Victoria is getting a brand new spot for Hawaiian food

Burgers, poke bowls, pies and fine cocktails—Victoria just got a brand new Hawaiian restaurant that does all of these things and much, much more.

Ajay Oppelaar and Robert Stutzman, owners of the popular Hawaiian-themed Kahuna Burger and Aloha Bowls in downtown Duncan, have officially opened a Hawaiian culinary fusion restaurant in downtown Victoria. They’ve combined the concepts from their previous restaurants to create what is likely to be Victoria’s hottest destination for Hawaiian cuisine.

Think salmon poke, custom burgers and a wide range of Hawaiian-themed plates with options suitable for vegans and vegetarians. Oppelaar and Stutzman have already taken over a nearby bakery commissary kitchen to make all of their sauces from scratch as well as make desserts for the new restaurant.

The dessert menu, we should mention, is reason enough to stop by the newly opened Kahuna. Paradise Pies go way beyond ordinary classics, introducing Hawaiian themes for new and exciting flavour combinations. Passionfruit cheesecake, chocolate coconut and banoffee are just some of the flavours you can expect to find, though we’re certain even more flavours will be making their way into the menu very soon.

Oppelaar and Stutzman have partnered up with Harold Street Brewing located just half a block away from Kahuna to create a custom brand of Kahuna beer when the restaurant gets its liquor licence. The owners also intend to serve the “world’s best Mai Tai cocktail” and carry a fine selection of Hawaiian wines to complete their Hawaiian-themed menu.

The power duo are also planning the expansion of their brand, and are looking to open new locations of Kahuna and Paradise Pies in Langley, Nanaimo and possibly even Vancouver in the future.

“People are really buying into our Hawaiian-themed restaurants. We provide comfort food that’s sweet and tangy and savoury all in one bite that gets an emotional response from our customers,” Oppelaar told Victoria News.

“The people here are really excited about us opening Kahuna and many people from the Cowichan Valley have also been dropping by to say hi.”

Address: 515 Chatham St., Victoria