-
Miyo's
Overlooking Waiakea Pond, Miyo's resembles a rustic Japanese teahouse. Tasty, fresh renditions of tempura, sesame chicken, beef teriyaki, donburi, sashimi and more are generously accompanied by soup, rice and salad. Call ahead to reserve a coveted window table at this local favorite. The restaurant is in the first complex of buildings adjacent to the pond as you enter Waiakea Villa.
-
Nasturtium Café & Bakery
Nasturtium takes nourishing its clients so seriously that a mission statement is posted at the entrance. Only hormone-free animal proteins and organic produce are used to create soups, salads, sandwiches and wraps with a gourmet touch. The fresh island fish quesadilla with chevre and pineapple salsa is divine, as is the organic gingered macadamia-nut tart. It's between the 112- and 113-mile markers.
-
Naung Mai Thai Kitchen
Nondescript outside, about as big as a minute inside, this Thai restaurant dishes up curries with a nice bite and an above-average pad thai. The buffet lunch is a bargain, and at night the intimate, softly lit space is appealing.
-
O's Bistro
As a dining experience, the jury is out on this upscale bistro, with an unlikely location in the Safeway shopping center. Some ooh and ah over its eclectic menu, which jumps from Thai fried chicken and rice-noodle salad to kalamata linguine, from fish tacos to Peking duck. Others say the urban-chic interior gets too crowded and so noisy that it becomes difficult to hold a conversation. Vegetarians will delight in the 'food without faces' menu.
-
Ocean Bar
Dig your toes into the sand and take in the sunset from your oceanfront or poolside table. The round bar with its thatched roof couldn't be more tropical, and at night fire lights up the scene. There's live music nightly.
-
Ocean Sushi
Zip atmosphere, rushed service, linoleum floors - but it's still the place for sushi in Hilo. Rolls are inventive - using mac nuts, tropical fruit, poke and more - and priced so you can order a bunch. The Volcano roll wins for best California roll update.
-
Orchid Thai
The place is simple (folding chairs!), but Orchid is without a doubt the Leeward Coast's best Thai. A lunch special includes rice, a veggie summer roll and a dish of your choice. Bring your own alcohol.
-
Pahala Town Cafe
Being the only eatery, this sterile café feels the need to be it all. Soups, salads and wraps are all on the extensive menu, but it's best to stick to what it does best: plate lunches, burgers and fried things. The gigantic malasada with optional fillings are the only breakfast item.
-
Pahu i'a
For high-class Hawaii regional cuisine in a formal, elegant oceanfront setting, Pahu i'a is the place. Its fresh seafood is harvested from the nearby Nelha project. Reservations are required for dinner.
-
Peaberry & Galette
Let the modern ambient tunes and the espresso machine dose you up on uber-hipness at this too-cool-for-school creperie. The salade niçoise and quiche do not disappoint, though the disposable cups and utensils do. The sweet or savory crepes are beautifully presented if a little under-filled. Italian, not local, coffee is served.
-
Advertisement
-
Pescatore
The ideal neighborhood restaurant, with attentive service and quality ingredients prepared simply, Pescatore will satisfy any Italian cravings. The 'ahi carpaccio is a star, the sausage is homemade, and the authentic fare includes cioppino, fra diavolo and eggplant parmesan.
-
Punalu'u Bakeshop
This, the island's best-known sweet bread bakery, is Na'alehu's major tourist attraction, and it's a mandatory tour-bus stop. Its sweet bread comes plain or in the brightly colored flavors of guava, liliko'i or taro. Snack on a pastry or malasada , or grab a salad or sandwich to go from the deli (steer clear of the mediocre plate lunches). A small lawn bordered by flower beds out back is prime for picnicking.
-
Restaurant Kaikodo
You hit the trifecta with Kaikodo - where the food, service and decor are all winners. For artistic, romantic ambience, nothing in Hilo can match it. Indeed, the whole scene - the Venetian chandeliers and intimate tatami room, the chef's gourmet flourishes - seems air-lifted from San Francisco. Indeed, a few locals grumble it's not 'Hilo,' but if you love food (and your traveling companion), make reservations.
