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Name: Hilo Bay Cafe
Address: 123 Lihiwai St, Hilo, HI, 96720
Telephone: (808) 935-4939
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.59

Hilo Bay Cafe

123 Lihiwai St, Hilo, HI, 96720

(808) 935-4939
Store is closed

Hilo Bay Cafe Menu

Burgers

Kid?s Burger 110g

Kid?s Cheeseburger 120g

Bacon Cheddar Burger 125g

Bacon Double Cheeseburger 250g

Big Buford® 230g

Bacon Buford® 255g

Bacon Swiss Buford® 250g

1/4 LB. Champ® 205g

1/4 LB. Champ® with Cheese 225g

1/4 LB. Bacon Cheese Champ® 235g

1/2 LB. Double Champ® 280g

1/2 LB. Double Champ® with Cheese 300g

Checkerburger® 170g

Checkerburger® with Cheese 179g

Cheese Double Cheese 190g

Chili Cheeseburger 135g

Double Chili Cheeseburger 180g

Double Decker 215g

Rallyburger® 170g

Rallyburger® with Cheese 179g

Smokehouse Buford® 265g

Triple Cheeseburger 250g

Healthy Meal suggestions for

Burgers

Kid?s Burger 110g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 28, Sodium (s): 570, Saturated Fat (ms) : 6, Calories: 280, Sugar (ms): 3 ]

Kid?s Cheeseburger 120g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 29, Sodium (s): 730, Saturated Fat (ms) : 8, Calories: 320, Sugar (ms): 3 ]

Bacon Cheddar Burger 125g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 29, Sodium (s): 730, Saturated Fat (ms) : 9, Calories: 370, Sugar (ms): 3 ]

Bacon Double Cheeseburger 250g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 32, Sodium (s): 1340, Saturated Fat (ms) : 20, Calories: 650, Sugar (ms): 6 ]

Big Buford® 230g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 31, Sodium (s): 1090, Saturated Fat (ms) : 18, Calories: 570, Sugar (ms): 5 ]

Bacon Buford® 255g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 31, Sodium (s): 1510, Saturated Fat (ms) : 21, Calories: 680, Sugar (ms): 5 ]

Bacon Swiss Buford® 250g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 28, Sodium (s): 1310, Saturated Fat (ms) : 21, Calories: 660, Sugar (ms): 4 ]

1/4 LB. Champ® 205g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 32, Sodium (s): 810, Saturated Fat (ms) : 12, Calories: 490, Sugar (ms): 3 ]

1/4 LB. Champ® with Cheese 225g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 33, Sodium (s): 930, Saturated Fat (ms) : 18, Calories: 580, Sugar (ms): 3 ]

1/4 LB. Bacon Cheese Champ® 235g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 35, Sodium (s): 1230, Saturated Fat (ms) : 18, Calories: 630, Sugar (ms): 4 ]

1/2 LB. Double Champ® 280g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 30, Sodium (s): 1030, Saturated Fat (ms) : 25, Calories: 740, Sugar (ms): 5 ]

1/2 LB. Double Champ® with Cheese 300g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 34, Sodium (s): 1360, Saturated Fat (ms) : 28, Calories: 790, Sugar (ms): 3 ]

Checkerburger® 170g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 32, Sodium (s): 680, Saturated Fat (ms) : 8, Calories: 390, Sugar (ms): 5 ]

Checkerburger® with Cheese 179g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 33, Sodium (s): 810, Saturated Fat (ms) : 12, Calories: 420, Sugar (ms): 5 ]

Cheese Double Cheese 190g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 31, Sodium (s): 1140, Saturated Fat (ms) : 17, Calories: 510, Sugar (ms): 4 ]

Chili Cheeseburger 135g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 30, Sodium (s): 620, Saturated Fat (ms) : 8, Calories: 320, Sugar (ms): 3 ]

Double Chili Cheeseburger 180g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 30, Sodium (s): 760, Saturated Fat (ms) : 14, Calories: 460, Sugar (ms): 3 ]

Double Decker 215g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 31, Sodium (s): 720, Saturated Fat (ms) : 13, Calories: 480, Sugar (ms): 4 ]

Rallyburger® 170g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 32, Sodium (s): 680, Saturated Fat (ms) : 8, Calories: 390, Sugar (ms): 5 ]

Rallyburger® with Cheese 179g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 33, Sodium (s): 810, Saturated Fat (ms) : 12, Calories: 420, Sugar (ms): 5 ]

Triple Cheeseburger 250g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 33, Sodium (s): 1450, Saturated Fat (ms) : 23, Calories: 690, Sugar (ms): 5 ]

Healthy Meal suggestions for CheckersRally

Burgers

Smokehouse Buford® 265g [ Sodium (s): 1610, Calories: 650, Sugar (ms): 15 ]

Visit below restaurant in Hilo for healthy meals suggestion.

Burger King ( 368 E Makaala St )

Burger King ( 580 Kilauea Ave )

Write An Anonymous Review

Mare O.

I was excited to go to this restaurant because of the great reviews. I wanted to try the kukui nut tofu after reading the description on the menu. I mentioned this to the server when she took our drink orders. When she later took my dinner order she came back to say the kitchen ran out. Bummer. So I ordered the pork ravioli special. She came back a few minutes later to say the kitchen ran out of that too. In other restaurants, servers have told me right away if something is low In the kitchen so I can place my order asap or let me know if the kitchen is out of something when they hand me the menu. No such forethought here. Okay, so I ordered the chicken pot pie but when I was eating it I didn't find any chicken. The server thought I ordered the mushroom pot pie. Three strikes! They gave me a complimentary coffee creme brÃ»lÃ©e with banana donut holes for the trouble which tasted meh; the "house caramel" was a dry smear on the plate and I didn't taste any banana in the donuts. While we thought the food entrees here were good, I would not go back due to a disorganized kitchen.
(2)
Mike K.

Ok food. Nothing special. Food took a loooong time to come out. When it did, it seemed like it was sitting for some time. Fantastic views & friendly staff.
(3)
Justin B.

Great menu. Nice variety. Very tasty food. Great variety of beverages too - both alcoholic and non. Loved the sparkling lemonade with guava.
(5)
Jason N.

They have moved to a new location at the told Nihon restaurant with a renovation. The new location is a nice one. The view of Hilo Bay is spectacular and the restaurant is a nice open design with a bright airy feel to it. The 2nd floor restaurant is set high enough to make the most of the viewpoint of the bay and the coast line. The wrap around balcony is still open and you can hang out there pre/post meal for some nice scenery if you are not from the area. I went with the locally raised steak and roasted vegetables. The New York strip was well made, thick juicy cut with a good crust and a juicy center. It was tender and full of flavor with a richness brought out by the truffle butter. The roasted vegetables in their sauce has a deep smokey flavor that paired well with the steak. The lemon meringue pie was more of a tartlet style for an individual serving rather then a slice of pie. The crust was flakey and the lemon filling bright with just the right amount of tartness to it. Meringue was light and airy. Overall a great meal with a great view. I would recommend the restaurant and would eat here again. The nice thing is that it is right around the corner from the main hotels in Hilo so it is easy to get to. The only problem is that I noticed the bar and one of the main dining rooms were open, the second dinning room is not yet being used. If/when this opens parking could become a problem since the lot was full that night.
(4)
Samdooby R.

This is a tough review to write but here it goes. Location: nice locale w/ sweeping views of the bay. It's minimalist and simple. Some may even say its plain or drab but I like it. I think it's fitting. Service: I'm not a service snob so service doesn't affect my dining experience greatly, with that being said the staff was professional, helpful, courteous, and knowledgable. Food: this was the letdown. Having been dining here for the last 7yrs, the quality has slipped GREATLY. Food was uninspired, lukewarm and undercooked. The eggplant Parmesan custard is delicious as always and the sushi was good, but the entrees left much to be desired. I ordered the filet mignon and it was cooked to my liking but was served LUKEWARM w/ under seasoned UNDERCOOKED green beans. The Yukon gold potatoes were actually RUSSETT spuds that were halved and roasted. Again, no seasoning whatsoever. Very disappointing. My wife's entree was a three mushroom fusilli pasta w/ a Parmesan cream sauce. She enjoyed it but again, very simple and uninspiring. After doing some research I learned that the old chef that brought Hilo Bay Cafe to its glory days, is gone. Since then, I've seen the decline in quality. It's a shame since it's new location is fitting and beautiful yet the food is not up to par. Will we return? Of course...but probably just for drinks/happy hour and pupus. But give em a try and see for yourself. Hope this yelps!
(3)
Robert H.

We had lunch here on May 31. It was OK but not superlative, as it was in prior years. Over the last 10 years we have dined at the HBC on average 3-4 times a year, mostly for lunch. The move to the Bay certainly enhanced the ambiance. The service remains very good. Although it remains a good choice it no longer can be regarded as a destination restaurant.
(4)
Curtis D.

