Hilo Town Tavern

I find myself needing to leave a review because of a negative review I read here today. I always…read moretell tourists this is an awesome spot if they want to get a feel of the real parts of the island, albeit not fancy, not expensive, not anything like you would expect. The first time I went here I was like, "wow, this is different." It really is and if you like jazz, you must try the Monday night jazz jam. There is no cover, although there should be. Bub the owner runs this jam every single Monday night no matter what the holiday or what's happening in town. Yes, he is different than maybe you and certainly me, but he is a loving, wonderful, caring individual even though he's against masking and has a different viewpoint on covid. So what, many people do. The sax player who was disrespectful was indeed kicked out of the joint and that guy hasn't been seen since. Its a shame too, cause he was at one time in his life a good sax player. Alas, the dude cannot handle his liquor. Anyway, I just wanted to say that despite what you read from a couple people about this place, it's a GEM and a real treat to experience a Monday night there. I don't partake in any other events that he throws in there but a lot of people do and it's a safe space. I'll support Bub always.

My friend and I got harassed by the older sax player that frequents jazz night. Many people stood…read moreby and watched this happen. After speaking out about it, other women of Hilo reported that he had also harassed and even unconsensually kissed them. None of the "regulars" confronted him or held him accountable. We also watched him call other fem presenting people "hot" and "sexy" from up on stage. Shared my story on fb and the owner, Bub, was tagged. He commented on the post sharing his sincere apologies for our experience. He stated this goes against kukuau studio values and shared that this man would be completely banned from the studio!

The view from the dance floor looking out the front door.

Steampunk Pele Our first al encompassing mural.

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Palace Theater

4.6(22 reviews)

0.1 mi

The 100 year old Palace Theater is truly a gem in downtown Hilo. Friendly and welcoming, it is the…read morehome of live theater, concerts, movies and community events, and is open several nights a week in a town that usually rolls up the sidewalks early. Itʻs a must see if youʻre visiting Hilo. Learn more at https://hilopalace.com/

The town of Hilo has a rich history with amazing stories and buildings. One of the highlights of a…read morerecent visit was visiting the Palace Theater. The lobby is open and welcoming with a cafe, exhibits, and advertisements for events and shows. The staff here were also welcoming, inviting us to come in and explore. We walked around the theater proper, enjoyed the art, and went to the basement. Even if you aren't coming for a show, I recommend visiting on a walk around town. There are also great restaurants, markets, and stores nearby.

Hilo Education Arts Repertory Theater (HEART) presents CABARET, 8.2.25 @ 7pm.

Palace Theater - Kuana Torres Kahele: A Live Concert to Benefit the Palace Theater's Centennial Year, 8.15.25 @ 7pm. Featuring Hālau Ka Lehua Pua Kamaehu.

Kuana Torres Kahele: A Live Concert to Benefit the Palace Theater's Centennial Year, 8.15.25 @ 7pm. Featuring Hālau Ka Lehua Pua Kamaehu.

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The Palace Theater presents WIZARD OF OZ: Centennial Production, 10.18.25 @ 7pm.

La Hiki Ola Kava Bar

4.6(21 reviews)

18.5 mi

This was such a great experience for me and my friends. I am a huge kava enthusiast and was so…read moreexcited to show my friends who've never had, the traditional way. They've only ever tried it in chocolate or tea. This place was better than I was expecting. The feel of it was just like many kava bars I've been to in tropical areas and also has an outdoor area. The guy who served us our kava was very knowledgeable about kava and its history and showed us the way they take it on the island! I've always known the other way where you say bula, the Fiji way. He was great to talk to and have us some good stories about the island and the bar. I highly recommend trying this place whether you have been curious about kava or already a a kava lover. Located in a cute town with lots to give. I will visit again if I'm on the island!

always a happy experience. super nice people. relaxing, cozy , creative and curious environment…read more(with great lighting). lots of seating indoor and outdoor. options to draw with lots of blank paper and markers. really great and unique selection of kombucha, kava items and more :) i have social anxiety but always feel comfortable and welcomed here :)

Grand opening party

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Kombucha & Jün bar taps

Wai Oli iCafe & Lounge

3.6(52 reviews)

