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    Paul's Place

    4.7 (543 reviews)
    Closed 7:30 am - 2:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

    Paul's Place Photos

    Business Info

    PAUL'S PLACE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Classy
    Casual
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Paul's Place

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    Everything is always perfect!!!! Cozy comfortable and very welcoming Been a go to for 10 years

    Belgian waffle
    Haley F.

    Still amazing as always. Paul is wonderful and suggests great recommendations to add to the dishes. The coffee was top tier this time, my husband loved it, great taste even for someone like me who typically avoids high caffeine. If it's anything I can hammer down on, please please please text to inquire on reservations!

    Big menu
    Glenda C.

    Great food!! So fresh and delicious. Made to order. Paul cooks everything, so awesome. 1st time here, small cozy place. Super cute. Reservations required but well worth the personal service. We enjoyed everything. Ate a little of everything. Lots of variety and big menu

    Breakfast Caprese
    Julia T.

    YOU MUST MAKE RESERVATIONS AHEAD OF TIME !!!!! Reserve ahead of time or you most likely won't get seated. There's very limited seating inside maybe 3 tables at most. Everything is cooked in the small kitchen so dishes come out 1 by 1. I ordered the breakfast caprese and it was quite delicious. Blistered tomatoes with 2 eggs cheese zucchini onion Kalamata olives on a crostini. Very fresh and seasoned well. You can't go wrong with fresh ingredients. Knocking off a star since it was a bit pricey for what you get. Overall it was a lovely experience. Very intimate setting.

    Daria B.

    Very nice place, delicious food; make sure you book in advance. There are only 3 tables there.

    Kelly S.

    A year ago we came to the island and walked into Paul's place. Without a reservation, we didn't eat but it was the kindest rejection of our lives. Paul is as personable, kind and genuine as they come. This year, on Valentines's we were able to enjoy his restaurant after making a reservation. The experience was above and beyond what we could have ever imagined. Threes tables and one hot plate. Every meal is cooked to order and delicious. I joked he ruined every other restaurant for us. The waitress is also the best manners and kind. When we visit another island my husband and I already said we'd island hop just to see Paul again.

    Paul's kitchen!
    Suzanne M.

    Quaint cute brunch place in Hilo next to the Farmer's Market. Make a reservation in advance as there are only 3 tables in the restaurant. Paul is a one man show! Felt like I was a guest in his house. Friend and I shared the Belgian waffle and his specialty Pasta de Marco. Waffle was crispy, fluffy and light topped with strawberries and banana. Pasta de Marco was a crust of angel hair pasta with smoked salmon, tomato, capers, olives, feta topped with arugula. Very unique and tasty dish!

    Super good waffles!!
    Judy C.

    My love, my soulmate said (after dining at Paul's Place) "This is the best meal he ever had in Hilo" & I agree with him. Paul's Place is a GEM in downtown Hilo. All thanks to my coworker, we were talking about Hilo and how he looks forward to his visit at Paul's Place, he recommends this biz. I searched Yelp and bookmarked PP. During February, I had no luck with getting a reservation but luckily a last minute trip to the Big Island this past weekend, I got a 1 pm time slot, Yay, I'll take it. Which was perfect as I got more time to explore Hilo before breakfast and got to check out the shops and farmer's market nearby. I love it when the stars aligned! Keep in mind, the restaurant is very small & cute, only 3 tables and run by chef/owner Paul, reservations are totally recommended. Love the fun, charming decor Paul mentioned the decors are done by his girls. while waiting for our meals, I noticed Paul prepares meals with just 1 skillet and 1 burner, in his cute little kitchen space. Wow. he got great cooking skills! Since we already had breakfast and were still stuffed, we tried and opt for lunch options, a few of the items on the menu were sold out, got 2 entrees: Pasta De Marco and Fish Bowl and they were Amazing dishes. Pasta de Marco ( $24.95) I've never had anything similar to this entree ever, I loved it. Everything on this plate went so well together and cake noodle but Italian style, wow! Fish Bowl is market price ($29.95) reminds of a stew/cioppino, comes with shrimp and fresh fish of the day which is Mahi Mahi, on bed of pasta and bread. As I was eating this, it brought back memories of Mama's Fish House, everything taste so fresh in that bowl of goodness! The famous waffles, we were super stuffed and only could have a few bites! Omg, fresh crispy Belgium waffles with fruits and just the right amount of sauce, not too sweet. I loved this, never had waffles for the longest time and it hit the spot. The last waffles I had was the frozen Belgium waffles from Costco, hehe years ago. Thank you Chef Paul & his one staff team, it was really nice meeting and chatting with you! He is super friendly, before dining at Paul's I was kind of scared/shy due to me being anti social at times but don't worry he is really a cool super nice guy! Totally recommend, you can THANK me later as I will be thanking my coworker for the recommendation, when he is back from Summer break! As of now, I am texting Chef Paul to get me in for next month, hehe. I want to try the benedict, need more Pasta De Marco and waffles tooooo!!

    Belgium waffles with added bacon
    Jon O.

    RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED to this tiny restaurant with just two tables! Really enjoyed the fantastic breakfast here at Paul's Place. I had a stack of Belgium waffles that were topped with lots of fruit and came with heated syrup. I added on bacon and it came out just like I like it, extra crispy! My wife had the eggs benedict that Paul admitted was non-traditional, but the egg was poached perfectly and was paired with lots of veggies and fruit. Best part of our breakfast was the service. Paul and his staff engage with everyone like they're family or longtime friends. Prices are a tad high, but each dish is hand made fresh and he takes his time to make sure you're satisfied with your meal. Please remember to text him for reservations so you aren't turned away, I believe he takes up to a week in advance.

    Bob T.

    You need a reservation or some luck. This place is minutes from Hilo airport and a remarkable place to eat... if you can get in. The food is remarkable and Paul, the owner/chef is a treasure. The problem is the restaurant has only three 2-person tables. I had their Smoked Salmon Benedict. It was soooo tasty. Everything was fresh. I also tasted some of the lightest-yet-still-with-some-crunchiness Belgian Waffle I've ever had. And the coffee was remarkable, even for Hawai'i. If you're flying into Hilo, you're minutes away from Paul's Place. Do yourself a favor and make this place your first stop on the way to Volcanos National Park (or whatever you're doing). It's a great way to start your day.

    Pasta de Marco
    Lorie G.

    Always make reservations in advance if you want to eat here. I saw at least 10 groups of people get turned away. This place is a gem and Paul is such a nice and creative fellow that cooks with heart. On our table of three, we had the Belgian waffles, pasta de Marco and the Caprese breakfast. The waffles were nice and crispy on the outside and soft on the inside - served with whipped cream, banana and strawberries. Chef's pasta de Marco is such a different dish for breakfast, but a wonderful surprise - angel hair pasta cooked with olive oil and held together with an egg; and topped with pesto, Mediterranean green olives, bits of bacon, salmon and more (comes with 2 pieces of bread). The Caprese breakfast had assorted tomatoes, mozzarella, fried egg on a crostini with bacon and assorted fruits and radish. Overall, service is always excellent, food is so delicious and I love how small and intimate this place feels. I look forward to coming here again when visiting Hilo.

    Peggy B.

    Just simply fabulous!! (Is that an oxymoron?). Small place which made it even better ..and the dishes Paul prepared were soooo good! Each was personalized and prepared fresh that one dish came at a time which was fine with us! It was worth ignoring that table etiquette and we dove right in to the food. The flavors were fantastic and blended so there was just the right amount of "yeah, that's a Benedict" and "wow!..didn't know a Benedict could taste like that!". GO! You will not regret it! So... the added strawberry on top of the waffle...hehe..was it was my 60th birthday we were celebrating in Hilo and when Paul and his niece maybe (?) found out, I was given the "queen" treatment complete with a tiara and birthday sash to take with, and presented with a birthday waffle plate that was one of the most special experiences in this 60th year of life so far! Thank you from the bottom of my heart ., to the top of my happy stomach for such a wonderful gift!

    Chef's Pasta de Marco
    Suri S.

    Tip: Make reservations! You can either call, text, or DM through IG. You won't be able to dine without one and will be politely turned away. There are only 3 tables and a small kitchen area. Cute decorations. Very small, quaint cafe located inside an Inn. Close by to the Saturday farmers market too. The owner Paul is probably one of the nicest people I've ever met in my life. Very personable and genuine. Megan the waitress was awesome and funny! Service was very attentive. We came to visit a few months ago, but still wanted to show some love and support for this local cafe. The food was amazing!!! Everything we tried was delicious and we cleaned up all the plates. The Belgium Waffle is a MUST. Perfectly crispy with fresh fruits. The Salmon Benedict was a different spin without the hollandaise sauce, he tops with a unique aioli that was tasty. The Chef's recommended pasta was very good as well, different take on it. I highly recommend dining here if you're in Hilo! I can't wait to come back next time I am visiting.

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    Very friendly owner, but the place is very small, and you need reservations which the owner arranges by text message.

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    10 months ago

    Absolutely the best waffle I have ever eaten! Small & quaint, Paul's Place is not to be missed. Reservations highly suggested.

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    10 months ago

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    2 years ago

    Truly Hilo's best! Everything is delicious! A little spendie but, a nice treat every now and again!

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    1 year ago

    The most delicious food and ambience in Downtown Hilo. We Enjoy Paul's love for food and people, he is an amazing chef

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    1 year ago

    Fabulous food in a small cafe. Reservations are a must. But they lose two stars for so much single use plastic.

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    Page 2 of 14

    Ask the Community - Paul's Place

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    Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill Hilo - Brownie roll was ok - the brownie itself was hard and the chocolate chips didn't help.

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    No one at the counter to take our order-- for a while. The only tables available still had crumbs…read moreon them from the last customers, so we cleaned the table so we could sit down. There was a large pile of dirty dishes stacked up in the area where folks are supposed to place used plates, etc. They probably need more staff or this might just be their vibe. I had a spicy kalo burger for $20. The bun on the bottom was toasted (great) but the bun on top was not toasted and was crumbling apart as I ate it. The pumpkin soup with roasted pumpkin seed garnish was delicious, and inspired me to make my own kabocha stew at home. The food is tasty. The cleanliness could use some improvement especially given the prices. All that being said, it is a popular spot. The parking lot was full. The employees looked busy. Just be forewarned that service levels & cleanliness may fluctuate.

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    Paul's Place - breakfast_brunch - Updated May 2026

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