Foodie Finds: Discover the Newest Eateries in Ward Village

From Turkish delights at Istanbul and Hawai‘i regional plates at Merriman’s to vegan taro-based doughnuts at Holey Grail and classic American burgers from Chubbies, there’s something to satisfy even the pickiest palates. And as this community evolves, its dining options expand. Here are just a few of the exciting eateries that have recently opened, or are opening, in Ward Village in the coming months.

Photo: Courtesy of Ward Village

Kamitoku Ramen Bistro

Kamitoku Ramen Bistro specializes in authentic Gyu-kotsu ramen made with savory beef bone broth that’s been perfected over 60 years. With garlic (aka “Beefy Wild”), miso, spicy, tan tan, cold and tsukemen variations, the comforting umami soup is served with soft, chewy egg noodles and topped with familiar favorites like green onion, menma, bean sprouts, roast beef, and kimchee. Founded in 1949, in the unassuming town of Akasaki in the Tottori Prefecture in the southern region of Japan, Kamitoku Ramen has been serving satisfied customers for over 60 years. On O‘ahu, Kamitoku Ramen has gained an enthusiastic following as a result of their food truck and previous location at Shirokiya Japan Village Walk.

Kamitoku Ramen is open in Ward Centre, next to Piggy Smalls along the Auahi Street Promenade.

Pinky Lemonade (left) and Yuzu Green Tea Lemonade (right). Photo: Courtesy of Lemon Supply Hawaiian Lemonade (@lemonsupply1975)

Lemon Supply

Sister company to Scratch Kitchen, located in South Shore Market, this lemonade and smoothie juice bar features natural, fresh-squeezed craft lemonade drinks in fun flavors like yuzu and “pinky raspberry,” as well as local staples like li-hing. These sweet, yet sour beverages, which are served in reusable mason jars, are perfect for a day at the beach or with a picnic in the park.

For now, Lemon Supply’s refreshing beverages are available at Scratch Kitchen, but its first brick and mortar location is planned to open this summer in South Shore Market, just in time for the hot, humid months ahead.

An Di Dzo

Offering fast casual dining for lunch and dinner, An Di Dzo features a Vietnamese-style menu including favorites like crispy spring rolls, healthy summer rolls, crab fried noodles, decadent lobster pho, banh mi sandwiches, and refreshing vermicelli and rice dishes. Some may already be familiar with An Di Dzo due to its Chinatown location.

An Di Dzo is planned to open in Ward Village later this year. It will be located in Ward Entertainment Center, on the ground floor.

Photo: Courtesy of Ali‘i Coffee Co. (@aliicoffeeco)

Ali‘i Coffee

With locations in Chinatown and Waikīkī, Ali‘i Coffee is opening its third café in Ward Village, so long-time patrons and new customers can sip the innovative “coff-tails” and traditional espresso drinks while also enjoying the wonders of Ward. This craft coffee bar and roastery will also be offering a menu of elevated breakfast staples like avocado toast served on olive-rosemary sourdough, lox with lomi salmon, and cinnamon sweet bread made with thick-cut Hawaiian sweet bread, as well as sandwiches and flatbreads.

Owners James Webb and Will Gold are veterans of the coffee industry. Born and raised on O‘ahu, Webb has been roasting and wholesaling coffee in Honolulu for eight years, while Gold grew up in his family’s coffee shop in San Francisco. The duo started Ali‘i Coffee Co., initially serving their freshly roasted local coffee at farmers markets and events around O‘ahu before opening their first brick-and-mortar location in Chinatown in 2018, followed by a Waikīkī location in 2020. In 2019, Ali‘i Coffee was one of only three Hawai‘i restaurants, and the only Hawai‘i coffee shop, on Yelp’s Top 100 Places to Eat in the U.S.

Ali‘i Coffee Co. is planned to open soon and will be located in Ward Centre, between Kamitoku Ramen and Maile’s Thai.

To discover the tastes of Ward Village and for the full restaurant directory, visit wardvillage.com/dining.