Lehua Restaurant, Hilo: Innovative Island Cuisine at Imiloa Lehua Restaurant, situated within Hilo’s Imiloa Astronomy Center, offers a distinct and elevated dining experience that brilliantly blends modern technique with deep Hawaiian roots. Unlike many traditional Hilo eateries, Lehua is a polished destination, offering a serene atmosphere that is both cozy and intimate, often enhanced by light live music that sets a perfect mood. The menu, crafted by Chef Keoni Regidor, is the star, rooted in Hawaiian fusion cuisine with a strong commitment to local sourcing. The food is consistently praised for being innovative and well-executed, avoiding the clichés of typical island fare. Diners frequently rave about the expertly prepared seafood, and appetizers like the Calamari Steak and the unique Gyoza Raviolo are often cited as must-try dishes, showcasing the kitchen’s ability to merge global techniques with island ingredients. The service at Lehua is a major part of its success. Reviews consistently highlight the exceptional and attentive waitstaff, describing the team as genuinely warm and professional—a reflection of true aloha spirit. This high level of service ensures that the overall experience feels upscale and personal, making reservations highly advisable, especially for dinner. The restaurant's location at the Astronomy Center, while unique, adds convenience. It offers ample and easy parking, a welcome feature compared to navigating Hilo's denser downtown area. Lehua operates for both lunch and dinner, though it has limited lunch service earlier in the week. In summary, Lehua is a premier dining choice on the Big Island. It’s an ideal spot for those seeking a creative, modern take on Hawaiian cuisine in an attractive setting. While the location is slightly outside the main downtown bustle, the combination of brilliant flavors, high-quality ingredients, and outstanding service makes it a worthwhile destination for a memorable Hilo meal. Would you like me to find the current dinner menu for Lehua Restaurant?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Pete Paeste
As a chef I am very critical when it comes to fine dining experience. I’ve heard a lot of good reviews about Lehua Restaurant. I never tell the staff that I was a chef. The place was very nice and the ambiance was beautiful. Background music was very nice. Staff were friendly. I was excited about their menu. We ordered drinks which were delightful. Appetizers were very good. I was very disappointed when we were served their complimentary bread with butter and sprinkled with black salt. The bread looked freshly made until I grabbed a slice. It was ice cold. I don’t ever remember being served bread that wasn’t warmed up. First strike! We ordered our meals. Our Appetizer came then our entrees. Our waiter forgot to bring out our salads that we ordered , not until we were already eating our main entrees. Strike two! We ordered Fish Special which was very good. The lamb chop was over cooked which I asked for medium rare and was served medium. The portion was very small. Three pieces all one bone each, served with potatoes, spinach and mushrooms. I felt it was over priced compared to other lamb dishes I had in fine dining restaurants on Oahu or even restaurants I’ve worked at. My wife had a Shrimp toast entree which was nothing we in vision. It was two pieces of buttered brioche bread with a shrimp filling cut in half and drizzled with a sweet chili sauce. I couldn’t see this a dinner entree but more as an appetizer or maybe a lunch sandwich special. Strike three! My wife said it was very good but I can see it in her eyes that it wasn’t what she was expecting and me and my son gave her part of our meal to share with here. The dessert was ok, nothing to brag about. The highlight of our dinner was the Tinono appetizer and the good dinner music. A bowl of rice with that appetizer would’ve been perfect if that’s all we ordered. Overall the restaurant was good and the service was excellent, but maybe being a Chef I expected more and coming from fine dining restaurants at Halekulani I may have been expecting too much. I didn’t say much to my wife and son which they enjoyed their meal and I didn’t want to ruin their experience. Maybe the next time I visit the restaurant again my experience will be more positive.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Tina Saxon
Absolutely love our first visit. Food was delicious and service was excellent. We can't wait to visit again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Naea \u0026 Chae Kaopua
Lehua Restaurant is a true gem and an absolute must-try in Hilo. Every time we dine here, the experience is amazing! The food is consistently fresh, innovative, and has great flavor. We especially appreciate their deep commitment to using local products. If you're looking for an unforgettable meal that celebrates Hawaiian flavors look no further than Lehua Restaurant. Highly, highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
MJ J
Taking your loved ones to this amazing restaurant is a true flex! Food, atmosphere, and service are the best of what Hilo has to offer!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Leighton Calvo
My Most favorite restaurant in Hawaii period ….. killer flavor combinations. food is cooked to perfection it’s like a bunch of food wizards just creating masterpieces… the staff is mayjah. really friendly and knowledgeable people .. over all 10/10 I rate Lahua Resturant at the imiloa.. it’s a must try they know what they doing there that’s for real and I’m a cook to so i know Greatness when I see it and taste it !!!!! and alway a great eating experience.💯💯💯💯
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kaai Lincoln
Co-located at the Imiloa observatory in Hilo, serving premium upscale cuisine and cocktails in a relaxed environment. Impeccable service and detail oriented, this restaurant has ousted Moon and Turtle as my favorite restaurant in Hilo. Walk-ins at lunch are the easiest guarantee to get seated. Reservations for dinner in advance are a must.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kyle Schalitz
Excellent restaurant. The food and service we both excellent!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Silas Setterstrom
The ambiance was great and the food was excellent, we particularly loved the famous calamari steak. But what really made the night was our fantastic waitress, Victoria! She was so knowledgeable, kind, and helpful with navigating our dietary restrictions and requests.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Anthony
My family of 7 came here for dinner including our 2 year old child. The food was good but the service and attention to our table was what really stood out and is why we would come back again.
