20 Hilo Restaurants Where You Can Get an Amazing Meal
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Looking for the best Hilo restaurants?
Daniel and I had a blast in Hilo, and we were super impressed by the number of Hilo restaurants that were available. Nothing is better than a great meal after a day or snorkeling or exploring Hawaii Volcanoes National Park! While there are a ton of other amazing things to do in Hilo, checking out some of the cute cafes and traditional Hawaiian eateries was one of my favorite parts of this delightful town.
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The absolute best Hilo restaurants perfect for your trip
Here are some Hilo restaurants you’ll want to add to your Big Island itinerary!
1. Hilo Bay Café
123 Lihiwai St
+1 808-935-4939
Boasting awe-inspiring ocean views and surrounded by the sights and sounds of the historical downtown, Hilo Bay Café is located in the heart of Hilo, Hawaii, making it among the best places to eat in Hilo.
While the real draw of the café is its views and atmosphere, it does offer curbside pickup and delivery for those who’d prefer to enjoy their offerings from the comfort of their own home. Whatever the case, Hilo Bay Café is as worthy a visit as any, café or restaurant!
Best for:
✅ Location
✅ Views
✅ Pickup
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2. Paul’s Place
132 Punahoa St
+1 808-280-8646
Another popular spot in Hilo is Paul’s Place, a cozy café that serves up delicious food and drink made from locally-sourced ingredients. While its most popular orders are smoothies and coffee, they also offer delicious food items.
While their atmosphere won’t blow you away, that’s not, particularly what they’re going for. Instead, they pride themselves in providing high-quality menu items and that’s just what they do!
Best for:
✅ Coffee
✅ Smoothies
✅ Locally-sourced
3. Moon and Turtle
51 Kalakaua St
+1 808-961-0599
Moon and Turtle is a seafood and Asian-fusion restaurant known for frequently switching up their menu depending upon the available sourced ingredients they have that day, week, or month.
Note that its location is somewhat hidden on a neighboring street in Hilo, so it may require a GPS to find it if you’re new to the area. Nevertheless, it’s often touted as being the best restaurant on the Big Island so it’s worth the adventure of finding its location!
For seafood or otherwise, Moon and Turtle offer some of the best food in Hilo. Don’t believe us? See for yourself!
Best for:
✅ Asian fusion
✅ Seafood
✅ Local favorite
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4. Suisan Fish Market
93 Lihiwai St
+1 808-935-9349
Another incredible seafood market but this time with a focus on providing food for wholesale and retail, Suisan Fish Market offers the largest variety of reef seafood in Hawaii.
With that said, its best known for its assortment of poke and sides, so if you’re a fan, surely pay them a visit. Finally, while they are the largest vendor of seafood in Hilo, their offerings depend on the day’s inventory. Nevertheless, you can expect the most classic of flavors, whether Hawaiian style, spicy, or otherwise.
Best for:
✅ Seafood
✅ Poke bowls
✅ Fresh
5. Pineapple’s Island Fresh Cuisine
332 Keawe St
+1 808-238-5324
Now we’re talkin’! Pineapple’s Island Fresh Cuisine has been known for its island-inspired dishes, often with locally-sourced ingredients, including locally caught fish and fresh Hawaiian fruit.
As far as Hilo restaurants go, this spot is among the best! Whether it’s New American menu items, Hawaiian-inspired cuisine, or just a simple cocktail, Pineapple’s Island Fresh Cuisine has you covered!
Best for:
✅ Hawaiian
✅ Cocktails
✅ Seafood
6. Jackie Rey’s Ohana Grill
64 Keawe St
+1 808-961-2572
This casual eatery is the place to go for locals and visitors alike if in search of a seafood restaurant that’s both bustling and delicious. With two locations, both in Kona and Hilo, Jackie Rey’s has become a favorite, and for good reason.
A symphony of food, drink, and hospitality, Jackie Rey’s uses locally-sourced, caught, and all-organic ingredients to make the most decadent homemade cuisine served with aloha.
Finally, apart from the food, they curate craft cocktails and offer an approachable wine menu for those looking to let loose and enjoy the evening. One of the best restaurants in Hilo, Hawaii no doubt.
Best for:
✅ Locally-sourced
✅ Organic
✅ Cocktails
7. Café Pesto
308 Kamehameha Ave #101
+1 808-969-6640
Fresh ingredients, diverse menu items, comfort food, and community are just a few characteristics that describe Café Pesto. Defined as a quant mainstay eatery known for its wood-fired pizzas, Café Pesto is one of the best places to eat in Hilo, Hawaii.
