Looking for the best restaurants on the Big Island in Hawaiʻi?
There’s no doubt that the Big Island is HUGE! With so much to see and experience, it’s best to either take a tour or get ready for a road-trip! And with the endless scenery and limitless activities to enjoy, visitors can surely work up an appetite!
Fear not though… we’ve got you covered. No matter where you are on the island, we’ve got your go-to places to eat in all corners of The Big Rock.
Here’s the breakdown of the best restaurants on the Big Island in Hawaiʻi in Kona, Hilo, Volcano and Waimea. Surely, you can get to any one of these spots before you can say, “Humuhumunukunukuapua’a.”
Best restaurants on the Big Island in Hawaiʻi – Humpy’s Alehouse in Kona
Beautiful ocean views and a great way to wind down after a day in Kona.
This is a great restaurant and bar located on Ali’i Drive in Kailua-Kona. With spectacular views of Kailua Bay, Humpy’s provides an extensive list of beers to go with their array of classic bar staples with some Hawaiʻian and island favorites. From their warm oven sandwiches and pizzas to their fish tacos, Humpy’s has everything to satisfy anyone.
Other favorites include: Foster’s Kitchen, Big Island Grill, and Splasher’s.
Restaurants in Hilo – Cafe Pesto
A perfect Italian eatery in downtown Hilo, with 2 locations. This gem is not to be missed.
Conveniently located in the Kawaihae Shopping Center (west side) and on Hilo Bay (east side), this is one of best restaurants on the Big Island in Hawaiʻi. It can be easily added to a day of touring the island for lunch or dinner.
Cafe Pesto first opened in 1988 as a small take-out pizzeria and have since become one of the most talked about restaurants on Hawaiʻi Island. They offer locally sourced Hawaiʻian-Italian fusion dishes that even your kids will love!
One of our other favorites is Jackie Rey’s in Hilo.
Looking for a place to eat in Volcano Village? Try Kilauea Lodge
An excellent option after hiking around Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
Kilauea Lodge is located in Volcano Village and is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Here, guests are treated to the continental cuisine of Chef Albert Jeyte. One of the best restaurants on the Big Island in Hawaiʻi, the Lodge is located close to Volcanoes National Park and is scrumptious after a long day of hiking. This part of the island can tend to be much cooler, some might even say cold, and warming up next to the International Fireplace of Friendship is an added treat to the amazing food they serve.
In Volcano, one other option would be the ‘Ohelo Cafe.
Merriman’s is one of the best restaurants on the Big Island in Hawaiʻi. Try it if you visit Waimea
Merriman’s just does everything right. With locations on Hawaiʻi Island, Maui, Kauai, and Oahu (Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman), Chef Peter Merriman continues to wow the taste buds of visitors and locals. He is known as being the pioneer of the Hawaiʻi Regional Cuisine Movement and continues to offer the freshest ingredients available locally.
Merriman’s is located in Waimea and is available for lunch or dinner. Their mai-tais are also the best around, topped with a honey lilikoi foam. Yum!
Waimea has so many great places to eat but we like: Red Water Cafe, Pau, and Fish and Hog.
For more information on great eateries and all things Hawaiʻi, check out one of our favorite blogs at: https://www.liveyouraloha.com/visiting-Hawaiʻi-definitive-guide
