The Big Island of Hawaii is a stunning destination filled with unexpected natural beauty and thrilling adventures. It also offers a wide range of dining experiences, from local eateries and bustling farmers markets to upscale restaurants. People often ask me for recommendations, and I sometimes get overwhelmed—because there are so many restaurants on the Big Island that serve delicious meals and uplifts everyone’s mood. In this article, I’m compiling a list of the best restaurants from every corner of the island. Whether you’re craving fresh seafood, traditional Hawaiian dishes, or exquisite international cuisine, you’ll find restaurants and cafes to suit every taste.
Introduction to the Island of Hawaii
The Big Island is massive compared to the other Hawaiian islands. Its varied terrains and climates provide countless opportunities to explore local flavors and hidden gems. Visitors can enjoy stunning ocean views, live music, and attentive service at many of the island’s top restaurants.
Here’s a quick breakdown of some popular dishes you’ll find at most restaurants:
• Poke Bowls – Think of this as sushi’s cooler, laid-back cousin: perfectly marinated raw fish (often Ahi) served over a bed of rice. (Tip: It’s pronounced “Poh-Kay.”)
• Plate Lunch – A Hawaiian staple that typically includes two scoops of white rice, macaroni salad, and an entrée. On the Big Island, expect a local twist—like pipikaula (Hawaiian dried beef) as a featured option.
• Kona Coffee – After chasing the kids around or a long beach day, there’s nothing better than a cup of rich Kona coffee—or treating yourself to coffee-infused desserts.
• Island Sweets – Don’t miss out on chocolate-covered macadamia nuts, lilikoi (passionfruit) pie, and unique island-style ice cream flavors to top off your day!
With its rich culinary scene, the Big Island is truly a food lover’s paradise—offering everything from freshly caught fish and locally grown produce to traditional Hawaiian comfort food.
Now, let’s dive into each region of the Big Island and explore the must-try restaurants in every area.
Best Restaurants in Kona
Kailua-Kona tends to be one of the most popular areas for self-proclaimed foodies. In this vibrant region, you may find yourself driving a bit north or south to explore everything it has to offer. This area includes both the northwest Kona Coast and the Captain Cook region.
Sushi Sam’s
If you’re looking for some of the most delectable sushi you’ve ever had, head to Sushi Sam’s. This quaint little sushi bar on the Big Island is beloved by both locals and tourists—it’s a must-stop spot for fresh fish in Kona. Keep in mind, this place tends to fill up quickly, so be sure to book a reservation in advance before heading over.
Papa Kona Restaurant & Bar
Craving an oceanfront meal? Whether it’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner, Papa Kona delivers incredible food with stunning views. They’re known for serving some of the best locally sourced fish. One standout from their creative menu is the homemade ube tortillas paired with fresh catch fish tacos. Don’t miss this gem the next time you’re in the area!
Da Poke Shack
For a fresh and easy bite, Da Poke Shack is a great go-to. They source fresh fish daily, and their poke bowls are perfect for takeout. If you’re a fan of raw fish, you’ll love the freshness and quality here. They also offer options like vegetarian poke and flavorful kalua pork, catering to a variety of tastes.
Pau Hana Poke
If you’re on the hunt for the best poke in the Kona area, check out Pau Hana Poke. They serve up ultra-fresh fish with authentic Hawaiian flavors. One must-try is their innovative and delicious wasabi ahi. Just a heads-up: go early, as they tend to sell out quickly!
CanoeHouse
If you want a gorgeous view in sight with great food, then you should check out CanoeHouse. This is right by the ocean and has carved a great reputation for not just serving dinner, but crafting an evening steeped in romance and decadent food. You will love how they incorporate locally grown produce and use seasonal ingredients. You need to reserve earlier to get a window seat, but the bar seating is also phenomenal.
Ciprianos
If you want some Italian food in your visit to Big Island, you can try this Italian-Peruvian cuisine. The pasta, focaccia bread, and pastries are made daily in-house with organic Italian flour. They source their ingredients from local farmers as fresh as possible. This is by far the freshest Italian cuisine I’ve ever tried from Hawaii, and even their Peruvian dishes are also tasty. The diverse dishes balance each other out, and the collaboration is impressive.
Reel Aloha Poke
You get the best poke here in Reel Aloha Poke at the Captain Cook area. They use the freshest fish and ingredients at a fair price. The owner of this restaurant is a fisherman, so it’s all freshly caught ahi and will no doubt satisfy your poke craving without a doubt.
Kaaloa’s Super J’s
Super J’s is a place where you get authentic homecooked Hawaiian dishes. You get to try traditional lau lau wrapped in taro leaves steamed for 8–10 hours. Kalua pig with cabbage is also super succulent and yummy. Try a side of lomi lomi salmon, rice, or mac salad. The café is simple and set back in time with family-style seating.
Beach Tree Restaurant
This place is all about the ambience, and the best spot to watch a sunset. During the high season, it might be out of seats, so make sure you book early. The dishes are top-notch, and I loved their drinks as well.
Arise
Arise Café in Kona seamlessly executes café culture and the food. You also get the caffeine for the boost. The whole place is aesthetic and they use local ingredients available in the Big Island for their coffee-making and food. This is one of the best spots for healthy breakfast in the Kailua-Kona area. They serve fresh baked goods, and sandwiches on homemade sourdough bread. They also offer smoothie bowls using regional and seasonal fruits.
