First of all, WHAT?! How can everything we had be a 10/10? Not just the food, but the service as well. I am so happy that my husband & I got to experience this restaurant while in Hawai'i. For starters, we ordered their special lobster salad (with lobster, mango, avocado, and pickled hearts of palm) and their mushroom side dish. Both were absolutely packed with flavor, and the lobster salad especially included very new flavors for us both. The mushrooms were out of this WORLD! For entrees, we ordered the spicy lobster ravioli and their mushroom side curried macadamia nut fish (swordfish). Each bite was a little taste of fishy heaven for both dishes. We are so happy with our visit here, and cannot wait for the opportunity to come back and try more amazing, home-grown food. Thank you for this wonderful experience! read more

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We had a great dinner here. The staff was very friendly. We got one appetizer off of the special menu. It was ahi with coconut milk, onions, and jalapeños. It was served with purple potato chips. It was a great combination of sweet, salty, and spicy tastes. We also got the appetizer size of the lobster ravioli. I loved this dish. It also had a bit of chili oil and creaminess in the sauce. Main dishes were great! I loved that they offered a choose two option. I so often struggle with which dish I absolutely want. Merriman's makes it easy. You get glad dishes of two options. My family loved and took full advantage of this option. My daughter got the island beef and the lamb chops. She preferred the lamb chops to the beef. My husband got the island beef and the catch of the day. I got the fish special that came with a spanakopita. It was delicious! I loved the flavors. read more

Food was amazing The server explained everything The atmosphere was relaxing. We went for brunch. Their burgers were served good read more

I reviewed Merriman's 10 years ago, but we have eaten here every other year since so I decided time to update my review. As you can see still 5 stars! Kayla gave us attentive and personal service. Scrumptious Mai Tai's, great wine choices, perfect service and fresh local foods prepared perfectly. What a treat to eat here. Make sure you have a reservation, they were turning people away tonight. We shared Mushroom Bisque, Beet Salad, Mahi Mahi and Lobster Ravioli duo. With their fresh rolls so yummy and satisfying. We will be back in two years for sure on our next Big Island visit! read more

Merriman's - Birthday dessert - Hawaiian Near Me - Kamuela, Hawaii

Today is Mother's Day and my children treated me to a brunch here. We made a one hour drive on the strength of other reviews. And we were not disappointed. While the dining area is not large, it is very warm and welcoming and lots is pace between tables. We ordered off the special menu for today and the options were a nice variety. Some of us had Eggs Benedict which included a nicely spiced pork and crispy muffin, both of which complimented each other well. The Hash was very rich and filling. The Frittata was light and fluffy. Everything was cooked to perfection. We took two orders of the banana bread home for tomorrow's breakfast and wish we could have taken more. We had no room for dessert after our meals. Was it worth the drive? Absolutely. Make the trip to experience a great meal in a very nice atmosphere. read more

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I want to preface my 3-star rating by saying we did enjoy most of what we ordered, and the service was honestly amazing. However, as a vegetarian, I felt like we really just had one option for our entrée. We ended up getting full off starters and sides. The only main we could really do was the mushroom pot pie. It was good and comforting, just not anything super memorable. Lastly, I don't mind spending on a nice meal, but a few things felt a little pricey for what they were. For example, the tomato and blue cheese salad with capers was $25, which felt a little steep for essentially five slices of tomato. That being said, everything tasted very fresh and the quality of ingredients was definitely there. Overall, still a good experience, especially because of the service. read more

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Tucked away in the charming little town of Waimea, this restaurant has a way of fitting in while absolutely standing out. Intimate dining atmosphere with amazing service. Wait staff made me feel welcome and took great care of my partner and I. As for the food; truly one of the best bites I've had on the big island and I've lived here my whole life! Everything; the cornbread, the ceviche, to the pot pie was unequivocal-- and everything farm to table... wow read more

Merriman's - Hawaiian Near Me - Kamuela, Hawaii

My husband surprised me with a dinner at Merriman's around the holidays for my birthday celebration. Needless to say, around the holidays reservations are highly recommended, if not already required. The restaurant was packed, but it didn't feel too overwhelming. There were a lot of large groups and families, and we were one of the few tables with just a couple of people. It was a great experience from entry to exit. The service was excellent- attentive and friendly - and the food was delicious, with what felt like a fresh mix of local favorites and items with a more modern approach. The birthday treat was also a nice touch! We really enjoyed our experience here and would definitely consider returning (or visiting another Merriman's location) in the future. read more

