Exploring Hilo’s Hidden Food Scene: A Guide to the Big Island’s Best Eats

Hilo doesn’t get the food hype that Kona does, but locals know the east side is where the real eating happens. The town’s wet windward climate supports year-round growth of herbs, citrus, greens, and tropical fruit, and the dining scene reflects that abundance with decades-old family-run spots and multicultural influences that feel unpretentious and deeply local. This guide covers the best eats across Hilo — from legendary poke counters and massive loco mocos to upscale bayfront dinners and craft chocolate — so you can plan meals that match your appetite, budget, and schedule.

Hilo’s dining is casual, counter-service heavy, and often closes by mid-afternoon — so timing matters more here than on the Kona side. Below is a quick overview of the spots covered in this guide, organized by what they do best.

Suisan Fish Market: The Poke Counter That Sets the Standard

If you only eat one thing in Hilo, make it the poke from Suisan Fish Market. This wholesale fish auction and retail counter has been serving locals for decades, and the spicy ahi poke is widely considered legendary. The selection changes daily based on the morning catch, so what you see is what you get — and it’s almost always excellent.

If you’re short on time or the line is long, skip the prepared plates and just grab a container of poke to go — it’s the same quality without the wait.

Cafe 100: The Birthplace of the Loco Moco

Cafe 100 is credited with popularizing the loco moco — a bowl of rice topped with a hamburger patty, fried egg, and brown gravy. It’s old-school Hawaii comfort food served in massive portions at a walk-up counter. The menu is simple, the prices are low, and the line moves fast.

This is a great stop for a quick, filling breakfast before a day of exploring. Just remember to bring cash — there’s no card option.

Kuhio Grille: Hawaiian Comfort Food Done Right

Kuhio Grille is a casual diner-style restaurant that serves authentic Hawaiian comfort food, including laulau (pork wrapped in taro leaves) and squid luau. The one-pound laulau is the signature dish, and the haupia cream pie is famous enough to justify a visit on its own. Portions are generous, and the prices are reasonable for the quality.

If you’re visiting Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Kuhio Grille is a solid lunch stop on the way back to Hilo. The laulau travels well if you want to take it to go.

Hilo Bay Cafe: Upscale Dining With a View

For a sit-down dinner with a view, Hilo Bay Cafe is the best option in town. The menu focuses on fresh fish, sushi, and burgers, with a strong emphasis on locally sourced ingredients. The outdoor seating overlooks Hilo Bay, making it a popular spot for sunset dining. Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends.

This is the one meal in Hilo where you’ll want to dress up a little — nothing fancy, but it’s not a shorts-and-flip-flops kind of place for dinner.

Puna Chocolate Company: Hawaii-Grown Cacao at Its Best

Puna Chocolate Company sources cacao from the Big Island and turns it into some of the best chocolate you’ll find in Hawaii. The drinking chocolate is a standout — rich, smooth, and not overly sweet. They also sell handcrafted truffles, chocolate bars, and cacao nibs. It’s a small shop with a big reputation among locals.

This is a great afternoon stop after a morning of exploring. The drinking chocolate pairs well with a walk through downtown Hilo’s shops and galleries.

Pineapples Island Fresh Cuisine: Lively Dining With Live Music

Pineapples Island Fresh Cuisine brings a lively, colorful energy to downtown Hilo. The menu features fish tacos, burgers, and island-driven New American plates, all served in an open-air setting. Live music happens several nights a week, and the bar pours creative cocktails that use local fruit and spirits.

If you’re traveling with kids, the open-air setting and live music make this a more relaxed option than a quiet, formal restaurant. The noise level means nobody minds a little chatter.

Hawaiian Style Cafe: Breakfast Portions That Defy Logic

Hawaiian Style Cafe is famous for its enormous breakfast portions. The coconut haupia pancakes are the size of dinner plates, and the loco mocos come stacked high enough to feed two people. The wait can be long on weekend mornings, but the food is worth it. It’s a cash-only spot, so come prepared.