-
Reuben's
Talk about changes in longitude: Reuben's has the underlit, cinder-block, folding-table, bright-muraled look of a real Oaxaca cantina, and the food isn't far behind. Plates are greasy, cheesy and generous, and you'll agree that the chili rellenos, fish tacos and salsa 'broke da' mout.' Service may be slow, but that's why Mexico invented the margarita.
-
Roy's Waikoloa Bar & Grill
Renowned Roy's takes regional Hawaiian cuisine and gives it an international twist, with impressive results. Dishes like rack of lamb in a liliko'i Cabernet sauce, and braised beef shortribs with a honey mustard sauce, homemade poi and lomi tomatoes will knock your socks off.
-
Seaside Restaurant
The calling card of this local institution is that its mullet and aholehole (flagtail) are raised in its own fish ponds. The traditional preparation (steamed in ti leaves) is good, but 'Chinese-style' is a flavorful variation. If it has moi - order it. This reef fish was once reserved for Hawaiian royalty and it's delectably soft. The view is nice, but you're here for the fish, not the so-so ambience and uneven service.
-
Short 'n' Sweet
Sweet or savory - that's the question at this quality, two-table bakery. In the morning choose between a breakfast panini or delicate, French-style croissant and pastries, or, on Sunday, eggs benedict. Midday brings sandwiches on house-made focaccia bread and salads (often local and organic) with homemade dressings. On Friday and Saturday evening locals pack in for pizza made from scratch. As if that's not enough, the sweets are incredible.
-
South Kona Fruit Stand
This cute fruit stand is more like a fruit boutique - don't miss it. It sells both its own and other farms' organic produce, and has a bar blending all sorts of heavenly tropical smoothies. It's on the mauka side between the 103- and 104-mile markers.
-
Super J's
Laulau and kalua pig (cooked traditionally in an underground oven) with cabbage plate lunches are your only options at this old-school Hawaiian take-out food stand. It's south of the 107-mile marker.
-
Sushi Rock
The entire island talks about personal and charming Sushi Rock. Youthful owner-chef Rio Miceli, a Hawi native, has made lasting friends through his traditional and new-wave sushi, such as his generous Rainbow Roll and the Kohala ( 'ahi poke , fresh papaya and cucumber, rolled in macadamia nuts). The full bar, soups, salads and grilled fish and chicken dishes also aim to please. There's live music on Friday night.
-
Advertisement
-
Tako Taco
It won't put Mexico out of business, but it's hard to find disappointment in the Mexican dishes here. The pineapple-tomatillo salsa is pure heaven; pour it liberally over fresh enchiladas, fish tacos and chili rellenos.
-
Teshima Restaurant
Teshima has been serving up delicious Japanese food since the 1940s and is an institution on the Kona coast. Four generations of Teshimas still work in this low-key, family restaurant; you're likely to see 'Grandma' (in her 90s) clearing tables. A good sampler is the teishoku (set meal) of miso soup, sashimi, fried fish, sukiyaki, tsukemono (pickled vegetables) and rice. No credit cards accepted.
-
Tex Drive-In
A malasada is just a donut, but Tex is famous for making them fresh, fat and delicious. They come plain or filled. Tex also serves an above-average plate lunch, with crisp green salads and tasty renditions of the classic meats, like Korean chicken. There's also an attached gift and garden shop.
-
Thai Thai Restaurant
The owners get their spices directly from Thailand, and they make perhaps the island's best Thai cuisine. Mahimahi curry is the specialty, the pad thai is excellent, and portions are generous. Considering the heat of 'medium hot,' we're guessing 'Thai hot' would impress Pele.
-
U Make the Roll
Hidden on the back side of the center, you'll never find U Make the Roll's sushi stand unless you're searching. The rolls can be loose, but the price is right.
