Kaleo's Bar & Grill

Delicious food, fast service, and friendly folks. We were seated, had drinks, appetizers, dinner, and dessert in an hour. Not bad for an Easter dinner. We started off with sweet chili, coconut crusted calamari. They were huge and so tender. I had a giant prime rib, cooked to perfection with potatoes and squash. The wife had Cajun spiced mahi mahi with potatoes and mixed vegetables. For dessert, we shared banana spring rolls with vanilla bean ice cream. If you get the chance to stop by Pahoa, HI make dinner reservations and have a wonderful meal at Kaleo's. They have 2 locations.

This place was very friendly, welcoming, and has a Hawaiian theme to the painted walls and overall atmosphere. I also thought the prices were very good. The pina colada I had was tummy-rubbing delicious, and my pulled pork sandwich was stuffed with meat and a gigantic onion ring like a super bowl stadium.

Food was pretty good, my mushroom Swiss burger was actually very good, and my wife's wife's fresh catch of the day was lacking flavor and she didn't like it that much. But what really surprised us was the price of the fresh catch. They say "market price" on the menu, and we thought it'd be between $20 and $25, but it came out at $34 for a small portion. Way too expensive.

Someone recommended the Kaleo’s in Pahoa (said it was better than Keaau) and I was very pleased we went. We sat and the bar and our bartender/server was sooo nice! I had the Thai coconut curry (I asked for tofu but the server said they were out of tofu, so I got the chicken). My husband got the crispy kalua pig wontons and coconut shrimp appetizers but the two were enough for a meal. He was really happy with the wontons and shrimp, and we even went back on a different day because he wanted them again. The Mai Tai was delicious. I have to mention that when we went back on a Sunday (about 2 hours til closing) and my husband ordered the shrimp he was told they were out. We had the same bartender and she was very apologetic. He ordered the burger instead but it was red and bleeding so he sent it back to get cooked more. Overall I’d say Kaleo’s is a pretty decent spot for food and drinks.

Kaleo’s Bar & Grill, Pahoa: Local Cuisine, Great Cocktails, and Old Town Charm Kaleo’s Bar & Grill stands as a beloved fixture in Pahoa Town, offering a quintessential Big Island dining experience. The restaurant is the original location of the Kaleo's family of restaurants, with a second, more modern establishment located in Orchidland (Keaau), closer to Hilo. The Pahoa location has a distinct, rustic appeal. It occupies an older building that aligns perfectly with the unique, historic atmosphere of Pahoa Village Road. While the structure itself is simple, the practicalities are well-managed; there is ample parking, which is always a bonus for a busy local spot. Inside, the restaurant is clean and functional, including the provision of a useful and private restroom setup: two total individual-use bathrooms, one for men and one for women. We chose to sit at the bar, enjoying the company of a local relative, and found the experience entirely positive—we had no complaints. The service at the bar was a standout. The bartender was professionally dressed, exuded a sense of competence, and was notably friendly and attentive without being overly familiar. Their professional demeanor meant they did not come across as rude or flirtatious, making for a comfortable and enjoyable seating arrangement. The strength of Kaleo's lies in its commitment to excellent local-style cuisine and a solid beverage program. The drinks were great—well-mixed and satisfying, a perfect complement to the vibrant atmosphere. The food was good overall, but the seafood was particularly excellent, showcasing the freshness of the island’s bounty. The calamari deserves specific praise; it was perfectly prepared, hitting that sweet spot of crispy texture and tender interior. Their menu features a rotating selection of fresh catches and local favorites, including the house-favorite Kalbi Ribs and Lilikoi Cheesecake. Beyond daily meals, Kaleo's is a cultural hub in Pahoa. They offer live entertainment nightly, featuring local Hawaiian musicians. Additionally, the kitchen runs consistent specials, often highlighting creative preparations of fresh Ahi and other seafood or steak dishes. For instance, their Friday night menu often features an Herb Crusted Prime Rib special, making the end of the week a popular time for locals and visitors alike. Kaleo’s successfully manages to bridge the gap between a cozy, old-town spot and a reliable, high-quality dining destination. It is a genuine taste of Pahoa, where history, quality ingredients, and professional service converge to create a truly memorable experience.

