Truly a hidden gem! It was literally a little hard to find, but they definitely help with a lot of signage from the sidewalk guiding you in (once you get to the hotel lobby that it's in, look for the Italian bicycle with the sign!) My partner and I got the misto salad, the vegetarian pizza, and the puttanesca and it was all delicious! The puttanesca in particular was my favorite. It's actually one of my favorite dishes in general, so I get it pretty much any time I can, and this was one of the best! The service was great and very fast, the location has fun stores nearby to check out before/after dinner, and you absolutely get your money's worth of (delicious!) food. Definitely recommend giving this place a try! read more

Pretty solid food. Came here and had the Caprese salad, margherita pizza, some bruschetta. It was delicious! Service was good, the interior of the restaurant was nice, look forward to coming back. read more

IL Tappo - Caprese salad, margherita pizza, and some salad - Italian Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

A Hidden Gem in Paradise - Authentic Italian Hospitality at Its Finest Il Tappa is an absolute treasure tucked inside the Hokulani Resort Hotel in Hawaii--a true slice of Italy in paradise! From the moment I stepped in, I was welcomed like family by the incredible owner, Salvatore, whose warm and personable energy sets the tone for everything this restaurant offers. I started with a glass of red wine (letting Salvatore surprise me), and I was blown away. The wine selection is phenomenal--a true reflection of Italian tradition and taste. Now let's talk about the food... just wow. I tried several dishes over the course of my stay, including: Classic Lasagna - hands down my favorite, rich and full of flavor Antipastimisti Piccolo - a beautiful charcuterie board, perfect to share Al Pesto Con Pollo - creamy pesto perfection with tender chicken Alla Sorrentina (Pizza) - light, fresh, and absolutely delicious The restaurant itself is stunning--elegantly embedded within the hotel, with a breathtaking waterfall backdrop and relaxing lounge chairs that make every meal feel like an experience. It's ideal for large parties or intimate evenings alike. Over several evenings, I met wonderful new friends and connected with Salvatore's "partner in crime," Soo, who quickly became a friend of mine too. The entire vibe is relaxed, welcoming, and full of heart. I ended up spending every night here during my trip--enjoying late dinners, amazing wine, and unforgettable conversations. Sneak peek: There are whispers of a happy hour coming soon, featuring some of these specialties and more--you won't want to miss it! If you're visiting Hawaii, Il Tappa is the place to be. Incredible food, stunning ambiance, and the kind of hospitality that stays with you long after your plate is clean. Be sure to check out the pictures--I promise you'll be booking your reservation before you finish scrolling! read more

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Been eating here off and on since they opened. Food is meh. I really like the atmosphere. But for some reason it always takes a while until someone from the staff recognizes us and then takes a while to get seated. Even when it's not busy. At times I feel like they don't even want my business. Staff can be weird. Can't explain it. read more

Authentic Italian! Food was absolutely amazing! Service was great! Had dinner there twice in one week. Highly recommend.

(Last visited December 6, 2022.) Vacationing in Hawaii for a couple of weeks so we're just exploring downtown Waikiki for a little bit, but it's time to eat! So we pulled out our trusty Yelp app to see what's around! We landed on Il Tappo since we like pizza! Let's see how it went! Atmosphere/Appearance: So the entrance to this place is like, through a hotel or something like that. The details are a little hazy, but what I DO REMEMBER is the beautiful fountain right out front and the market looking theme that was actually one of the bars! It was so cool and elegant. Once sat upstairs the views out into the city were beautiful. The restaurant wasn't too loud and felt quite intimate, like a great place for a date. Service: I can't remember who took care of us, but we had no problems whatsoever. I do remember the bartender being super friendly and approachable when we first walked in though. Food: We kept dinner light this evening and tried their Isalata Di Pollo which is a salad containing rucola, cherry tomatoes, olives, roasted chicken & shaved Parmigiano Reggiano. It was crisp, fresh, simple and had an excellent mix of ingredients. Not too over the top at all. We also went for the Margherita Pizza which contains tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella & pesto. Delightfully simple. The pesto was a gentle drizzle as to not overshadow the rich flavors of the sauce and cheese. The crust was light and fluffy with a good crunch around the edges. Value: Our salad was $24.00 and pizza was $23.00. It's Hawaii, it's downtown, it is what it is. Lol. Bring your wallet, you're on vacation right? Unless you live here... then you probably are a baller anyway. I really enjoyed this spot. It was chill, felt tucked away while being in a downtown city. Check it out if you're in the area. read more

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Good food and drink. Service great Ambiance was nice and the lighting cozy the Apress salad and lasagna was good and the pizza was good too. The owner and the waitress's are so accommodating and nice. I will definitely be back for more great food. read more

