Paul's Place

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!

Inside

Kulua hash and eggs with my choice of pancakes AND hash browns.

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Special: Mama's fried noodles - Korean chicken, Kalbi, wonton, and fried eggs on a bed of fried noodles.

The Booch Bar & Honoli'i Brewing Company

4.4(778 reviews)

0.3 mi

From the moment we walked in, we had a wonderful experience. The cashier was incredibly…read moreknowledgeable and kind, offering great recommendations when we asked. I also appreciated that she mentioned they have smoothies after my kids asked for one, I hadn't even realized they offered them! The food was absolutely amazing. The beet salad was delicious, and the seared tuna on top was perfectly seasoned and cooked just right--tender without being too firm. The fish burger was also outstanding, and the bánh mì was just as delicious. I've been buying their Jun kombucha from the store for a while and have always loved it, but finally dining here made me appreciate this place even more. Everything we tried exceeded our expectations. I'll definitely be coming back every time I'm in Hilo!

We visited the Booch bar this morning. I had the banana walnut French toast and my husband had…read morechicken sausage and eggs. My French toast was good but missing the bananas (and some whipped cream would have also been good). My husband's eggs were good.

Kombucha from the tap and virgin Bloody Mary

The Booch Bar & Honoli'i Brewing Company - Fish sandwich w/ blackened catch of the day well seasoned 5/5. sweet potato with green onion 3/5. pickle 5/5 spicy with a crunch.

Fish sandwich w/ blackened catch of the day well seasoned 5/5. sweet potato with green onion 3/5. pickle 5/5 spicy with a crunch.

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Booch Sampler (choose 4)

Pineapples Island Fresh Cuisine

4.3(2.6k reviews)

0.1 mi

Pineapple Pow(17) is impressive…read more The Gray Whale(13), was so delicious. I would order this again. Teriyaki Flank Steak pupus(19) was cooked to the requested temperature and tasty. If you like a lot of sauce, this might be for you!

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.

Bar with loads of fresh pineapples

Hilo Local Plate

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Dr. Pepper

Ken's House Of Pancakes

3.9(2.5k reviews)

1.3 mi

Easily one of the best places to get a fulfilling meal on Hawai'i Island. Please know the portions…read moreare very generous! My soul just feels happy after a meal here. Highly recommend the kalbi plate. I usually eat kalbi with rice but you can opt for fries instead, and omg it is an amazing combo that I never knew I needed. Some of the most tender and tastiest kalbi I've ever had with the crunchiest fries. Even if I tried to recreate this combo elsewhere, I know it won't hit the same way. The stack of mac nut pancakes is huge and very shareable. I prefer this over the coconut pancakes. Actually, just ignore the coconut pancakes. The day we came, the mac nut pancakes came with a whooping serving of butter. Paula Deen, was that you? I also like that you can have all the haupia, guava, and lilikoi syrup you want too. They're all delicious. The coffee servings are also generous. You get a whole carafe to yourself. Also check out their specials of the day. If they serve the oxtail stew, get it. Get it!! It's hearty, savory, and feels comforting. In terms of service, you're not getting top notch service. It's a diner! So you're getting diner service, mostly from aunties who know what they're doing. Service is just right. I think those who complain about it are probably those who are unfamiliar with the slower pace out here. Relax! In terms of vibes, this truly feels like a diner from back in the day. The oldies music playing throughout the day and the warm orange mid-century-esque booth seats feel like you're back in time, but the art work on the walls focused on local life also make you feel like you're in present-day Hilo. I don't know any other place that can do that. Do you? For wrestling fans, check out the framed photos of wrestlers, some signed, in the front part of the restaurant. What I love most is that Ken's is a local spot, and yes, tourists are welcomed. But there's nothing pretentious or gimmicky about this place that tries to cater solely to tourists. It's got its own distinct culture, with amazing food, and great vibes that can't be replicated, and I think that's why I'll always keep coming back.

