Restaurants in Hilo
Best Restaurants
“Phenomenal dinner with unforgettable service. Sizzling poke was to die for. Fish of the day perfect. Small menu which I prefer- seems that everything is thoughtfully prepared. Shout out to Barbara for being awesome!”
“A fun little spot for great food, incredibly friendly staff, and live music. Think Margaritaville, but local hawaiian style. Really tasty food offerings (look for daily specials on the chalk board). Super tasty cocktails, including their signature that's served in a hollowed out Hawaiian Gold pineapple. This is a nice open-air spot located right across from Hilo bay. Very popular with tourists.Parking: Plenty of street parking available to walk fromKid-friendliness: Very kid friendly!”
“The BEST meal I have ever had. The atmosphere is amazing and Paul is such a personable and passionate chef. He puts such a creative twist on all of his menu items and his ingredients are incredibly fresh. I could not recommend this place enough!!”
“We did the farm tour and loved it. It was one of my favorite experiences on our trip to the Big Island. The owner and the guide were very informative, friendly and generous. The chocolate was also so delicious and you should definitely try the drinking chocolate as well—rich and delicious, mixed with coconut milk!”
“Rather small storefront for a fantastic group of coffee roasters. I got the Kaū, since they didn't have any of the liberica roasted, and we unfortunately didn't have time for them to roast some, though I wish we had. The coffe was a great treat to bring back with us. The woman at the counter was helpful and knowledgeable, a big plus and sets them apart from most of the places we went to. Highly recommended for black coffee lovers.”
Restaurants by Cuisine
“Always a great place for breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. We bring our family here. They have a kid friendly menu and we always all look forward to the Desserts! We've spent 2 Birthday dinners here during Covid. It's just a no brainer. What to expect when at Cafe Pesto for Dinner, good food, good service, nice environment, clean bathrooms, kid friendly, great drinks, fast service.Update: March 21, 2024"Hibiscus French Coacktail" was sooo.. good!Kid-friendliness: Kid friendly menu.Kids fave: pizzas, pastas, loco moco, and burger.”
“Usually when people here in Hawaii speak of chicken papaya they're talking about the soup. I was happy to find a half papaya filled with chicken salad! Was very good! And it came with a piece of very yummy bread pudding! My companions all enjoyed their various lunches and we will definitely return to try other menu options!”
“Everything about this place I enjoyed! Was greeted and seated within 5 minutes! every one was friendly.. menu was awesome! service was on it! Food was hot and delicious.. salad was bountiful and ”
Restaurants with Delivery
“The food was delicious and a reasonable price. I had the shrimp scampi (added a side salad-the sesame dressing was amazing!!!) and the Hawaiian margarita!!! Moana was an amazing server…this is a place you have to try.-Ashley from Gilbert, AZ”
“This place has the BEST Pho I have had in years. Even when I reheated it for left overs, it was still delicious. Come here and get some food! The portions are large and the prices are great!”
“Phenomenal dinner with unforgettable service. Sizzling poke was to die for. Fish of the day perfect. Small menu which I prefer- seems that everything is thoughtfully prepared. Shout out to Barbara for being awesome!”
“Legitimately worth driving from Kona just to have it. Best poke and best sushi on the island. Super kind people, very easy to use website for pre-ordering, and excellent food.”
“Popped into this cafe and was warmly greeted by a friendly employee. Several customers were already lined up and it didn’t take long for others to join us. No pressure but two girls got our orders quickly and my chai was delicious. The pastries looked super tempting and sit down customers had only positive comments. Although small it is quite charming and welcoming. Coming back soon.Parking: A pick up spot is located directly in front of the cafeKid-friendliness: There are options for kids so parents need no worry.”
“A fun little spot for great food, incredibly friendly staff, and live music. Think Margaritaville, but local hawaiian style. Really tasty food offerings (look for daily specials on the chalk board). Super tasty cocktails, including their signature that's served in a hollowed out Hawaiian Gold pineapple. This is a nice open-air spot located right across from Hilo bay. Very popular with tourists.Parking: Plenty of street parking available to walk fromKid-friendliness: Very kid friendly!”
