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    Pono Market

    4.6 (1.4k reviews)
    Closed Closed
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Pono Market Photos

    PONO MARKET ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Pono Market

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    Entrance
    Nin J.

    Been coming to Kauai for seven years, and Pono Market just hits different from the rest. The market itself is small and the line can get long, but the service is quick, efficient, and worth the wait. The fish is unbelievably fresh, like melt-in-your-mouth fresh. Honestly tastes like butter. There are definitely other good poke spots on the island, but Pono continues to be my favorite and has never disappointed. It is a must for me at least once, twice, or even three times every trip. If you know, you know.

    First time trying Pono markets luncheon meat...Pretty good!!
    Rodney Mabini R.

    I haven't come here in years.So I came back to pick up some lunch.Of course parking was hard to find especially around lunch time.So I had there fried chicken plate with side order wonbuk kimchee.The food was good!.The portions was just right.Customer service was good.So if you want some fresh island poke come here.They also have daily specials,Hawaiian plate,Snacks,Sandwiches n more.The only thing is good luck finding parking?.But it worth it.

    Kauai bagels for sale
    Rachel E.

    This place is legit and definitely worth a stop if you like poke. I wish they had better hours, so if you want to come be sure to do so before 1:00 p.m. it's worth it, I promise. You can also check their website or Instagram for their daily specials so if you're here on the island for a few days, you can pick which day you want to go. Some foods they have everyday, like their poke. We got a few varieties of poke, including their sesame tako, shoyu salmon, and shoyu ahi. Also got a couple hot things, we got a little bit of their Kahlua pork, and a pork laulau. For everything it was around $40 which was a nice hearty meal. The poke was fantastic and made for some lunch later in the day. Remember there is no seating at this restaurant so whatever you buy you have to take out and eat elsewhere.

    #5 plate, 1 hot food (Kalua cabbage) with spicy ahi and shoyu ahi. (Supposed to be sesame ahi)
    Jessy C.

    It was such a good deal and made fresh. Everything tasted good. We wanted to try the fried chicken but they ran out. We also wanted to try the shoyu ahi instead of what was supposed to come with the sesame ahi, but I do regret this decision because the texture of the shoyu ahi was chewy/gummy. Still we enjoyed it and would come back to try all their other food options. Great local place. There was a line but they move quickly and they are still quite nice and friendly. It is take out only FYI.

    Michelle M.

    Best recommendation I got for local food in Kauai. This is a small family hole in the wall restaurant with delicious food. We were the only open for morning to 3 PM. So better get it while it's hot. I came here and was recommended to try the pork lau lau and the Poké bowl. My mouth is still salivating and craving this as I'm speaking here in the mainland. Besides that they also have cookies and other grab and items to go. Definitely recommend eating here if you really want to eat like the locals. The staff is friendly so if you have a question, just ask.

    Jenny T.

    I wanna cry because I miss their poke so much! Hole in the wall place that offers fresh poke, sushi, plates and beef jerky. Go in, pick up items, order your to-go, and pay. Take your food to the closest beach and enjoy your meal with a view!

    Teri and Fried Chicken Musubis
    Roger P.

    Pono Market was the last poke shop we would eat while visiting Kauai and I thought it was the best compared to the others. It might look like they have long lines but they limit the amount of people inside. And everything moves pretty fast because most of the food is already prepared. There's an option to order ahead by texting them but if you want to see the daily specials, visit in-person to see all the options! We ordered the #5 Plate which comes with a hot entree, rice, and sesame and spicy ahi poke. For the hot entree, we picked the fried chicken. On top of this, we also ordered pork lau lau and two spam musubis. Overall, a lot of food for two people but we wanted to try as much as we could. The poke was super fresh but I think the marinades could have had some more flavor. The portion size also isn't that big for the price. The fried chicken was solid though. The pork lau lau was delicious and I loved the little chunks of pork fat. For the musubis, we got Teri Chicken and Fried Chicken. Solid size for the price and very easy snack to take for the road. We ended up eating everything in or car with the A/C on but if you're okay with the heat, there's an outdoor dining area with food trucks nearby, or just walk over to the beach!

    Poke
    Nicole W.

    We tried the spam musubi, teri musubi, fried chicken musubi and the poke. The poke was just okay. It says on their sign it's treated with carbon monoxide as a preservative. I don't know if that's it, but it just wasn't my favorite. Texture and flavor weren't the best. It was kinda salty, not super flavorful, texture wasn't the best and it was on the pricey side. I wouldn't get it again. Musubi's were good and affordable, I would try the chicken next time. It seemed like a lot of locals got the chicken and the musubi. Maybe we didn't get the right stuff.

    spam musubis & chicken !
    Stephanie P.

