Top 5 Hawaiian Food Spots in Las Vegas That Bring Island Flavors to the Desert 🌺

Las Vegas may be surrounded by desert, but there’s a reason so many people call it the Ninth Island.

Southern Nevada has deep connections with Hawaii, and those connections show up everywhere—from local community events to the restaurants serving plate lunches, garlic chicken, loco moco, fresh poke and other island favorites.

Whether you grew up in Hawaii, recently relocated to Las Vegas or simply love discovering new food, our local Hawaiian restaurant scene has plenty to offer.

For this edition of Good Energy Top 5 Vegas, we’re exploring five Hawaiian food spots across Las Vegas, Henderson and North Las Vegas.

We’re counting down from No. 5 to our Good Energy Winner at No. 1.

And if you stay until the end, there’s a bonus sixth recommendation exclusively for readers of GoodEnergyRealty.com!

No. 5 — Ross J’s Aloha Grill: Old-School Island Comfort Food

Address: 4650 E Sunset Road, Henderson, NV 89014
Area: Henderson, near Green Valley
Cuisine: Hawaiian-style plate lunches and comfort food
Typical hours: Monday–Saturday, 10 AM–3:30 PM; Sunday, 10 AM–3 PM
Price: Casual, generally affordable-to-moderate

Sometimes the best meals come from restaurants that keep things simple.

Ross J’s Aloha Grill is a longtime Henderson favorite serving classic island-style comfort food in a casual, no-frills setting.

The menu includes Hawaiian breakfast and lunch dishes influenced by the many culinary traditions that make up local Hawaii food culture.

What to try

Spicy Korean Chicken: A favorite among customers who enjoy crispy, flavorful chicken with a little heat.

Loco Moco: A Hawaiian comfort-food classic with rice, a hamburger patty, brown gravy and eggs.

Teriyaki Chicken: A familiar plate-lunch favorite.

Macaroni Salad: The traditional side that completes many Hawaiian-style lunch plates.

Why it made the list

Ross J’s has the appeal of a neighborhood lunch counter. It’s a straightforward place to get a filling meal without the atmosphere or pricing of a tourist destination.

Good Energy Tip: Visit for lunch rather than dinner. Its operating hours are relatively short, and popular lunchtime periods can get busy.

RESTAURANT INFORMATION:
https://www.restaurantji.com/nv/henderson/ross-js-aloha-grill-/

INDEPENDENT DINING REVIEW:
https://roadfood.com/restaurants/ross-js-aloha-grill

No. 4 — Poke Express: Hawaiian-Style Poke by the Pound

Featured address: 19 S Stephanie Street, Suite 140, Henderson, NV 89012
Additional locations: North Las Vegas and Summerlin
Cuisine: Hawaiian-style poke and seafood
Hours: Monday–Saturday, 10 AM–7 PM; Sunday, 10 AM–6 PM
Price: Depends on seafood selection and weight

If you love poke, this one deserves a place on your list.

Poke Express takes a different approach from many mainland poke restaurants.

Instead of focusing on bowls loaded with customizable toppings, it specializes in Hawaiian-style marinated seafood sold by weight.

The business traces its local roots to 2009, beginning on Craig Road in North Las Vegas before expanding to Henderson in 2015 and Summerlin in 2023.

What to try

Shoyu Ahi Poke: A classic soy-based preparation.

Limu Ahi Poke: A traditional Hawaiian-style option incorporating seaweed.

Spicy Ahi Poke: For anyone who prefers a little heat.

Ask which other preparations are available when you visit.

Why it made the list

Poke Express focuses on the seafood itself. It’s a great stop for people who appreciate traditional Hawaiian-style poke and want to choose their own assortment.

It’s also convenient for takeout.

Additional locations

North Las Vegas: 655 W Craig Road, Suite 118, North Las Vegas, NV 89032

Summerlin: 4165 S Grand Canyon Drive, Suite 103, Las Vegas, NV 89147

Good Energy Tip: If you’re new to Hawaiian-style poke, start with a couple of different varieties so you can compare the seasonings.

