Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander Restaurants in Southern California

Matiki Island Bar-B-Que – Anaheim

📍 3070 W. Lincoln Avenue #Q, Anaheim, CA 92801
📞 (714) 821-5228

Family-owned and operating in Orange County for over 25 years, Matiki has built a loyal following. The kalbi short ribs are a must, and the Big Kahuna plate never disappoints. Serving Samoan food on Sundays from 11am–4pm.

Steven & Sons – Anaheim

📍 1217 S Western Ave, Anaheim, CA 92804
📞 (714) 220-9675

A family-owned Samoan restaurant and market, Steven & Sons serves authentic Samoan food alongside island goods, clothing, and snacks. The menu includes kalema moe, fai’ai fe’e, sapasui, and pineapple pies. Open Monday and Wednesday through Sunday.

‘Ai Pono Cafe – Costa Mesa

📍 283 E 17th St, Ste A, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
📞 (949) 402-6877
aiponocafecostamesa.com

Known for their poke bowls, chicken katsu, and the Dirty Lickin’ Korean Chicken, owners Chef Gene and Dana bring fresh ingredients and no seed oils to fast-casual.

Matiki Island Bar-B-Que – Fullerton

📍 1015 N. Harbor Blvd., Fullerton, CA 92832
📞 (714) 519-3838

The Fullerton location brings the same family recipes and generous portions that have made Matiki a weekly staple. For anyone new to island BBQ, first-timers consistently become regulars.

Da Hawaiian Kitchen – Huntington Beach

📍 9842 Adams Ave Ste. 104, Huntington Beach, CA 92646
📞 (714) 968-8900
dahawaiiankitchen.com

This family-owned Huntington Beach staple got its start catering backyard parties and community events. The poke is made fresh daily with the right balance of shoyu, limu, and onions, and fresh poi is flown in from Kauai every week. Must try: the Chili Peppa Chicken with chili peppa water on the side.

Hapa J’s – San Clemente

📍 2016 S. El Camino Real, San Clemente, CA 92672
📞 (949) 276-6657
hapajs.com

Born from a love of Hawaiian food (and a few lukewarm Mooseheads in a Waikiki hotel parking lot) Hapa J’s is a full-service restaurant and bar bringing island flavors to the OC coast. Try their Korean-style kalbi, kalua pig quesadillas, shoyu chicken, and Man Fries built to share.

Faka’s Island Grill – Santa Ana

📍 201 E 4th St #138, Santa Ana, CA 92701
📞 (714) 514-0593
fakasislandgrill.com

Founded by David & Alika Pese, Faka’s has grown from a single spot into one of the most recognizable NHPI-owned restaurant brands in Southern California, with locations across LA and OC. The Santa Ana location sits in the heart of Historic Downtown near 4th Street Market. Must try: honey sesame katsu, sweet chili garlic shrimp, and the crunchy spam musubi.

Aloha Food Factory – Alhambra

📍 2990 W Valley Blvd, Alhambra, CA 91803
📞 (626) 308-0215
alohafoodfactory.com

Founded in 1994 by Betty Tom, Aloha Food Factory survived a battle against a developer who wanted to tear it down and turn it into a car wash — the community showed up, and the restaurant is still standing. Known for their macadamia nut pancakes with secret cream sauce, kalua pork, and Hawaiian breakfast plates served all day.

Back Home in Lahaina – Carson

📍 519 W Carson St, Carson, CA 90745
📞 (310) 835-4014
backhomeinlahaina.com

Consistently voted the South Bay’s Favorite Hawaiian Restaurant, Back Home in Lahaina has been a Carson community anchor for years. Classic local dishes done right: lau lau (pork and butterfish steamed in taro leaves), kalua pig, loco moco, fried saimin, and haupia coconut cheesecake. Live Hawaiian music on Fridays!

Poly Grill & Bakery – Carson

📍 1329 E Carson St, Carson, CA 90745
📞 (424) 536-3070
@polygrillandbakery

Plan ahead for weekend-only hours and delicious pastries! This Samoan restaurant offers mix plates (pay by weight), including must-try menu items like fai’ai eleni (mackerel), turkey tail, palusami and sapasui.

