What an incredible experience!! 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. read more

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Our waiter did a wonderful job reciting each dish, all sounding irresistible. Unfortunately, somehow, 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. read more

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the service was great and friendly they do their vegetables really well. full of flavor and I typically don't order veggies at restaurants but they were worth it. my partner said his favorite part of the dishes was actually the cherry tomato lol. we got the mac nut curry fish and catch of the day. the flavors are complex and light. tbh there was a bit too much nut in my mac nut curry for my taste. portion sizes are small to be expected, def a special occasion place read more

Merriman's - Hawaiian Near Me - Kamuela, Hawaii

We dined at this Waimea landmark on the evening of Sep. 11. I think the food at this location is far superior to that at the Honolulu location. We had two glasses of Melville Pinot Noir ($24ea) and one glass of Vocoret Chablis ($25) and shared two appetizers ... Tako prepared Escargot-style ($29), and Kampachi Ceviche ($27). The tako was tender, but we would have preferred escargot. The ceviche was excellent ... fresh and flavorful! I had the special fish ($62); it was a large piece of grilled ono atop homemade pasta with tomato / shrimp sauce. I didn't need the fish; the pasta was excellent! My buddy had the lamb chops ($72); he asked for medium, but received medium-rare, the only faux pas of the evening. The restaurant was filled but service was exemplary. A great evening at a reasonable cost. Highly recommended, in spite of a few misses. read more

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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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We visited here during our honeymoon/anniversary trip, and this was one of the best meals we had. Everything about the space, service, and food was meticulously crafted, tailored to our experience, and just amazing overall. This was one of the best dining experiences we have ever had, and we can't wait to visit again when we are back in Hawaii. 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

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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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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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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If you can only squeeze in one restaurant experience on the big island I would choose this restaurant. Thank you for accommodating our large party of 10 and adjusting the time last minute and letting us order past 2pm. It has clean beautiful decorated interior and window seats look over the jungle; prices are reasonable and every dish we had was delish our favorite meal of the trip and so very special because we got to celebrate 2 August birthdays. I've always enjoyed dining at Merrimans but we especially loved our servers and their patience with our large party. We loved the fish sandwich, tacos and cornbread our only regret is that we could not make it back for dinner. It may be a further drive out but you will absolutely LOVE this dining experience read more

Merriman's - Birthday treat - 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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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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Fantastic place. Food, service, cost, atmosphere, all 5 star. Ryan was fantastic, made you feel at home as did everyone else in the house. A stroll thru the garden after your meal is a must. You'll find few better dining experiences anywhere. Just do it. read more

Excellent food, service and you can not go wrong here ! Get here if you can - it's great !!!

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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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

Amazing as always. Visit each time we are here. The fresh catch was unbelievable and the service was excellent as always. I love the vibe and old school feel to this flagship of the Merriman empire! read more

Merriman's - Fresh catch. Swordfish with an amazing sauce! - Hawaiian Near Me - Kamuela, Hawaii

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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We had dinner at Merriman's in Waimea with our family of six, and it was one of the highlights of our trip to the Big Island. From the moment we arrived, the service was exceptional. Bianca and the entire staff were warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming. They made us feel relaxed and well taken care of throughout the evening without ever being intrusive. The food was outstanding. Our table enjoyed the day boat catch, macadamia nut-crusted fish, Caesar salad, beet salad with goat cheese, cucumber salad, smoked taro hummus, and desserts including sorbet and seasonal ice cream. Every dish was fresh, beautifully prepared, and full of flavor. The combination of incredible food, gracious service, and a warm, inviting atmosphere made for a memorable family dinner. A heartfelt thank you to Bianca and the entire Merriman's team for making our evening so special. We can't wait to return on our next visit to the Big Island. read more

We had a great dinner at Merriman's during our first trip to Weimea. The service was above and beyond! The waitresses were perfectly attentive, kind, and knowledgeable. The food was next level too, the shepard's pie and ceviche were both some of the best we have ever had. The history of the mai-tai flight was a fun and delicious experience. Highly recommend! 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

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

The food presentation was beautiful! The waiters were well dressed and friendly. The restaurant is small and quaint with white linen tables. The food was good and the portions were good read more

Merriman's - The front entrance - Hawaiian Near Me - Kamuela, Hawaii

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Great farm-to-table lunch today at Merriman's! It was more money than I expected. But it was worth every penny. The food was exquisite, and the service was unmatched anywhere in Waimea! Thanks for a great lunch, Merriman's! read more

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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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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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

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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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

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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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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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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Wow! Best meal we have had on the Island. The beet salad, lamb and lobster ravioli were all incredible. We knew the Mai tai would be amazing from our previous Monkeypod visits - but what stood out the most is the lamb shepherds pie. I've got to figure out how to make this when I get home! Highly recommend 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

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