Hilo Bay Cafe

The view of the bay from the outside seating is priceless. The service was good. The decor is upscale. The food was flavorful. I can only image the night views from the restaurant spectacular. The views and location are worth the price.

Delicious food, amazing service & a wonderful view. Recommend making a reservation but even without one we were able to grab a seat at the bar and the view was still wonderful! Highly recommend this place.

Tasty dishes expertly prepared, locally sourced. Friendly staff, lovely views, relaxing atmosphere.

You can't go wrong with the Hilo Bay Cafe. The food is soooooo tasty, the atmosphere is beautiful (reserve a table on the patio), and the service is stellar. I will be back here again. It's AMAZING!!

The place is nice with a pleasant atmosphere. The food is good, but not amazing. Overall, it’s a decent spot for a relaxed meal by the bay.

I’m so glad we decided to check this place out. Best food I’ve had on this side of the island, if not the whole island. Everything from the tea to the apps to the soup all the way to main course was amazing. Unfortunately we didn’t get any dessert we were stuffed but I guarantee it’s good too. I recommend the pot pie!!! And as a vegetarian I was happy to see that option 😊 Also our server was awesome too! I can’t remember his name unfortunately but he was great. I definitely recommend this place and if we weren’t leaving, I would definitely have been back. And I’m picky lol

Restaurant close to hotel on water. We were seated immediately. The server was attentive, and we ordered drinks. A few minutes later, drinks arrived. We ordered the cheeseburger with bacon, medium rare with crispy fries. The burger arrived 5 minutes later. It was on the rare side, and the fries were not crispy as ordered. The burger had good taste otherwise. Good views from this clean restaurant. Prices are at market for Hilo.

This has been my favorite restaurant in Hilo for years. We’ve celebrated many holidays and special occasions here, and the service is always excellent. The food overall is GREAT—but I have to be honest about the last sushi experience. Since their amazing sushi chef retired, things have changed. They stopped serving sushi for a while, and when it finally came back, I was excited—until I tried it. For $20 a roll, it was mostly rice with barely any fish. Honestly, I could get better sushi at the grocery store for half the price.

The food was delicious. We had the tiger roll (suggested by our gracious server - Alexandra) which was amazing. The fish and chip entree was also amazingly tasty. Local bars were suggested by the bartender Sasha who was friendly and most accommodating. The beers were a great recommendation - fresh, cold, and spot on with a clean taste. It also has a beautiful view. Highly recommend Hilo Bay Cafe - a gem in an island paradise.

This place was close to our hotel at Hilton. I had Fish and chips cooked with local fresh fish. It was good with lots of malt vinegar. The plate was filled with a good portion of chips and fish. Wife rellay liked her Lemon Drop martini 5 star for the bartender! Happy wife happy life- /Socrates

Lovely sunset views from the dining room looking out across the bay. Service was friendly and attentive. Overall, everyone generally enjoyed their meals. The mocktails were a big hit! The zucchini appetizer ate a little on the greasy side but the sauce was tangy and bright. The crab cake california roll was a bit disappointing - my daughter got a side of crab cakes and they just didn't seem homemade. My son really enjoyed his shrimp yakisoba. My daughter's edamame was unfortunately entirely over drenched in sesame oil. Despite a few nit picks, I'd return for the vibes and views.

One of our best dinners on our trip. Great drinks, fresh fish and various types of menu items. We did not have a reservation and they were happy to accommodate our party of eight. I had the ocean special. Others had the ribs, sushi and a fried chicken dish. All were really fresh and tasty.

If you are looking for a nice comfortable restaurant with great food and with great views of Hilo Bay and Mauna Kea, Hilo Bay Cafe is your place. Six or seven beers on tap, great wine list and delicious ono fish tacos with pickled onions plus jicama, passion fruit slaw. Great friendly service and a nice quiet comfortable modern space.

