Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
oChef » Poké Bar – San Francisco
Poké Bar - San Francisco
Photo from Poké Bar
Poké Bar at a glance
San Francisco South of Market
- 🍍 Hawaiian Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 18 of the guests
#1954 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#9 Hawaiian Restaurant out of 19 in San Francisco
Good
6.5 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
198
Reviews
61.6%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Fresh customizable
- Generous portions
- Efficient service
Frequently criticized
- Inconsistent service
- Hygiene concerns
- High price
The Hawaiian restaurant, Poké Bar, invites you to a casual and trendy dining experience right in the heart of San Francisco’s vibrant South of Market neighborhood. You’ll find a perfect spot here for a quick, healthy bite, whether you’re grabbing lunch or dinner.
This spot is known for its fresh offerings, making it a go-to for those seeking delicious and wholesome meals.
Overview: Introducting Poké Bar
Poké Bar offers a compelling option for those seeking fresh, customizable meals. Many appreciate the generous portions and the ability to build their own poke bowls with quality ingredients .
It’s often described as a healthy and satisfying choice for a quick meal. However, the experience isn’t without its drawbacks.
Some patrons have noted inconsistencies in customer service and raised concerns about hygiene standards, particularly regarding food handling. These issues can detract from an otherwise positive dining experience.
Good
6.5
out of 10
198
Reviews
61.6%
Satisfaction
61
negative
15
neutral
122
positive
Poké Bar registers an overall Restaurant Score of 6.5 out of 10, placing it in the average category, while Customer Satisfaction stands at a mixed 61.6%. This assessment is drawn from nearly 200 customer remarks, with 122 positive observations balancing 61 negative ones.
The Food (7.3) is clearly the standout, frequently praised for its freshness and variety. However, Service (5.3), Ambience (5.3), and Value (5.5) all hover in the average range, indicating areas where the experience could be more consistent.
While the food is a draw, other aspects present a more varied picture.
What people like
- Fresh, customizable food
- Generous portion sizes
- Efficient service line
What people don't like
- Inconsistent service quality
- Hygiene and cleanliness concerns
- Perceived high price
If you prioritize fresh, customizable poke and generous portions, Poké Bar is worth considering. The focus on quality ingredients and the ability to tailor your meal are definite strengths, making it a solid choice for a satisfying and healthy option.
However, be mindful that service quality can be inconsistent, and some hygiene concerns have been noted. While the Recommendation Score of 6.9 suggests a generally positive outlook, managing expectations regarding the overall experience beyond the food itself is advisable.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Poké Bar
Food (7.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 93% of the guests
Based on 116 customer remarks, the food here generally hits the spot, earning a solid score of 7.3 and a customer satisfaction of 74.1%. Many rave about the fresh and tasty ingredients, often highlighting the ability to customize your bowl and the generous portions . With 86 positive comments, it seems most diners leave feeling satisfied with the quality and flavors .
However, not every bite is perfect. Out of 23 critical observations, some found the brown rice a bit hard or the fish occasionally tasted cheap or not fresh . A few also mentioned issues with too much sauce or even an unwelcome piece of plastic in their bowl, suggesting some inconsistencies in preparation and quality control.
Food
116
Reviews
74%
Satisfaction
23
negative
7
neutral
86
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fresh, tasty food
- Customize your bowl
- Generous portions
What people don't like
- Fish not fresh
- Hard brown rice
- Plastic in bowl
Often praised
- foodMy experience at this restaurant has been consistently wonderful. I eat there all the time because their food is fresh, very healthy, and I feel very good after every meal. The service and atmosphere are also excellent, both rated 5/5.
- pokeMy experience at this restaurant was a great deal, especially if you opt for the large portion size. It's a huge portion of poke, and the quality is decent. Getting the small size is a huge mistake as the large is more than 3x the size.
- portionsMy experience at this restaurant was marked by huge portions of great poké. I was really hungry, and the medium size (3 scoops) was more than I could finish.
- ingredientsFresh ingredients with a ingredient listed
- poke bowlsMy experience at Poke Bar was fantastic! It's a great spot for fresh and delicious poke bowls. I loved that I could customize my bowl exactly how I like it.
- portionThe eating area was decent, and the food had a good amount of flavor. While I found the price a tad high at $15 for a small portion with a drink, it felt worth it for the fast, good tasting food and a good size portion.
- qualitythe quality is decent
- salmonI always opt for the salmon
- Firecracker bowlthe Firecracker bowl and it was amazing
- FoodFood:5
Frequently criticized
- pokeoverpriced generic poke
- FirecrackerWant salmon instead of tuna for the Firecracker?
- Pokénot REAL Poké
- brown riceBrown rice a was a little hard and compact.
- dressingsTheir dressings are all heavily over salted
- fishThe bowl was well filled and offered a wide variety of ingredients to choose from. The overall quality was good, though the fish tasted kind of cheap.