Great view from outside patio. Sushi was great and they had a really good kids menu. Highly recommend it.
(5)
Lauren M.

Being my first time at Hilo Bay Cafe, it was alright. The decor is beautiful w/an amazing view. I used the "Open Table" app to make a reservation and it went through perfectly. Pricing is a bit much for the amount/quality that you get. I did appreciate that they gave my toddler crayons and a coloring sheet so he'd entertain himself for 2 hours! The service was incredibly slow. Our waitress was pleasant and refreshing but it took almost 45mins between our appetizers and main course. And another 20 mins from when we finished our main course till we received our desserts. Let's just say by that point my son was ready to hit the ground running. As much as I'd love to go back, I don't think it'll be any time soon.
(3)
Roger W.

First visit for me, accompanied by two locals who had never been to the new location. Located next to the Suisan Fish Market, overlooking Hilo Bay. Decor was simple with clean lines, lots of light from all the windows. Two of us had the burger special of the day . Cooked the way we ordered - med well and were mighty tasty. Other entree was the Ahi Fish'n Chips - two big pieces cooked to perfection (wished I had ordered it). Waitress was helpful with recommendations; just a little slow due to the amount of business even at 1:30. The locals would return, so would I on my next visit to Hilo.
(4)
Annie S.

The top selling dishes just don't taste the same as before. It's like they're trying to sell you the same thing but give you less of what you should get .
(2)
Dania-Maria K.

My mom and I came here for lunch without a reservation, not a problem. We were seated quickly and given menus. Great service, my mom was impressed. We ordered the shoestring potatoes (can't get enough of black and white truffle mayo), $7, the grilled portobello mushroom sandwich, $15, and the lox & bagel, $13. Very tasty and plentiful. We were stuffed afterwards and had zero room for dessert, which is a shame because I love me a good molten lava cake as well as almost anything else dessert like. This means I'll be back to try more items! What I enjoy a lot here is the atmosphere. It is cool, relaxing, and has a little bit of a fine dining edge. I recommend checking it out when you're looking to splurge a little.
(5)
Tommy V.

Great location with a beautiful view. Chef Aaron prepared a delicious meal for our party of 13. Wonderful poke, excellent sushi, flavorful fish and savory desserts. What a great restaurant...my many thanks for the hospitality and service.
(5)
S K.

Looks can be deceiving. From the outside looks like one of the better places to eat in Hilo but the food makes you think twice. The menu is probably one of the best in Hilo but the food just does not live up to expectations. We got the fresh catch and few plates of sushi. The food took a while to come out and was presented beautifully and that was the only saving grace if any. The fresh catch ono was overcooked. The sushi was ok and the dessert of creme brulee was utterly destroyed. For those prices you expect a lot more than what we got.
(2)
Arama K.

Outstanding ambiance matched to excellent food. We enjoyed an array of Pupus with the Ahi tacos Parmesan eggplant custard and the Makai sushi roll real standouts. The main courses of fish especially the Opah which was fresh and tender were delicious. Service was attentive but not intrusive. Prices also very reasonable for the food quality and location. The group shared a wonderful banana Macnut cream pie light but very satisfying. A little gem
(5)
Grace B.

The Hilo Bay Cafe is fabulous! We just finished terrific lunch of poke, fresh Island greens, and beef and fish sliders, while sotting on the beautiful lanai looking out over the harbor. Great service, excellent drinks, and really worth your visit! Mahalo!
(5)
Ds A.

This place is seriously good. All their dishes are very creative and incredibly tasty. I got the ahi fish and chips. It's not the cheapest but it's worth it. Definitely a classier atmosphere than most places in Hilo too. I love the kettle corn they start you with, random but delicious. The view of the bay is amazing too.
(5)
aLLy S.

Way better location... Awesome renovations.... Super modern.... Do reservations. Scallops ordered at medium, which I thought was pretty rare, so be careful when ordering that, but it was super delicious. Their margarita is AWESOME, kinda addicting so watch out! Prices are reasonable for the look, taste, and service... Not a 5 because waitress was missing for a few moments when we wanted to order more :/ and it was low tide, so it was kinda smelly
(4)
Tina T.

What I love most about Hilo are the people and how warm and kind they are. With that being said, because of the rave reviews for this restaurant I really wanted to try it out. Upon entering, It felt like we stepped into a boutique cafe in Honolulu with snobby reception people and all. But I ignored it hopeful that the food would outshine the help, unfortunately it did not! The food was "meh" at best with pricey tags like they should've been five star restaurant dishes. Our waitress was sweet but food was slow to arrive leaving us with a table full of appetizers and main dishes arriving at the same time! While this restaurant was much cleaner and trendier than most establishments in Hilo, they need stop hiring mainland wannabes and stick with hiring locals who can bring some warmth into this cold establishment!
(2)
Bill M.

Just outstanding. Excellent food, good service, nice atmosphere. Enjoyed everything about it.
(5)
Logan C.

So far the best burger in town ! I have dined there five times and I have been very happy with the food , service and atmosphere ! Great place for relaxing having a cocktail and food as we'll as moderately priced ! I highly recommend them.
(4)
Terri H.

Not very good. Bread for fish sandwich was completely wet..like maybe the plate was wet. Ono fish was raw in middle. Not one to send back food. Waitress did not care.
(2)
Makeitcount M.

Probably the worst customer service. It's the management at fault here I think. I've read some of the reviews before going and thought it wasn't true but believe you me...this place isn't all that. Food wasn't anything to return for either. Portions are small and expensive. Oh if they seat you towards the wall, bring a towel, bc it's a sauna there. Ask for seats directly under the fans if you dare to go. Spent $95 and felt I've been robbed. One last thing... The girl up front with the smile as you walk in isn't all that smiles btw. When we left, she didn't even say bye or thank you. Please read the reviews. This place needs a new management team or it's headed south. One good thing.... The view. I'd rather buy couple plate lunches and sit at the park right next door with the best view and only a fraction of the price.
(1)
Rev. N.

We just had the fish and chips and it was the best I ever had, just the right amount of Panko, side salad was nicely dressed and the fries were tasty and limp like I like them My patrner had the blue cheese burger which was ground on premises and warrented a medium rare redness that brought out the rich flavors of fresh beef. Next time we will have reservations to get a outside seat with a view and be more adventurous in our selections, Everything looked good and was presented well. The bar was a bit slow on delivery.
(4)
Sheree M.

A++++++ we had dinner here before our flight out of Hilo. We sat on the patio and enjoyed a couple cocktails and the shrimp appetizer while over looking the bay. For dinner I had the hamakua mushroom pot pie...delicious flaky crust draped over a pot of curried mushrooms and veggies..on the side was a small side salad..perfect in every way. My husband had the roast chicken with gnocchi it was equally flavorful as well. Service was great and it was a nice spot to wrap up our big island adventure.
(5)
Bradley K.

My wife and I have dined at Hilo Bay Cafe many times since they moved to their beautiful new location overlooking Hilo Bay. The new location is much larger than their previous location with an awesome view to boot! They even have an "event" room which can probably handle larger groups/parties which is a big plus. It was nice to see the familiar faces of master sushi chef Roy and Nathlie behind the beautiful new sushi bar. The "Chirashi" is still one of our favorites. Some of the dishes from the former location have changed a bit, but my favorites include the Hamakua Mushroom Curry Pot Pie (with chicken), the crab cake salad, and the New York steak. The steak is delicious and always cooked to perfection! If you're more in the mood for a burger, their Blu Bay Burger and garlic fries are always good. If you have room for dessert, the mud pie is great too! Wow...I'm hungry just thinking about all of this! My experiences at Hilo Bay Cafe have always been very good. The wait staff is always courteous and efficient and the food arrives in a timely manner. This place gets pretty busy around dinner time so make reservations to ensure getting seated promptly. Hilo Bay Cafe is one of the few fine dining restaurants we have in Hilo and I'm really happy they moved to their new and larger location! I can highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)
Kim G.

This place seemed fancy on the outside, but the food was really average on taste. We wanted to eat here though because of the grassfed beef!
(3)
Michael S.

Just left this restaurant. Introduction was unpleasant. Please dont judge your customers. Or assume that one knows your menu. If asked a question please answer it warmly and not in a rude manner as if I'm wasting your time. Food was excellent. View was excellent. Besides the rude introduction service was good and I had a great experience.
(2)
Shawn F.

