From savory kalua pork to refreshing poke bowls, these restaurants bring the flavors of the islands to the Southwest, offering a delicious escape to paradise right here in Tucson. That’s right — here in the desert where saguaros roam and tumbleweeds challenge semi-trucks on the highway.
We’ve also included national chains in this guide since Hawaiian cuisine isn’t as easy to find in Arizona.
Cabali is Tucson’s newest tiki bar located next door to The Landing at 8195 N. Oracle Rd. — there’s a “secret door” inside the restaurant that leads to the bar. Douglas “Fini” Finical, co-owner of The Landing and Fini’s Landing, has been collecting tiki mugs for years and they’ll have more than 1,000 of them on display inside the new bar.
Sure, they don’t serve food at Cabali but there’s plenty of seafood next door at The Landing.
Brothers Tyler and Cameron McNie opened its first location in Belton, Missouri in 2018. The McNies originally come from the West Coast, but some Midwest friends from Kansas City inspired them to bring a version of their family’s Hawaiian grill restaurant here.
“The restaurant features a striking design and island vibe with a kitchen void of freezers, fryers, and microwaves,” the franchise owners said about the spot in Tucson. “The concept offers island-inspired comfort in the form of food Hawaiian plate lunches as well as sides.”
The restaurant offers customizable poke bowls, hot rice bowls, pitas, salads, and more. For the base, customers can choose from white rice, brown rice, greens, or a combination of rice and greens. For protein, choose from tuna, salmon, yellowtail, crab, or shrimp with various seasoning options available. Tofu is also available. For vegetables, choose from more than 10 options, and for sauces, choose from nearly 10 options.
After 16 years of operating on East University Boulevard, Tucson restaurant Jimmy’s Pita & Poke opened its second location on River Road in 2019. Although you can get your poke in a pita, the rice is so good that you don’t really need to make the switch. We dig the option to add jicama, which is a non-traditional topping choice but offers a nice bright crunch.
The restaurant quietly opened at Tucson Marketplace, which is over near Dave & Busters and the Cinemark movie theater. Before this new spot in Tucson, Kahu Hawaiian BBQ was serving out of its sole location in Phoenix. There doesn’t appear to be an official website for the chain but you can find their menu online — classic Hawaiian barbecue staples, Chicken Katsu, Crab Rangoon, and more.
A tiki bar with an island vibe and a menu that’ll transport you straight to the tropics. Can you believe they’ve been open now for 60 years in Tucson? Order their Seared Ahi Salad, the Monkeys and Birds — your choice of sirloin or chicken skewers marinated and charbroiled — or their much-loved Miso Salmon, and wash it down with a classic tiki cocktail. Plus, their weekday Happy Hour from 4 – 7 p.m. are a steal!
The Honolulu-based restaurant chain opened its first Tucson location in January 2024, making it the third location overall in Arizona.
The restaurant is located at 4210 N. First Ave. and serves similar dishes found at Hawaiian Bros — plate lunches. The restaurant is quickly becoming a favorite on that side of town with menu items like barbecue meats, rice plates, and Spam Musubi.
LemonShark Poke was founded by guitarist Tobi Miller of rock band The Wallflowers and race car driver Richard Gottlieb. The Tucson location serves signature poke bowls and hot plates such as Sticky Pineapple Chicken, Chicken Katsu, and Coconut Shrimp. Small bites range from Potstickers to Spam Musubi.
Pure Poke specializes in authentic Hawaiian poke — fresh-cut, high-quality fish that is cut into cubes and then tossed in housemade marinades made with authentic Aloha Soy.
Poke bowl mix-ins can be added to your belly’s content and include purple cabbage, organic mixed carrots, cilantro, cucumbers, cucumber salad, avocado, edamame, ginger, green onion, jalapeño, mango, seaweed salad, maple-soy roasted sweet potatoes, wasabi, watermelon radish, and white onion.
The Bang Shrimp dish on the menu is inspired by co-owner and head chef Tap Gaoteote’s mother’s garlic shrimp but it’s his own creation. He wanted a recipe that was easy enough to make in a food truck but would still deliver a flavor that people love. Also, try the Hawaiian Poke Plate at Solid Grindz. This simple dish features raw Ahi tuna, two scoops of rice, and is tossed with your sauce of choice, onions, soy sauce, sesame seeds, and sesame oil.
