Stories and photos by Joeann Fossland (unless otherwise indicated)
From fancy meals to food trucks, the Big Island has it all. Amazing diversity and a rich multi-cultural history meld with native food to yield distinctive dishes. Creative chefs use the bounties from the island’s ranches, organic farms and the sea. Hawaii is laid-back, so even elegant dining only requires resort wear.
Merriman’s is the Big Island’s Best Restaurant
Who would expect the best restaurant on the island to be located in the hills of Waimea’s cowboy country, away from Kona and Hilo? It is here that Peter Merriman’s Flagship Restaurant has offered authentic Hawaiian cuisine for 30 years like none other. For the last 18 years, they have earned the Gold Hale ‘Aina Award for Best Big Island Restaurant.
Be prepared to eat, drink and enjoy Merriman’s! The cuisine is called “Hawaii Regional Cuisine.” With 90% of their menu farm to table, you’ll savor the freshest, locally sourced fish, organic meats and farm-raised veggies supplied by local farmers, fishermen and ranchers.
An extensive lunch menu offers lighter fare along with a daily special and a couple of heartier entrees.
For dinner, there is a full menu to tempt you with fresh seafood, Hawaiian Beef, local Lamb and more. The Shared Dinner meal—four courses served family style for four or more diners—is a perfect way to sample all the tastes.
Try one of their specialty cocktails. Or, drop in for one of the best Happy Hours on the Island. You will be merry with signature drinks and a variety of appetizers called pupus.
Be adventurous and expect to be delighted. Open every day for lunch and dinner.
65-1227 Opelo Road, Kamuela
Pacific Rim Food at the Manta Restaurant at Mauna Kea Beach Resort
Located in Laurence Rockefeller’s iconic resort, the Manta Restaurant provides fine dining for dinner. The prime seating is on the patio overlooks an expansive and idyllic ocean view. The Pacific Rim food is a blend of contemporary and traditional.
For a special treat, book the Sunday Brunch. Traditional and Hawaiian-themed selections flow through 3 entire rooms. Breakfast foods include Hawaiian-style Belgian Waffles, fresh Island fruits and berries, Eggs Benedict, and made to order omelets.
International visitors are treated to their favorites with a Sushi Bar. Hot and cold vegetables included Blue Cheese Potato au Gratin, Artichoke Hearts, Marinated Mushrooms and pasta salad. A custom Caesar Salad can be tossed and prepared just the way you want it.
Enjoy the Day Boat Catch, a carving station with Herb Crusted Prime Rib, or Grilled Herb Chicken, or the amazing Orchiette Pasta Mac and Cheese. Piles of fresh chilled Crab Legs and Shrimp Cocktail are constantly refilled. If lobster is to your liking, the Lobster Bisque with Black Truffles is outstanding.
If you still have room, a whole room of desserts are available: pastries, cakes and pies of every kind and a build your own sundae bar will feed your sweet tooth.
62-100 Mauna Kea Beach Drive, Kohala Coast
Aloha Food and Vibe at Tommy Bahamas
Relax is Tommy Bahama’s slogan and this restaurant will have you doing that as you indulge in the island-inspired flavors. The menu has a great selection of creative small plates, burgers, soup, salads and entrees. From fresh fish (think Macadamia encrusted), steaks, ribs and vegetarian delights, the food here is beautifully prepared and tantalizingly seasoned with Aloha.
Save room for dessert, especially if you are a chocolate lover. My favorite is the Malted Chocolate Pie with Chocolate Cookie Crust, Chocolate Mousse, and English Toffee Crumble.
There’s an epic Happy Hour. For two hours, you can munch on sliders, mahi mahi tacos, coconut shrimp or macadamia crusted goat cheese while sipping their signature Mai Tais and listen to live music.
Open every day for lunch and dinner with plenty of gluten free and vegetarian options.
68-1330 Mauna Lani Drive #102, Kohala Coast
Moon and Turtle Serves up Creative Tapas-Style Dishes in Hilo
This tiny tapas-style restaurant is cozy on a quiet side street. Their small and large plates offer fresh seafood, meats and locally sourced produce in startlingly creative concoctions. Served family style, the international menu has a Pacific emphasis.
For a real treat, try the Lamb Pappardelle made with Big Island lamb chorizo, eggplant, tomato, kale, yogurt, parsley, and mint.
