Food was excellent. The coconut calamari was crisp but not overcooked to the point of being rubbery…read more- the sauce was sweet with a tang of spiciness. The orzo salad was a large serving. The mushroom cheese burger was cooked perfectly - juicy and tasteful. Service was attentive and very welcoming. Always an enjoyable experience!

I love this place. It always feel like I'm in a vacation spot. I always bring my off island guest…read morethere. One of my friend was having a birthday, and we had a dinner arty. They llit candles and took picture. The food and the service was out of this world and they have a good band. I cant say enough good about this place. Check it out for yourself.

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!!!

People seem to be all over the place on whether they had a good experience here or not. We…read moreabsolutely had an excellent meal. As this is the lounge, the food choices aren't fancy, but interestingly, the food is prepared in the same kitchen as the more upscale The Rim restaurant next to it. Had two great dinners at the Rim and tried Georges in between. Nothing fancy this meal, but the draft beers were cold filled to the rim, and the gluten free cauliflower pizza was nicely topped with plenty of fixings and cheese. A great meal with a window seat to the volcano offgassing.

Still love this spot - beautiful historic building with views that you can't find anywhere else…read more Good beer selection. This time, I ordered the fish and chips, and I can't stress enough how awful they were. I bit into the first one and had to spit it out - I couldn't even bite through it because it was so dry and tough. Like jerky. Several tiny pieces of curled-up "fish" were presented on top of a small plastic bowl heaped with extremely mediocre fries. I have never sent anything back in my life, but I couldn't eat this. We were about to go on a hike and I was hungry. I sent it back and instead ordered the somen salad, which was satisfying. The service was great and the fish and chips were removed from the bill. I would eat here again for the location and beer, but I'd only go with a pizza or salad. Reading the reviews now, I should never have ordered the fish and chips to begin with. They sounded so good, but they were so very bad.

Came here for a birthday dinner and it was such a great experience! I do wish we had come during…read morethe day because from where we were seated, there was a gorgeous ocean view. To start, we ordered the poke and the bone marrow. The bone marrow was incredibly flavorful and practically melted in your mouth, and the poke was super fresh. For our entrees, we had the misoyaki butterfish and the prime rib--both were absolutely amazing. To finish the night, we shared the brownie and the mango sherbet, which was the perfect sweet ending to a great meal. The service was quick, the atmosphere was very chill, and it's a great spot to celebrate a special occasion or just enjoy a really good dinner.

You can tell that this steakhouse used to be fancy back in the day. However, in 2026, it could use…read moresome major updating. The food is OK. It's edible and tasty but it's definitely not fine dining as it markets itself. The service is decent but not top-notch. My favorite part of this restaurant is the ambiance. If you can be seated near the water- the views are unmatched. The dining room feels somewhat like a cafeteria that's trying to be fancy in the 80s.

Paul's was one of my favorite dining experiences I've ever had. Yelp only allows for five stars, I…read morewould give more if I could. If you are able to visit Hilo, make a reservation. And you need a reservation. The tiny restaurant only has three two person tables (the other party of four had two pushed together). And it is only open Wednesday thru Saturday, 7:30am- 2pm. I made the reservation for my friend's Birthday lunch by text. It is conveniently located by the farmers market, and there is plenty of free parking in the area. The space is airy, and on our visit, decorated for Easter. We were immediately greeted by Paul. The restaurant is staffed by him, and one other employee. The menu is short, and all the better for it. Paul explained the menu and gave us recommendations. I was already interested in the Pasta de Marco, which appears to be a part of a regular menu. Angel hair pasta, lightly fried, tossed with fresh veggies and pesto, and lightly toasted baguette on the side. We also had the tuna, two ways, and papaya salad. Both were perfect, incredibly fresh, all ingredients balanced, beautifully presented. Paul had us end with the Belgium waffle. I've had waffles in Belgium, and these were the best I've had. Crispy, soft, with berries, whip cream, and powdered sugar, it didn't even need the (warm!) syrup. This experience felt like being a guest in the chef's home. Paul treated all customers as a friend, he was funny, relaxed, and personable. I also personally appreciated it is the safest restaurant for me to eat at as he hates bell peppers as much as I do! The only disappointment when the meal ended. Mahalo!

The cafe is very small and cozy, we had to have reservations in advance to get in as Paul has very…read morelimited seating, about 3 tables. He is always busy and has a rule with no Togo orders as far as I know. The service is good, and the servers and Paul himself is very friendly, laidback, and easy to talk to. Be respectful of his rules, he's a nice guy and it felt like he really cares about the food he makes. Playing is very nice and simple in a good way, has a very clean aesthetic. The food itself is extremely fresh, every single thing felt very refreshing to the palette and not heavy. It was one of the pricier spots me and my partner went to in Hilo, but it is extremely popular and the quality of the food is nice, as I said, I think this is the place in Hilo so far that I've eaten at with the "freshest" tasting food. I had not yet tried his Belgian waffles, but I saw they were served to another customer and they looked fantastic. After our meal, Paul also highly reccomended them for next time. Definitely would like to come back next time we are in Hilo, it was one of my partner and her Uncle's favorite spots (they are local to Hilo, so it's gotta be good haha). They both vouch for the ingredient quality.

