Restaurants in Hilo

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

“So yummy and realistic vegan Vietnamese food 🤤🤤🤤”

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

“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”

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

“Delicious 🤤🤤 we're only on this side of the island for the day or I'd here daily. No insane toppings hiding the flavor of the tuna. Just great fish, kind service, and happy tummy. Must try place if you like poke!”

“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! 💚”

“Love all their smoothies !!”

“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”

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

“Saw a review of this place on YouTube and thought it would be worth checking out and I was blown away with the quality of the food. The fish was some of the best mahi I have ever had and the spam masubi tasted fresh as if it were just pressed. The chicken was crispy and had an excellent flavor.

The staff here were filled with aloha and I felt very welcomed despite it clearly being my first time visiting.”

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

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

“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!”

“The Belgian waffles were EXCEPTIONAL, as was the rest of our food. Gale was very sweet and provided great service. We’re only on the Big Island for four days, but we’ll likely be back before we leave.”

“A small Vietnamese resto for your Asian fix. We craved for pho when it rained in Hilo and good thing we discovered this nook. They also had bubble teas and Banh Mi. Service was warm and food was great.”

“Food 4/5 - Ordered a sakura boat and unagi don. The sashimi/nigiri in the sakura boat was high quality and fresh, as the texture was soft with no hints of being frozen. The roll was good, nothing to write home about. Unagi don was good, although slices for the unagi were on the thinner side. Miso soup was nice and hot.

Service 3/5 - Service is average, they did make a round to refill our drinks.

Atmosphere 4/5 - Interior is good with Japanese themed decor.

Overall - Had a pleasant experience and would visit again.”

“We really enjoyed the local Hawaiian beer, exceptional cocktail and fresh sushi grade fish apps we ordered. A little pricey but the quality is definitely there. The service was a little slow but I think they were understaffed for how busy the place was and they were very friendly and helpful and definitely doing their best. Next time I return to the big island I'll definitely go there and have already recommended to other friends as a great date night.”

“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.”

“#AmazingHotel #GrandNaniloaHotelHilo 🥰”

“Mac salad- best yet on the island!! Steak & chicken were perfectly prepared! Huge portions- the Bento box had all the meats! Cozy with loud friendly service! We even had leftovers, it was so much food! Get the sesame balls for dessert, you won’t regret it!”

“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”

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

“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.”

“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.”

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

“On June 16, 2021, my mom, husband, and I decided to treat ourselves to dinner at Izakaya Miyo after a long, stressful year. It's a prix fixe menu ($99 per person at the time). I highly recommend this restaurant to celebrate a special occasion or just to treat yourself. Chef Louis Pauole is very warm and friendly and explains each dish to you. This is not just a meal, but it is a memorable experience for the senses. Every dish is both beautiful and delicious! Standing ovation!”

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

“Hilo iced coffee was one of our favorites places to grab coffee when in Hilo. We drove all the way from pepeekeo every day so we could have all those amazing options. My hubby and I each got a coffee and a matcha to share. We made sure we tried something different every time, usually staff recommended, just to see what were a “go” or a “no.” Honestly, every thing we ordered exceeded our expectations. “Honey girl” was a clear winner for us, the mix of Mac nut milk and honey, chef’s kiss- 10/10. And if you’re not feeling something too sweet, their namesake “Hilo iced coffee” hit the spot- 9/10. We also tried their black sesame coffee and matcha, both were 10/10. We had the chance to also try the strawberry matcha and while I can see the hype for strawberry matches are real, the strawberry Puree was a wee too sweet for us, still very good- 8/10. We will be sure to stop by every time we go Hilo!”

“Surprisingly legit Viet food served in a cozy cafe environment by a really kind and generous owner with very reasonable prices!
The papaya salad was so delicious- generous portion of shredded green papaya topped with lots of crunch peanuts and fried shallots. The entire table gobbled it up. I had a small chicken pho and it was super refreshing, light, and savory with lots of tender chicken pieces. It was plenty for my stomach! The owner was so kind towards our school aged child, he brought out a balloon and candies for her and it made her day. So sweet and kind!”

“This place is AMAZING WITH AN AMAZING ATMOSPHERE!! A MUST!❤️❤️”

“Fresh and delicious poke, loaded with roe and flavor...friendly and welcoming...fast moving line even when busy...large poke bowl half spicy/half shoyu was perfect”

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

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

“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!!”

