Merriman's Restaurant, Kamuela

From the outside, Merriman's in Waimea doesn't look like much. Walk inside and it's a different story. It's intimate and dimly lit. The service was awesome and the food was the BEST FOOD my husband or I have ever had. I had the steamed O'pakapaka--it was heavenly! Dinner was expensive, but I would pay for it again! I am recommending this restaurant to all of our friends & want to return weekly JUST for Merriman's! :) If you are visiting the Big Island, you MUST eat at Merriman's. Merriman's in Waimea is the restaurant that all other restaurants I visit will be judged!

We had lunch on our first day here.. it must have been the best food we had on the island, if not one of the best places we've ever been to. The prices were cheap (although I am used to nyc prices, but on that same note the food was better than most of the finer nyc restuarants), the portions were huge, but we cleaned our plates because even the sides were amazing. I'm not a fan of fish, but it was amazing. The service was great, as was the ambience. There was an engagement lunch going on while we were there and I can see why. Later on in the week, we had dinner at the four seasons, I wish we had saved our money and gone back here.

Worth the trip up to cowboy country for this excellent fare. Tops any of the fancy resort restaurants with innovative fresh local produce, steaks, and fish. Go on the half-day ranch tour with the folks from Merriman's for a great time.