“While visiting family in hilo, we ate there several times. Tons of options for my haole hubby. I was a little more ambitious. My aunties and cousins love this place so I know it's legit. Portions were huge and the Aloha was everywhere.Wheelchair accessibility: They make accommodations for people as needed”
“We did the farm tour and loved it. It was one of my favorite experiences on our trip to the Big Island. The owner and the guide were very informative, friendly and generous. The chocolate was also so delicious and you should definitely try the drinking chocolate as well—rich and delicious, mixed with coconut milk!”
“Our first time here impressions:: *Friendly, Organized and efficient customer service *Food display case made us want to buy two of everything and I feel like we kinda did. *Cannot beat the prices - we left there feeling like we ripped them off... +All the food tasted as good as it looked Loved it !!! If u guys wanna open a shoppe on Oahu lmk and I'll be your first investor!”
“Cute local cafe with a nice variety of coffees and baked goods. Comfortable seating area to enjoy your order. I tried a Rose latte w Mac nut milk to go with their apple cinnamon scone. Delicious . They have homemade whipped cream cheese that I would love to try next time on a bagel . Support local business!”
“Loved this place we found in Hawaii! Great atmosphere, very chill. has computers for gaming and the booths on the wall have nintendo with controllers to play games. Pizza was delicious, loved the thin crust it had. Definitely recommend if your in town.”
“Just moved from Seattle and missed cheese steaks and gyros. I am so glad we tried this spot out. I know where to go when I'm having a craving. I do need to also try out the pastrami sandwich. Ooh and the fries, are nice and crispy.”
“I got a pork lemongrass banh mi for $10. I've never had banh mi before so I can't do a comparison to other ones available on island, but it was delicious! If you do drop by, they only accept cash so come prepared!”
“Always a great place for breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. We bring our family here. They have a kid friendly menu and we always all look forward to the Desserts! We've spent 2 Birthday dinners here during Covid. It's just a no brainer. What to expect when at Cafe Pesto for Dinner, good food, good service, nice environment, clean bathrooms, kid friendly, great drinks, fast service.Update: March 21, 2024"Hibiscus French Coacktail" was sooo.. good!Kid-friendliness: Kid friendly menu.Kids fave: pizzas, pastas, loco moco, and burger.”
“It’s delicious. Don’t order the bowl that’s too small. There’s rice underneath. The fried pork cutlet is delicious, but the price of the fried pork cutlet is a bit high. Also, this store only accepts cash!”
“Frank foods is dedicated to providing top quality meats and customer service. Customize your list or they offer meat packages (feed one or an entire ohana).Delivery is also available.”
“Amazing juices and smoothies. Plenty of variety. Hawaiian traditional drinks like Awa and Makaki tea. If you are local, the juice subscription plan is a great deal, but record keeping method is not the best, so keep your own record of how many juices you took and double check your count with their record every time you get a juice. They will be fair if there is a discrepancy, which I appreciate.”
“Great restaurant looking over Hilo bay. We took out two items as we couldn't get a reservation. Hilo sunset sushi was so good with poached shrimp, spicy salmon, gochujang aioli,cucumber,sesame, sweet potato chips and tempura crisps. We also ordered side of crab cakes: it came with nice fresh salad and tasty salad dressings. We loved that too. Next time we would like to sit in the restaurant and enjoy the foods over a good view.”
Online Reservation Available
“Great restaurant looking over Hilo bay. We took out two items as we couldn't get a reservation. Hilo sunset sushi was so good with poached shrimp, spicy salmon, gochujang aioli,cucumber,sesame, sweet potato chips and tempura crisps. We also ordered side of crab cakes: it came with nice fresh salad and tasty salad dressings. We loved that too. Next time we would like to sit in the restaurant and enjoy the foods over a good view.”
“I visited Hilo for a weekend and are here twice in that time because it was so good. I had the pesto sandwich and it was really SO good. Other members of my party had nori wraps and loved it, avocado sandwich and loved it, I can’t remember what else but also loved it. Friendly service. Clean bathrooms. And I got homemade fruit leather to bring home to my kiddos. Hopefully it makes it because I might eat it all! They also have some hats (??) and other locally made items for sale.”
