Cafe Pesto Hilo Bay

A very pleasant surprise! I received a gift card as a birthday present and went there yesterday for the first time. The service and food were excellent! I got the steak and it was perfect along with the tasty potatoes. We love crab cakes and try them wherever we go and these were some of the BEST! Crunchy outside and very tasty crab inside-and the included salad was excellent. I was skeptical about the Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread but I'm so glad we got it, Delicious! There was a smell of a wood fired pizza oven in the air so I'll definitely go back and try the pizza.

We always make a stop in Hill to eat here. Their Bhan Mi with sweet potato side is amazing. My go to order. The place itself has a very cool retro vibe. The service is always friendly and fast.

Everything I tried was absolutely amazing, I highly recommend the Rose cocktail named after the bartender Rose, who was also an absolute dream! The BLT Pizza is a real surprise, super tasty. The risottos were incredibly creamy, the Blue Caesar salad with blue cheese was an added flavor explosion I was not expecting but really enjoyed. The fish sandwich was absolutely perfect and I had a really hard time deciding whether I would get that or try something else on the menu every single time I visited. It was fresh perfectly cooked, all of the flavors were well balanced, it was a really well executed sandwich. Everything I tried was excellent.

I said I’m gluten free and asked for rice and grilled fish of the day. This was not a problem at all here. I had ono which was delicious, very fresh tasting. Sorry for the photo. I already started eating before I took the picture

Can you believe it? There’s an Italian food restaurant in Hilo! Cafe Pesto provides the freshest salads in Hilo thanks to its Italian style. It’s rarely decent. The service is so caring that I believe it actually worth my tips! If you are tired of the food in Hilo and want something decent, Cafe Pesto is your best choice.

My wife and I shared a Southwest Chicken wood fired pizza. Excellent flavor. Very welcoming staff. Atmosphere was warm and laid-back with a sax player and guitar playing old standards and a few new ones. Also, a couple of days later my wife noticed that her jacket was missing. I went back to the Cafe just to check and they had held it for her. Wish we had a Cafe Pesto in our hometown. It's the kind of place that would quickly become a favorite.

Cute restaurant for pasta and drinks! We came for dinner on a weekday. It wasn’t super busy inside so we were seated promptly. We waited quite a while for our server to take our drink orders, which was strange seeing as though they had plenty of staff and it wasn’t a full restaurant. When our server finally came over to get our orders she was friendly. We got lava flows to drink and each ordered pasta dishes. The drinks and food came out quickly so that was a bonus. I had the shrimp scampi and it was amazing - my only complaint is that the portions are on the smaller side. I think it needed more pasta noodles to be more filling. My husband said he enjoyed his Cajun pasta too - again he thought the portions were small for what you pay. I think also a nice touch would be to offer bread for the table as that would’ve also provided a more filling meal and we had lots of leftover sauce. Overall the food and drinks were delicious!

This restaurant is charming. The staff is warm and friendly like an island breeze. Even though we arrived at the end of the lunch rush, the waiting was brief and the service was spectacular. It has a bar area with lots of wood and character. Every table had beautiful flowers on it. The menu was full of great choices which made It was difficult to decide on our meal. We shared appetizers, then settled on a meal- I wasn’t able to add dessert. Next time!

Very good food presentation, fresh veggies, excellent cocktail drinks and friendly server!

Absolutely get the Haupia pancake. You'll need to share it because it is MASSIVE.. like all the other portion sizes at this place. Out server was super sweet and attentive but it did take a bit of time for her to finish helping the other customers before she came to us. After that, she was quick and amazing! It's a simple place serving up bomb food. Decor is Hawaiian. 10/10

Heard only good reviews for this place so we were excited to splurge on our last night in Hilo. Nothing but regrets I'm sorry to say. The tables were wobbly. The ambiance was decent so I will give it one star. Other than that, the service was very slow. Our server never checked in with us after we were served which is customary. The risotto was made with actual rice! I couldn't believe it! And it was runny. The piece of chicken was the only thing I thought was just right. The torte was cold and hard rather than room temperature. The raspberry sauce was good though. I ordered a cafe Americano and got a cup of coffee I could see through! We had to ask twice for someone to get our server who still hadn't checked in with us. We were about to go up to the bar where he was hanging out chatting with the bartender, but just then, he looked our way and I flagged him down. I told him that we had been waiting a really long time. To which he replied, "actually, I forgot about you!!" I left a 10% tip, which after leaving I regretted. I should have left nothing.