I attend many events at Hilo Bay Cafe, so have become somewhat of a regular customer. The biggest downside to the restaurant is their lack of air conditioning. On a hot, sunny, humid day it can be quite miserable in there. It overlooks Hilo bay, which is nice...however, if you're there during sunset and are in seats facing the ocean, it's pretty miserable being blasted by the direct sunlight during your meal. Their food overall is pretty good, but can be a little on the salty side. I love their shaved Brussels sprout salad and crab cake salad. I most recently got the ribeye steak and it was very tender and juicy, cooked perfectly, and well-seasoned. I also have always loved their lava cake ever since I was a kid. Their menu does change every now and then, so it's nice to be able to try different dishes.

Dinner last night was amazing! Our waitress was very sweet and attentive. I got the French onion soup and the California crab roll. My friend got the short ribs and a side of the brussel sprouts, both so delicious. Make sure to make reservations as this place gets filled up fast!

My parents and I had the opportunity to dine here for Mother's Day, and we had an enjoyable experience. The menu has changed since I last ate here, almost 10 years ago... I still saw some of the classics, which was nice. The service was good. Our waiter consistently checked in with us, had a positive attitude, and kept our water glasses full. I recall that we ordered two appetizers. The one from that day's special menu was a seared/torched salmon roll. I won't lie, but I am not the biggest fan of rolls (I prefer traditional). However, this roll was solid. There was no skimping on the fish, and the roll was not falling apart. The other was a parmesan custard. That was just "okay" to me, but my parents both enjoyed it. For our main entrees, my mom got the chirashi bowl, my dad got the burger, and I got the ocean special, which came with Ono and shrimp. The portions were significant, flavorful, and filling. We all enjoyed our entrees and agreed to order them again when dining here. The food was good (for the price point). However, there was a service mishap with my parents' passion liliko'i iced tea. Their first round came strictly as iced tea. It is not a blaring issue, but it is one nonetheless. Overall, for the price point, Hilo Bay Cafe is a solid option in the small town of Hilo when looking for a "fancier" dining option. We will be back to try other appetizers and entrees.

Wanted to give this place a try and stopped by for lunch. We arrived and were seated. At first, they seated us inside, but the fiancé wanted to see if we could get a seat outside (it is called Hilo Bay Cafe). They were able to accommodate us. Our waitress brought us water and we asked for a few recommendations on what to order. We placed our order, and food was brought out in a timely fashion. We ordered their miso butterfish salad, which was very tasty, with a good mix of greens as well as a nice portion on butterfish. I ordered the mushroom potpie with chicken. It was cooked nicely, with a nice yellow curry inside. After reading some of the reviews, I'm assuming we got lucky on the service and food. We noticed that other diners were being taken care of. Overall, the restaurant has a nice feel and ambiance, with a great view. Prices are not too bad, may a little more than some people would like to spend for lunch, but, hey, we are on vacation. We would dine here again.

I was recommended to try this restaurant while visiting Hilo for my business trip. After reading the great reviews and having someone recommend me this establishment, I had high expectations. A few things lacked - from their yelp page, I saw that they had sushi but was told from the server that they currently DO NOT SERVE SUSHI. They opted that I try the ahi poke instead which a few minutes later said that they were out of. Being in Hawai'i and an Oahu girl, majority of the restaurants always serve white steamed rice. But to my surprise, they also DID NOT have rice. The menu was very limited. So upon looking again on the yelp popular items I went for the French braised short ribs. Which really lacked A LOT of flavor. But the other entrees my party ordered was pretty seasoned well. The crab cakes were amazing but a smaller size of crab cakes, mini crab cakes I would say. The ribeye was cooked perfectly and the pork chops was great as well. Service was amazing hence the stars and the restaurant was very nice. Overall, it was a pretty cute restaurant with the view of the ocean.

