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QuickFish in Avanti is a Portland-based poke purveyor
Lucy Beaugard/Eater

15 Poke Bowls to Try in Denver

Served over grains or greens, this Hawaiian staple has exploded in landlocked Denver

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QuickFish in Avanti is a Portland-based poke purveyor
| Lucy Beaugard/Eater

Along the Hawaiian island archipelago, poke — a dish of cubed and marinated raw fish — comes fresh out of backyard bays and is easy enough to pack for a picnic on the beach. It's served casually at markets and gas stations, surf shacks, and five-star dining destinations. Stateside, and more specifically at home in Denver, the last year has brought a deluge of poke bowls and eateries dedicated to the dish, often made with yellowfin or ahi tuna, served over grains or greens with clever and complementary mix-ins.

New-to-the-scene poke places include Avanti’s QuickFish Poke Bar, two fast-casual counters within a single block on Platte Street — Denver Poke Co. and Poke House — as well as Turtle Boat on South Broadway. Coming soon is Hi Tide in RiNo. Then there are the (now) old standards. Here are 15 bowls to try around Denver.

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Ohana Island Kitchen

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From a small walk-up window in LoHi, Ohana earned a following and became a go-to lunchtime destination two summers ago. The husband-wife duo behind it took their act to a brick-and-mortar operation across the street, and there they dish out shoyu and spicy tuna bowls, with salmon specials every so often. For some real island flair, the spam musubi is not to be missed.

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Denver Poke Company

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At the ground level of an apartment building, Denver Poke Company provides fresh, sushi-grade fish available every morning, brought in whole each day and never frozen. Signature bowls include the chile mango salmon and pineapple basil yellowtail.

Denver Poke Co.

Poke House

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These handcrafted bowls served at the corner of 17th and Platte Street next to Denver Beer Co. appeared earlier this year, with create-your-own ingredient lists and specialties such as the refreshing Cali bowl with salmon, spicy tuna, crispy garlic, and lotus chips. Also available on the “secret menu” is spam musubi with flaming hot Cheetos.

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QuickFish Poke Bar

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This Portland-born poke spot opened in the former Bamboo Sushi stall at Avanti. The fast-casual counter presents the Bamboo bowl, with Oregon albacore, hunks of avocado, crispy shallots, nori, and sweet onion, as well as the traditional Hawaiian poke bowl with sesame brittle, cucumber, and mixed seaweed.

QuickFish

One of many of chef Troy Guard’s creations scattered around town, this Asian-fusion concept was inspired by its owner’s roots. Health-centric spins on build-your-own bowls include raw tuna and salmon and are finished with a choice of locally sourced veggies.

Bubu

Turtle Boat - Colorado Poki Salads

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Serving “Colorado Poki salads,” this space pays particular attention to sustainability and locally sourced ingredients. With that in mind, the Colorado bowl uses Alamosa striped bass and farm greens. More than 17 toppings can be added in, such as fish roe and nori powder.

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Adrift Tiki

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This casual Polynesian tiki bar on South Broadway serves island-inspired fare and prohibition-era tropical libations. The menu features a visually stunning ahi poke over dry ice, with mango and a side of taro chips.

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Mister Tuna

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This 3,500-square-foot, glamorously gritty, black and gold space sits on the bustling Brighton Boulevard offering a Charlie Guard ahi poke under the appetizers list. It comes with avocado, seaweed, and chili pepper soy dressing.

Mister Tuna

Tammen’s Fish Market

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A fresh fish counter alongside the full-blown seafood shop in Denver Central Market, Tammen’s serves shellfish, filets, and ceviches, as well as tuna poke.

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Sushi Cup

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The tiny Capitol Hill space has customizable bowls for lunch and dinner, too. Crafty concoctions can be made with ingredients including pineapple, Japanese pickled radish, yellowtail, kimchi, and more.

Sushi Cup

Finn's Manor

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Stokes Poke, a food truck parked at Finn’s Manor, brings the taste of Hawaii to the mainland through fresh, simple ingredients and high-quality fish. The small menu has a fresh catch of the day as well as a single shoyu and spicy bowl.

Facebook

Aloha Poke Co. — Zeppelin Station

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One of the latest additions to Denver’s rapidly expanding poke restaurant roster is Aloha Poke Co., a Chicago-based chain that recently opened in Zeppelin Station. It serves a selection of sashimi-grade tuna, salmon, or tofu on a base of rice or mixed greens. Bowls are finished with a variety of toppings from edamame and pineapple to cucumber and avocado.

Facebook

Blue Island Oyster Bar

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Along with a wide variety of oysters, this seafood-centric Cherry Creek spot serves yellowfin tuna poke from its raw bar, complete with fresh cucumber and snap peas and topped with sesame, scallions, and wontons to scoop up all the flavor.

