Best Italian Restaurants in Waikīkī: Locals’ Choice

With so many top-notch Italian restaurants in Waikīkī, indulging in heavenly pizza and pasta is a must-do while you’re in town.

Like many people around the world, we adore Italian cuisine! Since moving to Waikīkī, we’ve discovered several Italian restaurants that quickly became staples in our dining rotation.

What’s intriguing about Waikīkī’s Italian restaurants is the subtle Japanese influence. Many are led by Japanese chefs who trained in Italy and have a deep passion for Italian cuisine.

In this post, we share our local recommendations for the best Italian restaurants in Waikīkī.

1. Arancino on Beachwalk

Established in 1996, Arancino on Beachwalk is the longest-standing Italian restaurant in Waikīkī.

With Italian flags on orange walls, checkered tablecloths and a menu written in Italian first and English second, Arancino on Beachwalk is where you go in Hawai’i to pretend like you’re dining in Italy. At least that’s what we do!

Cozy up in this “trattoria” with Italian vino (they literally only serve Italian wine), fresh sangria or an Aperol Spritz, and enjoy a blend of Italian cuisine with Japanese and Hawaiʻi influences in a family-style setting.

Arancino’s house-made pasta is simply divine. Standouts include Tagliatelle alla Bolognese, made with local beef, and Rigatoni all’ Amatriciana, one of Buzzfeed’s 30 Dishes From Around the Country Every Pasta Lover Must Try.

Their unique pizzas are also a highlight, like the Pizza Quattro Formaggi — a cheese lover’s dream with parmesan, mozzarella, mascarpone and gorgonzola, served with a honey jar for drizzling. The Kid’s Menu offers a fun bear-shaped pizza.

2. Appetito Craft Pizza & Wine Bar

Appetito Craft Pizza & Wine Bar is a modern Italian eatery in Waikīkī offering delectable cuisine and an overall good energy.

It’s the top choice for Neapolitan-style craft pizza, using homemade sauces and Italian Caputo flour from Naples.

Their pizzas are baked in a 900°F (482°C) oven fueled by Hawaiian kiawe wood, imparting a smoky, slightly sweet flavor. This fusion of Italian tradition and Hawaiʻi flair creates a one-of-a-kind taste.

Beyond exceptional pizza, Appetito offers mouthwatering antipasti (appetizers), fresh insalata (salad) and decadent pasta. Guests can also savor the “perfect” ribeye and live lobster, steamed and sautéed in butter.

Visit during their daily Happy Hour from 3-6pm for deals like $6 beers, $7 wines and $10 cocktails including red or white sangria and limoncello lemon drops.

3. Taormina Sicilian Cuisine

Taormina Sicilian Cuisine offers a healthier take on Italian cooking in Waikīkī.

The restaurant draws inspiration from the charming Italian port town of Taormina in Sicily, and prides itself on serving “simple yet exquisite” dishes.

You won’t find pizza here. Instead, the menu highlights pasta with light sauces and gourmet seafood and meat entrées accompanied by seasonal grilled vegetables. For a touch of luxury, add fresh truffles sliced at the table-side.

Everything about Taormina looks and feels elevated, yet the atmosphere remains relaxed. Diners have the option to enjoy their meals indoors by an open kitchen, on the mezzanine or outdoors on a lovely terrace (our favorite).

To complete the dining experience, sample wine from a curated wine list with 125+ selections — Hawaiʻi’s most diverse collection of Italian wines.

4. Quiora

Perched on the 8th Floor of The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Quiora is a hidden gem for Italian dining in Waikīkī.

The menu focuses on fresh pasta made by hand daily using seasonal ingredients from farmers and fishermen throughout Hawaiʻi, complemented by Mediterranean-inspired starters, main dishes and desserts.

Their beverage menu features expertly crafted cocktails like the Aloha Made, highlighting local Kō Hana rum, lilikoʻi (passionfruit), Lāʻie vanilla, allspice and coconut.

Quiora, an entirely open-air restaurant, offers a delightful dining experience for lunch and dinner. Bask in the sunshine with stunning ocean views by day and chill in a dimly-lit venue illuminated by Waikīkī’s city lights at night.

For an added treat, reserve a table on Friday around 7:45pm for a prime view of Waikīkī’s weekly fireworks display!

5. La Bettola

📍 2490 Kalākaua Ave, Waikīkī
🕒 Open: Daily for Dinner
🍹 Happy Hour: None
🎵 Live Music: None
🎟️ Reservations: Resy or walk-in

La Bettola offers Waikīkī’s most extensive Italian menu, set against a unique aquarium backdrop.

Chef Tsutomu Ochiai, the restaurant’s owner, is renowned for creating uni (sea urchin) pasta, making the Spaghetti Ai Riccio di Mare with Chef’s secret sauce a must-try.

The menu also features an impressive selection of antipasto, including charcuterie and cheeses, along with a wide range of primopiatto (first plates) like pasta, gnocchi, and risotto and second piatto (second plates) featuring meat and seafood.

Nestled in the lobby of the ʻAlohilani Resort, La Bettola sits beside a stunning 280,000-gallon oceanarium — a two-story saltwater aquarium teeming with Hawaiian reef fish.

This upscale Italian restaurant offers comfortable indoor seating that caters well to couples, families and groups. Its special ambiance is undeniable, with Hawaiʻi’s underwater beauty on display from every table.

In summary, Waikīkī offers exceptional Italian restaurants, where Hawaiʻi, Italian and Japanese flavors merge into pure deliciousness.

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