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Hawaiian Style Cafe

4.5 (1.9k reviews)
Closed • Closed
Updated 1 week ago

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HAWAIIAN STYLE CAFE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Moderate noise
Good for groups
Dogs allowed

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Recommended Reviews - Hawaiian Style Cafe

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Hamburger Steaks
Kent R.

This is the quintessential breakfast spot on the Big Island. A little off the beaten path between Kona and Hilo but absolutely worth it to anyone that's on the island for any amount of time. Pretty classic diner vibes with the kitchen right next to the seating. The staff is super friendly and attentive throughout the entire meal. The food is an absolute 10/10. The banana macadamia nut pancakes are simple and I guarantee you can't replicate it at home, one of those black magic dishes that seems easy but is just that much better from here. Fluffy on the inside but a nice chew on the outside with fresh bananas and Mac nuts. The gravy on the hamburger steaks and loco moco is so rich and well-rounded, absolute flavor bomb. There are so many mac salad options out here but this one takes it back to basics and does it right. Nothing overpowers the other ingredients and the addition of potatoes adds a great texture. Out of every restaurant on the Big Island, this is the one we HAVE to go to when we're out here. Do yourself a favor and add it to the list.

Emari H.

OMG the pancakes!! It comes with whipped cream & haupia sauce and holy cow it's the BEST! The pancake is ginormous and normally comes with two but I didn't want to waste so asked for just one. Volcano omelet and crispy hash browns hit the spot Mahalo Mahalo Mahalo

Haupia blueberry pancakes
Lesley B.

Delicious food in an old-school diner setting. My blueberry Haupia pancakes were out of this world and my hubby loves his burger. Reasonable prices. Very popular and there was a wait on a Saturday afternoon. Such a gem!

Churro French Toast Special
Owen K.

Great breakfast spot. Incredible menu, huge portions, and friendly service. We had the Churro French Toast special and Banana Mac Nut Pancakes. Both were fantastic. Parking can be tricky but there is more located behind the building. Come early to avoid having to wait.

Tracy C.

Been craving for a loco moco since arrived in Hawaii and I was determined to try this place out with its high reviews so that even when it said cash only, I spent 4 bucks to get 20 bucks out of the atm machine they had on site. I ordered the loco moco but was really disappointed when their loco moco was delivered to the table. The gravy was sweeter than expected and too thick. The hamburger patty was not cooked thoroughly, and the juice made the rice a reddish color. Maybe I should have been clear about well done... but, suffice it to say I did not really enjoy the meal. Even if the meat was cooked thoroughly the taste was not enjoyable. To be fair, I should have pointed this out to the manager but was in a hurry to get to my next destination.

Menu
Wyatt L.

Always great! No place like Hawaiian Style. Service is on point and so is quality of food. Only thing is parking can be a slight challenge but it's for sure worth it.

Massive pancakes! Asked for Haupia sauce on the side
Maribel T.

This breakfast cafe hit the spot!! The loco moco was delicious! The ribeye steak came out sizzling and we knew it was GAME OVER! It was amazing! We opted in for the pancakes with haupia sauce on the side!! The fluffiest pancakes on island! The Haupia sauce was to die for!! I really appreciate the server remembering to put it on the side - other times it gets placed right on the cakes. Loved the local feel to the place! They even brought out DA CHILI WATAAAAA! For the steak! If you know ya know!! Def recommend for anyone visiting the island!:)

Chicken cutlet with onions locomoco
Brooke V.

Delicious, filling food, generous portions, served hot! Service was amazing - so attentive, friendly and heartwarming aloha, truly Hawaiian style. Restaurant was clean, great lighting and welcoming homey atmosphere. There was a long line to get in - and now you know why!!

Darryl H.

We always stop here when we are in town. Service is always amazing! Serve with aloha! They remodeled several years ago super clean. Highly recommend this place!

Kat F.

