Best Restaurant in Davis: Good Friends Hawaiian Poke

Local poke favorite earns top recognition from students

Good Friends Hawaiian Poke was recently voted “Best Restaurant” by UC Davis students. Good Friends, a staple in the Downtown Davis food scene, is known for its extensive selection of poke bowls, wraps and other unique dishes, including poke nachos. Alongside its menu, the restaurant is also well known for its welcoming customer service. Good Friends is owned by Monica Dui, who opened the downtown location in 2019 and recently expanded to a second site at The Davis Collection.

Emmy Patterson, a fourth-year neurobiology, physiology and behavior major, attributed the restaurant’s atmosphere and diverse variety of ingredients as the reasons she keeps coming back.

“Good Friends is my favorite place to grab food with friends because of the inviting atmosphere and wide range of options,” Patterson said. “Their food is always super fresh and definitely worth the fair prices.”

The menu provides a wide selection, with fish choices ranging from traditional salmon to sweet chili salmon and bowl styles ranging from Delilah style (which includes seaweed salad, cucumbers, surimi crab, mango and edamame) to Fire style (which includes seaweed salad, cucumbers, surimi crab, jalapenos and wasabi). Customers can sample flavors before committing to an order, and the restaurant accommodates dietary restrictions, making it a go-to for groups with varied preferences.

For Sofia Lauricella, a third-year environmental policy analysis and planning major, Good Friends stands out for its reliability.

“I love how convenient and consistent it is,” Lauricella said. “I always know what I’m getting will be good. I also love how inviting and friendly the people that work there are.”

Merin Ovelil, a fourth-year nutrition science major, echoed a similar sentiment, noting both the food quality and staff as reasons she returns.

“I like Good Friends because their food is always fresh and it always tastes good,” Ovelil said. “They also always have good service, which I appreciate.”

Good Friends Hawaiian Poke’s original location is at 400 G St. in Downtown Davis. With a second location now open, Good Friends continues to grow its presence in Davis while maintaining the quality and welcoming atmosphere that earned it top recognition among students. As the restaurant expands, it remains a go-to spot for fresh, customizable meals and a reliable favorite in the local dining scene.

Written by: Alma Culverwell — city@theaggie.org