The Best Poke in Maui

Where to Find The Best Poke in Maui

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What is Hawaiian Poke?

Pronounced poh-KAY, traditional Hawaiian poke bowls are a popular seafood dish made from white rice topped with fresh, raw fish that’s been marinated in a blend of sesame oil, soy sauce, green onions, furikake, chili pepper, sea salt, wasabi, and other seasonings. The most common types of fish used in poke are ahi tuna, yellowtail, salmon, and albacore. Poke bowls can also be made with cooked shrimp, octopus, salmon, or tofu. Variations can be made with ponzu sauce, avocado, teriyaki sauce, mushrooms, crispy onions, crispy garlic, jalapeño, sriracha sauce, cilantro, seaweed, pineapple, macadamia nuts, cucumber, and more.

Poke is a common dish in Hawaiian culture. The dish as we know it gained popularity in the 1970s. Starting in 2012, poke bowls became popular in North America. Poke restaurants started to pop up all over the mainland, offering a mostly healthy dining option. (Watch out for those creamy togarashi sauces!)

I’m a huge fan of fresh poke. Unfortunately, if you want to make poke fresh at home, it requires you to live near a fish market that sells high-quality sashimi-grade fish. This can be somewhat difficult depending on where you live. But if you want to eat poke, there’s no better place than the island of Maui, Hawaii. So, please, allow me to be your travel guide to Maui’s Best poke.

The Best Poke On Maui and Where to Find It

1. Tamura’s Fine Wine and Liquors –

   I know, I know, you’re probably saying to yourself, you want me to buy raw fish at a liquor store?! Jenn, have you lost your mind? Hear me out. This unassuming spot has some of the best poke in Hawaii, and you’ll only hear about Tamura from locals or those in the know. Fortunately, you have me, so now you know.

   Tamura’s offers an extensive ahi poke menu with options like wasabi, red sea salt, spicy garlic, spicy mayo, and more. If fresh ahi isn’t your thing, they also offer tofu, cooked scallops, crawfish, tako (baby octopus), cooked shrimp, and salmon. All incredibly fresh and served over rice.

   All Tamura’s poke departments use fresh ahi purchased directly from the Honolulu Fish Auction. For the last nine years, Tamura’s poke has been voted some of the best poke Hawaii has to offer.

   Tamura’s has three locations on Maui: Kahului (199 Dairy Road), Lahaina (226 Kupuohi Street), and Kihei (91 East Upoa Street). They also have five locations on the island of Oahu.

2. Eskimo Candy Maui-

***UPDATE: Eskimo Candy has closed***

Eskimo Candy is, in my opinion, the absolute best poke bowl. Maui has some stiff competition when it comes to poke, but upon visiting Eskimo Candy, Kihei, my mind and taste buds were blown away. This family business has been sourcing the very best seafood since 1987. In 2003, they opened Eskimo Candy Seafood Market and Cafe in Kihei. Their poke bowl menu features 4 types of ahi poke: shoyu, wasabi, furikake, and spicy tuna. All are served over white rice with wasabi aioli. You can even opt to get a combo bowl to taste multiple marinades. Though, warning: get there early. We visited at the end of the day, and there were only two available poke flavor options.

If you have others in your party who aren’t into poke, Eskimo Candy also offers a full menu featuring ribs, fish tacos, salads, teriyaki chicken, seafood wraps, burgers, and fish and chips. It’s basically the poke place of my dreams.

Open 10:30 am to 4:00 pm, Monday thru Saturday, Eskimo Candy is located at 2665 Wai Wai Pl, Kihei, Maui, HI.

3. South Maui Fish Company –

This amazing food truck opens at 11 am and usually sells out by 3 pm. It was the perfect meal after our morning snorkeling at Molokini Crater. South Maui Fish Company offers the freshest marinated poke served with a heaping side of rice and coleslaw. They also offer fresh fish plates, fish tacos, and a variety of curries, including veggie curry. Poke flavors are limited to traditional (an ahi tuna marinated in sweet onion, tobiko, sesame seeds, shoyu sauce, and green onions) and spicy (served in a creamy poke sauce made from jalapenos, tobiko, red pepper flakes, and spicy aioli).

South Maui Fish Company is super popular, so you may have to search for parking, but it’s well worth it once you taste their incredible poke bowls.

South Maui Fish Market is located at 1794 S. Kihei Road, Kihei, Maui, HI.

4. Takamiya Market –

This family-run market and catering company is located in Central Maui. So, if you can’t wait to grab a delicious poke bowl after landing in Maui, Takamiya Market is a quick trip from Kahului Airport. Stop by and take out some fresh shoyu ahi poke, sesame tako poke, smoked pork poke, or kimchi tako poke. Their take-out window also offers a variety of other pork, chicken, steak, and shrimp plates.

