Description:

Located in downtown Pahoa on the Big Island of Hawaii is a true gem! Kaleo’s restaurant. Open for lunch and dinner daily at 11 am. As you drive up, you might say, really this was recommended? Then as you pull into the parking lot an energetic young man will greet you and show you where to park, he will even have an umbrella handy should it be raining. The moment you enter, the ambiance overtakes you: the music, smell of the local flowers, the friendly staff greeting you, and oh the smell of the food being prepared!

The huge menu will have something for everyone, even the kids. In fact it is so huge it will be hard to decide, then the wait person will tell you about the nightly special (local fish always available) which makes it more difficult to decide. When we dine there, their Poke is always our starter, it is so fresh and the flavor, oh my! Lemon chicken, I have never had it prepared with local goat cheese, but it is still my favorite.

They have a full bar, local beers, and their creative bartenders are always creating a special blend with the fresh local fruits available that day, just ask what they are mixing up, you will not be disappointed.

Now desert. If you save room consider Lilikoi Cheesecake, Chocolate Decadence Cake, Warm Lava Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream, Chocolate Swirls, and Strawberry Drizzle (my guest’s love this one), my favorite though is the Banana Spring rolls with Vanilla Ice Cream. Last, but not by all means least is Hot Fudge Brownie Sundae.

There will be a local artist playing, and some nights you may see one of the lovely wait person hula.

You won’t regret your decision to eat here.

Just in town during lunch? Stop in, the lunch menu is as great as the food.