Cafe Boba

Food: 5/5 Portions: 5/5…read moreCleanliness: 5/5 Customer service: 5/5 Speed: 5/5 Price: $$ Takeout: yes Outdoor seating: yes ADA access: yes Dogs: yes- outside Kid Friendly: yes Vegetarian options: yes Vegan options: yes Ambiance: casual Pros: delicious fruit, friendly staff, super large portions

Ice Cream 5/5 Not usually what I go for but it was delicious…read moreand different! I ordered the Unicorn which is the ube & dragonfruit combo. They're more on the icier side than creamy. Service 5/5 Standard, nothing special. Ambiance 5/5 Indoor seating. We were the only customers so it was a nice peaceful treat for us. It was raining that day and humid so my ice cream was melting faster than I could eat lol.

Unicorn ice cream in pineapple bowl

Soft Serve Ice Cream: Unicorn (Ube and Dragonfruit) on a Pineapple from 8.23.2024

See all

Cookie monster

Loved by the Sun

4.4(78 reviews)

0.3 mi

Ordered two smoothies and a salad, and everything was absolutely delicious. By far the best on the…read moreisland! The staff was incredibly friendly, service was fast and efficient, and there was no wait at all. We'll definitely be coming back!

I stopped by Loved by the Sun while I was strolling around downtown Hilo and tried out their Live…read moreGreen smoothie -- kale, parsley, pineapple, and banana. The smoothie was thick and had a nice texture to it where you could still taste the pulp of the pineapple that was blended in. I don't think much -- if any, additional sugar was mixed in, because the smoothie wasn't especially sweet. If you're on vacation and haven't been eating particularly healthy, nor getting enough fiber in your diet, it's a good idea to give your system a boost with one of these smoothies. Smoothies here are priced in line with your average smoothie -- at around $13 or so. If you're looking for something else besides a smoothie, the menu here includes non-smoothie items as well, like juices, açai bowls, and various protein bites.

Classic acai bowl

See all

Classic acai bowl

Sweet Cane Cafe

4.3(464 reviews)

1.3 mi

This community cafe offers vegetarian fare from fresh ingredients sourced from their farms…read more The jalapeño ulu burger was fantastic (add the mango hot sauce they offer). The lunch was so good we bought the carrot cake and a French press coffee for desert. Highly recommend!

Sweet Cane is a health-conscious, organic, farm-to-table cafe, offering sandwiches, fresh…read morejuices/smoothies, and vibrant acai bowls. My favorite items are the acai and pitaya bowl as they are loaded with fresh banana, granola, coconut flakes. I also chose to get the omega add on for bee pollen, honey, chia, and hemp seeds for extra fiber! I am so happy to see that their bowls are still amazing as always. Highly recommend their fruit juices and bowls for nature's dessert to give you a boost for the day.

Nutter butter smoothie special, 20 oz...super delicious! Organic Pecan pie balls

See all

Dragon fruit, strawberry and mango smoothie

Kula Shave Ice

4.8(441 reviews)

0.3 mi

Good little shave ice spot in Hilo. Right next to the (basically, in) the Hilo Farmer's Market…read more Yummy house combos, good variety of make your own choices and friendly service. Excellent spot for a treat downtown.

The best shaved ice I've ever had…read more Food 5/5 The Lava Flow is absolutely to die for. The haupia cream and lilikoi butter at the top with the strawberry infused ice was like heaven. The textures were all there. Service 5/5 Standard, nothing special. Ambiance 3/5 Outdoor seating area for all of the restaurants in the area. It was pretty crowded and the area isn't that clean. There's also lots of horseflies.

Half orange and half blueberry

The Hapa (choc, coconut flakes, haupia ice cream) & The Local (love the local - lilikoi, soursop w ice cream

See all

Their many accolades!

