Paia Fish Market Waikiki
Seafood restaurant · Kapahulu ·

Paia Fish Market Waikiki

Seafood restaurant · Kapahulu ·

Fresh seafood plates, tacos, fish & chips, salads, burgers

fresh fish
fish tacos
mahi mahi
coleslaw
cajun rice
fish and chips
friendly staff
long line
Paia Fish Market Waikiki by null
Paia Fish Market Waikiki by null
Paia Fish Market Waikiki by null
Paia Fish Market Waikiki by null
Paia Fish Market Waikiki by null
Paia Fish Market Waikiki by null
Paia Fish Market Waikiki by null
Paia Fish Market Waikiki by null
Paia Fish Market Waikiki by null
Paia Fish Market Waikiki by null
Paia Fish Market Waikiki by null
Paia Fish Market Waikiki by null
Paia Fish Market Waikiki by null
Paia Fish Market Waikiki by null
Paia Fish Market Waikiki by null
Paia Fish Market Waikiki by null
Paia Fish Market Waikiki by null
Paia Fish Market Waikiki by null
Paia Fish Market Waikiki by null
Paia Fish Market Waikiki by null
Paia Fish Market Waikiki by null
Paia Fish Market Waikiki by null
Paia Fish Market Waikiki by null
Paia Fish Market Waikiki by null
Paia Fish Market Waikiki by null
Paia Fish Market Waikiki by null
Paia Fish Market Waikiki by null
Paia Fish Market Waikiki by null
Paia Fish Market Waikiki by null
Paia Fish Market Waikiki by null
Paia Fish Market Waikiki by null
Paia Fish Market Waikiki by null
Paia Fish Market Waikiki by null
Paia Fish Market Waikiki by null
Paia Fish Market Waikiki by null
Paia Fish Market Waikiki by null
Paia Fish Market Waikiki by null
Paia Fish Market Waikiki by null
Paia Fish Market Waikiki by null
Paia Fish Market Waikiki by null
Paia Fish Market Waikiki by null
Paia Fish Market Waikiki by null

Information

2299 Kūhiō Ave., Honolulu, HI 96815 Get directions

$20–30

Order delivery
See Menu
Usually a wait
Restroom
Accepts reservations
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner

Information

Static Map

2299 Kūhiō Ave., Honolulu, HI 96815 Get directions

+1 808 200 0200
paiafishmarket.com

$20–30 · Menu

Features

•Usually a wait
•Restroom
•Accepts reservations
•Popular for lunch
•Popular for dinner
•Trendy
•Family friendly
•Good for groups

Last updated

Jan 17, 2026

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"Grab a plate lunch at Paia Fish Market for fortification before a big day on the water." - Caitlin Morton

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Paia Fish Market Waikiki

Abhash Kumar S.

Google
The first line starts on Kuhio Ave and leads up to the stairs. There is a second line which starts inside the restaurant. You may assume 45min wait if you’re starting from Kuhio Ave. This was my second visit. I got mahi mahi cajun style with cajun rice. My wife got the prawns quesadilla. The fish was an 8 oz fillet - beautifully char broiled with spicy tangy cajun seasoning. This is the best fish dish I’ve had in my life - and miles ahead of every bite I’ve had on the island. I run out of superlatives every-time I eat here. The prawns were immaculate and my wife thoroughly enjoyed it. They were so smoky and paired well with cheese! We also got a seasonal beer and island ginger beer. Both the drinks were bright and fresh. This place should be on top of your list if you’re in Oahu.

Pantea A.

Google
We dined at this restaurant during our trip to Hawaii, and it truly exceeded every expectation we had. The seafood was unbelievably fresh and full of flavor — from start to finish, every dish felt like a highlight on its own. Honestly, I can’t even choose a favorite because everything we ordered was outstanding in its own way. The presentation, the balance of flavors, and the quality of the ingredients were all exceptional. You can really tell how much care and skill goes into each plate. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, and the staff were friendly, attentive, and incredibly knowledgeable about the menu, which made the experience even better. Overall, this was one of the best seafood meals we’ve ever had, and easily one of the highlights of our Hawaii trip. If you love fresh, beautifully prepared seafood, this place is an absolute must-visit.

Andrew C.

