Jaimal Hanson

Doing an appetizer crawl, up and down Grand Ave, in Grover Beach and had to stop at Pono. Everything had amazing flavor. The shrimp cocktail tasted very fresh. The oysters were rich and delicious. The shishito peppers were surprisingly good. The she crab soup was out of this world. They made us mocktails that really hit the spot. We’ll be back to try some full dishes, very soon.

Michelle's Gypsy Life

Mahi tacos and baked oysters were great. Fried chicken with caviar was fantastic. I do think it's a bit over priced in general. Service was wonderful. Thanks for suggestions, Clay.

Dan Penkauskas

Excellent Asian / Hawaiian / Californian fusion place. All we've had was seafood (but they also have short ribs, filet mignon, etc.), so this review focuses on the fish. And what fish! This is the second time we've eaten there, and we came away impressed both times. Between both visits my wife and I have had the special scallops with pork belly, macadamia nut ahi ahi, and the shichimi crusted ahi - all wonderful. Every entrée has a beautiful sauce and is plated like a Michelin-starred restaurant. The fish is fresh, cooked to perfection, and utterly delicious. Plus, the portions are just right, no "two bites and you're done" here. Last night we started with an excellent ceviche, very different than what you're used to (no chips). On our earlier visit we had the duck confit spring rolls, which were rich with duck, yet overall pretty light due to the impressively light crunchy exterior. We finished with chocolate cake with a scoop of banana ice cream. Just right. I'm sort of hesitant to write such a glowing review because it would be a shame if the place became so popular we couldn't get a reservation. But Preston Tripp (Chef) and partner Ashlee Alewine (front of the house) deserve all the praise we can give them. They've created a light airy space that serves outstanding seafood dishes right here in San Luis Obispo County. And that's pretty remarkable.

Liza Roth

What a hidden gem on the Central Coast! Pono would definitely receive an Ono rating from Andrew Doughty if it was in Hawaii! Everything was top notch from the beautiful decor, welcoming staff, and AMAZING food. We loved every single thing we ordered - the ahi poke, bread & butter, filet mignon, scallops, mushroom gnocchi, seabass, chocolate mochi cake, and coconut lime sorbet. The fish was so fresh and everything was such a beautiful balance of flavors. Can’t wait to eat here again. This will definitely be a new staple for us.

Chasia Binney

We went last Sunday for our anniversary dinner and WOW. 10/10 recommend this restaurant to anyone on food and service. Food was AMAZING, our waitress was extremely friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. Very attentive and polite :). (I’m so sorry I forgot her name she had bangs and cute eyeliner!) We ordered the Lamb and Misoyaki butterfish SO delicious and fresh. For desert we got the mochi cake with banana foster WOW. The inside was really nice and well decorated. We will definitely return !

Sharyn Schelling

Had a wonderful dining experience at Ponos in AG the first of April. We reserved a table, however, it was very small, so sat at the bar where we were quite comfortable and not only had a delicious dinner but enjoyed the intetaction with staff. Service was excellent. Had the Butterfish in Miso Sauce with forbidden rice, bok choy and thin asparagus. The flavors melted together perfectly! Is now my #1 favorite restaurant in the area. Thank you, Pono for creating an amazing dining experience!

We went last Sunday for our anniversary dinner and WOW. 10/10 recommend this restaurant to anyone on food and service. Food was AMAZING, our waitress was extremely friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. Very attentive and polite :). (I’m so sorry I forgot her name she had bangs and cute eyeliner!) We ordered the Lamb and Misoyaki butterfish SO delicious and fresh. For desert we got the mochi cake with banana foster WOW. The inside was really nice and well decorated. We will definitely return !

What a hidden gem on the Central Coast! Pono would definitely receive an Ono rating from Andrew Doughty if it was in Hawaii! Everything was top notch from the beautiful decor, welcoming staff, and AMAZING food. We loved every single thing we ordered - the ahi poke, bread & butter, filet mignon, scallops, mushroom gnocchi, seabass, chocolate mochi cake, and coconut lime sorbet. The fish was so fresh and everything was such a beautiful balance of flavors. Can’t wait to eat here again. This will definitely be a new staple for us.

