50 Best Places to Eat in Hilo: Hawaii's Most Underrated Food Town

Looking for ideas for best places to eat in Hilo, Hawaii, like a local? Read on!

When people think about food on the Big Island, they usually picture Kona resorts, fancy sunset dinners, or beachside cocktails.

But if you ask longtime Hawaii locals where to eat in Hilo, you’ll quickly realize that the east side quietly has one of the best food scenes in the entire state.

I lived in Hilo for a couple of years and spent that time eating my way through nearly every restaurant, okazuya, hole-in-the-wall, lunch counter, sushi spot, cafe, bakery, and farmers market stand I could find.

Hilo is an underdog food city in the best possible way. It’s unpretentious, deeply local, wildly multicultural, and packed with places that have been feeding generations of families for decades.

Like our best places to eat in Hilo recommendations? You might also like the following Big Island food posts:

50 Best Places to Eat in Hilo, Big Island

If you want to eat like a local in Hilo instead of just grabbing tourist food, these are no fewer than 50 best places people genuinely swear by.

1. Suisan Fish Market

If there is one place that perfectly captures Hilo food culture, it’s Suisan. Sitting right on the bayfront, this iconic seafood market is where locals go for incredibly fresh poke, sashimi, smoked fish, and local-style seafood plates. The fish quality here is exceptional because much of it comes directly from local fishermen.

The spicy ahi poke is legendary, but the shoyu ahi, hawaiian-style poke, and salmon poke are equally addictive. Locals also love grabbing fresh sashimi by the pound and eating it picnic-style along Hilo Bay. If you want to understand where to eat in Hilo Hawaii like someone who actually lives there, Suisan is mandatory.

2. Cafe 100

Cafe 100 is one of the most famous local eateries on the Big Island because it helped popularize the loco moco. This is old-school Hawaii comfort food at its finest: rice, hamburger patties, brown gravy, and eggs served in countless variations.

Locals love the no-frills atmosphere and massive portions. You’ll see construction workers, teachers, surfers, retirees, and families all eating here together. The menu has dozens of loco moco combinations, but the classic version remains the best. Add mac salad and chili for the full experience.

3. Kuhio Grille

Kuhio Grille is beloved for authentic Hawaiian comfort food and some of the best laulau and squid luau in Hilo. The portions are huge (it is home to the 1lb laulau after all) and the flavors feel homemade in the best way possible.

One thing locals obsess over here is the haupia cream pie. It’s practically mandatory after a plate lunch. The restaurant feels deeply rooted in old Hilo culture, and you’ll constantly hear locals recommending it to visiting friends and relatives.

4. Hilo Bay Cafe

Hilo Bay Cafe is one of the more upscale restaurants in town, but locals still genuinely love it. The views over Hilo Bay are beautiful, especially during sunset or rainy Hilo afternoons when the sky turns dramatic shades of gray and gold.

The menu blends local ingredients with Pacific Rim influences. Their fresh fish dishes are consistently excellent, and many people come specifically for the burgers and sushi specials. It’s one of the best date-night restaurants in Hilo without feeling overly formal or resort-like.

5. Tina’s Garden Cafe

Tina’s is one of those hidden local breakfast and lunch spots people become fiercely loyal to. The portions are generous, the atmosphere is relaxed, and the food tastes comforting and homemade.

Locals especially love the pancakes, omelets, and hearty local breakfasts. It’s the kind of place where regulars know the staff by name and linger over coffee while talking story for hours.

6. Puna Chocolate Company

The Big Island grows some incredible cacao, and Puna Chocolate Company showcases it beautifully. Their chocolate is made from Hawaii-grown cacao beans and has become a favorite among both locals and visitors looking for something distinctly Hawaiian.

The drinking chocolate and handcrafted truffles are fantastic, but locals also love stopping in for coffee and desserts. It feels artisanal without being pretentious, and the flavors really highlight the richness of island-grown cacao.