OFFICIAL WEBSITE, LOCATIONS & HOURS:
https://www.pokeexpress.net/

No. 3 — Matiki Island BBQ: Famous Hawaiian-Style Beef Ribs

Featured address: 3430 E Tropicana Avenue, Suite 1, Las Vegas, NV 89121
Other Southern Nevada locations: Southwest Las Vegas and Henderson
Cuisine: Hawaiian and Polynesian-style barbecue
Typical hours: Approximately 11 AM–7 PM at the Tropicana location; verify before visiting
Price: Most featured barbecue plates are in the mid-to-upper teens on the published menu

Some restaurants have one signature dish that puts them on the map.

For Matiki Island BBQ, it’s the grilled beef rib.

Matiki specializes in Hawaiian-style barbecue plates, including grilled meats served with rice and traditional sides.

Its menu features the popular Sam’s Plate, a grilled teriyaki barbecue beef rib with a charred exterior and rich, savory flavor.

What to try

Sam’s Plate Beef Rib: Listed at $17.75 on the official menu.

Kalbi Short Ribs: Listed at $18.99.

Teriyaki Chicken: Listed at $16.

Chicken and Steak Combo: Listed at $18.50.

The restaurant’s plate lunches include two scoops of white rice and a choice of potato-mac salad or tossed green salad.

Prices may change.

Why it made the list

Matiki is a strong pick for people who love barbecue and want something different from standard American smoked brisket or ribs.

The oversized beef rib also makes it one of the most visually memorable restaurants on this list.

Additional locations

Southwest Las Vegas: 5697 S Jones Boulevard, Suite 160, Las Vegas, NV 89118

Henderson: 10890 S Eastern Avenue, Suite 103, Henderson, NV 89052

Good Energy Tip: Call ahead to confirm the beef rib is available before making a special trip. Popular items may sell out.

OFFICIAL WEBSITE & LOCATIONS:
https://www.matikisbbq.com/

OFFICIAL MENU:
https://www.matikisbbq.com/menu

No. 2 — Pacific Island Taste: Hawaiian Comfort Food, Poke and Desserts

Address: 545 E Sahara Avenue, Suite 101, Las Vegas, NV 89104
Area: Just east of the Las Vegas Strip
Cuisine: Hawaiian comfort food, poke and island desserts
Typical hours: 11 AM–9 PM most days; Tuesday service may differ
Price: Casual-to-moderate; confirm current menu pricing

Pacific Island Taste brings together several different sides of Hawaiian food culture.

Located just east of the Strip, this family-run restaurant offers classic comfort food, Hawaiian-style poke and island-inspired baked goods.

The restaurant emphasizes the spirit of aloha and describes its goal as making guests feel like family.

What to try

Hawaiian-Style Ahi Poke: Options advertised by the restaurant include shoyu onion, spicy mayo, furikake and limu.

Island Comfort-Food Plates: Ask about the available daily dishes.

Malasadas: The restaurant advertises these on Fridays and Saturdays.

Chantilly and Dobash Cakes: Island-style bakery favorites.

Why it made the list

Pacific Island Taste stands out for its variety.

You can enjoy a savory meal, try different poke preparations and finish with a dessert associated with Hawaii’s local food traditions.

It’s especially appealing for visitors who want more than a standard barbecue plate.

Good Energy Tip: If you’re visiting specifically for malasadas, call first. Availability can change, and the restaurant’s official pages have differing Tuesday service details.

OFFICIAL WEBSITE:
https://pacificislandtaste.com/

OFFICIAL HOURS:
https://pacificislandtaste.com/hours

No. 1 — Da Braddah’s Grindz: Our Good Energy Winner 🏆

Address: 5700 Sky Pointe Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89130
Area: Northwest Las Vegas
Location detail: Inside the Sinclair gas station
Cuisine: Hawaiian plate lunches, island breakfasts and comfort food
Hours: Tuesday–Friday, 9 AM–7 PM; Saturday, 10 AM–6 PM; closed Sunday and Monday
Price: Many published menu items fall between $14 and $23

Our Good Energy Winner for this episode is a restaurant you might not expect to find while stopping for gas.

Da Braddah’s Grindz operates inside a Sinclair gas station in northwest Las Vegas.

