The Rim

We visited this restaurant when the volcano in Hilo was red and glowing. This trip found the area dark and no glow due to the recent eruption. The food was impeccable and the service was okay. We had to wait to be seated for over fifteen minutes and we had reservations. They do have a fantastic singer with a guitar who provides the lovely and continuous music while dining.

We have visited before and loved it, another triumph on 4 November. Delicious vegetable soup was the special, and intrigued us both; we were scraping the bowls clean. Excellent solicitous service as we've always experienced. Cold nights are pleasantly paired with Hot Buttered Rum. The New York Strip steak was mouthwatering, and the asparagus was expertly cooked. Okinawan sweet potato puree added local flair to elevate the entree. Only sad note--- we didn't leave room for dessert! Thank you for making a special night out memorable.

Unique dining experience on the rim of the Kilauea crater. I’ve been twice and the first time the food was better. No photos from the first time (we must have gobbled it down) but I think I had fish and amazing Kona coffee ice cream. Super friendly waiter. Second time had ravioli as I could not find anything else appealing. The ribeye was fatty. No bread or salad included. Minimal convo from our waiter, although the table next to us did (maybe he could sense my disappointment?). Had a sorbet trio that was average. It used to have a cookie in it, now has pineapple with Tajjin I think. Thumbs down. Overall just bummed compared to our first time.

The Rim restaurant did not disappoint for dinner. Ordered the ribeye, it was a perfect medium rare. The buttermilk fried onions were an excellent touch, and the Hamakua Mushrooms were my favorite part of the meal. The only way this meal could have been better is if they had used a larger plate so the steak didn't have to be served on top of the potatoes (and everything else). Service was both attentive and personal. Wait staff checked in just the right frequency & timing, and the bartender offered a most excellent tip on an exquisite single malt Irish. The view of the crater can be spectacular during an eruption despite not necessarily being able to see lava fountains from the restaurant vantage point. Will most certainly return. Mahalo to The Rim & staff 🤙

Food was great, we loved all of our dishes and the appetizers. The Caesar salad was huge and could have been a meal unto itself. The stuffed chicken was my entree and I couldn't stop eating those mushrooms, they were the star of the dish. That's not to say that the chicken wasn't perfectly cooked and the stuffing inside wasn't delicious, it's just that the mushrooms were some of the best I've ever had. Overall a great meal, but the service could have been better. I feel like the server wasn't as attentive as she could have been and there were long periods of time where we didn't see her. However, overall it was a great experience and we would go back.

9/2/2023 We ordered several dishes and shared family style. Crab cake 5* (lot of crab meat, no bread crumb and filler) Asian BBQ Shrimp 4* (little too sweet, Thai dipping sauce) Market Green 4+* sweet Kona Kampachi and Lobster 5* Highly recommended Lamb Osso Bucco 4* (a little dry and not well seasoned) Ravioli 4* Cheesecake and Kona coffee Creme brulee 5+* Highly recommended both.

I wholeheartedly recommend the kampachi with lobster. I appreciated the way the touch of sweetness in the butter sauce contrasted with the warmth of the ginger. The seaweed is a creative way to incorporate veggies into the dish. My companion was quite satisfied by the cheese ravioli. The sundried tomatoes really brightened the dish. It was a generous portion as well. I allowed myself to splurge on libations, and I loved the guava flow so much I decided to forgo my own dessert in favor of another round! I had a few bites of my companion's Kona coffee crème brûlée; it was divine! Legin and the staff took good care of us. Local musician Ty Ty provided a soothing soundtrack of classic Hawaiian and popular songs that added to the magical ambience overlooking Kīlauea.

This review is strictly for the pizza. I ordered the "Knickerbocker" which was a very tasty combo of italian sausage, pepperoni and riccotta. This was among the top 3 pizzas I've had on the Big Island. I was staying at the Volcano House and the menu was in the room. I will definitely be making this a regular stop for take out pizza when I'm in the neighborhood.