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Came as a party of 2 at 3pm on a Saturday. There were some parking spots out front with some street parking that should cycle through pretty fast. Service was extremely quick -- we got seated right away, our orders were in and our food came out within minutes. The aesthetic was a mix between New Orleans French and tropical. Food: - Coconut calamari (8/10): This was a tasty appetizer! For two people, we wished there were more pieces. The coconut batter was light and crispy, and the squid was surprisingly not too chewy. The calamari paired well with the mango mustard sauce, which is really strong so a little goes a long way! - Seafood medley risotto (9.3/10): We thought this dish was absolutely delicious! The overall flavor was amazing; the scallop was tender, the risotto had perfect texture and level of oilyness, the shrimp was big and succulent, and the fish was pretty good but could be softer, but that's me being picky -- overall amazing dish! I would totally come back and order this again.
Kaliko was our server and he was awesome. What a great attitude and my sons had a great time enjoying his smiley and upbeat personality as he helped all of his customers in his section. The food was amazing, from the appetizers to the dessert, the kitchen staff did well with our modifications, my children were happy. Mahalo! Blake did great with my modified espresso martinis, what a great bartender. Mahalo to you all! Keep up the good work you all! Much aloha!
I enjoyed it! I got the grilled chicken risotto, dinner, and the drink that I posted. It was really good . I ate all of it minus a couple bites I shared and my daughter finished all of her burger as well. There was parking available with parking spots . The service was good. The servers were attentive. It was clean and in the downtown area so there are lots of other shops and things around it .
The service was relatively quick considering how buy it was. The food was pleasant! The calamari was super soft and not chewy as one might associate with squid. The mango sauce was also a nice Hawaiian twist! The pizza was solid and the chicken was nice and moist. Mahalo!
We had dinner here after a long day at Volcanoes National Park and it was exactly what we needed. The food was flavorful and felt more like a comforting, homecooked meal rather than fine dining. Our waitress was super friendly and helpful, pointing out the best vegetarian options and substitutions we could make on certain dishes. We ordered the Hamakua Caprese (tomato goat cheese salad), Farmer's Market Risotto, and the Santa Fe Pasta (no chicken). We were able to find street parking right in front pretty easily since we came a little past normal dinner hours. The ambiance felt laid back with live music and the restaurant is spacious. I would come back if were in Hilo again.
5th star for its consistency, continuity and self. Here is my story: Fly into Hilo for a day. Wondered where I should stop in for lunch and Cafe Pesto came to mind. First because they are who they are and I wanted to visit and dine there and second, they are within a short walk to the Farmer's Market.... So back to my meal! Crab Cakes for me please and my dining partner had the Shrimp Scampi. Both dishes looked absolutely scrumptious NUFF SAID Service was excellent as I remember it to be. My water and ice tea glass were never left empty or unattended. Pricing= your normal pricing with lunch entrees pricing out at $25-$30 and know the portions were large. Parking= street parking (if you can find one) and parking is FREE. Located in the old Hata Building designed to accommodate the locals and visitors alike. Large glass windows face Kilauea Ave so you get the view of the happenings. Go there or be Square!
Parked across the highway in their massive parking lot, started walking through town. Looking for lunch we almost missed Pesto; the hostess station is actually inside the main building hallway. Crowd was busy, but a table opened by the front window for us to watch the sidewalkers go by. Prices I found to be a bit of a relief after paying 50% more in other places for similar fare. Got two cold draft beers and two salads; Greek salad and Volcano Mist. Portions were piled high with crisp lettuce and local vegetables. Dressing was not overdone either so the flavors came through nicely. Despite the crowd, we enjoyed the relaxed meal and our two waiters did great in supporting each other ensuring all their customers were happy. I would definitely come back to try the entrees!
I was back in Hilo for the weekend and of course I had to have dinner at Cafe Pesto! We came for an early dinner so the restaurant was fairly empty but still made reservations online just in case. For four people, we shared the goat cheese salad, pizza special, and the bolognese pasta. This was the perfect amount of food for us. The salad was refreshing and had a nice mix of ingredients. The special pizza had sausage and arugula, and it definitely hit the spot. The bolognese pasta was delicious, and I thought the noodle shape was perfect for absorbing the sauce. We couldn't leave without getting dessert. We got the creme brulee and apple crumble ala mode. These are my favorite desserts that left me stuffed. I love Cafe Pesto and will always come here when I'm Hilo!
Right on the Main Street across from the water. Plenty of inside seating. You are greeted at the door and they seat you. Service was good. Ordered our drinks and food right away. Our food was delivered fairly quick. We enjoyed the food, it was good, nothing spectacular, but good. I would eat here again.
