Hawaii Island】Hawaii Island's BEST 10 recommended lunches

Hawaii Island, nicknamed the Big Island

Hawaii Island, the largest of the Hawaiian Islands, is commonly referred to as the "Big Island.

Many tourists visit the area for its spectacular nature and mysterious volcanoes.

Since the island is about the same size as Gifu, it is a good idea to rent a car and drive around the island.

On the Big Island of Hawaii, you can rent a car without an international driver's license as long as you have a passport, credit card, and driver's license.

The lanes are opposite, so it takes some getting used to at first, but I recommend it because it allows you to travel freely.

 

What is the Big Island of Hawaii like?

Hawaii Island, like the other Hawaiian Islands, has a temperate climate and is divided into wet and dry seasons.

However, in some places it can be a high rainfall area and snow can fall at higher elevations.

Because of these climatic changes, cattle raising and agriculture are also very active, and the harvested food can be enjoyed at restaurants on the Big Island of Hawaii.

The population is the second largest in the Hawaiian Islands.

Hilo, where the international airport is located, was settled by Japanese immigrants working in the sugar cane fields, and is home to stores with Japanese delicacies called okazu stores.

Occasional stores are popular with locals, and some stores are sold out by 12:00 pm.

As you can see, there are places on the Big Island of Hawaii that still retain a connection with Japan, and you may want to visit them.

 

How to get to Hawaii Island

Individually, direct flights from Narita and Haneda Airports to Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (Kona International Airport) are convenient for those who wish to go directly to the Big Island of Hawaii.

If you are based on Oahu and wish to explore Hawaii, regular flights from Oahu are a good option.

First, take a direct flight from Narita, Haneda, or Kansai International Airport to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (Honolulu International Airport) and check in on the island of Oahu.

On the day of your visit to Hawaii Island, you will fly from Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (Honolulu International Airport) to Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (Kona International Airport) or Hilo International Airport for your flight to the Big Island.

Both airports can be reached within an hour, so it is best to choose an airport that is closer to your destination.

Once you arrive on the Big Island of Hawaii, you will be picked up by your hotel or tour transportation or by rental car or cab.

Public buses are available, but they are infrequent and inconvenient for touring tourist attractions.

 

Attractions of the Big Island of Hawaii

Hawaii is home to some famous World Heritage-listed tourist destinations.

It is Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, which has two active volcanoes.

Many tourists visit the Big Island of Hawaii with their itinerary planned for its World Heritage sites.

There is also great nature related to volcanoes, so there is no need to worry about sightseeing.

It has also been developed as a resort area, making it easier for tourists to spend time there.

Please refer to the following five sections to learn about such attractions of the Big Island of Hawaii.

 

Spectacular, untouched wilderness

The valley, where royalty lived during the dynastic period, used to be a sacred place where non-royalty people were not even allowed to enter.

It is still protected as a sacred site, and although you cannot enter the canyon without a permit, you can enjoy the view from the tourist viewing platform.

This magnificent, unspoiled natural environment has been preserved and remains a beautiful sight to this day.

The spectacular views of the precipitous coastline and dormant volcanoes will leave you speechless.

 

A powerful volcano

One reason why you can visit an active volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii is because it is a Hawaiian-style eruption.

Hawaiian-style eruptions are rarely explosive because the magma is silty and the eruption is a gentle lava flow.

For this reason, you can tour the active volcanoes on the Big Island of Hawaii while checking for eruption information.

Tunnels and caves through which lava has passed are popular as power spots.

If you visit the Big Island of Hawaii, be sure to visit the power spots.

 

Beautiful Beaches

A recommended beach on the Big Island of Hawaii is the Purnau Black Sand Beach, which is also frequented by sea turtles.

While resorts are usually white sand beaches, the sand on this beach is pitch black.

Many people are surprised to see the blackness of the earth when they arrive on the Big Island of Hawaii, and the black sand beaches can also be seen on the Purnau Black Sand Beach.

These beaches were created by volcanoes, and the organic matter and lava stones that form when lava comes into contact with water have been scraped by waves to form black sand.

