The Best Restaurants in Volcano, Hawaii

Here’s your list of some of the best restaurants in Volcano, Hawaii. You’re going to need this because some of the places are tucked away in hard-to-locate spots.

For such a tiny town, Volcano, HI, has several really good places to eat. This is important after you’ve spent a day exploring volcanoes and tropical rainforests—you’re going to be hungry!

So, continue reading for a list of some of the best restaurants in Volcano, Hawaii!

Published August 23, 2024…Updated January 8, 2025

Aunty Pon’s Thai Food Truck

I’m not usually a big fan of Thai food, but Aunty Pon’s made a believer out of me!

We stopped by on a rainy afternoon, ordered our food, then waited in our car. Looking around, I noticed several other people doing the same thing. It’s a busy spot, even on a rainy day!

One of the servers brought the food to our car so we wouldn’t get wet in the drizzling rain. She was very friendly and courteous!

When you order a meal from Aunty Pon, be prepared—they are going to give you a lot of food! Each of us could only manage to eat half of our order, and we saved the rest for leftovers.

It was also delicious! Our meals were hot but not too spicy (just right) and reasonably priced—two huge meals, spring rolls, and two drinks, tax and tip, were under $50.

The Details…

• Website – https://allank3.wixsite.com/auntypons
• Specialty – Take out Thai food
• Price – $10-$20/entree, plus tax and tip.
• Location – 19-4030 Wright Rd., Volcano, HI  96785 USA, in the Cooper Center parking lot
• Hours –  Mon – Thurs & Sat 11:30 am to 6:00 pm
• ​Phone – 808-785-5795
  

Tuk Tuk Thai Food Truck

“What’s the difference between Aunty Pon’s Thai Food Truck and the Tuk Tuk Thai Food Truck?” you ask.

“Not much”, I answer.

They both operate out of food trucks. They both serve great Thai food at about the same prices.

Aunty Pon’s is open Mondays – Saturdays. Tuk Tuk is open Wednesdays – Sundays. That’s about it!

So try them both and let me know what you think!

The Details…

• Website – No website
• Specialty – Thai food, plus a few “fancier” menu items
• Price – $10-$20/entree, plus tax and tip
• Location – 19-3820 Old Volcano Rd, Volcano HI, Mountain View, Hawaii 9678
• Hours – Wednesday – Sunday • 11:00 am – 6:00 pm; closed Mondays & Tuesdays
• Phone – (808) 936-4684

O’helo Cafe

Fine dining in an upscale yet friendly atmosphere.

Usually busy – reservations are a must.

Expensive but worth every penny.

It’s not just a meal – it’s a dining experience.

Enough said.

The Details…

• Website – www.ohelocafe.com
• Specialty – Upscale dining; Steak, seafood, ribs, pasta, pizza
• Price – $20-$60/entree, plus tax and tip
• Location – 19-4005 Haunani Rd, Volcano, HI 96785
• Hours – It’s a little complicated… Click here…
• Phone – (808) 339-7865

Pro Tip

• Reservations are HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
• Reservations must be made by phone.

Kilauea General Store

Some locals we met told us that the Kilauea General Store (also known as Volcano General Store, or just the General Store) in Volcano had the best sandwiches on the island, so we decided to find out.

I walked into the store and said, “I hear you guys have the best sandwiches on the island.”

The lady behind the counter simply said, “We do!”

She was right!

All sandwiches here are made fresh. You get to choose the meat, cheese, bread, and condiments. I had a roast beef sandwich on sourdough bread. The roast beef stacked high on the bread was cooked perfectly, and the bread was fresh and tasty.

The Details…

• Website – No website
• Specialty – Deli-style sandwiches
• Price – $10-$15/entree, plus tax and tip.
• Location – 19 Haunani Rd, Volcano, HI 96785; look for the gas pumps on the side of the building – that’s where the parking is, as well as the entrance
• Hours –  5:00 am to 6:30 pm daily
• ​Phone – (808) 967-7210

Pro Tip

• While you’re waiting on your sandwich, take a look around the general store. It has all kinds of stuff – local snacks, hardware, souvenirs, groceries. Such a fun little place!
• This is also the closest place to gas up your car in Volcano.

Lava Rock Cafe

Looking for a good burger? Try the Lava Rock Cafe.