We made reservations through the phone and notified the staff of our 2 year old, and upon arrival a high chair was pre-staged at our table with some toys (magna-tiles) to immediately occupy our child. They brought a kid’s water cup without us asking and constantly checked in to see if there was anything the little one needed. They brought our child’s food out immediately versus waiting to serve with the appetizers or mains and that was huge for keeping her happy and busy. All that in itself was much appreciated, it can often be intimidating going to nicer restaurants with a child but that was not the case at all and we owe that entirely to the staff that night.
For starters, we ordered fried kalo and a pork appetizer, both of which were well-portioned for our party of 6.
We ordered the smaller option of chuck steak and fried fish of the day for our table, plus the fish and pork special. It was advertised at around 3.5lbs between the steak and fish and it was plenty for our table. The bonchon that came with the fish was delicious, the demi-glace that came with the steak was great as well. The fish was extremely tender and flavorful. The chuck steak was delicious as well.
The live music added to the ambiance and was a nice touch. We were lucky enough to see a diner perform the hula to one of the songs and that capped off a very special night for our family in Hilo.
Lehua has a great thing going on here. The food is great and for us it is a one-of-its-kind in Hilo which is awesome to see. The staff should get plenty of praise for being welcoming to our family, describing all the dishes in detail and making recommendations, and being overall friendly and attentive.
Highly recommend to anyone in Hilo looking for a dinner for special occasions.
This was the freshest food I've ever had! I've never had li hing mui on a dessert like this (strawberry puff pastry with ice cream they made as well) so that was honestly my favorite part of the meal. For dinner, we had the fresh catch of the day and the pork special they had that night. The pork is unlike any pork I've ever had. If you're ever on the Big Island, definitely make reservations for dinner here. We stayed on the Kona side but the 1 hour, 30 minutes drive was worth it for a meal I will never forget and not find anywhere else.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Hunter
Loved the food here, everything was fresh, presented nicely and full of flavor! Our server was awesome as well, can't wait to come back. The fried Taro was a lot of fun, and I had the ONO special with hoisin brussels and the flavors were poppin!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ted Elson
The food is ok, but the owner thinks chicken fighting is peak agriculture. So I can't.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
Alison Carroll
We first discovered Lehua Restaurant in Hilo after seeing them featured in a Bon Appétit video, and knew we wanted to go there for our anniversary dinner. Their farm-to-table approach shines through in every dish— everything was so fresh, flavorful, and combined traditional Hawaiian flavors with a modern twist in every dish.
We started with the New Zealand green mussels in a sake Asian pesto broth, paired with Kaunamano Farms sausage, which set the tone for the night— rich, savory, and unlike any mussels I’ve had before.
The panko-crusted calamari steak was another standout, paired with tomato poke, sweet chili aioli, and unagi— such a creative twist on a classic.
For our main, we shared the fresh whole Opakapaka, served with watercress and spinach salad plus seasonal banchans (seaweed salad, Korean noodles, and kimchi) which was cooked to perfection. The tagliatelle pasta with roasted zucchini and peppers in a white wine butter sauce was light and the perfect side to have with the fish. And to finish, the kulolo lumpia with Lappert’s Kaua’i Pie ice cream was the perfect balance of crispy, creamy, and sweet while the decadent banana bread with banana ice cream and banana brûlée was an indulgent finale.
The atmosphere was just as perfect, with beautiful live music setting the tone for such a warm, welcoming evening. Our waitress was so kind and attentive, recommending drinks and menu items right away. When I mentioned that I was pregnant, she instantly shifted to thoughtful non-alcoholic options that weren’t even listed on the menu. The sweetest touch was at the end of the night when the entire staff signed a card congratulating Conner and I on our new addition to our family. It was such a heartfelt surprise that made the experience unforgettable.
Between the incredible food, the genuine hospitality, and the special touches, Lehua Restaurant is truly a hidden gem in Hilo. I can’t recommend it enough! Mahalo 🌺
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Miro Gabrovski
The atmosphere was nice and the staff was friendly but the food was terrible. I ordered a medium steak and it came out pretty much well done through and through. The grill marks on the outside were pretty bad as well, it just tasted like charred meat.
