
The Fish And The Hog
A rustic cafe and bar in Waimea serving incredible slow-cooked BBQ and fresh Hawaiian seafood, with a warm atmosphere.

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

The Fish And The Hog

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A rustic cafe and bar in Waimea serving incredible slow-cooked BBQ and fresh Hawaiian seafood, with a warm atmosphere.
Arrive Early or Expect a Wait
This popular spot can have long lines; consider visiting right at opening or during off-peak hours.
Don't Skip the Cornbread
Multiple reviewers rave about the cornbread, often recommending ordering extra.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
American, Barbecue, Seafood
Price
Mid-range
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Authentic Texas-Style BBQ
Experience slow-cooked brisket, ribs, and pulled pork, praised as some of the best on the Big Island.

Unique Hawaiian Fusion
Savor fresh seafood options alongside BBQ, including standout poke dishes.

Decadent Homemade Desserts
Indulge in generous slices of homemade pies and cakes, perfect for sharing.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Arrive Early or Expect a Wait
This popular spot can have long lines; consider visiting right at opening or during off-peak hours.
Don't Skip the Cornbread
Multiple reviewers rave about the cornbread, often recommending ordering extra.
Try the Sampler Plate
A great way to experience a variety of their signature BBQ offerings.
Ask for Recommendations
Staff can guide you through the menu, especially if it's your first visit.
Tips
from all over the internet
Arrive Early or Expect a Wait
This popular spot can have long lines; consider visiting right at opening or during off-peak hours.
Don't Skip the Cornbread
Multiple reviewers rave about the cornbread, often recommending ordering extra.
Try the Sampler Plate
A great way to experience a variety of their signature BBQ offerings.
Ask for Recommendations
Staff can guide you through the menu, especially if it's your first visit.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
The Fish and The Hog is celebrated for its outstanding slow-cooked BBQ, with many highlighting the brisket and ribs as exceptional. Diners also appreciate the unique fusion of Hawaiian seafood, particularly the poke dishes. While the atmosphere is generally loved, some reviews mention inconsistent service and the brisket being dry on occasion. Desserts are noted for their generous portions and delicious homemade quality.
"Delicious food and great experience! We came as a group of five and ordered three entrees family style to start — everything was so tasty and filling that we only added two more cornbreads for dessert. The brisket, cornbread, and dill dipping sauce for the sweet potato fries were our favorites. Friendly staff and a great atmosphere. We’ll definitely be back!"
Ashlynn Werner
"Get there early or prepare for a wait. Order at least 2 orders of the cornbread, you won’t regret it. The poke was excellent, the sweet potato chips were a nice addition. Fish tacos were a little too wet, but had good flavor.
Unfortunately, our brisket was clearly precut and dried out. Flavor wasn’t bad though. Also, our waitress never talked through the specials and spent most of her time chatting up her friends at the table next to us.
Overall we liked it, but will be sticking to the fish portions of the menu."
Jessica M
"At the recommendation of someone I follow on social media, I had to make this a stop while on the Big Island. The recommendation was valid. Food was excellent. The service top notch. The atmosphere casual and welcoming.
I started with the daily tots. Daily tots were tots covered in pesto, bacon and melted cheese. Oh so good. Generous portion which could easily be shared.
I asked the server for food recommendations before placing my meal order. There were a few sampler type options I was admiring. Turns out these were on the recommend list. I ordered the brisket sampler with grilled pineapple and coleslaw. The brisket was fork tender and perfectly cooked. I liked the grilled pineapple with paprika (?) on it. The coleslaw was not to my liking. It didn’t have a mayo base which is my preference. Decent portion size.
Lastly, I did order dessert, coconut cake. Huge piece of cake. I could only eat part of the slice so took the rest home for later. It was just as good on round two 😊
Definitely a good place for bbq. Visit hungry!"
Marjorie Ambrose
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
The brisket, ribs, and pulled pork are highly recommended BBQ items. The poke dishes and cornbread are also fan favorites. Don't forget to save room for the large, homemade desserts!
No, reservations are not accepted. The restaurant operates on a first-come, first-served basis, so be prepared for a potential wait, especially during peak times.
