Gluten-Free on Hawaii’s Big Island: The Best of Hilo AND Kona

The Big Island may have been my favorite island overall. The gluten-free options on The Big Island had a significant influence!

The Big Island is home to the famous Iron Man race. As a result, in non-pandemic years, there are Iron Man athletes on the island training. The diet-conscious athletes and the sheer number of tourists probably lead to more restaurants being gluten-free-friendly. That’s my guess anyway…

This island is definitely bigger than the others. Getting from one side to the other can take quite some time. You shouldn’t plan on going to dinner in Hilo from Kona and vice versa.

Just remember, my celiac isn’t your celiac or gluten-free journey (or anyone else’s). Some of the things I’m comfortable with, you may not be, and you may have a different experience with the restaurants than I did. I hope you do because I had a great experience! But, you do you, no judgment and no pressure. I hope to shed some insight to make your planning easier.

Gluten-Free Waikoloa

Waikoloa is north of Kailua-Kona and is a popular resort area. You’ll find upscale resorts, housing, shopping, and restaurants.

Hilton Waikoloa Village

The Hilton is the largest property I’ve ever been to; it’s massive! There were only a few gluten-free options, unfortunately. I ordered a Caesar salad for dinner a couple of nights from the Italian restaurant. By the end of our stay, the staff knew my order without me saying anything.

The resort is nice, but the highlights aren’t the food. The bay, where you can snorkel with a sea turtle most days, was my favorite! There are also dolphins on site: they run a rescue and research center from the hotel.

Foster’s Kitchen

75-5805 Ali’i Dr
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

250 Waikoloa Beach Dr
Waikoloa Village, HI 96738

There are two locations of Foster’s Kitchen; One is on the water in Kailua-Kona downtown, and the other is in a shopping center near the resorts. This was one of my favorite restaurants on the whole trip. It’s rare to have an option for fried food, and their fried fish was perfect!

It wasn’t heavy, so it was a good meal on a hot day. I went back twice because it was so good!

They also have a gluten-free chocolate cake for dessert.

Racha Thai

68-1845 Waikoloa Rd
Waikoloa Village, HI 96738

This little Thai place is outside of Waikoloa in a more local area. We saw so many regulars coming in for take-out orders as we waited. If your friends are sick of Thai food, this is in a little food market filled with local restaurants. There are plenty of options to try.

We almost didn’t go to Racha Thai. That would have been a miss since it was one of the best meals of the trip. We’re still talking about returning to the Big Island to eat here again!

The Fish and the Hog

64-957 Mamalahoa Hwy
Waimea, HI 96743

The Fish and The Hog is a BBQ place on your way from Waikoloa to the north side of the island. The menu is limited as far as gluten-free friendliness goes. Still, traveling to/from Waipio’o Valley is one of the only options. The BBQ, coleslaw, and potato salad were our picks for lunch. Plan to eat here or pack your lunch. It’s relatively close to Waikoloa but go to Foster’s or Racha Thai if you have the option.

Gluten-Free Kona

Kailua-Kona is one of the main cities on the island. One of the airports is located here. This side of the island is the more touristy side. It is also the side with warmer weather and less rain. Kona Coffee is from Kona, so in addition to exploring snorkeling and restaurants, be sure to tour at least one coffee plantation. We toured Heavenly Hawaiian, and it was terrific!

There is a Foster’s Kitchen location in Kona on the waterfront. It was a beautiful lunch with a view of the water.

I didn’t spend much time in Kona – mostly just around it. Foster’s was the clear pick of restaurants here.

Scandinavian Shave Ice

75-5699 Alii Dr
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

There are several shave ice joints on the island, and most (probably all) have some gluten-free options. On a hot day, the Scandinavian Shave Ice was the perfect treat! My husband was able to get a dole whip, but I tried something new!

It’s basically ice and sugar water that makes hot days so much better! We picked this one because my mom knew the owners from living in Hawaii. 

Gluten-free Hilo

Hilo is the more local part of the island. It is also where the waterfalls are because it gets much more rain than on the Kona side. Hilo is much closer to Volcanoes National Park.

The Booch Bar- Hilo

110 Keawe St
Hilo, HI 96720

The Booch Bar is across the island on the Hilo Side. They are a kombucha brewery, but they also have a cafe. I’m a big fan of kombucha, so a kombucha acai bowl was on my list.

I ate two different meals here and enjoyed both of them. As gluten-free on the Big Island goes, this was a win! The rootbeer kombucha blew my mind! If you’re in Hilo, check out this place.

Naung Mai Thai Kitchen- Hilo

86 Kilauea Ave
Hilo, HI 96720

Naung Mai is a small restaurant in the city of Hilo. I ate a lot of Thai food on my trip, and this place did not disappoint. It was the perfect dinner to grab before heading to the part to see the lava lake glowing at night. There were many options, so I could get something other than Pad Thai!

Hilo Bay Cafe- Hilo

123 Lihiwai St
Hilo, HI 96720

Hilo Bay Cafe is a lovely waterfront restaurant in Hilo.

I met a local friend there. It’s not necessarily a local favorite, but it’s a local favorite to bring visitors to when they come. The view was incredible, and the food was good too.

They have gluten-free options and can take care of you, but it’s a limited list. I ordered sushi and dessert (I have my priorities straight). This was my least favorite of the restaurants we ate at in Hilo, but the view was worth something.

Gluten-Free on The Big Island

The Big Island has so much to do and so many restaurants to try. =

Gluten-Free eating on The Big Island didn’t disappoint! It’s often overlooked when people plan their trips to Hawaii. It shouldn’t be!