Placing a creative twist on every plate they serve since 1988, and an award-winning across multiple food and beverage disciplines, it’s a reliable and trusted Hilo restaurant no matter your preference; and their atmosphere is pretty cool too!
Best for:
✅ Pizza
✅ Comfort food
✅ Local favorite
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8. Ken’s House of Pancakes
1730 Kamehameha Ave
+1 808-935-8711
This American-style 24-hour Hilo restaurant might be a house of pancakes, however, they’re much much more than that. Whether breakfast in Hilo, lunch in Hilo, or dinner in Hilo, Ken’s House puts a creative Hawaiian twist on all of their dishes served.
Earned its stripes as a Big Island landmark for tourists and locals alike, everyone goes for their breakfast food and stays for its incredible service and abundant menu. So, if you’re hungry, no starving, at any hour of the day, Ken’s House has you covered. Just say “go sumo!” And your server will know what to do!
Best for:
✅ Breakfast
✅ Familes
✅ Local favorite
9. Hawaiian Style Café
681 Manono St
+1 808-969-9265
For those looking for classic Hawaiian comfort food, you’ve come to the right place in that of Hawaiian Style Café. Offering a cheerful atmosphere paired with great service and better food portions, you truly can’t go wrong eating here at this Hilo restaurant establishment.
Famous for its massive pancakes and pork hash, Hawaiian Style Café is also often visited for its steak, vegetarian options, pasta dishes, and even for a drink or two! Serving up breakfast, lunch, dinner, and soon-to-be happy hour with its full-service bar, there’s no bad time to pay them a visit.
Best for:
✅ Large portions
✅ Hawaiian
✅ Drinks
10. Makani’s Magic Pineapple Shack
Waianuenue Ave
+1 808-935-8454
Welcome to Makani’s Magic Pineapple Shack where they serve decadent smoothies, refreshing açai bowls, colorful ice cream, and even salads & sandwiches, it’s become a popular stop for those craving sweets.
Made locally and 100% organic, they’ve become famous for their Hawaiian soft serves and world-renowned/award-winning açai bowls, however, they serve just about everything. Instagram-worthy in its own right, be sure to check out their page to see what you can expect!
Best for:
✅ Acai bowls
✅ Ice cream
✅ Dessert
11. Sweet Cane Café
48 Kamana St
+1 808-934-0002
Offering delicious, nutritious, fresh, organic, and local cuisine, Sweet Cane Café is a cozy and creative eatery serving smoothies, vegetarian lunches, and gluten-free options as well!
If you’re in Hilo for a special occasion, you might be in search of a catering service that can supply the party with the best on-site food and beverage available. If so, Sweet Cane Café is for you! Fresh healthy wraps, acai bowls, and more, it’s an ideal option to supply a large number of people.
Best for:
✅ Smoothies
✅ Organic
✅ Gluten-free
12. Café 100
969 Kilauea Ave
+1 808-935-8683
Home of the Loco Moco, Café 100 is a favorite amongst islanders across Hawaii, Hilo and beyond. Offering tasty, comforting homestyle food, it’s all but guaranteed you’ll be satisfied upon leaving.
So, what is the loco Moco, you ask? Simply put, it’s a meal in a bowl! Comprising rice, hamburger meat, eggs, and gravy, it’s as unique a dish as any. With that said, while that’s the original, there are 30 varieties to choose from!
Whether you’re visiting for breakfast, lunch or dinner, Café 100 is a great Hilo restaurant to choose from whilst along your Hawaiian journey.
Best for:
✅ Bowls
✅ Lunch
✅ Local favorite
13. Miyo’s
564 Hinano St
+1 808-935-2273
Serving up homestyle Japanese cuisine in the heart of Hilo, Miyo’s Restaurant has become somewhat of a favorite, not merely for its food but for its chill and inviting atmosphere.
Whether you want a personalized dish or a standard Japanese specialty, Miyo’s has you covered. Healthy, fresh, and locally sourced, there’s no reason not to give it a try, even if you’ve never had Japanese cuisine before!
Best for:
✅ Japanese
✅ Locally-sourced
✅ Atmosphere
14. Ponds
135 Kalanianaole St
+1 808-934-7663
This upscale American-style Hilo restaurant is worth paying a visit to. Offering views of koi ponds (hence the name), live music nightly, and of course, fresh and delicious food and beverage, Ponds is an easily defined five-star experience.
Upon arrival (no need for reservation), be sure to request a table by the window so that you can enjoy the views!
