This restaurant's Pacific Rim-influenced menu boasts a wide range of scrumptious seafood options. Enjoy fresh-from-the-sea mahi mahi marinated in miso sake, savor lemon-pepper scallops grilled and served with wild mushrooms, or delight in flavorful nips of nori-wrapped ahi tempura and ginger-scallion tofu. The scene is equally delightful, and the rolling surf just a few yards away juxtaposes nicely with the large, outrigger canoe hanging over the enchanting outdoor dining area. Located on the beach overlooking the ocean at this high end resort, the atmosphere couldn't be any more romantic for a vacation date night. Make reservations to guarantee a spot.
Recommended for Outdoor Dining because: The CanoeHouse offers amazing seafood at its romantic ocean front location.
Jade's expert tip: Arrive in time for sunset.
Just across the street from the cruise port, the pub at the Big Island's most famous brewery is a terrific place to wind down after shopping. Brewery tours are quick and personal — an added bonus is that visitors over 21 get to sample the products. Kona's on premises brewpub serves cold mugs of the brewery's top sellers, including Fire Rock Pale, Pacific Golden Ale, and Longboard Lager, and the cozy setting easily pulls you in, making it difficult to leave. Great Hawaiian influenced pub grub — pizzas, salads, and sandwiches — is also available. Sample what's in season since the rest of the brews can be found all year long.
Recommended for Outdoor Dining because: Offering delicious food and micro brews, the brewing company offers ample outdoor seating lit by torch at night.
Jade's expert tip: Order pizzas and enjoy them down the street on the Kailua Pier.
Read more about Kona Brewing Company: Kailua-Kona Pub & Brewery →
It's all about food going straight from the farm to you table (or to go bag) at Village Burger in Waimea. While many farm to table restaurants were starting out as formal and pricey, the man behind Village Burger wanted to bring healthy local food to one of our most basic meals, the burger and fries. Village Burgers uses only local, grass fed beef and veal for their burgers. To top off the burgers, they utilize local produce such as avocados, tomatoes, lettuce and mushrooms to create a mix of delicious burgers. Shoestring french fries fried in truffle oil are really the icing on the cake, and can be ordered smothered in "parmesan goop." Vegetarians will also be content at Village Burger, and can enjoy a handmade taro or mushroom burger.
Recommended for Outdoor Dining because: Village Burger offers outdoor seating, as well as nearby parks and beaches to enjoy meals at.
Jade's expert tip: Those with children should take their meal to go and enjoy at the elaborate wooden playground down the street.
Over 200 vendors of all kinds frequent the Hilo Farmers Market. This outdoor market is like many restaurants combined into one. Thai food, vegetarian, coffee, desserts, Hawaiian food and other cuisines can be found here. Although it's open daily, the biggest days are Saturdays and Wednesdays from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. and from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. every other day. At the market you'll find everything from jewelry, to fresh flowers, to clothing and home decor, to food, ready to eat and to bring home and cook. The market is a bustling place to socialize or window and is a classic Hilo attraction.
Recommended for Outdoor Dining because: The farmers market offers delicious and eclectic food to be enjoyed near the ocean or under a picnic table.
Jade's expert tip: Bring a reusable shopping bag since plastic bags were banned on the Big Island in early 2013.
Coffee fans love the Big Island for many reasons, and this place is one of them. You'll find freshly brewed, 100 percent Kona coffee here, along with an assortment of sweets and sandwiches. A great place to people-watch, it's situated directly across from the beach, where human activity is non-stop. You can order at the counter and take the food to go, or else enjoy at an outdoor table under an umbrella. Either way you'll be sitting right across from the ocean, under the usually clear blue skies of Kailua Kona. Take your meal just down the street to Kahalu'u Beach to dine on the sand.
Recommended for Outdoor Dining because: Island Lava Java is the ideal place for to go food, it's good on the go and there's plenty of outdoor places to enjoy it nearby.
Jade's expert tip: Take the meal to go or enjoy people watching at an outdoor table near the ocean.
Outdoor seating and terrific oceanside scenery set the stage at this Orchid treasure, whose extensive wine list and traditional Hawaiian cuisine have turned more than a few heads. Dine in a near-paradisical setting, highlighted by lush greenery, candle-lit tables, and an enchanting tropical lagoon. Dinner patrons are wowed by the menu's versatility, and choices range from seared crisp moi with basmati rice to a Kobe-style rib-eye with fingerling potatoes and ponzu dipping sauce. Exceptional nightly entertainment, plus an entrancing hula dancer, make for an unforgettable evening. During the day, pool, beach, and casual attire (with cover-ups) are suggested. For the evening, it's casual resort attire.
Recommended for Outdoor Dining because: Brown's Beach House is known for serving delicious food at it's ocean side location.
Jade's expert tip: Reservations for dinner are a must here.
Quite literally "over the edge," Huggo's allows patrons to enjoy both ocean side dining and premiere seafood dishes. The dishes can be taken to go and enjoyed at the pier nearby, in a park or just down the road while watching the surf. While taking in the view of spectacular Kailua Bay, be sure to sample one of the house specialties — steamed clams and flavorful garlic chicken earn particular nods. After dinner, make your way to thatch-roofed Huggo's on the Rocks, a popular outdoor bar and dance club whose specialty drinks and beautiful clientele always ensure a great time.
Recommended for Outdoor Dining because: Huggo's serves delicious local seafood dishes that can be enjoyed by the ocean under the sky.
Jade's expert tip: Make reservations for a table right by the ocean.