Where to Eat on Big Island - The Ultimate Guide
The Big Island of Hawaii offers a wide range of dining experiences, from local eateries & bustling farmers market to upscale restaurants. Whether you're looking for fresh seafood, traditional Hawaiian dishes, or innovative farm-to-table cuisine, the island has something to suit every taste. In this complete guide, I’ve highlighted some of the best places to eat, covering all corners of the island.
Best Restaurants in Kona
Kailua-Kona tends to be the area most people are looking at for food but the most noteworthy places usually require a little drive either north or south. This area will focus on Kailua-Kona area including the northwest Kona Coast and Captain Cook area.
Sushi Sam’s
Arguably some of the best sushi you will find on Big Island, this quaint little sushi bar is a favorite among locals and a must stop for fresh fish in Kona. Make sure to book a reservation as they fill up fast!
Papa Kona Restaurant & Bar
Oceanfront breakfast, lunch & dinner, this is the spot for views and fresh local fish! I really admire their creative menu items like the homemade ube tortillas to go with the fresh catch fish tacos.
Pau Hana Poke
My favorite poke spot in the Kona area, it’s my go-to after I’ve picked someone up from the airport! The fish is always so fresh and the flavors are inventive like the wasabi ahi. Be sure to get to any poke spot early as they will have more options- they sell out quickly.
Harbor House
Nestled on the Kona harbor, Harbor house is one of my favorite spots for a burger and fries in the Kona area. They serve Big Island grass-fed beef and casual bar bites.
Lava Lava Beach club
A more upscale beach bar, I love the ambiance of being on the water with live music! If you’re looking to spend less I love coming here for apps and the atmosphere.
CanoeHouse
If you’re looking for great food with a gorgeous view I HIGHLY recommend CanoeHouse. This oceanside gem has carved out a reputation for not just serving dinner, but crafting an evening steeped in romance and decadent food. I appreciate their incorporation of locally grown produce and using seasonal ingredients. If you miss the reservation window, the bar seating is phenomenal and you can still catch a legendary Kona sunset.
Beach Tree Restaurant
Another one of my favorites for the ambiance, this is one of the best spots to watch sunset at a restaurant. During high season it may be booked out so I always come early and you’ll be guaranteed to find bar seating.
Ciprianos
This Italian Peruvian cuisine might sound odd at first glance but trust me, its worth a try. Pasta, focaccia bread and pastries are made daily in house with organic Italian flour. They source mostly from local farms keeping ingredients as fresh as possible. It’s by far the freshest Italian cuisine on the islands but their Peruvian dishes like ceviche are also tasty. The diverse dishes balance each other out and it’s more of a collaboration celebrating the uniqueness of sourcing variety on the islands.
Arise
Arise cafe in Kona seamlessly executes cafe culture and the food + coffee rise far above the aesthetic. They use local ingredients in their food and coffee making them one of the best spots for breakfast in the Kailua-Kona area. They are a family-run cafe serving fresh baked goods and sandwiches on homemade sourdough bread. They also serve refreshing smoothie bowls using regional and seasonal fruit.
Shakas Tacos
One of my favorite spots for fresh ono fish tacos with a view, Shakas Tacos is a must if you’re in the Captain Cook area. I love overlooking Kealakekua Bay from high up. This is my go-to spot after a snorkel session and their mango salsa is my absolute favorite!
Reel Aloha Poke
By far the best poke in the Captain Cook area, Reel Aloha always uses the freshest fish and ingredients at a fair price. The owner is a fisherman so it’s all freshly caught ahi and will no doubt satisfy your poke craving.
Kaaloa’s Super J’s
Super J’s is by far my favorite authentic homecooked Hawaiian cuisine on Big Island. Traditional lau lau is pork (or you can order chicken) wrapped in taro leaves steamed for 8-10 hours. Kalua pig with cabbage is also a must try. You can also try a side of lomi lomi salmon, rice or mac salad. The cafe is simple and set back in time with family style seating. Be sure to try the lau lau with a side of traditional poi, it’s a Hawaiian staple!
