This is the perfect restaurant if you are looking for VEGAN, VEGETARIAN, GLUTEN-FREE options in the…read morearea. Our 5 year old is vegan & gluten-free and we were worried about what we would find for lunch... the rice and beans plate was perfect. Plain white rice (no broth), vegan refried beans, mild salsa, corn tortilla (upon request). He loved it. Hubby and I shared the vegetarian enchiladas with ranchero sauce (made vegan), and the tofu/cabbage taco with flavorful cilantro sauce (which came with chips and house made salsa). Mmmm delish! Portion sizes were big. Prices were very reasonable. $40 for all 3 of us. A BIG shout out Michelle for who was super helpful, super efficient, and super knowledgeable (requesting the kitchen to clean the area due to our GF request), making our experience seamless!

Expectations. Always set expectations. You show up to a Michelin restaurant you expect service and…read morefood. You show up to Island Tacos you expect a vibe and food. Two maybe three people working. Be patient. They will get you your tacos. It was as good as expected. Just remember to be patient.

Best service EVER! Best food EVER!!!…read moreGreat place! Thank you again ! The best is your open all the time! The park is fun too!

This is a must eat in Wimea. It is not fast food. It is good food…read more Great service. And the perfect location right in Wimea. Be sure to stop in if you are in the area and they are open. Not a crappy chain restaurant. Looks and feels like a family owned local spot. Highly recommend.

Pro Tip: Enjoy a Luxury Resort Without Staying There…read more Here's a little Big Island travel hack... You don't have to be a guest at the five-star Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection to soak up its incredible atmosphere. Simply tell the valet you're dining at Surf Shack, enjoy a bite, a drink--or both--and they'll validate your parking. The complimentary valet alone feels like a win. The resort is consistently recognized as one of the Big Island's premier luxury destinations. Once you've eaten, take your time exploring the property. Stroll the beautifully landscaped grounds, relax in the open-air lounges, wander the shoreline, watch the waves roll in, browse the upscale shops, and enjoy one of the most peaceful resort settings on the Kohala Coast. The ambiance is worth the visit all by itself. As for Surf Shack, the setting is fantastic. The food? Good, but definitely priced with a luxury resort zip code. We enjoyed our meal, but you'll likely pay a premium for what you order. So here's the hack: Pay for lunch... get the resort experience for free. Between the validated valet parking, stunning grounds, oceanfront setting, and laid-back luxury vibe, it's one of the best values on the Big Island if you know the secret. Just don't tell too many people.

We happen to be in town for Taco Tuesday. They offered fresh Al pastor, from a spit and a mushroom…read moretaco. I had two Al pastor tacos and they were heaven. The green salsa was a winner. We also ordered the fish tacos, which is always on the menu. They were fresh and delicious.

Delicious smoothies, mango sticky rice is second to none, and freshly cut fruit…read more There's also freshly made curries if you're craving some of that. Will definitely stop in again.

After sightseeing at Waimea Canyon, my husband and I stopped here and got a coconut, banana bread,…read moreand their fresh mango sticky rice which apparently Bretman Rock made viral. It was cool that we're able to choose our own coconut, but I wish that it was cold instead of lukewarm. I like how they'll even cut it open for you to eat the insides which was silky and fresh. The banana bread was ok and nothing to go crazy for--I def had better. As for the mango sticky rice, it was an overall yummy dessert but I did enjoy the coconut sticky rice more than the actual mangoes. Some mangoes were riper and tasted more sweeter than others. It was also a small portion. They have food items and tons of smoothies on the menu that I'd be open to trying if I ever return to Kauai. Service was welcoming and fast and I liked how she informed us of certain menu items that were not available before ordering. There are a few picnic tables to sit at, but this is more of a grab and go spot. Overall, it's a pretty cool spot to check out especially after sightseeing at the canyon, but it's not something I would go crazy for.

Paniolo BBQ is a hidden gem that offers a wonderful experience for both kids and adults. They have…read morefun stories, live music, majestic views, enjoyable games, and the food is amazing!

This was our second time attending the Paniolo BBQ dinner, this time with our family group of 18…read more It was fantastic as usual! The view from the top of the mountain is incredible! The historical storytelling, the gracious staff, the food, all just wonderful!! I highly recommend attending!!

We rarely make it to Kawaihae as we live in Kona but I highly recommend this cute little restaurant…read moreif you're in the area to visit! Mainly Italian but have some Peruvian dish also on the menu. NOT cheap but they make everything from scratch and all the dishes were presented beautifully and tasty!! They are only open for breakfast and lunch except Saturday night dinner. We got lucky to get seated but recommend making reservations for lunch. We had a Caesar salad to start with and had a pork belly sandwich and Italian meat ball sandwich. The pork belly sandwich was delicious!!

Cipriano's Kitchen - Kawaihae's Italian Treasure…read more Cipriano's Kitchen is one of those rare restaurants that keeps you thinking about your meal long after you've left. Chef Gino is generous with both his talent and his portions. Every dish showcases fresh ingredients, expert preparation, and a genuine love of Italian cooking. The menu is seafood-forward, featuring fresh local catches, handmade pasta, and flavors that are both authentic and creative. This family-run restaurant is made even more special by Claudia, Chef Gino's wife and culinary partner. Claudia bakes fresh focaccia daily and prepares the restaurant's gnocchi and pasta from scratch. As hostess, she warmly welcomes every guest and effortlessly serves as the restaurant's "walking menu," describing each dish with passion and detail. The presentation is stunning. Lobster, octopus, shrimp, clams, scallops, and house-made pasta arrive beautifully plated and bursting with flavor. The fresh focaccia alone is worth the visit. Every meal feels thoughtfully prepared, from the first bite to the last. What keeps me coming back is that the food is genuinely craveable. I find myself dining here every couple of weeks for lunch, and more often than not, I leave with a takeout order for dinner because I know I'll be thinking about it later. Cipriano's Kitchen isn't just serving Italian food--it's creating an experience centered around family, hospitality, and exceptional cooking. Kawaihae is fortunate to have this gem, and anyone who appreciates fresh seafood, handmade pasta, and heartfelt hospitality should make it a destination. A true Big Island favorite. "Come hungry. Leave happy. Plan your next visit before you've even finished your meal."

Tom yum and basil stir fry are amazing Dumplings also good…read moreMade fast and very nice Not very spicy

Welp, this was the best Thai food I've ever eaten! On top of that the prices were incredibly…read morereasonable and portions sizeable. I'm fairly certain you can't go wrong with anything on the menu but I can personally recommend the pork with ginger tamarind sauce, the fried rice, tom ka soup, pad Thai, and sauteed vegetables (yeah, we ordered a lot)! The owners are fantastic and cooked the fried rice for our toddler so it came out first which he was thrilled about (everyone else was too because we dug in too). Each dish came out as soon as it was out of the pan, under normal circumstances this wouldn't be ideal with 5 people but everything was so delicious we shared it all!