Hawaii Island is a cornucopia of dining culture. Every year, new restaurants pop up to the delight of locals and tourists alike. Bite by bite, food bon vivants can visit the island’s freshest and newest eateries. Here are a few favorite best new restaurants on the Big Island who have opened their doors within the last year. Bon Appétit!
Manny’s Mexican Restaurant in South Kona
¡Ay, caramba! Mexican food lovers rejoice – authentic south-of-the-border food can now be found on the Big Island. Manny’s Mexican Restaurant in Captain Cook opened last April and is quickly becoming one of the hot spots in the SoKo area. Owned by Mexican immigrants, Manny’s serves up favorites such as enchiladas and burritos, as well as uniquely native lunch specials like cabeza and lingua tacos (that’s head and tongue tacos). Hey, it’s the real deal and muy delicioso!
Manny’s is located at 82-6123 Mamalahoa Highway in Captain Cook and is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Closed Sundays.
Daylight Mind Coffee Company in Waikoloa
With the success of their Kailua-Kona location, Daylight Mind Coffee Company opened their second restaurant in the Queen’s Market Place in Waikoloa. Known for their fresh homemade bread and world class coffee, Daylight Mind also offers breakfast and lunch using locally grown products. The outside dining area offers gorgeous views of Mauna Kea and will soon open for dinner with a unique menu of American cuisine fused with Hawaiian, Italian, and French influences.
Daylight Mind in Waikoloa is located at 69-201 Waikoloa Beach Drive. They are openevery day Coffee Bar: 6 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. Restaurant: 7 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
The Noodle Club in Waimea
Do you love noodles? Join the Club! The Noodle Club in Waimea serves up unique Asian cuisine loaded with fresh local produce. With entrees almost too gorgeous to eat, you’ll want to order several dishes to share so you can taste the variety of subtle and bold flavors. There are even gluten free noodles for diners with special needs. Save room for dessert. The Yuzu Pudding Cake and Almond Mild Panna Cotta are to die for!
The Noodle Club is located at 67-1185 Mamalahoa Highway, A106 in Waimea. Their hours are Tuesday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. and Sundays from 10:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Closed Mondays.
Ohelo Café in Volcano
After an evening of hiking out to see the lava, what better way to spend the following day than relaxing with a handmade cocktail or local craft beer and chowing down on some mouth-watering wood fire pizzas? You’ve earned it, and Ohelo Café in Volcano town is the best place to unwind. Their menu is inspired by fresh, local ingredients. Enjoy one of their Pesto Pizzas with house basil macadamia nut pesto, mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Or go for dinner and indulge in wood fired rosemary and garlic lamb leg, or Cornish game hen. Whichever you choose, you can’t go wrong.
Ohelo Café is loated at 19-4005 Haunani Rd. in Volcano. They’re open every day for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and dinner from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. They are closed the first Tuesday of each month for maintenance.
*Updated August 4, 2016.
