About
Welcome to Catania Ristorante Italiano, a charming gem nestled within the Waimalu Shopping Center in Aiea, Hawaii. This family-run establishment specializes in authentic Italian cuisine, with a tantalizing focus on seafood and hearty sandwiches. Committed to delivering an unforgettable dining experience, Catania Ristorante Italiano takes pride in its extensive menu that caters to various tastes, including many delightful vegetarian options.
The ambiance here strikes a perfect balance of casual comfort with a touch of elegance. Whether you're stopping by for a quick lunch, a family-friendly brunch, or a cozy dinner, you can expect to find ample seating, both indoors and on their inviting outdoor patio. With a dedicated staff that ensures top-notch service, your dining experience is bound to be as enjoyable as the food itself.
Catania Ristorante Italiano showcases a delightful variety of dishes that draw rave reviews from satisfied customers. For instance, one enthusiastic diner raved about the portion sizes, noting that meals are generous enough for sharing—perfect for those who enjoy sampling multiple flavors. The rich flavors and clever use of garlic are highlights that many patrons can't get enough of. Diners return frequently, creating a community feel that makes every visit special.
However, some reviews mention that the atmosphere can get lively, occasionally making it difficult to hold a conversation. Despite this, the friendly service and scrumptious offerings far outweigh any minor inconveniences.
In closing, Catania Ristorante Italiano stands out as a must-visit for anyone in search of genuine Italian fare. The combination of quality dishes, a warm atmosphere, and attentive service creates a dining experience that's hard to beat. So, the next time you find yourself in Aiea, treat yourself to a taste of Italy at Catania—you won't be disappointed!
For reservations or inquiries, call (808) 528-4588 and prepare to indulge in a culinary journey you won’t soon forget!
“ The food is good. I love their sausage. It's very good. I like their homemade dressing for their garden and tossed salads. I love their garlic bread, though a bit pricey like their salad. My wife doesn't like the Marsala sauce on the sorrentino. She says it's too sweet nor does she like the red wine flavor. But she wanted to try it because she loves all their other sauces. The service is ALWAYS TOP NOTCH! It's a family run business and it shows. I love the ambiance here. It's very clean and the TV shows a cooking channel which I like. lol. The noodle is usually perfect but today it was a bit soggy but I come here often so I think it's a one off. We come here often enough and will come back. That's the best result a restaurant could ask for. ”
“ Do you like garlic? How much garlic is "too much" garlic? If your answer is that there is no such thing, then this is your place! My husband loves garlic, and I loved the look in his eyes when he saw the delicious steamed broccoli covered in chopped garlic and just a bit of oil and sauce. Our only regret was that we had not ordered the mushrooms with garlic as well. Instead we ordered a seafood dish that also had enough garlic to make us sit up and smile. Their entrees are big enough to share, and then I had enough left to combine with the leftover broccoli and eat it for lunch the next day. A second visit included a massive chicken Parmesan sandwich and a fresh salad with a sweet house made dressing. I thankfully shared this meal as well, and had nothing to take home other than a full belly. Service was fast and efficient, but friendly enough. We were warned ahead of time about the portion sizes, and the waitstaff was happy to bring us sturdy takeout containers for our leftovers. I would love to give this unassuming restaurant 5 stars, but the sound levels in the dining room are among the loudest I've ever experienced in a small restaurant. I waited to write a review, hoping that it had just been one exuberant table - loud enough that my husband and I ended up typing out our conversation - but a second visit also had my family knowing far too much about the people sharing the restaurant with us. I don't know how the sound could be dampened, but I know that I have to visit on days that I don't mind not talking to my companions. ”
“ The food was great. Everything we ordered was nice and hot. I wish they had complimentary bread like many other eateries do. This place is located in the Waimalu Shopping plaza at the Ewa end of the building. I remember it being a bar. I appreciate the cleanliness of this establishment. It's not too big but a nice cozy spot. Service, I would say was exceptional. We didn't have too long of a wait until our entree's arrived. NOTE: if you have a large party (especially on weekends) the restaurant advises to pre-order so there is no back up in the kitchen. The only thing that I would recommend for this establishment is to clarify the time limit of 90 minutes. I was not made aware of this during my communication with the employee. We were told that it's on the menu however we didn't see any indication of a time limit on the menu both in the restaurant or online. Overall, I would recommend this place to anyone who wants to eat Italian food. ”
“ First time - Tried to think of the bar that was in this spot--- Ok we got it Christine's Lots of Parking Tables were full not sure if they take reservations Portions are large Antipasto is on point - Get the white bread and dip it for all the amazing flavors of the hot antipasto Chicken Pesto yum Chicken Caesar yum Jambalaya -I'd prefer that at a Cajun restaurant Broccoli garlic yum ”
“ I went there yesterday and the place is closed my friend bought food from here and I did love it very tasty and to die for I will be back tomorrow to order ”
“ The smell is heavenly... if you like garlic. Had a family post- Christmas dinner here. It was our first time dining in. The last time was take out, which the food was great and big portions! This time I ordered three pasta with house red sauce, chicken, bacon, and spinach. Sorry forgot the name already but it was Delicious! It's now probably my favorite dish there. I think on the menu it was under specialty dishes. We brought our infant son here, which was no problem with a stroller because of the big gaps between tables. Very stroller friendly and they even had high chairs for us to use. Will definitely be coming back. Btw if you thought food at the old spaghetti factory was something special, come try this place out. It's on another level. Not no heat up the plate bs IYKYK. Everything made to order. Quality is different. ”
“ "Wait, why do we go to Olive Garden when we can come here?" -- high praise from my other half who is the pasta authority in the house. And I agree! Our family ordered Chicken Saltimbocca, Chicken Marsala, Chicken Marinara, Garlic Bread, and Tiramisu. The portions are PLENTIFUL in the best way. I think the Marsala was a bit salty, but there was enough of the chicken/mushrooms that I was able to take leftovers and cook up some plain spaghetti and enjoy it a second day! The wait staff are super friendly and kind, and very understanding that we brought kids. Overall a wonderful experience and we're happy to revisit and recommend them on repeat. ”
“ First off, thank you for taking such a huge party of 13, on a Friday night. They combined several 2-4 tops to make one long table right down the middle of the restaurant for us. The service was very quick and efficient. They cranked out the food in no time! Large portions, enough to take home for another meal. No frills about it. Ample free parking in the lot up front. It looks busy with cars constantly coming and going, but our entire party had no problems finding parking. Would come back again! ”