We had an excellent experience at Seafood Bar & Grill in Kamuela, and Casey made our anniversary…read moredinner especially enjoyable. She brought great energy and was professional, friendly, engaging, and genuinely enjoyable to talk with. My wife ordered the baked oysters without realizing they weren't smoked and did not like the dish (I loved it). Casey graciously removed them from our bill, which we truly appreciated. Even without that kind gesture, her service was exceptional. I ordered the black bean seafood combo, and my wife had the red Thai seafood curry. Both dishes were extremely flavorful and delicious. We highly recommend this restaurant, and be sure to ask for Casey!

The Absolute Best Meal on the Island--A Masterclass in Food & Service!…read moreIf I could give Seafood Bar & Grill 10 stars, I would. This wasn't just a dinner; it was our absolute favorite meal of the entire trip. We didn't even have a special occasion to celebrate--we just had a phenomenal experience here in the past and couldn't wait to return. They somehow managed to exceed every expectation. From the second we walked in, we were blown away. We loved the Tiki Bar, everyone is family when you walk in, history covering the walls ambiafamily-friendly; ev Seafood We were greeted by Dave Yurtin, the owner, who set up a fabulous table for us inside. But here is the kicker: Dave actually remembered us from our first visit two years ago! Talk about a total legend. We couldn't believe his memory--that is next-level hospitality. Our server, Ryan, provided spectacular, world-class service. He didn't write a single part of our big order down and got absolutely everything 100% right. He was attentive, fast, and incredibly sharp--he even remembered at the end that my mother-in-law had asked for onion rings once she was finished, before changing her mind. Incredible! Now, let's talk about the food and drinks because WOW. We started with the drinks, and these were hands-down the absolute best Mai Tais we have had on the island. Every single dish that hit the table was a home run: - Escargot: Wow, wow, wow, wow! Absolutely phenomenal. The pesto and cheese with the garlic bread? Unreal. - Seafood Quesadilla & Coconut Shrimp: Perfectly executed and delicious. - Braised Short Ribs: Out of this world. Fall-off-the-bone tender. - Pineapple Macnut Slaw: Insane flavor. Do not skip this! - Garlic Bread: Spectacular and perfect for soaking up every last bit of flavor. - Fish Linguine: A rich, perfectly balanced cream sauce packed with different types of fresh fish. Somehow, we saved room for dessert and tried FOUR different ones: the Key Lime Pie was unbelievable, the Lilikoi Pie and Kona Coffee Pie were spectacular, and the NY Cheesecake with Lilikoi Sauce was the perfect grand finale. Between Dave's legendary memory, Ryan's flawless service, and a kitchen that doesn't miss, Seafood Bar & Grill is an absolute must-visit. We will be talking about this meal until our next visit! Thank you for an unforgettable night!

Of course we loved it here! Of course we took plenty of pics…read moreto share with yall! This is the goto on the island for sure.. just a bit of drive depending on where your home are is. But a lovely town to visit.

So much aloha here. Everyone is so friendly & they seem familiar with the regular customers. The…read morepancakes are HUGE!! I got French toast with a side of papaya- it was enough! My husband got the lamb ribs. So good. Plenty of seats in the front dining area. There's also a back area with lots of tables too. Cash only!

I love Ippy's so much. The food is always amazing, especially the pork belly. I like that you can…read moreget a "mini" plate for kids. My daughter loves the chicken katsu. They're also so kind to us. We sat and ate in the restaurant and they gave my daughter a big bag of toys to play with while we were there. It kept her entertained while we waited for our food and also made it easier to feed her. The restaurant itself has a ton of space and is always clean. We can always get a table there, so I don't mind sitting and eating instead of feeling like I need to get takeout.

My wife and I drove up to Ippy's in Waimea from Waikoloa while on vacation since we were in the…read moremood for real Hawaiian barbecue, and this spot is an absolute gem! The exterior, and interior, of the building is nothing special. As a matter of fact, that's part of what I loved about it; it helps you realize it's an all around fantastic food joint, not just somewhere that charges overpriced amounts for average food because of the "vibe." It's extremely busy inside this place, and staff was extremely friendly and pretty quick with turning out orders. I ordered a two entree plate, which consisted of their teriyaki chicken and pina colada shrimp, per the recommendation of the woman taking my order. The shrimp was incredible and the pins colada sauce that it comes with it's something I now dream about! The chicken was also great. It's dark meat, which is something to keep in mind in case you're a pickier eater, but the char and flavor of it was wonderful. For the sides I ordered rice and their mac salad. I'm not usually a mac salad kind of guy, but this changed my mind and I can now say I'm a true fan. This is perhaps one of the best places I've eaten between the two islands I visited on this trip, and I can't say enough good things about it!

BOMB We all got some…read morecombination of shrimp, short rib, and furikake chicken, which were incredible! The short rib was soooo tender, the shrimp was plump, and the chicken had the perfect fry on it. We loved the sauces that came with it, as well. The sides we got ranged from white rice, kimchi fried rice (fave!!), pickled cucumber, corn, and Mac salad. Place was packed but service was so quick! Tiny place but people were friendly and let you share tables.

Kailah, the cashier, was super helpful when ordering. Definitely knows how to mix and match what I…read morewanted to order. I got to Garlic Furikake Chicken (mini size plate) with a free side of Kimchee Cucumbers and Pork Belly Adobo Fries. The Garlic Furikake Chicken was super delicious! I'm so glad I got the sauce on the side, if I had it on, it'll be too much. The furikake really is so good with the chicken. The Pork Belly Adobo Fries is good but a bit too salty for me. The Pork Belly Adobo was the one that is really salty to me. The fries were really good and is crispy and soft on the inside. I'm glad I didn't order a whole order for that. Definitely need rice or something to balance the flavor of it. Plenty of indoor seating. Plenty of free parking. Water is tap water if you bring your own bottle.

