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
Kukane Street Stand is a new bake stand in Kāneʻohe
The neighborhood bake stand offers a rotating selection of desserts and specialty lattes. Baked goods are available on a first-come, first-served basis; the bake stand is usually open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMay 13, 2026
Jack Johnson, farmers markets and more: Your guide to the weekend
Ready to make plans for Friday, Saturday and Sunday on Oʻahu? Whether you are looking for some live music or a farmers market, Aloha State Daily put together this list of ideas, which includes how to round up ingredients for banana pancakes … or listen to Jack Johnson sing about them.
Katie HellandMay 13, 2026
Tanaka Ramen & Izakaya is opening in Windward Mall
The business’s newest location is celebrating its grand opening on Wednesday, May 13. This is Tanaka Ramen & Izakaya’s seventh Hawaiʻi location. Customers can enjoy a discounted ramen offer on May 13, along with specials during the restaurant’s first week of operation.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMay 13, 2026
Chef Jason Yamaguchi is the new consulting chef at Ki Club
Yamaguchi — who also owns Konpa, located in Southern California — is bringing Japanese-Peruvian cuisine to the Honolulu eatery. The new menu highlights Nikkei-style dishes ranging from ‘ahi nigiri and lomo saltado to mushroom ceviche.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMay 12, 2026
Zippy's, Hawaiian Island Creations collab launches this month
The new collection that celebrates the Surf Pac, surfing and the "long-standing relationship between the two." It includes a T-shirt, towel and decals.
Stephanie SalmonsMay 12, 2026
AYCE wagyu shabu shabu spot opens in Kapahulu
Mikiya Honolulu just opened its second location in Kapahulu Shopping Center. The eatery is currently open nightly from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Customers can look forward to meats ranging from Japanese A5 wagyu brisket to Australian wagyu, a self-serve veggie bar, and soft serve for dessert.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMay 11, 2026
53 By The Sea has a new chef and tasting menu
Internationally acclaimed chef Takayoshi Kawai is now at the oceanfront restaurant; he is known for his 1995 appearance on Fuji TV’s “Iron Chef.” Diners can choose from five-course and six-course tasting menus. The eatery plans to replace its former Sunday brunch with weekend lunch service in the upcoming months.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMay 11, 2026
Zippy's to open newest Las Vegas location
Zippy's Camino Al Norte will open on Tuesday, May 19.
Stephanie SalmonsMay 09, 2026
Mai Tais & Burgers to Malama campaign runs through May
The Marriott Waikīkī Collection and Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa have launched this fundraising campaign to support the Hawaiʻi farmers affected by the Kona Low storms. Until May 31, five resort restaurants are donating $1 from every designated burger and mai tai sold to the Hawaiʻi Farmers’ Disaster Relief Fund.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMay 09, 2026
Thirty Eight launches a new happy hour
The Pier 38 eatery’s new happy hour is from Mondays to Saturdays. The restaurant also added a variety of new dishes — ranging from blackened ‘ahi salad to mahi sandwiches — to its lunch menu.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMay 08, 2026
Oakberry Hawaiʻi is opening in Honolulu
Acai business Oakberry Hawaiʻi is opening its newest location at the Park Shore Waikīkī on Saturday, May 9 at 10 a.m. This store is located close to Waikīkī Beach and Honolulu Zoo.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMay 08, 2026
Hot Pot Heaven Kailua is offering pho during lunch
Starting Friday, May 8, the eatery will offer pho, fresh spring rolls, summer rolls and papaya salad daily from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. These dishes are bestsellers at the eatery’s sister business, Pho Heaven.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMay 07, 2026
Fairway Tavern is now open at ‘Ewa Villages Golf Course
The eatery is owned by chef Adam Gilbert, previously of Monarch Poke and Plantation Tavern, and business partner Chris Natale. The eatery strives to offer local-style dishes — including its signature poke nachos — at affordable prices, and also features a grab-and-go section for golfers.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMay 06, 2026
Mother’s Day, flowers, Ko Olina Children’s Festival and more
Celebrate Mother’s Day and explore a flower show that only occurs every three years at the Honolulu Museum of Art. This weekend, you can also learn the list of nominees for Nā Hōkū Hanohano awards.
