Lava Thai Food

(3 reviews)

1.6 mi

Ala's Smashburgers are amazing. She doesn't skimp on the ingredients either. I tried this…read morepeanut butter guava jelly burger that was so good. Didn't think this was going to be a good combo but I was proven wrong. Find Ala on the Big Island on a Sunday at Maku'u Market or Sunday evening at the Lawn for the drum circle. She also does a number of other venues through the week. Support Hawaiian small businesses! This one is worth it. Also, Ala's place is set up like a festival stand which is fun to do. The service is top notch. Both Ala and Keoni bring the Aloha spirit to this business too! I watched them treat each customer with kindness.

This. IS. THE. PLACE. Located next to kaleos in orchidland…read more(parking lot) she's there Thurs (2-8) fri (12-pau) Sunday at Maku'u market. Local meat used. Truffle sauce I had with jalapeños was ridiculous!!!! Now if you eat, you know what I mean by I was SAD it was over after I finished. I thought of ordering another but since I know myself, I didn't. But that's how you know food is good! By far the Best Burger this side of the island. Trust.

Half and Half on the sauce. Featured here is our popular white Truffle and House sauces. Have it the way you like it. Any combo any time.

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Teriyaki Smash. A BIG Hit.

Big Island Birria Boss

First off, I am from Sinaloa, born and raised, and now live in California. I know what real Mexican…read morefood should taste like. Hands down, the quesabirria tacos and flautas are as good as they come--absolutely amazing. We happened upon this place on Yelp, and I was a little skeptical, but after the first bite, I felt transported back to Mexico. My entire family agreed that these are the best quesabirria tacos we have had outside of Mexico, and possibly even in Mexico. The flavors were amazing, and the consommé was absolutely delicious. We are regulars on the Big Island and normally do not eat Mexican food because we have never found a good spot, with the exception of Shaka Tacos. This place was really busy, and there was only one person working. She was doing it all--taking orders, collecting money, and making all the delicious food. She was never rude and was so pleasant. She said the cooks had called in and she was the only one there. Talk about dedication! She made sure everyone got their food, and it was made perfectly. I cannot commend her enough for all the work she did and for putting out an outstanding order of food. She is a real gem and should be treated as such! It is so hard to find good employees today, and her dedication and attitude inspired me. I wish we had gotten her name, but she said she is always there. If the food takes longer than you like, just be patient, because you are in for a treat when it comes out. Good food takes time, and the food is definitely worth the wait. We will definitely be coming back every time we are here. This place is a real gem. If I could give it more stars, I would. I hope everyone reading this takes my advice and goes to this wonderful place for the delicious food and the warm people.

I have tried as many Mexican trucks/restaurants as I could find on the Big Island in the 4 1/2…read moreyears we have lived here. I have yet to find one that compares to good Mexican food in California, until Birria Boss. My Daughter-in-law, who is Mexican, found Birria Boss and I am super happy she did. This is now my go to place anytime I am in the Hilo area. Do yourself a favor and stop in for the Birria Ramen, Birria tacos, pastor tacos, as good as any you will find in California. So happy that I now can get my Mexican fix without a five hour flight.

Horchata and Birria Tacos

Inside dining

Quesabirria plate

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Si Si’s Tacos

4.9

(49 reviews)

0.0 mi

The food here is top-notch quality good. I have had everything on their menu and have not been…read moredisappointed at all. This place is a must try!

The ono fish tacos and burrito were so good! I highly recommend this place right off the bat. The…read morefood was fresh, flavorful, and everything on the menu looked delicious. Definitely worth checking out!

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Nachos

KG Mexican Food

(6 reviews)

2.1 mi

I absolutely LOVE & ADORE these tacos BEST tacos hands down!! Will always eat at their place, the…read moreservice is so wonderful their are absolutely nice and amazing people. If you ever see them definitely get their tacos.

