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Big Island The Island of Hawaii
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Old 08-01-2012, 04:16 PM
 
Location: Littleton, CO
2,394 posts, read 4,999,679 times
Reputation: 7569

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Hello -- I'm going to be visiting the BI in about 2-3 weeks, so I'm starting to scope out places to eat. Looking for some good places in Hilo and Kona since I will be kinda bouncing around in both locations some.

The only caveat is that I don't like any type of seafood at all, and I know that's a big thing there.

Here are a couple potentials I picked out so far:

Kona:
Kona Brewing Co.
Splashers Grill
Green Flash Coffee for breakfast
Krua Thai Cuisine

Hilo:
New Chiang Mai Thai Cuisine
Ma'ona Restaurant and Grill

Thanks
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Old 08-01-2012, 04:20 PM
 
4,918 posts, read 22,677,380 times
Reputation: 6303
KEN's!!!! Can't be in Hilo without at least trying the Big Island's version of the corner dinner!
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Old 08-01-2012, 04:25 PM
 
Location: Kahala
12,120 posts, read 17,901,605 times
Reputation: 6176
Cafe Pesto in Hilo is spectacular - I'm there every week and it never fails to disappoint. Great selection of beer/wine - pizza and pasta both excellent.

Cafe Pesto
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Old 08-01-2012, 08:30 PM
 
Location: Volcano
12,969 posts, read 28,430,223 times
Reputation: 10759
Yes to Cafe Pesto, right in the old bayfront area. It's in a wonderful 1912 building that survived the tsunami, and was loving restored 20 years ago... high ceilings and tall windows overlooking the bay... a great fusion menu for lunch or dinner... relax, enjoy...

Cafe Pesto
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Old 08-01-2012, 08:32 PM
 
Location: Hawai'i
1,392 posts, read 3,051,788 times
Reputation: 711
I have no recommendations, but I'm subscribing to this thread and thank the OP for starting it!
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Old 08-01-2012, 09:06 PM
 
Location: not sure, but there's a hell of a lot of water around here!
2,682 posts, read 7,571,252 times
Reputation: 3882
"it never fails to disappoint." Is this place strictly for the masochistic diner or the sadistic host?

Aloha and okolelaidat
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Old 08-01-2012, 09:43 PM
 
Location: Volcano
12,969 posts, read 28,430,223 times
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One that gets mixed reviews, but that I like nevertheless is Nihon, the Japanese restaurant in the bayfront park just above where Banyon Drive ends at Lihiwai.

It's a little frayed at the edges, but then again, so am I. And service sometimes is a bit too relaxed, but I'm never in a hurry, so whatzit? Besides, the view over the bay is the best in the city.

Nihon, 123 Lihiwai St, Hilo, HI 96720 - (808) 969-1133
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Old 08-01-2012, 10:26 PM
 
Location: Volcano
12,969 posts, read 28,430,223 times
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On the Kona side, being more touristy than Hilo, you'll find more good restaurants.

Sam Choy's is a longtime Kona favorite, with a killer view of sunsets.
78-6831 Ali'i Dr, Ste 1000, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 (808) 333-3434 Sam Choy's Kai Lanai

Another one of my faves gets mixed reviews, but I'm a sucker for historic old school ambience, which Kona Inn has in spades. Passing through a museum display of classic longboards, you get to a dining area that is open to the beach, facing the sunset, and where late at night, behind the bar, if you squint your eyes just right, you just might see the ghost of Hunter S. Thompson still lingering at last call.
Kona Inn, 75-5744 Alii Dr, Kailua Kona, HI 96740 (808) 329-4455
Kona Inn...Restaurant in Kona. Hawaii...

Then one of the best on the Big Island, up the coast a bit from Kailua-Kona, is Roy's Waikoloa Bar & Grill
Pricey, but top flight. The various Roy's in Hawai'i, established by famous chef Roy Yamaguchi, have apparently split from the mainland chain that operate Roy's Hawaiian Fusion (and Outback Steakhouse, HQ's in Florida), and should not be confused with them. This is the original, the real thing, and it's expensive and innovative and simply great for a splurge.
Roy's, 250 Waikoloa Beach Dr, Waikoloa, HI 96738 (808) 886-4321
Hawaiian Fusion Restaurant - Sushi - Roy Yamaguchi - Roy's Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine
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Old 08-01-2012, 11:24 PM
 
Location: Kahala
12,120 posts, read 17,901,605 times
Reputation: 6176
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jungjohann View Post
"it never fails to disappoint." Is this place strictly for the masochistic diner or the sadistic host?

Aloha and okolelaidat
Ha ha - the reason I like Cafe Pesto so much is that everything on the menu is so good - I've never had a meal there why I said - Hmmmm, that was just ok. I've not found anything else like it in Hawaii - let alone Hilo at the price point for the quality of the food - my only complaint is that parking can be a pain sometimes. This place gets busy for a reason.
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Old 08-02-2012, 01:08 AM
 
Location: South Kona
21 posts, read 43,526 times
Reputation: 37
I'll second the Kona Inn for old school ambiance. However, the longboards have been replaced by trophy gamefish and at this time of the year, the sun is far enough north that you can't see it hit the water from the Kona Inn. You need to move farther south along Ali'i Drive to Huggo's or Don the Beachcomber's at the Royal Kona Resort. Huggo's on the Rocks has a great Happy Hour from 3 to 6. All draft beers are $3, which, believe me, is a steal in Kona. They also have some nice music. On Sundays they usually have LT Smooth, a Grammy award nominee.

Kona Brewing has pretty decent food and amazingly good ambiance considering it's sitting in the middle of an industrial area.

Others to consider would be Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill...you'll probably see some of the Big Island's movers and shakers here and the staff will probably remember you on your second visit.

Harbor House, located at Kaloko-Honokohau harbor and marina. Some of the freshest fish you'll find, but also great burgers and icy cold schooners of draft beer.

Annie's Island Burgers and Grill, in Kainaliu (about 5 miles south of Kona) serves grass-fed, island-raised beef.
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