Katie HellandMay 06, 2026
Stix Asia expanding to Las Vegas
The food hall, whose first location opened in Waikīkī in 2023, will open at UnCommons in southwest Las Vegas this fall.
Stephanie SalmonsMay 06, 2026
Tango Empanadas is now open in Honolulu
The North Shore-based business is known for its authentic Argentinian flavors and housemade empanadas. The biz recently opened a second location in Honolulu, close to Ala Moana Center.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMay 05, 2026
Chef Roy Yamaguchi to launch new oceanfront restaurant on Kaua‘i
Ocean House by Roy Yamaguchi is set to open next month at Outrigger Kaua‘i Beach Resort & Spa in Līhu‘e.
Stephanie SalmonsMay 04, 2026
These viral seafood bowls are now available for takeout
Totoya ʻAiea, known for its signature negitoro don, will have select seafood bowls available for takeout starting May 4. Takeout will be available during weekdays only at this location for now.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMay 04, 2026
This popular brunch spot has new dishes
Guieb Café — known for dishes like ube mascarpone pancakes, ube haupia French toast and prime rib loco moco — just added new dishes to its menu. New items are available at all Hawaiʻi locations; options range from strawberry red velvet waffles to Dubai waffles and a 12-ounce Korean rib-eye.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMay 04, 2026
This hidden sushi spot has a revamped happy hour
Tucked away in Nimitz Business Center, TORO — known for its sushi omakase experience — recently updated its happy hour menu. New dishes include soft shell crab, fried local Hawaiian octopus, and fried mochi, served takoyaki-style.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMay 02, 2026
Where to celebrate Mother’s Day – part 4
Dine-in and takeout options to celebrate Mom.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMay 01, 2026
Everbowl is soft opening second store with free acai bowls
The acai bowl spot, which opened its first location in Kapolei about one year ago, is soft opening tonight in Pearl City. Everbowl will be giving away around 300 free acai bowls from 5 to 8 p.m. April 30 only; it will be open for its first full day on May 1.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 30, 2026
Where to find treats for Children’s Day 2026
Specially decorated cakes, cookies, mochi and other desserts are available for a limited time.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 29, 2026
Grand Lānai Restaurant Week starts May 1
From May 1 to 10, participating restaurants at International Market Place’s Grand Lānai will feature special prix fixe menus starting at $55 per person.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 29, 2026
Lei Day, festivals, opera, and more: Friday, May 1, through Sunday, May 3
This weekend on Oʻahu, catch Lei Day celebrations, as well as the world premiere of “Kamalehua: The Sheltering Tree,” an opera in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi and English. Aloha State Daily’s guide to the weekend also features details for Wahiawā Pineapple Festival, Charity Walk, and Flores de Mayo & Filipino Fiesta.
Katie HellandApril 29, 2026
Arancino di Mare now serves housemade gelato
The eatery, known for its classic Italian dishes with a modern twist, just started serving housemade gelato at its Waikīkī Beach Marriott Resort & Spa location. The gelato is currently available in four flavors, and will eventually expand to Arancino’s other locations.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 28, 2026
SPAM JAM draws thousands to Waikīkī
This year's event featured 25 restaurants and 45 total vendors, as well as Spam-themed drone show and more.