Response from owner: Aloha Shawn, Thank you for the feedback. We'll keep trying to get it right for every customer. We really work hard, so this is discouraging. As for comping a drink, it's our policy not to do so--Hawaii liquor laws just don't make it easy to do that. Again, thank you. Kim Shawn F. Kim, Then a discount on our dinner would do, or some acknowledgment of less than satisfactory service. I eat out a lot. When something like this happens management should be prepared to satisfy the customer in what ever way possible. If you can't comp a drink, DO something else. Also, we saw sushi come out for other people before we had to ask for ours. One couple, who was seated after us completed their meal and got their bill before we had our sushi. Clearly there was a mistake. The result from our server was sorry, I tried to ask my manager and they said no. Did she even ask? This is not acceptable when you pay a premium for food. I live in Hawaii, I'm not impressed. the location is great! I'm sure some of the food is great. I do appreciate you writing back.
(1)
Dee D.

I had the fish and chips special... It was pretty good. I found the new restaurant to be lovely. I also thought the service was great. Jessica (server/manager) is a sweet heart. Definitely plan to take family there if I ever go to Hilo..
(4)
Sarah J.

I really liked this place. We stopped in here on our way back to Waikoloa from Volcanoes National Park. We followed our guidebook to the old location (next to Wal-Mart), but eventually found our way to the MUCH nicer waterside spot where it is now. I loved the monkey pod trees outside and the gorgeous views of Hilo Bay. Our waitress was awesome--she handled our tired, hungry group with a smile--and our food was delicious (my nephews didn't like the mac'n'cheese, but they don't like anything that doesn't come out of a can). We had an amazing bottle of wine, yummy sushi, and delicious desserts.
(5)
colleen a.

Yay!! I loved this place! What a pleasant surprise the new location is an the food is so ono! Hilo needed a place like this - great view too from the upstairs restaurant overlooking the bay...good sushi and other dishes. You wont be disappointed!
(5)
Jo Ann A.

As an update - manager Noe called me a day later & apologized for the lack of service. They were short staffed that evening & she advised me they have been working on improving their service & the taste/quality of their foods as well.
(2)
BK G.

Had the Hamakua pot pie with Chicken. Yum! Great view and good service. I'd come back for sure!
(4)
G.C. A.

This is one of my favorite places to eat when I'm in Hilo, and since they moved from the strip mall to the bay--finally living up to the promise of their name--it's even better. Hilo Bay Cafe always had a delicious and interesting lunch menu, but since taking over Nihon's location, they also acquired that restaurant's sushi chef, and what a perfect addition to their menu the sushi is. With a location right next to Suisan, the island's main fish source, their fish couldn't be fresher. The atmosphere of the new location is gorgeous and cheerful, a light-filled space with sweeping views of Hilo Bay and a fresh, tasteful modern decor (I am mystified by the reviewer who said some might find it "drab"; it's about as far from drab as I can imagine. "Understated" might be more accurate, in my opinion.) Their curried pot pie remains an excellent choice, as is the fish and chips, but my new discovery since their move is their poke, which is made in the old style--very simple shoyu poke with sweet onions. I love it in the hand roll. The Hamakua mushroom poke is also delicious as a hand roll. My only complaint is that the sushi menu is a bit overpriced. I ordered two hand rolls as a lunch, and they were as expensive as a pot pie and a salad or a plate of fish and chips, but not nearly filling enough to be a whole lunch.Given that one of those rolls wasn't even fish, but mushrooms, I'm a tad mystified at the pricing. I haven't eaten at the new location for dinner yet; the one time I tried to, I couldn't get a reservation until after 7:00, and I needed to eat earlier than that. In my one experience of having dinner at their old location, it's a bit pricy. I prefer it for lunch, which is more reasonable. I highly recommend this restaurant, just plan to splurge a little if you order the sushi or have dinner there.
(4)
Yuppi C.

I bought a gift certificate for my Mom and her Husband. They said the food was good. The appetizer was normal sized, the dinner portion was a little small, and the deserts huge. Maybe they do that to make you buy desert? That's the only reason I gave 4 stars is the dinner portion size.
(4)
Pearl G.

There are very few places in Hilo that are classy to take family and visitors. I always loved Hilo cafe the ambiance, service and food. I hate to say I was very disappointed in the menu selection and service. Thanks to Roy and his expertise I had sushi, my daughter had the burger (who orders burger for supper)? My friend visiting from Oahu had the steak. The steak was okay but surely the presentation could had been better. It is too expensive for such a limited menu. Your previous location was small but every thing was excellent to where I raved about and went there countless times with business partners from neighbor island and mainland. Please use your dinner menu selection from your previous location.
(1)
Hiro C.

I wish I could leave ZERO star! Terrible food & experience. I was very looking forward to dine thre. Very nice looking restaurant but poor management and super slow service. It took us exactry 67 min to have our meal on the table including the KIDS MEAL!! I asked our server (older Hawaiian lady) to bring kids meal first and she gave me a dirty look. I stood up and went to talk to the manager but he said " Your food will come out when it's ready".... Food came out cold. By the way, we made our lunch reservation and restaurant was half full. I started laughing when we got our food because the couple who sat next to us was just about leaving... We sat down before they did!
(1)
Sue A.

Quaint, clean, friendly.
(4)
Louise M.

After hiking all over the Volcano, we came here and we were STARVING. Ready to eat anything and everything. And then.... we met the most important person in Hilo, otherwise know as the Hilo Bay Cafe Hostess. She looked us up and down, and told us there was no way for us to get a table, and there was no way we could sit in the bar "and not to bother looking because she doubted there would be any room for us there". She also said the wait would be at least an hour. At no point did she offer to put us on a list or to call us when a table became available. We left and found a much friendlier place down the road.
(1)
Kai W.

Tantra was a wonderful hostess and we thoroughly enjoyed the beef carpaccio, French onion soup, and sweet potato burger which came with a light sesame seed dressed cole slaw. My refreshing unsweetened iced tea was refilled three times ;-). We will be back as soon as possible!
(5)
Candi M.

Congrats to Hilo Bay Cafe on the new, gorgeous location! Whata vast improvement from a Wal-Mart strip mall to a modern restaurant overlooking the bay. We sat outside and enjoyed a house brewed coconut limeade (YUM!) and a fizzy lemon ginger soju. Perfect compliment to a sunny afternoon. We also had the pork belly rice bowl and terrikyaki chicken rice bowl, both tasty and fulfilling. Great, prompt service. Will absolutely return!
(4)
Donna R.

I really wanted to love this place! The new location is stunning and the service was acceptable, but the food - meh. I ordered the Rice Bowl with chicken and I must say it was soooo tasteless! Chicken was overcooked, the supposed 'hoison-orange chili sauce' was undetectable and all I could taste was the bok choy - celery flavored - which was kind of strange in a rice bowl. I expected more from a restaurant which had such a good reputation in their old location. To be fair, my friend had the 'Grilled Portobello Mushroom' sandwich, which had a nice charred flavor similar to a grilled hamburger.
(3)
Megan P.

Delicious sushi at a reasonable price. Ate at the sushi bar, as they had no room for a single for dinner.
(4)
Kanoa B.

Went with friends on 12/27, large party and had made reservations 2 weeks prior for 7:00pm. Waited over 30min for table to be ready, actually seemed that reservation was not planned as the hostess asked us about sitting outside on decking area. We agreed and then still waited- why have reservations if they don't honor them- not even apologetic or offer of drink at bar. Horrible service!! I have high expectations for a restaurant that plays itself up as being more than a casual dining establishment. We sat outside in terrible windy, cold conditions- service was slow, drink orders were slow, refills were slow, food was ok- but priced way to high. Don't plan on going back.
(1)
Wilbur P.

