Fantastic service and attention from the whole staff! Cozy atmosphere with great music. Every dish was meticulously crafted with unique flavors, perfectly cooked. We loved the sizzlin tepanyaki poke with Ono and the desserts. Chef Mark and the staff do a wonderful job of showing off the flavors of Hilo...miso infused caramel on a fluffy cheesecake...I'm gonna be thinking about that dinner for a long time! read more

My wife and I stopped by Moon & Turtle for dinner during our brief visit to Hilo and we had a fantastic meal. We showed up right when they opened at 5:30 p.m. without reservations on a Wednesday evening and was luckily able to get seated at the bar. Between the two of us, we ordered a bunch of items off the "small" section of the menu, including the smokey sashimi, sizzling tetsuyaki poke, smoked tonnato caesar, crispy rice, and their special of the day -- agedashi wontons. Of the items we ordered, the crispy rice and the agedashi wontons were my favorite items. The crispy rice is priced per piece, and you'll certainly want to order at least two per person, because one is simply not enough. The rice block is fried a beautiful golden brown -- similar to a hash brown. The crispy rice pairs perfectly with the ono mixture on top of it. With the agedashi wontons, I initially thought the filling was a bit under-seasoned at first, but when enjoyed with the broth, the wonton comes out tasting perfectly seasoned. The broth had so much umami to it and the wonton had the perfect crunch to it I always love a good Caesar salad and the one here is spectacular. With anchovy croutons, shaved cured egg yolk, and smoked ahi dressing, you're getting some creative, premium ingredients in this salad and everything works so well together. Even if you're not a salad person, I would definitely recommend giving this dish a try. On top of delicious food, the service at Moon & Turtle was spectacular. Food was promptly brought out after we placed our order, pacing didn't ever feel rushed, our water cups were never empty, and our server checked on us regularly to make sure we had everything we needed without being overbearing. I would definitely stop by Moon & Turtle again if I'm in Hilo. read more

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Make a reservation!! We tried to come a few nights ago about fifteen minutes after they opened and they didn't have space until hours later, so we went somewhere else and made a reservation for a different night. The reservation system is simple and easy online! We arrived more than fifteen minutes before our reservation time but were seated immediately. Inside decor is cozy and beachy but a little bit higher end with more of a candlelit dim vibe. Service is excellent-- the waitress checked on us constantly to make sure everything was good and clean up finished dishes. Food is family style-- you choose between small plates and large plates. Between the two of us who are smaller eaters, we got 2 small plates, 1 crispy rice which is under small plates but is basically 2 bites, and one large plate, and then a dessert, and we were decently full. Everything is VERY GOOD. The mushroom risotto is so rich and creamy, it has a deep funky cheese flavor and super umami with the mushrooms. The garlic butter belly had a great crispy skin and the sauce was packed with flavor. The crispy rice was a fun bite, the crispiness is perfect and the fishy topping has a nice spicy kick. The radiatori was very rich and very filling and creamy. The pot de creme was also excellent, very rich and creamy as well. Everything is a bit pricey, but definitely worth it for the fancier experience, exceptional flavors, incredible quality, and very good service. read more

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Reservations highly recommended, it's a small place and I don't think they take walk ins usually. My family and I came here because we heard it was the best sashimi around Hilo and big island. All the ahi was so so good! The smoked ahi sashimi was so buttery (?) and the smoked flavor came through soooo well. The seared poke dish on a hot stone plate was my personal favorite. Market fish was ahi and I really liked the potatoes it came with too underneath the fish. The pasta was great and I've never tried that type of noodle so it was really fun (?) to eat. The pasta was perfectly cooked and the poached egg on top added onto the sauce well! A bit hard to find parking nearby at night fyi! Street parking only read more