The collaboration of black sand beach, sea and sea turtles is a great view of the great outdoors, so we recommend this beach.

 

Shopping and dining are also recommended.

The island of Hawaii is being developed as a resort area, and there are many shopping centers on the island, so you will have no trouble shopping.

You can find everything from luxury brands to daily necessities, so you can enjoy shopping after your sightseeing is over.

Souvenir stores at tourist attractions are also well stocked, so if you want an original souvenir, you may want to look for one at a tourist attraction.

There are also many restaurants where you can enjoy a variety of gourmet foods such as Hawaiian, Polynesian, and Japanese cuisines.

Since the island is known for its cattle raising and agriculture, visitors can enjoy dishes made with fresh ingredients.

Many of the dishes are seasoned to Japanese tastes, and an increasing number of restaurants offer health-conscious cuisine.

You can also taste gluten-free and vegan menus, so you can find a restaurant to your liking.

 

Let's learn about culture and history.

The island of Hawaii is home to many historically significant places that can be said to be the beginning of Hawaii.

Whenever you visit a tourist destination, you will find ancient Hawaiian and dynastic Hawaiian history.

The island is also home to many mysterious myths and folklore, so this will be a sightseeing experience that will pique your curiosity.

There are also programs and tours that make learning about Hawaiian culture fun.

The experience of getting in touch with the culture is recommended, as it allows you to interact with the local people.

Shopping centers and other places hold hula and Hawaiian music events, so it is a good idea to check their websites and participate in such events.

Knowing the culture and history of the Big Island of Hawaii will enhance the purpose of your trip.

 

Enjoy Lunch on the Big Island of Hawaii!

Many people may wonder what kind of lunch is available on the Big Island of Hawaii, where Hawaiian and American cultures are intermingled.

You can enjoy a traditional Hawaiian-style lunch or fast food such as hamburgers to suit your mood.

You will also find a wide range of gourmet options, from healthy lunches to B-grade food.

Gourmet international travel is one of the most enjoyable aspects of traveling.

Have a delicious lunch on the Big Island of Hawaii and enjoy sightseeing afterwards.

 

Hawaii Island's BEST 10 recommended lunches

Many people are wondering what kind of lunch to have on the Big Island of Hawaii.

The following is a list of the BEST 10 recommended lunches, broken down by the restaurant's special features and other factors.

From those who want a light meal to those who want a solid meal, there are a variety of options to suit every situation.

 

No. 10: Cafe 100

This restaurant is said to be the birthplace of loco moco, and the name "Cafe 100" is written "Cafe Hundred.

Richard Miyashiro, the founder of the company, gave the name in honor of the "100th Infantry Battalion" to which he belonged.

Although the restaurant was damaged by tsunami many times in the past, it has revived and become popular by adopting the drive-through system, which was the most advanced at the time.

The restaurant's loco moco is simply a loco moco made with rice, hamburger steak, gravy, and a fried egg.

Many tourists visit the restaurant to enjoy the traditional taste that has been around since 1946.

 

Recommendations

Loco moco is recommended for lunch.

You can taste the traditional Hawaiian loco moco, a recipe that has been followed since 1946.

Loco moco can be arranged and the hamburger steak can be changed to other meat, fish, or vegetables.

You can also choose between white and brown rice, and you can choose how you want your eggs cooked, so they will make the loco moco to your liking.

Special seasonal loco moco is also popular among tourists.

Beef stew is also a popular menu item, available for lunch daily from Monday through Thursday.

 

Business hours and popular menus

Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Popular menu items include loco moco and beef stew.

 

Access & Parking

It is 5 minutes from Hilo International Airport.

There is a large parking lot at the store.

 

No. 9: Annie's Island Fresh Burgers

Along the highway in Kealakekua is Annie's Island Fresh Burgers, a restaurant with great burgers.

The restaurant is a multiple-time winner of Hawaii's Best Burger Award, and all ingredients are grown in Hawaii, and the vegetables are carefully selected and organic.

