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    Nico's Pier 38

    3.9 (4.8k reviews)
    ModerateSeafood, American, Bars
    Closed 6:30 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 1 week ago

    Nico's Pier 38 Photos

    Business Info

    NICO'S PIER 38 ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Loud
    Live music
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Nico's Pier 38

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    Fish n chips
    Joanne J.

    Walk-in, grab a menu and pick your table, then head to the register to order your food. This place has a great vibe. There's a gift shop and a full bar....sounds risky. I got the poke bowl, hubby got fish n chips. Food came out quick. The salad dressing was fresh and zippy, even quite umami. Quite delish - wait, not really... it's fricken awesome! The fish n chips came with one large filet of fish and chips. Not sure what kind of fish but it's dense and meaty. I took a bite and 'oh wow" escaped my full mouth. Great place, great food, definitely a place to come back to.

    The view
    Shane M.

    This restaurant has an idyllic view of long line fishing boat docks and a lot of fresh seafood to show for it. They also have a little convenience store that serves fresh poke and oysters that I highly recommend. Nightly live entertainment as well. Don't skip the Hamachi Kama

    Live music on a Friday happy hour.
    Paul H.

    Nice casual place locals like to go for good food, casual atmosphere, and good service. Live music is a pleasent bonus.

    Garlic shrimp pesto
    Dan A.

    Been here a few times. Food - 4/5 Ambiance 4/5 Service 4/5 Can get busy at different times. And if it is sunny out, you maybe stuck at a table under direct sunlight. Service is good but when busy, expect slower service. Food is good. I've tried a few items on the menu Ahi steak is highly recommended. Seasoned well and cooked perfectly - medium or medium rare. Salad or salad go well with it along with your rice Garlic shrimp is also very good. Very buttery and garlicky so for those of you that may be a deal breaker. But if you like garlic shrimp, go for it. Dessert is good as well. Plenty of variety. Peanut butter bar is good but very rich. Recommend sharing this with 2 or 3 ppl. Haven't had a bad dessert here either. Love music on certain times are a plus.

    CRAB CAKE BURGER
    Nellie C.

    Ordered on my phone. The wait wasn't too long. The burger was pretty good. Plenty of parking. There's lots of fresh air in the seating area and it's all open seating.

    Poke and sushi from market next door.
    Steve S.

    This place was awesome! A little bit for everyone. If you're a poke lover then walk into the fish market next door and choose from their 6 selection of poke. The Mai tai was awesome, but so was the chicken katsu, margarita pizza and burger. I will definitely return. Wanted to try the boat captain's fav the fish/clam chowder but I'll do that next time. You won't be disappointed. FYI. Order at the register then pick up at the pick up place when your order is ready.

    Fish and Chips
    Tonya A.

    There is just something about dinner by the water that automatically elevates the entire evening -- and Nico's Downstairs absolutely delivered for our Galentine's night. Laid-back, family-friendly, right near the pier, but still polished enough to feel like a proper night out. It's that perfect balance Honolulu does so well. We started off sharing a few appetizers (because that's what girls' nights are made for): Oysters Rockefeller -- perfectly baked, flavorful, and not overloaded. The texture was spot on, and a squeeze of lemon brightened everything beautifully. Edamame -- simple but done right. Lightly seasoned. Perfect for sharing while catching up. Truffle fries -- crispy, golden, and seasoned evenly. Not soggy, not overly oily. A solid order for the table. For mains: My friend ordered the prime rib plate and could not stop talking about how tender and flavorful it was. Generous portion, cooked beautifully, and paired well with the sides. Another friend had the shrimp scampi pasta, and it was rich and comforting without being heavy. The shrimp were plump, the sauce creamy and well-balanced. I went with the fish and chips, and this is where I was especially impressed. The batter was golden and crisp without being greasy, and the fish inside was flaky and fresh. Fries were seasoned and crunchy -- which, let's be honest, is not always guaranteed. And we absolutely had to order drinks. Refreshing, citrusy, and delicious. The kind of drinks that pair perfectly with a waterfront breeze. Service deserves its own moment -- our server was attentive, knowledgeable, and honest. If he didn't immediately know the answer to a menu question, he had no problem saying so and then promptly getting the correct information. That kind of transparency and follow-through goes a long way. Overall, the food was on point across the board. The vibe was relaxed but lively. The big fish wall makes for a fun photo op (which we obviously took advantage of). Five stars from me for consistency, flavor, service, and atmosphere. Will I go back? Absolutely.

    Seafood jambalaya
    Noelle Y.

