Restaurants in Waimea
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Best Restaurants
“Absolutely, the food was delicious and service and restaurant were amazing !”
“delicious calamari and curry mussels appetizers, rib eye entries a must and for dessert brownies with ice cream and fried banana”
“I’ve been all over the US, east, west, north, and south and this is by far the best pulled pork and brisket I’ve ever had. I wish I could have it delivered!”
“What a fun place to eat. Phenomenal food and fun folks. Sunday night with Matt, Daryl, Danby and Bok-Choy Nagasaki Boy. See you in February”
Restaurants by Cuisine
“Halani has consistently great service, food & ambience. We're told they are shifting to a more Mediterranean type of cuisine and I anticipate the quality level will remain high. As residents of the Big Island (and though we love the ocean-front Four Seasons Beach Tree), Halani is our favorite dining spot.”
“Great place to grab a drink and relax. Erica is probably the best bartender in the history of everything.”
“Always wanted to try this place and it didn't disappoint. Beautiful dining experience seeing the sunset and enjoying the unique cuisine. We had the seafood tower and tried the tasting menu. Drinks were also great. The service was wonderful and one of the best parts of our experience. Thank you CanoeHouse!”
Restaurants with Delivery
“Totally awesome authentic burger place. My only regret was not ordering another burger. My sister had the Surf Burger and I had the Hi-Heat. On the drive back to our hotel, we just randomly kept saying what a great burger those were. Honestly surprised we didn’t turn around and go back for more.”
“We drove from Kona to visit this little tea shop and it was well worth it! I had the scenic point with watermelon boba and my husband had the watermelon fruit tea with lychee jelly. I can honestly say I’ve tried several other places on the island and Tea O’clock is tops! The scenic point is a jasmine tea, you could tell it was fresh. The flavor was absolutely beautiful! The watermelon fruit tea was just as you’d expect it should be. Nothing was watered down, only flavorful teas here!! I highly suggest this place!”
“This was an unexpected find! The person working was very knowledgeable about their vegan options and they are clearly marked. We tried 2 dishes. The first was the mung bean pancake with daikon, shoyu potatoes and pipinola shoots. This was fantastic, the daikon paired really well with the pancake. We also tried the jap chae noodles with vegetables. There were okay, a little too oily for my personal preference. I would skip this next time.”
“Went there during off peak time just to get the (cold) steamed chicken w/ ginger sauce.
Very tender/moist chicken w/ the generous side of ginger-scallion sauce on the side.
Better than the ginger chicken I used to get in little Saigon in SF! Worth the 40 mon drive from Kona. Duck is excellent also”
“Falafel sandwich with macadamia nut cheese was really satisfying: the focaccia was fresh and crisp, the falafel was hearty, the fillings were flavorful and well-rounded. The fries were also excellent: crispy, salty, hot. Although not a huge amount of options, this place really surprised on the execution.”
“Island Breeze have been Rated the Best Luau on the Big Island of Hawaii!”
“Such a fantastic dining venue. The menu is great and everything was so fresh and well-prepared. Service was outstanding and so very friendly. Music, hula, what's not to like? We love coming here. The seared ahi with coconut couscous was amazing as was the daily catch.”
Online Reservation Available
“Always wanted to try this place and it didn't disappoint. Beautiful dining experience seeing the sunset and enjoying the unique cuisine. We had the seafood tower and tried the tasting menu. Drinks were also great. The service was wonderful and one of the best parts of our experience. Thank you CanoeHouse!”
“Loved the food…Mostly. There were a few things I’d like to see improved upon, like the veggies we got. They were cold and over cooked on some and under cooked on some. The beet salad needed slips of goat cheese rather than a grated hard cheese which I think was goat… it would have added a nice creamy element to it. I expected the beets to have a char on them but it was just roasted and pealed beets chopped into a bowl. It was greasy and nice but could have been so much lire so easily. I looooove the staff. The service was impressive and impeccable! The rib eye was huge and cooked perfectly. The Korean Short Rib was the winner. Great sauce. Good flavor and “FORC” tender. They have a nice wine list and a beautiful bar area. The restaurant is a nice choice while in Waimea. I do hope the learn to make mashed potatoes though… and learn that a dollop is better and an ice cream scoop when plating them”
“Food is ok, it's a fast food Chinese place in a strip mall. They have decent choices and prices are reasonable. Portion size is big and filled me up, flavor left a lot to be desired but ok for a quick stop and food. Mall bathrooms were clean.
