Restaurants in Hilo

“Best shaved ice so far that I have had on the island �. Creamy and smooth.”

“Wow! Loved this! Beautiful atmosphere, excellent service and really delicious food!”

“Amazing food & service! I LOVE the banh mi & pho!!”

“Visiting the big Island, stopped at this restaurant because the recommendations on line. I must say it was the absolute best dinner we have had in Honolulu and here in the big island. Food is superb, service fabulous. If you like well executed dishes, fresh, exquisite and plated beautifully, this is the place!!!”

“Poke cake Best ever Ever”

“If I could give them more stars I would.
Amazing price...fed my family of 4 for just under $40. That's unheard of now adays, right?
I tried the poke nachos and the were amazing! The wonton chips were crispy and the poke was SO ono.
Plus the ladies behind the counter were so welcoming.
Definitely recommend and we will be back again.”

“Courteous service, clean and inviting decor. Extensive menu.”

““The pho tastes so authentic, and you can tell it’s made with care. It’s a wonderful small business, and the portions are very generous. We really enjoyed our meal and would definitely come back.””

“Great food. Iconic establishment. Pre-order the nori chicken. That wooden case is going into a museum one day, but hopefully not anytime soon! #supportlocal”

“Ginormous. Delicious. Plate 1 vs Me 0!

Would do again. It's really hard to choose when everything that passes smells divine. Bring your spare stomach, doggie bag, and someone to carry you out.”

“Owners are super friendly and they gave me water even though I didn’t ask for it. I didn’t even realize I was thirsty until I drank the cold, refreshing water on a hot, sunny day. Excellent customer service and I love that they’re a family owned business. My favorite place to eat.”

“Cute location! Love their dishes! Desserts are also ono! Would eat here as often as I can…”

“Best Kalua Nachos ~ Friendly customer service ~ Tasty food”

“Stumbled upon this place walking around Hilo this morning. We are very happy we did. Super cute place clean, friendly and the fast. We even got chocolate covered espresso beans from the staff. Highly recommend!”

“SO ONO!!! Everything I've tried so far has been Fantastic 😋”

“We celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary and the dining experience was outstanding! The food was flavorful, delicious and looked like a piece of art. The live music added to the fine dining experience. To top off the evening the desserts were rich and yummy-but the "Wow" factor was the coffee we ordered served in a french press coffee maker! We will be back and bring our friends and family!”

“Love all their smoothies !!”

“We have pho here for lunch, very authentic and the portion is good, we're from the New York area and there is a lot of pho places by us and in my opinion, this place is better than any of the restaurant that serve pho in my areas including queens, New York. Try the spring roll too, it's so good and the Boba drinks is good and not too expensive.”

“#AmazingHotel #GrandNaniloaHotelHilo 🥰”

“This was a great find for Sunday Night Football! Zac was awesome. Food & drinks were great. It was a beautiful day with a nice breeze flowing in from the open windows. Definitely recommend!”

“Had lunch here 2/3 days that we were in Hilo, everything was amazing. The Misoyaki Butterfish Salad was fresh and extremely flavorful without being heavy, and the fish melts like butter in your mouth. We also had a cold water scallop special, an eggplant /marinara/pesto/ricotta appetizer (forgot what it's called, oops!) and crab cakes. Everything was great, honestly one of the best places I've eaten at on the entire island. I like to sit at the bar, as I'm a former long time bartender. Sascha is one of the best around, cocktails were, again, among the best that I found on the island, including Kona. Service was top notch, no matter how busy he got, and he took extra time to modify one of the house cocktails so that an elderly gal with sensitive teeth sitting nearby could enjoy it. I would honestly make the drive from Waikoloa just for this, but Hilo has plenty of outdoor activities to offer as well.”

“Enjoyed my meal and service that I've already gone back. Friendly staff, seated right away. Food came quickly and I loved it. Especially the asparagus soup! Price was a nice surprise. Good choice if you're on the fence since there are so many restaurants to choose from.”

“This hole in the wall is a must go to. A very large menu with a variety of items. Only issue is the language barrier. They speak very little English but very manageable by pointing at the menu. Everything was freshly made. Had a vegetarian with me along these travels and hands down Kupo said this is one of the best veggie menus and plates Kupo has had. So a must try when visiting.”

“It's a "hole in the wall" / nothing fancy place for sure, but been coming here for 9yrs...always the same tasty and flavorful quality food. "Pong", the owner, always remembers what I like and gets it's served fast and hot”

“Ponds has been my favorite place to eat for the last 20 years. Hands down best waiters, food and ambience. If you are a local or a tourist, it doesn't matter,this is a must go to place if you're in Hilo.”

