If you love seafood, you can’t visit Hawaii without searching for the best poke on Oahu. As avid lovers of all things fish, my husband and I embarked on that very adventure during our last month-long stay on Oahu.
We visited 25 different shops in search for Oahu’s best poke and found some gems we’d love to share. Read on for our personal list of the best poke in Oahu, hope you enjoy!
Best Poke Oahu, Hawaii
First, Here’s the 5 Best Poke in Honolulu
#5. Fresh Catch
Fresh Catch is more of a deli than a poke joint, but the fish is SO good and you should swing by if you’re after fresh poke on Oahu. We got the spicy salmon poke and everything tasted very fresh and tasty. Plus, the prices were way lower than we expected (Honolulu is an expensive place!).
There’s a small parking lot provided but getting into and out of it can get tricky because it’s right off a main street, so heads up. The effort is worthwhile because this poke is both delicious and inexpensive.
But I’m not the only one that thinks this is some of the best poke on Oahu — Fresh Catch has expanded to three locations: Honolulu, Kāneʻohe and Kapahulu.
#4. Aloha Cones
Aloha Cones seems to be a hidden gem. Further removed from the downtown core, we decided to pop in after reading rave reviews. We were the only ones in the shop during our visit, but that didn’t deter us — we had a good feeling.
We were quickly greeted by the sweet gal behind the counter and asked for a few minutes to peruse the menu. We landed on a salmon bowl and patiently waited for the magic to happen. And holy cow! It was so delicious! We practically fought for the last grain of rice.
Aloha Cones really hit the spot and we look forward to returning for more visits in the future. This is definitely a contender for the best poke in Honolulu.
#3. Off the Hook
If I lived in Hawaii (imagine!), I’d eat at Off the Hook daily. Located further inland, Off the Hook is worth driving out of the way for. The humble shop was serving poke through a window during our visit (December 2022), so don’t expect to pop down and linger.
Regardless, this poke is worth taking to-go because it’s some of the best poke on Oahu. The menu is full of the usual suspects — tuna, salmon, etc. and the toppings are standard as well. But there’s just something about the quality of fish and the fresh ingredients that brings everything together and makes the end product sing.
So yes, next time you’re exploring paradise, don’t overlook Off the Hook because they serve some of the best poke on Oahu.
#2. Maguro Spot
I’ve probably eaten here 10+ times over the years yet still find myself craving Maguro Spot as soon as the plan hits the tarmac. Between the fresh fish and top-notch sauces, this is some of the best poke on Oahu. Just writing this makes my mouth water.
This isn’t a sit down restaurant, so you’ll need to grab your bounty to go. There’s two tables outside, but they’re usually taken. If you’re keen on sitting down, just wait a few minutes because they turn over quickly.
In terms of prices, I consider this the most affordable poke on Oahu. When flying solo, I opt for the medium size ($10) which never fails to fill me up. The extra large size can easily feed two adults for $18. Considering the prime location a stone’s throw from Waikiki Beach, I consider this a win.
Also worth mention — the staff is usually super nice (a perk!).
#1. Ono Seafood
You know, sometimes you just have to give credit where credit is due and Ono Seafood deserves high praise. Prior to trying it for myself, I was convinced it couldn’t live up to the hype, but I was wrong.
After trying 25+ different spots, I can confirm that Ono Seafood serves some of the best poke on Oahu. We ordered the miso salmon and spicy salmon, I can’t tell you which one was better because they were both exceptional. Plus, the generous portion size makes up for the cost (this was one of the more expensive poke spots on Oahu).
The shop is tiny and there’s only 3 tables outside, so plan to grab your poke to-go. Parking is also a bit challenging to find, but goodness — this spot is worth the effort.
Try to visit this Oahu poke restaurant after the lunch and dinner rush, otherwise you may get stuck in a long line. And I’m here to tell you — there’s better ways to spend your precious vacation days. In any case, I can’t recommend this Honolulu poke joint enough!
Best Poke on Oahu (Outside of Honolulu)
#2. Poke for the People
Poke for the People has a cute little outpost in the charming town of Haleiwa on the North Shore. We enjoy exploring the area and spent a few random days driving around in search of new-to-us gems. Enter Poke for the People, which turned out to be a fairly popular spot for poke on Oahu.
We waited in line (it moved quickly) before reaching the counter and deciding on a bowl. Our first fish choice was sold out for the day (again, this place is popular!) so we went with our tried and true salmon order.
There’s a few small tables indoors and a charming bench outside. We opted for the outdoor bench and parked ourselves for a few minutes while enjoying some of the best poke on Oahu. Great, no-frills spot is the best way I know to describe it.
#1. Tanioka’s
Tanioka’s is completely worth driving out of the way for. We swung by en route to Honolulu (we were stay on the west end of the island) and found ourselves completed impressed by the quality of this Oahu poke. It melts in your mouth!
Unfortunately for us, we discovered this gem during our last week on the island, otherwise we would have returned weekly. All told, this was my second favorite poke on Oahu (second only to Ono Seafood). Hard to go wrong with either, both would qualify for “death bed” meals for yours truly.
Markets Selling Poke on Oahu
Make no mistake, you can get some of the best poke on Oahu at markets too! We’ve been to Hawaii many times over the years and have personally tried (and can recommend) the following markets for great Oahu poke.
- Alicia’s Market
- Foodland
- Koloa Fish Market
- Tamoshiro Market
- Costco: Not the fanciest option in the bunch, but a damn good one. I love Costco’s poke and stock up whenever I visit the island. It keeps in the fridge for 2 days before becoming questionable, which tells me the fish is fresh.
Best Poke on Oahu (Post Summary)
In sum, here’s a quick roundup of the best poke on Oahu.
Best Poke in Honolulu
- Maguro Spot
- Ono Seafood
- Off the Hook
- Kahiau Jerky Poke & Provisions
- Fresh Catch
- Aloha Cones
Best Poke Oahu (including markets that sell poke on Oahu)
- Tanioka’s
- Poke for the People
- Alicia’s Market
- Foodland
- Koloa Fish Market
- Tamoshiro Market
- Costco
What do you think?