Pāhoa

Fish & Chips · Pahoa

Pāhoa

Fish & Chips · Pahoa

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Hawaii 96778

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Highlights

Pāhoa is a vibrant Hawaiian gem known for its mouthwatering fish and chips, where fresh catch and friendly service make every bite unforgettable.  

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Hawaii 96778 Get directions

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Hawaii 96778 Get directions

+1 808 965 8248

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outdoor seating

Last updated

Jul 23, 2025

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17 Wonders of America's National Parks

"Usually, when speaking of geological phenomena, one speaks of time in “aeons” or references events as “prehistoric.” But on the Big Island of Hawai’i, the vocabulary is a little different. Lava—or Pele, as it is commonly referred, after the volcano goddess of the Hawaiian religious tradition—is a fact of life that actively and regularly reshapes the land. It’s not uncommon to drive down a highway and find that lava has flowed over the road and rendering it inoperable, or to hear someone mention that a house or property was “taken by Pele.” On a hazy day, locals will complain of the vog (volcanic smog) and seasoned fisherman will tell you that the best place to catch fresh ahi is in the waters warmed by the lava pouring into the ocean. It’s no small wonder that Hawaiians and visitors alike continue to give offerings to the unpredictable volcano goddess. She exists as an unparalleled geological spectacle and an active reminder of the power of nature over man. Spiritually minded travelers who trek out to see the lava flows will often bring Pele wishes wrapped in ti-tree leaves (the same leaves that are used to make leis) or small gifts to leave at the site. It’s hard to describe the experience of being in the presence of an active lava flow. But to witness Pele in action, you have to do a little detective work, seeing as no one can ever quite predict where the flows of magma will crop up. The more scientifically-minded could do some research into fault lines and plate tectonics, but for the average traveler, the simplest way to do some lava-hunting is to simply ask around. People in the area tend to know. Lava, like many things that glow, is best seen in the dark. Because of this, many people perform their treks in the evening, but this can be challenging—and dangerous—for visitors unfamiliar with the terrain. Go with someone who knows the land, as it’s easy to get lost. Depending on where the lava is flowing, there may be organized hikes (where everyone gets to wear neon orange construction vests), boat rides, or scenic flights. If none of these are an option or you decide to do some do-it-yourself adventuring, just remember: lava may be pretty, but it’s dangerous. Don’t get too close." - ATLAS_OBSCURA

https://www.atlasobscura.com/lists/hidden-wonders-national-parks
View Postcard for Pāhoa
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Cubie M.

Yelp
ITS The only Place Were I Eat OUT. Not only is the SERVICE GREAT - The FOOD IS Excellent Been Eating here 15 years NOW & the Staff are the same with a few New People. the qB
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Jonna G.

Yelp
My cousin and I stumbled upon this place after getting lost. We were starving and this was the one place we agreed on. I'm so glad we tried this place out. I opted to get the fish and chips. As for the fish, I got ono but you can also choose between mahi mahi and cod. My cousin got the mahi mahi and I wasn't a fan of it. The ono fish was sweet and firm. I also love the waffle fries it came with. The fish-to-batter ratio was amazing! I like how the batter was thin and not too thick. Keep in mind, seating is limited outside so once you find a table open, go grab it! The workers were also very friendly and helpful.
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Vivan T.

Yelp
Ever since we tried this restaurant 3 years ago, (Recommended to us by a local), we've been dreaming of coming back here ever since. We've eaten fish and chips all around the world in renowned places, but no one compares to Pahoa Fresh Fish's. The batter is thin and food doesn't feel or taste greasy. Everything is crispy/crunchy and super fresh! The crab cakes taste fantastic and the prices are fair. Also nobody does Salmon fry, but they do here and that's my favorite. Parking is super easy in large parking lot.
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Shay F.

Yelp
My friend suggested to try this place out. I got the ono and salmon. The pieces were thick but a little dry. I wish they offered grilled so I can avoid the breading. I was going to order the crab cake but they said it's half imitation and half real and not made in-house.
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Crystal D.

Yelp
I have been looking for a place where I can get fried fish that is safe with my shellfish allergies. It has been challenging to find Kona & Hilo side Here they offered to fry my food separately so I can enjoy it! So worth it.
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Ken S.

Yelp
Back on the Island dog sitting again and we stopped by for some fish and chips. And glad to find that it is still the best tasting fish in Hawaii. The fried Cod pieces were thick and cooked perfectly and the waffle fries are always good. We sat outside and although the place looks pretty plain Jane, you go there for the excellent fish, friendly staff, and the people passing by for take out are always happy. Speaking friendly staff, my Wife forgot her one of a kind jean jacket on the back of a chair when we ate there on Wednesday. She realized the jacket was missing on Saturday and after backtracking all the places we had been, she called the restaurant and sure enough, they had the jacket. Mahalo to the Staff and Pearl for keeping the Jacket safe and we are very grateful for its return.
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Nayoung W.

