Tobi's Poke & Shave Ice - Hawaii Restaurant

Tobi's Poke & Shave Ice

4.4(154 community reviews)
Budget ($)

About

Discover Tobi's Poke & Shave Ice, offering the best Hawaiian experience in Paia. Enjoy Budget ($) meals, explore their menu, and read reviews from the community on TasteHi.

A Refreshing North Shore Ritual

Stepping into Tobi's Poke & Shave Ice feels like the quintessential transition from the surf break to the sidewalk. Positioned right in the heart of Paia town, this spot serves as a crucial pit stop for hungry travelers winding their way along the Road to Hana. The air inside is thick with the scent of fresh ocean catch, contrasted sharply by the cooling mist coming off the shave ice machines.

The Poke Standard

Chef Tobi has built a local reputation for poke that leans into tradition. You won't find overly complicated sauces here; the focus is entirely on the quality of the yellowfin tuna. The spicy ahi poke is a standout, delivering a clean, sharp heat that cuts through the rich, buttery texture of the fish. Order it by the pound to enjoy on the hood of your car or take it to one of the nearby North Shore beaches for a picnic.

Cooling Down After the Surf

Once you have finished your savory bowl, the shave ice is non-negotiable. Unlike the crushed ice common in mainland slushies, their version is shaved to a fine, snow-like consistency that drinks up the syrups. The lilikoi and guava flavors are essential if you want a true taste of Maui. Be prepared for a bit of a wait during the mid-afternoon rush, as the small shop gets busy with beachgoers shedding the salt and heat. It is a humble space with limited seating, so expect to embrace the casual, slightly crowded energy that defines the best food stops on this side of the island.

Location

137 Hana Hwy, Paia, Hawaii, 96779-9745

Directions

Reviews

Showing 10 of 154 community reviews
A

AprilGoogle Maps

Recently

Super cute place. Great vibe. Super sweet staff. Best shaved ice and dole whip in Paia. They also have poke plates big enough to share. Usually busy because they are so good. Added bonus: woman owned and she named it after her cat. 😻🖤 A must visit in Paia.

T

TravellerGoogle Maps

Recently

Best poke bowl I've ever had! (But the only one I've had in Hawaii 😅) The shaved ice portions were generous, and the flavours were delicious! …

J

Jennifer StoryGoogle Maps

Recently

The best poke I had in Maui!! Loved the Tsunami poke plate w avocado. Was the most delish sauce and loved it over lettuce but still with rice so made an amazing salad! Our snorkel tour guide recommended this place as having the freshest poke on the island and so happy he did! Maybe go back for dinner tonight before the flight :)

V

Vitaliia DmitrievaGoogle Maps

Recently

Tried two kinds of poke. 1. Hawaiian seasoning was very good — you could really taste the fish, which felt very fresh. The seasoning included pepper oil, salt, and seaweed, and it complemented the fish well without overpowering it. 2. Shoyu seasoning was too sweet compared to other places. It almost felt like eating a dessert, and because of that, you could barely taste the fish at all. It also wasn’t as salty as I expected. As for the shaved ice cream, it was our first time trying it, and we liked it.

K

K “Citizen K”Google Maps

Recently

I went to Tobi's in Paia for a "local" experience. It's a popular place, conveniently located, and there's customer parking in the back, which is a real lifesaver in Paia.  I ordered the Seared Ahi Plate without rice, which was a mistake. The dish turned out to be very salty, almost too much: without rice, it's almost impossible to eat, everything tastes like a concentrate of salt/soy/seasonings. According to the description, it normally comes with two scoops of rice + salad + sauce, and apparently, the salt is calculated so that the rice "extinguishes" the taste.  Conclusion: if you go here, it's better to order poke (the classic) or something with rice, and ask for the sauces on the side/light. The place has potential, but my dinner was ruined by the excessive salt.

S

Shana CzirbanGoogle Maps

Recently

Best poke both myself and husband ever had. Order the tsunami? And the Hawaiian (gluten free) the flavors were incredibly fresh and satisfying. And they absolutely fill your plate. Great value for the money. I got all salad and it could have used more dressing or little accompaniments beside just spring mix but overall we were in love with our meal and absolutely going back for more during our stay here!

E

Eric TGoogle Maps

Recently

Tobi's Poke in Paia is such a gem! It's a cute little roadside, walk-up spot where you order right at the window- simple, quick, and totally worth the stop. The poke was incredibly fresh and flavorful. I loved the addition of the crispy wontons on top; such a great texture and a fun twist. We ordered the Tsunami flavor, which wasn't spicy at all- just the perfect little kick. They only offer one fish option (yellowfin ahi tuna), which wasn't a deal breaker because it was so fresh and delicious, but a little variety would have been nice. The fish portion was very generous too. The rice deserves its own shoutout too- perfectly cooked with this amazing salty flavor that paired so well with the poke. Definitely check this place out if you're in Paia or about to head out on the Road to Hana. A super satisfying, fresh, and quick bite!

L

Life of RollyGoogle Maps

Recently

After wrapping up our hike at Twin Falls Trail, we were definitely ready for a good meal—and Tobi’s Poke & Shaved Ice turned out to be the perfect post-hike spot. We were craving something fresh and filling, and this place absolutely hit the spot. I ordered the Tobi’s Poke Plate Tsunami, and wow—every bite was bursting with flavor. The fish was incredibly fresh, the seasoning was spot on, and the portions were generous. You could really tell that quality ingredients and care go into their food. I finished every last bite and was seriously tempted to go back up and order more. The vibe of the place is super chill and casual, which made it a great place to unwind after being out on the trail. Service was quick and friendly too—even though they were fairly busy when we arrived, we got our food in no time. Also, a helpful tip: there’s free customer parking behind the building, which we didn’t realize at first. It’s super convenient and saves you from hunting for street parking. All in all, this was a fantastic find and definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area—especially after a hike or beach day. Fresh, delicious, and satisfying—what more could you ask for

D

Danielle WinchelGoogle Maps

Recently

Ended up at Tobi’s three times during my week in Paia. Poke is a must! So so good and very filling- tuna was amazing. I got the Samoa iced coffee a different day per an employee’s recommendation and it was fantastic. My last full day in Paia I got the Kalua pork plate, as well as the High Surf (?) shave ice. The pork was so tender and delicious (also a very filling portion) and the shave ice was the best I’ve ever had. The ice is so smooth and creamy- not like a Kona ice on the mainland. Definitely a must try place! Friendly service, clean.

K

Kelli DougalGoogle Maps

Recently

This is a great little stop coming back from the Twin Falls hike, especially if it’s later in the evening! (The other shave ice place in town closes at 5 pm) We stopped for shave ice but ended up getting some food also. The shave ice with the natural flavors (and dole whip!) was pretty good! Not the best on the island but still a yummy, refreshing treat. My son got one of the regular flavors (grape) and it definitely tasted like a fake syrup. I also got the hurricane poke nachos and they were so good! Definitely could be split between 2 people and there was a good amount of poke for the price. There is free parking around back!

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Frequently Asked Questions about Tobi's Poke & Shave Ice

Common questions from diners about Tobi's Poke & Shave Ice in Paia.

They serve poke, shave ice, and local Hawaiian food.

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