We usually order from KG Mexican food when they are at the Maku'u farmers market on Sundays. They…read morehave amazing food. The menu is small but in my opinion that's the best. It's not overwhelming and you know it's going to be fresh! I think I have tried everything on their menu & can say without a doubt I love it all. The service is always good. The chef and her husband take the time out to get to know their customers. Overall KG is always a good idea if you're craving Mexican food :)

Peppermint Mocha Flan Cake

Flan & chocoflan

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Exterior

Hana Tako

(1 review)

10.3 mi

These guys are doing the best cheesecake I've tried on the island and possibly islandS. Yuzu Basque…read moreCheesecake is very, very special. Definitely of a great restaraunt quality. Once I'm in Hilo I take several to keep in my fridge. Keep it up, Hana Tako, thank you! P.S. It is sold by pieces. Couldn't find where I'd be able to buy the whole cheesecake though..

From the owner: Located inside KTA Puainako by the Deli, Hanatako serves Takoyaki, a Japanese traditional dish made…read moreof wheat batter with Tako (octopus) filling. Donburi (Rice Bowls) are also available including Chicken Katsu Curry Bowl, Karaage (fried chicken) Bowl, Katsudon and much more! Currently available after 3PM! In the morning around 10AM, we now serve Authentic Japanese Bento and Akadashi Miso Soup!

SABA (Mackerel) MISONI - Enjoy the flavor of mackerel soaked in sweet miso.

EBI CHILI (Spicy Shrimp) BENTO - Chef Kat's Special Spicy Shrimp! It is a very filling bento with traditional side dishes.

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SABA (Mackerel) BUNKAYAKI BENTO Enjoy thea refined taste of salt and Kombu. Baked using Binchotan (Japanese charcoal)!

MEZA Mexican Tamales

3.3

(3 reviews)

0.3 mi

Yes authentic Mexican Tamales wrapped and steamed in the husk of a corn cob. Been buying from this…read moreroadside vendor for a number of years and like the pork and cheese-jalapeno flavored tamales. I find the price a bit steep but when you factor in the "buy local" and the freshness plus MEZA's mobile facilities factors - I'll still buy. Hard to find authentic cuisine on the Big Island, so it is great to have this food option available.

I've tried your tamales a number of times over the years and have always enjoyed the flavor but…read moreit's all Masa and no meat. Never could understand why you can't add some meat to your tamales. I know inflation is tough but at $35 per dozen you should get some meat, pork ain't that expensive even now. I'd buy more if you changed your meat to masa ratio. Won't see me again for a while.

Souloha

(2 reviews)

11.0 mi

I want it all! Let me preface by saying Linda and her husband (aka @sweetkine808) are for real…read morefoodies! Trust and believe me when I say if something is on their menu, it's INCREDIBLE! That said, let's start things off with that cannoli waffle (first pic) special! I'm actually gasping for air because that cannoli waffle left me breathless. Their homemade waffle shells are a work of art in itself, but that cannoli cream filling, which I'm going to assume had ricotta cheese in it, was absolutely sensational. The filling was velvety, rich, and sweet, and the ricotta cheese added a lovely mild nutty flavor. I also tasted a slight tang, so I'm wondering if they used mascarpone too. Whatever they did, they need to keep doing it! The chocolate chips not only added crunch but also added contrast because the cocoa flavor had a slight bitterness, so overall, it was very umami. Then they want to top it all off with whipped cream and caramel? Really! Just start a subscription service so I can subscribe. I will ask how long this will be on the menu, and I'll keep you all posted. I am OBSESSED, so hopefully, it's a permanent item, but if not, at least for another month Now let's shift focus to pic # 2, which is the MacChick with Maple Cinnamon Butter. So it's their homemade waffle cone stuffed with homemade mac & cheese, topped with fried chicken drenched in maple cinnamon butter. If I put you on to anything, let it be this! This is my new go-to MacChick (sounds like magic) combination. Heads up, @sweetkine808, I will be ordering this every time. The savory and sweet notes between the well-seasoned chicken and mouthwatering mac & cheese harmonized and blended so well with the sweet maple cinnamon butter and dusting of powdered sugar. I am not joking. If you see me in line, best believe I'm ordering this. You might as well name it the Kaliko Pic # 3 was the Chick-N-Sauce with BBQ Sauce Thoughts: Let me make this clear as well. Their fried chicken is really frickin good. That said, I need to ask if they make their own BBQ sauce cause this was ono loa! Pic # 4 was the Chick-N-Sauce with Ranch Sauce Thoughts: Honestly, what can I say at this point? I'm just going to give them applause Pic # 5 is the South Point lemonade which is a peach and lemon-flavored lemonade shaker. Pic # 6 is the Cherry Limeade Their lemonade drinks are so flavorful and refreshing. I can't wait to try them all. I may have to try that ube one next. https://www.instagram.com/p/Cogt_rhsOF1/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Super chill dude at the front. Best mac I have had this year, also massive servings. Service was…read morequick only 3 minutes to get my loaded Mac bowl

