Welcome to Pono Hawaiian Kitchen & Tap
Pono Hawaiian Kitchen & Tap invites diners on a flavorful journey to Hawaii. This charming Santa Cruz eatery is dedicated to authentic Hawaiian cuisine—highlighting poke, kalua pork, and a delightful selection of burgers. The casual atmosphere is perfect for families and groups, featuring outdoor seating and an inviting ambiance. Sustainability is key, with compostable containers and plastic-free packaging. Guests rave about the unique offerings, like the avocado tomato poke and house-made pineapple BBQ sauce. Whether indulging in a musubi or savoring a refreshing poke bowl, Pono ensures a taste of aloha in every bite, making it a go-to spot for locals and visitors alike.
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3744 Capitola Rd Santa Cruz, CA 95062 United States Hotline: (831) 476-7458
Welcome to Pono Hawaiian Kitchen & Tap, a delightful culinary oasis nestled in Santa Cruz, California. Situated at 3744 Capitola Rd, this vibrant eatery captures the essence of Hawaiian cuisine while providing a trendy yet casual atmosphere. From poke bowls to hearty burgers, Pono has become the go-to destination for those craving a taste of the islands, all while incorporating local flavors and sustainable practices.
What sets Pono apart? This restaurant excels in creating an inviting environment for everyone—families, groups, and even pets are welcome! With its outdoor seating options and wheelchair accessibility, it ensures a comfortable dining experience for all guests. Whether you choose to dine in, take out, or even enjoy delivery, the warm and friendly staff are dedicated to making your visit memorable.
- Diverse Menu: Pono offers a variety of dishes that include fresh poke, savory burgers, and unique appetizers, with options for vegans and kids alike. Highlights include the Flying Pig Burger and an array of poke bowls featuring shoyu marinated ahi tuna.
- Signature Dishes: The Pono Pupu Platter, a tantalizing mix of kalua pork sliders and delicious coconut shrimp, and the succulent Spam Musubi are must-tries, as mentioned by delighted customers.
- Sustainable Practices: Pono Hawaiian Kitchen & Tap is not only committed to flavor but also to the environment, utilizing compostable containers, reusable tableware, and plastic-free packaging.
- Catering and Happy Hour: Perfect for gatherings, their catering options and happy hour specials on beer and wine elevate any social occasion.
Each dish at Pono is crafted with care, leaving diners in awe of the bold flavors and fresh ingredients. Guests have raved about the Lanikai Poke and the Kalua Pork Fries, overlaid with house seasoning and served in generous portions. The atmosphere is alive with a moderate noise level, making it a fantastic spot for dinner with friends or family.
During your visit, take a moment to appreciate the clean, aesthetic vibe filled with warm tones reminiscent of Hawaii. You can catch a game on the TVs while savoring your meal, enhancing your dining experience. Judging by the reviews, it’s clear that Pono Hawaiian Kitchen & Tap is more than just a restaurant; it’s a celebration of Hawaiian culture and culinary tradition.
So, whether you're a local or just passing through, Pono Hawaiian Kitchen & Tap stands ready to deliver a unique dining experience that echoes the laid-back lifestyle of Hawaii. Your taste buds will thank you!
For more information or to make a reservation, call (831) 476-7458. Discover the deliciousness that awaits at Pono Hawaiian Kitchen & Tap!
This place is our go to spot when family is in town. There's enough variety to allow everyone to find something they like. I usually get my preschool aged daughter a musubi and that fills her right up. My personal favorites are the salmon poke bowl and their signature burger. Since I'm pregnant I have switched to eating their vegan poke bowl and it hit the spot when I was craving poke, but had to avoid raw fish. My daughter also enjoys the keiki corner they have with kid toys. Keep up the good work guys!
I was skeptical about the Hawaiian Quesadilla, but it was amazing! The pineapple salsa tied it all together and it is a new favorite. Dining in at the Capitola location was a great experience- excellent service, fun atmosphere, and delicious food!
Found this place on Yelp. It was near where we were staying. We parked in the back lot. Cute spot that reminds me of Hawaii. Ordered up in front and took a seat. Our food was ready 5-10 minutes later. Food: Loco moco: 2/5 patty on the dry side and gravy was bland. Eggs were overcooked. Kalua sliders: 5/5 kalua and coleslaw was very tasty! Not overly salty like at many other places. Combo with wasabi ahi: 4/5 wasabi gave the poke a tiny kick. Pork was flavorful. Spicy siracha ahi: 5/5 tasty with a little kick. Lots of tv screens by the bar to enjoy the closing Olympics ceremony.
Food here is great! The Spam Masubi is grilled (pretty sure wood fired) as it does give off a nice smokey taste. Pineapple BBQ Wings were perfect. Enough sauce on it to give it taste but not be drenched; sweet and perfectly tangy. The Avocado Tomato Ahi bowl was a nice treat. Tomato didn't take too much flavor away from the ahi tuna. It was really a nice balance for the flavor palette. The Lanikai Ahi bowl tastes great too! Can't go wrong with either. It's very casual here - workers are friendly. Not too loud, not too quiet, a nice balance of it all. You can sit outside at (2) different locations, so the choices are great. You can also eat indoor, and even at the bar. Service was great! Employees were so kind and considerate. The place is also very clean.
I was pleasantly surprised with this place! Stopped by for dinner, I got their chicken katsu plate with rice and Mac salad. Everything was delicious. Da loco moco was also very good! I love that the sauces come on the side, as I'm not a big fan of them. Service was fast and staff were kind and helpful. They have tv's inside to watch the game and a decently sized parking lot in the back. I definitely recommend this place!
I was staying in Capitola for a few days and walked over here from my hotel. They were quite busy with a line out the door but it went fast. I had the Hawaiian Kalua Pork: Slow cooked traditional Hawaiian style pulled pork and cabbage seasoned with Hawaiian sea salt with a savory smoked flavor. Come with 2 scoops white rice and 1 scoop mac salad. I had ordered brown rice as a replacement to the white rice but got the white rice. Oh well. I ate it anyway. Overall a nice dinner. I ate it there. They had a good number of tables inside and an outside patio too. Also had beer in cans and on tap. Not sure if they had a full bar or wine too. I had a nice hard cider in a can.