What should I order at Hilo Bay Cafe?
Hilo Bay Cafe
French Onion Short Ribs
Mentioned multiple times as 'chef's kiss,' 'mind blowing,' and a favorite dish with flavorful, tender meat and delicious accompaniments.
Hawaiian Ahi Poke
Highly praised for its freshness and quality; recommended as a standout appetizer that does not require heavy sauces due to the quality of the fish.
Mushroom Pot Pie
Identified as a favorite dish by reviewers for its deliciousness and comfort factor.
Crispy Brussels & Bacon
Rated 5/5 and noted as a favorite appetizer with a perfect balance of flavors.
French Onion Soup
Repeatedly lauded as 'mind blowing' and highly recommended by multiple reviewers for its rich flavor.
Ribeye
Described as perfectly cooked and delicious, with great accompaniments like au gratin potatoes.
Sushi (Tekka Maki Rolls and Salmon Nigiri)
Called the best sushi ever by a reviewer, praised for freshness and authentic Hawaiian catch.
Duck Duck Demi
Mentioned as an 'insanely delicious' main course with a unique and flavorful preparation.
Fish and Chips
Recommended for its fresh white fish options like ono and mahi mahi, served with scratch-made tartar sauce.
Short Ribs with Mushrooms and Noodles
Highly praised for delicious flavors, generous portions, and locally sourced noodles with sautéed onions and cheese.
Hours
| Monday | Closed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 11 AM to 2:30 PM, 5 to 8:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 11 AM to 2:30 PM, 5 to 8:30 PM |
| Thursday | 11 AM to 2:30 PM, 5 to 8:30 PM |
| Friday | 11 AM to 2:30 PM, 5 to 8:30 PM |
| Saturday | 11 AM to 2:30 PM, 5 to 8:30 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
About Hilo Bay Cafe
Wood-accented hangout featuring a New American menu with a Pacific Rim twist, cocktails & bay views.
Amenities & services
Service options
- Outdoor seating
- Onsite services
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Fast service
- Great beer selection
- Great cocktails
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Great wine list
- Serves local specialty
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Coffee
- Comfort food
- Happy hour drinks
- Hard liquor
- Healthy options
- Organic dishes
- Private dining room
- Small plates
- Vegan options
- Vegetarian options
- Wine
Dining options
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
Amenities
- Bar onsite
- Restroom
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cozy
- Quiet
- Romantic
- Trendy
- Upscale
Crowd
- Groups
- Tourists
Planning
- Brunch reservations recommended
- Lunch reservations recommended
- Dinner reservations recommended
- Accepts reservations
- Usually a wait
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
- Kids' menu
Parking
- Free parking lot
- Free street parking
- Paid parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
Pets
- Dogs allowed inside
- Dogs allowed outside
Frequently asked questions
What is Hilo Bay Cafe known for?
Hilo Bay Cafe is best known for its sushi and its bay-facing outdoor lanai, with many reviews calling out the view of Hilo Bay as a major part of the experience. Reviewers also mention fish and chips, French onion soup, and other Pacific Rim influenced dishes as standouts.
What dishes are most recommended at Hilo Bay Cafe?
Reviewers most often recommend the sushi, especially tekka maki rolls and salmon nigiri, plus the poke appetizer, duck duck demi, mushroom pot pie, French onion short ribs, and the ribeye with au gratin. Fish and chips and the shrimp yakisoba noodles also come up often, though one review notes the noodles are a very large portion.
What is the atmosphere like at Hilo Bay Cafe?
The atmosphere is described as casual but also cozy, romantic, trendy, and upscale, with outdoor lanai seating and a balcony view over Hilo Bay. It suits groups and tourists, and several reviews mention it works well for a relaxed meal after exploring Hilo or for a date with a view.
Is Hilo Bay Cafe good value, and what is the price range?
The price range is $20 to $60, and reviews are mixed on value, with some saying the views and location are worth the price while others felt portions were small for the cost. Several diners still described the food as reasonably priced for the quality, especially when ordering shared plates or larger mains like short ribs and ribeye.
Do I need a reservation at Hilo Bay Cafe?
Yes, reservations are recommended for brunch, lunch, and dinner, and reviews say the restaurant is usually busy. Some guests were seated quickly without a reservation around 5 pm, but many others advise booking ahead because of the popularity and the outdoor seating request.
Is parking available at Hilo Bay Cafe?
Yes. Free parking lot, Free street parking, Paid parking lot, Usually plenty of parking is available.
Does Hilo Bay Cafe have vegetarian options?
Yes, Hilo Bay Cafe offers vegan options.
Is Hilo Bay Cafe kid-friendly?
Yes, Hilo Bay Cafe is good for kids.
Restaurants like Hilo Bay Cafe in Hilo
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