Best Seafood Restaurants on Oʻahu (2026)

Living on an island in the middle of the Pacific means one thing: the seafood here is exceptional. Oʻahu’s fishing boats go out daily, and the best restaurants on the island have direct relationships with local fishers. You can literally eat fish that was swimming that morning.

But not every seafood spot on Oʻahu is created equal. Some restaurants charge resort prices for frozen imports, while a counter two blocks away is serving day-boat ahi for half the cost. We’ve done the research (happily) so you don’t waste a single meal.

Here’s where to find the best seafood on Oʻahu, from casual counters to special occasion spots.

Best Casual Seafood and Fresh Fish Counters

Nico’s Pier 38

Honolulu Harbor / Kalihi

📍 1129 N Nimitz Hwy, Honolulu, HI 96817

🕒 Mon-Sat 6:30 AM – 9:00 PM, Sun 10 AM – 9 PM

💰 $12-$22 plates

🅿️ Free lot parking

📞 Reservations not needed for counter; recommended for Fish Market restaurant side

Nico’s sits right at Pier 38, literally next to the Honolulu Fish Auction where much of Oʻahu’s commercial catch comes in. The fish here is as fresh as it gets. The casual counter side serves plate lunches with the day’s catch (furikake ahi, grilled mahi, garlic shrimp), while the restaurant side offers a more upscale sit-down experience. Both are excellent, but the counter is where locals line up at lunch.

What to Order: The furikake pan-seared ahi plate lunch. It’s their signature and it’s perfect. The fish and chips with local catch is also outstanding.

Pro Tip: Go to the counter side for lunch, the restaurant side for dinner. Check their daily specials board, it changes based on what came off the boats that morning.

Ono Seafood

Kapahulu, Honolulu

📍 747 Kapahulu Ave, Honolulu, HI 96816

🕒 Mon-Sat 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (closed Sun)

💰 $10-$16 poke bowls

🅿️ Street parking (very limited)

Ono Seafood is a tiny poke counter on Kapahulu Ave that consistently ranks among the best poke spots on the island. There’s no seating, no atmosphere, and no frills. You walk up, order your poke bowl, and eat it in your car or at a nearby bench. The quality of the fish is what keeps people coming back, it’s always fresh, always perfectly seasoned.

What to Order: The shoyu ahi poke bowl. Their spicy ahi is also excellent. Get it on rice with a scoop of both.

Pro Tip: The line can be long but moves quickly. There’s almost no parking on Kapahulu, try side streets. Come at opening or after 2 PM to avoid the worst of the rush.

Maguro Brothers

Waikiki (International Market Place)

📍 2330 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815 (Food Hall)

🕒 Daily 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM

💰 $15-$22 bowls

🅿️ International Market Place parking (validated)

Maguro Brothers originated in Japan and brought their obsession with tuna quality to Honolulu’s food hall scene. Their sashimi bowls feature thick-cut, jewel-toned fish that looks almost too beautiful to eat. The rice is seasoned perfectly, and the fish-to-rice ratio leans heavily toward fish, which is exactly how it should be.

What to Order: The Maguro Don (tuna bowl) is the must-order. The mixed sashimi bowl lets you try their full selection.

Pro Tip: Located inside the International Market Place food hall, so it’s easy to combine with shopping or other dining. Less hectic than standalone Waikiki restaurants.

Best Waterfront and Fine Dining Seafood

53 By The Sea

Honolulu Waterfront

📍 53 Ahui St, Honolulu, HI 96813

🕒 Dinner: Tue-Sat 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM

💰 $45-$80 entrees, $100+ tasting menu

🅿️ Valet parking available

📞 Reservations strongly recommended

When you want the full experience, oceanfront fine dining with exceptional seafood, 53 By The Sea is where you go. Set right on the water in Honolulu, the restaurant offers unobstructed sunset views and a menu built around the freshest local catch. The chef works directly with local fishers and the menu changes based on what’s available. This is special occasion territory.

What to Order: The fresh catch prepared your way (ask your server for the preparation they recommend). The lobster and the seared ahi appetizer are excellent starters.

Pro Tip: Book at least two weeks ahead for weekend sunset tables. This is a dress-up spot by Oʻahu standards, think resort casual at minimum.

Uncle’s Fish Market & Grill

Honolulu Harbor / Pier 38

📍 1135 N Nimitz Hwy, Honolulu, HI 96817

🕒 Mon-Sat 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM

💰 $18-$35 entrees

🅿️ Free lot parking

📞 Recommended for dinner

Right next door to Nico’s at Pier 38, Uncle’s offers a slightly more elevated take on local-style seafood. The fish is just as fresh (same pier, same auction), but the preparation is more refined. Think cioppino, seafood pasta, grilled whole fish, and beautifully plated daily specials. The harbor-view seating adds to the experience.

What to Order: The fresh catch of the day, grilled with garlic butter. The seafood cioppino is hearty and loaded. The poke appetizer is some of the freshest you’ll find.

Pro Tip: Uncle’s and Nico’s are literally next to each other. Do lunch at Nico’s counter and dinner at Uncle’s for the full Pier 38 experience.

The Seaside by Noi Thai Cuisine

Waikiki

📍 2490 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815

🕒 Daily 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM

💰 $25-$50 entrees

🅿️ Outrigger Reef valet or nearby parking

📞 Recommended

Perched right on the sand in Waikiki with panoramic ocean views, The Seaside combines Thai-influenced seafood preparations with Hawaiian fresh catch. The setting is unmatched for a mid-range restaurant, you’re literally dining on the beach. The whole fried fish and curry-based dishes are standouts.

What to Order: The whole fried snapper with garlic sauce. The seafood green curry with local fish is also excellent.

Pro Tip: Request beachfront seating when you make your reservation. Sunset dinner here is one of the most memorable dining experiences in Waikiki.

Best Local-Style Seafood Spots

Helena’s Hawaiian Food

Kalihi, Honolulu

📍 1240 N School St, Honolulu, HI 96817

🕒 Tue-Fri 10:00 AM – 7:30 PM (closed Sat-Mon)

💰 $10-$18 plates

🅿️ Street parking

Helena’s is a James Beard Award winner and one of the most respected Hawaiian food restaurants on the island. Their pipikaula short ribs get all the press, but the seafood here is equally legendary. The lomi salmon, the butterfish collar, and the poke are all prepared in the traditional Hawaiian style that most restaurants have moved away from. This is heritage food.

What to Order: The butterfish collar (so tender it melts), the lomi salmon, and the pipikaula short ribs. Get the combination plate and try everything.

Pro Tip: Helena’s is closed Saturday through Monday. The space is small and the line can be long during lunch rush. Go early in their opening hours.

Tips for Eating Seafood on Oʻahu

Ask what’s local. Not all fish on Oʻahu menus is caught locally. Good restaurants will tell you what’s from Hawaiʻi and what’s imported. The day’s catch is almost always the best option.

Learn the local fish names. Ahi (yellowfin tuna), mahi mahi (dolphinfish), opakapaka (pink snapper), monchong (sickle pomfret), and opah (moonfish) are the stars of Hawaiʻi’s waters.

Poke is an art form here. Hawaiian-style poke is simple: cubed raw fish with sea salt, sesame oil, limu (seaweed), and maybe some chili pepper. If a place is drowning their poke in spicy mayo, it’s probably not their strong suit.

Pier 38 is a destination. Nico’s, Uncle’s, and the fish auction are all at Pier 38. Make it a half-day food trip.