Aroma Italia

Aroma Italia is the go-to place for Italian comfort food. They have 2 locations on Oahu, 1 near Diamond Head and another in Manoa Marketplace. A lot of their ingredients are imported from Italy and their menu consists of pizza and pasta. The pasta is portioned for 1 person and the pizza can be shared between 2 people. Their prices are reasonable if you were to compare them with other Italian places that are also locally owned. My favorite is the linguine meatballs because the meatballs were tender and there's enough sauce. All pastas come with parmesan cheese so if you don't want that, let your server know when you order.

For the Diamond Head location, I recommend going for lunch instead of dinner because it's less crowded. Their space is small and if you sit outside, there's so many cars driving by and people walking past to get to other businesses. The lunch prices are a few bucks cheaper. I've always done a walk in but if you have 3 or more people, I suggest making a reservation 1-2 days in advance. They can move tables around and accommodate a larger group of needed. For parking, you can park on Monsarrat Ave or in the residential areas because the parking lot is always full and the spaces are tight.

For more information about Aroma Italia, visit aromaitaliahawaii.com or check their Instagram @aromaitaliahawaii.

Diamond Head Center
3045 Monsarrat Ave
Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 888-2229

Manoa Marketplace
2756 Woodlawn Dr
Honolulu, HI 96822
(808) 492-1221

Garlic Bread

Linguine Meatballs

Beef Short Rib Tortellacci

Tirimisu

PacifiKool

Pacifikool is at the KCC Farmers’ Market every Saturday making refreshing drinks with their ginger syrup. Most of their drinks have fruit in it but there's 1 drink that has coffee. The drinks are priced between $7 to $8. My favorite is the ginger colada because the combination of pineapple, coconut, and ginger taste really good. I recommend going to the KCC Farmers’ Market before 9AM because it's less crowded, the wait time for your drink is shorter, and you'll be able to enjoy some food from other vendors.

Their stall is located at the end by the vendor that sells succulents and orchids. It's also where you'll see groups of people sitting on the curb or the grass enjoying their food. They accept cash and card for payment.

KCC Farmers’ Market
4303 Diamond Head Rd., Parking Lot C
Honolulu, HI 96816 

Ginger Colada

Calamansi Ginger

Kona Abalone - CLOSED

Kona Abalone is known for their grilled abalone sold at the Oahu farmers' markets. On Saturdays, you can find them at the KCC Farmers Market or the Kaka'ako Farmers Market. They also have a store front at Market City Shopping Center where you can purchase fresh abalone. Since abalone is a delicacy, their prices are high. Each grilled abalone cost about $7-$8 but at the farmers market they sell them in 3's or 5's. You can also add toppings like butter garlic, miso, ginger scallion, or the original which is plain. I recommend bringing cash if you go to the farmers market since some vendors do not accept credit or debit cards. 

Kona Abalone
Market City Shopping Center
2919 Kapiolani Blvd #201B
Honolulu, HI 96826
(808) 941-4120

KCC Farmers Market
Kapiʻolani Community College
4303 Diamond Head Rd
Honolulu, HI 96816

Kaka'ako Farmers Market
Ward Village
1050 Ala Moana Blvd
Honolulu, HI 96814

Butter & Garlic

Original

Molokai Hot Bread

Molokai Hot Bread is available on Oahu! Their food truck is selling the same bread you'll get a Kanemitsu Bakery on Molokai. They started adding more stops in Honolulu last weekend so I was able to get some. It's a huge round loaf of bread that gets cut in half and you can choose up to 4 fillings; $1 per filling. You can also buy the bread plain for $8. I've always enjoyed the strawberry and cream cheese. If you're feeling adventurous, get "da works" which consists of strawberry, blueberry, cinnamon, butter, and cream cheese.

If you want some hot bread, follow them on instagram or facebook to see where they'll be during the week. Their truck is gray colored and they accept cash and card. Depending on what location you go to, the wait could be long so go right when they open.

For more information about Molokai Hot Bread, visit molokaihotbread.com.

Strawberry & Cream Cheese Hot Bread

Molokai Hot Bread Truck

Sunny Days

Sunny Days is located near Diamond Head. They are in the same complex as Bogart's Cafe and Diamond Head Cove Health Bar. I recommend trying their pancakes, sandwiches, and the eggslut. The eggslut is good for sharing between 2 people and it includes a side of mashed potatoes topped with a soft boiled egg. They have a lot of greens and fruits in all their dishes which makes it healthier than most brunch spots around town. Their prices are high so save this for a day where you can splurge.

The interior of the restaurant is bright, spacious, and they have an open kitchen. The staff are friendly and will check on you often to make sure you're alright. There was more Japanese tourist than locals eating in here. Their parking lot is small and it's shared between the other businesses so it might be best to park on the street in the residential area and walk over.

For more information about Sunny Days, visit sunnydays-hanafru.com.

3045 Monsarrat Ave, Ste 6
Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 792-2045

Vegetable Sandwich

Eggslut

Steak Plate

Very Berry Pancakes

Fort Ruger Market

Fort Ruger Market is tucked in the residential area of Kaimuki. They are like a corner store. They offer Hawaiian food and other local foods for take-out. The entire menu is written on a white board that hangs over the deli counter. One thing that stands out about this place is that they make your poke when you order it. Like most places on the island, the poke is mixed in the morning and it sits in the display case all day. Besides selling hot foods and deli items, you can also get snacks and drinks. I recommend trying their ahi poke and Hawaiian plates. Their food is not overly salty and their prices are reasonable.

The crowd comes and goes so the shop doesn't get super busy. They have parking spaces in the front but if it fills up, there is free street parking around the back. They have a few tables and benches outside the shop if you want to eat there. They only accept cash.

3585 Alohea Ave
Honolulu, HI 96816
(808) 737-4531

Ruger Special Poke

Ocean Salad

Chicharones

Kalua Pork (side order)

Chicken Long Rice Bowl

Diamond Head Market & Grill

The popular items in the market are their baked goods. I recommend trying the blueberry cream cheese scones and the lemon crunch cake. The scones are very popular and they sell out so if you plan to pick up some before heading to work, you should call to make sure they have it. Compared to other places that make lemon crunch cake, I think they have the best. They close at 9pm so if you're craving dessert after dinner, you can swing by here.

For more information about Diamond Head Market & Grill, please visit http://www.diamondheadmarket.com.

3158 Monsarrat Ave
Honolulu, HI 96815

Blueberry Cream Cheese Scone

Lemon Crunch Cake