Everyone knows Poke and Spam Musubi, yet there are plenty of more cultural Hawaiian dishes that truly provide you with a deep sense of the Rainbow State's heritage, flavors, and ingenuity.
Listed below are the best restaurants around the Bay Area that deliver on delicious authenticity, friendliness, and an overall exceptional dining experience that will feel like you've escaped to the islands within your first bite.
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871 Sutter St / Website
We begin with a modernized take on Hawaiian cuisine with this incredibly trendy and inventive Lower Nob Hill hit. Reservations here are recommended to be made way in advance, and don't expect to get seated right away, as this exclusive venue has everyone buzzing here for their decadent Twice Cooked Pork Belly and pineapple, their refreshing tropical cocktails, and their highly Instagrammable desserts such as their fiery Baked Hawaii.
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3215 Mission St / Website
Outer Orbit is both a pinball bar and contemporary Hawaiian restaurant, serving dishes heavy on the fusion aspect. Its riff on lomi lomi features trout instead of salmon, plus guacamole, taro chips, and pineapple dust, while the surf and turf loco moco combines prawns, smoked lamb ribs, and mushroom gravy.
Just past the can't-miss El Rio in the Mission is this pinball paradise. Enjoy playing many classic interactive games while feasting on modernly posh reinventions of Hawaiian fare, such as their trout lomi lomi, lamb rib loco moco, and guava-smoked pork melt.
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900 22nd St / Website
For a breezy and leisurely Hawaiian brunch, this Dogpatch landmark is the ultimate choice. Enjoy tropical mimosas while biting into the fluffiest and sugary malasadas with creamy guava filling, or for those savory leaning, their elevated Kalbi Loco Moco. This is a place that's as genuine and kind as they are aesthetic and tasty!
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350 Mission St / Website
This island hideaway in the Salesforce East building channels innovation with tradition, uplifting classic fare with sophistication, and all from the mastermind of Chef Michael Mina. You are sure to be enthralled by their deconstructed Spam musubi and Dungeness crab lumpia as an escape within the bustle of the Financial District.
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2417 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley / Website
For a more homestyle, but equally delicious option, swing over to sunny Berkeley to sample one (or more!) of Wikiwiki's Deluxe plates, piled high with perfectly grilled teriyaki, absolutely crunchy katsu, and of course, tangy mac salad for the ultimate combination of flavors and textures.
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221 S Claremont St, San Mateo / Website
Similarly in San Mateo, this mom-and-pop take-out service is a must-visit neighborhood staple. They boast an expansive menu adorned with various meal combos of poke, Kalua Pork, and their signature Salmon Musubi. Be sure to leave room for their traditional Hawaiian desserts, though, as you will definitely be charmed to take a piece of the islands home when browsing their packed market.
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32136 Alvarado Blvd, Union City / Website
Lastly, located within an unassuming shopping center down in Union City is this amazing restaurant that piles on the servings! Walking into this tucked-away venue reveals a beautifully decorated interior with friendly service ready to deliver you a taste of their many Teri combo plates, all-day breakfast, or Island Specials of katsu curry or their exclusive Aloha Friday Plate with Kalua Pork LauLau. We recommend venturing around this complex for their several boba refreshment offerings as well!
With these superb Hawaiian restaurants, you are sure to get into the island mindset any time of the year!
See also: The Best Ethiopian Restaurants In The Bay Area
Photography by: Kristian Ryan Alimon/Unsplash