1.4 mi

On our last few trips to Hilo, we stayed at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel and haven't been disappointed…read more For convenience, the hotel has two restaurants in the lobby. Wai Oli is also two businesses in one - it serves as a morning/brunch cafe for coffee and pastries, then transforms into a casual evening restaurant for dinner as well as live music and a bar space. On our first night we were too tired to go out in the rain, so we tried the Red Rice with Chamorro spices and sauces, and a Club sandwich with fries. The food is excellent, prices about what you'd expect in a hotel. The tap list is also pretty good with macro lagers and locally brewed selections from Big Island Brewhaus and Hilo Brewing Co among others. Service is good, with friendly servers. The view is also excellent with clear views of Hilo Bay right outside. They also have outdoor tables on the lanai.

Great restaurant bar to grab a bite and a beer at. They now have live music everyday.read more

Beach view

Chicken wangz

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Smash burger

Pineapples Island Fresh Cuisine

4.3(2.6k reviews)

0.2 mi

from one tourist to another, this is the perfect lunch/dinner place. We got the grilled chicken…read morewrap with mango coleslaw and grilled chicken sandwich with fries. Both have amazing flavors. highly recommend! friendly staff and open concept which lets a lot of fresh air in!

TIKI DAVE of TIKI DAVE TRAVEL / TIKI DAVE'S TERRIFIC TRIPS highly recommends PINEAPPLES!…read more There is a reason this place has such great reviews. You definitely want to make a reservation in advance, especially if there are cruise ships in port. Otherwise, you're going to wait in line. I would say that the very best thing on the menu is the Teriyaki Flank Steak Appetizer ($19)....this thing is SICK. We ordered the appetizer and it is the most unique Teriyaki steak I have ever had. The teriyaki sauce is rich and just amazing. Just order it. I am still craving it. We also ordered the Lilikoi Hoisin wings and SON OF TIKI DAVE ordered the Lemon Macadamia Chicken ($28) which was delicious, too. They have a full bar and the Mai Tais are awesome. We ordered a couple a piece. Ambience and service is great. And with your receipt, you get at 10% discount at Wilson's Shave Ice across the street. TIKI DAVE from TIKI DAVE'S TERRIFIC TRIPS absolutely loves PINEAPPLES! I will be making a video of my experience so...and here it is! https://youtu.be/yVi4ZEcMw3g?is=0GTf-vESLcn0BX0_ Please subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/@TIKIDAVETRAVEL And follow! https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565274777775&mibextid=ZbWKwL https://www.instagram.com/tikidavetravel/?__d=1%2F%3Fhidemenu%3Dtrue

Bar with loads of fresh pineapples

Hilo Local Plate

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Dr. Pepper

Hilo Burger Joint

3.7(1k reviews)

0.8 mi

Solid burger and vibes! Can be a little dim in there for older people or people with bad eyesight…read morebut the ambiance was nice and there's an outside dining area. I got the bleu cheese burger medium rare, a solid choice that I was satisfied with and the crispy fries and sweet potato fries were yummy too! They offered a free birthday burger so that was such a lovely addition to my night, and the selection of beer was solid as well. Shout out to the bartender working on 6/18 when a drunken patron bothered our group. We were close to leaving anyways and I made sure to speak my mind to him, but the situation was handled well by the bartender and the staff was apologetic despite it not being their fault so hopefully the rest of their night went well! I will be back to try out more appetizers and other burgers as well

We're going to start by taking a star off right from the beginning. Why? If you log on to the…read morewebsite they have an immediate prompt about ordering online via the Toast platform, except t's never currently enabled. Whatever. We're staying close by so I drive over and make the takeout order in person. Super easy and a member of staff is there to take my order as soon as I walk in the door. After taking my order and payment, I'm told to hang outside at a red bench in their courtyard which I guess you could also eat at but also serves as their de facto holding pen as another guy is also out there doing the same thing I'm doing. After 15 or so minutes everything is brought out to me. Caprese Burger - California Burger - Bacon Cheese Burger Let me start with what's good. The burgers were all cooked to their requested temperatures. The fries were also decent as well and many packets of ketchup and mayo were put in the bag if needed. What's not good. The buns are not toasted so in a takeout environment they become straight up wet diaper soggy and it's also disconcerting when you ask for the bacon to be cooked crispy and it's served white/soggy/limp and barely cooked. Everything seemed nice enough inside and if ever back on the Big Island I would probably try HBJ again, but if you're taking online orders, please enable the platform and if not, remove the website prompt that you do and cook the bacon dammit, wet noodle is never fun. (3.5 rounding down)

Dining Area at Hilo Burger Joint

Jalapeños poppers w/Thai chili sauce

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Mushroom burger

Kaleo's Bar and Grill

4.1(221 reviews)

12.9 mi

Food and service was amazing! Great appetizers, drinks, and meals. Would definitely recommend and…read moreeat here again.