“Awsome place for great sushi experienceVegetarian options: Edamame,vegetable tempura and salad.Parking: Parking in lot right in front of door short walk to entrance.Wheelchair accessibility: Wheelchair accessible/friendly”
“Much much better than expected! Looks rough from the outside, services the industrial businesses in the area. We had garlic shrimp and BBQ chicken take-out, so much food we had to save more than half the chicken for later and half the rice for later. We ate all our cabage salad and half the macaroni salad. Very reasonably priced, $16 for each of our meals, we could have easily shared one meal between the two of us.”
“Nice friendly service. Clean restaurant convenient to Downtown Hilo. Had the Coconut Chicken soup and the Pad Thai chicken noodles. Both were good. Also had the Thai ice tea and was good. I would recommend ? this restaurant for good Thai food. Close to the Hilo open product market so you could take care of your produce shopping while having lunch. This restaurant is not very crowded as we were the only customers at 11 am Monday.”
“Amazing lunch or dinner, every time!I usually order from the main menu for lunch - rice bowls, bentos, noodles, every dish is well prepared, fresh, and delicious.For dinner I always choose from the izakaya menu and it is delightful. Original recipes, pleasing presentation, lovely service, and affordable prices.Imaginative cocktails to go with the top notch food.”
“Super cool bar facing the Hilo bay. Gino was the bartender. Made great food suggestions as well as local places to visit. Had the local fish salad. Very tasty. Great tap beer selection.”
“this place is always so good. my fave is the ahi don. this time i got the bento box for variety. lots of food. fried things taste clean..like they use fresh oil. guava margaritas with li hing mui rim was ono”
“I was invited to a private luncheon event sponsored by a prestigious club. I was a guest and felt a little out of place within WSW.The restaurant has a beautiful view of Hilo’s coastline and there is a superb wine cellar centrally placed framed within glass. As I glanced upon their wine selection, I understood why their sommelier paired the wine selection to WSW menu.We had a limited menu to choose for our midday event. My host picked their caesar chicken salad and it would have tempted any emperor. I had a gladiator appetite and chose their mushroom burger.Dessert was not on the private luncheon menu, but I did wonder what sweet delights this kitchen crew could create.Now, I’m curious to know and hope to have an opportunity to explore their full dinner menu and savor the sweeter side of the palate.”
“We visited this restaurant on Wednesday 13/03/2024. When we entered we thought it was closed, but you go around the corner and you will find a pleasant place to sit. The service was nice and attentive. The food was excellent.”
“Awsome place for great sushi experienceVegetarian options: Edamame,vegetable tempura and salad.Parking: Parking in lot right in front of door short walk to entrance.Wheelchair accessibility: Wheelchair accessible/friendly”
“Friendly staff, good location and amazing food. Great menu along with a good selection of bar drinks. We had breakfast and the service was fast. Small location so you might have to wait. Will come here again if back in Hilo.”
“Feels like a diner but it’s 100% Japanese. Lucky for us there wasn’t a table at Pinapple’s down the block. Instead, we stumbled upon this gem in Hilo. Difficult to decide because everything sounded so delicious. We got the ahi carpaccio, spicy ahi rolls, spicy cucumber, and tan tan noodles. Service was so friendly and welcoming. Everything delicious! Noodles were just the right consistency of chewiness and firmness. Wish I had another stomach. I would have ordered the rest of the menu.”
Takeout Restaurants
“I have been coming here for 3 years and I refuse to go anywhere else. Hands down, the best pho.Kid-friendliness: I almost always bring my son here for a mommy-son date. The man that works there always gives him a balloon. The sweetest people ever.”
“Super awesome place for ice cream!I got chocolate with Oreo mix and Oreo topping, and it was so yummy ?Not your typical ice cream shop, they cold roll the ice cream, which kinda makes it light and smooth. They have a ton of games, so if you need a place to chill for a while, this is the perfect ice cream and game spot”
“Super delicious carnitas street tacos! They make their own hot sauce too. And the tacos are so flavorful and moist, a lil crispy. Perfection. Shredded chicken is great also.Parking: Big open gravel parking lot to park in. Just drive into the open metal gate/fence.”