Yelp
Phenomenal fresh fish and chips shop in an unassuming complex. Portions are generous, I shared the 3 piece regular plate with my husband. Fish tasted meaty, fresh, and waffle fries were also crisped to perfection. Batter is panko breaded and fish barely seasoned. No seating indoors, but a couple small tables available outside. Super fair prices for the quality of ingredients they serve!
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Stephanie N.

Yelp
Wow what a surprise this place turned out to be! The fish and chips plate was huge! The fish bites were like baseballs! And the light batter made it perfect for crunch with the large amount of fish they give you! It has the waffle fries I like too! So if you want fresh good fish lunch you should definitely come here!! It's a small place that has some tables outside to sit at
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Jesse S.

Yelp
Well dropped in while I was getting parts for the house and car . Decided to come in and try what this place is all about. Decent friendly staff. I like it when you can to talk to people. It just feels right. Respect. Treat other like you want to be treated. The food was good . I enjoyed the conversation. The quick preparation of the food. I have to try the other fish on the menu.
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Carmen M.

Yelp
We ordered fish and chips and onion rings. The mahi mahi was cooked perfectly. Waffle fries were good. Onion rings were a little disappointing.as you only get a few pieces. The excellent fish more than made up for it.

Alison W.

Yelp
Wow. Best fish we've had on the island! Hubby's shrimp were awesome too. Even the coleslaw (which I rarely eat) was fantastic! I chose the five piece fish and chips since I don't usually like cross cut fries. However, I took the obligatory bite just to taste test them, and five minutes later they were all gone. My husband laughed at me because I liked them so much. There was more fish in my fish and chips than I would ever get at a restaurant serving me a straight fish fillet, and for twice the price! So thankful we were recommended this place by our old neighbor, a Hawaiian native. Wouldn't have found it on our own. They only have outdoor seating right by the parking lot, it literally is one of those gem hole-in-the-wall eateries everyone hopes to find!
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Doug L.

Yelp
Everything is So Delicious! Happily This Is One Of The Good Places That Survived The Big Island Volcano In 2018!‍
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Sydney M.

Yelp
If you're going here, it's not for table service or a cozy atmosphere but for truly tasty fish and any other seafood needs. The portions are large and you can taste how fresh the fish is. I didn't love the crab cake, but that is likely personal preference of flavoring.
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Jim A.

Yelp
Fish. Lots of different kinds of fish. If you love fish and want a local no frills place, this is it.
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Alexandra B.

Yelp
Pahoa offers a choice of several fish options prepared in various ways. It's a small operation, but they work fast and the food is delicious! There aren't as many tables as it appears in the Yelp photos, only a couple outside, and it seems like most customers get their food to go. The lunch hour is very busy. We ate here one day during our vacation and felt very welcome even though we weren't regulars.
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Claudia N.

Yelp
I had the crab cake sandwich and waffle fries. Sadly, it didn't come with the fries, but it came with a nice sized onion bun, 2 imitation crab cakes, tomato, lettuce. It took a while to get my food. There's a few tables outside.

Andrea J.

Yelp
I love fish so I decided to give this place a try. I ordered the fried Salmon With fries. They did give me nice, thick cuts of salmon and they were battered perfectly but the salmon was bland. I had to drench the fish in hot sauce to give it flavor. I was disappointed because I've heard great things about this place.
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Helen H.

Yelp
These crab cakes were worth every penny!! So crispy & flavorful. Even the waffle fries were crispy & had the right amount of seasoning. Great staff & service :-)
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Mike J.

Yelp
Momma and i shared a 5 piece Mahi-Mahi fish and chips. The fish is very generous in its portion size, not oily and fresh. The breading complemented the fish and the tarter sauce only heightened the experience. The waffle fries were pretty good, but were overshadowed by the quality if the fish. This fish, due to the lack of oil, could be taken somewhere else to eat with minimal degradation of enjoyment. (That is one of my litmus tests of fish and chips-can they make it home?) There are a few outside tables, but I don't think you come to Hawaii to take in the grungy parking lot while you are enjoying this meal. Don't let the decor of the store dissuade you. All the cooking/preparation areas were top notch in cleanliness. Staff was pleasant to deal with. Only got Sharon's name, but I would suggest you make this a stop in your travels. Prices were fair, but considering you are getting absolutely fresh fish this was money (and time) well spent. Mahalo to my friend in Idaho that recommended this side trip!
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Destanie A.

Yelp
Flew to Big Island and came straight here after getting off the plane. Cravings were definitely satisfied! Who could pass up a solid plate of fish and chips?
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Eunice A.

