Pueo's Osteria

07/11/2025 (Friday) Came all the way to Hawaii just to dine at an Italian restaurant?! Lol. Pueo’s Osteria was delicious and a very cozy atmosphere. Staff were friendly and attentive. I ordered the Cioppino and it was hearty and flavorful - and the octopus was so soft - literally melted. My travel mate ordered the Linguini Nero Arrabiata - quite spicy and the large shrimps were succulent. Lively atmosphere near the bar area - they all seemed to be having fun. Food - 5/5 Service - 5/5 Atmosphere - 4.5/5

Had a very nice dinner and a sunset on our visit. This is a very good Italian restaurant with real italian flour for the daily hand made pasta and an exceptional waitstaff. Our waiter was Tucker, we found out that we had so much in common, from living in Lake Tahoe to where we live now! He was great and gave us perfect recommendations. Top it all off with a painted sky and you have the full package. Five stars all the way!

If you’re looking for a great Italian dinner on the big island, look no further. Great pizza and pasta with an extensive wine list and beautiful views! Well priced dinner spot for tourists who are in the resort area. Brussel sprouts are excellent :)

Delicious Italian restaurant not far from our hotel. We celebrated my wife's 50th birthday here at Pueo's Osteria. They did the nicest thing I've ever had happen at a restaurant. They gave her a birthday card signed by all of the employees of the restaurant, almost brought tears to my eyes. The pizza, chicken parm, and nochi were delicious. Thank you again for a wonderful experience.

Great family restaurant with delicious food! Mozzarella garlic bread, pizza, eggplant parmigiana, tiramisu, chocolate hazelnut torte. The view, as the sun dipped below the horizon, added a magical touch, making it a memorable experience.

Came to visit the big island with my family and I got the steak with the mash potatoes and green beans. Best steak, I have had so far 10/10 recommend! Also get the garlic bread it’s so good 10/10. Tiramisu 10/10. Pepperoni pizza and Fettuccine Alfredo 10/10!!

First time visit on recommendation from a friend. Hands down one of the best meals I have had. Definitely in my top 10. Had special catch of the day which was Monchong, a rare catch they don't see too often. Absolutely incredible! Appetizers, bread, salad, dessert, everything fresh and with excellent flavors and prepared to perfection. Wait staff knowledgeable, friendly and professional. Definitely will return when we come back to Kona in the future.

My wife and I had an amazing experience here during our vacation. Best meal of our trip! I had the ahi crudo, which was honestly one of my favorite things I have ever eaten in my life, no hyperbole. The flavors were just out of this world, massive compliments to the chef that designed this dish. Our server, Tucker, was knowledgeable and very on top of things, especially for a very busy night for the restaurant. The pork chop was juicy and perfectly cooked. No complaints whatsoever! Would definitely go back if we come to this area of Kona!

This is one of the best restaurants in the area! we were a group of 17, and everyone loved the food, really good quality and flavorful fresh made. The waitress was really nice, patient and helpful 😊the chef and all the people on the kitchen were really friendly , Our Kids were amazed watching him making the pasta and the dessert, they were also allowed to take a pic with him. We totally loved this place and I will highly recommend it and be back soon 🥰

December 2023: still love the food, but I really wish that the restaurant would add some sound reduction to the new location. The last few times I've been there (once sitting at the table by the kitchen, once outside) it has been so loud that I left with a splitting headache. Great food, great service, but I find myself less and less anxious to return. 2021: Absolutely fantastic food and great service. We thoroughly enjoyed dinner here and will definitely be back. The short rib pizza was surprisingly good, and the boar with handmade pasta was also amazing. Canoli... Veal Milanese... All so good. Well worth it

My husband and I have been coming to this restaurant whenever we are in the Big Island because the food is outstanding. However this time we had the most amazing experience ever. We were fortunate to be seated at the chef's table. That allowed us to speak with owner and Chef James as he went about making various dishes and other items. He couldn't have been more warm and engaging. I admit to being a foodie and the opportunity to ask Chef James questions about the dishes and him and staff was just remarkable. But above all the food is outstanding. I'm a bit of an Italian food snob having made Italian food for over 40 years and having gone to Italy several times, I can tell you his food is extremely authentic, fresh tasting, and really delicious. We had an appetizer of beef carpacio, the best grilled octopus..so tender, the special of the day a fish with 2 types of pesto and a squid ink pasta arrabbiatta with shrimp, followed by lemon panna cotta and limoncello. It was a lot of food but we were celebrating a birthday. Our server was so attentive and contributed to our extraordinary dining. Likewise the hostess who made it all possible was so warm. We even got to meet the line chef's and staff who make the magic happen in the kitchen. All so very nice. Truly an amazing experience. We will be back!

Get here right before sunset and enjoy a wonderful authentic Italian feast along side a breezy view overlooking the Big Island Coast. Food was amazing and the service was even better. Definitely recommend!

We were here for supper tonight and had a great time. The menu selection is limited but it's still a very good selection. I had the gnocchi and it tasted really good. We also had brusceta, caeser salad, veal, chicken, and wild boar pizza. Very nice atmosphere and the service was lovely. My parents have been here many times and they recommend it. EDIT: October 20, 2020. Fantastic food and really friendly service. The kale salad was delicious and I couldn't believe how good the steak was.

I recently had a wonderful dining experience at Pueo’s Osteria, and I feel compelled to share my thoughts. It truly was a 5-star evening! The ambiance of the restaurant is stunning, featuring a large, blue-lit tree as its centerpiece which adds a unique flair to the setting. The art and stained glass decorations are tasteful and enhance the inviting vibe, making you feel as if you've stepped into a charming Italian eatery. One wall features a peek-a-boo window for patrons to watch the chef as he hand rolls the pasta. For our meal, we started with the Caprese Salad, which showcased incredibly fresh, local tomatoes that made for a delightful starter. Next, we indulged in the Ravioli Bolognese, which had an impressively deep flavor that left a lasting impression. The Durok pork chop was also a highlight—tasty and juicy, prepared to perfection. A standout appetizer that I highly recommend is their House Made Brick Oven Focaccia. The crisp outer edges paired with the mind-blowing, soft crumb were exceptional and not to be missed. The wait staff were fabulous, striking the perfect balance between being friendly and helpful while also allowing us to fully enjoy our conversation and meal. Overall, Pueo’s Osteria provided an extraordinary dining experience that I would definitely recommend to anyone looking for great food in a beautiful setting.

Great restaurant. The restaurant is located in a shopping center, parking was easy and there was plenty of it. My husband and I went around 7pm. We had made a reservation which I recommend as it was pretty busy when we got there. We got the Brussel sprouts as an appetizer, so good. For dinner I got the veal Parmesan which tasted amazing. Everything came out in a timely manner. Staff was friendly.

My husband & I have been on the island for 7 days & this was, by far, the best meal we've had. We have eaten at a lot of wonderful restaurants but the flavors here are extraordinary. I felt like I was dining in an episode of The Bear (Hulu TV show)!! The bruschetta was absolutely delicious & the Rita pizza was awesome! We got a bottle of the Chianti Superiore, which paired fabulously with the meal. 100% recommend dining here if you are in the area!

Delightful start to finish. Some of the best pasta I've ever eaten. Service was attentive, friendly, and competent. We dined inside, but the patio out back was really pleasant as well.

Really good fresh Italian food. We had to visit before they move to their new location. Their service is always really good. Just got to visit their new location which is really nicely done. I ordered the same thing I ordered last time, which was the eggplant parm, and they made it different. They are always changing their techniques and tweaking their menu which is great.

If you want real Italian food made by real Italian folks while you are on the Big Island, then this is the place! The food was amazing. The pasta , pizza crust and bread is made fresh every day! (Sooo yummy 😋) The wait staff was so happy and engaging. They were recommending things to do and places to go all over the island! It was a little noisy inside so it was a little hard to hear each other, but it was worth it for the food😁

We were on our way back from sight seeing , so we didn’t have a reservation and it was packed, but they were able to seat us and we were grateful! Our pizza was one of my top 10 pizzas, (sausage/mushroom), their crust was the best! Their meatballs appetizer was so delicious as was the kales/creamy lemon dressing. Ended with affogato! One of their Chefs that makes the pasta is from Sicily, Which explains their awesome menu! My husband and I couldn’t stop talking about this Italian Jem in Hawaii! Thanks to our very sweet waitress Ambre! You were amazing! *gluten free pizza and pasta options as well.