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This is my first time in Hilo and I have to say I absolutely love it. Not only because of the amazing food I've been so lucky to taste, but because of the amazing kind people I have met who have served our food. Our server and everyone else we interacted with were nothing but smiles, kind and all the food arrived fairly quickly. We tried three out of the 5 appetizers on the menu, and one of the large plates (family style plates). I can't do dairy so they modified the risotto to leave it out. Everything was absolutely delicious! Out of the 4 drinks we tried one was not to my taste, it was a bit too bitter due to the dry vermouth, but my husband didn't mind it so we switched drinks. This is a place with casual ambiance, relaxed. I loved that if you mentioned it's someone's birthday, they will play "it's your birthday" and everyone looks around to find the birthday boy or girl; they bring you a dessert and everyone claps! My only feedback would be that the chairs are a little uncomfortable, but a little cushion would resolve that. It's been an amazing experience to be in a community who clearly cherishes Aloha. To the chef, staff and owner, thank you! read more

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Need reservation to avoid waiting. They asked credit card for reservation. But if you call them for reservation, they will send a link to you to enter credit card. We felt uncomfortable with that and the reservation is still valid. This is a small restaurant that has about 10 tables and 7 bar seats. Food is good and the chef is definitely one of the best in the town. The food portion is small. They suggested us to order two large dishes and two small dishes. But they are not enough for 3 of us even we added one more small dish. read more

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Dined here last night with my husband and our experience was great from beginning to end. We ordered the Smokey Sashimi, Mushroom Risotto, and the Market Fish. Everything was prepared perfectly! The Smokey Sashimi had more of a kick to it than what I was expecting, but not in a bad way - just a warning if you're sensitive to spice! The fish we had was cooked perfectly and I really enjoyed the vegetables that was paired with it as well. Our favorite hands down was the Mushroom Risotto. I want to mention I appreciate our waiter letting us know that you can order a smaller size because the small size alone was a good portion especially since the flavor is very dense. The small size was big enough for my husband and I to share - I can't even imagine how big the normal portion size is! We ended our meal with their Peanut Butter dessert (I can't remember what it was called) and it had the perfect amount of peanut butter taste to it. It wasn't overpowering at all and the dessert was light and creamy. The restaurant is fairly small so I recommend making reservations which was really easy to do. The staff was extremely attentive and super kind which made our dinner experience even more enjoyable. My only complaint that I have is our table was extremely sticky. I'm not sure if it's due to the humidity and the finish of the table has just worn over time, but literally everything was getting stuck to it - we had to peel the menu off the table lol. It's nothing that would deter me from coming back though! 10/10 for not only the food, but the hospitality as well. read more

Moon & Turtle - Smokey Sashimi - Seafood Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

Moon & Turtle was the perfect way to end our trip before heading back to the airport. The staff were so friendly and the service was great!! Highly recommend making reservations as this place was packed! The highlight for sure was the mushroom risotto! It was so flavorful and the truffle was perfectly balanced. I also loved how they had so much mushrooms, too! Appetizers- highly recommend the smoked ahi dish. It had a nice kick to it and the fish was so fresh!! They also offered some kid options which we loved. The kids got the Mac and cheese and it was super yummy! Overall, highly recommend this place and we'll be back the next time on island! read more

Moon & Turtle - Mushroom risotto... a MUST! - Seafood Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

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Amazing Hawaiian restaurant with a small curated menu using local ingredients. The sashimi with smokey soy sauce was so good. They're super booked up for a Saturday night dinner so def need to make reservation on yelp ahead of time. The servers were all so amazing. We got there 15 minutes before our reservation, but they already had our table ready with a little birthday hat on it. They even gave us some ice cream for free to celebrate my birthday. Overall a lovely place to go for a couple or small group. Def will be back next time we're in Hilo! read more

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Valentines dinner with my baby was awesome food was on point, mixologist Soni was the best & mark had the kitchen humming. Bluefin tuna otoro smoky sashimi Legi ceviche Crispy rice Potato salad with caviar Lobster risotto Market fish read more

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I haven't had a better experience at a restaurant in Hawaii. Food and service are incredible. Everything is great. The ambiance is so warm and inviting. read more

Moon & Turtle - Sizzling poke is the best - Seafood Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

Cute restaurant in downtown Hilo! Service was excellent and food was tasty. The seared poke in particular is a must-have. Sashimi was incredibly buttery though a little too salty for my taste. Pasta was yummy and very heavy / filling. Parking is difficult to find during peak dinner or lunch hours so be prepared. read more