Best Restaurants in Waimea
Here are the top restaurants and cafés you need to check out in the Waimea area on the Big Island.
Gill’s Lanai
From fresh fish tacos to Maui venison burgers, Gill’s Lanai is an impressive little shack and has been one of my favorites. You can stop here after exploring the North Kohala Coast or Pololu Valley. They serve some of the best fish tacos on the island, and every ingredient is incredibly fresh. They also use only high-quality beef tallow for frying, which makes everything truly mouthwatering.
Waimea Butcher Shop
If you’re craving some burgers, then Waimea Butcher Shop is the perfect spot. I’ve tried their cheesesteak, and it was just amazing. They serve premium cuts of grass-fed beef—some of the best on the Big Island—and all their food is made with top-quality, locally curated meats. As of 2022, Waimea Butcher Shop has worked with hundreds of ranches, farmers, chefs, restaurants, and other local businesses, helping to support the island by showcasing quality local products. They also promote other local businesses by selling awesome products like chocolate, vinegars, beer, and even a nice whiskey collection for tasting.
Starseed Ranch
No other island in Hawaii will give you an experience like this. Starseed Ranch on the Big Island is truly unique. They have incredible farms growing exotic fruits, and almost all ingredients are locally sourced and grown right on the property. They offer farm-fresh food year-round. The ranch is a 26-acre regenerative farm featuring breathtaking Polynesian-style architecture. Located along the Kohala Coast—considered sacred land by many Native Hawaiians—this is a place to connect with authentic island culture. Try their salads and poke bowls, which often incorporate Hawaiian canoe crops, reflecting their commitment to sustaining Hawaiian agriculture. Before dinner, guests are treated to a short tour of the farm to learn about the unique crops and growing methods. They also offer lodging accommodations if you’d like to stay and experience authentic Hawaii during your visit.
Fish & The Hog
This place is a classic barbecue joint that also offers amazing desserts. I had to include it because they serve the best coconut cake on the island—homemade by one of the employees! The spot is best known for smoked meats and fresh seafood like fish tacos. Their BBQ dishes, especially the ribs, tend to sell out fast, so get there early if you can. Definitely worth a visit.
Pau Pizza
You can get the best pizza on the island here. It really feels like you’re biting into an authentic pizza slice. Pau Pizza serves an incredible crust, and all the ingredients are locally sourced and of the highest quality. It honestly feels like a bite of New York City-style pizza. If you’re craving a pizza experience, this is the place for you.
Harmoni Foods
If you love having Korean then Harmoni Food is one of our top recommendation and favourite restaurants on Big Island. The charming town of Honokaa has this Harmoni Food restaurant. They provide high-quality meals, even using only locally sourced ingredients. They make their own gochujang sauce, kimchi, and only cook their dishes in avocado oil. I savoured one of my favourite bibimbap bowls from here.. But you should also try their other authentic Korean dishes like ramen etc.
Merrimans
Merrimans Waimea is renowned for its farm-to-table philosophy, only using locally sourced produce, fish, and beef. So the chef Peter Merriman’s flagship restaurant has become a hub for food lovers. The menu changes with the seasons but always features fresh island fish, grass-fed steaks, and creative vegetarian options. The award-winning wine list and knowledgeable staff make every meal a special occasion.
Best Restaurants in Hilo
Here are the top restaurants you can find in the Hilo area on the Big Island:
Hilo Bay Cafe
This is one of the popular cafés in the Hilo area on the Big Island. The fish you get here is so fresh and combined with innovative flavors. They also have a stunning view overlooking the bay, and on a clear day, you can see the top of Mauna Kea. Some of the favourite dishes I’ve tried from them are miso butterfish salad, ahi salad, and short ribs. Visitors can enjoy delicious coffee, pastries, and sandwiches at these casual eateries, which are perfect for breakfast or lunch.
Moon and Turtle
You must visit this place in Hilo even if you’re not staying here. The plates are truly inventive, blending the best of Hawaiian ingredients with Asian flavours, and they always serve the best of what’s available. This place gets rave reviews and has become a foodie favourite. This translates to only having limited servings, so if you want to check this place out, you need to reserve your seat earlier. The chef-owner Mark Pomaski got his training from Roy Yamaguchi of Roy’s restaurant fame, so the mastery makes sense. Their priority is locally sourced seafood, which keeps the menu fresh and exciting.
Tina’s Garden Cafe
I had the best Thai food on the Big Island at Tina’s Garden Cafe. It mostly serves curries, but Tina’s committed to fresh flavors and quality food. The Panang curry is a must-try, and it only comes with fresh fish locally sourced. I feel like Tina’s Garden Cafe offers the best dishes on the island.
Loved by the Sun
Açaí bowls are a must-try when visiting Hawaii. So it’s refreshing to get a cold açaí bowl after a tiring day at the beach. Loved by the Sun offers great açaí bowls and yummy smoothies. I loved the açaí berry smoothie and Super Cosmic Açaí Bowl. These cold-pressed juices and smoothies will refresh you inside and out.
Final Thoughts
The Big Island is the largest Hawaiian island, and it’s also home to some of the best restaurants in the world. The eatery scene on the Big Island is as diverse and dynamic as the island itself. Don’t forget to try all these restaurants during your visit to the Big Island. It’s got something for every taste bud and occasion. Visitors can enjoy stunning ocean views, live music, and attentive service at many of the island’s top restaurants. So why wait? On your next Big Island trip, go café hopping and restaurant hunting, and get the best of everything!