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

OpenTable

Updated March 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighbourhood 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 favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Miyo's Restaurant and Izakaya Bar

4.8

4.8 (203)

$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

Tina

Dined on Feb 28, 2025

The food was exceptional and the service was great! I highly recommend this restaurant for authentic Japanese dishes.

FORC

4.7

4.7 (437)

$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

RichardVIP

Dined 7 days ago

Wonderful experience, great food, and terrific new restaurant in Waimea, Hawaii. Highly recommend and the wait staff is exceptional.

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Popular dish

Filet Mignon Prime Grade

Pueo's Osteria

4.6

4.6 (1996)

$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

LoriB

Dined 2 days ago

The food is amazing and the outstanding service adds to make it a wonderful dining experience!

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Jackie Rey's Kailua-Kona

4.6

4.6 (127)

$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

Milton

Dined 5 days ago

Pleasant surroundings, prompt and courteous service, and creative local cuisine make this local favorite an ideal place in Kona for fine dining.

Walua Social

4.6

4.6 (66)

$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

Martha

Dined 6 days ago

Excellent Italian style dining. Interesting menu choices. The sound level is greatly improved over the last restaurant located there. The decor is delightful. Server was charming and knowledgeable.

Papa Kona Restaurant & Bar

4.5

4.5 (1944)

$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

Scott

Dined 1 day ago

Was a really good dining experience. Good food and good local music!!

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4.2

4.2 (1553)

$31 to $50

Sushi

Kailua-Kona

About the restaurant

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 & fish 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 from Chef Massella and team!

Top review

Steve

Dined 6 days ago

Our meal was Sensational for our date night!! Only one minor problem, our dessert had bananas in it and they were as hard as brick bats. When I told our waiter the kitchen denied it and that was a big laugh to the staff. Please make sure the chef is using ripe bananas… these desserts are not cheep.

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Honu's on the Beach Restaurant

4.0

4 (532)

$30 and under

Hawaii Regional Cuisine

Kailua-Kona

About the restaurant

Three hours of complimentary validated self-parking!

For a premier dining experience in the seaside village of Kailua-Kona, visit Honu’s on the Beach. Honu's on the Beach offers a delicious Hawaiian-style daily buffet breakfast and Kona's famous (and only) Sunday brunch - offering all you can eat sweet snow crab, eggs benedict, etc. Don't miss the make-your-own bloody Mary bar or the bottomless mimosas! Enjoy dining on the spacious lanai with amazing views of historic village of Kailua-Kona. Choose from a tasty a la carte menu or indulge in the breakfast buffet, featuring made-to-order omelets, fresh fruit, pancakes, breakfast meats, and much more.

Saturday night features the popular Prime Rib & Seafood Buffet including all you can eat snow crab, poke, seafood delicacies, and of course, gorgeous prime rib. The full bar offers craft cocktails using private label rum.

Honu's also offers a private dining room for parties and celebrations for up to 80 of your friends and family.

Top review

Kaelyn

Dined on Mar 2, 2025

What a delicious way to celebrate our 6 year wedding anniversary. Mahalo

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Popular dish

Slow Roasted Prime Rib

Popular dish

Crab Legs

Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar - WAIKOLOA, Hawaii

4.0

4 (1682)

$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. Including our famous award winning dishes the panko ahi, shrimp dynamite, and Dk famous crab ramen. The food will never disappoint!

Top review

FayeVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Customer service service was excellent. Excellent food was absolutely delicious. Obvious was cool.

Alebrije Mexican Restaurant & Bar

3.4

3.4 (41)

$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

Sally

Dined on Feb 25, 2025

Fish tacos were very good. Chicken enchiladas were also quite good. Drinks are tasty and service is very good. Chips are salsas are available but they do have a price tag. We like the chips and ordered a hot and a mild salsa. Both were good. We were surprised that there were few patrons here on a Monday evening. This is not your average Mexican fare.....it is upscale with unusual flavors. Do recommend it.

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