This is a perfect little restaurant. They have a large parking lot in the back. We went twice. I had the fish and chips one night and then there bacon burger the next time. They were both great.

FANTASTIC food (and drinks). This was our favorite meal from a 2-week trip across the Big Island and Kauai. I had Fish & Chips which were a large portion and delicious. I also had the Kai Ginger drink that was yummy. My wife had ribs that she thought were fantastic, and the kids liked their pasta. The waiter was super observant and noticed my daughter didn't like the lemonade and came over to bring her something else. If you are in the area, I recommend this place. It stands out for good flavor, good value, and good service. As an ASIDE... If you're staying near Kalapana, I also recommend checking out Uncle Robert's AWA Bar on Wednesday night for the food vendors, music, and dancing. That was a fun time.

Love Kaleo's. We've eaten here about 30 times over the years and have never had a bad meal. The prices are reasonable. The staff are friendly and attentive. Love the decor and the beautiful art work. Will be back another 30+ times!

Excellent food for the price. Nice atmosphere, including evenings with live music (call ahead to find out). The Orchidland location has live music more often. The servers are really nice and your food will be served hot and not take too long (just don't be selective and picky!) I like their burgers, but the ambiance makes everything better.

Food (3.5) Service When we arrived, I could tell Kaleo's is definitely a local favorite. Maybe it was just the dishes we ordered, or maybe the flavors just didn't quite match our taste. My friend had the shrimp pasta, it was alright. I tried the beef ribs, but they were a little too salty, and honestly, I've had better beef ribs on Oahu. My partner ordered the fresh catch with coconut crust, but unfortunately, he didn't enjoy it much either. On the positive side, the crispy pork belly appetizer was something we all liked! The service was attentive, and overall, the experience was good even though the entrées weren't exactly our favorites

Our server was great. Sweet and bubbly, check led on us consistently and cleared off dishes as we finished them. Bonus she kept the drinks flowing for those in our group that were drinking. It was a casual setting with yummy food. Kalua pig won tons are great. But the star of the show was definitely my main dish. The tempura batter was light & crispy and the ahi was cooked to perfection. I don't care for tartar sauce but I enjoyed it. I'll definitely be back.

This place was so wonderful! Our server was excellent, she had great recommendations and was so kind. The restaurant was clean and busy on a Sunday night. They ask for reservations. If you get there after 5 I suggest a reservation. We ordered calamari, coconut shrimp, poke, chicken Katsu and Thai curry. The food was phenomenal. We enjoyed our time here, and will definitely be back when we're on the island next. Fantastic food and even better service.

Another great Meal tonight, Coconut Shrimp for starters then awesome entrees of Chicken Katsu and Seafood Pasta. I had fish and chips, excellent!!!

A little bit of Kaleo's makes the overcast Pahoa days bright. A good example of a local chill place. Like the vibe and ambiance. I felt at home immediately and relaxed to the 9s, which is great. I stopped off here on a road trip and revived myself with a coffee and a snack. Fantastic staff. Hearts of gold.

We got the kalua pork with cabbage, wontons, and the coconut fried shrimp. Everything was delicious and out food came out fast! the staff was friendly and the place was very clean.

Wonderful atmosphere, drinks and food. We loved our date night at Kaleo's. Our food was fresh and delicious. Drinks were delicious as well. Our food was fresh, tasty and filled with love. thank you.

We went there at 7:50 pm and sat at the bar and made contact at 7:58 pm and were told the kitchen was closed by Jimmy the bartender. Confused as to why, we ordered drinks and tried to figure out our next move for dinner. As we were doing that we noticed a table get their order taken for appetizers. 15 minutes later their main entre orders were taken as we watched in disbelief. I rarely leave feedback let alone a negative review but this was absolutely deserving. Needless to say we paid for our drinks and awkwardly left to search for another place to eat.

