Cafe Pesto Hilo Bay

So happy we found this place. Some of the best food on our trip! The Big Island Burger was great and loved their garlic fries. Hubby said his Southwestern Chicken pizza may be one of the best he has ever had. The Korean cream cheese garlic bread is to die for! Great service and atmosphere.

One of the best meals I've ever had....the seafood saffron risotto was dreamy! My husband had the steak of the day with mashed potatoes and veggies, which was good. We each had a beer and shared the lilikoi macadamia nut crust cheesecake. There was a sax and bass duo playing which was the cherry on top for the ambiance!

We only spent a few days in Hilo, but we actually went twice to the Cafe Pesto! It was so delicious the first time, we had to come back. Each time some of us took an evening special Risotto and a Pizza - the dishes were outstanding. Personally, the Chicken Mango Chutney, the Seafood Pizza Rolls and the Chicken Risotto were the best I have ever had. The service team was great and super attentive. Would definitely recommend and all around a great experience!

Amazing flavors and a great location. I loved their Korean bread, which was definitely the highlight. Both of the main dishes were also decent. The atmosphere was great and the location in the Hilo downtown area was very convenient.

We keep coming back... Usually all the way from Kona (2 hours). A wonderful experience - like other reviews, delicious food, unique comfortable atmosphere, great service. In old town Hilo with fun stores near by. We have been coming to Cafe Pesto for 25 years...

Very expensive but great experience. Food was amazing and it was very fresh. I especially recommend the hot apple crisp which was even better than I expected. Service was great too, refilled our drinks often and checked in a lot. Atmosphere could’ve been better though, pretty loud and there was a 22 person group… But overall, if you want a big meal and celebrate something and still don’t mind the price then I recommend coming here.

We really enjoyed our lunch at Cafe Pesto. The menu really packs a punch and it was hard to decide. It’s a must stop on the big island for a fusion between the old world Italian and Hawaiian cuisines. Thank you for a memorable meal!

Been here before many years ago. Very good food and American cuisine with excellent pizza and salads. Food service too. In a historical type building. Lots of charm.

Everything went well! The food was delicious and drinks were good! The ambience was nice. I love the vibe.

5th star for its consistency, continuity and self. Here is my story: Fly into Hilo for a day. Wondered where I should stop in for lunch and Cafe Pesto came to mind. First because they are who they are and I wanted to visit and dine there and second, they are within a short walk to the Farmer's Market.... So back to my meal! Crab Cakes for me please and my dining partner had the Shrimp Scampi. Both dishes looked absolutely scrumptious NUFF SAID Service was excellent as I remember it to be. My water and ice tea glass were never left empty or unattended. Pricing= your normal pricing with lunch entrees pricing out at $25-$30 and know the portions were large. Parking= street parking (if you can find one) and parking is FREE. Located in the old Hata Building designed to accommodate the locals and visitors alike. Large glass windows face Kilauea Ave so you get the view of the happenings. Go there or be Square!

Our first meal on the Big Island was at this restaurant. We arrived without a reservation around 7:30 p.m., were seated quickly, and given a nice, spacious table. We waited about 30 minutes for the food, which for Hilo felt quite fast. I ordered shrimp pasta - there were only three shrimp (seriously?), and a very large amount of stewed tomatoes, which was disappointing. Overall, the pasta itself was tasty. My husband ordered the four-cheese pizza, but it looked more like a margherita with only two types of cheese, which was also disappointing. The cappuccino was great - very tasty with a thick, rich foam. Our coconut dessert was forgotten by our server, Rose, yet it was included on the bill and the payment terminal was brought to us for a dessert that never showed up. We only received the dessert after the bill had already been paid. Is this normal for a top Italian restaurant? Also, there was a broken flower on our table.

I was back in Hilo for the weekend and of course I had to have dinner at Cafe Pesto! We came for an early dinner so the restaurant was fairly empty but still made reservations online just in case. For four people, we shared the goat cheese salad, pizza special, and the bolognese pasta. This was the perfect amount of food for us. The salad was refreshing and had a nice mix of ingredients. The special pizza had sausage and arugula, and it definitely hit the spot. The bolognese pasta was delicious, and I thought the noodle shape was perfect for absorbing the sauce. We couldn't leave without getting dessert. We got the creme brulee and apple crumble ala mode. These are my favorite desserts that left me stuffed. I love Cafe Pesto and will always come here when I'm Hilo!

