Mother’s Day falls on May 9 this year. Since 1914 in the US, mothers have been honored on this holiday with flowers, gifts and the staple of Mother’s Day — brunch. Typically, brunch is a meal consumed between 10 am and 2 pm, with many different types of food on the menu, and Hawaiian brunch includes plenty of localized dishes (Hawaiian sweet bread french toast, anyone?). Celebrate a Big Island Mother’s Day by indulging in brunch and special treats from these local establishments!
Umeke’s All-You-Can-Eat Big Island Mother’s Day Brunch
from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Umeke’s, 74-5599 Pawai Pl, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Umeke’s is a Hawaiian food restaurant specializing in local Hawaiian cuisine, especially poke. Chef Nakoa Pabre is a “Best Overall” winner of the Sam Choy Poke Contest several times over. Umeke is the Hawaiian word for bowl, and most of the menu items are designed to be served in bowls and pair harmoniously with each other.
Mother’s Day All-You-Can-Eat Brunch will include:
Fresh Poke, Sashimi, Snow Crab Claws, Catch of the Day, & Shrimp
Prime Rib and Crispy Pork Belly Carving Station
Create Your Own Omelette Station
Traditional Eggs Benedict
Scrambled Eggs, Sausage, Crispy Bacon
Fresh Fruit; Assorted Salads
Grilled Yakitori Chicken
Steamed Seasonal Veggies, Roasted Potatoes, Rice
Assorted Local Favorite Desserts, Pastries, Ice Cream
Adults – $79.95 Keiki 12 years and under – $29.95 Keiki under 5 years old – free
Umekes is accepting reservations for 11 am, 12:30 pm, and 2 pm seating. Seating is extremely limited so make sure to call 808-238-0571 for brunch reservations ASAP. The normal menu will be available after brunch. Find more information on their Facebook Page.
Merriman’s Waimea (Big Island)
from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Merriman’s Waimea, 65-1227 Opelo Rd B, Waimea, HI 96743
Chef Peter Merriman has been a pioneer on the Hawaii culinary scene for over 30 years. Merriman’s was one of the first restaurants on the Big Island to specialize in Hawaii regional cuisine and focus on locally sourced ingredients. The mission statements for all of Chef Merriman’s share the mission statement “Do the right thing.” There is nowhere to better to experience locally sourced cuisine.
We Recommend: There will be a special Mother’s Day Brunch menu full of delicious specials! From the regular lunch menu (available from 11:30 am): fresh taro hummus, Punalu’u Sweet Bread French Toast, 8oz Prime beef tenderloin with garlic compound butter, Rosemary grilled eggplant sandwich.
Brown’s Beach House at Fairmont Orchid
from 7 a.m. to noon | Fairmont Orchid Resort, 1 N Kaniku Dr, Waimea, HI 96743
Brown’s Beach House is Fairmont Orchid’s AAA Four Diamond signature restaurant, featuring fine Hawaii regional cuisine in an oceanfront setting. Hawaiian music is performed live nightly. Kama‘aina residents to enjoy 20% off the brunch menu when they present a valid Hawai‘i ID to their server.
We Recommend: Filled malasadas, Mushroom, Kale & Goat Cheese Egg White Frittata, Classic Loco Moco featuring Big Island beef, Ultimate bloody mary (comes with fried chicken!)
Mai Grille by Chef Allen Hess
from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. | 69-622 Waikoloa Beach Dr, Waikoloa Village, HI 96738
Mai Grille by Chef Allen Hess puts modern and sophisticated spins on classic local cuisine and Pacific Rim dishes. Ingredients are sourced from local farmers, fishermen and ranchers whenever possible. Outdoor seating at Mai Grille by Chef Allen Hess offers sweeping golf course views and Hualalai in the distance.
We Recommend from the brunch menu: Banana Brown Butter Pancakes, Mai bacon Benedict, chicken katsu loco moco, Bloody Mary with Mai bacon, Tattinger La Francaise Champagne, Macphail Rosé of Pinot Noir
Magics Beach Grill
from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. | 77-6452 Ali’i Drive, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Magics Beach Grill is located on Ali’i Drive directly south of downtown Kona. The grill is directly adjacent to Laʻaloa Beach Park, commonly known as Magic Sands Beach. The grill is ocean fronting, offering spectacular views of the ocean and the white sand beach. When the surf is rough, some oceanside seating may be affected by sea spray. At the same location, grab and go dining is offered via the Magics beach shack.
