Must-see restaurants in Hawaiʻi the Big Island

  • Da Poke Shack

    Kailua-Kona

    Poke is a local specialty that blends ceviche and sushi: raw, marinated cubes of fish mixed with soy sauce, sesame oil, chilies, seaweed and…well, really,…

  • Making mochi (a Japanese rice dough sweet) at Two Ladies Kitchen, Hilo, East Coast.

    Two Ladies Kitchen

    Hilo

    This hole-in-the-wall is famous statewide for outstanding Japanese mochi (sticky rice cake) in both traditional and island-inspired flavors such as liliko…

  • Hilo Bay Cafe

    Hilo

    With sweeping bay views and solid Hawaii Regional Cuisine, this casually sophisticated restaurant could be stuffy. But it's not. Here you'll find a…

  • KTA Super Store – Puainako

    Hilo

    An outstanding family-owned company, KTA's flagship store includes a bakery, pharmacy and sprawling deli. Don't miss the impressive selection of fresh…

  • Hilo Farmers Market

    Hilo

    This bustling market features wide-ranging fruits and veggies, plus takeout food and edible gifts. It's come a long way since opening in 1988 with four…

  • Poi Dog Deli

    Kailua-Kona

    What happens when sandwich-loving owners from Louisiana and Arizona come together on the Big Island of Hawai'i? Pure delight on bread, from turkey Reubens…

  • Broke Da Mouth Grindz

    Kailua-Kona

    A favorite with the plate-lunch crowd, Broke Da Mouth lives up to its name via heaping portions of delicious garlic furikake chicken (try it 'hurricane…

  • Sushi Shiono

    Kailua-Kona

    Inside a mini mall, wickedly fresh sushi and sashimi are complemented by a sake list that's as long as Honshu. Everything is good, but the grilled eel and…

  • Rim Restaurant

    Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

    The better-than-average modern cuisine crafted from local ingredients may be overpriced for the quality, but you come here for the ambience. Call ahead to…

  • ʻOhelo Café

    Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

    Finally, foodies have a reason to linger in Volcano. Combining local flavors with international flare, the daily-changing portions here may be small, but…

  • Paul's Place

    Hilo

    Imagine eating at a friend's home, if your friend were a gourmet chef. This six-person eatery is that small and that special. Paul serves exquisite…

  • Tina's Garden Gourmet

    Hilo

    This under-the-radar Thai spot is a revelation. Chef Tina steers clear of tired standards and transports Thai cuisine into novel territory – fresher and…

  • Moon & Turtle

    Hilo

    A cult favorite among foodies, this tapas-style restaurant specializes in local seafood, meat and produce prepared in startlingly creative ways. The ever…

  • Pine Tree Cafe

    Kona Coast

    If some freak climatic event ever brought winter hibernation to the Big Island, you could survive the lean season by storing the calories away after a…

  • Holuakoa Gardens & Café

    Kona Coast

    The storefront cafe serves 100% Kona coffee, baked goods and sandwiches. Out back, an organic, slow-food restaurant dishes up a sophisticated yet casual…

  • Suisan Fish Market

    Hilo

    For a mouth-watering variety of freshly made poke (sold by the pound), Suisan is a must. Buy a takeout bowl of poke with rice and chow down outside the…

  • Thai Thai Bistro and Bar

    Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

    Authentically flavored and well portioned if somewhat overpriced (and splitting a plate will cost you a $6 surcharge). The chefs recognize that good Thai…

  • Hana Hou Restaurant

    Hawaiʻi the Big Island

    Hana Hou embodies all the glory and nostalgia of a 1940s family diner – because it was, and still is, one. The menu is filled with local takes on good ol'…

  • Mehe's Kaʻu Bar & Grill

    Hawaiʻi the Big Island

    In an area with few options, Mehe's is a surprisingly good one. Friendly staff serve burgers, sandwiches and a rotating selection of daily specials to…

  • Disgusting to some, a loco moco (burger, rice, egg, gravy) also with spam, tomato and macaroni salad, at Cafe 100, Hilo, East Coast.