Takamiya Market is located at 359 N Market Street, Wailuku, Maui, HI.

5. The Tin Roof –

Two-time Top Chef finalist and Hawaii native, Sheldon Simeon, specializes in uncomplicated, flavor-forward Hawaiian recipes. Don’t get me wrong, all of the Maui poke menu items from the places I’ve spotlighted are absolutely delicious, but Chef Sheldon elevates poke to new levels. He also offers a full menu of Hawaiian comfort food. Bottom line: Tin Roof is poke as art.

The fresh fish offerings vary daily. Check out @tinroofmaui on Instagram for current specials. Past specials include spicy salmon poke, orange marlin poke, and spicy hamachi poke.

Tin Roof is located at 360 Papa Place, Ste 116, Kahului, Maui, HI.

If you can’t make it to Maui but want to try making a fresh poke bowl at home, I recommend the following to help you get started. If you can get some fresh sashimi-grade fish and know how to cook rice, you’re more than halfway there.

Peace, Love, and Poke Poke

I hope you enjoyed this guide to the best Poke in Maui. Be sure to treat yourself to some delicious shave ice or locally made banana bread for dessert. If you have a place to suggest, or if you’ve tried one of the above spots, be sure to comment below. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

What is Hawaiian poke?

Poke is a Hawaiian dish of cut, seasoned seafood, commonly raw ahi tuna. Traditional preparations include Hawaiian sea salt, limu seaweed, and ʻinamona, a roasted kukui nut seasoning. Shoyu and spicy varieties are also popular. Rice turns it into a poke bowl, but poke itself doesn’t require rice. A guide to Hawaii-style poke

Where can you find the best poke in Maui?

My recommendations include Tamura’s for its variety, South Maui Fish Company for a Kihei food-truck stop, Takamiya Market for a neighborhood market experience, and Tin Roof for a flavorful bowl in Kahului. Choose somewhere near your day’s activities and check the current selection before making a special trip.

Where should you get poke in Kihei?

South Maui Fish Company and Tamura’s are two places to start. South Maui Fish Company serves poke at its food truck, while Tamura’s has a poke counter inside its wine and liquor store. Yes, a liquor store. Sometimes a very good lunch comes from an unexpected place. South Maui Fish Company and Tamura’s

Where can you get poke in Kahului?

Tin Roof at 360 Papa Place is a convenient Kahului option. Its menu includes a spicy ahi poke bowl, alongside cooked dishes for anyone who prefers something different. Check the online menu before heading over, since specials and availability can change. Tin Roof’s menu

What poke should you try first?

Shoyu ahi is a good introduction if you enjoy soy sauce and want to taste the fish without a creamy sauce. Hawaiian-style poke is another option, with sea salt, seaweed, and ʻinamona. If you love heat, ask about spicy ahi. Recipes and spice levels vary between shops. Common Hawaiian poke styles

Is Eskimo Candy still open for poke in Kihei?

Eskimo Candy’s Seafood Market and Cafe closed in January 2023. Although it was one of my favorite stops, its former restaurant location should no longer be part of your poke itinerary. Be aware that its old website still displays café information. Eskimo Candy closure information

Is poke always made with raw fish?

Raw fish is common, especially ahi, but some poke preparations use cooked seafood or tofu. Ask how the specific item is prepared rather than assuming every option is raw or cooked. If someone in your group skips raw fish, Tin Roof also offers cooked dishes such as mochiko chicken and garlic shrimp. Tin Roof’s menu

Is poke gluten-free?

Not automatically. Marinades, sauces, and toppings can contain gluten, so check the complete preparation with staff. Tin Roof specifically states that its spicy ahi poke bowl cannot be made gluten-free. If you have celiac disease or a food allergy, also ask about shared utensils and preparation surfaces. Tin Roof’s ingredient information

Should you order poke ahead of time?

Ordering ahead can help you plan lunch and reduce time spent waiting, especially if standing is difficult. Tin Roof offers online ordering. For other shops, check whether advance orders are available and confirm the pickup time. Don’t assume a particular flavor will remain available until closing. Tin Roof online ordering

Are Maui’s poke shops wheelchair accessible?

Accessibility varies by location, and I haven’t verified complete wheelchair access at every shop in this guide. Before visiting, ask about step-free entry, nearby parking, counter access, and usable seating. For food trucks, check the ground surface and route from parking. Takeout can make lunch easier when seating is limited.