-Slow service (seemed as if no one knew who had what tables and would have been easier to see who was serving if they had the same shirts or name tags) , sticky/wobbly tables, and old/sticky menus.-Also, pay attention to your charges, waiter accidentally charged are card for the wrong table. He was able to quickly fix it.-On the positive side we liked the atmosphere, band and will go back when friends/family visit the island.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 2
Edward Hutchinson
Very small tavern feel. Food was plentiful. Took quite some time to get drink and food service. When we did though, our guy was funny and knowledgeable. IPAs were good, food was decent. Got the Mac n cheese chicken burger. Hot but REALLY messy, which was a good thing. Glad we chose to stop here during our visit.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Tavern Nachos
Zach Lacefield
We came to this restaurant and seated ourselves because there was no one to seat us. We waited for 30 minutes with no service, not even a “hi, I’ll be right with you”, “sorry for the wait” or waters.We then moved to another area in the restaurant and waited another 15 minutes while we watched the entire staff talking in the back. NO ONE ELSE in the restaurant had food.So, we just got up and left and went elsewhere. Do not recommend this place unless you want to wait and wait and wait and never get served. Doesn’t even deserve 1 star it was that bad.Waste of time and effort.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Bob Kilroy
The food is good and the atmosphere is comfortable, but what really makes this place shine is the service.Everyone here makes you feel like family.They're never pushy, but very helpful and friendly.If you haven't tried this hidden gem, you don't know what you're missing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tavern Cheesesteak, Nachos
Molly Nugent
Food and beer was delicious, we had a large party of 8 and everyone loved their meals. The server was new, so it was a little slower, but she was pleasant and kind. The open mic night was really cool, too.
Booked a show here and the new owners Carole didn’t pay as they promised they would. Poor service. Treated our fans and staff poorly. Great place but poor service from new owner
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Haolekoa 737
I went to many, many great shows at Tavern over the years. Always a great time. Unfortunately, the new managent are clearly out of their depth. Last weekend was the Kanaka Fyah show, always a great time and packed house. The new management wouldn't allow reentry, even if you just used the bathroom. They shut the doors at 11, even denying entry to pre-sale ticket holders. They also reneged on the bar percentage the band was supposed to be paid. So many years, so many shows, so many great times, pau. Tavern is dead. RIP Tavern.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Todd Glass
Upfront I’ll say I did not try out any of their alcohol so I can’t speak to that. I grew up in the country around farms and gardening for my food. I don’t expect a fancy dinner when I go out to eat but please do yourself a favor and skip this place. Don’t bother coming here especially with kids, unless you like sitting in cigarette smoke and waiting a long time for less than average food. I couldn’t even get a drink refill because the waiter brought the food and then never returned. My wife and I walked out and looked and each other and said we won’t be back to this place. It’s a shame. We love supporting local businesses in our own town.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
Recommended dishes: Nachos
Soco2020
Great burger! Good local place.
W ISSAC
Love this watering hole one of Hilo’s best spots??
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!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
IamDebbW
The WORST food and beverage service in Hilo Town EVERY SINGLE time LOL go somewhere else. For reals.
Jessica Pearman
Nothing fancy, just a nice watering hole. Food is pretty standard nothing fancy or unique.
-Slow service (seemed as if no one knew who had what tables and would have been easier to see who was serving if they had the same shirts or name tags) , sticky/wobbly tables, and old/sticky menus.-Also, pay attention to your charges, waiter accidentally charged are card for the wrong table. He was able to quickly fix it.-On the positive side we liked the atmosphere, band and will go back when friends/family visit the island.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 2
Very small tavern feel. Food was plentiful. Took quite some time to get drink and food service. When we did though, our guy was funny and knowledgeable. IPAs were good, food was decent. Got the Mac n cheese chicken burger. Hot but REALLY messy, which was a good thing. Glad we chose to stop here during our visit.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Tavern Nachos
We came to this restaurant and seated ourselves because there was no one to seat us. We waited for 30 minutes with no service, not even a “hi, I’ll be right with you”, “sorry for the wait” or waters.We then moved to another area in the restaurant and waited another 15 minutes while we watched the entire staff talking in the back. NO ONE ELSE in the restaurant had food.So, we just got up and left and went elsewhere. Do not recommend this place unless you want to wait and wait and wait and never get served. Doesn’t even deserve 1 star it was that bad.Waste of time and effort.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
The food is good and the atmosphere is comfortable, but what really makes this place shine is the service.Everyone here makes you feel like family.They're never pushy, but very helpful and friendly.If you haven't tried this hidden gem, you don't know what you're missing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tavern Cheesesteak, Nachos
Food and beer was delicious, we had a large party of 8 and everyone loved their meals. The server was new, so it was a little slower, but she was pleasant and kind. The open mic night was really cool, too.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Waffle Fries, Hangover Burger, Sweet Potato Fries
Booked a show here and the new owners Carole didn’t pay as they promised they would. Poor service. Treated our fans and staff poorly. Great place but poor service from new owner
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
I went to many, many great shows at Tavern over the years. Always a great time. Unfortunately, the new managent are clearly out of their depth. Last weekend was the Kanaka Fyah show, always a great time and packed house. The new management wouldn't allow reentry, even if you just used the bathroom. They shut the doors at 11, even denying entry to pre-sale ticket holders. They also reneged on the bar percentage the band was supposed to be paid. So many years, so many shows, so many great times, pau. Tavern is dead. RIP Tavern.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Upfront I’ll say I did not try out any of their alcohol so I can’t speak to that. I grew up in the country around farms and gardening for my food. I don’t expect a fancy dinner when I go out to eat but please do yourself a favor and skip this place. Don’t bother coming here especially with kids, unless you like sitting in cigarette smoke and waiting a long time for less than average food. I couldn’t even get a drink refill because the waiter brought the food and then never returned. My wife and I walked out and looked and each other and said we won’t be back to this place. It’s a shame. We love supporting local businesses in our own town.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
Recommended dishes: Nachos
Great burger! Good local place.
Love this watering hole one of Hilo’s best spots??
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
There’s magic in this place staff is kind and welcoming. Excellent food decent prices. Lots of nice draft choices. I’m impressed.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food was OKService was
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Onion Rings, Tavern Cheeseburger, Burger
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!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
The WORST food and beverage service in Hilo Town EVERY SINGLE time LOL go somewhere else. For reals.
Nothing fancy, just a nice watering hole. Food is pretty standard nothing fancy or unique.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4