Google
​I recently stopped by Paia Fishmarket for lunch and had a fantastic experience. I ordered the classic Mahi Mahi Fish and Chips, served with a side of coleslaw, and every element of the dish was spot-on. ​The Mahi Mahi was incredibly fresh, showcasing a beautiful, firm and flaky texture. The batter was perfectly seasoned—it provided a wonderful crunch without overpowering the delicate flavor of the fish. ​The portion size was generous, offering excellent value for the price, which is always appreciated. The coleslaw was a refreshing and light accompaniment to the hearty fish and chips. ​If you are looking for the freshest seafood in a casual, lively atmosphere, Paia Fishmarket is an absolute must-visit. Highly recommended!

Tonisha C.

Google
Sunday afternoon visit, first visit. The food was pretty good. Lunch plate(snapper with cajun rice & home potatoes) and the fish & chips were our entrees. The rice was not at all cajun but it tasted well. The home fries were really good. The snapper was grilled and ok. The fish in the fish & chips tasted fresh. The fries were ok. The coleslaw is on the sweeter side, but we enjoyed it. You place your order and then it's more food hall style. A server delivers your order to you and the that's it. You clear your own table, but the table does come with a box with: utensils,common condiments, and napkins. Given the opportunity we'd eat here again.

Kxena P.

Google
It was an amazing experience! The food was so delicious, we weren’t even expecting it! It was the best seafood pasta ever. So much fish and shrimp, I could eat it all. Shrimp cocktail was good too, shrimp were big and I liked the souses. Everything we ordered was very delicious and fresh. You need to wait in line to order the food, but not long time to wait the order - they cook very fast. They have inside and outside tables. Kid’s menu is available. Highly recommend to visit this place.

Reginice

Google
All of the stars, here, are for the staff. I give them 5 stars! Makena and Fin give superior customer service and really go above and beyond. The pineapple mojito was pretty decent. The fish and chips missed the bar big time for me. I didn’t like the texture and the breading was severely lacking in seasoning; I sprinkled salt on the fish and used almost every condiment to try to add flavor. I was very happy with their in-house made cole slaw; normally, I skip eating cole slaw when accompanying a meal, but this was very fresh and flavorful, I really enjoyed it. I learned about this restaurant from my Lyft driver; I would give Paia a try again, to actually go with what my driver recommended, pick a fish, preparation, and sides.

Autumn C.

Google
Very delicious, fresh fish! Huge portions. I loved the tartar sauce too. You can pick which type of fish you want and how you want it cooked. I personally got the mahi mahi Cajun style. Pro-tip is don’t bother waiting in the huge line if you just want to eat the food. Just go straight inside and order from the take-out counter, there was no line! The ambiance of the restaurant is nowhere near worth waiting 1-2 hours.

Arman

Google
Food: This restaurant became my favourite during my stay in Hawaii. I tried it once and became a fan. The fish tastes really fresh and delicious. Cleanliness: the store is well cleaned. Staff: very professional and friendly. Given the number of customers, they do a great job. Parking: you better walk. Price: it is a bit expensive but I don’t mind paying if the quality is good. For sure I would try it again and again.
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Michelle I.

Yelp
We have been to the one on Maui and this place DOEST NOT disappoint. Our memory did not do us a disservice. Everything we tasted (came around twice for dinner) was cooked to perfection, tasted incredible, and finger licking inducing. Allllll the seafood fresh and tasty. We had fresh ahi, salmon, shrimps- yes we pigged out- but so amazing. Kids loved the tacos, pasta. Parents enjoyed all the fresh fish options in all its various forms. Onion rings best we have tasted. One downside- no reservations so line can be long but moves quickly. Don't let that stand in your way (pun intended)
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Jess Y.

Yelp
This is honestly one of my favorite places, and I come here very often, which is why this visit was especially disappointing. I always order the mahi-mahi, but this time it was overcooked, dry, and tough. The portion was also noticeably smaller than usual. The fried calamari was not great either -- it seemed like it had been cooked in old oil. The squid was tough and had a slightly burnt, bitter flavor, which really took away from the dish. That said, I truly love this place and have had many great experiences here in the past. This visit felt more like an off day than the norm. I will definitely be coming back, and I really hope next time the food is as good as it usually is.
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Erin C.

