Hawaii is at the top of my personal bucket list, and I know I'm not alone. Ohio, though, is about as far from the Aloha State as it gets -- in distance and climate. While I can't bring the Nāpali Coast to the Ohio Valley, I can suggest a new restaurant in Cincinnati, Ohio, that provides a delicious and vibrant taste of Hawaii. Aloha and welcome to Onolicious Hawaii, a delicious new dining spot in the Queen City that's (ahem) made waves among Ohio foodies and critics alike.
There's a popular saying that we "eat with our eyes first," and indeed, Onolicious Hawaii is a feast for ALL the senses.
This Hawaiian restaurant in Cincinnati, Ohio, opened its doors on Court Street in May 2023 after a successful run in Oakley Kitchen, a food hall just north of the city.
The new digs allow for a wholly immersive experience of Hawaiian cuisine, complete with vibrant color palettes and vivid silhouettes of tropical animals and iconography on the walls.
The menu, however, manages to steal the spotlight from the tropical ambiance; expect a robust array of what owner Vincente Benedett calls authentic Pacific "soul food." Benedett's family hails from Oahu, and the menu at Onolicious Hawaii includes an array of longstanding family recipes.
What is Hawaiian cuisine, exactly? Aside from the usual suspects -- seafood, tropical fruit, and Spam-infused sushi and poke bowls, Onolicious brings new flavors to the Midwest, including delicious pork sliders that are the perfect fusion of Hawaii and Ohio.
Most meals at Onolicious Hawaii feature a rice, protein, and veg set-up that's similar to any "meat and three" you'd find in the American South. But instead of burned ends and brisket, you have Kalua pig, ahi tuna, and (of course), grilled Spam.
Vegetarians and vegans need not worry; in true "aloha" spirit, Onolicious Hawaii's menu has lots of veg-friendly options, from Vegan Pork Hash and Lanikai Lumpia (vegetable filled spring rolls) to pineapple rolls and sticky-sweet mochi.
Did you know about this delicious new Hawaiian restaurant in Cincinnati, Ohio? The next time you need a little break from the Midwest, immerse yourself in the color and cuisine of paradise at Onolicious Hawaii.
And if you're lucky enough to finally hop on a plane and indulge your wanderlust, be sure to check out our travel must-haves for the beach!
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