Restaurants in Hilo

“I wish I had known about them when they opened. Everything is flavorful and reasonably priced. The meat looks like meat and the fish looks like fish, if that’s what you need.”

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

“One of best meals we have ever had! Very creative cuisine, service was perfect, cocktail's amazing!”

“Poke cake Best ever Ever”

“Our first morning on our trip here and we were treated amazing. The service was great, very informative. I tried a pink macchiato and it was a 10/10. It also was a super cute and pleasant environment.”

“One minor feedback, shrimp tempura curled up in to a ball inside the batter instead of the usual length of the tempura today, batter is still amazingly crispy. Besides that still the best and tastiest okazuya I’ve ever had. The flavor of the food has been consistent for the 60 years I’ve been eating here. The workers and the customers maintain that unique Hilo friendliness and charm.”

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

“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 😋”

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

“we always go to this restaurant when we have paddling events and they have so much good food. Great prices awesome customer service. This is my Goto place every time we travel there.!!!”

“It's in an industrial area & building. The fried chicken is so good. Lightly battered & perfectly cooked. Everything on my plate was gluten-free. I felt very safe eating here.

Dietary restrictions: Gluten-free fried chicken & knowledgable staff.”

“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!!”

“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! 💚”

“The food was super ono!! I had the chicken cutlet loco moco, and it was A-mazing! My wife had the prime rib loco moco, and that was just as delicious! Our daughter had the lechon plate, and that was tasty and crunchy! Our son had the steak and eggs, and the medium rare filet was very tasty and tender! Everything was awesome. My only low ranking was due to the take out order taking a lot longer than the 20 minutes they told my wife. But, in their defense, it was lunch hour on a Sunday and they were extremely busy. The place is nice. But, the other small concern I had was how warm it was in their diner. Those items were the only thing keeping me from giving them 5 stars overall.”

“Love all their smoothies !!”

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

“Awesome vegan and vegetarian options! My go to is the lemongrass tofu bahn mi and a kumquat lemon iced tea. Food is flavorful, portions are generous, and their drinks are really good as well. The family who owns Tiger is always very friendly and accommodating every time we visit.”

“A True Culinary Gem: Sakura Sushi Delivers Excellence in Hilo!
Stepping into Sakura Sushi feels like discovering a hidden treasure on the Big Island. In my eyes, this isn't just a sushi restaurant; it's the sushi restaurant, hands down the best on the island. Every visit is a delight, largely thanks to their truly exceptional team.

From the moment you walk through the door, the staff at Sakura Sushi are nothing short of wonderful. They are incredibly nice, remarkably attentive, and astonishingly fast – whether it's getting your drinks to the table or serving up your delicious food. What truly sets them apart is their ability to make you feel like you're the only guests in the bustling restaurant, even when it's packed to the brim. That level of personal, dedicated service is a rare find and a testament to their commitment to their diners.

Our family has an unwavering list of favorites that we simply can't get enough of. The Philly Roll is, without exaggeration, AMAZING – a perfect blend of creamy and fresh. The Godzilla Roll packs a fantastic punch, and the Super Crispy Gyoza live up to their name with every delightful bite. And then there's the BEEF TATAKI (no apologies for the spelling, it's just that good!) – a dish so sublime, it alone is worth the trip.

While these are our go-to choices, believe me when I say we've explored most of their menu, and you truly cannot go wrong with anything you choose. Every dish is crafted with passion and precision. The chefs, no matter who is behind the counter, are consistently AMAZING and deserve every bit of praise they receive. Their skill, creativity, and dedication shine through in every perfectly prepared piece of sushi and every flavorful plate.

I would confidently put Sakura Sushi's best against any other sushi establishment around the Big Island, and they would win hands down. Hilo is incredibly fortunate to have such a magnificent culinary gem. We absolutely adore this place!”

“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.”

“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”

“Nice little hole in the wall place. Family owned. Food is amazing. We stopped by and a local was raving about this place as we walked by. So we just had to stop in. Use cash and leave a tip to support this family! ?

We ordered the garlic chicken.
It comes with white rice and a macaroni salad.
It was so good the garlic chicken was perfectly cooked lightly breaded but not soggy and amazingly flavorful. I also had the crab rangoons and omg they were the best rangoons of my life. Most places skimp on the crab not this place the seafood flavor was abundant and you could see the chunks. So good and perfectly fried. If you are stopping by from the cruise port this is the best place to go on the way to the beach!”

“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.”

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

“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.”

“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!”

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

“Delicious coffee. I really appreciate that I could get coffee ice cubes for only an added $1.
Service was friendly and quick.
It's a great place to stop at.
There were food options, but I didn't see them listed anywhere, so I'm not sure about what they were or prices.”

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

“Our drinks were not only very tasty and balanced but also beautiful! The food was cooked perfectly and well curated. Our server Barbara was amazing and probably one of the nicest waitresses we had our entire week in Hawaii! We would have loved to go back a 2nd day but time did not permit.”

