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    Pele's Kitchen

    4.4 (431 reviews)
    Closed 7:30 am - 12:00 pm

    Pele's Kitchen Photos

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    PELE'S KITCHEN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Pele's Kitchen

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    Fish Benedict and fruit platter

    Great service, great food! I got the fish Benedict and I devoured my plate! Also get the fruit platter for some good local grown products!

    Cassava Patty
    Lorena V.

    This was not what we were looking for. We had to exercise our most flexible mindset. We were starving and food took possibly 30+ min. We were a party of 4 and plates were brought out with 3-5 min difference. The vibe was supper hippy, earthy, which is fine. But the music was on in the kitchen, there was live bi-neural solo-guy playing and there was the noise of a construction and the cars outsise. We we never rude but accepting. We seriously did not like the food, the seasoning was cumin-y. The Cassava patty was all curry and cumin. People were nice, but the place did not look clean. And the sweets brought as complimentary as soon as we sat in tasted like stale old cake. So happy that this restaurant is pleasant for many people, but it was not for ourselves, and this review may help other people have a better idea of what to expect.

    Inside
    Brian B.

    Local cool vibe with a colorful garden inside. I really enjoyed the abundance of colors and life here. The green plants and artwork on every surface inside brought such a joyful feeling, which added to the delicious breakfast. The pancakes were superb! Oh, the service was authentically friendly and real. Real people. Real lives being lived bringing fruit directly from local farms. Such a wonderful experience.

    Menu
    Harry B.

    Amazing service. And great farm to fork tasty food. Fresh local fruits and juices. Delicious foods. Great vibe. If in Pāhoa this place is the go to breakfast. Really good service with great suggestions. The food was fresh and very tasty. Great find while visiting big island south of Hilo. I had blintz and other family were very happy with all their choices.

    I really, really wanted to love this place, the ambiance is fantastic but the sevice left much to be desired. After getting a very wonderful greeting we were told to sit any where we chose a table then waited. And waited. And waited. A waitress acknowledged us, but never came to take our order:After about 30-35 minutes i went to the counter to order: Breakfast, a small fruit sampler, coffee and tea. After giving the order, the waiting continued. We were treated to the smell of marijuana? but not to the coffee or tea we ordered. After another 25-30 minutes the fruit sampler came. It was delicious but we still had not received any beverages. Eventually our beverages arrived. Then we waited for our breakfast. We watched as dinner people who arrived and ordered shatter us received their food. 12 noon came and the restaurant was now closed. The waitress came to clear the fruit plate and offered to bring us the tab and then remembered we did order something else. Not wanting to wait any longer we asked to cancel the rest of the order. We ended up at Burger King but that's a whole other story

    Moody the cat.
    Justine G.

    Loved the vibe of this place as soon as we walked in! The entire building had a personality behind it. The service was amazing, very welcoming and friendly. I ordered the small exotic fruit sampler and it was not very small! It came with way more than I was expecting. The waiter took the time to explained the different fruits to me which was extremely helpful. He also mentioned these fruits were grown in their farm, which made it feel that much closer. Moody the cat was also part of the welcoming committee and let me give him some pets.

    Ingredients straight from the farm to table!
    Miranda D.

    If you're anywhere on the East side of the big island, add this spot to your must try list! Pele's is located in Old Pāhoa and offers authentic Hawaiian classics with amazing hospitality from the staff (thank you Steph!) The interior is extremely inviting and warm with all the colors and decorations all over. Try their Puna exotic fruit platter! All ingredients like fruits and veggies are locally grown from their farm not too far from the restaurant. Their farm also offers tours of their cocoa trees and fruit gardens. Parking was very easy in this area and allows for easy access to other small businesses nearby!

    Jungle Juice @ Pele's Kitchen
    Jenny W.

