Poke really is one of the most delightful beach foods you can eat when visiting an island like O’ahu. Hawai’i is a great place to enjoy fresh, Pacific-caught fish, and poke honors that tradition here beautifully. Accordingly, this guide to the best poke on Oahu is culled from a long list of worthy contenders, as there are so many great options on Hawai’i most visited island– but these ones, as veterans of the O’ahu food scene can attest– are truly the best.
Each of the below poke institutions captures something unique and special about this Asian-Pacific island delicacy, that has become synonymous with casual dining on the island.
For those who don’t know, poke is an Asian-Pacific-Hawaiian sushi dish consisting of cubes of marinated raw fish, most famously ahi tuna, which is often served with rice and a soy sauce marinade. There can be many different preparations or type of fish involved, but like shave ice or local tropical fruit, any kind of poke is a must-try food when visiting O’ahu (or any other part of Hawaii, for that matter).
Below, we spotlight the best places to try poke when visiting O’ahu, from hole-in-the-wall gems that are cult favorites among locals to world-class tourist destinations that continue to attract foodies from across the globe. No matter what your taste, style, or budget, this guide has what you’re looking for.
Bookmark this list for easy reference later.
Enjoy!
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Island Vintage Coffee (In The Heart of Waikiki)
We love the fresh, veggie-forward poke at Island Vintage Coffee in Waikiki— which also just so happens to be one of the best restaurants in Honolulu and also one of the best places to get coffee in the whole city, a must on any tourist’s itinerary.
Locals and visitors alike delight in Island Vintage’s upscale poke and hearty, robust salads– in part because the layering of flavors here is executed with brilliant, epicurean finesse. (Think: several varieties of sesame seeds, spicy tobiko, a house shoyu marinade, etc.)
You don’t get a ton of fish, volume-wise, but the way they spruce up the marinade and serve it with local vegetables like sea asparagus and purple rice makes for a lovely, well-rounded poke experience every time. The presentation is gorgeous, and they aren’t purists, so if you are a foodie, trying poke at Island Vintage really is a must.
Also: as a local institution and hub of tourist activity, they are also one of the few places on the island that can make a truly gluten-free poke. (e.g., They can use soy sauce alternatives in the preparation.)
We enjoy the indoor and outdoor seating at their bustling Waikiki location, and a convenient second location near Matsumoto’s Shave Ice in Haleiwa. (On the North Shore.) There’s even a newer Island Vintage outpost in Ko Olina. So, even if you can’t make it to the mothership location at the Royal Hawaiian Center, you can still get your poke fix from them no matter what side of the island you’re staying on.
Ultimately, Island Vintage is an Oahu classic for poke. It’s a whole vibe. Don’t miss out!
Ono Seafood (Downtown Honolulu)
Pretty much every local can agree that Ono Seafood serves some of the best, cheapest poke on Oahu. Located in a small shop not too far from downtown Honolulu, Ono’s typically draws a local crowd, and it’s one of the best places to get fresh poke in all of Honolulu. The portions at Ono’s are HUGE and the flavors are robust– it’s a true local “grind.”
They have an absolutely huge selection of simple, well-executed fish blends here, and they keep the presentation basic with just high-quality fish and rice.
As a result, many locals shop here when looking to get a quick poke fix, and the comparative pricing is great for tourists traveling on a budget. If you want to grab poke quickly and take it for a picnic on the beach, this is a great, fast option.
You’ll be presented your food in a no-frills to-go container, but that really is the best way to enjoy some of O’ahu’s best poke, in it’s most honest form.
Redfish Poke Bar (Inside The Wayfinder Waikiki)
If you’re interested in doing a “poke flight” to sample a wide variety of poke, Redfish Poke Bar inside the Wayfinder Waikiki has just the setup.
Here, amongst the contemporary decor, you can choose a flight of three different poke flavors from over 20 different types of poke offered, each centering around various traditionally Hawaiian categories of fish, like ahi tuna, hamachi, salmon, and tako (aka octopus).
Each poke dish showcases the island’s freshest local fish and offers modern twists on traditionally prepared poke.
See, for example, the Kim Chee Shrimp poke– prepared with won bok kim chee, Korean chili sauce, onions, and sesame seeds– or the umami-rich Garlic Shrimp poke, a nod at the classic North Shore street food.