A very pleasant surprise! I received a gift card as a birthday present and went there yesterday for the first time. The service and food were excellent! I got the steak and it was perfect along with the tasty potatoes. We love crab cakes and try them wherever we go and these were some of the BEST! Crunchy outside and very tasty crab inside-and the included salad was excellent. I was skeptical about the Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread but I'm so glad we got it, Delicious! There was a smell of a wood fired pizza oven in the air so I'll definitely go back and try the pizza.

My husband and I dined in for dinner. We got a table right away on a Friday night around 7pm, but it was the last table so go earlier! The restaurant was nice and busy, well lit! We had a wonderful waitress who had great recommendations. I ordered a biscuit French cocktail which consisted of Prosecco and Vodka with an edible hibiscus flower. It was really good and refreshing. For dinner I ordered the smoked salmon Alfredo and it was absolutely amazing. The flavors of the salmon, alfredo, sun dried tomatoes all were delicious and savory. Pesto's is a must try if you're in Hilo!

Cafe Pesto has been around for decades and there is a reason for it. I remember it being at another location in downtown but this location is pretty nice too. Modern and semi-casual, it fits for all whether you are celebrating a special occasion or just having a casual date night. Service has always been friendly and food is top notch. I have never been disappointed each time I've went. Im partial to the shrimp nachos, I tend to get them each time I visit. They have Italian based dishes with local flair. I also like they have alcoholic drinks (beer and wine) and you can order a tap flight for variety. Desserts look so good but I end up too full to order them. Highly recommend!

I came here with every intention of trying the ragu with local pork but I wound up not being that hungry and tried the Miloli sandwich again but it did not disappoint! Perfect portion for lunch and super yummy! The potato salad was pretty good too. My husband got the Loco Moco and enjoyed it as well. Service was fine, ambiance it cute and I think it probably gets pretty busy but we came in around 11:30-noon on a Saturday and were sat immediately.

Been here a few times now. Their loco moco is okay, though I really am not a fan of any loco moco. I would recommend the Heritage Pork Bolognese though, that's fantastic! Portions might be a little on the small side, but they are appropriate if you don't show up completely starving as I tend to do. Drinks are quite tasty, and I'm a fan of the interior although it's a bit loud as I consequence. Service is pretty average, which is just fine.

Had a pesto Greek pizza and coffee . Pizza was meh . Coudnt taste much pesto even tho it's suppose to be pesto pizza. It's overpriced . Service was fine overall.

The cafes atmosphere and overall look is very cute. The checkered floor is the best part of the cafe look. The garlic bread with cream cheese was delicious, I've never had garlic bread with cream cheese so it was very enticing. We ordered the salmon fettuccine, it was just okay. It could've been warmer, I'm not sure if it sat there for a while before being served as our noodles were room temperature and cooled off very quickly. That's my only downfall. The capers were the cherry on top of this meal. So salty and so yummy. I would definitely come back to Cafe Pesto for a cute lunch date!

CUte little date night spot in Hilo. Risotto was perfectly cooked with great flavor. Not too salty. The chicken was on the smaller portion size but overall great dish. Daughter got the pizza and it was thin enough that made you want to eat the crust. Over all great place. A few times I noticed the manager going out to tables that ordered the fried calamari, which I thought was interesting but she eventually came to our table as well. The server himself was a little shyer but still great service. I'd go back if I'm in Hilo again.

If I could give 5 stars, I would! Excellent service and excellent food, probably one of the best meals we've had on the island. I loved the Christmas cozy vibes of the restaurant. The toast was so crispy with the cream cheese a perfect addition. My surf and turf amazing and soooo flavorful. Also probably one of the best caesar salads I have had in my life. If you are passing through, check this place out!!

Good pesto fish sandwich a little over priced at $26 didn't think portion fit price small portions

Came here to get a Hawaiian pizza slice. It came out with less pineapples that we would have liked. The caprese and cheese cake were delicious though!