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Fantastic date night spot. We came here on the recommendation of my sister and it did not disappoint. Our server Kurt, was wonderful. Very attentive and helpful. We ordered the special lobster and ahi ceviche to start. It was so fresh with a kick. Then we shared the mushroom pot pie with was rich and creamy. We also shared the special shrimp and gnudi appetizer and it was perfection. The shrimp were cooked perfectly and had a delicious beurre blanc sauce. The whole meal was one of our best meals on the big island. We can't wait to come back. read more

Mushroom bisque, beet salad, catch of the day, and bread pudding. I wanted the steak (chateau) warmer. It was a little cooler than room temperate. read more

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We visit the Big Island every 2 years and Merrimans is a must on every trip. We typically come twice. The ambience is dark n romantic. Perfect for date night. Service is always always on par. This time Kathryn waited on us both nights. She is amazing and super friendly. Food and drinks are always delicious. I love they use local products. My must haves are the Mai Tais and macadamia cookies. You will not go wrong w anything on the menu. read more

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Merriman's has been on our list to try for years and we finally got a chance to go during our most recent trip. What a special place. The restaurant is warm and cozy, with one side abutting the large garden. Everything we ordered was fantastic. Started with the charred Hirabara farm beets, and the hillbilly cornbread. The day boat catch of the day (konpachi) was presented with a yellow curry-like sauce. And the roasted Chateaubriand of Hawaii island beef with taro whipped cream was outstanding. Would totally come back to try more of the menu next time we're on the Big Island. read more

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THE BEST service and one of the best meals ever. We did half of two entrees. We usually don't finish our meals so it seemed appropos. The chateau was fucking fantabulous. I had a bday mai tai. The cornbread was like eating cake. I can't say enough good things. This place is phenomenal! Go!!!!!!!! Now! read more

Merriman's - Cornbread and broccoli salad app. - Hawaiian Near Me - Kamuela, Hawaii

A perfect lunch. Not a single bad sip or bite was had and the service was excellent. I had a hard time choosing between different plates, but I landed on the mahi mahi fish tacos. They had the perfect balance of pico de gallo, shriracha aioli and nicely cooked fish. I also loved some of the appetizers like the hummus plate and the Greek salad which had a sneaky kick of spicy. Would recommend that anyone visiting from out of town should try this farm to table restaurant. It's very apparent that the food is fresh and locally sourced. read more

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Fresh locally sourced ingredients and creativity of each dishes are just amazing. Service is wonderful and we always enjoy dining here at Merriman's, especially on a special occasions. I have my favorites from their "regular" menu (mac nut crusted fish) but always try out their day's specials. Leave some room for desserts!!! read more

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Merriman's is always good, friendly service, fun vibe, no matter the island. Get the mai tai with the lilikoi foam, you will never love another as much as theirs. read more

Merriman's - Mai Tai - Hawaiian Near Me - Kamuela, Hawaii

Celebrating our 46 year's anniversary. Food was excellent. We were given complimentary champagne toast and dessert. read more

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Visited for my wife's 55th birthday. Experience was exceptional. Service was professional but intimate like we were regular guests. Everything we needed was provided for and all the questions were answered The food was delicious. We had the tomato salad , tako escargot , mushroom pot pie , spinach , Yukon potato's and the lamb and beef duo. Everything perfectly seasoned and cooked. We don't get to the big island often. The last visit here was in 2001 and it is as great a place for a meal as I remembered it. Very glad we made the drive in from Hilo. We hope to be back soon. read more

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Went to Merriman's based on a recommendation of a group of pickleball players I met at Mauna Lani sports club. They were spot on! Dinner at Merriman's to celebrate my older son's bday was absolutely fantastic!! Best restaurant meal I have had in a very long time. All seven of us loved our drinks, appetizers, and entrees, which included lamb, ceviche, and lobster ravioli. Our waiter was also top-notch. read more

Merriman's - Hawaiian Near Me - Kamuela, Hawaii

Everything about our evening was outstanding. Inspired cocktails (too expensive though $19 for a cocktail is New York prices. Not Waimea). Salads were amazing. Tomato salad that tasted like tomatoes! And the tomato croutons on the caeser salad was unexpected and fantastic. Lamb and chateaubriand was unbelievable. Hubby said one of the best lamb dishes he's ever had and he grew up in New Zealand! Bread pudding, sorbet and coffee were all spot on. The service was attentive and efficient and efforts they've made for noise reduction is thoughtful and effective. Greatly appreciated. Wine list has variety and price ranges that work well for any budget. Our only struggle was cocktail prices. But it won't stop us from returning! A must while on the Big Island read more