Best for:
✅ Live music
✅ Views
✅ Fresh
15. Sombat’s Fresh Thai Cuisine
88 Kanoelehua Ave Suite 111
Phone: +1 808-969-9336
For all your Thai needs, be sure to visit Sombat’s Fresh Thai Cuisine. This standout restaurant is a favorite amongst many for they knowingly grow their own vegetables, make it on-site homestyle, and deliver it on a plate like an authentic Thai plate should be served.
Voted best Thai food several years in a row since its inception, Sombat’s Fresh Thai Cuisine is the real deal. If you’re looking for some mouth-watering eats, don’t hesitate to pay them a visit if you’re nearby.
Best for:
✅ Thai
✅ Locally-sourced
✅ Authentic
16. Puka Puka Kitchen
270 Kamehameha Ave
+1 808-933-2121
Wondering where to eat in Hilo? Then Puka Puka Kitchen is worth the consideration. Serving pita, wraps, sandwiches, curry, bento, and more, this no-frills restaurant serves up quick and tasty meals, whether on-the-go and in a rush or just downright hungry.
If you decide to visit, don’t be turned away by their atmosphere. While it’s a no-frills location as mentioned, it doesn’t depict how delicious their food is. Try for yourself, you won’t regret it!
Best for:
✅ Sandwiches
✅ Fast
✅ To-go
17. Hilo Burger Joint
776 Kilauea Ave
+1 808-935-8880
If you’re on a Hawaiian vacation with your family and you’re in search of a Hilo restaurant that can satisfy the entire family’s preferences, Hilo Burger Joint is the place for you.
Serving Kulana Beef Burgers, draft beer, hot wings, fries, and other BBQ-style cuisines, it’s the perfect American-style destination. Oh, and if you’re visiting on your birthday, be sure to let them know – they provide free burgers on your birthday!
Best for:
✅ Families
✅ Burgers
✅ Beer
18. Kenichi Restaurant
684 Kilauea Ave
+1 808-969-1776
Serving elevated ramen bowls and Korean-Asian fusion dishes, Kenichi Restaurant, it’s often recommended as one of the best restaurants in Hilo, and for good reason. Whether you’re craving pork, chicken, ribs, soups, drinks, or desserts, they’ve got you covered.
As for their open hours, be sure to visit their website before arriving, for they tend to close between breakfast, lunch, and dinner to prepare for the upcoming meal changes. The last thing that you want is to arrive starving only to learn that they’re closed.
Best for:
✅ Asian fusion
✅ Menu variety
✅ Lunch
19. The Seaside Restaurant and Aqua Farm
1790 Kalanianaole St
+1 808-935-8825
Who’s up for a little surf n’ turf?! Well, at Seaside Restaurant and Aqua Farm, it’s awaiting! Featuring freshly caught seafood from their very own on-site aqua farm, this Hawaiian restaurant serves up the freshest seafood in the area.
From calamari shrimp strips and salmon poke to Kumamoto oysters and sushi sashimi, it’s all on offer here at the Seaside Restaurant and Aqua Farm; a one-of-a-kind. Visiting with someone who isn’t a fan of seafood? No problem, they also have dishes such as teriyaki chicken, Mac n’ cheese, chicken nuggets, and pasta.
Best for:
✅ Locally-sourced
✅ Casual
✅ Seafood
20. Coconut Grill
136 Banyan Way, Hilo
+1 808-961-3330
Serving the Hawaiian community since ’05, Coconut Grill Hilo is open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, serving up American-style cuisine with a Hawaiian flare. From hand-cut steaks and seafood to arguably the best Eggs Benedict on the island, you may just find yourself visiting for all three daily meals.
Disregarding the delicious meals, Coconut Grill also does happy hour where you can take a load off and unwind after a long day. Bottoms up, as they say!
Best for:
✅ Local favorite
✅ Happy hour
✅ Hawaiian twist
Where to stay in Hilo
Here are some of my recommendations for Hilo hotels when you plan on spending some time on the Big Island!
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⭐BEST FOR BUDGET TRAVELERS: THE INN AT KULANIAPIA FALLS⭐
⭐BEST FOR COUPLES: PARADISE COTTAGE AT ANTHURIUM HALE⭐
⭐BEST FOR FAMILIES: GRAND NANILOA HOTEL⭐
⭐BEST FOR INSTAGRAM: HAMAKUA GUEST HOUSE⭐
⭐BEST FOR ADVENTURERS: ARNOTT’S LODGE AND HIKING ADVENTURES⭐
⭐BEST AIRBNB: WHALER INN⭐
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Conclusion: Hilo restaurants
With so many options of places to eat in Hilo, you’re set for some delicious meals with some stunning views–no matter what, you can’t go wrong!
Have you made it to any of these Hilo restaurants? Let me know in the comments!
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