Mar 12, 2021, 4:44 pm
Last edit by: italdesign
Recommended restaurants, from north to south:
The Fish and the Hog in Waimea, https://www.fishandthehog.com/
Merriman's in Waimea, https://www.merrimanshawaii.com/waimea/ book ahead on Open Table
Seafood Bar and Grill, Waimea, https://seafoodbarandgrill.com/
Hale l'a Da Fish House, https://www.yelp.com/biz/hale-ia-da-fish-house-kamuela - open 9-5 Mon - Fri, poke
Manuel Malasada, malasada truck that parks on the side of the highway at 1 Puako Drive, 9 to 5:30 Tues-Sun, closed Mon
Manta Restaurant, Mauna Kea Hotel, https://www.mantarestaurant.net/ Call to book
Meridia, Westin Hapuna, https://www.meridiarestaurant.net/menu/ book on Open Table
Canoe House, Mauna Lani, https://aubergeresorts.com/maunalani/dine/canoe-house/, 5-9 pm - booked thru April 11
Napua, Mauna Lani Beach Club, https://www.napuarestaurant.com/
Lava Lava Beach Club, Lava Lava Beach Club. https://lavalavabeachclub.com/bigisland/ For a fun beachy "sand in toes" experience, with tables right on the beach, and some nights live music. Just keep expectations in check on food and service.
Pueo's Osteria, http://www.pueososteria.com/#welcome Italian food up in Waikoloa Village at Waikoloa Highlands Center, this place also features outdoor, semi-covered dining.
'Ulu Ocean Grill, Four Seasons, https://www.fourseasons.com/hualalai/dining/restaurants/ulu_ocean_grill/
South of Airport:
Patricio's Mexican, http://www.patriciostaqueria.com/, 10:30 - 8
Fish Hopper, Kailua-Kona, https://www.fishhopperkona.com/ Daily, 7am to 9pm
Da Poke Shack, https://dapokeshack.com/ Daily 10am-4pm
Archived Thread: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hawaii/284220-big-island-consolidated-south-kona-kona-north-kohala-waimea-restaurants-thread.html
The Fish and the Hog in Waimea, https://www.fishandthehog.com/
Merriman's in Waimea, https://www.merrimanshawaii.com/waimea/ book ahead on Open Table
Seafood Bar and Grill, Waimea, https://seafoodbarandgrill.com/
Hale l'a Da Fish House, https://www.yelp.com/biz/hale-ia-da-fish-house-kamuela - open 9-5 Mon - Fri, poke
Manuel Malasada, malasada truck that parks on the side of the highway at 1 Puako Drive, 9 to 5:30 Tues-Sun, closed Mon
Manta Restaurant, Mauna Kea Hotel, https://www.mantarestaurant.net/ Call to book
Meridia, Westin Hapuna, https://www.meridiarestaurant.net/menu/ book on Open Table
Canoe House, Mauna Lani, https://aubergeresorts.com/maunalani/dine/canoe-house/, 5-9 pm - booked thru April 11
Napua, Mauna Lani Beach Club, https://www.napuarestaurant.com/
Lava Lava Beach Club, Lava Lava Beach Club. https://lavalavabeachclub.com/bigisland/ For a fun beachy "sand in toes" experience, with tables right on the beach, and some nights live music. Just keep expectations in check on food and service.
Pueo's Osteria, http://www.pueososteria.com/#welcome Italian food up in Waikoloa Village at Waikoloa Highlands Center, this place also features outdoor, semi-covered dining.
