Cafe 100
Hilo
Restaurant in Hilo, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Dress
Casual
Why go
Cafe 100 is a practical Hilo pick when ease matters more than ceremony. Choose it for a casual group meal or low-pressure return visit, but look to Hilo Bay Cafe or Cafe Pesto if the occasion needs a more polished room.
About Cafe 100
Cafe 100 is a casual option in Hilo. The planning details are simple: dress is casual, hours are Monday through Friday from 11 AM–6 PM, Saturday closed, Sunday from 10 AM–3 PM. Use it when those basics fit the day, avoid building plans around details that are not confirmed here.
For visitors comparing Hilo options, treat Cafe 100 as a casual stop rather than a formal occasion choice. That framing matters: the confirmed information supports easy, casual planning, but not claims about a particular service style, menu format, private-room setup, beverage program, or special-occasion experience.
Use it for low-key plans, not a formal celebration
Choose Cafe 100 when a casual Hilo stop fits the schedule. With casual dress and daytime-to-early-evening hours on weekdays, it is better framed as an unfussy option than as a dressed-up celebration venue. If the occasion needs a more polished setting, compare it with other Hilo options instead.
For Hilo cross-shopping, Hawaiian Style Cafe Hilo, Don's Grill, Manono Mini Mart, Miyo's, King's Vietnamese Cuisine are useful names to consider. Cafe 100 fits into that practical comparison set, with the main decision being whether its hours and casual dress code match the plan.
Plan around confirmed basics
This is an easy venue to evaluate when the group wants a casual Hilo stop during the posted opening hours. It is a weaker fit if the visit depends on unconfirmed details such as a particular seating format, beverage focus, private room, or high-touch service experience. For a broader scan before deciding, use the full Hilo restaurants guide; if the trip needs more than dining, Hilo bars guide can help with separate planning.
Quick reference: choose Cafe 100 for a casual visit in Hilo when its posted hours work for the schedule; choose another Hilo option if the plan needs a more formal setting.
Planning details
- Location
- 969 Kilauea Ave, Hilo, HI 96720
- Website
- cafe100.com
- Phone
- +1 808 935 8683
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Cafe 100 reads as a civic, working-class institution rather than a trend-forward spot. The copy anchors the restaurant in Hilo’s plate-lunch tradition and traces the loco moco’s provenance back to the late 1940s, giving the place a historic, almost iconic status in town. The tone emphasizes unpretentious, purposeful food and a steady local clientele—trucks idling, a parking lot that fills early, and a line before the counter opens. The overall impression is lived-in and authentic: a neighborhood landmark where the community’s food history is on display.
Best For
This is a quintessential lunch destination for locals and visitors who want a straight-ahead plate-lunch experience. The write-up repeatedly situates Cafe 100 as where a significant portion of Hilo eats lunch, highlighting its role in daily routines and civic food culture. It suits casual daytime visits—workers, families, and anyone chasing a hearty, no-frills meal centered on rice, protein, and macaroni salad. Expect a bustle typical of popular midday counters rather than a leisurely, late-night or fine-dining service.
Ordering Tips
Order from the counter and treat the plate-lunch format as the organizing principle: rice, a protein, and the ubiquitous macaroni-salad side. The loco moco is the signature and the clearest place to start; Chicken Katsu and Beef Stew are also highlighted preparations. Arrive early or midmorning—copy notes lines forming before the counter opens and a parking lot that fills early—to avoid the busiest stretch. Keep expectations modest about presentation: the food is described as caloric and purposeful rather than photogenic.
Venue details
Ambiance
No-frills, casual counter-service spot with a comforting, homey atmosphere focused on generous portions of local comfort food.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Counter Service
- Meal Pacing
- Quick Bite
- Capacity
- Medium
Signature Dishes
- Loco Moco
- Chicken Katsu
- Beef Stew
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Also Consider
- Manono Mini Mart, Notable alternative
- Hawaiian Style Cafe Hilo, Notable alternative
- Miyo's, Notable alternative
- Don's Grill, Notable alternative
- King's Vietnamese Cuisine, Notable alternative
Restaurant context
How Cafe 100 compares in Hilo
Cafe 100 sits in the easy, casual lane for Hilo dining. Compared with Manono Mini Mart, it is the better fit when the group wants a more conventional sit-down choice; Manono Mini Mart is the sharper alternative when speed and grab-and-go energy matter more than lingering.
Against Hawaiian Style Cafe Hilo and Don's Grill, the decision comes down to mood and crowd tolerance. Hawaiian Style Cafe Hilo is the stronger cross-shop for a bigger, more comfort-driven meal, while Don's Grill is useful when the group wants another relaxed Hilo option with low formality.
For a different meal style, compare it with Miyo's or King's Vietnamese Cuisine. Pick those when the group wants a more defined cuisine direction; choose Cafe 100 when convenience, familiarity, easy planning are the main priorities.
Explore Hilo
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Cafe 100 guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Cafe 100
| Venue | Location | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| Cafe 100 | Hilo | No published awards |
| Manono Mini Mart | Hilo | No published awards |
| Hawaiian Style Cafe Hilo | Hilo | No published awards |
| Miyo's | Hilo | No published awards |
| Don's Grill | Hilo | No published awards |
| King's Vietnamese Cuisine | Hilo | No published awards |
How Cafe 100 Hilo compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What should a first-timer know about Cafe 100?
Go in expecting a casual Hilo option. It is open Mon-Fri from 11 AM–6 PM and Sunday from 10 AM–3 PM, with Saturday closed.
What are alternatives to Cafe 100 in Hilo?
For other Hilo options, consider Hawaiian Style Cafe Hilo, Don's Grill, Manono Mini Mart, Miyo's, or King's Vietnamese Cuisine, depending on what fits the plan.
Is Cafe 100 good for a special occasion?
Cafe 100 is best described from the details as casual. If the occasion needs a more formal setting, compare it with other Hilo options before deciding.
Is lunch or dinner better at Cafe 100?
Plan around the posted hours rather than assuming a specific meal service. Cafe 100 is open Monday through Friday from 11 AM–6 PM and Sunday from 10 AM–3 PM, it is closed Saturday.