Vegetarian options: Stir fry veggies available also some tofu dish.
Parking: Plenty of strip mall style parking”
“The food was amazing. A bit pricey but it is ocean view restaurant in Hawaii. The lobster pasta dish was melt in your mouth delicious. Nice group of selections. The server was fantastic. Kind and funny. Also knowledgeable about menu and wines. I will definitely be back.”
“Beautiful setting on the beach. Lively atmosphere. The service was uneven, there were long stretches with no contact where more drinks could have been ordered or plates cleared. The food was ... okay. Somewhat uninspired menu, and they were out of several items we asked about on the menu. Portions were on the small side. Wine came in plastic glasses (understandable due to the beach setting) but they had a strange smell to them. Overall it was okay. Sunset was a highlight.”
“What an EXCEPTIONAL dinner I had here! Chef Bryan does a wonderful job! I had the Passion Killer as a cocktail which was just right and very potent. Next, I had the tomato soup as an appetizer and it was divine. Finally, as my entree I had the macadamia crusted mahi mahi. The fish was cooked perfectly and the sauce that went with it was wonderful. I added a scoop of white rice with it which was a nice balance. Ambiance and service here are second to none.”
“The outdoor-like environment allowed us to enjoy our meal in an open environment although we were situated on the inner side of the restaurant. The service was very good. The staff was efficient, courteous, and attentive. My wife had ribs and the meat fell of the bone. I enjoyed the pan fried ono. Each dish was filling and very flavorful. We also had a chocolate dipped ice cream dessert that was large enough for both of us to enjoy. It was the topping on top of an already great dinner. Overall, our experience was excellent!”
“Service was great and Chef Tavares did an amazing job.Thank you, my Mom,niece and myself had a great time”
“Fantastic, fresh fish at a reasonable price. That is hard to find on the island! Staff were very friendly, everything came out quickly, and the quality was great on every item! We had sashimi, several rolls, chirashi bowl. Patricia, our server, was fantastic and we managed to get in early for our reservation!”
Takeout Restaurants
“World-traveling foodie here. Been to Italy and Peru and live in LA where excellent Italian and Peruvian cuisine is prevalent. So hear me when I say that Claudia and Gino’s Italian-Peruvian cuisine at Cipriano’s vies in my experience for the best I’ve had. Incredibly fresh local ingredients, superb bread and pasta made on-site with Italian flour, innovative recipes made with love. Very casual little yellow bungalow where we eat on a shady porch fringed with tropical foliage and from the kitchen comes your moan-worthy meal…”
“Had the best burger of my life today served up by fantastic, friendly people! My husband and I shared the OG with bacon and as soon as we took our first bite we were wishing we. had our own! We sat in the shade waiting for our order which was delivered and then it was explained how to eat it, Absolutely the best! We are here for 19 more days but may just have to make the drive back to Waimea again for another burger ~ we will order 2 this time!,”
“After a long morning at Waimea State Park, I picked Da Booze Shop because the name made me laugh. Well the jokes on me because the food, service, and atmosphere were stellar! I have always loved eating in Mom and Pop places because they always have the best food. I got the Mahi Katsu and had enough leftover for a snack. If you are traveling with kids this is a great place to eat. You can eat across the street at the park and let the kids play and expend some energy.”
“Falafel sandwich with macadamia nut cheese was really satisfying: the focaccia was fresh and crisp, the falafel was hearty, the fillings were flavorful and well-rounded. The fries were also excellent: crispy, salty, hot. Although not a huge amount of options, this place really surprised on the execution.”
“Being a celiac surrounded by mouth-watering, cheesy pizza is impossibly sad. My family looks forward to Pau Pizza night, but I am not left out in any way. Pau’s superfood salad, with quinoa, edamame, bright-tangy vinaigrette, and crunchy greens hits the spot. Their sister restaurant, Taco Rosa, has more spicy flavors than anyone could ever dream up for a simple taqueria. Healthy, hit-you-oh-so-good heat, vegan and gluten free grubtious goodness!”
“Totally awesome authentic burger place. My only regret was not ordering another burger. My sister had the Surf Burger and I had the Hi-Heat. On the drive back to our hotel, we just randomly kept saying what a great burger those were. Honestly surprised we didn’t turn around and go back for more.”