Lehua Restaurant, Hilo: Innovative Island Cuisine at Imiloa
Lehua Restaurant, situated within Hilo’s Imiloa Astronomy Center, offers a distinct and elevated dining experience that brilliantly blends modern technique with deep Hawaiian roots. Unlike many traditional Hilo eateries, Lehua is a polished destination, offering a serene atmosphere that is both cozy and intimate, often enhanced by light live music that sets a perfect mood.
The menu, crafted by Chef Keoni Regidor, is the star, rooted in Hawaiian fusion cuisine with a strong commitment to local sourcing. The food is consistently praised for being innovative and well-executed, avoiding the clichés of typical island fare. Diners frequently rave about the expertly prepared seafood, and appetizers like the Calamari Steak and the unique Gyoza Raviolo are often cited as must-try dishes, showcasing the kitchen’s ability to merge global techniques with island ingredients.
The service at Lehua is a major part of its success. Reviews consistently highlight the exceptional and attentive waitstaff, describing the team as genuinely warm and professional—a reflection of true aloha spirit. This high level of service ensures that the overall experience feels upscale and personal, making reservations highly advisable, especially for dinner.
The restaurant's location at the Astronomy Center, while unique, adds convenience. It offers ample and easy parking, a welcome feature compared to navigating Hilo's denser downtown area. Lehua operates for both lunch and dinner, though it has limited lunch service earlier in the week.
In summary, Lehua is a premier dining choice on the Big Island. It’s an ideal spot for those seeking a creative, modern take on Hawaiian cuisine in an attractive setting. While the location is slightly outside the main downtown bustle, the combination of brilliant flavors, high-quality ingredients, and outstanding service makes it a worthwhile destination for a memorable Hilo meal.
Would you like me to find the current dinner menu for Lehua Restaurant?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
As a chef I am very critical when it comes to fine dining experience. I’ve heard a lot of good reviews about Lehua Restaurant. I never tell the staff that I was a chef. The place was very nice and the ambiance was beautiful. Background music was very nice. Staff were friendly. I was excited about their menu. We ordered drinks which were delightful. Appetizers were very good. I was very disappointed when we were served their complimentary bread with butter and sprinkled with black salt. The bread looked freshly made until I grabbed a slice. It was ice cold. I don’t ever remember being served bread that wasn’t warmed up. First strike! We ordered our meals. Our Appetizer came then our entrees. Our waiter forgot to bring out our salads that we ordered , not until we were already eating our main entrees. Strike two! We ordered Fish Special which was very good. The lamb chop was over cooked which I asked for medium rare and was served medium. The portion was very small. Three pieces all one bone each, served with potatoes, spinach and mushrooms. I felt it was over priced compared to other lamb dishes I had in fine dining restaurants on Oahu or even restaurants I’ve worked at. My wife had a Shrimp toast entree which was nothing we in vision. It was two pieces of buttered brioche bread with a shrimp filling cut in half and drizzled with a sweet chili sauce. I couldn’t see this a dinner entree but more as an appetizer or maybe a lunch sandwich special. Strike three! My wife said it was very good but I can see it in her eyes that it wasn’t what she was expecting and me and my son gave her part of our meal to share with here. The dessert was ok, nothing to brag about. The highlight of our dinner was the Tinono appetizer and the good dinner music. A bowl of rice with that appetizer would’ve been perfect if that’s all we ordered. Overall the restaurant was good and the service was excellent, but maybe being a Chef I expected more and coming from fine dining restaurants at Halekulani I may have been expecting too much. I didn’t say much to my wife and son which they enjoyed their meal and I didn’t want to ruin their experience. Maybe the next time I visit the restaurant again my experience will be more positive.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Absolutely love our first visit. Food was delicious and service was excellent. We can't wait to visit again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lehua Restaurant is a true gem and an absolute must-try in Hilo. Every time we dine here, the experience is amazing! The food is consistently fresh, innovative, and has great flavor. We especially appreciate their deep commitment to using local products. If you're looking for an unforgettable meal that celebrates Hawaiian flavors look no further than Lehua Restaurant. Highly, highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Taking your loved ones to this amazing restaurant is a true flex! Food, atmosphere, and service are the best of what Hilo has to offer!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My Most favorite restaurant in Hawaii period ….. killer flavor combinations. food is cooked to perfection it’s like a bunch of food wizards just creating masterpieces… the staff is mayjah. really friendly and knowledgeable people .. over all 10/10 I rate Lahua Resturant at the imiloa.. it’s a must try they know what they doing there that’s for real and I’m a cook to so i know Greatness when I see it and taste it !!!!! and alway a great eating experience.💯💯💯💯
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Co-located at the Imiloa observatory in Hilo, serving premium upscale cuisine and cocktails in a relaxed environment. Impeccable service and detail oriented, this restaurant has ousted Moon and Turtle as my favorite restaurant in Hilo. Walk-ins at lunch are the easiest guarantee to get seated. Reservations for dinner in advance are a must.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Excellent restaurant. The food and service we both excellent!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The ambiance was great and the food was excellent, we particularly loved the famous calamari steak. But what really made the night was our fantastic waitress, Victoria! She was so knowledgeable, kind, and helpful with navigating our dietary restrictions and requests.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My family of 7 came here for dinner including our 2 year old child. The food was good but the service and attention to our table was what really stood out and is why we would come back again.