“The BEST sliders I have EVER had in my LIFE 👍🏼”

“Good food. Good service. Nice to kick back and relax. Had the smash burger with avocado. Very good. Not to bad of a view either. The price wasn't bad for what I got.”

“This place is amazing! The buns are fresh and handmade, the burgers are made from extremely good meat, and the on tap beer selection is vast. If it's a nice day, don't miss out on the outside seating. The place has a lot of character but everything is well cleaned and maintained.”

“10/12/2024

Hawaii's BBQ Deli
111 E Puainako St Unit 570
Hilo, HI 96720

It's a stall in the Puainako Shopping Center. Aside from that I had a good bowl of vegetable saimin there. There is a menu board above the order counter where I placed my order with the attendant. She later brought it to me at my table. The setup is a cozy fast food style table and chair arrangement.

There was a large quantity of al dente vegetables with authentic tasting noodles in a lightly salted broth, not like the instant noodle sodium bombs.

Very satisfying and a repeat.”

“The food is always excellent - the ceviche is amazing! Reservations are a must - staff is friendly and knowledgeable.”

“Worst Mexican food in town, Taco Bell may be better…. Sad to say”

“Best restaurant my family visited on our trip to Hawaii! I recommend to everyone”

“Good Vietnamese Coffee. Essentially a food truck type atmosphere. There are 3-4 other food trucks, but their hours/open varies. The Duck Fat Food truck is pretty reliably open to compliment the Hilo Ice Coffee”

“I’m a lover of hamburger steak and have tried the hamburger steak at every restaurant and drive-in in Hilo. The Liko Lehua hamburger steak is absolutely the best tasting. The secret to a good hamburger steak is the gravy and their gravy is rich, tasty and homemade. No instant or canned gravy here. It also helps that their hamburger patties are hand made. Kudos to the chef and staff at Liko Lehua.”

“F****** INCREDIBLE BRUH! BEST EVER! THE CHILI IS THE BEST IN THE WORLD, PROMISE!!!”

“The pumpkin crunch is always my fav❤️It’s definitely a must have!!! Service today was exceptional…Mahalo cupcakes 💥”

“Came here on a Thursday at 9:50 AM. They had lots of selections, though there were no sashimi platter or chirashi bowl type of items. Lots of maki, inari, and bento boxes. You can also order poke bowl (shoyu tuna or spicy tuna).

I ordered poke inari set (2 shoyu 1 spicy). The rice was perfectly cooked. Tofu skin was very flavorful. Though I wasn't able to taste the shoyu poke much, because the inari sauce was overpowering.

Overall, the quality of food was good. Price is reasonable. Good grab and go before your adventure day.”

“A great spot to freshen up after a long walk of shops. Many flavors to choose from and always a line. From opening to closing. Large shaved ice that two can share. Depending on the season one Kupo can eat one on a hot day.”

“Mahalo nui au i nā wāhine o ka Papa'a Palaoa Bakery ma Hilo, Hawai'i. They assisted me in providing a whole lilikoi pie to bring home to San Francisco. They fully wrapped the box in plastic to keep the pie protected, so I could then place it in an insulated bag and surround the box with frozen ice packs. The pie (as well as a cinnamon roll) made it back home just as "hou" (fresh) as when I purchased it, me ka pilikia ole (with no problems), and the pie tastes 'ono loa. I am very grateful for their assistance, and especially their kindness. I highly recommend this bakery to everyone who wants fresh baked goods, but most of all, I am very grateful to the Aloha given by their employees. Mahalo nui loa!!”

“Matcha made in heaven! So enjoying the newly expanded beverage menu. Love love love.”

“Antics ROCKS! Artwork throughout. Scrumptious pizza. My favorites are the slices, which are perfect for solitary diners stopping in for lunch or dinner but unable to take a whole pizza home for later. But they also offer carryout and dine-in for whole pizzas. And birthday-party/graduation/ho'olaulea (celebrations) accommodations. Staff are superb, checking to make sure you're doing okay. And kids adore the games (free, with purchase). Amazing Antics opened DURING the pandemic & has succeeded so well! One of my favorite places to eat, especially because slices are quick & fit within my limited budget. Well-done, Antics ownership, staff, leaders and lenders! 💚”

“ピーナッツバター入りのアサイボウルが美味しい”

“Stopped in for a quick bite, was pretty basic, decent food that was quick. No indoor seating and very limited outdoor seating, more of a take away. If your looking for a quick bite reasonable priced, your found the right place. If your looking for something a little more exciting, this may not be the best stop. For a fast lunch however, the an a fav, and the tuna sandwich was pretty good.”