“While we were walking through one of many farmers markets while on vacation, I came across this bakery that had a long line. It must be good right? Wow! Matthew and I never had such a great loaf of sourdough bread ( he even said “better than the loaves in San Francisco”) it wasn’t just because we were eating it on the side of the road with Jif PB due to hunger from climbing trails to see waterfalls all day. This is the BOMB! That day we drove past several homeless people in Hilo and told my husband to pull over, “we need to give up the bread and PB to that man with the dog.” Without hesitation, he pulled and I shared what we had left with the man and dog. We couldn’t stop talking about how great the bread was, Matthew investigated and found their bakery shop. Thankfully they were open yesterday (only one of 3 days of the week)the day we packed everything up with 3 loaves of bread to take home. ❤️ the ladies were so sweet and excited to hear of the travels these loaves had ahead of them. It wasn’t even 30 minutes home and my hubby snagged the first slice. Kudos to the @sandwichislefoodarts of the big island of Hawaii for creating these lovely loaves of bread that will now be eaten here in Green Bay, WI! #sourdough #bestbread #hawaii”
“Loved the food…Mostly. There were a few things I’d like to see improved upon, like the veggies we got. They were cold and over cooked on some and under cooked on some. The beet salad needed slips of goat cheese rather than a grated hard cheese which I think was goat… it would have added a nice creamy element to it. I expected the beets to have a char on them but it was just roasted and pealed beets chopped into a bowl. It was greasy and nice but could have been so much lire so easily. I looooove the staff. The service was impressive and impeccable! The rib eye was huge and cooked perfectly. The Korean Short Rib was the winner. Great sauce. Good flavor and “FORC” tender. They have a nice wine list and a beautiful bar area. The restaurant is a nice choice while in Waimea. I do hope the learn to make mashed potatoes though… and learn that a dollop is better and an ice cream scoop when plating them”
“Chef Soto’s every dish tonight was fabulous! From the salads to the entrees to the dessert, we loved every bite. Oftentimes eating out at resorts can be expensive and mediocre at best. But that was not the case at Meridia and we were absolutely pleasantly surprised. Thank you Meridia, for a wonderful night out.”
Drive-Thru Restaurants
“Being able to get quality local products and enjoy the community.”
“Wow oh ? wow!!!! ? My husband is HUGE donut fan and we are very well aware of malasadas back in my hula days...but we've not experienced it filled with "your choice" jelly filling! And so warm and yummy ? with guava and lilikoi ....blows any jelly donut out of the park! It's right off the highway and it is a MUST stop!
Our daughter-in-law is the biggest jelly donut fan I've met so I'm excited to have her experience Manuela when we come back ....or find them in South Carolina. They have many locations outside of Hawaii...not sure if that's good or bad. My waistline says 'no' ...ha!”
“Chef Soto’s every dish tonight was fabulous! From the salads to the entrees to the dessert, we loved every bite. Oftentimes eating out at resorts can be expensive and mediocre at best. But that was not the case at Meridia and we were absolutely pleasantly surprised. Thank you Meridia, for a wonderful night out.”
“For ramen purists in Waimea - this is your spot. Super delicious, small but great selection. Reasonably priced. Other nice options to support your ramen. Your in a mall food court so the atmosphere isn't great, but the service is excellent, the team are super nice, the ramen is tastey, there is tons of seating and parking.”
“Being a celiac surrounded by mouth-watering, cheesy pizza is impossibly sad. My family looks forward to Pau Pizza night, but I am not left out in any way. Pau’s superfood salad, with quinoa, edamame, bright-tangy vinaigrette, and crunchy greens hits the spot. Their sister restaurant, Taco Rosa, has more spicy flavors than anyone could ever dream up for a simple taqueria. Healthy, hit-you-oh-so-good heat, vegan and gluten free grubtious goodness!”
“This restaurant obviously has it all going for itself with the location, on top of that the food and drinks are incredible but what makes it incredible is the service. Cristalle (sorry if I spelled this wrong) went ABOVE and beyond to make our dining experience incredible. She was so funny and engaging and made every effort to accommodate dietary restrictions for an amazing dining experience. Hopefully she remembers this quote but she was truly the “McGogger of the day”! She is an asset to the hotel and truly defines what hospitality means.”
