Where to Eat at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes: Restaurants in and Around the Park

By Erika Müller · Data: National Park Service · ← Complete guide Hawaiʻi Volcanoes

Meal planning at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes is straightforward. There's one place to eat inside the park, Volcano House, a handful of restaurants in Volcano Village 1.2 miles from the entrance, and the city of Hilo 30 miles away for a wider selection. With a little planning, you won't go without.

Eating in the Park: Lodges, Restaurants, and Cafeterias

Volcano House is the only lodging and dining facility inside the park. Our Hotels and Lodges guide has all the details on overnight stays. It offers three options, from sit-down meals to fast food.

The Rim: Dining with a View of Kīlauea

The Rim is Volcano House's main restaurant. The dining room looks directly out over Kīlauea's caldera, so you can have lunch or dinner facing the crater with volcanic steam in the background. The menu draws on products from the Big Island, including Pacific fish, island-raised beef, and vegetables from Waimea farms.

Three services set the rhythm of the day: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Dinner is the most refined option, with prices to match. Expect to pay $30 to $50 for a main course. Reserve a table for dinner, especially from June through August and during the holidays.

Uncle George's Lounge: Coffee and Cocktails on the Edge

Volcano House also has a lounge bar open all day, perfect for a coffee break or a drink after a morning hike around the crater. It's more relaxed than The Rim, less expensive, and the view is the same.

The Lunch Counter: Sandwiches and Takeout Meals

There's a quick lunch option for putting together a picnic without leaving the park. Takeout sandwiches, salads, and drinks let you head straight back to Chain of Craters Road without losing time.

Groceries and Picnics in the Park

The park has neither a general store nor a grocery store. The golden rule is to stock up before you enter, either in Volcano Village, 1.2 miles from the entrance, or in Hilo or Kailua-Kona, depending on where you're starting from.

Developed picnic areas let you eat outside, especially near the Kīlauea Visitor Center and along Chain of Craters Road. At the park's highest point, the elevation is around 3,900 feet, so the weather can be cool and cloudy even in midsummer. Bring an extra layer and a thermos if you're eating outside near the caldera.

Where to Eat Nearby: Gateway Towns

Volcano Village, 1.2 Miles from the Main Entrance

Volcano Village is the most convenient place to eat near the park. You won't find a crowded commercial strip or fast-food chains here, just a few well-established local spots frequented by residents and visitors alike.

Lava Rock Cafe: The village café opens early. It serves local food in a no-frills setting, making it a good stop before a day of hiking. Prices are reasonable.

Thai Thai Restaurant: Thai food served in a wooden house in the heart of the village. Flavorful curries, hearty soups, and fair prices make it a good way to take a break from American food.

Kilauea Lodge Restaurant: The area's most polished dining room. The building dates to the 1930s and was converted from a former youth camp. A lava fireplace and wood-paneled dining room give it real character. The menu uses local Big Island ingredients in updated American preparations. Reservations are recommended for dinner.

Cafe Ono: The spot to know if you're vegetarian or vegan. Its plant-based menu is thoughtfully prepared, which is less common in this area.

Eagles Lighthouse Cafe: A friendly café worth remembering for a light breakfast or a sweet snack during the day.

Lanikai Brewing Company: A Big Island craft brewery with a small food menu. The patio is a pleasant place to end a long day in the park with a well-earned local beer.

Hilo, 30 Miles Northeast

Hilo is 30 miles from the park via Highway 11, about a 45-minute drive. If you're passing through town on the way there or back, or staying there, our Where to Stay guide covers the area's options. This is where you'll find the broadest selection, including sushi, plate lunches, local grocery stores, and farmers markets.

The town is less touristy than Kailua-Kona, and prices reflect that. Meals cost less, and you'll find plenty of places serving authentic local food.

Our Picks for Every Craving

Heading out early for a big hike in the park? Stop at Lava Rock Cafe in Volcano Village, which opens early, or grab takeout from the Volcano House lunch counter.

For families, no reservation needed: Thai Thai or Lava Rock Cafe, with a relaxed welcome and reasonable prices.

For a crater view: The Rim at Volcano House. Reserve dinner to enjoy the evening light, especially when volcanic activity is visible.

For a memorable setting: Kilauea Lodge Restaurant, for its 1930s lava-and-wood dining room and carefully prepared food.

For a vegan or vegetarian option: Cafe Ono.

For a craft beer at the end of the day: Lanikai Brewing Company.

The Local Specialty to Try at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes

Hawaiian food is a crossroads cuisine, shaped by the Polynesian, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, and Portuguese cultures that have influenced the island's history. Here are a few dishes to know before you arrive.

The plate lunch: A mainstay of Big Island comfort food. It comes with white rice, macaroni salad, and a protein of your choice, such as teriyaki chicken, fried fish, or kalbi beef. It's filling, inexpensive, and served in a takeout container. This is the local lunch, and it's genuinely satisfying.

Poke: Raw fish, usually ahi tuna or salmon, seasoned with soy sauce, sesame oil, green onions, and chili. Poke bowls are everywhere in Hilo's grocery stores and restaurants. They're fresh and light after a morning spent on the lava flows.

Loco moco: White rice, a hamburger patty, a fried egg, and plenty of brown gravy. This comfort-food dish was born in Hilo in 1949 and has become a local icon. If you've never had one, this is the place to try it.

The malasada: A Portuguese-style holeless doughnut rolled in sugar. Portuguese workers left a lasting mark on Hawaiian culture, and this pastry is one delicious reminder. Look for them at Hilo bakeries.

Practical Tips: Hours, Reservations, Budget, and Season

Hours: The park is open every day, around the clock, year-round. Volcano House restaurants have their own service hours, though. Check before you go, especially in the off-season. Volcano Village restaurants generally close between 8 and 9 p.m., so don't count on a late meal inside the park.

Reservations: Essential for dinner at The Rim. Recommended for Kilauea Lodge Restaurant on weekends. The other Volcano Village spots don't require reservations.

Budget: A full meal at Volcano Village restaurants usually costs $10 to $20 per person. The Rim is considerably more expensive. A takeout plate lunch in Hilo is generally under $15.

Elevation and weather: The park's highest point reaches about 3,900 feet, with temperatures 22 to 27°F lower than at sea level. If you're eating outside near the caldera, always bring a warm layer. The coastal area at the bottom of Chain of Craters Road is the opposite: warm, dry, and often windy. Our Weather guide explains these elevation-related contrasts.

Peak season: Volcano Village spots are open year-round. From June through August and during the December holidays, lines at Volcano House can be long if you haven't made a reservation.

In Brief: Where to Eat Depending on Your Area of the Park

To fit meals into your sightseeing schedule and plan travel between areas, our Itinerary and Duration guide offers examples of detailed day plans.

Frequently Asked Questions