Cafe Pesto - Hilo BayDinner with friendsCafe Pesto is a Hilo standby - one of the few "nice" restaurants in town. We have patronized it for years, since it opened, and it has never disappointed. Wood-fired pizzas and calzones, fresh island fish, and always some inventive specials. Definitely worth your time.6/13/2013 12:00:00 AMFood was excellent as always.
ServiFood was excellent as always.
Service was excellent until we were finished with our entree.
Our dishes were cleared off our table when we were finished and we sat there for a solid 15 minutes with an empty table and watch the server walk past our table 4 times before we were acknowledge. By that time we decided not to have dessert, which is very unfortunate as we were looking forward to dessert after our dinner.
Overall excellent restaurant just a few kinks that need to be fixed.6/11/2013 12:00:00 AMOpen Table find on the WaterfrontCafe pesto is right on the waterfront close to the Kamemeha monument. Excellent seafood and awesome wildfired pizzas! I highly recommend!!6/11/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat Hilo diningThis is one of my favourite spots in Hilo. The menu is full of good food options, cooked to perfection. The Lilikoi cheesecake is a must for any desert lovers.6/1/2013 12:00:00 AMconsistent food qualityI would say that the food quality is always consistently good! I have never had a bad meal at this restaurant.5/31/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat Service!We always like to make a stop at Cafe Pesto during our Hilo Stays. This last time we enjoyed fresh local produce and great service. We showed up later in the night and they were very accommodating and did not rush us at all. Our server was really great - wish I could remember his name. Only bad thing this time was we didn't see the more extensive wine list we have seen in the past.5/28/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat place for a wonderful meal!Great meal. OpenTable got us a table half an hour earlier than a phone call could! Higher end yet casual (where is't in HI?). Recommended by our local friend and the online T Advisor.5/27/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat As AlwaysCafe Pesto is my "go-to" for all of my out-of-town visitors and even when I just want to enjoy a great meal with my wife. It never fails to impress me, and I've been a regular since the early days in Kawaihae (in the early 1990s). The staff is always good-humored and professional, and the restaurant stands out as being classy without being pretentious -- I feel just as comfortable dressed up as I do in a T-shirt and shorts. I look forward to my next meal there and I would recommend this restaurant to anyone.5/24/2013 12:00:00 AMVisited many times and eachVisited many times and each time the food was consistent and tasty! Service is always excellent every visit we make. Overall dinning experience gets an A++++++.5/13/2013 12:00:00 AMAnother Great Dinning ExperienceFood was very good and consistent with past visits. They have a reputation of good food and Mother's Day was no exception. There were new servers this day and their service was attentive and very professional. Overall great experience on a very busy restaurant day.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways a favoriteWe have eaten here at least twice a month for years and have rarely been disappointed. Keep up the good work5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMCrowded yet excellent serviceWe had a 6:30pm Sat evening reservation. There was wonderful live music by Rupert Trip Jr. We ordered appetizers that came within 10 minutes;
I love their Caesar salad but was disappointed that they switched from romaine to butter lettuce, not the same, like eating air. Our waiter provided excellent attentive service. Our water glasses were constantly filled but no ice, so my water was at room temperature. Nice touch when the waiter wiped off the crumbs off the table (from son's bread) before his entree was served,
The little touches like ice water, good attentive service make the dining experience awesome. Overall excellent service (considering they were slamming!).5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful birthday lunchFour of us had a wonderful birthday lunch. We all had salads, wish they were a bit cheaper. Our server Roy was outstanding!5/2/2013 12:00:00 AMOne of the few places in HiloOne of the few places in Hilo to enjoy a nice dinner. Flavors are always consistent and service is excellent4/30/2013 12:00:00 AMThe short rib and shrimp specialThe short rib and shrimp special was sort of bland and the cut was more on the fatty side. I probably wouldn't order it again but usually everything else is good. I love their salads and lunches and regular dinner menu items are great! Still one of the best restaurants in Hilo!4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMI'd definitely return!Food was great! I had the crab cake & salad with lemongrass-lemonade.
