Lava Lava Beach Club
A friendly and warm beachside establishment, Lava Lava Beach Club keeps it consistent and tasty no matter the time of day.
If there’s one thing Kohala isn’t lacking, it’s for amazing restaurants and we have some great Kohala dining tips for you. From incredible, high-end luxury establishments to hole-in-the-wall eateries, one could spend a week doing nothing but eating and still not see everything this gorgeous area has to offer. While you could certainly follow along a list of the best places for Kohala dining, these tips for experiencing the best of the Kohala food scene should improve your overall experience and help you maximize the enjoyment of your stay.
Stay Frugal and Eat Local
One of the best ways to experience Hawaiian cuisine is to ensure you’re eating ingredients that come from the islands, and luckily, that’s also one of the best ways to save money on your trip. Even the food trucks and tiny, roadside shops source their seafood and vegetables from island producers, which is good news for those who want to eat like the locals do.
Splurge at One of the Best Restaurants on the Island
From Brown’s Beach House to Ulu’s Ocean Grill some of the finest restaurants on the Big Island call Kohala home. Highly rated, reservation required, and well worth the effort, the fine dining in Kohala is famous for a reason. If you’re financially able and want to enjoy food from some of the best chefs in the world, you’ll want to visit Kohala.
Gather Local Ingredients and Cook Your Own Meal
With a dense, diverse agricultural scene in Kohala, there’s plenty of independent and family-owned farms and ranches that share and sell their wares throughout the Big Island. The Hawi Farmer’s Market is one choice, but there are roadside vegetable and fruit stands seemingly everywhere. And local delis, mercantiles, and grocery stores carry plenty of local, artisan-made goods you can take back to your vacation rental and throw together for a homemade meal.
Hang Out in Waimea
Sure, Waimea is loaded with delicious eateries – namely Merriman’s, Big Island Brewhaus, and Red Water Cafe – but we just like Waimea. A hilly mountain town experiencing a major resurgence, a walk down Mamalahoa Highway offers a unique look at village island life. And once you work up an appetite, there’s no shortage of quick, delicious food of every stripe.
Tour a Local Farm or Ranch
Kohala, in addition to having multiple family-run farms, is also home to the massive, historic Parker Ranch, which is one of the oldest and largest cattle ranches in the United States. While agriculture on the Big Island certainly looks a lot like what you’d see back on the mainland, the Hawaiian take on farming and ranching is an interesting and educational experience for anyone who loves food. For those inclined, there are several farms and ranches that offer tours – the Parker Ranch included.