This restaurant was conveniently located at the place we stayed during our trip, so we decided to give it a try one evening. We were seated by the window overlooking the street, offering a lovely view of the nearby restaurants, shops, and people passing by. For drinks, I ordered a dirty martini, but the waitress--who was younger--was unfamiliar with it. She checked with the bartender, who prepared it, but unfortunately, it wasn't very good. We also ordered a Moscow mule, which was fine. Our meal included the prosciutto pizza and chicken pesto pasta. While the pizza was tasty, it could have used more prosciutto (just one slice per slice of pizza). The chicken pesto pasta lacked a proper sauce, feeling more like pesto-seasoned chicken and noodles rather than a cohesive dish. Overall, it was a decent experience. While the flavors didn't wow me, I'd consider returning to try other menu items read more

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IL Tappo is a beautiful restaurant, I will admit that, with a charismatic staff and manager... but that's where the positives end. The food is aggressively over priced and certainly not worth the cost. Don't give me a chewy, bland pizza and try to tell me it's made with fresh dough. Like, if that's the case, it's severely undercooked and not worth the $30. The pasta was also overcooked and mushy. Honestly, it's comparable to Olive Garden's pasta texture, granted with a lot less oil. Either change the prices to reflect the quality of your imitation Italian, or step your game up to match the beautiful and inviting decor. read more

Wow, what a hidden gem. Amazing authentic Italian. Owner was super involved and ensuring everyone was enjoying their meal. Very friendly, interesting staff. The check came out so cheap we thought they made a mistake. Ambiance was perfect. No obnoxious music. Delicious food. Why waste your time at some corporate BS nearby? My wife and I've lived here five years and we wish we had found it sooner. Whether you are a tourist or a local, there's really no excuse to not check this place out read more

IL Tappo - ^This is on a saturday. Easily makes it the place to go. - Italian Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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This place is a hidden gem!!!! The pizza is incredible and the lasagne was out of this world!! Salvatore is a true gentlemen and embraces the food experience. You'll be knocked off your feet when you dine at this hidden little gem !!! read more

Wow what a shocker This food tasted very authentic Italian. Had the lasagna the first time I was there and incredible Then the next time just spaghetti and meatballls..... delish too Fiends loved the food too Have to give this place very high marks Just nice and casual..... read more

Salad was good. Margherita pizza was sorely lacking. As some others mentioned, it had no fresh tomatoes and was more like a mediocre frozen cheese pizza with some pesto on it. Outer crust was nice and crispy, but main crust was soft and not browned at all. read more

This was honestly the worst Italian restaurant I've ever been to. The food was terrible -- I could make a better pizza at home. They even put pesto sauce on a Margherita pizza, which completely ruined it. We ordered two pizzas, and both were disappointing. The booster seat they gave for my toddler was broken and very dirty, which felt unsafe and unhygienic. The overall atmosphere was not welcoming, and the service didn't make things better. We spent around $200 for one pizza, two pastas, and four Cokes, and left hungry and frustrated. read more

The customer service was PHENOMENAL, and the food is 20/10 just AMAZING. So much flavor that even my 14 yr old had the caprese salad and pesto on his pizza.My family is so happy we came across this place read more

Very high price for the small lasagna. No bread or salad and the bottled beer was $11 each. Not a good value for the money. Wait staff was attentive. read more

IIf you're looking for a warm, cozy gem in Waikiki serving Italian-style cuisine in a friendly setting, IL TAPPO is well worth checking out. The ambiance is relaxed and the portions generous--especially appreciated by visitors seeking hearty, flavorful meals in a quieter environment. read more

IL Tappo - Italian Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Maybe it's just me and my Northern/Central Italian bias when it comes to Italian food, but it was not very good to me or my wife. Neither of us were prepared for an arriabiata sauce in everything. Out of 4 of us, only one thought it was a good meal. My wife and I were also left with some uncomfortable side effects that kept us both in the bathroom for quite some time in the following hours. The owner was present and engaging, the lone waitress was not terribly friendly. Wine's not our thing, so maybe the wine bar end is more effectively executed. It's not a place I will return to next time. read more

I just wanted somewhere to unwind and chill. Il Tappo has a wonderful menu (Italian food) . Located on the second level (inside a hotel) ...the structure of the restaurant is awesome (indoor and outdoor seating). Overlooking Waikīkī. I sat indoors and ordered an Aperol spritz and charcuterie board ...perfect for unwinding. Service was good and food quality was excellent. Il Tappo has a happy hour , I dined during regular dining hours . I highly recommend Il Tappo and will definitely return when I'm back in Honolulu. read more

