Places to Eat
One of the truly enjoyable aspects of the Big Island is the amazing diversity of dining experiences it offers, from Hawaiian plate lunches to fabulous steaks of local beef. Many restaurants feature the freshest of seafood along with produce grown right on the island. There are a lot of really good choices and the list below represents a mere sample. Give some of them a try, or stop in any-place that looks tempting. Some of the hole-in-the-wall places in small towns or elsewhere are great too!
Hilo and Surroundings
Blaine's Drive Inn 217 Waianuenue Ave., Hilo 969-9494
Cafe 100 969 Kilauea Ave., Hilo 935-8683
Cafe Pesto (Italian) 308 Kamehameha Ave., Hilo 969-6640
Canoes Cafe 14 Furneaux, Hilo 935-4070
Don's Grill 485 Hinano St., Hilo 935-9099
Fiasco's 200 Kanoelehua Ave., Hilo 935-7666
Ken's House of Pancakes 1730 Kamehameha Ave., Hilo 935-8711
Kilauea Kitchen 1438 Kilauea Ave., Hilo 935-6664
Miwa (Japanese) 1261 Kilauea Ave., Hilo 961-4454
Naung Mai Thai Kitchen 86 Kilauea Ave., Hilo 934-7540
Nihon (Japanese) 123 Lihiwai St., Hilo 969-1133
Pescatore (Italian seafood) 235 Keawe St., Hilo 969-9090
Queen's Court Restaurant Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, Hilo 935-9361
Reuben's (Mexican) 336 Kamehameha Ave. Hilo 961-2552
Ting Hao (Chinese) 93 Banyan Dr., Hilo 935-8888
Uncle Billy's Fish & Steak House Hilo Bay Hotel, Hilo 935-0861
FAST FACT
“Loco-Moco” is the name of a popular Hawaiian dish that consists of a bowl of rice, some hamburger or other meat (like the ever-popular Spam), and a couple of fried eggs, all of which is topped with gravy. This hefty, high-calorie meal had its origins at Hilo's Cafe 100, where you can order a number of varieties.
Volcano and Surroundings
Kilauea Lodge (Continental) Old Volcano Rd., Volcano Village 967-7366
Lava Rock Cafe Old Volcano Rd., Volcano Village 967-8526
Thai Thai Restaurant 19-4084 Volcano Rd., Volcano Village 967-7969
Volcano House Crater Rim Dr., Volcanoes National Park 967-7321
JUST FOR PARENTS
The Volcano Winery produces some wines that you'll find nowhere else, including varieties made from the blending of grapes and Hawaiian tropical fruits or honey. The winery is located near Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and is open for visits and tasting every day of the year from 10 A.M.-5:30 P.M. 35 Pi'i Mauna Dr., Volcano, HI 96785 967-7479 www.volcanowinery.com
South Kona
Aloha Theatre Cafe Highway 11, Kainaliu 322-3383
Billy Bob's Park 'n Pork Captain Cook 323-3371
Peacock House (Chinese) 81-6587 Mamalahoa Hwy., Kealakekua 323-2366
Super J's (Hawaiian) 83-5409 Mamalahoa Hwy., Honaunau 328-9566
Kailua-Kona
Ambrosia Italian Cuisine 75-5719 Ali‘i Dr., Kailua-Kona 329-2002
Beachcomber 75-5770 Ali‘i Dr., Kailua-Kona 329-2451
Bubba Gump Shrimp Company 75-5776 Ali‘i Dr., Kailua-Kona 331-8442
Cassandra's Greek Taverna 75-5669 Ali‘i Dr., Kailua-Kona 334-1066
Durty Jake's Restaurant 75-5819 Ali‘i Dr., Kailua-Kona 329-7366
Drysdale's Two Restaurant 78-6831 Ali‘i Dr., Kailua-Kona 322-0070
Hard Rock Cafe 75-5815 Ali‘i Dr., Kailua-Kona 329-8866
Huggo's (seafood) 75-5828 Kahakai Rd., Kailua-Kona 329-1493
Jameson's by the Sea 77-6452 Ali‘i Dr., Kailua-Kona 329-3195
Jennifer's Korean Barbeque 73-4346 Po‘ipu Pl, Kailua-Kona 326-1155
Kimo's Family Buffet Uncle Billy's Kona Bay Hotel, Kailua-Kona 329-1393
Kona Brewing Co. 75-5629 Kuakini Hwy., Kailua-Kona 334-2739
Kona Inn (steak and seafood) 75-5744 Ali‘i Dr., Kailua-Kona 329-4455
Kona Mix Plate 75-5660 Kopiko St., Kailua-Kona 329-8104
La Bourgogne (French) 77-6400 Nalani, Kailua-Kona 329-6711
Lulu's 75-5819 Ali‘i Dr., Kailua-Kona 331-2633
Michaelangelo's (Italian) 75-5770 Ali‘i Dr., Kailua-Kona 329-4436
Ocean Seafood (Chinese) 75-5626 Kuakini Hwy., Kailua-Kona 329-3055