Years ago Hilo Bay CafÃ© was the best restaurant in Hilo despite a humble location by Walmart, a passionate kitchen had passion, adventurous menu, enthusiastic front of the house. HBC slid into a rut. The menu became cautious and repetitive, execution apathetic. The news HBC would move to the Nihon Restaurant location on Lihiwai St. was great! With a fantastic location surely the staff would be motivated to show there is a place for fine dining in Hilo. Alas, not. I have never before returned a meal to a kitchen, but my entree, pork porterhouse steak, was inedible. Biting into it I seemed to have a mouth full of sand. I plucked grit from my mouth and put it on a napkin which the server took to the kitchen. The chef declared it bone fragments. The entire steak must have been covered with them. This is really basic. You must pay attention to the food you prepare. There was no apology, just a shrug from the server. With the pork was a slab of "parmesan polenta" which had been reheated under a broiler to the extent edges were charred. I broke a bit off. If any cheese was in it, it eluded me. This was unlike any polenta I have eaten, but more like tasteless corn bread made with finely ground cornmeal. My companion had a risotto special for her entree. She declared it flavorless and undercooked. To replace my entree the server suggested a new york steak. It arrived, of course well after my companion finished eating. Unfortunately the steak was graced with a thick, heavy bordelaise sauce (also on the pork porterhouse). This sauce, a relic of the 1950s, killed what otherwise may have been a passable chunk of beef. We started with salt-and-pepper hawaiian shrimp hoping to see the creativity of bygone years. The aioli was good. But the shrimp were a mess. 4 whole head-on shrimp in their shells in a coating of . . . something? They were not cooked through, but I am okay with raw seafood. The problem was how to eat them. In the dim light one could not see how to attack the beasts. Is one to eat shell and all? To separate the meat from the shell was a struggle. If they had been fully cooked the meat might have come more easily from the shell. Entrees were served before we were half way through salads. (Lettuce was large chunks so eating was slow as we knifed our way through each piece.) Fortunately we had a table for 4 so had room for the entrees to sit, cooling; most twosomes in our area had tables of a size suited for cocktails, not dining. The light from the tiny fixture above the table was not white, but rather a brown glow. I had to use my cell phone light to read the menu. Perhaps light is kept dim so diners cannot see their unattractive meals. Perhaps the food would be attractive if viewed in a lighted room. The appearance of my entree (brown meat, brown sauce, brown vegetables under brown light) was horrid. Someone at HBC wants to emulate trendy restaurants elsewhere as shown by the charge for bread (I know they must minimize waste; if bread had been offered I would have declined, but no bread in Hilo is worth $5). The method of handling menus is ridiculous, awkward, and simply pretentious. The menu is held to a slab of plastic by 2 rubber bands. A sheet with specials is slipped under one of the rubber bands, obscuring the main menu and itself largely obscured by the thick rubber band. The desert menu was uninspired, but offers Hilo Homemade Ice Cream. We asked what flavors were offered. One was banana storm. I asked the server what the storm part was. The server shrugged, "I don't know. I've never had it." A server should not need to eat every menu item to know every menu item. Server, chef, manager, and owner all must ensure that when asked about a menu item a server will give information, not a shrug. The number of items on the menu is good-enough that people should find something to eat, but few enough the kitchen should easily manage. The kitchen's problems are less excusable in light of the modest number of items. Stairs to get the restaurant up above tsunami level make for quite a climb (an elevator is also available). We descended in the dark, down, down the stairs toward the black asphalt. Each step well-lighted, easy to see. Until the last step, unlike any of those above, black concrete, a perfect visual match to the asphalt. There was no clue to the edge other than a small chip out of one corner showing a bit of gray concrete. Someone less attentive than I will take a spill. How can the owner/manager be oblivious to this serious hazard? Responsibility for the failures must be put on the owner, manager, and chef. This was a truly disappointing experience. That these people can be in an outstanding location and still deliver a dining experience mediocre at best says they should do some other type of work, and let this space be used by restauranteurs who will rise above the culinary wasteland that is Hilo. If dining at Hilo Bay CafÃ©, bring low expectations, a flashlight, and lots of money.
(2)
Ross N.

Really liked this place. Food was good, presentation was excellent, service was good, view was awesome. Eggplant custard appetizer had great presentation. Flavor was spot on and bread was toasted to perfection. Creative hamakua mushroom poke, unexpected combination was good. Crab cake salad is always welcome. Mahimahi special was done very well. And of course the desserts are super. Chocolate molten lava cake, cheesecake parfait are great.
(4)
K A.

food: 5/10 -quality has gone downhill since moving to new location new york steak -ordered med/rare, was given med/well sushi rolls -mediocre -not worth ordering service: 3/10 -has drastically decreased since move to new location
(2)
Janet D.

This restaurant has the atmosphere, beautiful view of Hilo Bay with Mauna Kea Back Drop. And Tasty creative dishes.
(5)
Sean T.

This is a fancy restaurant with a very decent price. It has a very nice view, very interesting designed utensils, and the food quality is definitely worth the price. Josie was our waitress, and she was very friendly and great service overall. I enjoyed my dinner with my parents.
(5)
Bob M.

Food poisoning!!! My wife ordered the crab cakes. Unfortunately, she took a bite and didn't get it spit out in time. She induced vomit but that still wasn't enough tio stop the result the next morning. She spent all day yesterday vomiting and running to the toilet. Nice way to spend vacation! The waitress got permission from the manager to take the charge from our bill. Wow! That sure compensated us! The manager wasn't even concerned enough to come by our table. Maybe it happens all of the time! Our advice, STAY AWAY!
(1)
Tim H.

The food was pretty good but is very expensive and the portions were not that big so I guess of pens on what you order she got to be careful I would not go there again Tim
(2)
Alina K.

We went there for dinner and the location and the view is great. The food was delicious (fish and chips as well as sushi) but a bit pricy. The service was friendly. It's not for everyday dining due to the prices but for special occasions a great spot!
(4)
Nataja L.

Decor: awful. They went for the modern look but instead of looking cool and modern it just looks cheap and sparse. Menu: rather sparse menu as well. Not many choices. Could expand the sushi list quite a bit. Also, try not to run out of your specials before 6pm dinner time... Service: excellent. Everyone was very friendly and our waitress was very attentive. Food: the food was pretty good! Nothing spectacular but much better quality than most restaurants in Hilo.
(3)
Andrea M.

Excellent food, friendly service (but a little slow). We had 3 sushi rolls, all delicious! I also had the ho'okipa drink. It was yummy!
(4)
Kent M.

We saved Hilo Bay Cafe for our last night on our 3 day Hilo stay since it was highly recommended. We had an Open Table reservation for a view table since the sunset views over the harbor have a reputation for being outstanding. Alas, we were seated in a booth with a view of the bar. The hostess told us that the booth was the only table available and she could not move us to a more suitable location. We stayed anyway, since we were hungry. In retrospect, I wish we would have left at that point. The waitress finally took our order after we waited over 10 minutes to be recognized. The food was so so when it finally arrived and the service the rest of the dinner was extremely slow. The quality of the food served definitely does not match the prices on the menu. We.also had to wait many minutes for the bill. Several times during the meal, we weren't sure the server remembered us. If you want to enjoy the great view, insist on an outside table on the porch/veranda or a window seat facing the bay..
(2)
Hawaii P.

Great new location right on the water. Beautiful views. Good place to go for drinks and appetizers. Go when its still light to enjoy the views.
(4)
Anna P.

Upon many days of deliberation, my husband and I decided to go to the Hilo Bay Cafe for our anniversary dinner last night. We had read several reviews and asked quite a few people who all said service and food was hit or miss there. Well I'm happy to say that our dining experience was a total hit. We started off with sashimi for my husband and spicy tuna rolls for myself, along with Rogue Brewery First Growth Ale ( yum ) and a Pinot Grigio for me. They came out quickly and the fish was so fresh! For our main course I ordered the Mehana porter braised short ribs with a lovely Washington red wine and it was nothing short of delicious! My husband ordered a nice cut of steak that was cooked perfectly, although it came with fries and onion rings that didn't quite fit the meal. Maybe next time sub them for the mashed potatoes. Thank you for a great anniversary!
(4)
Bunny C.

One of our favorites and as a local it's the go to place for amazing dishes made with locally grown ingredients. Focaccia bread is awesome. Sushi, yummy. And the French onion soup is the best by far. Views are killer. And...their service is outstanding. Love love love spending my date nights here.
(4)
Gail S.

Based on other reviews we weren't sure what to expect, but we had a very good dinner here. It took a little while to be seated (we had a reservation) but the table service was great--our server was attentive and helpful. We had been eating lots of fish on the Big Island, so we both opted for the grilled ribeye as an entree and it was excellent--juicy, flavorful, perfectly cooked. The accompanying vegetables were delicious, too, as was a reasonably priced bottle of Malbec. I can't remember what we had for dessert but it was good, just not memorable. We'll probably go back here next time we're in Hilo if we have a chance.
(4)
Rick M.

Recently renovated Hilo Bay Cafe is deceiving from the exterior. Located smack dab on Hilo Bay on the Big Island, the interior space has a hip feel with mood lighting and a cool bar. We sat on the back deck eyeballing a killer view of the breezy bay with grey goose dirty martinis sporting bleu cheese stuffed olives. Extra points for those savory stuffed olives since not many restaurants actually fulfill that request! The salads were delicious as starters. For entrees we had local grass fed grilled rib eye steak and the special grilled fish plate then finished with molten lava cake for dessert. Service was superb during our visit. I'll be back!
(5)
Megan C.

Came here with my husband and in laws while visiting the Big Island for my 25th birthday. Blown away by amazing drinks and food. Mahalo for an amazing evening.
(5)
erica m.

Dang. This place was great. We didn't have a dish that we didn't like. And with 4 of us ordering 2 nights in a row, we pretty much ate the whole menu. And the DRINKS! They were so carefully made -- crafted with fresh ingredients and delicious. Wow. I was super happy to land here, it was a great compliment to Hilo's funky feel.
(5)
Alyson K.