IL Tappo - Charcuterie board (small) fresh bread , aperol spritz. - Italian Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

The Insalata pollo was so oily and no taste to it. They charge you 3% using credit card. The lasagna we ordered was served in a 4" bowl and tasted exactly like frozen Stoffer lasagna. Our Al Pesto con pollo was dry and salty and everyone in our group didn't like it. We don't recommend anyone to eat there and the food cost was way too high for the portions. The female server was very nice and attentive. read more

This restaurant is wonderful, great and friendly service, DELICIOUS food. It's in a great area but a little hidden but totally worth it. We had salad, pizza, pasta. It was so good! We were speaking with the owner and she told us the chef is from Naples. The pizza had a delicious crust almost like sourdough and the sauce was so flavorful. The salads were well portioned and well seasoned. And the pasta was a huge portion and packed with flavor. I wish we had room for dessert! The ambiance is really beautiful with a fountain outside and a nice view of the Waikiki beach walk. We plan to come back whenever we're in Waikiki! read more

IL Tappo - Pasta Puttanesca, so much food and so flavorful! - Italian Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

We were headed to another Italian spot when IL Tappo caught our eye from the street--and we're so glad it did! If you're craving pasta, do yourself a favor and stop in. We ordered the Lasagna Del Giorno and Amatriciana, and both dishes came out hot, full of flavor, and served with warm hospitality. The perfect combo for a perfect dinner! read more

Really good. would come again, good service. Prices kind of high but would try again. Vibe was good

Ambience of the street corner glass walled restaurant location inside a hotel was wonderful. There's a fireplace and you can see the street activity from the 2nd floor corner glass walls. The food and service was excellent. A bit on the salty side but I enjoyed it. Wife had lamb shank with a side of spaghetti and I had the lasagna, which came in a bowl...which was a surprise. The spaghetti sauce was a bit too rich/salty for my wife but the lamb shank was wonderful. My small portion lasagna was surprisingly satisfying. Think European portions. Without the street signs, it can be difficult to find but well worth the visit. Price was $$$ so it's not a budget restaurant but it won't break your bank either. I would want to go again for good Italian food when visiting Waikiki again. read more

Please stop serving precooked/frozen food and call it Italian food. And it's crazy expensive! Never again! read more

This is a lovely find! We sat right by the window, in a covered outdoor room. There was a deal to get a free Margherita pizza if you buy a bottle. Great deal! They even suggested a good bottle for us to buy. The special of the night was a lasagna. We enjoyed all the food and the ambiance was lovely. Will be back! read more

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Authentic Italian menu with delicious pasta, pizza and wine. Our go-to for tiramisu!!!

I looked up this place that is a 5-min walk from the hotel, called and let them know we were coming. The address listed is on the main road, but I couldn't find it. I called and they told me the restaurant is really on the second floor ( the address doesn't say it's on the second floor) and the entrance is not on the main road but on the side street, you need to take the escalator up. Once I got onto the second floor, I saw a sign for the restaurant, but still confused about how to get to the restaurant. Signage is very unclear. If they would have put an arrow pointing to the right, that would've helped. This restaurant is hidden inside the lobby of the Hilton Vacation Resort. The food is delicious, the service is good. So if you can find it, you can have some good Italian food. We ordered the mussels in butter sauce, very delicious, an arugula salad, a caprese salad, super fresh and a pizza, very large! If they make the restaurant easier to find, I am sure the business will be much busier! read more

The food and service were both amazing. The atmosphere was very beautiful and relaxing. I highly recommend this restaurant for those who love italian food and good drinks! read more

IL Tappo - Italian Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Almost Terrible. The food tasted like it was pre frozen and just heated up. We did have bruschetta as an appetizer that was pretty good but then again it's pretty hard to mess up tomatoes and olive oil. I had the lasagna and my wife had the spaghetti pesto with chicken. The lasagna was clearly store bought or at least tasted like it was. The pesto tasted like it was from a jar. I had 3 beers with the appetizer and the two main courses during happy hour when the drinks were half off. The prices were egregious and it came out to nearly $160. The only redeeming factor was that the owner was very nice and accommodating. Do not go here, you can get better food for less money. read more

Food dry and salty, charged full price for 3 glasses of wine when it was supposed to be half price during happy hour (didn't realize this till we got back to our hotel room) only one item on main entrée menu that I could order because of food allergy I have (they would not make any food except for what's on menu to accommodate my allergy) but I was OK with that and then added 3% to our bill because we used a credit card (didn't tell us this or we would have paid cash). Told server, Sophie about salty food and nothing done. We visited the restaurant three times last year during our visit to Oahu and had no issues so looked forward to eating there again this year during our 4 week vacation but won't go back. A waste of $200 read more

