Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Hawaii / Big Island

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes in Hawaii / Big Island? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar - Mauna Lani, Big Island

4.8

4.8 (5502)

$31 to $50

Hawaii Regional Cuisine

Kamuela

About the restaurant

Tommy Bahama combines a tranquil environment and good food with an emphasis on hospitality to make for the perfect place to recharge or unwind while indulging in a unique dining experience. The experience is sure to feel like a getaway, whether you’re on vacation or looking for a vacation from your everyday life. For more information: www.tommybahama.com

Top review

Erick

Dined 5 days ago

As usual Tommy Bahama’s did not disappoint. The Mac crusted Mahi Mahi was delicious. The waiter was attentive and knowledgeable about the offerings. Will definitely return.

Beach Tree Restaurant, Bar and Lounge

4.8

4.8 (879)

$30 and under

Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service

Kailua-Kona

About the restaurant

Beach Tree Bar & Lounge at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai is a casual dining option set along the sand and overlooking the ocean, perfect for sundowner cocktails. Toast the sunset with unforgettable views, local flavours, creative cocktails and more.

Top review

JillVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Not a better spot on the Big Island to enjoy good food and great service!

Discover more

Popular dish

Spaghetti "Cacio e Pepe"

Experience

Tide to Table Amalfi Under the Stars

Island Lava Java Bistro

4.6

4.6 (1864)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Kailua-Kona

About the restaurant

Family-owned Oceanside Restaurant, specializing in fresh, local, organic and sustainable food with 100% Kona coffee, freshly squeezed juices, and our own bakery on site. Currently serving Everyday Brunch, Lunch & Dinner, plus Happy Hour. We are committed to using the highest quality locally produced ingredients. We invite you to relax and enjoy our scratch-made food and drinks in our island-style, open-air dining room, bar & lanai. Experience our inventive cuisine, attentive service, and a friendly atmosphere; come see what makes us one of the most popular restaurants, craft bar and coffee houses in town. We look forward to meeting you! E Komo Mai!
Craft Bar, Great Wine List, Open-Air Oceanside Dining. *Now offering "Touchless" QR Code Order & Pay (with a Smartphone)*

Top review

Angela

Dined on Dec 9, 2024

Great food and hot! Service excellent it was tawny Mimosa Monday is my fav Thank you for that

Jackie Rey's Kailua-Kona

4.6

4.6 (27)

$31 to $50

American

Kailua-Kona

About the restaurant

Jackie Rey's Kailua-Kona is a celebration of delicious cuisine, refreshing drinks, delectable desserts, and the warm spirit of aloha. Indulge in a symphony of flavors from our menu featuring fresh seafood sourced locally, succulent prime steaks, and an array of gourmet entrees. Complement your meal with our specially crafted cocktails or explore our meticulously curated wine list featuring selections that perfectly pair with our dishes. Come as you are and enjoy our open-air Hawaiian restaurant.

Top review

Gayle

Dined 1 day ago

We always enjoy this restaurant, we eat here every year on our annual trip to Kona. Brad was an excellent server. We had the coconut shrimp, daily chef specials and the dessert board is excellent.

Halani

4.6

4.6 (1096)

$31 to $50

Farm-to-table

Kamuela

About the restaurant

Reflecting a journey through the Mediterranean, set against a spectacular Pacific Ocean backdrop, choose between colorful mezze platters, a selection of tender kebabs from Hamakua raised lamb to Kahua ranch beef sirloin, signature grilled seafood dishes including Whole Kampachi and Mibrasa Style Branzino with ladolemono & Waimea cherry tomatoes, as well as wood-fired pizzas and fresh salads. This beloved al fresco eatery embraces the rich culinary traditions of Coastal Mediterranean cuisine with the tropical beauty of Hawai’i to offer a rich tapestry of dishes highlighted by locally-sourced produce and seafood.

Top review

CesarVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Great location with savory fresh ingredients. Kitchen was slow but the fantastic location help the wait. Great GF options and they have cauliflower pita bread.

