Pono Hawaiian Kitchen & Tap - Santa Cruz (CA)

4 /5 Arul Peter: We visited on a Friday evening in August, and the place was buzzing with activity. The team has done a nice job creating a Hawaiian-inspired atmosphere, though it still felt like a little something was missing. The host and staff were genuinely kind and attentive throughout our visit. The food, however, really stood out! Since I was dining with two kids, I went with the burger, which was simple but satisfying. The Kalua pork plate and island quesadilla were both delicious, and the Teriyaki chicken was perfectly marinated and grilled. All in all, it was a wonderful dining experience—something refreshing and different from the usual.

4 /5 TinaEh VangLee: Solid Hawaiian restaurant. Food was great. If youre craving Hawaiian food, this is the spot. If youre looking for true authentic Hawaiian dishes, its great but just nearly there! While our dishes were great, the fish and chips was just a bit hard for the fried fish. The mac salad sides were good. Rice quality was on point and will satisfy anyone that wants rice with their food. Service was excellent! The employees were very nice and welcoming. We got our waters refilled. The tables were clean and we got seated right away after ordering. You do have to order and pay first before being seated. Overall, a great restaurant to fulfill your Hawaiian cravings.

5 /5 Jessica Karl Rice: Had a great lunch at Pono and loved the poke bowl. The vibe was great and the fish was fresh. Will definitely come back again.

4 /5 Hannah Downing: Decent Hawaiian restaurant in Santa Cruz county. Plenty of parking in the back (the spaces are quite narrow). Order up at the counter and they’ll bring the food out to you. Pono has plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, along with a seated bar. The majority of outdoor seating is shaded which was a relief. The food was decent. The sauce for the mahi mahi katsu was an unexpected flavor, I don’t think I would order it again. Their poke is good, and I would definitely go back to try something new. There’s also a small kids play area in the front patio!

1 /5 Tony Simmons: As a native Hawaiian I can say that this is a poor representation of our culture when it came to their service. The customer service is TERRIBLE!!! The girl taking orders at the register with dark hair (she was wearing a black polka dot shirt on 8/31/25) was so rude. didnt seem like she wanted us there or to help us when we asked questions. All of the staff seemed so unfriendly to us. That gave us a bad taste in our mouths when it came to the food. The food is decent. The fish was pretty fresh but I wouldnt call it authentic. Hawaiian poké doesnt have edamame and all the frills. Please don’t use our culture & food if your staff lack an ounce of ALOHA!!!!