Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in Hawaii / Big Island

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighborhood gems 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!

Merriman's – Waimea – Big Island

4.9

4.9 (9689)

$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

Christina

Dined 5 days ago

Fantastic food and service! Everything we got was amazing.

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Experience

Festive Season 2024 Prefix Menu

Experience

Christmas & Christmas Eve 2024

Experience

New Years Eve 2024

Pueo's Osteria

4.6

4.6 (1868)

$50 and over

Italian

Waikoloa

About the restaurant

Welcome to Pueo’s Osteria, an Italian-inspired, inviting restaurant that provides great food, prepared from scratch daily, complimented with a stocked wine list and set in a delightful osteria environment. Co-Proprietor & Chef James Babian focuses on original creative dishes, pairing the finest, authentic Italian products with select seafood, produce and meats from boutique farms (sourced locally whenever possible), including “farm-fresh” products from local farmers’ markets.
Pueo's is located at the new Waikoloa Plaza in Waikoloa Village with ample free parking and designated pick-up stalls right outside the restaurant.
The "Pueo" is a nocturnal owl indigenous to Hawaii, which symbolizes Chef's focus on serving dinner and into the evening hours. Pueo's Osteria caters to locals and visitors via sit-down, bar and take-out. Engaging service, approachable pricing, great flavors and a lively atmosphere await at Pueo’s Osteria – food, wine & fun … "where the night owls meet."

Top review

Steve

Dined 1 day ago

Food was amazing. Had to wait a few minutes (ten?) after our reservation, no biggie - first seating was finishing up. Service was super friendly but slow, I think they were short handed. But it is Hawaii, be nice to everyone. Already planning our return!

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Jackie Rey's Kailua-Kona

4.6

4.6 (27)

$31 to $50

American

Kailua-Kona

About the restaurant

Jackie Rey's Kailua-Kona is a celebration of delicious cuisine, refreshing drinks, delectable desserts, and the warm spirit of aloha. Indulge in a symphony of flavors from our menu featuring fresh seafood sourced locally, succulent prime steaks, and an array of gourmet entrees. Complement your meal with our specially crafted cocktails or explore our meticulously curated wine list featuring selections that perfectly pair with our dishes. Come as you are and enjoy our open-air Hawaiian restaurant.

Top review

Gayle

Dined 1 day ago

We always enjoy this restaurant, we eat here every year on our annual trip to Kona. Brad was an excellent server. We had the coconut shrimp, daily chef specials and the dessert board is excellent.

Papa Kona Restaurant & Bar

4.6

4.6 (1866)

$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

Tiffiny

Dined on Dec 12, 2024

Server was great! Sitting by the ocean was lovely. Music was a bit loud.

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Traditional Eggs Benedict

Miyo's Restaurant and Izakaya Bar

4.6

4.6 (193)

$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

Margaret

Dined on Dec 14, 2024

I dine at Miyos often and I’ve never had a bad experience yet

FORC

4.5

4.5 (377)

$50 and over

Farm-to-table

Kamuela

About the restaurant

Owned by Chef Allen Hess, FORC brings farm to table in the heart of Waimea. FORC showcases a farm to table aspect by bringing fresh harvests from Farmers, the Ocean and Ranchers. By changing our menu seasonally, we are able to get creative with what Hawai’i has to offer us. Local style brunch items like our FORC signature sandwich, brown butter banana pancakes and our housemade bacon. Hearty seasonal dinner dishes like our Big Island grass fed beef, whole roasted fish, and Chef’s Hawaiian Meal. There are vegetarian, paleo and gluten free options too. Indulge more with special menus like happy hour and holiday menus. Sip on our award winning cocktails or sit down and soak in the best dining atmosphere.

Top review

KristaVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Amazing meal: Portuguese bread, lettuce wraps and bacon to start. Whole roasted kalekale was delicious and perfectly prepared. Same with butter fish, chicken, filet mignon. Finished with chocolate crème brûlée. Cocktails were also great. Loved the ube lemon drop martini and family enjoyed their mai tais. Great meal and excellent service.

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Popular dish

Filet Mignon Prime Grade

Kenichi Pacific

4.3

4.3 (1512)

$31 to $50

Sushi

Kailua-Kona

About the restaurant

Walk Ins are welcome or please call for personal reservations if there isn't an open time 808 322-6400
Kenichi Pacific, where your taste buds embark on an unforgettable journey! Located in the heart of Kailua Kona, HI, Big Island we pride ourselves on serving the freshest sushi, steak, seafood, meticulously crafted cocktails from locally sourced ingredients.
Our menu is a celebration of flavor, featuring daily sushi specials, that showcase the finest catch of the day, as well as unique Chef specials that highlight seasonal ingredients. Each dish is a masterpiece, designed to tantalize your palate and elevate your dining experience.
At Kenichi Pacific, we believe that great food deserves a great atmosphere. Enjoy our inviting setting, where friendly service meets a vibrant ambiance, perfect for intimate dinners or lively gatherings with friends and family. Join us for a culinary adventure that promises not just a meal, but an amazing experience.

Top review

LewVIP

Dined 1 day ago

The Misoyaki Black Cod dish is Michilen 3 Star entre!!!

Mauka Bar and Grill

4.2

4.2 (121)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Waikoloa

About the restaurant

A Bar and Grill during the day and Steakhouse by night. Amazing food prepared by very experienced chefs with live music nightly and beautiful mountain and sunset views.

Top review

GaryVIP

Dined on Dec 12, 2024

A very nice dinner & evening at Mauka. Everyone was so cordial making our anniversary celebration very special! Our servers were amazingly helpful & attentive. My dinner of Escargot, Macadamia Nut Crusted Ono & Mango Crème Brûlée for dessert were the best flavors I have tasted. For this incredible meal, we paired a bottle of French Medoc. I want to try their Rack of Lamb or Lobster next with a Tiramisu dessert. We are coming back!

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Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar - WAIKOLOA, Hawaii

4.0

4 (1621)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Waikoloa

About the restaurant

We are now open 7 days a week for normal dinner service from 5pm-8:30pm! Sunday and Monday we have our early bird special the doors open at 4:45 and the special is over with at 5:30! Please call us to order 808.886.6286

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Sansei, meaning third generation, is a locally owned contemporary Japanese Restaurant offering new wave sushi. The force behind the food is Chef/Owner Dave "DK" Kodama. An Oahu native, he is fearless when it comes to flavors and one of the most adventurous chefs you will meet. At Sansei he has combined his Japanese heritage with Hawaii's incredible ethnic mix and flavors he experienced in his travels to create a New Wave Sushi. Japanese-inspired Pacific Rim, Contemporary Japanese type of cuisine. Call it whatever you like, what you will taste are the unique combinations of flavors and textures.

Top review

Kristine

Dined on Dec 14, 2024

Great food. EB bonus a must! Great service. Enjoyed it all

Alebrije Mexican Restaurant & Bar

3.9

3.9 (21)

$30 and under

Mexican

Waikoloa

About the restaurant

We are proud to share the best our Mexican cuisine has to offer with the people of Big Island Hawaii. With carefully chosen ingredients and an authentic menu made daily from scratch, we guarantee a dining experience like none other. When you visit Alebrije Hawaii, it shouldn’t be just for a quick bite. We invite you to sit a while with friends and family and enjoy delicious, traditional food in a vibrant atmosphere. Our highly-trained team will recommend dishes to match your personal taste and turn each visit into a fiesta of flavors.

Top review

Rachel

Dined on Dec 12, 2024

We had been wanting to try this place, but the night we went it was booked so this time we made a reservation and it was empty lol. Anyways the food and drinks were yummy everyone loved their food and my hubs is from Texas so that was the real test. We will be going back for sure!

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