Located in the same building behind the Kilauea General Store, the Lava Rock Cafe serves several different varieties of burgers. Mary Ellen sampled the Swiss Burger and Mushroom, while I tried the Hawaiian Burger (teriyaki with a slice of pineapple). Both burgers were really good.

Lava Rock Cafe serves more than burgers, though. They have wraps, sandwiches, fish, tacos, lunch specials, and a dinner menu.

The Details…

• Website – www.lavarock.cafe
• Specialty – Casual
• Price – $15-$25/entree, plus tax and tip.
• Location – 19 Haunani Rd, Volcano, HI 96785; look for the gas pumps on the side of the building – that’s where the parking is, as well as the entrance
• Hours –  5:00 am to 6:30 pm daily
• ​Phone – (808) 967-7210

Pro Tips

• The bathrooms are outside the restaurant! Just walk out the entrance and turn right – you’ll see them.
• Don’t skip dessert!
• If you like quilting, there’s a great little quilting store at the back of the parking lot. The people working there are very friendly.

Cafe Ono

Cafe Ono is a unique dining experience. Here’s how they describe themselves on their website…

Café Ono is a vibrant, ecologically sound dining experience in an old Hawaiian garden estate. On our plant-based seasonal menu, we offer new vegan and gluten-free specials. We do birthday parties and private events throughout the year! We feature:

• Vegan Choices
• Gluten-Free Choices
• Homemade soups
• Fresh organic salads
• Savory sandwiches
• Hearty Entrees
• Gourmet desserts
• Locally grown coffee & tea

In addition, the Volcano Arts Gallery is also located here, featuring local artisans as well as gardens and greenhouses.

And keep an eye out for Timothy and Marley, the rescue rabbits that live on the estate!

The Details…

• Website – www.cafeono.net
• Specialty – Vegan; Plant-based dining
• Price – $10-$20/entree, plus tax and tip.
• Location – 19-3834 Old Volcano Road, Volcano Village, Hawaii 96785
• Hours – 11:00 am to 2:00 pm Thursdays-Sundays
• ​Phone – (808) 985-8979
  

The Rim at Volcano House

Did you know that Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has its own lodge inside the park? Volcano House sits right across the road from the Kilauea Visitor Center, and right on the rim of the Kilauea crater. And sitting inside Volcano House is The Rim.

The Rim Restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and offers both casual and fine-dining menu items. It has a reputation for friendly service, and the views of the Kilauea crater are to die for.

The Details…

• Website – www.hawaiivolcanohouse.com
• Specialty – Both casual and find dining; Views of the Kilauea Caldera
• Price – $15-$55/entree, plus tax and tip.
• Location –  1 Crater Rim Drive, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, HI 96718, inside Volcano House
• Hours – 7:00 am-10:30 am; 11:00 am-2:30 pm; 5:00 pm-8:30 pm; Daily
• ​Phone –  (808) 930-6910
  

Pro Tip

• Reservations are required for dinner and can be made by calling the phone number given above.
• You do not need to be a guest of Volcano House to eat at The Rim.
• You will have to pay the park entrance fee to eat at The Rim (since The Rim is inside the park). You’ll have to do that anyway if you’re already going to the park, but if you’re not planning on spending some time in the park, you will still have to pay the entrance fee.
• The breakfast buffet at The Rim is a great way to begin your day at the park!

Kilauea Lodge and Restaurant

This is a nice place to eat! The dining room is large and open, with a large fireplace at one end. It can easily accommodate large groups. It looks more formal than it actually is—most of the guests wear shorts.

The server was polite and helpful. Best of all, she brought us a basket of warm bread!

I had a steak; Mary Ellen had a salad. Good stuff!

The Details…

• Website – www.kilauealodge.com
• Specialty – Fine dining
• Price – $15-$25/entree, plus tax and tip.
• Location – 19-3948 Old Volcano Rd, Volcano, HI 96785
• Hours –  5:00 am to 6:30 pm daily
• ​Phone – (808) 967-7366
  

The Verdict – The Best Restaurants in Volcano, Hawaii

So what are you hungry for? Steak? Seafood? Burgers? Sandwiches? Pizza? Thai? Takeout?

You can probably find whatever your tummy desires in tiny Volcano, HI.

Enjoy!

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