- fish/seafoodThe fish/seafood wasn’t fresh so that threw off the whole dish
- foodI also observed one elderly woman with long, breaded hair falling over her shoulder and chest, almost touching the counter. My own experience was marred by finding a long black hair in my bowl, leading to me discarding my $17+ meal. This place was once nice and clean, but over the last two months, new staff are negatively impacting it.
- freshnessnot that fresh
- ingredientsdumping ingredients in the bowl with little regard for how they taste.
If you're craving a customizable and generally fresh poke bowl with generous portions, this spot is definitely worth a try. Just be mindful of potential inconsistencies with rice texture or fish freshness, and perhaps ask for light sauce to be safe.
Service (5.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 61% of the guests
When it comes to service, youll find a mixed bag, with a score of 5.3 indicating an average experience and customer satisfaction sitting at 45.7%. However, many customers praise the service and staff for being fast, attentive, and friendly. With 21 positive sentiments, people often mention a great experience and that the wait time is often worth it, even if theres a line.
On the flip side, 23 negative opinions highlight some significant challenges. Concerns frequently revolve around long line issues and customer service being described as horrible or atrocious. Some found the staff rude or impolite, noting instances of poor service and frantic operations, suggesting there's definitely room for improvement.
Service
46
Reviews
45%
Satisfaction
23
negative
2
neutral
21
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fast, attentive service
- Friendly, patient staff
- Quick moving line
What people don't like
- Horrible customer service
- Rude, impolite staff
- Long lines
Often praised
- serviceThe service is also excellent
- staffMy experience at the restaurant offered great varieties of protein and good options for toppings. However, it was hard to hear over the noise, despite the friendly staff.
- lineThe line moves really fast
- ServiceService:5
- crewLove the crew
- experiencemaking the experience even better
- quick bitegood place for a quick bite overall
- waitBut it’s worth the wait!
- wait timehatte überhaupt keine Wait Time!!
- waiting in linecoś na co warto poczekać w kolejce
Frequently criticized
- customer servicecustomer service from the people that work behind the counter is atrocious
- staffthe staff if rude and impolite
- bagrefused to give me a bag
- changesyou can't tell them any changes you want
- corporateI e-mailed corporate, but I never got a response
- fast and efficientThey aren't going fast and efficient, it's just frantic
- food goes down the lineyour food goes down the line so fast
- food handlingproper handling of food
- glovestouch everything with the gloves
- hoursIt was really frustrating to drive here and find parking, only to discover they had closed hours early. The picture provided was taken at 5: 15 pm.
If youre looking for a quick bite and dont mind potentially mixed service, you might find it acceptable. However, be prepared for the possibility of long lines and inconsistent customer interactions, which could disappoint.
Ambience (5.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 30% of the guests
The ambience here presents a bit of a mixed picture, with an average score of 5.3 and customer satisfaction sitting at a mixed 45%. However, many appreciate the inviting open concept and the availability of comfortable seats that offer a good view of the street, creating a pleasant eating area for a quick bite or even some work, as noted in 9 positive comments. Conversely, 9 negative comments point to some areas needing attention.
The location can be tricky to find, and the general noise level, sometimes amplified by a tall sneeze guard, can make it hard to hear. There were also mentions regarding hygiene and overall cleanliness, which are definitely points to consider.
Ambience
20
Reviews
45%
Satisfaction
9
negative
2
neutral
9
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Open concept design
- Good street view
- Available seating
What people don't like
- Noisy environment
- Hidden location
- Hygiene concerns
Often praised
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- atmosphereAtmosphere:5
- eating areaEating area decent
- nice place to sitnice place to sit and do some work too
- open conceptLoved the whole open concept of the building
- recyclingsuper happy to see how well cleaners are recycling.
- seatsnice there are some seats to eat right there
- shopsthe couple shops legt here
- viewThe food was fresh and tasty. I also appreciated that there were seats to eat right there, offering a good view of Van Ness connecting to Market Street. The vegetarian and vegan options were a pleasant surprise with their number.
Frequently criticized
- locationI found the best poke I've had in San Francisco here. It's worth noting that they are located at the back of a large market/food court, making them a bit hard to notice from outside. Despite the hidden location, the quality of the poke made it a standout experience.
- amount of wasteconcerned about the amount of waste there is
- cardboard containerseparate cardboard container where they mix all the Ingredients
- cleanlinessplace was nice and clean, but now
- hairlong breaded hair was laying over her shoulder
- hygienetrain these new workers hygiene
- noisehard to hear over the big glass
- sneeze guardit can be hard to hear and speak to the employees as the sneeze guard is very tall
If youre seeking an open, casual spot with a decent view, you might enjoy the vibe here. However, be ready for a potentially noisy setting and a location thats a bit hidden, and perhaps temper your expectations regarding overall cleanliness.