Can I award Negative Stars?!? Arrived 15 minutes early for a 7 pm dinner reservation. Host told us table was ready but he would not seat us yet. Said, "I may be able to seat you before 7." We told him we would wait in the bar. Host made a very particular point of saying we would have to close out our bar tab before being seated. We assured him we do not run out on bar tabs! As we were walking to the bar he said, "I'm going to do you a favor and seat you now." Who does this? Cannot comment on anything else. We left. ‍

This was our first time visiting the Hilo Bay Cafe, and the atmosphere, service, food, and view were wonderful! We loved the molten lava cake for dessert. It was so tasty and delicious, and what a presentation! They have a lovely variety of dishes, including sushi, and the location right on the Bay can't be beat. We will definitely be going back next time we are on the Big Island!

Update: We went in again for dinner and had Garlic Shrimp Yakisoba. Still great and recommend!!! Went to Hilo to explore the town and couldn't resist this charming little restaurant on the bay. We sat at the bar and were waited on by Bella. She was so helpful and full of suggestions. We had Fish & Chips with Ono fish, Poke Ahi with sweet potato chips and a side of Jicama-Lilikoi slaw. I also had a tasty lilikoi drink. For dessert we had Goey Butter Cake and a scoop of Ice Cream. Every bite of everything we ordered was exquisite and fresh!!! I highly recommend.

excellent restaurant great service beautiful view of Hilo Bay. The food was exceptional. I thought the portions were a little bit small or the price was a little bit high however, you wanna look at it really did enjoy this place. Excellent iced tea.

Amazing view and surroundings, impeccable service, great cocktail menu and food options, classy and romantic ambiance...what's more to ask? Thoroughly enjoyed my time here.

This place has it all--great food, killer views, and solid service. I had the short ribs, and they were incredibly tender and full of flavor. My buddies went for the Thai peanut udon and the pot pie, both of which were hits. The outdoor seating is perfect for catching the sunset, so definitely go for that if you can. Just a heads up: it gets busy, so make a reservation. I usually go with my fam here for weekend outings. I used to go often to sit at the sushi counter to watch uncle Roy work his magic with all the sushi and rolls. Overall, Hilo Bay Cafe is a top spot in Hilo.

Such a cute place, I need to see the view during lunch. Service is nice and attentive. It's definitely a whole experience, if you're looking for a quick bite to eat this isn't the place for you. The miso butterfish salad was yummy and I'd order it again. Fries were a hit, a must get appetizer.

Hilo Bay Cafe is a must. Reservations are highly recommended. The food and service are both incredible. The view from the lanai is wonderful.

Easily made a same-day reservation online. Service was lovely. The food? OMG I haven't been able to stop talking about it! Although I usually have the amazing sushi rolls here, this time I had the duck duck Demi and my husband had the angus ribeye. Wow--everything was so delicious and cooked to perfection! Hands-down the best restaurant on the Island of Hawai'i!

Was our first stop after the flight in and leaving the airport , based entirely on yelp reviews Great service beautiful food and sitting out in the deck with water views and the island breeze it was a perfect start to our Hawaiian get away Modern feel , casual atmosphere and reasonably priced Private carousel with a lift up to the restaurant or the mate the stairs of course We had a nice walk in the park across the road which had some amazing banyans growing there as well Can recommend

Are here because it was near my hotel and also near the water, and I was so hungry. The menu was mostly chicken and fish, which I'm not complaining about I just can't eat either of those things at the moment ‍. They suggested I eat at the bar, but would have felt better at a table or outside. The bartender offered good enough service, so no complaints.

Food, Ambiance, and service after making it past the hostess, was friggin amazing. Great price too. I absolutely loved it here and would return!

Great restaurant looking over Hilo bay. We took out two items as we couldn't get a reservation. Hilo sunset sushi was so good with poached shrimp, spicy salmon, gochujang aioli,cucumber,sesame, sweet potato chips and tempura crisps. We also ordered side of crab cakes: it came with nice fresh salad and tasty salad dressings. We loved that too. Next time we would like to sit in the restaurant and enjoy the foods over a good view.

