Big Island: Where to eat our first night

[BonBiniGirl]

We are headed back to Hawaii next month with the Big Island as our first stop. Where should we eat dinner our first night? We are flying in from the East Coast so we'll be pretty jet lagged. The past few trips we have flown in to Maui first and have hit up the Rusty Harpoon. Basically we look for somewhere within walking distance (or a very short drive) of where we are staying, that has some tasty, casual food, not too expensive (for Hawaii standards), and has a good fruity drink or beer on tap. Any suggestions for a place near the Marriott Waikoloa?

 

[linsj]

Marriott is across the street from the King's Shops (http://www.kingsshops.com). Merriman's Cafe is excellent with reasonable prices.

The Queens Marketplace (http://www.queensmarketplace.net) is about a block away and has Macaroni Grill and a food court.

Here's a map of the Waikoloa resort area:
http://www.waikoloabeachresort.com/index.php/Waikoloa-Beach-Resort

 

[Luanne]

Merriman's Market Cafe in the King's Shops.

If you want to go further, Cafe Pesto.

 

[Luanne]

Marriott is across the street from the King's Shops (http://www.kingsshops.com). Merriman's Cafe is excellent with reasonable prices.

The Queens Marketplace (http://www.queensmarketplace.net) is about a block away and has Macaroni Grill and a food court.

Here's a map of the Waikoloa resort area:
http://www.waikoloabeachresort.com/index.php/Waikoloa-Beach-Resort

Macaroni Grill is a chain, and in my opinion, not all that great. To me, it's not Hawaii.

I do agree with Merriman's (per my other post).

 

[Liz Wolf-Spada]

We like Merriman's also.
Liz

 

[lynne]

Another vote for Merriman's Cafe!

 

[Jim Bryan]

Near airport, not expensive, not fancy, urban Hawaiian food.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/pine-tree-cafe-kailua

I would take this food anytime vs. the expensive Hawaiian tourist restaurants. It will be easy to find something at the King's shops and it doesn't have to be fancy.


http://gohawaii.about.com/gi/o.htm?...u=http://www.konaweb.com/konaweb/island.shtml

 

[Luanne]

Near airport, not expensive, not fancy, urban Hawaiian food.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/pine-tree-cafe-kailua

I would take this food anytime vs. the expensive Hawaiian tourist restaurants. It will be easy to find something at the King's shops and it doesn't have to be fancy.


http://gohawaii.about.com/gi/o.htm?...u=http://www.konaweb.com/konaweb/island.shtml

At the King's Shops it's pretty much Merriman's and Roy's. There may also be another restaurant, a steak house. The food court that used to be there is now in the Queen's Shops (although I could be wrong and there may still be a food court at the King's Shops as well.

I don't think the Pine Tree is particularly close to the Marriott, which is probably why there have been so many recommendations for Merriman's. We found it to be very reasonable for the Waikoloa area, and the food is very good.

 

[rifleman69]

Nevermind, place is closed!

 

[MuranoJo]

Near airport, not expensive, not fancy, urban Hawaiian food.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/pine-tree-cafe-kailua

I would take this food anytime vs. the expensive Hawaiian tourist restaurants. It will be easy to find something at the King's shops and it doesn't have to be fancy.


http://gohawaii.about.com/gi/o.htm?...u=http://www.konaweb.com/konaweb/island.shtml

Another vote for the Pine Tree Cafe! In fact, I was trying to remember the name of this place so I could help someone in another thread. Although it's not close to the Marriott, you can stop and order take-out for your room after you get out of the airport.

Wow, the variety is great and the food is very good. We stopped here a few times when in the area, and for dinner before flying out. Nothing fancy, mind you--just an informal inside seating area. Plus the prices are very reasonable.

When you get settled in and rested, I also highly recommend Pesto. We had two of our best meals there.

 

[geoand]

Tommy Bahama's has an excellent selection of dishes during Happy Hour along with some good pricing on drinks. We were there twice in January and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Pricing was very good and WOW on the chocolate dessert that was featured!

 

[Jim Bryan]

http://www.kingsshops.com/index.php/shopping-dining/category/restaurants

I didn't see the restaurant we used to go to that you could sit outside and have sandwiches. It was on the west side. We had eaten there a few times. Ate at Roy's once. We usually eat where the locals eat.

*The place I'm trying to think of might have been Merriman's.*

 

[BonBiniGirl]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone! Merriman's looks to be the top choice. I did write down the names of the other few restaurants in case we are able to check them out as we explore the island during the week.

Thanks for your help. Now we just need for our trip to get here!

 

[SmithOp]

On the web

Thanks for the suggestions everyone! Merriman's looks to be the top choice. I did write down the names of the other few restaurants in case we are able to check them out as we explore the island during the week.

Thanks for your help. Now we just need for our trip to get here!

Here is a list on the web site for all the eateries in the area.

http://www.waikoloabeachresort.com/index.php/big-island-dining

I'm not big on fancy dining at the resort, I made a nice meal out of the fried Ono fish sandwich at Paradise Pizza, and the market in Queens has good takeout sushi selection.