Top Rated Pizza Joints in Honolulu That Locals Swear By
Words by
Emma Johnson
Honest slices and no-nonsense pies: the top rated pizza joints in Honolulu that locals actually line up for
I have spent years eating my way through Honolulu's pizza scene, and the honest truth is that the best spots are not the ones with the Instagram decor or the ones that charge you $30 for a Margherita with truffle oil drizzled on top like it's a spa treatment. The local pizza spots Honolulu residents actually argue about at Sunday barbecues are the places that opened before some of us were born, the ones where the dough is still hand-tossed at 6 a.m., and the ones where the owner remembers your name after two visits. This guide covers the top rated pizza joints in Honolulu that matter, written from someone has eaten more slices than she would care to admit from a food diary perspective.
1. Zippy's: the cafeteria-counter comfort that started it all (multiple locations, but the original on King Street is the one)
Zippy's is technically a plate lunch institution first and a pizza joint second, but locals who grew up in Honolulu know something tourists never figure out: Zippo's pepperoni pizza with the pressed, almost cracker-thin crust is a midnight ritual after last call. The original King Street location near Chinn Ho Lane has been serving since 1966, and that pizza recipe has barely changed in decades.
What to Order: The pepperoni pizza paired with a side of chili and a Order the chili on top. The combination sounds wrong until you have had it at 1 a.m. outside the Kapahulu Avenue location at the window.
Best Time: Weekday lunch rush around 11:30 a.m. before the line snakes out the door, or late night Friday after 10 p.m. when a different crowd shows up.
The Vibe: Fluorescent lights, linoleum floors, and paper plates. Nothing about this is trying to impress you, and that is exactly the point. The Kalihi location feels slightly more rough around the edges, which regulars prefer if honesty matters more than comfort.
Local Tip: The King Street restaurant has a separate dine-in area from the takeout window. If you sit down, order the pizza from the restaurant menu instead of the takeout counter; it comes out slightly different, more cheese, same price.
Tourists miss this because they walk right past Zippy's thinking it is just a chain. It is, but only locally. There is no Zippy's in California. This is ours, born from the diverse community of Honolulu settlers.
2. Nico's Pier 38: harbor-side fish and flatbreads, but the pizza is the secret winner
Nico's at Pier 38 sits in the commercial fishing harbor area near the Aloha Tower, and most tourists come here for the poke from the adjacent Honolulu Fish Company, which is spectacular I will admit. But the pizza, yes, actual wood-fired pizza, is criminally overlooked. Chef Nico Ovenstone has been turning out a Margherita with Hawaiian-tomato sauce and local mozzarella since the place opened.
What to Order: The Nico's Special, a pizza topped with locally caught ahi and sun-dried tomatoes unless you are strictly land-locked in your preferences, in which case the classic Margherita wood-fired pie runs about $18 and is worth every cent.
Best Time: Lunch, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wednesday through Friday before the harbor tour crowds descend. Weekends are packed with families and the wait can stretch past 45 minutes.
The Vibe: Open-air harbor-side seating with fishing boats as your backdrop. Bring sunscreen. The concrete floor gets hot by midday in summer, so shoes matter more than you would think.
Local Tip: Park in the Pier 38 lot and arrive before 11 a.m. on weekdays. The lot fills up fast, and circling for parking here is genuinely frustrating because the harbor road is one-way and narrow. Nico's does not take reservations for lunch, so walk in early or be prepared.
This place is as Honolulu as it gets: a chef born and raised here, fish caught thirty feet from your table, pizza fired in a custom-built imported oven. The harbor has been the life of Honolulu's food economy since the 1800s, and Nico's taps into that current better than almost anyone.
3. Sergio's Italian Restaurant: the Kaimuki neighborhood original
On Waialae Avenue in Kaimuki, Sergio's has been open since 1987, making it one of the longest-running Italian restaurants on Oahu. Locals who live in the Kaimuki area treat it like a second kitchen. The pizza is hand-tossed, the kind with a slightly puffy cornicione and a base sturdy enough to hold a serious amount of toppings without going soggy.
What to Order: The Sergio Supreme, loaded with Italian sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms, and green peppers. A large runs about $24 and feeds two adults comfortably. Order the garlic bread on the side for dipping in the house marinara.
Best Time: Tuesday or Wednesday dinner, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Sergio's gets slammed on weekends and Friday nights; midweek you can walk right in and the staff has time to chat.
The Vibe: Red-checkered tablecloths, Frank Sinatra on the speakers, and a bar that becomes a neighborhood gathering spot after 8 p.m. On Friday evenings during football season, the bar gets loud enough that conversation at a corner table requires leaning in.
Local Tip: If you walk in and the hostess asks for your name, do not panic; it is not a fancy waitlist. They call your order out kitchen-style and bring it to your table. It is part of the neighborhood character of this place.
Kaimuki was once the Italian-American community hub of Honolulu, and Sergio's kept that flame going even as demographics shifted. The family still runs the place, which matters in a city where local restaurants get bought out and turned into something unrecognizable every other year.
