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
Inari Factory has $1.50 inari bombs and hand rolls
Inari Factory, located in the food court of Don Quijote Kāheka, is celebrating its 1.5-year anniversary with $1.50 deals. This offer ends Tuesday, Sept. 30.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 27, 2025
Celebrate National Coffee Day with these buzz-worthy deals
National Coffee Day is coming up Monday, Sept. 29. These discounts and deals ensure you have a ‘brew’-tiful day.
Kady Pascual & Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 27, 2025
Prost! Village Bottle Shop & Tasting Room Kapolei just launched its Oktoberfest specials
Feast on specialty beers, German-style poutine and bratwurst until mid-October.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 26, 2025
Tūtū’s Place by Highway Inn is a new cafe at Bishop Museum
The new cafe is inspired by traditions passed down from kūpuna, and emphasizes comfort, hospitality and family recipes. You’ll find some of Highway Inn’s signature dishes — including that famous Hawaiian plate with kālua pig — 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
Merriman’s 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 — plus, the eatery’s 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 Chinatown’s 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 Onodera’s 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 Mōʻiliʻili 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 café — pronounced “vintage” without the vowels — 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 Hawaiʻi, known for its signature negitoro and seafood bowls, is launching new specials this Saturday. Customers can enjoy maguro and hamachi bowls, specific to the eatery’s Kaimukī and Piʻikoi 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 Piʻikoi eatery, which is currently open for lunch only and closed Wednesdays. The menu is the same as the original Puck’s 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
It’s a foodie weekend! Enjoy a barbecue that supports student scholarships at Windward Community College and a sweet deal on acai on Oʻahu's east side. Or catch live music and stage performances. Aloha State Daily did the research so you don’t 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
Lele’s Bakery is a “love letter” to its community
Opened by three friends, Lele’s 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 & Bitesʻ Sept. 16 opening — including who helped with the design/build and his favorite item on the menu — 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 Oʻahu’s North Shore
Seki Slush recently opened its first permanent location in Hukilau Marketplace in Lāʻie. The biz offers refreshing mango and guava slushies with a variety of toppings.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 15, 2025
You can get fresh ‘ulu chips at this Honolulu factory
‘Ulu season is from July to December, and customers can get freshly fried boxes of ‘ulu chips at ‘Ulu Mana Hawaiʻi’s Kalihi factory. The biz also now offers cassava chips and more than 15 different flavors of Keith’s Cookies.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 12, 2025
Inferno’s Pizza has a new spot in Waikīkī
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
Slurp’s 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 — created by JCI Honolulu and Hawaiʻi Todaiji — is coming Sept. 13 at Leeward Community College. Here’s what to expect.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 09, 2025
Budget Bites: $9.99 plates at Zippy’s
From Sept. 8 to Oct. 5, Zippy’s Korean fried chicken and chili mixed plate will be $9.99 for takeout ($11.99 for dine-in) at Oʻahu and Las Vegas locations.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 08, 2025
Empty Bowl Hawaiʻi returns after six-year hiatus
Proceeds from the event — set for Saturday, Sept. 27, at the Hawai’i Convention Center — will benefit Chef Hui and Aloha Harvest’s program, Feed the People Hawai’i, which combats food insecurity statewide. Hawaiʻi Potters’ 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 café, based in Kapolei, offers iced matcha and espresso lattes, along with homemade pastries — like cookie butter rolls and banana bread muffins — designed to pair with the drinks.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 05, 2025
Hy’s 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 that’s 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, Waikīkī, Azure Waikīkī is known for its oceanfront views and exquisite fine dining experience. The eatery’s 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 Waikīkī. You’ll not only find U.S. beef katsu, but salmon katsu, shrimp katsu, tuna katsu and more.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 03, 2025
‘Fowl’ 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 — and chocolate-dipped ice cream.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 02, 2025
Popular Greek restaurant re-opens for dine-in
Since the Covid-19 pandemic, Kāhala-based Olive Tree Café 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