I just wish we had extra time to return for a second meal.
...living on Molokai we're deprive of good healthy food restaurants.
My husband and I first ate at Cafe Pesto about 10 yrs ago, we had the pizza that was good too. The online reservation is a great idea!
Do you share recipes?4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMAs usual the food was greatAs usual the food was great at Cafe Pesto. I did not get a window seat as requested and was to be seated at a wall bench seat. I have sat there in the past and was uncomfortable so asked for another table. Request was accepted with a smile.4/18/2013 12:00:00 AMWe had a group of 10, celebratingWe had a group of 10, celebrating my friend's birthday. The table was ready when we got there. Orders were taken and we were served in no time. Some of us didn't want to try anything new. Just wanted to stay with the usual because it was always good. One did try something different and now she has a new favorite! I love the tea, please keep the tea coming. You had gave the birthday girl a dessert and the other waiters and waitresses came together and sang to her. It was great. I think most everybody ate everything on their plate, that's how good it was. The whole experience was very enjoyable!!!:)4/16/2013 12:00:00 AMStill one of the 2 best restaurantsStill one of the 2 best restaurants in Hilo. Love it that we can reserve on-line even at short notice.4/8/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat Gourmet FareThis was our first time in Hilo and at this restaurant. The food is truly outstanding and under priced for what you get. It is very vibrant with many locals dining there. The table we had was great in a corner and next to the window. Although not much scenery other than the urban landscape and a view of the bay far in the distance. I had made reservations about six months prior and was treated very warmly on my arrival. The waiter we had was not attentive or professional and very slow. I don't want someone hovering over me but it would be nice to be checked on from time to time or just make an appearance. He was the only draw back on what otherwise was a great dining experience.4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMFamily from Oahu....they justFamily from Oahu....they just raved about their lunches and mine was delicious, too.
Mahalo.4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMCafe Pesto never disappoints.Cafe Pesto never disappoints. Its menu is interesting, the food ono-licious and the service is top rate. I'm a local so I go there often and take out-of-town guests there without fail.4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMCafe Pesto was one of ourCafe Pesto was one of our best meals on The Big Island. The pizzas are great and the pastas are tasty, too. We really enjoyed our meal here.3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMThe Best Restaurant in Hilo TownWe've been going to Cafe Pesto in Hilo since it opened. This place has it all: great food at a reasonable price, a friendly, casual atmosphere with an old 'Hilo Town' feel to it, exceptional service, and a nice view of Hilo Bay as well. It's our favorite place to eat in Hilo.3/28/2013 12:00:00 AMCafe Pesto is a don't missCafe Pesto is a don't miss spot on any visit to Hilo. I always return to it. This time, I had a Caesar salad (the dressing was light and memorable and the baby romaine fresh from the farmers market) and made my own 9" pizza. Fabulous. I love going through Open Table, as I can be sure I'll get a table (this is a popular place even on a Sunday night).3/24/2013 12:00:00 AMEverything I promised my friendsMy friends and I thoroughly enjoyed our visit - from the specialty cocktails to the day's specials. The ono was done just perfectly for our taste. The meal was well timed by our server who was gracious, unobtrusive, and there with a beautiful smile every time we asked.
We will all be back!3/20/2013 12:00:00 AMWent in solo. Arrived earlyWent in solo. Arrived early good table was prepared for me and the food was hot and quick to the table.
Good background Hawaiian singer.3/15/2013 12:00:00 AMGREAT Lunch spot near Rainbow FallsI loved the food at this restaurant! My husband had the luau pizza and it was fantastic. I highly recommend the macadamia nut cheesecake!!3/12/2013 12:00:00 AMDelightful place facing theDelightful place facing the water in Hilo. The food was fresh and delicious.2/4/2013 12:00:00 AM