The restaurant that pioneered Hawaii Regional Cuisine right here on Opelo Road in Waimea. Peter Merriman has been championing Big Island farmers and ranchers since 1988, and this is still the gold standard for fine dining upcountry. The wok-charred ahi remains legendary, but don't sleep on the day boat catch specials, Kahua Ranch beef, or that hillbilly cornbread made with creamed corn that servers rave about. The mai tai with lilikoi foam is exceptional too. The dining room strikes that perfect balance — elegant but not stuffy, with genuine aloha service that anticipates your needs. Yes, it's pricey, but this is a culinary experience that honors local flavors like nowhere else on the Big Island.
💡 Insider Tip
Book dinner reservations well ahead — this place fills up fast. The hillbilly cornbread is a sleeper hit that servers recommend, and that mai tai with lilikoi foam is worth ordering even if you're not usually a cocktail person.
Lunch 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM, Dinner 5 – 9 PM
$35–$65
Free lot at Opelu Plaza
Dinner with sunset reservation