Food was really good and the service was even better…read more Everything we had from calamari to the fish fry was enjoyable. The drinks were as expected but the covered outdoor seating and fresh air vibes were great! Definitely recommend

Full bar with plenty of seating for lunch

Kaleo's burger with lettuce bun & side salad

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Outside sign

Margarita Village

4.2(15 reviews)

2.2 mi

5 stars for mozzarella sticks in a hurry. When the craving kicks in & they can get it out to you in…read more3 min and in a to go box $10 for 12 of them

Margarita Village LLC was totally not what I was expecting. I figured my boyfriend and I would walk…read morein to a Jimmy Buffet feeling type bar, but were instead walked in to a dive bar! Granted, the outside looks a little rough. There's mostly neon signs looking out at you from the dark inside. When you walk in, you'll notice the floors are concrete and that there are pool tables. Walking in, it seemed like the place has seen better days. However, looking at everyone in the bar, they all seemed like someone you could easily strike up a conversation with. My boyfriend and I were mostly looking forward to trying a margarita. We both ended up with a POG margarita. If you're unfamiliar with what POG juice is, it is Pineapple, Orange, and Guava juices mixed together. While the margarita was very strong, overall it was a delicious drink! We even got to try Lihing mui powder. If you go, look it up and ask for a glass rimmed with it! There is no air conditioning within the bar but we'd been there after sunset and didn't really feel hot. The bartender Kya? Kia? was so wonderful! After checking out the reviews, I did see some negative Nancy's on the platform talking about how this felt like a 'locals only' place. When I walked in, I made sure to strike up conversation with Kya and asked how her day was. Everyone on the island realizes you are probably vacationing. I was treated so wonderfully and Kya even gave me a recommendation for a hike in the national park. Be so kind to people and you will always make a friend! If dive bars are your thing, definitely check out Margarita Village! The margs are plenty!

Dozen Mozzarella sticks

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Cronies Bar & Grill

3.5(369 reviews)

0.1 mi

Matt was amazing from our cocktails, ( we had Japanese whiskey sours), to our food, (Chinese…read morechicken salad, Ono fish and chips wi tator tots) and to our service. Very knowledgeable Great recommendations Super friendly and engaging We will be back!

5 Stars We stopped…read moreby Cronies Bar & Grill for a simple lunch, and sometimes simple done right is exactly what you're looking for. I had the French dip with tots, and my wife ordered the mini burger with tots. Everything came out hot, fresh, and cooked just right. The French dip was packed with flavor, the meat was tender, and the au jus was excellent. My wife's burger was juicy, the bun was nicely toasted, and despite being the smaller quarter-pound option, it was still a very satisfying meal. The tots deserve a mention too - crispy on the outside, hot on the inside, and exactly what good tots should be. What impressed us most was that there wasn't a weak spot anywhere. No fancy gimmicks, just good food prepared well and served by friendly, attentive staff. For a straightforward burger-and-sandwich lunch, Cronies absolutely nailed it. We'll definitely stop back the next time we're in the area.

Poor service even though it wasn't busy.

Hot Pastrami Sandwich on Rye

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Love this bar. Ivy makes the best vodka martini ever.

