Top Rated Restaurants & Cafes in Hawai'i (Big Island)

Located in the small plantation town of Hawi, Tropical Dreams serves freshly made island ice cream. There is a long list of tropical flavors that have been blended to perfection. Some of the more popular flavors include Chocolate Coconut Macadamia Nut, Coconut Cream, Green Tea, Lava Java, Mango Cream and White Chocolate Ginger. They also have an assortment of sorbets and yogurts. The shop is the perfect excuse to stop and stretch road weary legs while exploring North Kohala. There is also ample fee street parking along the highway, but be prepared for a line for ice cream, especially during the afternoon.

Enjoy Thai food prepared from delicious organic and gluten-free ingredients at Racha Thai. The restaurant is basically a kiosk with shaded tables where patrons can eat. Crab Fried Rice, Tom Kha Soup and Pad See Ew are some of the delicacies served here. The savory flavors of the Thai food can be balanced with one of the creamy smoothies Although tables can be a bit hard to come by, don’t let that deter you from trying out the amazing food served here. Note that Racha Thai doesn’t accept credit cards.

Pueo's Osteria is one of those restaurants where you walk in expecting an enjoyable experience and it never fails to deliver. Cozy and dimly lit, yet lively, the atmosphere in here is perfect for a leisurely meal with family and friends. An array of authentic Italian dishes, line the menu, each crafted to perfection using traditional recipes and fresh ingredients. Be sure to try their signature Riga Toni Ala Bolognese, Cannelloni al Forno and Veal Parmesan, while the wood fried pizzas are also well-worth a shot. To complement your meal you could opt for one of the heavenly desserts like the Lemon Ricotta Cake or the Housemade Cannoli.

This charming food court in located in the small town of Waimea. Several eateries are clustered within the confines of this Parker Ranch Center where locals come and go all day long. A number of painted murals cover the walls and depict scenes that are positioned for geographic accuracy. Several tables are scattered throughout the area with a huge country fireplace that provides a focal point and warmth during the cool nights. The food court offers Mexican, Italian, pizza, Korean and Chinese options with a wonderful gourmet burger bar that offers grass fed beef grilled to perfection. Lots of free shopping center parking is always available.

Simple and not fancy, this tiny café is tucked along a back entrance to the Parker Ranch Shopping Center and offers a long list of yummy sandwiches that come with salad and other nice homemade touches. The café is a popular spot with locals from the nearby hospital and businesses, and during lunchtime, the café can get busy. For those on a tight schedule, the best approach is to call ahead and have your sandwich waiting when you arrive. That will allow more time to sit and savor some of the best sandwiches in the area. The café also has a great selection of baked goods. Brownies are especially yummy.

Great burgers with a local flavor - that's Village Burger for you! Choose from a range of delightful burgers which uses only locally sourced beef. Some of the popular items in the menu are Hawai'ian Ranch Burger, Hawai'ian Red Veal and Kahua Ranch. There are milkshakes to complement the meal, topped up with scoops of local ice creams. Overall this is a must-visit location for burger lovers.