“The food was amazing. A bit pricey but it is ocean view restaurant in Hawaii. The lobster pasta dish was melt in your mouth delicious. Nice group of selections. The server was fantastic. Kind and funny. Also knowledgeable about menu and wines. I will definitely be back.”
Cheap Eats
“We wholeheartedly believe that Patisserie Nanako is the best bakery on the Big Island. Our love story with their cakes & pastries began last year when we were on the island for wedding planning, and my sister - who is a HUGE fan of the bakery - insisted we give them a try. From the very first bite, we were totally blown away. We tried a variety of their cakes, and they were all equally delicious - moist, perfectly balanced, and not too sweet. When our wedding reception arrived in April 2025, Patisserie Nanako created not just one, but four cakes for us: coconut, tiramisu, lilikoi, and strawberry. Every single one was a hit! Our guests couldn't stop raving about how delicious the cakes were, and many of them kept asking where we got them. We saved our main cake to enjoy on our one-year anniversary, and we are already looking forward to eating it! A special thank you to Jimmy for being so kind, flexible, and easy to work with throughout the planning process. If you're on the Big Island and looking for pastries / cakes for your wedding, or simply to enjoy as a treat, come here!!!”
“Chill place for coffee, food and to hang. Definitely got more of a modern vibe than the rest of town, but it still rocks a laid-back attitude and atmosphere. I got the blueberry latte (best if only lightly mixed once you get it) and the prosciutto sandwich—both of which were really good. The staff is really friendly, and the lower half of the shop is clothing and merch. They got plenty of seating—with inside and outback.”
“Really nice to have this market as an option for food if you are staying at the Mauna Lani resort! Coffee is way cheaper than ordering it from any of the restaurants (e.g., $7 for a cold brew compared to $15). They sell snacks, alcohol (very over-priced), smoothies, ice cream, grab-and-go food, and made-to-order sandwiches and pizza. They also have gifts and souvenirs you can bring back from your trip. They sell Tropical Dreams ice cream and it was INCREDIBLE! $8 for two scoops, but definitely easier than driving to Waimea and back for ice cream.”
“What a quaint and cute subway location! The staff were so kind and friendly; seemed to have fun together and enjoy working there. This place is very clean and everything was crispy fresh! Best subway sandwich I've had in a long time. Highly recommend this location!”
“Kings' Bistro is a convenient and affordable option for those staying at Kings' Land resort. The service is top-notch - our waiter/cashier was extremely friendly, helpful and attentive. Prices are fair for the resort setting. And the variety on the menu from classic American fare to Hawaiian specialties is a plus. The only area that could use some improvement is the food itself. While satisfying, most dishes lack that wow factor in flavor that would elevate it to 5-star status. That said, it's still a solid choice for a casual, reasonably-priced meal with great service when you don't want to venture far from the resort.”
“Beautiful setting on the beach. Lively atmosphere. The service was uneven, there were long stretches with no contact where more drinks could have been ordered or plates cleared. The food was ... okay. Somewhat uninspired menu, and they were out of several items we asked about on the menu. Portions were on the small side. Wine came in plastic glasses (understandable due to the beach setting) but they had a strange smell to them. Overall it was okay. Sunset was a highlight.”
“Excellent Customer Service from Mike & The Owner, & Other Staff too! The connected Bistro restaurant, good food and drink! Cinema clean and comfortable.”
“What an EXCEPTIONAL dinner I had here! Chef Bryan does a wonderful job! I had the Passion Killer as a cocktail which was just right and very potent. Next, I had the tomato soup as an appetizer and it was divine. Finally, as my entree I had the macadamia crusted mahi mahi. The fish was cooked perfectly and the sauce that went with it was wonderful. I added a scoop of white rice with it which was a nice balance. Ambiance and service here are second to none.”
“The outdoor-like environment allowed us to enjoy our meal in an open environment although we were situated on the inner side of the restaurant. The service was very good. The staff was efficient, courteous, and attentive. My wife had ribs and the meat fell of the bone. I enjoyed the pan fried ono. Each dish was filling and very flavorful. We also had a chocolate dipped ice cream dessert that was large enough for both of us to enjoy. It was the topping on top of an already great dinner. Overall, our experience was excellent!”