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Manas Aloha Farm

Make a beeline for Manas Aloha Fruit Stand. We tried the fresh coconut, and it was so good, I half…read moreexpected it to start singing "Aloha" to me. It was like drinking the very essence of Hawaii cool, sweet, and refreshingly perfect. Seriously, I'm pretty sure coconuts were invented just for this moment. The banana nut bread. It's like if a cloud and a muffin had a baby. Warm, soft, and so perfectly balanced between banana and nutty goodness that I almost bought another loaf just to avoid the heartbreak of it being gone. Don't ask how many pieces I ate just know I left with crumbs in my soul. This stand is the kind of place that makes you feel like you're in on a local secret, and by the time you leave, you're planning your next visit. Stop in, grab a coconut, and try not to devour the entire loaf of banana nut bread before you get to your car. It's worth the stop and maybe even the calories. But wait.....there's more! They've got pineapple, sugar cane, and star fruit that'll make you wonder why you ever settled for regular fruit. Each bite tastes like a burst of sunshine, and you'll feel like you're living your best tropical life.

My daughter wanted to drink out of a coconut on our vacation and this spot delivered! They were…read morefriendly and it was fresh and delicious! Highly recommend hitting this spot when visiting Akaka Falls.

Drinking the juice.

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The Southernmost Food Stand

(1 review)

59.2 mi

We didn't expect to find a food stand along the road to the southernmost point in the country. What…read morea great find! To get freshly made some spam musubi, a warm slice of homemade banana bread and shaved ice after visiting such a beautiful part of the island is definitely the cherry on top. The musubi has the perfect rice to spam ratio and great sauce. The banana bread was moist, perfectly sweetened, and has lots of banana in it. And everything was reasonably priced. The boy who was making the musubi for us was very nice and friendly. I'm so surprised this place hadn't been added to Yelp yet. Anyway, I do hope this review will help others find this gem and bring more business to the food stand.

Spam musubi, banana bread, shaved ice

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Banana bread, warm, moist, delicious

Thai Noodle House

(9 reviews)

0.1 mi

My daughter favour's is Thai Tea. My is pad Thai. And…read moreowner host's smile. I would like dishes come out quick.

I had a craving for Thai, so I figured I'd give this food stand a shot. I got the Chicken Larb with…read morerice. It was pretty good! Better than expected, as it wasn't very visually appealing and didn't smell like it had much flavor. I was pleasantly surprised when I tasted it though. Flavors were fantastic and balanced and it was a good portion size. I'll definitely be back to try other things. Service was SURPR fast and friendly.

Menu

Crispy Spring Rolls

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Peppercorn Spice House

I'm absolutely loving the food at Peppercorns Spice! The service is top-notch - friendly, fast, and…read moresuper efficient. The ambiance is cozy and inviting, and the restaurant is always clean and tidy.

As always a pleasant evening, Let's…read moreGo and eat some good grinds. Tucked away I a tiny little center. Close To the shell station and McDonald's. Parking is not a problem. Seated and given menus. So many choices, Phad Thai chicken is a go to in any restaurant. Family went for the chicken, beef and pork ribs. All except the noodles came with a bowl of rice. We also ordered the tasty crab Rangoon. This came with some sweet and sour sauce. All the food came out in super delicious large portions. Ended up with four large Togo containers. Having extra meals. Great value!!!

Big platter of fresh huge shrimp and veggies.

Facing their kitchen

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Clean wonderful dining

Kaleo's Bar and Grill

Amazing food and service, great entertainment. Service is fast, from the time you enter to they…read moreseat u their response is amazing.

