Ono food, good and quick service. Big portions for a hungry appetite ! A locals fave place!read more

As someone who used to come here regularly and someone who visits every time I'm in town, it's…read morealways nothing but great! There can always be quite a wait. Sometimes you can join online, but every time I have they've reset the Yelp waitlist or kicked me off - that would be my only complaint. So go in person, add your name, and shop around the plaza. Highly recommend you give their pancakes a try. Warning - they're huge!! In my most recent visit, they made me another pancake to go because I accidentally poured shoyu on my original stack. Great service, sweet waitresses all around. My order every time I'm around is a Mauna Kea coffee, love how it's coconut but also simply sweet!

Had the special nachos and a dirty soda and it was incredible- super happy with this quick and easy…read morelunch!

excellent food and service. The mahi mahi was very good and the burger excellent. Would come back…read moreagain but we live in Phx AZ

We stopped by here for lunch on a pretty cloudy day (good for us cause it's open air with no AC) to…read moreget lunch. Server was super nice and food came out quickly. They've got a great menu with lots of choices and a nice large mocktail section. Very much appreciated to get Island vibes for lunch without the buzz. We had a BBQ option and fresh catch, both were delicious. They came with rice and slaw for the BBQ and rice and veggies for the fresh fish. They had so many more items we wanted to try, so if we find ourselves in Hilo again, we'll definitely be back. Parking is street parking only, but we didn't have a problem finding a 2h spot within a 5min walk.

This is one that we wanted to be good and while certain things were, a big piece was definitely…read moremissing. What works: The open-air environment and the live guitar player were great. He does an excellent version of All Along the Watchtower. Great vibe and the weather was of course, perfect for being outside. The parking wasn't too bad either. Probably about a block away in front of the farmer's market without issue or charge. What mostly works: The food for the most part was very good but there were mistakes. I asked for no tomatoes on the grilled chicken pasta, but it came out with plenty of tomatoes. Same thing with the Cesar salad. Asked for no red onion and indeed, red onion is very much present. The pork nachos were overall perfect and as advertised. What didn't work: The service. Whether it was the server or the kitchen, the two above food requests were either not entered right or not checked before leaving the kitchen. We also ordered drinks along with the food that never came. Mercifully, they were not on the bill but it's like our server just spaced out and forgot most of what we said to her when we ordered. With that said, for a Tuesday night the place was jam packed, and it looked like the restaurant was short staffed. Everything took a long time and as I mentioned, our server forgot almost as much as she got right but she was also getting pulled in a million different directions at the same time. Not that I expect to make it back to Hilo again, but if I did, it would be a tepid maybe coming back here. The reviews overall are very good, but our personal experience very much was not.

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!

Make a beeline for Manas Aloha Fruit Stand. We tried the fresh coconut, and it was so good, I half…read moreexpected it to start singing "Aloha" to me. It was like drinking the very essence of Hawaii cool, sweet, and refreshingly perfect. Seriously, I'm pretty sure coconuts were invented just for this moment. The banana nut bread. It's like if a cloud and a muffin had a baby. Warm, soft, and so perfectly balanced between banana and nutty goodness that I almost bought another loaf just to avoid the heartbreak of it being gone. Don't ask how many pieces I ate just know I left with crumbs in my soul. This stand is the kind of place that makes you feel like you're in on a local secret, and by the time you leave, you're planning your next visit. Stop in, grab a coconut, and try not to devour the entire loaf of banana nut bread before you get to your car. It's worth the stop and maybe even the calories. But wait.....there's more! They've got pineapple, sugar cane, and star fruit that'll make you wonder why you ever settled for regular fruit. Each bite tastes like a burst of sunshine, and you'll feel like you're living your best tropical life.

My daughter wanted to drink out of a coconut on our vacation and this spot delivered! They were…read morefriendly and it was fresh and delicious! Highly recommend hitting this spot when visiting Akaka Falls.

Today, a quick trip to Onekahakaha requires a good bento. Actually if I had it my way I could go to…read moreKawamoto's at least 2-3 times a week. Kawamoto's has been a staple of authentic, home cooked (when no can home cook your own) meals. From regular everyday drop ins to birthday parties, celebrations of life and everything in between. Kawamoto's has been my Ohana's go-to for well over 50 years. Wait a min, I'm finding myself getting a little teary-eyed and homesick writing this review. And now im craving a bento that simply doesn't exist in Cali. To me, Kawamoto's is and will always be one of the best places to go and get of all the foods I love.

Stopped by to pick up breakfast. There were about 5 people in line around 8:30am, but it moved…read morepretty quickly. Staff were friendly and food was good. My favorite was the nori chicken. Parking is limited, but we were able to find street parking in front of the store.

Loved the ambiance and staff. Staff were welcoming and explained the menu well…read more A Spanish theme menu was the special of the week. It's innovative and a welcome change from the regular menu. It's good to try different cuisines. An appetizer, salad, entree and dessert was served and had the opportunity to match it with wine. Next week is French cuisine. Another opportunity to dine in and try out the dishes.

