
Moon and Turtle
A hyper-local Asian-fusion gem in Hilo, celebrated for its ever-changing menu of vibrant, fresh seafood and produce dishes.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

Moon and Turtle

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A hyper-local Asian-fusion gem in Hilo, celebrated for its ever-changing menu of vibrant, fresh seafood and produce dishes.
"It's a corner of culinary paradise and arguably the best spot in Hilo."
Reservations Essential
This popular spot fills up quickly due to its intimate size. Book your table well in advance!
Embrace Family Style
The restaurant recommends eating family-style, sharing dishes as they come out for a convivial dining experience.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Asian-Pacific Fusion
Price
Mid-range
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Hyper-Local & Vibrant Bites
Experience fresh, locally sourced seafood and produce transformed into creative, hyper-local dishes with an Asian-Pacific flair.

Smoky Sashimi for Dessert?
An unexpectedly delightful dish that's so satisfying, some diners even order it for dessert! A true culinary adventure.

Intimate & Convivial Atmosphere
Enjoy an intimate dining experience with warm, attentive service, perfect for sharing dishes and enjoying a convivial meal.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Reservations Essential
This popular spot fills up quickly due to its intimate size. Book your table well in advance!
Embrace Family Style
The restaurant recommends eating family-style, sharing dishes as they come out for a convivial dining experience.
Check Daily Specials
The menu changes frequently based on fresh, available ingredients. Check their Facebook for daily updates.
Signature Cocktails
Don't miss trying their unique signature cocktails, which are highly recommended for an exceptional experience.
Tips
from all over the internet
Reservations Essential
This popular spot fills up quickly due to its intimate size. Book your table well in advance!
Embrace Family Style
The restaurant recommends eating family-style, sharing dishes as they come out for a convivial dining experience.
Check Daily Specials
The menu changes frequently based on fresh, available ingredients. Check their Facebook for daily updates.
Signature Cocktails
Don't miss trying their unique signature cocktails, which are highly recommended for an exceptional experience.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Moon and Turtle is a highly acclaimed Asian-fusion cafe in Hilo, lauded for its incredibly delicious food made with fresh, local ingredients and its intimate, welcoming atmosphere. Diners rave about the creative, flavorful dishes and attentive service, with many calling it a standout dining experience on the Big Island. While the small size necessitates reservations, the overall consensus is that it's a must-visit destination.
"Loved everything about this place. What a Hilo gem. The place was cute and clean. The owners Mark and Sunny were kind and the staff we're very friendly. Everyone in this restaurant helped each other out. Always water being poured, tablets being cleaned just really exceptional service (a well oiled machine). The food was absolutely fantastic. A new experience for the pallet. I would highly recommend if you are in Hilo... there's a reason it's been in business for 12 years. Make reservations ahead of time."
Jensen Jones
"Great dining option in downtown Hilo offering a blend of traditional flavors mixed with dinner international influences.
Book a table in advance.
Good to share dishes. Cocktails are worth a try, too."
Nick Denis
"Everything at this restaurant comes from the big island of Hawaii! I have been here more times than I can count and have never had anything that tasted short of amazing! Every time someone visits me in Hilo, I have to take them here. Make sure to make a reservation before you go! It's a small restaurant and seating is limited."
Kyle Wicomb
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, reservations are highly recommended and often necessary due to the restaurant's small size and popularity.
Yes, the menu changes daily or frequently based on available locally sourced ingredients.
The restaurant recommends eating family-style and sharing dishes as they come out from the kitchen.
Diners frequently praise dishes like the Smoky Sashimi, Mushroom Risotto, and Market Fish.
Yes, Moon and Turtle offers signature cocktails like 'The Silk Road' and 'Lychee Press' that are highly recommended.
The waiter was knowledgeable about Celiac needs, and certain menu items are gluten-free. It's best to inform your server.
