The food was flavorful and spicy (but not too spicy!) The three pepper cheese blend on the chicken enchilada was amazing! Mai Tais were fantastic and the service was attentive and not overbearing! So glad we had the chance to try out this little spot!!! 10/10, would eat again! read more

Coco's food is delicious and authentic. The margs are da bomb. The service is quick and attentive

Ordered the shrimp burrito and found barely any shrimp, just a tortilla drenched in an extremely salty sauce--basically inedible. On the plus side, the complimentary chips and salsa were decent, and the place was clean with quick service. read more

Coco Cantina - Shrimp Burrito - Mexican Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

Stopped in for margaritas and also ordered the nachos with chorizo to share. All were fabulous! Service was friendly and fast. Plenty of seating in the cute, clean restaurant located in a small strip mall. read more

III years ago, I moved from Cali to Hilo & it was da best decision of my "La Vita Loca", but I gotta' admit I do miss the "Caliente Cuisine"... I'm not jus' talkin' about "Miami Heat"... I'm talkin' about seducing, sizzling, savory favors... Imagine my surprise when I casually & curiously "two-stepped" into Da Coco Cantina & found myself in "Margaritaville" ... Let's begin with the open-space ambiance where the "waiting area" tempts you into da cocktail lounge hosted by a seasoned "Barista"... & I'm not talkin' about a "frappuccino"... these are real blended, shaken, & stirred drinks! If you have any, "Faith in La Vita", then have faith in Da Coco Cantina Crew (DCCC)... they will guide your platte into an "Endless Summer"... My Faith took me towards a Jalapeño Margarita, a splash of Hawaiian Ono, accompanied with tres amigos soft-taco carnitas... all the flavors well balanced, the carnitas juicy and tender, and healthy hearty portions... Walking out, I saw a sign "off the wall", I did a "double-take"... #Espresso_Martini ? Now that's got me curious about their desserts... Oh, Coco Cantina... you've got a way to entice da locals to get a little Coco loco... Mahalo, @Shaka_Vee read more

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Small portions. Bland flavors. Nothing special. Tortillas had no taste and were doughy. Salsa was geriatric. Stingey on meat. -PAHOA LOCATION CLOSED PERMANENTLY read more

Super kind and welcoming staff -- very sweet to my kids and accommodating for overly tired toddlers. Quick service and food is delicious. Also clean bathrooms!! Wish they were in Waimea! read more

Coco Cantina - Main dining room with low boys, booth seating, and high boy seating, and bar area to the far right. - Mexican Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

We were starving after making a day trip to Hilo to visit the hot springs in Pohoiki. After a long day of driving, I was craving comfort food. Being from LA, I saw this place and immediately wanted to see if it was good Mexican food. My boyfriend got the carnitas plate and I got the carne asada tacos. Service was great and so fast! We shared a chicken tortilla soup as an appetizer and churros for dessert. The food was so delicioso! The meats were tender, juicy, and authentic in flavor. Portions were so big! I do wish the tacos were served more traditionally (cilantro and onions not coleslaw). The chicken tortilla soup had some spice to it but it reminded me of the yummy sopita de pollo back home. We also enjoyed a mojito and margarita with our chips and salsa. But those drinks were soooo strong! Good thing we had plenty of food to not drink on an empty stomach. The churros were just perfect--crispy, cinnamon, sweet! Best Mexican food on island hands down! Definitely coming back for the good vibes and yummy food. read more

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What a little gem of a Mexican restaurant in Pahoa! It's in an unassuming spot in a strip mall but I was wildly impressed once we got in. The artwork is so clean and vibrant. You can tell a lot of effort was put in the space. The Moscow mule and margaritas were so tasty and well-balanced. The flautas were GREAT; I could have eaten three more plates of those. Chicken enchiladas were sooo good, the cheese sauce on top was a great twist from the enchilada sauce I'm used to. Everything was full of flavor and brought me so much satisfaction. I would definitely go back if I'm ever in the area again! My only wish is that there were more decorations to make it feel even cozier - maybe plants or something! read more

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It's very bland. The food could have a bit more flavor, but if I want something to fill me I go here cuz it's more bang for your buck! Some of the food items are meh, but still good. Go for the loaded potatoes. read more

This has to be the whitest Mexican spot I have ever been to in my life, from the decor to the food. The food was bland, the workers were young and inattentive (especially the bartender) she was FaceTiming a friend half the time we were there. Typical prices for a Mexican spot. Will not be back. read more

Great drinks. Good food. Friendly service. One of the better island's restaurants. It's off the beaten patj

Solid Tex-Mex. We shared the carnitas and had plenty of chips and salsa and were very satisfied. We don't usually share but it was a late dinner and we didn't want to get stuffed. The waitress was very accommodating. Parking available on the street. read more

The food was fresh and SO good, but the service was even better! Alex was friendly, quick but not overbearing. The bartender was accommodating as well when we had questions about a drink. Highly recommend! read more

Hilo Location, Excellent Mexican food From fresh homemade salsa and chips to the cocktails, this is one of the better places in all of Hawaii for Mexican food. Recommend family style Big Puna Plate, Santa Fe BBQ chicken salad, and Carnitas Burrito. It will serve 3-4 people. Don't forget the cocktails. Enjoy read more

