This is an exceptional restaurant. The menu was varied and delectable. And unique. All of the dishes were cooked to perfection. The she Crab Soup was absolutely out of this world? Full of crab and tangy, and rich. The service was outstanding as well. The atmosphere was very sunny and friendly and lots of airflow. read more

We came here for dinner with a last-minute reservation on a Thursday night while staying in Pismo Beach. We brought our dog with us, as they had both an indoor and outdoor seating area. The restaurant is located right next to the train station, and they had a dedicated carpark, but it also seemed like street parking was readily available nearby as well. The outdoor dining area was pleasant and had heaters available. Once we arrived, we were seated promptly and brought menus and water. They also kindly brought water for our dog, even without us asking them for it. We shared two appetizers, including the ceviche and tostada. Both were excellent, fresh and full of flavor. For mains, I got the misoyaki butterfish, while my husband had the bouillabaisse. I was jealous that he decided to order this because I don't like ordering the same main as someone else I'm dining with, but the jealousy dissipated once I got the butterfish. It was coated in a sweet teriyaki sauce which it paired wonderfully with, and the texture was pleasant and soft. It was served atop a bed of wild rice and greens. The bouillabaisse was also superb. It's hard to imagine that their other main dishes are better than these two, though I'm sure they're also great. We couldn't go past the lime and coconut creme brulee for dessert. Both of us couldn't get enough of this. Our waitress was very nice and efficient. We had everything we needed and never needed to flag her down for anything. Someone else, perhaps the owner, came out and asked us how our meal was while we were eating which was a nice touch. I'd recommend this as a must-visit if you're in the Pismo Beach area. read more

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Amazing food Great service Wow on all levels Cocktails were fun. We had the tower, halibut, butterfish. Everything was so good! Super special food. read more

Ok the biggest thing driving this review is the scallops. We picked this place for anniversary dinner solely based on the reviews and photos of the scallops, and they were an EXTREME disappointment. Massachusetts scallops 3/10 - came with some mussels and asparagus. Dish was oversalty and completely lacked any sear. A beginner home cook could do better. No crust at all, all soft. And everything else was so lackluster. No bed of risotto or mashed potatoes etc. Scallops alone were on the saltier side, but if it had a more neutral base, it could have worked. Instead it was basically just on sauce that was super generic tasting and also super salty. Mussels were good, thankfully the only thing on there that wasn't overly salty. Misoyaki butterfish 9/10 - now this was the star. The one thing here worth eating for sure. Do wish there was a bit more bok choy and forbidden rice to help balance this, but flavors on point. Tuna crudo 5/10 - tuna quality was mediocre. Flavors good but simple and replicable. Felt like something I could make myself but better with better quality fish. Caesar salad (HH) 5/10. Tasty as expected for a Caesar but way way too much dressing for the amount of lettuce. Very small too. She crab soup (HH). 7/10. Like a creamy crab soup. Love the lump crab pieces, but wish it was a bit less creamy to highlight the natural subtle crab flavors more. Halibut tostada (HH). 5/10. Fine. Tostada was crispy. Halibut is cooked, bite size pieces. Simple in flavor. Desert rose cocktail. 2/10. Way too much lime, just tasted like a cheap marg. Couldn't pick up any of the umeshu, li hing. Epitome of unbalanced cocktail. Skip. Restaurant on inside was gorgeous as were the the restrooms in fitting with a more upscale place and menu prices. The patio was okay. Patio itself was fine, but it just looks on the street so no vibes at all. I'm also dinging them for a couple more things esp as an upscale, pricier place - glassware sorely needs help. Esp the wine glasses. They only have one wine glass for all types of wine. All their cups are extremely thick with an unrefined edge. They are only one step above plastic glasses. The only one I saw that looked better was their champagne/prosecco glass. It was fine for the water (but not great as it cheapens the place) but definitely affected the wine drinking experience. - celebrating anniversary which was noted on our res and also when we checked in. The table next to us also were celebrating anniversary, and the waiter at the end congratulated and thanked them with a complimentary dessert. Zero acknowledgment by our waitress just the check dropped off unceremoniously. I'm judging this place pretty harshly by standards of Bay Area / LA where I live/lived. But this very well could be one of the better places in the area. I'm just really sad about the scallops. read more