Yelp
OMG! The best fish meal we've had. Period. We ordered a sautéed salmon plate with Cajun rice and a sautéed snapper plate with Cajun rice + 2 fish tacos and a garden salad. All were amazing but my favorite was the snapper. And truth be told, I will be back to Jae it again before we head back to the mainland. Also, the ambiance is casual and family friendly and it was quite busy but the line moved fast and the service was friendly. Overall great experience.
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Stacy S.

Yelp
Worth the wait for freshly cooked fresh fish! Be ready to wait in line, but know that the line moves. They get you in, take your order and help you find a table. We had the sashimi starter, charbroiled snapper, and Cajun ono. All of it was sooo good! My lilikoi margarita was also tasty! Service was great... the person tending bar gave us tips on where to find turtles. Two people helped customers find tables... even for large groups.
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Catherine P.

Yelp
We got here early on a Sunday right before they opened. There were about 20 people waiting by the time we got inside. The wait wasn't long for our food and it seemed the line was short throughout our entire meal. I got the snapper sautéed on a Caesar salad. The fish was a bit fishy but good. The salad was overdressed and I wish I got it with dressing on the side because it was a very strong anchovy flavor. The tartar sauce was very good and I definitely recommend that more homemade tasting dipping sauce. We noticed the calamari was looking a lot smaller than last time we were here. Sure enough they aren't as big and there was 1-2 sticks less. They have a fun selection of alcoholic drinks, some kombucha, or Coke products in their fountain. I'm not sure if you are required to clean up your table but we did. This place has some big tables so it's good for groups when it's not busy. The place is open and there are outdoor seats. Bathrooms are located down a long hall with a code.
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Lucas T.

Yelp
Really good fish. I got the blackened Mahi to go and I also tried the fried shrimp. Both really tasty and fresh. They did forget to put silverware in the bag. Was this the best fish I've ever had? No, it wasn't but I'm from Florida and have access to really good, fresh fish back home. The fried shrimp were also fresh and really tasty. I would definitely consider coming back if I come back to Oahu. There are lots of great options for fish and seafood here so it wouldn't be an automatic repeat for me.
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Jay S.

Yelp
Our favorite lunch restaurant in Kailua. Casual and welcoming, with great fresh fish dishes. Food 5 stars -for always fresh and tasty fish, several fish choices, several ways to have them prepared. Big portions, seasoned lightly. We like their fish sandwich for lunch. Their sides are also good -the home-fried style potatoes are a favorite. Service -Excellent service! Order at the counter and it is cooked & brought to your table quickly. Staff are uniformly pleasant and helpful. Both servers named Lucas have been great at handling our orders and extra requests. Facility-casual, open air with tables inside and outside. The outside tables are sometimes noisy with traffic, but are nicely spaced They have free parking beside the building Location Easy to find the restaurant. It is Downtown Kailua across from Target on the main street.
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Margaret B.

Yelp
Got the chicken pasta and the pan seared blackened ahi tuna with cajun rice. The chicken pasta was delicious. The portion was huge and I'm glad I took the leftover to go because it was even tastier the next day. I think it would look nicer with grated parm rather than shredded. The pan seared blackened tuna was tasty but it was extremely cold inside. Maybe getting it fried would've been a better choice. The cajun rice was a great choice. The service was exceptional. The two blonde women at the register were both helpful and friendly. I even saw them help foreign customers with limited English by guiding them through the menu.
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Tammy S.

Yelp
The line is always long here so my husband and I got there early. The staff were incredibly friendly and accommodating, the bar tender made me a margarita just like I like them! There are tables both inside and outside on the patio. It's a casual fish market vibe where you order food on one end and drinks on the other. I ordered the Ono seared in white wine and butter. My husband got the blackened. Both were delicious in flavor being just a bit overcooked. We also ordered a Caesar salad that was fresh and delicious with the fish. The French fries were not hot which was disappointing but probably healthier as I don't eat very many. My husband ordered onion rings and they were amazing! And hot! We will probably try to make it back here before we leave.
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Kathleen L.

