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Where to Find the Best Poke on Oahu

Where to Find the Best Poke on Oahu

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Clean Plate Club

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Looking for poke (poh-kay) on Oʻahu beyond Waikiki’s top spots? Here are our favorite places for this classic diced raw fish dish, brought to the islands by Polynesian voyagers, and its delicious modern interpretations from around the island.

But wait, there’s more. We’re here to help demystify some of the unusual words you might see on menus like furikake, laulau and lilikoi — and explain which meat is being served and why. And possibly most importantly of all, provide the fun facts on the origins of local dishes. 

If you’re happy with your meal, tag us @HawaiiIslander on Instagram to share the love.

Poke on Oahu's South Shore

Two bowls of food on a wooden table. The left bowl, reminiscent of the best poke in Oahu, is filled with diced raw fish, possibly tuna, topped with orange roe. The right bowl contains sliced barbecued meat, likely beef or pork. A red drink is partially visible above the bowls.
Photo: @aliciasmarket

Alicia’s Market

267 Mokauea St., Honolulu
808.841.1921

Alicia’s Market was founded in 1944 and even a fire in 2018 couldn’t stop this family-run business  from churning out a rainbow’s worth of delicious poke (spicy salmon, smoked tako, wasabi masago ahi, etc.) — they just moved a couple doors down. Ask for a free sample if you can’t figure out what to order — or even if you can! Open Monday through Friday 8am to 7pm and Saturday 8am to 6pm. 

A close-up view of a bowl containing a serving of spicy poke, with pieces of marinated raw fish, rice topped with seaweed and sesame seeds. A yellow flower and a green leaf garnish the dish, adding a touch of color and elegance—just like you'd find in the best places Oahu offers.
Photo: Barefoot Beach Cafe

Barefoot Beach Cafe

2699 Kalakaua Ave.
808.924.2233

Located at Queen’s Surf Beach, on the Diamond Head side of Waikiki, this is an ideal spot to watch the surfers while you chow down. Barefoot Beach Cafe is a family-owned and -operated cafe appears to be a snack bar but don’t be fooled. They are whipping up delicious and refreshing dishes, including poke, and offer some of the best views in Waikiki. Open daily 7 am to 8:30 pm.barefootbeachcafe.com

A black bowl filled with the best poke Oahu has to offer, a Hawaiian dish featuring a mix of marinated raw fish cubes and creamy, seasoned fish. It's topped with sliced nori (seaweed) and sesame seeds, all served over a bed of rice. The background is blurred greenery.
Photo: Coco Cove

Coco Cove

2284 Kalakaua Ave. # 101, Waikiki
808.924.6677

This breezy little market is the perfect spot to grab some poke before heading to the beach to soak up the rays. The Coco Cove menu features a lot of local favorites, but we recommend the poke bowls, of course! Open daily from 6:30 am to 11pm and are grateful for your service. 

Three bowls of rice topped with slices of seared salmon, garnished with microgreens, roe, and a creamy orange sauce. Each bowl presents a visually appealing and appetizing dish reminiscent of the best poke in Waikiki, Oahu, with a pair of chopsticks resting across one of the bowls.
Photo: Fish Hook Cafe

Fish Hook Cafe

2045 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu
808.942.0999

Tucked into the Luana Waikiki Hotel & Suites, this bright new jewel box for poke and other home-style breakfast and lunch fare has just 16 seats and an open kitchen. If you can’t nab a spot, get one of the beautifully prepared poke bowls to go. Fish Hook Cafe is open Monday through Sunday 7am to 2pm. 

Three takeout containers with the best poke Waikiki Oahu has to offer. One features salmon sashimi on rice with green onions and sesame seeds. Another has spicy salmon on rice with green onions. The third includes diced tuna, cucumber, and avocado salad on rice, topped with slices of egg omelet.
Photo: Maguro Brothers

Maguro Brothers

415 Nāhua St., Honolulu
808.230.3470

You can also get sushi, sashimi and other Japanese dishes at this restaurant in the Pearl Waikiki hotel, but you’d be missing out on some particularly delicious fresh poke. Try some with unique twists such as ume (Japanese plum) and shiso leaf. Maguro Brothers is open Monday through Saturday 5:30pm to 9pm and are happy to serve you. Closed on Sunday. 