Best Restaurants in Waimea
FORC
Right in the heart of downtown Waimea, FORC should be on anyone’s list of good quality Hawaiian cuisine. Chef Allen is modernizing Hawai’i Regional cuisine but preserving its locally sourced, farm-to-table practices. One of my favorite dishes there was the more modern version of traditional Hawaiian Lau Lau. This traditional dish of pork wrapped in taro leaves is taken to another level at this restaurant. At FORC, they are focused on sourcing locally from fisherman, ranchers and farmers.
Gill’s Lanai
From fresh fish tacos to Maui venison burgers, this unassuming shack really impressed me. It’s always been one of my favorite stops after exploring the north Kohala Coast or Pololu Valley. They are personally my favorite fish tacos on the island because everything ingredient is so fresh. They also only used high quality beef tallow for frying which I really appreciate.
Waimea Butcher Shop
Thankfully a friend pointed out to me that this was beyond a butcher shop. Otherwise I would’ve missed out on the most life changing burger and cheesesteak in my entire life. As you might assume, a butcher shop in Waimea has some of the most premium cuts of grass-fed beef on all of Big Island, so it only makes sense to sell high quality meat-curated food. This casual butcher shop/burger/sandwich joint is not to be missed when passing through Waimea. As of 2022, Waimea Butcher Shop has worked with hundreds of ranches, farmers, chefs, restaurants, and other local businesses helping to support the island by showcasing quality local products. They are firmly committed to promoting other local businesses as they sell other awesome products such as local chocolate, vinegars, beer and they even have a nice whiskey collection for tasting.
Starseed Ranch
In my opinion, no resort on these islands will give you a more unique dining experience than these incredible farms growing exotic fruits right on the island. It’s hard to even find experiences like these where almost every ingredient is sourced locally and grown right on the property. With the consistent weather and long growing seasons, farm fresh food is accessible year-round. Starseed Ranch is a 26-acre regenerative farm with gorgeous Polynesian-style architecture. It is located along the Kohala Coast, some of the most sacred lands to the Hawaiian people. My favorite aspect of Starseed Ranch is its incorporation of Hawaiian canoe crops in every meal and its commitment to sustaining Hawaiian agriculture. Before your dinner they will also give you a short tour of the farm so you can see all the unique crops and growing methods. They also have lodging accommodations if you’re looking for an authentic place to stay while visiting the Big Island.
Fish & the Hog
A classic bbq joint, make sure you get here early if you want more options because they sell out fast (especially the ribs!). If you’re into coconut flavors, the coconut cake is a must try (made homemade by one of the employees).
Pau Pizza
As you can imagine finding good pizza on the islands is hard to come by. I was thoroughly impressed with Pau Pizza because it brought me right back to NYC & ordering an authentic pizza by the slice. The crust is just as good as any slice I’ve had on the mainland and the ingredients are high quality.
Merrimans
Merriman’s has always been known by their upscale dining and long-standing commitment to Hawaii Regional Cuisine. They support local farmers, ranchers and the local economy while offering fresh, authentic cuisine.
Harmoni Foods
I was so fortunate to stumble upon this cafe as I was casually passing through the charming town of Honoka’a, because it blew my mind. I hadn’t tried much Korean food prior to Harmoni Foods but now the bar has been set very high. Susie, the chef behind the counter puts so much love and care into every ingredient. She only sources locally and with her previous chef experience at the 4seasons she is particular about her ingredients only choosing the best of the best. From Big Island grass-fed beef to her favorite Oahu pasture raised eggs, she without a doubt provides high quality meals. She makes her own gochujang sauce, kimichi, only cooks in avocado oil and makes every meal to order, all while sharing stories and conversation through the window to her kitchen. The bimbimbap bowls are my favorite and in my opinion this is a MUST see when driving Hamakua coast!