    You can't miss Pele's Kitchen when driving down the adorable town of Pahoa - it's the brightly colored art-painted building. The inside is just as inviting, such a cool and artistic vibe! My son and I were looking forward to breakfast here to celebrate our last day of our trip, and it didn't dissapoint. We were greeted by the sweetest server who took the BEST care of us the entire time. She went above and beyond to be sure we were taken care of! We were so impressed with all of the delicious vegan options on the menu, and they didn't disappoint. We tried the jungle juice (SO good!), exotic fruit plate, tofu scramble - and my son had the french toast. Everything was so fresh and delicious. Pele's Kitchen is such a vibe, we will definitely be back!

    The server.
    Delila N.

    WORST CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE!! I'm going to start off by saying I was a server & bartender for many years & know the industry well. Our server today greeted us & was friendly taking our order. Pele's was obviously understaffed with only one server who looked like she was in her 70s. We ordered and waited for a long time, but the past experience here was also a long wait, so I wasn't surprised or upset. I had my 2 year old with me, so we did walk outside a couple times because he was struggling sitting still. After 30 minutes, a party of 6 came in, sat down & ordered their food. Within 15 minutes, they all got their food & were enjoying their meals. I asked the server about our meals & told her that we would need to make it "to go" now, because my son couldn't sit still any longer. She said okay. My son then accidentally knocked over a cup of water which spilled all over the table and onto the floor. I used the one napkin we were given & some paper towels from the bathroom to clean as much of the mess as I could. I let the server know & she said she would bring a mop, but never did. At this point, it had been a full hour after we ordered. I went to the counter and the server said she couldn't rush the kitchen, it should be out soon. I overheard the owner was out front & I went up to him to explain the situation. He did apologize and offered a free chocolate bar, but then went on to say "Yeah, I've heard a lot of stories" & "We're not a fast food restaurant" & "There's no way to know what time the order went in". He was rude and totally gaslighting me. I showed him a text from my husband with his order at 8:34am. It was 9:45am. The owner said "That's not proof". I was shocked by his tone & lack of understanding. The server was standing right there beside us and just looked down & never said a word. I kept asking her to tell him what happened, but she wouldn't make eye contact or say anything. I asked the owner to verify my story with the server or the cooks, but he said it didn't matter. I told him it was challenging with my two year because he was losing patience. The owner looked down at my child & said sarcastically "yeah, he's definitely losing it". I literally would have still paid full price and tipped well if there was communication from the server as to why things were taking longer or the owner was understanding & compassionate. The owner did end up giving me $20 off and we got our food 1 hr and 15 minutes later. They didn't give us utensils, napkins or butter for the pancakes. The food was cold & subpar. I walked out crying because of how I felt when the owner was speaking to me & how he made it seem like I was making up a story. I'm a great patron and a great tipper, but this was an awful experience. I will never go there again. As I was walking out crying, the water spill was still all over the table/floor & the owner was sword fighting a customer with wooden sticks inside the restaurant. I couldn't even make this stuff up. What a shit show. AVOID THIS RESTAURANT!!

    Cajón Scramble
    Manny F.

    The service and experience was amazing. The live music was perfect for breakfast. The food is all homemade and with fresh ingredients. The fruit with each plate was perfectly picked and ripe. The Moco Loco was delicious. The coffee was local and brewed fresh. I highly recommend this location.

    Jungle Breakfast
    Niña C.

    I loved getting the jungle breakfast, it was like being able to try a little bit of everything that's offered. I loved the ambiance probably the most though and hawaiian music, and while I am on vacation and am searching for authentic hawaiian food and vibes, I couldn't help but be reminded of home aswell and I honestly loved that. I would definitely recommend trying their homemade hot sauce too, while the food was good, I am a lover of spice and it definitely enhanced my food. Everyone working was very nice and I wish I could come here daily and am sad I have to part with such a gem.

    Indoor dining room
    F D.

    Delicious local farm to fork food. If you like spicy, definitely grab a jar of pickled Hawaiian Chili peppers! Ono Kine! Live music, eclectic, artsy ambiance, excellent service and great vibes.