7. Cafe Pesto

Cafe Pesto has been a downtown Hilo staple for years. It’s one of those versatile restaurants where you can get pizza, fresh fish, pasta, desserts, and tropical cocktails all under one roof.

Locals love the airy seating and relaxed downtown energy. Their shrimp pizza is iconic, and the lilikoi cheesecake is not to be missed. It’s especially popular before concerts or downtown events.

8. K’s Drive Inn

K’s Drive Inn is famous for massive portions of local comfort food and one of the most beloved versions of gravy-smothered plates in Hilo. The fried chicken and loco mocos have a devoted following.

This is classic local Hawaii plate lunch culture. Nothing fancy, just deeply satisfying food served fast and generously. People who grew up in Hilo often have childhood memories attached to this place.

9. Sakura Sushi

Sakura Sushi has quietly built a loyal local following because the fish quality is consistently excellent and the prices remain surprisingly reasonable for Hawaii.

Locals often order chirashi bowls, nigiri assortments, and specialty rolls loaded with fresh ahi. The atmosphere is intimate and understated, which somehow makes the sushi experience feel even more authentic.

10. Restaurant Kenichi

Restaurant Kenichi blends Japanese flavors with home style island dining in a way that feels very Hilo. It’s reliable, never stuffy, and the menu has become a favorite for group celebrations and special occasions.

The daily specials and signature dishes are equally strong here. Locals rave about the plate lunches, fresh seafood, and beautifully plated dishes that feel more elevated than most restaurants in town.

11. Pineapples Island Fresh Cuisine

Pineapples is lively, colorful, and full of Hilo energy. Live music, tropical cocktails, and local ingredients make this one of the most fun places to spend an evening downtown.

The fish tacos, burgers, and fresh catch dishes are especially popular. Locals also appreciate that it remains approachable and community-oriented despite becoming well known with visitors.

12. Dragon Kitchen Sushi

Dragon Kitchen Sushi is another local favorite for creative brown rice rolls and healthy sushi cravings. The menu is simple, and portions are generous.

Many locals love coming here with groups because there’s something for everyone, from simple nigiri to plentiful platters. The food court atmosphere is super casual and welcoming. Pro tip: take your sushi to Hilo Bay or Coconut Island for a picnic.

13. Poke Market

Poke Market serves some of the freshest and most flavorful poke bowls in town. Their ahi quality is excellent, and the seasoning styles range from classic shoyu to spicy modern variations.

Locals appreciate that the fish tastes incredibly fresh without excessive sauces masking the quality. It’s a quick lunch spot that still feels genuinely rooted in Hawaii’s seafood culture.

14. Miyo’s Izakaya

This beloved izakaya-style spot is where locals go for Japanese comfort food, skewers, beer, and late-night bites. The menu has that comforting neighborhood feel that makes people return constantly.

The grilled meats, karaage, ramen, and small plates pair perfectly with cold drinks after work. It feels social, relaxed, and deeply local.

15. Hawaiian Style Cafe

If you leave Hawaiian Style Cafe hungry, that’s honestly impressive. This place is famous for enormous portions and classic Hawaiian comfort food breakfasts.

The pancakes are gigantic (try the coconut haupia!), the loco mocos are massive, and the fried rice breakfasts are beloved by locals. It’s one of the quintessential Big Island comfort food experiences.

Also try Ken’s House of Pancakes for very similar vibes and menu.

16. Green Papaya Salad

This Thai restaurant is one of Hilo’s hidden gems. The curries with wild rice, papaya salads (obviously), and noodle dishes are deeply flavorful and consistently excellent.

Locals especially love the balance of spice and freshness. It’s one of those places people recommend almost reluctantly because they want to keep it from getting too crowded.

17. Tonkotsu Ramen Tetsumen

Rainy Hilo weather and rich tonkotsu broth are basically a perfect combination. This ramen shop has become a local favorite for comforting bowls loaded with noodles, pork, garlic, and soft eggs.

The broth is rich and satisfying without feeling overly heavy. Locals often crave it during Hilo’s cooler rainy evenings. Where else can you have ramen with a side of mac salad?

18. Poke and Sides

This spot specializes in exactly what the name promises: excellent poke paired with local-style sides. The fish quality and seasoning are what keep people coming back.

Locals love mixing different poke flavors together and adding sides like kimchi, seaweed salad, or spicy seafood salads for the full experience. Go during Hilo Farmers Market hours for best vibe, though expect it to be crowded.

19. Popover

Popover has become a favorite brunch and coffee destination for locals who want something a little more creative and cafe-oriented.

The signature “popover” sandwiches and espresso drinks are consistently excellent. It’s also one of the better places in Hilo for artisan donuts.

20. Osaka

Osaka is a longtime local Japanese restaurant known for hearty portions and comforting classics. Bento meals, tempura, teriyaki, and kimchi fried rice all have loyal followings.

It’s dependable, affordable, and deeply woven into the local dining scene. Many Hilo residents have been eating here for years.

21. Big Island Top Dogs

This quirky local favorite serves creative gourmet hot dogs with island-inspired toppings and plenty of personality.

Locals love the playful combinations and casual atmosphere. It’s one of those unexpected places that perfectly reflects Hilo’s laid-back charm.

22. Ola Brew

Ola Brew has become one of the coolest gathering spots in Hilo thanks to locally brewed beer, hard seltzers, live music and a strong focus on Hawaii-grown ingredients. Don’t miss the lilikoi milkshake IPA.

The curry fries, burgers, and pupus pair perfectly with their tropical-inspired drinks. It’s especially popular with younger locals and creatives.

23. Jackie Rey’s Ohana Grill

Jackie Rey’s offers a slightly more polished dining experience while still feeling approachable and local. Their seafood dishes are especially strong.

Locals often come here for celebrations, birthdays, or dinner with visiting family members. The service is consistently warm and welcoming.

24. Puka Puka Kitchen

Puka Puka Kitchen serves colorful, healthy breakfasts and lunches with lots of tropical ingredients and fresh produce.

The smoothie bowls, avocado toasts, and fresh juices are hugely popular. It’s one of the best spots in town for lighter, health-conscious meals.

25. Hilo Farmers Market

The Hilo Farmers Market is one of the best places to experience local food culture all at once. You’ll find tropical fruit, fresh poke, baked goods, Thai food, jams, coffee, and local snacks everywhere you turn.

Locals shop here regularly for produce and prepared food. It’s also one of the best places to discover small family-run vendors and hidden culinary gems.

26. Magic Pineapple Shack

This tiny spot has built a loyal following for refreshing tropical treats and colorful island-style desserts.

Locals love stopping by after the beach or on hot afternoons for something cold and sweet. The playful tropical flavors fit Hilo perfectly.

27. Mohala’s Bayfront Fish and Chips

This casual seafood spot serves crispy fish and chips with excellent local seafood flavor and generous portions.

Locals appreciate the simplicity and freshness. Eating fried fish near the bay somehow feels especially right in Hilo.

28. Kum Yo’s Okazuya

Okazuya culture is a huge part of local Hawaii food culture, and Kum Yo’s is beloved for exactly that reason. The selection changes daily and includes Korean-influenced local comfort food.

Locals pile trays with noodles, meats, vegetables, and fried dishes for quick takeout lunches. It’s affordable, nostalgic, and deeply rooted in Hilo life.

29. Ding Tea

Ding Tea has become a favorite among younger locals and students looking for boba drinks, milk teas, and fruity refreshers.

The customizable drinks and chewy boba make it a fun stop downtown, especially on warm afternoons.

30. Tamari Lunch Shop

Tamari Lunch Shop serves creative local-style lunches with Japanese and island influences. Their bentos and daily specials have become hugely popular.

Locals appreciate the thoughtful flavors and homemade quality. It feels modern while still honoring local lunch shop traditions.

31. The Booch Bar

This kombucha-focused cafe has become a community hangout for health-conscious locals and creatives. People swear by their tacos and kombucha floats.

The probiotic drinks, vegan-friendly options, and relaxed atmosphere give it a distinctly modern Hilo vibe.

