Island Gourmet Markets at the Queen’s Marketplace

Island Gourmet Markets: A Queen's Marketplace Favorite for Groceries, Essentials, and Meals to Go
Local Expert's Rating:
4 / 5
The Bottom Line:

Whether you want to get all the essentials for your Big Island adventures or just want a quick bite to eat, zip on over to the Island Gourmet Markets. Set in the Queen’s Marketplace, this gourmet grocery store goes all out in serving just what you need.

- The HawaiianIslands.com Local Expert Team

Are you looking for a great place to swing by for all your essentials for your trip to the Big Island? If so, put the Island Gourmet Markets on your radar, for sure. Conveniently set in the Queen’s Marketplace, this gourmet grocery store lets you grab all the food, personal care supplies, and other items you’ll need on your adventures. On top of that, it’s a great place to satisfy your cravings for coffee =shop drinks, sushi delicacies, and deli fare galore.

As you walk through the front doors, the clean layout, bright lighting, and perfectly placed products will instantly catch your eye. Helping add to that effect are all the stylish black shelves laid out from end to end of the store. The beautifully packaged gourmet foods, fresh produce, and many other items pop out beautifully, drawing you toward them in an instant. As a result of all that, it can feel a bit overwhelming when deciding where to go first. The scent of delicious food wafting through the store doesn’t help matters much either.

You really cannot go wrong no matter which way you go, so just set out in any direction you’d like. As you explore the grocery store, you’ll come across a well-stocked produce section full of all the fruits and veggies you could want. You will also find a butcher case full of fresh meat, including dry-aged beef and smoked seafood. In the dairy section, they have all the milk, yogurt, sour cream, and more imaginable, including over 250 artisan cheeses.

Upon heading into the center aisles, you’ll get to explore all their gourmet foods and drinks. They have all the best local brands well represented along with tons of international goods never before found on the Big Island. Grocery fare, personal care items, household goods, and even clothes, jewelry, and other gifts fill all the shelves around you. So, you can easily find all you need in one stop.

After filling up your cart and checking out, swing by the deli, sushi bar, and other food and drink counters to get your fill of pure deliciousness. You’re welcome to enjoy your selections right onsite, although many people take them to the courtyard instead. While there, you get to soak in the sunshine while fueling up for your next stop. If you arrive at just the right time, you might even get to see local musicians and other performers entertaining the crowds while you eat. 

Get your snack on with their:

Scallop Dynamite Sushi
When nothing else will do but the bold, spicy flavor in every last morsel, get the Scallop Dynamite Sushi. A true sushi bar favorite, this decadent treat begins with imitation crab, cucumber, and mayo wrapped up tight in nori and rice. Over that, they add their delightful mix of scallops, chili sriracha, onions, lemon, garlic powder, and sesame seeds. Then, eel sauce gets drizzled over the top to bring it all together.

Ultimate Hashbrown
Only available until 11 am, the Ultimate Hashbrown plate promises to kick your day into high gear in an instant. This dish features hashbrowns, bacon bits, pork link sausage bites, bell peppers, and onions sizzled up together. After that, they sprinkle on the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses and then serve it with eggs how you like them.

Pastrami in Heaven Burger
After 11 am, it’s time to infuse your day with tons of flavor by ordering the Pastrami in Heaven Burger. This popular dish begins with pastrami and an Angus beef patty cooking to perfection on the grill. Once they’re done, the pastrami lands on the beef patty, followed by Swiss cheese. Onions, tomatoes, and green leaf lettuce join the party before Dijon horseradish kicks it up a notch.

Want happy hour specials? Stop by the sushi bar between 3 pm and 5 pm or from 9 pm to closing. During that time, they offer 10% off all their food plus deals galore on their drinks. Draft brews from Kona Brewing Co., tropical martinis and other libations, and so much more all await your arrival. They even have a wide range of quality white, red, and sparkling wine available for your pure enjoyment. Prefer non-alcohol beverages? They have that, too, including Hualalai Peaberry 100% Kona Coffee.

Insider Tip:
-They stop serving their hot food and deli fare at 8 pm, so come by before then to get a taste of all they have to offer.