8 to 31. The speakeasy features specialty Halloween cocktails and themed dishes for the first time.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaOctober 06, 2026
Budget Bites: $9.99 tonkatsu plates at Don Quijote Pearl City
The Pearl City store’s first $9.99 plate will feature tonkatsu, according to delicatessen department manager Kota Kawahara. Starting this week, the plate lunch special will be available at this location from 3 p.m. until sold out, every Thursday in October.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaOctober 05, 2026
The Pinehopple Room is a new upstairs lounge in Kakaʻako
Located upstairs from Aloha Beer Co. on Queen Street, The Pinehopple Room — previously home to the HI Brau Room speakeasy — recently opened to the public. The upscale lounge features a vintage Hawaiʻi-inspired aesthetic, along with classic Hawaiʻi cocktails with a modern twist.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaOctober 03, 2026
This Michelin-recognized ramen restaurant is now open for lunch
Mensho, which opened in Kapolei in May, started lunch service last month. The lunch menu is more limited compared to the eatery’s dinner menu, but features a variety of the restaurant’s bestsellers.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaOctober 02, 2026
CU Hawaiʻi opens new store by UH Mānoa
The new store — on the corner of University Avenue and Dole Street — is the brand’s fifth location in Hawaiʻi. The University store is CU Hawaiʻi’s second-largest location; to celebrate its opening, customers can look forward to free onigiri, sandwiches and product giveaways from Oct. 1 to 7.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaOctober 01, 2026
Oʻahu has a new ‘Coffee Girl’
The cafe with roots in Hilo — known for its coffee, matcha and aesthetic decor — just opened its first Honolulu location on Keʻeaumoku Street at Azure Ala Moana. Its grand opening is this Saturday at 8 a.m.; customers can look forward to specialty lattes like chocolate haupia pie, banana bread and white chocolate strawberry.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaOctober 01, 2026
Maui Frozen features affordable, chilled treats
The business, which specializes in Maui slush and pineapple scoop ice, originated as a food truck in 2024 and recently opened its first storefront in Kīhei. According to Maui Frozen owner Jason Kashtan, all desserts do not feature any dyes, flavorings or extracts, or high fructose corn syrup, and are kept at a $4.75 price point to serve the community.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaOctober 01, 2026
Nori Bar has a new 'rollmakase' experience for a limited time
The hand roll restaurant’s twist on omakase includes sashimi, nigiri, hand rolls and a choice of dessert. The $85 curated menu is only available at Nori Bar’s Waikīkī location for a limited time.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 30, 2026
Walk, feast, and party: What to do on Oʻahu this weekend
From the Hawaiʻi Walk & Roll to Cure ALS to First Friday celebrations and Hawaiʻi Children & Youth Day, there are lots of events happening on Oʻahu this weekend.
Katie HellandSeptember 30, 2026
This biz showcases authentic paella
Santi's Paella, which officially opened last year, is known for its paella, which is always cooked fresh on-site. Customers can find Santi’s Paella at farmers markets and events across Oʻahu.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 29, 2026
Aloha Beer Co.’s Oktoberfest celebration is coming
The event, which is from 5 to 10 p.m. on Oct. 2 at the Kakaʻako brewery, is open to the public and free to attend. Attendees can look forward to giant steins, a seasonal Aloha Fest Bier, German-inspired dishes, dancing and more. A limited number of VIP tickets are also available for the event.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 29, 2026
Rainbow Drive-In is celebrating 65 years with $6.50 chili plates
The eatery is offered discounted chili plates on Friday, Oct. 2, all day at its Kapahulu location and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at its Pearlridge Center location. Customers will also have the chance to win prize giveaways and meet Rainbow Drive-In third generation owner Chris Iwamura. The business’s 65th anniversary shirts will also be for sale starting that day at its Kapahulu location and online.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 29, 2026
Lumpia on menu at Consolidated Theatres
“Forgotten Island," an animated film by DreamWorks about best friends, is bringing Filipino food to local movie goers at concessions across Consolidated Theatres on Oʻahu through this weekend.
Katie HellandSeptember 29, 2026
The Kini Room is open in this redesigned Waikīkī resort
The Kini Room is the new signature restaurant at renovated Ka La‘i Waikīkī Beach, LXR Hotels & Resorts. The 86-seat open-air space features a refined dining experience inspired by global culinary traditions and modern Hawaiʻi. Customer favorites so far include the lemongrass lamb shank, double rainbow roll, and Kini Kini Pie — along with the eatery’s daily sunset happy hour.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 28, 2026
Brown Butter Delights is a new porch bakery
Business owner Kristy Caldwell has always loved baking, and started Brown Butter Delights in 2024. Her goal was to create familiar treats, but to use brown butter to give them “something extra.”
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 28, 2026
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