    Breakfast plate with spam 10/2023

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    2 months ago

    Server was good but food was awful. How can someone mess up on hash browns and scrambled eggs so bad.

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    6 months ago

    Cool vibe with great food and service. They had live entertainment while we were there, and it was pretty good.

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    1 year ago

    Pele's Kitchen is just one of those places you'll be going back to again and again. Heart of the Old Pahoa Town and lovely staff!

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    7 months ago

    Wonderful breakfast options. Gluten free waffles. Pahoa ambiance. Everything I tried has been great!

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    Pahoa Fresh Fish

    Pahoa Fresh Fish

    4.4(368 reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$

    Pāhoa Fresh Fish is pure joy on a plate. If you know, you…read moreknow. Pāhoa Fresh Fish is one of those places that instantly puts you in a better mood before you even take a bite. The fish is consistently fresh, perfectly cooked, and incredibly ono, especially the mahi, which somehow manages to be tender, flavorful, and satisfying every single time. What really sets this place apart is the unique way they prepare the fish. It's simple, honest, and done right no gimmicks, just skill, care, and respect for good ingredients. You can taste the experience and the love in every bite. This is the kind of food that makes you stop talking for a second because you're too busy enjoying it. And let's talk about the French fries, because they deserve their own shout-out. Crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, perfectly seasoned absolute comfort food perfection. Paired with the fish, it's a combo that never misses. The vibe at Pāhoa Fresh Fish is just as good as the food. It's friendly, down-to-earth, welcoming, and full of aloha. The people working there are kind, relaxed, and genuinely happy to see you. It feels like a place made for the community, not just another stop to grab food. This spot creates a lot of happy, happy people. You see it in the smiles, the satisfied silence at the tables, and the way folks keep coming back again and again. We're incredibly lucky to have a place like this in our town a place that feeds people well, lifts spirits, and brings a little extra joy into everyday life. Mahalo nui loa to Pāhoa Fresh Fish for the amazing food, the good vibes, and all the full bellies and happy hearts you've given our community. Mahalo KAPONO JIM

    The service is quick, and friendly, I liked that you can pick more than one kind of fish in your…read moreorder. The fries are a nice side and their slaw was delicious. There's limited seating. We didn't try the desserts but a local "Lava Punch" of ginger and tumeric was awesome.

    Photos
    Pahoa Fresh Fish - Menu 8/22

    Menu 8/22

    Pahoa Fresh Fish - Ono

    Ono

    Pahoa Fresh Fish - 11/15/22 menu

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    11/15/22 menu

    Kaleo's Bar and Grill - Guava bbq ribs are the best!!!! $26 and lucked out with it being the special as not on menu this location. Got salad in place of slaw.

    Kaleo's Bar and Grill

    4.1(211 reviews)
    5.5 mi
    $$

    A solid neighborhood spot with a few standouts and some room to grow…read more We've been to Kaleo's a few times now, and we'll definitely keep coming back. It's close, there's always parking, and it's got that laid-back, local energy where you can laugh loud and no one's going to shoot you a look. It does get loud inside, but in that kind of way that makes it feel like everybody's having a good time, not like you're in a cafeteria. Just don't expect a quiet dinner conversation, unless you're reading lips. The service? Always sweet, always kind. Lily (I think that's the correct spelling!) has taken care of us more than once and she's a gem... warm, attentive, and easy to chat with. She's the kind of person who remembers what you ordered last time and tells you honestly what's good. As for the food... Bacon Blue Burger: My husband had this last time and it was yum. Juicy, flavorful, hits all the right rich notes without being greasy. That one's a solid order. Ribs: The barbecue sauce was really good... but the ribs themselves were dry and overdone. Not terrible, but not what I'd call a win either. If they could just dial in the texture, that sauce would carry it home. Kalbi Short Ribs: Best thing on the menu so far. Tender, rich, and full of flavor. Get those. Mashed Potatoes: "All mash" is the move. They're creamy and comforting... total comfort food. Hamburger Steak: Another standout. Probably one of the best in the area. Classic done right. Thai Chicken Pasta: Watch out... it's got some serious heat! Spicy, but good. Not for the faint of tongue, but worth it if you're into that kind of kick. Lilikoi Fizz: Really tasty but heavy on the lilikoi. If they eased up and added a little more club soda, it would be more balanced. Desserts: * Lava Cake was good... warm and classic. * Chocolate Decadent Cake was just okay. It comes fridge-cold (probably so it doesn't melt), but I feel like if they let it sit out for ten minutes before serving, it would be way better. * Brownie Sundae was yum, according to my husband... and I trust his dessert radar. All in all, Kaleo's is the kind of place you root for. You want them to keep getting better, and they mostly are. The hits are worth coming back for, and even the misses aren't deal-breakers. We'll be back, and we're excited to keep trying more of the menu.