Yelp
Best bang for your buck. Portions are huge and the ingredients taste super fresh. My go-to order is the fish quesadilla with rice and potatoes. So cheesy, packed with fish, and sooo satisfying. I usually add a side of calamari fries, which are THICCC, and it turns into a big shareable meal. Don't leave out the tartar sauce. If you don't like tartar sauce, just trust me on this one. I've also tried the fajitas and the fish plates, and they're consistently solid, but the quesadilla is hands-down the best value on the menu. I'd skip the fish burger and, unfortunately, the seafood pasta. The pasta lacked depth and flavor, which was disappointing especially since it's the only pasta dish they offer. Hoping it was just an off day and that others have a better experience, because everything else I've had here has been excellent.
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Jerry M.

Yelp
Food- super hot, over the top Good tasting , and bursting with great seafood flavor! Service-they figured it out how to add people to the restaurant as seats permit! Maintaining control of large crowds waiting to be served! I don't go to Honolulu and skip this restaurant! It would haunt me for days! There is no bad selection on the menu! This is my go to restaurant! Try it and you will see why!
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Kev O.

Yelp
This is very good, no-frills, fish restaurant offering delicious food in a very casual setting. We came early as we knew this place was popular and gets really busy very quickly, and when it does, be prepared for long lines inside and crowds of diners waiting outside along the sidewalk. You simply wait till you reach the counter, place your order, pay for your order, take the number given to you, then go find a table worthy inside or outside. We preferred outdoor dining since the inside gets a bit too busy with people in line right next to you, but then, on the outside, you have to put up with crazy drivers with their loud engines/exhausts.... oh well, can't win them all. Anyway, we ordered the fried calamari, cocktail shrimp, and grilled ono fish on a bed of salad.... and everything was so fresh, perfectly grilled, and delicious!... and all at a very reasonable price compared to other seafood places in town. In fact, we enjoyed the food so much that we actually came back again a couple of nights later... and thoroughly enjoyed our dining experience here once again. This second time we ordered the grilled ono again, with deep fried shrimp, coleslaw, onion rings, and fries.... and once again, we were totally satisfied with everything.... yummy! Service was also very good here.... friendly, efficient, and helpful... even though most of the work collecting cutlery, condiments, drinks, etc. is all self service.
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Michelle C.

Yelp
Paia was the first place we checked out after landing in Hawaii! It's super easy to get to and is by all the other restaurants and the shopping mall. What we ordered: Fresh Catch Plate: I really liked this!! If you're not sure what to order, this seems like the obvious choice! The fish was prepared to perfection :) Super flavorful and the salad in between each bite kept it ~ balanced ~ Seafood Pasta: The flavor was great and the shrimp was prepared well. I didn't expect the sauce to be a bit runny. Besides that, it was still yummy Overall, this is a nice spot for a quick, casual bite!
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Sue S.

Yelp
Went here because of the reviews. I guess I'm one of the few that really didn't think it was great. First off standing in line waiting to order was not my favorite. But I get it.. it keeps the cost low. Yes I thought the employees were all very nice. To the fish. I didn't think it was anything special. Kind of bland actually. 3 of us ordered salmon, Mahi, Ono. I just didn't love it. But in a pinch.. I'd go.
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Reginice C.

Yelp
All of the stars, here, are for the staff. I give them 5 stars! Makena and Fin give superior customer service and really go above and beyond. The pineapple mojito was pretty decent. The fish and chips missed the bar big time for me. I didn't like the texture and the breading was severely lacking in seasoning; I sprinkled salt on the fish and used almost every condiment to try to add flavor. I was very happy with their in-house made cole slaw; normally, I skip eating cole slaw when accompanying a meal, but this was very fresh and flavorful, I really enjoyed it. I learned about this restaurant from my Lyft driver; I would give Paia a try again, to actually go with what my driver recommended, pick a fish, preparation, and sides.
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Jenny G.

Yelp
This place was not worth the long wait. We appreciated the drink service while we waited in line, but my seafood pasta was soupy. The space is pretty busy but it wasn't too noisy and there was plenty of great seating.
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Monte' J.

Yelp
Ordered the blackened Mahi Mahi with Cajun rice and potatoes. The Mahi Mahi was a little dry and not very flavorful, I ended up getting tartar sauce to add to it but that was rather sweet. The rice was good, the potatoes needed some seasoning but the coleslaw was great. The portion size was good, I'd give the entire meal a 3/5
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Emmanuel D.