Lovely restaurant with nice views of Hilo bay. A great range of food and cocktails. Food options vary from Hawaiian specialties to full course meals and burgers/sandwiches

Great food with a great view. The staff is super nice too. What a winning combination.

Every time we come to Hawaii, this is a must! The food is absolutely delicious, the service is very attentive, and the view from our table overlooking Halo Bay is picturesque.

Hilo Bay Cafe~ this time we only stopped in for drinks & a snack, but we've gone before for dinner & lunch, and enjoyed it as well. First of all.. I absolutely love the restaurant ambiance. The view from the dining room overlooking Hilo Bay during sunset is just perfect. We were seated outside on the patio so we got to soak in allll of the views during our dinner. Our server was really sweet - we were very indecisive and took a long time to order, but she was so kind & let us take our time in ordering (thank you!) So we only did drinks, I had a lychee margarita which was really good! I 'm not a huge tequila gal but it didn't taste too strongly of liquor. Other members of our group did have some food, and they seemed to enjoy everything. Except the french fries - they said they were a bit soggy lol. but everything else was fine! Next time in Hilo will definitely go back for their full menu!

Okay, the short ribs were mouthwateringly mindblowingly delicious, idk what else to say, LOL. I hadn't been expecting the medley of mushrooms in the dish and those really put it way over the top. The meat was falling apart it was so wonderfully tender, and the noodles were cooked just right. Add browned cheese and grilled onions and you've got heaven on a plate. Here's the thing, it was a $32 plate. Trust, this is WAY outta my price range. However we were here because my in-laws recommended it (and were paying). Most of the dinner options were in the $20-35 range, unless you got a salad as a "meal." Beverages were all $4+. Basically, you're gonna shell out, but your tongue is gonna be happy. The staff were all really friendly (seems like they probably deal with snooty uppity types a lot, oof) and took good care of us. Service was quick and efficient. Bathrooms were nice and clean. It was dark outside because it was late but I reckon at any other time the views would've been stunning!

We were able to call an hour before our reservation to make a reservation. Somehow the host had some difficulty finding my husband's name. After we were seated, we were greeted by our server, Perez. He took our drink order and then came back after a few minutes to take our food order. I ordered the bread du jour which came with a side of whipped butter and a side of balsamic vinegar with oil and I also ordered the seafood boil which had clams, mussels, Portuguese sausage and corn with a grilled slice of bread. My husband ordered the ocean special which was ono with rice and sauteed veggies. He also ordered the ginger-garlic shrimp and the tiger roll. It would've been nice if we got to sit on the balcony outside but the seats were all taken. The view of Hilo Bay was beautiful especially at sunset. I would definitely give it another try.. the prices were a little more than we expected but the food was great and so was the service.

Wonderful view if sitting on the deck. Lots of good options, if ordering the chicken, ask for extra sauce. Service was good, although a bit slow at times.

We last visited HBC in 2013 when they had just opened and were in a strip mall. They now reside in a very nice facility above Hilo Bay. The food and the service are still amazing. Many of the dishes that made them famous in 2013 are still on the menu. What used to be called "Black and White Fries" is a large plate of freshly cut French fries with a black truffle and white truffle aoli dip. Amazing. The burgers are fantastic and we had a dessert called "Gooey Cake" which is to die for. I am glad to see them being so successful. Reservations are not required, but recommended. We did not have a lunch reservation at around noon, but we only had to wait about ten minutes.

Been eating at this establishment since they first opened over by Walmart. Food always good. Today was considering the fish and chips. Server said the fish was "tombo ahi". When I asked which it was, tombo or ahi she again repeated"tombo ahi". When I tried to explain to her that tombo and ahi were two different kinds of fish she got all weird and defensive so I got up and left because I was afraid she would do something to my food for trying to educate her. In case you don't know, tombo is the Japanese word for albacore tuna, a specific smaller tuna species with light colored flesh. Ahi is the Hawaiian word for the large tuna species (Big Eye or Yellow Fin with red flesh).

