Faria: a Pasifika Portuguese Restaurant — Restaurant in Oʻahu

I wanted to wait before writing this review, since our first dinner at Faria felt almost too good to be true. After returning for a second time, I can confidently say—it wasn’t. Both experiences were absolute culinary delights. It has been a long time since we’ve discovered another true destination restaurant in Hawaii, one that stands alongside favorites like Fête and a very select few others on the islands. In fact, Faria would fit seamlessly into the dining scenes of our favorite places—Greenpoint, Williamsburg, Tribeca, Soho, Paris—or even right at home. What sets Faria apart and places it in such elite company comes down to several things, all equally important. From the moment you walk in until the moment you leave, the genuine aloha spirit defines the experience. The floor staff move with an effortless grace, almost like a choreographed dance, and their knowledge of each dish feels as though they’ve cooked them themselves. The ambiance transports you directly to a charming Portuguese fishing village—warm, immaculate, and inviting. The owners, too, embody genuine hospitality: present but never overbearing, driven simply by their love for what they do. While we are not experts on Portuguese cuisine, we were instantly captivated by the depth and complexity of flavors layered throughout each dish. As wine educators and consultants, we especially appreciated the thoughtful wine selections, each pairing beautifully with the food. Our experience concluded perfectly with a memorable taste of a stunning Port wine. Over the course of our two visits, we enjoyed: • Bolinhos de Bacalhau // Cod + Potato Croquettes with lemon and herb mayo • Linguiça Assada // House linguica, served sizzling over a flame • Portuguese Bean Soup // A hearty blend of cabbage, sausage, smoked ham, and white beans • Granny Pereira’s Piripiri Chicken // Whole roasted chicken leg with piripiri spice rub, lemon potatoes, and braised cabbage • Vinha D’alhos (Garlic Pork) // Braised pork with garlic, white wine, braised cabbage, and pão da lareira Each dish was prepared with obvious passion, precision, and respect for tradition, while still feeling vibrant and fresh. Faria is not just another new restaurant in Kailua—it’s a rare gem and a true destination in its own right. We can’t wait to return. 9/17/2025 RETURNED Couldn’t wait to return. Asked for the same table, no problem. Same amazing greeting as if we are family. The service should be cloned and sold to the. Highest bidder. We were tempted to order the same items but decided to do a 180 degree and we ordered three totally different dishes. Each one was as good or better than our last visit. Check...

My husband and I were looking around Honolulu for a nice place to eat and found “Faria” Portuguese restaurant in Kailua. We’re new to the island (stationed at the Marine Corps base Hawaii), my husband is an active duty U.S. Marine Corps officer. We were dropping off some dry cleaning and looking for a place to have lunch. There was a cute little restaurant next door named Faria we had decided on giving a try after our dry cleaning drop off. We weren’t aware that it was closed at the time, but before we even had a chance to find out, some overweight white woman in cargo shorts, wearing a black hat came out and starts yelling at my husband about parking in front of her restaurant. My husband goes into the dry cleaners and this rude lady continues yelling at my husband, cursing and pointing at our car.

I roll my window down and politely ask her if there’s a problem and she starts yelling at me that we’re impeding on her delivery guy’s drop off (mind you, we weren’t blocking anything, and we were already parked when the delivery truck pulled up behind us, boxing us in where we couldn’t get out of the parking spot). She continued shouting at me that there was parking in the back of the building. I explained to her that we are new here and military members (the rear of our car clearly shows our U.S. Marine Corps emblem decal & badge).

With little respect, no thank you. I will never be eating here and I would warn any other military service members against patronizing Faria. They don’t value our country’s military, or maybe they just don’t value “diversity” so it’s a “no thank you” for me. Their food may be great, but an establishment is only as good as the ownership/management/employees. There’s no place for any type of racism or degradation of our (currently UNPAID) U.S. service members on this...

A dull spiced hummus with a without the chance of provocation they made us smile this evening with a crackle of the fresh crisps adorned with slivers of steak and fresh 'iidako from the sea. 'Parmesean grounds' and black olives in the medley of tomato pate' a firm yet dark amourie of succulent taste drew me in. From the pan-seared bay leaves to the steamed artichoke it was top notch!

Oh, how I adore those luscious custard tarts, bursting with the tangy brilliance of boysenberries and lingonberries, followed by the juicy pop of gooseberries, and then—oh!—the flan, perfectly crisped with a sugary sweep of cinnamon sweetness. Absolute perfection! Nothing tops the flutter of the leaves in the breeze the night with the culinary delight. And let’s not forget the Manhattan, sipped with a grin so wide it could light up the room, zested with lemon and kissed by orange bitters.

The ambiance? Pure magic! A saffron glow bathed the space, kiln lanterns casting a warm, golden hue that made everything feel like a dream. The amber light poured over us, leaving us giddy and childlike, striking playful French poses as if to say, “I’d bet you’d smile too!” And oh, the music! The French and Spanish women, dropping in with a song, a verse, a melody—it was mind-blowing, warm and utterly enchanting. The room warm and a the tip of an Estrella Damm, and quite the emposition.

The bullnose table wine? Exquisite! Decadent in every way, decanted with such zeal it made my eyes dart with delight. And then, to cap it all off, a chilled ball glass of milk and honey, sipped with a playful lisp and a wink: “I suppose this is our French...