What are the best restaurants in Hilo, Big Island?

According to Seemor's analysis, top-rated restaurants in Hilo include Paul's Place (A, Cafe), Moon and Turtle (A, Seafood restaurant), Hilo Bay Cafe (A-, Contemporary Hawaiian with sushi), Poke Market, LLC (A-, Poke shop), Vegan Shop (A-, Vegan Vietnamese). Seemor grades restaurants from A+ to F based on review-language analysis across 35+ dimensions including food quality, service, ambiance, and value.

What is Hilo known for?

Based on Seemor's analysis of 34 restaurants in Hilo, the most represented cuisines are American (9), Japanese (5), Seafood (4). Grades reflect contextual review analysis, not star ratings.

Is Hilo good for a special occasion?

Yes — Hilo has 8 top-rated restaurants from moderate to very_expensive, including Paul's Place (A, Cafe). The area offers strong options for special occasions across price points.

Seemor

Best Restaurants in Hilo

34 restaurants analyzed · Big Island

Hilo's dining scene runs on local pride, with a strong mix of American comfort food and Asian-influenced cooking that reflects the town's deep Japanese and Filipino heritage. The farmers' market on Mamo Street sets the tone for how seriously people here take fresh, local ingredients, and that carries through into the seafood and Hawaiian plates you'll find across town. Prices are reasonable for the quality on offer, and there are genuinely good options for a special meal out, particularly along Keawe Street.

Restaurants

Paul's Place A · Cafe, Breakfast & Brunch
Moon and Turtle A · Seafood restaurant, Wine & cocktail bar
Hilo Bay Cafe A- · Contemporary Hawaiian with sushi, Seafood
Poke Market, LLC A- · Poke shop, Seafood
Vegan Shop A- · Vegan Vietnamese, Vegan
Pho 99 A- · Vietnamese restaurant, Pho restaurant
Kawamoto Store A- · Okazuya and bento shop, Japanese
Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill Hilo A- · Restaurant, Hawaiian
Big Island Top Dogs B+ · Casual eatery, Hot dogs
Cafe Pesto Hilo Bay B+ · Restaurant, Pizza restaurant
Tetsumen B+ · Ramen restaurant, Japanese restaurant
Mohala’s Bayfront Fish and Chips B+ · Seafood restaurant, Fish & chips
Ola Brew - Hilo B+ · Brewpub, Restaurant
Hilo Burger Joint B+ · Burger restaurant, Bar
Tina's Garden Cafe B+ · Thai and fusion restaurant, Asian fusion
Pineapples Island Fresh Cuisine B+ · American restaurant, Hawaiian-inspired
Sakura Sushi & Grill B+ · Sushi restaurant, Japanese
Hawaiian Style Cafe Hilo B+ · Casual Hawaiian cafe, Breakfast and brunch
Kuhio Grille - Home Of The Famous 1lb Laulau B · Hawaiian restaurant, Local plates
Poke To Your Taste B · Poke bar, Seafood takeaway

Top Cuisines

American — 9 restaurants
Japanese — 5 restaurants
Seafood — 4 restaurants
Hawaiian — 3 restaurants
Southeast Asian — 2 restaurants
Pacific Islander — 2 restaurants
Vietnamese — 1 restaurants
Fusion — 1 restaurants
Thai — 1 restaurants
Contemporary American — 1 restaurants

Find Your Next Meal in Hilo

Casual Meal restaurants in Hilo — Quick, quality, no fuss
Date Night restaurants in Hilo — Romantic dining for two
Fun with Friends restaurants in Hilo — Something everyone will enjoy
Family Outing restaurants in Hilo — Kid-friendly, stress-free dining
Solo Dining restaurants in Hilo — Comfortable spots for dining alone
Business Discussion restaurants in Hilo — Professional setting, no distractions
Vegetarian-Friendly restaurants in Hilo
Vegan-Friendly restaurants in Hilo
Gluten-Free Friendly restaurants in Hilo
Walk-ins Welcome restaurants in Hilo
Highly Authentic restaurants in Hilo
Local Favorites restaurants in Hilo
Easy Parking restaurants in Hilo
Amazing Setting restaurants in Hilo
Hidden Gems restaurants in Hilo
Great Value restaurants in Hilo

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