This review is for the Luau. It was incredibly difficult to confirm a celiac safe meal in advance.
If you pay for early seating, don’t eat the tarot chips and dip - they are likely fried in the same fryer as chicken fingers.
I used the Concierge at The Hilton Bay Club to book the reservation a week in advance.… phone calls and e-mails were not returned about how they handle food allergies - so I showed up with the thought that for $230 for early seating there should be SOMETHING I could eat at some point….
The Luau is buffet style and when I was to be brought to my table I spoke of needing GF and I was told “everything is gluten free”. Having lived with this medical condition for 19 years - I knew better. When I asked a few more questions, I was told to ask my sever. The early seating inclided Tarro chips and dip and my server said she would ask if they were GF … I asked about shared oil - she didn’t get back to me and so I was sitting with everyone eating them and talking about how good they were and couldn’t get an answer. And yet I had tried to do research in advance to see if I could eat them and could not get a returned phone call to know for sure so I didn’t eat them. I asked my server who said “she would check” about the chips and about getting me a separate plate from the buffet before it got cross contaminated. When I didn’t hear back from her I sought out someone who looked like a manager. She was the one who finally gave me confidence that I could eat that night becusse I would be brought a plate before the buffet got cross contaminated. I was brought a plate of cold food - wrapped in plastic that had been set aside. The others at the table had veggie side dishes I wish I could have known if they been GF but I wasn’t able to get an answer from
staff or a chef …
I was brought a plate of fruit that hadn’t been cross contaminated-
Much later after all of us at the table finished eating, I was brought a flourless chocolate cake, which I was grateful for.
The show entertainment is definitely what you are paying for and I don’t regret going… hopefully they will provide better communication in the future when a guest tries to call and ask about what can be done to know what is safe to eat and how they will accommodate.
At least I didn’t get sick. I’m glad I wasn’t tempted to eat the tarro chips I was told her GF becusse the manager said they are probably fried in oil that has been cross contaminated.
— Somewhat
— No gluten-free information on the menu
— Not Much
— Below Average
Not a ton of choices on-site at the Hilton. The Luau was fabulous because they brought my son his own GF plate and dessert. Only problem is that he’s super picky and the meal was more for an adult/young adult. He would have preferred the chicken tenders that were in the buffet. The only option at the Lagoon Grill is a GF hamburger for my picky 10 year old who doesn’t eat fish. The Island Oasis drink machine is all GF.
— Somewhat
— No gluten-free information on the menu
— Not Much/None
— Average
This is a review for the Hilton's Luau. Best Luau we have seen on all the islands. As a bonus, when we booked the tickets, we put the dietary preference that we were celiac. Then at the Luau, we told the waiter and they brought a full specially prepared plate of GF entrees and desserts to the table for us. SO AWESOME.
— Very
— Most/All
— Excellent
Lagoon Grill - waitress immediately knew what was GF and offered a salad as a side in place of fries. Burger was ok and was on an Udi's bun. A safe lunch option at the resort.
— Very
— No gluten-free information on the menu
— Not Much
— Average
Ate at the Lagoon Grill while at the pools at Waikoloa Hilton Pools day pass. The server was very good in telling me that there is very little that is gluten free (this was after I spoke to one server who had no idea). Basically only the burgers (with gluten free bun) and a salad. There is no dedicated fryer, so the fries are not safe. The only other option was the summer roll with sweet Chile sauce (the peanut sauce has gluten). I had the summer roll and it was light and refreshing and tasted great! But I would recommend being very careful and making sure your server marks it as a “gluten allergy” vs as a preference.
— Somewhat
— No gluten-free information on the menu
— Not Much
— Excellent
Got a tuna melt on a gf bun. Was definitely an Udi’s bun, and they didn’t actually melt the tuna melt, but the tuna salad was gf and tasty. Server immediately asked if I had celiac and assured me that the tuna salad was gf and gave me the side salad with gf dressing automatically, which was nice. The portions were really large and I sat by the dolphins which was a nice view.
— Very
— No gluten-free information on the menu
— Not Much
— Good
KPC/Kamuela Provision Company, within Hilton Waikoloa, from Dec. 2021
I will add the caveat that we did eat here on Christmas Day, so I'm sure the staff were all tired and overworked over a busy break, but still very disappointed. We had been once a few years ago and had a great experience--well post Covid that was NOT the case. There was confusion with my son's order--what was supposed to be brought as a wheat-free poke (raw fish) plate showed up with the fried wonton on the plate and waiter did not really care. It was a problematic meal and though we ate safely it didn't feel very good, I would not go back.
— Not at all
— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu
— Not Much
— Excellent
Nui Italian & Lounge near Palace tower has many GF options for pasta, salad and pizza. Best pizza I’ve tasted since diagnosis a year ago! Did not get sick, felt very safe.
— Very
— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu
— Some
— Excellent
Lagoon Grill has a cool location at the Hilton Waikaloa -- views of the ocean and the DolphinQuest training area. Casual eatery with not much offered for Celiac, but they are careful with what they do offer. GF buns for hamburgers and they'll sub your fries for a giant fruit salad.
