If you eat seafood, Paia Fish Market is a “must eat” restaurant when you are in Hawaii! We share our review and pictures from our delicious experience at the casual restaurant, located in Waikiki, on Oahu island.
My family and I ate at Paia Fish Market twice during our vacation in Waikiki beach. In fact, we almost went back to the restaurant for a third time on our last day! Our meals were that delicious!
Read about our foodie experience in this article so you can plan a visit to Paia Fish Market too! Sharing is caring!
Also, be sure to check out our other related Waikiki articles and reviews, including our review of Chief’s Luau, a spectacular evening, and our review of Waikiki Trolley!
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Paia Fish Market Waikiki – Location
We visited the Paia Fish Market restaurant located in Waikiki. There are currently two locations in Oahu and three restaurants in Maui.
The Waikiki restaurant is located under the Laylow Hotel, on Kuhio Ave. We walked to the restaurant and found it easily, located at the corner of Kuhio Ave. and Dukes Lane.
We stayed at The Royal Hawaiian resort, which was an easy walk to Paia Fish Market, approximately nine minutes.
Highlights:
- casual dining
- no reservations at this popular restaurant
- expect to wait in line to order…but it is worth the wait!
- made to order fresh food!
- we love the “fresh catch plates”!
- good portions
- seating:
- first come, first served
- indoor seating includes family-style, communal tables, high tops
- outdoor seating
- friendly service and atmosphere
- cashiers and servers provided friendly service on both visits!
- servers happily took family photos of us when we asked!
- reasonable prices, especially for fresh seafood and tourist area
- take-out is available
Paia Fish Market Waikiki – Arrival & Ordering
Overall, the atmosphere is casual and relaxed! Although the restaurant was busy, the servers were friendly, and service was efficient on both visits.
Expect to wait in a line! Even though we went to the restaurant at off peak meal times, we always waited in a line. However, the fresh fish is worth the wait!
We did not wait in line too long to order on both visits, approximately 10-15 minutes. However, we did plan to have late lunches to avoid a longer wait! The restaurant is very popular!
We joined the line to approach the counter. In line, we were welcomed by an employee and given a menu to look at while we waited. There were two people at the counter taking orders.
You are given a number to place on the table, where you choose to sit. A waiter will deliver your food to your table when freshly cooked, and remove the number.
We preferred to eat outside on both visits to Paia Fish Market, both sunny afternoons. Fortunately there were tables available as seating is first come, first served.
PRO TIP: During our visit, Paia Fish Market Waikiki had “happy hour” every day from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. where all cocktails were $10! Confirm with the location directly if happy hour is available if interested!
Paia Fish Market – Menu
The menu includes “fresh catch plates”, charbroiled burgers, pasta, fajitas, salads, tacos, quesadillas, appetizers, and more!
Also, even if you visit with people that do not eat seafood, there are options other than seafood including vegetarian and gluten free items on the menu.
“Fresh Catch Plates”
All four of us ordered “fresh catch plates” on both visits to Paia Fish Market!
All of the “fresh catch plates” include a choice of fish, preparation, “hand-cut crunchy coleslaw” and fresh tartar sauce, in addition to the side you choose.
Fish choices:
- mahi mahi
- ono
- snapper
- ahi (tuna)
- salmon
Preparation:
- charbroiled
- sauteed (in butter, garlic, wine, lemon)
- cajun style and charbroiled
- blackened (in an iron skillet)
Sides:
- home potatoes
- cajun rice
- french fries
- rice + home potatoes
Lastly, for drinks, there is a soda dispenser, which also had water. Cocktails are also available.
Paia Fish Market – Our Recommendations
- “fresh catch plates“:
- blackened mahi mahi – seasoned to perfection and absolutely delicious!
- charbroiled ahi – raw/lightly charbroiled – amazing way to taste the freshness of the tuna! This preparation was actually recommended by an employee!
- sides:
- rice + home potatoes – the home potatoes were soft inside with crispy bits! Delicious and just the way I Iike my home potatoes prepared!
- all the sides were fresh and tasty though – we tried all of them!
PRO TIP: try the Paia Fish Market “Magic Sauce” – there should be a bottle on your table with the other condiments! Yummmm! The blackened mahi mahi did not need the “Magic Sauce” though, as it was already very flavourful!
As an appetizer, my brother ordered the clam chowder, which he enjoyed! I had a taste and it was creamy and delicious!
Overall, we agreed the fish portions are generous and the plates offer good value!
All the fish we tried was fresh and tasty! We all cleaned our “fresh catch plates” on both visits!
My family and I loved the fresh fish so much we ordered the “fresh catch plates” again on our second visit, a couple days later!
The only difference on our second visit is that we all ordered a different fish! No complaints from anyone! The food is excellent!
Paia Fish Market Waikiki – Conclusion
We will certainly return to eat at Paia Fish Market if we return to Hawaii! The “fresh catch plates” are highly recommended, enjoyed by my whole family!
Visit this must-try, casual restaurant in Waikiki if you eat seafood! We hope you love it too!
Paia Fish Market is one of my favourite restaurants from our Waikiki family vacation!
Wishing you happy travels! Enjoy Hawaii!
The restaurant was open daily during our recent vacation in January. Take out is available. Restaurant times can be checked and confirmed on the website:
Website: https://paiafishmarket.com/locations/waikiki/
Address: 2299 Kūhiō Ave., Honolulu, HI 96815, United States
Waikiki – Accommodations – Where to Stay
We stayed at two places on our Waikiki vacation – check our website soon for our detailed reviews and pictures from our stay:
- The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, Waikiki
- 5-star hotel: luxury iconic hotel in the center of Waikiki
- A fabulous stay! We would love to stay here again if we return to Waikiki!
- OUTRIGGER Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel
- The home of Cirque du Soleil’s newest show – ‘Auana
- A great stay in a newer, modern hotel, located in the center of Waikiki, steps from Waikiki beach (across the street).
Explore other Honolulu hotels and resorts on Booking.com here or in the link below:
Waikiki – Other Popular Tours
Explore other popular tours in Waikiki with reviews:
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