The restaurant is located in a lush green area, and the interior is decorated in a Hawaiian style.

Stop by during your drive to explore the spectacular scenery and refresh yourself with a delicious lunch.

 

Recommendations

The restaurant is spacious and open, with a beautiful view of the ocean from the back of the restaurant.

A tree grows inside the restaurant, making it a great spot to take social networking photos.

The restaurant also offers a wide variety of menu items other than hamburgers, including sandwiches, salads, cheese hoppers, and other snacks, which are popular among the locals.

Recommended for those who want a juicy hamburger.

 

Business hours and popular menus

Business hours are 11:00 to 20:00 except on Wednesdays when we are closed.

A popular menu item is the BBQ South Point Burger made with Big Island beef.

 

Access & Parking

From Kona International Airport, it is 30 minutes by rental car or cab.

There is parking in front and behind the restaurant.

 

No. 8: Grandma's Kitchen

The image of a good old-fashioned American diner is a perfect fit for Grandma's Kitchen.

The restaurant is popular among locals and tourists from the U.S. for its delicious lunches.

The restaurant is cozy but has a nostalgic atmosphere with cute kitchen boards and other decorations.

The staff is friendly and you will enjoy a comfortable atmosphere.

Traditional Hawaiian cuisine is popular, with loco moco and special lunch menus of the day available.

 

Recommendations

Many people may have felt dissatisfied with the service even though the food was delicious.

This store is known for its friendly and prompt service, so you will experience a satisfying service.

Of course, the food is excellent, and you can enjoy Hawaiian home cooking.

This restaurant offers traditional Hawaiian home-style cuisine served in a nostalgic atmosphere.

 

Business hours and popular menus

Hours of operation are Fridays from 11:00 to 18:00 and Saturdays and Sundays from 8:00 to 18:00.

It is closed Monday through Thursday.

A popular menu item is the special lunch menu.

 

Access & Parking

From Hilo International Airport, it is one hour by rental car or cab.

There is a parking lot behind the restaurant.

 

No. 7: Hawaiian Style Cafe

The concept of the Hawaiian Style Cafe is a restaurant where everyone can enjoy delicious gourmet food.

Vegetarian and vegan menus are available, so feel free to enjoy your lunch.

There is a wide variety of Hawaiian dishes such as garlic shrimp and loco moco, as well as Korean and even Vietnamese cuisine.

Locals also frequent this restaurant, so it is always crowded during lunch hours.

 

Recommendations

The restaurant is famous for its morning breakfast, but you can also enjoy its breakfast menu for lunch.

Morning plates are popular because you can choose your own staple and side dishes.

This menu is perfect for a late brunch.

The menu includes a wide variety of French toast and pancakes, and the portions are generous, making it a good place to eat for lunch.

 

Business hours and popular menus

Hours of operation are from 7:00 to 14:00.

Popular menu items include loco moco and morning plates.

 

Access & Parking

From Hilo International Airport, it is 5 minutes by rental car or cab.

There is a parking lot in front of the restaurant.

 

6th: Kona Canoe Club

The Kona Canoe Club, with fresh seafood and delicious hamburgers.

Oceanfront and the terrace is right on the ocean, making it a popular place to enjoy a delicious lunch in a great location.

The restaurant offers 14 different kinds of burgers and seafood dishes, and can also be used as a sports bar where you can watch sports on the three large TVs inside.

If you want to have lunch with a resort-like view, this is the place to go.

 

Recommendations

The ocean is right in front of the restaurant, making it the perfect location to taste seafood.

The food is prepared and served from ingredients caught that day, so you can enjoy the freshest food.

There are 14 different types of cheeseburgers made with cheese from various regions.

The sandwich also has a wide variety of ingredients, and the squid sandwich has a texture similar to that of abalone.

For a slightly richer lunch atmosphere, this is the place to go.

 

Business hours and popular menus

Hours of operation are 11:30 to 21:00.

A popular menu item is the cheeseburger.

 

Access & Parking

From Kona International Airport, it is 15 minutes by rental car or cab.

