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Restaurants in Hilo

Reviews and photos of Hilo restaurants posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Hilo dining.
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Kandi's Drive In: For the Grumpy Old Man
  • Satisfaction:
  • triplehelix
  • By triplehelix on April 11, 2008
  • Hilo Page by triplehelix
  • Kandi's Drive In may not be all that special and won't be the reason you come to Hilo. It's a hang out for old men who have nothing better to do than people watch and nag about what their doctor said. It was one of the last places to dismiss Hawaii's smoking law since it's an open air diner. Kandi was the original owner of the restaurant since the 1960's I believe. In the late 90's, new owners bought the restaurant and area around it but kept it the same. Popular in radio station adds, it boasts a wall plastered with promotional ads for everything from used washers to free Vegas trips. They really don't cater to tourists much but you're welcome the same as those old men.

    While you eat, you can utilize their laundromat around the corner ($1.50 per wash). The food isn't spectacular but satisfying after a long day at work or if you're just starting.

    I can't say I have a favorite dish here but their meat loaf is pretty awesome :)

  • Theme: Local
  • Price: less than US$10    » Currency Converter
  • Comparison: less expensive than average
  • Address: 56 West Kawailani Street, Hilo, HI 96720
  • Phone: (808) 959-8461
  • Directions: Near the intersection of W. Kawailani and Kino'ole St. across of Pizza Hut and Kows.
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful

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    Don's Grill: Linguini specialty
  • Satisfaction:
  • triplehelix
  • By triplehelix on June 21, 2006
  • Hilo Page by triplehelix
  • Don's Grill is one of the top restaurants to go to in Hilo. In a place full of local cuisine, Don's Grill rises above with nothing of the sort on the menu. You'll find mostly American cuisine and favorites such as shrimp, steak, all that stuff. Don's is a good place to take your family if you're visiting Hilo for the day. Arrive early because the place can get busy really quick.

    Their pasta dishes are excellent especially their clam linguini. I don't like seafood at all but for this I'll eat it. Their vegitable pasta medley is good as well.

  • Theme: American
  • Price: US$11-20    » Currency Converter
  • Comparison: more expensive than average
  • Address: 485 Hinano St, Hilo, HI 96720-4406
  • Phone: (808) 935-9099
  • Directions: Don's Grill is located across of CU Hawaii Bank near the Civic Auditorium.
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Broke Da Mouth: Broke Da Mouth is "Broke Da Mouth"!
  • By skeagy on September 1, 2002
  • Hilo Page by skeagy
  • Veggie stuff in a road-side shack, near the farmer's market in Hilo. The food is truly awesome, and unlike food you'll get in normal restaurants. This is truly a gem.

    I don't remember any more, but everything is awesome.

    Leave a Comment

  • Theme: Local
  • Price: less than US$10    » Currency Converter
  • Comparison: less expensive than average
  • Directions: Near farmer's market in Hilo
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Cafe' Pesto: Popular Hilo restaurant
  • Satisfaction:
  • trvlrtom
  • Updated By trvlrtom on March 2, 2007
  • Hilo Page by trvlrtom
  • Cafe' Pesto is conveniently located in downtown, facing the ocean. It is in an old building with a lot of character. The menu is varied, with a pretty good wine list. When cruise ships are in town it may get crowded here, so call ahead to avoid these times.

  • Theme: Local
  • Price: US$21-30    » Currency Converter
  • Comparison: about average
  • Address: 308 Kamehamea Ave.
  • Phone: 969-6640
  • Directions: Downtown
  • Website: www.cafepesto.com
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Island Cantina: Latin Style with Guitar Music Entertainment
  • Satisfaction:
  • atufft
  • By atufft on March 17, 2006
  • Hilo Page by atufft
  • This is a very creative Mexican restaurant the serves good food, and the casual no frills guitar entertainment is a pleasant respite from the Hawaiian Hula music. Rather close to a plaza, parking is easy, and a walk before/after dinner in the older part of town is also a pleasant contrast with the usual frenetic beachfront activity. Everything comes at a reasonable price. Hours are 11am to 9pm.

    I can't recall exactly what we had, but check out the menu. The food is well prepared. I recall having a nice dessert and an espresso after dinner.

