Lilikoi Cafe - Hawaii Restaurant

About

Discover Lilikoi Cafe, offering the best American experience in Waimea. Enjoy Moderate ($$) meals, explore their menu, and read reviews from the community on TasteHi.

A Fresh Morning Standard in Waimea

Stepping into Lilikoi Cafe, you immediately catch the scent of Kona coffee brewing against the crisp, cool air that defines the upcountry Waimea climate. This local favorite serves as a bustling hub for residents seeking fuel before heading toward the Kohala Coast or transitioning into a day of work. The interior carries a functional, unpretentious energy where the clatter of silverware and the hum of friendly conversation create an authentic community soundtrack.

Wholesome Ingredients and Island Staples

The menu highlights a commitment to farm-to-table freshness, pulling ingredients from the surrounding Big Island pastures and fields. Their signature lilikoi vinaigrette is a bright, tangy highlight that cuts through the richness of their fresh greens, offering a zesty punch that lives up to the cafe's name. You will find a rotating selection of locally sourced produce, including hearty salads and sandwiches that emphasize volume and nutrition. It is the kind of place where the banana bread is often still warm from the oven, offering a dense, comforting sweetness that pairs perfectly with a morning pour-over.

Plan Your Visit

The space is intentionally compact, which makes for a cozy, intimate experience, though you might find yourself waiting a few moments for a seat during the peak brunch rush. Parking can be a bit of a localized puzzle given the popularity of this corridor, so arriving with a bit of patience is a pro tip for those navigating the town. Whether you are a traveler looking for a quick, healthy bite or a local grabbing a daily staple, this cafe offers a grounded slice of Waimea life that favors flavor and community connection over unnecessary flourish.

Location

67-1185 Mamalahoa Highway, Suite 29 Parker Ranch Center, Waimea, Hawaii, 96743-8412

Directions

Reviews

Showing 9 of 119 community reviews
C

Catherine RichGoogle Maps

Recently

Lunch at Lilikoi Cafe was wonderful! I was looking for a healthy, tasty, and quick lunch spot and Lilikoi Cafe was just that! My lunch was truly delicious and the team did a great job helping put together my custom order. I definitely recommend Lilikoi Cafe if you are looking for something tasty and healthy!

H

Helen TannerGoogle Maps

Recently

Great find! Good food! Healthy, fresh options. Local vibe. Family friendly. We were on a driving tour across island and read about this cafe. So glad we stopped for breakfast. Highly recommend!

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Christy McCulforGoogle Maps

Recently

I got a chicken wrap, which broke open as soon as I tried to eat it and was comprised of 50% whole grapes. There were 4 bites of chicken. My husband and sister got crepes, which were filled in such a way that you only ever got bites of one ingredient at a time. They were bland and "just okay". The lattes weren't tamped, and my juice (while good), had a significant layer of froth that took up most of the cup. Nothing tasted *bad*, and the people were nice, but for the price (~$16 a plate / ~$7 drinks), we expected better.

R

Rhiannon WilcherGoogle Maps

Recently

Super nice ....super clean ...food was sooooooo good

B

BobGoogle Maps

Recently

Stopped here for breakfast on our way to Hilo. Great tasting food with gluten free options available. Clean facility and lots of parking spots.

J

Joseph RondonGoogle Maps

Recently

Very delicious food! John took our order and ran our food, he is so friendly. Recommend spot stop by when visiting Waimea.

J

Jon DoolenGoogle Maps

Recently

Amazing! We wanted to experience authentic Hawaii dining, stumbled upon this place and it was fantastic. They made our orange juice and apple juice on the spot from scratch! The staff are friendly, hard working and making all of your food, nothing prepackaged. The only way to get more local would be to eat at the farmers house.

B

Bernard NoguesGoogle Maps

Recently

This may not be the best time to write about restaurants as they are trying to deal with a mountain of rules AND deliver food to their clients. The owner-chef of Lilikoi Café was born and trained in France, which is, as far as food is concerned, about the best recommendation one can get. The variety of dishes available is astonishing, from a simple but perfect mudroom cream soup to complex fruit and vegetable juices to a superb cheese and ham quiche served with one of the best fruit salad I have tasted. Plus prepared dishes of couscous, pasta salads, avocado and fish delights, and a number of home-made cakes and goodies. Chef Jean-Baptiste is there, making sure that the quality of the food is the same as before the you-know-what. I highly recommend this opportunity to travel into the past.

K

Kayre AxeGoogle Maps

Recently

Good little spot to stop for breakfast. Much better than the fast food alternatives. Potatoes were super yummy. Service was friendly and helpful. There is outdoor seating too on the sidewalk in front of the cafe. Or, if you prefer, plenty of room to sit inside as well.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Lilikoi Cafe

Common questions from diners about Lilikoi Cafe in Waimea.

Yes, the cafe is vegetarian friendly and offers vegan and gluten-free options.

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