Where to Eat on the Big Island: Coffee, Poke & Local Grindz

Farm-to-Table Isn't a Trend Here—It's How Things Work

The Big Island grows more agricultural products than all other Hawaiian islands combined. Kona coffee, macadamia nuts, vanilla, tropical fruits, grass-fed beef from Parker Ranch, and some of the freshest fish in Hawaii—all sourced locally.

The food scene is smaller and more spread out than Oahu or Maui, but what exists is excellent. Da Poke Shack regularly wins 'best poke in Hawaii.' Hilo Farmers Market is the finest in the state. And the Kona coffee experience is something you can't get anywhere else on Earth.

Must-Eat on the Big Island

The essential Big Island food experiences.

• Da Poke Shack (Kona) — Regularly rated the best poke in Hawaii. Tiny, unassuming shop near Ali'i Drive. The shoyu ahi, spicy garlic, and limu (seaweed) poke put resort restaurants to shame. Cash preferred. Under $15.
• Broke Da Mouth Grindz (Kona) — Local plate lunches that are aggressively large and absurdly affordable. The kalua pork plate with mac salad is the quintessential Big Island meal. Under $12.
• Teshima's Restaurant (Honalo) — Japanese-Hawaiian home cooking since 1929. The owner's family recipes served in a simple dining room. Try the teishoku combination dinner. Under $20.
• Merriman's (Waimea) — Pioneer of Hawaii Regional Cuisine. Peter Merriman sources 90%+ ingredients from Big Island farms and ranches. The wok-charred ahi is iconic. $50-80/person.
• Hilo Farmers Market (Wed/Sat) — The best farmers market in Hawaii. Fresh tropical fruits, prepared foods, local crafts, and baked goods. Saturday is the big day. Go before 9 AM.

The Kona Coffee Experience

The Big Island is home to the only commercially grown coffee in the United States. Visiting a Kona coffee farm is essential.

• Greenwell Farms — Free guided tours of a working coffee farm. See the entire process from cherry to cup. Tastings included.
• Hula Daddy Kona Coffee — Small-batch, award-winning coffee with personalized farm tours. Their natural-process coffees are exceptional.
• Kona Joe Coffee — Famous for growing coffee on trellises (like wine grapes). Beautiful farm setting with ocean views.
• Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation — Higher elevation (above Kona) with cave tours and coffee tastings. Different microclimate produces unique flavor profiles.
• Punalu'u Bake Shop (Na'alehu) — Not coffee, but the southernmost bakery in the US. Famous for Portuguese sweetbread and malasadas. Essential stop between Kona and Volcano.

Big Island Food Tips

Practical advice for eating well on the Big Island.

• Kona side has far more restaurant options than Hilo side — plan Hilo meals around the farmers market and cook at your rental
• Lava Lava Beach Club (Waikoloa) — the quintessential sunset dinner spot with toes in the sand. Reserve for sunset seating
• Most Big Island restaurants close by 9 PM — don't plan late dinners
• Costco in Kona is your best friend for groceries if you're cooking — island grocery prices are 30-40% higher than mainland
• Sam Choy's Poke Contest happens annually in Kona — if timing works, it's the ultimate poke experience

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kona coffee worth the price?

100% Kona coffee is expensive ($30-50/lb) but the difference from mainland commercial coffee is dramatic. The volcanic soil, elevation, and microclimate produce a smooth, low-acid coffee with complex flavor. Farm-direct is cheapest. '10% Kona blends' sold at stores are mostly regular coffee—insist on 100% Kona.

Where's the best food on the Big Island?

Kona town has the most options: Da Poke Shack, Broke Da Mouth, and Kona Brewing Company. For fine dining, Merriman's in Waimea is the standard. For local experiences, Hilo Farmers Market on Saturday morning is unmissable. The Kohala resort area (Waikoloa, Mauna Lani) has good hotel restaurants but at resort prices.