We Recommend: Brunch offerings vary weekly. Check their Facebook for the current Brunch Menu. Usually the brunch menu will feature a Benedict, pancake and gourmet egg dish along with a signature cocktail special. Pro Tip – Can’t make it for brunch? Bring mom for Magic Hour. Get seated before 6 pm, order up discounted pupus and the cocktail of the week and stick around for sunset.
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Island Lava Java
from 8 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. | Location: Kona Restaurant – Waikoloa Restaurant
Island Lava Java has been a staple breakfast stop in Kona since 1994. Their Kona location is on Ali’i drive in downtown Kona. Island Lava Java in Kona offers ocean views on the ground floor or upper deck of their restaurant. In Waikoloa, their restaurant is located conveniently within the Waikoloa Village shopping center. Ingredients are locally sourced whenever possible, with their 100% Kona coffee coming from their own private farm. Island Lava Java offers curbside pick-up and delivery options if you’d like to brunch on the beach or another special location.
We recommend from the breakfast menu: Luau Omelette, cinnamon pull-apart, fresh fish Benedict, Lava Java shake, guava lemonade cocktail, fleur de mer rosé.
Papa Kona
from 7 a.m. to 11 am | Waterfront Row, 75-5770 Alii Dr 1st Floor, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Papa Kona is located in downtown Kona on the Ali’i Drive waterfront. Covered open air dining with oceanfront views makes Papa Kona a premier event space. If you arrive at 11 a.m., you can order from the breakfast menu or lunch menu.
We Recommend: Seared Ahi or Kalua Pig Benedict, Big Island avocado toast, spinach strawberry salad, crab cake BLT, M. Chapoutier rosé, tropical mimosas. Pro Tip – Avoid the crowds on Sunday and bring mom on Friday, when tropical mimosas are on special! Try the lilikoi, ube or hibiscus mimosa.
Foster’s Kitchen
from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. | Location: Kona Restaurant Waikoloa Restaurant
Foster’s Kitchen is a slow-food kitchen specializing in Southern comfort food and American classics with island twists. Many of their dishes featured components entirely made from scratch. What isn’t made in house is sourced locally whenever possible. Their Kona location on Ali’i Drive offers upper floor patio dining with ocean views. Their Waikoloa location is located within the King’s Shops.
We recommend from their menu: Whipped goat cheese bruschetta, seafood pesto puff pastry, Foster’s gumbo, blackened shrimp cheese grits, lychee martini
Lava Lava Beach Club
opens at noon | 69-1081 Ku‘uali’i Place, Waikoloa, Hawaii 96738
Lava Lava Beach Club is the place to be if you want to dine with your toes in the sand. Their Waikoloa location is located on the Southernmost part of Anaeho’omalu Bay. Small beach cottages near the restaurant are managed and rented by the owners. If you can’t make it for brunch, stop by for Happy Hour and enjoy pupu, beer and cocktail specials.
We recommend from the menu: LLBC Burger, Pineapple chicken fried rice bowl, Out-standing ahi nachos, Bambu Pupu platter, High maka maka ‘rita
The Bistro at Waikoloa Luxury Cinemas
open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. | Queens’ MarketPlace, 69-201 Waikoloa Beach Drive, Suite G1, Waikoloa Village, HI 96738
The Bistro at Waikoloa Luxury Cinemas offers Pacific Rim fusion cuisine along with American classics and movie theater snacks. Waikoloa Luxury Cinemas is the only traditional theater operating on the Island at the time of this writing. Any of the food items from The Bistro can be delivered and enjoyed within the movie auditoriums. You do not need to be seeing a movie to enjoy food at The Bistro!
We Recommend: Scallion pancake rib eye wrap, cinema loco moco, bistro breakfast burrito, ube milkshake.
The Coffee Shack
open 7 am to sunset | 83-5799 Mamalahoa Hwy Box 510, Captain Cook, HI 96704
The Coffee Shack is a bakery and cafe restaurant in the southern part of the Kona coffee district. 100% Kona coffee is served along with homemade fresh breads, baked goods, and simple comfort food fare. The restaurant overlooks their coffee farm estate, Kealakekua Bay, and on a clear day over 26 miles of the Kona coastline are visible! A must stop for coffee lovers.