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Excellent lunch special and happy hour! This is a hidden gem in Hilo. Whenever I'm in the area visiting family I always mark a point to visit Coco Cantina as they have fantastic cocktails, food and HAPPY HOUR! read more

Coco Cantina - Excellent Margaritas at Coco Cantina - Mexican Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

Restaurant has lovely AC to cool you off from the heat outside. The server was attentive & friendly. She did a great job. The food is just OK, does not have a lot of flavor. read more

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I'm super picky about Mexican and Central American food. I know how to make Mexican food and mine is much more authentic and traditional read more

Coco Cantina in Hilo is an absolute gem! From the moment you step inside, you're welcomed with a warm, tropical vibe that's both relaxed and vibrant. The food is phenomenal--fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. I was especially impressed with the diverse menu that offers something for everyone. The cocktails are a must-try, expertly crafted with fresh ingredients that perfectly complement the island setting. The staff is incredibly friendly and attentive, making sure every guest feels right at home. Whether you're a local or just visiting, Coco Cantina is a must-visit spot in Hilo. We will definitely be back! read more

Coco Cantina - Dining area - Mexican Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

The take out was horrible The big Puna plate had tough steaks, dry rice and tasteless beans. For $30 each!! The nachos was a mess and enchiladas tasted weird. At least my dogs enjoyed it. read more

We went here with friends from Hilo for dinner. This was on our second night in Hilo. The food was tasty and the portions were perfect. However the reason for the 3 stars was once again the service just lacked. As nice as our server was, which he was super friendly he just missed a few beats. And it wasn't very busy. If it was then I would be like okay he is slammed. However it wasn't very busy. So why the service lacked a bit. He said he was gonna bring us chips and salsa. We never got the chips and salsa. Other tables got their chips and salsa but we never did. We never said anything because we were busy catching up with our friends from Hilo to remind our server we never got them. But another thing that brought it to a 4 star rating and I am starting to notice a trend is refilling our drinks and waters. This is now the third place during our stay that never refilled our waters/ drinks or asked if we would like another drink. Not sure if this is a trend but it feels like it is. Lol Other then that I would go back because the food was good and so were the strawberry margaritas. read more

Delicious fish and shrimp tacos and a super cute vibe! Our kids loved the keiki menu: kids' burritos and generous portions of rice and beans for $7. We loved the cocktail menu: ranging from $10-12, there's a great assortment of mojitos, margaritas, and mai tais. Perfect accompaniment to the tacos: you can choose corn or flour tortillas (we split fish and shrimp, which were delicious). There's a chill patio, or you can sit inside. Would love to visit again. read more

Coco Cantina - Fish tacos - Mexican Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

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Food was meh, but service was amazing! Our server was on it, refilling drinks and replacing chip basket and salsa. The coconut shrimp on happy hour were pretty good but the protien bowl was underwhelming; hard pieces of rice and not tons of flavor read more

Yay! So happy to that they were accommodating! I'm currently gluten-free, vegetarian and so I asked if they could do the veggie quesadilla on corn tortilla instead of the usual flour tortilla. They said yes! Of course it doesn't taste the same since it's on a corn tortilla but I was still happy with my meal since I was able to enjoy my mock-quesadilla-thingy. LoL. The waitress we had was a bit off. Perhaps she was new? *shrug* In any case, the food was good! read more

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This place has a very good burrito bowl ! I was looking for a place to eat some and I looked up this restaurant. I walled in and it was very clean! Nothing like a clean restaurant! I sat at the bar and John was very helpful. He kept my water filled and was very professional and ensured that my order was correct. I had a chicken burrito bowl and it was very tasty. There was a lot of food so if you are hungry, this is the place to go. They are not shy with the amounts and that is for sure! I will see you again. (I forgot to take the picture). read more

The service was fast, friendly and attentive! All the food is fresh and delicious . I highly recommend the Chile Relleno which was authentic and flavorful; just the right amount of heat! The atmosphere is clean, bright, and relaxing. read more

Coco Cantina - Exterior of the building - Mexican Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

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First time here. Service, food, and chips were great! I had the burrito and bought the second half home for lunch tomorrow. My wife had the Steak fries, basically a deconstructed burrito on fries which she liked a lot. We want to come back for happy hour and get a margarita! read more

Coco Cantina - Huge burrito!! - Mexican Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

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Loud rude dismissed my allergy of jalapeños like it was my fault she missed it on my order. Cold food. If your not there to drink at or from the bar don't bother stopping. Food was cold and unfavorful.​ read more

This is really our go-to Mexican place in Hilo, so why just three stars? Well, too many times I've asked them not to keep the place at meat-locker temperature...and we were not alone tonight, either, in that sentiment. You come in off the Hilo streets in shorts and tee-shirts (often) and the thrill of cool air is gone in about a minute. "We can't turn it down anymore without turning it off" was the official response. Really? Pretty sure that standard thermostat technology doesn't mandate that your restaurant is kept at 68 degrees maximum. And if it does, well, isn't it worth saving thousands on electrical bills (...which result in complaints like this...) to replace the damned t'stat? Fix this and I'll be back to amend my review. read more