“We arrived 1 minute before closing time at 9 pm and they seated us and served us without rushing us out the door. Vegan options are udon (soup), fried rice, veg sushi, a tofu side with a very spicy topping, and a couple of others we didn’t try. We also had a delicious vegan asparagus side with some sort of aioli. The portions were large enough for two. I didn’t take any photos of the food since we were ravenously hungry after stargazing at Mauna Kea. They also have a vegan panna cotta on the menu for dessert.
Dietary restrictions: Vegan”
“I LOVE the ambiance here. The view, the music, the hula dancing are all sublime, and service is goodm, too! Food leaves much to be desired. My frozen Mai Tai was blah...very weak! My beet salad was very skimpy on the beats and the cheese. The crust on my pizza was so tough it was nearly inedible. If Copper Bar could improve their food, it would be a 5 star experience!”
Latest Reviews
“Nice and clean place, by the golf course and the beach. The food was amazing as was the service. Our waiter was Kuhoa and he was super nice and attentive. I had the noodles with veggies and my boyfriend had a hot dog. Both dishes were delicious ?!! We definitely will be coming back here.”
“I have ordered here many times and this restaurant stands out from the others. Everything is fresh and made to order. The pad Thai, which I requested very light on the spices and cilantro, was excellent. The only complaint I have is that sometimes the wait time is long, so if you can call ahead, you may save yourself some wait time.”
“World-traveling foodie here. Been to Italy and Peru and live in LA where excellent Italian and Peruvian cuisine is prevalent. So hear me when I say that Claudia and Gino’s Italian-Peruvian cuisine at Cipriano’s vies in my experience for the best I’ve had. Incredibly fresh local ingredients, superb bread and pasta made on-site with Italian flour, innovative recipes made with love. Very casual little yellow bungalow where we eat on a shady porch fringed with tropical foliage and from the kitchen comes your moan-worthy meal…”
“Had the best burger of my life today served up by fantastic, friendly people! My husband and I shared the OG with bacon and as soon as we took our first bite we were wishing we. had our own! We sat in the shade waiting for our order which was delivered and then it was explained how to eat it, Absolutely the best! We are here for 19 more days but may just have to make the drive back to Waimea again for another burger ~ we will order 2 this time!,”
Most Popular Restaurants
“Wow oh ? wow!!!! ? My husband is HUGE donut fan and we are very well aware of malasadas back in my hula days...but we've not experienced it filled with "your choice" jelly filling! And so warm and yummy ? with guava and lilikoi ....blows any jelly donut out of the park! It's right off the highway and it is a MUST stop!
Our daughter-in-law is the biggest jelly donut fan I've met so I'm excited to have her experience Manuela when we come back ....or find them in South Carolina. They have many locations outside of Hawaii...not sure if that's good or bad. My waistline says 'no' ...ha!”
“If you ever on Da West Side of Kaua’i and wanna stop for lunch an craving shrimp stop by the Shrimp Shack an eat some ono kaua’i raised shrimp. My favorite is sweet chili ,Thai,garlic,as well as shrimp tacos while my wife loves the coconut shrimp!! Reasonable prices great hole in the wall joint as well as go next store to get a fresh cold coconut to drink 🤙🏼 When all is said an done go up to Waimea canyon for a hike or go hike first and build up an appetite 😁😁😁😁”
“Had the best burger of my life today served up by fantastic, friendly people! My husband and I shared the OG with bacon and as soon as we took our first bite we were wishing we. had our own! We sat in the shade waiting for our order which was delivered and then it was explained how to eat it, Absolutely the best! We are here for 19 more days but may just have to make the drive back to Waimea again for another burger ~ we will order 2 this time!,”
“Totally awesome authentic burger place. My only regret was not ordering another burger. My sister had the Surf Burger and I had the Hi-Heat. On the drive back to our hotel, we just randomly kept saying what a great burger those were. Honestly surprised we didn’t turn around and go back for more.”
“World-traveling foodie here. Been to Italy and Peru and live in LA where excellent Italian and Peruvian cuisine is prevalent. So hear me when I say that Claudia and Gino’s Italian-Peruvian cuisine at Cipriano’s vies in my experience for the best I’ve had. Incredibly fresh local ingredients, superb bread and pasta made on-site with Italian flour, innovative recipes made with love. Very casual little yellow bungalow where we eat on a shady porch fringed with tropical foliage and from the kitchen comes your moan-worthy meal…”