Diners' Choice: Best Overall restaurants in Hawaii / Big Island

OpenTable

Updated January 05, 2025

Looking for the best overall restaurants in Hawaii / Big Island? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Walua Social

4.8

4.8 (26)

$31 to $50

Italian

Kailua-Kona

About the restaurant

Experience new and vibrant flavors of Italy right here in Kona with the exciting new dining collaboration by Chef Chad Yamamoto and Chef Alessandro Taras. Their thoughtfully curated menu showcases the finest locally sourced ingredients, ensuring dishes that not only tantalize your taste buds but are also thoughtfully priced. Perfect for families and friends alike, each plate is crafted for sharing and creating memorable moments together around the table.

Top review

eileenVIP

Dined 2 days ago

New restaurant in Kona. The food is outstanding and so is the service. This will become one of our favorite restaurants to visit. What a great start! Definately make a rez and try!

Merriman's – Waimea – Big Island

4.9

4.9 (9752)

$31 to $50

Hawaii Regional Cuisine

Kamuela

About the restaurant

Located in the heart of the Big Islands farm community is Peter Merriman's original restaurant; Merriman's Waimea. Chef/Owner Peter Merriman is one of the founders of Hawaii Regional Cuisine and uses 90% or more of local produce, fish and beef. All dishes are handcrafted to highlight the natural flavors of each menu item. Our award winning wine list has selections for all to enjoy. Merriman's knowledgeable and friendly staff will guide you through a culinary experience you will not forget. We look forward to serving you!

Top review

Ivy

Dined 6 days ago

Made a reservation here for our final meal on the island. Was told by multiple people that this is the best place to eat on the island. As a vegan I really appreciated the knowledge and help of our server Howard to accommodate me. My non-vegan family really enjoyed their meals too. Overall it was awesome. Pretty pricey but glad we got to try it.

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Experience

Valentine's Day Dinner - Merriman's Waimea 2025

Engawa by Islander Sake Brewery

4.8

4.8 (214)

$50 and over

Japanese

Kohala Coast

About the restaurant

Welcome to Engawa, a small restaurant limited to 20 guests per night, where we offer an exquisite experience of Japanese cuisine. We invite you to indulge in a memorable dinner experience. Our menu is a celebration of traditional Japanese cuisine, featuring an array of exquisite dishes prepared with the finest local ingredients. From fresh sushi and sashimi to hearty tempura and other savory dishes are crafted to bring out the authentic flavors of Japan. Enjoy a unique culinary journey with chef & brew master Chiaki Takahashi, where each dish complemented by our award-winning hand-crafted sake, designed to enhance your dining experience.
At Engawa, we pride ourselves on providing not only exceptional foods but also an inviting atmosphere and impeccable service. To ensure you have a wonderful evening with us, we recommend making a reservation. Our attentive team is here to accommodate your needs and preferences, making your visit truly special.

Top review

Stephen

Dined on Dec 25, 2024

It was very small groups of tables of 4’s and 2’s. Main server and helper were very nice and explained the various sake we were being served, aging and taste variants. Very informative as I’m not a sake drinker so I learned quite a lot. Food was good and plentiful. Overall a very relaxed pleasant dinner

Beach Tree Restaurant, Bar and Lounge

4.8

4.8 (889)

$30 and under

Californian

Kailua-Kona

About the restaurant

Beach Tree Bar & Lounge at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai is a casual dining option set along the sand and overlooking the ocean, perfect for sundowner cocktails. Toast the sunset with unforgettable views, local flavours, creative cocktails and more.

Top review

VickiVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Beach Tree was our favorite restaurant in the Four Seasons Resort. It was more affordable than the other two, the food was very good, and the staff were very pleasant and accommodating. My husband and I both got the market catch of the day, which was the tastiest fish we’d had on the island. Our waitress gave excellent wine recommendations and even let us sample a few wines so we could decide which to choose. The outdoor setting along the beach is very welcoming, and live music was played on the adjoining lawn throughout the evening. We also had lunch one day at the bar there, where our fish tacos were very tasty.

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Popular dish

Spaghetti "Cacio e Pepe"

Experience

Tide to Table Amalfi Under the Stars

Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar - Mauna Lani, Big Island

4.7

4.7 (5555)

$31 to $50

Hawaii Regional Cuisine

Kamuela

About the restaurant

Tommy Bahama combines a tranquil environment and good food with an emphasis on hospitality to make for the perfect place to recharge or unwind while indulging in a unique dining experience. The experience is sure to feel like a getaway, whether you’re on vacation or looking for a vacation from your everyday life. For more information: www.tommybahama.com

Top review

CourtneyVIP

Dined 7 days ago

We love Tommy Bahama and always bring our kids, two toddlers. Super kid friendly and delicious food!