“The man who took our order was the epitome of serving with aloha. He welcomed us warmly, gave great recommendations, and knew that we were on a time crunch so served us quickly in takeout containers which gave us time to shop on the Main Street. We ordered the chicken katsu which was perfectly crunchy with a flavorful dipping sauce. The ahi don was moist on the inside and crunchy on the outside. The garlic rice was flavorful and delicious. Portions are generous. The salad mix was a great complement to the meal. Thank you for the kindness and we definitely recommend!”

“There are many good Vietnamese restaurants in the area but whenever I can I prefer to hit up Le Yellow Sub. Auntie Le is so friendly, and always delivers fresh and delicious banh mi at an affordable price. I only wish it were open everyday !”

“Got bun bo hue which was delicious!! Wish I had the stomach space to try all their other stuff too which looked amazing on the photos. Good prices, no wait, food came quick.”

“Hospitality ✅
Flavors ✅
Locally owned ✅
Kid-friendly ✅

chillville has it all!!”

“Paul is changing the world in his own little way. Feeding one mouth at the time with so much love, care, passion, creativity, beauty and commitment! It felt real special. Keep going, mahalo.”

“Food is always tasty and plentiful. The service is friendly and efficient. They’re a family favorite of ours.”

“Super cool speakeasy vibe. Excellent craft cocktails and delicious food selections. Very reasonably priced as well. Friendly happy people on both sides of the bar made this venue quite enjoyable. There are twice daily specials with 'early-bird' pricing from 12pm-2pm and happy hour from 6-8pm. It is a very cool and fun place to enjoy something special in an intimate and vibrant venue.”

“Best food in all the Hawaiian islands. We ate here for my birthday earlier this year and it was so bomb!!!! The Papaya salad, Mango sticky rice, Pad Thai, Tom Kha and the Pineapple curry were elite! The drinks were also so refreshing. We wanna go back to Hilo just so we can eat here once again.
The family/staff were so kind. Thank you for making such a big impression on my family and I.”

“This is my new favorite eats in Hilo. I’m mostly vegan but the chicken was so good with the honey lilikoi sauce. We also got a tofu salad and it was the best tofu I ever had! I keep thinking about how good it was! The staff was very friendly which is a plus. We’ll be back!”

“Okonomiyaki and sashimi omakase and miso salmon are my favs! Miso ramen is yummy.”

“The staff is incredible. Sebastian’s tikka masala soup was soooo delicious. We definitely made the right choice.”

“I have there 4 times and never disappointed. I’ve tried different dishes and they are the best Thai food. The chef even came to my table and asked if my dish was to my satisfaction as they made a special sauce as I was a vegan.”

“Brown rice sushi Intricate sauces Fresh”

“I went to the Hilo location with my mother last night and was treated in a very racist and disgusting manner by the FOH staff. There were many empty tables yet the host avoided talking to us for a half hour. Then when I asked one of the waiters if we can sit at one of the open tables he said, "He cant let us do that" Then when I finally was able to talk to the host. He said it would be a 40 min wait for food. Ok I get it, the kitchen is swamped. So I say can we just sit right there pointing at the table he just cleaned. He says "no". Keep in mind there were at least four more empty tables. So we decided to leave. On the way out the thought comes into my mind, that he is going to seat the people who walked in behind us. So I tell my mother to wait a second and I go back in to look and there goes the host immediately seating these people bringing them water and menus. So I head back in and ask him "Whats going on here? Can I talk to a manager?" He tells me there are no managers. Then the waiter at the bar who said he couldnt do anything to let us sit down, says "I am the manager" So they lied to my face. Then I go to the bartender she barely bothers to tall to me and says "we are all managers" and that then tries to defend this discriminatory behavior by saying they are not being prejudiced against us. Yet the people behind us are chilling and going over their menus. and here we are not able to even talk to a manager never the less receive service at this racist establishment. We were systemically blocked from sitting. Then some manager esque fellow comes out trying to do damage control after all of this ongoing nonsense. To little to late. Im not going to eat spit burger with some bigot lougies in it. Mind you both my 76 year old mother have hosted various business meet ups there over the yeara bringing them business supporting Ola Brew and they treat us like this. Do not support businesses like this in Hilo. black people of Hilo be aware. This place will treat you second class. Over priced too, for the worst kind of service. dont do it, dont eat there.”

“We ordered fish and chips and everything was sooo crispy and fresh. Also more of an affordable place to get fresh fish and chips. The coleslaw on the side was something new I hadn’t tried and it made the whole meal just refreshing. I also ordered a strawberry matcha and a vanilla iced coffee. My matcha didn’t have much strawberry it was more so just matcha and milk but still good. I would come here again. Good quick lunch spot.”

“Their food is amazing!Great price and great portions! Definitely the best!!!”

“Love everything ❤ Beef patties handmade every a.m. Loco moko & SWISS ? burger 'ono, biggest laulau w/ choke lu'au”

“I’ve walked past this place for years on my regular walks through Liliʻuokalani Gardens. Today, after reading a glowing review on Nextdoor, I finally stopped in—and I’m glad I did!

Tucked away in the Aliʻi Ice Company building, Lili’s is easy to miss but well worth finding. They offer all the flavors pictured, along with non-dairy options, including paletas in several flavors. And Alison, the proprietor, is every bit as warm, cheerful, and genuine as she looks in the photo!

It’s a charming little hole-in-the-wall spot, and now that I’ve finally ventured inside, I’ll definitely be back!”

“Absolutely the most delicious Mochi and other Japanese confections. These ladies have been a mainstay in Hilo and whenever we are in Hawaii, (even Kona) we will make the drive to Hilo just for their desserts.”

“Expertos Profesionales en Varietales exóticas”

“The bubble tea was amazing, and the bread was absolutely delicious! 🧋🥐 Honestly, this is one of the best drinks I've had in Hawaii. The owner is Taiwanese and super friendly and welcoming. Definitely coming back again!!! Highly recommend!”

“我很喜欢韩国餐 可是外面多数的食物都很重口味 🙊 可是这间刚刚好！很推荐韭菜煎饼 喜晏面 辣豆腐锅 因为都超好吃的🤤 ＃吃到老板都认得我们了🙊”

“The food here was super tasty, but more importantly one of the women working here was probably the most genuinely nice and most helpful person I've ever met.
If I wasn't on the Big Island for only one more day, I would go back.”

“Fresh, friendly, tasty sweets and the pop over a breakfast sandwich was savory and yummy. Popovers are a part of my past and this was a great return to the glory days of my youth! I would recommend and come back again.”

“Wonderful idea to have this cafe working with Arc of Hilo !!
Will definitely come back
We have different specials every day!
Had taco Tuesday, and soft serve Dole icecream.

The taco plate was good!”

“Ordered from here one day when I was sick, and it’s become a go to for me. Some of the best pho I’ve ever had. Incredible Vietnamese iced coffee and great spring rolls. Super fast. Great customer service. Amazing pho.”

“We are traveling here to visit from FLORIDA. We ordered spicy Thai basil and mixed vegetables with cashew nut. They are so good. They are real authentic Thai food. Reasonable price and friendly service. Highly recommended 👍🏻”

“Great vibe, great variety!”

“Yen’s restaurant is one of the more authentic Chinese restaurants which does have a mix of Vietnamese dishes and drinks. It’s hard to find a good Chinese restaurant in Hilo and am happy to say that their food is fresh and tasty.
We had the spring rolls, pork rice plate and chicken with string beans rice plate. Had the standard Vietnamese coffee (yum!) and one of their interesting cold coffees (brewed coffee with pandan extract and condensed milk)….very good and refreshing! If you prefer it to be less sweet, simply ask for less condensed milk, like I did. We’re definitely planning on going back again to try other dishes.
DO note their current hours: Wednesdays - Fridays, 10:30am - 7:30pm.
This restaurant has been around, serving the Hilo community, for many years and glad they’re still around! Service was good and the restaurant is clean and well organized. Though it’s not a big place (a plus in my books!), it does have a nice ambience with comfortable seating arrangements. There’s some parking space in front of the restaurant as well. Always feel good to support local businesses that do a good job. Highly recommend this family business! Cheers!”

“Local Hilo shop. If you don't get here by 10am, house will be picked cleannnn. Make sure to try stuffed chicken tuesdays. Getting food here reminds me of my hometown sistahs and aunties back in the day.”

“This is not an eat-in restaurant. It is a great place to grab some local food for lunch, gathering of the clan, or office party. You will probably order too much, because it all looks and smells delicious. Or grab something to eat when you go to the beach.”

“Best Focaccia Ever! Very delicious and unique flavors. Loved the Amaretti cookies too. So glad we have some authentic Italian bread available in Hilo! Highly recommend.”

“Awesome Service Always No Other Place To Take Your Ohana Then Ihop Hilo”

“Friday afternoon , chocolate shake and cheese burger - great meal - lost perscription eye glasses at your picnic table at 3;30 PM . if found call at 808-885-7508 . thanks in advance Mike H.”