Yelp
WOW. This place is great and one of my favorite meals on the island. Such a simple dish but so delicious and done well. I love how thick the cuts of fish were and the fish to batter ratio. I loved how crunchy the batter was and how juicy the fish was. It did not taste too greasy nor did I feel sick after eating my meal. The Tatar sauce is delicious and perfect for dipping the fish in.
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Daniel D.

Yelp
When we arrived at our Air BnB, the owner recommend this place as his favorite local spot, so you know it has to be good. The store was located in a small shopping center right next to Subway near a gas station. It used to be a small convenient store that sold fish and chips, but now they only serve fish and chips. It was take out only when we went, but we recommend eating it as soon as possible for the best results. The store was pretty clean and parking was plentiful. The owner was exceptionally friendly and was very helpful describing the different types of fish they had, which changes daily. We opted for the crab cakes at about 12 bucks and the 5 piece fish and chips for about 17. Each plate came with plenty of curly fries (they ran out of waffle) one cup of tarter sauce, one order of coleslaw, one cup of ketchup. We ordered the five price with three pieces of Ono and two salmon. The Ono fish was firm, flavorful, and the Panko crust was light and crispy. The salmon had skin on and was equally delicious. Fries were cooked perfectly. The crab cakes were battered similarly, but used imitation crab. It was so delicious we didn't really care. None of the food was oily and we didn't have the gross feeling we usually do after eating fried foods. The food was oh so Ono!! I've had fish and chips up and down the mainland west coast and this is by far the best fish and chips I've had. At 29.50 for both orders, I would say this was a steal of a deal! Must go spot for anyone visiting the big island! Mahalo to the chef and owner.
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Javier R.

Yelp
I just got the combo fish and shrimp and it was so good I needed one more piece fish! Love the waffle fries too! I will see them soon!
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Rob L K.

Yelp
Once again a STELLAR visit today! This isn't a meal, it's an experience!! I rate this 3 Foodgazms! If you eat here, for heaven's sake, order the salmon and the ONO!! It's otherworldly! Always ask for extra tartar or just get all tartar, because the pieces are so gigantic and dense, that you'll need every drop of your tartar sauce because there's so much! They also make the BEST tartar sauce, but even their amazing Onion Rings are delicious dipped in the tartar! I'd bet my life on it that you'll love this place! Best Fish & Chips in the entire state! 10 Stars!
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Nene S.

Yelp
Enjoy Pahoa Fresh Fish! Always love coming here for delicious fish, shrimp & chicken wings. Service great & always friendly! Don't let the looks of establishment deter from coming!! You will not be disappointed!!
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Jen P.

Yelp
Fish and chips were sooo good! I'm not one to order fish and chips ever, but I'm glad I took the cashier's recommendation. The fish pieces were huge and meaty! The waffle fries were perfection! No indoor seating, but there are a few tables outside. Last call is 15 mins before closing time. Don't forget to get all the sauces!
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Giovanna F.

Yelp
BEST fish taco I've ever had in my life. I have been coming here for years and dream about it every year between visits. Best fried fish I've ever had in my life - I literally cannot eat fried fish - I always get a sick tummy after because it's too greasy and the grease doesn't agree with me. Not this place, they have some machine I've never seen, and the fish is extra thinly and crisply, panko breaded to a perfect light golden, and freaking delicious. Like I might cry because I had it today, and who knows when I'll get to return. Added bonus things I've seen here while visiting: 1.) a truck that pulled into the gas station for gas - mattress in truck bed, bikini-clad girls and hula hoops atop. 2.) a silky chicken on a bicycle ( years later I saw my 2nd chicken on the handle bars of a bike, in Venice Beach California (of course). With the new addition of some great Mexican restaurants locally, they should source some Pico de gallo and homemade tortillas. Tell them I said so. Oh and try the lavender lemonade, it's fantastic.
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Doug T.

Yelp
I have an allergy to fish and it was with the Benadryl to have a couple pieces. They take a fresh 1.5" thick catch and cook it on demand. Best fish and chips period
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Emily G.

Yelp
Big portion sizes, delicious food, fresh, and hot. generous sized sauce cups, and of course friendly staff. Our new favorite fish and chips place!
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Rachel C.

Yelp
The fish was so fresh, crispy and delicious! Loved the sides of coleslaw and fries, and the service was awesome! We weren't sure what to get since we wanted to try a bit of all the fish so he hooked us up with a little bit of everything! Highly recommend stopping here for your fish and chip fix!
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Amanda C.

Yelp
Words cannot come close to telling people how amazing this spit is. Super simple menu, quick and fresh with large portions. We've been twice already this week!
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Terry W.