My friends and I were here in Hilo for my sister's bachelorette trip. I booked a reservation two days in advance for a group of 7 for 10/25/25 at 7:15pm. During our trip it was raining quite a bit during the night so we wanted to push our reservation earlier that way we wouldn't be driving too late in the rain. Thank goodness a spot opened up and we were able to change our reservation to an hour earlier. The staff here is amazing. We had a few food restrictions and allergies in our group so the staff was very accommodating with them when it came to ordering. They noticed we were celebrating a bachelorette and so many of them congratulated my sister which was very sweet. They even helped us take our group pic together. We had the coconut calamari as our starter and it was delicious. You can definitely taste the coconut but it wasn't too overpowering which is good. For my main dish, I ordered the dynamite scallops and fish. The fish of the day was Ahi! Ahi and scallops are my two favorite things so I had to order it. I got my ahi cooked medium which was cooked perfectly in my opinion. Scallop was seared to perfection. Everything tasted amazing. I'm not even a huge veggie eater but the veggies they stir fried for this dish were delicious. I finished the entire thing. I definitely recommend trying this cute restaurant out if you're ever in the area! Great place to celebrate a special occasion.

I had one dish, and it was absolutely delicious--fresh, well-seasoned, and full of authentic Italian flavor. The service was great as well: friendly, attentive, and welcoming. Overall, a very pleasant experience, and I'd happily come back to try more from the menu. Ambiance was Right by the water and was relaxing view.

This cute little place on Hilo had such amazing foods. We were greeted and got seated right away. Service was great. Foods was delicious. Price is pretty reasonable. Definitely going back when we're in Hilo.

Visited Cafe Pesto Hilo Bay at peak time - Monday evening at the end of July right at 1830! There was a 25 minute wait for a party of two. Limited seating available outside so be prepared to stand, possibly - while you wait for a table. We started off with the Mango Chichi (vodka, pina colada, mango puree $12) and the Lychee Mule (Kai lychee vodka, fever tree ginger beer, squeeze of lime $13) ; and the Hamakua Caprese (truffled goat cheese, Kawamata tomato, basil pesto, balsamic citrus reduction, crispy tortilla $17). The drinks were enjoyable - perfect balance of flavors. The Hamakua Caprese was presented beautifully. The tomatoes, basil pesto and truffled goat cheese paired nicely with the balsamic citrus reduction - the tortilla chips I believe are for visual appeal. The dish overall could have used a dash more of salt! For dinner my sister and I decided on the Heritage Pork Bolognese (Kaunamano Farms pork and Island beef, Kai Cuisine fresh shell pasta, red wine marinara, basil pesto $26); and the Smoked Salmon Wood Fired Pizza (rosemary gorgonzola sauce, rainbow chard, sweet onion $20). The pork bolognese is shell pasta tossed in their basil pesto and topped with the red wine pork bolognese. Pasta was cooked to a slight state of firmness, or better known as, al dente! The dish overall was good and well-cooked but I feel it didn't reach its full potential. The smoked salmon wood fired pizza on the other hand is absolute perfection. It doesn't matter if I order this here at Hilo Bay location or the Kawaihae location, it never disappoints. This pizza is flavorful, and the dough is light and chewy. Overall, I would totally recommend visiting Cafe Pesto and I'm sure you'll find something to enjoy.

2nd time in 2 days at Cafe Pesto Hilo Bay. Cafe had a jazz(y) duo providing entertainment this evening. We enjoyed their mushroom poke salad, pizza special and a hibachi chicken risotto today. Every dish was well prepared, well constructed and delicious! My only negative observation about the experience yesterday and today (I decided to mention this since it was the same experience both days with different staff persons) is that the bussing staff were over eager to take our plates (still with uneaten food) away. We were asked several times on both visits, whether they could take the plate away when it was obvious that we weren't done. Our experience was overall positive especially with the waitstaff. Service was fast, friendly and efficient.