A takeout container filled with a bowl of poké, the best lunch in Waikiki. The dish consists of cubes of raw tuna marinated in a reddish sauce, mixed with slices of onion and sprinkled with seaweed strips, all served on a bed of white rice. The container lid is partially open. Perfect for enjoying your time in Honolulu.
Photo: Courtesy of Ono Seafood

Ono Seafood

747 Kapahulu Ave., Honolulu
808.732.4806

You could drive right past this cute little hole in the wall, but don’t! It’s just the basics here, but the best of these basics. The house smoked tako (octopus) is a real treat, and there are all kinds of poke to try from. So a grab a few options and find your personal favorite. Ono Seafood is open Tuesday through Saturday 9am to 6pm. Closed Sunday and Monday. 

A hand holds up the best poke bowl in Waikiki, filled with avocado, corn, seaweed, raw fish, orange roe, and rice, against the backdrop of a sandy beach on Oahu with people lounging on towels and sunbathing.
Photo: @pokebar.waikiki

Poke Bar

226 Lewers St. L-106, Honolulu
808.888.8616

The founders may have gotten their start with a sushi bar in Southern California, but Poke Bar Waikiki spot fits right into the local poke scene with sushi-quality seafood. The build-your-own bowl concept may produce some puzzling combinations to aficionados (hold the pineapple or corn, please!) but the basic proteins (salmon, tuna and tofu among them) and savory sauces like wasabi shoyu or sriracha are top-notch. Open daily 11am to 10pm. 

A vibrant plate of ahi tuna nachos garnished with green onions, drizzled with a creamy sauce, and served with fresh lettuce and edible purple flowers. Reminiscent of the best poke from Waikiki Oahu, the tuna is cut into small, bite-sized pieces atop crispy nacho chips.
Photo: @shorefyre

ShoreFyre

2330 Kalakaua Ave., Waikiki
808.672.2097

Located in the International Marketplace, ShoreFyre offers live music and great grinds. This is a great place to sample poke and enjoy some tunes. Open daily 10 am to 11 pm. shorefyre.com

Poke on Oahu's Windward Side

A bowl of best poke Oahu with raw salmon cubes, topped with a creamy seasoned seafood mixture and garnished with sliced onions on a blue patterned background.
Photo: @thehibachi

The Hibachi

515 Kailua Rd., Kailua
808.263.7980

The glass counters at this market are brimming with tasty options for poke (by itself, or with salad or rice in bowls.) But if you count yourself among the some who like it hot, the spicy ahi and spicy clams versions won’t disappoint. The Hibachi is open Monday through Wednesday 10am to 8pm and Thursday through Sunday from 10 am to 9pm. 

A bowl filled with assorted sushi and chopsticks beside it. Text overlay reads: "Eat Sushi the Right Way. 12 tips for eating sushi or poke with the planet in mind." Decorative elements enhance the advertisement's focus on mindful sushi consumption at Best Sushi Oahu.
A person holds a black bowl filled with poke, a Hawaiian dish featuring raw, cubed fish, garnished with sliced onions, green onions, and sesame seeds. The poke sits atop a bed of rice. This tempting dish represents the best poke Oahu has to offer against a blurred outdoor backdrop.
Photo: Courtesy of Tamura’s Fine Wine & Liquor

Tamura’s Fine Wine & Liquor

25 Kaneohe Bay Dr. #106, Kailua
808.254.2000

Yep, you read that right — one of Hawaiʻi’s best poke purveyors is actually a chain of family-owned liquor shops that have fresh-made poke bars in the back. The Kailua Tamura’s location is one of five on Oʻahu; click on the link above for the deets on the other sites. Open Monday through Saturday 9:30 am to 8pm and Sunday 9:30 am to 7pm. 

A banner with sushi rolls and sliced avocado in the background. The text reads, "EAT SUSHI THE RIGHT WAY - 12 tips for eating sushi or poke with the planet in mind." Two chopsticks are placed on the right side of the image, perfect for discovering the Best Sushi Oahu has to offer.