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Found this place randomly on Yelp after visiting the Dinosaur Caves Park. It was such a good decision. I had the butterfish and my husband got the scallops with corn risotto. My 1 year old liked the butterfish so much he ate almost my whole plate so I had to order another! My 6 year old enjoyed the chicken tenders & fries. The service was so great. Shoutout to Lydia! She gave us great information on the drinks & entrees. She also checked on us periodically and was very personable. We had such a great meal. The restaurant itself is also very cutely decorated. If we are back in the area, I would definitely go back! read more

Pono Pacific Kitchen - Butterfish with forbidden rice & bok choy - Seafood Near Me - Grover Beach, California

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Pono was the first of our SLO weekend reservations and it was SO GOOD! We started by sharing the brussel sprouts which were deep fried then tossed with a sweetened fish sauce and adorned with pomelo segments. The flavor pairings on this plate were so good! While we felt like the fish sauce dressing was still a tad too salty, the mint and pomelo were excellent foils and the bites where you get all of it together were just heavenly! For mains, I opted for the scallops massachussett while boyfriend got the swordfish. The scallops were dreeeeeamy. They were perfectly seared and the purple yam puree underneath only accentuated the sweetness and the freshness of the scallops. No exaggeration, this was one of the best scallop dishes I've ever had! Boyfriend's swordfish was much more meaty but he also really enjoyed his dish. For drinks, I got the golden hour cocktail which featured passion fruit liqueur and other citrusy notes. It had the perfect beach vibes and I enjoyed it. Boyfriend tried a cab from the central coast. It's notably sweeter than our Napa varieties but it was still quite good. I'd definitely welcome a return whenever we're back in town for a visit! read more

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We have visited Pono Pacific Kitchen a few times and the food is always delicious! This last visit, we decided to sit on their outdoor patio, which has heaters and is perfect to catch the sunset. They are also very dog friendly which is always a plus. They have a wide variety of delicious appetizers, and we ended up ordering the calamari and crab cakes. For entrees, my husband ordered the sea bass and I ordered the filet mignon which were both absolutely delicious. Keep in mind that this place is quite pricey but the food is fresh and high quality. The service is always super friendly and helpful, and we cannot wait to come back again soon. read more

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Loved Pono!! Had a wonderful anniversary dinner, excellent service, ambiance and the food quality was outstanding!! We will definitely be back. Thank you to Clay for such amazing service and positive energy. read more

Excellent salmon cooked less for me as I asked. I am very happy. Everything else was perfect. read more

Really cute restaurant low key and casual excellent service! Known for their sweet succulent Butter Fish-we recommend highly. Excellent wine/beer menu. Bright happy experience, read more

Pono Pacific Kitchen - Butter Fish - Seafood Near Me - Grover Beach, California

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Crabcakes appetizer was delicious! Exactly what I was expecting with a light creamy mustard sauce. All of the fish were cooked perfectly. You can't go wrong. That being said, I preferred my Misoyaki Butterfish over my mother-in-law's White Seabass even though both were absolutely excellent!! My husband's Mahi Mahi was NOT dry nor too firm. The mahi-mahi was also paired with an exquisite peanut vinaigrette. My least favorite dish of the evening was the Seafood Salad with Louie dressing. Bear in mind, there was actually nothing wrong with this dish. It's just that the seafood salad was very common place compared to the rest of the exquisite tasting fish entrees and crab cake appetizer. We also had a friendly, knowledgeable waiter. read more

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An amazing happy hour and cocktails. Thank you Sarah C for our cocktails. You are a true artist! read more

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LOVED IT! Our first visit. Ambiance is refined and yet casual. We liked the brightness of the room, and the fact it wasn't too noisy even after it filled up. We sat at the bar and so glad we did. Dylan, the bartender knew his stuff! (They make their own Pono Gin) and Dylan's two gin cocktails were well-balanced and tasty. Service was great! Food was OUTSTANDING! The Japanese Hamachi was a tender fish and delicate with a complex sauce. In fact, all the sauces were like that. The Scallops + Risotto was delish with lots of sophisticated, nuanced flavors. The star of the show was the local Butterfish with Miso glaze. OMG! It was delicious. This miso had a nicely caramelized top and yet the fish was perfectly cooked, and just melted in our mouths! We ate every bite, but saved room for the dessert: Chocolate Mousse w/ coffee ice cream. Great depth of chocolate with added texture of crisp cookie on the bottom. Overall YUM! We will definitely come again. No wonder why they were just awarded best restaurant in GB! Highly recommended read more