    Cute little market to grab delicious meals! You line up & tell the staff your order. They sell a lot of plates with hot & ready-to-go food. We were looking for a quick bite so we grabbed the premade spam musubi & chicken. Decent price & delicious! They also sold poke, adobo, & other meals. We want to go back to try their main meals soon!! Staff was so friendly & kind to us ! It's located on a busy street so we did Street parking right in front.

    Spicy Poke
    Carlos H.

    Pono Market was referred to me by a local and I could not be happier that they put it on my radar! This absolutely adorable spit has packaged goods along with fresh items you cannot miss out on. I didn't get a chance to try their hot food during this visit, as I was on a mission to have their highly revered poke! Best poke I have ever had--Their mac salad was bomb! Period! The folks who work here put so much love into their food. They have created a cozy vibe & have friendly service. I cannot wait to come back the next time I visit the island.

    Kyoo C.

    Went to try their famous Sesame ahi poke. A cozy market with a lot of items, but kept focus on just getting a basic poke bowl to try in the morning. - Spicy poke = the spicy mayo flavor I always love, it was mild and tasty. - Sesame poke = mild flavors but somehow good, I can see why it's popular. Rice was regular, not sushi rice that goes so well with poke. But the fish quality, even from frozen, was actually surprisingly good. Maybe they use the better cuts/sections of the ahi. The ube ball things they strategically place by the cashier got me to look and wonder and grab a pack, lol. Wasn't sure if it would be any good, but wow, it was excellent little ube baked things! Do grab these to try! Not too sweet and delicious little things! Think wife and kid ate up 6 and I only got 2. We were wishing we had gotten 2 packs...

    Alexis M.

    Five stars for the poke and poke bowls!! This takeout spot has become my favorite for melt in your mouth, fresh and flavorful poke (shoyu is my favorite). It's locally run and also offers plate lunches, desserts, and other Hawaiian foods. No fuss counter service, friendly staff, and authentic feel to it. I'll be back for my poke runs on my next trip!

    Food on display
    Yash T.

    TLDR : Nice small market for amazing local delicacies. Quick service and amazing options for filling meals. We went on a weekday during not so busy hours and we're helped by the team explaining their different options, their local delicacies and the specialities. Great experience for a quick but full meal!

    Chicken lau lau and lomi lomi salmon

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    Page 1 of 36

    Pono Market Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Pono Market

    Do they have a lot of gluten-free options, including GF soy sauce (tamari)?

    I don't think so.

    Is this place closed all week? It's highly recommended but every time I drive by they're closed. Maybe they return on 1/2?

    We will be open again for regular business at 6AM tomorrow. Come early for your best chance at the full selection.

    View All 4 Questions

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    Chicken in a Barrel BBQ - Hanalei

    Chicken in a Barrel BBQ - Hanalei

    4.2(1k reviews)
    14.4 mi
    $$

    After hiking Kalalau (18 miles... yeah), we were beyond hungry -- the kind of hungry where you'd…read moreeat your own backpack if it had sauce on it. So we pulled up to Chicken In A Barrel BBQ around 6:30 PM on a Thursday, and honestly... it hit the spot in the best way. We ordered the 1/2 Chicken, the #3 Baby Back Rib Plate, plus a full order of fries and a side of ranch. Total came out to about $50, which felt totally fair for the amount of food and how filling it was. The ribs were my favorite part -- smoky, meaty, and not dry at all. They had that real BBQ vibe without being drowned in sauce. The chicken had a solid char on the outside and stayed juicy inside (which is not easy after a long day when you're eating fast and don't want to mess around). Fries were crispy and salty -- exactly what you want after a hike like that. This place is simple, casual, no fancy nonsense -- just good BBQ that makes you feel human again. If you're on Kauai and you've been hiking all day (or even if you haven't), this spot is absolutely worth it. We left full, happy, and already talking about coming back again.

    Went back on day two, and this time, they hadn't run out of chicken and ribs yet, so we took…read moreadvantage of the full menu! Ate too fast and forgot to post pics. The loaded french fries are worth it, but you can do a half order. Which I recommend. If you're eating there, all the chickens and roosters outside will stare at you, with every french fry you bite into. Bbq sauce was addictive. Most dishes come with Chili, which has pork in it, but you can substitute for onion rings - which were much better. I would always do that, if I were you. Fortunately, on this visit, the staff was engaging and helpful. The previous day was some little kid who didn't know anything about the menu. But hey, family members help out in a pinch, I guess. You're in Kauai after all, so yes, we had a torrential downpour while eating. Luckily, we were under their non-leaky outdoor dining area. Added to the Kauai vibe. Only downside was listening to the teenagers who work at the shave ice place, vent as loudly as possible, about one of them is already at a crossroads in life. Geez, "slow yourself down", kid. And lower the volume.