Excellent Asian / Hawaiian / Californian fusion place. All we've had was seafood (but they also have short ribs, filet mignon, etc.), so this review focuses on the fish. And what fish! This is the second time we've eaten there, and we came away impressed both times. Between both visits my wife and I have had the special scallops with pork belly, macadamia nut ahi ahi, and the shichimi crusted ahi - all wonderful. Every entrée has a beautiful sauce and is plated like a Michelin-starred restaurant. The fish is fresh, cooked to perfection, and utterly delicious. Plus, the portions are just right, no "two bites and you're done" here. Last night we started with an excellent ceviche, very different than what you're used to (no chips). On our earlier visit we had the duck confit spring rolls, which were rich with duck, yet overall pretty light due to the impressively light crunchy exterior. We finished with chocolate cake with a scoop of banana ice cream. Just right. I'm sort of hesitant to write such a glowing review because it would be a shame if the place became so popular we couldn't get a reservation. But Preston Tripp (Chef) and partner Ashlee Alewine (front of the house) deserve all the praise we can give them. They've created a light airy space that serves outstanding seafood dishes right here in San Luis Obispo County. And that's pretty remarkable.

Mahi tacos and baked oysters were great. Fried chicken with caviar was fantastic. I do think it's a bit over priced in general. Service was wonderful. Thanks for suggestions, Clay.

Doing an appetizer crawl, up and down Grand Ave, in Grover Beach and had to stop at Pono. Everything had amazing flavor. The shrimp cocktail tasted very fresh. The oysters were rich and delicious. The shishito peppers were surprisingly good. The she crab soup was out of this world. They made us mocktails that really hit the spot. We’ll be back to try some full dishes, very soon.

We stumbled across this place while at Taste of Pismo where they were handing out their incredible Spicy Tuna Nachos. We both decided the nachos were our favorite item at the whole event and then Pono went on to win 1st in every fine dining award in the competition! We have been to the restaurant twice now and couldn’t be more impressed with the food or the staff. Kendra was our server both visits. She had excellent recommendations and was all around wonderful to us and our 2 dogs. They have a great Happy Hour every day of the week and I think we tried and loved every item on the HH menu. This place is a must for anyone staying in the SLO area. We traveled in our RV all the way from Kentucky and I think it’s my favorite restaurant we’ve been to on our whole trip. If I could give it 6 stars I would.

+5

Absolutely out of bounds. I had the butterfish and it was easily the best fish dish and possibly the best food I’ve ever had. Don’t even think about it and get a reservation for dinner here. Low key ambiance, great service. Food was DELICIOUS.

This place is amazing! Every plate that was ordered tasted amazing! The service was fast and efficient. Our waitress was amazing. She did a great job dealing with our entire party, especially the crazy one in the group! Everyone wanted to try everyone’s dinner and no one was disappointed!

Delicious! Don’t miss this hidden gem in Grover Beach. The freshest fishes and a well trained staff. The happy hour is a real thrill is you love a good deal. The She Crab soup is something to talk about!

We had a great time at this restaurant. Every dish was carefully prepared and full of flavor. Our waiter provided lots of suggestions for both food and wine and they were excellent. The Manhattan Sea Scallops were divine! We also enjoyed three different starters (clams, Ahi tuna tartare and calamari) and three different desserts. The wine, an Albariño from SLO, was also very nice. I strongly recommend this restaurant.