    Big birthday for me & hungry husband treated me to a trip to "Moku O Keawe" to visit our na…read moremo'opuna @ their new home! Eldest son suggested this nice bar & grill. Food choices were plentiful, lots of fancy drinks to choose from. This is an open restaurant where it's open air backyard kind of feeling. Feels like an old fashioned Lu'au!!! Acoustics are a bit loud because everyone is out talking each other. Parking is in the lot in the back. It's free if u no mind da "coqui " frogs!!! Would love to return & try other dishes! Ka ono! Our nine year old grandson ordered "Coconut shrimp & fries "-- no not from keiki menu--braddah can mop it up !!! I ordered a steak plate (4 got da name) . Son ordered a sautéed fish platter & hungry husband had a fancy kine,thick burger & we were all jealous! The wait for everything was a bit long; to wait for someone to take our order, bring back the drinks & very long before we got our food. Waitress was apologetic & sincere. We didn't mind. Extra points if you're like dat!!! On the cash wrap counter some Hawai'ian arts & crafts were displayed.....oh sistah! I gotta go lookie!!! He he he !!! Clay/foam like tropical flowers for your hair,laser cut wooden earrings,stationary & more! My dashing men (husband,son & grandson) let me oogle because they all know I support local artisans. Because I'm an "artsy-fartsy " myself!!! (I create all kine art) A few days lataz....was talking story wit my cousin & found out he was the fish cutter there a few years ago ! Loved dis place!!! Hope it does well!!!

    Photos
    Kaleo's Bar and Grill - Full bar with plenty of seating for lunch

    Full bar with plenty of seating for lunch

    Kaleo's Bar and Grill - Kalua Pork Wontons

    Kalua Pork Wontons

    Kaleo's Bar and Grill - Breezy seating

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    Breezy seating

    Pineapples Island Fresh Cuisine - Dynamite fish bowl

    Pineapples Island Fresh Cuisine

    4.3(2.6k reviews)
    18.3 mi
    $$

    Came as a party of 2 at noon on a Sunday, and we were seated right away! The ambiance definitely…read moregives a nice island sports bar vibe. Only street parking is available. There was also live music with a lady playing guitar solo and singing! Service was amazing! We never had to wait long to order/get the bill. We were most impressed by the fact that the waitress made sure to split our Hilo local plate into two plates to make it much easier to share! We almost thought we had received two orders because of how well-plated they were. - Poke tower (8/10): Solid choice for an appetizer! There were ample portions of poke, and the flavors were nice. Not a super stand out dish though. - Hilo local plate (9.5/10): If you want to taste a wide range of Hawaiian cuisine in one dish, I would highly recommend getting this one! The Kalbi ribs were sooo good! They were juicy, tender, and bursting with flavor. The Kalua pork was pretty good, and both meats paired well with the rice which had an interesting savory haupia sauce drizzled on it. The mango chili slaw and pineapple salsa added a nice tang to balance everything out. - Triple lilikoi pie (5/10): Wayyy too sweet and sugary for our liking, and you can barely taste the lilikoi flavor. We ended up just picking at the graham cracker crust and couldn't finish the rest. It seemed like one of those desserts that are premade unfortunately, and we wish we hadn't ordered this dessert.

