“Brew Your Best Cup”- Coffee Brewing Workshop
Heavenly Hawaiian Coffee Farm • Farm • Holualoa, Island of Hawaii • Hawaii
The Ultimate Food Lover's Guide to the Best Restaurants on the Big Island
Discover authentic Hawaiian flavors, from traditional poke to world-class farm-to-table dining across Hawaii Island
Written by a Local Food Expert
Kalani MillerA Taste of Aloha: Your Journey into Big Island Cuisine
Aloha mai kākou. I still remember the first time I tasted real poke. Not the stuff you see on the mainland, swimming in mayonnaise, but the kind my tūtū kāne (grandfather) would make right on the boat. Cubes of glistening ahi, still cool from the ocean, tossed with coarse paʻakai (sea salt), crunchy limu (seaweed), and the earthy bite of fresh inamona (roasted kukui nut). That taste... that's the taste of this place. It's a flavor born from the deep blue waters that surround us and seasoned with generations of tradition.
This guide is your invitation to that same authentic experience. We're not just listing restaurants. We're taking a journey together across Hawaiʻi Island. We'll explore how the fiery volcanoes that shaped our land, the misty upcountry farms that blanket our slopes, and the vast Pacific Ocean that defines our shores also shape every single bite you take here.
From the sun-baked lava fields of Kona and the lush rainforests of Hilo to the cool, green highlands of Waimea and the wild, remote beauty of Kaʻū, each region has its own flavor, its own moʻolelo (story). This is more than a food guide. It's a culinary road map to the soul of Hawaiʻi Island.
Kalani's Big Island Blackbook: My Top Picks at a Glance
For those who just want the highlights, here is my little blackbook of can't-miss spots. But trust me, the stories behind them are worth sticking around for.
🌅 Best Sunset Dinner
'Ulu Ocean Grill (Kohala Coast) - Toes-in-the-sand dining where 75% of the food is from our island.
🏠 Best Local Grinds
Kaaloa's Super J's (Captain Cook) - The best laulau you'll ever have, made by an amazing ʻohana.
🐟 Best Poke on Earth
Da Poke Shack (Kona) - It's simple: the fish was swimming this morning. Period.
🌾 Best Farm-to-Table Splurge
Merriman's (Waimea) - The man who started it all. This is the heart of Hawaiʻi Regional Cuisine.
🌧️ Best Hilo Hotspot
Moon and Turtle (Hilo) - Chef Pomaski's menu is a love letter to Hilo's farmers and fishermen.
🍰 Best Sweet Treat
Two Ladies Kitchen (Hilo) - The strawberry mochi will change your life. Call ahead!
Ready to Taste the Real Hawaii?
Explore authentic Hawaiian flavors, from traditional dishes to innovative farm-to-table cuisine across the Big Island.
ℹ️ Dining Quick Info
- Best Season: Year-round
- Price Range: $5-$200+ pp
- Reservations: Recommended
- Dress Code: Casual to upscale
🍽️ Must-Try Dishes
- Fresh Poke (ahi & tako)
- Traditional Laulau
- Loco Moco (the original)
- Kalua Pig
- Lilikoi Cheesecake
- Fresh Strawberry Mochi
🗺️ Regional Dining
Kona & Kohala Coast
Resort dining & local gems
Hilo & East Side
Creative chefs & traditions
Waimea Upcountry
Farm-to-table pioneer
🔗 Explore Restaurant Guide
Your Culinary Journey Awaits
The Big Island's table is now set for you. It's a table laden not just with incredible food, but with history, with innovation, and with the abundant spirit of our ʻāina. I hope this guide shows you that a meal here is never just a meal. It's a connection to the fisherman who caught the ahi, the farmer who grew the ʻulu, and the chef who dreamed up a new way to share their flavors with the world.
Authentic Experiences
Discover the real flavors of Hawaii through traditional dishes and time-honored recipes.
Local Stories
Meet the chefs, farmers, and food artisans who make Big Island cuisine special.
Island-to-Table
Experience the farm-to-table movement that started right here on the Big Island.
So please, go. Try the poke from that tiny shack on the side of the road. Splurge on the fancy dinner with the sunset view. Wake up early for the farmers' market and talk to the person who grew your vegetables. Ask questions. Be curious. Be open. Every bite tells a story, and I hope this guide helps you read them.