You all know that I’m a foodie and finding a good eatery is part of the adventure of traveling. We went to a lovely restaurant called Pono Pacific Kitchen at Grover Beach and it was such a treat! We started with the clams that were in a delicious broth perfectly seasoned then moved onto the Halcyon salad. A visually delightful dish. The butterfish did not disappoint, a local favorite that sells out practically daily and we understood why. Wow it was perfectly marinated and melt in your mouth soft. The parfait was a perfect blend of layered chocolate, peanut butter mousse, and vanilla. Servers were outstanding and the owner, Ashley, was a beautiful hostess! If you need an amazing meal then your next stop is Pono. Your palate will thank you! ❤️

As a bartender in a restaurant and definite foodie this exceeded expectations! Even the bread and Brie butter was to die for we got the clams appetizer and bread and butter and for the main course had the butterfish🤤 the best piece of fish I’ve ever had in my life! Finished with the pono parfait, great atmosphere great service beyond excellent food! 100 percent recommend will be back for sure🤙🏼 owner and husband who’s the chef super friendly thank you Ashley and Preston you two have created an amazing establishment.

Beautiful, sleek, fashionable space, yet intimate and welcoming. Fortunately the food matches and exceeds it. An amazing display of Asian/Hawaiian/Pacific Rim fusion cuisine, excellently executed. Local Misoyake Black Cod was generous and matched with rich delicious miso/butter sauce streaked with Yuzu. Omg yum. We also had the fried chicken with caviar (trout roe), and that was spot on. We received a warm welcome during dinner from the co-owner/hostess, and had a nice conversation with her. Her husband/chef had cooked at several restaurants in Hawaii, and it showed, in the best way possible. Definitely a YES.

+1

One of the best restaurants I’ve tasted in the USA! Honestly it made my whole trip with my husband, I was impressed of the service. The waiter was passionate and had all the details like a gastronomic restaurant. The butter fish is marinated for 5 days, melting in your mouth, just disappears! The bread??! The best I had in the states. And I’m French okay? Honestly I would give it more stars if I could!

This is my fourth trip to Pono and my first in about a year. Old friends who are new transplants wanted to try this restaurant and it was as good as I remembered. We shared the calamari as we studied the menu. I had the hamachi appetizer which was fabulous and an arugula winter salad whereas my friends had the butterfish ( their specialty) and the bouillabaisse . All were wonderful! The homemade chocolate mouse and coffee ice cream was shared. We will be back!

+2

I cannot speak more highly of our experience here. Three of us came for a birthday celebration on a cool Thursday evening. Our reservation was fairly early in the evening so the tables were still filling up as we dined. The staff was tremendous every step of the way from greeting to dessert menu with our waiter offering warm and enthusiastic banter, particularly about the food and wine as one would expect. The atmosphere was quiet without feeling stuffy and was perfectly lit throughout, I can't even recall if there was any music because if there was it was that seamless. A great place for a long meal. For starters we enjoyed calamari and the blue crab soup. The calamari was delicious with a good sauce and crunchy coating that stayed on. The meat wasn't tough or too small as well. But the soup, that soup was incredible... Rich, creamy, smooth and dominated by a briny crab flavor that was not one milligram too salty. I didn't order it as a starter, but I did order it for dessert later (literally). The barbecue oysters had an intense smoky sauce on them that I loved but my dining companions did not as it did dominate the oyster flavor. We got a range of mains; the top seller, the scallops, a grilled ahi dish, and my swordfish entree. The prices reflect the quality of ingredients and every element of the dishes was savored and scraped from the plate. The peppey au poive sauce with the ahi comes to mind as something we dipped everything we could in. Perfect cooks across the board with the ahi being a little more on the pleasantly warm through side rather than the incredibly thick cuts in similar ahi steak dishes, without being dry or overdone though. If I recall the swordfish came with a scalloped potato and broccoli rabe and those sides where half the reason I got it. We all ordered a dessert which was rare, everything was portioned out so nicely that we left full but not stuffed. The tangerine creme brulee did not lack on the tangerine flavor and didn't disappear into a vague citrus flavor. I had a bowl of the blue crab soup and we also had an order of the crab cakes, which while delicious were not particularly special, just a perfect crab cake. The wine and drink selection is lovely as well although that's not really my wheelhouse. Every bite was exceptional and it's one of the best restaurants I've been to in the region in years. It's quality and variety of options reminded me of the golden age of Artisan in Paso Robles decades ago. Go here, please.

