A collection of the local spots, hidden gems, restaurants, shops, scenic drives, and peaceful places I personally love visiting while on the Big Island of Hawaii. From cozy cafés and coastal views to places that inspire creativity, slow living, and c...
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Best place to enjoy lunch on the Bayfront
Cafe Pesto Hilo Bay
The place to go for poke when I'm in Hilo. The variety of poke is incredible! Their bakery is to die for. My favorite is the mochi donuts.
KTA Super Stores
I adore this shop. While its mission centers around sustainability, to me it represents something even more personal — a connection to my roots. I may not have grown up living in Hawaii full-time, but my parents were born and raised here before movin...
Aloha Grown
A must see when visiting the Big Island, especially now since Kilauea's been active.
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Rainbow Falls is beautiful to look at. Visiting the falls doesn't take very long and it used to be free. Unfortunately, you gotta pay to go see it.
Rainbow Falls
Anytime I travel to the other side of the island, I love staying at the Waikoloa. The grounds are beautiful, but the best part for me is the large lagoon to snorkel, kayak, and stand up paddleboard. There are lots of fish and trutles that swim in the...
Hilton Waikoloa Village
A safe, swimmable beach. I love to snorkle here. I've seen lots of turtles and fish.
Carlsmith Beach Park
A very safe and protected place to swim and take the kids.
Onekahakaha Beach Park
Everytime I visit Hilo, I have to stop here to bring back the yummy chocolate dipped shortbread cookies, brownies, and biscotti.
Big Island Candies
Really good local food. Expect a wait especially during the weekends.
Hawaiian Style Cafe - Restaurant Reviews - Yelp
Good local food. The Korean chicken is really yummy here.
Zippy's Hilo
This is where Dwayne The Rock Johnson comes to eat when he's in town. Huge portions--the pancakes are bigger than my face and are delicious! This place is an iconic eatery with lots of celebrity pictures on the walls
Ken's House Of Pancakes
You'll find Tex's Drive in along the Hamakua Coast. Awesome malasadas
Tex Drive In
Good place to grab lunch after mucking it up at the driving range or to have a nice prime rib dinner and cocktails. It's at the Municipal Golf Course.
Fairway Grill
I always come here at least once every time I’m in Hilo.
Hawaiian Style Cafe - Restaurant Reviews - Yelp
Really good food and service in old town Hilo near the bay front. Poke bowls, kalua pork tacos, tempura--the menu is diverse and delicious
Jackie Rey's Hilo
A tiny little restaurant with delicious and creative dishes. All the food is locally sourced and the menu changes frequently.
Moon & Turtle
The long but scenic way to Kona instead of taking Saddle Road. When I was younger, we'd have to drive along the Hamakua Coast up to Parker Ranch to get to Kona because Saddle Road wasn't paved all the way through to Hilo. It's a winding road but pret...