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Visited Hilo for the first time on our Honeymoon, and looked up top restaurants, Moon & Turtle popped up... FOR GOOD REASON! This place is just spectacular. The staff is amazing, and little did we know we were going to have the best meal of our entire trip here as well. The small menu may not be everyones cup of tea, but we ordered almost every item, and every. single. dish. was unbelievable. This is a MUST visit if you are in Hilo read more

This place is insanely good. The food was off-the-chart delicious, completely ruining our palates for dining anywhere else in the Hawaiian Islands. We started our meal with mezcalritas and the smokey sashimi, which was quickly followed with the mushroom risotto suggested by our very excellent server. We had the sizzling poke next and failed to get a photo before serving it quickly to maintain its rare center, as directed. Then, instead of a sweet dessert we opted for the garlic butter belly, which was a rich and rewarding end to our meal. We were delighted with the origami lamps made from old paper menus surrounding the room and the other decor in this comfortable restaurant that pays homage to its past as a dry cleaners. We will recommend this one to anyone seeking a delicious meal in Hilo. read more

Moon & Turtle - Smokey sashimi - Seafood Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

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Food was incredible & so fresh. Cocktails (we had The Silk Road & Lychee Press) were some of the best we've ever had. Service and ambiance were both excellent. read more

Moon & Turtle - Seafood Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

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The best food I've had in Hawaii! Stayed in Hilo for two nights and a reservation at Moon & Turtle was a must. Every bite was amazing, albeit a bit salty overall. I was expecting the smoked ahi to be the star of the show, and it was as unique as I had expected it to be, but the mushroom risotto was the absolute highlight for me. Half portions are possible, and it is a must! The service was impeccable. Our waitress was beyond accommodating, and the corkage is reasonable. My next trip to Hilo will not be complete without another visit. read more

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Great food and ambiance. Definitelyneed reservations. Parking can be difficult especially on Fridays, but not a deterrent. read more

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This is the best restaurant in Hilo. The tastiness of the food, the friendly service and the cozy ambiance make it THE place to go for special occasions. Be sure to make a reservation. read more

It's best to make reservations, this place is popular. Small restaurant with chill local style vibes. It's like eating at your favorite autys house. Casual place without ac so shorts are fine. Great service, they explained everything well. Family style sharing plates for best experience. Bring friends so you can taste more things. If you come with 4 hungry friends you could probably get everything on the menu. read more

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This hidden gem was the best dinner we've had on any of the islands. The relaxed vibes, attentive waitstaff, interesting take on fusion, make this a do not miss place. You might have to judge for yourself but we thoroughly enjoyed it. Note that the menu changes based on local availability and freshness of ingredients. Make a reservation. Go. read more

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Delicious and relaxing atmosphere! The food is incredible and authentic! Never had sizzling poke before and would eat it everyday if can! Service was great and the drinks are unique as well! Everyone was helpful and knowledgeable about the menu! read more

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Now starting the long and arduous process of catching up on reviews. Starting with a real winner. I really should have reviewed this place immediately after we went there- I mean the food at this little restaurant was so very good. And even the fact that we sat next to a couple of a**holes didn't even really ruin it for us (which it totally, normally would)... I'm sure the menu has changed since then (did I mention I'm way behind on reviews) but here's what we had in order of excellent to excellent: the snapper collar, mushroom risotto (and risotto isn't even my thing), the mahi entree with ube dumpling (wonderful), and the sausage pasta. Perfect meal from start to finish AND the best restaurant we experienced on the Big Island. Not to be missed... read more

