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

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This was our second time attending the Paniolo BBQ dinner, this time with our family group of 18. 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!! read more

45 minute drive from the Marriott Waikoloa Ocean Vacation Club. We arrived at 4:40pm. This little kid comes over to our SUV, and ask if we're the help. He bullies us into leaving. Says it's a working ranch and we're not allowed in until 5pm. We cave and depart. Meanwhile another vehicle is driving up. Later we see it's the first car parked which meant it wasn't forced to leave. So much for ohana kiddo. We return after 5pm the official entry time, and there are at least ten cars parked. The parking issue aside, it was a well organized experience. Lots of activities for both adults and children. Great live country music. Food catered in by Anthony Catering Co. Beautiful scenery from 3000 feet elevation at the "working" ranch. read more

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The Kahua Ranch in Waimea is wonderful place to celebrate a special event or just need a night out! The scenery is beyond beautiful and that's just the tip of the iceberg! Sunset was breathtaking. Plentiful activities for kids and adults alike (lawn games, country music + dancing, smores, and more!). BBQ is wonderful! Very family friendly! Cowboy Dave (as my kids call him) & his wife are amazing hosts. Very gracious, family oriented and welcoming! Highly recommend to keep this place on your list when visiting the island! Definitely worth a stop. read more

We had a wonderful time with amazing views but our evening was ruined when the wood branding attendant became neglectful and gave our 6 year old son the hot wood branding tool to handle it by himself. He burned his hand and she didn't offer any first aid nor even bothered to check if he was okay or called anyone else for help. read more

Amazing dinner. Food was delicious. The cattle ranch has stunning views and great people. They are very friendly and informative. Great for families and couples. read more

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I've been multiple times and the food is ALWAYS on point!!!! Everyone is always so friendly!!!! Keeps us coming back! read more

Paniolo BBQ Dinner - Amazing views!!! - Barbeque Near Me - Waimea, Hawaii

Food was good, but not hot they need to use a heat lamp for the prime rib. As a chef I would make sure the steam table was hotter. We also were the last table to be called which could have caused part of the problem. I would get food served earlier. Prime rib was great quality. This is our 2nd time there and will be back. Good fun at the event. read more

Everything was amazing! The food remains unsaid, but I will elaborate that Anthony's Catering did the thang thing! Prime rib was moist and well seasoned and tasted delightfully with the garlic mashed potatoes. The bbq chicken was the perfect amount of bbq sauce and paired well with the baked beans. The asparagus was crisp and crisp leaving a nice complement of greens in the salad. I could wait to get to the desert the chocolate brownie was soft in the center and crunchy on the edges. I purposely got an end! The Mac pie was just like my southern pecan pie with the exchanged nut. I will definitely make this a return visit each year we come back. read more

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We brought our party of 23 to dinner last week and had an absolute blast! From the storytelling to the food to the sunset to the live music, it was an absolutely incredible experience for our group (ages 1 to 67) We will definitely be back in a couple of years! read more

Our family had an incredible time at the Paniolo BBQ Dinner. Everything from the stunning views and the history of the Hawaiian cowboys to the delicious food and live music with line dancing made it a night to remember. The children especially enjoyed the variety of entertainment, including corn hole, horseshoes, roping, and Tetris Tumble. The S'mores station was a highlight--the fudge-striped cookies are a must-try--and branding our own souvenir was a wonderful touch. Thank you for such a memorable experience! read more

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This is a special event held once a week at this working cattle ranch. The gentleman and his wife of 56 years create a very homey well-structured even for couple, families and groups. A bit of a drive from any coastal city, but worth the effort. Great views looking down mountain to the water. The home-style serving line arranged meal had great prepared items and prime rib was a level above what most of these kinds of ranch events offer. Plenty of leftover for "seconds" even with a full house eating. Besides eating, there were things for the kids to do related to ranching. The gentleman told great historic stories of how beef came to be ranched on the Big Isle. Highly recommend on your next visit to the island! read more

The location is breathtaking. The hospitality is warm. The storytelling is engaging for all ages. The music is fun. The sides are delicious. The roast beef is the best I have ever had. read more

Paniolo BBQ Dinner - Sunset over Kohala. - Barbeque Near Me - Waimea, Hawaii

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When you visit the "Big Island" you MUST enjoy the delicious Paniolo BBQ Dinner at the historic Kahua Ranch in Waimea. You will enjoy a dinner prepared by, in my opinion, a wonderful Chef. The food is delicious. The staff is friendly. They offer activities for all ages. You will learn how cattle were introduced on the Hawaiian islands and the robust cattle ranching that continues. During and after dinner Dave and his wife provide musical entertainment. If available, Scott a local astrologist is on had with one of his telescopes to discuss astronomy. The Kahua Ranch is a breathtaking venue. Beautiful emerald green pastures, rolling farmland, cattle, sheep, and horses are grazing in luscious pastures. Weather permitting, spectacular sunset views of Maui. We enjoyed this dinner and total experience so much we went twice during our stay. Take the time to enjoy a fabulous meal, good company, storytelling, music, and some of the most beautiful views. read more

