Coco Cantina
About
Fresh Tacos and Big Island Spirit
Walking into Coco Cantina in downtown Hilo feels like stumbling upon a secret vibrant corner of Mexico tucked away in the Pacific. The air inside is consistently thick with the savory scent of cilantro and slow-simmered carnitas, hitting you the moment the door swings open. It is a no-frills, high-energy environment where the clatter of plates and upbeat music dominate the acoustic landscape—perfect for those who prefer their meals with a side of lively conversation rather than hushed intimacy.
The Kitchen's Approach
This spot has carved out a dedicated following by focusing on straightforward, authentic preparation. The kitchen excels at balancing street-style simplicity with fresh local ingredients. You will notice the charred edges on the tortillas that give every taco a distinct smoky flavor, a hallmark of their preparation style. Their signature salsas carry a genuine kick that demands a tall glass of icy horchata to cool things down.
Know Before You Go
While the food is stellar, keep in mind that space is at a premium. During the lunch rush, the small interior fills up rapidly, and you might find yourself navigating a bit of a squeeze to get to your seat. Parking around this stretch of Hilo can be a test of patience, so plan to arrive a few minutes early to secure a spot nearby. If you are looking for a place to fuel up after exploring the Hilo farmers market or need a quick, reliable bite before heading out toward the Volcano, this is the go-to destination for those who value flavor over fanfare.
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Amenities & Features
Location
194 Kilauea Ave, Hilo, Hawaii, 96720-2990
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Reviews
Showing 10 of 9 community reviewsAnnie WarbleGoogle Maps
Recently
Great happy hour food and prices. Daniel our server did a great job. Brought me extra jalapenos for my food. The montados quesadilla was more than enough for 2. The happy hour margaritas were excellent. Not your typical pre made mix kind
DIY OPGoogle Maps
Recently
You absolutely have to try the Mexican Burger 🍔. Also, the ribs fall off the bone and are super meaty. The staff is really nice and talkative. It's always kinda chill here. I come here often because of happy hour! Football friendly. The bartenders are the best...Alyx and Joseph are my favorites. Wait staff on point too. Def go here !!!
Toby ConradGoogle Maps
Recently
Best Mexican food on the Big Island!! They have a great lunch special Monday through Saturday for $12. Excellent value and your meal includes chips and salsa.
jason hillGoogle Maps
Recently
Best dining experience I’ve had in Hawaii in a long time. Food was delicious and filling. Service was friendly and fast. The price was great for the value. We will be going back this week looking forward to next visit. Chips and salsa at table was a great touch
FelipãoGoogle Maps
Recently
Food is great. They get you free tortilla chips with a great sauce. The carne asada I especially recommend. However, there was only two tap beer options last time I was there. Out of a list of about 5-6 different tap beer shown on the menu, it seemed on the poor side a little bit.
Rugged SpartanGoogle Maps
Recently
Pretty awesome food. I very much enjoyed everything from the flautas to enchiladas to the horchata. Anyone who likes Mexican food needs to find time to eat here.
Malia NevesGoogle Maps
Recently
It was my mom's 🎂 and love us some ono fajitas. And boy, Coco Cantina killed it. Also, it being my mom's birthday we asked for the flan and Audrey who is an amazing waitress asked if we wanted a candle and Audrey had a lighter which she kept in her purse just for these occasions! Perfect! Thank you for the amazing meal and experience! Muy bueno!
Mike MGoogle Maps
Recently
Delicious Acapulco Salad. I loved how it was served in a crispy tortilla shell. Very tasty. Great service. Dinner was served promptly. Reasonably priced.
mytuyenvGoogle Maps
Recently
Restaurant has lovely AC to cool you off from the heat outside. The server was attentive & friendly. She did a great job. The food is just OK, does not have a lot of flavor.
David BoothGoogle Maps
Recently
We popped into this cantina on our way to the downtown post office and the best thing about it was the service. Alex at the bar was awesome and makes a mean margarita. Nice open space, bigger than it looks from the outside. Nice happy hour menu. We ordered the carne asada fries and the ceviche and both were okay. We will go back to check out more of the menu.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Coco Cantina
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