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Restaurants Overview

Between star chefs and a crop (pun intended) of quality new local farms, the Big Island restaurant scene has been heating up in the past couple of years. In the past it used to be a pleasant surprise for visitors to discover a gourmet meal on the island, but now food writers from national magazines are praising the chefs of the Big Island for their ability to turn the local bounty into inventive blends of the island's cultural heritage. Drawn by reviews and the reputations of some world-renowned chefs, the Big Island has become a destination for foodies on vacation.

Great food on the Big Island doesn't begin and end with the resorts. A handful of cutting-edge chefs have retired from the fast-paced hotel world and opened up their own small bistros closer to the farms in Upcountry Waimea. And, as the old plantation towns transform into youthful arts communities, unique and wonderful restaurants have cropped up in Hawi, Kainaliu, and on the east side of the island in Hilo. Though the larger, gourmet restaurants (especially those at the resorts) tend to be very pricey, there are still "ono grindz" (Hawaiian slang for tasty local food) to be found at budget prices throughout the island, from greasy plate lunch specials to reasonably priced organic fare at a number of cafés and health food markets. Less populated areas like Kau, the Hamakua Coast, and Puna offer limited choices for dinner, but usually at least one or two spots that do a decent plate lunch, and a handful of excellent bakeries.