Tina's Garden Cafe
A family-run Thai fusion gem offering delicious, artfully presented dishes with generous portions and warm, attentive service.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries
Tina's Garden Cafe
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A family-run Thai fusion gem offering delicious, artfully presented dishes with generous portions and warm, attentive service.
"Tina's Garden Cafe is a hidden gem! The flavor and care put into every dish is outstanding."
Try the Green Curry
The green curry is a standout dish, praised for its delicious flavor and comforting qualities.
Generous Portions
Portions are large, perfect for sharing or enjoying leftovers for another meal.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Thai Fusion
Price
Mid-range
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Flavorful Thai Curries
Experience the rich and balanced flavors of their highly recommended green curry and other flavorful curries.
Generous Portions & Value
Diners rave about the large portion sizes, ensuring great value and plenty of leftovers.
Mango Sticky Rice
Conclude your meal with the perfectly sweet and refreshing mango sticky rice, a true delight.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Try the Green Curry
The green curry is a standout dish, praised for its delicious flavor and comforting qualities.
Generous Portions
Portions are large, perfect for sharing or enjoying leftovers for another meal.
Spice Level Adjustment
Staff can adjust spice levels to your preference, ensuring a comfortable dining experience.
Family-Run Charm
Enjoy the warm service from the family running the cafe, adding a personal touch.
Tips
from all over the internet
Try the Green Curry
The green curry is a standout dish, praised for its delicious flavor and comforting qualities.
Generous Portions
Portions are large, perfect for sharing or enjoying leftovers for another meal.
Spice Level Adjustment
Staff can adjust spice levels to your preference, ensuring a comfortable dining experience.
Family-Run Charm
Enjoy the warm service from the family running the cafe, adding a personal touch.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Tina's Garden Cafe is celebrated for its delicious, authentic Thai cuisine with generous portions that offer great value. Diners frequently praise the flavorful curries and the warm, family-run service. However, some guests have raised concerns about hygiene and an uncomfortably spicy dish.
"Best green curry i have had in a really long time. Very hearty and cutting of the vegetables added a tantalizing structure to it. Plus, the pumpkin added to the curry made it extra scrumptious. We started of woth the cup of Tom Kha which was good starter portion."
Drew Mc
"Tina's Garden Cafe is a hidden gem!
From the moment you walk in, the service is warm and welcoming. The staff is attentive and accommodating, making sure you're comfortable and well taken care of. But what truly sets this place apart is the flavor and care put into every dish.
The spices are beautifully balanced—enhancing the natural flavors of the vegetables, meats, and broths without overpowering them. This is a fantastic spot for vegetarians, yet they also offer delicious chicken and meat options.
I tried the green curry with medium spice and was blown away. The subtle hint of coconut milk added depth without being too rich. The Tom Ka Ga was comforting and fragrant, the seafood noodles were perfectly cooked, and the mango sticky rice was the perfect sweet finish—everything tasted homemade and fresh.
Portion sizes are generous, so you’re definitely getting value for your money. I left full, happy, and already planning my next visit. Highly recommend!"
Cristian Arreaza
"Absolutely delicious! 1st meal off an 18-hour travel day and I couldn’t be more satisfied. I had the green papaya salad and the garden curry. Both were perfectly balanced and kept me wanting more. Their portions are huge! Can’t wait to have this for lunch tomorrow… but I’ll still be back later this week for the pad see ew and mango sticky rice.
The owner and her sisters all running the place makes this whole experience even sweeter ❤️ Enjoy & bring your friends!"
Edward Egan
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Many visitors rave about the green curry and the mango sticky rice. The Tom Kha soup is also a popular choice.
Yes, diners consistently mention that the portion sizes are very generous, offering great value and often enough for leftovers.
Yes, the staff is accommodating and can adjust the spice level of your dishes to your preference.
The restaurant is known for being friendly towards meal choices for vegans and vegetarians, with many dishes prepared to order and having a vegetarian option.
It's a charming, family-run restaurant with a warm and welcoming atmosphere, complemented by attentive service.
One reviewer mentioned finding a hair in their food, which they considered a significant hygiene concern. Others did not report such issues.
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5 Family Restaurants Near Hilo, HI – Tony Honda Hilo Blog
Delicious Thai cuisine and friendly service made Tina’s Garden Cafe an instant winner for us. Start your meal out with some summer rolls or a refreshing green papaya salad, then move on to tasty entrées like the sweet and sour shrimp or salmon asparagus platter, which comes served in a tangy sauce we can’t get enough of. You’ll find this local restaurant at 168 Kamehameha Avenue.
Hilo Farm To Fork & Vegetarian Restaurants Guide
Tina's Garden Gourmet Cafe FB Page 168 Kamehameha Ave (at Waianuenue Ave ), Hilo, Hawaii 96720 808-935-1166 Cuisine: Vegan-friendly, Lacto, American, Chinese, Thai, Non-veg Serves meat, veg options available. Majority of Chef Tina's artistic food has a vegetarian option. Also every dish is prepared to order so every dish can be made vegan.
The Best Plant Based Food in Hilo Hawaii + Roasted Garlic Caesar Dressing
The service is slow, the portions are ridiculously huge, and the prices are high. But none of that matters. And when you experience their Coconut Tom Kha soup (because you will have an experience), you will know why and you will thank me.
Our Favorite Big Island Vegetarian Restaurants
Tina’s Garden Gourmet Cafe– Come with your friends, or make some new friends ;). This place has MASSIVE portions. It’s also quite busy, so don’t be surprised if you have to wait.
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