'Ulu Ocean Grill, Four Seasons, https://www.fourseasons.com/hualalai/dining/restaurants/ulu_ocean_grill/
South of Airport:
Patricio's Mexican, http://www.patriciostaqueria.com/, 10:30 - 8
Fish Hopper, Kailua-Kona, https://www.fishhopperkona.com/ Daily, 7am to 9pm
Da Poke Shack, https://dapokeshack.com/ Daily 10am-4pm
Archived Thread: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hawaii/284220-big-island-consolidated-south-kona-kona-north-kohala-waimea-restaurants-thread.html
Big Island: Consolidated "South Kona-Kona-North Kohala-Waimea restaurants" Thread
Nov 10, 2021, 11:51 am
#48
Join Date: Jan 2007
Programs: UA 1MM, Avis Chairman, Four Seasons Elite, HA Pualani Gold
Posts: 453
Canoe House is hands down the best food on the island. Creative menu, excellent service and beautiful setting. Ulu, Manta and Meridia have all taken a dive in my multiple experiences with them this year. Ulu was a disappointment when compared to it’s former excellence and service was not great. Manta and Meridia have lackluster menus and pretty abysmal service. Kuleana Rum Shack is awful as is their rum. Napua used to be an easy standby but when my favorite waitress, mother of 2, stated she is unvaccinated the place sort of lost it’s charm. It was always one of the best values though I suspect some of their wines have not been stored optimally.
Nov 10, 2021, 8:22 pm
#49
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Kamuela, HI
Programs: AA-Plat
Posts: 462
Canoe House is not taking any reservations for the remainder of the season unless you are a guest at the resort. I have heard through a reliable source that Mauna Lani will begin offering a luau but I am not sure which day and when they expect to begin.
We are still big fans of Merriman's in Waimea although there is no view. There is a relatively new restaurant in town, F.O.R.C which is owned by Chef Allen Hess who also owns Mai Grill.
Most of the higher end resorts (Mauna Kea, Four Seasons, Mauna Lani Auberge) will or already have stopped taking dinner reservations unless you are a resort guest. Fairmont Orchid is currently taking reservations at their restaurants as is Westin Hapuna.
Some of the restaurants will open for reservations 24-48 hours if not fully booked by their in-house guests.
We are still big fans of Merriman's in Waimea although there is no view. There is a relatively new restaurant in town, F.O.R.C which is owned by Chef Allen Hess who also owns Mai Grill.
Most of the higher end resorts (Mauna Kea, Four Seasons, Mauna Lani Auberge) will or already have stopped taking dinner reservations unless you are a resort guest. Fairmont Orchid is currently taking reservations at their restaurants as is Westin Hapuna.
Some of the restaurants will open for reservations 24-48 hours if not fully booked by their in-house guests.
Last edited by hawaii-bound; Nov 13, 2021 at 3:59 pm Reason: Additional information
Dec 29, 2021, 8:26 pm
#50
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA EXP >3 Million miles,HH Lifetime Diamond
Posts: 2,890
Thanks again for the information on this thread. Loved our trip earlier this month to the Big Island. Stayed at the Hilton, but didnt really spend any time there. We had a reservation made before we left at Pueos Osteria, and it was very good and nice not to be at hotel for meals. We drove a circle round the island around the island for a couple of days and ended up at Pueos again a couple of nights later with no reservation, the same server who recognized us and really provided great service (dont know if that is because it was late on a Sunday night). We definitely would not have found this place without this thread. Also made it to the Waimea Farmers Market on a saturday and took away lots of homemade food, including some great Thai food, and mango and sticky rice.
Dec 30, 2021, 12:42 am
#51
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: LAX
Posts: 10,912
Big thumbs down to malasadas truck - very slow, malasadas undercooked and overpriced.
Quite unfortunate but at this point they are just trying to extract money out of tourists.
Just get them from island gourmet when they make a fresh batch.
Quite unfortunate but at this point they are just trying to extract money out of tourists.
Just get them from island gourmet when they make a fresh batch.