Pono Pacific Kitchen - Dylan Mixologist! - Seafood Near Me - Grover Beach, California

My husband and I visited SLO when we were looking for a new home. We sampled a variety of restaurants in the county and Pono was far and away our favorite. The she-crab soup is divine and my husband still talks about the butterfish. Every bite of food we had was elevated and you can taste that a skilled chef is behind the dishes. Highly recommend. read more

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My husband and I go to Pono every now and then. They have a new menu, plus full bar offering their own Gin and Vodka. I was so glad to see most of the tables full. The owner always says hi to us, she is very friendly. Our server was Sarah and she was training someone. They both were great and our water glasses were kept full. We always get the bread, toasted, and butter. So good and if you are drinking, helps suck up the liqueur (Ha). I had two Gin and Tonics, quite good and reasonable $11 each. I tried the halibut, my favorite fish, with macadamia nuts, black rice and snow peas. Just wish I could get just a little more of the snow peas. My husband had the Ahi Tuna, baby carrots and very thing fries. Great meal and wasn't too loud. Talked to the couple next to us who were celebrating their 33rd year anniversary. read more

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Ambiance is nice. Nice spacing between tables. Chef and team does an excellent presentation. Flavors are delicious. Treat yourself! read more

Pono Pacific Kitchen - Butterfish - Seafood Near Me - Grover Beach, California

A fun little spot for dinner. We initially came for the butterfish but they ran out by the time we got there so definitely book an earlier dinner if that's what you're wanting to eat! We opted for some appetizers instead. Out of everything we ordered, the crab soup was SUPERB. The flavor of the soup had so much depth, lots of crab meat and it was definitely the highlight of the dinner. Service was so attentive and helpful. I'm definitely coming back for the butterfish! read more

Pono Pacific Kitchen - Crab soup - Seafood Near Me - Grover Beach, California

Come on a good day, example: Father's Day, like today and celebrate a special occasion here is so worth it! They were accommodating towards a family member who has allergies and food intolerances and it made the experience much more memorable. I got the usual butterfish. My spouse and older son got the scallops and my little one got the chicken tenders and fries (off menu for kids). We shared the crab cakes and fried calamari and 2 desserts. All were delicious! I like how there was a clear sign to not park on the West side of the parking area for the shopping plaza for Pono. Parking is always easy here, anyway. We'll come back again. read more

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Returned a year later and still incredible. The mahi mahi is out of this world!!! Perfect crispy edges mixed with the peanut sauce, be still my heart. Service is prompt and very friendly and the interior is chic and comfortable. read more

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It has been years since we dined at Grover Beach, but when we discovered Chef and owner had island ties, had to stop by before leaving. Through word of mouth, they have been consistently busy even during off peak days and it's no wonder after having their mac crusted mahi mahi and fried chicken and trout caviar roe for a bit of mauka meets makai. Just be aware that this is not sturgeon caviar but caviar roe which is fine for the price point. Did check out their HH menu for next time as a few of the items is reminiscent of what I've had in Maui. Couple that with the excellent service thanks to our server and I hope to return soon to check it out. read more

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You might want to have something to eat before you go to this restaurant because the portions are very very small It's a high-end very expensive restaurant, but it doesn't look like it by the decor. It looks simple but nice.Our waitress was amazing. Very knowledgeable and kind. The food was great. It really was but the portions were Ridiculously small. $45 for halibut. You didn't get anything with it it was à la carte and it was about a 3 inches by 3 inches...an inch high, but it was delicious. The crab cakes were very small you got two of them and we were told they were small so it wasn't a surprise, but it did look really small on the plate like 2 inches wide but they were delicious with the sauce that was about $20. The dessert was very miniature. It came with ice cream. The ice cream was like a melon scooper size. The drinks are miniature. The glasses are taller and very narrow. You even had to pay for bread like $10 for four pieces of bread and their savory butter bread should've come with the meal at this prices. Everything is a la cart... so if you don't mind small portions, the food was very good but it's really way out of my budget to come here again. read more