Yelp
Food is good and delicious. Service is fast, above and beyond. Crew members are polite and friendly. They take good care of their customers specially when there's a problem. They solve and attend to it very fast. Busy place with lots of customers. Ambiance is good . Well maintained. First time customer, definitely will be back.
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Evangeline L.

Yelp
Was super excited to try out the Paia Fish Market - saw all the amazing reviews and was excited for something healthy and fresh. Perhaps it was my selection and the fact that it was takeout, but the blackened mahi mahi was just okay to my surprise. It was definitely a little harder and meatier than expected (I think it was slightly overcooked); it was definitely flavorful, but just overall a little disappointing considering the price. However, the location is unbeatable. It's around many restaurants so I was able to take out and then meet up my friends at a food hall nearby. The fish took about 10 minutes.
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Chris L.

Yelp
Not great for the price or wait. Seafood chowder (7) - basic and not very memorable. Quesadilla shrimp (13) - Solid and good portion Pasta Seafood (26) - the sauce was so thin and watery. It didn't taste right. The seafood bits were sufficient. We waited a long while and were very underwhelmed. I think because it was so popular the food needed to be cooked in large batches which really compromised the flavors.
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Mark F.

Yelp
Was hoping to get a nice grilled fish dish before we left the islands. I found that at Paia fish grill in market in Waikiki. I ordered the Blackened mahmahi which came with their version of coleslaw and a side of cajun rice. I'm happy to report that the fish was very good and it was a nice serving size as well. I really liked the coleslaw which had larger chunks of cabbage in it, unusual, but was very welcome in the way of taste. The cajun rice was actually quite good as well not overly seasoned like some can be. So for my experience it was very good and of all the trips that we've taken to Hawaii, we're definitely going to add this restaurant to our repeat visit.
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Nina M.

Yelp
Between 3.5 to 4.0 The food was delicious - I would definitely pay for the Ahi Tuna Fresh Catch plate next time I come around. Clam chowder was nice too. The seafood pasta was okay - they definitely give you your money's worth on it but I thought it was a bit salty in some parts. What I didn't like: - I was charged twice for the seafood pasta. I would blame myself more since I should have had the cashier go over my order again - the tables are too close together. It was difficult for a wheelchair to fit between the tables Overall not a bad location and the menu options are solid for those craving seafood. For those with a wheelchair. Look for the elevator a little further down the block and take it to the 2nd floor. There will be a long winding path (but there are directions!), before guiding you to the door.
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Bahar R.

Yelp
Paia was my first stop, but sadly I was underwhelmed. The thousands of 5 star reviews threw me off. My expectations were high, but unfortunately they did not deliver. The fish was fresh, but unfortunately the flavor was minimal. With all the great options for food, I cannot say this is a must try. The service was minimal. The ambiance was ok, best to sit on the patio and do some people watching.
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Lea C.

Yelp
This is our last night in Waikiki before we board a cruise ship tomorrow so we are trying to get our stuff organized and repacking everything so we can get to the cruise ship in the morning. I did a quick scan of reviews and this place was recommended for some of the best fresh seafood, which was sounding pretty good at the moment. I couldn't find a way to order on an app, and even DoorDash said the store was unavailable, even though I had a promo buy one get one free for them so that was a little disappointing. If you go to their website, you can call to order, but that seem kind of messy; I love me my apps! Anyway, husband decided to just walk down there and order our meals in an old fashioned manner. I had the mahi burger and it was very good. Blackened and tasty and I really liked the coleslaw cheese combo in addition to the tartar sauce. The bun is huge though could only eat half of that. Hubs ordered the dinner portion of tacos, which is two generously sized tacos, a side of coleslaw and fries. The fries were obviously quite disappointing so we really didn't eat any of those probably should've ordered a different potato selection. Probably didn't need the fries anyway since we'll be on a cruise ship tomorrow and having all sorts of crazy things to eat - my diet thanks you Anyway, total bill was $32 before tip so not a bad deal for some fresh seafood. He said the staff were friendly and efficient.
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Megan O.

Yelp
Wow wow wow! I got the blackened snapper with cajun rice and cole slaw. Best fish i've had! The food is amazing, everyone was so nice, they have happy hour for drinks, and it's a great environment. Inside and outside seating! Will definitely be back
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Michele M.