Nostalgia. Been going here for decades which isn't nearly as long as it's been around. But the…read morelocal diner feel and the food jus brings you back to small kid days. We did take out cuz we were going aunty's house and had to bring something but hard since we visiting from oahu. Chronic over-orderer spent $250 for 2 big boxes of food...pretty sure they had nuff leftovas for the whole week. Kids liked the grilled cheese...2 small girls should have shared 1 but of course I ordered 2 in case others wanted. 2 noodles...not my fave. 1 alfredo...that was YUM. 1 burger - I didn't even touch it. 1 taco salad and 1 chinese chicken salad both good in their crispy bowls. haha...I can't remember what else we got...but everything not bad all the way to YU-U-UM. And if nothing else, the workers are so nice. The girl putting our box together was jam'n. Super on it. Lucky for me since I didn't remember my whole order!

Dining room

Side of pancakes with coconut (haupia), guava, and Lilikoi (passion fruit) syrups

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04/28/2026 mugs

Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill Hilo

4.3(1.3k reviews)

0.3 mi

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

Clean and inviting. This is a historical bank building.

Ahi Tartare Happy Hour. Amazing. I could eat ten more.

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Passion Flow

Sweet Cane Cafe

4.3(465 reviews)

0.9 mi

This community cafe offers vegetarian fare from fresh ingredients sourced from their farms…read more The jalapeño ulu burger was fantastic (add the mango hot sauce they offer). The lunch was so good we bought the carrot cake and a French press coffee for desert. Highly recommend!

5 star for cleanliness and excellent ingredients…read more 2 Star for the Casava Pizza 2nd time trying Just thought maybe the first time I was wrong on flavor Again no flavor very bland.. I suggest a crispy crust and adding more of a rich flavor to the ingredients will make it pop. As everyone loves pizza.. This one was a big disappointment in flavor. 2 star Vegetarian sandwich with chickpea garlic mayo Bland. Try making a real garlic aioli. This upgrade would make those ingredients amazing.. It's super hard to destroy a vegetable sandwich. But that chickpea aioli did destroy the aioli concept. It tasted like a no flavor hummus. 5 star for the Durian smoothie my favorite here and going to just stick to the smoothie here forward Grateful for Sweet Cane for at least doing there best to offer High frequency food

Nutter butter smoothie special, 20 oz...super delicious! Organic Pecan pie balls

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Dragon fruit, strawberry and mango smoothie

Vibe Cafe

4.1(453 reviews)

1.6 mi

Cute cafe. Very friendly and accommodating staff. The food…read moreand coffee is 5 star! I've grown up on avocado toast my whole life but this was crazy good. Also ordered a baoffee (banana coffee) and it's now my new favorite flavor. Would definitely eat here again.

Such a cute little place!! I ordered a cold brew and my niece ordered something with ube, which she…read moreabsolutely LOVED!! The place was so welcoming and cute!! I absolutely loved the set up, clean and comfy. We didnt order any food, but we saw some delivered and it looked amazing!! Coffee was so delicous!! Definitely coming again

The cutest pink cafe

Blue Majik smoothie bowl

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Matcha latte

Just Cruisin Coffee

4.2(458 reviews)

0.6 mi

I honestly can't stop thinking about their coffee! I need…read moreto get my own espresso machine. My go-to drink I got 3 days in a row while I was back home was the Iced Breve - espresso with cream, with no sweetener & no added flavor. It was perfect for me. I wish I got the large every day I was there. Because I was busy with things throughout the day. It kept me alert & awake with no crash (which most coffee does to me :( ) - but the breve from here didn't. For those watching their sugar intake, or wanting a keto-friendly drink with a good balance of espresso coffee & cream fat, I highly recommend this. All the other coffee shops I went to while on Oahu, I couldn't find breve on the menu. I first tried this place a while back in 2017, my cousin brought us here. And got the Iced Toddy, cold brewed coffee, which was way too strong for me at that time. We went inside this time, it's a small shop. It's a drive-thru as well, so it's perfect when it's raining out. Service is 5 stars as well. All of the drinks we got were onoliscious, no complaints. I miss this place. I will do my best to make my own at home till I come back. Mahalo & Alohaaa!

