Peter Merriman's farm-to-table restaurant in upcountry Waimea, where the menu names its Hawaiʻi Island sources, among them Hirabara Farm greens, Hāmākua mushrooms and macadamia nuts, and Kahua Ranch lamb.
Why we love it
The best argument for eating upcountry: the farms are just down the road, and you can taste it.
What to expect
Merriman’s is on ʻŌpelo Road in Waimea (Kamuela), with mall parking right out front. It’s upcountry, about 25 minutes above the Kohala Coast resorts. The dinner menu is split into Upcountry starters, Dirt Farm salads, “Iron” sides cooked in cast iron, Makai dishes from the ocean, and Mauka dishes from the land. Look for Waipiʻo taro spanakopita, wok-charred ahi, a Hāmākua mushroom pot pie, and Kahua Ranch lamb. Desserts include a Waialua chocolate torte, and the house-made ice cream uses Kohala cream from Clover Leaf Dairy. The restaurant calls itself carbon neutral and marks its lowest-footprint dishes “CF.”
Know before you go
- Reservations
- Reservations are highly recommended for dinner, served nightly 5 to 8:30pm. Lunch, Monday through Saturday from 11:30am to 2pm, is the more affordable way in, and Sunday brunch runs 10:30am to 1pm.
- Getting home
- Uber and Lyft are unreliable in Waimea, especially after dark. Arrange your return before dinner, and if you’re staying on the Kohala Coast, your hotel concierge can book a car both ways.
- Parking
- Parking in the lot out front is free.
- Bill
- Expect a 4% food surcharge that goes to the kitchen staff. Parties of 6 or more have a 20% gratuity added.
- Dress warm
- Waimea evenings are noticeably cooler than the coast, so bring a layer for after dinner.
- Kids
- There are keiki menus for both lunch and dinner.
Illustrative photo — not taken at Merrimans Waimea.
Photo: Bonus Onus via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