Lunch was so Ono! Had a flavored latte, it was good. Our server was nice and attentive. We had a nice window table. My crab cake salad was delicious best meal I've had in a while. My friend said her chicken sandwich was good as well going back for dinner tomorrow night

Always yummy food with an enjoyable ambiance. Great location for locals and visitors to have a relaxed, casual meal with great service

What a delightful café to stop by at for lunch or dinner. We came in there was plenty of seating and we got a little table by the window looking out into the street and the ocean. We got their specialty pizza which had steak and potatoes on it, it was absolutely delicious. Perfect for two people! We also got the Affogato And crème brûlée perfect way to polish off the meal for appetizer we had gotten the calamari which was perfectly crunchy. The service was quick and very friendly. They had nice music playing in the background and the food was delicious. Would definitely recommend the spot for any occasion!

The food was straightforward, not overly seasoned. The staff were friendly and sweet. The ambiance was vibrant, casual and festive.

Really enjoyed the cuisine highlighting the local produce and proteins produced by the friendly staff there

Came in 2 weeks ago but they wouldn't seat our party of 6 even though their were open tables because they "needed to keep tables open". Not exactly sure why but we went elsewhere. Decided to give them another chance and came back, we hadn't been here in a few years. Our waiter was super sweet. The burger was cooked well and my daughter loved the potatoes wedges. My youngest loved her cheese pizza and I had the mushroom and artichoke. The pizza was good but the mushroom and artichoke was lacking in flavor and could have used more of the base sauce or some seasoning.

Our favorite restaurant in Hilo. We eat here every year when we are on the BI. Great food and service.

Super cute place to come right in downtown Hilo. I came for the Affogato. And was super happy with my meal. Pasta tasted fresh my veggies where cooked just right. The portions were good not too much. My friends both said they loved their food as well. The calamari was strips, which was my only disappointment. But they were still good. The Affogato was everything I heard, it would be. The espresso with it was so smooth and so good. I would've had it all if it wasn't too late . We enjoyed the live music in the back ground as we eat and visited. Service was excellent, my water stayed full and she was great at checking in with us. I see why they stay steadily busy.

I have the perfect plan! Start off with the coconut crusted calamari! The crunch was to perfection. The dipping sauce was good, but I liked them plain. Then, order the seafood medley! The bed roasted red pepper risotto made this meal! Everything was seasoned nicely. When your waitress/waiter asks if you want dessert, do not hesitate and order the affogato! You're welcome Our waitress was kind, kept checking on us and kept our waters full. Plenty of seating for a date night or large groups - they can easily push tables together. You can also sit at the bat. I would love to go back and try other things on the menu. Everything that passed by our table looked delicious. I don't think you can go wrong here. Enjoy!!

Really great service and got seated fast despite busy night. The pizza crust was perfectly cooked and toppings tasted so fresh and local. The cilantro pasta was a hit!

Had 5pm Saturday reservations and there was no wait for my family of 4. Free parking was easy to find in the parking lot infront. The server was so nice and on it, food came out fast and DELICIOUS!! The freshly made custom topping salami and pepperoni pizza was so good (my kids favorite)! The seafood risotto was perfect and the desserts were the icing on the cake. The creme brulee had that nice caramel crunch on the top and creamy inside with a side of pineapple and their daily dessert special Triple chocolate mousse with raspberry sauce was so soft, chocolatey and just melts in your mouth. We had an amazing experience at Cafe Pesto and will definitely be back on our next trip.

Always great food and even better service. Our server (Emily) and the hostess were great. Nice ambiance, not too noisy.

Great taste, service, & ambiance! If you love Italian cuisine, you'll die over this! Flavors explode in your mouth!

I always wondered where we could get some pasta in Hilo town and today was the day we tried "cafe pesto". IT IS AMAZING. Everything was so delicious, made fresh and tasted amazing. Food was served with kindness and waitress was soo nice to explain the menu to us. The setting of this place is so cute, checkered floors and dimmed lights. 10/10, would highly recommend!!

My husband and I dined in for dinner. We got a table right away on a Friday night around 7pm, but it was the last table so go earlier! The restaurant was nice and busy, well lit! We had a wonderful waitress who had great recommendations. I ordered a biscuit French cocktail which consisted of Prosecco and Vodka with an edible hibiscus flower. It was really good and refreshing. For dinner I ordered the smoked salmon Alfredo and it was absolutely amazing. The flavors of the salmon, alfredo, sun dried tomatoes all were delicious and savory. Pesto's is a must try if you're in Hilo!