Moon and Turtle is a charming and cozy restaurant located in downtown Hilo with amazing food! The dining room is quite ambient with illuminated paper lanterns (made from their past menus), Japanese masks, and photographs of Hilo adorning the walls. Their menu changes daily so there's always something new to look forward to, but with a few of their top dishes kept in the rotation. It's recommended to make a reservation because they have a small, intimate dining room that can accommodate only a few groups at a time. The food is truly spectacular. Everything we tried was delicious and the portion sizes were small, yet enough to share. That's perfect, because you are going to want to try everything on the menu! For appetizers, we enjoyed their Smokey sashimi and fried Brussels sprouts. The ahi sashimi was so fresh and surrounded by a salty, umami, dark, smokey, and lightly fruity (from the olive oil) sauce. The fried Brussels sprouts were crispy and salty and the small fried fish on top had just the right amount of fish flavor. Even if you're not a fan of fish, I'd say to give this dish a try. The tiny fried fish add more of a crunchy texture, not a strong fish taste. :) Our main dishes were the Portuguese sausage campanelle and mushroom risotto. I love how the campanelle was a play on the Portuguese sausage and egg breakfast. It was salty, spicy, and had a bit of a pepperoni flavor (in a great way!). The mushroom risotto was lovely. So creamy, smooth, cheesy, rich, and comforting. We got a small portion, but could've gone for the regular size since it was so good! We ended our meal with the miso caramel basque cheesecake. The miso caramel was deep, toasty, and butterscotch-like. It was perfect with the creamy and sweet basque cheesecake. Just the right size so we didn't feel overly full after all the food! Moon and Turtle is a gem in downtown Hilo. We are so happy that we finally got to have dinner there. Highly recommend having a meal here at least once, but you'll probably want to go back again and again just like us! read more

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By far, bar none, this is the BEST food in the State of Hawaii! The mushroom risotto was AMAZING!!!! Absolutely everything there is delicious! Cocktails are the best! You cannot go wrong at M & T! read more

Moon & Turtle - Spicy ahi! Soooo good! - Seafood Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

It was my first time to this spot last weekend while I was visiting my ohana. My sister surprised me with reservations on a Friday night. I'm an world traveling foodie, I love to dine out, eat well and be doted on. So I'm not easily impressed. This placed rocked. From the quaint vintage Hilo atmosphere to the warm patient staff, and down to the epic dishes offered, my mind is blown. Check it out, probably the best spot in Hilo. read more

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Lovely little spot near downtown Hilo. A block walk up from free lots parking. Upon arrival (15 mins before reservation) we were asked to wait a few mins while others with earlier reservations were seated. A few mins later we were seated. Menus were rolled up in a glass on the table. We were given the option to wait for all entrees to be ready or eat as they were ready. We chose the later & ate family style. The fresh catch & oxtail pasta were delish. The cheesecake was Be sure to try this hidden gem read more

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Probably one of the best restaurants in HILO, food wise. They have a revolving menu, but still have some other signature items. If you eat one thing on the menu, you must get the sizzling poke. read more

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Wonderful place :) excellent food, drinks and service. I love the small restaurant vibe, it's the go to date spot for my love and me :). They do everything just right and will forever be the source of many great memories;) read more

Check out Moon and Turtle if you're in Hilo! They be serving up some serious local-style grinds that'll make you pass on your mamas cooking. This small restaurant is all about showcasing Big Island ingredients with mad skills, turning fresh seafood and local produce into dishes that are straight-up ono. For me, the standout dishes were absolutely the smoked sashimi and the mushroom risotto - these two plates were total game changers. Although my dad said that all of the plates were a 10/10 here. The smoked sashimi had this incredible depth of flavor that just blew my mind, with a smokiness that complemented the fresh fish perfectly. And the mushroom risotto? Creamy, rich, and packed with local mushrooms that tasted like they were picked that morning. Sometimes they even sell their special smoked shoyu if you want to take a piece of this place with you home. read more

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A true foodie restaurant, one of the few on Big Island Limited menu, this is a good thing, dishes are based on local ingredients I believe, the risotto is delicious as well as other dishes. Fun to share family style. Service is fast and friendly. Well balanced cocktails are a bonus. read more

Yet another amazing experience at Moon & Turtle a few weeks ago when we visited family in Hilo. We lucked out by snagging very last minute reservations this time! I didn't think they could get any better but somehow, they did! They had their comforting classics like the smokey ahi sashimi & mushroom risotto, but also a few different items on the menu which were absolutely delish. - Ulu fritters w/ crispy prosciutto: I don't know how to explain this, but it was crispy, dense? and delicious. - Market fish: panko crusted Ono with a light tomato sauce & clams. Yes and yes. Service was as good as always - never intruding and letting us take our time to enjoy the experience. Thank you Moon & Turtle, don't change. Ever. lol. read more

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Delicious little spot in Hilo! the restaurant is small so definitely make reservations. From the drinks to the food to the dessert, everything was super high quality and delicious! While the menu wasn't extensive, it was hard not to try everything on it as all items looked unique and delicious. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu, but would definitely recommend the Poke appetizer and the Lilikoi dessert! The staff was also incredibly helpful and friendly. Would highly recommend! read more

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The risotto is to die for, trust me. The vibe is fun, and the food choices are unique and feature lots of local foods. Will be coming back. read more

Moon & Turtle - Mushroom risotto and ahi belly, absolutely incredible I am blown away and obsessed. Will be coming back for more. - Seafood Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

This place speaks for itself. It's been around for a minute and never disappoints. The menu changes often which I love because we get to return to the same excellent service which being able to try new things that the chef prepares. You will definitely need a reservation! This place is always booked! Just try it! read more

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Small menu but everything we ordered was amazing and enjoyed by our picky family of 5. Excellent service - would highly recommend as a stop in your stay in Hilo read more

I've heard many good things about this place from family and friends, and I had the opportunity to try it out during my staycation in Hilo. First, I recommend a reservation. The night my partner and I went, they had a sign saying they were completely booked for dinner service. This was a good sign of what was to come! Upon entering, the hostess greeted us kindly and seated us next to the window. To begin our dining experience, we ordered three of their small plates - smokey sashimi (fish of the day was Uku), Uku sashimi, and Sizzling Tetsuyaki Poke. All three dishes were a different experience, and I found them impressive, especially the smokey sashimi and Uku sashimi, since both were served raw. My preference ranking would be 1. Smokey Sashimi, 2. Sizzling Tetsuyaki Poke, and 3. Uku Sashimi. The smokey sashimi was the standout. The combination of soy sauce and Hawaiian chili pepper water gave it a unique and spicy flavor I had never quite tasted before. The Sizzling Tetsuyaki Poke was a close second. It was well-seasoned, and I enjoyed it, both seared and raw. The Uku sashimi was very refreshing, thanks to the tomato ponzu, starfruit, and calamansi. We then ordered a large plate of Portuguese Sausage Campanelle. I'm not the biggest pasta fan, but this dish makes me question why I'm not sometimes. It packed a lot of flavor, the pasta itself was perfection (handmade, not the store-bought BS), and the Portuguese Sausage was not overpowering; instead, it complemented the pasta. As you know, we all have that second stomach for dessert, and we got the Miso Besque Cheesecake. I was initially optimistic about how this would taste, but it was the perfect sweet and savory combination to finish the night. The interesting combination reminded me how fresh wasabi pairs well with vanilla ice cream. Overall, what a great experience! This restaurant lived up to the hype, and I believe it is the best of the best on the Hilo side. I highly recommend you try this place because I know I will be back! read more

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The parking was great if you can find street parking. We went for dinner at 5:30 and worked out great- parking right in front! The ambiance was great- good for date night- the waitress was polite and brought out the food for the kids right away- we were impressed with the octopus and my Ahi entree read more

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This place needs to be on your must try list when in Hilo. Unbelievably friendly customer service and the food is incredible. I devoured the Mushroom risotto. That's one of my favorite dishes and this restaurant may be the best I've ever had. The bartender, Sony, is one of the owners and she makes not only delicious cocktails but they're beautiful. This restaurant is a bit smaller so definitely plan to make a reservation. Enjoy!!!! read more

The food is always delicious, the service is great and the restaurant is clean. It may be small but it is one of of my favorite places to eat. Please make reservations in advance since space is limited. read more

The flavors of this place were super fun! I loved the combos of Easter and western! The portion size though are small so order more items than you would at other not pre fixe places. It was pretty convenient to add more dishes though. read more

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