For reference, I live in a city where I'm used to paying around $30 for Italian food. Here's my overall review: Our order : My fiance and I ordered the pesto pollo, puttanesca & bruschetta for food. - The hostess & waitress were nice. - Food seemed a bit too salty/dry. Also seemed like it can be easily put together at home. - Bruschetta was pretty good. The tomato on top was minced (think of a salsa paste.) - Glasses weren't full when brought to us. I feel like for the prices of some drinks, at least add a garnish or something to make it look nice. The drink my fiance got (Pog + vodka cocktail) was described by my fiance as a hard seltzer that seemed like it was just poured in a cup. - There were parts of the restaurant that's high quality, like the menus, but it seemed like for the price we were paying, there wasn't enough quality aspects. - Overall, I think it would be worth it trying if the prices matched the food quality. read more

what an amazing Italian restaurant to eat in Waikiki! We are so happy that we found IL Tappo. The food is delicious and The ambiance is very chill and relaxing The owner Salvatore is so personable, courteous, and all around great person! The staff is also amazing! Both girls were very attentive, friendly, and personable! I highly recommend this Italian eatery to anyone looking for excellent and authentic Italian cuisine! read more

IL Tappo - Lasagna - Italian Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Would leave 10 stars if I could. Best and most inexpensive Italian restaurant in that area. Food, staff and atmosphere is phenomenal. They took care of me and my 5 friends as though we were VIPs. Disregard the people that don't know what a great place is and go here. You won't be dissatisfied l read more

The service was amazing and the food was fantastic. We had the caprisse salad, Calbrese pizza and bruschetta. The pizza had a nice level of spiciness and the mozzarella was so fresh. I highly recommend. read more

On July 5, 2024, I was sexually assaulted at a restaurant/bar called IllTappo in Waikiki by its owner, Salvatore. He offered me a drink, and my next memory was finding myself bent over a table, extremely ill and in the midst of an assault. I reported the incident to the police about a week later. In hindsight, I wish I had come forward sooner, as the delay limited the ability to collect critical evidence. However, in the immediate aftermath, I was physically unwell and needed time to process what had happened and decide how to proceed. One of the officers I spoke with suggested that I share my story publicly to warn others who might choose to work or be customers at this establishment. At first, the idea of sharing something so personal and painful in a public forum felt incredibly difficult and embarrassing. Even now, writing this brings up feelings of vulnerability and discomfort. However, after speaking with my dad, a former police officer who helped advocate for me with the Honolulu Police, mom and brother, they encouraged me to take this step to protect others. Since it appears that there will be no further legal action or justice in my case, I've decided to confront this head-on by sharing my experience. My intention is to warn others about Salvatore and IllTappo, so they can make informed decisions about their safety when choosing to work or patronize this establishment. If anyone else has experienced something similar at the hands of this individual or establishment, I encourage you to please report it to the police department. read more

Great people and service, the owner even came out and chatted with customers. His sauce is amazing, straight from Italy! And the ambiance is perfect for pupus/drinks or dates. Although if it rains, seating is a bit limited. But other than that, highly recommend! read more

the food was literally amazing. we got the bruschetta to start, then the caprese salad. we also had pizza, lasagna, and some pesto chicken pasta. we all shared the dishes 10/10. servers were great and super friendly. would for sure come back when visiting. read more

I'm really confused at the high and low reviews Il Tappo gets, so inconsistent. The most recent reviews mention how this restaurant is the best Italian they've ever had or best dining experience in Waikiki. It makes me wonder if we all ate at the same place. My 1 star is pretty similar to all the other bad reviews. The pizza did taste like it was made from frozen pizza dough, the pasta sauce tasted like it came from a store bought jar, the salad was basically just greens and dressing. It felt like a food court meal, which is fine except the meals are fairly expensive. The waitress that served us was not very pleasant and seemed annoyed and pouty all evening. The waiter that also served was great though. And to top the evening off the bill had a 20% "services fee" added... it was just the two of us dining. If a restaurant has a policy of mandatory gratuity added they should go out of there way to make this fact clear so that you don't accidentally double tip. There was also a "Venmo" address displayed when the check arrived, which I thought was pretty tacky. Finally there was also a 3% service fee for using a credit card. They serve food court food at fine dining prices and then nickel-and-dime us on our way out. We won't be going back. read more

I rarely do reviews, I ordered the margarita pizza and the calabrese pizza. Super delicious if you're looking for fresh house made pizza. Super friendly house staff as well. 5/5 read more