When a store is the only game in town for goods near a tourist entry point, one would expect/accept…read morehigh prices. Instead, Keaukaha General Store (within easy walking distance of the Port of Hilo) provided a great selection of sundries, some souvenirs of Hilo, and a small menu of Hawaiian favorite dishes at prices that were the lowest I've seen in Hawaii. My wife and I came here twice: first while walking into town, when we picked up souvenirs and an unexpected loco moco plate. It was a lot less crowded then, with us being the only ones there...allowing us to have a completely different experience. When we came back as we headed back towards the ship, other cruisers from the ship had discovered this place, and were stocking up on various things. It's a large modern space inside, with things organized displayed very neatly. There was no sense I needed to check for expiration dates. There was a portable ATM machine right by the door. A decent selection of alcohol at good prices were displayed (e.g. $8.81 for a bottle of Barefoot Cab or $18.99 for a 12 pack of Budweiser). I took the opportunity to get something I've not seen elsewhere: a bag of dried clams (aka Asari) for $4.19. Ended up finishing it that night...was really good. It has an all day menu, and was able to order a Loco Moco for breakfast. The all beef patty was very thick and dense, definitely from a frozen patty...good for Salisbury steak or Loco Moco, but wouldn't be great for a burger. The brown gravy was served hot and hadn't congealed, and the 1 egg had been cooked over easy, just as requested. It was obviously freshly made. It was packed to-go, with condiments and utensils available near the registers. There wasn't much space to eat inside, but because it wasn't too busy, found a space to sit in the back. I scarfed it down (probably too fast) while my wife finished her shopping. Also in the back, there are gourmet coffee machines and a chest freeze full of hand scoopable ice cream. There is a Pepsi self serve soda machine, along with various sizes of chips. My wife initially bought a couple of t-shirts as requested souvenirs for our travel mates ($25 a piece), and bought another one as we were heading back. On the 1st trip, she also liked a perfume body mist...the tester was the last one so the attendant sold it for half price ($14). For us, she bought a Hilo waterproof sticker for $2.75. And her favorite part of the store was the small portable Pokémon card machine, that dispensed random Japanese Pokémon cards for a quarter. She kept changing out dollars for quarters and ended up getting $5.75 of them...and a couple of them were hollos that we like. They do charge a 3.25% credit card fee, so cash is preferred when possible.

Located on the way to the Hilo beaches and in the industrial area. Here you'll find a small variety…read moreof hot foods, poke and tons of drinks and ice.

Puna Chocolate Company is one of my favorite local chocolate artisan shops, conveniently located in…read moreDowntown Hilo. Since my time away, they have beautifully renovated the interior to have a sit-down booth area. I love the abundance of nene decor honoring our state bird, along with high quality chocolates made in Hawaii. The store clerk was very knowledgeable and described how each cultivars of chocolate differ in their taste profiles. We had the horchata 50% milk chocolate bar, and I don't have a picture because we devoured it in one sitting! Overall, Puna Chocolate Co. is an elegant, delightful, and elevated experience that rivals big names like Big Island Candies and Dandelion Chocolates in San Francisco. Highly recommend in stopping by!

I stopped by Puna Chocolate Company for an afternoon coffee and ordered an espresso. It wasn't…read moreterribly busy in the store so my drink was prepared in minutes. The espresso was strong, not overwhelmingly bitter, and had a good consistency to it. While sitting at the bar, I noticed that they had a Day Drink menu with a bunch of coffee and chocolate cocktails, including an espresso martini and a cacao old fashioned. For $14 and $13 respectively, these seemed like very reasonable prices. Definitely something I'll check out on my next visit. On the right side of the store is a gift shop, while the left side has a bunch of seating for patrons. I noticed there were a few people here with their laptops out, so I can only assume it's also a good place to work as well. The store seemed pretty quiet, street parking outside was easy, and the staff I interacted with here was friendly. Puna Chocolate Company is a good rest spot to stop by to escape from the busyness of Downtown Hilo.

