65-1227 Opelo Road
(808) 885-6822
Driving up into the Big Island’s Kōhala Mountains, the landscape changes drastically to rolling pastures and expansive views of the ocean and Mauna Kea. As you continue, century-old ranching buildings begin to dot the landscape, condensing into the historic town of Waimea. Waimea is home to Parker Ranch, one of the oldest and largest cattle ranches in the United States, as well as numerous smaller ranches and many organic farms. It is from these local sources that Chef Peter Merriman, founder of the award-winning Merriman’s Restaurant and a pioneer of the “farm-to-table” concept, sources his ingredients. Merriman’s Waimea is Chef Peter’s flagship establishment, and has been named by Honolulu Magazine as the Big Island’s Best Restaurant for 15 consecutive years and for over a decade has garnered the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. Serving lunch and dinner, Merriman’s Restaurant Big Island Hawaii is a dining experience par excellénce.
Merriman’s Hawaii Specialties
Fresh and delectable Hawai‘i regional cuisine is what Merriman’s Hawaii is all about. Begin your taste of the truly local with Warm Goat Cheese and Hirabara Greens sourced from local goats and farms, Kalua Pig and Sweet Onion Quesadilla, or ‘Ahi Ginger Poke. Salads come from local organic farms and are all earth grown, no aquaponics. Daily dinner specials include the day’s fresh-caught fish; menu mainstays are Lamb From Kahua Ranch, Jumbo Kona Lobster, Waipi‘o Taro Enchiladas, Mac Nut Crusted Kona Kampachi, and much more. Dinner entrees average about $40 person. If you have a party of four or more, Merriman’s Restaurant Big Island Hawaii offers a shared family style four-course dinner for $75, a great value when there are several mouths to feed.
How to Get There
Sound like a great way to wrap your day at your lovely I Love Hawaii vacation rental? Here’s how to get there: From Ali‘i Drive in Kona, turn right onto Palani Road (HI-190). Take Palani up the hill and it will turn into Mamalahoa Highway (but still HI-190). It’s also called Hawai‘i Belt Road, so to avoid confusion just watch for the HI-190 signs and you’ll know you’re going the right way. Follow 190 for 35.3 miles into Waimea. Turn left at Lindsey Road. The road forks at Waimea Park; bear left onto Kawaihae Road (HI-19). Go about .4 miles down Kawaihae Road to Opelo Road then turn right. Look for the little yellow plantation-style building with white double doors. That’s the place.