The food was really good. My s/o and I quite enjoyed the wontons and would've easily just ordered a few rounds of those and been satisfied but the burgers / sandwiches were also delicious. Neither of us like blue cheese but we wanted to try something new and it was well worth it. The service was also quite nice. A bit pricy but it's reasonable and it's still a cute little place to have dinner. My s/o also ordered a flight of beer to try the flavors out and it was a hit for him.

Haven't been to the Kaleos in Pahoa for some time. Decided to meet up with friends there. It's just the same as I remember good food good service and a nice place to sit and chat with friends.

Last night, I went to dinner with a few friends at Kaleo's , as I had asked one friend for a seafood restaurant that had good food that was reasonably priced and that had a casual atmosphere. Reservations were made for 6:30 and we were seated right away, even though we arrived 10 minutes early. I had perused the dinner menu ahead of time so I ordered the calamari appetizer to start. Our server, Sakaya Y, was both professional and friendly. She took our order for the calamari plus our drinks; a pleasant non-oaky Chardonnay for me, Merlot for the birthday "girl", Elene, and a glass of red wine (sorry can't remember what it was) for Dave. The seating was comfortable, with ceiling fans, and local artwork on the walls. The place was a little less than half full at the time, but it was noticeable that several lively conversations were going on at each table. Our drinks arrived in a few minutes along with iced water for each of us. We each took a sip of our respective drinks and toasted to friendship and to the birthday of Elene. All the drinks were tasty. The calamari was cooked just right with a sweet Thai chili sauce that had nice tang. Yummy. We then ordered our entrees. I had the ono, cooked in a beurre blanc reduction, on a bed of brown rice and sautéed vegetables, Dave ordered the blackened ono sandwich with a green salad. We planned to share our dishes with Elene. I can't remember the cocktails we ordered, but we all enjoyed them. We had a chocolate cake to share for Elene's birthday. Yummy. I would recommend that they put some sort of sound proofing for the ceiling as it was difficult to hear each other talking. Highly recommended.

The server was friendly and efficient. The food was fast to arrive and had a excellent presentation and great taste.

Friendly staff, tasty great food and wonderful outdoor dining area with live music more often than not. Overall great experience

Coconut calamari was amazing, as were the drinks. The guava ribs were good too, litterally fell off the bone. And our daughter devoured her cheeseburger. The staff is also super friendly even though we were oblivious and were the last people to leave. Mahalo!

Came tonight with a group of 7. We called ahead of time to make sure there was space bc we were a large group, and when we got there, we saw lots of seating and big spaces for all sizes. It was a big area outside inside seating. The service was fantastic. I will say they were short on menus and ran out of silverware towards the end, but they brought out some plastic spoons for dessert. I got the coconut crusted ahi fish, the lilikoi margarita, and lilikoi cheesecake. Seriously, no other words describe the food. it's just really good here. The atmosphere was a great vibe. Overall, great experience, thank you!

Didn't feel like making or getting Togo food. So why not eat in. This restaurant offers inside dining as well as outdoor dining. We chose the latter. I would later resent that choice. Out door is great until that Hawaiian sun hits you full in the face. But enough beer you should be fine. . Luck would have it I had a had and ate my dinner with it on. We started with the calamari and the truffle fries. Both excellent, fries shoe string like md's. Fried crisp and GBD. Bacon and green onions and truffle oil. And not too much oil. Perfect Amount. I got to try the 1/2 lbs Swiss cheese burger and regular fries. On a soft toasted bun. And a dark IPA. Done perfectly. Also had at the table was , complete slab of bbq pork ribs. And a order of Kalbi ribs.

