Whenever you want ultra-fresh fish prepared by the best chefs around, get on over to Nico’s Pier 38. All their menu items start with high-quality, local ingredients, including fish bought daily at the auction next door. Then, they put their own spin on their preparations, creating imaginative meals plated using all the artistry in the world.
As their name implies, you’ll find Nico’s Pier right on the Honolulu Harbor at Pier 38. You’re welcome to walk through the doors in the morning for breakfast or come by midday for traditional plate lunches. Or you can save your visit for the evening hours to dine under the harbor lights while listening to live music. No matter when you come by, expect to get reeled in at first glance as you gaze in awe at their sophisticated dining room décor.
A boat bar sits at the center of the dining room. Setting the stage for a memorable meal at Nico’s Pier 38. Outward from that, there are many café-style tables that help keep the dining experience feeling cozy. For the best seat in the house, you’ll want to nab a spot outside on the dock instead. From that vantage point, you can see all the fishing boats bringing their daily catches to the Honolulu Fish Auction next door.
Talented Chef Nico Chaize sources all the seafood served in the restaurant from that very auction house. Diver scallops, swordfish, and everything in between land on the menu as a result of his efforts. Using those ingredients, he creates incredible daily specials for your pure enjoyment. There’s also a main menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner if any of the current specials don’t speak to you. Don’t like seafood? That’s okay! There are plenty of options available at Nico’s Pier 38 that don’t have any seafood at all.
Upon putting in your order, the chef and his crew will get to work on building your perfect meal. Their artistic plating techniques promise to give pause as your plates come out of the kitchen, inspiring you to snap a few photos for the ‘Gram. After that, you won’t want to hesitate a moment longer before digging in to enjoy all the ultra-fresh flavors before you.
Their top menu items are:
Nico’s French Toast
For a sweet start to your day, you cannot go wrong with Nico’s French Toast. Although they keep their recipe close to their vest, this dish always starts with sweet bread from Kaneohe Bakery. Ask for whatever toppings you’d like or let the chef decide how to best enjoy this breakfast favorite.
Fish and Chips
A true lunch plate classic at Nico’s Pier 38 is the Fish and Chips. Go big on the flavor in every last bite. This dish starts with fish fillets dipped in beer batter and fried until golden brown. French fries go for a swim in the fryer as well, and then everything goes on the plate piping hot. To take your meal to the next level, you also get malt vinegar and Nico’s famous ginger garlic cilantro dip.
Grilled Peppercorn Swordfish
The Grilled Peppercorn Swordfish is a fantastic way to add plenty of zesty goodness to your day. The chef prepares this dish by marinating a fresh swordfish fillet in green peppercorns and five secret herbs. Then, he grills the fish to perfection and tops it with sauce vierge. Garlic mashed potatoes and veggies go alongside to bring it all together.
Visit Nico’s Pier 38 fish market whenever you want to try your own hand at creating seafood creations to remember. In that space, you can find fresh fillets, smoked fish, and platters galore. Poke is always on tap as well, making it easy to build your perfect picnic lunch. Expect their selection to change with the seasons, though, as the fishermen switch up what they bring to the auction house.
Insider Tips:
-If you’re in a hurry, order online through their website and then pick up your meal to go.
-You can sign up for email reminders about their daily specials by going to their website.
-Ask about their catering services whenever you want to wow all the guests at your next big bash.
-Come by for happy hour to enjoy deals on select food and drinks. Their food specials at Nico’s Pier 38 run from 3 pm to 5 pm, while drinks go on sale from 3 pm to 6 pm.