Quote: Located right across from the Kawaihae Small Boat Harbor, this restaurant is a pleasant stop in the small town of Kawaihae. Cafe Pesto always features fresh organic greens, sizzling sauces on great pizza, and world-class dressings. Many visitors drive long miles from the South Kohala resorts to this harbor side pizza house for gourmet pizzas, calzones, and fresh organic greens grown from Kealakekua to Kamuela. Their menu prices are reasonable and not as pricey as many of the resort restaurants. Lobsters from the aquaculture farms on Keahole Point (south on the coastline), shiitake mushrooms from a few miles mauka (inland), and fresh fish, shrimp, and crab adorn the herb-infused Italian pies. Some of their popular appetizers include the Asian Pacific Crab Cakes served with baby wild greens, pickled cucumber "namasu" and a honey-miso vinaigrette ($14.95), Butter Poached Petite Split Kona Lobster Tail with Pickled ginger beurre blanc and goma wakame ($16.95), and their Coconut Crusted Calamari set on a slaw of arugula, won bok and pickled ginger, served with a honey mustard-mango dipping sauce ($12.95). Their dinner menu features their popular Smoked Salmon Alfredo with smoked salmon, fettuccine, sun-dried tomatoes, shiitake mushrooms,
fresh grated parmesan cheeses, and a light classically inspired cream sauce (Smaller portion $17.95 / Full portion $20.95), Fresh Catch of the Day which is grilled or sauteéd and served on a bed of Japanese soba noodles, hon shimeji mushrooms, sugar snap peas, and accented with a fresh Vietnamese coriander pesto (market price), and their Mango Glazed Chicken which is char broiled "free range" chicken breast, mango chutney, garlic mashed potatoes and Pahoa corn relish ($20.95). They serve a variety of Pizzas with various toppings for under $20.00 for a 12" pizza. Some of my favorites is their Pizza Luau which is topped with Kalua pork, local sweet onions and fresh Hawaiian pineapple and their Four Seasons Pizza served with artichokes, mushrooms, sweet peppers, prosciutto ham, sugar snap peas. Cafe Pesto is open 7 days a week from Sunday through Thursday at 11 am until 9 pm and on Friday and Saturday at 11 am until 10 pm. The service is excellent and attentive. There is ample parking but come early because the parking lot gets crowded during dinner hours. To get to this restaurant from Kona, drive north along the Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway until you reach the Kawaihae junction sign. Turn left at the sign that reads Kawaihae then drive about 1/2 mile along the coast until you see the Kawaihae Shopping Center. Cafe Pesto is located on the first floor of the shopping center. I would recommend eating at this restaurant because the food is delicious and the prices are reasonable.
From journals Dining on the Big Island of Hawaii