Aloe Kine Smoothies

4.8(5 reviews)

1.5 mi

Fresh smoothies with aloe in it? Sign me up :). Such a unique idea that feels good in sunshiney…read moreHawai'i. Every smoothie I've ever gotten has been amazing. I like coconut and pineapple mixes but most places lean on the safety in bananas, strawberries etc. which you can definitely get here, but I'm stoked they try for more tropical flavors. I mean with mango and guava I'm in heaven. I'm always buying bottled aloe vera drinks in stores, I love the actual aloe chunks. This is obviously way better and healthier even if the aloe is blended into the smoothie so you don't even notice it. Safe & inviting for the timid folks I know. Yum yum yum. Please try & support small businesses! Find them in the Tokunaga parking lot. Hopefully they drive all over the island someday and spread the love.

Excellent drinks and she is very amiable. Always smiling. Please keep this local business going.read more

Kona sunset and loyalty card!

Menu 05/13/23

See all

Keaukaha General Store

4.8(35 reviews)

2.3 mi

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.

Dragonfruit pop

Hot Pastrami on multigrain bread. The Bomb

See all

Outside view

So Juicy Hawaii - Hilo

4.8(35 reviews)

0.2 mi

This is food for your mind, body and soul. I have not had the opportunity to visit the store, but…read moreI've been able to purchase items from So juicy at the KTA Pharmacy on Ponohawai. Today I enjoyed the Kulolo, the iKaika Ho'io salad bowl with a scoop of okinawan sweet potato. Everything was so ono and it left me feeling great because it was fresh and healthy. So happy to support this local business promoting health.

Best Place in Town! After eating here I feel refreshed and rejuvenated. Giving the body what it…read moreneeds and how. we had the blueberry mango smoothy also and it was best ever. Thank you.

Kamehameha bowl and burger, plus a delicious green juice

See all

Vibe Cafe

4.1(450 reviews)

2.0 mi

This place is a gem!…read more My partner & I were looking for healthy food and coffee options in Hilo, but weren't finding much open at 8am. Fortunately, Vibe Cafe exceeded our expectations. Staff was friendly from the moment we walked in (which was right after they turned on the "Open" sign). There were fresh flowers on all the tables (so fragrant!) and modern decor. We got the Jus Avo with egg, strawberry smoothie with protein, coconut yogurt parfait, and a monthly special latte made with Koji rice milk, espresso, and rose petals. The parfait was topped with an edible butterfly, which was such a charming detail! Service was fast (we were in & out in 35 minutes) casual (pay when you order). We also appreciated the ample parking lot. Will definitely be back next time!

Such a cute little place!! I ordered a cold brew and my niece ordered something with ube, which she…read moreabsolutely LOVED!! The place was so welcoming and cute!! I absolutely loved the set up, clean and comfy. We didnt order any food, but we saw some delivered and it looked amazing!! Coffee was so delicous!! Definitely coming again

The cutest pink cafe

Blue Majik smoothie bowl

See all

Matcha latte

Island Naturals Market & Deli

3.8(168 reviews)

1.3 mi

After a disappointing experience at a nearby restaurant, I walked to this grocery store. The only…read morereal vegan breakfast option on the hot bar was potato wedges, and they had some cold vegan food nearby that didn't look great either. So I opted to get this, which was also mid. Better than nothing, though.

This store is awesome!…read more This is the original island naturals market, the second location is in Kailua Kona. It's easy to find, located in a shopping center with parking. There are outside tables to eat. Inside is full of so many great items and their own deli foods and bakery items. The employees are nice. I highly recommend going here!

Curry bun

See all

Wailana's Juice Bar

3.7(3 reviews)

0.3 mi

Delicious all natural smoothies. No added sugar!…read more I loved the smoothie I ordered from this happy yellow juice truck located right by Hilo farmer's market. The owner mentioned that she makes her own lilikoi purees. Yummy! I felt clean as my body absorbed the fresh smoothie. Definitely will be back next time I'm in Hilo.

Awesome fresh, healthy smoothies. Many flavors to choose from. Great, happy service. Owner/operator…read moreis super friendly.

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

3 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Aaries J.