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

Full bar with plenty of seating for lunch

Kaleo's burger with lettuce bun & side salad

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Breezy seating

Countryside Cafe

The food was delicious, the coffee divine! Our waitress…read moremade great recommendations and they did not disappoint!! My husband had the Benedict and I enjoyed the scramble of the day! Everything was fresh and fast! The view was stunning!! We will be returning!!

Service by server Abcde F. was efficient, kind and courteous…read more I loved the vegetable omelette and my nephew said the hamburger steak was excellent too. Bathroom needs cleaning but ambiance was great otherwise! I highly recommend this place

Inside the restaurant

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Indoors

Kats And Lemons

4.6

(13 reviews)

4.7 mi

What a cute little bakery shop!! It more than a treat shop…read morebut I actually got better stuff here than Merrie Monarch craft fair!!! Whaaaat? Yes I got the most gorgeous hair clip right at that store. The little fruit tart were delicious So glad we stopped there while visiting Hilo. Mahalo!

Thank you so much for the amazing cake you made for my birthday!! My husband must have commented…read morehow delicious the frosting was about a half dozen times while eating his slice! The chocolate cake with vanilla frosting was perfect and the simple decorations helped make the cake beautiful. Thank you!

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POG matcha

Leo's Kitchen

4.9

(8 reviews)

1.6 mi

This food truck was a great find during our trip to Hilo this July 2026. Located in the Keaau Road…read morein Pahoa, it was easily accessible from the rather busy Keaau road, and parking is readily available and free. We ordered crispy pata - fried pork hock - and at $14/lb the portion is ginormous! We also ordered pancit with roasted pork, and 8 pcs lumpia. Everything was made fresh which took only about 20 minutes. It was worth the wait. We absolutely enjoyed our orders. We will make the stop at Leo's kitchen if we are in Pahoa again. Customer service is friendly, and courteous. If you crave good food, friendly service, and great value for your buck make Leo's kitchen a must stop in Pahoa. Come here hungry because the portions are huge! Note: Leo's kitchen is open only on Fridays and Saturdays. If you want pass the wait, there is a nice local produce/fruit market next to Leo's you can walk to, browse and shop, also with great prices. Mahalo!

We did a call in early. We got there at 11am but it took another 20-30 minutes. Food was delicious…read more All the crispy pork was still crispy and yummy.

Look for the signs on the side of the road

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Poppy’s

(18 reviews)

0.0 mi

Soooo yummy!! Brown sugar shaken Espresso all of our drinks were perfectly made…read moreMust try!

Loved the dirty matcha here! Perfect amount of earthy and sweet tasting. The worker was super…read morefriendly too. It's a cute little shack with parking in the back. Decent pricing as well.

Poppy's...

Latte and dirty matcha

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Seating area

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3 reviews that are not currently recommended

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Daniel H.

43

1

0

2 years ago

I never tried the avocado Curry before and then when I did... OMG! Amazing I like to mix flavors so adding the pad kapow is really really scrumptious read more

Daniel h.

0

1

8 months ago

The Avocado Curry was Amazing! I like the blackish dark purple "brown rice", and I love that Lava uses such beautiful & fresh produce. read more

Janice T.

10

3

0

3 years ago

The food is fantastic. The staff are always kind. Well worth the 30 minute drive for me.

Lava Thai Food - foodstands - Updated August 2026

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Every time we are in town eat at least 2-3 times. This has got to be my favorite Thai restaurant,…read moreidk about ever, but one of my tops for sure. All their curries are amazing, but my favorite is the green one! Crab fried rice is insanely delicious! The staff is friendly, ingredients fresh, everything is flavorful and cooked to perfection. I am left satisfied each time. The restaurant is always packed, it's colorful and full of people enjoying their meals. The place feels authentic and on a strip with shops and bars. Going back tonight after having dinner there just yesterday, haha! Yes, it's that good! Enjoy xx

Great flavor!!! Our favorite is the crab fried rice and the Thai steak. Mango sticky rice and ice…read morecream is the perfect finish to the meal. We tried various curry dishes, all delicious! Papaya salad was refreshing too. Our friends stayed in Hilo for 4 days and went back to Ning's 3 times. It was THAT good!