So glad we found this place. Came here for dinner on our day trip to the area. I love the atmosphere with the high ceilings and checkered floors. And the food was delicious! My husband got the pasta carbonara and I requested fettuccine Alfredo with sun dried tomatoes (not on the menu exactly but they were happy to accommodate). They also made plain pasta with butter for my son. And I had a yummy lilikoi martini. We had a really tasty meal and the prices were very reasonable I felt. Would happily go back if I'm in the area again.

You need reservations. We couldn't get in, but it is rated the best restaurant in Hilo by our rental's property manager.

Great little cafe. The food was good, service was good & atmosphere was good. Got the seafood medley risotto and was happy. Also the Lilikoi drop martini was great, good amount of alcohol and balance of flavor.

uhhhh the menu is really small BUT the food is good... prices meh. UM! THE SHRIMP NACHOS ARE BOMB OMG. their pizzas are pretty good the DOUGH IS SOYUMMY YUM YUMMMM. one time there was this special and it was these bread rolls on a plate and it had filling and they were sticking on a plate of pesto AND I TRIED IT ONCE. i fell in love w it and now all of the sudden theres no more chef specials

This place was recommended to me by a fellow airline flyer and it didn't disappoint. The service was quick, effluent and friendly. The food was amazing! Fresh and tasty. And worth the money!

The menu is so extensive and highlights many local ingredients! It was so hard to choose, but I had to go with the seafood medley risotto. The balsamic reduction was fantastic and just enhanced the dish. Shrimp were plump and fresh, fish was ono (delicious, and that was its name haha) the tortilla chip on top was a nice touch, and the risotto was the perfect texture. I am a tough critic and have had some mushy risotto and some crunchy risotto...this one was just right! Had a bit of texture but was not undercooked. Well done chefs! I also tried my friend's mushroom poke (the sauce on there was amazing), classico pizza (server said most popular: the cheese was so rich and gooey, totally bomb), and bolognese (pesto on point, pasta divine and sauce made with local meat was yum). Can't wait to come back and bring the team!

I went for the ceaser salad and got so much more! Fire smokey salmon Alfredo was so Ono! My husband got the lunch special it was a fish stromboli with crab and fried calamari it was so good with the pesto!!! The salad was great with the lunch special it was a wasabi ceaser! My husband loved how airy it was, soft on the inside and crispy bread on the outside! My kids got the Alfredo keiki meals we don't eat chicken or pork so we sub for fish and was so yummy! We finished it off with dessert with the creme brulee it was topped with strawberries! Was all delicious filled with so much flavor! The service was the best our waters were never empty! Emily was so kind and understanding! All the employees worked together smoothly as a team! The plates were hot which meant clean!! Silverware was streak free and the decor was cafe meets Rustic with a touch or local hawaiian culture and history in the beautiful images on the walls to the flowers on the table with the views of the Hilo bay! I loved it my kids favorite was the different lighting! I loved the booth and how welcomed we felt with the bench and chair seating with room for our stroller I did not feel like we were in the way or rushed to eat and leave I loved the vibe and everything we ordered! We decided before the main courses came we wanted to come back! The check came and I was not shocked by the price as the amount of food filled our tummies up! Left happy and can't wait to come back!

This was recommended by a seatmate in the plane and it was worth it. Food was fantastic. Highly recommended.

Food was very good, Nice location in town, make reservations. We had a table for two at window which was good.

Excellent food, two of us went with the "Simple Classic," great flavor, decent serving size. One had pizza, very good but small and spendy. Just a little off on the service. Had a reservation for 3, seated timely, food took about 35 minutes. Appetizer was never delivered so we took a refund on that. Food delivered with no utensils or napkins, had to flag a different server down for assistance. Then finally got water refilled.

A group of us came here for dinner. The atmosphere is a little loud as the acoustics in this place bounces all the sounds . So it was hard to hear one another while dining. The prices are what I expected it to be. But all places I feel are pricy now days. I really like my pasta dish but my husband said the pizza wasn't good. I don't think this is a place we would go to again on our next visit as we have other spots we want to check out. But don't let my review stop you for trying it and making your own opinion.