Emma's Kitchen was one of the best finds of our family trip to the Big Island. We loved finding an…read moreauthentic, family-run Filipino spot while traveling. I ordered the beef sinigang and it was pure comfort, cozy, sour in the best way, and honestly a taste of home after days of trying new dishes (especially lots of fish-based meals). The sweetest surprise was seeing yema. I've been craving it for years and hadn't come across it in so long. They had a small pack of those little cellophane-wrapped treats, and it instantly transported me back to childhood. My parents were with us on the trip and they ended up going back to Emma's multiple times in the same week, which says everything. It's mostly takeout, with a few shared tables next to neighboring storefronts, but it's also easy to grab and go. Highly recommend!

Mellie is so friendly and courteous. Rolando, the cook was great and the food was delicious! We…read morewent back several times during our vacation and tried beef sinigang, pancit, half chicken, pork lechon, and their signature lumpia. We also bought yema for dessert. It was a great to have Filipino food during our visit to Hawai'i.

Side of the road. In the mountains. Awesome staff. Just watch out for people having driving issues…read morein the parking lot. This is another one of my YELP Bucket List places. 2 down 348 to go. We were heading to Captain Cook and then Volcano Village. On the way to a place to eat that after arrival, didn't look as good as we had hoped but I did notice a sign for Lau Lau. After pulling in and getting out of the car, the smell of home hits you. The whole place, inside and out isn't touristy at all but dang do they know where good food is. There are benches to sit on outside but not really outside seating. Although for this food I would eat next to the road with traffic driving by. I wouldn't care as long as the food was available. There are 2 big live edg tables inside. You have to sit like family. We met a couple from Utah. My Wife had the pork and cabbage. I chose the Lau Lau with 2 sides of Mac salad. The Auntie that brought out our food was exactly like my Auntie, just smaller. She was sweet to let me know about my food. She asked if I had it before. I said yes and she welcomed me back. Everything was amazing. I may have had a tear in my eye when I smelled my food. I immediately thought of my Grandma White. She was a great cook. We are already planning on coming back. The bill was 35.00. I bought a Poke plate a couple days ago that was 50 bucks so this was a great deal. We tipped $15.00 on 35. They tried to say it was too much and take some drinks to go. We said no, it was worth it.

Excellent food, excellent experience!!…read more Super friendly service with a smile! Food was perfect probably the best kalua pig I ever ate! Laulau was unbelievably tasty and tender! Go here or you will regret it!!

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.

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.

Great little spot tucked in off the Main Street (Ali'i Drive)…read more The kalua pork plate, accompanied by rice, purple sweet potato, and obviously the pork, were delicious and filling! We also tried the kava, and my wife said it reminded her of jicama, if it were a made into a drink. The employee working at the counter/bar was super helpful in helping us understand about kava and its traditions.

We came here looking for authentic Hawaiian food and while it's not the largest spot - more of a…read morecafe with patio-style seating the food was solid. When we arrived it was a bit awkwards as it wasn't clear where to order and I have to say the service wasn't great and our server didn't really explain what kava is when we asked. Nevertheless we got a small mug of kava to try along with the lau lau which is pork wrapper in taro leaves. Loved the pork which was soft, tender and full of flavors. The poi and kava were a bit strange for my taste but overall interesting meal and it was a nice casual spot near downtown Kona.

We rarely make it to Kawaihae as we live in Kona but I highly recommend this cute little restaurant…read moreif you're in the area to visit! Mainly Italian but have some Peruvian dish also on the menu. NOT cheap but they make everything from scratch and all the dishes were presented beautifully and tasty!! They are only open for breakfast and lunch except Saturday night dinner. We got lucky to get seated but recommend making reservations for lunch. We had a Caesar salad to start with and had a pork belly sandwich and Italian meat ball sandwich. The pork belly sandwich was delicious!!

Cipriano's Kitchen - Kawaihae's Italian Treasure…read more Cipriano's Kitchen is one of those rare restaurants that keeps you thinking about your meal long after you've left. Chef Gino is generous with both his talent and his portions. Every dish showcases fresh ingredients, expert preparation, and a genuine love of Italian cooking. The menu is seafood-forward, featuring fresh local catches, handmade pasta, and flavors that are both authentic and creative. This family-run restaurant is made even more special by Claudia, Chef Gino's wife and culinary partner. Claudia bakes fresh focaccia daily and prepares the restaurant's gnocchi and pasta from scratch. As hostess, she warmly welcomes every guest and effortlessly serves as the restaurant's "walking menu," describing each dish with passion and detail. The presentation is stunning. Lobster, octopus, shrimp, clams, scallops, and house-made pasta arrive beautifully plated and bursting with flavor. The fresh focaccia alone is worth the visit. Every meal feels thoughtfully prepared, from the first bite to the last. What keeps me coming back is that the food is genuinely craveable. I find myself dining here every couple of weeks for lunch, and more often than not, I leave with a takeout order for dinner because I know I'll be thinking about it later. Cipriano's Kitchen isn't just serving Italian food--it's creating an experience centered around family, hospitality, and exceptional cooking. Kawaihae is fortunate to have this gem, and anyone who appreciates fresh seafood, handmade pasta, and heartfelt hospitality should make it a destination. A true Big Island favorite. "Come hungry. Leave happy. Plan your next visit before you've even finished your meal."