Best Pizza in Oahu 2023 [Avoid Tourist Traps]

When my boyfriend brought up the idea of going to Oahu for our anniversary, I was thrilled. Not only would I get to spend some quality time with him, but I knew I could also take him to some of the best pizza places on the island (he loves pizza).

I did some research online, but I also asked some locals for their recommendations. That’s why if you’re looking for the best pizza places in Oahu, you don’t need to look any further. This is the honest opinion of two people who love pizza.

Overall, I think it’s safe to say that Oahu is home to some of the best pizza places in the world. If you’re ever lucky enough to visit this beautiful island, be sure to check out at least one of these amazing restaurants!

#1. Brick Fire Tavern – Real Italian Pizza

This modest brick-walled restaurant has a beautiful fire oven, so you can watch your pizza being made. The staff is friendly, and the atmosphere is relaxed. This place is great for hanging out with friends and grabbing some drinks. But it takes the number one spot on my list because of the taste. We had the most delicious pizza on our trip at this restaurant.

We were greeted warmly and promptly seated. The waitress was knowledgeable about the menu and ingredients. I enjoyed hearing about the local products used and imported meats from Italy. The mozzarella and tomato sauce are made in-house.

The menu has all the classics and a couple of twists. I liked the PCP pizza made with artichoke cream, sausage, mozzarella, caramelized sweet onion, cherry tomato, and the house pesto. Besides being creamy and rich, the crust is thin, chewy, and delicious. Authentic Italian style (which we both love!)

My boyfriend had Mamma Mia! The pizza had soppressata, pancetta, and pono pork sausage on it. It was a bit spicy with tasty onions and peppers (I had two pieces!) This is a tasty meat lover’s option, not to mention the fresh mozzarella. They don’t use their ingredients sparingly here.

Note: There is a happy hour with house wines and sangria from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.. They also have some great craft beers.

It is my number one pick because:

• If you love authentic Italian pizza, this is one of the best.
• The ingredients are locally, in-house, or imported directly from Italy.
• The pizzas are perfectly baked in a wood fire oven.
• The atmosphere is friendly, local, and pleasant.
• They have plenty of drink options with the pizza.

#2. Appetito – Craft Pizza & Wine Bar – Best Round Table Pizza in Oahu

This restaurant is a close second. A must-visit for everyone! Appetito is a beautiful restaurant with spacious and well-decorated inside seating and a small porch outside. There is a bar, booth seating, and nice round table seating. The restaurant has a huge food and drinks menu with great portions.

We made dinner reservations a day before for the two of us. We were seated upon arrival, and our waitress was super friendly. I first noticed the impressive beverage menu with cocktails, beers, and immersive wine options. We chose a bottle of Italian red (our waitress was knowledgeable and helped us out).

We ordered several things off the menu, and the food arrived quickly. I strongly recommend the Korean Yakiniku pizza if you are trying something new. It has grilled short rib, mozzarella, kimchee, green onions, and gochujang mayo. I liked the thin crust, which wasn’t overbaked. The Funghi pica was also a great twist (porcini cream sauce with mixed mushrooms, mozzarella, truffle oil, and fresh thyme).

The flavor combinations were clever and original. Fresh ingredients and an unforgettable experience overall. You can substitute the crust for a gluten-free cauliflower thin crust. Or if you have any other dietary restrictions, there are other tasty options like the Skillet Lemon Chicken, Portobello Mushroom Fries, or Orange Caesar Salad.

Overall the atmosphere is fun and vibrant. For me, this was a memorable date night with amazing pizza.

Note: They have a separate lunch and happy hour menu. So worth visiting again.

Here’s why you should visit:

• The food is high quality, made with fresh ingredients, and beautifully served.
• The menu is huge and creative, so everyone will find something they love.
• They have an abundant drink menu and great happy hour options.
• The service is spot on!

#3. J. Dolan’s – Best Downtown Pub and Handcrafted Pizza

If you are a fan of Irish pubs (like my boyfriend), this will be your favorite pick! We knew we would love it when we stepped through the door. The atmosphere is very welcoming, and the bartenders look like they are having a great time with the guests.

They have some tasty snacks on the menu to enjoy with the drinks, but pizza is the king! I had the spinach, tomato, and Garlic (with soft Ricotta cheese), and my boyfriend tried the pepperoni mushroom basil and black olives. The bartender recommended his pizza.