TL; DR-- DELICIOUS food (get the Mac nut Haupia pancakes!), great service, small parking lot, cash only. Have been here many times over the years and this place keeps getting better and never disappoints. This is their original location and found out they expanded and have a second location in Hilo. This place definitely had a glow up since the last time we were here... light and bright with plenty of seating compared to the homey bar seating of years ago. Mac nut Haupia pancakes -- fluffy soft pancakes with decadent Haupia sauce... who needs syrup? Luau Stew -- lau lau just in a stew style... soft taro leaves and tender pieces of pork. My go to!!! Beef stew -- delicious and tender meat

Locomoco with 3 meats
Shanise T.

Very large portions. Very quick service. It is a fast paced small diner like restaurant. Feels like you're eating at family's house. I got the Loco Moco that had 3 different meats, and honestly I could've just had the original. The gravy could use some seasoning and the meat was a tad dry but overall it was an okay dish. I also ordered one of the Coconut cream pancakes and boy oh boy was that pancake huge! I would have been okay just getting the pancake without the topping because it was tooo much making the pancake soggy. The pancake batter had a weird gummy taste to it but I will still order it because the fluffiness was unmatched. Overall, we drove about 90 minutes to get here, I would't say I would do that again, but if I am in the area, than yes.

Candice H.

This place is so good. Got a large loco moco to split and but was it so good and large. Half a papaya is a must anywhere I go in Hawaii. Our server was great and so friendly. However, the second time I came back with 45 min prior to closing, they didn't take anyone else. When I asked how early we needed to check-in next time, the response was vague and a bit rude. So I wasn't thrilled about that. Not dinging them for that though. So check/in early event pre-farmers market shopping is the lesson we got from that. It's a must stop for authentic Hawaiian food.

ginormous plate size puffy yummy pancakes
Lori L.

after 6 years we finally made it back for my much improved breakfast experience. And redemption for my terrible ordering the first time...after a 30 minute wait ( normal for here it's always busy and worth it ) only open until1pm ... a typical hawaiin meal ... after deliberating the many combinations available, and a little valuable help from our waitress, I ordered the 2 egg , hash browns, with a choice of side i got the yummy sweet french toast (2 pieces) and bacon! a feast fit for a very hungry me . it did not disappoint!! The eggs medium over were perfectly prepared, as were the french toast and hash browns. Erv ordered the same with pancakes( 2 ginormous) and ham... we shared. i don't know which i liked better... french toast or pancakes... scott got pork hawaian mac and rice. which he enjoyed! steph had the pancakes with coconut cream and whipped cream cream ... we had several doggy bags for breakfast tomorrow!!!

Luau stew

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Reviews are largely positive. Diners highlight delicious local food, huge portions, and friendly service. The cozy Hawaiian ambiance is also appreciated.

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29 days ago

The food is amazing! The service is fabulous! Can't wait to go again! The pancakes are no joke-a meal +++!

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Hawaiian Style Cafe Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Hawaiian Style Cafe

Have the hours changed? We went by there today 9/7/21 at 1:00pm hoping to enjoy good food and the cafe was closed.

I'm not sure I'd trust their website during COVID. I would try to get there earlier as their breakfast is the bomb.

Do they serve breakfast all day (during business hours)?

Only till closing which is 1-2

Any forecast on when you are reopening? I see a lot of hard work being done in the restaurant. Mahalo nui loa.

They are currently open, but just for breakfast and lunch Monday-Friday and closed on weekends.

Is it closed?

It's open, but limited hours for breakfast and lunch. No dinner service and closed on weekends.

Does the fried rice have any meat?

Yes, it has pork.

Is Poi still on the menu?

Yes

About how long is the wait to be seated on weekday mornings?

We only waited like 15-20 minutes. We also had a rather large party.

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Merriman's - Bread pudding

Merriman's

4.4(1.4k reviews)
0.1 mi
•$$$

What an incredible experience!!…read more Came here with family and had Gabby as our server, she was wonderful. I enjoyed everything, from the drinks to the appetizers to the dessert. We started with the Mai tai flight, ahi poke and tako escargot. All were so good, would definitely order again. For entrees we ordered a mix of the spicy lobster ravioli, chateaubriand, and ahi katsu. I love that they allow you to combine two entrees, even if it's for a slight upcharge. Everything was great. No complaints at all. Portion sizing was perfect too, with the addition of the appetizers. For dessert we opted for the pineapple bread pudding which was delicious as well. Perfect with the ice cream. We definitely would've come back if we had more time or if we were in the area. Good idea to make reservations in advance.