While exploring Hilo we stopped at Hilo Iced Coffee, which operates out of a mobile truck and feels…read morevery much like a local staple. It is casual and no frills, but that is part of the charm. I ordered the ube iced latte and it was easily one of the prettiest drinks I had on the trip. The purple color is vibrant and eye catching without feeling gimmicky. More importantly, it tastes as good as it looks. It was lightly sweet, well balanced, and still very much coffee forward, not overly sugary like some flavored lattes can be. Service was quick and friendly, and it is the kind of spot that makes you slow down for a minute and just enjoy your drink. If you are on the Hilo side and want something a little different from your standard iced coffee order, the ube latte is absolutely worth trying.

The gals working were so sweet and professional! I asked if they could custom-make me an Ube Ice…read moreCoffee and they made it happen-- ONO!!!

Cute cafe with lots of space to just chillax. If they run out of baked items, you're in luck…read morebecause there's a bakery next door.

Came here on a recommendation and the coffee was ok, pretty 'bright' tasting espresso. Not very…read morebusy, small menu, conveniently located near the main road. Guy was super nice. Prices decent. Pretty cool inside with lots of artwork.

LOVE LOVE this place and the WORKERS! Especially the Night Crew! We go there EVERY night for the…read moreUBE LATTE!!!! Husband can't live without it... Super welcoming and friendly faces and attitude! Keep up the good work....

Since moving to the Big Island, one of the things I've missed most is having those little places…read morethat made a city feel like home. Finding a good boba spot hasn't been easy, but this place has become my go-to whenever I'm craving one. What keeps me coming back isn't just the drinks--it's the people. The staff are always kind, welcoming, and incredibly professional. They're young, but they carry themselves with such maturity and genuine care that it makes every visit a pleasant experience. I've noticed that in some places, young employees can be loud, distracted, or come across as unapproachable. But not here. Every time I visit, I see these young women quietly doing their jobs, patiently waiting to help customers, treating everyone with respect, and creating a calm, welcoming atmosphere. It's refreshing to see such a strong work ethic and professionalism. Sometimes, it's the simple moments that mean the most: sitting quietly with a good drink, taking a break from the world, and enjoying a little peace. I'm truly grateful to have found a place like this here on the Big Island. To the entire team--thank you for the wonderful service and for proving that kindness and professionalism have no age. Keep up the amazing work! Thank you!

Totally worth the short, scenic drive! So close to Hilo town!…read more A beautiful working farm- and lovely curated items from crafts, to chocolates, coffee and home-grown fruits. I brought some chocolate home and it is the most amazing chocolate! Also got some fresh fruits we ate while on the island. Wish I had one of those caviar limes right now!! Go here for your souvenirs and support local farmers.

We stopped at this gift store on the way back from the chocolate farm. The gift shop features their…read moreown macadamia nuts that they grow on their 700+ acre farm. (The nuts are processed off site). I bought some and they were delicious. The owner was super friendly. It is worth a stop if you are in the area.

great start to introduce you into the world of mead / honey wine making, this tasting experience…read morewas a excellent way to see the whole range of flavors that are available... food offerings were limited... food truck on site had already left for the day when we arrived at 3:30 ...

What a unique place to stop & enjoy some properly made adult beverages as well as locally sourced…read morehoney Definitely not a commercial operation which you will be grateful for as you travel the island. The setting is very inviting and the facilities are spotlessly clean. Learn about the history of brewing mead just as the Vikings did on their travels. The service was excellent as she shared stories about their operations as well as the meadaery connections around world. Enjoy!!

Nalani Farm Store is amazing! All of the products are made in Hawaiʻi. I went kind of crazy doing…read moreChristmas shopping because everything was super cute, and I'm so happy to support a local small business that features other local small businesses. There were items under the Christmas tree that were on sale, so I grabbed some of those. The owner Napua knows all of the companies whose products she sells, and while I was visiting, an aunty who makes lauhala products came in. Such a delight! I picked up some fruit gels, lotions, chili pepper water/sauce, toffee, soap, and even an adorable pair of earrings made from recycled materials shaped like the Big Island. Prices were reasonable, and the owner is Native Hawaiian. Nalani Farm Store is tucked away behind KTA and the farmers market, but is easily findable using any map app. I'll be back!

Cute little shop in historic downtown Hilo tgst offers some local treats - teas, coffee, chocolate,…read morelocal books, jewelry - great place to visit to find some treasures. Staff was helpful, friendly & such a treat to chat with - will go back next time I'm In town