HONOLULU Staff Favorites: The 7 Best Pizzas on O‘ahu

No matter how you slice it, there’s a pie for everyone. Here are our team’s favorite dine-in and takeout pizza options on O‘ahu.

Carbonara

$30.55 from Boston Pizza

If you love carbonara pasta, then you’ll love the carbonara pizza from Boston Pizza! The combination of spinach, bacon, ham, onions, garlic and cheese is heavenly. Not only is it delicious, the slice will always be bigger than your face! —Taylor Nakaoka, editorial intern

3506 Wai‘alae Ave., (808) 734-1945, bostonpizzahi.com, @kaimukisbostonpizza; 6640 Hawai‘i Kai Drive, (808) 394-8001, bostonpizzahikai.com, @bostonpizzahikai

Carbonara

$19 from Mad Bene

Photo: Thomas Obungen

One of the best takeout meals I’ve had in the last few months was from Mad Bene in Kapolei. Everything, from the finely shaved crudités to the fluffy housemade gnocchi. But the moment I saw the poached egg waiting to ooze its glorious yolk goodness on top of the carbonara pizza, I was done. Smoked pancetta, sharp pecorino and that rich yolk on top of a not-too-thin crispy crust gives me that soul satisfying bite I look for. —Christi Young, editorial director

Kapolei Commons, 4450 Kapolei Parkway, #540, Kapolei, (808) 744-7400, madbene.com, @mad.bene 

SEE ALSO: First Look: Mad Bene, a New Italian-American Restaurant in Kapolei 

Creamy Garlic Sauce

Starting at $10.99 from Round Table Pizza

Photo: Robbie Dingeman

Round Table Pizza in Enchanted Lake Shopping Center checks all the boxes for a neighborhood place to pick up a pie. It’s convenient, does carryout and pizza combos go beyond the basic. We like the creamy garlic sauce, which pairs well with the chicken and garlic, mushroom and tomato pizza; and the gourmet veggie, which includes artichoke hearts and zucchini along with the usual spinach and mushrooms. The build-your-own combo works for those days when only pesto, olive and cheese—or whatever you’re craving—will do. Sure, it’s a national chain that got started in Menlo Park, California, but the Kailua store does a good job with comfort food. Other popular add-ons are wings or boneless wings or garlic Parmesan bread twists. And, when dine-in is open, it’s a family-friendly spot where you can order a pitcher of beer, too. —Robbie Dingeman, editor at large 

1020 Keolu Drive, Suite J, Kailua, (808) 261-4644, roundtablepizza.com, @roundtablepizzakailua

From the Garden (Vegan)

$17 from Aloha Beer Co.

I first tried Fatto a Mano (@fattoamanohi) at the Festa Italiana back in 2019 and have been a loyal fan at the Saturday Kaka‘ako markets ever since. A go-to is easily the Pepperoni Playboy ($9 for a mini and $16 for a full), which is a simple pie with tomato sauce, pepperoni and mozzarella. Like for so many of us, 2020 started out with a bang when Aloha Beer Co. added pies from the popular pie guy (who has some of the best hashtags on Instagram) to its menu. Luckily the local dog-friendly brewery has kept this 2020 silver lining going so guests can still enjoy six delicious options when taking out and dining in (when that’s a thing). One of our favorites is the From the Garden vegan pizza, which comes with tomato sauce, spinach, marinated artichoke hearts and roasted mushrooms (we add a sneaky bit of cheese too for an extra $2). It pairs so nicely with the Waimānalo Farmhouse Ale (a Belgian-style brew) and the Red Zeppelin (a deep red, old-school IPA). —Katie Kenny, digital editorial specialist

700 Queen St., (808) 544-1605, alohabeer.com, @alohabeerco

SEE ALSO: The Best Places To Eat Outside in Ward and Kaka‘ako

Honey Goat Pizza

$14 from Wicked HI Café

Photo: Martha Cheng

I came to Wicked HI Café for the waffles, but also fell in love with the sourdough pizzas. The pizza emerges with a touch of char, the crust puffy and pleasantly tangy, offset by a drizzle of honey in the Honey Goat pizza ($14), also topped with goat cheese, arugula and tomatoes. I hadn’t expected such pizza perfection given the setup—no fancy ovens, barely even a kitchen—just a waffle iron and two ovens not much bigger than a toaster oven. Before opening their own café, Ashley Moran and Brandon Slowey were inspired by a similar one in Naples, Italy—in a basement and ovens that weren’t woodfired, but still turned out pizzas that made them swoon. They discovered, “as long as you use wholesome products, that’s the main thing, and you can make anything special,” Moran says. —Martha Cheng, dining editor