Everytime we're in Hilo, we make sure to stop here to get our coffee. So delicious because they…read morealways make it perfect. The employees here are also very friendly and quick and the convenience of their drive thru is another thing we really like. Plus, when you buy from here, you're supporting a local business and not some dumb corporation who doesn't care about anyone but their bottom line. Here, your coffee tastes fresh and organic so that's a huge plus. Definitely recommend this place-- our favorite Hilo coffee shop!

Fresh mango smoothie!

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Iced Mac nut latte

Popover

4.4(242 reviews)

1.7 mi

I really enjoyed the customer service of Vanessa the Donut girl, she is always upbeat and makes my…read morevisits enjoyable. She knows her items very well and is always ready to make a suggestion. Because of her I know I always spend more then I should. Sorry to hear she left after 4 years. Food was good, but the load noises from the kitchen take away from the atmosphere.

Variable food quality. Some of the doughnuts were okay, the flatbread was pretty good, and the…read morepopovers were fine. Most of their "puffs" had quite artificial fillings, and I'd rather attempt eating a rock than one of their scones again. Service is an absolute mess. We ordered pickup via DoorDash and I'm convinced we were the first people to ever do that, because the employees were so confused by the entire concept. Overall, I don't think I'd recommend and we definitely had better breakfasts in Hilo.

Interior

Some of my favorites

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Grand Naniloa Hilton room lanai with da bomb.com pastries jus before sunrise...We Ready!!!

Cafe Pesto Hilo Bay

4.2(1.9k reviews)

0.1 mi

Here's a polished version you could post:…read more This morning we visited the local food market, looked around, and picked up some souvenirs. It was a great way to experience the local culture and find a few treasures to take home. Afterward, we had lunch at Cafe Pesto, and the food was absolutely delicious! What made the experience even better was our server, Ella. She always had a warm smile, was attentive, and made sure we had everything we needed throughout our meal. Outstanding customer service like hers makes a dining experience truly memorable. Thank you, Ella, for your wonderful hospitality! We highly recommend Cafe Pesto to anyone visiting Hilo. #Aloha #Hilo #CafePesto #ExcellentService #HawaiiVacation

Cafe Pesto is one of our favorite places to enjoy a special night out. Last night we didn't get…read morethat. The one saving grace about our meal was our amazing server Kaliko! Kaliko greeted us with his warm smile and provided us with most excellent service. The problem observed was Kaliko was the ONLY person on staff that ever smiled the entire time. The Host barely acknowledged us upon check in, I faced the bar and never saw the bartender smile ir even happily greet one of the three patrons. How sad to go to a nice dinner out only to have everyone look miserable except Kaliko who was an absolute gem. My risotto was underdone and had to be re-fired but it came back delicious, my husband's pizza was delicious and our blue cheese ceasar was perfect Thank you Kaliko for saving our night! We will comeback if we know you will be working because you showed true aloha!

Interior

Korean garlic bread

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Artichoke and tomatoes

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18 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Brandon R.

701

12 years ago

My first and only time here I was invited by friends who are regulars, I was a bit worried bout it's small home like area as it only has a few tables and they do not do take outs. However u will quickly find out why! Paul is great! Greeted with a warm Hawaiian style morning aloha he made the rather small dinning area accompanying with wonderful service, he is the owner and personal chef just for you! I had the Benedict! Presented in a five star cuisine fashion with flavor fusions that tantalize every savory taste bud u own any dish will surely satisfy! The small charm will lure u back for more, those who know make reservations and u may get turned away if the dinning is full, but trust that upon return Paul will justify the wait with worthy service and culinary skill........ I will soon make many more trips back to Paul's place!!! Mahal nui Paul read more

Markie R.

14 years ago

It's been two days since we've visited and I'm still raving about this place. Been island hopping for over a month now and I'm not kidding this place has been my favorite memory. The setting was so charming and the food was beyond five star. My boyfriend even ordered an additional item on the menu and said he would rather fill himself with Paul's food than get lunch. Paul was so amazing and definitely gave us the aloha welcome. We are in Maui now, his home place and thinking about him. We love you Paul! Im a big foodie and I've tried smoked salmon all over California but Paul's salmon in Hilo, Hawaii has beat them all. I think I've written only one review on yelp but I had to write about Paul's Place because I'm in love. I hope that my review provides him with the patronism he deserves. read more

Michelle M.

