Are you planning a trip to the Big Island and want to know the top food spots? Find out where to eat on the Big Island with kids for families who love tasty food!
This post about where to eat on the Big Island with kids was written by Hawaii travel expert Marcie Cheung and may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.
Finding great places to eat on the Big Island can feel overwhelming when you’re traveling with kids.
You want food everyone will actually enjoy, reasonable prices, and maybe a spot where the kids can move around a bit after sitting in the car all day.
After 40+ visits to Hawaii and countless meals on the Big Island with my own two boys, I’ve figured out which restaurants are actually worth your time.
These are the spots I return to every single trip because the food is legitimately good, kids are welcome, and I don’t have to stress about whether my picky eaters will find something they like.
As a professional tourist and Hawaii travel expert who’s been visiting the islands since I was 10, I’ve learned that the best Big Island restaurants aren’t always the ones with the fanciest websites or the longest wait times.
Sometimes it’s the family-run spot with three menu items or the bakery where locals line up every morning.
Want a complete Big Island itinerary with all my favorite restaurants already mapped out? Check out my Big Island Travel Guide for Families.
The Stops I Never Skip
Kaaloa’s Super J’s
This is my number one stop for authentic Hawaiian food on the entire island.
Located in Captain Cook, this tiny family-run place serves only three dishes: pork lau lau, chicken lau lau, and kalua pork with cabbage. That’s it. And honestly, that’s all they need.
I stop here every single time I’m on the Big Island. The lau lau is fall-apart tender, wrapped in taro leaves and steamed to perfection.
Everything comes with two scoops of rice, macaroni salad, and lomi salmon. My boys demolish the plates here.
The space is small with just a couple of long communal tables, so don’t expect fancy ambiance. But the food? It’s the real deal. Call ahead (808-328-9566) if you want to skip the line, especially during lunch rush.
Open Monday and Wednesday through Saturday, 10am to 3pm. Closed Tuesday and Sunday.
If you’re planning to explore more of the island, my free 7-day email course for planning a Big Island trip walks you through everything you need to know.
Punalu’u Bake Shop
This is the southernmost bakery in the United States, and it’s perfectly positioned for a stop on your way to or from Volcanoes National Park.
My kids always get ice cream here while I grab one of their famous sweet bread loaves and some malasadas.
The outdoor seating area has picnic tables surrounded by tropical gardens, and there’s usually live music playing. It’s a nice break from driving, and the kids can stretch their legs while we eat lunch or snacks.
Their sweet bread is legitimately famous for a reason. People ship it to the mainland.
The malasadas (Portuguese donuts) are hot, fresh, and come in flavors like lilikoi (passionfruit) and haupia (coconut). There’s also a full lunch menu with sandwiches and local plates if you need something more substantial.
Open daily 8:30am to 5pm. Located right on Highway 11 in Naalehu.
While you’re exploring this side of the island, make sure to check out Hawaii Volcanoes National Park with kids. It’s one of the most unique experiences on the Big Island.
Two Ladies Kitchen
I’m just going to say it: this is the best mochi I’ve ever had in my life. And I’ve had a lot of mochi.
Two Ladies Kitchen in Hilo makes everything by hand, and their fresh strawberry mochi is legendary. A whole strawberry wrapped in sweet azuki bean paste, all wrapped in pillowy soft mochi. It sounds simple, but somehow it’s perfect.
They’re only open Tuesday through Saturday, 10am to 4pm. Get there early or call ahead to place your order (808-961-4766) because popular flavors sell out. I’m talking strawberry shortcake mochi, brownie-filled mochi, fresh fruit mochi with whatever’s in season.
Yes, there’s usually a line. Yes, it’s worth it.
These make great gifts to bring home too. Just keep them cool.
Ultimate Burger
My oldest son is absolutely obsessed with this place. We have to go every trip, no negotiation.
Ultimate Burger uses fresh-ground, grass-fed Big Island beef with no hormones or antibiotics. Their brioche buns are baked locally daily. The fries are hand-cut and served with this addictive citrus aioli dipping sauce. Everything is made to order.
They also have fresh fish burgers (ahi, ono, mahi mahi) that change based on what the local fishermen catch that day. If it wasn’t swimming yesterday, they won’t serve it today.
It’s located in Kona Commons Shopping Center, so parking is easy. Open daily from 10:30am to 8pm (until 8:30pm Friday through Sunday).
If you need help planning your entire Big Island trip, I offer one-on-one Hawaii travel consultations where we can map out every detail together.
Huggo’s on the Rocks
This place is a huge hit with both my boys for two reasons: the kids menu is actually good (not just chicken nuggets), and the mocktails are amazing.
My kids feel fancy ordering virgin mai tais and watching the sunset from tables literally on the sand.
The location is unbeatable. You’re right on the water in Kona, sand between your toes, watching the waves. There’s live music every night. The poke nachos are fantastic, and the fish tacos are fresh and flavorful.
It gets busy, so join the waitlist through OpenTable or show up early. They don’t take regular reservations for most seating. Happy hour runs 3pm to 5pm daily if you want drink and pupu specials.
This is one of those spots that feels quintessentially Hawaii. Casual, beautiful, and the food actually lives up to the view.
Looking for more Kona recommendations? Check out my Big Island itinerary guide for a complete breakdown of what to do in each area.
Lava Lava Beach Club
My kids are obsessed with Lava Lava Beach Club. We’ve been to both the Big Island and Kauai locations, and they love it equally at both spots.
The food is great (fresh fish, burgers, salads, pizzas), but what really seals the deal are the lawn games outside.
After eating, the kids can play cornhole, giant Jenga, and other games right on the grass next to the beach. It keeps them entertained while I finish my drink and enjoy the view.
Located on Anaeho’omalu Bay in Waikoloa, this place has that perfect beachy-resort vibe without being stuffy. Live music daily from 3pm to 9pm. They serve lunch and dinner, plus weekend brunch.
If you’re staying in Waikoloa and want to book activities nearby, I recommend checking out tours on Viator or Get Your Guide for things like snorkeling trips and luaus.
The Classic Local Spots
Tex Drive In
I love the loco moco here. My kids, on the other hand, only care about the malasadas.
Tex Drive In has been around since 1969, and they’re famous for their hot, fresh malasadas (Portuguese donuts).
You can get them plain with sugar or filled with flavors like guava, passion fruit, or Bavarian cream. They make them throughout the day, and watching through the window is part of the experience.
But don’t sleep on their actual food menu. The loco moco is solid (rice, beef patty, gravy, fried egg on top). They also have good burgers, Hawaiian plate lunches, and breakfast items.
Located in Honokaa on Highway 19, it’s a natural stop if you’re driving up to Waimea or heading toward the Hamakua Coast. Open 6am to 6pm daily.
Ken’s House of Pancakes
My youngest and I escaped a rainstorm here once and ended up having one of our favorite meals of the trip.
Ken’s has been a Hilo institution since 1971. It’s classic diner food with a Hawaiian twist. Their pancakes are huge and fluffy.
The loco moco is excellent. They have saimin (local-style noodle soup) that hits the spot, especially on a rainy Hilo day.
Open 6am to 9pm daily, so you can come for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. They also have a massive menu, so even the pickiest eaters will find something.
Need a rental car for your Big Island trip? I always book through Discount Hawaii Car Rental because they compare rates across all the major companies.
Cafe 100
This is where loco moco was invented back in the 1940s. If you’ve never tried Hawaii’s most famous comfort food dish, this is the place to do it.
Cafe 100 serves over 30 different types of loco moco now. Classic version, spam loco moco, teriyaki chicken loco moco, you name it. The portions are huge and the prices are reasonable.
It’s a super casual spot in Hilo. Order at the counter, grab a table, and prepare to be very full. Open Monday through Friday 11am to 6pm, Sunday 10am to 3pm. Closed Saturdays.
Hawaiian Style Cafe
Two locations (Waimea and Hilo), both serving massive portions of local Hawaiian food. Their pancakes are famously enormous. The corned beef hash is phenomenal. The loco moco rivals Cafe 100.
Get here early for breakfast because locals pack this place. The Waimea location is cash only (they have an ATM on site), while the Hilo location accepts cards.
One More Worth Mentioning
The Coffee Shack
Family-owned restaurant perched on the hillside with views overlooking Kealakekua Bay.
They serve 100% Kona coffee (obviously) and really good breakfast options. The lilikoi cheesecake and Kona lime pie are both excellent.
It’s right on the route between Kona and South Point, making it a natural stop. Nice outdoor seating where you can actually see the coffee trees growing on the mountainside.
Open daily 7am to 3:30pm, closed Wednesdays.
Making the Most of Your Big Island Trip
One thing I always tell families is that dining on the Big Island doesn’t have to be expensive.
Mix in stops at places like Kaaloa’s Super J’s and Tex Drive In with maybe one or two splurge meals at spots like Huggo’s or Lava Lava Beach Club. You’ll eat really well without destroying your budget.
Also, don’t be afraid of the hole-in-the-wall spots. Some of my best meals on the Big Island have been at tiny family-run places with plastic chairs and paper plates.
If you want to capture your family vacation without being stuck behind the camera the whole time, I always recommend booking Flytographer. You can save $20 when you use my link, and you’ll get professional photos of your family actually enjoying Hawaii together.
For booking hotels, I use Expedia to compare rates across properties. For activities and tours, Viator, Get Your Guide, and Hawaii Tours all have good options for things like manta ray snorkeling, luaus, and volcano tours.
And if you want more detailed recommendations, my Big Island Travel Guide includes complete day-by-day itineraries, beach recommendations, and activity suggestions for families.
You can also listen to my podcast Hawaii Travel Made Easy for more tips and recommendations.
Planning Your Trip
The Big Island is big (shocking, I know). You’ll probably want to base yourself in Kona on the west side or Hilo on the east side. Each has its own vibe and dining scene.
If you’re just starting to plan and feeling overwhelmed, I have several free resources:
- Free 5-day email course on traveling to Hawaii like a pro
- Free 5-day email course on saving money in Hawaii
- Free 7-day email course specifically for planning a Big Island trip
I also have guides for the other islands:
If you’re planning to visit multiple islands, check out my Hawaii Island Hopping Guide.
The Big Island has some of the best food in Hawaii, and you don’t need to hunt down the fanciest restaurants to eat well. Some of my favorite meals have been at the simplest places with the shortest menus.
Looking for more Big Island content? Check out my guides on the best Big Island beaches for kids, Big Island waterfall hikes, Big Island manta ray snorkeling, and free things to do on the Big Island.