The food is upscale and beautifully presented. Very tasty Halibut and Butterfish. Noteworthy preparation for our area. As locals, we've dined everywhere across the central coast. This restaurant offers an opportunity to try elevated food but the ambiance doesn't support the price point and the experience overall. Super friendly staff however who deserve the tip on the stunning prices. So, if Pono could have it all, it might be redesigned for a somewhat intimate setting, or a location with a view. I do not understand a $23 salad in any setting. $48-80 entrees suggest a visit from the chef. read more

My favorite she crab soup. And the butter fish you have to get there early cause they sell out quickly. Pricing is perfect. Love the ambiance with their modern decor and the chef comes by to make sure everything is good. Close to the beach too. Heck, you can get off the train, pick up your order and get back on and enjoy it. read more

Pono Pacific Kitchen - She Crab Soup with Chard Bread - Seafood Near Me - Grover Beach, California

Service was great. Food was very yummy. Atmosphere was nice and clean. Was an overall great experience. Would definitely come back.

Enjoyed dining at Pono Pacific Kitchen. Comfortable seating, easy parking. Food was superb! Everyone ordered something different (Trout, Halibut, Scallops, Salad, Oysters, Bread) and everyone raved about their selection. Beautifully presented as well. Service was attentive without being oppressive. Sorry I can't remember the pleasant young server's name. Timing between drinks, appetizers and entrees was spot on. Able to enjoy our conversation without needing to shout, like some places. Never felt rushed. Will definitely be back. read more

The food was amazing, so many flavors nicely plated. The staff was wonderful and the place is so nice. I recommend this place, we loved it and will definitely be back. We went for Valentine's Dinner and had a great experience greeted with champagne and a lovely rose. Thank you guys read more

Pono Pacific Kitchen - Swordfish - Seafood Near Me - Grover Beach, California

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Blown away! I live in Pimso and didn't realize this hem is right here! My experience tonight in every respect was better than my "go to's" (Vista & Oyster Loft). From the greeting, to the lovely servers (specifically Lydia) , to the comfortable and elegant dining experience, I'm giving this a 10/10 and the food is even better than that! I enjoyed a delicious fruit/goat cheese salad and then blown away with the Massachusetts scallops and halibut. read more

Understaffed? My wife and I along with another couple went to Pono for dinner on a late Thursday afternoon in April. The meal was almost like our earlier 5 star experiences. Food was great. Service (Craig B) was fine. Ambiance (upscale yet casual) was just right. So what was off? It took 2 1/2 hours. We had reservations for 530 PM, but got seated at 525 PM and ordered fairly promptly. Drinks...appetizers/soup...entrees and a dessert. I'm all for a leisurely pace, but 45 minutes from my crab soup to swordfish was a bit much...even for good food and friends. We didn't dawdle after dessert and left at 8 PM. Why so long? The restaurant was about 2/3's full at its peak between 6 and 7 PM. Not bad for a Thursday! Our server paid attention to us (and his other tables) and the manager walked around a bit to ask how things were doing. My guess? Pono was understaffed.....either in the kitchen or staff on the floor. Otherwise, it was a very good meal and we plan to return. read more

Great ambiance, taste and service! Perfect for a date night. Will definitely come back

Ok. Straight up.... the most INCREDIBLE food I have EVER tasted IN MY LIFE! Hands down. I'm from Los Angeles, where great restaurants and great chefs are on every street corner...Pono in Grover, CA., puts every single Michelin star restaurant in Los Angeles TO SHAME. I would drive the 160 miles North from LA, just to eat here. The chef is a GOD! PONO deserves 10 *********** And Krystal, our server, another 10 stars. And Hunter, our busboy, another 10 stars. read more

Had a wonderful time here the other night with a friend who introduced me to the place. She had the butterfish which was absolutely amazing and I had the scallops which were marvelous, but a tad undercooked, but still great flavor. I'm not sure what all it had in it, but their take on the Caesar salad was phenomenal! One of the best I've ever had! Oh, and the crab cakes were thick with juicy crab and not so much breading, as they should be! I was in heaven. And to finish the evening, the crème brûlée was perfect with two butter cookies! We sat on the outdoor patio which was so refreshing and quaint. There were heaters which kept her warm and allowed us to enjoy our time as we chatted and enjoyed the beautiful meal and great service. Our sweet little waitress did such an amazing job taking care of us and making recommendations. I look forward to coming back soon. read more