Hale Inu Sports Bar

4.1(15 reviews)

1.1 mi

I have been wanting to visit this bar for a long time. At first I was a little intimidated. It…read moreseemed very local and not welcoming. This couldn't be farther from the truth. It's a great local dive bar. The staff and customers are very very friendly. It is situated right on a little Lagoon. Lots of ducks on the grass. There was a fun crowd, singing karaoke. The views are great if you get a table out on the patio, I think I found my new favorite hangout. I almost don't want word to get out so it gets overrun by tourists. Again, this is a very, very friendly place. The Good: just about everything. The staff the customers the view. The Bad: nothing really. But it is a little hard to find so do your homework. Chances I'll be Back: For sure! what a great vibe what a great place

Local dive bar on a nice lake…read more Got Laulai so that's already 5 star haha Even Pastelea and chilli cheese dogs! When you're lucky miso saimin... Can order delivery too! Live music on some days, darts on others, and billiards on, live music on other. Super clean bathroom!

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Outside tables on the lanai.

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Porch

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26 reviews that are not currently recommended

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

James O.

0

30

17

2 years ago

My family got two appetizers (mozzarella sticks and mini corn dogs), a bbq pork sandwich with fries, a Philly cheesesteak with waffle fries, and a loco moco. We also got one unsweetened iced tea. The mozzarella sticks were good, the mini corn dogs didn't have enough breading so the exterior was brittle and sharp. The loco moco was overcooked, the eggs were over hard instead of the ordered over medium. The bbq pork was very good and well sauced, the regular fries were basic. The Philly cheesesteak was also a bit overdone, it had some of those hard crunchy bits, but the waffle fries were stellar. We asked for a side of tavern sauce as well which we'd recommend as a dip for the fries. Our waitress Raquels B. was top notch especially considering where her tables were in location to each other. I was impressed as she had to go back and forth into different areas. Ahh the ambiance. We first sat in the main room with the bar, but it was uncomfortably hot and crowded as people kept standing around our table. We moved outside but we got a bad seat, there's a separate little area near the stage where people were chain smoking. We wound up right there next to the stage. Usually cigarette smoke doesn't really bother me, but this was particularly foul smelling and excessive. Back inside we went. read more

Stacey B.

24

2

0

14 years ago

Hilo Town Tavern is under new ownership! Issa has been running the place for about a year now and every week the place gets better and BETTER! More local art on the walls and NEW CLASSY BOOTHS!!! Pele's kitchen (located inside the Tavern) serves up an assorment of pupus, burgers and pizzas! They use local ingredients! I highly reccommend the pizza. Pizza and local draft beer how can you go wrong?! Live Music almost daily! Not to mention all the hottie bartenders!!! Stay connected with their events at facebook.com/hilotowntavern.keawestreet read more

Liz L.

28

2

14

14 years ago

Friendly neighborhood bar/cafe with local talent; live music Tuesdays with Kanaka Pila is my favorite, but also people like Margo come in to play guitar or piano... we even saw Irie Love there practicing for a concert with the bartender playing drums! Football fans come in for pizza and beer to watch the games, it's a fun place to meet people and enjoy Hilo. read more

Nick N.

0

5

1

2 years ago

It took about 10 mins before someone noticed us as we were about to leave, short staffed??? Food was eh, 17$ for a mediocre burger that falls apart and overloaded with crap. Wife didnt get to eat as they messed up her order. Had to flag someone down to get food remade, not impressed. read more

Frost1106 F.

0

1

0

11 years ago

I normally don't write bad reviews but recently went to an open mic night and couldn't stand the crowd. Just an overall bad vibe full of dumb pretentious high school acting wannabe's and shitty music....service at the bar was poor 'I wouldn't buy that for a dollar'... read more

Justin B.

0

1

0

14 years ago

Pleasing in almost every way that a place can be. I lost my $&@! Laughing, Playing games, and Jamming to an assortment of different musical talents throughout the week. My favorite Experience over the course of 9 days in HiLo. "you're welcome" BIZ read more

Issa H.

135

35

63

12 years ago

Thanks for coming to the Hilo Town Tavern friends, we are doing our best to improve our Restaurant and Bar daily. -We have a new food Menu, please give us a try! food from: noon to midnight Bar from: 11:30am-2:00am Mahalo HILO read more

Nick H.

1

5

7

12 years ago

Had a great time at First Friday art walk. The music was incredible and the food was just as fine. We visit from Portland once a year and this will certainly be a regular stop. Try the pulled pork sliders with a kona brew. read more

Casey R.

34

1

0

9 years ago

This is my favorite place to take a breather downtown. Shelly is a phenomenal bartender who works hard and makes you feel at home. I highly recommend this hangout for any occasion. Aloha. read more

Elisha Starr S.

