Merriman's – Waimea – Big Island

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1. p

   pkemp

   Dallas

   3 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   3 reviews

   Dined 1 day ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   From the cocktails to the dessert Merriman’s is always simply superb!

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2. RE

   RichE

   Tampa

   6 reviews

   5.0

   6 reviews

   Dined 1 day ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Best fish (kampachi) my wife has had in years, and my filet had great flavor. Will definitely go back. Service was outstanding.

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3. DB

   DeborahB

   Hawaii

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 1 day ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Delicious lunch! Mai tais not to be missed. Friendly staff

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4. e

   emily

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 1 day ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Service was great. Food was amazing Best Eggs Benedict, I have ever had!!!

   Report
5. EE

   EncinitasE

   San Diego

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 1 day ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Amazing service and even better food. We never miss Merrimans when we are on the Big Island.

   Report
6. HI

   HIfoodie

   Hawaii

   229 reviews

   vip
   4.0

   229 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   overall4food4service5ambience5

   I appreciate the pre-fixe menu allowing such an iconic restaurant as Merriman's Waimea to stay open. Such wonderful support of local farmers, ranchers and fishermen. When ordering fish, stick with the macadamia nut crusted fish as it was excellent! However, the "day boat" was disappointing as the fish and shrimp were over-cooked and dry. With a pre-fixe menu, we expected the meals to be the usual exceptional food Merriman's is known for. The beet salad was delicious, but I still miss the tomato, fried caper salad - a salad that truly highlighted the exceptional tomato's only found in Kamuela and a salad not to be found at any other restaurant.

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7. DA

   DanielA

   Hawaii

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 2 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   As always Merriman’s was a delight to enjoy. Love the menu’s great food and wonderful service.

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8. CE

   ChrisE

   Minneapolis

   5 reviews

   5.0

   5 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Great service and relaxed atmosphere made for a very pleasurable dining experience. Definitely will go back.

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9. RS

   RalphS

   Los Angeles

   4 reviews

   5.0

   4 reviews

   Dined 3 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Delicious fresh food with a plenty of choices. The service was over and beyond!

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10. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Phoenix

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The best meal of my life! We had an amazing experience.

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11. G

    Gator

    Washington DC

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Omg cannot recommend enough. ORDER THE MAI TAI. It's the best you'll ever have. I think I was misled about the views (read mountainside dining somewhere but the views are nothing to write home about). However the food was DIVINE. No complaints at all. 10/10 would go back. Service was sooooo phenomenal. Not too crowded or loud. I loved everything. My partner loved everything.

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12. L

    Linda

    Sacramento

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service4ambience4

    My husband could not stop talking about the perfection of his grass fed steak.

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13. GA

    GeorgeA

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    So wonderful, from staff to food to ambiance! Very welcoming and the mushroom soup and ginger martini are to die for! We loved everything and God willing, we’ll be back again someday! Mahalo! San Antonio, Tx

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14. CA

    ChristopherA

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    We went to Merriman's for lunch in May of 2022 after hearing recommendations from other guests on the Circle Island Tour. Dinner fills up far in advance, but lunch reservations were easy to secure, and are absolutely worth it. We were seated immediately. I ordered a rice ale, she a Mai Tai. For appetizers, we split an order of quesadillas. This was a mistake. We each should have ordered our own because they were delicious. For dinner, I chose the catch of the day (Ono), and she got fish tacos. For dessert, I ordered the coconut crème brûlée, and she the crunchy Kongo bar. I liked that mine was more wide and shallow, as I'm there for the brûlée more than the crème. We were very satisfied with everything, including the service. Portions are slightly on the smaller side, so it's still healthy to share an appetizer, get your own entree, and share a dessert (which edged towards shareable sizes). We enjoyed ourselves so much we came back the following day for lunch to bring my foodie father. We learned from past mistakes and each got our own quesadillas to start. For entrees, there were two orders of pork saiman, and one fish sandwich. While the saiman were flavorful, we both thought it would have made a better meal for dinner time, and had wished we tried something else for an entree. I'm a sucker for crème brûlée and of course ordered it again because it was so good the first time around. If I had time to come back, I would happily get another order of the quesadillas and crème brûlée, and try a new entree.

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15. CA

    CatherineA

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Best food we’ve had on the Big Island. Superb, fresh, best lamb ever.

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16. BC

    BobC

    Hawaii

    18 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    18 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We never miss eating here when we are on island. No one does it better.

    Report
17. WR

    WaimeaRes

    Hawaii

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Our server, Kamana’o, was great, very personable. We really appreciated being able to enjoy a leisurely lunch without being hustled out the door. That experience is worth paying for.

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18. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    10 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    What a wonderful experience! Given the amount of hype you hear about Merriman’s, it’s hard to think it can live up to expectations, but it did in every way. The service was so friendly - starting off with Prosecco for our anniversary. The food was incredible - all of the produce was so fresh and it really came through in its preparation. My husband said his fish entree was one of the best he’s ever had. And I could likely eat the molten lava cake for every meal. The remarkable thing is that it was an incredible meal in a very relaxed and attentive atmosphere - none of the pretension you come to expect from restaurants of this caliber.

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19. KB

    KatieB

    Central Coast

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Absolutely delicious and the service was some of the best. Everything was great!

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20. f

    foodiefromlex2

    Louisville

    17 reviews

    5.0

    17 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Open, inviting restaurant with plenty of windows providing natural light. Our lunch was delicious. Our party ordered fish tacos, fish sandwich, Mediterranean salad with shrimp & grilled vegetable. Everything was cooked to perfection. We highly recommend this restaurant when visiting Hawaii.

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21. JR

    JonesR

    South Dakota

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We loved everything about Merriman’s! The food was the best we’ve ever eaten and the service was warm and friendly. Recommend so highly!

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22. JF

    JustinF

    San Francisco

    25 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    25 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Ellie and Howard were great. Sorry to have missed Ben

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23. EO

    EllenO

    San Diego

    8 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Excellent meal. Wonderful service. Well worth the long drive! Hands down the best meal of our week long trip.

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24. D

    Diverdown

    Hawaii

    39 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    39 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great lunch, fast and friendly service. Excellent menu. You folks are the best at proportions. Fish was cooked perfectly!

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25. F

    2Foodies

    San Francisco

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We have been to Merriman‘s many times as residents of the big Island, and it never disappoints. Our experience this time was no different. We had not patronized the restaurant since the prix fixe menu was transitioned to the nightly menu, but were not disappointed with the selection. Offering something for everyone, the menu was smart with many possible combinations. My husband and I settled on the prawn/tenderloin/lava cake and salad/lamb/lava cake along with a bottle of Napa Valley wine. The service - managed mostly by our very attentive waiter Howard - was top notch. Very knowledgeable about the menu and specials, and easy to conversation beyond the weather and our purpose for dining, we loved chatting with Howard. He was always there - just before we needed him. We were started with a very tasty and unique amuse-bouche and the whole meal progressed wonderfully from there. We ended with a fantastic blend of Hawaiian coffee and our lava cake - of course - and we were both full and completely satisfied. Howard even brought me a little surprise from the kitchen right before I left, knowing my fondness for their delicate cookies! Merriman’s isn’t a gastronomic adventure or a cutting edge food experience, but it is farm-fresh and sustainable, offering extraordinary flavors from Hawaiian local sources, with consistency and first rate service. It is our “go-to” special occasion restaurant on the Big Island and absolutely earns every ounce of recognition it’s has and continues to receive.

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26. WY

    WilYou

    Orange County

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Always a treat to experience fresh food and understated service.

    Report
27. B

    Britt

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    This is a favorite spot for my husband and I. We love the Big Island and consider Merriman's a mandatory stop during each visit. The food is amazing and the experience with each visit never disappoints.

    Report
28. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Hawaii

    30 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    30 reviews

    Dined on May 9, 2022

    overall3food4service2ambience3

    Our server, James, had no table side personality - we felt like we were just another number…. No thanks for coming!, have you dined with us before? Where are you from? It was just - here’s the menu…

    Report
29. HW

    HawaiiWriterGirl

    Hawaii

    44 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    44 reviews

    Dined on May 8, 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience4

    Mother’s Day brunch was very crowded but we expected that. The lunch menu was a bit too limited for my taste with Ono featured in all the fish dishes. There was also a vegetarian dish, a hamburger, some salads, and a pork saimin which I asked about but the server indicated it might be too salty for me. (We do not use much salt in our cooking.) There was a Greek entrée salad with shrimp but I wasn’t in the mood for salad. So I went with my old standard on the brunch menu which is the eggs Benedict Florentine. It was perfection as usual. The Hubster and I split the beet salad which was also delightful. Our server was fun and very helpful, the mai tai and port were divine, and the Mac nut bar and Tahitian dreams ice cream finished off a delightful meal. We live on island so we come to Merriman’s now and then. We love the food, the service, the ambience, and enjoy meeting our neighbors there.

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30. L

    Luvyummyeats

    Orange County

    65 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    65 reviews

    Dined on May 8, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Outanding food and service! Memorable night Thank you

    Report
31. S

    Steve

    Denver

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 8, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great service and food.

    Report
32. B

    Blip63

    New York Area

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 8, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    A wonderful dinner. Great food, fabulous attention and service. A superb menu with great choices. A must place to dine when on the Big Island.

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33. ML

    MattL

    Chicago

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 7, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great Great Food! Incredibly fresh!! Hands down one of my favorite restaurants. Great Service!!

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34. SS

    StephenS

    Los Angeles

    24 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    24 reviews

    Dined on May 6, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Can’t wait to come back.

    Report
35. BJ

    BillJ

    Hawaii

    17 reviews

    5.0

    17 reviews

    Dined on May 6, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    As always, dinner and service was excellent. We are enjoying the prix fixe menu and find there are plenty of choices for all courses. An excellent wine list is a plus.

    Report
36. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Anchorage

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on May 5, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The staff was knowledgeable and friendly. The food was absolutely amazing. Great cocktails and wine and beer selection. We had an amazing experience. Need to have reservations and we could only get a lunch reservation. Will go for dinner when. Ext on the Big Island.

    Report
37. ES

    EricaS

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 5, 2022

    overall5food5service4ambience5

    The best place to eat on the Big Island. Worth the drive up the hill!

    Report
38. S

    Steve

    Los Angeles

    3 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 5, 2022

    overall3food3service2ambience3

    Our party was 11. We assumed it would be one table. When we got there we were slated to sit at two tables. It was explained that it would be too loud otherwise and they did not permit more than a party of 8. I looked around and saw at least one table of 9, so…. We accepted the two tables; no choice. Drinks were excellent. The cocktail selection is interesting and “up” drinks came cold, which is nice Our waiter had no knowledge of the wine list. It matters because the wine list is extensive and there are many wines of highly varying price that are from lesser known wineries. Fortunately the Manager, Ben, was able to help there. He recommended a very good Chardonnay in the $100 range and a Pinot that was a little more. The Pinot went and we wanted another bottle, but they had run out and only had one of the recommended variety. Ben was nice enough to suggest another Pinot and match the price, but as the night progressed and it turned out the group of 11 did want one more bottle for a 2.5 hour meal, the price went up (we had a shuttle driver, so no one drove to or from the dinner). It seems to me at a restaurant this costly, if the Manager won’t let you sit together as a party, recommends a wine they have only one bottle of for a party of 11, and they offer a more expensive substitute, something more than a $20 concession would be appropriate. Then the food … At the recommendation of the server I ordered the lamb. It was undercooked and the presentation was messy at best. My spouse ordered Ono that was dry. Bread pudding after was very bready and rather than a nice sauce, was mostly complimented with a pretty “meh” ice cream. The automatic gratuity was 20%. Notwithstanding the cost, for good service and good food I would usually give a bit more. But not in this case. Merriman’s is known as the best restaurant on the island. At least this time, the food, service and overall experience was not up to that accolade. Try Manta or Ulu instead in my opinion

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39. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Hawaii

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 4, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    As always, excellent food and superb service

    Report
40. KJ

    KimberlieJ

    Montana

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 4, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    Your food, service and ambiance were great. It's too bad you did not have many vegan options. If you actually have a great chef it should not be that difficult to prepare something vegan with all of the fresh vegetables you have!

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