Been here a handful of times and each time has been wonderful. Sometime the service stands out the most, sometimes it’s the sunset but mostly it’s the food. Accommodated our large group late yesterday and the veal parmigiana was amazing as always. Make it a must on your next trip to the big island

We enjoyed dinner at Pueo’s Osteria while on vacation to the Big Island in October 2025. The servers were very friendly and helpful. We ordered bread for the table, dinner and dessert. The portions were generous and delicious. We would definitely eat here again!

A bit of a drive from the beaches, but worth it. House made pastas, lamb ragu are excellent. Good cocktails (Manhattan) and reasonable wine selection and prices. Very friendly service. Sunset view from the covered patio.

Stopped in for dinner while traveling from upstate New York and had a great experience. We were greeted immediately by a very friendly woman who seated us at the bar since the dining room was full. The bartenders were fantastic—attentive and welcoming. We started with two cocktails and the meatball appetizer; both were excellent. For dinner, we ordered the veal and a vodka sauce pasta, and each dish was delicious and well-prepared. For two entrées, one appetizer, and two drinks, the total came to about $150 before tip, which we felt was very fair for the quality and overall experience. The food quality was outstanding, and we would absolutely recommend this place and return again.

We went here twice - once for a birthday celebration and once at the bar for “early hour 430-530”. Both were fun experiences and great food, great wine list and friendly service. As Canadians it can feel pretty expensive dining out due to the exchange rate. But at least this felt like quality and value for money. And the grocery store in the same complex was comparatively reasonable especially if like us you’re a couple who struggle with Costco sized grocery. True authentic Italian food and hospitality. We will definitely be back on our next visit !

Outstanding! Food, atmosphere and service was on point. We ordered the pork (recommended by our sweet server, Courtney) and the rigatoni bolognese which both were fabulous. Got lucky and our table was inside under the lighted tree. Even our concierge said “in my opinion, best Italian restaurant on the island”. Loved this gem! Definitely would come next time I am here.

We went twice in a week. Fun, family atmosphere in Waikoloa Village. All the staff were very friendly and the service was fantastic . The food was excellent and was fine dining in a family atmosphere. We had the Braised short ribs, a seafood pasta with pink sauce and the second visit shared a prosciutto d’Parma Pizza with Arugula. All were excellent. A hidden gem.

Heard good things from friends in the area so decided to check it out. ➡️ Service was the star of the show followed by good craft cocktails. ➡️Atmosphere is ok. smaller place, large patio, some nice touches (lighted trees). Overall average for an Italian joint and low for a higher end Italian dining experience. ➡️ Food is expensive (but not for Hawaii per se), most the dishes were a solid LOW 4 with the exception of the shrimp appetizer which was MEH, 2 at best. Very costly for 5 small shrimp and included bread piece was very bland and soggy.

Food is excellent- from starters to main entree. Service was also great- server kept our drinks coming without being asked. View from patio is not that great - saw sunset but also saw cars driving by and construction fencing. I like that you can make a dinner reservation.

Reviews promoted us to try this place. It wasn’t bad but nothing remarkable with the exception of the coffee, it was great. I had eggplant Parmesan and liked how it was sliced but lacked flavor. My husband had the special shells with shrimp which was just ok, but again not bad. We anticipated, based on reviews, this restaurant had remarkable Italian food. Maybe we ordered the wrong things? We did make a reservation since it was our anniversary and we’re asked if we were celebrating anything special and we told them. No mention from our waiter acknowledging, oh well. We did order dessert and it was again just okay. I summary this place as just okay.

It a shame that the food which ok not really good but Okay was ruined by very poor service. The server seemed to be walking in circles and not getting any thing done. The dinning room is very loud. We had to continually remind the server about items we had ordered he had no idea how to serve the wine. I might come back for the food, but not for the service or atmosphere. I might come back for the food

Went on Valentines Day for their early-bird "owl" happy hour in the bar. They didn't offer that special on Valentines Day, so paid full price for limited bar menu. The other option was a pre-fixe V-day menu, which was priced at $99 per person without drinks. The kitchen was backed up and they lost our order. We waited 2 hours for food, and the owner did comp our second drinks to make up for that. Would I return? Meh. Lots of locals and regulars go here and there's a line outside 30 minutes before the place opens, so they must be doing something right.

