If you're visiting Hilo, do yourself a huge favor and don't miss brunch at Paul's Place. This tiny…read morespot only has a few small tables (total seating for about 6 folks at a time). Reservations are mandatory, but a visit is well worth it! Paul is a sweetheart and an amazing cook. His secret ingredient is love. He really loves what he does and that passion for his craft really shines through to the entire experience dining at this small hole-in-the-wall. Don't expect to find air conditioning here, but definitely expect a delicious meal. My family sampled several favorites on the menu, including Paul's take on a smoked salmon benedict, his outrageous Belgian waffles, and the breakfast caprese, a really creative dish you'll only find here. Paul, thank you so much for a memorable meal! I hope to see you again if I'm ever back in Hilo :)

I celebrated my birthday at Paul's Place, and it was an experience I'll never forget…read more When I reached out for a reservation, they followed up and were able to fit me in for my birthday. That alone meant so much. From the moment I arrived, Paul made me feel special. He greeted me with a warm smile, seated me at a beautifully decorated birthday table, and surprised me with a birthday sash and crown. It was such a thoughtful gesture that truly touched my heart and made me feel celebrated on my special day. I enjoyed fresh-squeezed orange juice and the Belgian waffle with bacon. The waffle was absolutely delicious--beautifully presented with fresh fruit and whipped cream, and honestly the best waffle I've ever had. A huge mahalo to Paul and his team for making my birthday so memorable. The food was outstanding, but it was the kindness, warmth, and genuine hospitality that made this experience unforgettable. 12/10 Highly recommend!

Location was convenient and the wait to be seated was not long…read more Really busy in there so food took awhile to arrive (toast was already cold) but food was average. Great if you're looking for a sit down restaurant and close to the airport.

Had an incredible experience at Ken's House of Pancakes! The food was fresh, hot, and flavorful,…read moreand the service was wonderfully friendly and fast. It's easily a 5-star spot for great food and great people.

Great choices at great prices. The service is pretty good too. When very busy it can be a bit of…read moretime but well worth the wait.

Visited Hilo for the first time and wanted a good breakfast spot with local flavors. So glad we…read morediscovered this place! Portions were humongous! Everything tasted so good. Restaurant had a lot of seating, and the room in the farthest back had good a/c and fans. But be prepared to wait! (Hint: add your name to the Yelp waitlist ahead of time.) Service was friendly and efficient. We ordered: Punalu'u French Toast, Mok-a-saurus, Haupia pancakes, and Fried Saimin with Korean chicken. All were ono (Hawaiian for delicious)! Wish we were staying longer as we'd love to come back to try more things!

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

Such a cute cafe in downtown Hilo! I was looking for something sweet after having lunch and found…read morethis was the closest place to my location that was open on a Sunday. The cafe is located in the back of a boutique / art gallery that sells crystals and prints and has a cute and lively interior. I ordered the chakra latte, which consists of matcha, milk, and your choice of either rose or ube. My mom ordered a heart chocolate (a hot cocoa with milk and cardamom) and a chocolate chip cookie. She really enjoyed her drink and finished it within ten minutes, so it got her stamp of approval. The cookie was harder on the outside but chewy on the inside, which we also like. When I ordered my chakra latte, I was delighted to hear that the milk options include whole milk, oat milk, coconut milk, and macadamia nut milk. I ordered mine with macadamia nut milk and the barista agreed that it was her favorite option to have with the latte. The drink came out with two edible hibiscus flowers on the straw; it was a sweet treat and great detail! The drink was absolutely delicious! The service was also excellent, and the barista that was staffing the counter was very knowledgeable and great to talk to. Cafe is located downtown so there's free parking outside, as long as you can find a stall. I'm already looking forward to my next visit!

i thought this was more of a cafe. But it is at the back of a retail store and more smoothies and a…read moresmall selection of cookies and treats. so , not for me today

