This place is a cool little spot looking out over the Reeds bay/Hilo Bay. It's a rustic place. Our waiter Ruben was awesome very helpful with the menu and specials. We had cocktails, some ordered coconut martinis that were outstanding. We had appitizers: the crab cakes, Da sizzle, (sizzling steak platter), and calamari. All were good. I ordered the terriyaki beef with mashed potatoes and vegetables, it was outstanding. Others ordered the prime rib with lobster and said it was outstanding. The seafood Louie was awesome as well. The prices are reasonable and average $20-40 depending on what you order. We ordered Lilikoi cheesecake, outstanding, bread pudding was good also. I highly recommend this place very good food. read more

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The perfect last dinner for us in Hawaii. They served us seafood soup, along with crab cakes and our entrees. Everything was incredible. To make the dinner better - there was a woman singing and playing ukulele. It made the experience so much better. It was a perfect way to celebrate our anniversary read more

Ponds Hilo - Hawaiian Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

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Shortly after arriving in Hilo and checking into our hotel for 4 nights, we wanted to do lunch somewhere nearby. You could literally see Ponds from the lobby of our hotel, SCP Hilo Hotel, and it was literally right on the water. What more could we ask for. So off we went. When it comes to Hawaii, we're all about whatever is the fresh catch of the day. In this instance, it was Opakapaka. My wife had the blackened Opakapaka wrap, and I had the Opakapaka sandwich. Hers was good, mine was better. One of the better fish sandwiches I have had. It's an old place, but sitting at a table by one of the windows overlooking the water is very nice. Definitely a place to try. read more

This is our favorite place! Friendly staff who treat you like family. The food is delicious - seafood gumbo is lovely and, amazingly, the meatloaf is fantastic! But everything is delicious - soups - pupus - desserts - all yum-yum-yummy. The staff has longevity and we get to know them very well. Beautiful view and lovely ambience. Find out for yourself why we love it. Old Fashions are excellent in a place where rum is king. Quite a well-rounded menu just waiting to astound you! read more

We had lunch at Ponds with friends. We had the mushroom tempura, which had no spice, not even salt. The sauce didn't help to add taste. The Opakapaka sandwich was ok. The bun was slightly burnt & fish a little dry. The service personnel were friendly but we had to ask for tartar sauce (odd that the sauce wasn't served with the sandwich) & salt & pepper. The lilikoi cheesecake was very good. The atmosphere is very nice. We sat by the window and could see the pond with koi. We were able to feed the fish. read more

Food was amazing. I had the seafood linguine. My friend had the Kalua pig and cabbage. Both plates were very good. The menu has new dishes. Service was attentive and friendly. Ambiance is one of a kind. Restaurant is built over the ice pond with a koi pond to one side. Decor was very nice. read more

Ponds Hilo - Menu - Hawaiian Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

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Great crab cakes. French fries almost always perfect. Our favorite though is the seafood linguine. Everyone there is helpful, kind, and timely. Plus can't beat the ambiance. Fun read more

The service is always very pleasant and courteous. The food was ono. My wife loves the crab cake salad and I had their cheeseburger. Love sitting on the pond and watching the birds and Honu. read more

Ponds Hilo - Crab cake salad and cheeseburger - Hawaiian Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

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We took a friend to Pondʻs the other night. The photos suggested that it wouldnʻt be as noisy as most restaurants were, and then they put us right smack dab next to to singer/guitar player. He wasnʻt bad, but conversation was more difficult. The server did a good job and was pleasant. We had made reservations and they were able to quickly show us to our table without any real wait. The photos on Yelp do a good job of showing what the place looked like. My wife and I had the "Fresh Grilled Salmon", which was over done to the point where it tasted dry and actually hard on the edges and bottom. It was a small portion as was the veggies, and was accompanied by a small scoop of mashed potatoes, all for $38. It was edible, but that was all. Itʻs nice to see that others have had a better meal than we did, but weʻre never going to go back there again. read more

Food was overpriced. Drinks were tiny. Service was slow and I'm not going there again

Don't come here for the food. Everything was fresh but lacked flavor If you have kids with you you should come here as they will love feeding the fish and ducks Beautiful spot to spend the day at. Service was fine. read more

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We came at happy hour (2-5) and were seated next to the fish. The service was extremely nice and even gave us fish food to feed the koi fish. The passion mango martinis are so delicious ($8 a drink during happy hour)! Chicken tenders are fried in a tempura batter, the hot crab and spinach dip was also delicious. The other drinks were a bit strong. Ambiance is an older style, a little outdated. We left a bit tipsy because they mistakenly made an extra round of drinks but no complaints here! Definitely need to come back here to try more things! read more