Amazing Smoked Salmon Pasta, Highly recommend! Even got it to-go and it tasted fresh as ever

During our day trip to Hilo, my bf and I decided to check out Cafe Pesto which is located near Hilo Bay. Our server was friendly and helpful and gave some suggestions on food. I ordered the mushroom poke and added rosemary chicken and he ordered the volcano mist salad with rosemary chicken. I've never had a mushroom poke and I have to say, it was pretty good. Mushrooms were Hamakua mushrooms so you know it's gonna be good. The dressing complimented the salad well and the rosemary chicken was flavorful and not dry. For dessert we got the apple crisp with a scoop of ice cream. Came out hot and bubbly and it was delicious.

Rose really took care of us! We ordered the halfmoon shrimp nachos. No where on the menu does it say it has cilantro. She went back to the chefs who said past menus mentioned cilantro but from now, will in the future. They made us a fresh batch. This is how restaurants, chefs and servers should treat their customers! Love this place! Rose is amazing

This came highly recommended from a friend in the island. Stopped in for a late lunch with a party of 8 and was seated promptly. Dining area is open and looks out onto the street across from the ocean. Our server was wonderful and attentive. Food was absolutely delicious, not one thing that we ordered didn't hit the spot. They started bringing the food out as things were ready, so everything wasn't carried out on one tray and things weren't sitting on the warmer getting soggy or hard which was a nice concept. Would definitely recommend this spot.

Excellent stop for lunch in Hilo. Food is fantastic. I got the BLT pizza & Thai lemonade. Husband got the shrimp nachos & strawberry smoothie. We could easily share & leave full. Our waitress was top notch too

My visits to Cafe Pesto have been numerous, allowing me the pleasure of sampling nearly everything that piqued my interest on their menu. One aspect I truly appreciate is their incorporation of specials, and on the evening of my recent visit, there was an exceptional special! My choice was the Italian sausage white pizza, a true delight that perfectly embodies their commitment to utilizing local ingredients - the Hamakua mushrooms particularly stood out. The pizza's crust had a good balance, and its generous cheesiness left an indelible impression. Our meal also featured the caprese salad, showcasing tomatoes of unparalleled freshness and juiciness, complemented by a delightful balsamic glaze. I indulged further with the bolognese pasta, something I certainly did not regret. A sweet conclusion was in order, and we ordered an apple crisp paired with ice cream, as well as the classic creme brûlée. Both selections hit the spot, underlining the notion that missteps are nonexistent here. Cafe Pesto consistently brings a distinctive twist to their offerings, an aspect that I hold in high regard. With each visit, the culinary journey takes an exciting turn that keeps me coming back for more.

the food and service are great. Plenty Variety of dishes. Been coming here 6 years

Fantastic restaurant in Hilo! A family member recommended we eat here during our trip. We were tired, hungry and it was the weekend after Valentine's Day so very busy, but they found us a spot and we only had to wait about 20 minutes. The food was excellent and is very fresh. My pesto with bolognese was so good, I could have eaten another plate. Lots of cute shops to browse nearby too, so plenty of things to do while you wait for your table.

It was fabulous having lunch at Pesto Cafe with their authentic menu. We tried food that was delicious and beautifully presented. I have never been to a restaurant where the customer is king. What does this mean. After reading the entire menu (I usually do) i asked if they had chocolate milk for the kiddies. Just asked. He said no problem I can make it for you and split it into 2 glasses. The kids slurped it down leaving a clean glass. All our entrees came with salads or coleslaw (delicious) . Again not on the menu I asked do you have French fries? He asked would you like to switch it out for your coleslaw? No I just thought French fries are favorites with the kids. OMGee the French fry wedges came out hot covered in Parmesan cheese crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Us adults had to fight the kids for those fries. Delicious food. Bright clean interior. Parking on the street. Friendly staff that caters to your needs. Located in the historical old Hilo town. A Must place to eat if you're in Hilo. Then walk around to visit all the quaint little shops in restored Hilo town.

Gets busy fast so make sure you call in because there can be a wait. The garlic bread and apple crisp are a must try!

