The Seaside Restaurant and Aqua Farm
A Hilo institution offering incredibly fresh seafood from its own aqua farm, with unique pond views and a celebrated Hawaiian-style surf 'n' turf.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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The Seaside Restaurant and Aqua Farm
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A Hilo institution offering incredibly fresh seafood from its own aqua farm, with unique pond views and a celebrated Hawaiian-style surf 'n' turf.
"Seaside Restaurant is the kind of restaurant you plan trips around."
Book Ahead for Window Seats
Make reservations in advance, requesting a window table for sunset views of egrets.
Ask for Server Recommendations
Servers can guide you to recommended dishes, especially if you're unsure what to order.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Seafood, American
Price
$$$
Phone
(808) 935-8825
Address
1790 Kalanianaole St, Hilo, HI 96720, USA
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Fresh Seafood from On-Site Aqua Farm
Savor incredibly fresh seafood, including specialties like mullet and fried aholehole, directly sourced from their own aqua farm.
Picturesque Pond Views & Egrets
Dine in unique rooms overlooking a natural brackish fishpond, especially magical at sunset with egrets roosting.
Hawaiian-Style Surf 'n' Turf
Enjoy a delightful blend of local flavors with Hawaiian-style surf 'n' turf, featuring prime rib and fresh catches.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Book Ahead for Window Seats
Make reservations in advance, requesting a window table for sunset views of egrets.
Ask for Server Recommendations
Servers can guide you to recommended dishes, especially if you're unsure what to order.
Be Prepared for Peak Times
Wait times can be longer during busy periods; consider visiting during off-peak hours.
Save Room for Dessert
Many diners regret not saving room for their delicious dessert options.
Tips
from all over the internet
Book Ahead for Window Seats
Make reservations in advance, requesting a window table for sunset views of egrets.
Ask for Server Recommendations
Servers can guide you to recommended dishes, especially if you're unsure what to order.
Be Prepared for Peak Times
Wait times can be longer during busy periods; consider visiting during off-peak hours.
Save Room for Dessert
Many diners regret not saving room for their delicious dessert options.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
This family-owned Hilo restaurant is celebrated for its incredibly fresh seafood, often sourced from its own aqua farm. Diners rave about the unique ambiance, especially the pond views and sunset scenery. While many praise the delicious flavors and attentive service, some reviews mention issues with the restaurant's decor, occasional long wait times, and high prices.
"My dad was dying for some seafood during our family vacation to Hawaii and we ended up at this restaurant for dinner on our last night. The restaurant itself is casual, yet elevated, but I found the space to be a bit dingy-feeling at night, especially since the string lights in the room we were in were not working. That being said, the food was excellent! My dad said it was his favorite meal of the trip! We ordered lilikoi margaritas, the oysters (and as people from Maryland, we know ALL about good oysters), Manila clams, Chinese style fish, volcano shrimp roll, prime rib, and vegetarian pasta. Very interesting and unique takes on some classic recipes. It’s a shame we were too full for dessert!"
Sarah Leinbach
"Seafood is always done right! The host was really nice he told us the daily specials and some recommendations. We ordered the poke nachos and shrimp dynamite roll for starters and the blackened ahi and the New York steak & lobster for dinner. Everything tasted delicious and was cooked to perfection. It did take quite a while for our order to come out and it was a bit loud making it hard to converse. The restaurant is a bit dated but the view of the pond makes up for it."
Michelle K
"After living on the Big Island for 12 years, we finally made it in—and let’s just say we’re already planning our next visit. We arrived a bit early, so we started with drinks at the bar (excellent pours, by the way) before moving to our table, where the service was warm and attentive from start to finish.
We began with the escargot, which, honestly, is the best we’ve had on island: buttery, garlicky, and perfectly tender. We also shared a shrimp dynamite roll that was fresh, balanced, and made exactly as it should be—each bite delivering that satisfying crunch and spice without overpowering the delicate shrimp.
For our main, we split the 16-ounce cut prime rib, cooked to absolute perfection and served juicy and flavorful, with each bite reminding us why we love a classic done right.
It’s rare to find a spot that nails the food, service, price, and overall vibe all in one, but this place delivered. We’re already looking forward to coming back—and next time, we’ll be saving room for dessert."
Nat & Keola Valdez
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
The restaurant is renowned for its fresh seafood, much of which is sourced from its on-site aqua farm, and its unique dining rooms overlooking a brackish fishpond.
Yes, making reservations in advance is highly recommended, especially if you want to ensure availability or request a window table.
Popular dishes include Macadamia Nut Crusted Mahi-Mahi, Fried Aholehole, Chinese Style Fish, and various sushi rolls.
Request a table by the window when making your reservation, particularly to enjoy the sunset and the egrets roosting around the fishpond.
Yes, they offer a Keiki (kids) menu and the unique ambiance can be enjoyable for families. Some reviews mention it's a family favorite for special occasions.
Yes, the menu includes options for 'landlubbers' such as prime rib, chicken, and salads.
The atmosphere is unique with views of the fishpond. While some find it charming, others describe parts of the decor as dated or the environment as loud.
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Owned and operated by the Nakagawi family since the early 1920s, this landmark restaurant features three separate dining rooms that overlook a 30-acre natural brackish fishpond, making this one of the most interesting places to eat in Hilo. Some highlights are paniolo (cowboy) prime rib, New York steak, and shrimp scampi. Arrive before sunset and request a table by the window for a view of egrets roosting around the fishpond.
hilo restaurants with a view
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.
Big Island Seafood Restaurants: 10Best Restaurant Reviews
This aptly named gem earns high marks from the Hilo dining set thanks to its captivating setting (the restaurant overlooks ponds stocked with trout, perch, mullet, and catfish) and superb New American fare. Although the decor, which includes plastic chairs and wooden tables, doesn't leave much to the imagination, house specialties do. Sample homegrown mullet (remember the ponds?), fried aholehole (Hawaiian flagtail), parrotfish, or steamed opakapaka.
Top Hilo, HI Seafood Restaurants
The Pacific Rim menu and the decor, paired with the setting makes them one of the most interesting places to eat in Hilo. Islanders and visitors travel great distances for the fried aholehole, and mullet raised at the aqua farm. Other great dishes from the sea include furikake salmon, miso butterfish, and macadamia nut–crusted mahimahi, but the menu includes plenty for landlubbers, too, like prime rib, chicken, and salads.
20 Hilo Restaurants Where You Can Get an Amazing Meal
Featuring freshly caught seafood from their very own on-site aqua farm, this Hawaiian restaurant serves up the freshest seafood in the area. From calamari shrimp strips and salmon poke to Kumamoto oysters and sushi sashimi, it’s all on offer here at the Seaside Restaurant and Aqua Farm; a one-of-a-kind. Visiting with someone who isn’t a fan of seafood?
Best restaurants in Hilo
It doesn’t get any fresher with Seaside Restaurant located right of the lagoons in the beach areas of Hilo. This unassuming restaurant serves one of the best fish and seafood you will find on the islands. Family owned and serving Hilo many generations, the Seaside Restaurant is a real gem and Hilo style eatery.
Seafood in Hilo?
The Seaside has nice tables with pond views on the porch (main dining room is dark & ho hum decor..) mac mahi is nice, but their prices are on the higher end for Hilo (reasonable for most areas)
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