The Oldest Restaurant In Hawaii Has A Truly Incredible History

The Hawaiian Islands have a rich and unique history, and though we love learning about the islands' history and looking at vintage photos of our beautiful home as much as the next person, sometimes we'd rather learn about fun subjects. For example, the oldest restaurant in the islands, a title given to a small Captain Cook establishment that has been in business for more than 100 years. While the Manago Hotel — established more than a century ago in 1917 — may not be the state's oldest hotel, it is home to the oldest restaurant in continuous operation. The small Big Island eatery of the same name predates Hawaii's induction into statehood by more than 40 years, and stepping inside is like journeying to a bygone era of Old Hawaii unlike you've ever experienced before.

Located on the slopes of Hawaii Island’s Mauna Loa at 1,350 feet in elevation in Captain Cook, and overlooking Kealakekua Bay is the Manago Hotel, which also happens to house the state’s oldest restaurant in continuous operation.

Stepping into the hotel restaurant is like entering another era, one long before Hawaii became an American state in 1959.

The hotel was established nearly a century ago with two cots and a handful of futons — and has since been expanded to include 64 guest rooms.

And while the operation may have expanded, locals still flock to the Manago Hotel for rock-bottom room rates and the restaurant's famous pork chops.

This charming Big Island eatery is famous for their pork chops, but they also serve up a variety of fresh fish, sandwiches, and some ono Hawaiian side dishes.

Aren't your tastebud watering just looking at these tasty dishes?

The low-key hotel and casual restaurant once catered almost exclusively to locals, but the clientele has expanded in the last 30 years as tourists from the mainland and other foreign countries have discovered the Hotel Manago.

This local favorite hasn’t always been the oldest restaurant in Hawaii, though — in fact, the eatery inherited the title when the legendary Wo Fat Chinese Restaurant closed its doors several years ago.

For more information about the Manago Hotel And Restaurant, check out their website, or give them a call at 808.323.2642. Have you ever dined at the Mango Hotel Restaurant? What's your favorite dish? Share your experiences and opinions with us in the comments below, then click here to discover the oldest hotel in Hawaii, a beauty standing in the heart of Waikiki that's rumored to be haunted.