66-935 Kaukonahua Road, Waialua, (808) 637-3020, wickedhislushie.com, @wickedhicafe

SEE ALSO: Comfort Eats: Find Sourdough Waffles and Perfect Pizzas at Wicked HI Café 

Spinach & Garlic Pie

$21 from J. Dolan’s

Ever since I’ve stopped my daily commute to Downtown, I’ve been in deep mourning over missing trips to J. Dolan’s, especially for the spinach and garlic pie. Fresh spinach dressed in garlickly glory is topped with generous dollops of ricotta cheese for a creamy and flavorful slice. Managing style editor Brie Thalmann and I often split a shared pie of half spinach and garlic, half meat-heavy Giacomo for the perfect balance of salty cured meat and creamy herbiness. —CY

1147 Bethel St., (808) 537-4492, jdolans.com, @j.dolans 

Thai-dal Wave

$13.95 from Sophie’s Gourmet Hawaiian Pizzeria

The Thai-Dal Wave and Hawai‘i Pie-O ($14.95). Photo: Katrina Valcourt

This might be the dish that took me from coconut hater to—dare I say it?—coconut lover. You can build your own pie at Sophie’s, but why bother when the specials are perfect? I made my family try the Thai-dal Wave a few months ago and we had to watch each other carefully to make sure no one took more than their fair share. I love the guava-infused crust, macadamia nut cream sauce, lemongrass-and-garlic-infused chicken, spicy jalapeños, cilantro, mozzarella and, most of all, the thick coconut drizzle that ties it all together. –Katrina Valcourt, managing editor

Koko Marina Center, 7192 Kalaniana‘ole Highway, Suite D100A (next to Moena Café), (808) 892-4121, sophiespizzeria.com

Stacey Says Good-Pie to Her Tastiest Pizza

For the pie of my eye, I’m taking it ol’ school. Remember when Pizza Hut personal pans were the sh*t after an AYSO soccer game? And Magoo’s was my stomping ground during college days; it had amazing slices (I believe there was also beer in the dough) that were piled high with good, OG toppings: pepperoni, sausage, peppers, olives, onions and lots of ooey, gooey moz. They also had cheap beer and dollar shots, which probably made it taste even better! BUT (sound the air horns), Harpo’s Pizza has a special place in my junk-foodie heart. Even though it closed this year due to COVID-19 (someone hand me a tissue!), I can vividly remember when my sister, who used to work there in college, would bring home those t’ick square slices covered with meaty madness and (kinda) fresh veggies. There are no fancy-schmancy ingredients that pair well with white wine—the pizza comes in Styrofoam box, in a paper bag. However, the fresh-baked, pudgy crust, bubbly cheese, traditional red sauce and slightly oily coating creates a glorious, comforting bite. And, when I wanted to get a real slice of the action, I would order the garden salad, mostly comprising of crisp, non-nutritional iceberg lettuce, dump it on the pizza and cap it off with a drizzle of the house Italian dressing. It was unforgettable, obviously. —Stacey Makiya, senior fashion editor

SEE ALSO: The Original Magoo’s Pizza Is Back in Business After a Long Hiatus

Prateria

Agostino’s Pizza Food Truck (Closed)

Photo: Katie Kenny

Back in 2009, there was a Sicilian man named Agostino making pizza in Wai‘anae who then moved his operations and special oven to Waikīkī (which our dining editor wrote about in 2013). Soon after that, Agostino’s Pizza (@agostinos_pizza) moved to the Mainland to launch an establishment in Austin, Texas. Lucky for us he’s back with a brand-spanking-new shiny truck, ingredients from Italy (which is why he can boast new specials every week) and an exciting partnership with Olomana Brewing in Kailua. The owner recommended this pie when I asked which of his regular items I should try next. Would I ever pick this one myself? No, because it seemed too busy. Will I from now on? Oh, hell yes. This pie was popping with flavor: marinated artichoke hearts and black olives punching with power, soft and creamy mozzarella, spicy salami, mushrooms and oregano on a tomato sauce base. —KK

To find out if the food truck will be on Cooke Street in Kaka‘ako, Ahua Street or Olomana Brewery in Kailua follow Agostino’s on Instagram @agostinos_pizza