Came for Mother's Day and my mom was pretty happy with the food quality. Parking was crazy today as expected and it was very difficult getting out as it seemed like a free for all although there was a parking assistant trying to help. I been here on other days and it's not bad at all. Food was great, but I really enjoyed the apps. Would come back again

Ten out of ten would recommend food was major, service was great and if I had money I go today and eat! For sure will be back! I really did love the atmosphere it's a nice vibe and the food presentation was great the calamari is so good! Wish I had pictures but I had to rep this place we have dined in once and we have ordered out before! Mahalo Nui loa for the great experience!

My husband and I frequent the Orchidland Kaleos. As a vegetarian, I am always disappointed in the menu. Why have 2 Thai dishes, that are mediocre at best and missing key authentic Thai spices? We have many great Thai restaurants in the same area that offer much better Thai food. I wish Kaleos would take 1 Thai entree off the menu, (keep 1 if they must), and offer a pasta primavera with pesto or something different than 2 very similar, disappointing Thai dishes. Kaleos in Pahoa had a wonderful vegetarian pasta dish!

Kaleo's is a favorite of mines! Good food, good drinks and good vibes with friendly customer service. & Nights with live music even better.

Stays open later then most places on this side of the island for dinner. Laid back vibes. Great food. And a lot to choose from. Eat with the locals and enjoy the evening. The service here is great. Everyone has been super nice and helpful

Good food. Never had a bad meal there yet. Consistently delicious. The Kava Band plays music there some nights which adds to the fun!

Came here on a Sunday night at 6 and there was plenty of tables available. Not too loud but only a few loud laughers. The food was excellent! I got the special of furikake and Pablo encrusted ahi with veggies and brown rice. So damn crispy and delicious! I also had the bite of the burger and it was very well flavored. I am definitely a fan. Looking forward to coming back!

Visited their new location in Pahoa! Great place to eat. Beautiful and comfortable inside. Service was great and of course, their food was ono! I ordered their fish and chips for lunch and their lilikoi cheesecake for dessert. The fries were so light and crunchy. Tasted so yummy. The fish was also delicious. The Cheesecake tasted so delicious and fresh. I would definitely come back again to this location or their original location.

RON THE MORNING COOK, IS THE MAN! I've never in my life tasted mashed potatoes like I have tonight... I didn't even finish my chicken katsu entree because I ordered 2 extra sides of the mashed potatoes... this shit is creamy, melt in your mouth PERFECTLY SEASONED! I took an order TO GO! For dessert later. I am in shock and utter awe. It's like bringing your grandmother back from the dead and having one last hug from her. I will never cherish a restaurant more than Kaleo's after tonight. I will never forget how delectable these mashed potatoes were. On a side note- everything else was wonderful. Everything on the menu is fresh and cooked to perfection. Not to mention the service and wait staff were wonderful as well. But DAMN those mashed potatoes.

I preface this review with a couple points 1- I am a Big Island native 2- I have been chomping at the bit to dine here as quite a few of my Yelp friends dined here and spoke highly of this Establishment 3- I called in advance for Reservations just to be sure AND here is my story Located in the heart of Pahoa town is infamous Kaleo's and they are popular. It so happened our Resy moved up from 5 pm to 3 pm which I did call to confirm ... We get there at 2;55 and soon after we parked we were asked to move (it appeared and we were told they were getting ready for the evening dinner rush and congestion in the parking lot) Ambiance and environment is very LOCAL and if you are a climate control type person like me, this place is not for you as the restaurant is more or less "open air" In fact, I don't think I saw any A/C units... They were busy considering it was an off peak time so on that note, I will say I understand the slow service. It was a special occasion so we ordered a bottle of bubbly off their menu... and they were out. So we had iced tea instead. Now about the food= they have specials but only for their dinner hour. We had the hummus appetizer and calamari. Both were very decent. Their daily special of fresh fish is offered to be prepared 3 different ways: deep fried with a coconut dusting, a pan sear or a white sauce. My dining partner ordered the deep fried Ono (I think they deep fried it too long as it dried out) My other dining partner ordered Ahi; pan seared (this one was over done also). I ordered the Seafood Alfredo which sadly, was a disappointment as the Alfredo sauce appeared and tasted like plain milk. The dessert was fine, we ordered the chocolate mousse cake but it's not made by Kaleo's (they get it baked from someone else). I wanted to try their Lilikoi Cheesecake (which I understand they bake it themselves) but someone got the last piece and it wasn't me. Next time I'm hanging around on the Big Island, I will give them a try for dinner. I may have better luck then.

So pleased I stopped by Kaleo's! I was staying in Pāhoa and needed a good place to eat after a long day of exploring. After speaking to my bnb host, who's been living in Pāhoa for over 10 years, he let me know I won't be disappointed if I go to Kaleo's. It was a great choice and we ordered the house favorite pork wontons, truffle fries, Caesar salad, guava baby back ribs, and a kalbi plate! I need a second to rave about the white rice-- it was so crispy and perfectly cooked. It's really perfecting the little things! Everything was so delicious. The food came out fast, but we didn't feel rushed in any way; we were in and out in under an hour. Usually you hear how slow paced Hawaii is, but the service was excellent that night. I wish we had room for dessert, because I was told that's the best part about that place! This place is so good, they have a second restaurant just up the road! If you're looking for great food and you're traveling in Pāhoa, keep this place in mind!

I had lunch at the Orchidland location today. Nice atmosphere and friendly service. But there was nothing on the menu for and vegan or even a vegetarian. It's not that hard and most restaurants in this class will have something that we can trust. I got the hummus platter which would have been fine, but after the waitress knew I was vegan, the platter came with feta cheese all over the plate. I really don't want to eat that, but to keep my friend from feeling bad I scraped it off as best as I could. Why, when the server knew I was vegan would they bring me a plate full of feta cheese. It really isn't hard to add one vegan entree.

This isn't the first or second time this has happened. I am a resident of Pahoa and love to support local. I've loved Kaleos bar and grill before they had an orchidland location. I would recommend everyone to have dinner there and have even held a couple birthdays and baby showers there. But I'm beginning to lose hope with the execution while prices continue to rise. Da Kine Cheeseburger: $20 (price continues to go up- I remember buying it when they were $16-Nothjng has changed, I get inflation but what about attention to ingredients?) Includes: Bacon, grilled mushrooms and onions, fresh avocado. AS you see I purchased 2 Da kine cheeseburgers ($40) and also purchased a bacons cheddar burger which was perfect for my daughter. For the 2 Da Kine Cheeseburgers I asked for no mushrooms (save some on the cost, yeah only cents but every bit counts) YET NO Avocado- and I know I PAID for it. I just get furious because this happens every single time- if I don't mention to the person taking my order to check my food before taking my money then I definitely don't get any avocado WTF. I have my fair share of experiences in the restaurant industry so I get it but everytime? Everyone works hard for their money and we want to support local and put our trust that you will deliver what you say...but every single time I'm let down because they forget my fckin avocado. May be funny to you, but this happened to me back when I was pregnant and let me tell you, you don't fck with a pregnant woman's food lol so I waited almost a whole year to order again and the SAME FCKIN RESULT, I'm due for a whole avocado by now I just can't. I called and left them a message but since it was a Sunday we and they don't open till Thursday I probably won't get a call time then. Give them a try but make sure if you're doing takeout that they have all your ingredients.

Been here another two more times after my last review, but I gotta talk about their Kalbi and prime rib! First, the prime rib is only served on the weekends (Fridays-Sundays) and is a huge 16oz steak that takes up half the plate! It's so nicely prepared that the meat isn't too over- or undercooked which is amazing! It comes with mashed potatoes and vegetables which helped balance the meal. Definitely two meals kind for me! Second, the kalbi. Omg. It's soooooo tender that the meat practically melts in your mouth. The flavor is also really rich, and I highly highly recommend this dish! I actually never got it myself but after tasting it from my friend, I basically had a life changing moment LOL. Like, I want to know how to cook my kalbi to this kind of tenderness. Additionally, the service here is great! They're usually busy but would always be back to check on us often even though the last two times (even tho we always somehow overstay our visit a bit too long). The parking attendant is also amazing! Kudos to him!