“Just tried for the first time. I expected it to be like store bought sushi since it was already made and packaged up, but I was wrong and it was absolutely incredible! I was so happy from the first bite to the last bite. Will be coming back 100%.”

“The best Vietnamese restaurant on the Big Island. Honestly wished it was on the Kona side so that we can go here more often. The Vietnamese uncle that runs the place is also super nice.”

“Expertos Profesionales en Varietales exóticas”

“They make the most delicious macarons, in a wide variety of flavors! The cupcakes are delicious, too, especially if you like yummy frosting. They have other tempting desserts as well! The staff is always friendly and helpful. 😋”

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

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

“We decided to try their spring rolls after watching a food video on YouTube. It was the best decision made. The spring rolls were the best we've ever had, crispy on the outside with very tasty ingredients on the inside. I think it was the taro that made the difference. They were so good that we re-ordered. We also tried the Bahn mi sandwiches and they were also delicious. The owner came out to greet us and we ended up having a very nice conversation. She was really friendly and cute. If you're on the Big Island, it's definitely worth it to try out this place. You won't regret it.”

“My husband and I both had the pastrami sando with fries. Best pastrami sando we've had in a very long time. I am usually not a fan of mustard on anything but the aoli/mustard combo was amazing. Cooking in duck fat is always a great move so kudos for that!! If we were locals, this would definitely be a regular hang out for us.”

“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’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.”

“Me and my husband had a great dinner here! Reasonable price and delicious korean food! The staffs are polite and humble :)”

“Staff was friendly, attentive, and accommodating. Drinks were good and we appreciated having non-alcoholic options for delicious beer and cocktails. We had prawns, mushroom tacos, vegan flatbread, sour dough bread and broccoli. All were very good. The vegan flatbread was the unexpected shining star of the meal. To finish we had the ice cream sampler and all of them were wonderful.”

“I got sandwich and a couple scones from here. It was super good. I had never tried a sandwich in a popover but it adds a unique twist to this place. Staff was super friendly and helpful.”

“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!”

“Very cool place. The staff was super fun and accommodating. Loved the atmosphere. Food was super good. We had the ono fish, Mahi fish, shrimp, fries, and sweet potatoes fries. All were so good. We did see the menu online and were kind of nervous as our kids dont like fish. The online menu doesn't show the non fish items. They do have chicken strips, chicken and waffles ect. I would definitely come back!”

“Good food.. perfect noodle soup..”

“ピーナッツバター入りのアサイボウルが美味しい”

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

“Excellent tasty food and very reasonably priced (large portions) - we had beef rolls, pho and sate-beef noodle soup which was plenty to feed a family of 2 adults and 2 kids”

“We go there for our ICE CREAM CRAVES❣️😜We have ice cream dates every Friday or as much Needed like tonite👍🏼Also after school with the gkids for the chicken snack pack”

“i have tried a lot of thai food but nothing comes close to this place. the red thai curry is so yummy! amazing food, amazing service and the people who run the restaurant are some of the nicest people you will meet! this is a not to miss place in the big island :)”

“One of the best places in Hilo to dine. Loved coming here in my childhood and I intend to keep going.”

“First timer here and the service was great!! The front worker she’s very nice! The food came out quick.
I had the Loco plate, fries and a drink. I was told they have the best fries and they absolutely do! Also if you plan on going, they only accept cash, which thankfully I did have on me. ☺️”

“Spent a week in Hilo since 2019. I was familiar with Hilo town and all the tourist spots and decided to hangout with the locals and found the Hale Inu sports bar is more special than the other local bars it’s more like the Cheers sitcom where “everyone knows your name” I walked in as a stranger and left feeling belonging. The Barmaids Margie, Pua and JoJo will make you feel like a local before you finish your first beverage. As the days went by I noticed different parts of the day had different personalities. The drink specials, pupus, dart boards , pool table, patio deck and park lake view makes this place a must stop on your visit list. Evenings the karaoke comes alive especially on free nights and the local pool sharks gather for open pool tournaments and everyone is welcome even the ladies here have high skill level in the 8 ball pool game. I’ll be back next year hopefully my pool game will improve and I’ll be looking for Max, Derrick, Babe, Darren, Joyce, Ross, Matt, Dennis, Howie,Gwen, Janice, Johnny, Gabe,Hansel, Donovan, Laurie and JoJo. I had great conversations with everyone I met and respect you all and hope to see you next year or maybe sooner. Mahalo be blessed. Dex”

“By far the best Thai spot on Big Island! The curries tastes like a centuries old family recipe that never need change!
I bring every visitor here from mainland.”

“Great! Bar service excellent!”

“It will be wonderful with some local draft beers. This is the only restaurant opens for travelers until very late. Dictatorship of Astronomy has a limited power here.”

