Amazing views! Casual place to hang out, bring your own meal to sit there or purchase at the…read morelounge. Live music in the evenings.

We walked from the Marriott along the beach path in the dark, using our phones as flashlights, and…read morethe trek was absolutely worth it. This beachfront restaurant had a lively atmosphere with music playing when we arrived. Our table was right by the water, and our waitress was super friendly. We started with the Bambu Pupu Sampler. It was a solid appetizer, but the Outstanding Ahi stole the show. It was tender and perfectly complemented by the crunchy cracker. The Hook, Line & Sinker was another winner. The ahi was cooked just right, crispy on the outside with a delicious orange sauce, and served with rich coconut rice that was buttery, soft, and my husband's favorite part of the meal. We were also persuaded to order the coconut cake for dessert, and we're glad we did. It was delicious and the perfect way to end the meal. Excellent food, great drinks, and a memorable beachfront setting made for a fantastic dining experience. The thoughtful finishing touch was a complimentary postcard they offered to mail anywhere in the U.S. We sent one to our baby to read when he's older and hopefully visits Hawaii someday. It was such a sweet gesture and made the evening even more special.

We visited Lava Lava Beach Club for dinner as a family of four during our stay in Waikoloa. The…read morelocation is beautiful and I can see why it's popular, especially for sunset dining. Unfortunately it was our first time and got a reservation only around 8:15 PM, so we missed both the sunset and the beach experience that seem to be a big part of the appeal. To top It up food was okay, but not particularly memorable. Nothing was wrong with it--it was simply fine. Service was pleasant, but the table was small and too cluttered through out the service. For a bill that came to nearly $300 for our family, we expected the food or overall experience to stand out more.I think this is a place where timing matters. If you're able to come earlier, enjoy the beach, and watch the sunset, the value proposition maybe a bit stronger. As a late dinner stop, it felt not worth it for what was ultimately a fairly average meal.

Perfect spot to unwind with great food and an even better view. We ordered the tasty burger, spring…read morerolls, and a round of drinks -- the espresso martini and their Lani Tai. Everything hit the spot. The burger was juicy and flavorful, and the spring rolls were fresh with a nice crunch. Drinks were on point too: the espresso martini was smooth and bold, and the Lani Tai had that perfect tropical kick. What really made the experience memorable was the outdoor setting. Comfortable vibe, relaxed, and the sunset view was absolutely amazing -- one of those scenes you just want to sit with a little longer. Definitely worth a visit!

I was very disappointed! Wanted to go out for a special night but did not want to drink alcohol…read more Asked about mocktails or nonalcoholic beverages and none were available and server did not make any recommendations. I happen to be vegan. This establishment used to have great options but now all I could get was sides and the farmer plate appetizer. This was literally 4 slices of tomato, carrot, cucumber, and radish. Server acknowledged there was nothing on the menu but said chef could put something together but had no idea what that would be. For such a nice resort, this dinner was a disappointment

We dined as walk in's for an impromptu date night and were pleasantly surprised! Valet parking is…read morevalidated. This is an open air restaurant and at first I was hesitant because of maybe having to deal with flies but we didn't run into any issues. There was live music playing. We ordered the farmer's plate of veggies to accompany the muhammara dip (which came with 4 pieces of wood fired bread). It was flavorful, fresh, and light. My husband ordered the skirt steak and I ordered the ahi steak. We also ordered the frozen fruit punch twice. This was plenty of food for us so we skipped on dessert. Everything turned out delicious to us and we quite enjoyed our evening.

Amazing location and great views. Restaurant itself is very beautiful. The whole setting is…read moreamazing. We went there for breakfast, its in a resort property so parking was valet but it was validated at restaurant so it free. We got seats immediately, we were amazed by the setting and views. We ordered ube pancakes as we read great things about it. And reviews were right. Uber pancakes were delicious. We were very happy with the overall experience. Definitely recommending.

Very limited menu. Food was not bad, but nothing extraordinary either. My dad and I both had a beer…read moreflight and the beers were pretty good. For a large resort the eating establishments are limited and none of them are great. Quesadillas and wings were fine. Sadly this is one of the few places to choose from when other venues on property are unexpectedly closed. None of the food was bad per-se, but there are just not many choices here.

I wish they serve food but only beer and appetizers. Service is ok. They have nightly live music…read morewhich is not good. I had the kalua pork lumpia which was salty but good. My husband had the fish tacos which were good. The mango salsa is divine!

I recently stayed at one of the smaller resorts, and what it lacks in size, it more than makes up…read morefor in comfort and convenience. One of the best things about this property is how easy it is to get around. Unlike larger resorts where you feel like you're constantly walking from one end to the other, everything here is close and accessible. It creates a much more relaxed and cozy experience. The beach is also within easy walking distance, whether you choose to go left or right. Another major advantage is the location across the street from two shopping malls, both offering restaurants and shopping options. The convenience of being able to walk to everything is truly priceless. If I'm remembering correctly, the malls are called King and Queen, or something very similar. In one of them, there is also a grocery store that is impressive in its own right, with cooked food and a wide variety of items you might need during your stay on the island--or even if you are not staying there. I will review that grocery store separately in another post. Overall, this is a great choice for anyone who values convenience, walkability, and a more intimate resort setting.