1

2

8 years ago

I Am Beyond Happy That The Big Island Finally Has A Boba Shop. Been Waiting Years & i Must Say It Was Well Worth The Wait. CAFE BOBA Is Amazing & Delicious. i Went Twice On The First Day & Kept Going For 1 Week Straight. Im Addicted To This Place. i Go At Least 4 Times A Week. So Worth The Money. Drinks Are Always On Point. The Food Is Outstanding. The Workers Are Always Welcoming. If Something Is Wrong They're Right There To Fix It. No Questions Asked. They Love The Feed Back, They Wanna Get Better. i Know This Place Is Gonna Last For A Very Long Time. They Just Keep Adding More & More Delicious Things To The Menu. i 1000% RECOMMENED This Place To Anyone Who Loves Boba Drinks & Fantastic Food. HUGE 5 RATING read more

Laura C.

61

4

2

4 years ago

Love all of the items they offer and the staff is always friendly. My favorite "go-to" place!

Y D.

0

20

7 years ago

I'm impressed! Tried it a few times and every drink I tried was delicious. Best in Hilo!

Cafe Boba - bubbletea - Updated August 2026

People who viewed Cafe Boba also viewed

Tea Time Hawaii

4.1

(32 reviews)

So many amazing claw machines with the cutest prizes they also have great drinks, boba, snacks and…read moreadorable little trinkets

Amazingly fun for kids, recommend for a rainy day. Kids had a blast. Lots of parking.read more

Makani's Magic Pineapple Shack

4.3

(546 reviews)

Food: 5/5 Portions: 5/5…read moreCleanliness: 5/5 Customer service: 5/5 Speed: 5/5 Price: $$ Takeout: yes Outdoor seating: yes ADA access: yes Dogs: yes- outside Kid Friendly: yes Vegetarian options: yes Vegan options: yes Ambiance: casual Pros: delicious fruit, friendly staff, super large portions

Ice Cream 5/5 Not usually what I go for but it was delicious…read moreand different! I ordered the Unicorn which is the ube & dragonfruit combo. They're more on the icier side than creamy. Service 5/5 Standard, nothing special. Ambiance 5/5 Indoor seating. We were the only customers so it was a nice peaceful treat for us. It was raining that day and humid so my ice cream was melting faster than I could eat lol.

Corner Cafe

4.8

(8 reviews)

The best refreshing halo halo drink ever!!! Come and try this out . I have tried lots of halo halo…read morein my life time but this would have to be the best. Coconut nut water and coconut pieces and blended into shaved ice. A mixture of candied fruits, and ube ice cream to top it off. I even forgot to take a picture. Not the same run of the mill halo halo. Wasn't pre made so all they have to do is add ice and ice cream. But worth the wait. Definitely worth it!!!!

Really good fresh mango smoothie. Cash only. In the food court at Bayfront, so I've walked by this…read morea ton but never been inside!

Nector Cafe

4.4

(8 reviews)

We'd bookmarked Nector Cafe, based on Yelp reviews, and we're so glad we checked it out on our…read morevisit to Hilo. Per their social: "Lovingly Serving Magic Concoctions Created by Unicorns." That's exactly the vibe! They offer coffees, ice cream, desserts, smoothies, and more in a bright and whimsical setting. Located in the heart of downtown Hilo on the main street. You enter through their sister boutique (think art, candles, crystals, and other spiritual goodies) and the coffee shop is at the back. Hawaii is most known for their Kona coffee, but they proudly use and sell beans from the Hilo side of the island. We enjoyed our iced latte. It was smooth and easy to drink. Really enjoyed the aesthetic of the space, the positive energy, and the warm hospitality. Cheers!

Cute little place! It's located inside the Wild HeArtist shop. The prices were very reasonable and…read morethe entire menu sounded amazing. I decided to go with the strawberry matcha and my boyfriend got the Mollinator. We did talk to the barista working as he was tied between the mollinator and the cookie butter espresso and she mentioned that the cookie butter one was more on the sweet side, which is why he ended up going with the mollinator. While we waited for our drinks, we were able to look around the store, which had some cute trinkets and such. Definitely recommend coming here if you're in the area.

Ha Cafe

3.6

(12 reviews)

The menu is not as shown online and their website is down so no way to check. Walked all the way…read morehere and they don't have the vegan breakfast burrito or many vegan options in general anymore. Hostess wasn't helpful.