“My husband & I stopped in for a small quick bite and we settled on the nachos with chorizo added on as our meat choice. How can you go wrong with nachos right? They did not disappoint! The nachos were plentiful and delicious. The chorizo was very flavorful and toppings were plentiful. There were a good amount of tables to sit at, under covered area. The service time took about 25 minutes, but the gentleman taking our order was up front about the wait time which I really appreciated. The only observation we made was that there was no hot sauce anywhere. I should have asked the man in the window if there was hot sauce or jalapeño for purchase as I like my food a little spicy. Next time I will and there will definitely be a next time. If the owner is reading this, can you tell me if you offer hot sauce or jalapeños to add on? Thank you”
“Rather small storefront for a fantastic group of coffee roasters. I got the Kaū, since they didn't have any of the liberica roasted, and we unfortunately didn't have time for them to roast some, though I wish we had. The coffe was a great treat to bring back with us. The woman at the counter was helpful and knowledgeable, a big plus and sets them apart from most of the places we went to. Highly recommended for black coffee lovers.”
“Usually when people here in Hawaii speak of chicken papaya they're talking about the soup. I was happy to find a half papaya filled with chicken salad! Was very good! And it came with a piece of very yummy bread pudding! My companions all enjoyed their various lunches and we will definitely return to try other menu options!”
“Fantastic quick, cheap, fresh to-go lunch spot. Was also so happy to use the little bit of the Japanese I have with the owner. Definitely worth stopping by if you’re in the area.”
“Everything about this place I enjoyed! Was greeted and seated within 5 minutes! every one was friendly.. menu was awesome! service was on it! Food was hot and delicious.. salad was bountiful and ”
“This cozy bakery in Hilo had some great pastries available. We arrived about 10am and missed out on scones but I had the BEST key lime pie I've ever had here. Also my lemon blueberry muffin was so yummy along with a cup of coffee! Definitely a popular spot so go early if you can!”
“So glad we happened to find this place in Hilo! The food was amazingly tasty and filling. We ordered a pancake and one of the spicy pork dishes. This was one of our favorite meals on the island. There are a handful of tables available inside, and they were almost all taken while we were there. Obviously everyone knows how great this place is!Would highly recommend eating here!”
“10/10! The friendly staff and unique flavors make it a fabulous experience. Don't miss the chocolate sea salt and strawberry in a waffle cone - a must-try at this excellent vegan spot.”
“I wasn't feeling well, and thought I would order Pho through Express Waiters. It was my first time eating from this restaurant, and the Pho did not disappoint. We'll definitely dine-in as a family someday soon.”
“Amazing staff and so helpful. My daughter was grooving and doing her happy food dance and she dropped her bowl and they were so kind about it. Family friendly lunch! Totally a Hilo Gem!”
“Amazing juices and smoothies. Plenty of variety. Hawaiian traditional drinks like Awa and Makaki tea. If you are local, the juice subscription plan is a great deal, but record keeping method is not the best, so keep your own record of how many juices you took and double check your count with their record every time you get a juice. They will be fair if there is a discrepancy, which I appreciate.”
“We tried the 3 vegan/plant-based options with 2 of them "Chicago" style and one plain (ketchup/mustard). The veggie dogs (original and Italian Garlic and Fennel) were quite tasty. Firm enough and flavorful. I would recommend these. The "Nawt Dawg" is a carrot that I imagine is marinated. I found it quite soft/mushy and really just tasted like boiled carrot.... wouldn't do that one again, but the veggie ones I would! Hot dogs come with a bag of (Lay's) chips, vegan options availableVegetarian options: 3 vegetarian/vegan options”
“Very nice view of the water. Our waitress Sam was very good, making sure that we were taking care of and explained the menu items very well. The Ono and scallops are outstanding. The wasabi cream sauce was unlike any other I’ve ever tasted. Save room for dessert, and or after dinner drink because they are top-notch. Thank ”
“I haven't been there yet, but a friend brought me home the Sunrise juice and it was not only delicious but the best cold pressed juice I have ever tasted. My goal today is to stop by and get one of every juice they make, they're in a green kiosk sort of in the middle of the parking lot and don't open until 10am, they also have plant based meals! I could seriously give up my daily Starbucks stop if only they opened earlier.”