We recommend from the menu: 100% Kona coffee, Papaya Special, French Toast (made with homemade luau bread), Ono Benedict
Hawaiian Style Cafe (Waimea, Hilo)
Sunday hours from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Waimea, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Hilo | Location: Waimea Restaurant — Hilo Restaurant
Hawaiian Style Cafe is known for Hawaiian comfort food that comes in extremely generous portions. Guy Kaoo brings his resort banquet background to local style cuisine in authentic and well-prepared dishes. Hawaiian Style Cafe is perhaps best known for their giant pancakes, popularly posted on Instagram, Yelp and Trip Advisor. With their large portion sizes, Hawaiian style cafe charges a $3.95 surcharge for shared meals.
We recommend from the menu: Pork chop & eggs, anything with their giant pancakes, The Big Mok loco moco, stew luau, pulehu mix plate.
Cafe Pesto
open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. | 308 Kamehameha Ave #101, Hilo, HI 96720
Cafe Pesto is known for Italian cuisine with island inspiration showcasing locally sourced ingredients. The restaurant is located conveniently in the downtown area of Hilo close to shopping and the farmers market.
We recommend from the : Half Moon Jumbo Shrimp Nachos, Wasabi Crab salad, Hamakua Mushroom and Artichoke pizza, Heritage Pork And Beef Bolognese, Farmers Market Vegetable Risotto
Big Island Mother’s Day Brunching at Home (Take Away meals)
Can’t get away for a sit down meal, or want to bring the good eats home? Consider ordering from the following local businesses:
Popover
open from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. | 399 E Kawili St, Hilo, HI 96720
Popover is a bakery and cafe in Hilo’s industrial area between the airport and the University of Hawaii Hilo. The restaurant is named for popover bread, a light buttery roll similar to the bread of Yorkshire pudding. Sandwiches are served on popover bread. Donuts and pastries are baked daily in a variety of flavors.
We recommend from the menu: Sunrise flatbread, the ABC (avocado, bacon, chicken) melt, ube donut, S’mores donut, golden latte
Pro Tip – Preorder a dozen donuts the day before and save! Place your order by 2 p.m. for pick-up the following day and get a dozen donuts for just $20. Pick-up can be scheduled as early as 7 a.m. the next day. Call now to place your order.
808 Grindz
open from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. | 75-5660 Kopiko St, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
808 Grindz serves local style comfort food for some of the best prices around, with many items offered for $8.08. Currently, they are only offering take out from their restaurant. Call in for daily specials.
We recommend from the menu: Adobo Fried Rice, 808 Grindz Attack, 808 Grindz Moco Crab Latke Benedict
Vibe Cafe
open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. | 750 Kanoelehua Ave Suite 101, Hilo, HI 96720
Vibe Cafe serves up (mostly) vegan eats made from fresh local ingredients. The dishes are so unique, fresh and flavorful you won’t miss the meat!
We Recommend from the menu: Any of their coffee or rainbow lattes, vegan beet poke bowl, vegan breakfast nachos, loaded avocado toast, breakfast scramble pizza, soursop mimosa
Sandy’s Drive In
Bento pick up May 9 between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. | 79-7436 Hawaii Belt Rd, Kealakekua, HI 96750
Sandy’s Drive In is a local diner located in Kealakekua, South Kona. They serve a revolving menu of local favorites such as hamburger curry, chicken hekka and pork guisantes. For Mother’s Day they are running a preorder bento special.
Mother’s Day Bento Special —
Bento A: Miso salmon, tonkatsu, nishime, Chinese chicken salad, cabbage koko, cucumber Kim chee, rice
Bento B: Garlic chicken, Kaua’i shrimp, Teriyaki beef steak, Chinese chicken salad, cabbage koko, cucumber Kim chee, rice
Peaberry and Galette
open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. | 78-6831 Alii Dr #401, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Peaberry and Galette is a cafe and crêperie located within the Keauhou Shopping Center. Peaberry and Galette offers galette (savory) crepes, dessert crepes, gourmet coffees and desserts. Dine in is available, but the cafe is small and fills up fast! Every month they feature art made by a local artist that is available for purchase.
We recommend from the menu: Ratatouille crepe, BLT scrambled egg crepe, Salad niçoise, chicken soup, green tea dessert crepe, strawberry shortcake.
The preceding establishments offer a variety of cuisines, atmospheres and price points, all great for a Big Island Mother’s Day celebration. Pick up a lei for your Mom and take her out on the town or to explore the Island (she might enjoy checking out some native plants), or bring home some good eats and enjoy with the whole ‘ohana. Whatever you do to celebrate the mothers in your life this Mother’s Day, do it with aloha.
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