Reservations Recommended
51 Kalākaua Street, Hilo
Huggos on the Rocks in Downtown Kona
A classic since 1969, Huggos is casual with a waterfront location. It’s a favorite haunt for locals as well as visitors. This is as close as you can get to a picnic on the beach, and all the other important stuff (like a bar and kitchen and live music) right here with you.
Sunset and Happy Hour start the evening with the perfect vibe. Nothing fancy here just good basic fare. Whether you want a good Burger, some Poke, Shrimp and Chips, or a Salad, they’ve got you covered.
The bar serves the requisite Hawaiian cocktails along with beers and wine.
75-5828 Kahakai Road, Kailua-Kona
Ken’s House of Pancakes
Don’t let the name fool you. While they do serve lots of varieties of pancakes, their extensive menu has all things Hawaiian for all meals, 24 hours a day. This is THE place to get Loco Mocos. Don’t leave Hawaii without trying one of these—a bowl layered with a couple of scoops of rice, your choice of a beef pay or spam, brown gravy, topped with a couple easy over eggs!
Maybe you’ve been hankering for some Tripe or Oxtail Stew. Or a Burger with TWO 8 oz patties! No, a salad is more to your liking? It’s all here.
You won’t leave here hungry.
1730 Kamehameha Ave, Hilo
Fish and The Hog
Two cozy dining rooms and a bar up in Cowboy Country, The Fish and The Hog has an extensive menu. Starters include Poke, Calamari, and Sweet and Spicy Wings. As the name implies, you’ll find fresh-caught fish as well as smoked BBQ, prime Brisket Burgers and Sandwiches. There is no shortage of salads and soups.
The sticky ribs are fall-off-the-bone tender and the BBQ sauce is just the right degree of tanginess.
Creative, fruity muddled cocktails, craft beer and a wine list and mocktails will enhance your enjoyment!
64-957 Mamalahoa Highway, Waimea
The Village Burger
Burgers, Burgers, Burgers!!! While the ground brisket and chuck Big Island Burger (described as beefy, robust and arrogant) is one of the best burgers I’ve ever had, there’s so much more. How about a Lamb Burger with braised onions and kalamata olive tapenade? Or, maybe a veal or fish burger?
The loaded fries are gooey and garlicky.
You’ll oder at the counter. There are a few tables outside or plenty of seating at the food court inside. Definitely worth the drive.
Parker Ranch Shopping Center, Waimea
Annie’s Fresh Island Burgers
Relax on the covered lanai, savoring the fresh, fresh food. Annie’s is known for their fantastic grass-fed island-raised beef burgers. The fries are loaded with aoli and the maui onion rings are lightly breaded and tasty.
Alternatively, salads with lots of local organic produce or wild-caught Hawaiian fish delight. Try the Goat Cheese Poppers—best enjoyed with a tropical drink!
79-7460 Mamalahoa Highway #105, Kealakekua (south of Kona)
Aloha Mix Food Truck
The Southernmost Food Truck in the USA, the Aloha Mix Food Truck, sits with six picnic tables in the owner’s grassy front yard right in the middle of the small town called Naalehu near South Point. The menu is built around Shrimp and Steak combo plates served with Jasmine Rice and Green salad. Choose from three preparations of shrimp. Or for the health conscious, order an Acai or Pitaya Bowl. Bring your appetite for some real treats!
95-5649 C, Mamalahoa Highway, Naalehu (Near South Point)
Historic Bamboo Restaurant in Hawi
Housed in a building constructed around 1916, The Bamboo Restaurant is worth the trip to Hawi on the Northwest end of the island. Hawaiian Island Style Cuisine fills the lunch and dinner menus with creatively prepared dishes. There’s a tantalizing lineup of “pupus” to start. Or, pick a few for a meal.
From a basic burger or fish sandwich to salads, sandwiches, and entrees that incorporate spices and marinades of the island bounty, you are bound to find something tempting. The scrumptious, homemade desserts are also outstanding.
Don’t skip the delectable Island drinks (some invented right here) that use local ingredients like coconut and passion fruit. The Lilikoi (passion fruit) Margarita will remind you that you are in paradise. Or teetotalers can enjoy the passion-fruit iced tea.
55-3415 Akoni Pule Hwy., Hawi
