Merriman's – Waimea – Big Island

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1. CO

   CindyO

   Los Angeles

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 1 day ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Best meal on the Big Island. Everything fresh and cooked perfectly. Always a favorite!

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2. SB

   SkipB

   Seattle

   109 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   109 reviews

   Dined 1 day ago

   overall5food5service5ambience4

   Second dinner there in a week. My favorite fine dining place on the island. Excellent every time.

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3. KC

   KCTrvler

   Kansas City

   30 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   30 reviews

   Dined 1 day ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Best meal we have had on the Big Island. Well worth the 25 minute drive from Waikoloa resorts. All Farm to Table sourcing, every dish including the fresh catch was fantastic. We'll return next year!

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4. EL

   ELee

   San Francisco

   10 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   10 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   It’s been our third visit here. We love the food, atmosphere, and service.

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5. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   New York Area

   3 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   3 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Wonderful experience! Food was amazing! Our server was excellent went above and beyond!

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6. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   San Francisco

   1 review

   vip
   3.0

   1 review

   Dined 3 days ago

   overall3food3service3ambience3

   Had a hair in my mai tai (not comped) and salad was over dressed. Service was slow at times but attentive at others.

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7. LE

   LauraE

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 3 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Merriman's is always a MUST visit whenever we are in Hawaii. Everything on the menu is outstanding. The ambiance is relaxing and makes you feel like you are in a very special place. The service has always been amazing and we look forward to coming back no matter how many times we have visited.

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8. ML

   MarliesL

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 4 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   We are from Kona and love to go to Waimea to eat at Merriman’s. Food is delicious, staff is super nice and attentive. Lunch prices are very reasonable. I love the lilikoi soda and all the food too.

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9. CF

   CharlesF

   Hawaii

   18 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   18 reviews

   Dined 4 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Merriman’s is always a special treat for us. The food is consistently fabulous. No matter what island we visit… we always make sure that Merriman’s is booked! While Merriman’s on Maui is very special to us as our son got married there…The original Merriman’s on the Big Island is always a treat… it’s small and friendly and all the staff treat us like family. We love the farm to table menu and appreciate that they use locally sourced ingredients. As always…we both had a Merriman’s mai tai which honestly can’t be beat with the delicious Lilikoi foam on top. We shared the amazing beet salad and my husband had the fish tacos which were to die for. I opted for one of my favorites… the Merriman’s burger… and it did not disappoint. To finish off the wonderful meal we shared the Lilikoi mousse…indescribable! We left Merriman’s full, happy and in awe of the consistent quality of their food and impeccable service!!!

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10. m

    mesm

    Los Angeles

    92 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    92 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Delightful lunch. Service was pleasant and prompt. The menu was interesting and the wine list was extensive. The beet and goat cheese salad was perfect. The Mahi Mahi fish plate was delicious with yummy roasted carrots, Israeli couscous, and a Moroccan relish that was fresh and flavorful. Altogether a perfect experience.

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11. C

    Caleb

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Some of the best service I’ve ever experienced. Had dinner there with my girlfriend for our anniversary, and every staff member we encountered sincerely congratulated us. Everyone was friendly and eager to help. I could not recommend this place more.

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12. C

    Courtney

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    An incredible experience for our first wedding anniversary!

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13. KC

    KenC

    Washington DC

    107 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    107 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    It was probably the most energetic crowd we have experienced at Merriman’s. There was a large group that was quite boisterous and made it hard to have a quieter conversation with my dinner companion. This was a bit of a disconnect to have a place for more refined dining with prices to match and yet it was as noisy as an establishment on a Saturday night in Kailua-Kona. We had dinner at the Manta restaurant at the Mauna Kea last week where the serene ambience was a better match for the food experience. The Merriman food was good - my Kua’aina beef tenderloin was good and the fact that it was locally sourced made it interesting since the Manta did not have local beef on their menu. It was a bit tougher than I expected but the beefy flavor was good. The medium rare I requested turned out to be much more red than pink - maybe that was necessary for the local beef. The loin surface was nicely seared and the accompanying Jalapeño mashed potatoes was a good match. The addition of a few grilled parsnip added textural interest. My wife’s Mac encrusted mahi was okay. She thought the sauce was particularly good. The appetizers were much more interesting: particularly the Bibimbap prawns. The vine ripened tomatoes were gorgeous and the slivers of fennel was a nice touch. However, the Point Reyes Bleu may be a little too strong for this salad.

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14. K

    Keith

    Denver

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Don't tell anyone but we love Merriman's! Every time we are on the Big Island we plan on a visit. Fantastic!

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15. BD

    BDGTHREE

    Memphis/West TN

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    As usual Meriman's is a first class dining experience and with its farm to table now at 100% it's perfect for the Hawaiian ethos of working toward a sustainable food system independent of the mainland.

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16. N

    Nicole

    Puerto Vallarta

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    You won’t come to Merriman’s to eat and complain about the food. Everything is great..all the details…bread-awesome, cocktails-fab, food-outstanding. It’s just too damn expensive. As a local, $500 for three (one teen/no alcohol) including tip is just TOO expensive. It makes me sad, cause I would eat there more often, but with the way things are priced they basically are saying we are not here for local families who aren’t WEATHY. I leave there feeling satisfied but ripped off. This is not a value restaurant.