Let me start by saying that a couple of the ramblings from a few of the Yelp "elite" are wild for…read morethis place. Some people need a tissue because they are doing a lot of crying. With that out of the way, on the with the show. What worked for our visit: The space and the ambiance. It's a beautiful old building and the bar is both classic and classy. Yes, it can get a bit loud once everything starts to fill up inside, but it's not that big of a deal. The food with one exception was very good. The 1/4 loaf of garlic bread is an excellent value starter with good flavor. Also very solid were the fish & chips and the guava BBQ glazed ribs. Truly hard to argue with any of that. By the time we left, the restaurant was very busy for a Monday night but there were zero issue with the service. Water glasses were refilled in a timely manner and there was never a long wait for anything. A+ on the spacing and pacing. What didn't work: The one exception and I realize this might come down to personal preference, but this was our last stop before heading home and over the week I had imbibed in my fair share of Mai Tais and this one especially at a $15 price point is a no from me. Surprisingly bitter in a semi off-putting way. That one was definitely a one and done. Overall, it was a very solid dinner, and I would have no issue coming back and in the end to me, that's what it's all about. www.jackiereyshilo.com/dinner-menu

That garlic rice! Get the garlic rice. Ahi don with the garlic rice is my go-to. Even the bentos…read morethey make are great if you're in a bit of a hurry.

Food is consistently good. Ahi don with garlic rice and toss salad! The absolute best. The space is…read moresmall and parking can be hard on market days.

Fresh fruits are served with your meal. I have ordered pancakes and their homemade tropical syrups…read moreare so delicious! Highly recommend

We used to always go to Pele's Kitchen, NOT anymore!! Walked…read morein today to see a cat sprawled out on the floor and then sat at a table, looked over and there's a big pile of fresh dog shit under the table!! STEVE! Are you running a pet sanctuary or a restaurant??! Use your head! Gross!

Stopped in here while visiting Hilo after finding them on Yelp. It had a wide variety of candies…read moreand dried fruits when you walk in. I ordered the garlic chicken plate at the counter with rice and mac salad. The food came out roughly 10 minutes later and we decided to eat it on the patio. The garlic chicken was delicious and so flavorful. The rice and mac salad were the perfect sides. I realized I could've shared with someone because the portion size was more than enough. Definitely a spot I'd come back to next time I visit the big island!

Crack seed. For us…read morelocals in Hawai'i, these snacks were childhood staples. The crack seed store, a classic place where vibes of nostalgia are generated every time I walk into one. 'Cause I grew-up with li hing mui and arare. There's a small number of locally-owned crack seed shops on the Big Island of Hawai'i and in Hawai'i in general. This is one of them, the "local-style candy store" for an island boy like me. I enter 5-Spice, located in East Hawai'i after the intersection of Kilauea Ave and W Puainako St, heading south. I remember frequenting this business when it used to be at Puainako Town Center. Their popularity over the years gave them the ability to move to a larger space. Now independently located in their own building with ample parking. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Would I be able to control myself, holding onto what's desired without adding anything extra? It's always impossible for me to do so. Everytime. Yummy preserved items in large display jars, others placed in vacuum sealed bags. All priced by-the-ounce. I become curious, wanting to taste it again. I go to my favorites, seeking them first while browsing through the visual display of many others. Cracked seed goodness on one side, bagged candies and sweets on the other. I've seen this all before yet, I stand still with the desire to place it all in my hands. And I sure do, my hands are full. I mail them to the U.S. mainland in care packages, travel to the neighbor-islands as omiyage, and personally enjoy them at work or at home as snacks. They make great gifts for friends and coworkers too. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Let's talk about food, where mouth-watering plates and yummy burgers are prepared. Bentos are packed to-go on the countertop. Offering an extensive menu for a take-out, all made to enjoy outside on picnic tables or elsewhere. Daily specials are available along with catering + platters too. Front service by the team at the counter is pleasant, attentive. Gratitude is always extended for every purchase. Comfortable, courteous, welcoming. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ "Meat Jun Plate" A light egg batter and thinly sliced beef served in an upscale fashion due to care in preparation and quality of flavor. The soft and indulgent texture of each meat jun piece, perfectly seasoned + cooked. Your choice of tossed greens, purple sweet potato or macaroni salad. "Honey Chicken Plate" Featuring a crazy yummy sweet and savory glaze, sticky and glossy. This sauce, this recipe creation is glorious. Chicken pieces are tender yet slightly crispy on the exterior. "Bibimbap" Freshly made Korean banchan, thinly sliced seasoned beef over white rice. I pour the gochujang over everything and mix-in the sunny side egg, bringing forward a creamy texture along with heat + depth. Choose the sweet potato salad as your side. "Gravy Burger Combo w/ French Fries" This massive burger patty is filling, satisfying. Charred and smothered in rich brown gravy served with lettuce and mayo. Choose the sweet bread bun, the seasoned salt on their fries makes all the difference. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Delicious food to-go with generous portions, sealed bags of cracked seed items + sweet treats at 5-Spice. For enjoyment at home, to share at work, gifts or omiyage. Find this charm, this unique and tasty experience on the Big Island of Hawai'i - East side. Locally owned and operated.