Excellent service by Cayenne. She checked with us frequently during lunch. We set a reservation 2 hours after coming to the restaurant and toured until our reservation. It was worth it. Cayenne recommended the Spirited Away. A refreshing drink and it hit the spot. Recommendation : Garlic Shrimp Yakisoba +++++ Fresh Catch with salad +++++

This was a beautiful dining experience for my family and I! We had Megan as a server and she was so sweet, impressive memory and answered a lot of touristy questions for us. The view was perfect and we didn't need a jacket once the sun went down. We got an appetizer, drinks, a bottle of wine, dessert and ice cream and our bill was roughly $350 which isn't bad for less than $100 per person! Took almost 2 hours which was perfect because we were on island time I got the ocean NYE special dish and it was PHENOMENAL. Handmade pasta, white wine, and a big piece of marlin! Checkout more on IG: madisoninmt

It was a nice restaurant with nice views. Good service. Most of the food was really good. My chicken was tough in spots but most of it was good. Really liked the corn and biscuit that came with it. Really good. The bread appetizer was really good too. My husband's burger was undercooked and he didn't eat much of it but they didn't charge us for it. It was a nice restaurant and most of the food was really good.

On our visits to Hilo, we always stay on Banyan Drive and love walking around the gardens. I've passed by Hilo Bay Cafe (the building on stilts with HBC in big lit-up letters) countless times, and finally made an effort to eat there after a few people recommended it. It's a popular spot, so recommendations are a good idea and can easily be made online or over the phone. We arrived earlier than expected and met a friend; the friendly host greeted us and worked with our schedule to move up our seating time. We were given a beautiful table on the lanai overlooking Hilo Bay - the views are one of the main draws to eat here. Inside has many tables as well, which also overlook the ocean albeit through windows. The bar area has seating facing the same way. Our server Cayenne was attentive and friendly throughout our meal, always checking if we needed anything. My friend and I ordered a few local beers, they offer a bunch of draft selections from Big Island breweries as well as the staples. We ordered the house bread, a rotating selection, plus a number of entrees. I had the Thai peanut Udon, which I loved on a hot evening; my dining companions had the pot pie and house of the day fish. Everyone loved their food. It's a wonderful place to watch the sunset over Hilo. Prices are a little more than you might find elsewhere, but you're paying for the view and great service. Parking is free outside. They have a staircase or elevator if needed to get upstairs.

We were surprised at how modern the restaurant was and it's on the second story to take advantage of the beautiful day. I made the mistake of not going to their website first because we found as we got there we needed reservations. Oops! The hostess was very sweet and she asked if we would mind being seated at the bar. We said not at all since we were both famished after the long drive here from Kailua Kona. We were seated at the bar by a window overlooking the bay. Our bartender/waitress Jessica was like the Energizer bunny; just an awesome worker! She took our drink order of iced tea and asked if we wanted pineapple juice added. We thought that was different and she highly recommended it. She quickly served it and we agreed it was very good. It was aptly called "Plantation Tea." We ordered the fish & chips (fresh catch of the day--Ono fish). Hands down the BEST fish & chips we have had in a long time! The coating was tasty and crunchy and the fish was indeed very fresh, tender, and flaky! We savored every bite! It was accompanied by a fresh salad and the fries were crispy and delicious! For dessert we ordered the Butter Cake. It was perfection! The coffee was fantastic! This was a pricey meal but so well worth it!

We came over from Kona again for a repeat on our experience in late January. Menu changes-- maybe a new chef? Several old favorites are gone and a few new dishes added. Healthier options prevail. Didn't care for ahi (dry) fish and chips and were used to mahi and ono from last visit. Miss their onion rings, breaded chicken sandwich and other things. Hamakua mushroom poke was too bland and flavorless. Yellow tail Sashimi was very good. So was their unchanged French onion soup and jicama slaw. Service was good -- a little slow, but they were busy. Ambiance is excellent, especially on their lanai.