I don’t see the hype. The best part of the meal was the bruschetta. And that was a 3 out of 5. The focaccia was so dense and did not taste like focaccia. The pasta was over cooked—-should not be so soft but i will say it did not mess up my stomach. The flavors and sauces were average at best. The cannolis were not good and the tiramisu that is made in house was a disappointment. I ordered a cappuccino thinking it’s an Italian restaurant shout be good —tasted like it was made by a Keurig. The pizza was actually not bad, there was a lot going on but it wasn’t bad. I would definitely not eat here again. You could probs get better pasta at dominos in the same business complex.

Ordered takeout from here as a visitor to the island. We ordered 2 raviolis, one garlic bread, and shrimp scampi that claimed to have come with linguine. The amount of food for the price is disrespectful. Had the food been prepared/cooked with higher quality it would’ve been worth it. The best thing was the garlic bread. The ravioli was ok, the shrimp however was mushy and I’m sorry disgusting. $24 for this amount and quality of shrimp is disrespectful I’m sorry. I only take time out to write reviews to give praise or warn others so they can save their money. Please save your money 😕

I don’t write reviews often but feeling compelled to express my disappointment with this experience. Paid $52 for a pasta entree that came out with three slices of mushroom (featured local ingredient), dry coated pasta due to insufficient sauce ratio, Parmesan that looked like it was grated last week (or earlier than that… who knows I’m not a forensic scientist), and a plate that was hotter than the food by far. Maybe we ordered the wrong thing and should have gotten a pizza, however the waiter recommended the exact dish. We had one date night out w grandparents watching the baby… wishing we went somewhere else.

Honest review - everything that both my coworker and I had was SO under seasoned and bland. We had to season the heck out of everything ourselves to make it edible. Our service experience wasn’t great, they put us at a horrible table and kind of forgot about us. We saw people around ordering and getting their food and it wasn’t busy. When our mains finally came out after 30+ minutes, majority of it wasn’t very warm, the meat was dry but the side veggies were steaming hot. Wanted to give some feedback and also provide an honest review since without any drinks, our bill was over $100 and I would have been upset if it wasn’t an expensed work trip meal.

I was underwhelmed, and the server seemed confused the entire time we were there. The food itself was bland, and my fish was horribly overcooked. Then, to add insult to that, watch your bill. They added a tip to the bill and left the area for a tip. 40% tip was added to the bill. I will never go back!

Very disappointed with Pueo’s Osteria’s handling of our Christmas reservation. We booked 9 months in advance for a group of 16 and were explicitly assured via email that we could order à la carte. Only one week before Christmas, we were told the restaurant would be fixed-price only at $125 per person. This was not what we agreed to and was not budgeted for—especially since 9 people in our group are children who would not need a full $125 menu. Once they decided to eliminate à la carte service for Christmas, they should have immediately notified all reservations, not waited until the last minute. Finding another restaurant for 16 people at that time of year is nearly impossible. Requests for flexibility or ordering à la carte (even from the limited fixed price menu) were declined. Respecting reservations—especially those made far in advance and for a major holiday—should be a priority. Unfortunately, this experience showed a clear disregard for both. The lack of genuine concern or customer service from such a highly regarded restaurant was appalling.

While this strip-mall Italian place came highly recommended, it did not nearly deliver to the hype. Hugely disappointing. Slow service (eg., 45 minutes from ordering appetizers to delivery at table), high prices and little value (eg., $18 for two small brushcetta toasts), and false advertising on the menu with ingredients on menu but not in final dish (eg., anchovies in a caesar salad). While the food is decent, it's not outstanding. This place is not recommended if you are a true foodie and looking for a next level experience as the pricing suggests. Before you make a reservation, I strongly suggest looking through the 1- and 2-star ratings -- especially those from the local guides. There are many, and you will see a common theme of issues that have existed for some time. I wish I would have done so before spending $100+ per person.

Fancy and Fussy preparation with subpar ingredients - Wolfgang Pucks Nightmare Party of 2 and it took 90-MIN TO COOK our food.... its monday at 7:30 when we arrived and we ordered at 7:45. The waiter tells us its about a 45min wait and thats fine...9:20 we recieve our food. The chicken marsala sauce is watery and to say it had flavor would be an overstatement, they didnt even butter the noodles as per the menu, just dry and no substance. Per my spouses words "these are the worst noodles ive ever had". I ordered the agnolotti shortrib and it was 5.5/10 for flavor, nothing special and the sauce again was thin and didnt really have anything going for it. The meat did all the lifting and it wasnt lifted that far.