“Stopped at this thai restaurant for dinner and so glad we did. The cucumber drink was so refreshing after a hot day. The servings of our plates were big and very filling, couldn't finish it all in one sitting. I had the drunken noodles (medium spice), cooked great!”
Cheap Eats
“Best coffee ever!!! They are super consistently good and their staff is really nice. The standard size for their drinks is way bigger than other places despite being around the same price as other shops. If you like sweeter stuff, get the Ube latte!!”
“Really great mochi. Ordered a variety of 8 traditional mochi, and they were the freshest and best ones I've had outside of Japan. They used to be cash only, but they seem to take credit cards now ?”
“Super service..it was a personable young lady. Must be good timing ordering the cold vermicelli noodles with grilled pork and 2 sandwiches because the wait time was minimal. The noodles were really good and it fed 2 adults for lunch. Lots of pork that was seasoned just right for us. Ordered a chicken and a pork sandwich but we were so full from the salad, that will be dinner. Judging by the weight of the sandwich...must be packed! One star off for clear pricing on menu. No receipt so can't share the itemization.”
“It looks like a factory, but there's an ice cream shop!There are so many different flavors to choose from!Good to eat while taking a walkPlease note that if you buy 6, you get 1 free :)Various & natural flavors ?”
“Great new spot in Hilo! We had the vegetable curry rice (comes w/two pieces of boneless chicken thigh, mmm!) and the lunch special yakitori udon. Incredibly tasty. Very nice staff. Will definitely be back to try more menu items!?”
“We spent the day driving from our home on the Kona side to see some of the beautiful waterfalls on the north east side of the island. A day in the car made us ready for sitting down to a nice meal. Luckily for us, we ended up at Don's Grill. The menu had an unbelievably large number of items to select from. Our waitress Elizabeth was pleasant, helpful and attentive. The food came out very quickly and was delicious. The price was very fair and the desserts were the perfect ending to a nice meal. The only mistake that we made was going too late in the day because the mud pie in this picture was already gone to earlier customers for the day. It would be worth it to drive to Hilo just to eat at Don's Grill again and I will, only next time I'll get there early so I can get that mud pie.”
“The pho here is literally the best I've ever had in my life. They've very much so mastered their craft and dang I'll be dreaming about this broth back home. The service was quick and attentive. I will be back next time I'm in town.”
“OMG this place is a hidden gem. This is the best lunch I have had in the island so far. The chicken katsu and yakisoba are so delicious. And the price is really good.”
“Really amazing no-frills korean food! We got the kalbi combo plate with calamari. The kalbi was so tender and flavorful and the calamari was very light, the tempura was not greasy and the squid was not rubbery or overcooked.The food is a very generous portion and comes with four sides/banchan. My favorites were the eggplant and japchae(korean style glass noodles)Very tasty food at great prices, and the staff are very friendly too. Will definitely return!”
“This restaurant was so good that I decided to start writing Google Reviews - the world needs to know how great this place is. We stayed in Hilo for 5 days and ate here twice. Every single thing we ate was excellent. Our most well-traveled group member decreed this as the best Thai food he’s ever had in America. The curry was spectacular - especially the green curry, the masaman curry, and the red pineapple curry. We also enjoyed the pad Thai, coconut soup, green papaya salad, spring rolls, Thai tea, and mango sticky rice. You really can’t go wrong!Ohi and Lotus were so kind; they even gave us recommendations for local activities as we were waiting for our food. It sounds like they grow most of their vegetables or buy them at local farmer’s markets. Everything tasted so fresh! If you like Thai food, you will love this place.Vegetarian options: Tofu as an option for most dishes”
“Great menu for dairy free, gluten free, and vegan. The kombucha is on point and above. The root beer is a bit mind blowing. Tastes like root beer without the sugary grossness. All seven that we tried were wonderful. My husband wasn't fond of the Palo Santo but I thought the flavor was really unique. The fish tacos and the chicken tinga were amazing.Bathrooms are nicely kept but please make sure to help them keep it that way by cleaning your mess.”