If you’re on a tight schedule, skip the sit-down breakfast and grab a loco moco to go from Cafe 100 instead — it’s faster and just as satisfying.

Practical Section: Navigating Hilo’s Dining Scene

Hilo’s food scene is casual and counter-service heavy, but a few practical details can make or break your meal plans. Here’s what to know before you go.

Cash vs. Card: What You Need to Know

Several of Hilo’s best spots are cash-only, including Cafe 100 and Hawaiian Style Cafe. ATMs are available downtown, but it’s easier to hit one before you start your eating tour. Most sit-down restaurants accept cards, but the counter-service spots often don’t.

Timing Your Meals

Hilo’s food scene operates on a different schedule than Kona. Lunch spots like Suisan Fish Market and Cafe 100 close by early afternoon, while dinner spots like Hilo Bay Cafe and Pineapples don’t open until 5 p.m. If you’re hungry between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., your best bet is Puna Chocolate Company for a snack or the Hilo Farmers Market for fresh fruit and poke bowls from Poke N Sides.

What to Prioritize If You’re Short on Time

If you only have one day in Hilo, hit Suisan Fish Market for lunch, grab a drinking chocolate from Puna Chocolate Company in the afternoon, and book a dinner at Hilo Bay Cafe. That combo covers the best of Hilo’s poke, chocolate, and upscale dining without overloading your schedule.

Before You Go: Hilo Dining Questions Answered

Is Hilo’s food scene really better than Kona’s?

It depends on what you’re after. Hilo excels at casual, local-style dining with deep roots in the community. Kona has more upscale options and resort dining. If you want authentic poke and loco moco, Hilo wins. If you want a white-tablecloth dinner, Kona is the better bet.

What’s the one dish I shouldn’t miss in Hilo?

The spicy ahi poke from Suisan Fish Market is the single dish that defines Hilo’s food scene. It’s fresh, affordable, and available only until it sells out — usually by early afternoon. Don’t leave Hilo without trying it.

Are there good options for picky eaters or kids?

Yes. Cafe 100’s loco moco is basically a hamburger with rice and gravy — kid-friendly and familiar. Pineapples has burgers and fish tacos that most kids will eat. Hawaiian Style Cafe’s pancakes are enormous and sweet enough to satisfy even the pickiest eater.

What’s the biggest mistake visitors make when eating in Hilo?

Showing up hungry at 3 p.m. without a plan. Most lunch spots close by early afternoon, and dinner spots don’t open until 5 p.m. The 2–5 p.m. window is a dead zone for food in Hilo — plan around it with snacks from the farmers market or Puna Chocolate Company.

Is the food in Hilo expensive?

Not compared to Kona or Waikiki. Most counter-service meals run $8–15 per person, and sit-down dinners average $20–30 per person. The biggest cost risk is ordering too much — portions are generous enough that one plate often feeds two people.

Why Hilo’s Food Scene Rewards the People Who Show Up Prepared

Hilo doesn’t cater to the spontaneous diner the way resort towns do. The best meals here require a little planning — knowing which spots are cash-only, which close early, and which need reservations. But that effort pays off in food that’s more authentic, more affordable, and more memorable than anything you’ll find on the Kona side. If you show up with cash in your pocket and a flexible appetite, Hilo will feed you better than almost any town in Hawaii. For more on the regional specialties that define Hawaiian dining, check out this guide to Hawaii’s regional specialties.

References

Eighty Flavors. “50 Best Places to Eat in Hilo, Big Island.” Eighty Flavors, 2024. ↗

Alakai Aloha. “Hilo Restaurant Guide.” Alakai Aloha, 2024. ↗

If you’re still deciding where to eat on the Big Island, the guide to the best shave ice in Hawaii covers a sweet treat that pairs well with a Hilo food tour. For families looking to understand the local food culture, this guide to authentic Hawaiian cuisine breaks down the dishes you’ll encounter. And if you want to sound like a local when ordering, the pidgin dictionary for Hawaiian food is a fun read before your trip.