One of the biggest food trends to hit the mainland is Hawaiian poke. Find out the places to find the best poke on Maui! Scroll to see all the places!
This best poke on Maui post was written by Hawaii travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
You know that feeling when you bite into perfectly seasoned, melt-in-your-mouth poke and think “THIS is what I came to Hawaii for”? That’s what this post is all about.
After visiting Maui 40+ times, I’ve eaten my way through pretty much every poke spot on the island.
And honestly? Some of my favorite poke doesn’t come from fancy restaurants. The best spots are often the ones locals hit up on their way home from work.
Let me share where my family actually gets poke when we’re on Maui.
My Go-To Poke Hack (That Saves Money Too)
Here’s what we do every single trip: we grab poke from Costco or Foodland and eat it back at our hotel or condo. I know it sounds too simple, but hear me out.
Costco’s poke is legitimately good. They fly it in fresh from Oahu daily, and at around $19-21 per pound, you’re getting restaurant-quality fish without restaurant prices.
My favorite is the shoyu wasabi, and one container easily feeds two people.
Foodland has won actual awards for their poke (they beat out restaurants!), and they have way more variety than Costco. We’re talking spicy aioli, California roll style, kimchi tako, the works.
I usually eat it straight out of the container, but sometimes I’ll grab a bag of chips to scoop it up. Zero judgment if you do the same.
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What Makes Good Poke Actually Good?
Before I tell you where to go, let’s talk about what you’re looking for.
Good poke starts with fresh fish cut into generous cubes. You want chunks that are big enough to taste the fish itself, not just the marinade. The fish should smell like the ocean (in a good way), never fishy.
Traditional poke uses ahi tuna with shoyu (soy sauce), sesame oil, Hawaiian sea salt, and maybe some onions or seaweed. That’s it. Simple ingredients that let the fish shine.
These days you’ll find all kinds of variations with spicy mayo, wasabi, ponzu, even cooked options with shrimp or tofu. All delicious, but start with a traditional style first so you know what authentic Hawaiian poke tastes like.
And yes, it’s totally safe to eat. It’s the same as eating sushi or sashimi. Just keep it cold and eat it fresh.
The Best Poke Spots on Maui (By Region)
Central Maui (Kahului/Wailuku)
Like Poke? Food Truck
This food truck across from Costco has developed a serious following. They’ve even been featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, which tells you something.
Chef Danny cuts his fish into extra-large cubes and uses unique flavor combinations. The shoyu ginger and Hawaiian style are my picks, but the wasabi shoyu is fantastic too.
Here’s the catch: they open at 11am and often sell out by early afternoon. Get there closer to opening if you want the full selection. They’re at 70 Lono Ave in the Plate Lunch Marketplace food truck park.
Open Monday-Saturday 11am-7pm, Sunday 11am-5pm.
TJ’s Warehouse Outlet
This place looks like exactly what it is: a warehouse in an industrial park. But locals know it’s a goldmine for Japanese groceries and fresh poke.
They make fresh bentos daily (get there early for the best selection), and their poke is consistently good. You can also grab all kinds of Asian ingredients you won’t find at regular grocery stores.
Located at 875 Alua St in Wailuku. Open Monday-Friday 7am-6pm, Saturday-Sunday 8am-4pm.
Takamiya Market
This family-run market has been serving locals since 1946. It’s the definition of old-school Hawaii, and their poke has a loyal following.
They’re known for creative styles like taco poke and spicy ahi, plus they have amazing prepared foods like lau lau and bentos. Everything’s reasonably priced, which makes it perfect for beach picnics.
Located at 359 N Market St in Wailuku. Open Tuesday-Friday 5am-6:30pm, Saturday 5am-6pm. Closed Sunday and Monday.
Tamura’s Fine Wine & Liquors (Kihei)
Tamura’s used to have three locations on Maui, but now only the Kihei store is open. Don’t let the “wine and liquors” name fool you – they’re famous for their poke selection.
The sunrise ahi poke (with wasabi mayo) is their signature, but they have at least a dozen other varieties. I love the seaweed poke and Hawaiian-style ahi.
Since it’s also a liquor store, you can grab everything you need for a sunset beach dinner in one stop. Smart planning, right?
Located at 91 E Lipoa St in Kihei. Open Monday-Saturday 10am-7pm, Sunday 10am-6pm.
If you’re planning a longer Maui trip with kids, check out my comprehensive Maui Travel Guide for Families. It includes day-by-day itineraries, kid-friendly restaurant recommendations, and all the insider tips I wish I’d known on my first trip.
South Maui (Kihei/Wailea)
South Maui Fish Company
This is the place to go if you want to know your fish was literally caught that morning by local fishermen. They only serve what they catch, which means limited selection but maximum freshness.
The poke comes in traditional shoyu and spicy styles, and both are fantastic.
Their fish tacos are also incredible if you want something cooked. The pineapple coleslaw that comes with everything is chef’s kiss.
Fair warning: because they only serve fresh-caught fish, they can sell out. Call ahead if you’re making a special trip.
Located at 1794 South Kihei Rd in the Aloha Open Market. Open Monday-Saturday 11:30am-2:30pm and 5pm-8pm. Closed Sunday.
This is also the perfect spot to grab lunch before hitting nearby beaches. Pro tip: take your poke to Kamaole Beach Park for an epic lunch with a view.