“ピーナッツバター入りのアサイボウルが美味しい”

“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!”

“Duck fat food truck.....food was extremely delicious 😋, friendly and very quick service and best of all it was affordable. We had the Philly cheese steak. Loaded pastrami fries and chicken melt”

“Expertos Profesionales en Varietales exóticas”

“I had the tofu bhanmi and the tofu, rice noodle salad. Both excellent. The location is right next to a park and there are a few other food trucks.. pizza, coffee, giros...”

“Great vibe, great variety!”

“I came here with a group of 20 people, and needless to say this has been a very great experience. I ordered the pastrami sandwich on white bread and it was actually the most delicious thing I’ve ever eaten. Totally recommend this place! Very awesome and nice staff.”

“This place is so good and the people who work here are really friendly. I love that they have games to play while waiting for your ice cream too. Not ashamed to say that I've been here multiple days in a row. Best ice cream spot in Hilo in my opinion.”

“I’m the type of person who’s a bit hesitant to try new places, especially when they’re not well-known. But I’m so glad I took a chance on Kings Vietnamese Cuisine. It was a delightful surprise!”

“Oh man did we luck out! Looking for a place to have a nice breakfast on a Thursday AM. We were extremely fortunate as a "walk-in" around 9:30. Word to the wise, don't do what we did, Paul has to constantly turn people away at the door. ONLY 3 tables for two. Paul is very engaging and has a good sense of humor but the food OMG. My wife had the perfect Belgian Waffles and I had THE best ever eggs Benedict with salmon. Brok dah mouth brah....You must make reservations probably two weeks in advance. This is the number one restaurant in Hilo in my book, serves breakfast & lunch. A total home run....thank you Paul for sharing your amazing talent!!”

“This place is fantastic, from Wyoming mrt the owner Shar, she was great to talk to. Bartender 10 out of 10 we had a great conversation bith from big families, really enjoyed coming down here.”

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

“If you are japanese food lover, you definitely need to stop by here. I tried the Karaage Bento, it worth the price. One thing I am a little bit disappointed is that we need to buy sauces separately and it quite expensive(around 2USD per tiny sauce)”

“Come for the fresh catch of the day platter and other special plate lunches. We’ve had some of the tastiest and freshest fish specials on the island. The Ahi cutlet is superb.”

“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.”

“I ate here at least once a week when I lived in Hilo. The chicken pho is some of the best I've ever had (including my travels to Vietnam). Also, the sate noodle soup is insanely flavorful.

Could use more ambience. But the delicious food and friendly staff more than make up for any shortcomings in the decor department.”

“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.”

“They were extra accommodating to my weird dietary restrictions. The food was great! The presentations with plates and bowels they had the food in was very nice too. Will definitely come back.”

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

“Customer Service was amazing. Food was delicious. First time there and I absolutely loved it!”

“Great lunch place with counter service and covered outdoor tables. I had the Robert special tuna sandwich and it was really good, hubby tried the ham and chocolate dole whip.
If you are visiting Rainbow falls stop in for lunch a smoothie or dole whip. You won't be disappointed.”

“Such good food!
We tried their combo salad, Penang curry and basil fried rice (fried rice was off the menu but the owner was very nice and friendly to accommodate our request). Large portion size and such fresh, hearty food! Highly recommend if you are in Hilo area!”

“What a hidden gem on Banyan drive! The place looks very low key and unassuming, but serves great fruit ice cream bars of various flavors, all made with real fruits. The staff members are super friendly and even gave us fancy ice to keep our bars frozen. For anyone who visits there, make sure to order their malt milk shake, which for some reason isnt listed on the menu. If the fruit pops were 8/10, the malt milk shake would be 11/10. Yes it is that good!”

“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.”

“Great selections and options! Generous proportions. Be certain to read the specials board inside on the back wall. We enjoyed a Regular Deluxe Pineapple, Li Hing Moi, Lillikoi (passionfruit), and pineapple with cream.”

“I must be perfectly honest with everyone. I've been inside Hilo Lunch Shop but i have not eaten their food. However, if you like local food, you'll love this place. I've, never heard a negative thing about this place except they might run out of certain favorites if you don't get there early enough.

