5 of USA Today’s 10Best Hawai‘i Restaurants are on Big Island!

USA Today recently posted the results of their 10Best showdown among businesses in the Hawai‘i travel industry, highlighting the best resorts, restaurants, family attractions, and tour companies. Restaurants across Hawai‘i were represented in the final top 10, but Big Island restaurants really showed up, taking 5 out of 10 of the spots on the list. Some of the results may be a bit more surprising than others, but it’s obvious that the word is getting out that Hawai‘i Island is really holding its own in the Hawai‘i food scene. The five Big Island restaurants that made the list are Moon & Turtle (Hilo), Cipriano’s (Kawaihae), Kohala Burger and Taco (Kawaihae), FORC (Waimea), and Pueo’s Osteria (Waikōloa). Check out where they landed on the list, as well as the other five best Hawai‘i restaurants here. 

This year’s results reflect a marked difference from the last time 10Best published a top restaurants in Hawai‘i list in 2019 – only Merriman’s (with multiple locations) made the list to represent Hawai‘i Island. The 2019 list reflected a lot of what we might consider “touristy” restaurants, while the 2024 winners represented a shift to more of a focus on small, locally owned and operated restaurants. None of the restaurants that made the top 10 exist outside of their flagship location (though some of their owners have other restaurants and projects). The number 1 spot went to Adela’s in Kaneohe, and if you’ve ever been there you know what an amazing family vibe Adela and her team give to all of their loyal customers.

Note: Yours truly was honored to be asked to participate in this year’s poll by serving as a Hawai’i travel expert and submitting nominations across these four categories. 

Big Island also came out swinging in the Best Resorts category with Hilton Waikōloa Village taking the top spot and Mauna Kea Beach Resort making the top 10 as well. In addition to restaurants and resorts, the USA 10Best poll highlighted other Hawai’i travel businesses. Big Island businesses that showed up on those lists include Hawai’i Zipline Tours, Botanical World Adventures, Hawai’i Forest & Trail, The Umauma Experience, Ocean Sports, and Atlantis Submarines.

Congratulations to all of the Big Island travel businesses that made the list!