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The orange chicken bento from Aloha Sushi in Pioneer Plaza.
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The birria burrito bowl with rice and beans from Lahaina Tacos in Pioneer Plaza.
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The chicken Alfredo pasta with broccoli bowl from Catania in Pioneer Plaza.
Pioneer Plaza on Fort Street Mall is a short walk from HPU's Aloha Tower Marketplace, and if you've only used it as a cut-through to the bus stop, you're missing some amazing lunch options. Here's an honest, student-centered look at three spots worth your time!
The entrance to Aloha Sushi offers plenty of options to consider for lunch.
Catania
Italian cuisine
Paid: $16.23 Ordered: Chicken Alfredo Pasta With Broccoli
Catania is easy to spot, a delicious Italian restaurant tucked in pioneer plaza. The plate I decided to try was, the chicken Alfredo pasta with broccoli is exactly what it sounds like: a big, creamy pasta with enough broccoli to make you feel okay ordering it twice in a week. Delicious and nutritious and well executed.
At $16.23, it's reasonable. The space is small and it fills up fast at peak hours, so get there before 12:30.
Lahaina Tacos
Mexican cuisine
Paid: $13.56 Ordered: Birria Burrito Bowl with rice and beans
The name leans into the Maui connection, but the menu is straightforward Mexican. The birria burrito bowl is the reason to come here. At $12.95- $13.56 after Hawai'i's tax it's a fair price for a feel good meal.
The birria itself is the strong point. It's tender, well-seasoned, and has that deep red color that shows it's been cooked properly. For a quick serve spot in a food court, that's not something you can take for granted. The bowl keeps it simple: birria over rice and beans, no consommé on the side, but for dipping like at a dedicated birria you can add to the order.
If you want a filling, honest lunch that won't let you down, this is a reliable option. The receipt confirmed no tip prompts or service add-ons; what you see on the menu is what you pay.
Aloha Sushi
Japanese-Local cuisine
Paid: $15.64 (incl. $2.04 tip) Ordered: Orange Chicken Bento
Aloha Sushi has the biggest variety of the three spots. The storefront with its digital display and organized menu board outside shows someone's thoughts about the customer experience. The menu covers a lot of ground: sushi rolls, poke bowls, kimchi fried rice, udon, bentos, and a special's board with items as low as $5.99 for fried rice!
The orange chicken bento at $12.99 was the order. Fried chicken pieces in a sweet-tangy orange glaze with sesame seeds, alongside fried rice, a slice of pajeon (Korean scallion pancake), rolled egg, and pickled daikon. The portions are generous; this is a full meal, not a snack. The chicken stays crispy and the glaze has real sweetness, not just sugar. The pajeon adds texture. The bento format means everything arrives together and well arranged, which makes a difference when you're eating at your desk between classes or at work.
The special's board outside is worth a look before you commit: ramen at $8.99, kimchi fried rice at $7.99, and aforementioned fried rice at $5.99. Those aren't filler options, they're genuine alternatives for lighter budget days. Of the three places here, Aloha Sushi has the most range in menu and price point. The orange chicken bento is the standout, but not the only reason to stop by.
No matter if you are a student trying to avoid the crowds at Aloha Tower Marketplace, in the middle of classes, or an employee seeking a quick choice easy and close to the workplace, these Pioneer Plaza restaurants will definitely be the best solution to your lunchtime indecisiveness.
Balancing taste, cost, and convenience in a busy city like Honolulu, specifically downtown, can be tough, but as it turns out, you do not have to sacrifice your taste buds for quickness when grabbing a meal during your lunch break. Whether it is a steaming bowl of pasta, a balanced meal in a bento box, or a substantial burrito bowl, there are plenty of nutritious meals available here that will keep you fueled and without having to worry about prices.