Yelp
A good time to eat here is lunch time because they have lunch prices available and there isn't a long line out the door. We have had the privilege to eat at the location in Paia on Maui so we were familiar with their menu. I knew I wanted a plate with rice and home potatoes because I like them both and I like them together. I decided to go with the ono, Cajun style. The fish was so good and the piece was huge for a lunch portion. I couldn't even finish it. The rice and the home potatoes were delicious. I could have done without the cole slaw. It was too chunky and dripping in mayo. My husband had the tacos which we were told was a mix of mahi and ono. The only thing missing for him were some chips and salsa. The service was super friendly and they do have access to a restroom if needed. The restaurant is mostly indoor with some patio seating overlooking Kuhio Avenue.
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Ross T.

Yelp
Located in Waikiki on Kalākaua you can park at the Hyatt Centric Hotel parking garage and they will validate your parking ticket, so the price you pay would be $4.00 with validation. If not &15.00 or more depending how long you stay. I had the clam chowder and the Ono fish sandwich, the clam chowder was so so, first it was warm not hot and was on the watery side not thick, it could have been a little more think. The Ono sandwich was very good and it has slice of tomato and chop vegetables, but the fish was a good portion. My wife had the fish and chips and she enjoyed it and was a good size portion. The fish tacos they really enjoyed and it was 2 fish tacos, but very filling. They have restrooms for men and women which is share with other restaurants and business, but you need a code to get in. The restroom was well kept. The staff was friendly and hard workers constantly delivering food and cleaning and sanitizing after the customers leave. Even with the long lines it moves pretty fast from ordering your food. and while in line the bar staff comes and asked if you want to order something from the bar.
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Ruthie W.

Yelp
On our first day, we headed to @paiafishmarket for lunch. We ordered at the counter. We had the Mahi Mahi dinner plate grilled with Cajun rice. We arrived in time for happy hour, and each of us had a Mai Tai. Hubby discovered the Magic sauce for the fish. It made all the difference in the world. It's similar to the Thai chili sauce. The Mai Tai was made well and we enjoyed it. Recommend this spot!
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Tonisha C.

Yelp
Sunday afternoon visit, first visit. The food was pretty good. Lunch plate(snapper with cajun rice & home potatoes) and the fish & chips were our entrees. The rice was not at all cajun but it tasted well. The home fries were really good. The snapper was grilled and ok. The fish in the fish & chips tasted fresh. The fries were ok. The coleslaw is on the sweeter side, but we enjoyed it. You place your order and then it's more food hall style. A server delivers your order to you and the that's it. You clear your own table, but the table does come with a box with: utensils,common condiments, and napkins. Given the opportunity we'd eat here again.
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Justin R.

Yelp
Holy crap the pizza place attached..."Luigi's Pizza at Paia Fish Market"... It's f****** amazing. Seriously. I generally have a low opinion. Pretty much every pizza place I go to in Waikiki but this place was five stars. Even though two people working there were fantastic. I live in Ewa Beach and I'm going to go back next weekend just for the pizza. And that is saying something who wants to drive from the west side to Waikiki? I do. For this place.
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Jerra P.

Yelp
This place is always my go to when I come to Waikīkī. It's always somewhat busy but the line moves quickly Kulu. The service is great, food is delicious, fresh and it comes out fast!! I've honestly never had a bad meal here. My all time favorite is always the Mahi Mahi taco.
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Sapha H.

Yelp
We had a great experience at Paia at our last night in Oahu. There was a line out the door but it moved fairly quickly. You order at the counter and they bring your food to you. Food came out quickly! The calamari was our favorite. My husband had the blackened mahi mahi and I had the charbroiled salmon. Both fish were really good; the sides are just okay and could use more flavor but the fish is definitely fresh. Staff were really nice and the restaurant has high chairs for babies.

Rusty S.

