TUG Dining Guide - Big Island

All recommendations were submitted in resort reviews and bbs posts. Restaurants without remarks were given as positive recommendations but without specific comments.

Addresses and phone numbers were scrounged off the net wherever we could find them. In many cases, conflicting data was found. Please verify locally before relying on this information.

KAILUA-KONA

Aloha Cafe - Mamalahoa Hwy, Keauhou, 808-322-3383

Bubba Gump's - 75-5776 Alii Drive, 331-8442

"A fun place right on water for sunset."

Captain Bean's Dinner Cruise

"A very nice dinner cruise... known as 'Captain Bean's Booze Cruise' by the locals... They allow children but it really is an adult cruise aimed at adults. Its a lot of fun and a beautiful way to see the island and the bay."

Edward's At Kanaloa - 78-261 Manukai St. - 808-322-1434

Huggo's Gallery - 75-5828 Kahakai Rd - 808-329-1493

Kailua Candy Company - 74-5563 Kaiwi Street - 808-329-2522

"Go for the 'tastings' and try the macadamia turtles ... voted 'best chocolate' by Bon Apetit (1996?) ... also have mail order."

Keei Cafe - Route 11, Honauau, 808-328-8451

"Need reservations as the restaurant is small. You won't be impressed by the exterior, but the food is wonderful."

King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel - 75-5660 Palani Road, 808-329-2911

"Best luau on the Big Island"

Kona Brew Pub - 75-5629 Kuakini Highway (North Kona Shopping Center, corner of Palani Rd.) 808-334-2739

"Loved the pizzas."

Kona Inn - 75-5744 Alii Drive, 808-329-4455

Kona Village Resort - Queen Kaahumanu Highway, 800-367-5290 / 808-325-5555

"luau ... very nice fri. nights, but $$$. great food and nice atmosphere--crab legs on buffet"

Oodles of Noodles - Crossroads Shopping Center, 75-1027 Henry St # 102 - 808-329-9222

"Excellent food in a nice, modern, artsy space."

Pepe's - Kona Surf

"Didn't like [it]"

Royal Kahanamea

Editor's Note: I can find no such restaurant or hotel. The King Kamehameha, perhaps?

"Very disappointed by the Luau... the show was fair but the food was poor"

Royal Kona

Sam Choy's Diner - 75-5586 Ololi Rd - 808-329-0101

"Bargain breakfast and lunch... great huge portions of 'Kona cuisine' for less than $8 per person... . Dinner is MUCH more expensive as it is targeted for the tourist trade ~$24/meal."

Sibu Cafe - Banyan Court, 75-5695 Alii Dr, (808)329-1112

"Indonesian .. relatively inexpensive.. delicious.. weekday lunch specials.)

Teshimas Restaurant - Mamalahoa Hwy, Kealakekua (between Buddhist Temple & Texaco) - 808-322-9140

"we really liked Teshima, a local type Japanese restaurant"

Tex Drive Inn - 45-690 Pakalana St (Rt 19), Honokaa, 808-775-0598

"Stop [for] malasadas (doughnuts stuffed with creme or jelly)--it is a fun place""

Wasabi's Japanese Cuisine - 75-5803 Alii Drive, 808-326-2352

"Stay away ... over priced food with poor quality."

KAMUELA / WAIKOLOA BEACH

Big Island Steakhouse - King's Shops Center, 250 Waikoloa Bch Dr, Waikoloa - 808-885-8805

"Wonderful early bird special... goes up $8-10 per plate after 6:30... right on the water.. say no [to the soup]--3.95 a bowl!" "great NY strip steak. Not good but great."

Brown's Beach House - 1 North Kaniku Dr. - 808-885-2000

At The Orchid at Mauna Lani resort
"Great"

Canoe House Restaurant - Mauna Lani Bay Hotel, 68-1400 Mauna Lani Drive - (808) 885-6622

"A truly romantic dinner" "Outstanding great location on water. Very expensive ($250 for 4)"

Four Seasons Resort - 100 Ka`upulehu Drive, Ka`upulehu-Kona (808)325-8000

"While the price may run over $100 per couple, it has the best island seafood I have found anywhere ... If you are looking for that one special night in Hawaii, this is the place to go."

Harbor Island Cafe

Hilton Waikoloa Village
   Kamalua Provision Company
   Donatoni's

"[The restaurants at the Hilton] are great." "The entertainment [at their luau] was fine, but the food, dessert, even the juice was absolutely horrible. We ended up not eating anything."

Royal Waikoloan Hotel - 69-275 Waikoloa Beach Dr - 808-885-6789

"Luau was very entertaining" "[Luau is] the best on the island"

Waikoloa Beach Grille - Waikoloa Beach Golf Clubhouse, Kamuela - 808-885-613

"We liked [it] the best [of the restaurants in the Waikoloa area]"

KE'EI

Ke'ei Cafe - Route 111, 328-8451

"Only seats 30... reservations [recommended]... The food was wonderful... $18.95 was the most expensive entree... specializes in Ahi and Ono... does have some pasta and meat entrees." "A bit of a hole in the wall.. food is fantastic.. not expensive" "reservations are a MUST"

WAIKOLOA VILLAGE

Roussell's Restaurant - on the golf course of Paniolo Greens

"Very, very good... The servings were a good size, the price moderate with a ten percent discount to guests of [Paniolo Greens]." "Not as good as other reviews have reported but nice and less expensive ($90 for 4)" "marginal and overpriced"

Roy's Waikoloa Bar & Grill - in The King's Shops, 885-4321

"Magnificant food - the price was high, but worth every penny" "Nice, moderate prices." "..a bit too much in a hurry to get us in and out to keep the table active, not relaxed."

NORTH HAWAII

Bamboo Restaurant and Gallery - Highway 270, Hawi 808-889-0055

"Have a passion fruit margarita.. the food is good there"

Merriman's - Opelo Plaza, Hwy. 19, Waimea - 808-885-6822

"Outstanding. Great food and service." "Great food"

Cafe Pesto - Kawaihae Shopping Center, Kawaihae (808) 882-1071

"One of our favorite places.. very imaginative foods and nicely presented."

Harbor Grill - Highway 270, Kawaihae, (808) 882-1368

".. was great for lunch .. "

VOLCANO NATIONAL PARK Area

Mister Bell's - Hwy 11, Corner of Hawaii Blvd., Ocean View, 808-929-7447

Kilauea Lodge, Volcano Village, 808-967-7366

"one of my favorite restaurants on the island" "... highly recommend it. Wonderful food, nice atmosphere, and an attentive and friendly staff."

Volcano House, Volcano Village, (808) 967-7321

HILO

Cafe Pesto - 308 Kamehameha Ave (Historic S. Hata Bldg), on the bay, downtown - (808) 969-6640

"Must try the 'Luau Pizza' - equivalent of 'Hawaiian Pizza' but big chunks of fresh sweet pineapple!"

Harrington's - 135 Kalanianaole Avenue, (808) 961-4966

Ken's House of Pancakes - 1730 Kamehameha Ave at Banyan Dr, 935-8711

"Inexpensive but delicious and filling eats .. open 24 hrs"

See also TUG member and Big Island resident Steve Ward's Big Island Restaurants - Captain Steve's Recommendations page for an "incredibly biased view on ... places to eat".
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