I started eating at Hilo Bay Cafe in back in 2007, when they were in a much smaller space, and loved them then. Now with their new digs they are finally elevated to their rightful place as a top destination. Their new space is FANTASTIC, with a modern asian flare, a spacious feel and a splash of hip hawaiiana, they are a true gem along the beautiful Hilo bay. The food was excellent, if a bit pricey (but we expected this and were only slightly surprised). We were celebrating so we ordered appetizers, entrees, and desert. All very good. -beet salad with mac nuts and micro greens- very nice. I'd order again. -crab cake salad - lots of lettuce, with plenty to share, with 3-4 crab cakes, the cakes were on the small side but packed with lots of crab and lots of flavour so no complaints on the size they were totally appropriate to the dish, since it was a salad. I would order again. -angus steak - absolutely worth the price, tender, flavorful, perfect portion size, excellent accompaning potatoes etc... (as a long time steak eater, I've had a lot steak over the years at high end restaurants, this steak was one of the best I've had, and was worth the price). I'd definitely order it again. (we paired this with the local Big Island Brewhaus Golden Sabbath beer with tasty results) -kona coffee creme brule with mini donuts. The donuts were rolled in cinnamon sugar, with a drizzle of carmel sauce and were absolutely amazing!!! I'd go back just to have this alone. (next time though I think I'll ask if they can heat up the creme brule so it can be creamy and warm to enhance the flavour with the mini donuts). If you are looking for a great place to eat, where food, atmosphere, and aloha meet, Hilo Bay Cafe is the spot. You'll see tourists ands lots of local residents eating, celebrating, and enjoying a great meal, we left smiling and will return again. UPDATE: Just tried another one of their Dessert's it was the s'mores pot de creme (big island chocolate, toasted marshmallow, house graham cracker)...Amazing!!! Thanks guys you've done it again! Bravo!
(5)
HulaGr L.

HBC...nice staff, awful food. We had long time friends in town and wanted to take them somewhere nice for dinner. Our neighbor suggested the HBC. I used the "open table" app to make the reservation. This was convenient and easy to use however, I wasn't so pleased with the meal. I made a 730pm reservation and had to move it to 800pm due our friends lost, then found bag at the airport that had to be picked up. When I easily moved the time, I was a little nervous that this "great" restaurant was not fully booked. Upon arrival, we were seated outside (at this point, no ambient lighting on the bay) we ordered drinks. I had the tequila sunrise which was warm & syrupy. Then our entrees came...and what a disappointment. My husband's tri-tip was smothered in sweet sauce. The wedding soup looked like it was poured out of a can and our friends' plates were nothing more spectacular than what you would see in a neighborhood diner. Lastly, my rainbow roll was warm and dried out like it was just pulled out of a plastic package and put onto the plate. I've seen fresher fish in the cold case at 7-11. The masago I asked for "on top" was already inside...Hmmm? Other than possibly a nice view during the day, I cannot recommend this restaurant if you are looking for wonderful food. Sorry HBC...I hope your future guests have a better experience than I did.
(1)
Holly B.

It's been a little over a year since Hilo Bay Cafe moved into the former Nihon Restaurant space right on Hilo Bay, behind Suisan Fish Market! It's bright and airy with a minimalist, Oriental decor, which is both welcoming and comfortable! And there is a great view of Hilo Bay from the veranda seating, thus a fitting tribute to their moniker. I decided on an assortment of appetizers as my dinner: French onion soup, which was piping hot with just the right anount of cheese, fresh ahi poke with sweet potato chips (fish was delicious, though the sweet potato chips some were sketchy-some a bit soggy, not uniformly crisp), and warabi roll (fresh local fiddle fern tips) with avocado and cucumber and wonderful crunchy quinoa and sesame seeds on the outside and teriyaki aioli-broke da mout'! The warabi roll is an excellent choice for any vegetarians out there. My significant other had the beer-braised short ribs with mashed potatoes, baby green beans and house pickle. The short ribs were so tender and flavorful, you could cut them with your fork-another winner! We finished our meal with dessert, the best part of dinner! I enjoyed the Big Island chocolate pot de creme, though I'm of the opinion that this dessert needs liquor in the recipe to give it pizzaz and a kick, like Grand Marnier, Kahlua, Rum, etc. My hubby had the chocolate lava cake, which was drizzled with a combination of raspberry sauce and sauce Anglaise and came with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. Heaven! Terrific, friendly service makes the whole dining experience most enjoyable. Also love the spacious, clean women's bathrooms! Very nice in size and design. Woo hoo!
(5)
Rachel W.

After a day of hiking, my boyfriend Jake and I decided to have lunch at Hilo Bay Cafe, a beautiful restaurant along the coast. It has always caught my eye because it's situated on stilts, providing an amazing (and romantic) view of the bay as you eat. As you walk up the stairs into the restaurant, you're greeted with an airy interior that's modern and comfortable -- perfect for a casual lunch or a fancy dinner -- with both inside and outside seating options. Right as we were seated, a bowl of popcorn along with some menus were waiting for us. I can't tell you how excited I was to see a free pupu -- Oahu doesn't do that! You gotta pay to play. Since it was a hot day in Hilo, I started off with some of their hand-squeezed lemonade ($3) which really hit the spot -- so refreshing! I originally wanted to try the Blue Bay Burger (because how can you say no to Gorgonzola cheese and grass-fed beef?), but went for the Big Kid Grilled Cheese ($13) instead. An elevated version of my childhood favorite, the sourdough sandwich came chock full of Brie cheese, arugula, and caramelized onions. I was in buttery heaven. Jake ordered the Spicy Lava Roll (Hamachi belly, jalapeno, tobiko, $13) and some hand cut fries with a truffle aioli ($7.50). Just like the interior, the silver chopsticks and dishes that accompany each sushi plate are so delicate and refined. I was really impressed. On the negative side -- although our waitress was very nice and attentive in the beginning -- once our food arrived she didn't check on us much. Jake's water glass never got refilled, and we waited a long time to see the dessert menu -- so long that we decided to go somewhere else before waiting some more for our check. Since it was our first time there, I'm not sure if slower service is typical or if this was a fluke, but I had a great experience otherwise. I would definitely go back to this beautiful cafÃ© next time I'm in Hilo. PARKING: Free and ample parking in the restaurant's private lot. There's also an elevator you can get to from the back lot near the bay if those stairs start to look a little daunting.
(4)
Guy B.

4 of us had dinner here. Last time was before the move and I will agree with everyone that has indicated the change. I'll not be back. Uncomfortably hot and muggy inside, the booth they sat us at was designed for thin people, everything on the menu was horribly over priced. The special came with fries. When asked if rings could be substituted the waiter didn't think so, he checked and came back with "no" we offered to pay extra , still no but offered a side. We prefer the side It came out 20 minutes before the meal with the bread that took 30 minutes to arrive. Something's screwed up here is all I'm saying. If I had the patience and arrived drunk already I probably wouldn't have minded so much cause the flavors were pretty awesome for everything. Lastly. Put some ice in your water!
(3)
Alyssa J.

Having dined at HBC over the years I've been consistently pleased with the quality of the food & service here. & ever since they moved into this beautifully modern new space overlooking Hilo bay it seems as if they've only gotten better. Tonight's meal did not disappoint: Kukui Nut Tofu, quite possibly the most unique meal I've consumed in a while. & to think I almost went with my somewhat go-to hamakua mushroom curry pot pie (a sign that it, too, is a winner)! So glad I gave this Kukui Nut dish a chance. Flavorful coconut-lemongrass sauce & a cilantro coulis paired amazingly with black forbidden rice, stir fried veggies & of course, tofu. The melt-in-your-mouth sauces made for an extremely delectable dish. I'm sad that this is only a seasonal menu item. Better go back for more & enjoy it while I can! My only gripe is that the shoestring fries are no longer served, replaced with thicker hand cut fries. Definitely can't go wrong with the truffle dipping sauce though.
(5)
Bryan S.

This was my second time having lunch at Hilo Bay CafÃ© and I will say it was a lot more memorable for me. I went in last Friday for lunch with my mother, grandmother, and young nephew. We did not have reservations and it seemed that they were pretty much booked. I appreciate the fact that they opened an unused section for us to be seated quickly because of my nephew. The food was admittedly good and I enjoyed the flavors. The burger slider was delicious! The location and atmosphere is excellent, overlooking Hilo Bay. Here's where our experience took a turn: my mom ordered the crab cake salad. It looked beautiful: fresh greens and golden brown crab cakes artfully plated. So my mom is munching away enjoying her lunch, when something moving catches her eye. At first she is startled because she thinks there is a black wasp in her salad. Upon closer inspection, it was in-fact a very-alive Black Widow-type looking spider (about a half-inch in diameter). It crawls out of the lettuce and climbs atop one of her crab cakes. Luckily, my mom is pretty tough and she isn't frightened easily. I know plenty of other people that would've flat out screamed! I let our server know about our unwanted lunch guest and the poor woman was mortified. I know this was not her fault; she promptly took the dish away and apologized. A new salad was brought to our table shortly after. I found it humorous, but also disgusting. My mom took it in stride. I'm not sure if I will be returning again in the near future. They gave us a free dessert but made no adjustments to our bill. I would have thought the salad would at least have been on the house due to the embarrassing mistake.
(3)
Christa B.

My best and favorite meal experienced during my stay on Big Island was here at HBC. My husband always comes here when he works and he talks about how the food, service, and the ambience are excellent and I agree with him which is a rarity ha ha! I absolutely LOVE mushrooms (so much so, my dog is named after one! His name is Enoki and sometime in my life, I want to name one shiitake so I can call him little shiit-tahkey! But I disgress...) HBC offers a wide variety of dishes featuring the delectable Big Island Hamakua mushrooms including an appetizer of Hamakua poke, Hamakua risotto, a Hamakua nigiri roll and a main entree of Hamakua curry pot pie. If you're a mushroom aficionado like me, you'll immediately fall in love with this place. All the aforementioned were amazingly good! Hamakua mushrooms are similar to crimini mushrooms in my opinion where they have a more tender, texture and sweetness rather than a woodsy meaty flavor like portabella. Other than the mushrooms, they have an extensive variety of other foods. The sushi menu is very creative and again, there is a lot to choose from considering they aren't a sushi joint. My recommendations are the spicy lava, featuring a mild hamachi paired well with the spiciness of jalapeÃ±o and the pork belly with a sake soy crispy pork belly drizzled in a kimchee cream sauce. Surprisingly, the dessert menu is actually unremarkable. I was surprised after having such a wonderful meal, that the dessert wasn't as creative or tasty. The banana chocolate tart lacked sweetness and the three flavors of chocolate, peanut butter ice cream and banana didn't fuse as well as they usually do when combined in a dessert. The rocky road ice cream wasn't very "rocky" and didn't have, that I noticed, any flavors of fudge or marshmallow that I expected. The Kona coffee ice cream also lacked the bold flavor of Kona Coffee. The place itself overlooks the bay, so you're provided with a nice back drop for your meal. Service comes with the expected "aloha" feel you always anticipate when in Hawaii. I do like the Kona side of the Big Island better, but I'd drive out to Hilo just for a great meal
(4)
Amy W.

This seems to be one of the nicer restaurants in the area. My brother and I came here for dinner and were seated outdoors with a nice view of the water. The drinks were fantastic. However, I was a tad disappointed with my Kauai shrimp entree. The shrimp itself was nicely done, but the tomato sauce was bland and tasted almost the same as canned spaghetti sauce. Overall, not too bad, but not quite worth the price.
(3)
Chelsey A.

Probably the most modern place to dine in Hilo. The ambiance is trendy and hip, which is probably why this is a popular place for me to have my girls night out dates. Not to mention their cocktail menu is awesome. Favorite dish is their Hamakua mushroom curry potpie with chicken, I even dream about it. Sushi is okay, and pricey for portion. Customer service isn't consistent or the greatest at times, but that wouldn't stop me from coming for the potpie!
(4)
Adrienne H.

The menu here is stand-out compared to restaurants in the area, but the food doesn't really deliver. The service is also absolutely terrible. The ONE bartender had not only the bar as her section but the entire row of booths opposite the bar and then some. There was no way anyone could expect this woman to handle that. I'm a server myself and I'm telling you- it wasn't happening. So I was cordial when my drink took 20 minutes, but I was less than pleased when the mushroom pot pie (not your average pot pie- it was literally a soup with a crust top set on top- it came right off) and the fish and chips (it actually says "flash fried" on the menu) took 30 minutes. There is no reason for that other than a poorly managed kitchen. I watched the bartender put the order in as soon as we made it, so it wasn't her error. Regardless, I did like the fish and chips. The fries were very good as well, I would liken them to shoestring. My drink was also phenomenal. I don't remember the name but it was a cocktail with fresh basil and papaya. That alone gets 5 stars. Past that, my water was never filled and I waited way too long for everything. I think overall the management style here leaves a little to be desired.
(3)
Alicia H.

This is by far one of the best restaurants in Hilo, great atmosphere, nicely done interiors that have a modern Asian twist right down to the silver medal chopsticks and knives that are stood up. The Ahi poke was fresh off the boat and delicious. The sushi rolls were nice size and yummy. We were delighted with the Quinoa Fritters that were scrumptious. The jasmine tea was presented in hip fashion and tasted just as good. My sweet tooth was thrilled they even offered Stevia. We rallied in the end to share the Banana Mac Nut pie that was over the top. We will be back at sunset next time to enjoy the exquisite bay view. Our server was a delight our date night was a success.
(4)
Sonoe G.

When I'm in town of Hilo, love to dine here. You won't be disappointed. I had Brazed beef short rib, Mashroom pot pie, Quinoa salad, etc...... Good value.
(5)
Kayla L.

This place didn't stack up to Cafe Pesto but it was still amazing. The hubby brought me here to spoil me. Anyway here's the breakdown below. Decor- It wasn't awe inspiring and I actually didn't notice anything that stood out. Which didn't bother me, I prefer cleanliness over a mess of decor. However being seated on the Lanai and the views of the Bay were definitely a nice treat. Staff- The host was very nice and attentive and properly introduced us to our server. Our server was well educated about the menu and allowed us appropriate time to figure out what we wanted. I have no complaints. Very great service. Drinks-Initially I told myself only one but I really enjoyed the Old Fashion Passion and I was very pleased to see real cherries as a garnish. The hubby ordered a Chocolate cocktail of some sorts and he enjoyed that as well. Food- I ordered the pork cutlet which was very good. Portion size could have been a bit bigger but I was full. Everything was fresh and hot. The Hubby ordered the scallops which wasn't my cup of tea. Overall the food was great but there was something lacking in wholesomeness. It looked good and tastes great but I couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed, I was expecting more. Time- We arrived right around 5:30 pm planning to catch a 7:25pm movie. We were seated immediately without reservations. We ordered about ten minutes later and the appetizer came out within 7 minutes. Main dishes in about 25 min. I am very satisfied with the wait time.
(4)
Kanoe I.

Our waitress was very friendly but service was terrible!!! The wait for our food was sooooo long! The food was good ...! I recommend the eggplant parmesan custard.. So yummy!
(3)
Joe R.

Hilo Bay Cafe has great food coupled with a great view with ample parking. We had two types of Sushi: Hilo Surf and Rainbow Sushi. Both were excellent. We also had the Ho'okipa specialty drink which had vodka, blood orange liquor, papaya, basil and soda. The drink can be frozen or on the rocks. Really good. Due to an early dinner we only had the homemade bread, a side salad and French onion soup, but all were very good as well. The service was great and friendly. You can't go wrong choosing HBC.
(5)
Jessi M.

Fancy little restaurant in Hilo! I thought it was really good but for the price we didn't get much food. The one thing I will say is that they have a good selection of non-alcoholic drinks. I ordered the Coconut Limeade, which is a must try; especially for non drinkers :) The food was good but like I said, for $26 I would like a little more fish and a little less rice. It was like seriously 3 cups of rice and maybe 6 oz of fish in the Chirashizushi. The octopus was super tough too but the fish cakes were yummy. We had a pretty big party so I got to see pretty much each menu item and I would recommend just sticking with rolls if you go here.
(3)
Mel J.

Our Spicy tuna roll for $10 was fresh and very reasonably priced. I asked for a romantic table, and we enjoyed a private table by the window. The Makai roll for $12 and the Rainbow roll for $12 were also fantastic! I'm crazy in love with the miso & sesame dressing that I had in my salad. The salad had fresh greens, tomatoes and cucumbers for $7. My husband also ordered a salad with a different dressing, and he was pleased as well. My Vanilla sidecar with vodka for $9 gave me a beautiful buzz. I indulged in Kona coffee ice cream for dessert. Our cheerful and helpful server really made the evening feel special for us. We enjoyed the privacy of our corner table by the window, although reflections in the glass mostly obscure the water view. Outside tables face a parking lot, so inside was better at the window for ambience, in my opinion. Hilo bay cafe has a casual and unpretentious atmosphere. It's decorated in a minimalist style. I highly recommend this cafe for the fresh salads with creative dressings, the excellent sushi, and the full bar. Reservations are accepted. We found that Hilo offers much better value for meals, as compared to the touristy and pricey Kohala coast.
(5)
Daniel M.

Fantastic view of the bay. Our waitress, Dominique, is great and friendly. She tolerated our 3 kids, so she deserves a medal. We had the spicy tuna nachos and poke for appetizers. Kids had a sushi roll and grilled fish. The prawns with couscous was amazing. Especially if you like spice! The short ribs were fantastic. The ahi was perfect. Well worth the money. Do yourself a favor and sit on the patio.
(4)
Keala B.