32. Asami’s Kitchen

Asami’s Kitchen is beloved for comforting Japanese home-style meals and incredibly welcoming service.

The curry dishes, bentos, and noodle soups are all local favorites. It feels cozy and personal in a way that many chain restaurants never could.

33. Le Yellow Sub

This longtime sandwich shop has quietly become a local institution thanks to hearty sandwiches and nostalgic charm.

Locals often grab subs for beach days, road trips, or quick lunches. It’s simple food done well.

34. 5 Spice Plate Lunch

This local plate lunch spot blends Asian flavors with classic Hawaii comfort food in satisfying portions.

The garlic chicken, barbecue plates, and rice dishes are especially popular with regulars who want flavorful comfort food without spending too much.

35. Hilo Rice Noodle Shop

This old-school noodle shop feels like stepping into another era of Hilo. The saimin and rice noodle soups are deeply comforting and packed with flavor.

Locals love its nostalgic atmosphere and traditional style. It’s one of the places that gives Hilo its old Hawaii charm.

36. Sweet Cane Cafe

Sweet Cane Cafe focuses on healthy vegetarian and vegan-friendly dishes with lots of fresh island ingredients.

The smoothies, wraps, taro burgers and fresh juices are especially popular with locals looking for lighter meals after beach days or hikes.

37. Aloha Mondays

Aloha Mondays serves creative local comfort food with lots of personality and rotating specials.

Locals appreciate the laid-back atmosphere and fun menu combinations that still feel rooted in island flavors.

38. The Hidden Nene

The Hidden Nene is one of Hilo’s coolest hidden gems — a retro speakeasy-style cocktail bar that feels completely different from the laid-back plate lunch spots the town is usually known for. Tucked away with an intimate atmosphere, it has quietly become a favorite among locals looking for craft cocktails and happy hour.

Locals especially love pairing cocktails with the deviled eggs and beautifully assembled charcuterie boards, which somehow feel both sophisticated and relaxed at the same time. It’s the kind of place that gives Hilo a more modern, cosmopolitan edge while still keeping the welcoming small-town energy that makes the city special.

39. Naung Mai Thai Kitchen

Naung Mai Thai Kitchen serves some of the most flavorful Thai food in Hilo. The curries and stir-fries are rich, aromatic, and consistently excellent.

Locals especially love the spice levels here because they don’t hold back on flavor. It’s one of the strongest international food spots in town.

40. Two Ladies Kitchen

Onto something sweet. No guide on where to eat in Hilo Hawaii would be complete without Two Ladies Kitchen. Their handmade mochi has become legendary across the islands.

The strawberry mochi is the signature item, with fresh strawberry wrapped in sweet bean paste and soft mochi. Locals line up for it constantly, and once you try it, you’ll understand why.

41. Kawamoto Store

Kawamoto Store is one of those classic old-school Hilo spots that locals grow up with. It’s part convenience store, part local food institution, and one of the best places in town for quick grab-and-go bentos, musubi, fried chicken, and local snacks.

What makes Kawamoto special is how deeply woven it is into daily Hilo life. People stop in before work (it open very early, check times!) for affordable comfort food that feels nostalgic and distinctly local. Their homemade style and old Hawaii atmosphere are exactly why longtime residents keep coming back.

42. Kula Shave Ice

No conversation about where to eat in Hilo Hawaii is complete without shave ice, and Kula Shave Ice is one of the local favorites. The ice is incredibly soft and fluffy, almost snow-like, with tropical syrups that taste brighter and fresher than the overly artificial versions you sometimes find in tourist areas.

Locals love combining flavors like lilikoi, guava, lychee, and mango, often topped with condensed milk or ice cream underneath. On warm Hilo afternoons after the beach or farmers market, this place always seems busy for a reason.

43. Arirang Korean Restaurant

Arirang is one of Hilo’s hidden gems for Korean comfort food. The portions are generous, the flavors are bold, and the banchan spreads make every meal feel satisfying and homey.