Had a lovely dinner at Cafe Pesto my first night in Hilo. Cute little restaurant in the heart of downtown Hilo. We were seated immediately and everyone was very friendly. Initially we were seated at a table and when we requested to move to a booth, they were sweet enough to accommodate us. We ordered crab cakes to start. Yum! It's not on the menu as an appetizer, but since theres a crab cake salad, we asked for just the crab cakes. For the main course, we ordered the quattro formaggi pizza and salmon alfredo. My friend and i shared so we can try a little bit of everything and we loved it all. For dessert, our server recommended the apple crisp which is topped with macadamia crumble and vanilla icecream - no regrets. We pretty much inhaled that. Delicious food, lovely atmosphere, and friendly staff! Love that.

Very nice staff. Very good food. Waitress was happy to give suggestions. I definitely was happy with my fish sandwich. Local ahi seared...... highly recommend

The Hilo Bayfront is famed for preserving the traits and characteristics of yesteryear, flaunting art shops, theaters, snack shops and kitchenware emporia selling new goods and antiques. Cafe Pesto fits in perfectly, boasting old-timey excellent service, bartending, quality & locally-sourced ingredients, and excellent Art Deco architecture and decor in the famous S. Hata Building. My date and I came here for her birthday for the first time all the way from Kauai, and the restaurant did not disappoint. We started with the Hāmākua caprese (truffled goat cheese and Kawamata Farms tomatoes are to die for!) and the Korean cream cheese garlic bread (toasted in garlic butter!), which made us nervous for the main courses, because how were they gonna top these appetizers?! My smoked salmon Alfredo was pure magic. The rainbow chard was a nice touch to the flavors. My date has the Blue Caesar, which paired blue cheese and anchovies better than I thought they could be paired. The chef knocked it out of the park with the apple crisp and Tahitian vanilla ice cream. The gentleness and confidence of the vanilla ice cream offset the brash apple crisp filled with big slices of apple mixed in with macadamia nuts under that decadent crispy topping. Just an amazing restaurant with equally amazing staff and setting.

Great atmosphere and good selections are very creative and yummy. We just landed and found this place to eat. Highly recommend a fun vibe.

I attracted a lot of attention from very friendly strangers, both men and women (and sometimes animals) alike, they all wanted to talk to me, for an extended amount of time, after they found out I was a tourist from Oahu. Nothing beats talking about Oahu when you're from the Big Island, either that or I must have looked completely bored and needed company. One thing I had to do to appear interested in what they were saying was to ask them, "where is your favorite restaurant?" and most of them said "Cafe Pesto!" without hesitation, and these are Kona residents saying this as well as the Hilo-ites. Before traveling anywhere, I do an extended amount of research, and research told me there's nothing really open past 8 PM in Volcano. You either need reservations, or pay huge amounts of money to eat mediocre food, or both. Either that, or eat junk food. We didn't feel like doing any of those, plus driving around Volcanos after a few glasses of wine didn't seem like a good idea. We did a take out that cost $70; three small/medium pizzas and one salad, but those foods lasted us 3 days since the place we stayed at (Volcano Village Estates) had a micro and a fridge. I ordered the Thai Shrimp Pizza, and it was one of the best personal pizzas I've ever had! It had a slight sweet taste to it that I found intriguing. Smoky yet sweet. The salad wasn't anything spectacular. It had a few pieces of Hamakua mushrooms and some pickled ginger in it, which I think overpowered the mushrooms and didn't match the flavor of the rest of the salad. I am craving that Thai Shrimp pizza again, and looking forward to going back in a sit-down fashion one of these days when I'm back in Hilo.

This is NOT Hawaiian food, it is very much more of an American style eatery. The service is great, the food is amazing, and the risotto is a MUST try. The pizza has so much cheese on it and plenty of toppings. The portions are large so be sure to consider sharing. The drinks are pricy, but the food and service are well worth the price tag. This is my third time coming here and the quality of the food as well as the service are both still amazing. It gets busy in the evenings but there is ample seating and space. The only downside is that they do not have a kids menu BUT they do allow for pizza to be ordered large or small, so that definitely helped us find an appropriate portion size for our kiddo.

