Hilo's Ocean View Deserves a Better List
· Hilo · American / Seafood · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · September 15, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Ponds Hilo’s wine list and gave it The Lazy List — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Ponds Hilo is about as short as the menu is long — twelve labels that read like a checklist someone put together in fifteen minutes. There's nothing offensive here, but there's nothing exciting either. You've seen this list before, probably at a hotel bar.
Twelve wines covering sparkling, white, and red bases in the most predictable fashion imaginable: Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay (twice, somehow), Riesling, Pinot Noir, Chianti, Cabernet, Malbec, and Merlot. No producers are listed, which is never a good sign — it usually means house-label or distributor-filler stuff. The double Chardonnay entry suggests either a menu typo or that someone really, really wanted a backup Chard. There are zero regional surprises, no Hawaiian producers, no nods to the Pacific Rim despite being on an island in the middle of it.
Just two by-the-glass options, both sparkling splits — a Prosecco and a Brut, each at $8. That's genuinely fair for Hawaii pricing on bubbles, and a split-sized pour is a smart casual move. But two options total is barely a wine program — it's a wine gesture.
The Bottom Line
Ponds Hilo has a setting that deserves a wine list to match, and this isn't it. Grab the Prosecco split, enjoy the view, and save the serious wine drinking for somewhere else.
· Hilo · Contemporary American / Seafood
Jackie Rey's wine list is a genuine surprise for a neighborhood seafood joint in Hilo — thoughtful picks, fair prices, and enough range to keep a wine-curious table happy. We'd send a friend here without hesitation, just tell them to ask about the glass pours before they sit down.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Hilo · Hilo · Craft American / Bar
Temple Kitchen + Bar keeps things safe and recognizable, which is either reassuring or boring depending on your mood. If you're in Hilo and want a decent glass without any homework, you'll be fine — just don't come here expecting to discover anything.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Hilo · Contemporary American / Seafood
Hilo Bay Cafe isn't a destination wine list, but it's a genuinely thoughtful one for where it sits — geographically and price-wise. Send a friend here if they want a solid pour with their fish without getting taken for a ride.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Hilo · Contemporary Hawaiian / American
For a 16-bottle list in a small Hawaiian city, Lehua is doing more than most — thoughtful picks, fair prices, and a Sancerre that punches well above its geographic weight. If you're eating in Hilo and you care about drinking well, this is your spot.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Waiakea Peninsula/Banyan Drive · Hilo · Hotel Bar/Lounge
Nanea Lounge is a perfectly fine place to have a drink while you watch the sun go down over Hilo Bay — but the wine list is pure hotel autopilot, and nobody here is going to help you drink better. Order a mai tai and save the wine for somewhere that cares.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Hilo · Hilo · Italian
Cafe Pesto isn't a wine destination, but it's a fair one — reasonable prices, an approachable list, and enough to keep the table happy while you focus on the view and the pizza. Send a friend here for the food and tell them to keep it simple on the wine.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
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