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

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Service was great. Food was fresh and delicious. Crab cakes were yummy. Affogato was the perfect finish and the cookies are perfectly gooey read more

We just ate here during a trip to the Hilo side of the island. The restaurant was bustling and lively on a Monday night - seemed like a mix of locals and tourists. Our waitress was lovely - telling us about the rain and the volcanoes. The service was excellent and the food was so fresh and delicious. My daughter and I had the simple pasta and my husband had the seafood risotto. My sons had a pizza. We split a salad to start. I would absolutely go back. A great find! read more

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

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Excellent food service and freshness... One of a kind! Always looking forward to the next visit! 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

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Food was really good, but it was our server who made it even better. Arc aka Nalu was super. He will go up if he stays there or anywhere else. Such a extremely big difference from a meal at Aloha Vibes in Kona. Check my review for that one. Good luck Nalu, see you again! 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

Cafe Pesto Hilo Bay - The local market - Pizza Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

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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

Cafe Pesto Hilo Bay - Lava flow, Thai lemonade, and a local IPA to round out an afternoon exploring lava tubes outside Hilo... - Pizza Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

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

Cafe Pesto Hilo Bay - Pacific Crab Cakes Lunch - Pizza Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

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

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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

Cafe Pesto Hilo Bay - Bolognese - Pizza Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

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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

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Way are at several of the top restaurants in downtown Hilo and thought overall this one was the best

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

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This almost made the grade. I would say seven out of 10, my alfredo sauce for the Shrimp scampi was plain and 3 shrimp seems light. The only bread option is stuffed garlic bread , good but pricey. They don't recognize Kamaina guests and they didn't thank us for coming. So, if i was in town another night i would go next door for Mexican. All in All, nice enough. read more

The food was great as always and our waitress really knew her stuff regarding drinks! Highly recommended!!!

We always loved Cafe Pesto, it was our favorite restaurant in Hilo for many years. We were there about a month ago and it was its usual delicious experience. However, we were there yesterday and found everything had changed. The staff was still friendly, the waiter tried his best, but seemed distracted even though they were not really busy as it was around 2 p.m. Then our food came, their featured hamburger was undercooked, the meat had the consistency of liquid mush made in a food processer. It had "Funionions" on the top, straight out of a can, basically it was inedible, the French fries were big greasy mushy wedges, the entire experience completely killed my apatite. My husband ordered a Greek pizza and it was also not good, the crust was very puffed like a pita bread and still very pale not really baked, the cheese was strange, the artichoke hearts were huge hunks like cut in half (and that was nearly all that was on it), not just sliced pieces as they usually are, and he said it was not very flavorful. No more purple potato salad, one of their best side dishes..... all very disappointing. Their menu has changed from a month ago, their sandwich choices are now very few. When I enquired about the obvious changes, the staff fluffed it off as just usual ones, I thought they had lost their good cooks and had new ones..... or possibly new owners. I guess they are just trying to cut corners by reducing the quality of their food. It's still expensive, the hamburger was over $20. We go to Hilo pretty often, so now we will have to try to find a new favorite restaurant......... probably start with Jackie Reys, we used to go there frequently, but not for a while. Definitely Cafe Pesto is off our radar now. read more

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

Cafe Pesto Hilo Bay - Mushroom & Artichoke pizza - Pizza Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

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Everything was great. It was my daughterʻs birthday and they offered to help keep her cupcakes refrigerated during the dinner. And they even sang Happy Birthday. They made it special for her special day! Mahalo Cafe Pesto! read more

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

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Food and service are always consistent. Their drinks are perfectly prepared. Wish they would bring back "Happy Hour"

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

Cafe Pesto Hilo Bay - Pizza Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

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Great restaurant with amazing food. Service was excellent. I highly recommended this restaurant. read more

Cafe Pesto Hilo Bay - Restaurant Sign - Pizza Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

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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

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This cute little place on Hilo had such amazing foods. We were greeted and got seated right away. Service was great. Foods was delicious. Price is pretty reasonable. Definitely going back when we're in Hilo. read more

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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

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Been coming here for years especially for birthday celebrations, since I was in highschool. Always a great ambience with live music at night. Menu has fluctuated many times since I first came here but a couple of things have remained constant that I enjoy. I recommend chicken mushroom risotto and the chicken caesar salad. Their caesar salad has THEE BEST dressing, i think they add a bit of anchovy to it that makes it extra savory. Located right next to the Hilo Farmers Market, (Big Islands best Farmers Market that is best visited on Wednesday and Saturdays) read more

The food took forever to come and it was not even that great. Would not come here again. It took 1.5 hours for 3 dishes to come. Service was slow and overpriced food. read more

I love cafe pesto, the food is amazing I will always recommend the Thai Chili Shrimp Pizza, the Bahn Mi, and the Korean Bread. The service is always great. read more

Good food and good service! Clean and very friendly atmosphere! I would recommend Cafe Pesto!

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

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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

Cafe Pesto Hilo Bay - Pacific Crab Cakes Lunch - Pizza Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

Good service but the food was average at best. The lobster was overcooked and pizza didn't have enough basil pesto which made it bland.The rum cocktails was good. Chocolate ganache and crème brulee was good. read more

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The pizza here is top notch. I got the wood fired Luau because why wouldn't you want to try Hawaiian pizza in Hawaii?! It did not disappoint! I loved that the pork was a smokey pulled pork instead of ham slices like you get on the mainland. My husband did a build your own with pepperoni and the Kalua pork and loved his pie as well. read more

Cafe Pesto Hilo Bay - Luau Wood-fired Pizza - Pizza Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

Excellent service and ambiance. We had a group of 7 amongst a busy restaurant and they were very attentive. Food was amazing and drinks were equally tasty. read more

Loved this dinner! So delicious and will definitely return for more! Affogato was the best way to end the meal! Thank you read more

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Super cute place to come right in downtown Hilo. I came for the Affogato. And was super happy with my meal. Pasta tasted fresh my veggies where cooked just right. The portions were good not too much. My friends both said they loved their food as well. The calamari was strips, which was my only disappointment. But they were still good. The Affogato was everything I heard, it would be. The espresso with it was so smooth and so good. I would've had it all if it wasn't too late . We enjoyed the live music in the back ground as we eat and visited. Service was excellent, my water stayed full and she was great at checking in with us. I see why they stay steadily busy. read more

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I have the perfect plan! Start off with the coconut crusted calamari! The crunch was to perfection. The dipping sauce was good, but I liked them plain. Then, order the seafood medley! The bed roasted red pepper risotto made this meal! Everything was seasoned nicely. When your waitress/waiter asks if you want dessert, do not hesitate and order the affogato! You're welcome Our waitress was kind, kept checking on us and kept our waters full. Plenty of seating for a date night or large groups - they can easily push tables together. You can also sit at the bat. I would love to go back and try other things on the menu. Everything that passed by our table looked delicious. I don't think you can go wrong here. Enjoy!! read more

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If you are going to Hilo, you must eat at Cafe Pesto! We went a couple of times, and they did not disappoint for a single second. The entire menu is packed with delicious, fresh flavors, but there is one absolute standout that you cannot miss: the mushroom risotto. It is rich, perfectly creamy, packed with savory flavor, and hands-down some of the best risotto we have ever tasted! It is an absolute must-order. Between the phenomenal food, the wonderful atmosphere, and the consistently excellent service, Cafe Pesto has easily become one of our favorite spots. We highly, highly recommend it--we already can't wait to go back! read more