Our waiter did a wonderful job reciting each dish, all sounding irresistible. Unfortunately,…read moresomehow, the elements on the plate didn't quite live up to our expectations, nor did they melt in harmony. Each dish seemed to stand apart from one another. The appetizers were yummy. We started with the Tako "Escargot" and a half portion of the Spicy Lobster Ravioli. The ravioli was phenomenal; I regret not ordering the full size entree. The complimentary bread is excellent as well. For the entrees, we got the Lamb Chops and Half/Half of the Curried Hamakua Macadamia Nut Fish and Roasted Chateaubriand. The fish and chateaubriand were ok. I personally preferred the fish over the chateaubriand. I liked the curry/coconut flavor of the sauce, but my friend thought it was a bit bland. My friend liked the chateaubriand over the fish. I thought it was good, but nothing stood out especially given what the price was on it. The lamb chops were the real disappointment. I asked for a medium-rare cook, but some parts of the lamb chop were blue. I loved the Passion Fruit Mousse for dessert. The tartness of the passion fruit is brought out in this dish but not overly tart. The texture of the mousse was very fluffy and nice as well. Considering Merriman's was going to be THE fine dining experience during our stay in Hawaii, the entrees were not it. I'm glad they use organic produce, fresh fish, organically green cows, etc. but their execution as a farm-to-table restaurant needs work. I could not really taste the benefits of a farm-to-table restaurant in any of their entrees and was especially disappointed being served nearly inedible lamb chops. Decor is nice; the place has a calm and inviting atmosphere. Staff is very friendly as well.

Photos
Merriman's - Interior

Interior

Merriman's - Spicy lobster ravioli and filet

Spicy lobster ravioli and filet

Merriman's - Tomato salad no cheese please

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Tomato salad no cheese please

Ippy’s Hawaiian Barbeque

Ippy’s Hawaiian Barbeque

4.6(354 reviews)
0.9 mi
•$$

Ana greeted us at the register where you order. She was very knowledgeable and friendly. I had the…read moreteriyaki beef, it was tasty. The tonino was amazing, her description was precise, it truly is a special flavor. I don't usually eat cole slaw, but the pineapple cole slaw is slightly peppery and I'd get it again. Awesome staff and super friendly. This is my new favorite place. I'll definitely come back

First off, when you're very familiar with Zippy's and your husband happens to be a former Zippy's…read moreemployee back in his hanabata days , you can't help but chuckle at the name Ippy's. I know it's not a spin off and is actually named after the owner, but still... kinda funny to me and my husband. We came in right at the start of dinner, so the restaurant wasn't busy yet. It was nice being able to take our time looking through the menu, placing our order, and finding a table before the dinner rush came in. One of the evening specials was a surf and turf with steak, grilled fish, and fried shrimp. Yes, two please! We also ordered teri chicken with fries and mac salad, along with a large bowl of saimin. Let's start with the saimin. The dashi tasted a little watered down while somehow still being salty. I'm not sure if some of that saltiness was coming from the meats, but that's how it hit. The noodles had a nice chew, and the kamaboko and char siu were lovely. The spam, however, was disappointing. One side was nearly burnt, almost like somebody forgot it was hanging out on the flat top. Thankfully, that almost bitter burnt flavor didn't make its way into the dashi. The teri chicken was mid. Nothing particularly memorable. The fries were definitely the frozen variety and didn't feel loved at all. Our friend barely touched them, and she enjoys fries, so that says something. The mac salad made up for the fries tho bc she smashed that. As for the two surf and turfs, the steak wasn't too bad but could've used a little more seasoning. The grilled fish was a very lean white fish and unfortunately was overcooked and dry. The fried shrimp was crispy, but there really wasn't much more to say about it beyond that. Now, some flowers need to go to the sistah working the counter. She was incredibly friendly and patient with us while we ordered. Once the dinner rush started picking up, sis was ZOOMING between the register, delivering food to tables, and bussing whenever she had a chance. She was working her 'ōkole off while still being pleasant with everyone. Definitely appreciated her! Would I come back? Sure, why not. While there's nothing we ate that evening that got me thinking, I need to come back for this, there's enough on the menu that I'd be willing to explore a little more. Maybe Ippy's has something hiding on that menu that's just waiting to be tried

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Ippy’s Hawaiian Barbeque - Casual setting in Waimea. Pay at the counter. Had a friendly counter person bring the food to the table.

