After the Ako oyster run, I figured it was time to start documenting the places I discover on two wheels. First up: ALOHA Cafe Pineapple in Akashi’s Okubo area, where I took the family for a Hawaiian-themed lunch.
First Impressions
The space itself is inviting – bright blue walls that immediately evoke that island vibe, balanced nicely with warm brown wood floors and tables. Bamboo chairs complete the tropical aesthetic. It’s clean, uncluttered, and genuinely relaxing.
They’ve got this fun photo op wall where you can pose like you’re surfing a wave. Cool idea, but execution falls short – you have to crop your photos carefully to avoid the restaurant showing in the frame, and there’s an oddly placed giant coffee image that breaks the surfing illusion. Small details, but they matter.
The Food
The kids and I went for the Avocado Bacon Cheeseburger. My wife and mother-in-law ordered the Garlic Shrimp & Chicken Plate.
Here’s the thing: the food tasted good. Nothing was wrong with it. But for a dish called “Avocado Bacon Cheeseburger,” I expected to actually taste… well, avocado and bacon. Both were present but in disappointingly small amounts. The portions were generous overall, just not where it counted for the signature ingredients.
Service & Timing
The staff seemed hesitant to accommodate us. We started with an awkward table situation – they offered a table for four with a fifth seat tacked on the end. We suggested splitting between a table for three and a table for two. Eventually they pushed two tables together, but it took some persuading.
Water is self-service, which is fine – except nobody mentioned this until we’d already ordered water and asked to keep the pitcher. “Oh, you can help yourself,” they said. Would’ve been nice to know upfront.
Wait times were consistent though: about 20-25 minutes for the main dishes, another 20 for the pancakes we ordered after.
The Damage
Total bill: ¥25,000 for five people.
That’s where this cafe loses me. The experience was pleasant enough, the food was decent, but the value just isn’t there. I’d say everything was about ¥500 per dish overpriced for what you get. You can find similar quality and quantity elsewhere in the area for less.
Verdict
ALOHA Cafe Pineapple occupies that awkward middle ground – too expensive to be a casual cafe, but not quite special enough to justify the upscale pricing. It’s clearly targeting a specific demographic: well-off mothers’ groups, business lunches, maybe a first date where you want to impress without going full restaurant.
Would I return? Unlikely. It was a nice one-time experience, but there are better value options for Hawaiian-inspired food in the area.
Rating: 3/5 stars
Visited: November 15, 2025
Location: Okubo, Akashi
Good for: Special occasions, impressing someone
Not good for: Regular dining, budget-conscious meals