Thanks, keep them coming!
Since it's our first time, we feel like we need to visit Pearl Harbor, Poly. Cultural Center, etc..
Guessing there are multiple regional carriers to make the hop to Oahu?
Like the grocery suggestions since we like to do our own breakfast/lunch, then splurge for dinner.
Guessing that eating on the Hilton property won't be cheap.
Hoping Volcano NP can be done as a big day trip.
I'm not sure how many regional carriers there are. Island Air just shut down, so that leaves Hawaiian and Mokulele.
There are SO many better choices that eating on the Hilton property (meaning the hotel). Here are a list of suggestions:
Big Island restaurants, these are all places we’ve been and would recommend:
Starting at the “North” end and working south:
Havi:
Bamboo Restaurant – we’ve only been for lunch, be sure they are open (I think they’re closed on Mondays)
Kawaihae Harbor:
Café Pesto – they also have a location in Hilo
Waimea:
Merrimans
Lilikoi Café – this is a tiny little kind of take out place, some friends of ours who lived in Kona recommended it. Really good for lunch. Kind of hard to find, it’s hidden on the back side of a shopping center.
Village Burger – order at the counter and pick up at the counter. There is seating in the center where it’s located, the seating is for all of the food court type restaurants there. It is highly rated and does have a decent burger.
Waikoloa Resort area:
Sensai Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar - in the Queen’s Shopping Center. Had the best sushi roll I’ve ever had there. They have a pretty extensive menu, not just sushi.
Lava Lava Beach House – right on the beach, in fact you can sit in a table in the sand.
Waikoloa Village:
Pueo’s Osteria - very good Italian
Island Lava Java – a coffee place, but they have a nice menu. Ate dinner there our first night on the island. Not a fancy setting at all. The outdoor tables have a view of the parking lot.
Kohala coast resorts (these are all pricey, the food is good but we go for the atmosphere):
Four Seasons Hualailai – Ulu Ocean Grill, there is also the Beach Tree Bar (I’ve been there for lunch, not dinner)
Fairmont Orchid - Brown’s Beach House
Mana Lani - Canoe House
Kona:
Huggo’s (this is not the same as Huggo’s on the Rocks. We’ve been to the On the Rocks one and it’s good, very casual, but we really like Huggo’s
Kona Brewing Company & Pub – good pizza, nice local beer selection
Fish Hopper Seafood & Steaks
Kona Inn Restaurant – mostly for the atmosphere. We’ve only eaten lunch here.
South of Kona:
Keei Café
Coffee Shack – for breakfast
Volcano Village:
Kilauea Lodge – make a reservation if you’re going for dinner
Ohelo Café – Open for lunch and dinner, we’ve only been there for lunch.
Café Ono – part of a complex that has a one unit B&B and a gallery. Only open for lunch, vegetarian menu…..but very good.
Hilo:
Café Pesto – same as the one in Hawi