    We walked over to try this place and it was very crowded. When you walk in, you can take a menu at the table in the front. It's open seating so if there aren't any seats then you just have to wait. When you're ready to order, you go to the counter in the front to order and pay, and they give you a beeper so you can pick up your food when it's ready. I had the herb Dijon salmon salad but it was too much sauce for me. My husband got the seafood jambalaya and that was good. I would try just a poke bowl next time. The place itself is right on the water and there is live music so it's a nice relaxing vibe.

    Ahi belly - much larger portion than I remembered..and I always order this!
    Kanani C.

    It's been a little while since ive been here but im happy to report that the food was tastier than I remembered, came out faster, and best of all, Portion sizes were huge! Ordered my usual ahi belly - must say that i think it doubled in size. Although the ahi belly was slightly overcooked, having the salsa is the best part. Perhaps needs more with the large fish portion. Next time I'll order a side of it. Tried the hamburger steak for the first time too. Delish! Also ordered their special hamachi kama. Also overcooked but ok since it came with sauce. Unfortunately they were tiny kama but had multiple pieces. From the poke side, of course we had to order handful of different poke. Those are always delish. Thankful they are dog friendly. Will be back soon!

    Desserts available here in dining area and in the adjacent store
    Jackie K.

    01/06/26- Happy New Year Everyone! Always a great meal here! Today it's Furikake pan seared ahi with brown rice and tossed salad for me! Our orders vary each time we come to Nico's. Today there is live music and hula! How nice! It's busy for a late Tuesday afternoon. The fish plate options here are always delicious and freshly made. You can't beat the taste! Come on over and have a party for your taste buds and music for your ears! A five star experience here! Support local!

    Akule / chicken katsu combo w/mini loco moco / poke
    LindseyMindsey C.

    Nico's @Pier38 is always my first stop when visiting Waikiki. The food doesn't disappoint and there's a huge variety...something for everyone. I love the casual vibes, live music, and seabreeze. We tried the following: - chicken katsu combo w/mini loco moco - **** - akule catch of the day ***** - deluxe poke from the fish market ***** - salmon poke w/furikake *** Until next time...mahalo

    FISH AND CHIPS **
    Rodney G.

    First review of 2026. Been here many times but it had been a minute since I've eaten here. I would usually get one of their daily special plates but decided to get the tried and true Fish & Chips on this occasion. Nico's fish & chips is still so good. I really like their fries here and the fish had great flavor by itself but I loved dipping it into the tartar sauce. I always forget to ask for extra tartar sauce cause I like dipping the fries in it too. Haha. Nico's is always a good choice when you're in town. Good mix of locals & tourists, the open air breeze was nice in the restaurant. I still need to try its sister restaurant Upstairs at Pier 38 for the more upscale dining experience.

    View of the pier
    Ryne T.

    We're back at Nico's again!!! Lay back local kinda vibe. This time my wife had the catch of the day which was Sheared Ahi topped with mushrooms and gravy. She was expecting mushroom with gravy but it was just mushroom gravy with no mushroom. The Ahi was sheared but with no seasoning so it was kinda bland. I had the Ahi Sandwich. My sandwich was nice and the French fries was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. I enjoyed my lunch. As for my wife, she asked them to reword their sign. LOL The manager gave her a plate of fish and chips. One thing I was disappointed was there were no one entertaining. Bummers! Now I need to check out the gift shop before we leave. Stop on by if you're in the area.

    POKE NACHOS **

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    Nico's Pier 38 Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Nico's Pier 38

    How's parking at Nico's?

    Lots of parking options. Some stalls along the side of the building, a small dirt lot has stalls, and a bunch of stalls closer to Nimitz.

    What time is happy hour?

    Aloha Andrew, Although we don't offer a traditional happy hour, we'll be serving Pupus (Appetizers)… Read more

    Do they have Happy Hour? If so, what time and what kind of specials?

    Yes they do

    Is there capability to seat/serve a table of 9 to 10? Mahalo

    Yes.

    Do they have a kids menu?

    Aloha! We do have keiki friendly items but it's just not listed on the menu. Please ask any cashier/server and they'd be happy to tell you the selections! Mahalo.

    Is there still a time limit when dining in?

    The restaurant appears to operating at pre-covid capacity. It is open seating. If you need to host a party, I would recommend calling restaurant.

    I have a party of 6 and would like to know if we arrived at 6pm on a Saturday. How long a wait time can we expect?

    with a party of 6 I suggest you get reservations at Nico's Upstairs. That's prime time on a Saturday and I've waited an hour for table for 4.

    This there still road construction going on at night?

    Yes there is. It stare at 7:30 pm every night. It's still pretty easy to get in and out of.

