Pono Hawaiian Kitchen & Tap

We were really looking forward to having authentic Hawaiian food and this spot delivered. We ordered two different combo plates and they were both delicious. I got the Pono Seafood Combo -- I found the poke fresh and the flavors were spot on, though the Kalua pork was on the salty side. My husband ordered the Poke Combo Plate and enjoyed the coconut shrimp and kalbi.

Service was just ok. We ordered at the counter and I requested that the spicy sauce be put on the side for the taco but the taco arrived with the spicy sauce drizzled on it. No big deal though, it was supposed to be for our toddler but she ended up eating off our Combo plates anyway.

The ambiance was pretty casual and laid back. We would come definitely back if we ever visited this area again.

The AI phone agent threw me off. Been going for years and that was weird. I get that some people would rather talk to AI than a human but it couldn’t process my order and when it “sent me to a representative” it sent me to the same AI and they had a weird interaction. Love Pono. Will still go but was a little bummed with the experience. Humans > AI but I get margins are thin and it’s a tough game out there for restaurants. Anyway at least fix the bugs. I would let people know out the gates to opt into AI or a human. Just some disclosure would have made me feel better.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 1

I’ve loved this place since they first opened.
Today i called to order some kalua pork - I was answered by an AI chat bot.

Auwe, “Pono” Hawaiian grill

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 5

Excellent selection of food in a great fun setting.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Pretty good Hawaiian that's open late.
The coconut shrimp and the fries were really good. Nice portions too so you can share.
Will try to be back next time I'm in town. There is more on the menu that got me curious.
Service was very friendly too.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Food: 10 out of 10
Service: 10 out of 10

A.I system for ordering food, absolutely ridiculous. Where is the aloha for the people in AI? Very dissapointed. Community first, that's real mahalo.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 5

Service: 5

Delicious food, great beer and great service. It much else I can say.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The service was excellent and the food was exquisite, very attentive and kind crew.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Food was ok but its a nice place with good beers.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 3

Service: 5

I really recommend this place! I took the salmon poke and was very good, I enjoyed. The service was good too 👍

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

We ordered Poke Bowl 3 online 3 weeks ago and decided to went for our date night last weekend, staff was very friendly, we sat by the bar and ordered our food and drinks and seriously everything we ordered was really good!!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Delicious food and warm environment!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Been coming to Pono Hawaiian Grill in Capitola for over 4 years now and have sent probably a dozen friends and family here, nobody has ever been disappointed.
The kalua pork is my go-to every time and it never misses. Had the kalua pork fries today and they took a little longer than expected to come out, but the staff brought out a free plate of coconut shrimp just to make it right. You don’t see that kind of service very often. Every time I walk in it genuinely feels like I’m back on the islands.

If you’re anywhere near Capitola, Santa Cruz, or Aptos and haven’t been here yet, you’re missing out.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

This is some of the best food I've ever had. The plate I got had a sample of the kalua pork & a serving of the Mac, plus a poké bowl (I chose the ginger chili ahi bowl). Every bite was mouth watering.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I have to say that the loco Moco was absolutely amazing!!!!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5