Dec 30, 2021, 3:28 pm
#52
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Kamuela, HI
Programs: AA-Plat
Posts: 462
Best malasadas on the island are from TEX Drive In right off hwy 19 in Honokaa
Dec 30, 2021, 5:51 pm
#53
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Location: LAX
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Jan 29, 2022, 7:26 am
#54
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: Orlando, FL
Programs: BA GGL, AA Platinum, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 12
Completely agree on the malasadas at Tex’s. Went there on a Sunday morning and they were so fresh and tasty! Also went to Kens house of pancakes in Hilo. Great service and Had that old diner atmosphere. For resort area in Kohala, most restaurants seemed to be available on open table. Keep checking throughout the day and something may pop in at the last minute. Did my usual favorites Manta and Cooper Bar
Jan 29, 2022, 11:57 am
#55
Join Date: Jan 2007
Programs: UA 1MM, Avis Chairman, Four Seasons Elite, HA Pualani Gold
Posts: 453
You can always walk in at 5:00 at Canoe House and be seated in the bar area and be served the dinner menu. The Mauna Lani Auberge Luau is now on Fridays but looks as tacky as the rest for $220 to $270 per person. It’s at the Pavilion so no ocean view.
Jan 29, 2022, 4:02 pm
#56
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Kamuela, HI
Programs: AA-Plat
Posts: 462
I agree that the bar seating is great but if you want to try for a table, CanoeHouse will open online reservations at 48 hours if they are not fully booked. They do have an open slot for this evening but it is for late dining.
Aug 31, 2022, 11:11 pm
#58
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: SF, CA, US
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Posts: 1,236
I'll be on the Big Island this Labor Day weekend and looking for recommendations for a place to catch the prominent college football games taking place on Saturday. Also looking for good food, and good (local) beer. Staying at Marriott Waikoloa and prefer someplace walkable - I could probably Uber for a strong recommendation. Thanks!
Sep 1, 2022, 10:39 am
#59
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I'll be on the Big Island this Labor Day weekend and looking for recommendations for a place to catch the prominent college football games taking place on Saturday. Also looking for good food, and good (local) beer. Staying at Marriott Waikoloa and prefer someplace walkable - I could probably Uber for a strong recommendation. Thanks!
Sep 2, 2022, 7:52 pm
#60
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum
Posts: 3,725
Food plan: I have 2 days in Kona and 2 days in MKBH. I'm mostly into casual, no frill, but tasty joints, but will splurge for special places (delicious food > ambiance).
For Kona, I'm looking forward to some good simple spots I found last time: Big Island Grill, Broke Da Mouth Grindz, and Umekes (sadly Frenchman's Cafe closed). Was disappointed with Fish Hopper last time.
Planning to hit up Pine Tree Cafe again on the way up to MKBH. Currently have Manta and Canoe House reserved for dinner - definitely want to try CH; Manta is optional. Any casual(er) suggestions that's not too far from MK? For breakfast/lunch, Hawaiian Style Cafe seems like my kinda place (I love casual Hawaiian food).
The 2 Huli Huli chicken places mentioned in thread (Randy's and GJ's) both only operate 2 days of the week and don't work for my schedule. It's the hardest thing to catch in Hawaii. Any other recs for it?
I see there's no Chicken in a Barrell or Duke's on the Big Island.
For Kona, I'm looking forward to some good simple spots I found last time: Big Island Grill, Broke Da Mouth Grindz, and Umekes (sadly Frenchman's Cafe closed). Was disappointed with Fish Hopper last time.
Planning to hit up Pine Tree Cafe again on the way up to MKBH. Currently have Manta and Canoe House reserved for dinner - definitely want to try CH; Manta is optional. Any casual(er) suggestions that's not too far from MK? For breakfast/lunch, Hawaiian Style Cafe seems like my kinda place (I love casual Hawaiian food).
The 2 Huli Huli chicken places mentioned in thread (Randy's and GJ's) both only operate 2 days of the week and don't work for my schedule. It's the hardest thing to catch in Hawaii. Any other recs for it?
I see there's no Chicken in a Barrell or Duke's on the Big Island.
Last edited by FlyinHawaiian; Sep 6, 2022 at 10:56 am Reason: Windward Coast Big Island questions moved to other thread