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Yummy food and pleasant staff. Nice to see more ladies behind the bar too. The ambiance is what someone visiting Hilo should experience. Sit next to wall so you can see the fish in water and watch kids jump in water. read more

Ponds Hilo - Hawaiian Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

Oh my goodness! Great, well priced drinks! Delicious food! Friendly staff! And able to watch the Hilo fireworks out their window during dessert! 10/10! read more

There isn't much fancy digs in Hilo and Ponds has been around for years. The last time I came here was over a decade ago and wasn't expecting much. However I was pleasantly surprised, the meals were quite delicious. I got the salmon salad and it was substantial in size and my salmon was moist and flavorful. Other folks in my party complimented their dishes. The only comment made was from the kids who stated their chicken tenders didn't have flavor but sticking them in the corresponding sauce solved the issue. The server was quite friendly and attentive and included showing us meals for other tables as he passed by. The restaurants decor is dated but the ice pond views are quite scenic. The lighting is a bit dark and to me, the food seemed a bit pricey but the alcohol menu prices was reasonable. Would recommend for a special occasion or initmate date night. read more

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A Very Pleasant Lunch Ponds is a no nonsense eatery with a rustic dining room, great views and very good food. My one complaint is that the information on their website is several years old, and many of the items we were interested in were no longer available and prices were considerably higher than expected. That said, I still recommend Ponds. The Beer was about as cold as it could be without being frozen. The Crab Dip was especially good. The Calamari was nothing special, but good enough. The star of the meal was the Mango Cheesecake - simply the best we have ever tasted. Give Ponds a try - I think you will be glad you did. read more

Went on a dinner date with the wife to Ponds and everything went well. Sat down at a corner window overlooking the Ice pond. Staff was quick so we could order our drinks and meal. Overall a good place to dine at in Hilo for the service and Ambiance. read more

Ponds is one of the best places to enjoy Fine Dining! The Fish is always fresh! The Server's are the Best people to suggest something you might have never tried! Cocktails are excellent! You can dine and watch the Live Koi swimming down below! SO COOL read more

I was invited to Ponds again for dinner. My last lunch at Ponds was fun and nostalgic. This time for dinner, not as much. There was no live music - just background guitar songs through the PA. I found the "specials" which were walked around - 2 plates - one with lobster strange. I get it, they want to show you the specials, but the way the lobster looked - it didn't look too appetizing. My wife and I didn't want a heavy meal and to be honest, the prices seemed really high to me. I guess Ponds is one of the more high class i.e. $$$ places, but the prices seemed high to me. $22 for Escargot (we ordered 2), $24 for a crab cake salad, Sea pasta for $37 and Prime rib for $39. Now these prices are not out of line for Honolulu, but in Hilo, it seemed high to me. And unfortunately the quality was not like Honolulu. When we ordered mostly appetizers the waiter seemed depressed that we did this, but add it up, it's the same price as a dinner. My wife and I had 2 escargot and the crab cake salad, plus two drinks. The escargot mostly tasted like cheese and there was an abundance of toasted garlic bread slices which tasted.... ok. Another thing, Clint Eastwood said long ago, "if the bread is not good, the food will probably not be either" and the bread was not very good. :-( Unfortunately I found Ponds, over priced and the food lackluster. p.s. But the fries are still good! read more

Ponds Hilo - Relaxing! Don't know what's up with the lime? - Hawaiian Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

Good food and great service. Feeding the fish from your seat is fun! The live music was just right vibe for the night out.

Best food in town! Service is fabulous, drinks and cocktails wow!! Dining above water, live music!! Loved it!!!! read more

The vibe is chill, low key solid & food was FANTASTIC! Ruben & all bar & wait staff were great!!! Just a local date night but one for the books! Music man with his acoustic guitar was a BONUS! So relaxing we didn't want to leave. We will be back!! Our new favorite place!! read more

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Service was amazing. The wait staff were very attentive and friendly. The ambiance was fun and lively with the sounds of surrounding area filtering in through the open windows and the fish swimming around beneath them. The food was pretty good, I would definitely eat here again. read more

Ponds Hilo - Dinner menu as of June 1, 2025. - Hawaiian Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

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The chef is muey buen! Amazing host and waitstaff! The view is exquisite all while enjoying what this quant small town vibe is truly all about. Investors should consider this place home! read more

It was a little dark, but the salad was fresh and the food was good. had the fish and chips with caesar salad, and wife had salmon salad.

