Pokito

What is Pokito? Stationed on Queen Street West just east of Spadina, Pokito is one of Toronto's original poke purveyors, having introduced Hawaiian-style raw fish bowls and island plates to local diners back in 2016. Unlike the assembly-line salad bars that quickly flooded the city, this counter-service outpost maintains an island-rooted philosophy focused on sustainably sourced, ASC-certified fish and genuine homestyle cooking. The compact, bright space features relaxed tropical accents, quick stools, and efficient takeout operations built for neighbourhood regulars.

Pokito Menu & What to Order Rather than burying fresh seafood under mountain loads of extraneous toppings, the kitchen lets curated house profiles do the work. The standout choice is The 420 Bowl, which loads yellowfin tuna and salmon over seasoned rice with four types of seaweed, edamame, house shoyu, avocado, and a swipe of wasabi cream. For hot fare, the Hawaiian Plate Lunches deliver genuine comfort—specifically the Loco Moco smothered in savoury brown gravy with a fried egg and potato mac salad, alongside the smoky charred Huli Huli Chicken. Round out the order with grilled Spam Musubi, vegan miso eggplant onigiri, and a house-brewed Lilikoi Lemonade.

Know Before You Go Seating is strictly casual and counter-focused with a walk-in policy, making it ideal for quick solo meals or grab-and-go lunches. Peak lunch and early dinner windows draw swift takeout queues, but the kitchen moves tickets briskly. Street parking along Queen West is scarce, so taking the 501 Queen or 510 Spadina streetcar right to the intersection is your easiest commute option.