The Legends of Hawaii Luau is a splurge, but when you're in Hawaii, you feel like you have to go to a luau. The luau is served buffet style and every dish is labeled with what allergens are missing-- gluten-free, dairy-free, etc. That said, I'm anxious about cross-contamination and asked that my son's plate come directly from the kitchen which they happily did. Despite telling me that everything in the buffet was gf, my son's plate only came out with the fish as the protein-- no pork or brisket. He was very happy with what he got, so I didn't press the question any further re: if other dishes were truly gf. They also brought him out a beautifully plated flourless chocolate cake for dessert.
Nui Breakfast- my son ordered an acai bowl without granola and enjoyed a safe and delicious gf breakfast. I didn't notice if they had gf bread for toast or sandwiches.
Waikaloa Coffee Company-- great for a quick breakfast. They sell instant cups of Bob's Red Mill GF oatmeal and their smoothies are delicious and safe. No GF breakfast sandwiches.
— Very
— No gluten-free information on the menu
— Not Much
— Good
Lagoon Bar. Slim pickings but I felt safe as the staff was very knowledgeable. I had a hamburger with a good GF bun and a salad. Very safe.
— Very
— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu
— Not Much
— Good
The lagoon grill was great! Offers gluten free buns. The server asked about the severity of allergy and took extra precautions. The food took a little longer since they cooked the burger on a separate pan. We visited the grill twice and didn’t get sick. Also visited NUI Italian restaurant. Offers gluten free pizza and pasta. Decent (yet expensive) pizza. Didn’t get sick!
— Very
— Some
— Good
Had the burgers at the Lagoon Grill while watching the dolphins! I told them we had Celiac and they right away gave us the GF menu, and told us the food would take a little longer because they cooked it in a separate pan. Unfortunately, the fries aren’t GF, but we were offered side salad or fruit. The salad was good, and so were the burgers. The GF buns were great!
Yes
Lagoon Grill: GF menu upon request. In fact it’s a GF menu for the whole resort. Staff was very friendly. They do have GF buns for hamburgers and sandwiches. I had the mahi mahi sandwich with GF bun. The bun was tasty but quite large/thick. I ended up taking the top off. Unfortunately does not have a dedicated fryer for French fries, but they have fruit and salad options for sides. We sat by the dolphins and enjoyed the meal.
Yes
They do take it seriously but there weren't as many options as I would have liked for our son. Adults probably have more choices.
Nui Italian: This is the best option. They have gluten free pasta and a very good pizza. We ate there a lot.
Big Island Breakfast: They made pancakes, bacon and eggs for my son. They did a great job.
Yes
The GF burgers at the Lagoon Grill are amazing! The kitchen staff will take extra precautions preparing any Celiacs burger.
Yes
Best burger buns!!! Very nice poolside kitchen. Got a gluten free menu, with a few options to choose from, could modify drinks with gf friendly alcohol. Very enjoyable menu. Could order for poolside delivery too.
Yes
There are several restaurants at the Hilton. KPC is the top—beautiful view, excellent food,GF aware—my meal was wonderful. Our waiter asked the chef before I ordered. Lagoon Grill was also knowledgeable—I had the ahi poke bowl without the soy sauce—which I felt it didn’t need anyway—salads looked good too. No GF bread or buns and their best dish is their cheeseburger. The Big Breakfast did have GF muffins and if requested GF bread.
Yes
KPA is the high end restaurant at the Hilton. Gorgeous views of the ocean and sunset and the food was amazing. Brought gluten free bread to the table and very knowledgeable about what I could or couldn’t have. The menu had G to designate gluten free but the waiter said things change so much just ask them and they know better (the potatoes didn’t have a G but they were GF). Very pricey but amazing scenery and food and safe for celiacs :). The entire Hilton has a lot of GF options. Breakfast has gluten free toast, pancakes, waffles, French toast, UDIs muffins and all the meats and eggs and fruit. Gluten free buns at lunch place as well. Lots of options all over the resort.
Yes
KPA is a very high end restaurant in the Hilton hotel. Server checked with chef regarding my choices. Very knowledgeable and I felt safe. 🤗
Yes
This is the top-end restaurant at the giant Hilton Waikoloa Village, with prices to match - a couple of the entrees are north of $60 (!). The setting is *gorgeous* - outside tables have fantastic beach views, with only a walkway between you and the shoreline. The posted menu shows which items are GF or GF'able, and there are many options that would work for most diners. We had a very solicitous and knowledgeable waiter (Cornelius) who clearly understood celiac needs; he brought two bread baskets - one wheat-based, one GF - and a double set of the butter and spread that comes with, so we wouldn't have to worry about cross-contamination, and he was willing to take all the time in the world in answering our many questions and indulging the usual GF/celiac concerns and requests. Most of the items on the kids' menu are fried, but they happily grilled some plain chicken breast and served it with carrot sticks for K2. K1 was put out because we parents, being mean, vetoed K1's intended entree, the $61 14-oz ribeye. The filet mignon we "forced" K1 to order instead was tasty (to me at least; apparently to K1 it tasted mostly of disappointment ...). They plated it with (GF) mashed potatoes and even brought K1 some sushi rice as well after K1 liked the rice that came with my entree. No GF desserts other than sorbet. Single fryer (sigh).
Yes