Love this place they always have fresh ingredients wonderful service and awesome ambience. The food is delicious I always get the pizza.
(5)
Ann K.

This place is poorly managed. There are plenty of waitstaff running around but there is too much unnecessary customer waiting time. To be seated, to order, for the food, for the check, etc. Refills on ice tea were twice promised but never realized. The view of Hilo Bay is lovely and the food above average but the management pulls down the rating.
(3)
Prett E S.

We had a 715 reservation for 2 and were seated just after 730. The wait wasnt bad because we could sit at the bar until our table was ready. The bar has a gorgeous view of the bay and downtown Hilo. Mauka Sushi roll, hamakua mushroom lettuce wraps, french onion soup and fish n chips were excellent. The spicy tuna nacho, anuanu sushi roll and desserts were ok.
(3)
M Karina R.

Spent a week on this side of the island and went twice. The first time, went for a drink and pupus and ended up eating dinner in the bar. Food and service was excellent. Cocktail menu is very eclectic and turns out pretty good! Went back the second time for lunch and food was meh. Got a crunchy roll, Cesar salad and the special - a marinated mushroom and Swiss burger. Crunchy roll was meh. The dressing was overpowering on the Cesar due to someone having a heavy hand with the garlic. And the burger lacked flavor. Such a bummer because the restaurant is very beautiful and the service still was exceptional. Apparently we got a hit and a miss in the same week.
(3)
Jamey F.

We ate at their old location a couple of years ago, and the lunch sandwiches were fantastic. Their new location is very nice and overlooks Hilo Bay. However, the food was rather mediocre for dinner, and somewhat expensive, too. Service was fine, but nothing to write home about. The reception staff was a bit awkward. Actually the highlight was their very tasty exotic drinks.
(3)
Peter P.

This place tries to fake it to make it. Sitting at the bar a few times, I've met quite a few interesting traveling folks. Overpriced food with coinciding vacationers at this fine establishment. Unfortunately, one of the only places that's open late'ish. That being said, the food is actually decent.
(3)
Kelsey M.

I asked a friend from Hilo what my last meal there should be and he responded "Hilo Bay Cafe". So of course I had to eat here. I must say, the view alone is totally worth it. Along with the great service and delicious food. Came with my mom, Aunty, & sister. I had the Sakai spritzer, a light refreshing cocktail with fresh chunks of ginger in it. We tried the hamakua mushroom curry pot pie. Very nice flavors topped with the perfect flakey crust. We also had the blue burger, a grassfed beef burger topped with blue cheese. I've definitely had better burgers but I love the flavor of the grassfed beef. Overall, this place is a little more upscale than most places in Hilo. Very nice for an intimate birthday celebration or a romantic date.
(4)
Roy L.

My only two complaints are that I can NEVER (15 + times) get a drink from the bar within 15 to 20 min of being seated. I like to have a drink with my menu. Not have to go get it my self. Also hopefully they are changing the menu more and expanding it a little.
(4)
Andrew T.

As my friends said when we left, "on a scale of 1 to 5, it was a 10 ! " I think I found my new favorite "fancy" restaurant on the east side of the Big Island. I'm totally serious. Before I even left I was already thinking "when can I come back?" I never tried Hilo Bay Cafe in their old strip-mall location. But some friends took me to the new Hilo Bay Cafe (former Nihon) location. We parked around back, got lost in the view for a few moments, then took the elevator up to above-tsunami level. Well let me tell you.... they did not just move in to Nihon. They totally reconfigured and re-did the place. It's friggin' gorgeous. Gray woodgrain flooring, soft blue/purple walls, white china, modern and classy. I was ready to move right in. Yet the menu is not shockingly expensive. Entrees range from $12 to $29, with many options under $20 including ....drum roll please.... the sushi. Sliced rolls are about $8-10 and are a very good size. You can sit outside on the balcony overlooking the bay, or you can sit a huge bar, or at many indoor tables.... we sat at the separate sushi bar and were served by sushi chef Roy who is... AWESOME. The HBC owners must be smart because they kept Roy on board from Nihon. Yes you can order any menu item while sitting at the sushi bar so one of our party had steak. The rest of us tried the delicious sliced rolls and totally loved them... rainbow roll had smoked salmon and tuna while another vegetarian roll was made with Hamakua mushrooms. (There were actually a surprising number of vegetarian items on the menu). Another roll was made with pork belly... didn't try that one YET. So in addition to the sushi rolls, I told Roy I would like to try some Nigiri (that's the raw fish on a ball of rice) but was not knowledgeable or particularly adventurous. OMG he made 4 pieces for me that were just melt-on-the-mouth sweetest most buttery fish you could imagine. Salmon, ahi, yellowtail, and grated scallop. The fish dwarfed the rice underneath and it was just AMAZING. Normally sold in portions of 2 pieces but he split the orders so I got a bigger variety. And with each one he gave me the background of the fish and where it was from and what was special about it. I also had a coconut margarita, which was served frozen with fresh mint and a salt rim, Cuervo gold, for $9. Not too sweet, excellent. Then for dessert I drank a Macnut Alexander which was a creamy nutty cocktail served in a big snifter over ice, and LOADED with booze for $7.50. Friends shared a tiramisu which they said was excellent. So my Hamakua mushroom sliced roll, 4 pieces of Nigiri, and two cocktails plus tax and a healthy tip came to about $50. And it was so worth it. If you need a romantic dinner for two, reserve a table on the balcony at sunset. If the service and food out there is as good as what we got at the sushi bar, I can't imagine a more perfect evening anywhere else on the east side of the island. YEAH HERE'S THE PART WHERE i GET TO PICK APART SOME STUFF THAT I'D LIKE TO SEE THEM DO, JUST BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, THEY DON'T GET OFF THAT EASY. So, yeah, the corners of the elevator floor needed more work, the elevator was not the greatest first impression. The hostess seemed absent from her hostess station more than she was at it. The coconut margarita was priced on the specials list at $8.50 but rang up at $9 on my bill. And could I please stare at some cool art above the urinal instead of a bare wall? Just sayin'. The bathroom was marvelous, but it could be awesome !
(5)
Charles R.

Waited for seats and waited for menus waited for water, dinner , & check and it was only a Monday night and there was no line
(2)
Mary R.

We went to the new Hilo Bay Cafe and sat at the sushi bar. Roy and Natalie became our new best friends for the evening. The makai sushi was wonderful as Roy spiced it up for us. Lettuce cups were fantastic. Extensive menu to please everyone.
(5)
Derek L.

I had the spicy tuna nachos and the rainbow roll for dinner. The fish was very fresh with no after taste at all. It was fantastic. To drink I had an Arnold Palmer with was ok, perhaps too much lemonade for my taste. My friend had the short rib which was tasty and cooked so tender you could cut it with your fork. My wife loved her Ono salad, she says the fish was cooked perfect.
(4)
Christine C.

The best! Have eaten here several times but just last week was most recent. Everything is perfect...setting, service and food. Beautiful view of Hilo Bay, nice atmosphere whether inside or out on deck. Everything that we have ever had was delicious. Most recently had the fish tacos that were awesome! The roasted cauliflower was incredible!
(5)
Cindy H.

Wonderful menu with fresh quality creative offerings. Had sashimi salad. Hubby had fish and chips. Both yummy! Also had homemade coconut limeade. Alike a virgin Pina colada. A little too sweet for me but still yummy.
(5)
Marisa G.

We were told about this place while on the plane so of course it's going to be our first stop. Their patio over looks the water so it was a perfect location for our first dinner in Hilo. We found another place with a similar view but their decor and cleanliness didn't come close to the quality of Hilo Bay Cafe. We were told to that the best thing on the menu was the crab cake salad. In my party of five the salad was sadly best tasting item on our table. For me there was nothing exciting about the dinner menu. It was hard to pick an item because nothing sounded yummy. In my opinion, the start of a good meal is a menu that has your mouth watering. When I'm begging another person in my party to get something different than me so that I can share with them is what makes a place. I had the burger and fries. Burger was over cooked so it was very dry and not worth finishing. The fries were previously frozen and not worth the calories. The sushi menu was boring and the roll we selected was meh. So stick with the Poke and the crab cake salad.
(3)
Sarah M.

Four of us went here for lunch. It was pretty pricey but for my meal I got 2 appetizers and shared. No one else seemed to really dig their food, mine was delicious I got the mushroom lettuce wraps and the eggplant parm spread. But we're well worth it!
(4)
Amanda Z.

A nice addition to the Hilo food scene! Went for lunch a few weeks ago, we were seated promptly, on one of the tables outside with a nice view of Hilo Bay and snow capped Mauna Kea. The service was quite good even for it being a busy day. We really enjoyed the complimentary popcorn that was brought to the table. First we ate the onion rings - super crispy, crunchy, not overly oil-laden, great home-made ketchup! Gpa had the french onion soup, side bread w/butter and evoo and balsamic vinegar. I tried the bread, it was tasty! I ordered the warabi sushi (innovative), crispy quinoa salad (baby arugula, big island heart of palm, green flax dressing, roasted beets = yum!!). I also go to try the open faced blt steak sandwich (the steak was cooked perfectly, and the bread was toasted but not too crunchy, fresh tomato, crispy bacon, and creamy blue cheese dressing = great balanced flavors and textures, an awesome dish). Overall, a great dining experience, glad to have went and look forward to going again soon!
(5)
Patrick R.

Second time here and I love it. Great atmosphere, fresh sushi, amazing poke. It's a must stop for me in Hilo. Check it out.
(5)
Todd C.

It's been a while, but they had delicious food. I think they have moved. My wife liked this more than most places on the island.Great fresh delicious food.
(4)
Ann A.

This is one of those restaurants that has the trappings of a happening, foodie magnet kind of place, but none of the substance. They wait staff display the attitude found in trendy urban places, with the black uniforms and slight air of disdain as they make you wait, but nothing served on the table actually justifies it. When we first looked at the menu, we thought the dishes seemed a little over the top, lots of gilding the lily. The reality was worse -- the quality of all that over-complicated food was just poor. The tomato sauce on my husband's shrimp dish tasted, I swear, like it came from the Chef Boyardee can. You can do better, for less money. And parents -- we have a quiet and well-behaved 10 year old, yet they refused our request to be seated near the window so we could see the bay, and parked us instead in what was clearly the family ghetto. If you're with anyone under 18, you're a little less than welcome.
(2)
Ethan L.

Interesting place, 3.5 overall. It is situated overlooking the bay, which is quite a nice view, however the lighting seems a little bit uncoordinated. It got a little dark but fixed shortly. Nevertheless if you sit in the booths furthest from the bay windows you wont even be able to read the menu. Everyone I saw who sat there was using their phones to light the menus up and read them. Service is fine, nothing poor or overbearing, but not exquisite either. As for the food stick with simple island items. Fresh salad greens, goat cheese, and fish. These work well. Sushi is adequate. Some items are a bit of a dud. The gnocchi is a bit mushed and flavorless, but the heart of palm and mushrooms that go with it are pretty good. Beef carpacio is quite solid too. A simple banana torte with Kona coffee ice cream is a good option, not overly sweet either. Its an ok place to be, some things could be better, and the menu items are a bit of an uninspired all over the place mess. But stick with local grown items and the kitchen doesn't mess them up, so you wont go wrong.
(3)
Lauren M.

I'm digging the new location. It's clean, bright, and spacious. We ordered two appetizers: 1. Beef carpaccio- was tasty, but of course very salty. Pretty expensive for the little amount you get. Probably would skip that for the next time 2. Eggplant custard- our waitress recommended this and it was delicious. Believe it was sautÃ©ed eggplant which was topped with a creamy/cheesy layer. The plate included a tomato sauce and two toasted pieces of bread. Would definitely recommend this one As for the entree, I got the crab cake salad. It comes with three small crab cakes and is topped with a couple of fried wontons. The portion is a bit small, but it was the perfect amount with the appetizers. The crab cakes were very good! It was the right amount of crispy, the meat was flavorful and tender, and the sauce complimented them perfectly. Will be returning soon..I hope
(5)
Sandra E.

The whole party of 6 I was with really enjoyed their meals, and dietary restrictions due to allergies were attended to very well. I had a heck of a time deciding on what to get since so much of their menu looked so good. The view was also very nice. Perhaps a bit over-priced for some things.
(3)
Lee R.

This place really hit the spot!! It was so delicious, that after coming for lunch on our one day only in Hilo, we came back for dinner!! The atmosphere was great. The service rocked and the food spoke for itself. Don't know the next time I'll be in Hawaii, but if you are.. this is the place to eat!!
(5)
Pismole T.

for dinner I think reservation is necessary, we had to wait for 25 minutes , food were okey, prices were high . well what can I say it's dinning full service looks like it, but they were so busy we never got our water filled up for a second time.so overall it's okey nothing special,
(3)
Mary J.

I got their daily special burger for $15. It was the WORST burger I think I've ever had. The meat was overcooked, underseasoned, the cheese coagulated into an unidentifiable clump, even the bacon was flavorless. The fries were soggy and was missing the garlic part. The new location and the decor were beautiful. The service was slow but alright. These two things could earn them another star, but it was insulting to have that burger served to me.
(1)
Christine H.

Excellent lunch menu. From the appetizers to the desert. All the sushi was artistic and delicious. The portobello mushroom poke was absolutely fantastic. The drinks were refreshing. The deserts were devine and the expresso was smooth and strong. All with a beautiful ocean view.
(5)
Kenji I.

Pleasantly surprised. Great view of Hilo Bay. Nice new decor for the old Nihon. Food was good, better than expected from the reviews. Attire is casual. Prices were reasonable, depending on what was ordered. Selection of food choices was limited. Overall, I would go back again.
(4)
Bob K.

This is my second review since the reopening. Somehow my first one star review disappeared. I have eaten three times in the new location. One time it was in a booth. Avoid them. They are so uncomfortable as to hurt. When I mentioned this to the waitress she said they had been sent the wrong ones. (They are still "wrong" 4 months after opening.) This time I had a special vegetarian entree, Parmesan Mac and cheese with broccolini. There was very little Parmesan cheese, a little tangy bright yellow sauce and three tiny sprigs of broccolini on top. Considering that you would have to pay another $5 for bread (and we didn't), we were left wanting-- more food, more flavor, more vegetables. The service was okay this time. The view at sunset on the bay is the best in Hilo. I'm not eager to return.
(2)
Danny W.

I couldn't wait for them to re-open. I love this new location as it overlooks the ocean. It seems they remodeled the inside, giving it a very welcoming appearance. If it is anything like the old location, I cannot wait to go and have their amazing food again. I've missed you hilo bay cafe.
(5)
Cynthia K.

Great food, great location overlooking the bay. Also, for the quality, the food is quite reasonably priced by Hawaiian standards, especially if you order vegetarian, which we did. I had the Hamakua mushroom pot pie, which was really delicious. My husband had the daily pasta special, which was also great. We had the mushroom poke and a half order of bread for starters--both really nice. Our only complaint is that my husband's glass of wine took forever to arrive, but the waitress did apologize when it finally came.
(4)
Chris K.

I decided to randomly go to HBC again after some horrible experiences (see past review) to see if they had worked out the kinks at their new location. Food and service is still mediocre, especially for the price. I really wish they would feature something new on the menu from time to time, especially something from the old menu. The only thing I liked that I ate this time was the Hamakua mushroom poke, even though we didn't order it. The poke deserves the two stars more than anything. The waiter just plopped it on our table and left before I could say we didn't order it. We ate it and let the waiter know we liked it and would pay for it. The waiter didn't even offer an apology for the mistake or anything though. Overall, this place has lost my group of friends and I who used to frequent this place every other week or so. I guess I need to find a new place to take my friends and clients to.
(2)
Linda W.

This was one of my favorite restaurants in Hilo when it was located in the Shopping center . The new site on the Bay is lovely. The lunch menu is skimpy with few items to choose from. Had a salad which was excellent but the price is high for the small portions served especially since no bread is served with the salad. Left hungry and disappointed.
(3)
dima y.

rice with chicken was off. mushroom poke's good. service is off. bro's burger was good he said. nice interior. i may try again
(3)
Mike C.

This restaurant just relocated to this site. The ambiance is great. The service very good and the food exceptional. I highly recommend this restaurant.
(4)
Teresa N.

We arrived for lunch at Hilo Bay Cafe really happy with our day. We rented a 4wheel drive from Harpers (fabulous ) and did the Summit of Mauna Lea. Our waitress was friendly at first , them everything went down hill from there. The salt and pepper shrimp awful came out with shells and heads in them. We asked if this was the usual way they come she said no, but never gave us the option when ordering. Lunch finally came to us almost 1 hr later we saw our waitress very little other than going to her car and eating her lunch before us. When we complained to a waiter that the fries we cold his response was to take the whole meal back, which we were not going to so that. We did not want to wIt longer. My wife's lunch the veg burger she enjoyed but did not get to enjoy it since I was so unhappy. Then we were paying the bill the waiter said oh my the way we took $3 off your meal. Plain and simple they simply forgot us. As we entered the parking lot most of the cars were gone so they had no excuse, they seem just not to care about the tourist visiting Hilo. We will be telling NCL not to recommend this place to their guest.
(1)

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Address : 123 Lihiwai St
Hilo, HI, 96720
Phone (808) 935-4939
Website https://www.hilobaycafe.com/
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :11:00 am - 9:00pm

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes

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Hilo Bay Cafe

123 Lihiwai St, Hilo, HI, 96720

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