4. Assaggio Italian Restaurant: the garlic-knot king of Kapahulu
Over on Kapahulu Avenue, toward the Diamond Head side of Waikiki, Assaggio has been a neighborhood staple since 2001. It is tucked into a strip mall, and frankly, the exterior does not promise much, but push through the door and the smell hits you: garlic, butter, and fresh dough. The garlic knots are the most praised item but do not sleep on the pizza itself.
What to Order: Any deep-dish style pizza, runs about $20 to $26 depending on size, and the garlic knots are a must, arriving hot at your table within five minutes of sitting down. Ask for extra marinara for the knots; the staff will oblige without hesitation.
Best Time: Early dinner, 5 to 5:45 p.m., any day. Kapahulu Avenue parking gets tight after 6 p.m. and spots along the main drag are metered.
The Vibe: Cozy, not cramped exactly, but close enough to other tables that you will hear someone's birthday celebration happening three tables over. Families with young kids tend to fill early evenings; couples and groups roll in after 7 p.m.
Local Tip: Assaggio does a lunch special on weekdays that most visitors never learn about. A personal pizza and a side salad runs about $13 and is perfect if you are shopping along Kapahulu Avenue.
Kapahulu Avenue is one of the great underrated food streets in Honolulu, the kind of street where a Filipino bakery sits next to a Vietnamese pho shop sits next to Assaggio, and nobody thinks twice about it. That variety is Honolulu in a nutshell.
5. Anna Miller's inside the Ala Moana Center area connection
Anna Miller's is technically known for its Dutch baby pancake, and yes, that is a draw. But the surprisingly solid bar-style pizza served in the late afternoon and evening has become a local secret for families already inside the Ala Moana Center area on Kapiolani Boulevard. The Hawaii Kai location on Keahole Street serves the same menu and attracts a slightly different crowd.
What to Order: The pepperoni pizza flatbread, about $14, is the sleeper hit. It's thin, crispy, and the pepperoni cups up perfectly for that crispy-edged bite.
Best Time: Late afternoon, 3 to 5 p.m., when the pancake crowd has thinned and the bar area opens up. Pick up a bar seat for the best service.
The Vibe: Anna Miller's is always bright, always has a retro-diner energy, and the Hawaii Kai location in particular feels like stepping into a 1980s time capsule. Families with teenagers flock here on weekends, so expect noise.
Local Tip: If you are already at Ala Moana Center, it is a short Uber ride away. You don't need to drive. The parking at Hawaii Kai can be rough on weekends.
Anna Miller's is an import from the mainland, adapted carefully for Hawaii's diverse palate. It says something about Honolulu that a transplanted chain can find such devoted local fans by respecting the community.
6. Pieology at Ala Moana Center: the build-your-own assembly line done right
Pieologyinside Ala Moana Center on the street level is what gets dismissed as fast-casual and therefore not worth a local's time. I understand the instinct. But here is the thing: for cheap pizza Honolulu offers a decent spot, the build-your-own format at Pieology actually works because the staff in this location turns over pies fast and the ingredients are fresher than you expect for a chain.
What to Order: A "Create Your Own" with the thin crust, load it with roasted garlic, artichoke hearts, chicken, and the creamy garlic sauce base. Runs about $10 to $13 depending on toppings.
Best Time: Weekday lunch, 11 a.m. to noon, before the Ala Moona Center food options attract post-mall crowds around 12:30 p.m. Avoid Saturdays unless you enjoy chaos.
The Vibe: Bright, quick, self-serve drink station, and tables that turn over fast. Not a place to linger. Bring a friend, build your pies at the counter, and eat.
Local Tip: Ala Moana Center validates parking for three hours if you spend over $10 at any retailer. Pieology qualifies. Get your receipt validated before you leave the store.
Ala Moana Center is one of the largest open-air shopping centers in the United States, and its food scene has quietly become one of the best in the state. Pieology may not scream Honolulu but it thrives here because the foot traffic demands speed and quality.
7. Boston's North End Pizza Bakery: the Kalihi neighborhood workhorse
On Dillingham Boulevard in Kalihi, Boston's North End Pizza Bakery is the kind of place that feeds construction crews, office workers, and families who do not care about ambiance. The name is a nod to the East Coast roots of the owner, and the pizza delivers on that promise with a New York-style foldable slice that holds up under serious topping weight.
What to Order: The meat lovers slice, about $4.50 per slice, or a whole pie for around $22. The garlic knots are solid too, and a half-dozen runs about $5.
Best Time: Lunch, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday through Friday. This is a working neighborhood, and the lunch rush is real. After 1:30 p.m. the selection thins out.
The Vibe: No-frills, counter service, a few tables inside and some outside. The Kalihi neighborhood is industrial and residential mixed together, so the surroundings are not scenic. But the people-watching is excellent.
Local Tip: Kalihi is one of the most ethnically diverse neighborhoods in the entire United States, and the food scene reflects that. After your pizza, walk two blocks toward King Street and you will find some of the best Filipino and Vietnamese food on the island.