Blue Island

Rocky Fin Poke Bar

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Rocky Fin Poke Bar prepares healthy, fresh, and raw ingredients in a build-your-own bowl. Customers start by choosing the number of protein scoops they’d like to include, then follow up with a base, ranging from white or brown rice to tortilla chips. Sauces, toppings, and mix-ins are added for the grand finale.

Facebook

PokeCity

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Down in the Tech Center, this small shop has a huge following. The menu allows guests to choose a protein, the mix-ins, and fixings, and enjoy it in or to go. More locations are in the works.

Poke City

Ohana Island Kitchen

From a small walk-up window in LoHi, Ohana earned a following and became a go-to lunchtime destination two summers ago. The husband-wife duo behind it took their act to a brick-and-mortar operation across the street, and there they dish out shoyu and spicy tuna bowls, with salmon specials every so often. For some real island flair, the spam musubi is not to be missed.

Facebook

Denver Poke Company

At the ground level of an apartment building, Denver Poke Company provides fresh, sushi-grade fish available every morning, brought in whole each day and never frozen. Signature bowls include the chile mango salmon and pineapple basil yellowtail.

Denver Poke Co.

Poke House

These handcrafted bowls served at the corner of 17th and Platte Street next to Denver Beer Co. appeared earlier this year, with create-your-own ingredient lists and specialties such as the refreshing Cali bowl with salmon, spicy tuna, crispy garlic, and lotus chips. Also available on the “secret menu” is spam musubi with flaming hot Cheetos.

Facebook

QuickFish Poke Bar

This Portland-born poke spot opened in the former Bamboo Sushi stall at Avanti. The fast-casual counter presents the Bamboo bowl, with Oregon albacore, hunks of avocado, crispy shallots, nori, and sweet onion, as well as the traditional Hawaiian poke bowl with sesame brittle, cucumber, and mixed seaweed.

QuickFish

bubu

One of many of chef Troy Guard’s creations scattered around town, this Asian-fusion concept was inspired by its owner’s roots. Health-centric spins on build-your-own bowls include raw tuna and salmon and are finished with a choice of locally sourced veggies.

Bubu

Turtle Boat - Colorado Poki Salads

Serving “Colorado Poki salads,” this space pays particular attention to sustainability and locally sourced ingredients. With that in mind, the Colorado bowl uses Alamosa striped bass and farm greens. More than 17 toppings can be added in, such as fish roe and nori powder.

Facebook

Adrift Tiki

This casual Polynesian tiki bar on South Broadway serves island-inspired fare and prohibition-era tropical libations. The menu features a visually stunning ahi poke over dry ice, with mango and a side of taro chips.

Facebook

Mister Tuna

This 3,500-square-foot, glamorously gritty, black and gold space sits on the bustling Brighton Boulevard offering a Charlie Guard ahi poke under the appetizers list. It comes with avocado, seaweed, and chili pepper soy dressing.

Mister Tuna

Tammen’s Fish Market

A fresh fish counter alongside the full-blown seafood shop in Denver Central Market, Tammen’s serves shellfish, filets, and ceviches, as well as tuna poke.

Facebook

Sushi Cup

The tiny Capitol Hill space has customizable bowls for lunch and dinner, too. Crafty concoctions can be made with ingredients including pineapple, Japanese pickled radish, yellowtail, kimchi, and more.

Sushi Cup

Finn's Manor

Stokes Poke, a food truck parked at Finn’s Manor, brings the taste of Hawaii to the mainland through fresh, simple ingredients and high-quality fish. The small menu has a fresh catch of the day as well as a single shoyu and spicy bowl.

Facebook

Aloha Poke Co. — Zeppelin Station

One of the latest additions to Denver’s rapidly expanding poke restaurant roster is Aloha Poke Co., a Chicago-based chain that recently opened in Zeppelin Station. It serves a selection of sashimi-grade tuna, salmon, or tofu on a base of rice or mixed greens. Bowls are finished with a variety of toppings from edamame and pineapple to cucumber and avocado.

Facebook

Blue Island Oyster Bar

Along with a wide variety of oysters, this seafood-centric Cherry Creek spot serves yellowfin tuna poke from its raw bar, complete with fresh cucumber and snap peas and topped with sesame, scallions, and wontons to scoop up all the flavor.

Blue Island

Rocky Fin Poke Bar

Rocky Fin Poke Bar prepares healthy, fresh, and raw ingredients in a build-your-own bowl. Customers start by choosing the number of protein scoops they’d like to include, then follow up with a base, ranging from white or brown rice to tortilla chips. Sauces, toppings, and mix-ins are added for the grand finale.

Facebook

PokeCity

Down in the Tech Center, this small shop has a huge following. The menu allows guests to choose a protein, the mix-ins, and fixings, and enjoy it in or to go. More locations are in the works.

Poke City

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