Pokéworks Plans to Add a New Location in Harvard Square [Updated]

Boston will continue to ride the poke wave as a small but quickly growing chain of restaurants serving the classic Hawaiian dish prepares to add a new location in Cambridge. Pokéworks opened its first Massachusetts location in Somerville last November and will add a restaurant in Harvard Square this coming fall, per a tip Eater received. The forthcoming location is also displayed on the Pokéworks website with an anticipated fall 2017 opening but no specific address given.

Founded in 2015, the chain currently has locations in California, New York, Washington state, Virginia, and Massachusetts, with many more coming soon to Illinois, New Jersey, Georgia, and beyond.

Poke (pronounced poh-kay) is a Hawaiian raw fish salad made with tuna, salmon, shrimp, and a variety of other seafood options. Many poke restaurants also include non-seafood options, such as tofu or cooked chicken. Pokéworks also serves the ever-trendy sushi burrito, plus bowls and salads.

Rachel Leah Blumenthal for Eater

Within the span of a few months in early 2017, at least five restaurants serving poke or poke-inspired dishes opened in the Boston area, including the Davis Square Pokéworks, Manoa Poke Shop in Porter Square, Poke City nearby, Love Art Sushi near Berklee, and New Sushi, Inc. on the edge of Beacon Hill. In April, Legal Sea Foods jumped into the poke fray with the opening of Legal Fish Bowl, a fast-casual spot connected to the existing Kendall Square Legal.

Plus, more poke is on the way, with an unnamed restaurant slated to open in Chinatown, Poke Bento coming to Back Bay, and New York City’s The Pokéspot eyeing Boston for expansion.

Eater has reached out for more details on the forthcoming Pokéworks location and will post updates as they are made available, including a specific address and an opening timeline.

Update 7/18, 12:30 p.m.: Plans are still being finalized for this new Pokéworks location. A rep for the restaurant provided Eater with the following statement:

Given the popularity of our current Pokéworks location in Somerville, we’re excited to be looking at options for a second location in the Boston area. A location is not confirmed yet. We will make an official announcement to our Pokéworks fans as soon as we can.

Update 8/1: The forthcoming location will be at 1440 Massachusetts Ave. in Cambridge’s Harvard Square, replacing juice bar Liquiteria.

• All Pokéworks Coverage on Eater [EBOS]
• Hawaiian-Style Poke Will Descend Upon Davis Square [EBOS]