“I would give 10 stars if able. Ube cream, fruity pebbles, toasted coconut (thick and crunchy!!) And coconut condensed cram for drizzle. Best ice cream i have ever had!”

“5 stars! I recently visited this Vietnamese restaurant and had an exceptional experience. The food was delicious and truly authentic, making it a delightful dining experience.”

“Rumor around town was that there were 2 Ladies creating a buzz. They've been around for a while putting smiles on people's faces. Locals and tourists alike kept talking about these Two Ladies in the Kitchen. A song came to mind, "Hey, good lookin',... sweet baby... what you got cookin'?" & OMG these Sweat Treats are Delicious!!! I have to confess, my only experience with Mochi Mochi, a Japanese rice cake, is the Trader Joe's version. Now, don't get me wrong... TJ's has a good Mochi IceCream delight. However, once you taste the Authentic Mochi (もち, 餅) delights and the creative variations from Two Ladies Kitchen, you'll understand why all these people are raving about them. "For her, I would gladly ferry across the Sumida on the coldest winter day to buy her those sakura-mochi sweets from old Edo that she loved so much." Kafū Nagai, Three Japanese Short Stories”

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

“Went to the hidden gem in Hilo...lil vintage ice cream parlor, which is right at the entrance of Alii Ice!! They sell the yummiest fresh fruit and favorite flavored paletas... ice cream pies...ice cream...and other frozen treats! So many flavors...need to visit often to try different ones each time. My favorites...lilikoi cream, Mango cream, sweet potatoes (ube) cream, haupia cream, peanut butter & chocolate cream, chocolate mocha and SO MUCH MORE! These are homemade local-style frozen treats... so be sure to go and try it!!”

“5 stars. Amazing food, great service, and unforgettable taste that keeps you coming back. Mahalo Tabaraka!”

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

“They have the best ice cream. Period. We have tried so many top ice cream shops in many big cities, this place is hands down one of the best. We feel so blessed to have this ice cream shop in Hilo that we can come here every week for our little treat.”

“The food was AMAZING! I was so surprised with how fresh and healthy it tasted. I wish I could eat there everyday. I will definitely visit again if I come back to Hilo.”

“Excellent Poke selection and wonderful flavors.”

“Great place to eat. I recommend the tempeh sandwich - generous portion and comes with a side of choice too. Good selection of drinks, local beers and kombucha. Staff are friendly.”

“Adorable place, friendly employees, cute hibiscus decorations, good vibe, reasonable prices. Only downside was the food wasn't that great :( Salad was supposed to come with grilled chicken strips and it was just cold shredded chicken. Dole whip was good!”

“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.”

“Best green papaya salad on the Big Island”

“Brown rice sushi Intricate sauces Fresh”

“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.”

“The food was super ono!! I had the chicken cutlet loco moco, and it was A-mazing! My wife had the prime rib loco moco, and that was just as delicious! Our daughter had the lechon plate, and that was tasty and crunchy! Our son had the steak and eggs, and the medium rare filet was very tasty and tender! Everything was awesome. My only low ranking was due to the take out order taking a lot longer than the 20 minutes they told my wife. But, in their defense, it was lunch hour on a Sunday and they were extremely busy. The place is nice. But, the other small concern I had was how warm it was in their diner. Those items were the only thing keeping me from giving them 5 stars overall.”

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

“Great place to eat. I recommend the tempeh sandwich - generous portion and comes with a side of choice too. Good selection of drinks, local beers and kombucha. Staff are friendly.”

“Rumor around town was that there were 2 Ladies creating a buzz. They've been around for a while putting smiles on people's faces. Locals and tourists alike kept talking about these Two Ladies in the Kitchen. A song came to mind, "Hey, good lookin',... sweet baby... what you got cookin'?" & OMG these Sweat Treats are Delicious!!! I have to confess, my only experience with Mochi Mochi, a Japanese rice cake, is the Trader Joe's version. Now, don't get me wrong... TJ's has a good Mochi IceCream delight. However, once you taste the Authentic Mochi (もち, 餅) delights and the creative variations from Two Ladies Kitchen, you'll understand why all these people are raving about them. "For her, I would gladly ferry across the Sumida on the coldest winter day to buy her those sakura-mochi sweets from old Edo that she loved so much." Kafū Nagai, Three Japanese Short Stories”

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

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

“I wish I had known about them when they opened. Everything is flavorful and reasonably priced. The meat looks like meat and the fish looks like fish, if that’s what you need.”

“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.”

“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! 💚”

“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.”

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

“Poke cake Best ever Ever”

“Our first morning on our trip here and we were treated amazing. The service was great, very informative. I tried a pink macchiato and it was a 10/10. It also was a super cute and pleasant environment.”

“5 stars! I recently visited this Vietnamese restaurant and had an exceptional experience. The food was delicious and truly authentic, making it a delightful dining experience.”