My fiance was picking up food for her work and I went with her. There was a long line which moved quickly. I observed those waiting in line as well as the staff. EVERYBODY in the establishment were upbeat and there was just a positive vibe flowing throughout. I could tell the customers were eagerly anticipating and being excited about getting there favorite dishes. Totally cool vibe in there. Im going back to get what I missed out on. Check it out”

“Super patient staff, answered questions and gave samples as 8 of us tried to order for the first time. The portions were huge as stated. A keiki is plenty for an adult. The sno cap is coconut cream topping. All so reasonable. It is worth the drive from Kona just to come here for the experience...but there is a half mile waterfall hike close by to start your day. I tried tons of flavors off all the orders...all good. But I couldn't resist the coconut and chocolate macadamia ice cream.”

“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🙊”

“Ono grinds- Best chicken bbq and grilled cheese paninis in town! Their taro milk tea is super tasty. Service is always friendly and efficient. Don’t pass it by.”

“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.”

“Breakfast/lunch spot. Kawamoto was closed so we found this place nearby. I'm glad that we discovered this place as well. Since it was our first time, I asked the server to pick whatever for us and she took her time and listed each item and explained what it was. We went later in the day so it wasn't as fresh but still very delicious.”

“I love fresh pasta and now there's a wonderful pasta shop in Hilo! I stopped in and picked up a package of FRESH Kabocha and Nutmeg Pasta, homemade Pesto, homemade Garlic Butter and Foccashia Bread. What an amazing dinner my wife Miriam and I had! The first of many... Mahalo Kai(n) - Kai Cuisine!”

“This is the BEST boba on Big island. The owner makes them fresh everyday and they have the perfect amount of chew to them. If you've never tried the grass jelly it's my new favorite milk tea addition.”

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

“I absolutely love this place, the people are nice, the food is amazing and the prices are fair. I highly recommend going here, I’ve gone to a lot of fish places in the area and this one never upsets my stomach or anything.”

“I love the bento at H and K. I feel it is one of the best bento available. The staff are always friendly and helpful.

I have ordered up to 75 for a function I was holding. They were ready when I got there and everyone loved them. I didn't have to deal with buying plates or utensils, I knew there would be enough for the latecomers without worrying about portion control. H and K are my go to for catering and I have never been disappointed.

Plus my kids love it. *Mic drop*”

“While my car was getting serviced, I stopped by Joann's Lounge Bar in Hilo for a beer, and was greeted with free plates of 9 different pupus, and they were all outstanding. Highest possible recommendation with very friendly service!”

“Pamela was our waitress. She was such a pleasant person and gave absolutely perfect service! She is an asset to IHOP. Thank you, Pam!!”

“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.”

“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.”

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

“The Belgian waffles were EXCEPTIONAL, as was the rest of our food. Gale was very sweet and provided great service. We’re only on the Big Island for four days, but we’ll likely be back before we leave.”

“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.”

“So yummy and realistic vegan Vietnamese food 🤤🤤🤤”

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

“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.”

“The best part about the Hilo Town Tavern is the Exhibit Gallery, which is attached to the dining area. For 8 1/2 years the Exhibit Gallery has supported many of the artists in Hilo and has been a major cultural icon. The Exhibit Gallery supports the First Friday Art Walk and other major Hilo events. I highly recommend visiting this gallery.”

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

“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.”

“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! 💚”

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

“They were extra accommodating to my weird dietary restrictions. The food was great! The presentations with plates and bowels they had the food in was very nice too. Will definitely come back.”

“My teenage daughter is a very picky eater, but when she tried Kamana's chicken Tikka Masala she fell in love. My ohana always comes for the Meat Samosa's, it is very delicious. The spices in each dish is so amazing. The employees are nice as well. Please go to the Hilo restaurant. Just note that they have a break between 3-5.”

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

“Low prices and great portions. By far my favorite ice cream place to go to in Hilo. It was so good, there was a point me and my friend were going everyday to try different flavors.”

“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 ! ❤️❤️”

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

“Don’t be fooled because it’s in the mall! Got the roast pork so fire🔥! Service was quick fast and with a huge smile! Since I work close will be hitting the spot a lot thanks for the amazing food!”