Guidebook for Hilo
Food Scene
Great local eatery, serving a wide range of food options with an emphasis on organic and local. Lots of vegetarian and vegan options in addition to omnivorous dishes such as 'local catch' seafood. Also the official eatery of Big Island Booch Kombucha, so there is always a range of the best booch on the island on-tap. 5-7 minute walk from the Loft.
34 recommandé par les habitants
Conscious Culture Cafe
110 Keawe StGreat local eatery, serving a wide range of food options with an emphasis on organic and local. Lots of vegetarian and vegan options in addition to omnivorous dishes such as 'local catch' seafood. Also the official eatery of Big Island Booch Kombucha, so there is always a range of the best booch on the island on-tap. 5-7 minute walk from the Loft.
There are lots of Thai options in Hilo with green papaya (som tam) salad being a specialty, and – in our humble opinion – Ratana has one of the top 3 G.P.S.'s in town. The other local favorite is summer rolls, and we love Ratana's peanut sauce the best! A few blocks from the Loft.
6 recommandé par les habitants
Ratana's Green Papaya Salad
211 Kilauea AveThere are lots of Thai options in Hilo with green papaya (som tam) salad being a specialty, and – in our humble opinion – Ratana has one of the top 3 G.P.S.'s in town. The other local favorite is summer rolls, and we love Ratana's peanut sauce the best! A few blocks from the Loft.
Excellent Thai food – a local favorite spot – that's just around the corner from the Loft. Some favorite dishes are cucumber salad, and pumpkin curry. Just note that Naung Mai brings the heat! PRO TIP: If you're used to medium spice, order "mild plus". ;)
27 recommandé par les habitants
Naung Mai Thai Kitchen
86 Kilauea AveExcellent Thai food – a local favorite spot – that's just around the corner from the Loft. Some favorite dishes are cucumber salad, and pumpkin curry. Just note that Naung Mai brings the heat! PRO TIP: If you're used to medium spice, order "mild plus". ;)
Awesome local cold-pressed juices, cold-brew coffee, smoothies, and lunch bowls. Great quality in a small yet charming location. Half a block from the Loft!
Loved by the Sun
12 Furneaux LnAwesome local cold-pressed juices, cold-brew coffee, smoothies, and lunch bowls. Great quality in a small yet charming location. Half a block from the Loft!
Highly-regarded brunch spot. Reservations usually required. You might get lucky, but call ahead if you can, even a day prior! Only a few tables. The waffles are a talk of the town.
17 recommandé par les habitants
Paul's Place
132 Punahoa StHighly-regarded brunch spot. Reservations usually required. You might get lucky, but call ahead if you can, even a day prior! Only a few tables. The waffles are a talk of the town.
Great drive-thru coffee and more. Perfect first stop before setting off for a day trip or morning venture. About 3-minute drive from the Loft.
13 recommandé par les habitants
Just Cruisin Coffee
835 Kilauea AveGreat drive-thru coffee and more. Perfect first stop before setting off for a day trip or morning venture. About 3-minute drive from the Loft.
The best farmers market on the island, right down the street from the Loft; you can see it from the window. Featuring local produce, prepared food, and gifts. Open daily, but many more vendors on Wednesday and Saturday, 7a-3p.
246 recommandé par les habitants
Hilo Farmers Market
Mamo StreetThe best farmers market on the island, right down the street from the Loft; you can see it from the window. Featuring local produce, prepared food, and gifts. Open daily, but many more vendors on Wednesday and Saturday, 7a-3p.
Awesome local food spot! Featuring unique dishes inspired by local ingredients. Plant-based food, fantastic lattes, kava, kratom, CBD, and more. New in late-2018 and already one of the most popular places in town. 5-7 minute drive from the Loft.
27 recommandé par les habitants
VIBE cafe & health bar
750 Kanoelehua AveAwesome local food spot! Featuring unique dishes inspired by local ingredients. Plant-based food, fantastic lattes, kava, kratom, CBD, and more. New in late-2018 and already one of the most popular places in town. 5-7 minute drive from the Loft.
Who thought Mexican food and Hawaii would blend so well? Family-run restaurant and bar just around the corner from the Loft, next to Hilo Farmer's Market. Bigger than it looks from the front. We love going for margaritas and house-made tortilla chips with salsa and guacamole.