You can eat the bread that comes to the table, but still order the cowboy cornbread because that it is that worth it. I had the lobster ravioli which was light and flavorful. I usually go with the macadamia nut crusted fish of the day, but it was swordfish tonight and I've never been a fan of that, which I'm glad since it gave me the opportunity to try the ravioli. read more

Great food great service. Oli was our server and was fantastic! Enjoyed the salad special of the night - Fresh Tomatoes with fried capers etc. Really good. I had the Ahi and husband had the Mahi Mahi special of the night. Bread pudding for dessert. And don't forget the Mai Tai with Honey Lemon froth! read more

Merriman's - Salad special of the night. This was 1/2 - Hawaiian Near Me - Kamuela, Hawaii

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Absolutely phenomenal restaurant. My wife says it was the best meal she has had in a long time. After a trip to Napa just a few months ago that is really saying something. The atmosphere is very cute. Very simple setting. Very clean. The service was top notch. Very knowledgeable and personable as well as efficient and professional. My wife started with the rose flight. Amazing range of rose. And when you consider the price of a glass it's a good way to do it. We started with the beets and chevre. Not sure why the chevre is an upsell. Honestly I think it should naturally come with it. Great display of local produce. I love the duo concept. I got the chateaubriand and lamb. It was nice to try everything. My wife got the fish special and filo fish as a duo. All the food was so tasty and fresh and beautiful. It's a bit off the beaten path but this restaurant is truly special and definitely should be on your special occasion list. read more

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Best meal on the Big Island. It's located away from the hustle and bustle of the resorts up some winding, hilly, dark roads, and felt like a place locals go. It felt cozy and homey, despite people being so dressed up! Service is immaculate. I love the dining room and the friendliness of everyone we interacted with. The food was delicious and fresh. Prices were high, but honestly I felt like they were low given the portion sizes and quality of the food. We'd paid more for "fine dining" on the island but it was not half as good! Every cocktail was divine. All the appetizers we had were wonderful (especially the Sweet Onion Quesadilla.) The catch of the day, the ono, was perfect. Apparently it is a fish that fishermen tend to give to their families and friends, so it's not common to see it at restaurants. The bathroom toilet paper had very cute bows. The attention to detail is a nice touch. This is a must-visit and it deserves more visitors and reviews and all the best! They've deserved it. read more

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Love their farm to table/sustainable theme. Bread was delicious. We were a party of 6. I got the chateaubriand. We also had the mushroom pot pie. Tried a few different fish entrees. Overall we all agreed food was just ok. Didn't seem to justify the price. And we are from Vegas and don't mind paying high prices for great food. (For perspective, we also ate at Browns Beach House, and also Beach Tree and loved both of those. Service was fine, they were very busy, so I think they are doing fine, business wise. read more

I've been on the big island for a week, this is the most pleasant meal I've had here. The scene is very local, sustainable, and service is top notch. Took the recommendation of the Manhattan to start, was not the best as touted, but was decent. The Manhattan needed a higher rye bourbon, IMHO. The food was all perfect. Had the hummus and the mushroom pie - both prepared beautifully. The wine list is well rounded. The spirits selection is good, decent but not their strong suit. Desserts were good, bread pudding was awesome. The lilikoi mousse had a bite to it, not bad but jarring. The dining room is small, cozy, but big enough for larger groups. Worth a shot. read more

Merriman's - Mushroom pot pie - Hawaiian Near Me - Kamuela, Hawaii

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We had my birthday lunch and our waiter (I think Joseph, he's a Taurus) had excellent customer service. We did not feel rushed, the food was absolutely wonderful and we received a wonderful surprise of the chocolate dessert. Over the course of the time we were there, our waiter told me happy Birthday 3 times. Thank you for employing superb employees. read more