0

3

0

2 years ago

Everything the place is gone down the shit hole since the new owners have taken over. Don't go find someplace else in Hilo. Don't waste your time your money save your body. read more

Paul H.

1

85

10

4 years ago

you walk in and NO stools at bar? what is up with that? will go to a BAR that has stools so you can sit. spread the word you have to stand at the bar read more

Vernon H.

0

20

0

5 years ago

A great atmosphere with a lot of good music. We enjoyed our meal as well. It was well cooked and we enjoyed it all and hope to go back again. read more

Keoki S.

0

1

0

14 years ago

You will see all the recent reviews are good. That is because the new owner and staff are awesome. Much aloha to Hilo Town Tavern!

Larissa T.

156

72

14

10 months ago

Never open when they say they are lol please work on that . Can't support a business that doesn't market themselves appropriately

Nick H.

31

15

10

10 years ago

Love this place. Great music with awesome food. Took my friends visiting Hilo and they couldn't wait to go back. Next visit...

Elizabethrose A.

85

1

0

10 years ago

Super friendly people an the food is amazing!! Love the variety and everything else that comes with the time your there!!

angelina W.

0

7

9

4 years ago

Went in recently for food and a couple drinks, Food was pretty good, drinks were great along with the service.

Kevin M.

54

22

2

4 years ago

Nice outdoor tables and fresh cold beer. The only food was hot dogs but maybe they have food trucks at times.

Andrew B.

0

15

3

8 years ago

They have beer on draft, and they have food. I would advise having lots of the former before the latter.

Josh B.

0

8

0

12 years ago

I love this place. great people good entertainment all the time and good food. The service is awesome.

Hilo Town Tavern - musicvenues - Updated September 2026

People who viewed Hilo Town Tavern also viewed

Cronies Bar & Grill

3.5

(369 reviews)

Matt was amazing from our cocktails, ( we had Japanese whiskey sours), to our food, (Chinese…read morechicken salad, Ono fish and chips wi tator tots) and to our service. Very knowledgeable Great recommendations Super friendly and engaging We will be back!

5 Stars We stopped…read moreby Cronies Bar & Grill for a simple lunch, and sometimes simple done right is exactly what you're looking for. I had the French dip with tots, and my wife ordered the mini burger with tots. Everything came out hot, fresh, and cooked just right. The French dip was packed with flavor, the meat was tender, and the au jus was excellent. My wife's burger was juicy, the bun was nicely toasted, and despite being the smaller quarter-pound option, it was still a very satisfying meal. The tots deserve a mention too - crispy on the outside, hot on the inside, and exactly what good tots should be. What impressed us most was that there wasn't a weak spot anywhere. No fancy gimmicks, just good food prepared well and served by friendly, attentive staff. For a straightforward burger-and-sandwich lunch, Cronies absolutely nailed it. We'll definitely stop back the next time we're in the area.

Peggy's Lounge

3.0

(25 reviews)

Extremely disappointed with our experience here. My family and I came in expecting to enjoy our…read morenight, but it ended up being one of the worst bar experiences we've had. We went up to the bar multiple times and were refused water 3 separate times. We also tried placing a food order, but the bartender told us food orders had to go through the server -- the issue was that no server came to our table for almost 2 hours. We were basically left sitting there unable to order. To make things worse, when it was time to close our tab, it took around 30 minutes just to get our cards back. The bar also felt extremely overcrowded to the point there was barely room to move around safely or comfortably. I understand places get busy, but being ignored, unable to order food, and waiting excessive amounts of time for basic service is unacceptable. Overall, the bartender experience and service completely ruined the night for us. We won't be returning.

Came in on a Saturday night to sing karaoke with friends and have some drinks. The place was mostly…read moreempty when we got there. We never got the songs that we paid for. The staff just kept playing their own stuff which is fine, but not if you're charging people for stuff you're not gonna give them. Also the drinks were very watered down and the staff had a very poor attitude even in lieu of the service they were not providing. And all with a spending minimum? For what? Being ignored? Would give it a half star if I could. Very bad experience. Will not be returning.

