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.”

“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.”

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

“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 😋”

“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”

“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!”

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

“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!”

“I had a great experience here. The food was fresh, flavorful, and the portions were very generous. The pancakes were especially delicious light, fluffy, and full of flavor. The service was friendly. The prices are about average for the quality and generous portion sizes, making it an excellent value. I highly recommend checking this place out.”

“Has a Vietnamese Coffee with coconut ice cream. I was hoping it would be like the ones we just had on our trip to Vietnam, but alas it wasn't. Not bad, but not comparable. Also had a Thai Iced Tea, which was disappointing.”

“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.”

“A great surprise at Hilo’s downtown! The food was incredible. We had Clams de Spain, Sashimi carpaccio, Fried rice and Pork Belly. Hard to say which one was best as they were all so tasty. Great service as well!”

“#AmazingHotel #GrandNaniloaHotelHilo 🥰”

“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”

“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.”

“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.”

“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 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.”

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

“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!”

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

“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.”

““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.””

“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! 💚”

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

“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!!”

“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!”

“Expertos Profesionales en Varietales exóticas”

“ピーナッツバター入りのアサイボウルが美味しい”

“Quaint little place in Hilo. Large beverage menu.
I had a Deluxe Burger with fries and a Watermelon -Strawberry Slush. We ate outside under a roof. It was very pleasant. The food was very good with nice sizes. I asked for no sauce on my burger, but they misunderstood and put their CB Sauce on it. It was okay even though I would have preferred it without sauce.”

“Great vibe, great variety!”

“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🙊”

“A lovely little place for tourists to swing by. The smoothies are tasty and the food real refreshing. When you're looking for a place to recharge in between swimming and viewing the waterfalls, swing by here for one of the best lunches you can have”

“Tried Chillville for the first time today. It was so good. The regular size was $12.50+Tax. My husband thought it was a bit much but considering how much ice cream we got plus the fact you can add mix ins, toppings, and sauce, I think it was totally worth it. Plus they gave me a foil to wrap my cup in so I could take the rest home. It's now sitting in my freezer for later.

I don't remember what my husband got, but I got the chocolate ice cream with strawberries and fruity pebbles mix in, topped with oreos and fruity pebbles and drizzled in chocolate sauce. My god was it amazing. It didn't taste overly sweet. They put a generous amount of toppings and sauce. And I could taste the strawberries in the chocolate ice cream. I would've had toppings with nuts but I was expecting to share it with my son and he has a nut allergy. Next time I will not be sharing and will get nuts lol.

Inside had benches and lots of sitting room. There was a play area for kids and my son was busy over there most of the time. There was even a little kids table he sat at and played with toys. Nice big windows out on the street with windows benches. And a great big trash can in case you eat your Sushi HI bowls in there too.

Overall, the environment was so friendly and great. Staff was super nice and accommodating and the ice cream was 🔥 I'll definitely be going back when I get the chance. P.S. today was not ice cream weather but it was still a great treat 😋 wish I had pictures.”

“OMG! I want to so bad not to review this place because it will only make it more popular and I just want it all for myself. Would that be selfish of me? I mean, this place, omg the pho, the banh mi, and I've only been here once. I want to melt when I walk in. Thank you for being here.”

“Paul’s Place is a very quaint and very cute place to eat! Love the slight breeze we felt as we sat by the window. Decorated with charm and even a picture of Paul as a young surfer. It has been described as a “hidden gem”in an article by the Honolulu magazine and it is! Located on a corner near Hilo Farmers Market. It only seats about 8 people so make sure you text Paul, the owner, so you have the opportunity to try his tasty food! We tried his Eggs Benedict and Belgian Waffle! Both were delicious! Coffee was yummy too! We will definitely come back if he has an opening! Cannot wait to try his other dishes!”

“Just a very swanky, cool hideout in the middle of Hilo, one you shouldn't miss if you can make it. The cocktails take time and rightly so -- they are balanced, tasty and made with care -- and the staff is knowledgeable and courteous.”

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

“Great food at a great price! Wailoa Grill is a small local grill with outside protected seating. We shared their grilled salmon platter, opting for their asian flavored slaw vs macaroni and boy are we glad we did. As you might be able to see rhe portion was enough for two. We'll definitely be back before leaving! This is a hidden gem of a place! 🥰”

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

“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 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.”

“Amazing food. We ate in silence how delicious it was. Everything tasted fresh.
Staff were very helpful and friendly and the price is very good especially for the size of portions.
Mahalo!!!!”

“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 !”

“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!!!”

“Food truck service. Gyro was good but a little light on the meat. Cheesy fries, and Loaded Fries with Philly style were both HUGE fries were very good. Big portions on the fries.”

“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.”

“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”

“Has and always will be the shit when it comes to sweet cravings. Everytime I come back home to Hilo I gotta get one before I dig back to the airport. Everything from the shave ice to the ice cream and now their shakes which I gotta try are always heaping, solidly priced and taste amazing. Whether I'm taking the nieces and nephews or I just want to enjoy a craving solo this place has always been a staple and will be for you too!”

“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.”

“The brown sugar milk tea from this place is my go-to on this island & the bubble waffles are really good with a nice texture! The service here is also great! She’s super friendly & fast with her service!”

“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!”

“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.”

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

“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!”

“For over 15 years my family and I loved this place. Whether u need one good plate lunch or a solid bento to start your day off this place was and continues to be the shit. From good variety on the bento choice, solid value on the portions and price and especially taste this place always hit the spot. The only thing keeping me from coming daily like I used to is the lack of the custom bento. Don't get me wrong you won't be disappointed at the offering but I'm sure we all crave some different combos at least id like to see back at some point. Love this place and outside that never change!”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

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

“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 😋”

“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! 💚”

“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.”

“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”

“Houuuu yessah gotta rate 5/5 Stars for my favorite Indian spot on the island, and one of my favorites to go in Hilo town.

Kamana Kitchen is my go-to spot whenever I’m back in town. The place just feels so nice and authentic. I always order the Lamb Tikka Masala spicy cuz why not 😝
If you like real-deal Indian food with that local touch, you gotta try Kamana Kitchen. Mahalos for the good eats!”

“Great spot for a cool treat. The unicorn soft serve is my favorite island treat. It's a passion fruit and ube swirl. Soooo good. If you want a taste of Hawaii, this is it.”

“Great new place with friendly staff.”

“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 ! ❤️❤️”

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

“The Best place to get a pick me up especially in the morning 6:00am when they first open. Chill Vibes everyone is hard working 💪 dropped @ Big Tip this morning ain't no better place $40 Aka Roy. Christian,Ulu,Gale wonderful people.”

“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.”