    Are you open outdoor dining?

    Yes they have outdoor dining available

    When is happy hour? What does it include?

    4-6. Pupu's available

    Do we need a reservation?

    No reservation needed. Just line up and place your order. Then they will hand you a transponder and thats when you find your seat. I'd suggest getting the seat first though because the line to order can be crowded.

    Do you take reservations?

    Aloha Yvonne and Mahalo for your question! We do not take reservations as we are a first come first… Read more

    I wonder if you'll ever serve Michelob Ultra? Talking to different bar tenders there, they said a lot of people ask the same question. It's now very popular with locals & tourists alike. Hoping it happens. Would consider coming more often if so.

    Please don't serve Michelob Ultra. Water has more flavor. 🤪

    Is it possible to replace the hamburger bun with lettuce for "lettuce buns"?

    Totally! We do it all the time. Just let your server or cashier know and they'll be more than happy to accommodate you.

    How is the parking?

    We have a huge free parking lot, including the dirt lot located in front of the restaurant as well as parallel parking located on the side.

    Gluten free options?

    Although all fish are gluten free be aware of the sauces used for that fish. The sauce may not be gluten free. They are wonderful over there so just ask.

    Do they serve butterfish?

    So on the regular menu the answer is no but I have to imagine that it would be on their specials rotation. We had a great dinner when we were here

    When are you open at Thanksgiving day?

    We will not be open Thanksgiving day but will be open regular hours the following day (6:30am till 9:00pm)

    I saw in on a google search that dogs are allowed in the patio seating area, is this true?

    Yes! Dogs are allowed outside in the patio area. We like to take our pups here after a hike & keep them on their leash.

    Is there a private room for meetings or gatherings?

    Yes, there is none.

    View All 27 Questions

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    Always love this place, don't know why their ratings are so low. My babe got me a renter and did…read moreall the leg work. To treat her, I took her to this spot since she saw it on tv in the morning and was craving for seafood boil. We got the 6 lb for the 2 of us, it's hella worth it. The seafood was really fresh, and the mix sauce in spicy was perfect. So good. We probably finished about 1/2 and my partner was about to face plant into the food. So we took the rest home. The service was amazing, the servers offered to open up the crab and lobster and they are pros. Didn't waste any parts and made it easier for us to enjoy. The ambience was loud but chill. We got a local lady sitting next to us and she naturally was loud. No complaints Caz we too busy mopping the seafood.

    We are on a mission.... To try some new spots our daughter loves. She just graduated from HPU this…read moreweek getting her Bachelor's in Psychology. And she wants to make sure we try all the spots she has eaten at the last three years Well, I have to say, the chef did his thing in that kitchen. As a chef myself I take my hat off to you sir! Job well down! Not many can handle the "Kajun" flavors. This was a good spot for the first stop this week! All I can say is there shrimp, mussels, catfish, crabs, rice etc,.etc. etc. it was all good! We will be back if she decides to stay for her Masters program. Ooooh one last thing! The fried Oreos were on beast mode! one order had four and ice cream with whipped cream! BOOM if you're on a diet don't even think about it! Certainly on point! Pray, Eat and Love because life is way too short! M&M

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    Kickin Kajun - Fried calamari | fried mozzarella cheese Sticks | fried onion rings | garlic fries

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    Ahi & Vegetable - Kapalama - Hamachi Kama (yummy) *7/21/24

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    4.2(930 reviews)
    0.5 miKalihi
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    Finally tried the AYCE at Ahi & Vegetable. Bring cash to save ~$1/person! As of February 2026, 2…read moreadults cost $75.29 including tax (without tip). Upon walking in, my boyfriend and I were warmly greeted and guided to the seating area for all you can eat. Fountain drink is included in the AYCE rate. You can pay extra for sashimi. Tons of nigiri, rolls, hand rolls, fried foods and sides on the menu. You must finish whatever you order in a round before ordering again. Make sure not to waste! My tip would be to order more nigiri, as the rolls/hand rolls are made with a lot of rice. Very filling. Loved the miso soup! The service was good. Everyone is super friendly! I think that this AYCE is well worth the price. Fish is fresh. Quality service. Only downside is the amount of rice--make sure you go hungry!