Kalihi has been the working heart of Honolulu for over a century, home to immigrant communities who built the city's infrastructure. Boston's fits right into that tradition: honest food, fair prices, no pretense.
8. Flour & Barrel: the Kakaako newcomer that earned its stripes
Flour & Barrel opened in the Kakaako neighborhood on Queen Street and quickly became one of the best casual pizza Honolulu has seen in years. The wood-fired oven was custom-built, the dough ferments for 48 hours, and the toppings lean seasonal and local. This is not cheap pizza, but it is the kind of place where you taste the difference immediately.
What to Order: The Funghi pizza with wild mushrooms, fontina, and truffle oil runs about $22. If you want something more adventurous, the seasonal special changes monthly and is always worth asking about.
Best Time: Dinner, 6 to 7 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday. Kakaako has become a nightlife and dining destination, and weekends here are packed. A Wednesday reservation is your best bet for a relaxed experience.
The Vibe: Industrial-chic, exposed brick, open kitchen, and a bar that takes its cocktails seriously. The noise level climbs after 8 p.m. when the after-work crowd fills the bar area, so request a table toward the back if you want conversation.
Local Tip: Kakaako's parking situation is improving but still tricky. The nearby municipal lot on Queen Street charges $1.50 per hour after 6 p.m., and street parking is metered until 10 p.m. Consider a rideshare if you plan to have a drink.
Kakaako's transformation from a warehouse district to a food and art hub mirrors Honolulu's broader evolution, a city that honors its past while constantly reinventing itself. Flour & Barrel is part of that new chapter, and it respects the old one by sourcing from local farms and ranches.
When to Go / What to Know
Honolulu's pizza scene does not follow the same rhythm as mainland cities. Lunch is king here, and many of the best local spots see their biggest crowds between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Dinner is lighter on weekdays and heavy on Fridays and Saturdays. If you are visiting during peak tourist season, roughly mid-December through March and again in June through August, expect longer waits at any place near Waikiki or Ala Moana Center.
Cash is still king at some of the older neighborhood spots, though most accept cards now. Tipping 18 to 20 percent is standard, and many of these places are staffed by people who have been there for years, so good service is the norm rather than the exception.
Parking in Honolulu is a genuine consideration. Waikiki is metered and expensive. Kaimuki and Kapahulu have street parking that fills up fast. Kalihi has lots but they are not always well-marked. When in doubt, budget for a rideshare; Uber and Lyft operate island-wide and are often cheaper than parking fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the one must-try local specialty food or drink that Honolulu is famous for?
Poke is the definitive Honolulu specialty, raw ahi tuna cubed and seasoned with soy sauce, sesame oil, seaweed, and onion. You will find it everywhere from grocery store counters to dedicated poke shops along Kapahulu Avenue. A bowl typically runs $12 to $18 depending on size and protein choice. For something to drink, the Blue Hawaii cocktail, made with rum, pineapple juice, and blue curacao, was invented in Honolulu in 1957 by Harry Yee at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.
Are there any specific dress codes or cultural etiquettes to keep in mind when visiting local spots in Honolulu?
Most pizza joints in Honolulu are casual, and flip-flops with shorts are perfectly acceptable at the counter-service spots. At sit-down restaurants like Sergio's or Flour & Barrel, smart casual is appropriate but not enforced. One genuine cultural note: removing your shoes before entering someone's home is standard practice in Hawaii, and some smaller family-run restaurants may have a shoe rack near the door. If you see one, follow the lead of other diners.
Is Honolulu expensive to visit? Give a realistic daily budget breakdown for mid-tier travelers?
Honolulu is one of the most expensive cities in the United States. For a mid-tier traveler, budget approximately $200 to $280 per day: $120 to $180 for a hotel or vacation rental outside Waikiki, $40 to $60 for food (one sit-down meal and one casual meal), $15 to $25 for local transportation, and $25 to $40 for activities or incidentals. A single pizza dinner at a mid-range spot like Sergio's or Flour & Barrel will run $20 to $30 per person including a drink and tip.
How easy is it to find pure vegetarian, vegan, or plant-based dining options in Honolulu?
Honolulu has a strong and growing plant-based dining scene. Most pizza places listed here offer vegetarian options, and Flour & Barrel regularly features seasonal vegetable-forward pies. Dedicated vegan restaurants exist in neighborhoods like Kaimuku, Kakaako, and along South King Street. Grocery stores including Whole Foods, Down to Earth, and even Times Supermarket carry extensive plant-based product lines. You will not go hungry as a vegan in Honolulu, though dedicated vegan pizza-specific spots are still limited.
Is the tap water in Honolulu to drink, or should travelers strictly rely on filtered water options?
The tap water in Honolulu is safe to drink. It comes from underground aquifers managed by the Honolulu Board of Water Supply and meets or exceeds all federal and state safety standards. The water is naturally filtered through volcanic rock, which gives it a clean taste. Travelers do not need to rely on bottled or filtered water unless they have specific medical concerns. Refilling a reusable bottle at your hotel or at public water stations is both safe and encouraged.
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