Yelp
A highlight of my trip so far. The Cajun Mahi Mahi was fantastic, and I was so tempted by the Ahi burger that I came in the next day for Lunch to try it. I'm not generally a fish sandwich person but I would gladly eat this anytime. Both were flavorful and cooked perfectly. They also offer pasta dishes, fish tacos, and fried fish but I really wanted to take advantage of the freshness of hawaii's seafood and not disguise it with heavy flavors and textures, although I do reccomend their "magic sauce" on the side or on top of your burger. Their coleslaw is also excellent and compliments the fish and starches really well. I point this out because it's the same dry, generic, flavorless afterthought almost every time I see it at a restaurant and ends up getting trashed like a sad trio of pinky-sized celery sticks in a wing platter. I ended up picking up the last pieces with my fingers so I didn't miss out on them here. Based on the reviews, menu, line out the door, and sign, I assumed this place was a bit fancier. After the long-wait when I made it inside, I discovered they were largely set up for takeout with family-style seat yourself for dine-in with a fountain soda-machine and small cocktail. Its similar to the "seafood shacks" that dot new england if you're familiar. To be clear, this was a pleasant surprise for me. Whether you want a good burger and fries after a day at the beach or a nice seafood dinner date, This place has you covered. Fresh and skillfully prepared seafood and the value is hard to beat in Waikiki
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Cathy W.

Yelp
Paia has yummy fish tacos! Their homemade tartar sauce is a must!! I prefer to eat them at the restaurant because when I have had them delivered they just aren't as good.
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Tyna C.

Yelp
Delicious fresh fish in Waikīkī area. Huge selection in a super-casual atmosphere. It's a very popular place, so it can get crowded, but it's worth it!
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Carly G.

Yelp
Stop reading this review and just go if you are looking for good fish in a casual dining space!! What We Ordered: Mai Tai's - second favorite on Honolulu Ono plate, Mahi plate, ono fish tacos and salad Highlights: * Service: order at the counter for food and bar for drinks (two separate counters). There can be a line right around dinner time so may have to wait behind 15-20 people during busy times. Service was pretty fast and they deliver straight to your table. First come first serve for table seating. * Food/Drinks: such LARGE fish portions that were perfectly grilled, yummy sides as well just again large portions (could share a plate between 2 people) * Ambiance: causal dining with indoor and outdoor seating * Price: good value for the size of the fish and sides Would I Return? Yes, we are here twice on our trip because we couldn't stop thinking about the fish Pro Tip: Happy hour 2-5pm everyday for cocktails!
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Benny C.

Yelp
Come here if you're starving and want the biggest helping of fish and sides because the portions that this place gives you is insane! It's a bang for your buck! I'm talking about a giant slab of fish, side salad, and your choice of potatoes, rice, and others, it is definitely one to try and come feast on. I decided to get the cajun snapper and the seasonings were solid! The snapper was a nice meaty slice so I felt like I was eating a giant piece of chicken steak. The potatoes on the side were a delight and the side salad had a nice dressing that reminded me of Thousand Island. The cajun seasoning wasn't too heavy but good enough to where the fish was seasoned very well. Every inch of the fish was covered in delectable seasoning. Service was great as well and there was plenty of seating both inside and outside.
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Amber M.

Yelp
We stopped in for lunch as we waited to check into our hotel. The staff was really friendly and answered all of our menu questions. I ordered the chicken tacos which were good but a dry (reason for the 4) and my friend got the fish tacos and loved them! We ordered onion rings that initially came out burnt to a crisp but our waitress quickly brought a new basket which was very nice! Beware if you sit outside, the birds have no mercy and will steal your food!
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Stephy L.

Yelp
Food was good, and portions are generous! Fish was really fresh and tasty. Very typical fast casual spot if you're looking for simple and filling meal. One thing I was a tad annoyed about was the open ceiling and vents because water kept dripping from the condensation and honestly, it's kinda gross. Wasn't dripping in my food but not a fan of it dripping on me while waiting in line to order.
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Rishi C.

Yelp
Paia is fantastic! It's fast casual restaurant that's a street over from the main road in Waikiki, with both indoor and outdoor seating. Service is super fast and everyone is so nice and welcoming, even when it was super busy (which it was the entire time I was there, the line never let up). I ordered the Ono plate Cajun style, and that was easily one of the best pieces of fish I've ever had. It was incredibly fresh and meaty, and well cooked. The sides were solid too, but the star of the show was certainly the fish, and it more than delivered. I'd love to swing by again before I leave, because I certainly will be thinking about this dish as soon as I get back to the mainland!
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Angela N.