Casual setting in Waimea. Pay at the counter. Had a friendly counter person bring the food to the table.

Ippy’s Hawaiian Barbeque - Loco Moco

Loco Moco

Ippy’s Hawaiian Barbeque - Hawaiian Style~Mixed Plate  Kailua Pig Teriyaki Chicken  Rice Macaroni salad

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Hawaiian Style~Mixed Plate Kailua Pig Teriyaki Chicken Rice Macaroni salad

The Fish and The Hog - The Sampler

The Fish and The Hog

4.5(1.7k reviews)
1.4 mi
•$$

Came by here last month on our drive up to Waimea and really enjoyed the food!! Service was…read morefriendly too. Sweet potato fries were sooo good. Tried all the sauces and they were all delicious. Parking is in the back lot, it's a good idea to come when they open to beat crowds but there's plentiful seating inside.

Food 5/5 Strawberry Lemonade $9 - Yum! Absolutely delicious…read more Lava Flow $16 - Tasty and delicious. Spicy Poke Bowl $26 - Just okay, nothing special about it. The flavor wasn't kicking nor was it really that spicy at all. BBQ Sampler Plate w/ fries & grilled pineapple $37.95 - Good price point for a sampler. We've eaten a ton of BBQ around the US and the brisket was one of my favorites. The ribs had a sweetness I really enjoyed. Reuben Spring Rolls $16 - Not pictured but loved them! Chocolate Cake $12 - Since it was my actual birthday, my partner wanted to get me a slice of cake but boy are they huge. It was absolutely delicious but we had to take it to go. I would recommend they have smaller slices as eating a ton of BBQ and devouring a huge slice of cake is due for a heart attack. Ambiance 5/5 Got a nice table by the window minus the horsefly. Service 3/5 The lady who sat us and took our drink orders is extremely sweet and friendly. Our service was just okay, she didn't really add to our experience as if there was something on her mind.

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The Fish and The Hog
The Fish and The Hog - Brussel sprouts and Caesar Salad

Brussel sprouts and Caesar Salad

The Fish and The Hog - Daily tater tots

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Daily tater tots

Manuela Malasada - Big Island - Front of truck

Manuela Malasada - Big Island

4.3(751 reviews)
10.1 mi
•$$

So sad to report that barriers went up so the truck can't get there anymore. This is so sad because…read morethere were three or four small businesses trying to make a living here. Just crazy that they shut this off entirely. Please let us know what your new location is. Hope it's close to the old one.

Pretty bummed. I wanted to come last year but my family didn't have time on our trip to stop by, so…read morewe made an effort this time. I ordered no sugar on 2 of them, and 1 cinnamon sugar and unfortunately did not get the correct order (the fillings were correct though). I'm guessing it was because there were a lot of people when I ordered and details get hectic in a rush, but it's a little disappointing since the three cost $14. I went back to the line and asked if I could get the corrected no sugar malasadas and they let me keep the ones I had which was nice. Unfortunately I forgot to ask about the cinnamon sugar but my dad ended up not minding the reg sugar so no problem. They remade another no sugar malasada for me but just one, and tbh I didn't want to make anymore fuss so I just left. I'm disappointed to say that the bonus malasada was raw, and I didn't really notice because I was so hungry and nearly ate until the end. Left me feeling queasy for the rest of the day :/ I do appreciate the malasada being remade but it definitely needed more time to be cooked, and I do feel bad with what the rush and all, but still the food should be fully cooked. I gave an extra star because I appreciate the community that was there while I was waiting, everyone was patient and kind, but the malasadas were disappointing :(

Photos
Manuela Malasada - Big Island - Ube cheesecake, lilikoi, banana cream

Ube cheesecake, lilikoi, banana cream

Manuela Malasada - Big Island
Manuela Malasada - Big Island - The goods!

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The goods!

Hawaiian Style Cafe - hawaiian - Updated October 2026

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