Foodland Kihei
The Foodland chain takes their poke seriously – they even host an annual poke competition.
Their Kihei location has a huge selection, from classic shoyu to creative flavors like California roll poke with avocado.
My kids love making their own poke bowls here. You pick your poke flavors, add rice and toppings, and boom – instant meal. Way cheaper than restaurant poke bowls.
You can also grab all your other groceries here, which saves a separate trip.
Costco Kahului
Yes, I’m listing Costco as an official poke destination, and I stand by it.
The poke comes pre-packaged (no custom orders), but the quality is legitimately excellent. They usually have shoyu wasabi and spicy aioli, both made with fresh (not frozen) ahi that’s flown in from Oahu daily.
One container runs around $19-21 per pound, which sounds expensive until you realize it easily feeds two people for dinner. And since you’re probably hitting Costco anyway for other vacation supplies, it’s super convenient.
Located at 540 Haleakala Hwy in Kahului.
North Shore (Paia)
Tobi’s Poke and Shave Ice
Tobi’s has been a Paia institution since 1992. While most people know them for shave ice, their poke is seriously underrated.
The shoyu ahi poke is perfectly seasoned – just enough flavor to enhance the fish without overpowering it. The Tsunami poke bowl is their signature dish and absolutely worth trying.
What I love is you can get poke for lunch, then grab shave ice for dessert. Maximum efficiency.
Located at 127 Hana Hwy in Paia. Open daily 8am-8pm.
This is also the perfect stop before or after the Road to Hana. Fuel up with poke, then reward yourself with shave ice on the way back.
Other Great Options Across Maui
Don’t sleep on the major grocery stores. Foodland locations in Pukalani, Kehalani, and Lahaina Farms all have award-winning poke programs. Times Supermarket is another solid choice.
Even Safeway has decent poke if you’re in a pinch, though I’d hit Foodland or Costco first if you have the option.
The Fish Market in Honokowai (West Maui) also gets rave reviews from locals.
They make poke to order with fresh fish, and you can buy fish by the pound to cook back at your condo too.
How to Enjoy Poke Like a Local
Here’s how we do it: swing by one of these spots on your way to your accommodation when you first land.
Grab a couple containers of poke, some rice if you’re not at a place with a rice cooker, and maybe some Hawaiian rolls from the bakery section.
Store everything in your mini fridge or full kitchen.
When you get back from the beach and don’t feel like showering and driving somewhere for dinner, boom – you’ve got a fresh, delicious meal ready to go.
Keep poke refrigerated and eat it within a day or two. It’s raw fish, so don’t let it sit around.
Pro tip: if you’re staying somewhere with a full kitchen, cook some rice and make proper poke bowls.
Add some furikake seasoning (also available at any grocery store on Maui), sliced cucumbers, and edamame. Restaurant-quality meal, fraction of the price.
Planning Your Maui Poke Tour
Want to really experience Maui’s poke scene? Here’s what I’d do:
Start with Costco or Foodland to get a baseline for what good poke tastes like.
Then hit up Like Poke? or South Maui Fish Company for the food truck/fresh-catch experience. Finish with Tobi’s in Paia so you can pair your poke with shave ice.
Each spot has a slightly different style, so you’ll get a real sense of the variety available. Bring a cooler with ice packs if you’re doing multiple stops, especially if you’re driving around for a while.
And honestly? Don’t overthink it. Maui does poke well pretty much everywhere. Even a “mediocre” poke spot on Maui is better than most poke you’ll find on the mainland.
Make Your Maui Trip Unforgettable
Poke is just one small part of what makes Maui amazing. As a Hawaii travel expert and certified Hawaii Destination Specialist, I’ve spent years figuring out exactly how to plan the perfect Maui vacation.
My Maui Travel Guide for Families includes detailed daily itineraries, the best beaches for kids, where to eat (including way more food recommendations), and how to experience Maui like a local instead of a tourist.
I also talk about some of my favorite Maui food experiences on my podcast Hawaii Travel Made Easy.
Check out the episode on Hawaii Food Bucket List: 17 Must-Try Dishes & Drinks for more food recommendations beyond poke.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed with planning, I offer personalized Hawaii travel consultations where we can create a custom itinerary based on your family’s specific interests and budget.
Book Your Maui Accommodations
Ready to plan your trip? I recommend starting with hotels on Expedia where you can compare prices across different properties in Kihei, Wailea, Lahaina, and Kapalua.
If you’re planning to drive around a lot (which you should, because that’s where the best poke is!), check out Discount Hawaii Car Rental for the best rates on Maui.
And if you want to capture your poke-hunting adventures, Flytographer offers professional photo sessions all over Maui.
You can save $20 using my link – perfect for getting those Instagram-worthy poke bowl shots at the beach.
The Bottom Line on Maui Poke
You don’t need to spend a fortune at fancy restaurants to experience incredible poke on Maui. Some of the absolute best poke I’ve ever had came from grocery stores and food trucks.
Start with the classics at Costco or Foodland. Branch out to Like Poke? or South Maui Fish Company for the true local experience. Don’t skip Tobi’s if you’re exploring the North Shore.
And most importantly? Eat your poke fresh, keep it cold, and enjoy it with a view. That’s the real secret to great poke on Maui.
For more Maui planning help, grab my free email course on saving money in Hawaii or check out my complete collection of Hawaii travel guides.
Mahalo for reading, and happy poke hunting!
