Popover

Popover-Serving Made-to-Order Meals, Popovers, and other Pastries
Written by: The HawaiianIslands.com Local Experts Team
Local Expert's Rating:
4.5 / 5
The Bottom Line:

Popover is a small cafe in Hilo serving made-to-order meals, popover pastries, donuts, and various pastries. They have been open since 2019 and are family-owned and operated. Popover also serves fresh Hawaiian coffees, teas, and specialty drinks, and pre-orders can be made online or over the phone. 

- The HawaiianIslands.com Local Expert Team

Before we discuss Popover bakery and cafe, let’s define what a popover is. 

A popover is not:

  • An English folk band
  • When unexpected guests “popover” for a visit
  • A rebranding of the breakfast food “Pop-Tarts”

A popover is a flaky pastry that “pops over” in the baking tray with a mushroom-shaped top. Popovers are larger than dinner rolls, have a semi-hollow center, and contain eggs which give them a custard flavor and tell-tale look.

Popovers originated in Europe and are akin to the British Yorkshire pudding and the Dutch Baby. They’re popular on the East Coast of the United States, which gave a mother and son the idea of bringing the tasty pastry to Hilo, Hawaii.

Popover is a family-owned and operated bakery that opened in 2019 and is in the industrial section of Hilo. The cafe is in a small strip mall, and its sign is easy to spot from the road. The store is clean and the decor simple, drawing the eye to the counter where their delicious baked goods are displayed. Inside the bistro, there are several small tables to enjoy your baked good with your coffee. 

Popover is more than just another donut shop. Let’s look at some of their popular menu items.

 All sandwiches are made fresh-to-order and come on a popover pastry sliced in half.

  • Breakfast Sandwich
    This morning staple has scrambled eggs, Portuguese sausage, breakfast potatoes, and house sauce. Are you a vegetarian? Have them remove the sausage; they may even provide a substitute if you ask.
  • Roasted Veggie Sandwich
    This meal is perfect for vegetarians or those looking for a lighter fare. The sandwich comes with roasted tomato, zucchini, mushrooms, red bell pepper, red onion, lettuce, sprouts, and house sauce. 

Allow 15-minutes for these made-to-order meals. 

  • Macaroni and Cheese
    Nothing says comfort food like macaroni and cheese! This flatbread features house sauce, provolone cheese, macaroni, cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, and seasonings. 
  • Sunrise
    This hearty meal is a great way to start your day! It comes with sunny-side-up eggs, Portuguese sausage, mushrooms, red onions, red bell pepper, marinara sauce, green onion, mozzarella cheese, and cheddar cheese. 
  • Hamakua
    This flatbread features mushrooms cultivated from a bottle like they do in Japan. This item comes with fresh baby spinach, Ali’i mushrooms from Hamakua, pesto sauce, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese.  

Popover also specializes in creating some of the most mouth-watering donuts and pastries anywhere. Some originals include a mango and guava puffs and donuts like Fruity Pebbles, Cookies and Cream, and Maple Bacon. Like many donut shops, they offer bulk specials like buying five and getting one free or buying ten and getting two more.

And their coffee is made fresh with locally sourced Hawaiian beans. Popover also offers espresso, teas, and specialty drinks. We think you’ll love the variety and the fresh foods and drinks served at Popovers. If you’re in Hilo, pop on over!  

Insider Tip:
Popover is very popular and often sells out of many pastries and donuts by 9 AM. Visitors urge arriving early (they open at the crack of dawn!) or order ahead of time. 12-pack donuts need to be pre-ordered 24-hours in advance.