25 recommandé par les habitants
Sombat's Fresh Thai Cuisine
88 Kanoelehua AvenueWho thought Mexican food and Hawaii would blend so well? Family-run restaurant and bar just around the corner from the Loft, next to Hilo Farmer's Market. Bigger than it looks from the front. We love going for margaritas and house-made tortilla chips with salsa and guacamole.
Amazing Indian food, right next to Island Naturals Market outside of downtown. We get take out on the regular and it's always a treat. Samosas are definitely worth a try, along with most of the items on their menu. 3-5 minute drive from the Loft.
28 recommandé par les habitants
Kamana Kitchen
1235 Kilauea AveAmazing Indian food, right next to Island Naturals Market outside of downtown. We get take out on the regular and it's always a treat. Samosas are definitely worth a try, along with most of the items on their menu. 3-5 minute drive from the Loft.
Noodle, saki, and sushi bar. A local favorite, open for dinner and one of the only places to get a bite late night, til 1am. Trendy & energetic atmosphere. 1.5-blocks from the Loft.
14 recommandé par les habitants
KANPAI - Sushi, Noodle, & Sake Bar
190 Keawe StreetNoodle, saki, and sushi bar. A local favorite, open for dinner and one of the only places to get a bite late night, til 1am. Trendy & energetic atmosphere. 1.5-blocks from the Loft.
Beautiful large restaurant right on the water. Call ahead for a table on popular nights, or walk-in for bar seating. 4-minute drive from the Loft, right next to Liliʻuokalani Gardens, which is beautiful for a pre- or post-meal walk.
137 recommandé par les habitants
Hilo Bay Cafe
123 Lihiwai StBeautiful large restaurant right on the water. Call ahead for a table on popular nights, or walk-in for bar seating. 4-minute drive from the Loft, right next to Liliʻuokalani Gardens, which is beautiful for a pre- or post-meal walk.
Gorgeous views and nice menu & bar, right on the water inside the Grand Naniloa Hotel. About a 5-minute drive from the Loft. Can sometimes walk-in and get a table but call ahead if you can.
23 recommandé par les habitants
Hula Hula's
93 Banyan DrGorgeous views and nice menu & bar, right on the water inside the Grand Naniloa Hotel. About a 5-minute drive from the Loft. Can sometimes walk-in and get a table but call ahead if you can.
Drinks & Nightlife
Live music Thursday and Friday nights (at least). Limited bar but one of the only true night clubs in town. Popular with locals. Nice interior. Great for a quick drink as you cruise the bayfront in the evening. A couple blocks from the Loft.
Chapter 27
216 Kamehameha AveLive music Thursday and Friday nights (at least). Limited bar but one of the only true night clubs in town. Popular with locals. Nice interior. Great for a quick drink as you cruise the bayfront in the evening. A couple blocks from the Loft.
Live bands and DJs quite often. Pool tables and an art gallery in the back featuring local artists. Worth a stop for a drink and perhaps some dancing. 2-blocks from the Loft.
47 recommandé par les habitants
Hilo Town Tavern
168 Keawe StLive bands and DJs quite often. Pool tables and an art gallery in the back featuring local artists. Worth a stop for a drink and perhaps some dancing. 2-blocks from the Loft.
A local gem; the only tru 'awa' (kava) bar in town. A must-visit for trying the indigenous medicinal brew. Live music often in-season! Very rootsy atmosphere. You'll be entertained! Opens around 4p til 'pau' (whenever they close, usually between 9-11p depending on clientele). Right across the street from the Loft.
Bayfront Kawa Bar
280 Keawe StreetA local gem; the only tru 'awa' (kava) bar in town. A must-visit for trying the indigenous medicinal brew. Live music often in-season! Very rootsy atmosphere. You'll be entertained! Opens around 4p til 'pau' (whenever they close, usually between 9-11p depending on clientele). Right across the street from the Loft.
Live music every Friday night. Intimate if social setting. Serving a great range of ceremonial teas and local baked goods. Only open in the evening on Fridays, otherwise great daytime spot to grab a tea and read or catch up on work. Right across the street from the Loft.