Poke on the West Side / Central Oahu

A close-up of three fish tacos in a rectangular dish with a lime wedge on the side. The tacos are topped with slices of seared fish, avocado, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds, reminiscent of the best poke Oahu offers, set against a blurred background.
Photo: Courtesy of Monkeypod Kitchen

Monkeypod Kitchen

92-1048 Olani St., Kapolei
808.380.4086

Can’t decide between tacos or poke? Hawaiʻi Regional Cuisine cofounder Peter Merriman has the answer at his playful Ko Olina Resort restaurant, serving up ahi (tuna) poke in crunchy wonton shells; his equally yummy sesame ahi poke and tako (octopus) poke are also part of the awesome raw bar mixed plate. Monkeypod Kitchen is open daily 11am to 11pm. 

A meal of Hawaiian-inspired dishes includes a poke bowl with diced raw fish, chopped green onions, and drizzled sauce on the left, and pieces of fried fish topped with sauce in a foam container on the right. This feast might just remind you of the best poke Oahu has to offer. A small container of white rice is partially visible.
Photo: Courtesy of Poke On Da Run

Poke on Da Run

909 Lehua Ave., Pearl City
808.455.4502

Parking here can be a bear at peak times, but the poke at this bare bones restaurant is worth the wait. If you’ve got at least one other diner with you, go for the Kamikaze poke nachos — one pound of delicious shoyu or spicy poke on top of crispy wontons. Poke on Da Run is cash only. Open Monday through Friday 10am to 4pm. Closed on Saturday and Sunday.

Poke on Oahu's North Shore

Three trays of colorful sushi are arranged in rows, featuring a variety of ingredients including diced fish, mango cubes, chopped green onions, and grated orange garnish. The vibrant sushi pieces sit on a bed of rice, making for a visually appealing presentation — the Best Sushi Oahu has to offer.
Photo: Courtesy of Poke for the People

Poke for the People

66-528 A Kamehemeha Hwy., Haleiwa
808.888.0788

The vision of Poke for the People’s (PFTP) is to spread “culinary aloha” to locals and visitors alike. This small business on the North Shore uses high quality fresh ingredients, attention to detail and presentation to create delectable Hawaiian style poke dishes. Open Monday through Saturday 11am to 6pm. Closed Sundays. 

A close-up image of a poke bowl featuring diced raw ahi tuna, sprinkled with black and white sesame seeds, thinly sliced red onions, fresh microgreens, and a base of quinoa. The vibrant colors—greens, reds, and purples—create an appetizing appearance reminiscent of the best poke Oahu has to offer.
Photo: Courtesy of Pupukea Grill

Pupukea Grill

59-680 Kamehameha Hwy., Haleiwa
808.636.4908

Across the busy road from the popular snorkeling spot of Shark’s Cove, this blue food truck serves a lot more than just poke. You can’t go wrong with spicy ahi, especially with a side of seasoned quinoa. Pupukea Grill is open Tuesday through Sunday 11am to 4:45pm and would be happy to serve you. Closed Monday.pupukeagrill.com

A top-down view of two dishes on a table. The larger bowl, reminiscent of the best poke in Oahu, contains white rice sprinkled with black sesame seeds, purple flowers, and a mixture of diced vegetables. The smaller bowl has a light broth with an herb garnish. A green leaf is partially visible to the right.
Photo: Courtesy of The Smoking Boar & The Coconut

The Smoking Boar & The Coconut

67-456 Goodale Ave, Waialua
808.282.8162

One of the newest spots to open on the North Shore, this restaurant converted from an old gas station is serving local style plates and there’s lots of fish on the menu. There are eight styles of poke to choose from, and be sure to save room for dessert. The Smoking Boar & the Coconut is open Monday through Saturday 11am to 3pm, Closed Wednesdays, Thursdays through Sundays 3pm to 8pm. 

Did we miss your favorite restaurant? 
Our always-hungry team of foodies have compiled this list.
Please let us know if we’ve missed your favorite eat@localgetaways.com.

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