“I just happen to be walking down the street and I walked into this tiny little restaurant, I ordered a fried egg patty with rice also macaroni salad and some round little fried thing, sorry I don't know what it's called It was, very surprised how good it was... after I ate it I couldn't wait to go back but because I found it on my walk I couldn't find it again on my trip to Hilo, now I have flown back to the mainland but I'm craving going to this restaurant where I live we don't have anything like it or else I would try to go find something similar, place itself is kind of ugly on a street where it's rare that they even put names up of businesses I didn't know this place was even open as all businesses on the street look to be dark and closed which is really strange but I'm glad I happen to walk in and make a purchase because I'll never forget how good this restaurant is.”
“Always a great meal here. Not really a place to relax at or eat in, but order and bring to the park or home. Awesome sushi, always delicious, not an extensive menu but just enough to enjoy. Tip: order early as they will close early if they run out! Strictly a lunch time only place, closes early at 3 pm.”
“We fell in love with Hilo and Da Hawaaian Brain Freeze shave ice. All kinds of delicious frozen treats. We returned twice and would have gone back a third time had we more time in beautiful Hilo. The shave is like snow- so fine! All the flavors we tried were amazing. Tip: get the ice cream inside the shave ice. We got mac nut and ube -both were incredible.”
“A wonderful experience each time with a precisely tailored drink and attentive service.Haven't tried the food yet, but all the teas have been delightful.Great selection of flavors. Just one wish would be for a decaf tea option.Convenient location and no shortage of parking.”
“Poke N Sides in Hilo, Hawaii is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike looking to enjoy delicious poke bowls and a variety of tasty sides. Known for their fresh and high-quality ingredients, this eatery offers a wide selection of poke options, from traditional ahi tuna to unique flavors like spicy salmon or octopus. Customers appreciate the customizable nature of their bowls, allowing them to create a meal that suits their taste preferences.In addition to their poke bowls, Poke N Sides offers a range of delectable sides to complement your meal. From seaweed salad to edamame and kimchi cucumbers, there is something for everyone to enjoy. The casual and welcoming atmosphere of the restaurant adds to the overall dining experience, making it a must-visit destination for anyone craving a taste of Hawaii's culinary delights. With friendly staff and a menu that caters to various dietary preferences, Poke N Sides is a fantastic choice for a satisfying and flavorful meal in Hilo.Parking is tight on weekend.”
“This place turned out to be a very lovely establishment. The wife and I had to run errands in town and stopped in to try it out. We had an experience at the neighboring restaurant "Miwa's" and I'm comparison, it felt like a more modern American-Japanese restaurant, where as Miwa's was a little dated.The food was great, and we came on a slow day, so I couldn't say much on service.”
“The service is always on point, the ladies are so friendly and efficient. The prices have increased due to the rising cost of food and supplies. The food is great and it's a nice spot to have lunch with friends.”
“Amazing food. Had the chirashi chefs choice. Great service. Tea was tastey. Only eight spots to sit around in a sushi bar set up. Reservations required. Had a ring a bell to get in.Parking: Parking stalls directly in front. Lots of stalls in the lots bit it is a bit chaotic.”
“Food was so tasty and fresh! It took a bit of time to get our food, but what I appreciated is that it taste like they made it from scratch and not just made in bulk and reheated. Worth the wait! I got my Spicy seafood noodles extra spicy and it definitely hit the spot. The seafood pancake was also very yummy!”
“First time I tried the Hilo location and it was just as good as the other ones in the islands. Fast service big plates and ono grinds. If you haven't been make sure you go. Recommend for everyone.”
“AMAZING!!!! The restaurant overlooks the water and service was amazing! Drinks were priced great and delicious! We had the great Cliff IPA, a Hawaiian mojito, and Lychee martini! All were amazing! Food wise we had Crab Spinach Dip, Crab & Shrimp Mac and cheese, pork plate, and fish plate! We all loved our dishes! Server was amazing and very helpful! 10/10!”
“Salina and I have enjoyed Restaurant Miwa's Japanese Aloha for years. Relaxing atmosphere,. Friendly prompt service. Carefully prepared Delicious Japanese Cuisine at reasonable prices. ??”