Merriman's - Hawaiian Near Me - Kamuela, Hawaii

Was debating whether to cancel our reservations because I was fully mentally prepared to be underwhelmed/disappointed hahaha. Thought it would be another expensive restaurant that didn't live up to the hype. Verdict? Yes, it was expensive but the food was actually good and very fresh. You could taste the "farm-to-table" with each item on their thoughtful menu. Service was nice and our server actually changed up his spiel with reviewing menu options with each table. Thought it was a nice personal touch since it shows he actually knows the menu well and not just repeating the same script over and over. We had a 7:30pm reservation and were one of the last parties of the night. The place started getting pretty empty as our meal progressed, which is a little interesting vibe-wise since we could clearly hear the entire conversation of the table next to us (a dramatic story about a creepy uber driver LOL?) Complementary bread was really good and loved the recommendation of buttering the bread and then sprinkling a little of the sea salt. We finished the bread so fast they brought us more! For drinks, they recommended the mai tai since it was their signature. Both the regular and non-alcoholic versions were nice. For appetizers, we got the sichuan peppercorn cucumber salad and kalua pig quesadilla to share. The cucumber salad was a stand-out. Everything was super super fresh and I loved the mango and lettuce that comes with it as well. Good nice and very refreshing. Kalua pig quesadilla was also tasty - not too heavy or overly salty and comes with a side of their "kimchi". Not the traditional Korean kimchi but their interpretation of pickled cabbage. For entrees, I had the macadamia nut crushed kampachi and my husband got the roasted beef chateaubriand which they explained is fillet mignon sliced and with sauce. Both were tasty but I think the beef was actually a little better than the fish. I guess I prefer my fish a little softer/flakier and the kampachi is a firmer fish (never had it - still delicious though!) For dessert, the chocolate purse was mediocre. They describe it as their interpretation of lava cake and I LOVEEEE lava cake. It was a thin piece of edible paper and the "lava" chocolate inside - just not my thing texture wise. The paper texture was kinda weird and didn't add anything to it. The vanilla ice cream that came with it was very good though. Bill came out to be $250 for 2 people after tax, their 4% kitchen staff service fee, and tip. Pricey for sure, but not ridiculous...? (I think my judgement of food prices in Hawaii is messed up though after paying $60 for shitty lunch in to-go containers earlier during our trip. ) read more

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Our recent brunch booked for twenty guest was a wonderful event at Merrimans. The staff had pre-printed menus with the guest of honors name on them. The menu was a customized price-fix meal with amazing options for; salad, main course and dessert. A really excellent choice for such a large group. The manager Ben was wonderful with every detail before our event. I recommend if you have a large group, contact 3 months or more in advance as Merrimans is one of the most popular restaurants on the island. Don't forget to tip your quality hard working employees. read more

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This was one of my favorite restaurants to eat at while we were visiting the Big Island. I made a reservation several weeks out to ensure we could eat here. We were coming from the Kona area so it took us about 30 min to get here. Temperatures were very different. We were seated quickly and because of our anniversary they gave us complimentary Prosecco when we sat down. I also ordered one of their famous Mai Tais. It was fabulous. I ordered the beet salad and I will tell you it was the best beet salad I've ever had and it had local goat cheese and papaya on it. I also got the macadamia nut crusted Mahi and it was amazing. Also we ordered the mushroom pot pie. If they have those on the menu do not skip it!! I sadly did not have room for dessert. I would go here every time I visit. Mary menu highly recommend it if you're a foodie and love farm to table. read more

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Food is fresh and well prepared. Service was great. Honored our reservation and seated us quickly. But the price point of $60 an entree doesn't match the experience. No ambience, no view. Go to a resort instead and pay for the view for a few dollars more. read more

What a perfect experience to end our Big Island visit. I recommend making your reservation the night before you leave to commemorate your trip. It was perfect. The service was friendly and impeccable! Everyone is knowledgeable about the menu, drinks, and even what products are locally sourced by the owner. My son had the pineapple soda. Refreshing! It was fresh and homemade. We recommend this. I had the No Ka Oi - Ocean vodka, thai basil, honey-lilikoi puree, and fresh lime juice. Truly was No Ka Oi, "the best". I don't normally mention the house bread, but it is freshly baked and perfectly yeasty. Served with a soft, whipped butter, and red sea salt to top if preferred. We only ate one slice each for fear of getting too full, but could've easily eaten the entire basket myself. Hillbilly cornbread - Grilled and resembled a slice of pineapple to me. It had great texture. The Honoka'a smoked taro hummus comes with taro chips and a bowl of veggies. The smoke flavor was subtle, but definitely there. It was really good and I would order this again to share. The tako "escargot" was wonderful! We are pretty picky when it comes to ordering tako at a restaurant, but this has got to be our 2nd favorite presentation and preparation to date. Served with some crisp bread perfect for sopping up the garlicky butter in the escargot pan. IYKYK. I ordered one of the fish specials, kampachi, and it impressed me from the first bite. I don't often order fish dishes, but this one had many surprising elements to hit all of your senses, like the hint of wasabi in the bok choy, prawn dumplings comprised of the most interesting ingredients and delectable texture, and a sauce beneath it all that was creamy, miso, and just the right amount of tang to it all at once. At the end of the meal, our server inquired with the chef about how the dumplings are made. Chef handwrote the ingredients and measurements with tips on how to cook them and the ripeness some of the ingredients should be. Amazing! I'm definitely going to try them at home. The keiki (child) menu had great options. Was very happy to see items other than macaroni and cheese and chicken tenders. My son ventured out and ordered the goat shepherds pie. He loved it. The goat cooks for 12+ hours and the first thing he noted was how the meat was so tender and just falls apart. We also ordered the goat special, but the preparation topped with a mango salsa was the only item that did not hit the mark for us. It was a bit underwhelming and dry. This dish came with perfectly cooked green beans and another shepherds pie. I would have opted for maybe the lamb or any of the other fish dishes to try instead in hindsight. Desserts we tried and loved: Bread pudding with vanilla bean ice cream, kona coffee ice cream with shortbread cookies, and coffee. My coffee was taking a little longer than the other items that were brought out so I was given a small scoop of the coconut lime ice cream to try. So sweet! I was wondering how that tasted and it did not disappoint. You get your own coffee press, but for $16, the medium roast was just okay for me. There's a place near home where I order in similar personal coffee press fashion, it's half the price, and is SO delicious. If you are sharing one with multiple people, it may be worth getting. They did note adding 4% to each bill for the kitchen staff which we normally then factor into the tip depending, but everything was so stellar, we tipped greatly on top of that and were happy to do so. Parking - Small private lot. You should've have trouble finding parking. I do recommend making reservations in advance to secure your dining experience. read more