Yelp
"Fresh fish" says it all. We ordered a variety of fish and chips. They were all good. The dining room is closed due to COVID, so we had to drive about 5 miles to a park I spotted on google maps. It was still crispy when we arrived. It is really simple. Bread the fish, deep fry it, and serve with french fries. But the quality of the fish makes all the difference. it was good quality, very fresh. As other reviewers have said, you could easily miss this place. It is in a drab shopping center, with an inconspicuous sign. If you didn't know this was here, you'd probably drive right on by. And the interior isn't much to look at either. But if you want fish and chips, this is some of the best you will find on the island. I debated my rating on this one. I decided to go to 5 stars because it's not a gourmet fish place. You aren't going to get anything super fancy, or a flambe, or anything of the sort. It's fish and chips (and crab cakes, and a few other things we didn't try). I'm rating it for what it is, not comparing it to some high-end fish place that has a sommelier. And for what it is, it is really really good.
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Christina H.

Yelp
Doesn't look like much, but this is THE best place to grab Fish & Chips for the taste, quality, & price! At Pahoa Fresh Fish, you can have whatever fish you'd like. I ordered my Fish & Chips using Mahi Mahi, a local favorite. Don't sleep on the a la carte items. I also ordered a Crab Cake and the Chicken Wings and OMG, both were somehow even more flavorful than the fish & chips!!! Literally drooling just thinking about it. Everything was made with the most delicious batter, and fried to perfection!
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Jill D.

Yelp
This place is definitely worth the visit! They close at 6:15 so ensure you plan to get there beforehand. Would also recommend splurging for the onion rings! Homemade tartar sauce and coleslaw is also very good!
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Doug M.

Yelp
Nice people run this place and get their fresh catch daily from former owner that now is dedicated to one thing, catching and supplying great seafood. For a small town this place impressed us all and fish and chips to wraps were not only affordable but perfect and very fresh.

Carol M.

Yelp
Great fresh fish and not greasy. Waffle fries seasoned well. Would be great if they had more seating.
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Marti M.

Yelp
Best fish we had on our vacation! It's rustic but don't let that fool you because the food they produce is what you will be thinking about long after you have left the beautiful island.

Ziggy S.

Yelp
My first time eating here, and wow! This is seriously the best fish and chips I've ever eaten. I had the regular size Ono and it was epic. I'll be back many more times, what a gem!!
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Jasmine H.

Yelp
This is easily the BEST fish and chips on the island! The fish has a great flavor, without being weighed down with grease. Cooked perfectly every time, with excellent crunchy outside, and melt in your mouth flaky texture inside. The prices are lower and portions are bigger than anywhere else we tried!
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C W.

Yelp
Really good fresh food and generous portions. Good location in Kailua with parking. Will be going back whenever I'm in Kailua.

Lori R.

Yelp
The best fish ever! I had the 3 piece mahi-mahi and it is so good! The service is fast and the people are always so friendly!
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Tony T.

Yelp
Soo bomb. So bomb. Highly recommend & I will be back once back on the island. Had a 5 piece fish & crab cake. Mmm mmm mmm

Cthulu N.

Yelp
Ok fried fish. I got the Mahi Mahi - it was acceptable quality, decent crisp on it. Waffle fries were not the worst ever, but somewhat on the sad side. Service was given begrudgingly. I'm not sure what the good reviews are about.
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Makalani N Kala K.

Yelp
Awesome fish and chip joint out in pahoa I also enjoy there slaw! As well. The best part about this establishment is they almost always have ono (wahoo) on menu and fresh and flaky batter never oily! And the waffle fries and tartar sauce are always on point. Service is always fast and friendly. I just wish they made fresh crab cakes. But none the less this is a must when in the pahoa area
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Lonnie W.

Yelp
Call in your order or sit in your car and wait. Big huge chunks of fish with your fish and chips. Sometimes they have waffle fries several choices of fish, and they also serve up some great chicken wings great for just running home and relaxing. We always go here when we think fish and chips.

Katelyn V.

Yelp
Horrible service. The sign said open until 615 daily. I I approached the counter at 540, the older lady asked me what I wanted, I asked very politely if I could have a fish burrito. She quickly responded with "noooo we close at 5:30" in a rude way. Why ask to take my order if you were closed earlier than usual.
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michelle h.

Yelp
This was the best hidden gem of our visit to Pahoa and the best fish and chips I've ever had. Make sure to get your order in by 6pm
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Matthew D.

Yelp
I really like this place. It's quick, made fresh as you order and you have choice of fish for your fish & chip plate...2 sizes to choose from... so when there just walk-in place your order and in a few minutes they'll be calling ya
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Jasmine I.

Yelp
You must visit Pahoa Fresh Fish. Like most delicious food joints, this place isn't big or fancy and its located in a strip mall you can easily miss. Don't let that deter you. The employees are friendly and efficient. The catch is fresh. The oil is fresh. Portions are large. The criss-cross/waffle fries are crisp and crunchy. Easily the best fish and chips I've ever had. Try the Ono. You're welcome.