Taste of Paradise: Unveiling the Best Restaurants on the Island of Hawai'i

Life in Hawai'i offers a number of amazing advantages: gorgeous views, fantastic weather, easy access to the great outdoors, and the many incredible recreation opportunities waiting for you. Swimming, spending time in the sun, and the aloha spirit are all part of life on the Island of Hawai'i. Alongside those benefits, you'll find amazing food at some fantastic restaurants. Check out the best restaurants in Kukio and throughout the islands.

At Residents Beach House, you'll find a picturesque patio that looks out over the beach, allowing you to take in the stunning water views while you enjoy your meal. The menu includes classic Hawaiian fare, including several small plate options so you can try a little bit of everything and share with friends and loved ones. The menu is allergy-friendly, including gluten-free selections for diners with dietary preferences or concerns.

At the Hualalai Canoe Club, a members-only location ideal for resort members and residents, visitors can enjoy a daily light fare menu or a more extensive lunch or dinner menu, depending on their unique needs. This casual hideaway has two pools, shaded lounge chairs, and a lawn and activity area, so visitors can make an afternoon or evening of it, soaking in the sun while they select dishes like sushi, salads, seafood, and more. The menu offers gluten-free choices, including a brownie sundae to round off the meal.

The Hualalai Grille, located in the Four Seasons, is an open-air chophouse with lovely golf course views. The chophouse serves dinner each evening starting at 5:30 p.m. Dinner selections include a number of fantastic choices, including American Wagyu, char-grilled fish, pork, beef, and a range of sauces. Diners can also choose food like lamb loin, salmon, and burgers. When it's time for dessert, the matcha cheesecake offers a fresh, unique flavor, while the macadamia nut toffee ice cream pie is a family favorite sure to delight. The Hualalai Grille menu includes gluten-free dishes and a German chocolate cake on the dessert menu.

The Beach Tree Bar is a popular spot at the Four Seasons resort. It offers modern Italian fare, and its brick oven pizzas are a hit. The bar also offers burgers, hummus, and ceviche, light meals that are ideal for enjoying with its signature cocktails. The Beach Tree Bar is known for its fascinating cocktails, including Pause for Sunset, Paradise Spritz, and Tom's Pink Shirt. The bar also serves various local drinks and offers non-alcoholic beverages like the Spicy Hibiscus and Grapefruit Fizz.

The ULU Ocean Grill, located at the Four Seasons resort, offers a variety of local seafood served just a short distance away from the ocean, with amazing views that are part of the dining experience. ULU Ocean Grill sources approximately 75% of its food directly from the Island of Hawai'i, making it the ideal option for diners looking for local cuisine that is sure to delight. Signature dishes include the Hawaiian Ahi Poke, local snapper, charcoal BBQ octopus, broiled king crab leg with miso butter and chives, and Misoyaki Kanpachi. Diners can also visit the sushi lounge, which includes local selections like a king crab roll, local tuna, and various local nigiri selections.

When you're looking for a more laid-back option, the Pine Tree Cafe is a fantastic option open to all visitors with no membership required. At Pine Tree Cafe, you can visit the buffet-style counter to choose from a variety of Hawaiian favorites, including breakfast, burgers, and sandwiches, or the larger "plates" option that allows diners to select hearty portions of starches, salads, and dressings alongside a variety of meals: teriyaki chicken or beef, ono fish and chips, mahi mahi, ahi, salmon, and even chili. Thanks to the hearty portion sizes, there's something for everyone on the menu, and you're unlikely to leave disappointed.

Kona Barbecue bills itself as "not your average backyard BBQ," and with good reason. Kona supports local farmers and fishermen, providing a variety of local fish, vegetables, and other ingredients to choose from. Kona Barbecue offers both a grilling BBQ and a Hibachi-style? menu. The restaurant provides all needed utensils, and you get to barbecue your own meal. Options include chicken, steak, shrimp, lobster, lamb, and a variety of vegetables, many locally sourced.  The hibachi-style menu, including sliced short ribs, beef tongue, abalone, and shrimp, features bite-sized slices of meat and vegetables, which diners can grill to perfection. At Kona Barbecue, it's about the experience and the meal, and diners will surely have an incredible evening.

Like many of the restaurants in Kukio, Pau Hana Poke is focused on a variety of seafood dishes, allowing the restaurant to support local fishermen and provide fresh seafood to visitors. Pau Hana Poke provides fresh fish, poke bowls, and seafood with classic Hawaiian flare. They offer high-quality fish with large portions, including various selections designed to appeal to a wide range of tastes. Diners note receiving a very high standard of service that has them returning to the restaurant repeatedly.

Umeke's, located in the Kona Airport, is billed as the place to stop when you want to enjoy a meal before leaving the island. Not only can you get authentic Kona beer, which means one last celebration before you leave the island behind, but you can also enjoy great burgers, poke bowls, and a variety of sides and drinks. This home-cooked fare is excellent for ensuring you have a good meal before getting on the plane.

Have you visited Kukio and fallen in love with the many restaurants and scenic views? Do you want to make sure you have the chance to check out all the best places to eat across Hawai'i? Finding the home of your dreams is critical. Frank Schenk is here to help. Get in touch to learn more about the amazing properties available across Hawai'i, whether you're looking for a home directly in a resort or a place on the beach that you can call your own.