Yelp
This was the first place we tried in Waikiki and it was delicious! I ordered the salmon blackened and my husband ordered the charbroiled mahi mahi. Both with rice and potatoes. I preferred the potatoes over the rice but both were still good. The fish was extremely fresh. Great portions too. We went a little after lunch time so we got lucky because it wasn't too crowded. Later that evening, we noticed there was a line out the door.
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Jerry W.

Yelp
This little spot is a bit off the main drag through Waikiki, but you need to look for it. To start, they serve a killer MaiTai as well as a Lilikoi margaritas. Both are outrageously good. Mahi fish and chips are really good. The Mahi in Hawaii tastes different than Mahi from the gulf. The waters are different, and the fish just tastes better. As for the shrimp ... oh my heavens, it's some of the best I've ever had. We had dinner there twice, it's so good. One tip ... if you don't get there early, there will be a line out the door and to the street.
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Andy X.

Yelp
TLDR: fish was dry and bland, chowder was okay, fries were pretty good, rice was good, cashier was rude Unbelievably bland and dry fish considering we were in Hawaii. Fish and chips was so dry I might as well have had frozen fish fingers. If you're gonna eat here I would only get the sautéed mahi mahi, it was the best tasting dish but still pretty dry. Blackened ono was somehow void of flavor and dry, same with charbroiled. Chowder was decent but nothing special, fries were pretty crispy. Surprisingly the best thing was the Cajun rice as it was the only thing that had a punch of flavor. Woman taking my order gave me attitude for not being able to hear her. Quite loud inside.
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Kyoo C.

Yelp
2024 the slaw seemed to have gotten back to better than in 2022:) Line was out on to the side walk, but moved kinda ok. Worth the wait to get fresh fish. Went for ono, since no opah. Got me the same prep as always, Charbroiled (to perfection as menu said). Wife got hers cajun I think. I warned her about deviating from regular charbroiled, but maybe the pull of fomo from social media forced deviating from a known good thing. I got a piece of cajun, was just ok for me. Can't beat charbroiled, I stick to KISS (keep it simple stupid). Got kid the seafood pasta and he barely ate it! I was furious at all his leftover since it's not cheap. It was pretty huge but wondered why he wouldn't eat more. Tried it for myself and it was rich and flavorful and delicious. Was too stuffed to eat much of his pasta though, so I was still furious at the waste. He is going backwards next time, go back to the kid's menu he had many years ago.
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Melody P.

Yelp
So glad to go to a place I know but just from a different island. Great friendly service. My salad was delicious as usual. Nice open seating. Down side to the place it's not good for handicap folks. There are stairs to get in. The soda machine is super high for me. Overall I had a wonderful lunch! Mahalo!
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Angiee M.

Yelp
Delicious food!!! The Mahi Mahi burger was delicious!! Service was fast!! We came after 6pm on a Monday and it was busy. About a 25 minute wait. But tables open fast..
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Ariana G.

Yelp
Great first meal in Hawaii! We landed in the evening so me and my fiancé were looking for something quick and casual in the Waikiki area. The long line can be intimidating but it went by fast. They also serve you drinks while in line and let you browse the menu while you wait. Seafood is a must while in Hawaii! The blackened mahi mahi was SOO good! Freshness, flavor, and portion size was a 10/10. Pairs great with their coleslaw and cajun rice.
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Sara B.

Yelp
This place seems to have a line because you have to go to the counter to order before you get seated but it moved quickly. Utensils are at the table and drinks are at the soda fountain. They bring you your food to your table but the rest is self service. The food looks like it was a lot. In reality the fries were on the skinnier side and the coleslaw was big chunks of lettuce compared to the traditional shredded lettuce. For the fish n chips, the plate had half fries and half coleslaw with 4 medium size fish sticks. The taco plate had two tacos on top of the coleslaw and fries as well. The food tasted good, not amazing but not bad. Great location by international market place but if you park there, they don't validate parking.
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Svetlana V.

Yelp
The food was delicious - I would definitely pay for the Ahi Tuna Fresh Catch plate next time I come around. ... Overall not a bad location and the menu options are solid for those craving seafood. Service good. Ambiance was amazing. Thank you we have such a great time.