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This sophisticated, intimate restaurant in a bayfront building offers a classy selection of international fare with the focus on locally sourced meats, produce, and seafood. The menu changes daily (see their Facebook page), but mushroom pappardelle is a highlight, along with seafood chowder, spicy kajiki (marlin) tartare, and crispy whole-fried moi (Pacific threadfin).
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Mark Pomaski, the chef and owner of Moon and Turtle, earned national accolades for his menu spotlighting seasonal delicacies such as whole fried opelu (mackerel) and octopus dumplings.
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Hilo native, chef Mark Pomaski, can be credited for drawing attention to the town by way of Moon and Turtle, a Pacific seafood-centric spot serving up some of Hawaii's most hyper-local and vibrant bites—with a “less is more” mentality. Chef’s Smoky Sashimi is so satisfying, diners have been known to order it for dessert, while Salty Fish Fried Rice with Hilo farmers’ market vegetables and anything with heart of palm (sourced from OK Farms, a mere two miles down the street) should not be missed. End with the lilikoi pie fromPapa'a Palaoa Bakery and you'll leave a happy camper.
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Reviews on Restaurants With a View in Hilo, HI 96720 - The Seaside Restaurant and Aqua Farm, Moon & Turtle, Pineapples Island Fresh Cuisine, Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill Hilo, Hilo Bay Cafe, Hilo Town Tavern, The Temple Bar, The Inn at Kulaniapia Falls, Ponds Hilo, Puka Puka Kitchen Here's why: Plenty of Dining Options minecraft education edition duplication glitch. Read professional restaurant reviews, get reservations, and more. Kona'ole Grill Food Truck is suggested for a casual but flavorful meal, consisting of a small menu populated with seafood dishes.
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Moon and Turtle is a seafood and Asian-fusion restaurant known for frequently switching up their menu depending upon the available sourced ingredients they have that day, week, or month. Note that its location is somewhat hidden on a neighboring street in Hilo, so it may require a GPS to find it if you’re new to the area. Nevertheless, it’s often touted as being the best restaurant on the Big Island so it’s worth the adventure of finding its location!
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Run by Hilo-raised, mainland-trained Tedd and Mark Pomaski, and Mark’s wife, Soni, the restaurant uses local ingredients and immediately captured the hearts of local diners. The menu features simple, quality food, like Hawaii Island caught fish, greens from Kekela Farms and whatever’s fresh at the Hilo Farmers’ Market, then elevates it into dishes that dazzle with contemporary techniques and presentations. 51 Kalakaua St., (808) 961-0599.
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Foodies love this place for the chef’s innovative take on using basic and popular local ingredients and putting a new spin to regular comfort foods and local favorite foods in town. This is one of the best Hilo restaurants to experience farm to table at its best. The focus of the cuisine here is local seafoods, Pan Asian fusion inspired dishes with bold, spicy and nuanced flavors with their sauces and various locally sourced ingredients.
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Located in downtown Hilo, Moon & Turtle is considered to be not just one of the best restaurants in Hilo, but one of the best restaurants in all of Hawaii. This small restaurant consistently has high-quality, delicious food, despite the fact that their menu changes daily. While on one day you might have the option to order wild boar puttanesca, on another day, miso chili yaki udon might be the star of the menu.
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If there’s a special occasion restaurant in every town, Moon & Turtle is Hilo’s. Far from stuffy or fancy, this downtown spot made the trip even better by delivering on solid shared plates with a little bit of Hilo flair. From the plump heart of palm gyoza ($7), deep-fried and drizzled with a spicy crema, to the crispy chow fun ($24) with shredded beef gravy, I couldn’t stop loading up.
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This cozy neighborhood restaurant focuses on seafood, featuring a daily-changing menu to ensure the freshest selections. Reservations are reservations are recommended, though there may be seats at the bar. Dishes are served family-style and, depending on the menu, you may get lucky enough to enjoy items such as ahi belly, smoked sashimi, poke, red snapper and more.