What an experience.... The Paniola BBQ dinner is not your traditional Hawaiian fair. And is more Gourmet than the BBQ you are thinking of. The host/ranch owners and all the staff are amazing and the Prime Rib meal with all the next level side dishes was outstanding Don't forget to take in the View. read more

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Sweet & neat. I felt like I was at a country wedding waiting for my turn in the buffet line. My table went last. Sigh. The food was Homestyle and impressively well executed for the volume of people. Unfortunately, it poured down rain the night we went, so we didn't get to explore the outdoor and additional activities, but you can tell they put a lot of effort into the experience! A great family activity and opportunity to hear about life in HI while having some good nosh. read more

Watching the sunset and seeing the sky change colors was Awesome! You can see Haleakala, Maui on a clear evening and it's majestic! It feels like you can just reach up and touch the clouds. Surrounded by sky and grass pastures was so peaceful and picturesque. It was like stepping back in time a little and imagining what the Big Island was like a long time ago. The entertainment was simple but perfect for the setting and family. The folks running the event are 100% Aloha! Dave was Exceptional! He's the parking attendant, the safety and history guide ....And the entertainment! He played guitar and sang! Incredibly versatile and engaging! Drinks... Non alcoholic are included in the ticket price. Beer and wine was $4. Cash Only!! No ATM up there so bring cash with you. The food was plentiful and tasty! I highly recommend the combination of brownie and the Mac nut pie...take a piece of each and savor that amazing bite. Oh! And then there's the make your own s'mores! For after dinner activities... Stargazing with an incredible telescope. We saw Saturn and her rings! Branding your own souvenir. Horseshoes Corn hole Sitting by the fire and enjoying the evening Dancing The drive up to Kahua is a bit of an adventure. Kohala Mountain Road is twisty fun. I do not recommend drinking more than 1 adult beverage just to make sure you are clear when driving back down. It's super dark and steep. It's roughly 20 minutes from Waimea/Kamuela. read more

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This was an amazing experience! The sunset views are so beautiful! The owners and staff were wonderful. The food was excellent. Make sure you plan to spend the whole evening. We enjoyed cocktails and bags before the sunset. There was music and line dancing after dinner. S'mores, stories and stargazing! Our family lived this! There are a fair amount of people so there is a wait for star gazing with the telescope but worth it for the experience. read more

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My 8th time and never disappoints. View was incredible, food was insanely good, so good I ate a second piece of prime rib. And those things are at least 12oz pieces. Entertainment is always great and just everything about the experience is positive. I just wish the ranch would open their store cause my t-shirt I got a few years ago is looking pretty ragged. read more

The food is wonderful and plentiful. I could barely finish all the food on my plate and they encouraged people to get seconds. The prime rib was half the size of the extra large plate and the chicken thighs were was big as a chicken breast. The event is well organized with lots of activities for all ages. The ranch has some of the most beautiful views on the islands. There are sunset views from the dining tables. read more

Paniolo BBQ Dinner - View from our table - Barbeque Near Me - Waimea, Hawaii

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Delicious buffet dinner - the food was prepared well and servings were unlimited, although I could make it through the line only once. My dining partner did return to the buffet for an extra serving of salad. We were pleasantly surprised by the $4 beer and wine cash bar and free soft drinks. The entertainment was fun and very different from a luau with horseshoes, cornhole and roping lessons before dinner, live music throughout the meal and line dancing and s'mores afterward. Service was excellent throughout the night and everything we needed was taken care of immediately. While we met people who were attending for their third or fourth time, this is an event everyone should experience at least once. read more

The whole package is excellent! Great service, great entertainment, great food, and great atmosphere. Don't miss out on this experience when you visit the Big Island. read more

Love it. Our family was there many years ago & so glad we were able to schedule a return. Long drive but worth it. Food was delicious. Great activities too. read more

We had such a great time here. There were activities before dinner. We played horseshoes, bean bag toss, roping a wooden cow. After dinner we looked at the moon and stars through a very powerful telescope. The dinner was very good. It was buffet which was great for a large crowd. They prime rib, chicken, green beans, baked beans, mashed potatoes and salad. The food was very good. They also had beer, wine, soft drinks, coffee, iced tea and hot chocolate. I would recommend coming here, well worth the money. read more

