Big Island Restaurants

Each Restaurant will be ranked with dollar signs according to cost.

Ex: $$$$ = Fine Dining  $ = Budget Dining

 

PLEASE NOTE:

This is not every restaurant on the island.

It’s just the top recommendations (nothing under a 4 star rating) for you to give suggestions to your clients. 

NOTE: While I do my best to keep this list updated, restaurant hours and policies can change frequently. It is recommended to advise your clients to check directly with the restaurant for their current hours and availability.

 

Additionally, some restaurants may require reservations—especially for fine dining or popular spots—so it’s always a good idea to help your clients plan ahead.

Kailua - Kona Area

$$$$ - FINE DINING

  • ‘ULU Ocean Grill & Sushi Lounge – Pacific Rim cuisine

$$ - MID-RANGE DINING

  • Broke Da Mouth Grindz – Hawaiian and Filipino staples.
  • Da Poke Shack – Popular Takeout spot for poke bowls.
  • Foster’s Kitchen – Locally sourced menu with waterfront views.
  • Harbor House – Open-air seafood and burger restaurant.
  • Kenichi Pacific – Asian fusion and sushi.
  • Kona Canoe Club – Open-air dining with fresh fish and burgers.
  • Kona Inn Restaurant – Seafood and Hawaiian classics.
  • Papa Kona – Waterfront international cuisine.
  • Pau Hana Poke – Fresh poke bowls with customizable toppings.
  • Umekes Fish Market – Poke bowls and Hawaiian plates.

$$$ - UPSCALE DINING

  • Beach Tree Restaurant – Italian-inspired cuisine.
  • Huggo’s – Waterfront on the sand, serving steaks and seafood.

  • Jackie Rey’s Ohana Grill – Seafood and steaks.

$ - BUDGET FRIENDLY DINING

  • 808 Grindz Café – A popular breakfast spot. portions.
  • Kaaloa’s Super Js – Traditional Hawaiian dishes.

Waikoloa Area / Kohala Coast

$$$$ - FINE DINING

  • Binchotan: Bar + Grill – Japanese-inspired modern dining.

  • Brown’s Beach House – Innovative Pacific Rim dishes.

  • Canoe House – High-end Hawaiian cuisine.

  • Manta – Upscale Hawaiian & Breakfast bar

$$ - MID-RANGE DINING

  • Island Gourmet Markets – Prepared meals including sushi and local dishes.
  • Pueo’s Osteria – Intimate Italian eatery.
  • Tropics Ale House – Casual American pub fare.

$$$ - UPSCALE DINING

  • Lava Lava Beach Club – Seafood & American dishes.
  • Merriman’s – Farm-to-table Hawaiian Regional Cuisine.
  • Napua – Hawaiian-inspired cuisine.
  • Sansei’s – Upscale Japanese and sushi.
  • Tommy Bahama’s – Upscale American food.

$ - BUDGET FRIENDLY DINING

  • Island Lava Java – Casual cafe with coffee and light fare.

Hilo Area

$$$$ - FINE DINING

  • The Rim – Fine dining with volcano views in VNP.

$$ - MID-RANGE DINING

  • Cafe Pesto – Wood-fired pizzas and Italian cuisine.
  • Hilo Bay Cafe – American food with a Pacific Rim twist.
  • Ken’s House of Pancakes – The locals favorite diner!
  • New Chiang Mai Thai Cuisine – Authentic Thai cuisine.
  • Pineapples Island Fresh – Open-air American food spot.
  • Ponds Hilo – Hawaiian cuisine with koi pond views.
  • Sweet Cane Cafe – Vegetarian and gluten-free cafe.

$$$ - UPSCALE DINING

  • Moon and Turtle – Asian fusion and inventive plates.

$ - BUDGET FRIENDLY DINING

  • Cafe 100 – Birthplace of the loco moco; fast casual local eats.
  • Hilo Farmers Market – Variety of food stalls offering local eats.
  • Suisan Fish Market – Fresh poke bowls and seafood to-go.
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