Ate here our first night in Hilo. Large portion sizes. I got the Ono Stromboli that was on special that night and my husband got the bolognese. He said the bolognese was his favorite meal in Hilo! Service was quick & pleasant.
Exceptional service, premium food, and premium drinks in an outstanding joint with music setting the ambiance at 10/10. Guy was absolutely "on-point!"
My friends and I were here in Hilo for my sister's bachelorette trip. I booked a reservation two days in advance for a group of 7 for 10/25/25 at 7:15pm. During our trip it was raining quite a bit during the night so we wanted to push our reservation earlier that way we wouldn't be driving too late in the rain. Thank goodness a spot opened up and we were able to change our reservation to an hour earlier. The staff here is amazing. We had a few food restrictions and allergies in our group so the staff was very accommodating with them when it came to ordering. They noticed we were celebrating a bachelorette and so many of them congratulated my sister which was very sweet. They even helped us take our group pic together. We had the coconut calamari as our starter and it was delicious. You can definitely taste the coconut but it wasn't too overpowering which is good. For my main dish, I ordered the dynamite scallops and fish. The fish of the day was Ahi! Ahi and scallops are my two favorite things so I had to order it. I got my ahi cooked medium which was cooked perfectly in my opinion. Scallop was seared to perfection. Everything tasted amazing. I'm not even a huge veggie eater but the veggies they stir fried for this dish were delicious. I finished the entire thing. I definitely recommend trying this cute restaurant out if you're ever in the area! Great place to celebrate a special occasion.
29 days ago
1 month ago
3 months ago
Here's a polished version you could post: This morning we visited the local food market, looked around, and picked up some souvenirs. It was a great way to experience the local culture and find a few treasures to take home. Afterward, we had lunch at Cafe Pesto, and the food was absolutely delicious! What made the experience even better was our server, Ella. She always had a warm smile, was attentive, and made sure we had everything we needed throughout our meal. Outstanding customer service like hers makes a dining experience truly memorable. Thank you, Ella, for your wonderful hospitality! We highly recommend Cafe Pesto to anyone visiting Hilo. #Aloha #Hilo #CafePesto #ExcellentService #HawaiiVacation read more
5 months ago
Came as a party of 2 at 3pm on a Saturday. There were some parking spots out front with some street parking that should cycle through pretty fast. Service was extremely quick -- we got seated right away, our orders were in and our food came out within minutes. The aesthetic was a mix between New Orleans French and tropical. Food: - Coconut calamari (8/10): This was a tasty appetizer! For two people, we wished there were more pieces. The coconut batter was light and crispy, and the squid was surprisingly not too chewy. The calamari paired well with the mango mustard sauce, which is really strong so a little goes a long way! - Seafood medley risotto (9.3/10): We thought this dish was absolutely delicious! The overall flavor was amazing; the scallop was tender, the risotto had perfect texture and level of oilyness, the shrimp was big and succulent, and the fish was pretty good but could be softer, but that's me being picky -- overall amazing dish! I would totally come back and order this again. read more
5 months ago
9 hours ago
Kaliko was our server and he was awesome. What a great attitude and my sons had a great time enjoying his smiley and upbeat personality as he helped all of his customers in his section. The food was amazing, from the appetizers to the dessert, the kitchen staff did well with our modifications, my children were happy. Mahalo! Blake did great with my modified espresso martinis, what a great bartender. Mahalo to you all! Keep up the good work you all! Much aloha! read more
I enjoyed it! I got the grilled chicken risotto, dinner, and the drink that I posted. It was really good . I ate all of it minus a couple bites I shared and my daughter finished all of her burger as well. There was parking available with parking spots . The service was good. The servers were attentive. It was clean and in the downtown area so there are lots of other shops and things around it . read more
15 days ago
The service was relatively quick considering how buy it was. The food was pleasant! The calamari was super soft and not chewy as one might associate with squid. The mango sauce was also a nice Hawaiian twist! The pizza was solid and the chicken was nice and moist. Mahalo! read more
We had dinner here after a long day at Volcanoes National Park and it was exactly what we needed. The food was flavorful and felt more like a comforting, homecooked meal rather than fine dining. Our waitress was super friendly and helpful, pointing out the best vegetarian options and substitutions we could make on certain dishes. We ordered the Hamakua Caprese (tomato goat cheese salad), Farmer's Market Risotto, and the Santa Fe Pasta (no chicken). We were able to find street parking right in front pretty easily since we came a little past normal dinner hours. The ambiance felt laid back with live music and the restaurant is spacious. I would come back if were in Hilo again. read more