    We did the all-you-can-eat menu and I was really happy with our decision. I do wish the fish…read morequality was a bit better for the ahi nigiri pieces I ordered, but overall the nigiri was good. I also liked that our first order came out on a sushi boat. Sashimi is extra per order, so I was fine sticking with the nigiri and the rolls we ordered were good as well. I'd probably stay away from the fried foods next time. About half of what we ordered came out burnt, so we let them know right away that we wouldn't be eating it (especially since they charge for leftover food). They were understanding and didn't give us any issues. Everyone was nice and helpful, especially since it was our first time there. The restaurant was pretty empty around 5 PM on a Thursday, but I imagine it gets more popular on weekends, especially with the BYOB policy. Since it's in Kalihi, I understand why kids' pricing is based on height instead of age, but it's something to keep in mind. My nephew is only 2, but he'd probably fall into the $19.99 price range. Parking isn't bad, but there's not much else to do in the area. We tried to walk off our food afterward but ended up just walking around nearby shops and the parking lot before heading home.

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    Ahi & Vegetable - Kapalama - Yummy that Spam nigiri & Spicy hamachi nigiri *7/21/24

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    Nico's Fish Market - Poke bowl

    Nico's Fish Market

    4.4(337 reviews)
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    Parking: dirt lot located across the restaurant, right next to nico's pier 38…read more Service: take out, grab and go shop Ambiance: local, casual, with tables outside the restaurant to eat near the restaurant and water Food: one of my favorite poke bowls on the island. You get 3 choices and plenty of toppings to choose from. My favorite is the salmon furikake, spicy salmon and yuzu ahi.

    This was our first stop after landing in Oahu. It was the closest good spot we could find near the…read moreairport. There's plenty of parking at the pier, so that wasn't a worry. The restaurant was pretty cute both outside and inside, and I could tell it draws a good crowd for football games, which is a plus. For the poke bowls, we got the Spicy Shoyu Ahi, Furikake Salmon, and Ultimate. Overall, they were pretty good and decent bowls. I liked that there was a condiment bar at the end to add any toppings you wanted. The fish was fresh and well seasoned, with no fishiness at all. I just wished there was a bit more white onion for crunch, but it was good regardless. The Fish and Chips were really good. The fish was super crispy, the meat was firm, and the fries were nicely fried. The tartar sauce or maybe more of a lemony aioli, was the star. It wasn't your usual tartar sauce; it had a homemade lemony sweetness that made it delicious. My only complaint was that the batter came off the fish pretty easily, which made it a bit tricky to eat at times.

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    The Boiling Crab

    The Boiling Crab

    3.9(745 reviews)
    1.7 miDowntown
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    Definitely not bias because I have tried multiple spots on Oahu that offers seafood boil; but till…read morethis day, Boiling Crab has been my number one favorite. If you're gonna sell seafood boil at a restaurant you gotta make sure you know how to season the food. I feel like that's a given but I've tried other places and they don't bring the heat unlike this place. Seafood is tasty which I appreciate because believe it or not I've had some bad crab legs and I don't know how a restaurant can serve bad crab legs if the whole reason for people to eat at your restaurant is to eat good seafood. I digress. Service is good as usual, the staff is friendly and always assures you if anything else is needed. Even the manager/chef (I assume) will personally come to your table to greet you which is refreshing. The restaurant itself is clean and continues to keep brining me back. Only reason why I would rate 4 stars is because you pay a lot for the combo. I personally would like more seafood if I'm paying that much. Not a big deal breaker but that's just me and honestly Boiling Crab is overall a good place to eat.

    Btw you pay $90 something for 5 crab legs just buy at the super market…read more Keep your money and go someplace else, because the moment you have a problem management cant handle it they just call security on you for their messed up kitchen and orders coming wrong or never coming at all. 4/11/2026 7pm for 20 people I'm a waitress and my Husband is a chef we worked all our life in restaurant/Hospitality industry. Who ever is the "manager " at that place needs to be replaced RUDE,has absolutely no management experience. Like I'm so upset it takes me a lot to leave a bad review and this is why. I ordered crab legs combo, crab fries and ban bang shrimp non spicy. Decided to order another one because my daughter wanted more, it was spicy. I tried one my husband tried one and my daughter we all agreed it was spicy I told the waitress she went back to the kitchen came back again and said they say this is not spicy I told her it's spicy can we change it. She left and then the supposed manager comes out and says this is not spicy I made it rudely... so you're a manager and a cook and can't do either job right.he came to so rudely and lots of attitude to say that he made the shrimp and its not spicy.Anyways I told him try it then because I know I'm right and you're wrong. He left upset. I yelled at him keep it I don't want it. I went downstairs and wanted to talk to manager this wacko comes out. Ended up him not being able to manage the problem and call the security. That's fine because we, us, 20 people will never never ever coming back again. Good job ruining this place short stack

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    Nico's Pier 38 - seafood - Updated June 2026

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