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This was one of our favorite things that we did on the Big Island! The views were magnificent, the food was really delicious, and the cost was very reasonable! (Definitely save room for the Macnut pie!) Ted, the main Chef, and his wife are the organizers and do a great job! They interacted with everyone throughout the evening and Ted even tried to help us rope "cattle". We loved the stories told by Cowboy Dave, as well as the entertainment provided by him and his wife throughout dinner and afterwards! The Astronomer also had a telescope set up for us to look into tbe night sky. Everyone who worked at the dinner was very friendly and I could go on and on! For an awesome evening and experience, definitely a must-go! (Held on Wednesday nights only so plan accordingly.) read more

This was the most enjoyable evening with welcoming hosts and really delicious food. The setting on a working ranch in the hills of Waimea was breathtaking. We enjoyed a fabulous sunset. There was entertainment during and after dinner complete with dancing instruction for the electric slide! We were a party of 8 and we enjoyed one of the best evenings of our visit to the big island . Would highly recommend ! read more

Have company visiting? want a brilliant island experienc with a delicious meal to boot? Just took our kids and 5 grandkids ( ages 4-13) and we all had the time of our livesHighly, highly recommended read more

This is a fantastic alternative to a luau and something I look forward to doing again. The unbeatable views from the mountain side overlooking rolling hills to the ocean beyond is mesmerizing. The winding roads to the destination is half the fun and the reward is a postcard-worthy view. Arrive early to snag prime seating next to the window but any seat/table has accessible panoramic views. Seating is shared/community tables and I had a great time connecting with another family seated across the table. The food is served buffet style and the tables closest to the windows are called up first (at the time we dined there). Bring cash to buy beer/wine since they don't have an ATM. Coffee, water, and soda re included with dinner. Their portions are huge! Think what hungry cowboys want to eat: rib-sticking, hearty meals. The prime rib was excellent and they have horse radish available. My teenaged son is still reminiscing about their bbq chicken. They two types of dessert available and I opted for the pecan pie. They have live music, line dancing, roping lessons, and history of the paniolos in Hawaii. After dinner they had a telescope available for people interested in astronomy. There's also a gift shop where you can local merchandise - they accept credit cards at the shop. Come for the food and views, stay for the hospitality. Can't wait to go back! read more

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Located on a beautiful and historic property, it was an honor to visit the ranch, learn some history and be treated to a night of enjoyments for all ages. Dinner was delicious! Music and dancing all night long! So glad we went and will recommend to all! The Stetsons read more

This was our second visit, and just as great as the first. The staff treats you like family, the food is great, and views amazing! read more

Paniolo BBQ Dinner - Barbeque Near Me - Waimea, Hawaii

Three does not mean bad at all, but it does mean - take a beat before paying and check the weather. Really decide if you are ok of there is rain because there was for us and it "dampened" the experience for sure. Not their fault at all but just something to consider. That said, what we saw prior to the rain, were gorgeous grounds, activities to boot (again better if no rain), and a very kind and informative staff. Food actually is pretty good and hearty. You will get full and it really is prime rib. If you are a prime rib aficionado you may find some critique with the meat but really all in all, good stuff. I loved the baked beans. I loved the macadamia nut pie. And there's love country music with encouragement to dance. Some tips: it does get cool up there so later clothes, but do know they do have heaters on the covered eating area. Folks wore sandals BUT I would suggest wearing sneakers that you don't mind getting dirty (most because the parking lot is unpaved). They say it a bunch on the site, cash for beer or wine. Offerings are limited but fine for meal being served. The ride up is beautiful and you will l see animals (from turkeys to horses to cows) so have that camera ready. Also they do have a vegetarian option! Tofu sticks and of course access to all the sides! read more

Paniolo BBQ Dinner - Before the rain, a view from eating area. - Barbeque Near Me - Waimea, Hawaii

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We just visited this beautiful ranch for our 4th time. Our group of 16 enjoyed the venue, the food, the music and learning about the history of the Paniolo. We have brought multiple guests with us each time we revisit, and everyone is always impressed and enjoys themselves. We love the beautiful views, and the staff is always so welcoming. Mahalo for creating such a fun place for us to share our beautiful home. Most of our island friends never come up this way, although they live less than 2 hours away! This weekly event gives them an opportunity to expand their horizons, and have a great time! read more

Our family of 16 decided to do this BBQ experience over a luau and it was a great decision. The people, place, presentation, and view were fantastic! The food was so delicious. Highly recommend! read more

Paniolo BBQ Dinner - Sunset - Barbeque Near Me - Waimea, Hawaii

A perfect evening! The scenery was spectacular and the food was delicious. Well run and very organized. Highly recommend!