11 years ago

The place is really small, only three tables, so reservations are a good idea. My husband and I didn't have reservations but they took our name down and called us when a table opened up. It didn't take long. We wandered around downtown to pass the time. When they called they offered to have a cup of coffee or juice waiting for us which is a nice touch. Okay, so the food....AMAZING!! My husband had a Benedict and he said its one of the best he's had (and he's had a lot of benedicts). I had the waffles per Paul's recommendation. Wow! Oven ever had waffles like these. Paul said they were "made by angels" that day. Boy was he right. Magnificent- the word I would use to describe them. Oh, and the service is excellent too! read more

Makayla K.

224

3 years ago

Paul cozy restaurant serves up delightful dishes like pasco de marco, eggs benedict, and Belgian waffles. It's amazing that he runs it with his niece alone! The charming atmosphere adds to the experience, making it a must-visit spot for foodies looking for both great food and ambiance. read more

Steve M.

7 months ago

A very nice whimsical place to dine, it does have a small dining room but huge atmosphere would highly recommend I'm not a salad guy but I had the tuna fish bloom salad and it was amazing thanks Paul Steve read more

Matt S.

12 years ago

Paul's Place is as everyone says awesome! Come here for the best breakfast on the Big Island. Paul is a real person and does all the cooking. Supa ono sup a friendly staff. read more

Lynn O.

9 months ago

So cozy. Like you're in Paul's kitchen as his guest and he's so excited and happy to serve you the best food ever. Love him and all of his special meals. Warm hospitality! read more

Marian S.

2 years ago

Amazing service! We chatted with two people working there, and they gave great advice and places to go in Hilo. The coffee is delicious.

Claudia T.

110

9 years ago

We arrived at 1:40 and closed with a sign that says open until 2:00. Update your yelp hours and close when you say you do!!!

Nunya B.

10 years ago

Paul is a waffle ARTIST and I don't even like waffles! But I love Paul's waffles. It's another world.

Heather J.

Elite 23

194

120

11 years ago

Hands down the best breakfast and coffee I have ever had!! Incredibly nice people and amazing food. read more

Stephanie H.

12 years ago

Most amazing food ever!!! Super nice and helpful. Will go back before we leave island. Very fresh

Ashlee-Ann J.

1 year ago

Haven't been there so I can't say what I would rate it. I've seen pictures and that's it.

Ben J.

117

10 years ago

Proprietor is awesome with kids, but GET A RESERVATION. This is a three top restaurant.

Jayd K.

111

12 years ago

Fresh ingredients, little place with some soul. Excellent service.

Steve P.

10 years ago

Great ono food, small, yet excellent

Rachel A.

4 years ago

Such a great, personal experience.

Maria Y.

13 years ago

Best eggs Benedict ever!!!

Paul's Place - breakfast_brunch - Updated October 2026

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I just love Ānuenue on the Bay so much! It's easily my favorite place to grab a drink on the Big…read moreIsland. There are SO many incredible options, from the ube matcha and salted honey matcha to the PB white coffee and strawberries & cream smoothie and honestly, the list could keep going! The staff is incredibly personable and always makes me feel right at home. It's also such a beautiful, cozy space that's perfect whether you want to get some work done or sit and chat with friends. The whole place has such a homey feel, and the views out over the bay are so beautiful. 10/10! I can't recommend this place enough!

I Stopped by Anuenue for a bagel and coffee and had a really nice experience. The atmosphere was…read morecalm and comfortable, making it a great spot to slow down for a bit. My coffee was fresh and tasted great, and the bagel hit the spot. I had the "Country Club" bagel. The staff were friendly and welcoming without being overbearing, which added to the laid-back vibe. It's the kind of place where you can enjoy a quiet morning, catch up on some work, or just relax for a few minutes before getting on with your day. Definitely a nice local café to stop into when you're looking for a good cup of coffee and a peaceful place to unwind

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