Earl's Waimea - Hawaii Restaurant
#19 of 43 Restaurants in Waimea Japanese

Earl's Waimea

4.4(15 community reviews)
Budget ($)

About

Discover Earl's Waimea, offering the best Japanese experience in Waimea. Enjoy Budget ($) meals, explore their menu, and read reviews from the community on TasteHi.

A Taste of Local Traditions

Situated in the rolling green hills of Kamuela, Earl's Waimea stands as a community hub for those craving honest, no-frills Hawaiian comfort food. As you step inside, the scent of slow-roasted kalua pork mingles with the salty, crisp breeze drifting down from the Kohala Mountains. This isn't a place for white tablecloths; it's a spot where the sound of local conversation often hums louder than the kitchen equipment.

Menu Staples and Island Influence

The kitchen leans heavily into traditional plate lunches that define the North Hawaii dining scene. Their signature lau lau is wrapped with precision, offering that buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture that only comes from hours of steaming. Regulars consistently flock here for the fresh poke bowls, which highlight the day’s best catch from the Big Island coast. If you arrive during the lunch rush, be prepared for a bit of a scramble for a parking spot, as the lot tends to fill up quickly with local trucks and residents grabbing their midday sustenance.

The Kamuela Experience

Earl's serves as a perfect pit stop for hikers and travelers navigating the scenic route through Waimea. The atmosphere is unpretentious and focused entirely on the quality of ingredients sourced from nearby pastures and the Pacific waters. Whether you are looking for a hearty foundation before exploring the nearby ranch lands or simply want an authentic slice of island life, this eatery offers a grounding experience. The service is fast-paced and efficient, matching the rhythm of a town that wakes up early and values substance over style.

Location

Mamalahoa Highway, Waimea, Hawaii, 96743-7334

Directions

Reviews

Showing 10 of 15 community reviews
K

kayla limahaiGoogle Maps

Recently

It’s really hard to come by a place like this anymore, and I’m so happy I was able to indulge in their menu items because their rolls are MAYJAH and on Tuesdays they have the best sweet and sour spare ribs I ever had. 20/10

B

BraveguyigniteGoogle Maps

Recently

The price is right where you want it. Some of the choices are very delicious, like the Korean Chicken, Shoyu Chicken, Chicken Hecka but one of the choices like Teriyaki meatballs reminds me of something I bought at Costco. Make sure to get there early if you want to have all the options because they run out fast.

J

James GunnGoogle Maps

Recently

I’m hesitant to share this place as I’d like to keep it a secret. I’m a long time fan of Earl’s and have been coming here for the past 10 years. This is a local favourite ‘lunch shop’ with amazing bento rolls and other favorites. Their inventory usually sells out fairly early in the day. Their staff here are always super kind with classic Hawaiian hospitality and Aloha. I recommend trying the Korean Chicken bento roll!

K

Kenneth MagnoneGoogle Maps

Recently

Awesome little restaurant in Waimea. I love the variety of quick grab deliciousness. They offer plate lunches but I have yet to try that.

P

Philip BryantGoogle Maps

Recently

Great stop for quick service affordable food and everything we tried was fantastic! We are big musubi fans so we tried several of these options, like orange chicken, Korean beef, and of course the regular spam. All of them were great! Make sure you get there early as they will sell out of their fast moving options.

R

Ro A PGoogle Maps

Recently

Earl's lunch shop, there's nothing like it! It reminds me of the old school Hilo bento shops. They sell simple yet tasty bentos and bento rolls. I highly recommend this place as it's a locals favorite. Go early because this shop is so popular they sell out fast! Our favorite is the Korean chicken bento!

J

Jenn JennGoogle Maps

Recently

I rarely write reviews but the unko there is so nice! He had a busy line and I was in a rush and he helped me right away! They are always so nice the food is always great and consistent. I’ve been going there for years but felt compelled to write today and say how awesome they are there!

B

Bridget Spellman BernhardGoogle Maps

Recently

Our friend that is a local suggested to stop here on our drive from one side of the island to the other while on vacation. 10/10 this food was amazing and prices so reasonable compared to some of the resort prices we were used to seeing. Get there early! We arrived around 7am and some of the fave dishes were already sold out.

F

First NameGoogle Maps

Recently

Disappointed that the lady who ordered before me got much more than I did and we ordered the same size lunch plate. I’m not sure if it was a local/tourist thing but it was obvious that I got much less food the other people in line. She had 3 pieces of chicken and I had one tiny piece in the to-go box. Next time I will get the premade bento roll, if I go back. Don’t bother ordering a lunch plate if you’re not local enough.

D

Doreen O'DonovanGoogle Maps

Recently

Delicious food for a good price. There was still good food at 11:30 am on a weekday but some things were sold out. There are a couple of picnic tables outside.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Earl's Waimea

Common questions from diners about Earl's Waimea in Waimea.

It is a local Hawaiian-Asian plate lunch take out eatery.

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