Primo Hawaiian – El Segundo

📍 743 N Douglas St, El Segundo, CA 90245
📞 (310) 991-3296
primohawaiian.com

Serving authentic Hawaiian and local island favorites in El Segundo, Primo is known for their garlic chicken, chicken katsu, variety spam musubi, and poke bowls. Open daily. Pro tip from TikTok: ask about the kama’āina discount.

Aloha Platez & Shave Ice Company – Gardena

📍 1534 W Artesia Blvd, Gardena, CA 90248
📞 (310) 715-6900
alohaplatez.com  |  @alohaplatez

Formerly Aloha Pizza, this South Bay spot was taken over by the owners of Aunty Maile’s in February 2025 and rebranded as Aloha Platez. Now serving plate lunches, Hawaiian-style specialty pizzas (try the Uncle’s Kalua Pie), fluffy malasadas, breakfast burritos, shave ice, and more. Open Wednesday through Sunday 8am–8pm.

Bruddah’s Bar & Grill – Gardena

📍 1430 W Redondo Beach Blvd, Gardena, CA 90247
📞 (310) 323-9112

Under new ownership and still serving the community with the same aloha spirit. Bruddah’s is equal parts Hawaiian food spot and neighborhood gathering place, a laid-back dive bar vibe with outdoor picnic benches, karaoke nights, and some of the biggest wings in the South Bay. Come for the loco moco and corned beef hash, stay for the people.

Gardena Bowl Coffee Shop – Gardena

📍 15707 S Vermont Ave, Gardena, CA 90247
📞 (310) 532-0820
gardenabowlcoffeeshop.com

Inside the historic Gardena Bowl, this coffee shop is a South Bay institution that blends Japanese American and Hawaiian diner culture. Comfort food, big portions, and a room full of regulars who have been coming since before you were born.

Rutt’s Hawaiian Cafe – Gardena

📍 15322 Normandie Ave, Gardena, CA 90247
📞 (310) 817-4755
ruttscafe.com

Family-owned since 1976, Rutt’s is one of the longest-running Hawaiian restaurants in Southern California. The spam loco moco with its legendary brown gravy, the Hawaiian Royale rice, and the Portuguese sausage plate are all must-orders. Portions are enormous!

📷 Rutt’s Hawaiian Cafe, Gardena

Sakae Sushi – Gardena

📍 1601 W Redondo Beach Blvd #112, Gardena, CA 90247
📞 (310) 532-4550

A Gardena neighborhood staple where Japanese and Hawaiian food culture come together, fitting for a South Bay community where the two have always been intertwined. Traditional sushi alongside local kine comfort food.

📷 Sakae Sushi, Gardena

Faka’s Island Grill – Long Beach

📍 3768 Long Beach Blvd, Unit 105, Long Beach, CA
fakasislandgrill.com

The newest Faka’s location, bringing Hawaiian BBQ plates to Long Beach. Fresh daily, dine-in or takeout. Same menu, same quality. Also open daily.

Aloha Café – Little Tokyo

📍 410 E 2nd St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
📞 (213) 346-9930
eatatalohacafe.com

The loco moco is widely considered the best in Los Angeles, with a proper hamburger patty, fried egg, and rich brown gravy over rice, served with mac salad. Also known for their saimin, spam musubi, and kalua pork. Tucked into Honda Plaza with free parking; a quiet, welcoming spot that feels genuinely local.

Rutt’s Hawaiian Cafe – West LA

📍 11707 Washington Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90066
📞 (310) 398-6326
ruttscafe.com

The Westside location of the same beloved family operation. Same recipes bring South Bay plate lunch culture to Mar Vista and the Westside since the ’70s.

Ali’i Hawaiian Grill – Manhattan Beach

📍 924 N Sepulveda Blvd, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
📞 (424) 237-2030
aliifishco.com

Ali’i sources its tuna fresh from the Honolulu Fish Auction, the same supply chain as Foodland back home. Pre-marinated poke served by weight or in combo bowls with rice or salad. The ginger soy ahi and spicy tuna are standouts.

Mālama Pono Restaurant – Sherman Oaks

📍 13355 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
📞 (747) 264-1995
malamaponorestaurant.com

An elevated Pacific-influenced dining experience in the San Fernando Valley, Mālama Pono is a chef-driven, farm-to-table concept with a menu rooted in the flavors of the Pacific: crispy rice spam, crab cakes, mahi mahi in beurre blanc, and uni crispy rice. Reservations recommended.