Navigating through nostalgia. Dining at a place since childhood, a place that's woven into my life…read morestory. This location has been serving generations of local families like mine for decades. Formerly Queen's Court Restaurant at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, a local gem reinvented five years ago. To WSW Steakhouse. The hotel and restaurant are now officially part of the Trademark Collection by Wyndham, still owned and managed by Castle Resorts & Hotels Hawai'i. A fresh new dining concept replacing WSW will happen before Fall 2026. Complete with interior renovations, a refreshed menu, new wraparound bar and name. Here's an authentic snapshot, capturing my dining experiences at WSW before this transformation happens. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Tired of waiting for a breakfast table, want the convenience of making a reservation? Don't like your family placed on separate tables? Do you seek comfort and air conditioning in the morning? A venue that offers an upscale breakfast ambiance with ocean views? This is the place. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ À la carte breakfast at WSW is underrated and deserves promoting. The locals, I feel, need to know about this place. Served Mon-Fri with reservations available via the OpenTable app. Recently, I did a two-night stay at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel. I decided to dine at WSW for all meals and it introduced me to their breakfast and dinner à la carte experiences. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Savory comfort, genuine hospitality, breathtaking morning views. Hungry? "I'm Starving", the portions and price point sure surprised me. 3 eggs, 2 breakfast meats, choice of starch and a short stack had me content beyond reason. These pancakes aren't premade for quick serving or, so large in size the quality of taste and texture diminishes. They're fluffy, sweet, pillowy with an airy interior, caramelized exterior. Enjoy an order of their hearty + comforting Housemade Corned Beef Hash, where each component melds perfectly together. The eggs are opulent in color and served with your choice of starch. This is my favorite. Their Belgium Waffle is light and delicate, deep subtly butteriness and balanced sweetness. Garnished with blueberries and whipped butter. Simple yet prepared with care. On Saturdays and Sundays, at the time this review was posted, a $25 breakfast buffet with an omelet station is offered. For a $35 upcharge after 8am enjoy steamed snow crab, carved Prime Rib and bottomless mimosas. A champagne brunch experience I've done many times. As WSW turns into a new dining concept, I hope breakfast remains unchanged. Food, service, ambiance, value, convenience. I currently rate it as one of the best breakfast spots in East Hawai'i. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Dinner. "Sizzling 16oz Ribeye", juicy and tender. Intense sizzle, the flavors were so on-point, the side sauce I ordered wasn't necessary. The quick sear rendered a perfect medium and the caramelized onions were so delicious, I ate them as a no-onion person. Served with garlic mashed potatoes, request a a baked potato upgrade. The Misoyaki Butterfish, moist with a caramelized glaze and rich umami flavor. I would recommend checking the texture of your rice though. Tinono appetizer, amazing flavor and texture profile. A must along with the creamy Lobster Mac 'n Cheese. This is the only restaurant on the East Side that offers a salad bar with dinner. For $10 with any entrée, four offerings plus two outstanding soup selections. The most hearty and delicious Clam Chowder I've had in a while, it deserves a spot on their new menu. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Weekend dinner, holiday and brunch buffets, this is what this location is known for since I was a kid. Even though the lavish offerings and prices have changed over time, the same charm of dining here still remains. I usually only come for two items, the rest is secondary. Snow Crab and Prime Rib. If both are prepared well, I'm satisfied. But there's times the prime rib is inconsistent in-flavor and texture. Yet, I always leave satisfied since everything else usually balances things out. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ I feel a sense of belonging, the guest service at WSW makes me feel valued. From entry at the host stand, to the front team, to the managers. I don't feel like I'm just another transaction, but appreciated as a local resident and return customer. Live action stations (omelet/carving), the kitchen team has moments where their level of service isn't consistent with those in the front. It should add to the overall dining experience, be a part of the "show". Regardless, it's a meaningful connection almost every time. My dining experience becomes personalized with genuine empathy and emotional awareness. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Let's celebrate their evolution, a brand refresh and dining concept change. I'm excited with anticipation and looking forward to supporting your new vision. Thank you for continually elevating the dining experience and welcoming myself + the community back for decades. As a new chapter unfolds, "Congratulations".

