Nico’s Pier 38 is a restaurant where you can enjoy fresh seafood delivered directly from the harbor in Hawaii.
Here, you can savor ingredients fresh from the day’s catch in a classic Hawaiian atmosphere!
The menu is packed with affordable, delicious, and generously portioned dishes, and they even have a great happy hour.
One of the secrets to its popularity is that the menu can change depending on the day’s catch, as they source their seafood from the harbor every morning.
Incidentally, the nearby Honolulu Fish Auction is famous for being the only place in the United States where a tuna auction is held!
It’s not just seafood; they also offer consistently delicious meat dishes and pasta, making it one of Hawaii’s most popular lunch spots.
How to Order at Nico’s Pier 38
The ordering process at Nico’s Pier 38 differs between lunchtime and dinnertime.
During the day, it has an open, casual feel. It’s a self-service style, similar to a plate lunch spot, where you order at the register, pick up your food, and find your own seat.
The restaurant is spacious and features a beautiful open-air terrace and bar, so if the weather is nice, eating outside is a wonderful experience.
At night, it operates like a typical restaurant, with a waiter showing you to your table and taking your order.
The menu changes slightly but is mostly the same. However, prices are considerably higher compared to lunch, so we recommend visiting during lunchtime.
By the way, for any plate, you can choose between white or brown rice, and a green salad or macaroni salad, so pick your favorite.
Recommended Menu Items at Nico’s Pier 38
Nico’s Pier 38 has a lot of delicious food, but here are a few of our top recommendations.
We hope this helps you decide what to order when you visit!
Furikake Ahi Steak
First up, the most popular item is the Furikake Ahi (tuna) Steak.
While turning tuna into a steak might seem unusual to some, it’s incredibly juicy and delicious!
If you’d prefer to eat raw tuna, you can head to the adjacent fish market and buy your favorite poke (such as tuna, salmon, octopus, or skipjack).
By the way, the price for a poke bowl is the same whether you choose one, two, or even three types of poke, which feels like a better deal than many other places. haha
The ahi poke at Nico’s Pier 38 is also very popular in Hawaii, so be sure to give it a try.
Ahi Belly
The Ahi Belly plate, made from the belly part of the tuna, is another very popular menu item.
It has a wonderfully rich and juicy flavor from the fat, similar to the prized fatty cuts of tuna, so it feels like a great deal for the price. haha
The tomato-based sauce is also exquisite, providing a refreshing flavor that pairs perfectly with the fried fish.
It’s not heavily advertised, so it’s not widely known, but it’s a hidden gem on the menu!
Seafood Pasta
This seafood pasta, loaded with squid and shrimp, is a huge hit with the locals!
It has a distinctly American style that you might not often see elsewhere, but the delicious tomato-based sauce makes it an irresistible dish.
It’s not your typical bland American pasta; the flavors are well-balanced and appeal to a refined palate.
It’s a unique dish you won’t find in many other places, so it’s highly recommended for those who want to try something different.
Garlic Shrimp Pasta
Garlic shrimp is a classic Hawaiian dish, but finding it in pasta form is actually a bit rare.
The combination of shrimp and garlic is sure to please everyone, but the seasoning at Pier 38 is so exceptional that it rivals the shrimp pasta from a dedicated pasta restaurant.
Given its reasonable price, it’s a menu item worth recommending, even though this isn’t a pasta place.
You could say it’s a can’t-miss, foolproof choice.
Fisherman’s Stew
The Fisherman’s Stew is ordered almost as often as the main seafood dishes.
Even among the many media features on Pier 38, this stew is one of the most frequently highlighted items!
It’s delicious, and with its appetizer-like portion size, it’s a valuable option in Hawaii, where many choices tend to be heavy and oversized.
Although it’s called a stew, it’s more like a clam chowder—a hearty soup packed with large chunks of fish and potatoes!
Fish & Chips
A hearty and satisfying serving of Fish & Chips!
Originally a British classic, you can find Fish & Chips on many restaurant menus in Hawaii, but the version at Nico’s Pier 38 is reputed to be among the best on the islands.
Not only is the fish thick and flaky, but it also comes with malt vinegar for the fries.
While it might be an unfamiliar combination for some, fries with malt vinegar are absolutely delicious.
If you’re trying it for the first time, you’re in for a pleasant surprise. haha
Nico’s Pier 38: General Information
| Name | Nico’s Pier 38 |
| Address | 1129 N Nimitz Hwy, Honolulu, HI 96817 |
| Map | |
| Hours | 6:30 AM – 9:00 PM (Mon-Sat) 10:30 AM – 9:00 PM (Sun) |
| Closed | None |
| Restrooms | Available |
| Parking | Available (Free) |
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