    Photos
    Chicken in a Barrel BBQ - Hanalei - Inside

    Inside

    Chicken in a Barrel BBQ - Hanalei - Loaded fries with pork

    Loaded fries with pork

    Chicken in a Barrel BBQ - Hanalei - Half chicken smoked

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    Half chicken smoked

    Leong’s Market & Grill - Storefront

    Leong’s Market & Grill

    4.7(177 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$

    Epic Poke bowls. Hands down best poke on the island. I ordered the Kamikazi plate and you can…read morechoose 3 different scoops and choice of eel sauce, sriracha mayo or wasabi mayo drizzle. I got a side of Mac salad, kimchi cucumbers and spam musubi for a later snack. The plate was enough to feed two people so I had half left over. Highly recommend and enjoy the bowl on the beach across the street. All the poke flavors are delicious you can't go wrong.

    Drive slowly if you are looking by for this place, we drove by 2x, the old signage is difficult to…read moreread -- but it's not far from the road, so keep your eyes peeled. With that said, this place is truly a hidden gem! They close at 3:00 (so keep that in mind). The poke was so fresh and the texture was perfect...almost like a fresh gummy bear! Lol We had the cali-style poke with spicy mayo & avocado and the sweet Maui onion poke -- both were deliciously perfect! My husband had the 2 item combo with kalua pork and poke adobo; both were very tasty -- the pork adobo was nice and tender and not too salty (just right). The service was friendly and fairly quick. There are a few picnic benches nearby, other than that this is not a dine-in location -- strictly to-go. Highly recommend and will definitely come back next time we're on the island!

    Photos
    Leong’s Market & Grill - Fresh ahi and tako poke made daily!

    Fresh ahi and tako poke made daily!

    Leong’s Market & Grill - Kalbi & fried chicken bento and SPAM musubi

    Kalbi & fried chicken bento and SPAM musubi

    Leong’s Market & Grill - Spam musubi, cilantro ahi poke bowl with ocean salad and pickled ginger

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    Spam musubi, cilantro ahi poke bowl with ocean salad and pickled ginger

    Tony’s Catch - Shrimp tacos

    Tony’s Catch

    4.9(365 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$

    Food truck in Kapa'a. The truck is back from the road so when you find the group of food trucks,…read morepark and walk towards the ocean. There are no blinking lights or frills, just a blue menu taped to the truck and an open window. There was no line when I arrived. The gentleman who helped me was pleasant and helpful. I ordered the fish and chips, an extra tartar sauce, a can of passion orange juice and a side of the homemade habanero sauce. By the time I was done ordering and paying, an impressive line of tourists had formed behind me. I made use of the hand sanitizer and went to sit and wait. There are picnic benches across from the truck with ample seating. The area is kept clean. The sun was shining bright and a the breeze from the ocean was extremely relaxing. My food took about 10 minutes, he walked the food out personally instead of screaming from the window which I appreciated. I took the food and drink back to my car so I could listen to my book while I ate my lunch. The plate contained 5 battered and fried pieces of fish (mahi?) Andy who they were seasoned, crispy and golden brown, served over a large portion of crisp French fries. 2 tartar sauces, a ketchup and the anticipated habanero hot sauce. The fish was moist and flaky on the inside and tasted fresh. Absolutely delicious. The hot sauce.... The homemade habanero sauce should be bottled and sold. It starts off mild to allow your food to shine on its own then creeps in with the perfect amount of heat. Paired with the tartar sauce or ketchup (I alternated every bite) changed the profile in a way that no hot sauce I've ever eaten has allowed. There was no cloying aftertaste, no overpowering vinegar scent, the heat was not intense, but it was there in the background complimenting everything it touched. I am in Kauai several times a month and will definitely keep Tony's Catch in the rotation.

    The restaurant that we had planned on visiting for lunch was closed for a staff day, so we checked…read moreon yelp for restaurants near us. It was the high review on Yelp that led us to check out Tony's. We are grateful that the other restaurant was closed! This food truck had some of the best fish and chips that we've had in a long time. The fish was fresh and the fries were crispy. The hand made tartar sauce was delicious. Plenty of tables with umbrellas are available. The food truck is right next to the beach. There are other food trucks nearby, but this was the one that was the most popular. The service was great - friendly and fast!

    Photos
    Tony’s Catch
    Tony’s Catch - Fish and chips.

    Fish and chips.