Seeing as how this is my first time on the big island of Hawaii, I lack a good reference to really compare this restaurant to other local establishments. Lets be real here, real Hawaii is very different then what most people would expect. That being said the food was good. Lol What you expected more? I stated this review over a year ago and forgot to finish it. Just keep eating! ~_^

My wife and I stopped here for an early dinner after a day at the beach-Isaac Hale Beach Park, Makenzie State Park( no ghosts were seen). We were seated quickly and ordered drinks and the kalua pork wontons The wontons were delightful. My wife had the Garlic Shrimp and I had the special: Tuscan Seafood Pasta Super food. Enjoyed the place throughly.

Dont be misled by the outdoor appearance of this restaurant. (True beach towns don't lend themselves to glorious buildings and you should know this) The prices are as high as you would expect as a high-end steak house. ($30+ steak, $10-15 appetizer, $10-15 cocktails) However I assure you, this food is made with high quality ingredients, originality and love. The staff are always sweet, relaxed and hilarious. My favorite is the coconut encrusted fresh fish. Breaded fish is a rare treat for a gluten averse person such as myself, and the fish is always cooked perfectly . The cocktails are cheaper than some of the better ones we had Kona-side, are delicious, served in full sized pint glasses and are also nothing to fuck around with. My favorite restaurant in Pahoa hands down. Do yourself a favor. You're welcome.

Food tasted fine, but was way too overpriced. The size of the Brie in my $30 salad was more appropriately portioned for the serving size of a dwarf hamster on a diet. The salad was originally $18, but the menu mentioned $10 additional for fish; somehow an extra $2 was added without any mention. I asked for an espresso martini, they mentioned they only had coffee (I said that was ok), however I was still charged $12 (the price of their specialty cocktail) for weak coffee and Kahlua. It was moderately transparent, but there wasn't even any vodka in it being that it was almost unbearably sweet. Our server was only smiley and personable upon delivering the bill. The ambience was so cute and welcoming. It gave me high expectations. I walked in with a good mood and left feeling pretty disappointed.

Love this place! Can't wait to go back to watch a football game. Wonderful service and so many good food choices!

Here are a few of my favorite drinks. The lilikoi margarita and the ube (sweet potato) colada.

Great food and bar. I go whenever I get a chance. An excellent choice for dining when on this side of the island.

Food is excellent and large servings. Entertainment was first rate. Very festive ambience.

We got lucky to have their prime rib. It is generous and tasty. The rest of foods ( pasta with fish, sashimi) were great too. They were tasty. We ordered drinks too, and expectedly, they were good. We also had a perfect waiter. The food in this side of island tastes like real food and have the taste and portion.

Aloha, drove down to Sir Isaac Hale, heading back stopped at Kaleo's. Thank you YELPERS for the reviews so we could pick a great lunch spot. Kaleo's lived up to your reviews. Food plentiful and delicious - service great too. Ample parking which shared parking lot with Volcano museum, got to walk- thru there too. Great sunny day in Pahoa. Mahalo

LOVE the food here, the mushroom chicken pasta was amazing and the fish and chips were so good! Normally when I order fish and chips at places it's dry but NOT HERE, it was so fresh and juicy (the way it should be). The lilikoi cheesecake is to die for!! It's homemade and is the perfect dessert to finish and amazing meal! The Brownie Sunday was also a favorite for us (brownies are always my basic go to, but they just make it so good!) the servers are a delight and truly bring such a warm tone to the atmosphere. The live music was so fun but definitely very loud especially when sitting at a table closer to the musicians (we couldn't even talk to each other because we had to scream across the table). That's the only downside, music was a yes, but the volume couldn't been brought down a few notches.