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17. A

    Alix

    Seattle

    5 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We were celebrating finishing the Lavaman triathlon the day before with a nice dinner. Our server was very attentive and detailed in her description of all the food options and everything tasted terrific! I am still thinking about the macadamia nut encrusted kampachi and the lillikoi mousse 😋 will come back next time we’re on island for sure!

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18. DP

    DavidP

    Austin

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Phenomenal. The food was the best we've had on the island, and the service was amazing.

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19. DL

    DonnaL

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Our TNT/LLS team celebrated our completion of the Lavaman 2023 triathlon. We decided to go here for our celebratory dinner. The wait staff was great and helpful to us to decide what to order. The service was smooth and well timed. They were able to seat us with others of our team, so we were not just 2 people per table. We discussed each of our races and enjoyed well prepared and generous portions of food. The bulogi shrimp was delicious. The Ahi was yummy. The chocolate purse dessert was devine. What a wonderful place to celebrate Victory! Or any special event. Or to just enjoy a lovely and wonderful dinner.

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20. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Excellent overall experience- highly recommend! The servers are friendly and welcoming and the food was locally sourced and delicious!

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21. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Service was amazing! Food was delicious! Love the farm to table theme. Everything is so fresh and yummy!

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22. JK

    JohnnyK

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great food, and excellent service! One of our favorite places to go on Big Island.

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23. BK

    BarbaraK

    New York Area

    16 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    16 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Outstanding in every way. We absolutely loved it and have already booked again.

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24. DS

    DavidS

    New York Area

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food4service5ambience4

    Excellent experience overall. The tenderloin was quite tasty but not the most tender I have consumed

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25. SB

    SkipB

    Seattle

    110 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    110 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Merriman’s is always a highlight when I visit the Big Island. Everything is done perfectly. Ingredients are exceptional, the service is expert and welcoming, the menu and food preparation are excellent and the results are always memorable. We thoroughly enjoyed dining here!

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26. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Atlanta Metro

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Wonderful service and outstanding food. Flavors were beyond what we expected. We drove in from Kona, and would do it again in a heartbeat. The experience was incredible. Highly recommended.

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27. RB

    RalphB

    Hawaii

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall4food4service5ambience4

    Food was quite good, my wife’s fish was slightly overdone. Service was excellent and atmosphere was great. It is however quite pricey.

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28. RS

    RichardS

    Palm Springs

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    My wife and I had lunch at Merrimans on a recent outing. We both ordered the beef tenderloin plate, and it was spectacular. I've never had beef as tender and the little potatoes were to die for. Finished off with the lilikoi mousse desert made it a very memorable meal.

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29. EL

    EmilyL

    Anchorage

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The food was amazing! Local and farm to table. The staff were superb and the cocktails perfect! Will be coming back for sure!

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30. SM

    SharonM

    Portland

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    It was a 60th birthday celebration that brought us in and the staff made my husband feel like a king! The food was excellent, but the service was better than excellent!

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31. DD

    DDJR

    Philadelphia

    17 reviews

    5.0

    17 reviews

    Dined on March 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Our server was excellent. She knew the menu and ingredients and the presentation was very professional.

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32. BJ

    BillJ

    Hawaii

    20 reviews

    5.0

    20 reviews

    Dined on March 24, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Always excellent, loved every course and could not wait to have the chocolate purse, my favorite!

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33. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Orange County

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on March 24, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience4

    We had a sibling dinner to celebrate my husband’s birthday. Our server was wonderful and gave us great recommendations. Zero complaints about the food. It was delicious. We really enjoyed our experience.

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34. F

    Fusionfoodie

    Los Angeles

    68 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    68 reviews

    Dined on March 24, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Choices seem more limited with the fixed price menu than what I remember, but if you share with a partner, or split the course, you can try more things. Everything was delicious, maybe more fennel than I'd like in the salad. A little noisy than years ago, the hardwood floor and a few larger groups made conversation difficult. But hard to beat for Hawaii regional cuisine.

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35. N

    Nana

    Sacramento

    29 reviews

    5.0

    29 reviews

    Dined on March 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Excellent food and service. The only complaint is the noise level.

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36. BC

    BarbaraC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Always a treat and pleasure dining at Merriman's. Harder to find these days: well-trained and congenial staff.

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37. T

    Tom69

    San Francisco

    26 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    26 reviews

    Dined on March 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    My wife enjoyed the Ono special and I ordered the Beef Tenderloin. Both were excellent. Well prepared, tasty and beautifully presented. The server was professional, friendly and timely with her attention. The squash soup and Caesar Salad was exceptional. We also enjoyed a delightful flourless chocolate cake. All in all, the best formal meal and service we have had in Hawaii. A must visit for any occasion.

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38. LC

    LaurelC

    Phoenix

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Our experience at Merriman’s was amazing…unique farm to table menu, the setting is different than that of the Merriman’s in Maui but also lovely. Our server Jim was well versed in the local sourcing for ingredients, and the overall quality of service from all of the waitstaff was outstanding. Our best meal on the Big Island, worth the drive up to Waimea! Thanks for making our 40th anniversary so special!

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39. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Kansas City

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on March 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We had a wonderful experience with the food and service. Outstanding and should not be missed if you are on the Big Island!

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40. LH

    LindsayH

    New York Area

    10 reviews

    4.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on March 23, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience5

    Great food and cocktails. Passion fruit martini was dynamite. Only complaint was had to be reminded of allergy - was served something that had to be taken back after a reminder.

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