6 recommandé par les habitants
Grapes A Wine Store
207 Kilauea AveLive music every Friday night. Intimate if social setting. Serving a great range of ceremonial teas and local baked goods. Only open in the evening on Fridays, otherwise great daytime spot to grab a tea and read or catch up on work. Right across the street from the Loft.
Neat ambiance restaurant and bar with indoor-outdoor vibe in downtown. 1-block from the Loft.
128 recommandé par les habitants
Pineapples Restaurant
332 Keawe StNeat ambiance restaurant and bar with indoor-outdoor vibe in downtown. 1-block from the Loft.
Parks & Nature
Massive waterfall 2-miles from downtown Hilo with scenic overlook. Check out the massive banyans. If you're able and keen, it's one of the most fun trees you'll ever climb!
337 recommandé par les habitants
Rainbow Falls
Massive waterfall 2-miles from downtown Hilo with scenic overlook. Check out the massive banyans. If you're able and keen, it's one of the most fun trees you'll ever climb!
Massive underground cave from an old vacant lava tube. Word is it goes back more than 20-miles! Bring a light source, and watch your step, and your head! You can go back til pitch blackness. Probably like nothing you've seen before! About 15-minute drive from the Loft.
65 recommandé par les habitants
Kaumana Caves
1492 Kaumana DrMassive underground cave from an old vacant lava tube. Word is it goes back more than 20-miles! Bring a light source, and watch your step, and your head! You can go back til pitch blackness. Probably like nothing you've seen before! About 15-minute drive from the Loft.
Gorgeous river and series of waterfalls with a scenic overlook. About 7-10 minute drive from the Loft.
54 recommandé par les habitants
Boiling Pots
1766 Wailuku DrGorgeous river and series of waterfalls with a scenic overlook. About 7-10 minute drive from the Loft.
Beautiful Japanese park. Perfect place for a walk. Right next to the larger Hilo hotels where you can get a meal, and Coconut Island where you can take a swim. About 5-minute drive from the Loft.
103 recommandé par les habitants
Liliuokalani Park and Gardens
189 Lihiwai StBeautiful Japanese park. Perfect place for a walk. Right next to the larger Hilo hotels where you can get a meal, and Coconut Island where you can take a swim. About 5-minute drive from the Loft.
Our favorite place to swim in Hilo! Great beach park. Grassy sitting areas, very local scene. Lava rock approaches into the water, with soft sandy spots to stand, swim, and snorkel. Great shallow areas perfect for keiki (kids). Spring-fed areas feature currents of cool, brackish water. Showers and bathrooms on-site. About 10-15 minute drive from the Loft.
140 recommandé par les habitants
Carlsmith Beach Park
1815 Kalanianaole StOur favorite place to swim in Hilo! Great beach park. Grassy sitting areas, very local scene. Lava rock approaches into the water, with soft sandy spots to stand, swim, and snorkel. Great shallow areas perfect for keiki (kids). Spring-fed areas feature currents of cool, brackish water. Showers and bathrooms on-site. About 10-15 minute drive from the Loft.
Shallow waters with unique profile. Park with picnic tables, bathrooms, and plenty of open space and parking. Perfect spot for keiki (kids), but pretty & peaceful scenery for anyone. About 10-15 minute drive from the Loft.
65 recommandé par les habitants
Onekahakaha Beach Park
74 Onekahakaha RdShallow waters with unique profile. Park with picnic tables, bathrooms, and plenty of open space and parking. Perfect spot for keiki (kids), but pretty & peaceful scenery for anyone. About 10-15 minute drive from the Loft.
Amazing cold spring-fed pond right next to the ocean, featuring super chilly but amazingly refreshing water. Feels very sacred. Great for hot days or when you need to completely restart your mood.
Wai'olena Beach Park
2151 Kalanianaole StAmazing cold spring-fed pond right next to the ocean, featuring super chilly but amazingly refreshing water. Feels very sacred. Great for hot days or when you need to completely restart your mood.
Awesome little island outside of downtown that is a legendary location for Hilo. Wonderful place to swim and visit with the local culture. If you're into jumps, there's about a perfectly 10 and 15-ft jump into the open ocean off of an old cement monument! About 5-minute drive from the Loft.