10/10 would recommend and do again. The food was delicious the hosts were amazing and had they no problem answering any questions. The view is Breathtaking. read more

Paniolo BBQ Dinner - Corn hole area looking towards the sea. - Barbeque Near Me - Waimea, Hawaii

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This place is absolutely amazing ! The food , the venue, the service, the ambiance and the overall experience are all top notch. This is a must-do event on the Big Island. We have been twice and each time it is just as amazing as the last. We cannot wait until our next visit. read more

Beautiful vista views. Chilly crisp Kohala mountain air. Fun activities and a nice fire to cozy up to. Then the food, Amazing!!! Story telling about the rich history of Hawaiian Paniolo. All the while the staff very attentive and mingling with the guests. Relaxed feeling, country side Bbq. David and his wife provide the musical entertainment with a Country flare. Wait !! There's more. Astronomer on site with a big telescope to view the craters in the moon and bonus last night to see the rings of Saturn. Get ready for a big old " Howdy Y'all!!" Highly recommend!! I will definitely go again in the near future. read more

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Our group on 7 all had an amazing time. Everyone was very welcoming, beautiful view. The food was really good. We will definitely return. read more

Paniolo BBQ Dinner - Barbeque Near Me - Waimea, Hawaii

We were vacationing in Kona when I saw this event on yelp. Drove up 3500 ft elevation to get here. Beautiful views on top especially during sunset. At night, the skies were clear and you could see stars twinkling up above (like the song). Some guy, who happens to be an astronomer, gave us a quick look at the planet Saturn with his telescope. It was a pleasant drive up the Kohala mountains. There are winding roads so please be careful, drive slow (speed limit ok). You'll see views of the coastline as you go higher and if you must, pull over and soak in the views. Also, watch out for those young wild boars. They looked more like baby wild boars to me crossing the road. This is why you should not drive like a maniac going up there. If you make a wrong move, you could end up going to heaven quickly, you know what I mean . We saw a bunch of black cattle grazing up on the hills. That's how we knew we were in the land of cattles. then finally we arrived at the Kahua ranch. About a few miles after entering the ranch, we saw signs that led up to the event. So if you plan on coming here, drive slow (10 mph) so you won't miss the signs. It's a large ranch and you could end up taking the wrong road if you drive too fast. We saw beautiful horses along the road and were instructed ahead of time not to touch them. More horses on the ranch after we parked. We checked in at the bar. Alcoholic beverages can be purchased with cash only. Otherwise, bottled water, coffee, tea & sodas are included with your meal. We sat down for a bit before we started. I thought dinner started at 5:30 so we arrived a bit early. There were cornholes behind the property and a lasso class indoors for those who are interested. Around 6pm, when all the guests have arrived, we were asked to gather around the campfire outside. The host shared the history of cattle business in Hawaii that dated to thousands of years ago, even before King Kamehameha existed. If you're interested to know where the name "Paniolo" came from, this is where you'll hear about it. Then, we moved back inside. Dinner started after 6:30, there were 9 tables of guests, we were sitting on the 6th table, I was starved waiting for my turn. I forgot it's a very laidback culture around here and ppl took their time getting their food. Thank God it was a buffet dinner. Had I known we had to wait this long, I would have eaten a snack. The aroma of that prime rib was wonderful. I wish they put some bread or dinner rolls on the table while the rest of us had to wait for our turn. It was around 7pm by the time I stood at the buffet table. Finally, I had a plateful of food: salad greens, mashed potatoes, baked beans, bbq chicken, asparagus and a big slice of prime rib. I was already thinking of coming back for seconds & thirds but didn't. That first serving filled me up! The macadamia nut pie was so good! Never had one before but now I'm thinking of making some at home. There was live music, not by a band, but by a couple who sang country music pretty well. We felt like we were in Texas, except this countryside wasn't flat. By this time, it was pitch dark! They served smores outside. The weather felt like in the low 60s. With a jacket and cotton pants, I was comfortable. Some folks wore dresses and shorts but they had warm tops for the event. Overall, it was a very nice event. It's worth the money (about $85 pp). Not only did we have a really good meal, we saw a side of Kona that we never knew existed. It was definitely a treat and would do it again when we come back. read more

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OK, this is uber touristy. However, they have their shtick down pat and know what they are doing. First you hear the history of Hawaiian cowboys. It was entertaining and good information, but I suspect that this "cowboy" does his act in Wyoming (or some other dude ranch) in the summer and Hawaii in the winter. His western cowboy accent sounded kind of fake to me, but I'm pretty cynical. He and his wife then sing songs and encourage people to dance. The next part is the buffet. I'm a prime rib kind of guy, so I thought it was fantastic and very good quality. There is also chicken, beans, salad, buns, dessert, and the other stuff that you would expect. Included is beer, wine, and bottled water, and soda. The after-dinner entertainment includes roping steers (of of the wooden variety), smores, and the chance to brand a piece of wood. If you look at their website, you will see exactly what you are getting. If that's worth $85 (per adult), go for it. It was included in our Hawaii tour package, so that was fine. If I had to pay $170 per couple, I'm not sure I'd do it. read more

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