Discover the Big Island the way locals do — through its flavors. Our handpicked list of lesser-known cafés and restaurants highlights the hidden gems tucked away from the tourist crowds — places where you'll find the island's real charm, from farm-fresh plates and beachside coffee spots to hole-in-the-wall favorites known only to locals. Taste the Big Island beyond the guidebooks — one delicious stop at a time.
Kailua-Kona
Cozy Kona café for plant-powered eats — açaí bowls, jackfruit tacos, dairy-free pastas & grain bowls made with local produce. Warm vibes, come-as-you-are energy.
Step into Journey Café Big Island and you'll immediately feel it —
the kind of warm, mellow vibe that whispers, "Come as you are, stay
awhile." Nestled in the heart of Kona, this is a cozy haven where
thoughtful, plant-based goodness meets island soul.
They're serving up dishes that nourish from the inside out — imagine
vibrant açaí bowls, bold jackfruit tacos, cheesy-but-dairy-free
baked pastas, and hearty grain bowls made from locally grown
produce. Every bite reflects a respect for the ʻāina (land) that
sustains us.
Casual, welcoming, and full of flavor — this is the café where your
eyes light up before your first bite, your heart feels lighter after
your last. Want a place that's equal parts soul food and feel-good
fuel? You've just found it.
Nearby adventures → Kayaking & Stand Up Paddle Adventures
Honokāʻa
Open Fridays & Saturdays
Honokāʻa gem for Korean-inspired comfort: generous bowls, braised tofu & the beloved purple-sweet-potato bibimbap. Low-key, flavorful. Open Fri–Sat only.
Nestled in the picturesque little town of Honokāʻa, Harmoni Foods is
one of those hole-in-the-wall spots that feels like a secret treat
for your taste buds. From the moment you walk in, the scent of
sizzling garlic, tangy kimchi, and simmering broths wraps you in a
warm island hug.
Every dish here is made just for you—Susie (the heart behind the
kitchen) crafts bowls, sandwiches, and plates with fresh local
veggies, braised tofu, bold Korean flavors, and generous portions.
The bibimbap with purple sweet potato is a local favorite.
Whether you're craving something comforting or something with a
little kick, Harmoni Foods hits that sweet spot between familiar and
adventurous. Grab a seat outdoors under the shade, sip a
ginger-turmeric lemonade, and soak in the mellow vibes of Honokāʻa.
Nearby adventures → Beaches & Waterfalls
Kealakekua
Artsy Kealakekua café with organic Kona coffee, kombucha on tap, house pastries & plant-friendly bites. Shaded patio, mellow vibes.
Warm lights, mellow tunes, and the aroma of freshly roasted Kona
beans — that's the vibe at Kaya's Coffee in Kealakekua.
Tucked right off the highway, Kaya's is an artful oasis where every
cup is organic, every pastry crafted by hand, and the menu shows
love for vegan, gluten-free, and plant-powered eats.
Browse local artwork on the walls, grab a kombucha on tap, sip a
lavender-cardamom latte, and settle in among the greenery or on the
shaded patio. Whether you're looking to recharge before an adventure
or just slow time down, this cozy corner of the island does it
right.
Nearby adventures → Nature & Wellness | Local Culture
Holualoa
Open-air garden brunch in coffee country: lilikoi French toast, fresh-catch tacos, smash burgers & ahi salads amid lush foliage.
Arrive here and you'll feel like you've wandered into a secret
garden brunch spot, right in the middle of Kona's coffee country.
Perched on the slopes of Hualālai, this open-air gem drapes you in
tropical breeze, soft lighting, and lush foliage that whispers aloha
at every table.
Here, the menu is a love letter to local flavor: think stuffed
French toast with lilikoi cream, fresh-catch tacos, smash burgers,
and inventive salads with ahi sashimi. Brunch, lunch, or dinner —
each dish tastes like care and inspiration.
On Sundays you might catch live Hawaiian music among the trees,
turning your meal into a mellow celebration of island culture. The
decor? Romantically eclectic: chandeliers, garden paths, open canopy
design, and cozy nooks that make every corner feel like your own
hideaway.
Nearby adventures → Local Culture | Nature & Wellness
Hilo
Hilo kombucha bar + kitchen: smoothie bowls, blackened fish tacos, plant-powered burgers & bibimbap. Creative, feel-good eats with an artsy vibe.
A gathering spot for those who love bold flavor, funky vibes, and
nourishing food. With kombucha on tap, creative cocktails, and a
menu full of vegan, gluten-free, and omnivore-friendly eats, this
spot serves up something for every palate.
Breakfast, lunch, or dinner — expect dishes like vibrant smoothie
bowls, blackened fish tacos, plant-powered burgers, or a loaded
bibimbap that blends island soul with international flair.
Order at the counter, take a seat (inside among the art and cozy
corners or out where street energy hums), and settle in. The staff
brings your dishes over, the kombucha flows, and you'll find
yourself lingering longer than planned.
Whether you're craving something light and fresh, something with a
kick, or just a spot to vibe — The Booch Bar makes "healthy,
creative, tasty" feel like a thing you deserve.
Nearby adventures → Waterfall Adventures
Pāhoa
Pāhoa's farm-to-table breakfast: ʻulu waffles, creative benedicts, tropical fruit plates & jungle juices. Sunny patio, easygoing energy.
Slide into Pele's Kitchen in Pāhoa and you'll feel like you've
wandered into someone's warmest, quirkiest kitchen — if that kitchen
also grew most of its ingredients on site.
This is farm-to-table, island style: tropical fruits, organic
greens, jungle juices, and breakfast plates as vibrant as the murals
painted all around you.
Catch the morning sun on the patio, sip the award-winning local
coffee, and let the mellow melodies and foliage carry you into the
day. Whether you go for the ʻulu waffles, creative benedicts, or a
colorful "Jungle Breakfast," every bite tastes like aloha — and a
little bit like home.
Nearby adventures → Beaches & Waterfalls | Aerial & Land Adventures
Honokaa
Tropical fruit bar tucked near Waipi'o Valley. Think fresh smoothies, coconut bowls, local mango, papaya & guava, and chilled lilikoi lemonade. Perfect pit stop for island flavor and energy.
Tucked along the scenic Waipi'o Valley road,
Waipi'o Fruit Shack is a tropical gem you'll want
to pull over for. Imagine fresh-picked island fruits, silky
smoothies, and simple snacks made right in the moment—all served up
with aloha under shade and sky.
Swing by for a lilikoi lemonade or a coconut bowl, savor spoonfuls
of mango, papaya, or guava, and maybe grab a fresh-cut fruit plate
to fuel your hike or drive. The vibe is low-key, friendly, and full
of local spirit.
It's not just a stop — it's a taste of Big Island sweetness in every
juicy bite.
Nearby adventures → Beaches & Waterfalls | Aerial & Land Adventures
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