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Their Misoyaki Butterfish is better than Roy Yamaguchi's and Nobu's. We indulged with the Japanese Hamachi, Chips and Caviar Dip, Massachusetts Scallops with a delectable creamy lemon and fresh pea risotto, the Misoyaki Butterfish, and the Lilokoi Tart with passion fruit curd and coconut gelato with toasted coconut. Everything was 10/10. Great selection of wines by the glass including a local Stephen Ross Albariño. My husband had both mocktails and couldn't decide which one he liked more. We're locals and can't believe we finally have an offering like Pono on the coast. This place deserves a Michelin Star! read more

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What a perfect recommendation for a special dinner at an adorable little restaurant in Grover! Celebrated my parents 68th anniversary with a warm greeting, congratulating them on 68 years, seated immediately and server was super pleasant and apologetic that their butter fish was out for the night. Dinner was spectacular, great portions and tasted great! We'll be back read more

Pono Pacific Kitchen - Seafood Near Me - Grover Beach, California

Magnificent food. The poivre sauce was incredible. Great service. A knockout. And now a full bar

Superb all around and without a doubt 5 stars! We do have a complaint which is the size of the tables for 2. The way we ordered, our plates were almost on our laps, and we felt the way we were set up, my husband couldn't even stretch because he would be touching or moving onto the other patron's table. But having said that, it is not enough to take away the 5 stars. We will come back and perhaps sit at the bar, which we enjoy. Pono is definitely on our list of best seafood places on the central coast now. Truly spectacular! read more

So pleased! Party of three celebrating a birthday. First visit and we were all hungry. . Expectations were high on the recommendation of a friend. Visually inviting and upscale. Love the bar. Our server was Lydia who got us informed on selections and parings. She explained the local sourcing of ingredients. We chose butterfish and scallops. Both were sumptuous. Looking forward to exploring their menu again. Environment. Menu and and price (for the quality was reasonable. They do offer outdoor seating. The owner visited our table to check on wants also. Extra touch. read more

Last Sunday, I met a date here for a 4:00 p.m. dinner. The place was mostly empty. Nice look / ambience. They were out of halibut, so I ordered the mahi-mahi. The preparation was beautiful, but the fish was cold. The plate and the sauce at the bottom were warm but really not hot. I didn't say anything because I was on a date. The flavors were excellent, but I did find the sauce a bit sweet for my taste. Bread is not free, which is typical for an upscale meal. The bread with the lovely butter and honey spread was excellent. Service was excellent, and the lovely hostess visited. Despite all the good stuff, the cold fish was a deal-breaker at their prices. I probably won't go back. read more

Everything all the time is absolutely amazing. You just have to try this place. They also have a happy hour. This is a fusion of Hawaiian and the freshest fish in the sea. How they get it. I have no idea. I think they have to fly to Hawaii everyday lol. It's amazing. Please try it read more

The butterfish, that's all I have to say, hands down one of the best fish dishes I have ever had anywhere. Food and service were great, strong drinks, excellent choice for seafood if you are in the area. read more

We celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary last night at Pono. We were originally planning on being at Mala Tavern on Maui for this momentous occasion, but we had a change in plans several months ago so decided to try this instead. We were pleasantly surprised, although we had read good things and we have planned on visiting here for quite some time. I had the Channel Islands white sea bass and my husband had the macadamia encrusted halibut that was substituted for the mahi-mahi. Both dishes were incredibly flavorful and rarely do we find a kitchen that properly cooks fish. Both these dishes were cooked perfectly. And the portions were more than generous. I actually have enough to eat for my dinner tonight as well. They have my favorite Brander Sauvignon Blanc and it's always a treat to find that on the wine list. The bar is beautiful. The space is well designed and aesthetically pleasing. Lots of thought went into small details, which I always appreciate. The service was excellent, owner greeted us on our arrival and told us goodbye and thanks on our departure, and Anna was an excellent server. We plan to return. read more