This location is even better than the original! The whole seating area is open and airy. Our waitress Emily was really great and very helpful! The crispy pork belly was one of the best pork belly dishes I've ever had. Seriously, it was THAT good. I will be back and I will absolutely be eating it again. The fish and chips were just ok. There could have been a bit more flavor in the breading but it was still good. The BBQ pulled pork burger however, was amazing. It was huge and very flavorful. Would definitely order it again!

Welp, you literally aren't open when you say you are. Right now Yelp and your website show you as open. How annoying. Get it together; it's NOT HARD. Rule number 1 of running a restaurant: be open when you say you are open. Duh.

It's been a while since I kar visited Kaleo's. Parking, we were greeted by the lot attendant who helped us park opened the door for the passenger. We were greeted very warmly by the host and seated. Our server was prompt in bringing water and answering our questions. Mainly regarding gluten-free dishes. The food was delicious. Staff have always been so nice, and that hasn't changed. The prices are very reasonable. If you're in Pahoa town, stop in, you'll be glad you did.

A favorite place to gather with friends or a nice dinner with family. They have live music and reservations are highly recommended. A few of my favorites are the orzo pasta salad with shrimp, shrimp pasta, and ribs. They have so many pupus/appetizers to enjoy with a nice cold drink.

I went with my other half for dinner & there was an amazing gnocchi special! I've never heard of gnocchis before & I'm so glad that I tried it, they're like little fluffy pillows that melts in your mouth! Hats off to the chef!!! So, whenever you go to the restaurant & see the gnocchi special, get it--I highly recommend & you won't be disappointed!

4.5 stars. Kaleo's is but one of several dining establishments in tiny downtown Pahoa, and it was tough to decide because they all looked pretty darned good. As mentioned in other reviews, there's off-street parking in the form of a gravel lot. But I almost gave up because the two restaurant entrances I could see involved going up a few steps, which I couldn't do. But it pays to ask; turns out there's a barrier-free entrance around the back. I suggest they place a sign on the main parking lot side that points people in the right direction. There's a side dining room, a main dining room and bar, and a small lanai. I don't know if they have A/C, but they do have ceiling fans. It was a lovely winter day so I chose the lanai to catch the breeze and watch the world walk and drive by. There's a decent-sized menu and daily specials. I had kalbi, which usually comes with rice and toss salad. I asked for all toss salad and appreciated that it was easy to make this substitution. The food came out fairly quickly as it was not terribly busy at lunch on this weekday. The kalbi were boneless, and there was a heap of dressed fresh mixed greens. And they really were dressed; the greens had been tossed in the delicious house citrus vinaigrette so all the surfaces were coated. The result was a light taste but with a liquid that was dense enough to cling. The kalbi were good overall, with one slight letdown. They were properly prepared and were tender and juicy, with just a bit of char from the grill. But the flavor was uneven, which was odd because kalbi is marinated. Some bites had the unmistakable taste, while others tasted like unseasoned meat. But I had no problem clearing the generous portions, and I noticed my fellow diners doing the same with there selections. Staff are very friendly and helpful. Kaleo's is a solid choice. Businesses here are still recovering from the down time due to the mighty Madame Pele, and there may also be fewer tourists as the result of the coronavirus (which, to our knowledge, hasn't been found here in Hawaii), so it's an even better time than ever to support local businesses.

Great place for a fancy dinner that's a short drive from Hilo. It's right near the lava fields so it's an interesting area. The town is a fun little walk with interesting stores. They serve very large plates and the food is nicely prepared. The restaurant is busy and the service can be a bit slow. The parking outside is not adequate for the restaurant, but they do a good job helping you park anyway. We had a party of six and they took care of us nicely. The waiters were very friendly and communicative.