We been looking forward to trying Cafe Pesto for a while and finally found the opportunity on a recent trip to Hilo. We had a table for 5 at lunchtime and the restaurant was a little busy. The interior is nice and the service was very friendly. My wife shared a small pizza with my granddaughter which they said was good but could be better, nothing great. My son and his wife shared the fish sandwich (fish today was Ono) and a caesars salad. They enjoyed their meal because both dishes were their favorites from Cafe Pesto. I had the crab and shrimp sandwich which was served baked and opened face. Again, it was good but not great. I think the overall flavor of the crab was lacking for me. It is a little pricey for lunch here but I would probably return.

We had a 12:15 pm reservation but a snafu with the car rental door put us behind schedule. I called in and they graciously kept a table for us. The restaurant is buzzing and the aroma of the food as soon as you enter the door, can't forget that familiar smell of deliciousness. Three employees we came n contact with were all efficient and friendly. We ordered 4 dishes and 2 beverages. Unbelievable we whacked everything with only a few crumbs left. Everything speaks a well run eatery. We asked to be seated at a table across from the bar instead of being in a swarm of customers all enjoying their midday meal. Once you spot the Cafe Oesto sign, the opening is actually to the right which is next to a gallery type store and away from some homeless people on the sidewalk. What a perfect choice for our first Big Island meal.

We enjoyed a nice family lunch at Cafe Pesto upon arrival in Hilo. Menu is quite large with enough options for everyone. Standouts were the Milolii sandwich, pork banh mi and the luau pork pizza. Cocktails were dynamite. Our server, Marcos was efficient and the bus boy was outstanding with topping waters and clearing plates. Love that it is in an historic storefront along Hilo Bay. The building is beautiful, giant ceilings and nicely decorated. Chairs were comfortable, too.

We recently stopped at Cafe Pesto for lunch on the way to the Volcanoes on the Big Island. We all had a fairly light lunch consisting of some wonderful local greens salads and libations. Our server was super attentive, the setting was great. On the way back from the National Park we decided that it was good enough that we would have an early dinner back at the cafe. Forgot to mention that this was a DDD stop for Guy Fireri and was featured on one of his shows. We were seated at the same table and with the same server from the day before and he greeted us with a big smile and welcomed us back. He recommended the Bolognese with pesto pasta which Guy ate. My brother and I love to cook and read about food so we were a bit skeptical about the pairing. That combination blew us both away!!! We decided that this dish would be on a rotation during the holidays. I called my brother after we got back to the mainland and he said he was recreating the combo that day.....which was exactly what I was doing across the country. (And yes it was good!) We did bring home a slice of cheesecake which was also wonderful. Highly recommend this Cafe!

We were pretty surprised with how quickly we got seated given it was a Friday night and we read about how popular this place was. We got our water pretty quick but took a while for our server to come (I think he didn't realize we'd been assigned to him). He was pretty efficient in taking our orders and the cheese bread was really REALLY good! However, the entrees came and I was served a chicken risotto instead of the seafood one that I ordered. So that had to get corrected which probably took another 10-15mins, at which point my husband had nearly finished his pizza. The seafood risotto was good when it finally came though. I also got a pineapple mojito that was too sweet for my liking. All in all, I had a so-so experience at this restaurant but I'd probably give them another shot when I'm back on the Big Island.

My grandmother was overheated so we stopped in for a water and ended up having the most incredible meal of our trip. The Loco Moco was out of this world (and also endorsed by Guy Fieri) but the best was the Cremé Brûlée. This was by far the best Crème Brûlée I've ever had in my entire life. If you don't eat here you didn't really come to Hawaii. (Wait staff was also incredible and very attentive. Especially Mar!!! She's the best)

The food and the wine were delish, and the setting was pretty nice. We stopped in on a whim, and we are glad we did!

My friends and I were recommended this restaurant by 3 other people, so we had to check it out and see the hype. I'm not sure what I was expecting because Italian food was not it lol. Either way, we had a nice night of personal-sized pizzas, appetizers, and dessert. Everyone absolutely loved the Korean-style cream cheese bread. The Mac nut apple crumble was warm and delicious and must absolutely be paired with ice cream, even if it means paying an extra $6. The affogato's bitter but deep flavor was a great thing to end the night with