“Best restaurant my family visited on our trip to Hawaii! I recommend to everyone”

“Love everything ❤ Beef patties handmade every a.m. Loco moko & SWISS ? burger 'ono, biggest laulau w/ choke lu'au”

“F****** INCREDIBLE BRUH! BEST EVER! THE CHILI IS THE BEST IN THE WORLD, PROMISE!!!”

“They helped me feel comfortable on my first visit. Clean, pleasant store and friendly staff.”

“OMG.... addictive, what more can I say!”

“ABSOLUTELY LOVE their Deep Dish Supreme or Deep Dish customized... and their chicken Wings are Amazing and their Stuffed crazy bread & Sauce. . And Italian Cheezy bread!!! YUMMM!!! And good customer service :) and BEST priced!!! Cant beat it!!!”

“The food was delicious and the service was excellent . I believe our lovely waitress name was "Nail". I apologize if not correct spelling. She was very friendly and polite. The food also came so quickly, much appreciated for great food and service.”

“Best brisket outside of Texas. Everything delicious…. and you get plenty.”

“This place is amazing! The buns are fresh and handmade, the burgers are made from extremely good meat, and the on tap beer selection is vast. If it's a nice day, don't miss out on the outside seating. The place has a lot of character but everything is well cleaned and maintained.”

“Beautiful atmosphere, friendly service with great food… highly recommend this place”

“SO ONO!!! Everything I've tried so far has been Fantastic 😋”

“My husband and I had breakfast here and let me tell ya, we wont go anywhere else now. The service and staff were amazing super friendly and the atmosphere was so clean and homey. The food was just as we ordered it hot and lots of flavor. I have no complaints on anything what so ever but I would highly recommend going and trying it yourself if you haven't yet. You wont be disappointed.”

“Best shaved ice so far that I have had on the island �. Creamy and smooth.”

“Ponds has been my favorite place to eat for the last 20 years. Hands down best waiters, food and ambience. If you are a local or a tourist, it doesn't matter,this is a must go to place if you're in Hilo.”

“The food is always excellent - the ceviche is amazing! Reservations are a must - staff is friendly and knowledgeable.”

“The BEST sliders I have EVER had in my LIFE 👍🏼”

“Absolutely the most delicious Mochi and other Japanese confections. These ladies have been a mainstay in Hilo and whenever we are in Hawaii, (even Kona) we will make the drive to Hilo just for their desserts.”

“Love it Cafe 100 having my usual Loco Moco sloppy & Sunnyside eggs and even if didn’t have Mac salad this morning, I will always return especially for the Chicken Hekka and daily specials #hukaonorono”

“My husband's smoothie was a little icy but still yummy. But the reason I gave it 5 stars, is because of the Dole whip. Oh how I crave Dole whip since having it at Disney. Loved this!”

“Awesome Service Always No Other Place To Take Your Ohana Then Ihop Hilo”

“Amazing food & service! I LOVE the banh mi & pho!!”

“Don’t do the hot hot dish it’s beyond what one would consider indie or Thai hot it’s super spicy . In the Mainland Thai hot Indie hot you can still enjoy taste of food . It’s my only suggestion . Would go back great authentic ambience beautiful authentic service good food .”

“Food is always tasty and plentiful. The service is friendly and efficient. They’re a family favorite of ours.”

“Visited March 6, 2025 and we enjoyed two bowls. My friend commented how heavy the bowls are - they are stuffed to the brim with deliciousness!! Plenty to choose from including shrimp tempura that was incredible!! All ingredients fresh, the flavors throughout were excellent.”

“Best ice coffee we had in Hawaii Rory was a great travel consultant 😊 Directed us what to see in Hilo and how to get there. We had the best first time in Hilo because we had coffee here ! ❤️❤️”

“Great new place with friendly staff.”

“Such a great place, Loved the Kava there and staff was very friendly!”

“This cafe serves the best frappe in Hilo! You can get it made with or without coffee. It has the most perfect texture! Always light and smooth and creamy. The flavor is rich and satisfying but never overly sweet. Today I tried the Dubai Chocolate Frappe and it absolutely broke da mouth. Best I've ever had, like a dream in a cup! Their employees are always very kind and have your drink up quickly. I can't recommend their coffee enough!”

“The good is great and I like the owner! We came here late at night and got a free spring rolls. We ordered the supersaimin. The egg and fried wonton are cooked to a nice doneness. The soup base contains so much umami. The food here is adjusted to American taste.”

“We live in Kau and if we go to Hilo this is our favorite place to eat. It is always the best.”

“The mini katsu and korean chicken plates were huge and delicious! Food is very reasonably priced, and they have rotating specials if you follow them on Instagram”