Ultimately, Redfish is very trendy and customizable– a boon for people with food allergies or those who want a very Instagrammable backdrop. Plus, the quality and variety of poke offered suits most budgets, even in an elevated context.
We love the “choose your own adventure” aspect of enjoying a flight of poke here; if you want to dive into the world of poke on O’ahu, the restaurant is an ideal, centrally-located destination for sit-down dining. (As such, reservations are recommended. Redfish Poke Bar is the most formal poke destination we recommend in this list. Keep that in mind if paying a last-minute visit.)
Hibachi (in Kailua)
While it might look like merely a hole-in-the-wall convenience mart, Hibachi sells lots of interesting, lesser-known varieties of poke, like scallop poke and hamachi poke. This specialty hibachi deli in Kailua is a sleeper favorite among locals, offering a true representation of how locals eat poke in everyday life.
If you’re looking for a grab-and-go option– or just a gorgeous bite of food en route to Lanikai Beach or another destination on the windward side of the island– Hibachi is an awesome, off-the-beaten path poke spot.
Most locals shop here, so it’s completely devoid of tourists and there’s not even any on-site seating. I love stopping here en route to Lanikai Beach, where you can picnic with your poke and enjoy what is (in my opinion as someone who has lived here in Kailua) the best beach on the island.
Because it’s essentially a grab-and-go deli, Hibachi’s poke sells at a very approachable price point. (It’s probably the cheapest place to buy poke on O’ahu, pound for pound of fish.)
And, for what it’s worth, the deli also sells lovely, locally-made salted watermelon popsicles, a perfect refreshing treat on a warm beach day. (<—Don’t knock this ultra-hydrating flavor until you try it!) Look out for this perfect combo!
Whole Foods Kaka’ako
No, this isn’t blasphemy– the Whole Foods in Kaka’ako is the only one in the world that has a fresh poke bar— and there’s so much variety! About 20 different kinds of poke ranging from shrimp and spicy salmon to classic ahi to hamachi and tako (octopus).
You’d think a chain like Whole Foods, of all places, would be detached from the authenticity of the local food scene. However, this one presents a catalog of the island’s favorite fish dish in a manner that is entirely sui generis. I promise!
Ultimately, the huge poke bar here is something of a hidden gem among locals. Here, you can get authentic items like tako (octopus poke), shrimp poke, scallop poke, blue marlin poke, and classic spicy salmon poke in addition to standard shoyu and spicy tuna pokes.
We love the variety and quality of fish– plus, a visit to the local Whole Foods is a great way to get an intuitive snapshot of how hipsters in the city shop.
There are several gluten-free poke options made with tamari instead of shoyu marinade, which is great for those who are gluten-sensitive but don’t want to miss out. It’s also an incredibly cost-effective option, ideal for picnic planning or a quick on-site bite.
Again, Whole Foods might be a mainland chain, but this one serves local fish as a great representation of what local poke-making fishmongers do so well here.
Poke Vendor at The Windward Mall Farmers Market
Poke at the mall? Yes, indeed.
The straight-from-the-cooler poke vendor at the Windward Mall Farmers Market serves poke that feels like the best-kept secret on the island. We love the spicy tuna poke that this guy serves up in generous quantities from a small styrofoam cooler. It’s insanely fresh, super casual, and impossible NOT to love. (And it might even be my favorite poke on the island.)
As of this writing, the market runs from 10 AM to 2 PM on Sundays and 2 PM to 6 PM on Wednesdays. (Check the website for the latest info.)
Located in the mall’s central atrium, it’s a lovely spot to also shop for fresh local produce, mochi, authentic island malasadas, li-hing-mui plum powder (a hard-to-find local delicacy good for sprinkling on fruit!), and the best-darn peanut butter you’ll ever taste.
If you go here, be sure to order the spicy tuna poke if it isn’t already sold out, then shop a little and enjoy the local color. This is a true locals’ market. (I like sending people here before or after their visit to the nearby Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden in Kane’ohe; the garden’s website might be a little janky, but this is a great natural wonder in a less-traveled part of the island. And, if nothing more, it gives you an excuse to drive here for the poke.)
Enjoy!
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Related: Want more niche local eats? Discover where to get the Best Shave Ice and Acai Bowls on O’ahu.
You may also want to explore the crazy tropical fruit offerings at The 6 Best Farmers Markets on O’ahu— the single best places to experience local produce on the island.
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