Value (5.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 30% of the guests
Despite a rather poor 37.5% customer satisfaction, some diners genuinely appreciate the value here. Many find the portions generous and the prices quite reasonable, often highlighting affordable options and value for money. With 6 positive opinions out of 16 total, theres a definite sense that you can get a cheaper meal thats worth it for fast, tasty food.
However, the value proposition isnt universally loved, reflected in an average score of 5.5. A significant number of guests, also 6 out of 16, felt the offerings were expensive or overpriced, especially for certain items. Some even described it as not a good value, suggesting the price point doesnt always align with expectations.
Value
16
Reviews
37%
Satisfaction
6
negative
4
neutral
6
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Affordable options
- Generous portions
- Fast food value
What people don't like
- Can be expensive
- Poor value
- Prices too high
Often praised
- affordableAffordable and tasty
- cheaper mealcheaper ($13), fresh, filling meal
- priceThe fish and vegetables are fresh, and for a change, start with noodles or greens for a base to avoid the bland rice base. Portions are generous and worth the price. The service is also excellent.
- price-performancePreis-Leistung absolut top!
- reasonable pricesreasonable prices for the amount of poke you get.
- value for moneyworth it for fast, good tasting food
Frequently criticized
- priceespecially for the $18.00 price.
- $17+went my $17+ right in the trash can
- expensiveit's not too expensive
- valueIt's not a good value either for the veggie bowl
If youre looking for a quick, filling meal and can find their more affordable options, you might feel you got a good deal. However, be mindful that many find the prices a tad high' for what you get, so choose wisely to avoid disappointment.
How are the prices at Poké Bar?
You’re looking at roughly 20 per person – reported by 18 diners. That puts it in the $11–$20 category. For a Hawaiian Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
While the average is 20, the actual spending shows a good mix: most diners stay within the $11–$20 range, but a fair number also opt for dishes in the $21–$30 bracket.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 18 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
We think the pricing feels pretty fair for a Hawaiian spot in San Francisco. It offers good value for a mid-range experience, especially with options that cater to different budgets within that bracket.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Poké Bar
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Delicious Bowls, Great Service, Top Value!
I had a super leckere (delicious) bowl with a huge selection of ingredients that were absolutely fresh and very schmackhaft (tasty). The service was super nett (nice) and helpful, especially for a first-time visitor. The price-performance ratio is absolutely top!
I was here in the afternoon to organize dinner and had no wait time at all!
- bowl9
- ingredients10
- service10
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Wonderful, Fresh, and Healthy Food!
My experience at this restaurant has been consistently wonderful. I eat there all the time because their food is fresh, very healthy, and I feel very good after every meal. The service and atmosphere are also excellent, both rated 5/5.
- food10
- meal10
- Service10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
6
Good Service and Atmosphere, Food Untried
I haven't had the chance to try the food yet. The price is a bit high, but I suspect it's normal for this area. The service and atmosphere were both excellent, rated 5 out of 5.
- price5
- service10
- atmosphere10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Enjoyable Poke Spot with Great Service
I really enjoy going here. Even though most of the market is gone, the couple shops left here, specifically poke, are my favorites. The staff are always so nice and patient!
- poke9
- shops7
- staff10
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
9
Great Poke Value and Salmon!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I found it to be my favorite place to get poké in the city. If you opt for a large size, the portion is a great value for the money.
My tip is to always go for the salmon, as the other fish aren’t as good. I also recommend asking for light sauce, otherwise, they tend to drench it in way too much sauce.
- portion9
- salmon9
- light sauce8
- sauce3
What Poké Bar offers
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Lunch
Service Options
- Onsite services
- Takeout
- Delivery
- Dine-in
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What service options and accessibility features does Poké Bar offer?
At Poké Bar, you can enjoy your meal through various service options including dine-in, takeout, and delivery. For your convenience, onsite services are also available. The restaurant ensures accessibility with a wheelchair accessible entrance, making it welcoming for all guests.
What kind of dining experience can you expect at Poké Bar, and when can you visit?
Poké Bar offers a casual and trendy atmosphere, perfect for a quick and healthy meal. You can enjoy their fresh Hawaiian-inspired dishes for both lunch and dinner. It’s an ideal spot when you’re looking for wholesome options in a relaxed setting.
What is the overall rating for Poké Bar and how do its key aspects score?
Poké Bar holds an overall Restaurant Score of 6.5 out of 10. Its Food is rated well at 7.3, while Service (5.3), Ambience (5.3), and Value (5.5) are considered average.
What do customers appreciate most about the food at Poké Bar?
Customers frequently commend Poké Bar for its fresh ingredients, the ability to customize poke bowls, and the generous portion sizes. Many find the food healthy and satisfying, with specific praise for items like salmon and the Firecracker bowl.
Are there any common concerns or drawbacks mentioned by customers?
Yes, some customers have expressed concerns regarding inconsistent customer service, with staff occasionally described as rude. There have also been mentions of hygiene issues, such as hair in food, and a perception that the pricing can be high for the value received, especially for smaller portions.