“Amazing lunch or dinner, every time!I usually order from the main menu for lunch - rice bowls, bentos, noodles, every dish is well prepared, fresh, and delicious.For dinner I always choose from the izakaya menu and it is delightful. Original recipes, pleasing presentation, lovely service, and affordable prices.Imaginative cocktails to go with the top notch food.”
“this place is always so good. my fave is the ahi don. this time i got the bento box for variety. lots of food. fried things taste clean..like they use fresh oil. guava margaritas with li hing mui rim was ono”
“I was invited to a private luncheon event sponsored by a prestigious club. I was a guest and felt a little out of place within WSW.The restaurant has a beautiful view of Hilo’s coastline and there is a superb wine cellar centrally placed framed within glass. As I glanced upon their wine selection, I understood why their sommelier paired the wine selection to WSW menu.We had a limited menu to choose for our midday event. My host picked their caesar chicken salad and it would have tempted any emperor. I had a gladiator appetite and chose their mushroom burger.Dessert was not on the private luncheon menu, but I did wonder what sweet delights this kitchen crew could create.Now, I’m curious to know and hope to have an opportunity to explore their full dinner menu and savor the sweeter side of the palate.”
“We visited this restaurant on Wednesday 13/03/2024. When we entered we thought it was closed, but you go around the corner and you will find a pleasant place to sit. The service was nice and attentive. The food was excellent.”
Latest Reviews
“It took me longer to order than it did for us to eat bc the menu is that good! :)Great gluten-free options, we got pancakes and waffles and service from Suzy was excellent even with a picky 3 y/o who needed lots of grace and love lol”
“Hou My People???? dis place get dah mean kine grindz that make you go , " a shet, its ovah when you see dah Katsu Chicken Plate Bok Bahhaaaaaok!!!??? I recommend this place to all my people on dah Big Island of Hawaii?and Mainlanders???????Maikai'i Aunties that Malama? here serving all dayzz??”
“Pete's Belly Bustaz serves the BEST KOREAN CHICKEN I have ever eaten! You can tell, a lot of their food is made with so much love. You absolutely godda go try it!”
“We tried the 3 vegan/plant-based options with 2 of them "Chicago" style and one plain (ketchup/mustard). The veggie dogs (original and Italian Garlic and Fennel) were quite tasty. Firm enough and flavorful. I would recommend these. The "Nawt Dawg" is a carrot that I imagine is marinated. I found it quite soft/mushy and really just tasted like boiled carrot.... wouldn't do that one again, but the veggie ones I would! Hot dogs come with a bag of (Lay's) chips, vegan options availableVegetarian options: 3 vegetarian/vegan options”
“Prices here are awesome in comparison to other shops and the quality is top notch ? herbs were dank and terpy and the wax was premium quality. The only thing better was their customer service ?? shout out to Courtney, Tim and Jr. For answering all my questions and helping me find exactly what I was searching for ? Mahalo”
“Love the poi ball! Sweet and chewy. The owner is also super friendly! The Food truck is sometimes in a different place, but you can find the location from their Instagram/facebookAlso recommend their smoky Ahi dip!”
“There are good prices for their pizza's and it tastes good. Love the stuffed bread and chicken wings, too. They also have drive-thru, that's a plus. Wish they had more than one location, though.”
Most Popular Restaurants
“While visiting family in hilo, we ate there several times. Tons of options for my haole hubby. I was a little more ambitious. My aunties and cousins love this place so I know it's legit. Portions were huge and the Aloha was everywhere.Wheelchair accessibility: They make accommodations for people as needed”
“Great place to eat, so many burger options. Food is always fresh. And the staff is very friendly.Vegetarian options: There were a few vegetarian options ?Parking: We arrived later, so we found a spot right in front?Kid-friendliness: There was a family there with children.”
“This place has the BEST Pho I have had in years. Even when I reheated it for left overs, it was still delicious. Come here and get some food! The portions are large and the prices are great!”
