Aloha Mamacita — Restaurant in Honolulu

Review – Matías Saavedra

I’d like to share a personal experience from last night—not as a general judgment of the restaurant, but simply as a reflection of our evening. I want to be fair and highlight the many good things this place has to offer, especially the quality of their products.

Let’s start with the positives:

The food is exquisite. Highly recommended based on the quality of the ingredients. The tacos, while small, are incredibly flavorful, and this aspect deserves genuine praise. Excellent.

A major highlight: The cocktails are outstanding—creative, balanced, and made with care. The ube and rum cocktail was one of the best I’ve had in a long time. You can truly appreciate the originality and the skill of the bartenders in every sip.

Another cocktail we loved was the matcha-based one. Unique, bold, beautifully presented, and perfectly balanced in flavor (if you enjoy matcha). Based on this alone, it’s a 10 out of 10.

Now, on to the negative aspects—again, I stress this is a very personal experience:

The service was poor for us. I ordered a beer that took 20 minutes just for someone to tell me it wasn’t available, and then another 20 minutes to inform me that the second beer I requested had “too much foam.” I have to ask—was this your first time using a draft beer machine? Because having too much foam isn’t a reason to withhold the drink and waste gallons of product. As someone who works in a brewery, I say this from the heart: draft systems must be calibrated to pour properly. Don’t just avoid serving it because there’s foam. Foam is part of the carbonation—just remove the excess and keep pouring. That’s far better than wasting good beer.

As someone experienced in service, I want to say this to the four people who attended our table: pay attention to the details. We are there to receive a full experience. At times, we felt tension from the staff, especially after I gently pointed out that I had waited 45 minutes without receiving a simple beer. That does not make us problematic customers. Try to see it from the guest’s point of view: a draft beer takes about 45 seconds to pour, maybe 1 or 2 minutes until it reaches the table. How is a 45-minute wait justifiable, only to end up receiving a bottled beer instead?

Following this issue, one of the servers rather awkwardly asked us if that was all and if we wanted the check. That felt like a not-so-subtle invitation to leave. Our intention was actually to enjoy more cocktails and have a lovely evening. Offering the check without being asked is never the right move. Guests ask for the check—not the other way around. A guest’s order pays for the product, the service, and the business’s revenue. Never rush a customer out.

Simple gestures make a big difference: noticing empty water glasses, offering refills, clearing empty cocktail glasses, offering another drink… being attentive and empathetic.

I also want to say this: larger tables aren’t more important just because they have more guests. They seemed to receive excellent service, but tables of two or three deserve equal attention. Service should be measured per person, not per table size. In the end, it’s individuals who will share their experience—and unfortunately for you, this time it happened to be someone who has worked in the hospitality industry for many years, in some of the world’s most recognized establishments.

To conclude: this is a venue with tremendous potential—with outstanding product quality and a prime location. Just a little more attention to detail, and this place could easily become a 10 out of 10 for me. For now, I rank it as a place with great potential.

Thank you very...

Aloha Mamacita is a gem tucked in the heart of Honolulu, blending vibrant flavors with exceptional hospitality. From the moment you step in, the atmosphere radiates a tropical charm, perfectly aligning with the island vibes. The menu boasts an impressive variety of dishes, and each bite reflects their commitment to quality and creativity.

On my visit, I indulged in a spread that left me thoroughly impressed. The crispy bao buns were a delightful fusion of soft and crunchy textures, the tacos were brimming with rich, bold flavors, and the fresh spring rolls were light, refreshing, and paired perfectly with the peanut dipping sauce. The basket of golden fries was the perfect side, crispy and seasoned just right. Every dish was crafted with care, and the attention to detail was evident.

Despite the restaurant being busy and short-staffed, Lexi delivered outstanding service with a smile. She was attentive, accommodating, and made sure we felt welcomed and taken care of, which truly elevated the dining experience. Her professionalism amidst a bustling atmosphere is commendable and worth recognizing.

Although I was initially disappointed to find that coffee was out of stock, the staff explained that it’s a customer favorite and tends to sell out quickly—a testament to its popularity. I’ll be back tomorrow to try it, along with their renowned puff pastries, which are all over social media and look absolutely irresistible.

Aloha Mamacita has quickly become a must-visit for me in Honolulu. I can’t wait to return and continue exploring their menu. Highly recommend this place for anyone looking for a memorable dining experience infused with...

I’ve gone back and forth about whether or not to write this review, but I ultimately decided to share my experience because I believe customers should know the values behind the businesses they support.

I'm an Instacart shopper and had visited this business several times before their restaurant officially opened. I used to enjoy buying their strawberry shortcake from the walk-up window—it was genuinely one of my favorite treats.

One day, I received a large order from the restaurant, which included multiple 35 lb containers of cooking oil, bags of flour, sugar, and other bulk items. I completed the entire order and delivered everything myself. Despite the physical challenge, I did my job without complaint—even as several employees watched me unload everything without offering to help. I’m a woman, and while I didn’t expect assistance, the lack of basic kindness was disappointing.

What hurt the most, though, was discovering after the delivery that the person who placed the order retracted my entire tip. That moment really stayed with me. I had put in so much effort, and to have my tip taken away felt like a complete disregard for the work I did. It was disheartening enough that I decided to stop working with Instacart altogether, and I haven’t returned to buy anything from the restaurant since—despite how much I loved their shortcake.

To the person who took back the tip—you know who you are. We’re all just trying to make it, especially in a state where the cost of living is so high. I hope this message encourages a little more compassion and respect for those who work hard behind the scenes, just...