Aunty Maile’s Hawaiian Restaurant – Torrance

📍 19106 Normandie Ave Ste 2, Torrance, CA 90502
📞 (310) 819-8314
auntymailes808.com

Originally from Kona on the Big Island, Aunty Maile’s has been feeding the South Bay community since 2017. Generous portions, warm hospitality, and food that tastes like it came straight from someone’s family kitchen. Must try: furikake chicken, garlic shrimp, kalua pork, and the lilikoi cake. Online ordering available for pickup and delivery.

Faka’s Island Grill – Torrance

📍 980 W 190th St, Torrance, CA 90502
📞 (424) 318-0178
fakasislandgrill.com

David & Alika Pese’s South Bay location brings the same bold island comfort food to the heart of the NHPI community in Torrance. Open daily (even Mondays, iykyk). Must try: teriyaki chicken, sweet chili garlic shrimp, and the mix plates.

Hong Kong Bakery & Deli – Torrance

📍 21720 S Vermont Ave, Ste 120, Torrance, CA 90502
📞 (310) 328-8353

Family-owned since 1982 and one of the most special spots in the South Bay. Hong Kong Bakery is one of the only places in Southern California where you can get manapua (steamed and baked pork buns), Hawaiian-style dim sum, and spam musubi all under one roof. The char siu bao, Portuguese sausage bun, and haupia cake are not to be missed. If you grew up in Hawaiʻi and haven’t been here yet, you’re going to feel like you found a piece of home. Open daily.

King’s Hawaiian Bakery & Restaurant – Torrance

📍 2808 Sepulveda Blvd, Torrance, CA 90505
📞 (310) 530-0050
khbakery.com

The original King’s Hawaiian, long before the sweet rolls became a grocery store staple nationwide, this was the Torrance bakery and restaurant where it all started. The café still serves plate lunches, loco moco, and fresh-baked goods alongside the famous bread. A landmark for the South Bay Hawaiian community.

Park Avenue Polynesian – Riverside

📍 4038 Park Ave, Riverside, CA 92507
📞 (951) 344-1090
@parkavenue.riverside

Tucked into a quiet neighborhood near historic downtown Riverside, this is the only place in the IE where you can consistently find Samoan food. Family-owned, reviewers say you’ll feel like part of the family from your first visit. The restaurant doubles as a market with snacks, gifts, and clothing. Must try: palusami, sapa sui, lamb curry, and the house-baked bread. Open Tuesday through Saturday, closed Sundays and Mondays.

It’s Raw Poke Shop – Ocean Beach

📍 4991 Newport Ave, Ste A, San Diego, CA 92107
📞 (619) 564-8421
itsrawpokeshop.com  |  @itsrawpokeshop

Started in 2014, It’s Raw has been the standard for Hawaiian poke in San Diego ever since. Fish is marinated fresh, no filler, served by the pound or on a plate with rice and mac salad. Hot plate specials include kalua pig, lau lau, and chicken long rice. Counter service only, open Tuesday through Sunday.

Kalei’s Kitchenette – Rancho Peñasquitos

📍 9926 Carmel Mountain Rd, Ste F, San Diego, CA 92129
📞 (619) 738-4731
kaleiskitchenette.com  |  @kaleiskitchenette

A family-owned Hawaiian fusion eatery led by Chef Andy Mangiduyos, a Lahaina native who honed his craft at hotels and resorts in Hawaiʻi before bringing it to San Diego in 2018. Must try: huli huli chicken, loco moco, kalua pork, lau lau, and musubi. Catering available. Closed Sundays & Mondays.

Alika’s Grindz

📞 (909) 961-9442
@alikas_grindz

“Just a Hapa boy who loves cooking good food.” Alika’s serves up island-style catering across Los Angeles, Orange County, and the Inland Empire. Call for quotes, booking, and availability.

Mila’s Kitchen

📞 (808) 391-4474
milaskitchenhawaii.com

A family, veteran, and Native Hawaiian-owned pop-up poke bar concept led by Hawaiian Chef Charles Akau IV. Serving fresh, elevated poke across Los Angeles, Orange County, and the Inland Empire. Available for events and catering.