Ka Lihikai

3.9

(44 reviews)

I'm not sure that I have ever felt the need to talk about a hotel restaurant before but much to my…read morepleasant surprise, this place, to me, warrants it. Over our time in Hilo, we ate here a few times trying both lunch, dinner and late-night bar stuff. Let me start with some links: 1. Is the link for dining at the Doubletree in general 2. The current lunch menu 3. The current dinner menu They do have a menu for their lobby bar, but it is not online and then a separate late night bar menu after 9pm which is just a salad and three or four pizza varieties which cannot be ordered at other times. www.grandnaniloahilo.com/dining-bar.htm www.grandnaniloahilo.com/files/7344/Ka_Lihikai_Lunch_Menu_8.2026.pdf www.grandnaniloahilo.com/files/7344/Dinner_Menu_5.2026.pdf The one noteworthy quirk here is that between 4pm and 5pm the only things you can order are the few small light bites from their Happy Hour menu. Lunch stops at 4pm and dinner starts 5pm just like at the bar late night, technically it says the kitchen is open until 11pm but the bar staff will tell you to get your orders in by 10:30 at the latest. We tried a wide range of things such as the pizza (basil-pesto was great), edamame from the happy hour menu, north shore garlic shrimp, lamb chops and the seared scallops. All were good with the only real knock being that the scallop dish only had three scallops which to me is an app, not an entree. No issue with anything in terms of quality or flavor and if you're sitting close to the rear windows or out front when the doors are open, the breeze and ambiance are great. There is also live music a few nights a week which was an added bonus. It goes without saying that the pricing is definitely island/hotel pricing but all of the staff we encountered were great and the food was more than good enough that we enjoyed spending a meal in. No problem coming back.

Ka Lihikai has really ono Acai!…read more Im not too hot on breakfast so I try to go for the light stuff and their acai was perfect! Not too sweet. Not too rancid. Juuuuuust right.

Coco Cantina

3.7

(219 reviews)

Stopped in for margaritas and also ordered the nachos with chorizo to share. All were fabulous!…read moreService was friendly and fast. Plenty of seating in the cute, clean restaurant located in a small strip mall.

Bad environment all the way around. No parking, chaotic sitting, very drab. Loud, noiseu amd pushy…read morestaff. Cannot get orders right. Food was gross and way to exspensive.

Wai Oli iCafe & Lounge

3.6

(52 reviews)

On our last few trips to Hilo, we stayed at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel and haven't been disappointed…read more For convenience, the hotel has two restaurants in the lobby. Wai Oli is also two businesses in one - it serves as a morning/brunch cafe for coffee and pastries, then transforms into a casual evening restaurant for dinner as well as live music and a bar space. On our first night we were too tired to go out in the rain, so we tried the Red Rice with Chamorro spices and sauces, and a Club sandwich with fries. The food is excellent, prices about what you'd expect in a hotel. The tap list is also pretty good with macro lagers and locally brewed selections from Big Island Brewhaus and Hilo Brewing Co among others. Service is good, with friendly servers. The view is also excellent with clear views of Hilo Bay right outside. They also have outdoor tables on the lanai.

Great restaurant bar to grab a bite and a beer at. They now have live music everyday.read more

Fairway Grill

3.6

(64 reviews)

The service was fantastic. It was my first time in & we sat at the bar for lunch. Our server was…read morenew but Henna ( not sure of the spelling) was very supportive and quite friendly. She helped make our lunch enjoyable. We tried the brisket fries, cheeseburger & onion soup. All delicious! The Internet went out so my partner had to leave to find an ATM. The ladies kept me entertained while I watched their interaction with the other guests. Great personalities. (Would be great if the owners invested in a handheld POS system. It holds the credit card number until the Internet or power comes on. That way guests don't have to be inconvenience d.)

Ordered the Brisket sandwich and French onion soup. I feel the soup is not worth $8.99…read more Sammie was ok. The brisket was dry. Service was fine. Server was nice. Water was never refilled and hardly anyone there eating. Ambiance was nice if you sit next to windows to see golf course. Otherwise you are looking in the kitchen area. Not sure if I would return.

