2 Best Restaurants in Mauna Lani, Big Island

This authentic little pizzeria with tables inside and outdoors might just make the best hand-tossed pizza on the Kohala Coast, if not the whole island. The New York–born owner does not scrimp and has even imported special pizza ovens and dough machines from New York, as well as Fontanini-brand ingredients, to give his pizzas that extra pizzazz. Try the Dr. Goody, named after a beloved local ER doctor. It's baked to perfection with ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, banana peppers, sausage, arugula, garlic, and mushrooms. The chicken pesto and Gorgonzola are other standouts. Because each pizza is custom made, there might be a wait. For the quickest service, order online and pick up.

Upstairs at the Shops at Mauna Lani, this breezy, open-air restaurant offers an excellent roster of appetizers, including seared-scallop sliders and coconut-crusted crab cakes, as well as meat and fish mains and decadent desserts. The chef here has freedom to cook up his own daily specials, and the seared ahi is a standout. There's live music every evening, and happy hour is from 4 to 6. After eating, hit the Tommy Bahama clothing store located directly below the restaurant for some tropical togs.