And that unusual location is part of what makes it such an interesting food discovery.

Instead of relying on a fancy storefront, the restaurant focuses on Hawaiian comfort food, including fried chicken dishes, grilled meats, island-style breakfasts and combination plates.

What to try

Garlic Chicken — $17: Battered chicken thigh pieces finished with garlic sauce.

Furikake Chicken — $17: Fried chicken finished with a savory furikake-inspired sauce.

Loco Moco — $15: A house-made half-pound beef patty, two eggs, rice and brown gravy.

Kalbi Ribs — $19: Bone-in sliced beef with the restaurant’s house-made kalbi sauce.

Broke Da Mouth Plate — from $21: A combination plate featuring Korean chicken, teriyaki beef and garlic shrimp, with a higher listed price when substituting kalbi.

Prices are from the restaurant’s published menu and may change.

Why Da Braddah’s Grindz Earned the Good Energy Crown

First, the location is unexpected. Finding a Hawaiian restaurant inside a gas station is exactly the kind of surprise that makes exploring local neighborhoods worthwhile.

Second, the menu has personality. From garlic chicken and loco moco to specialty combination plates, there’s a clear focus on hearty island comfort food.

Third, it represents the local businesses that make Las Vegas interesting. You don’t need a celebrity chef or a resort dining room to create a memorable food experience.

For this particular Good Energy Top 5, that combination makes Da Braddah’s Grindz our number-one pick.

Good Energy Tip: Look for the Sinclair gas station on Sky Pointe Drive. Remember that the restaurant is closed on Sundays and Mondays.

OFFICIAL WEBSITE:
https://www.dabraddahsgrindz.com/

OFFICIAL MENU:
https://www.dabraddahsgrindz.com/menu

Exclusive Bonus No. 6 — Lefty-J’s Island Favorites 🌺

Address: 4550 S Maryland Parkway, Suite D, Las Vegas, NV 89119
Area: Near UNLV
Cuisine: Hawaiian and Filipino comfort food
Typical hours: Monday–Saturday, 10 AM–8 PM; Sunday, 10 AM–5 PM
Price: Casual-to-moderate

You made it to the blog, so here’s one more local recommendation!

Lefty-J’s Island Favorites combines Hawaiian comfort food with Filipino favorites, reflecting the cultural connections that are such an important part of Hawaii’s local food traditions.

It’s a casual neighborhood restaurant where you can order a hearty plate lunch, try island-style chicken dishes or explore Filipino comfort foods.

What to try

Garlic Chicken: A popular island-style favorite.

Loco Moco: Rice, hamburger patty, eggs and gravy.

Meat Jun: A Korean-influenced dish commonly found in Hawaii’s local food scene.

Chicken or Pork Adobo: Filipino-style comfort food.

Why it’s worth discovering

Lefty-J’s offers a broader view of what local island food can be.

Hawaii’s food culture includes influences from Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Portuguese and other communities, and that variety is part of what makes it special.

Good Energy Tip: If you’re ordering with friends, try a combination of Hawaiian and Filipino dishes so everyone can sample something different.

PUBLISHED MENU:
https://lefty-js.zoyaf.com/menu.html

Discover the Ninth Island With Good Energy

One of the things I love about Southern Nevada is how many different cultures and communities contribute to our local food scene.

You can spend a weekend exploring Hawaiian barbecue in Henderson, fresh poke in North Las Vegas, or a neighborhood restaurant tucked into a shopping plaza near your home.

That’s what Good Energy Top 5 Vegas is all about: discovering the people, places and experiences that make our valley special.

For more local restaurant guides, hidden gems, weekend events, neighborhoods and relocation resources, explore www.GoodEnergyRealty.com.

And if you’re thinking about moving to Las Vegas, buying a home or selling your property, I’m always happy to be a local resource.

No pressure. Just good energy.

Tommy Xavier Nguyen
The Good Energy Realtor
Good Energy Realty, LLC | Realty ONE Group
Nevada REALTOR® | License S.0204577
Phone: 725-224-1720
Website: https://www.goodenergyrealty.com

Independent editorial recommendations. Restaurant menus, prices, hours and availability can change. Verify directly before visiting.