CanoeHouse

4.6

4.6 (3257)

$50 and over

Creative Japanese

Kamuela

About the restaurant

Long regarded as the premier dining destination among the Hawaiian islands, this beloved institution is a gathering place for generations of friends, families and neighbors. Helmed by Executive Chef Rhoda Magbitang, CanoeHouse features thoughtful, seasonal dishes that celebrate Hawaii’s landscape through Japanese-Paniolo inspired cuisine, accompanied by craft-cocktails and diverse wine selections.
Please kindly note that CanoeHouse accepts reservations 60 days in advance for outside guests of Mauna Lani.

Top review

MarekVIP

Dined today

Wonderful restaurant with magnificent view and food.

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4.6

4.6 (1110)

$31 to $50

Farm-to-table

Kamuela

About the restaurant

Reflecting a journey through the Mediterranean, set against a spectacular Pacific Ocean backdrop, choose between colorful mezze platters, a selection of tender kebabs from Hamakua raised lamb to Kahua ranch beef sirloin, signature grilled seafood dishes including Whole Kampachi and Mibrasa Style Branzino with ladolemono & Waimea cherry tomatoes, as well as wood-fired pizzas and fresh salads. This beloved al fresco eatery embraces the rich culinary traditions of Coastal Mediterranean cuisine with the tropical beauty of Hawai’i to offer a rich tapestry of dishes highlighted by locally-sourced produce and seafood.

Top review

Karen Elaine

Dined today

We had ahi steaks as our entree-- they were melt in your mouth tender and flavorful. Appetizers were also delicious. I think that the Mediterranean menu is a refreshing addition to the food choices for this island. We will be back. The atmosphere is surprisingly quiet for a resort, which makes it easy to have a normal conversation.

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Popular dish

Margherita Pizza

Experience

Rhythm and Brunch at Halani

Meridia

4.6

4.6 (2059)

$31 to $50

Mediterranean

Kohala Coast

About the restaurant

Inspired by the Mediterranean, dedicated to the islands. Featuring a charcuterie and crudo bar, brilliant cocktails, and an award winning global wine list framed by the forever views of Hapuna Beach, Meridia presents innovative cuisine in an unrivaled setting. Named by Hawaii Magazine as 2019's Best New Big Island Restaurant, and 2018 Restaurant of the Year by the American Culinary Federation.
Located at the Westin Hapuna Beach Resort.

Top review

Rebecca

Dined 1 day ago

We had reservation for 6:45 PM but we went to the restaurant at 5:30,right when it opened to see if we could get in earlier. They were very gracious and said they thought they could accommodate us. we had a cocktail at the bar and about 15 minutes later we had a table outside looking at the beautiful sunset. It was lovely! We had froi grois appetizer, and it was delicious, my husband had short rib, which was also wonderfully cooked, and I had the clams. I would definitely recommend this restaurant.

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Miyo's Restaurant and Izakaya Bar

4.7

4.7 (199)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Hilo

About the restaurant

A local favorite, Miyo’s Restaurant has served the Hilo area since 1987. Under the direction of it's owner, Louis Pauole, Miyo's Restaurant serves up homestyle Japanese food using quality ingredients and it's beloved recipes created by Miyo herself!

Come and enjoy entrees such as Hot Pots, Curry, Teriyaki, Tempura, Seafood and much more! While you're awaiting your delicious meal, you can also sip on a handcrafted cocktail made by our talented bartenders from our Izakaya Bar - Hilo's newest hot spot! With a full bar, 15 beers on tap, an exclusive evening tapas menu and a cozy, rustic atmosphere, there's something for everyone!

Top review

Ross

Dined 4 days ago

If you are hoping for a fine dining restaurant this isn’t for you. However, the food and service were good. We really enjoyed the sizzling mushrooms, Teriyaki steak and the dumplings.

Papa Kona Restaurant & Bar

4.6

4.6 (1887)

$30 and under

American

Kailua-Kona

About the restaurant

Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner on the water in beautiful downtown Kona! Join us for a gastro-pub style menu with an island twist.

Come sit by the water at Papa Kona! We offer best eggs benedict in town, our fan-favorite avocado fries, and a craft cocktail list you won't find anywhere else.

Reservations are limited to preserve space for walk-in guests. If you can't find a table online, we welcome you to walk-in!

Top review

JohnVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Another great experience that Papa Kona enhanced by the wonderful surf show during high surf and high tide. This evening. The restaurant was quite busy but our server Kate made it seem like we were the one and only table - she was great Having been here before we once again, enjoyed the firecracker shrimp, the lemon grass pasta, and the amazing fish tacos With the restaurant, so it being so busy, we were unable to get our waterfront rail table requested, and the OpenTable reservation We will be back

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