The Bistro

The Bistro-Pacific Rim Meals with Gourmet Flare
Local Expert's Rating:
4 / 5
The Bottom Line:

The Bistro offers fresh, Pacific Rim fusion meals in an open-air environment. Prices are reasonable for gourmet-style food, and they offer lunch, dinner, and happy hour selections. They also have vegan and gluten-free options. Reservations are suggested for large parties as seating is limited.

- The HawaiianIslands.com Local Expert Team

The Bistro is ranked #1 on Trip Advisor and is a favorite with locals, which is always a good sign. The Bistro has been serving the North Shore area since 1999 and sources only fresh, local foods. They serve lunch and dinner and describe their cuisine as being “unique European, Pacific Rim fusion.” The Bistro also has a bar menu for casual dining from 3-6 PM. Musicians regularly perform in the evening, and their acoustic music adds to one’s dining experience.

Although near the Kilauea Lighthouse, diners will not see the lighthouse or the ocean. But that does not mean your dining experience will be any less. Patrons describe the ambiance of The Bistro as quaint and that the open-air dining is reminiscent of a Hawaiian plantation garden. Combine all of these factors, and it’s easy to see why The Bistro is perfect for a romantic dinner. 

If you prefer vegan and gluten-free meals, ask your server what is available since these are not on the menus. The Bistro offers happy hour deals all week with discounts on adult beverages and half-priced menu options.

Since The Bistro offers different selections for lunch and dinner, we will select a few top choices from both. 

Lunch is available from 12-2. They offer an assortment of appetizers, salads, plates, kid’s choices, and desserts. Here are some meals worth checking out. 

Fresh Beets
Diners boast about how tasty and filling this salad is. The beets are sliced and placed upon Kilauea greens. Feta cheese and mac nuts are sprinkled on top, and lilikoi dressing is drizzled over the salad to top off this meal.

Bistro Burger
This burger uses grass-fed, locally sourced beef and will satisfy any appetite. Meat is cooked to order and served with Kilauea greens, tomato, onion, and fries. 

Fish & Chips
When you can get local fish, why not try the fish and chips? Fresh ono is fried to a golden-brown crunch and served with chips (french fries) and homemade tartar sauce. 

The dinner menu is similar to lunch but with more options. Service begins at 6 PM and ends at 8:30 PM. We suggest these meals. 

St. Louis BBQ Ribs
These ribs are a favorite with diners. The portion is very generous, and the meat is tender. The ribs are coated with their homemade Bistro BBQ sauce and come with rice and coleslaw. 

Seafood Gumbo
This New Orleans classic is packed with fresh shrimp, fish, and sausage and served on rice. The portion is very generous, and some diners needed a “to go” box. 

When looking for a gourmet-style meal in the North Shore area, we believe The Bistro is your best bet. Using locally sourced foods, The Bistro serves Pacific Rim fusion food that is plentiful and delicious. 

Insider Tip:
The Lighthouse Bistro is an open-air restaurant, so you may have to wave off insects. Although they have a Kid’s Menu, many diners agree that The Bistro is more of an adults-only restaurant.