Merriman's Big Island
Waimea
Restaurant in Waimea, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
Merriman's Big Island is the Waimea pick for a more polished lunch, dinner, or Sunday brunch when the meal needs to feel occasion-worthy. Choose it over casual nearby alternatives for conversation and structure; choose Big Island Brewhaus, Village Burger, or Waimea Coffee Company when speed, beer, or a simpler spend matters more.
About Merriman's Big Island
In Waimea's dining circuit, Merriman's Big Island is an option to consider when the goal is a planned meal. It is in Waimea, the dress code is smart casual, the posted hours include midday, nightly dinner, a Sunday late-morning window.
The strongest reason to choose it is fit. Merriman's Big Island is easier to plan around when a meal needs a set place in the day. Use the published hours to decide whether midday, dinner, or Sunday late morning works well for your itinerary.
Use it for a planned Waimea meal
The practical call is simple: choose Merriman's Big Island when you want to plan around a meal in Waimea and dress smart casual. For another option to compare, Big Island Brewhaus is worth considering; Waimea Coffee Company and Village Burger are also names to check depending on the meal you have in mind.
The smarter advice is not to chase a specific dish or assume a particular cuisine, price point, or format. Treat the choice as timing-first: midday for a daytime plan, dinner for an evening plan, the Sunday 10:30 AM–1 PM window if that timing fits a slower Waimea day.
Plan around meal timing and the kind of occasion
Hours are the main planning advantage: Monday through Saturday, Merriman's Big Island is listed for 11:30 AM–2 PM and 5–8:30 PM; Sunday is listed for 10:30 AM–1 PM and 5–8:30 PM. If the meal matters, check current availability before going rather than assuming the posted window alone guarantees your preferred timing.
For a broader Waimea plan, start with Our full Waimea restaurants guide. If the meal is part of a wider stay, pair it with Our full Waimea hotels guide, Our full Waimea bars guide, Our full Waimea wineries guide, or Our full Waimea experiences guide.
Planning details
- Location
- 65-1227 Opelo Rd B, Waimea, HI 96743
- Reservations
- Book on OpenTable
- Website
- merrimanshawaii.com/location/big-island
- Phone
- +1 808 885 6822
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Merriman's Big Island sits upcountry at elevation, and its atmosphere reads as quietly refined and tied to the land. The restaurant feels like a thoughtful, destination dining room rather than a resort outpost: views of Mauna Kea and the Kohala slopes frame a menu rooted in Hawaii Regional Cuisine, and the setting is informed by surrounding cattle ranches and small farms. The tone is sophisticated without being fussy, rewarding diners who appreciate provenance and terroir; overall it presents a scenic, polished experience that foregrounds local ingredients and island culinary lineage.
Best For
This is a fit for travelers who are willing to drive inland to seek a meal that centers local ingredients and culinary tradition. It suits date nights and special occasions, as the restaurant functions as a destination in Waimea and carries the weight of Hawaii Regional Cuisine. Beverage-minded diners also benefit: the back bar is presented as a considered program that engages local distilleries and craft breweries. In short, it’s best for visitors pursuing an elevated, place-driven meal and for anyone wanting a serious exploration of Big Island produce and spirits.
Ordering Tips
Prioritize dishes that highlight island-grown produce and ask staff about the provenance of ingredients; the write-up emphasizes that Hawaii Regional Cuisine anchors the menu, so plates intended to showcase local soil and water tend to be most representative. On the drinks side, probe the back bar for cocktails or spirits made from local distilleries—rum, vodka and specialty island spirits are called out—and consider asking about high-altitude ales from nearby brewers. If you’re planning a visit, treat the meal as a destination experience tied to the surrounding agricultural landscape.
Venue details
Ambiance
Cozy upcountry dining with warm Hawaiian hospitality and rustic elegance.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
View
Accessibility
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Smart Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Capacity
- Medium
Planning details
Location
65-1227 Opelo Rd B, Waimea, HI 96743 · Directions
Also consider
Where to go if this does not fit
Try Big Island Brewhaus when the group wants a relaxed night with drinks and less ceremony. Try Waimea Coffee Company for an easier daytime stop when a full seated meal is not the goal.
Restaurant context
How it compares in and around Waimea
Waimea Coffee Company and Village Burger are easier choices when the meal is casual, quick, or budget-sensitive. Merriman's Big Island is the stronger fit when the meal needs a seated rhythm and a calmer room, especially for dinner or a celebration.
Big Island Brewhaus is the better alternative for a relaxed night with drinks and a more informal group feel. Choose Number 3 if the plan is more destination-driven outside Waimea, choose Hau Tree if the priority is a coastal meal rather than an upcountry stop.
For booking difficulty, this is not the venue to leave until the last minute for a special occasion, even though casual alternatives will usually feel easier to slot into a day. The practical split: Merriman's for polished dining, Big Island Brewhaus for a beer-forward casual night, Waimea Coffee Company or Village Burger for speed and value.
Explore Waimea
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Merriman's Big Island guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Merriman's Big Island
| Venue | Location | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| Merriman's Big Island | Waimea | No published awards |
| Waimea Coffee Company | Kamuela | No published awards |
| Village Burger | Kamuela | No published awards |
| Big Island Brewhaus | Waimea | No published awards |
| Number 3 | Kamuela | No published awards |
| Hau Tree | Kamuela | No published awards |
How Merriman's Big Island Waimea compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Merriman's Big Island good for solo dining?
It can be, if the goal is a planned meal in Waimea. The posted hours include midday and dinner windows, so solo diners can choose the timing that best fits the day.
Can Merriman's Big Island accommodate groups?
Group details are not included here, so plan ahead and check directly before going. The nightly dinner window is listed as 5–8:30 PM, which gives groups a clear time frame to plan around.
Is midday or dinner better at Merriman's Big Island?
Choose based on timing. Monday through Saturday, the midday window is 11:30 AM–2 PM and dinner is 5–8:30 PM; on Sunday, the midday window is 10:30 AM–1 PM and dinner is 5–8:30 PM.
Is Merriman's Big Island good for a special occasion?
It may be a fit if you want a planned Waimea meal with a smart casual dress code. For an occasion, confirm current availability and choose the time window that best matches the tone of the meal.
What should I wear to Merriman's Big Island?
The dress code is smart casual. Aim for a neat, polished casual look.
What are alternatives to Merriman's Big Island?
Other names to compare include Village Burger, Waimea Coffee Company, Big Island Brewhaus. Hau Tree and Number 3 can also be considered separately depending on the kind of meal you want.
What should a first-timer know about Merriman's Big Island?
Check the hours before going. Merriman's Big Island is listed Monday through Saturday from 11:30 AM–2 PM and 5–8:30 PM, Sunday from 10:30 AM–1 PM and 5–8:30 PM.
