Hawaii Island Dining Guide
Poke counters, loco moco, farm-to-table dinners and sunset bars on both coasts.
Food on Hawaii Island follows the island's ranches, farms and fishing boats. Grass-fed beef from the Waimea pastures, fish landed at Kona and Hilo, Kona coffee, macadamia nuts and tropical fruit from the Hamakua and Puna farms all show up on local menus, from roadside burger stands to resort dining rooms. Plate lunch, poke and saimin are everyday staples, and Hilo is widely credited with inventing the loco moco, rice topped with a hamburger patty, a fried egg and gravy.
Restaurants cluster in Kailua-Kona, along the Kohala resorts, in Waimea and in Hilo, with only a few choices in between. Many small places close early in the evening, so plan dinner before a long drive and check hours ahead, especially in Volcano Village and Kau.
Kona and the Kohala Coast
Oceanfront dinners, sunset drinks, poke and burgers on the sunny side.
A Kona dining room on the water since 1969, known for fresh fish and sunset views.
A sand-floored bar next door to Huggo's, with live music every night.
The original pub of the Kona brewery, with pizza, pub plates and brewery tours.
A tiny counter famous for poke bowls made with local fish; arrive early, since it sells out.
An open-air cafe on Alii Drive with ocean views, Kona coffee and all-day breakfast.
Burgers made with island grass-fed beef in the coffee country south of Kona.
A casual counter near Kawaihae harbor known for local beef burgers, fish tacos and shakes.
A toes-in-the-sand restaurant and bar on Anaehoomalu Bay, popular at sunset.
Waimea
Upcountry dining in the ranch town between the coasts.
Chef Peter Merriman's original restaurant, a birthplace of Hawaii Regional Cuisine, cooking with island ranch beef, fish and produce.
A craft brewery with a menu of Mexican, Hawaiian and Asian-influenced dishes.
Hilo
Loco moco, plate lunch, poke and bayfront dinners.
A Hilo drive-in serving plate lunches since 1946, with dozens of loco moco variations.
A family-owned fish market near the bay selling fresh poke and seafood.
A bayfront restaurant open since 2003, using island produce and fish.
A long-running downtown restaurant in a historic building, known for wood-fired pizza and pasta with island touches.
Volcano Village and the Park
Warm dining rooms for a cool night near the crater.
The historic lodge's restaurant and bar on the caldera rim, looking out toward Halemaumau.
A lodge restaurant in the village using locally sourced ingredients, with a fireplace for chilly evenings.
A plant-based lunch cafe in the garden of Volcano Garden Arts, open a few days a week.
Restaurants change hours, menus and ownership often — check with the restaurant before you go. Listings are editorial picks, not paid placements.
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Get free trip quotes »Hawaii Island Dining — FAQ
What food is the Big Island known for?
Kona coffee, poke made with local fish, loco moco, which Hilo claims as its own, grass-fed Waimea beef, macadamia nuts and tropical fruit. Plate lunch counters serve the everyday food most residents grew up on.
Where should I eat near Hawaii Volcanoes National Park?
Volcano House on the caldera rim and the restaurants of Volcano Village, such as Kilauea Lodge, are closest. Many places close early, so plan dinner before you head out to see the crater after dark.
Do Big Island restaurants need reservations?
Resort dining rooms, Merriman's and popular sunset spots in Kona fill up, especially in winter, so book ahead. Plate lunch counters, poke shops and cafes do not take reservations.