Hilo Bay Cafe

Our server was Jahllia (I might've spelt it wrong). We dined in onSaturday October 24, 2020 at 7:30. I know her name was spelt uniquely. She started off okay in the beginning, then after we got our main entrees it was like she almost forgot about us. When she brought our entrees she did not bring a steak knife for my mom's rib eye and she did not give a spoon for my pot pie. We waited a few minutes and could not start eating without those utensils. We enjoyed our meals and then she (our waiter) kept on catering to the table behind us. She would talk stories with them and they were talking super loud about what their "plans" are after she finishes work. I mean I had to literally ask for water and then she went back to that table to continue talking to them. They (table behind us) weren't ordering anything. Then she was brushing up on the customers on that table as well while my cup of water was still empty. We waited quite a while after our meal for our our take out container and our check. Once we got our check we paid it, and immediately left. I am in the culinary industry and I felt that her service wasn't great and her actions towards the customers were inappropriate and her attention to the other tables around us as well wasn't great. She literally catered to her "friends" or whoever those three gentlemen were on that table. The gentle men were having a few cocktails and they shouted "wow the service is great here" but I'm sad to say we couldn't say the same. The food as always, was exceptional tho. I just hope she improves and not just gives all of her attention and physical attention (because she was rubbing her hands on one of the gentlemen's chest) to just that one table. She was in charge of three other tables around us and she wasn't catering to all of us.

Food was great. Service was great . One of the reasons we wanted to go to Hilo Bay Cafe was outside dining as stated on their website. We were seated inside . When I mentioned this to the hostess she said we haven’t updated our website yet. Tables were further apart than before , fans going. As more people arrived the room became very hot. Lesson learned call to confirm.

Always a really nice experience when we come to this restaurant, that's why we do a couple times a year... best place to celebrate occasions! Or just to eat really yummy makai or warabi sushi... so yum! The ribs are always great! I especially have my go to salad, crab cake... the fresh won ton chips, the dressing, crab cakes... the whole salad is delicious! Highly recommend HBC!

Appreciated attentive service. All outdoor seating and by reservation avoiding gathering in waiting area. Clean, friendly waitstaff.

Dinner was excellent.. we had a wonderful time with our family. Thank you Hilo Bay Cafe!

You just can't beat the view from the lanai, where we dined safely distanced and the breezes were just right. Our server was elegant, the way she placed our dishes etc. and gave us just the right amount of attention. The light sprinkle of Himalayan pink salt on the unsalted butter that came with the bread set the tone for a fabulous gastronomical experience.

We’ve been to this restaurant about 4 times and have had suburb food. This time the food was mediocre. I’ll blame it on Covid and return again.

Glad to have HBC back open. Sitting on the lanai looking out over Hilo bay No ka oi. Lunch menu limited. Fresh fish sandwich or tacos would be welcome. Cold somen noodle salad with fresh ahi sashimi was excellent. Nice draught ipa to go with it. Perfect, afternoon in Hilo town.

Had a lunch with two friends and our young friend who is a freshman at UH Hilo. We made reservations and arrived a bit early (10 minutes) but had to wait probably 10 or 15 minutes to be seated. That truly was the only down side of our visit. Once seated our server was great. The food was fantastic, the view was amazing. We had a pretty great experience.

Hilo Bay Cafe is open for outdoor dining only, but the food is as exceptional as it always has been!

Sierra our waitress was the best! Her service and kindness made our luncheon that much more special!

Great service, excellent food, and an amazing view of Hilo Bay

Excellent food and service, as always. Lovely views of Hilo bay.

Lovely views of Hilo Bay with consistently delicious food.

It was all good and I do appreciate that you now can choose between outdoor and indoor seating when making a reservation on line.

I like the restaurant quite a bit and have been there many times in the past, and I'm happy to see that they have reopened.