We made reservations through the phone and notified the staff of our 2 year old, and upon arrival a high chair was pre-staged at our table with some toys (magna-tiles) to immediately occupy our child. They brought a kid’s water cup without us asking and constantly checked in to see if there was anything the little one needed. They brought our child’s food out immediately versus waiting to serve with the appetizers or mains and that was huge for keeping her happy and busy. All that in itself was much appreciated, it can often be intimidating going to nicer restaurants with a child but that was not the case at all and we owe that entirely to the staff that night.
For starters, we ordered fried kalo and a pork appetizer, both of which were well-portioned for our party of 6.
We ordered the smaller option of chuck steak and fried fish of the day for our table, plus the fish and pork special. It was advertised at around 3.5lbs between the steak and fish and it was plenty for our table. The bonchon that came with the fish was delicious, the demi-glace that came with the steak was great as well. The fish was extremely tender and flavorful. The chuck steak was delicious as well.
The live music added to the ambiance and was a nice touch. We were lucky enough to see a diner perform the hula to one of the songs and that capped off a very special night for our family in Hilo.
Lehua has a great thing going on here. The food is great and for us it is a one-of-its-kind in Hilo which is awesome to see. The staff should get plenty of praise for being welcoming to our family, describing all the dishes in detail and making recommendations, and being overall friendly and attentive.
Highly recommend to anyone in Hilo looking for a dinner for special occasions.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
This was the freshest food I've ever had! I've never had li hing mui on a dessert like this (strawberry puff pastry with ice cream they made as well) so that was honestly my favorite part of the meal. For dinner, we had the fresh catch of the day and the pork special they had that night. The pork is unlike any pork I've ever had. If you're ever on the Big Island, definitely make reservations for dinner here. We stayed on the Kona side but the 1 hour, 30 minutes drive was worth it for a meal I will never forget and not find anywhere else.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Loved the food here, everything was fresh, presented nicely and full of flavor! Our server was awesome as well, can't wait to come back. The fried Taro was a lot of fun, and I had the ONO special with hoisin brussels and the flavors were poppin!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food is ok, but the owner thinks chicken fighting is peak agriculture. So I can't.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
We first discovered Lehua Restaurant in Hilo after seeing them featured in a Bon Appétit video, and knew we wanted to go there for our anniversary dinner. Their farm-to-table approach shines through in every dish— everything was so fresh, flavorful, and combined traditional Hawaiian flavors with a modern twist in every dish.
We started with the New Zealand green mussels in a sake Asian pesto broth, paired with Kaunamano Farms sausage, which set the tone for the night— rich, savory, and unlike any mussels I’ve had before.
The panko-crusted calamari steak was another standout, paired with tomato poke, sweet chili aioli, and unagi— such a creative twist on a classic.
For our main, we shared the fresh whole Opakapaka, served with watercress and spinach salad plus seasonal banchans (seaweed salad, Korean noodles, and kimchi) which was cooked to perfection. The tagliatelle pasta with roasted zucchini and peppers in a white wine butter sauce was light and the perfect side to have with the fish. And to finish, the kulolo lumpia with Lappert’s Kaua’i Pie ice cream was the perfect balance of crispy, creamy, and sweet while the decadent banana bread with banana ice cream and banana brûlée was an indulgent finale.
The atmosphere was just as perfect, with beautiful live music setting the tone for such a warm, welcoming evening. Our waitress was so kind and attentive, recommending drinks and menu items right away. When I mentioned that I was pregnant, she instantly shifted to thoughtful non-alcoholic options that weren’t even listed on the menu. The sweetest touch was at the end of the night when the entire staff signed a card congratulating Conner and I on our new addition to our family. It was such a heartfelt surprise that made the experience unforgettable.
Between the incredible food, the genuine hospitality, and the special touches, Lehua Restaurant is truly a hidden gem in Hilo. I can’t recommend it enough! Mahalo 🌺
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The atmosphere was nice and the staff was friendly but the food was terrible. I ordered a medium steak and it came out pretty much well done through and through. The grill marks on the outside were pretty bad as well, it just tasted like charred meat.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 4
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