Dining and Drinking

Thanks to the size of the Island of Hawaii, dining to one’s satisfaction can be somewhat challenging. Unlike Maui or Honolulu, there aren't dozens of restaurants within a stone’s throw of each other, and usually the ones that are close to each other are also similar to one another in price and quality.

As far as most people are concerned, there are two restaurant scenes on the island: West and East. West is Kona; East is Hilo. There are other regions to the North and South of the island, but people tend to group everything within one category or the other. Even regular travelers or longtime residents usually don’t venture off their side of the island too often; the drive is simply too long. For that reason, most popular restaurants have two locations, one in Hilo and one in Kona, Kohala or Waimea.

Kona

There are dozens of middle-of-the-road restaurants in Kailua-Kona. The weekend seafood buffet at the King Kamemameha Hotel is large and reasonably priced, and Kimo’s Family Buffet at Kona Bay Hotel is a good cost-cutting option. As far as a la carte goes, everything is available. Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. dishes up buckets of shrimp the way Mama ought to make them, and Sibu Café serves flavorful Indonesian creations that most people’s mama never even imagined. The Ranch House is known for huge portions and a vast menu. For a cold beer and some munchies, visit Durty Jake’s, Kona Brewing Company or newcomer Kona Petroleum Grill.

Those who simply must have a pricey meal should venture to Huggo’s, a popular seafood restaurant in downtown Kona. A notch down is Jameson’s By the Sea, known for serving enormous portions. Oodles of Noodles is an interesting place. Owned by the former chef of the Ritz Carlton, it’s an inexpensive little noodle bar that gets written up in the likes of Wine Spectator.

Kohala

Gold Coast restaurants are stylish and pricey, as a rule. The gourmet-fest begins at Ka’upulehu, the prestigious gated-resort community just up the coast from Kailua-Kona. The Four Seasons Resort Hualalai and Kona Village Resort both offer world-class dining options. Hale Samoa and Hale Moana are at the Village; Pahu i'a and The Beach Tree Bar and Grill are among the options at the Four Seasons.

Just up the road is Waikoloa, site of two-dozen restaurants. The vast Hilton Waikoloa apparently strives to offer one of every kind of restaurant. There is Donatoni’s Italian, Kirin’s Chinese, Palm Terrace for buffets, and popular Kamuela Provision Co. for hearty steaks and fish dishes. Nearby, you can try Hawaiian Creole cookery at Roussel’s, or sample the finest Pacific Rim cuisine at Roy’s. On the other side of the spectrum, inexpensive nibbles can be enjoyed in the food court of the Kings’ Shops.

The resort areas at Mauna Lani and Mauna Kea offer fine dining choices galore. The Batik at Mauna Kea, The Grill at the Orchid at Mauna Lani and Canoe House at the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel serve inventive, exotic fare, often made from island-grown produce and fresh local seafood. Brown Beach House is considered to have one of the most stunning views in the state. The Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel and Mauna Kea Beach Hotel both offer sumptuous buffets. An important note though: The dinner bill at any of the restaurants mentioned above could easily cost more than the hotel bill at many Kailua-Kona or Hilo hotels.

North/Upcountry

Interestingly, many of the island’s true culinary jewels have settled quietly, without fanfare or hoopla, in and around the Waimea (Kamuela) area. Merriman's is a Pacific Rim classic, still the people’s choice after almost 15 years. Equally beloved is Bamboo Restaurant & Gallery, located in the sleepy village of Hawi. Cafe Pesto serves Italian-Asian fusion that the critics award three stars. Daniel Thiebaut Restaurant, newly come to Waimea, promises to offer more of the same world-class quality, this time with French influences.

Upcountry is not like the Kohala Coast though. It’s still possible to get an inexpensive meal here. Snack on a fish sandwich at Kawaihae Harbor Grill or a burrito at Hula La’s in Hawi. In Waimea you’ll find Yong’s Kal Bi and Kona Healthways II. Further east in Honoka’a are two down-home favorites, Herb’s Place and Tex Drive In.

Hilo

The busy seaside town of Hilo probably has the island’s highest concentration of restaurants. Dining options are varied from four-star to fast food. Surt’s By the Bay is a fusion favorite; Cafe Pesto other location offers tasty Italian-Pacific creations. Uncle Billy's Fish & Steak House charges half as much as Surt’s or Cafe Pesto for its hearty, if not creative, Hawaiian-Continental fare. Nani Mau Gardens has a decent lunch buffet, and the setting can’t be beat. Ken's House of Pancakes (open 24 hours!) and Suisan Fish Market are tried-and-true eateries, appropriate for almost anyone.

Volcano

People call the town just outside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Volcano Village—but the name is a bit misleading. A village this might be, but it’s a village that gets more tourist traffic than just about any other place on the planet. It only makes sense that such a place would have a restaurant on every corner. Volcano House and Kilauea Lodge, two popular mountaintop inns, have cozy gourmet restaurants onsite. Surt’s at Volcano Village is also a favorite. Less expensive eateries include Volcano's Lava Rock Cafe and the Steamvent Cafe.

These are just the highlights of the Big Island Dining scene. For more information, check out a local guide book, grab a newspaper or play it safe—ask a local.

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