This little restaurant is unassuming in between some shops. We were seated immediately and our server was super efficient and friendly. This place is like a well oiled machine. None of the employees are ever sitting down. They are all helping each other. Do different tasks to accomplish one goal. Makes the service outstanding and food is out quickly. We started with the caprese salad that was so fresh and flavorful. Next we got the garlic bread. The squeeze of lemon was something I had not tried before but was a nice addition. I got the moco loco without egg and it was so good. The put two huge slices of bacon on top of the patties. It was honestly beginning to end one of the best meals I have ever had. Wish I lived close by and could eat there again soon.

Food was great. Reservation through yelp worked perfectly. Great live music being played Service on the other hand ...... Two stars is being generous for service. Arc was our server he took our order. 2 cocktails, one soda, garlic bread and two entrees. The cocktails showed up pretty quick and were very good. The entrees showed up (no garlic bread or soda at this point). Halfway through the meal still no garlic bread or soda. We asked a busboy to send Arc over. Almost 10 min later he showed. We explained what was missing, he asked if we still wanted them. We said yes because we assumed it would be quick and easy to get the garlic bread. The soda he got right away. Another 15 minutes is slowly eating and no garlic bread. Finally he came by again and we said he could cancel the garlic bread because we were done. He said ok and left. A few minutes later he drops the bill off and takes off. Never asked if we wanted dessert which we did. But since he didn't seem to care what we wanted we paid the bill and left. We will visit again next time there but if the service is the same it will be the last time. His service was atrocious and uncaring.

This food may have been the best we had on the big island. It was certainly a million times better than what we had at the resort. We had the Korean garlic cheese bread, pizza, a burger, and dessert. They were all great choices. I cannot remember what exactly our drinks were, but they were delectable.

Yes so happy we went! Making a reservation through Yelp was an excellent move!! The Services was good and so was the restaurant nice and comfortable. We were able to get a window corner seating, which made it more intimate. Coconut calamari was my favorite soo delish!! Pizza, seafood dish was excellent the apple crisp dessert was fail for me I was expecting a crispy crust but there wasn't any crust hubby liked it so it was still a win. So yes I would go again and I would recommend it too And last but not least THANK YOU YELP FOR HELPING US HAVE A MEMORABLE EVENING

The kalua pork pizza was very good and the crab cake salad was also excellent. The salad has a very light miso dressing. The coconut coated calamari was something I would go back for. The fish of the day was Ono and our friend ordered Ono fish sandwich and said the fish was very flaky and cooked just right.

Fresh flavors and generous portions. Great lunch spot! Nice air conditioning! Great service! The Greek pizza was loaded with capers, Kalamata olives and artichoke hearts! Crisp and light crust.

This is our go-to whenever we're in Hilo. We prefer the lunch menu and normally go there after perusing the Farmer's Market down the street. We usually order the artichoke mushroom pizza and/or the Miloli'i sandwich which is open faced with shrimp, Hamakua mushrooms, real crab and cheese on pesto smeared baguette. The Miloli'i comes with a yummy purple potato salad. Also a must is the blue Caesar salad. Maybe we'll try something else when we get tired of these :) We have been frequenting Cafe Pesto for years especially when they had their restaurant in Kawaihae. The service is always great and it does get crowded so plan ahead.

We went during a busy Saturday night. I used to go to the kawaihae location years ago and it was excellent. The hilo location did not disappoint. The location at the old Hata building has a very old own vibes. The food and drinks is a mix of local and italian that works. We started with caprese with goat cheese and calimari. I had the mushroom and artichoke pizza and was excellent. We had a reservation and I overheard wait times of over an hour. We called same day for a reservation and they were available.

I came here with every intention of trying the ragu with local pork but I wound up not being that hungry and tried the Miloli sandwich again but it did not disappoint! Perfect portion for lunch and super yummy! The potato salad was pretty good too. My husband got the Loco Moco and enjoyed it as well. Service was fine, ambiance it cute and I think it probably gets pretty busy but we came in around 11:30-noon on a Saturday and were sat immediately.

Good service but the food was average at best. The lobster was overcooked and pizza didn't have enough basil pesto which made it bland.The rum cocktails was good. Chocolate ganache and crème brulee was good.

Going 30+ years strong with no signs of slowing down, Cafe Pesto is one of Hilo's favorites for date night or catching up with friends. When I was a kid, my favorite items were their huge chocolate chip cookies and their personal sized pizzas, still a classic favorite. However, now I'm a sucker for their risotto and pastas. Decided to branch out and try the beef filet the other night. Perfectly cooked, the vegetable medley was beautifully seasoned, and enjoyed the addition of arugula. However, I was slightly disappointed by the mashed potatoes. The texture was great, not much flavor, but my gripe with it was because the menu item listed "bacon and ulu fritters" and there was no explanation as to why it was mashed potatoes instead of the fritters. Other than that, the service was lovely, food tasted great, slightly loud but was expected the night prior to a holiday.

Absolutely get the Haupia pancake. You'll need to share it because it is MASSIVE.. like all the other portion sizes at this place. Out server was super sweet and attentive but it did take a bit of time for her to finish helping the other customers before she came to us. After that, she was quick and amazing! It's a simple place serving up bomb food. Decor is Hawaiian. 10/10

Here visiting from Oahu, was hungry for a good pizza and let me tell you this place and food is amazing. Service at the front check in was very friendly and service was top notch. She took my order, I ordered the mushroom artichoke pizza to go. Ordered the personal size which was huge like 7 slices. Taste was Yummerz and fresh. When back in Hilo definitely will be back.

We came here on a recommendation from a friend and we were so glad we did! The service was excellent and the food was very good too.

CUte little date night spot in Hilo. Risotto was perfectly cooked with great flavor. Not too salty. The chicken was on the smaller portion size but overall great dish. Daughter got the pizza and it was thin enough that made you want to eat the crust. Over all great place. A few times I noticed the manager going out to tables that ordered the fried calamari, which I thought was interesting but she eventually came to our table as well. The server himself was a little shyer but still great service. I'd go back if I'm in Hilo again.

Cafe Pesto has been around for decades and there is a reason for it. I remember it being at another location in downtown but this location is pretty nice too. Modern and semi-casual, it fits for all whether you are celebrating a special occasion or just having a casual date night. Service has always been friendly and food is top notch. I have never been disappointed each time I've went. Im partial to the shrimp nachos, I tend to get them each time I visit. They have Italian based dishes with local flair. I also like they have alcoholic drinks (beer and wine) and you can order a tap flight for variety. Desserts look so good but I end up too full to order them. Highly recommend!

Best cafe with healthy choices. Family loved each bites of ordered food. Each dish contains local vegetables and fresh seafoods. Per server, bread is made in house.

pretty average food. the korean garlic bread was burnt and the cream cheese was sparse. the "hawaiian" pizza had a special spin with the kalua pork, but the burger was nothing to shout about

Very weird experience. We arrived at the restaurant and tried to check in, but the hostess said there was no availability. However, the app allowed us to book a table for the exact same time and for the same number of people -- 4 total (2 adults and 2 kids). I guess we weren't dressed fancy enough for her standards! Shame on you. I hope you learn your lesson when customers stop showing up!

Our favorite stop every time we are in Hilo, it's more like a tradition really. Pizza: 5/5, calamari 6/5, shrimp scampi 5/5, Ono sandwich 10/5, salads 5/5, and the desserts are also great. Service is top-notch, sometimes there is a wait, but it's worth it. The place is lovely and the art on the walls is very Hawaiian. What's not to love?

This is my second time leaving a review for cafe pesto. Usually everything is great here but tonight my mom and daughter both ordered the salmon fettuccine and one was great and the other was really bad. My mom's salmon fettuccine was over cooked and the salmon was so dry she could not eat it and they also forgot to add the sauce for the noodles. Everything else was delicious. I was a little upset that we still had to pay for my mom's plate and they did not offer to give her a new dish.

Cafe Pesto is my favorite place when i go to Hilo! I order Mushroom Artichoke pizza and the martini expresso.

The cafes atmosphere and overall look is very cute. The checkered floor is the best part of the cafe look. The garlic bread with cream cheese was delicious, I've never had garlic bread with cream cheese so it was very enticing. We ordered the salmon fettuccine, it was just okay. It could've been warmer, I'm not sure if it sat there for a while before being served as our noodles were room temperature and cooled off very quickly. That's my only downfall. The capers were the cherry on top of this meal. So salty and so yummy. I would definitely come back to Cafe Pesto for a cute lunch date!

Cafe Pesto is an experience. From the atmosphere to the great staff to the wonderful food. Locally sourced and inventive menu.

Service was great and the food was delicious especially the Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Bread. Will definitely visit next time on island.