This time our table was in the middle of a high traffic area that the other diners and waiters and staff had to pass by constantly. We asked if we could be reseated to another table and was told no, even though there were other two-tops available on the lanai, we asked if we could be reseated inside, and was told no even though there were plenty of tables. We left. This particular table for two doesn't seem to be appropriately socially distanced from other people coming and going.

Food was terrific, as usual!
Our server was delightful.
The view is always stunning.
A great evening.

They had the tables outside on the lanai far away from one another . They did a great job dealing with the constraints of the pandemic.

Perfect place to eat a safe social-distanced food. Elegant food, great service, and a view that is breathtaking.

Lovely location. Best to dine on deck. Youthful staff. Good energy but needing refinement. Food selection satisfying and nicely plated. Only 3 wines by the glass choices. Still, we would recommend HBC to anyone looking for a special night out

HBC is so unique. Hawaii is an outstanding place to be to start with and this place goes beyond that. The food is as wonderful as it ever was - a reference standard for me - ever since HBC's Walmart days (same mall, tucked away in a cul de sac - a tiny hamburger joint with healthy, local food and unusually creative and inventive preparation. The place was always packed.
Nothing has changed except the space is much larger and looks out from the second floor over Hilo Bay. I do not recall such an experience as my last visit with excellent food, great service, perfect weather and a feeling of serenity like no other.

We all felt great about our dining experience. Wonderful wait person and food was great. So good to get out again and also feel safe about it. We ate on the lanai at sunset. Wonderful

Lanai seating was spacious and beautiful. Everything felt safe and airy. Sunset was perfect. Food was mostly perfect. Service was fast and very pleasant. So grateful to have Hilo Bay Cafe available for dining in again! Mahalo, guys

Excellent food,service and ambience. Would highly recommend HBC!

Excellent experience. Great view. Great service. Great food. Friendly prices on the lunch menu. Mahalo!

Among many fine attributes of Hilo Bay Cafe, the view of Hilo Bay and Hilo Town and the majestic mountain above is not to be missed! Dining outside on the lanai is by far the best dining experience and it is worth waiting for. Our server was knowledgeable of the menu, helpful with food selections, friendly and personable. Our cocktail selection featured a local “moonshine”. Husband enjoyed the ribs and my cauliflower gratin was delicious. No room for dessert this time. There are a couple of other restaurants in town where the food is this good but the location puts HBC at the top of the list! Perfect place to celebrate an occasion or impress visitors.

Still the restaurant we recommend as the best in Hilo.

Excited to get out for dinner being that we’ve been couped up at home during this time of the pandemic

Excellent service & food.
We were impressed with the restaurant’s efforts to keep everyone safe from the corona virus.

Always a nice dining experience. So thankful for the lanai seating, the availability
of healthy food choices, and friendly and professional servers and staff!

I like it we’ve going there so it’s always a choice place to go.

So glad they opened for dine in! Love sitting on the Lanai, food was fantastic, drinks were awesome and dessert...oh yum! Service impeccable!

I enjoy the view from the balcony seating. The food is delicious and the service is always great.

Fabulous view...fabulous food! This is one of Hilo's gems!

Our server, Christian, was awesome. So polite and helpful and friendly.

One of the best restaurants in the Hilo area. Everything we ordered tasted great and the portions were generous. Ask for a table outdoors. The view of Hilo and the bay just makes the meal there even more memorable.

So great! I appreciated how great the staff were about social distancing and cleaning protocols.

Food was delicious, just as expected. Creative combos with a local spin.

Hilo Bay Cafe is one of the very best restaurants on the Big Island of Hawaii.

The ambience, the staff, our Server- Madison and our food eggplant custard and the seared spicy ahi DELISCIOUS. I would , I have and do recommend, and encourage folks go and experience HBC.

Food was delish. Lovely server..perfect birthday luncheon.

HBC was very COVID conscious and that made us feel very safe and relaxed. The lunch and drink menus are very imaginative, using lots of local produce. The food was delicious and our service was excellent. Great memory!