Stephanie SalmonsApril 28, 2026
Michelin-recognized ramen spot is opening first Hawaiʻi location
MENSHO, founded in 2005 in Japan, is opening in Kapolei’s Ka Makana Aliʻi on May 2 at 5 p.m. The business is famous for its farm-to-bowl philosophy, and will feature Hawaiʻi-exclusive bowls like butter clam and garlic shrimp ramen.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 27, 2026
RevoluSun and new cookbook author Kimi Werner bring community together
Maui-born freediving spearfisher and chef Kimi Werner recently signed copies of her new cookbook and shared her journey over lunch hosted by the Honolulu-based solar company.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosApril 27, 2026
Where to celebrate Mother’s Day – part 3
Whether you’re looking for specialty desserts or an all-inclusive buffet, we’ve got you covered with a list that spans across the Islands.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 24, 2026
The 18th annual East Honolulu Food Festival is coming May 2
The festival, hosted by Mary, Star of the Sea Church and Schools in Kāhala, is themed “Under the Moon in Old Hawaiʻi” and features vintage vibes. The family-friendly event invites the public to celebrate local cuisine.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 24, 2026
SKY Waikīkī has a new steak and seafood menu
The eatery now offers a variety of 28-day dry-aged Black Angus beef premium choice steaks, along with elevated sushi rolls and seafood entrées.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 23, 2026
This sushi spot is celebrating a milestone with discounts
Kaiten Sushi Ginza Onodera is celebrating its two-year anniversary with 50% off on select nigiri. From April 24 to 27 — Friday to Monday — customers can take advantage of discounted maguro sushi. The discount is valid for dine-in only.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 22, 2026
You can find these fancy French cakes in Honolulu
Raphaelle Garwood, baker and owner of Fancy French Cakes, wanted to start a business that features some of her favorite confections. She currently bakes out of a commercial kitchen and her desserts — including caramel pecan tarts and Opera cakes — are available for online orders.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 22, 2026
Seattle-based Piroshky Piroshky is popping up in Honolulu
The Eastern European bakery’s flagship location is in Seattle’s historic Pike Place Market. It’s bringing its popular pastries to Honolulu Beerworks on June 11 from 4 to 6 p.m. While this event is in June, customers can already place pre-orders.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 22, 2026
The Pig & The Lady launches a pay-what-you-can dinner experience
The Kaimukī eatery’s new Only Good Vibes program supports food accessibility and local nonprofit organizations.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 21, 2026
New taiyaki spot in Honolulu
Boba Bing! is one of the newest vendors inside Midtown Eats food hall. The business specializes in boba, bingsu and waffle desserts. Its version of taiyaki — a Japanese fish-shaped pastry — features a selection of sweet and savory fillings.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 20, 2026
Da Burger Wing Hub opens second location in Kapolei
The eatery, whose original location is in Wahiawā, just opened at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Oʻahu Kapolei. Its menu is mostly the same, with the addition of a few new appetizers. The eatery will be launching its weekend brunch menu soon.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 20, 2026
Neale Asato talks James Beard nomination, inspiration for Asato Family Shop
Asato was recently named a nominee for the 2026 James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards in the outstanding pastry chef or baker category.
Stephanie SalmonsApril 18, 2026
Where to celebrate Mother’s Day 2026 – part 2
From prix fixe menus and specials to limited-time desserts, we’ve got your Mother’s Day plans covered.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 18, 2026
Tonkatsu Tamafuji is now open in an expanded space
The popular tonkatsu spot just opened on the first floor of Hee Hing Plaza (downstairs from its former location). The new space features 1.5 times the amount of seating, with both counter and table seating available. Tonkatsu Tamafuji is only accepting walk-ins for the month of April.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 17, 2026
Everything you’ll find at the 22nd annual Waikīkī SPAM JAM Festival
The 2026 festival features more than 40 food and retail booths, a line-up of creative Spam dishes, limited-edition Spam slippers for sale from OluKai, and a Spam-themed drone show.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 16, 2026
MF Burger Shop is a new smashburger pop-up in Honolulu
The pop-up is around once a week and located next to Jugo Life in the Ala Moana neighborhood. Business owner Tommy Oh is striving to make a “good, simple” burger, which he pairs with beef tallow fries.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 16, 2026
Zippy's, Diamond Bakery create limited soda cracker box
The collaboration commemorates Zippy's 60th and Diamond Bakery's 105th anniversaries.
Stephanie SalmonsApril 16, 2026
Istanbul Hawaiʻi launches its spring menu
The Kakaʻako eatery’s new spring menu features lighter flavors and seasonal ingredients. Enjoy revamped dishes like hand-rolled pasta filled with Miyazaki A5 wagyu, chicken tagine with Kula orange and lemon blossom oil, and aged steak with zucchini sauce.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 15, 2026
Flair European Steakhouse is reopening in Kakaʻako
The eatery, which was temporarily closed for about two months, is reopening this week with a new chef and revamped menu.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 15, 2026
604 Clubhouse revamped its brunch buffet
The eatery launched its brunch buffet in February. Since then, it’s made a few changes, and now features the buffet on both Saturdays and Sundays.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 14, 2026
Ginza Bairin Tonkatsu has a new, late-night happy hour
The Waikīkī eatery recently launched a new late-night kushikatsu menu. Feast on fried katsu skewers ranging from pork tenderloin and chicken to shrimp and oyster.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 14, 2026
Rise and Grind Coffee Bar expands
The business started in 2021 as a coffee trailer. Since then, it’s expanded to a brick-and-mortar storefront in Kailua — and recently expanded its space to include a larger kitchen and additional seating.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 13, 2026
New Girl Dinner in downtown Honolulu
The Dotted Line just launched an elevated meal called Girl Dinner, which includes chicken nuggets with crème fraiche, salmon roe and chives; Caesar salad; truffle fries and a filthy martini.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 13, 2026
Where to celebrate Mother’s Day – part 1
Whether you’re planning to dine-in or takeout, we’ve got you covered.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 11, 2026
Sumida Farm launches collabs to celebrate watercress season
The farm's watercress season was delayed as a result of heavy rains from the Kona Low storms in March. Sumida Farm is celebrating the start of watercress season this month with a series of collaborations with other local businesses.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 10, 2026
Honolulu named one of the best U.S. cities for coffee
Hawai‘i's capital city was ranked as part of Food & Wine's 2026 Global Tastemakers Awards.
Stephanie SalmonsApril 09, 2026
Kooks Coffee opens second location in Kakaʻako
The business opened its first location about one year ago at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Now, you can find its blue coffee trailer on Cooke Street in Kakaʻako as well. Kooks Coffee offers signature lattes with names inspired by surf terms.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 09, 2026
Alan Wong’s Restaurant officially opens at The Kāhala Hotel & Resort
Alan Wong’s new restaurant opens today in Kāhala. The menu features iconic dishes from the former King Street eatery, including ginger-crusted onaga with miso sesame vinaigrette, the whole tomato salad with li hing mui ume dressing, and “The Coconut” dessert of haupia sorbet in a chocolate shell.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 08, 2026
La Birria opens new brick-and-mortar restaurant
The eatery — known for its birria tacos — is opening its second storefront today in Pearl Kai Shopping Center. Its birria-centric menu includes queso birria tacos, birria ramen, and spicy hell fire tacos that feature a ghost pepper blend.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 08, 2026
Chef Jason Peel is launching a new weekend omakase
The new omakase is located in the new event space above Diamond Head Market & Grill. It’s weekends only with limited seating. Customers can look forward to dishes like ama ebi on crispy sushi rice, Tristan lobster in escargot butter with mochi bread, kanpachi confit with cabbage and wagyu atop mushroom truffle rice.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 07, 2026
Brick Fire Tavern launches specials to support Kona Low storm victims
The Kaimukī eatery — which recently launched its spring menu — is donating 100% of the proceeds from two specials this month to help support those affected by the Kona Low storms. The proceeds from the eatery’s garlic tide pizza and Care Package cocktail will be donated to Chef Hui’s Kona Low flood relief fund.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 07, 2026
Tandoori Express is now open in Ala Moana Center
The eatery is located in the former space of Himalayan Kitchen. It specializes in Pakistani-North Indian cuisine, and serves up dishes that were popular at the now-closed Bombay Palace.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 06, 2026
Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice has dirty sodas
These customizable, non-alcoholic beverages feature a carbonated base and the business’s signature housemade syrups and creams.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 06, 2026