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When it comes to choosing the best lunch spot in Hilo, personal preference plays a significant role. Each place offers a unique dining experience, and what might be the best for one person may not be the best for another. To determine the best lunch spot, factors such as taste, service, atmosphere, affordability, and accessibility should be considered.
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An Asian fusion restaurant, with a rotating menu, starring locally sourced produce – Moon and Turtle takes creativity to another level with its unique dishes. The dimly lit space is casual yet charming, and attracts families, couples, and bigger groups as well. When in doubt, start your food adventure at Moon and Turtle with the Smokey Sashimi.
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In the vibrant town of Hilo, Moon and Turtle shines as a gem for food enthusiasts seeking a symphony of flavors. This Asian-fusion cafe, renowned for its locally sourced seafood, offers an ever-evolving menu that promises delightful surprises with each visit. As echoed by patrons, the culinary journey here is nothing short of extraordinary.
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This small, intimate restaurant punches way above its weight when it comes to flavor. The menu changes frequently based on what’s fresh and in season, but you can expect innovative dishes with an Asian-Pacific flair. Their Smoked Fish Dip and Kalbi Short Ribs are a great introduction to the creative cuisine here.
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Head to Moon and Turtle if you are looking for a more traditional sit down dinner in a small, cosy atmosphere. The menu is small, changes frequently and main dishes are best enjoyed family style. We had the Miso Chili Yaki Udon and Mac n' Cheese with homemade noodles, local squash, white wine, and cheddar.
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We dined around 8:30 PM on a Saturday, and the very first table of the evening had just opened up (we didn’t have a reservation). On Fridays and weekends, reservations are highly recommended, as it is a small restaurant. Service was attentive and friendly, and the food was outstandingly flavorful.
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The quality of food stands above, the service is amazing and the owners (the chef and his wife) are awesome. They have a very small menu that changes often, depending on what’s in season and available. This is not a plant based restaurant, but they do have at least one option that can be vegan.
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This popular intimate restaurant will always keep you coming back for more of Moon and Turtle’s signature dishes and drinks which change daily. If you like yummy delightful surprises, this local family owned establishment will not disappoint. Reservations are highly recommended.
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Moon and Turtle: If you’re a foodie seeking out something a little trendier and a little less old school, make reservations here. It’s a small (and very popular) Asian/Hawaiian fusion restaurant and probably at the top of the “don’t miss restaurants in Hilo” list.
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If you’re a foodie looking for something a little more adventurous, Moon and Turtle serves up inventive dishes using locally sourced ingredients. The ever-changing menu features Asian fusion cuisine with a Hawaiian twist—and the results are always memorable.
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With its inventive dishes, you will not be able to get enough of Moon and Turtle. This restaurant has an intimate and cozy atmosphere with an ever-changing menu full of different and unique flavors. Indulge in some Mushroom Risotto or some Smokey Sashimi!.
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I was really looking forward to some local restaurants on our visit to Hawaii. We drove from Kona to Hilo on the day we went for our helicopter ride in Hilo. I purposefully booked the last flight of the day so we could have dinner somewhere in Hilo.
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Couples looking for a romantic dinner should visit Moon and Turtle in Hilo. This intimate restaurant offers a menu that changes daily based on the freshest ingredients available, focusing on Asian-inspired cuisine. Learn more on their website.
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This newly renovated, turtle-themed unit offers a queen-sized bed, a fully stocked kitchenette, free Wi-Fi, and four streaming services for two guests, with convenient access to the Port of Hilo, Naniloa Country Club, and various attractions.
CASTLE HILO HAWAIIAN HOTEL - Hilo HI 71 Banyan 96720
Dinner: Moon and Turtle - A cozy restaurant serving creative dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. Located 1.2 miles from Castle Hilo Hawaiian Hotel.
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51 Kalakaua StHilo, HI 96720(808) 961-0599 Open in Google Maps. Moon and Turtle is a foodie hotspot known for its fresh seafood and Asian-fusion dishes.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit