Reel Aloha poke and fish co — Restaurant in Hawaii

During our vacation last february, we stumbled upon Reel Aloha Poke & Fish Co. in Kealakekua—and wow, what a find! At first glance, it’s a modest little spot, almost a hole-in-the-wall, but the food? Absolute magic.

🐟 Freshness & Flavor

Every bite was a flavor explosion. The fish—never frozen, often caught the same day—was tender, flavorful, and perfectly seasoned. The spices were balanced without overpowering the fish, and every variety we tried felt like a small masterpiece. “The poke is SOOOO fresh and the taste is amazing” – we couldn’t agree more!

🍽️ Variety & Portion Sizes

Their creative poke styles like “Hawaiian Time” and “Grandma’s Style” offered surprising combinations of sweet, salty, nutty, and smoky flavors. The portions were generous—we shared a poke plate with two types of fish, two sides (like kimchi cucumbers and seaweed salad), and two scoops of rice—filling and satisfying.

👩‍🍳 Service & Atmosphere

The welcome was warm and full of aloha—genuine hospitality with a smile. The staff were attentive, asked about allergies, and helped us choose just the right mix. The place is small, clean, and breezy, with a relaxed, local vibe. It truly felt like an authentic island moment.

🔖 Our Personal Experience

We came all the way from Germany and absolutely made the right call stopping here. The fish was buttery and flavorful, the seasoning was on point, and the sides added the perfect touch. The staff made us feel truly welcome, and the overall vibe was relaxed and authentic. Add the ocean breeze and the smell of fresh fish, and you’ve got yourself a moment to remember.

✍️ Our Recommendation

If you’re on the Big Island and craving real Hawaiian poke, this is a must-visit. Head to Kealakekua, grab a poke plate with two fish varieties and two sides, and just soak in the good vibes. The portions are generous, the price is fair (around $17 for a full plate), and the experience is unforgettable.

🍹 Bonus Memory

We were lucky enough to meet the owner at the tattoo shop next door and enjoy a few drinks together in great company. That kind of unexpected, local connection made the whole experience even more special.

Mahalo from...

This place was great for a quick bite to eat and was super delicious! I came here for lunch after doing the Captain Cook Trail Hike. I was shocked to know they had gluten free options for their poke. In the picture, I got their poke bowl with rice with their seasoning, kimchi, and one of their spicy Ahi tuna choices. Then, I also got their poi (photo included). They had both a taro and water only version and taro, sweet potato, and water one - I got the sweet potato taro poi (gluten-free). The poke bowl was super flavorful and the combination of flavors with the kimchi and the tuna went great together. The person working there who assisted us with our order was so kind, helpful, and knowledgeable in her recommendations and in food allergens. The poi did not have much flavor, but it is just taro, sweet potato, and water. It was almost like a porridge in texture and consistency, though it still was alright! I feel like it is more of a personal preference on whether you will like poi. If you are visiting Hawaii, you should definitely try a poke bowl with Ahi tuna and poi. Big yum!

I recommend this place if you are looking for a quick bite to eat and a chill environment to nom in,...

Got a recommendation from our Heavenly Kona Coffee tour people to have Poke and Seaweed salad here...GREAT recommendation. I was told the owners catch their own fish and bring it in fresh. Best spicy tuna I've had in like forever! Yes, the seaweed salad was delicious...but honestly, we were surprised by the fern salad...yes, FERN salad. So surprisingly delicious. As a Kimchi fan, I've had it in S. Korea many times, this my friends was authentic yummy Kimchi. So good. I would like a bit spicier, but this level was pretty normal. Great job! The young lady serving us, sorry I forgot your name, was just one of the nicest people we've met on the island. SO glad we stopped here...also, the grandson wanted other than Poke, so he got a tuna sandwich with Hawaiian bread next door..I'll review them next...super...