Best Restaurants in Hilo
Hilo Bay Cafe
Hilo Bay is always my go-to when I have visitors in town. The fish is so fresh and combined with innovative flavors. They also have a stunning view overlooking the bay and on a clear day you can see the top of Mauna Kea. Some of my favorites are the miso butterfish salad, ahi salad and short ribs.
Moon & Turtle
Earning rave reviews for its daily changing, ocean-to-table small plates, this sweet little spot justifies a trip if you're not staying in Hilo. The plates are truly inventive, blending the best of Hawaiian ingredients with Asian flavors, and they always sell the best of what's available. This translates to only having limited servings and reservations are recommended. The chef-owner Mark Pomaski got his training from Roy Yamaguchi of Roy’s restaurant fame, so the mastery makes sense. Their priority is locally sourced seafood which keeps the menu fresh and exciting.
Tina’s Garden Cafe
Tina’s has some of the freshest Thai food I have ever experienced. Mostly serving curries, Tina’s is committed to fresh flavors and quality food. The panag curry with the fresh catch was one of the best dishes we had!
2 Ladies Kitchen
For a true taste of Japanese mochi, you must try 2 Ladies Kitchen! There’s a reason there will be a line long out the door. The strawberry mochi is a MUST.
Loved By The Sun
Acai bowls are a must try when visiting Hawaii! It’s so refreshing to get a cold acai bowl after a day at the beach. Loved by the Sun is my favorite stop for that. They also serve incredible fresh cold pressed juices and smoothies!
Pane Nudo
This authentic Italian foccacia was the best bread I had while living on the island. Foccacia can be hard to master but the italian owner makes sure the recipe is executed flawlessly. There’s always a long line and due to the limited business hours I would get here early if you don’t want to miss out on special flavors!
Pho Viet
This was by far the most authentic pho on Big Island. The broth was hearty and savory and be sure to try the beef stew!
Vibe Cafe
This was one of my go-to cafes if I wanted good quality coffee and healthy vegetarian food! Vibe serves local Ka’u coffee and most of their food is sourced locally.
Best Restaurants Near Volcano NP
Mauka to Makai Eatery
For a true taste of the Hawaiian islands, Chef Justin incorporates traditional flavors as well as new and innovative dishes. Majority of the items on the menu come from the island from locally sourced fish to grass-fed beef of the Big Island. Each dish has so much thought put into every little detail and Chef Justin does an incredible job explaining each dish to you. The setting is a casual gazebo overlooking the southern coast of the island and it is surrounded by untouched raw nature. If you don’t have the opportunity to dine at the farm-to-table dinner, be sure to check out their food truck selling delicious premium grass-fed burgers during lunch hours!
Cafe Ono
This adorable cafe is tucked away in a garden with an art studio/store attached with art made by local artists. The ambiance is peaceful and serene while serving healthy fresh food - mostly vegan or vegetarian.
El Encanto Food Truck
The best Mexican/Salvadorian food on the island comes from this unassuming food truck! The tamales, birria and quesadilla were my favorite. All the ingredients were so fresh and the owners are so kind.
FAQ
Best restaurants on Big Island with a view?
The restaurants with the best views are Beach Tree Restaurant (or any of the 4seasons restaurants), CanoeHouse, Mauka to Makai, Shakas Tacos, Hilo Bay Cafe & Na’au Hilo. All of them have an ocean view with some being close and some far away in proximity to the ocean.
Best restaurants on Big island on the water?
The restaurants on Big Island that are right on the water are CanoeHouse, Beach Tree Restaurant (or any of the 4seasons), Harbor House and Hilo Bay Cafe.
Michelin star restaurants on Hawaii Big Island?
There are no official Michelin-star restaurants on Big Island currently but a few I think absolutely deserve one are Na’au Hilo, Harmoni Foods, and Ciprianos.