    Tony’s Catch - Tostada

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    Tostada

    McDonald's - Fried apple pie

    McDonald's

    3.0(73 reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $

    I visited McDonald's in Kapaʻa, Kauaʻi, Hawaii [4-0771 Kuhio Hwy] on Saturday, 01/24/26, around…read more7:30 AM. I decided to order one of the local favorites: the Portuguese Sausage, Eggs & Rice Platter, priced at $6.69. The breakfast tasted very good, especially the flavorful sausage. The platter was even better after adding a little salt and pepper to the eggs and mixing everything together. The drive-thru line moved at a nice pace, and the food prices were affordable. I also loved spotting roosters roaming the parking lot, which added to the island's charm. Overall, I'm glad I stopped by this McDonald's location in Kapaʻa. I only wish the epic Portuguese Sausage Platter were available at McDonald's locations in other U.S. states. Nevertheless, I appreciated the uniqueness of the food offerings on Kauaʻi.

    We travelled 2,600 miles…read more.. Over the Pacific Ocean... Crossing the Tropic of Cancer... Flying Past the other Hawaiian Islands... Landing on the beautiful Island of Kauai... And what Exotic Culinary Destination did we end up at?? Load... Loadin.... Loading... Loading Complete! Alright, Hit it J.T.! "Ba-Da-Ba-Ba-Bah... I'm Lovin' It!" Yeah, that's right! Mc'y Mutha F'n D's!!! And just like Justin Timberlake's little jingle that made all us all smile... (Heck it even made the Happy Meal Box smile, IYKYK) The lunch that we ordered for our 2 oldest daughters also made their little faces light up with joy when they cracked open their Happy Meals. I mean... Chicken Nuggets, French Fries, Apple Slices, a Drink... And a toy?? You would probably have a smile on your face too. This location isn't vastly different from any other McDonalds you might frequent back on the Mainland, except they do occasionally have some Local/Regional Specialties that would be fun to experience: -Deluxe Breakfast with Portuguese Sausage, SPAM and rice... -Taro filled Pies... -Royal Kona blend Iced Coffee.. -Haupia Pies... And of course, above their front entrance it greets you with the word "Aloha", the salutation of Hello (or Goodbye) in Hawaiian as you walk in the front door. In my opinion, I love how an International Brand like McDonalds strives to maintain its consistent standards of how their food tastes no matter where you are in the world, but allows for small regional nuances to appeal to the local market that you are in. Of course, I like most people like what I like, and no matter where I am at in the world... If I'm going to McDonald's, I'm always going for the Quarter Pounder with Cheese Meal with either a Mr. Pibb or Dr. Pepper and sweet and sour sauce to dip my fries. And after I'm done eating' You know I'm singing.... Ba-Da-Ba-Ba-Bah... I'm Lovin' It!

    Photos
    McDonald's - Seating area

    Seating area

    McDonald's
    McDonald's - McDonald's in Kapaʻa, Kauaʻi, Hawaii

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    McDonald's in Kapaʻa, Kauaʻi, Hawaii

    Pizza Hut - large pizza

    Pizza Hut

    2.7(52 reviews)
    7.3 mi
    $

    Been more than 10 years since eating a Pizza Hut pizza, since everyone in the family has a more…read morepreferred pizza chain. But a TV commercial stating that a 3 topping large pizza, any style ($10 for carryout) caught my attention. So tried it, and it turned out pretty good. I've been meaning to try their 'new' tavern-style (mimicking Chicago's thin crust) pizza for a while. So downloaded the app while driving back from Kauai's North Shore, and ordered/paid for the single pizza while my wife drove. The timing worked out well, with us arriving 30 minutes after ordering . Of course, in Hawaii it was quite a bit more than $10 ($17 in this case). I got an order confirmation email soon after. This location is a dine-in restaurant, mimicking the style from 40 years ago. There was a flat screen with status of orders placed, and my name was on it with a status of 'complete'. There were pizza warming ovens accessible so first thought I was supposed to self-pick it up (like a delivery driver). But it was empty, so waited until I could get a teenagers attention. He got the pizza box from a warming oven, handed it over without much effort and we drove back 10 minutes to our hotel. The pizza was good, especially with the bottled Corona we had back in the room. The toppings of cupped pepperoni, Italian sausage, and canned pineapple was surprisingly generous with a decent amount of cheese, all covered right to the end of the crust. It was cut into squares, and I think it would tasted really good if eaten right out of the oven...so dining in might be the way to go here.

    Ever seen signs for "Hunt Bros Pizza" at nasty gas stations in the South?…read more Yep- Pizza Hut has now arrived to that level. Dirty restaurant, pizza was "meh" and service was as bad. Pizza Hut is the "Sears" of pizza joints...used to rule, but now needs to ride into the sunset...

    Photos
    Pizza Hut - Outside view

    Outside view

    Pizza Hut - Hours

    Hours

    Pizza Hut - Buffet selection

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    Buffet selection

    Pono Market - hawaiian - Updated May 2026

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