Orchid Thai Restaurant 74-5563 Kaiwi, Kailua-Kona 327-9437
Pancho …amp; Lefty's (Mexican) 75-5719 Ali‘i Dr., Kailua-Kona 326-2171
Royal Jade Garden (Chinese) 75-5595 Palani Rd., Kailua-Kona 326-7288
Sam Choy's (Pacific cuisine) 73-5576 Kauhola Bay 1, Kailua-Kona 326-1545
Sibu Cafe (Indonesian) 75-5695 Ali‘i Dr., Kailua-Kona 329-1112
Taeng-on Thai Restaurant 75-5744 Ali‘i Dr., Kailua-Kona 329-1994
Thai Rin 75-5799 Ali‘i Dr., Kailua-Kona 329-2929
Tres Hombres (Mexican) 75-5864 Walua Rd., Kailua-Kona 329-1292
Verna's Restaurant 75-5702 Kuakini Hwy., Kailua-Kona 334-0449
RAINY DAY FUN
Enjoy dinner and entertainment aboard a giant double-hulled party canoe on Captain Bean's Dinner Cruise. The big ship departs from Kona daily except for Tuesdays and Sundays. Call 329-2955 or visit www.hawaiiactivities.com.
Waikoloa/Kohala
Big Island Steakhouse King's Shops Center, Waikoloa 886-8805
Donatoni's (Italian) Hilton Waikoloa Village 885-1234
Grand Palace (Chinese) 250 Waikoloa Beach Dr., Waikoloa 886-6668
Hamayu (Japanese) King's Shops Center, Waikoloa 885-6333
Imari (Japanese) Hilton Waikoloa Village, Waikoloa 885-1234
Kamuela Provision Co. (steak and seafood) Hilton Waikoloa Village, Waikoloa 885-1234
Roussel's (Creole) 68-1792 Melia Rd., Waikoloa 883-9644
Kawaihae Harbor Grill Highway 270, Kawaihae 882-1368
Bamboo Restaurant (Pacific) Junction Highways 250 and 270, Hawi 889-5555
Waimea/Kamuela
Daniel Thiebaut Restaurant (French fine dining) 65-1259 Kawaihae Rd., Kamuela 887-2200
Don's Pake Kitchen (Chinese) 64-957 Mamalahoa Hwy., Kamuela 885-2025
Edelweiss (German) 64-2199 Kawaihea Rd., Waimea 885-6800
Koa House Grill 65-1144 Mamalahoa Hwy., Kamuela 885-2088
Merriman's (Pacific cuisine) Highway 19 and Opela Rd., Waimea 885-6822
Paniolo Country Inn Kawaihae Rd., Kamuela 885-4377
Parker Ranch Grill 67-1185A Mamalahoa Hwy., Kamuela 887-2624
JUST FOR PARENTS
An old Polynesian ritual drink was made from the chewed roots of the Piper methysticum plant. The concoction is known as kava, and in certain quantities it was intoxicating. You can try a bowl of kava at Kava Kanaka in Kailua-Kona. It will give your mouth a tingle and maybe even enhance your mood. You'll find this little place amongst the shops at 75-5803 Ali‘i Dr. 327-1660. Warning: The FDA has warned that kava might be linked to liver damage. Consume at your own risk.
Fun at a Luau
Your Big Island visit won't be complete without the obligatory luau. Get your fill of pig from the imu and dip those fingers in poi. Actually, many of these luaus also have plenty of “tame” food that will appeal to just about anyone. Enjoy the food and the show that comes with it!
Royal Kona Lu‘au: Held on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights at the Royal Kona Resort. One child (3–12) free with every paying adult. 75-5852 Ali‘i Dr., Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 329-3111
Kona Village Lu‘au: Held each Friday night at the Kona Village Resort. Queen Ka‘ahumanu Hwy., Ka‘upulehu, HI 96740 325-5555
Island Breeze Lu‘au: Held each Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at the King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel. Kids age 5 and under free. 75-5660 Palani Rd., Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 329-8111 www.islandbreezeluau.com
Royal Luau: Held Sundays and Wednesdays at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott. Kids age 5 and under free. 69-275 Waikoloa Beach Dr., Waikoloa, HI 96738 866-6789
Legends of the Pacific Luau: Held on Fridays at the Hilton Waikiloa Village. 425 Waikoloa Beach Dr., Waikoloa, HI 96738 886-1234
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel Lu‘au: Held every Tuesday. 62–100 Mauna Kea Beach Dr., Kamuela, HI 96743 882-7222