Came here for my birthday with my boyfriend, was sat in a sad corner out of the main dinning area. I ordered the $70 NY bone in steak...halfway through my steak I noticed a hair sticking out from under my steak...there's no way it was from myself as my hair was pulled back into a slick ponytail. I look back at the picture I took before eating and zoom in....there it is in the same place I found it. I notified the busser which was one of the most sweetest girls and I felt terrible telling her but the hair made me lose my appetite, nonetheless it was a $70 steak. Right away the manager came by and apologized and offered a new one. Honestly I wasn't even mad about it, I get it sometimes it happens. It was taken off our bill. The real reason for the low review was our server, Jim S... I always felt like he was annoyed that we didn't take his recommendations...that we were wasting his time or that we were not "big spenders" (we were by far the youngest people in there by 15-20 years lol) I've worked in the industry for years and my experience with him was very uncomfortable. He also brought over a dessert for my birthday and said "don't worry there's no hair in this one" read more

Merriman's - Hawaiian Near Me - Kamuela, Hawaii

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Stopped by here for lunch while exploring the northern environs of the big island. Definitely not disappointed. It was amazing. It's a very cute space and all the staff were very friendly. We tried the smoked taro hummus and it was great. The vegetables that came with it were super fresh and crispy and the hummus itself was very unique and flavorful. I also got a fish sandwich which was a giant chunk of fish on a bun and also delicious. It wasn't very crowded for lunch and it's a really interesting part of the island. The owner or manager came by to chat with us and see how our experience was. We also got to taste test the macadamia shortbread cookies which were delightful. I highly recommend this place. read more

Merriman's - Fish sandwich - Hawaiian Near Me - Kamuela, Hawaii

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We made reservations for dinner at Merriman's at a friend's recommendation. High end dining in the Big Island. We enjoyed their catch of the day (an Amberjack finished with a pineapple sauce) and Curry Macadamia Crusted Pacific Swordfish. Service was fast, friendly and efficient. read more

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Nine of us for brunch. The food was very good, everyone enjoyed what they ordered. Service was very good as well. We would definitely visit again. read more

An absolute must! Went in with decently high expectations and was still blown away. The staff was incredible. They were very on top of checking on us, refilling waters and they gave awesome recommendations. We were here for our anniversary dinner and they made us feel very special! The restaurant from the outside is fairly low-key looking, but inside is polished, and nicely decorated. The food was top tier. Please try the lobster ravioli appetizer! Probably the best app I have ever had. The entrees were also delicious. Very fresh, very unique and cooked to perfection. Zero complaints or critiques of this place. All I can say is wow, and this is a must-try restaurant on the big island. read more

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Divine experience. From the relaxed ambience, cool air, soft sounds to the attentive, polite and well trained staff to the various tastes that encounter your tastebuds you will not regret choosing Merriman's! I enjoyed everything posted below but a few that I particularly remember was the pot pie and the steak. Eric Dong took such good care of us and made sure we had an exceptional experience to celebrate a momentous occasion. Quality food, quality service worth the drive from Kona town. read more

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We got the lobster ravioli along with the lamb. Both were great and cooked well! We also enjoyed Kayla's service!

Outstanding food! Very fresh and everything tasted amazing. The only drawback was portions are a bit too big for one but not enough to share. Service was fine and dining room small but cozy enough for that true Hawaiian vibe. Pineapple bread pudding could have had more ice cream - maybe on the side in a dish so it doesn't melt. read more

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