Guidebook for Hilo
Food Scene
This is one of my favorite places. I always get "Da Braddah" omelet. They're a famous restaurant here known for their amazing local food, huge portions and their "Sumo" plates (even more huge). If you order a "sumo" size, they'll ring the gong in the restaurant, and everyone yells, "SUMO!!!". It's really fun.
83 locals recommend
Kens House of Pancakes
1730 Kamehameha AveThis is one of my favorite places. I always get "Da Braddah" omelet. They're a famous restaurant here known for their amazing local food, huge portions and their "Sumo" plates (even more huge). If you order a "sumo" size, they'll ring the gong in the restaurant, and everyone yells, "SUMO!!!". It's really fun.
My girlfriend and I love this place. Really cozy, local restaurant with a good variety of traditional and Hawaiian food. It's located in a local hotel, and it's also right next to the beach!
14 locals recommend
Coconut Grill
136 Banyan WayMy girlfriend and I love this place. Really cozy, local restaurant with a good variety of traditional and Hawaiian food. It's located in a local hotel, and it's also right next to the beach!
This is the place to go for all your seafood needs. This is a more expensive restaurant, but the seafood is amazing. The setting is dope, too. They're right on the water!
34 locals recommend
The Seaside Restaurant And Aqua Farm
1790 Kalanianaole StThis is the place to go for all your seafood needs. This is a more expensive restaurant, but the seafood is amazing. The setting is dope, too. They're right on the water!
Sightseeing
This is definitely a cool place to checkout. It's a gorgeous Japanse garden. You can drive right to the park and walk around the gardens or grab a poke bowl from Suisan, which is right next to it and enjoy it on one of the many benches and tables there.
103 locals recommend
Liliuokalani Park and Gardens
189 Lihiwai StThis is definitely a cool place to checkout. It's a gorgeous Japanse garden. You can drive right to the park and walk around the gardens or grab a poke bowl from Suisan, which is right next to it and enjoy it on one of the many benches and tables there.
Of course you're going to see this, right? This is a must, of course. I recommend going super early. Like 6am early. As of writing this in late 2021, there is currently a Lava fountain happening. In this case, I'd go even earlier. like 5am. This way, you can see the lava while it's still dark and also catch the sunrise. It's also way less crowded, and you don't have to pay an entrance fee.
880 locals recommend
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Of course you're going to see this, right? This is a must, of course. I recommend going super early. Like 6am early. As of writing this in late 2021, there is currently a Lava fountain happening. In this case, I'd go even earlier. like 5am. This way, you can see the lava while it's still dark and also catch the sunrise. It's also way less crowded, and you don't have to pay an entrance fee.
This place is so dope! Another one of my favorites. The stargazing up here is like no other. If you have a 4wd, you'll be fine. If not, you can still go as far as the visitors center, which is at 9,000 ft elevation. The stars are still amazing from there, too. They also have many tours available, but honestly, rather than doing that, I'd just rent a 4wd for the day, and you can have more freedom. it'd be about the same price or maybe less!
161 locals recommend
Mauna Kea
This place is so dope! Another one of my favorites. The stargazing up here is like no other. If you have a 4wd, you'll be fine. If not, you can still go as far as the visitors center, which is at 9,000 ft elevation. The stars are still amazing from there, too. They also have many tours available, but honestly, rather than doing that, I'd just rent a 4wd for the day, and you can have more freedom. it'd be about the same price or maybe less!
I know I've been saying all of these places are my favorite, but this one really is! You can hike down into the valley or drive down with a 4wd. Beware, though, you should be an experienced driver. it's a super steep one lane road with no way to turn around once you start heading down. But get down there somehow and there's an awesome black sand beach. The place just looks so majestic. It was also where Dry Land was filmed in Waterworld!
201 locals recommend
Waipio Valley Lookout
I know I've been saying all of these places are my favorite, but this one really is! You can hike down into the valley or drive down with a 4wd. Beware, though, you should be an experienced driver. it's a super steep one lane road with no way to turn around once you start heading down. But get down there somehow and there's an awesome black sand beach. The place just looks so majestic. It was also where Dry Land was filmed in Waterworld!
Night Life
If you're looking to grab some beers and just chill for the night, the Hilo Town Tavern may be up your alley. They're right in Downtown Hilo, and they often have live music. The crowd is a good mix of young and old, and the vibes are always good.
47 locals recommend
Hilo Town Tavern
168 Keawe StIf you're looking to grab some beers and just chill for the night, the Hilo Town Tavern may be up your alley. They're right in Downtown Hilo, and they often have live music. The crowd is a good mix of young and old, and the vibes are always good.
Peggy's is another local favorite. It might not be too busy on the weekdays, but the weekends can get there sometimes. They have karaoke and darts, as well as a kitchen.
Peggy's Lounge
760 Piilani StPeggy's is another local favorite. It might not be too busy on the weekdays, but the weekends can get there sometimes. They have karaoke and darts, as well as a kitchen.