    We chose Pineapples Island Fresh Cuisine because it's one of the highest-rated sit-down spots in…read moreHilo, but it ended up being just okayyyy. The menu felt very "meh"...nothing particularly exciting or memorable. The cocktails looked great in photos, so we ordered the piña colada flight, but it tasted like there was little to no rum in it. Pretty presentation, but very mediocre overall. Food was just okay. The burger wasn't bad, but definitely not anything special. The fried shrimp dish was disappointing and lacked flavor. The big letdown was the ambiance. We were seated facing the street and parking lot the entire time ...no view...., just sad street. Overall, it didn't live up to the hype. Not terrible, but definitely not worth going out of your way for. The staff were all very nice though. Service friendly.

    Photos
    Pineapples Island Fresh Cuisine - Bar with loads of fresh pineapples

    Bar with loads of fresh pineapples

    Pineapples Island Fresh Cuisine - Ahi poke tower

    Ahi poke tower

    Pineapples Island Fresh Cuisine - Dr. Pepper

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    Dr. Pepper

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

    Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill Hilo

    4.3(1.3k reviews)
    18.5 mi
    $$

    When we lived in Kona, we would frequent the Jackie Reyes there. The food was good, but for the…read moreprice, the entire experience - not even the old, nonfunctional classic car out front - was worth it. BUT, the Jackie Rey's in Hilo has now become our go-to fine restaurant in Hilo town. The building is classic. An old town Hilo bank, with the vault intact. High ceilings, comfortable tables and decore and an artistic antique wooden bar that would be a gem in the crown of any European city. The management and personnel are the most wonderful people. Always happy to accommodate you in the best way they can. After one kamaaina visit the servers will know your name. They'll make you feel welcome and that you are a part of their experience too, something that is nearly impossible to find in other town dining. They have rewards programs for kamaaina which includes a point system that gives you significant savings on your next visit. The food is first rate, from the pupus to the main dishes to the desserts. Sauced and presented in five star fashion, without feeling pretenious. We will be their peskiest and most loyal customer as long as we are in the area. Kudos to Jackie Rey's Hilo.

    My wife and I went to Jackie Ray's this past Friday. We got a window table and was able to see the…read moreactivity across the street since it's was Friday downtown open market. If you dine here and are not a big person don't get a booth table as it's the most uncomfortable seating I've ever experienced. The seat is way too far from the table and I needed to lean forward and sit on the edge of the seat. I would recommend getting a table its chair so you be able to adjust yourself to the distance from the table. Server was just Ok and with them placing a water decanter on the table for refill they didn't come around as often. The decanter water has no ice so whatever ice you have in your cup to cool the water. Last time eating at this establishment was better and my only complaint was the window seats next to the picture window and the flys that was buzzing there. Only thing is again there were two big flies buzzing the windows and I had to waved them away. The doors are always shut and only when customers walk in could the flys get in. Staff should walk around before opening and get rid of them. We entered about 5:10 PM so it was opened for just 10 minutes and shouldn't have flys. Air conditioning was on but the temperature was a bit warm and a cooler temperature of maybe 10 degrees be perfect. I had the mochico Ono and it was just ok tasting but on the plate presentation was nice. My wife had the pork chops and she really liked it but said was just a little over cooked. I did try a small sample and to me it was just ok also. ambiance in the restaurant is nice and most of the staff were very attentive. The server we had wasn't and I needed to Get his attention to get my bill even though he had passed multiple times and didn't or should have noticed we were done dining. Probably not be dining again at this establishment again and do know of better dining spots in Hilo.

    Photos
    Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill Hilo - Clean and inviting. This is a historical bank building.

    Clean and inviting. This is a historical bank building.

    Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill Hilo - Ahi Tartare Happy Hour. Amazing. I could eat ten more.

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

    Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill Hilo - Passion Flow

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    Passion Flow

    Pele's Kitchen - breakfast_brunch - Updated May 2026

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