67 recommandé par les habitants
Coconut Island
Awesome little island outside of downtown that is a legendary location for Hilo. Wonderful place to swim and visit with the local culture. If you're into jumps, there's about a perfectly 10 and 15-ft jump into the open ocean off of an old cement monument! About 5-minute drive from the Loft.
Sightseeing
A must-see on the Big Island. In the winter, Mauna Kea even gets snow at the summit! Cannot beat the stargazing here. If you go to the summit, the feeling of being above the clouds is truly surreal, and divine. Prepare for crisp, cold air! The Loft as some warm clothing items you can borrow for the trip. About 40-minute drive from the Loft to the visitor center, 1-hour to the summit.
161 recommandé par les habitants
Mauna Kea
A must-see on the Big Island. In the winter, Mauna Kea even gets snow at the summit! Cannot beat the stargazing here. If you go to the summit, the feeling of being above the clouds is truly surreal, and divine. Prepare for crisp, cold air! The Loft as some warm clothing items you can borrow for the trip. About 40-minute drive from the Loft to the visitor center, 1-hour to the summit.
Essentials
Right next to the Loft is the locals favorite grocery store. All your basic needs, as well as local and imported produce, beer and liquor.
21 recommandé par les habitants
KTA Super Stores
321 Keawe StRight next to the Loft is the locals favorite grocery store. All your basic needs, as well as local and imported produce, beer and liquor.
Fantastic local health food store just a block from the Loft. Organic produce, natural food items, deli featuring smoothies and sandwiches, baked goods, and an array of local favorite items (macadamia nuts, coffee, chocolate, dried fruit, etc.)
17 recommandé par les habitants
Abundant Life Natural Foods
292 Kamehameha AveFantastic local health food store just a block from the Loft. Organic produce, natural food items, deli featuring smoothies and sandwiches, baked goods, and an array of local favorite items (macadamia nuts, coffee, chocolate, dried fruit, etc.)
Larger grocery store in downtown Hilo, just 2-blocks from the Loft. Has all the essentials as well as local items.
24 recommandé par les habitants
Sack N Save
250 Kinoole StLarger grocery store in downtown Hilo, just 2-blocks from the Loft. Has all the essentials as well as local items.
The island's favorite health food store, featuring a large selection of organic produce and products, as well as local food gifts and souvenirs. Locals love the deli and hot food bar. Table seating outside the store.
51 recommandé par les habitants
Island Naturals Market & Deli - Hilo
1221 Kilauea AveThe island's favorite health food store, featuring a large selection of organic produce and products, as well as local food gifts and souvenirs. Locals love the deli and hot food bar. Table seating outside the store.
Getting Around
The main bus terminal in Hilo, with an information center and public restrooms. One block from the Loft and directly across from Hilo Farmers Market.
12 recommandé par les habitants
Hele-On Mo'oheau Bus Terminal station
329 Kamehameha AveThe main bus terminal in Hilo, with an information center and public restrooms. One block from the Loft and directly across from Hilo Farmers Market.
Shopping
Wonderful little store to buy local produce and products made in and of Hawaii. Beautiful design and presentation, with a curated selection of some of the best goodies the Islands have to offer. Perfect for gifts and souvenirs. About 5-7 minute walk from the Loft along the Bayfront.
14 recommandé par les habitants
The Locavore Store
333 Kamehameha AveWonderful little store to buy local produce and products made in and of Hawaii. Beautiful design and presentation, with a curated selection of some of the best goodies the Islands have to offer. Perfect for gifts and souvenirs. About 5-7 minute walk from the Loft along the Bayfront.
Beautiful shop with imported Japanese textiles and gifts. Just a block from the Loft, and definitely worth a stop.
7 recommandé par les habitants
Dragon Mama Futon Shop
266 Kamehameha AveBeautiful shop with imported Japanese textiles and gifts. Just a block from the Loft, and definitely worth a stop.
High-end aloha shirts and local prints by famous Hawaii designer Sig Zane. A few blocks from the Loft on the Hilo Bayfront.
15 recommandé par les habitants
Sig Zane Designs
122 Kamehameha AveHigh-end aloha shirts and local prints by famous Hawaii designer Sig Zane. A few blocks from the Loft on the Hilo Bayfront.