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  • Theme: Mexican
  • Price: US$11-20    » Currency Converter
  • Comparison: less expensive than average
  • Address: 111 Kalakaua St., Hilo
  • Phone: 808-969-7009
  • Directions: Near Kalakaua Park. See website for more details.
  • Website: http://onlinehilo.com/islandcantina/
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful

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    L & L: Local Mix!
  • By x0_malia_0x on September 2, 2002
  • Hilo Page by x0_malia_0x
  • Very good, It's convinent, close to town, inexpensive, and friendly.

    You've gotta get the orange chicken because it is the most delicious thing you'll ever taste when u come here. It just takes my breath away!

    Leave a Comment

  • Theme: Local
  • Price: less than US$10    » Currency Converter
  • Comparison: about average
  • Directions: Downtown Hilo Across from Hilo Tribune-Herald
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Naung Mai Thai Kitchen: Good Thai food in Hilo
  • Satisfaction:
  • trvlrtom
  • By trvlrtom on March 2, 2007
  • Hilo Page by trvlrtom
  • This small restaurant in downtown serves excellent Thai food. The service we had was friendly.

  • Theme: Pan-Asian and Pacific Rim
  • Price: US$11-20    » Currency Converter
  • Comparison: about average
  • Address: 86 Kilauea Ave, Hilo
  • Phone: 808-934-7540
  • Directions: Downtown Hilo
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Ocean sushi: Sushi
  • Satisfaction:
  • By keaau on May 6, 2009
  • Hilo Page by keaau
  • Excellent sushi, soups and other Asian dishes---low key and the prices are right!! Located just a few doors up from the Garden Exchange behind KTA and the weekend market. Just ask a local.

    Leave a Comment

  • Theme: Japanese/Sushi
  • Price: less than US$10    » Currency Converter
  • Comparison: least expensive
  • Address: ??
  • Directions: Listed above
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Jimmy's Drive Inn: Where East Meets West
  • Satisfaction:
  • triplehelix
  • Updated By triplehelix on April 27, 2006
  • Hilo Page by triplehelix
  • Jimmy's next to L&L downtown Hilo - Hilo
    Jimmy's next to L&L downtown
    Hilo
    by triplehelix
    Jimmy's isn't a traditional Japanese restaurant like you're thinking. No kneeling mats nor ceremonial kimono clad geisha serving your every wish. There's a huge diner feel to it from the moment you enter the small parking area. By the way I suggest you park at the Garden Exchange two doors down and walk over because it is a one way street and if there isn't any parking, you'll have to come around again. Anyway, the food here is good but the portions to price are not unless you're eating their signature okazu platter. They do have a children's menu and a small desert menu as well. I believe the owners are Korean, not Japanese which makes for an interesting experience!

    The exterior and interior are very dated like most things in Hilo. But that doesn't take away from the good food and great japanese tea you get.


    I haven't been there in a while but something tells me by the look that nothing has changed! They have a variety of local favorites, Korean and Japanese cuisine. Take your pick my friends.

  • Theme: Japanese/Sushi
  • Price: US$11-20    » Currency Converter
  • Comparison: more expensive than average
  • Address: Kino'ole St.
  • Directions: Downtown Hilo on Kino'ole St across of the Hawaii Tribune Herald building.
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Five Spice: Seeds Alive!
  • Satisfaction:
  • triplehelix
  • By triplehelix on June 21, 2006
  • Hilo Page by triplehelix
  • Kanoelehua Ave. entrance to PTC - Hilo
    Kanoelehua Ave. entrance to
    PTC
    by triplehelix
    Five Spice is another local seed shop favorite. Like Kawate's, Five Spice's longevity has placed them at the top in the Puainako Town Center. Many stores and shops come and go in this complex but maybe two or three places (one being Five Spice) have been there from the opening.

    Five Spice offers the same options as Kawate but the service is much friendlier and the store is extremely neat. The store is run by Sue, an older Chinese woman. Her Kids and grand kids are usually there to help her out. I only wish she had never stopped serving the prized chilli! Until today, she has never said why they stopped making it. One constant in the store is their shaved ice machine which is opperated by hand crank which is rare today. They have a wider variety than most other seed shops in Hilo.

    If they still had it, their chilli bowl!

  • Theme: Other
  • Price: less than US$10    » Currency Converter
  • Comparison: less expensive than average
  • Address: 2100 Kanoelehua Avenue, Hilo, HI 96720
  • Phone: (808) 959-3033
  • Directions: Puainako Town Center from the Kilauea Ave. entrance right next to Chengs.
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
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    Transportation
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    Flights
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