Beautiful location, we ordered a salad, Chirashi, and a couple roll and lava cake for desert. Food and service were solid but darn the food took more than 29' and the restaurant wasn't even half full at the time. Four stars for food and views and service but deduction for crazy slow food.

This restaurant has decent food, just over priced and small portions. I get it's Hawaii but the food is not higher quality than what I could buy and cook at home.

You'll want to come for drinks and the view. We come for sushi chef Roy from the long gone Nihon (RIP). What you need to know in a run on sentence: Contemporary American NOT Hawaiian cuisine with some but not all of the sushi and a little fusion and more importantly one of few fine dining restaurants in Hilo. Ambiance: Moderny, classy-casual, reason for my rating. Where to sit: @ the bar. Would return for: See go to orders: -Parmesan Custard -Hawaiian Poke -Nigiri Sushi -Warabi Roll -Lettuce cups -Hamakua Mushroom Pot Pie -Taro-Quinoa Veggie Burger -Please bring back the sashimi salad! Pro tips: make reservations online through their website; elevator located at the back of the building.

Surprisingly stew was FANTASTIC. Better than ordering a lay lay I think. Desserts customized and very nice. Busy but efficient system of seating. Seemed no one waited more than a few min. Worth it. Returned a second day for more luau pork.

I don't understand what was going on with this restaurant everything was super delicous. Best food I had on my trip to Hawaii!

Seating hostess and bartender very kind**** Very attentive Ambience is spread and nice Large bar seating Ahi poki no chips today ... served with sushi rice ****. Delicious!!!

Went to Hilo Bay Cafe for my birthday yesterday & it was the best. Lanai view of the Mauna, Great waitress - Nancy, food was delicious, best restaurant I've been to in Hilo after living here for 20 years.

Hilo Bay Cafe has a lovely atmosphere inside and the outside has terrific views of the ocean and lights of Hilo. If you can make a reservation as early as you can. The food is quite good as are the drinks and the service. They have a good selection of non-alcoholic drink choices. I tried the honi honi. If you like a drink on the tart side, this is the one for you. We split an order of the fish special, mahi mahi, on udon and vegetables with a side of crab cakes. The crab cakes (2) are on smallish side and came with some dressed greens. They were tasty as were the dressing on the greens. While they aren't anything close to those in Baltimore, they are fine. The mahi mahi was delicious as was the udon which was tossed in a sauce that tasted rich and nutty. As it's on the specials menu, I don't recall the description. Suffice it to say it was very tasty. For a restaurant with a view, the prices were fairly reasonable. It's definitely a place worthy of a precious meal slots during your vacation.

Hilo bay cafe was a great experience. The food was promoted on DDD but the dinner with a view of the beach was a plus. The server was nice enough to replace a cider that we didnt like. The ribeye was perfection. I dont recommend the macadamia nut rice though.

This is my favorite restaurant in town. It's best to make a reservation, even for lunch. My first time there we didn't make a reservation, but were able to be accommodated at the bar since we got there right when they opened for dinner. The servers are all really friendly and the bar makes great cocktails. I have tried their bolognese pasta, a vegetarian mushroom pot pie, a butterfish salad, and steak & potatoes. I wish I could find the photo I took of a vegetarian farmer's sushi roll which was absolutely beautiful with lots of local mushrooms and micro greens - it was fresh and generous to share, I would order that roll again and again. My most recent visit was to celebrate our anniversary and the petit steak with broccolini and potatoes was unfortunately over-salted. It was right on that edge of nearly being inedible but I just couldn't bring myself to send it back and risk wasting the food. The presentation was beautiful though and my steak was cooked exactly how I wanted -medium. I can't wait to have the excuse to return and enjoy more food & drink!

1 in 3 chance of a tasty meal. Not really great odds, and pretty spendy for those odds at a restaurant. Service was pretty slow, great atmosphere though. I don't really plan to come back. Didn't recommend the sushi.