We stopped by the Booch Bar on our way into Hilo before a day of adventuring, and it was a great…read morelittle stop for breakfast. We tried the simple breakfast plate and a breakfast sandwich, and both were tasty and really hit the spot. Since we went on a weekday, it wasn't too busy inside, which made for pretty quick service. Overall, it was a solid breakfast stop and a nice place to grab a bite before heading out for the day.

We had an amazing vegan dish here for our little brunch we did in mid morning earlier today…read more We saw this restaurant yesterday when we were browsing Hilo a few nights ago. We didn't think of anything when we saw it the first time. By just looking at the name of it though, my immediate reaction was, "Is this a kombuchas bar??" Well, it is but it's not just kombuchas they serve; it's more than that. The breakfast/brunch dishes they serve (although they don't have a huge selection) are quite diverse. I do incorporate a lot of vegetarian/vegan diet into my daily meal routine so when I saw the Verdant Vegan I simply couldn't skip it. As my daughter and I usually split a plate when we dine together she agreed to this option of mine. Glad we did. This plate has all sorts of goodness included in it. Sautéed veggies, house-made lentil walnut chorizo, ginger beet kraut, fire-roasted jalapeno cashew crema, fire-roasted tomato salsa, and it's topped it off with sprouts. This whole thing comes with either purple sweet potato home fries or red rice (which we went with the purple sweet potato fries and ended up getting a side red rice. We also got the side kimchi and one egg sunny side up.) And we shared a 16oz Ceremonial Matcha latte as well. This vegan plate is way more than vegan. It's mighty as hell. For those who are still not sure about vegan options will definitely second guess it for something that isn't vegan/vegetarian. It's truly nutrition packed in so many different ways. If I lived close to this cafe, I would eat here once a week to enjoy this delightful meal. I am not kidding. I enjoyed the matcha latte very much although my daughter rated it as "okay". She likes her matcha in a very particular way so it unfortunately didn't impress her. This is not to say that she disliked it. She said it wasn't bad either. This place is a "walk in, order upfront, pick a table where you want to sit and one of the staff will bring your food to you" style cafe. Water is self-served. Once you are done with your meal you'll put your dirty dishes in the designated tub. I like this efficient style of serving food. This place has great vibes as well. A bit hippie-ish where bright dark colors such as purple and red are incorporated into the interior. There is even a stage where bands perform on certain days/times. Quite cool-looking. If you are visiting Hilo soon then put this place on your "must visit" restaurant list. Friendly staff, reasonable prices and quality food will entertain you for sure.

The food is delicious - top notch actually....and the portions are huge…read more Service is a tad slow initially, but it's all with a smile.

There service is fair food is tasty and fulfilling. Relaxing for people who like being around…read moreothers.

I ordered the vegan gyro because of a good review on HappyCow. When I called, they said that the…read moresauce is not vegan so vegan ones are served without the sauce. They still ended up giving me the sauce, though? And the food was fine, nothing special or filling. Not worth the price. The fries aren't vegan because of duck fat.

The girl working was super nice and attentive and I think the only one working the truck so I had…read moreto wait a little bit. I ordered the beef and lamb gyro which came with the sauce on the side. The gyro itself was just okay as a whole but the meat was flavored exceptionally well and was also crispy !! Overall though the pita bread was mid and the sauce wasn't enough.

We came here with friends who are Hilo locals, so I knew this place had to be good. The restaurant…read moreis located up a flight of stairs. The restaurant has a very open and relaxing vibe. We sat outside overlooking Hilo bay, and I felt I could have sat here all afternoon. The lunch menu includes various sushis, salads, and warm entrees. What we ordered: + Lihiwai Louie salad - this is a salad of butter lettuce, avocados, 5 large shrimps, and lots of cheese shavings. This was light and very tasty. + Fish and chips - the fish was very fresh and was quite yummy This is a great place to sit and relax and enjoy some drinks and good food.

Big restaurant but doesn't feel that way. They accommodated our large party easily. It's up a big…read morestaircase but there is an elevator for those who need. Lovely view of the water. Drinks were okay, and they have mock tail options, too. I had the sage pineapple margarita and it was fine, not spectacular. The regular margarita seemed a bit nicer. Fish and chips was a generous portion, and the fish was meaty (I assume mahi mahi?) and came with a salad/slaw. I split a keiki sundae with someone which was the perfect bit of sweet to finish off the meal.

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.