The restaurant has a rustic cafe and bar atmosphere in a historic building, described as casual, welcoming, and with unique decor.
Desserts are a highlight, with large portions of homemade cakes and pies, such as banana cream pie and coconut cake.
Yes, parking is generally available, though it can be busy due to the restaurant's popularity.
Absolutely! The Fish and The Hog offers a diverse menu with both slow-cooked BBQ and fresh Hawaiian seafood options, allowing you to enjoy both.
Mentioned in
Featured in these publications
The Complete Guide to the Island of Hawai‘i — Including Locals’ Favorite Stops
Located in Waimea, The Fish & The Hog is a smart stopover if your day takes you to the island's northern side. Akamu Moser calls it “the best barbecue spot on the island” and recommends ordering the Sampler if it’s your first visit. “It gives you a little bit of everything,” she says of the platter that comes with prime brisket, pulled pork, baby back ribs, and house-made sausage.
Restaurants in Waimea
This casual little restaurant along the highway serves up generous sandwiches, salads, and melt-in-your-mouth barbecue items. Because the owners are fisherpeople, the poke and nightly specials showcase fish caught from their boat. The on-site market sells fish, homemade sausage, and freshly made salad dressings and sauces.
Best Restaurants in Waimea: Top 6 Insider Picks for Foodies
When visiting the Big Island, don’t miss out on The Fish and The Hog, a highly recommended spot known for its exceptional slow-cooked BBQ meals. Embrace the comfortable atmosphere of their rustic-style building as you enjoy delicious all-American classics alongside Hawaiian seafood options. With an extensive menu designed to please every palate, you can be confident that anything you order will taste amazing.
12 Best Restaurants on the Big Island of Hawaii To Eat At In 2024 (+ What To Order)
Serving Texas-style BBQ on the Big Island, The Fish and the Hog is all about Southern comfort food, everything made from scratch and well-executed. The restaurant is located in a historic building and has an old-world Hawaiian charm to it, and the amazing tropical cocktail selections on the menu are crowd-pullers. The BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich is the OG dish on the menu, and is where it all began!
Hawaii’s Big Island’s 11 Yummiest Places to Eat
Who would expect the best restaurant on the island to be located in the hills of Waimea’s cowboy country, away from Kona and Hilo?. It is here that Peter Merriman’s Flagship Restaurant has offered authentic Hawaiian cuisine for 30 years like none other. For the last 18 years, they have earned the Gold Hale ‘Aina Award for Best Big Island Restaurant.
The Fish and The Hog 773 reviews Open Now American, Bar ₹₹ - ₹₹₹ Menu 1.7 km Island of Hawaii By 519donf This restaurant was recommended by a friend who lives on the Big Island. The restaurant has easy access and excellent service. We ordered two beef dishes and a side of onion rings and Gumbo.
waimea restaurants big island
The Fish and The Hog: Outstanding BBQ - See 730 traveler reviews, 218 candid photos, and great deals for Waimea, HI, at Tripadvisor. Located conveniently in the KTA shopping Center in Kamuela (In between Hilo and Kona) on The Big Island of Hawaii. Big Island Brewhaus: BEEEEEER!!!!.
Looking for Great BBQ To Go? The Fish and the Hog Has You Covered
The Fish and the Hog, or as we call it, Fin & Snout, is a Waimea gem that was our favorite stop when holoholo-ing around the northern part of the island, getting to know our new home. It was our go-to place for friends and family who came to visit us.
Big Island: Consolidated "South Kona-Kona-North Kohala-Waimea restaurants" Thread - Page 7
https://lavalavabeachclub.com/bigisland/ For a fun beachy "sand in toes" experience, with tables right on the beach, and some nights live music. Just keep expectations in check on food and service.
Ultimate Guide to Kamuela | Top Things to Do in Waimea Big Island
Enjoy dishes like the prime brisket plate, brisket mac and cheese, and French dip sandwich. The vibes are casual, the restaurant is rustic, and the food is outstanding.
40 Best Things to Do on Hawaiʻi Island (The Big Island
While it’s not conveniently located in Kona or Hilo, The Fish and the Hog makes for a great stop after visiting the beautiful Pololū Trail. Yelp: The Fish and the Hog
Farm-to-Table Fare Meets Hawaiian Cowboy Culture in Waimea
This go-to grill's slow-cooked pulled porkwill light up your taste buds. Order the sampler for a bit of everything including ribs, pulled pork, brisket, and sides.
Honest Pros and Cons of Living in Waimea | Blog
As its name suggests, this local favorite offers a variety of seafood and barbecue dishes in a warm and welcoming setting.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit