By Sarah Burchard
855-Aloha is not new this year, but the chef and menu are. Formerly an izakaya-themed restaurant, now guests can enjoy dishes that honor local Hawaiʻi culture and flavors calling back to the tradition of "potlucks” with favorite dishes inspired by popular local eateries and family recipes.
Fresh Hawaiian and South Pacific varieties of ʻawa.
Mediterranean classics for lunch and dinner. A beautiful retreat from the busyness of Waikīkī, hidden in the center of all the action.
Proscuitto Zeppoli at Botanico. Photo by Sarah Burchard.
Boarded Up by Chubbies Burgers
Craveable craft burgers, crinkle-cut fries, milkshakes and soft-serve.
A modern take on traditional Vietnamese cooking.
This former pop-up found a home this year in Kaimukī. Fluffy shave ice with local and Japanese flavors like matcha and hojicha.
From Canada, Earlʻs is great for large parties, late-night dining, cocktails and just hanging out. Lots of good bar snacks, seafood towers, sushi, pasta and more.
Seafood Tower at Earl's Waikīkī. Photo by Sarah Burchard.
A new coffee shop in the Ala Moana neighborhood.
Modern takes on Korean classics. Korean BBQ, soups, stews and more.
Lobster roll and seafood joint by local chef Jon Matsubara. Located inside Waikīkī Shopping Plaza.
Handcrafted rum and whiskey, produced on the North Shore. Tours and tastings available Wednesday-Sunday.
Mandu and Garlic -Chili Chicken at Good Chicken. Photo by Sarah Burchard.
Central Oʻahu’s new waterfront location of Honolulu’s famed Side Street Inn brings Portuguese-inspired comfort food to ‘Ewa Beach at Wai Kai. Hali‘a at Side Street Inn offers a prix fix menu of the late chef Colin’s classics menu items, including fried rice, panfried pork chops and new seafood additions.
Omakase sushi experience. $150 per person. BYOB.
Hō‘ili‘ili by Farm Link opened in October on South Beretania Street, merging the locally sourced online grocer with the former tenet of the space: ʻIliʻili Cash & Carry craft pizza and sandwich shop.
Food truck serving sandwiches, dinner plates and Brazilian-inspired specialty dishes. Many dishes are grilled and created using local ingredients. Located in Waialua on the North Shore.
Fresh kava, squeezed daily, in a relaxing atmosphere. Located at the Waialua Sugar Mill on the North Shore.
Chef Lee Anne Wong’s beloved brunch spot began serving dinner this year. Dishes are seasonal and served family-style, inspired by local ingredients and a range of cuisines.
Korean fusion cuisine. Located at Salt at our Kaka’ako.
Chinatown cocktail bar The Lei Stand moved to Romer House Waikīkī this year. The new Lei Stand Waikīkī offers craft cocktails in a festive bar environment and celebrates the tradition of lei — a timeless Hawai‘i symbol of love, honor and aloha.
Lei Stand Waikīkī signature cocktails. Photo by Brook Fitts, courtesy of Romer Neighborhood Hotels.
New outdoor coffee shop in Haleʻiwa serving acai bowls, toast and breakfast burritos.
Mad Pie -
This beloved former farmers market stand opened on Aug. 24, 2025 to big fanfare. Serving sourdough pizza and salads.
A Korean culinary franchise known for its heritage recipes with locations across the continental U.S. The new Honolulu location offers a Korean BBQ and soup experience in a modern setting and features its signature seolleongtang (ox-bone soup), kimchi jjigae, grilled meats and traditional banchan.
New okazuya in Waialua serving plant-based dishes and local favorites like musubi, mochiko chicken and kalbi beef.
Mexican and Peruvian cuisine. Everything from lomo saltado and ceviche to tacos and margaritas.
Steak and Noodles, nachos and ceviche at Ochos 888. Photo by Sarah Burchard.
Specializes in Dweji Gomtang, a Korean comfort food that combines delicate flavors with simple ingredients.
A new brewpub in Chinatown by Kalihi Beer. “A fresh take on traditional brews."
Made-to-order musubi shop.
Vietnamese restaurant serving Pho, Bún, Banh Mi, rice dishes and appetizers.
Locally-sourced coffee in one of the oldest buildings in Haweʻiwa.
Karaage Chicken at Vintage Books. Photo by Sarah Burchard
Omakase sushi in Ala Moana area by Chef Ken Kawakami, a master of traditional sushi.
Tanto Gyoza and Ramen Bar at Piikoi Ala Moana
Gyoza and ramen bar. This is Tanto's second location in Honolulu that just opened this year.
Bakery on King by Honolulu Coffee Co.
Handcrafted sweet and savory pastries, breakfast and lunch items and signature Kona coffee.
Honolulu’s award-winning Vietnamese restaurant relocated its flagship location to Kaimukī in October. The move marks a meaningful homecoming for chef Andrew Le’s family, returning to the neighborhood where their Hawai‘i journey began in 1975.
Banh it Ram at The Pig & The Lady. Photo by Sarah Burchard.
Japanese tempura restaurant.
Japanese tonkatsu, gyukatsu made with premium Miyazaki A5 wagyu, fried chicken, oysters, and shrimp.
Torishin -
A Michelin-starred, high-end yakitori shop serving omakase. Opening November 2025.
Small shop specializing in negitoro bowls made with minced raw tuna and scallions.
Tonkatsu @ Honolulu. Photo by Sarah Burchard.
Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice -
Island‑style shave ice made with ultra‑purified Maui water and served in classic and innovative flavors. In 2025, Maui‑born Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice opened two new locations on O‘ahu, one in Waikīkī and one in Waimānalo.
This restaurant opened on the cusp of 2025 during the holidays last year. Craft cocktails and share plates in a speakeasy-style restaurant that fronts as a used bookstore. Won best new restaurant award at the ʻIlima Awards this year.
A secret teppanyaki‑style omakase experience tucked into Honolulu Park Place. Daily rotating lineup of dishes — including tonkatsu, sushi, tempura and shabu‑shabu — at $120 per person. Chef Maeda leads intimate, reservation‑only private dinners at 6:30 p.m., with seating for four to six guests, including a BYOB welcome and changing nightly specials.
Traditional Neapolitan-style pizza in Kakaʻako.
New Food Tour:
Launching this fall, Savor the Sea: Fresh Uni, is an immersive ocean-to-table adventure where guests can harvest, shuck and taste fresh uni straight from the ocean. Located on West Oʻahu, the tour blends cuisine and conservation helping manage an invasive reef species, while offering an unforgettable adventure for food lovers. Limited to 10 guests per outing.
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