Pineapples Island Fresh Cuisine

4.3

(2.6k reviews)

from one tourist to another, this is the perfect lunch/dinner place. We got the grilled chicken…read morewrap with mango coleslaw and grilled chicken sandwich with fries. Both have amazing flavors. highly recommend! friendly staff and open concept which lets a lot of fresh air in!

TIKI DAVE of TIKI DAVE TRAVEL / TIKI DAVE'S TERRIFIC TRIPS highly recommends PINEAPPLES!…read more There is a reason this place has such great reviews. You definitely want to make a reservation in advance, especially if there are cruise ships in port. Otherwise, you're going to wait in line. I would say that the very best thing on the menu is the Teriyaki Flank Steak Appetizer ($19)....this thing is SICK. We ordered the appetizer and it is the most unique Teriyaki steak I have ever had. The teriyaki sauce is rich and just amazing. Just order it. I am still craving it. We also ordered the Lilikoi Hoisin wings and SON OF TIKI DAVE ordered the Lemon Macadamia Chicken ($28) which was delicious, too. They have a full bar and the Mai Tais are awesome. We ordered a couple a piece. Ambience and service is great. And with your receipt, you get at 10% discount at Wilson's Shave Ice across the street. TIKI DAVE from TIKI DAVE'S TERRIFIC TRIPS absolutely loves PINEAPPLES! I will be making a video of my experience so...and here it is! https://youtu.be/yVi4ZEcMw3g?is=0GTf-vESLcn0BX0_ Please subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/@TIKIDAVETRAVEL And follow! https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565274777775&mibextid=ZbWKwL https://www.instagram.com/tikidavetravel/?__d=1%2F%3Fhidemenu%3Dtrue

Bite The Eye

4.6

(89 reviews)

We were recommended this place for good, fresh local Hawaiian Poke. We had to drive a little, since…read moreit's a little outside Hilo's city limits, but it was worth it. We were in the mood for Poke and rather than get it at the local market, we decided to check out 'Bite the Eye'. And if it kinda looks like someone cleared a field, threw down some gravel and put up a metal shed, that's exactly what they did! Albeit nicely done and very clean! A group of young folks starting a poke business and they nailed it! Good Poke, at a unique place you will remember and everyone is very nice! And since Poke was too 'exotic' for my young daughter, was happy to see they had Burgers and Nachos on the menu! I would recommend you check this place out.

Best Local Grindz in Puna - Support This Inspiring Business!…read more Last night, we finally dined in at Bite the Eye, and let me tell you--it was worth every bite! We've ordered takeout before (because let's be real, when you find local fresh fish, you don't let that go), but stepping into their shipping container-turned-restaurant was a whole different experience. Vibes? Immaculate. Food? Busted my mouth. The Setup: A Unique Industrial-Rustic Dream This isn't just a restaurant--it's a masterclass in entrepreneurship. Owners Christine and Kaiana built a fully functional commercial kitchen inside a shipping container while transforming another into a stylish dining/bar space. The open-air setup with a heavy-duty tent, rustic wood, custom murals, and ambient lighting creates the most relaxing, family-friendly dining experience we've had in a long time. And get this--they're bringing in karaoke and open mic nights soon! You already know I'm coming back ready to SING & GRIND. The Food: Fresh, Local, Made With Hustle My husband, a culinary genius (and harshest food critic), was blown away by the flavors. The fish is locally sourced, the sauces are next-level, and there's something for every palate--from fresh poke to comforting island favorites. Why You NEED to Support Them Christine and Kaiana aren't just business owners; they're hustlers fighting to do things the right way. They've jumped through every legal hoop to make this dream happen for their community, and it shows in every detail--from the seamless teamwork in the kitchen to the warm, welcoming vibe. ‍‍‍ Perfect for Families As a family of six, we don't just go anywhere. But here? Kid-friendly, safe, and stress-free. The space is tucked away from the main road, and even better--they have a friendly dog that played fetch with the kids. My Final Take? If you love fresh fish, support local, and want to experience something new, you need to go. And if you haven't yet--GO NOW. Thank me later. Bite the Eye - Puna, Hawai'i 5/5 - Will be back (and probably singing at karaoke night) This shipping container restaurant is changing the game in Puna! Fresh local fish, chill vibes, and coming soon--karaoke?! You NEED to try this place. #SupportLocal

Joann's Lounge

4.4

(34 reviews)