Locals especially love the bibimbap, kalbi, kimchi fried rice, and bubbling tofu soups. Hawaii’s food culture has deep Korean influences, and Arirang reflects that beautifully with food that feels authentic rather than adapted for tourists.

44. Hawaiian Brain Freeze

Shave ice in Hilo is more than just dessert — it’s practically part of daily island life. Locals grow up eating it after school, after sports practice, after beach days, and during hot afternoons around town.

What makes Big Island shave ice different is the texture and tropical flavors. The best spots use ultra-fine shaved ice that absorbs syrups instead of sitting underneath them. Local flavors like calamansi, guava, li hing mui, coconut cream, and lilikoi make Hilo shave ice feel distinctly Hawaiian.

Update: temporarily closed.

45. Blane’s Drive Inn

Blane’s Drive Inn is a longtime Hilo institution for plate lunches, burgers, fries, and local comfort food classics. It has that timeless Hawaii drive-in atmosphere that instantly feels nostalgic.

Locals swear by the fried chicken, fried mahi mahi loco moco, and massive portions. It’s affordable, casual, and exactly the kind of place families have been visiting for generations. If you want authentic old-school Hilo energy, Blane’s delivers it perfectly.

46. Ken’s House of Pancakes

Ken’s House of Pancakes is arguably one of the most iconic restaurants on the Big Island. Open late and deeply loved by locals, it’s the kind of place where everyone eventually ends up — after work, after parties, early in the morning, or during rainy Hilo nights.

The pancakes are obviously famous, but locals also love the oxtail soup, loco mocos, saimin, and enormous diner-style menu. It perfectly represents Hawaii’s unique blend of American diner culture with Japanese, Filipino, and Hawaiian influences all on one menu.

47. Big Island Candies

Big Island Candies is one of the most famous food destinations in Hilo for good reason. Their handmade cookies, chocolates, and shortbread products are legendary across Hawaii and Japan.

Locals often bring boxes as gifts during holidays, graduations, and family gatherings. Visiting the factory store feels like a rite of passage in Hilo, especially because you can sample products while watching part of the production process.

The chocolate-dipped macadamia nut shortbread cookies are especially iconic. The closest thing Hilo has to Willy Wonka.

48. Don’s Grill

Don’s Grill is one of those reliable local breakfast and lunch spots where the food is hearty, comforting, and consistently satisfying. It feels unfussy in the best possible way.

Locals love the Portuguese sausage breakfasts, fried rice plates, burgers, and classic local-style lunches. The portions are generous, prices stay reasonable, and the atmosphere feels very neighborhood-oriented.

49. Takenoko Sushi & Omakase

Takenoko Sushi has become one of Hilo’s standout yet elusive destinations for elevated Japanese dining. The omakase experience especially highlights the quality of local seafood available on the Big Island.

Locals who love sushi appreciate the careful preparation and attention to detail here. The atmosphere feels intimate and refined while still maintaining Hilo’s relaxed energy. It’s one of the best places in town for a more special sushi dinner – if you can get a table. If you can’t – get take out.

50. Vibe Cafe

Vibe Cafe reflects Hilo’s creative and health-conscious side with fresh juices, coffee, smoothies, and colorful breakfast and lunch dishes.

Locals love the relaxed atmosphere and tropical ingredients. It’s especially popular with younger residents, remote workers, surfers, and people looking for lighter meals that still feel flavorful and satisfying. Try the vegan beet poke!

Best Places to Eat in Hilo – Final Words

Hilo may not get the same attention as Honolulu or Maui’s resort towns, but that’s exactly what makes it special.

The food scene here feels authentic, community-driven, and deeply tied to the multicultural history of Hawaii.

If you truly want to understand where to eat in Hilo Hawaii like a local, skip the chains and spend your time exploring these longtime favorites instead.

What else would you add to the list of best places to eat in Hilo Hawaii? Let us know in the comments or tag @eightyflavors on socials!

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50 Best Places to Eat in Hilo: Hawaii’s Most Underrated Food Town