Surf Break Cafe

I was looking for a mellow café with free wifi, good coffee and healthier food and easy parking. Supporting local surfers is bonus, but this place has it all and a friendly staff!
Also note: Best part is it’s QUIET cuz there’s no cell phones allowed in café. Can’t talk. But there’s a few tables outside you can sit on.
Rating 5 stars based on above. Tried the Triple Crown burrito, based on recommendations since I wanted something vegetarian. The girl that helped me said they are known for their burritos and now I know why. Good portion size, tasty and the burrito is grilled on the outside to perfection. See pic. I recommend this place and will definitely be back!
Street Parking on Haili or Kamehameha parking lot in front of Hilo Bay Building. Free.

Good blueberry cake, «The Molly» with cream cheese, and perfect coffee! Nice relaxed, friendly atmosphere with sidewalk seating available. Yay!

Grabbed a quick and healthy lunch here before our ziplines tour. Since its across the street from KapohpKine Adventures it’s a great place to hang out and wait for your tour to start.
We shared a sandwich (I had a few bites) and I ordered a smoothie. I wish I had more of an appetite (hella nervous pre-​zipline). The turkey Swiss panini was tasty, came with chips, but dear me it was a pricey sandwich! I ordered the Dorian smoothie, very light, not at all thick, wonderful coconut flavor, just filled me enough to not pass out.
Service came with a friendly smile.
I’d recommend for any tourist in the area looking for a quick and healthy bite to eat. Yes… it’s pricey, but you’re on vacation. Live a little.

The lillikoi tea is really good here. I’m usually not a fan of fruit teas, but at Surf Break Café, the tea blend is very balanced. It has the boldness of a tea that I usually crave in a hot tea, but then in comes the aroma of the passion fruit. I like my tea unsweetened, so balance is important in teas for me, otherwise it can get bitter. You don’t get that here!

Taj burrito was good, my wife had an egg plate. The service was just average, kind of like we were doing them a favor by being there… Then this bum came in and ruined the place by smelling like urine, and checking the couch for change… It seemed like he did this all the time then sat there and watched us finish our breakfast. Local charm? I think not.

Nice, very local joint. Local, fresh food served simply… don’t expect anything fancy… truly local… Ono food served on paper plates/​baskets, rustic interior, very friendly! Worth it for breakfast!

Hilo is kinda dreary, weather-​wise. But if you surf, you want it to be turbulent and windy and choppy. Mo’ betta waves, brah.
This spot is a chill spot to hit up after a surf session.
Rocker-​chick barista, delish breakfast fare (I had a bagel… a fuggin bagel) and locals abound.
Locals.
Of Note: There is a sign stating, «Please don’t use your cell phones in here»
hahahahahaha
How refreshing.

Once upon a time this was a great place to come and have small business meetings. But the shocking $ 3 hike in prices without added value sadly makes me avoid this place and head for sharkey’s. I am sorely disappointed and sad to witness the demise of a great eatery. A slow price increase would have been easier to swallow, but ALL the prices of my faves being hiked is ridiculous.

They treated me like I was a personal friend of the owner. Excellent espresso. I am definitely coming back here.

First time: acai bowl and 2 hot coffees.
Second time: acai bowl, frappé, spicy panini, hot coffee.
Pros: coffee is awesome, wifi is fast, location is easy to find, lots of comfortable seating options, service is nice.
Cons: The acai mix here has an off color, too dark. The taste is little compromised. Like it got freezer burnt. If theyre making it in-​house they should add a preservative, ie lemon juice, grapefruit juice. The granola contains raisins, nuts, oatmeal. The first time I had it, it was great. Second time, it was stale. It had a strong rancid oil taste. Probably the nuts. Theres a light drizzle of honey, which is alright, however unecessary, the bananas are great and add enough sweetneess.
My companion had the panini. Chips were stale.
The outside hadnt been brushed with butter or oil, so it lacked the charachteristic crunchy exterior of a panini. Perhaps trying to be healthy? Coconut oil spray would do the trick.
Pricey for the level of execution. If they gave the food a little more love, they’d give cruisin coffee and starbucks a run for thier money.

Not worth the price.
A part of me wants to just leave it at that, but I think this place deserves an explanation. I do not, by any means, consider myself above paying more for better/​unique food. And this place is definitely unique. I keep coming back here because of one thing and one thing only…
Their damn Artichoke and spinach cream cheese! Why do I fall for it everytime? It’s pretty good, yes, but a panini filled with it and a handful of regular potato chips should not cost more than $ 10! I mean come on, that handful of chips cost only about 50 cents?
Don’t fall for the lure of this place. For the price you might as well go to an actual sit down restaurant.

Sooo I was checking reviews for this place because most places I have eaten at on the big Island… Hasn’t been… The best to say the least.
So I saw a few reviews on here that mentioned the breakfast burritos as being «the best I ever had»
Wow!
Bold statement!
I figured these were reviews that were prompted by the owners or something of that nature so I had to find out for myself… Well the breakfast burritos ARE amazing… To say the least.
Rest assured, if you eat here you won’t be disappointed.

Awesome iced coffee and good vibes. The homemade cream cheeses are delicious, try the lilokai! Staff is super friendly and helpful to tourists!