There is a free parking lot nearby where you can park.

 

No. 5: Ultimate Burger

The Ultimate Burger is popular for its burgers made from grass-fed beef.

Grass-fed cattle are said to have less stress, so their meat is more tender and has less odor.

Located in the Kona Commons, this popular restaurant always has a line out the door, but the burgers are served quickly, so even if you are in line, your turn will come quickly.

 

Recommendations

When ordering a hamburger overseas, some restaurants serve it in a size that is too large to eat.

The burgers at this restaurant are large enough for even a woman to finish, so if you don't have enough, ask for two.

The fries on the side menu are also elegantly seasoned and can be finished in no time.

There are no sets sold, but a combination of single items, so you can order as much or as little as you like.

This is a popular hamburger store on the Big Island of Hawaii that is also frequented by locals.

 

Business hours and popular menus

Hours of operation are 11:00 to 20:00 Monday through Thursday and 11:00 to 20:30 Friday through Sunday.

A popular menu item is the Ultimate Burger.

 

Access & Parking

From Kona International Airport, 15 minutes by rental car or cab.

Parking is available in the Kona Commons parking lot.

 

No. 4: Puka Puka Kitchen

Puka Puka Kitchen is a restaurant famous for its takeout "bentos".

The restaurant is small, and depending on the timing, you may have to wait in line, in which case you may want to use the bento (boxed lunch) take-out service.

Plate lunches are popular, and curry with pork cutlet and turmeric rice are seasoned to Japanese tastes.

Many tourists and tourists are repeat customers.

 

Recommendations

Plate lunches are popular at this restaurant.

There are various plate menus such as fried shrimp, chicken cutlet, fried fish, BBQ, etc.

Special plates of the day are also available, and sometimes cutlet curry is offered.

No matter what you eat, this plate is like a children's lunch for adults.

Lunch portions are large enough for adults to eat, but if you have children with you, you may want to share.

 

Business hours and popular menus

Lunch hours are 11:00-14:30 and closed on Sundays.

A popular menu item is the fried shrimp plate with four fried shrimp.

 

Access & Parking

It is 10 minutes from Hilo International Airport.

There are parking lots in front of and behind the restaurant.

 

3rd: Da Poki Shack

Da Poki Shack is a restaurant with a reputation for delicious poke.

This restaurant specializes in poke bowls and poke plates for takeout.

Fresh ingredients are shipped directly from the market, and no frozen items are used.

Seafood such as yellowfin tuna, shrimp, octopus, and cod, as well as pork and vegetable plates are also available.

Gluten-free and vegetarian poke bowls are also available, so anyone can enjoy a delicious and safe meal.

There is some seating on the terrace, but you can also eat there as there is a beach and beach park nearby.

 

Recommendations

Poki is a Hawaiian word meaning cut or cube.

Basic poke is made from raw fish and seasoned with Hawaiian salt, seaweed, and spices.

Both the poke bowl and plate allow you to choose your favorite poke from a number of varieties, so you can have your favorite poke bowl or poke plate made to your liking.

You can also choose a side dish and taste your favorite menu from salad, teriyaki squid, kimchi, dressed clams, sesame garlic edamame, etc.

It is a popular restaurant, and some days it sells out, so it is best to visit early in the day.

 

Business hours and popular menus

Open from 10:00 to 16:00 or until sold out.

Popular menu items include a choice of poke bowl and poke plate.

 

Access & Parking

From Kona International Airport, it is 20 minutes by rental car or cab.

There is a parking lot in front of the restaurant.

 

No. 2: Big Island Grill

A family-style restaurant, Big Island Grill is often visited by locals.

Loco moco is popular at this restaurant and is served in a size that suits the locals, so it is best to share.

The after-dinner cake is also served in a big size, so you can enjoy big dishes.

The restaurant is also recommended for noodle lovers, as it serves "Saimin," a noodle dish that originated in Hawaii.

 

Recommendations

A hearty menu called "Super Loco Moco" is popular.

There are three large hamburgers on it, so if you want a regular size, order the kid's size.