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My daughter favour's is Thai Tea. My is pad Thai. And…read moreowner host's smile. I would like dishes come out quick.

I had a craving for Thai, so I figured I'd give this food stand a shot. I got the Chicken Larb with…read morerice. It was pretty good! Better than expected, as it wasn't very visually appealing and didn't smell like it had much flavor. I was pleasantly surprised when I tasted it though. Flavors were fantastic and balanced and it was a good portion size. I'll definitely be back to try other things. Service was SURPR fast and friendly.

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Beware, the curry by the gallon…read more Because they were out rice and noodles, they offered a free "extra" food option instead of the usual carby accoutrement. My family of four could've easily sipped a single order of hot, steaming curry. We bought two plus two other entrees. Fortunately, the massamam curry and the green curry were very tasty. Spring rolls were delicious and the stir fry was well done. Arrive early. They sell out quick.

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Very friendly and quick service! I ordered cucumber salad was not on the menu but I asked and she…read moremade it for me! so good got it medium spicy. Makes me miss home but this was a good choice!

Aloydee's is located in a space with other food vendors along Kamehameha Ave near Hilo Farmers…read moreMarket. There are lots of stalls along Kamehameha Ave, but you may need to be patient, especially on weekends. The space that Aloydee's is in was pretty empty when I went on a Saturday afternoon, and there were also seats inside. I ordered a pineapple curry with tofu and brown rice. I love pineapple but never had it in curry before! It was a refreshing curry, and I will definitely be on the hunt for pineapple curry from now on. The worker made the food fresh, so it stayed hot for a long time. The only complaint I had is that she put chicken instead of tofu inside, and I don't like chicken! But I totally understand, since maybe she misheard me, and people make mistakes all the time. Overall great food, but don't forget to check what's in your container!

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This spot is located in Hilo, street parking can be difficult, but that's expected in most of the…read moretown. We came on a weekday evening around 8 PM, and were quickly seated. The servers were running around all night, and it seemed that they were a little bit understaffed. However, they still did their best to attend to us, and food came out promptly. As most other pho shops, they provide plenty of bean sprouts, mint, lemons, and sauces (oyster sauce/Sriracha) to enjoy. Pho Rare Beef (6.5/10) - the broth was good, flavorful, rich and salty as expected from Vietnamese pho. As this spot is kind of a Viet/Chinese fusion, don't go in expecting the best pho of your life. However, the broth is definitely delicious and will fix your pho cravings - only comment is regarding the beef itself. Some of the pieces were definitely a little thicker, tougher, and at points difficult to chew. The beef was not then these sliced into the brisket that I'm used to finding, but that's OK Overall, pretty good pho spot on the Big Island with quite tasty broth. Only wish that the beef was either thinner and easier to chew, or more tender.

Had the oxtail pho at Lam's Garden Restaurant and it was delicious. The meat was very tender and…read morethere was plenty of it. Service was excellent and the staff was very friendly. Parking is okay but might be a little difficult during rush hour. The parking lot is on the right side of the restaurant. The inside has a bit of an older vibe, but the food and service were great.

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As always a pleasant evening, Let's…read moreGo and eat some good grinds. Tucked away I a tiny little center. Close To the shell station and McDonald's. Parking is not a problem. Seated and given menus. So many choices, Phad Thai chicken is a go to in any restaurant. Family went for the chicken, beef and pork ribs. All except the noodles came with a bowl of rice. We also ordered the tasty crab Rangoon. This came with some sweet and sour sauce. All the food came out in super delicious large portions. Ended up with four large Togo containers. Having extra meals. Great value!!!

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Hands down the best dinner that we had in Hawaii. The food here is so incredibly fresh and every…read moredish is meticulously crafted. We ordered nearly the entire menu (as noted by our server) and truly every item was spectacular. The Papaya Salad and Fruit Salads were each divine. The Thai Pizza was quite an inventive dish. Definitely stop by--it may not look like much from the outside, but the food is of great quality.

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