We picked up some food to go the other night. We ordered on toast tab which made it easy and the food was ready when it said it would be. Interaction with the staff was pretty limited, basically it was do you have a to go order and what name is it under. We ordered an appetizer plate and a Puna plate. The "Mexican" potato skins were probably the highlight of the meal. The had some chorizo and green onions on top of them. The wings, and egg roll, and coconut shrimps were soggy. The favorite on the Puna plate was the carne asada. Everything else was lacking flavor. Kinda reminded me of Chili's in a way. I liked the ease of ordering and the pickup time but the food didn't really hit the spot. read more

I appreciate the consistency of the service here. Whether you sit at the bar or in the dining area, there might be a little wait when busy, but we are always treated with friendliness and attentiveness during our meal. You sit down and quickly get a basket of warm tortilla chips and salsa. I wish the salsa had more freshness- onion, cilantro, lime, etc. but the chips are really good- perfectly crispy and salted. My feedback on the food is that the fish tacos taste super fishy, we have ordered them a few times and it seems like the fish is either not fresh or it's a type of fish that has a fermented-like flavor. Also the last time we were dining in, the rice and beans didn't taste fresh, the beans actually tasted a bit sour. The quality of food could have some improvement. I've ordered take out several times, the barrio bowl is like a burrito bowl, and it's pretty good. The caesar salad is also good and it's a generous portion. Overall, I will keep coming back because the staff are friendly and check on you. read more

The cantina has a bar area with high top tables, and a dining area with lots of space. The decor was bright and minimalist, with lots of space, which is a nice change from most of the restaurants in the area where the tables are crammed in. The service was great. As to the food, we're from San Diego, so we're used to a bit more spice, but the carnitas had a lot of flavor and the carne asada was very tender. Portions were generous and the prices were very reasonable. The ribs weren't great, but honestly, it's a Mexican cantina, not a rib joint. We'd definitely dine here again if we're in Hilo. read more

Let's face it, it's hard to find good Mexican restaurants here on rainy side. Food trucks sure, but restaurants no. Where they lack in flavor they pick up with a good heavy pour when ordering a mixed drink. Service is good. They seemed to have more employees then customers the night we were there. I had tortilla soup, only one size, small and the tortillas were so stale they were chewy. Carne Asada fries were good, but even with their black beans, jalapeños, tomatoes, onions and drizzle of sour cream, it was somehow lacking... Husband like his fajitas. We had 2 mixed drinks, 2 orders of soup, and 2 entrees it was just under $80. We would go again? Sure, but only if Liquin's is packed as that's what sent us here. The servers were nice and attentive, might just try other items. read more

Coco Cantina - Mexican Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

The waitress actually made our day. She has such a warm and inviting vibe that it made us decide to eat here instead of the neighboring restaurants. Also the bar drinks here are to die for! (Literally u could just come here for drinks and still have a good time) The bartender did her thing! Had a puma princess thanks to the waitress's recommendation, didn't regret it at all. They have coronaritas here too. The appetizers came with flautas, wings, coconut shrimp and loaded baked potato wedges. Delicious read more

Coco Cantina - Puma princess cocktail/mojito - Mexican Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

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The service was very nice. The veggie fajita was just green peppers and onions with a couple mushrooms and zucchini pieces. Save your money. The dish probably cost $1 to make. Mai tai was very weak and was like fruit juice. Editing to reply to the business owners reply: you're right, it would have cost me $12 but then I would have been able to make 4 fajita dishes rather than 1, so yes, the meal was overpriced. read more

Really enjoyed the location and atmosphere. Food was very tasty. Tacos and chorizo quesadillas were yummy. Service was excellent and attentive. Will definitely go back. read more

There was another review here that hits the nail on the head. It's just not as good as the Pahoa location. I usually sit in the bar area. The bartender is always great. I have received good service but the food is just lacking. The salsa is bland. You could buy a better salsa at Safeway. I usually order the carne asada burrito but the asada isn't quite as good as at the Pahoa location. it just tastes "off" This really disappoints me as it's a much longer drive to Pahoa for me but I won't be coming back to the Hilo location. Please get new kitchen staff or train them at the Pahoa location. The Good: Friendly staff The Bad: The food us just not tasty or as good as the Pahoa location Chances I'll be back: Most likely not. I'll stick to Pahoa. read more

Best Mexican food this side of the Mississippi!! We have the appetizer sampler and the fajitas. The sampler is a must try and the fajitas were rock solid! Service was also top notch. read more

Just wanted to ask what other folks thought about the "salsa" they serve... Good service, good entrees, the salsa though....I think it was actually marinara... read more

I like their pork and salsa verde platter. Definitely get that. I got it 2x, not a fan of their carne asade version, but I hear beef on the island in general is meh I have an extra star for the servers - very kind and attentive. Corn chips are not gluten-free and overall they can do a better job to help provide gluten-free options But given the Hilo side doesn't have a lot of Mexican restaurants all I can say is I recommend the pork con salsa verde I would eat that anytime read more