+4

Pono Pacific Kitchen is one of a kind in Grover Beach. The food, the service and the atmosphere are exceptional. Locally grown produce combined with Pacific inspiration is a match made in heaven. It’s all about righteousness and balance which we certainly experienced. Recommended!!

Best restaurant my husband and I have been to… the fish is high quality, crab cakes were so delicious and the main course was so flavorful and every spoon full was exquisite. I ordered the mushroom gnocchi and my husband had the local butterfish. We have never had fish before that melted in our mouth, it was complex and all the flavors and textures completed each other perfectly. Service was friendly and attentive. We loved just being in the ambiance and felt very relaxed and we will be back for sure!!! Do not miss out on this experience. And order the apple crisp, don’t think twice. Beautiful restaurant, from the people to the food to the decor.

Kelly K

Best restaurant my husband and I have been to… the fish is high quality, crab cakes were so delicious and the main course was so flavorful and every spoon full was exquisite. I ordered the mushroom gnocchi and my husband had the local butterfish. We have never had fish before that melted in our mouth, it was complex and all the flavors and textures completed each other perfectly. Service was friendly and attentive. We loved just being in the ambiance and felt very relaxed and we will be back for sure!!! Do not miss out on this experience. And order the apple crisp, don’t think twice. Beautiful restaurant, from the people to the food to the decor.

Carolyn Southard

If you miss Hawaiian cuisine, come here. The fresh fish is their trademark. The chef allows no substitutions, but they are not needed. They make their own desserts and are fantastic! We split them between four people. They can run out of entrées if you are someone who likes a late dinner. This is our favorite place in San Luis Obispo County.

David Gross

Great drinks great food and great service. I can't eat gluten and my friendly server was very attentive to my dietary restrictions. The food was delish and the drinks were strong. Everything tasted fresh. Loved the potatos, squash, and brushless sprouts. Those were my standouts. I would have liked more gluten free desert options but that is just nit picking and doesn't take away from the menu.

Great drinks great food and great service. I can't eat gluten and my friendly server was very attentive to my dietary restrictions. The food was delish and the drinks were strong. Everything tasted fresh. Loved the potatos, squash, and brushless sprouts. Those were my standouts. I would have liked more gluten free desert options but that is just nit picking and doesn't take away from the menu.

+2

Tatiana Borzova

Unfortunately, my experience was quite average, especially given that this was a birthday celebration. While a complimentary gesture from the chef would have been appreciated, it wasn’t provided. More concerning was the service — our order was mixed up several times, and we were repeatedly served the wrong dishes. The restaurant is also quite overpriced for what it offers. The mocktails were disappointing and not worth the price, so we ended up replacing them. Another drawback was our table placement: we were seated right next to the kitchen, with constant waiter traffic, which made it difficult to relax or enjoy the restaurant’s ambience. The biggest issue for me, however, was being served food on cracked dishes. For a restaurant positioning itself as reputable, this is unacceptable and detracts significantly from the overall experience. Additionally, an automatic 18% gratuity is added for groups of 6+, which in this case felt unjustified given the level of service we received. Based on this visit, I genuinely don’t understand the consistently high ratings.

Unfortunately, my experience was quite average, especially given that this was a birthday celebration. While a complimentary gesture from the chef would have been appreciated, it wasn’t provided. More concerning was the service — our order was mixed up several times, and we were repeatedly served the wrong dishes. The restaurant is also quite overpriced for what it offers. The mocktails were disappointing and not worth the price, so we ended up replacing them. Another drawback was our table placement: we were seated right next to the kitchen, with constant waiter traffic, which made it difficult to relax or enjoy the restaurant’s ambience. The biggest issue for me, however, was being served food on cracked dishes. For a restaurant positioning itself as reputable, this is unacceptable and detracts significantly from the overall experience. Additionally, an automatic 18% gratuity is added for groups of 6+, which in this case felt unjustified given the level of service we received. Based on this visit, I genuinely don’t understand the consistently high ratings.