




Popover
About
A Morning Ritual in Downtown Hilo
Stepping into Popover feels like catching a quiet moment before the Hilo rain rolls in. Located right in the heart of the historic downtown district, this spot has become a local secret for those who prefer their breakfast served with a light, airy touch. The scent of browning butter and roasting coffee beans greets you at the door, signaling that the ovens have been working since well before sunrise.
The Art of the Puffed Pastry
As the name suggests, the menu centers around the classic popover—a delicate, egg-rich pastry that rises to impressive heights. These are served warm, often with a side of house-made fruit preserves or a savory compound butter that melts into the hollow, golden-brown crust. It is a simple concept executed with precision, providing a satisfying crunch followed by a soft, steam-filled center.
The Local Pulse
The space maintains a casual, no-frills attitude that fits the Big Island lifestyle perfectly. You will find a mix of residents grabbing a quick bite before heading to the office and visitors looking for a genuine taste of Hilo without the resort-style fluff. Be prepared for a bit of a challenge when finding parking during the mid-morning rush, as the surrounding blocks get busy with commuters. The acoustics inside can get lively when the counter is three-deep, but that kinetic energy only adds to the charm of this island bakery. Whether you pair your pastry with a strong Kona coffee or just enjoy it plain, it offers a distinct contrast to the heavy, sugary breakfast options found elsewhere on the island.
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Amenities & Features
Location
399 E Kawili St, Hilo, Hawaii, 96720-5056
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Reviews
Showing 10 of 20 community reviewsGabriellaGoogle Maps
Recently
Variable food quality. Some of the doughnuts were okay, the flatbread was pretty good, and the popovers were fine. Most of their “puffs” had quite artificial fillings, and I’d rather attempt eating a rock than one of their scones again. Service is an absolute mess. We ordered pickup via DoorDash and I’m convinced we were the first people to ever do that, because the employees were so confused by the entire concept. Overall, I don’t think I’d recommend and we definitely had better breakfasts in Hilo.
wendy danielsGoogle Maps
Recently
Ok surprise !!! This place was deilish We had lillkoi coconut donut Waffle with pineapple n whip crème Ham n Swiss cheese pop over Breakfast pop over Matcha Cold brew Latte All 10 out of 10 stars We were totally surprised by the portion sizes, the flavors all around in everything Amazing amazing amazing !! Pop over is popping on the FOOD !!! So u all should POP OVER !!
Paige LuttrellGoogle Maps
Recently
I really wanted to like this place and maybe we caught them on a bad day, but wow…. They were busy, so we waited a good while to be helped, which is fine. No big deal. Guy in front of us cleaned out the donuts, so we settled on two my friend wanted. They were fine. Nothing to report. Dude took the donut I wanted so I settled on a blueberry coffee cake. We paid and walked outside and got in the car and noticed mold on the blueberry cake. Okay whatever. It happens. Walked back inside to quietly let her know that there was mold. She told me it was not possible that it was mold because they were put out day prior. Told me if I wanted to swap it with another, I could. Checked the few remaining up front, all of them had mold. They were busy, she seemed certain it was not possible of being molded. I’ll let you guys decide with the pictures. Needless to say, I didn’t eat it. For the loaf to be moldy is one thing. Stuff happens, but to be brushed off felt kinda icky, especially when I was just trying to let her know so I could grab another item or so she could take them off the counter.
Lucas MigliorelliGoogle Maps
Recently
I had a very disappointing experience here. The coffee tasted awful — bitter and poorly made. The staff seemed lazy and completely uninterested in providing any kind of service. To make things worse, they were wearing visibly dirty clothes, which is unacceptable in any food establishment. The bathroom was beyond dirty — honestly one of the worst I’ve ever seen. It clearly hasn’t been properly cleaned in a long time. Even the food presentation was poor, being served in a flimsy paper box that didn’t match any basic standard of quality. Overall, the place feels neglected, unhygienic, and unprofessional. Food safety authorities should seriously inspect this business, because the level of cleanliness is absolutely unacceptable. I would not recommend it to anyone
Tracie FinneyGoogle Maps
Recently
Very fresh delicious food. We had breakfast flatbread and turkey avocado popover. Super fresh. Large portions. We ate outside in order to enjoy the fresh air. Its a little noisy from street noise but not offensive. Taking fresh popovers home with us!
NatGoogle Maps
Recently
I've always wanted to try this place and I finally got to. I ordered a dozen donuts for work and it was a hit. A variety of unique flavors and some classics-- all of which were quite soft and decent sized for a small treat. My caramel latte with oat milk was delicious too, better than Starbucks coffee. I think they are shorthanded though so there was a bit of a wait but that's no problem to me. The lady in the front was very polite and hard working. I appreciate her service. Definitely would recommend this spot and hope to come back here again soon.
Kori ChancellorGoogle Maps
Recently
The popovers, donuts, pastries and cookies are amazing and the staff even better! They went above and beyond to serve us. The food portions of the popover sandwiches are more than enough and they are so so good! It’s hard to find food this quality for the price they offer. If you want a good place for breakfast or lunch, this won’t disappoint!
Jacqueline TelljohannGoogle Maps
Recently
My husband and I shared: - Turkey, Cranberry, and Cream Cheese Popover Sandwich - Pastrami Popover Sandwich - Ube Donut - Lilikoi Butter Mochi Both sandwiches were fantastic. I love popovers and it's such a great idea to turn them into a sandwich. I think I had a slight preference for the turkey one, but you can't go wrong with either. The desserts were a little disappointing. The donut was dry and the butter mochi was just ok. If you're in Hilo, come here for lunch!
Pranav BhounsuleGoogle Maps
Recently
Popover sandwich tuna / turkey Variety of coffee, Some pasties. Slow service but good food.
Monique CGoogle Maps
Recently
This was our first visit and it is our favorite place in Hilo, now. My husband ordered the Breakfast Sausage Popover and I got the Breakfast Flatbread. We were blown away by the flavors! I was trying to eat my flatbread before it was cool enough, but I didn’t care! It was delicious! And my husband tore up his popover sandwich. He also asked for extra house sauce, which really made the sandwich pop! The interior looks a little well-loved, but I took it as a sign of success through genuinely kind staff and good food. The sign says they were established in 2019, and after enjoying their breakfast options, lattes, mango puff, and triple coffee scone, I can understand how they were able to survive covid! The vibe was comfortable, the food was 10/10, the service was impeccable, and the pastry selection had me drooling. Stop by Popover for a delicious meal, tasty pastries, and good coffee.
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