Where I Eat on the Big Island— Ep 136

Where I Eat on the Big IslandWho this episode is for: Anyone visiting the Big Island who wants real, repeat-tested restaurant picks organized geographically for easy trip planning.What you'll learn: Marcie's personal Big Island food spots organized by region — Kona, Volcano, Hilo, the North Shore/Hamakua Coast, and Waimea — plus what to order at each.Places discussed:Kona (Ali'i Drive)Captain CookHawai'i Volcanoes National ParkHiloHonoka'aWaimea (upcountry)Activities discussed:Renting a car (essential for the Big Island given the distances)Hotels discussed:Volcano House — where Marcie stays when visiting Hawai'i Volcanoes National ParkRestaurants discussed:Kona (Ali'i Drive area):Gecko Girl's Shave Ice — nearly 30 years on Ali'i Drive, real fruit purees; get anything lilikoiHuggo's on the Rocks — casual, open-air, right on the water; poke nachos, virgin lava flows, live music and hula most nights; no reservations, just put your name inLava Lava Beach Club — lawn games, fall-off-the-bone ribs; Marcie's "last day before flying out" spotPoke and coastal detours:Da Poke Shack — tricky parking but worth it; get the shack special (kalua pork also available for non-poke eaters)Coffee Shack (Captain Cook, ~25 min south of Kona) — own coffee bushes, 26-mile coastline view, great sandwiches on house-made bread; closed Wednesdays, opens 7 AM, small parking lot fills fast — arrive earlyKaaloa's Super J's — traditional Hawaiian plate lunch (kalua pork, laulau), no-frills atmosphere, excellent foodVolcano:The Rim (at Volcano House) — reservations required for dinner, don't just show up; overlooks Kilauea caldera, locally sourced foodHilo:Cafe 100 — birthplace of loco moco, serving since 1946, holds trademark on "Home of the Loco Moco"; open-air walk-up window, 30+ varieties, good for takeoutKen's House of Pancakes — open since 1971, homey diner vibe; pancakes with guava/coconut/lilikoi syrups; get the saimin on a rainy day (their #1 local favorite)Zippy's — local diner chain; fried noodles, burgers, musubi; bakery attachedTwo Ladies Kitchen — Instagram-famous mochi, strawberry mochi is the go-to; usually a wait, worth itNorth Shore / Hamakua Coast:Texas Drive-In (Honoka'a) — square malasadas; beef curry stew on overcast days; also burgers and hot dogsWaimea (upcountry):Merriman's — excellent food, but the real draw is the mai tai with lilikoi honey foamMarcie's recommendations:A rental car is not optional on the Big Island — book through Discount Hawaii Car Rental, a broker that shops rates across companiesIf you want an actual luau on the Big Island, see the Big Island luau ranking episode — Huggo's hula isn't a substitute for the real thingBook The Rim at Volcano House well ahead; dinner reservations are genuinely requiredGet to Coffee Shack early, especially heading south in the morning, since the small lot fills fastListen to Episode 51 for full Big Island trip planning before diving into food specificsRelated Hawaii Travel Made Easy episodes:Episode 51 (How to Plan a Trip to the Big Island) — recommended listen before this oneEpisode 53 (Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park planning guide)Every Big Island Luau I've Been To (And Everything Else Worth Knowing), Ranked Honestly— Ep 135Where I Actually Eat on Maui— Ep 132Where I eat on Oahu— Ep 112Where I Eat on Kauai— Ep 102Additional resources:Discount Hawaii Car Rental (Marcie's affiliate link)Hawaii Travel Consultation (60-min and 90-min sessions)$50 Itinerary ReviewHawaii Travel with Kids Facebook groupAbout Your Host: Marcie Cheung is a Certified Hawaii Destination Expert who has visited Hawaii 40+ times and spent 20+ years as a professional hula dancer. Through Hawaii Travel with Kids, she helps families plan authentic, affordable Hawaii vacations that respect local culture while creating unforgettable memories.Learn more at hawaiitravelwithkids.comConnect: @hawaiitravelwithkids on Instagram | Book a Consultation🌺 Join 11,000+ families receiving free Hawaii travel tips, island guides, and insider advice - subscribe now!https://hawaiitravelwithkids.com/free-5-day-email-course-how-to-travel-to-hawaii-like-a-pro/