    Cafe 100

    Hilo

    Locals love this drive-in for generous plate lunches and 20 rib-sticking varieties of loco moco (dish of rice, fried egg and hamburger patty topped with…

  • Booch Bar

    Hilo

    With a nouveau hippie vibe, this colorful downtown cafe takes health food up a notch. Breakfast hits include well-stuffed roasted veggie omelets and…

  • Kanpai

    Hilo

    Hip Kanpai looks slick enough for Brooklyn, but it is mellowed with Hilo's small-town camaraderie, easygoing attitude and Pacific fusion soul. The…

  • Kenichi Pacific

    Kona Coast

    Ignore the mall setting and savor the beautifully presented Pacific Rim fusion cuisine, including tender miso black cod, Hawaiian ono (white-fleshed wahoo…

  • Miyo's

    Hilo

    A longtime local favorite, Miyo's is known for delicious home-style Japanese meals and nightly crowds. Try classics such as broiled ahi (yellowfin tuna)…

  • Restaurant Kenichi

    Hilo

    For island-style Japanese food, this diner delivers high-volume flavor in a simple dining room filled with locals. Favorites include steaming ramen bowls…

  • Umekes Fishmarket Bar & Grill

    Kailua-Kona

    Come here for several variations on delicious ahi tuna poke, plus a range of other island dishes like salted Waimea beef served plate-lunch style with…

  • Ba-Le Kona

    Kailua-Kona

    Don’t let the fluorescent-lit dining room and polystyrene plates fool you: Ba-Le serves the sort of Vietnamese food that makes you want to pack it all up…

  • Seiji's Sushi

    Kailua-Kona

    An adorable little Japanese sushi house awaits discerning eaters on the west end of Aliʻi Dr. Friendly Seiji serves fresh fish and creative rolls that…

  • Island Lava Java

    Kailua-Kona

    A convivial gathering spot for Sunday brunch or a sunny breakfast (served until 11:30am) with ocean-view dining on the sidewalk patio. This upscale diner…

  • Ultimate Burger

    Kailua-Kona

    Kailua-Kona is likely your introduction to the Big Island; with this in mind, let Ultimate Burger be your introduction to the wonderful world of Big…

  • Beach Tree

    Kona Coast

    Do you know what’s better than enjoying pupu (snacks) or a great burgers on the breezy, beachside porch of the Beach Tree on a perfect Hawaiian day? Not…

  • Sweet Cane Cafe

    Hilo

    Vegetarians rejoice, everything is fresh, locally sourced and meat-free at this pleasant cafe. You'll find 'ulu (breadfruit) and taro serving as the base…

  • Takenoko Sushi

    Hilo

    Chances are, you won't get in. This destination sushi bar seats only eight – and it's fully booked a year in advance. Miracles can happen, however, and…

  • Kona Brewing Company

    Kailua-Kona

    Expect a bustling crowd at this sprawling, eco-sustainable brewpub, with tiki-torch-lit outdoor seating and laid-back waitstaff. Pizza toppings verge on…

  • ʻULU Ocean Grill + Sushi Lounge

    Kona Coast

    ʻUlu means 'breadfruit,' and this sustainably minded restaurant is all about locally sourced produce, seafood and meat – some 75% of its dishes are made…

  • Fumi's Kitchen

    Kailua-Kona

    Fumi's was founded by members of the family that runs Teshima's, and they bring a similar high level of home-cooked fare to hungry diners. The menu dips…

  • Punaluʻu Bake Shop

    Hawaiʻi the Big Island

    The US's southernmost bakery is squarely on the tour bus circuit and usually crowded – for good reason. If you want to try the Portuguese fried sweet…

  • Café Ono

    Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

    Lunch on organic vegetarian and vegan comfort foods like salads, sandwiches and pasta in the sunroom behind the Volcano Garden art gallery, or in the…

  • Hayama

    Kailua-Kona

    Hayama imparts that feeling of authenticity you get when the kitchen and service staff don't speak much English, and most of the clientele speaks fluent…

  • Hula Hulas

    Hilo

    With walls of glass overlooking the bay, this airy restaurant has a 'resort' atmosphere uncommon in Hilo. With two happy hours (3pm to 5pm and 8pm to 10pm…

More destinations you need to see