Love the healthy choices! I ate here twice in 2 days on my vacation! The wraps were amazing with…read morethe garlic rice! Perfect texture and mouth-watering flavors! Try the balsamic chicken and the beef birria! Yum! I also had one of their fresh fruit smoothies and grabbed a couple juice tonics from their fridge to enjoy at the beach! My body felt energized! So glad I found this place with clean food choices and the counter girl was very friendly and sweet! Thank you for providing fresh options!.

Kula Shave Ice

4.8

(441 reviews)

Good little shave ice spot in Hilo. Right next to the (basically, in) the Hilo Farmer's Market…read more Yummy house combos, good variety of make your own choices and friendly service. Excellent spot for a treat downtown.

The best shaved ice I've ever had…read more Food 5/5 The Lava Flow is absolutely to die for. The haupia cream and lilikoi butter at the top with the strawberry infused ice was like heaven. The textures were all there. Service 5/5 Standard, nothing special. Ambiance 3/5 Outdoor seating area for all of the restaurants in the area. It was pretty crowded and the area isn't that clean. There's also lots of horseflies.

Short n Sweet Bakery & Cafe

4.1

(277 reviews)

Cute little bakery with lots of sweet treats. Went to Short n Sweet on a rainy Hilo day, so the…read moreshop was empty and there were lots of pastry options available. The shop keeper was friendly and patient as I browsed the pastry case. I've always been curious about the Dubai chocolate bar, so I decided to splurge and give it a try. Very pricey at $16 for a 4-5" bar, but it was worth it to try it once. The chocolate was smooth and high quality, the pistachio cream was sweet with a hint of pistachio flavor, and the kataifi was pleasantly crunchy. I would have loved more pistachio flavor, but it was a nice little chocolate treat. Looking forward to trying more things from Short n Sweet in the future. Will definitely be back when I want to treat myself to a gourmet dessert. :)

Right when you walk in, you're greeted by a beautiful display case of goods. To the left are…read moreshelves of refrigerated goods, followed shelves of non-refrigerated goods. The sweets are always really good. The crème brûlée is definitely our favorite dessert here! It's light and creamy and just overall delicious! We come here every time we visit and try to get something different but we always seem to revert back to the creme brulee. The staff there has always been really nice. We seem to always get the same lady every time we go and I feel terrible that I haven't gotten her name by now

Just Cruisin Coffee

4.2

(456 reviews)

I honestly can't stop thinking about their coffee! I need…read moreto get my own espresso machine. My go-to drink I got 3 days in a row while I was back home was the Iced Breve - espresso with cream, with no sweetener & no added flavor. It was perfect for me. I wish I got the large every day I was there. Because I was busy with things throughout the day. It kept me alert & awake with no crash (which most coffee does to me :( ) - but the breve from here didn't. For those watching their sugar intake, or wanting a keto-friendly drink with a good balance of espresso coffee & cream fat, I highly recommend this. All the other coffee shops I went to while on Oahu, I couldn't find breve on the menu. I first tried this place a while back in 2017, my cousin brought us here. And got the Iced Toddy, cold brewed coffee, which was way too strong for me at that time. We went inside this time, it's a small shop. It's a drive-thru as well, so it's perfect when it's raining out. Service is 5 stars as well. All of the drinks we got were onoliscious, no complaints. I miss this place. I will do my best to make my own at home till I come back. Mahalo & Alohaaa!

10/10 always a must have whenever I'm in Hilo! I always get a peanut butter frappe my favorite!!…read moreAnd a bagel breakfast sandwich! Something about the combo and it being from just cruising it just feels like home in a sense. Also the drive thru aspect is so fun. The baristas/servers are always so nice and have a smile. Can't be in Hilo without just cruising coffee. Also the signature whip cream makes my heart happy.

Project Boba

5.0

(2 reviews)

Wifee wanted to stop @projectboba_hilo. She got a mocha frappe and the nice owner was going over…read moresome popular items since it was my first time. When she got to the blueberry lemonade, she said it is "surprisingly good." Good enough for me. And it was good. Thanks Wing!

Really good flavors and service. Not too sweet. Coffee is very good also. Will always come back…read more here.

Popover

4.4

(240 reviews)