The Friday Hawaiian buffet is amazing! Nice view of Hilo Bay, but bring a fat wallet. The poke is…read moretop notch, a wonderful selection of salads, and the prime rib and crab legs are excellent. $10 discount if you're staying at the hotel.

We stopped by the Booch Bar on our way into Hilo before a day of adventuring, and it was a great…read morelittle stop for breakfast. We tried the simple breakfast plate and a breakfast sandwich, and both were tasty and really hit the spot. Since we went on a weekday, it wasn't too busy inside, which made for pretty quick service. Overall, it was a solid breakfast stop and a nice place to grab a bite before heading out for the day.

From the moment we walked in, we had a wonderful experience. The cashier was incredibly…read moreknowledgeable and kind, offering great recommendations when we asked. I also appreciated that she mentioned they have smoothies after my kids asked for one, I hadn't even realized they offered them! The food was absolutely amazing. The beet salad was delicious, and the seared tuna on top was perfectly seasoned and cooked just right--tender without being too firm. The fish burger was also outstanding, and the bánh mì was just as delicious. I've been buying their Jun kombucha from the store for a while and have always loved it, but finally dining here made me appreciate this place even more. Everything we tried exceeded our expectations. I'll definitely be coming back every time I'm in Hilo!

IHOP is located in the Prince Kuhio Mall on the Long Drugs side…read more Visits to IHOP when living in Honolulu were rare because of the locations and feeling it was more of a touristy restaurant. Now the Hilo IHOP has a different vibe to it. You'll see more locals in here than tourists. Yes, it's the same menu, but there are some local specials offered. Normally it's Fried Rice and Loco Moco. Recently I tried the Breakfast Tacos. Two tacos with scrambled eggs, bacon bits, cheddar and white cheese sauce with your choice of sides. It was delicious! The salsa was mild and the soft tortilla was grilled for a nice crispy bite. The service is always excellent and the food consistently good. They're open 24hrs on Friday, Saturday & Sunday. Winning!

Aboit ready to walk out. Coffee was cold. Pumpkin spice milkshake was nasty. Very yucky after…read moretaste. It tasted lime an unripe banana and old stale vanila extract. Ordered a simple bowl of tomatoe soup. 20 minutes and nothing. The place is empty. It is cold.

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

Here's a polished version you could post:…read more This morning we visited the local food market, looked around, and picked up some souvenirs. It was a great way to experience the local culture and find a few treasures to take home. Afterward, we had lunch at Cafe Pesto, and the food was absolutely delicious! What made the experience even better was our server, Ella. She always had a warm smile, was attentive, and made sure we had everything we needed throughout our meal. Outstanding customer service like hers makes a dining experience truly memorable. Thank you, Ella, for your wonderful hospitality! We highly recommend Cafe Pesto to anyone visiting Hilo. #Aloha #Hilo #CafePesto #ExcellentService #HawaiiVacation

Came as a party of 2 at 3pm on a Saturday. There were some parking spots out front with some street…read moreparking that should cycle through pretty fast. Service was extremely quick -- we got seated right away, our orders were in and our food came out within minutes. The aesthetic was a mix between New Orleans French and tropical. Food: - Coconut calamari (8/10): This was a tasty appetizer! For two people, we wished there were more pieces. The coconut batter was light and crispy, and the squid was surprisingly not too chewy. The calamari paired well with the mango mustard sauce, which is really strong so a little goes a long way! - Seafood medley risotto (9.3/10): We thought this dish was absolutely delicious! The overall flavor was amazing; the scallop was tender, the risotto had perfect texture and level of oilyness, the shrimp was big and succulent, and the fish was pretty good but could be softer, but that's me being picky -- overall amazing dish! I would totally come back and order this again.