Paia Fish Market Waikiki

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.

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.

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.

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.

​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!

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.

We had the grilled tuna and fish & chips. They were served with cabbage, rice, and potatoes, so the meal felt well-balanced and nutritious. Most of all, everything was absolutely delicious. I really want to come back, but it’s our last day in Hawaii, which makes me sad.

Very busy place. Took about 20 minutes to get through the line. Clam chowder had a really good flavor, was a bit on the cool side. I had the blackened ahi tuna and my wife had olo fish butter garlic glaze. I thought the coleslaw was fantastic. Street parking around the area if you can find it. We walked from the hotel.

We love this place! They have a food truck on the island too! We have been to the one in Maui before it burned down. The food never disappoints. We tried the fried calamari and the kids fish and chips this time around, they were both crispy and delicious 😋 Definitely coming back!

Pā’ia Fish Market, Honolulu — don’t let the burned look fool you.🔥🐟 When I first saw photos of the fish here on Google, I thought, “Whoa… that’s way too burnt. Why would anyone cook fish like that?” It looked blackened to the edge of existence — I was sure it would taste dry or bitter. But no. That “burnt” look? It’s actually intentional — and brilliant. They coat the fish in a crust of spices and char the seasoning, not the fish itself. Once I understood that — I gave it a try. Medium rare ahi tuna, blackened style. And let me tell you — the moment that fish touched my tongue, I got it. Juicy, tender tuna inside, with this crunchy, salty, smoky crust of spices on the outside. It’s like flavor fireworks. You get heat, salt, umami, and this deep roasted character that only happens when spices hit fire just right. I legit sat back in my chair and said: “Damn.” You can actually choose from about five different cooking styles, from gentle, European-style white wine + garlic + lemon butter sauce, all the way to that bold blackened spice crust. So there’s something for everyone — mild to wild. 💸 Price-wise? Around $30 with a drink, and honestly — 100% worth it. Fresh fish, big portions, real flavor. I regret judging this place by its photos. Now I’d go back in a heartbeat — and next time, I’m getting the blackened style again. If you’re in Honolulu and love seafood — this is a must. — Ilya #CyborgRecommends #PaiaFishMarket #Don’tJudgeByTheCrust #HonoluluEats #SpicyTunaHeaven