Discover more

Popular dish

Margherita Pizza

Experience

Rhythm and Brunch at Halani

Hau Tree at Mauna Kea

4.5

4.5 (288)

$30 and under

American

Kohala Coast

About the restaurant

Just steps from the beach and ocean with your toes practically in the sand, Hau Tree is a casual open-air option for relaxed lunches and dinners on the Big Island of Hawai‘i. It’s complete with a gazebo-style bar perfectly situated for meeting friends old and new while enjoying cocktails, local brews and awaiting a glimpse of the sunset’s elusive green flash. Hau Tree’s menu includes sandwiches, wraps, fish tacos, salads, ice cream, and Mauna Kea’s famous Ovaltine Froth.

Top review

Lylyana

Dined on Dec 3, 2024

Great place for dinner while enjoying amazing sunset views.

Discover more

4.5

4.5 (377)

$50 and over

Farm-to-table

Kamuela

About the restaurant

Owned by Chef Allen Hess, FORC brings farm to table in the heart of Waimea. FORC showcases a farm to table aspect by bringing fresh harvests from Farmers, the Ocean and Ranchers. By changing our menu seasonally, we are able to get creative with what Hawai’i has to offer us. Local style brunch items like our FORC signature sandwich, brown butter banana pancakes and our housemade bacon. Hearty seasonal dinner dishes like our Big Island grass fed beef, whole roasted fish, and Chef’s Hawaiian Meal. There are vegetarian, paleo and gluten free options too. Indulge more with special menus like happy hour and holiday menus. Sip on our award winning cocktails or sit down and soak in the best dining atmosphere.

Top review

KristaVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Amazing meal: Portuguese bread, lettuce wraps and bacon to start. Whole roasted kalekale was delicious and perfectly prepared. Same with butter fish, chicken, filet mignon. Finished with chocolate crème brûlée. Cocktails were also great. Loved the ube lemon drop martini and family enjoyed their mai tais. Great meal and excellent service.

Discover more

Popular dish

Filet Mignon Prime Grade

Copper Bar at Mauna Kea

4.4

4.4 (663)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Kohala Coast

About the restaurant

Dynamic Takes on Modern Traditions. Copper Bar is one of Kohala Coast’s favorite dining and gathering places. Casual, creative tapas and entrees incorporate locally grown ingredients and are easily paired with a selection of craft cocktails, locally-brewed beers, and wine. Unwind with a handcrafted Mauna Kea Mule and absorb sweeping ocean views that have beckoned travelers for generations.

*Please note that seating to guests that are not in-house at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel is subject to availability*

Top review

TracyVIP

Dined on Dec 13, 2024

Dining at Copper Bar may have been our favorite dining experience on the Big Island! The setting was outstanding with the sunsetting and snorkeled heading out to see the manta rays. The service was outstanding. Our server was warm, knowledgeable, attentive. We loved the music and the beautiful, talented hula dancer made it extra special.

Kuleana Rum Shack

4.4

4.4 (1062)

$31 to $50

Hawaii Regional Cuisine

Waikoloa

About the restaurant

The Rum Shack offers authentic island cuisine and outstanding, unique cocktails made with Kuleana Rum and other world-class spirits

Top review

GantryVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Kuleana Rum Shack is a great spot and a cool concept. The food is tasty and the rum even better. The staff are enthusiastic and attentive. Complaints about the pricing? C’mon, you are eating out in Waikoloa, the pricing is inline with that. Highly recommended.

Discover more

4.2

4.2 (121)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Waikoloa

About the restaurant

A Bar and Grill during the day and Steakhouse by night. Amazing food prepared by very experienced chefs with live music nightly and beautiful mountain and sunset views.

Top review

GaryVIP

Dined on Dec 12, 2024

A very nice dinner & evening at Mauka. Everyone was so cordial making our anniversary celebration very special! Our servers were amazingly helpful & attentive. My dinner of Escargot, Macadamia Nut Crusted Ono & Mango Crème Brûlée for dessert were the best flavors I have tasted. For this incredible meal, we paired a bottle of French Medoc. I want to try their Rack of Lamb or Lobster next with a Tiramisu dessert. We are coming back!

Discover more

Explore Diners' Choice best of Hawaii / Big Island

Explore more Diners' Choice lists