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”

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

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

“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.”

“Love all their smoothies !!”

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

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

“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!!”

“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”

“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! 💚”

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

“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!”

“We found this place a couple of months ago when house shopping. Now that we are on the island full time this will become a frequent part of our lives. Food was awesome and staff was excellent.
Thanks for the great food and wonderful experience.”

“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.”

“The service was fast. I sat down and gave them my order. The miso soup came out right away. A few minutes later the bento B came. The miso soup hit the spot. The chicken katsu was tasty and tempura nice and crispy and hot.”

“#AmazingHotel #GrandNaniloaHotelHilo 🥰”

“Great time! Came off cruise ship to watch Football at 10:30 AM. Zach, the Bartender & Emaline, the Server where the best! Zach offered cocktails which we hadn't had before & made sure the Philadelphia Eagles were on the screen. Emaline made sure our glasses were full as well as accommodating our food order. Would definitely go back again!! Thank you, Zach & Emaline!!”

“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.”

“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.”

“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”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

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

“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 👍🏼”

“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”

“Decent coffee at great prices! They’ll suggest adding sweetener to sesame, and I think that’s a good idea; sesame itself is quite weak of a flavor. Next time!”

““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.””

“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.”

“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!”

“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!”

“I enjoy coming to the “new” location on Waianuenue Ave (Hilo) because I can get to my favorite Korean Shave Ice easily from my house on the Hilo side! It used to be too out of my way.”

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

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

“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 !”

“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🙊”

“ピーナッツバター入りのアサイボウルが美味しい”

“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.”

“Too good to be true, even compare to the Vietnamese restaurant in San Jose(largest Vietnamese population in US). It's no longer a food truck but you can dine in in the restaurant. Everything we ordered is excellent.”

“Had to try this place since I’ve seen so much buzz about it. I had The mango sticky rice and it truly did not disappoint. I had Never had anything like it. Me and my son shared it and he loved it. He also loved the toys and games available. We will be back!!!”

“Beautifully crafted cocktails and pupus. The ambiance is lovely with posh seating, fresh orchids, and even a few wild wall fixtures to spark conversations and photo ops”

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

“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!”

“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.”

“I texted ahead a couple of weeks before our visit to Hilo and got reservation for breakfast for two mornings at 8 AM. Loved everything about Paul’s place. Food, coffee, atmosphere, friendly conversation, great location, easy free parking, all was very good. If you’re visiting Hilo, text ahead, and make eating at Paul’s place a top priority.”

“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.”

“Papaya salad was excellent. Coconut soup was great. Pad thai was just okay. This place specializes in papaya salad so that's on me for getting something else. Get the papaya salad and you'll have a great time.

The people working there were super nice.”

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

“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.”

“We had a bad experience at another pho place that we usually frequent but it gave way for us to find this gem, so we’re thankful. Van is in a little strip mall with plenty parking. Upon stepping in we were greeted with a friendly smile and a/c blasting. We ordered 6 pho and 6 drinks. The coffee and Thai tea was super good!! The chicken pho I think they use rotisserie chicken, mostly white meat and it was delicious, not dry. The beef pho had lean cuts in neat pieces. Both broths were light and flavorful with added red onions, green onions and cilantro. The kids quickly agreed it’s their favorite pho place now.

Thank you!”

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

“i’ve been meaning to try this place for a long time, and i’m so glad i finally got around to it! The only vegan option listed on the menu is the vegan gyro. It was really delicious. The seasoning was perfect. I believe they use impossible sausage, which was marinated in a delightful tomato sauce. The naan tasted homemade and was so fluffy and flavorful. The bell peppers and tomatoes were nicely seasoned as well. My only point of contention is the side cup of sauce— the tzatziki is not vegan, but they may still give it to you with your meal. They told me it was regular dairy when I asked. I really recommend stopping by here on your way to the beach. You can pair the gyro with a matcha from Hilo Ice Coffee next-door for a perfect beach picnic. It’s really nice to have this option in Hilo. Most of our vegan food is the same few cuisines so I’m happy I can diversify. Updated from previous review on 2026-06-18”

“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.”

“Incredible ice cream and even better service! it was packed in there with several large groups and we all got individual attention and full scoops & cones! Thank you!”

“Expertos Profesionales en Varietales exóticas”

“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 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!”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

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

“Great vibe, great variety!”

“Brown rice sushi Intricate sauces Fresh”

“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!”

“If you love local Korean favorites, this is the place to go to get you a quick bento. That's all they serve at this time but they're hoping to bring plate lunches to the menu again soon. The place isn't very pretty and there's nowhere to sit and eat but the food is clean and delicious. Everyone from Grandpa to baby enjoys it! And nice people run the place.. 😊”

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

“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.”

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

“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”

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

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

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

“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.”

“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.”

“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! 💚”

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

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

“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”

“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 .”

“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!”

“Too good to be true, even compare to the Vietnamese restaurant in San Jose(largest Vietnamese population in US). It's no longer a food truck but you can dine in in the restaurant. Everything we ordered is excellent.”

“We don't have a jack in the box in east coast. Was pretty shock to see it on my way to hilo international airport. Really good, great customers service. Will be back when i comeback to the big island”

“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 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”

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