Both were very rich with toppings. The crust was authentic New York style, and it smelled (and tasted) delicious. As a side, we split the Jalapeno poppers (“split” is a loose term, I can eat more than my boyfriend!)

They had over fifteen types of beer on the menu, and the bartender could detail the taste of each one. It was my impression that he had eaten and drank everything this pub had to offer. Overall, I felt this place was willing to do whatever it took to please the customer.

Don’t miss out on a fun evening out at J. Dolan’s: This is a must-visit because:

• The pizza and ingredients used are high quality and fresh (and not used sparingly).
• The menu is creative and offers fun side dishes.
• The staff creates a cozy atmosphere for enjoying your food and drinks.

#4. Brick Oven Pizza – Best Hawaiian Pizza in Oahu

This restaurant has been around since the 70s. They have several locations (we visited the Kapolei restaurant). This location has a comfortable large seating area inside and outside. It’s decorated like a sports bar (think – watching the game and having some beers). We enjoyed the atmosphere and service.

The menu has a lot of options, including soups, salads, and sandwiches. The drinks list is also very extensive and diverse.

We split the Hawaiian BBQ chicken pizza and the lean beef and green onions pizza. The pizzas were rich in toppings and cheese. The dough was the right thickness and well done. It wasn’t the healthiest choice (some grease involved), but it was delicious. And hey, it’s pizza!

Our food was out quickly, and the beers were tasty. For families, they also have a kid’s menu and desserts. The chocolate cake looked nice (at the table next to us.) You can choose white, wheat, or even gluten-free dough.

I usually do not recommend chain pizza when on vacation. But this local chain is really tasty and worth the visit:

• The pizza is rich in cheese and toppings.
• You can choose from several kinds of dough.
• There are a lot of choices on the menu, and the service is great.
• They have a happy hour when the locals gather.

#5. Amina Pizzeria – Best Island Tradition

This restaurant has been here for many years, for plenty of reasons. The pizza was delicious and rich in toppings. The workers try hard to please the customers. And it’s a local business worth supporting.

We took our order to go (called ahead) and enjoyed some sunset views with our dinner. When we called and picked up our food, the servers were friendly, and everything was on time. I appreciated that the pizzas were steaming hot at pick-up – they were so fresh!

We had two medium pizzas, and they were a good size. I ordered the Pepperoni Olivera (pepperoni, black olives, mix bell peppers, and chasse), and my boyfriend had the all-meat pizza (let’s say I couldn’t remember all the kinds of meat). Both pizzas were high quality.

The menu also has pasta, lasagnas, salads, and calzones. The restaurant is Halal certified.

It is a must-visit place because:

• It is a long-standing local pizza place with great service.
• The pizza is high quality and rich in toppings.
• The menu is large with lots of Italian options.
• The restaurant is Halal certified.

Conclusion

If you take my advice, you can eat around Oahu, having some of the best pizzas you have ever tasted. I know this is true for me.

Some of my favorite moments from our vacation were bites created by Appetito – Craft Pizza & Wine Bar and Brick Fire Tavern.

I feel hungry just thinking about the menus.

I hope you enjoy your trip and don’t miss out on my recommendations.

Share them with your friends, if you agree.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

What is the most popular pizza in Hawaii?

Most pizzas on the Hawaiian menus are the classics (such as margarita, pepperoni, and Hawaiian). However, the locals prefer pizzas with abundant fresh ingredients and also Spam! The most popular is the Aloha pie with grilled Spam. Try the grilled Spam, bacon, red peppers, and pineapple combination for the most authentic local taste.

Do they put pineapple on pizza in Hawaii?

Even though the Hawaiian pizza carries the name of the islands – its origin is Canada. Traditional Hawaiian pizzerias utilize their locally grown vegetables, gravitating towards artichoke, spinach, and mushroom choices. The most authentic ingredient is Span – from a can! Spam is so popular in Hawaii as “Hawaiian steak.” Try the grilled version on your pizza.

Is Hawaiian pizza any good?

Hawaiian pizza (as in made in Hawaii) is delicious. The modern restaurant has a fresh spin on the originals – adding fresh herbs, homemade cheeses, and exotic seasoning. The traditional wood-fire shops produce authentic Italian pizza, topped with top-quality Italian meats, fresh mozzarella, and thin, chewy crusts. 

Last Updated on January 10, 2023 by Brigitte