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Hawaiian Style Cafe

4.5 (1.9k reviews)
Closed • Closed
Updated 2 weeks 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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30 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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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.

Photos
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

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

Ken's House Of Pancakes - Mac-Nut Pancakes

Ken's House Of Pancakes

3.9(2.5k reviews)
44.7 mi
•$$

Easily one of the best places to get a fulfilling meal on Hawai'i Island. Please know the portions…read moreare very generous! My soul just feels happy after a meal here. Highly recommend the kalbi plate. I usually eat kalbi with rice but you can opt for fries instead, and omg it is an amazing combo that I never knew I needed. Some of the most tender and tastiest kalbi I've ever had with the crunchiest fries. Even if I tried to recreate this combo elsewhere, I know it won't hit the same way. The stack of mac nut pancakes is huge and very shareable. I prefer this over the coconut pancakes. Actually, just ignore the coconut pancakes. The day we came, the mac nut pancakes came with a whooping serving of butter. Paula Deen, was that you? I also like that you can have all the haupia, guava, and lilikoi syrup you want too. They're all delicious. The coffee servings are also generous. You get a whole carafe to yourself. Also check out their specials of the day. If they serve the oxtail stew, get it. Get it!! It's hearty, savory, and feels comforting. In terms of service, you're not getting top notch service. It's a diner! So you're getting diner service, mostly from aunties who know what they're doing. Service is just right. I think those who complain about it are probably those who are unfamiliar with the slower pace out here. Relax! In terms of vibes, this truly feels like a diner from back in the day. The oldies music playing throughout the day and the warm orange mid-century-esque booth seats feel like you're back in time, but the art work on the walls focused on local life also make you feel like you're in present-day Hilo. I don't know any other place that can do that. Do you? For wrestling fans, check out the framed photos of wrestlers, some signed, in the front part of the restaurant. What I love most is that Ken's is a local spot, and yes, tourists are welcomed. But there's nothing pretentious or gimmicky about this place that tries to cater solely to tourists. It's got its own distinct culture, with amazing food, and great vibes that can't be replicated, and I think that's why I'll always keep coming back.

Nostalgia. Been going here for decades which isn't nearly as long as it's been around. But the…read morelocal diner feel and the food jus brings you back to small kid days. We did take out cuz we were going aunty's house and had to bring something but hard since we visiting from oahu. Chronic over-orderer spent $250 for 2 big boxes of food...pretty sure they had nuff leftovas for the whole week. Kids liked the grilled cheese...2 small girls should have shared 1 but of course I ordered 2 in case others wanted. 2 noodles...not my fave. 1 alfredo...that was YUM. 1 burger - I didn't even touch it. 1 taco salad and 1 chinese chicken salad both good in their crispy bowls. haha...I can't remember what else we got...but everything not bad all the way to YU-U-UM. And if nothing else, the workers are so nice. The girl putting our box together was jam'n. Super on it. Lucky for me since I didn't remember my whole order!

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Ken's House Of Pancakes - Dining room

Dining room

Ken's House Of Pancakes - Side of pancakes with coconut (haupia), guava, and Lilikoi (passion fruit) syrups

Side of pancakes with coconut (haupia), guava, and Lilikoi (passion fruit) syrups

Ken's House Of Pancakes - 04/28/2026 mugs

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04/28/2026 mugs

Chubby's Diner - Chicken Katsu & Kalbi Ribs

Chubby's Diner

4.1(465 reviews)
33.3 mi
•$$

My sister told me about this little gem hidden in a bowling alley!…read more This was our first stop when we landed in Kona. We went for lunch and enjoyed it so much that we went back for breakfast on our last day. See pictures! Long story short everything we tried was fantastic! I specifically got the chicken katsu the crunch on it was perfect! My mom got their chicken Teriyaki ( home made teriyaki sauce was chefs kiss!) I feel like if you want authentic Hawaiian food you should definitely come here. Since it's in a bowling alley the ambiance is laid back diner style. Service was friendly! They bring you your food and clean up afterwards. They suggested items for us to try and explained that most of the sauces and recipes are home made. I try to write one negative/ constructive criticism point in all of my newer reviews: I can't think of one.

** -- Average Food, Way Too Expensive!**…read more Over $80 for three plate lunches and three fountain drinks at a bowling alley restaurant?! I wasn't expecting anything fancy, but that's a lot of money for what we got. We ordered two teriyaki chicken plates and one teriyaki beef plate. The food was okay, and the portions were pretty generous, but nothing really stood out. Just your average plate lunch. The dining area was about what you'd expect from a bowling alley restaurant. Nothing special, but it was fine. The staff wasn't rude, but they weren't particularly friendly either. Just kind of going through the motions. What really got me was the drinks. Nearly $20 for three fountain sodas with only one refill each! To make matters worse, the sodas were flat. They supposedly fixed the carbonation issue while we were there, but the drinks still didn't taste right. Overall, the food wasn't bad, but I just can't see the value here. I don't mind spending money on a good meal, but over $80 for average plate lunches, so-so service, and flat sodas? That's a tough sell. I left feeling like I paid way more than the experience was worth.

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Chubby's Diner - Bowling lanes

Bowling lanes

Chubby's Diner - Char Siu Fried Saimin

Char Siu Fried Saimin

Chubby's Diner - Menu on 1-13-2023

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Menu on 1-13-2023

Teshima Restaurant - Steak cooked perfectly

Teshima Restaurant

4.4(1k reviews)
37.1 mi
•$$

Had a lovely experience here. Our servers were so…read morewelcoming, they checked in multiple times to make sure we were comfortable. The butterfish was sooo good. It was super tender and the slight sweetness of the preparation paired well with it. The miso soup which came with the plate was one of the best I've had!

Teshima's feels like family. There's something about being here that feels like going to your…read moregrandparents' house. You're comfortable, you're taken care of, and it feels like all they want to do is feed you and make you happy because they love you. The waitresses treat you like they've known you forever, they're so sweet, I love them. And please, get some kind of tempura. I beg of you. The tempura here is SO good. The batter is incredibly light and crispy without feeling heavy or greasy, and the texture is perfection. The shrimp tempura is amazing, the vegetable tempura is amazing, all of it. You cannot go wrong. The tempura fries deserve a special mention, though. I crave them literally every week. They're light and ridiculously crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and so good dipped in the tempura sauce. I could come here just for a basket of them. And say yes to the pot of hot tea! It balances perfectly with the crispy, fried tempura and just completes the whole meal. Everything about Teshima's has that comforting, old-school feeling that you just can't manufacture. It doesn't feel trendy or like it's trying to be anything other than what it is. It just feels warm, familiar, and cared for. Come hungry, get the tempura, and let them take care of you.

Photos
Teshima Restaurant - The main dining room

The main dining room

Teshima Restaurant - Fried ahi meal

Fried ahi meal

Teshima Restaurant - Interior

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Interior

Hawaiian Style Cafe - hawaiian - Updated October 2026

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