5th star for its consistency, continuity and self. Here is my story: Fly into Hilo for a day. Wondered where I should stop in for lunch and Cafe Pesto came to mind. First because they are who they are and I wanted to visit and dine there and second, they are within a short walk to the Farmer's Market.... So back to my meal! Crab Cakes for me please and my dining partner had the Shrimp Scampi. Both dishes looked absolutely scrumptious NUFF SAID Service was excellent as I remember it to be. My water and ice tea glass were never left empty or unattended. Pricing= your normal pricing with lunch entrees pricing out at $25-$30 and know the portions were large. Parking= street parking (if you can find one) and parking is FREE. Located in the old Hata Building designed to accommodate the locals and visitors alike. Large glass windows face Kilauea Ave so you get the view of the happenings. Go there or be Square! read more
Parked across the highway in their massive parking lot, started walking through town. Looking for lunch we almost missed Pesto; the hostess station is actually inside the main building hallway. Crowd was busy, but a table opened by the front window for us to watch the sidewalkers go by. Prices I found to be a bit of a relief after paying 50% more in other places for similar fare. Got two cold draft beers and two salads; Greek salad and Volcano Mist. Portions were piled high with crisp lettuce and local vegetables. Dressing was not overdone either so the flavors came through nicely. Despite the crowd, we enjoyed the relaxed meal and our two waiters did great in supporting each other ensuring all their customers were happy. I would definitely come back to try the entrees! read more
6 days ago
Service was quick and staff were very friendly. We got a free birthday dessert to celebrate my husband's birthday which was delicious. Definitely recommend read more
I was back in Hilo for the weekend and of course I had to have dinner at Cafe Pesto! We came for an early dinner so the restaurant was fairly empty but still made reservations online just in case. For four people, we shared the goat cheese salad, pizza special, and the bolognese pasta. This was the perfect amount of food for us. The salad was refreshing and had a nice mix of ingredients. The special pizza had sausage and arugula, and it definitely hit the spot. The bolognese pasta was delicious, and I thought the noodle shape was perfect for absorbing the sauce. We couldn't leave without getting dessert. We got the creme brulee and apple crumble ala mode. These are my favorite desserts that left me stuffed. I love Cafe Pesto and will always come here when I'm Hilo! read more
Right on the Main Street across from the water. Plenty of inside seating. You are greeted at the door and they seat you. Service was good. Ordered our drinks and food right away. Our food was delivered fairly quick. We enjoyed the food, it was good, nothing spectacular, but good. I would eat here again. read more
16 days ago
Ate here our first night in Hilo. Large portion sizes. I got the Ono Stromboli that was on special that night and my husband got the bolognese. He said the bolognese was his favorite meal in Hilo! Service was quick & pleasant. read more
12 days ago
4 months ago
Exceptional service, premium food, and premium drinks in an outstanding joint with music setting the ambiance at 10/10. Guy was absolutely "on-point!" read more
11 months ago
My friends and I were here in Hilo for my sister's bachelorette trip. I booked a reservation two days in advance for a group of 7 for 10/25/25 at 7:15pm. During our trip it was raining quite a bit during the night so we wanted to push our reservation earlier that way we wouldn't be driving too late in the rain. Thank goodness a spot opened up and we were able to change our reservation to an hour earlier. The staff here is amazing. We had a few food restrictions and allergies in our group so the staff was very accommodating with them when it came to ordering. They noticed we were celebrating a bachelorette and so many of them congratulated my sister which was very sweet. They even helped us take our group pic together. We had the coconut calamari as our starter and it was delicious. You can definitely taste the coconut but it wasn't too overpowering which is good. For my main dish, I ordered the dynamite scallops and fish. The fish of the day was Ahi! Ahi and scallops are my two favorite things so I had to order it. I got my ahi cooked medium which was cooked perfectly in my opinion. Scallop was seared to perfection. Everything tasted amazing. I'm not even a huge veggie eater but the veggies they stir fried for this dish were delicious. I finished the entire thing. I definitely recommend trying this cute restaurant out if you're ever in the area! Great place to celebrate a special occasion. read more
8 months ago
30 days ago
7 months ago
I usually avoid eating in Hilo, but for my birthday I decided to stop into Cafe Pesto and enjoy a nice lunch. I've always loved their salads, so I ordered a side salad to start. If you've been there, you know even the "side" is quite filling. I also ordered the Mushroom & Artichoke pizza -- ummmmm good! The crust was perfect and the toppings were generous. Their service is always amazing. The servers are attentive and the location right in downtown Hilo gives it a great atmosphere. No surprise it's always busy. And they surprised me with dessert! A crème brûlée with fresh glazed pineapple topping -- absolutely to die for. Mahalo for making my birthday EXTRA special. read more
4 months ago
1 year ago