You can choose between scrambled eggs and fried eggs, so if you choose scrambled eggs, you can enjoy loco moco like an omelet.

The restaurant is crowded at lunch time, but the wait is short because the food is served quickly.

 

Business hours and popular menus

Hours of operation are Monday through Thursday from 10:30 to 14:00 and Friday from 10:30 to 18:00.

A popular menu item is the loco moco.

 

Access & Parking

From Kona International Airport, it is 15 minutes by rental car or cab.

There is a parking lot in front of the restaurant.

 

No. 1: Village Burger

The Village Burger is a hamburger restaurant located in the Parker Ranch Center.

The burgers are carefully prepared using grass-fed beef from Parker Ranch and farm products from the Big Island of Hawaii.

The buns are also made by a bakery on the Big Island of Hawaii, who bakes the buns using the chef's original recipe.

Those who cannot eat meat can enjoy their meal in peace, as mushroom and taro burgers are also available.

There is not a lot of counter seating in the restaurant, so you may want to use the tables in front of the restaurant or the food court at the Parker Ranch Center.

 

Recommendations

It is a popular restaurant that has won first place in a national hamburger contest.

No frozen beef is used; the patties are ground to order and baked.

Inside the restaurant, you can observe the cooking process through a glass wall, so you can observe the food as it is prepared.

The burgers are seasoned only with salt and pepper, but you can taste the meat.

The fries on the side menu are shredded and twice-fried, making them perfect for those who like their fries crispy.

If you visit the Big Island of Hawaii, be sure to try their hamburgers.

 

Business hours and popular menus

Hours of operation are 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

A popular menu item is the Hawaii Big Island Beef Burger.

 

Access & Parking

From Kona International Airport, it is 50 minutes by rental car or cab.

Parking is available at the Parker Ranch Center.

 

After enjoying lunch
Enjoy the activity experience!

After enjoying lunch, join us for an activity experience on the Big Island of Hawaii.

There are many activities such as snorkeling to see dolphins and manta rays, horseback riding, helicopter excursions, sunset cruising, and yoga.

There are many activities to enjoy at beach resorts and tourist destinations.

 

Three recommended tours

We have selected three recommended tours that you can experience on the Big Island of Hawaii.

All of the tours are a great way to experience the spectacular scenery of the Big Island of Hawaii in a big way, so please take a look at them as a reference for your trip.

 

Kilauea Volcano Helicopter Tour

Helicopter tours of the sacred Waipio Valley and Kilauea Volcano.

Waipio Valley and Kilauea Volcano offer scenic views of places not seen on trekking trips.

Experiencing the same view from a helicopter as seen by a drone will give you a sense of the power of nature.

This is a popular tour with plenty of time to enjoy the spectacular scenery of the two tourist destinations without having too much to do.

 

Wild Dolphins & Kealakekua Bay
Snorkeling Tour

This tour takes you to two snorkeling spots where you can swim with wild dolphins and observe tropical fish and coral reefs.

With a capacity of 6 people, you will be able to enjoy snorkeling with safety in mind.

In addition, Kealakekua Bay's clear and calm waters make for a satisfying snorkeling experience.

If you are lucky, you can see sea turtles and manta rays, so you can observe a lot of marine life on this tour.

 

Mauna Kea Sunset & Stargazing Tour

This is a tour where you can enjoy stargazing and sunset with a famous star guide.

After departure, we will take a photo to commemorate the sunset from a spot from where the sunset can be seen.

Once you reach the base of Mauna Kea, about 2,000 meters above sea level, the stargazing begins.

Using sophisticated telescopes and binoculars, a famous star guide will guide you, so even those who are not so interested in the starry sky will enjoy viewing it.

 

summary

How was it?

We have introduced some of the best lunches on the Big Island of Hawaii.

On the Big Island of Hawaii, where American culture is mixed, hamburgers are a fine Hawaiian delicacy.

There are many delicious lunches that locals also go to, so please enjoy your trip to the Big Island of Hawaii by tasting a variety of lunches.