“Great menu for dairy free, gluten free, and vegan. The kombucha is on point and above. The root beer is a bit mind blowing. Tastes like root beer without the sugary grossness. All seven that we tried were wonderful. My husband wasn't fond of the Palo Santo but I thought the flavor was really unique. The fish tacos and the chicken tinga were amazing.Bathrooms are nicely kept but please make sure to help them keep it that way by cleaning your mess.”
“Stop here when in Hilo. We've been here twice, both times enjoyed their one-pound Lau Lau. Lau Lau is a Hawaiian specialty you should try at least once when in Hawaii, and it's not on a lot of menus. Take advantage of this great, local diner to learn the joys of Lau Lau.”
“Really great mochi. Ordered a variety of 8 traditional mochi, and they were the freshest and best ones I've had outside of Japan. They used to be cash only, but they seem to take credit cards now ?”
“I visited Hilo for a weekend and are here twice in that time because it was so good. I had the pesto sandwich and it was really SO good. Other members of my party had nori wraps and loved it, avocado sandwich and loved it, I can’t remember what else but also loved it. Friendly service. Clean bathrooms. And I got homemade fruit leather to bring home to my kiddos. Hopefully it makes it because I might eat it all! They also have some hats (??) and other locally made items for sale.”
“One of the best meals we've ever had. We ordered the Yellow Curry, Fresh Rolls, Papaya Salad, Mango Sticky Rice and the Thai Pizza. One of the best food experiences we ever had. 10/10 recommend”
“Super delicious carnitas street tacos! They make their own hot sauce too. And the tacos are so flavorful and moist, a lil crispy. Perfection. Shredded chicken is great also.Parking: Big open gravel parking lot to park in. Just drive into the open metal gate/fence.”
“We've gone for breakfast twice this last week and once for dinner. I'm sure we'll go again at least a couple times before our vacation ends. The omelets are huge, we could easily share but haven't yet because they're so good. We get the bacon and ham omelet and sizzling prime rib hash browns with eggs over easy.”
“My husband & I stopped in for a small quick bite and we settled on the nachos with chorizo added on as our meat choice. How can you go wrong with nachos right? They did not disappoint! The nachos were plentiful and delicious. The chorizo was very flavorful and toppings were plentiful. There were a good amount of tables to sit at, under covered area. The service time took about 25 minutes, but the gentleman taking our order was up front about the wait time which I really appreciated. The only observation we made was that there was no hot sauce anywhere. I should have asked the man in the window if there was hot sauce or jalapeño for purchase as I like my food a little spicy. Next time I will and there will definitely be a next time. If the owner is reading this, can you tell me if you offer hot sauce or jalapeños to add on? Thank you”
“Whether you have had a moco loco in your life, or if it will be your first time, you got to try one at Cafe 100. Don't expect fancy here. This place is the real deal, and the food is reasonably priced and done exactly right.”
“Honestly, been coming to the Tavern for a decade and always have a good time. The venue space is evolving into more restaurant vibes which had its +\- (but big + for being one of the latest places serving food when every other restaurant kitchen in Hilo is closed!), but my STARS go to the Exhibit Gallery because it is 100% where I go FIRST w/ drink in hand to ease into the overall scene. I’m sincerely grateful for this art centered space. It allows for introspection, one-on-one conversations and true enrichment. Every time I come in there is something new to appreciate! My home is adorned with at least 3 pieces purchased from this gallery, each being a dynamic conversation starter for friends/family/visitors. I wish more bars had art galleries inherit within, creating a space to warm up to the external vibes and emerge centered and confident. MAHALO to the gallery owner for providing this safe space to network, grow and for LAYAWAY, making art affordable and accessible for the community!”
“The atmosphere isn't exactly inviting, but the food and friendly service were really great. Large portions for relatively little money, much cheaper than on the other islands. Thank you!”
“Good non-sbux coffee option in Hilo. They have plain croissants and bagels. Just ask. The service was good. Our person was really nice. It's a drive through so not much for ambiance!”
“The food was delicious and a reasonable price. I had the shrimp scampi (added a side salad-the sesame dressing was amazing!!!) and the Hawaiian margarita!!! Moana was an amazing server…this is a place you have to try.-Ashley from Gilbert, AZ”