Visited Cafe Pesto Hilo Bay at peak time - Monday evening at the end of July right at 1830! There was a 25 minute wait for a party of two. Limited seating available outside so be prepared to stand, possibly - while you wait for a table. We started off with the Mango Chichi (vodka, pina colada, mango puree $12) and the Lychee Mule (Kai lychee vodka, fever tree ginger beer, squeeze of lime $13) ; and the Hamakua Caprese (truffled goat cheese, Kawamata tomato, basil pesto, balsamic citrus reduction, crispy tortilla $17). The drinks were enjoyable - perfect balance of flavors. The Hamakua Caprese was presented beautifully. The tomatoes, basil pesto and truffled goat cheese paired nicely with the balsamic citrus reduction - the tortilla chips I believe are for visual appeal. The dish overall could have used a dash more of salt! For dinner my sister and I decided on the Heritage Pork Bolognese (Kaunamano Farms pork and Island beef, Kai Cuisine fresh shell pasta, red wine marinara, basil pesto $26); and the Smoked Salmon Wood Fired Pizza (rosemary gorgonzola sauce, rainbow chard, sweet onion $20). The pork bolognese is shell pasta tossed in their basil pesto and topped with the red wine pork bolognese. Pasta was cooked to a slight state of firmness, or better known as, al dente! The dish overall was good and well-cooked but I feel it didn't reach its full potential. The smoked salmon wood fired pizza on the other hand is absolute perfection. It doesn't matter if I order this here at Hilo Bay location or the Kawaihae location, it never disappoints. This pizza is flavorful, and the dough is light and chewy. Overall, I would totally recommend visiting Cafe Pesto and I'm sure you'll find something to enjoy. read more
2 months ago
2 months ago
I had one dish, and it was absolutely delicious--fresh, well-seasoned, and full of authentic Italian flavor. The service was great as well: friendly, attentive, and welcoming. Overall, a very pleasant experience, and I'd happily come back to try more from the menu. Ambiance was Right by the water and was relaxing view. read more
2 months ago
9 months ago
Our first meal on the Big Island was at this restaurant. We arrived without a reservation around 7:30 p.m., were seated quickly, and given a nice, spacious table. We waited about 30 minutes for the food, which for Hilo felt quite fast. I ordered shrimp pasta - there were only three shrimp (seriously?), and a very large amount of stewed tomatoes, which was disappointing. Overall, the pasta itself was tasty. My husband ordered the four-cheese pizza, but it looked more like a margherita with only two types of cheese, which was also disappointing. The cappuccino was great - very tasty with a thick, rich foam. Our coconut dessert was forgotten by our server, Rose, yet it was included on the bill and the payment terminal was brought to us for a dessert that never showed up. We only received the dessert after the bill had already been paid. Is this normal for a top Italian restaurant? Also, there was a broken flower on our table. read more
1 month ago
1 year ago
2nd time in 2 days at Cafe Pesto Hilo Bay. Cafe had a jazz(y) duo providing entertainment this evening. We enjoyed their mushroom poke salad, pizza special and a hibachi chicken risotto today. Every dish was well prepared, well constructed and delicious! My only negative observation about the experience yesterday and today (I decided to mention this since it was the same experience both days with different staff persons) is that the bussing staff were over eager to take our plates (still with uneaten food) away. We were asked several times on both visits, whether they could take the plate away when it was obvious that we weren't done. Our experience was overall positive especially with the waitstaff. Service was fast, friendly and efficient. read more
2 months ago
1 year ago
What a delightful café to stop by at for lunch or dinner. We came in there was plenty of seating and we got a little table by the window looking out into the street and the ocean. We got their specialty pizza which had steak and potatoes on it, it was absolutely delicious. Perfect for two people! We also got the Affogato And crème brûlée perfect way to polish off the meal for appetizer we had gotten the calamari which was perfectly crunchy. The service was quick and very friendly. They had nice music playing in the background and the food was delicious. Would definitely recommend the spot for any occasion! read more
14 days ago
1 year ago
Lunch was so Ono! Had a flavored latte, it was good. Our server was nice and attentive. We had a nice window table. My crab cake salad was delicious best meal I've had in a while. My friend said her chicken sandwich was good as well going back for dinner tomorrow night read more
5 months ago
Great restaurant with amazing food. Service was excellent. I highly recommended this restaurant. read more
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More info about Cafe Pesto Hilo Bay
308 Kamehameha Ave
Ste 101
Hilo, HI 96720
Directions
(808) 969-6640
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https://www.cafepesto.com
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Ask the Community - Cafe Pesto Hilo Bay
How is the atmosphere? Is it a loud restaurant or more of a quiet setting?
It's a big, open space, so it's by no means a library, but it's not loud like a Chili's or Applebees could be. You could easily have a conversation with your tablemates without having to yell or talk loudly.
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91 reviews that are not currently recommended
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