We've been coming to the Waikoloa Hilton for about 15 years now and have visited a handful of times…read moreover that stretch. With that history, I can say with confidence that the experience has noticeably declined and our most recent trip made that hard to ignore. The biggest frustration is the cuts to on-site transportation. The boats that used to ferry guests around are largely gone, and the tram service seems to always be down. That leaves you walking and this is not a small property. Depending on where your room is, you're looking at close to half a mile to a mile between points, which is brutal when you have kids, luggage, and all your gear in tow. The on-site activities and amenities have also thinned out compared to what they used to offer. It just doesn't feel as full and vibrant as it once did. That said, there are still genuine highlights. The valet service was excellent, incredibly kind, and complimentary for us. The day pass option is solid if you want to come for a visit without staying overnight, and towel rentals are included with that service. The resort's layout is actually a plus in one way if one area gets too crowded, you can easily move to a completely different pool or section and have an entirely different experience. The ocean connection to the resort is genuinely special too we went snorkeling and spotted turtles and fish right there, which was a highlight for our whole family. The hotel rooms feel like they've slipped in quality over the years, and the buffet prices have gone up significantly while the food quality hasn't kept pace. Convenient? Yes. Worth the price tag? Not really anymore. My honest recommendation: skip staying on property and instead Airbnb or find a different t nearby timeshare we've done it and it's a great way to enjoy the area at a much better value. Then come do a day visit at the resort to enjoy the amenities without the overnight sticker shock. We still love Waikoloa and will keep coming back, but the resort itself needs to invest in what made it great a decade ago.

There are now 2 Tommy Bahamas in the area, but this location is by far the best for food, service…read moreand ambiance! I love sitting on the upstairs patio and watch the sun go down. There are also many others seats inside that afford the same amazing sunset views. Susie is the best wait staffer ever! She has been there every year when have been for the lady 8 years! I always order the ribs because they do such a great job! I alive the Yukon mashed potatoes and slaw!

This place turned out to be the perfect spot for a relaxed evening. The views alone make it worth…read morevisiting--watching the sunset from here was absolutely beautiful, with the sky changing colors as the night settled in. The live music added to the atmosphere without being overwhelming, creating a laid-back, enjoyable vibe that made it easy to linger. The food was well prepared and tasty. The menu had a good variety, and what we ordered came out exactly as ordered. Overall, it's a great place to unwind, enjoy good food, and take in a sunset while listening to live music. The waitress was nice and relatable. Perfect for a casual night out, a date, or just somewhere to sit back and enjoy the moment.

Yummiest breakfast ever! And the view is incredible! The service was great, very attentive.read more

Another fabulous Christmas dinner at Manta at the Mauna Kea!…read more It began on a weird note as for the second year running we were relegated to a side table right next to a walkway while all the tables towards the ocean were empty - as we were celebrating a milestone birthday and anniversary we asked if we could be moved and they did kindly accommodate us ! Service was fabulous throughout the dinner which made for a great meal! We began with some cocktails and champagne and a couple of appetizers- the ahi sashimi and the ahi katsu - exceptionally fresh ahi but the sashimi could have been a little cooler and both needed a tad more seasoning! Mains were the standout - I had the Kampachi which was absolutely delicious and cooked to perfection served with wasabi gnocchi, my husband had the catch of the day - a snapper, also fabulous. The kids had the seared ahi which was melt in your mouth served with Bok Choy which they loved and a taro mash which was not good and we could have done without! Ordered the chocolate soufflé which was perfection and the Alaskan Bombe which has a delicious macadamia base! So good! A great was to celebrate Christmas and a fabulous meal !

I would come back and dine here just to see the cats again…read more While we came here at night, this restaurant is perched right along the shore and I'm sure would offer a fantastic view for a super romantic sunset dinner. Our server was very friendly and recommended a lot of great dishes, and every dish that came out was amazing. Highly recommend ordering the butterfish with a side of rice, my boyfriend and I both ordered it, shared a side of rice, and it was perfect. Oh, and the cats. Super cute, keep their distance for the most part, and just simply wander the outdoor patio of the restaurant.

Very expensive but a) it's part of a resort and b) you're paying for the incredible view,…read moreespecially at sunset. Food was terrific! 3 of us had the NY strip and all were very pleased. Our other guest had the braised short rib with nothing but compliments. Service was amazingly fast and very good. No complaints whatsoever. Be prepared to pay top dollar but as long as you know what to expect you should have no complaints.

A hidden gem. I don't leave many yelp reviews but this experience was so memorial I felt the need…read moreto. Our waiter Warren was amazing. He was so attentive (he saw we were having a moment holding hands together and instead of interrupting us, he came back later to allow us time to enjoy and finish that special moment) and he gave personalized food recommendations that were on point. He was so kind and warm and made the dinner more of a thoughtful, intimate experience. The manager Chris came out to greet us during the dinner as well to make sure everything was going great which was a nice touch. The ribeye steak was out of this world. So juicy and flavorful and cooked to perfection in a red wine sauce. The salmon fettuccini was amazing as well. We sat on the back patio and the view of the golf course in the background was beautiful. We will definitely be coming back here!

We ordered the Sweet Bread French Toast with strawberry compote and the Mauka & Makai Benedict. The…read moreFrench toast was enjoyable, though fairly typical, while the Benedict was the standout dish, especially the grilled filet medallion lobster, which added a unique touch and great flavor. Beyond the food, the view created a pleasant ambiance and made for an enjoyable dining setting. Unfortunately, the experience was overshadowed by a cleanliness issue when our coffee was served. Both cups had visible lipstick marks on the rims. Although the staff promptly replaced them, it was an unpleasant first impression and raised concerns about attention to detail in dishwashing and quality control. Clean tableware is a basic expectation, so this was disappointing to encounter. Overall, we appreciated the food, the beautiful setting, and the staff's response, but the cleanliness issue significantly detracted from the experience.