Called in to make a reservation on Sunday for a party of 11 at 6:30 on TUESDAY. Who ever answered the phone took all of my information, asked if this was a special occasion, so I said it's my sons birthday. I asked if we can sit next to the window so the kids can see/feed fishes. She proceeded to be nice and generous and say they can still get fish food and walk up to the windows because they don't seat a big party next the windows. Understandable. Finished the phone call by " ok thank you we'll see you on Tuesday Nov 25 @ 6:30 for a party of 11" Well whoever took my reservation must of FORGOT THAT YOUR CLOSED ON TUESDAYS!! My son was pretty sad. I'm very disappointed. read more

Rib eye with the mash potatoes was delicious!! Great Service as well! The ambiance fit perfect for the live music too. read more

Ponds Hilo - Rib Eye with Mash - Hawaiian Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

Love the paradisiacal location and views, which my mother in law also likes to come for. Live music is a nice touch too, so I guess ambiance will save the day. However service and food are terribly mediocre, especially for the price range, but I think they balance it out with hefty portions and lots of bussers. Other pluses are a decent parking lot and a tiny tiki bar with massive tiki drinks. I might suggest other restaurants to visitors but if you do come here my orders are: Furikake Seared Ahi Caesar Salad Salmon Salad Shrimp Cocktail Da Sizzler read more

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Another amazing meal experience with Pond's in Hilo Hawaii - great food and superb service. I have become a fan of this establishment. The appetizers were great got there at just the right time to get the fresh out of the oven Prime Rib great FBI Iced Tea. Lovely day at Pond's. read more

Fine dining price but lacked the fine dining experience and overall food.. Sticky table tops and duct tape on the ceiling will not be back to dine here. read more

The service was amazing, friendly and helpful !!! The food was tasty with great flavors. Live singer with guitar, beautiful voice !!! 10/10 read more

Ponds Hilo - New York steak & crab crusted fish - Hawaiian Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

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The food,service and ambiance were all excellent. Live music added to the ambiance. My crab salad presentation and flavors were also so s read more

Ponds Hilo - Crab salad, it came with 2 crab cakes but I ate one before the pic - Hawaiian Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

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Well prices are very high and it's a total hit and miss with your order. Service is typically ok. It was not warm and friendly. Easter specials were way over priced. Like this is Hawaii only tourist have this kind is money to blow. And oh yes, if you're service $44 prime rib dine serve it cold! And yes Ponds you have a nice view of a water area all the kids come to play in, but that doesn't mean I'll pay extra for it and get Mediocre service and food. The bus boy wa s the highlight he was nice and attentive. read more

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food was fine and the koi pond and music add nice atmosphere. usually wouldn't add a review BUT felt it very important to share: the menu does not properly list all ingredients and allergy info. we ordered food that arrived with nuts mixed in and nowhere on the menu did it mention nuts or any allergy warnings. could have ended INCREDIBLY poorly, hence removing stars read more

The vibe is chill and the staff are nice, the food and drinks are lacking. We went last night had the crab dip appetizer and split the fish and chips. We each got a specialty drink 2/18. Little to no alcohol in the drinks and no flavor to the food, it's like they are afraid to use any sort of seasoning. The local musician and the koi pond add to the vibe, fix the menu and you might be busier read more

Local spot that we heard about from islanders....perfect! Great setting, food, service, and prices! A winning combination and so pleased this played out on our fast and furious trip to the Big Island! Pier setting, with open air dining, was memorable, while the food was spot on! Enjoyed the ono (phenomenal fish) and the daily wrap was delicious! Will be a repeat on our return trip, guaranteed! read more

Ponds Hilo - Hawaiian Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

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Received very disappointing service tonight, the waiter + other workers not once checked on us or asked if we needed refills on anything. As soon as we walked in we had to ask for a high chair, none was offered, Not even a booster seat. We noticed that we wasn't receiving the same service as everyone around us because we was directly in the center in view of everyone. It took forever for our waiter to ask what we wanted to drink and if we were ready to order. We noticed a table near us ordered the same drink as my husband and was given a new glass with his beer refill but it wasn't given to us. When the waiter gave us napkins he tossed it on our table and it landed on the plate of food, he then walked away and didn't fix or apologize. He also reach over the table instead of coming around to give me my plate to place on the table. & Since no one acknowledged our table I had to walk to the front to ask for our bill. In all I'm so disappointed in the service I wouldn't want to come back. This use to be our favorite family spot. read more

Service was ok, food wasn't. $70 for nasty pork sliders and some spaghetti noodles with store.bought pesto sauce. Find somewhere else to go read more

Beautiful place to visit and eat. Relaxing, great service and great food to try. The selection for food is really good. read more

Ponds Hilo - Dinner - Hawaiian Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

Food was awesome. Seasoned so well. definitely hits the spot! Service is superb! Ambiance is AMAZING!!!! . I mean come on, the view, the candle light dinner date?! read more

Ponds Hilo - Rib - Hawaiian Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii