Diners' Choice: Best Overall restaurants in Hawaii / Big Island

OpenTable

Updated February 05, 2025

Looking for the best overall restaurants 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 favourite 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 (9904)

$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

BillVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Thank you, Merriman’s for a memorable Valentine’s Day lunch. The Maitre d’s were very welcoming and our server, Ashley, radiated the Aloha spirit. Our entrees of Ono and Ahi were delicious. The meal was capped off with a chocolate torte. Yum.

'Ulu - Four Seasons Resort Hualalai

4.8

4.8 (1909)

$30 and under

Hawaiian

Kaupulehu

About the restaurant

ULU at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai offers an unparalleled fine dining experience in Kona, Hawaii. Following an intensive transformation, this reimagined oceanfront restaurant features a diverse array of new and beloved dishes from both land and sea, emphasizing the freshest Big Island ingredients. With 75 percent of the kitchen's ingredients sourced from the island, ULU proudly taps into over 160 local farms to ensure sustainable, top-quality fare. Enjoy breathtaking ocean views while indulging in exquisite dishes like sushi, sashimi, and specialty rolls. Ideal for special occasions, date nights, or simply savoring the best of Hawaiian flavors, ULU is a must-visit destination for food enthusiasts.

Top review

John

Dined 5 days ago

Fabulous table and view. Excellent service. Delicious food.

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Beach Tree Restaurant, Bar and Lounge - Four Seasons Resort Hualalai

4.8

4.8 (908)

$30 and under

Californian

Kailua-Kona

About the restaurant

Beach Tree Restaurant Bar & Lounge at Four Seasons Hualalai is at the heart of the Resort. Sit in our beach-side lounge or dining room and enjoy California-Italian–inspired cuisine featuring the best ingredients from Hawaii Island farms, ranches and fishermen. Specialty dishes include our house-made pastas and pizza with hand-tossed crust baked in our brick pizza oven. Enjoy nightly live entertainment while you taste samples of our bountiful selection of wines by the glass, a locally brewed beer on tap or a hand-crafted cocktail. Excite your appetite and ignite your taste buds 3 - 5 p.m. daily at Beach Tree Lounge with our Aperitivo Hour featuring light bites and refreshing beverage specials.

Our Barefoot Dinner is truly a toes-in-the sand experience. Set on the beach, in front of Beach Tree, for 10 to 22 guests on a private table will enjoy an Italian countryside-themed family-style customized menu. Leave your shoes behind and enjoy a spectacular meal under the stars in paradise.

Top review

Jeanette

Dined 5 days ago

We really enjoyed our dinner at the Beach Tree. Pasta dishes were delicious. Beautiful setting along the beach. Our server was very knowledgeable about the menu and she did a great job.

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Experience

Tide to Table Amalfi Under the Stars

Engawa by Islander Sake Brewery

4.8

4.8 (220)

$50 and over

Japanese

Kohala Coast

About the restaurant

Welcome to Engawa, a small restaurant limited to 20 guests per night, where we offer an exquisite experience of Japanese cuisine. We invite you to indulge in a memorable dinner experience. Our menu is a celebration of traditional Japanese cuisine, featuring an array of exquisite dishes prepared with the finest local ingredients. From fresh sushi and sashimi to hearty tempura and other savory dishes are crafted to bring out the authentic flavors of Japan. Enjoy a unique culinary journey with chef & brew master Chiaki Takahashi, where each dish complemented by our award-winning hand-crafted sake, designed to enhance your dining experience.
At Engawa, we pride ourselves on providing not only exceptional foods but also an inviting atmosphere and impeccable service. To ensure you have a wonderful evening with us, we recommend making a reservation. Our attentive team is here to accommodate your needs and preferences, making your visit truly special.

Top review

DavidVIP

Dined 3 days ago

We were staying across the street at the Westin Hapuna and we’re looking for an authentic Japanese restaurant. Less to choose from in the Kohala area than we thought. Engawa is located across the street a short, five minute walk very convenient. The couple that manages and runs the Omakase experience is very enjoyable very authentic really a lot of fun . They are the ONLY sake Brewery in Hawaii. Thanks small craft beer, sucking style. Omakase menu was delightful with a broad array of flavors and taste all for quality We added the sake pairings. Try it!

Miyo's Restaurant and Izakaya Bar

4.8

4.8 (202)

$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

Ellen

Dined 5 days ago

We were seated promptly. Our order was taken shortly after seating. I was pleasantly surprised that our food came out quite quickly. I was expecting a long wait like we usually experience. Our server was excellent and personable.

Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar - Mauna Lani, Big Island

4.7

4.7 (5670)

$31 to $50

Hawaii Regional Cuisine

Kamuela

About the restaurant

Tommy Bahama combines a tranquil environment and good food with an emphasis on hospitality to make for the perfect place to recharge or unwind while indulging in a unique dining experience. The experience is sure to feel like a getaway, whether you’re on vacation or looking for a vacation from your everyday life. For more information: www.tommybahama.com

Top review

Rose

Dined 5 days ago

Great food and choices, and wonderful and courteous staff. Impressed with manager going around each table asking if everything was ok. Loved it, will go back again!

CanoeHouse

4.7

4.7 (3343)

$50 and over

Creative Japanese

Kamuela

About the restaurant

Long regarded as the premier dining destination among the Hawaiian islands, this beloved institution is a gathering place for generations of friends, families and neighbors. Helmed by Executive Chef Rhoda Magbitang, CanoeHouse features thoughtful, seasonal dishes that celebrate Hawaii’s landscape through Japanese-Paniolo inspired cuisine, accompanied by craft-cocktails and diverse wine selections.
Please kindly note that CanoeHouse accepts reservations 60 days in advance for outside guests of Mauna Lani.

Top review

Bill

Dined 3 days ago

Always love to come to Canoe House when we are at Mauna Lani

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4.6

4.6 (59)

$31 to $50

Italian

Kailua-Kona

About the restaurant

Experience new and vibrant flavors of Italy right here in Kona with the exciting new dining collaboration by Chef Chad Yamamoto and Chef Alessandro Taras. Their thoughtfully curated menu showcases the finest locally sourced ingredients, ensuring dishes that not only tantalize your taste buds but are also thoughtfully priced. Perfect for families and friends alike, each plate is crafted for sharing and creating memorable moments together around the table.

Top review

MartinVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Another wonderful evening! We had the carne crudo and Kanapachi fritto which were wonderful… then we had the pappardelle pasta which was a revelation! Then the excellent chicken Milanese and tirumiso and pudding for dessert! Excellent… Sarah was wonderful and a thank you to Chelsea for being so gracious! I think it was better the second time if possible.. we’ll be back

Halani

4.6

4.6 (1146)

$31 to $50

Farm-to-table

Kamuela

About the restaurant

Reflecting a journey through the Mediterranean, set against a spectacular Pacific Ocean backdrop, choose between colorful mezze platters, a selection of tender kebabs from Hamakua raised lamb to Kahua ranch beef sirloin, signature grilled seafood dishes including Whole Kampachi and Mibrasa Style Branzino with ladolemono & Waimea cherry tomatoes, as well as wood-fired pizzas and fresh salads. This beloved al fresco eatery embraces the rich culinary traditions of Coastal Mediterranean cuisine with the tropical beauty of Hawai’i to offer a rich tapestry of dishes highlighted by locally-sourced produce and seafood.

Top review

MarkVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Harley was incredibly attentive in making sure our table was given a VIP treatment. Our guests loved the new Mediterranean menu! It was a perfect evening with Hawaiian music in the background. Mahalo nui loa, Mark & Laura

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Experience

Rhythm and Brunch at Halani

Miller & Lux Hualalai - Four Seasons Resort Hualalai

4.7

4.7 (172)

$50 and over

American

Kaupulehu

About the restaurant

The highest-quality steaks with impeccable flavor from the best ranches in America; a robust raw bar; fresh sustainable seafood; and farm direct vegetables – all perfectly complemented by a globally curated wine list – combine to inspire the next chapter in Chef Tyler Florence’s mark on innovative American cuisine. The Miller & Lux cocktail program is curated using seasonal Hawaiian ingredients and artisanal spirits from around the world.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 4 days ago

Really yummy high end food. One of the best steaks I’ve had (NY bone in.) Caviar set up was stellar and delicious. I was just a little disappointed that the server said “it comes with a sauce” for the steak, prompting us to choose one when it was actually a $10 up charge and we didn’t even want or need the sauce 😬 Kind of offensive when your bill is going to be $350+ for two. You don’t need to upsell something so silly that we didn’t even want. With that being said, I’d go back in a heartbeat and tell others to enjoy but just watch for upsells

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