Pastele Shop

I recently stopped by The Pastele Shop, and it turned out to be a great place to experience traditional Puerto Rican flavors in Honolulu. Located along North School Street, the shop has a small, casual setup that focuses almost entirely on serving authentic dishes rather than creating a formal dining environment. The space feels very much like a neighborhood food spot where the emphasis is on cultural authenticity and comfort food. The menu highlights Puerto Rican specialties, with pasteles naturally taking center stage. These traditional dishes, made with seasoned meat wrapped in a masa mixture and steamed in banana leaves, carry deep savory flavors and a comforting texture. The pasteles I tried were well prepared, with a balanced filling that delivered the rich seasoning typical of the dish. The masa had a smooth consistency and absorbed the flavors of the filling nicely, creating a satisfying bite. Other items on the menu reflect classic Caribbean influences, offering dishes that combine slow-cooked meats, rice, and traditional sides. The flavors leaned toward bold seasoning with garlic, herbs, and spices that give Puerto Rican cuisine its distinctive character. While the presentation is simple, the focus is clearly on delivering authentic taste and hearty portions. Service during the visit was friendly and welcoming. The staff appeared passionate about the food they serve and were happy to explain different dishes for customers who might not be familiar with Puerto Rican cuisine. That personal touch helps make the experience feel more like visiting a family-run kitchen than a commercial restaurant. The atmosphere reflects the nature of a small specialty shop. Seating may be limited, and many customers opt for takeout, but that format works well for the style of food being served. Places like this often succeed because of their authenticity and dedication to cultural cuisine, and The Pastele Shop captures that spirit effectively. Overall, The Pastele Shop offers a flavorful and authentic introduction to Puerto Rican comfort food in Honolulu. The focus on traditional preparation, bold seasoning, and welcoming service makes it a worthwhile stop for anyone interested in exploring Caribbean cuisine on Oahu.

I heard great things about this place! The bacalao salad is great. Unfortunately I ordered a pastele stew plate and what I got was mostly rice. I paid $14.00 for this plate for it to be very skimpy on the pastele not much at all. And it was dry, the taste was ok but definitely not a “stew”. Not sure if this was just a bad batch but not sure if I would order here again for “this” at that price.

Omg! They make the best pestele you ever had! It brings back so many memories from my childhood. I've been looking for a pestele that taste just like how I remember and I finally found it and it is sooooooo yummy! You must try it if you like pesteles!

Really good food. La ensalada de bacalao was more simple than expected but really brightened up the plate. Tasted like a warm hug.

The food is amazing! This is the best pastele stew, gandules, and pasteles I’ve ever had. The portions are large. So delicious ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A small French style pastry shop. The pastries are exactly how they are supposed to be made. Real butter, quality ingredients and made with care, you can taste it in every bite. This hidden gem is on the second floor on the back side(mountain side) of Ala Moana mall just down from the Asian food court And that's the hack. There's is so seating in Pastele's so order you coffee, tea and snacks (it's hard to pick one thing) then head around the corner to the food court, have a seat and enjoy. The staff was warm and friendly. They allowed me to linger, ask questions and take pictures. As always be pleasant, respectful and help support a local business. If you see an old guy with a beard staring into the window, drooling on himself. Just ignore him, it's probably me.

This place never disappoint. Location and parking is a bit difficult, but we'll worth it. Service is great, they treat you like family, talk to you like family member, and the food is to die for. The best Pastele on the whole island, in my opinion. The Pastele Shop is the only place I buy Pastele from, hands down to all their hardworking they put into making the best foods..Highly recommend it..