Hi all!

Leaving for our honeymoon in two weeks, and will be spending one week on the Big Island of Hawaii, and one week in Maui.

I saw the posting for all the great restaurant recommendations in Maui, and I was wondering what you Fodorites consider to the best restaurants on the Big Island...

Thanks so much! Looking forward to your help!

Anyone have any help? Thanks!!

We spent a week on the Big Island last Christmas time. The 2 best restaurants were the Canoe House (forget which Hotel it is with). Outstanding food, fabulous ambiance on the ocean. Great sunset. Very romantic.
The other great restaurant was Merriman's in Waimea. Really 4 star.
Otherwise there are some good ones in Kona. (try Bubba Gumps at sunset. It's fun and great views.

I would have to second the vote for Merriman's. We ate there last year on our honeymoon. Just a warning, but if you have allergies or breathing problems, be prepared that the heavy ash content in the air can be a problem. My wife has sinus problems and wound up in the hospital due to the ash. She's never had any problem like this before or after. The ER doctor told us that it happens to a lot of people while they're visiting the Big Island. Travel agents and hotels just want the word to spread.

A third vote for Merriman's. Of course, you can't go wrong at Roy's which is located in the Waikoloa area (great food and atmosphere, but not really romantic). The Luau at the Royal Waikoloan is tops. Our absolute favorite place for romantic dining is the Kilauea Lodge Restaurant in Volcano Village (very intimate...very Old Hawaii). A drive down to the Chain of Craters road in the Volcanic Park at night is the most romantic...a million stars in the sky, ocean spray and you can see the lava flow into the ocean at a distance. Enjoy!

That's four votes for Merriman's, plus another big thumbs up (they're not that big, actually) for the Canoe House at the Mauna Lani hotel - one of the most romantic places we've every been (a list which includes several of the Paris/NYC biggies.)

Then there's Sam Choy's cafe in an industrial park between the airport and Kona town - full of locals having fabulous enormous breakfasts and lunches. Oh, man, makes me hungry...

Wow guys! Thanks a million! I am even more excited now!

I do have allergy and sinus problems, so it makes me wonder about how the ash will affect me - I had never heard of that before!

What exactly happened to your wife that she had to go to the hospital? That's terrible.

Thanks again for all of your help and advice - you have made such a world of difference for us!

We went there on our honeymoon in May, and I had no allergy problems, though I am asthmatic and am allergic to lots of things, so don't worry! Canoe House and Kilauea Lodge are very romantic, and the food was pretty good, too. Also near the volcano, we ate at the Lava Rock Cafe (cheesy, I know), where the food was so-so, but they had a musician who sounded just like James Taylor. Another great place for music was the Orchid Hotel, where we saw Boyson Brown (Hawaiian musician). If you're in Hilo, try Honu's Nest in downtown- some of the best Japanese food I've had. One place to avoid- Lulu's in downtown Kona- bad food, bad service. Have fun!

Another vote for the Canoe House at the Mauna Lani, a great place to watch the sunset. The best place we ate at on the Big Island was Pahu I'a at the Four Seasons. The service and food were incredible.

I agree with the recommendation for Bubba Gump's - I'd also suggest Oodles of Noodles. The food was marvellous and reasonably priced. (It's not an upscale, resort-type spot.) It's in a strip mall just up the hill from the King Kam, near the Safeway store. Have fun!

Thanks so much Jenny, Anna, and Cindy!
I really appreciate it!

It's also good to hear that you did not have any problems Jenny, as I also have asthma on top of the allergies and bad sinuses! That makes me feel much better.

Again, thanks to all of you that helped me out - I'll let you know how it goes - please don't hesitate to ask me for any help as well!

I had to look at Deb's post above very carefully to make sure it wasn't one I'd written and forgotten. I second all her favorite places - I think the Roy's at Waikoloa is THE BEST ROY'S anywhere! I wouldn't worry about the ash; this is the first time I've heard of someone having a problem on the Big Island with the ash (sorry to hear that!) - I know several people have fallen into hot lava, and that isn't publicized either!!! Be careful with that if you decide to go close to the lava flow!!! Have a great trip, and by the way, my fave restaurant in Maui is A Pacific Cafe in Kihei. Have a wonderful time!

This is off the subject but we are doing the same islands next june. Where are you flying into and where are you coming from (east or west coast)? Just curious.

Nobody has mentioned Cafe Pesto in Kawaihae. It was so delicious; very small restaurant with out of this world desserts and delicious food. We stayed at the Hapuna Prince resort and Cafe Pesto was about 2 miles north of the resort. I too have asthma and bad allergies, but have never been bothered by the ash in the air.

if you're feeling really adventurous, stop by the cafe 100 drive-in in hilo. they are the 'home of the loco-moco,' a local dish that is actually various types of meats, eggs, etc on top of rice with or without gravy. locals love this stuff. haven't been to the big island sam choy's but i vote for that since his honolulu restaurants make my mouth want to keep eating although my stomach is insisting that there's no more room. congrats to you!

I loved Pacific Cafe in Kihei.. (Kiehei is between Wailea and Lahaina) I also highly recommend Roys, Merrimans and Canoe House.

The Batik Room at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel is lovely. Also good food if you love beef is at the Broiler up on the Parker Ranch. The beef is grass fed so tastes so fresh. It's not glamourous, but certainly is a part of the Big Island. BTW, I think some of these responses refer to places on Maui--check on a map before you set out to find them.

Merriman's and Kiluaea Lodge best I have eaten in. Best Luau is Kona Village Resort on a Friday night.

Another vote for Kilauea Lodge. The beef tornados were to die for. I also stayed there on my honeymoon.
I am also a very allergic person and the only allergies I suffered were when we left the windows open in the car, and a cat made its bed for the night in the back seat!

From a local perspective, we were often looking for great meals at a "not-for-tourists" price. I recommend the Big Island Steak House rack of ribs and the yummiest parmesan mashed potatoes. Cafe Pesto for Italian and Tres Hombres for Mexican - both in Kawaihae (N of Waikoloa). And Donatoni's (?) in the Hilton Waikoloa for a bit pricier but SO good Italian. Wish I was back there now!