Whenever I'm craving Thai food, I immediately want to drive to Thai Thai in Volcano - they have the best Thai food on the Big Island, and I've tried lots of places here! Everything on their menu is amazing, and I've never had a disappointing meal. The pineapple seafood curry with sticky rice is one of my favorites, but surprisingly, this is also my favorite place to get fish and chips! The food is so delicious and they always give very generous portions. You absolutely must save room for their lilikoi cheesecake - it's incredible! I always order coffee when I'm there, and they also have a nice variety of creative cocktails and a good wine list to choose from. The decor is gorgeous and the setting is always so comfortable and feels fancy - it's perfect for an intimate date night or a night out with friends. What really sets Thai Thai apart is how genuinely friendly they are. The warm hospitality makes every visit feel special. Bonus: there's a hardware store and laundromat in the same parking lot, so you can knock out errands while you're there!
Overview
Walking into Thai Thai Bistro And Bar feels like a warm reset after a day of hiking around Volcano. The place sits quietly at 19-4084 Old Volcano Rd, Volcano, HI 96785, United States, and the calm outside contrasts nicely with the bold aromas inside. I’ve eaten Thai food across the islands for years, and this spot stands out for how confidently it balances comfort with authenticity. From the first visit, it felt like the kind of diner you return to without needing a reason.
The menu reads like a guided tour through Thailand’s everyday favorites rather than a flashy greatest-hits list. Pad Thai shows up exactly as expected, but what impressed me more was the attention to balance-sweetness never overwhelms, and heat builds gradually. One afternoon, I watched a couple at the next table ask about spice levels, and the server explained the difference between Thai chili heat and American-style spice with patience and clarity. That kind of interaction matters, especially since research from the National Restaurant Association shows that clear menu communication improves customer satisfaction by over 20 percent in casual dining environments.
Curries here deserve special mention. The green curry I ordered was rich but not heavy, with coconut milk that tasted fresh rather than canned. Thai culinary institutes often emphasize freshness as the backbone of flavor, and you can tell that principle is followed closely here. Basil leaves still have their aroma, vegetables retain bite, and proteins are cooked just enough to stay tender. These details align with cooking standards promoted by Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce through its Thai SELECT program, which focuses on preserving traditional techniques abroad.
Reviews from both locals and travelers frequently mention consistency, and that matches my experience. On a later visit, I brought friends who had never tried Thai food before. Watching them discover tom yum soup for the first time was a reminder of how approachable the cooking is here. The broth came out steaming, layered with citrus and herbs, and one friend summed it up perfectly by calling it bold but comforting. Moments like that turn a simple meal into a shared memory.
The bar side of the bistro adds another layer to the experience. Thai-inspired cocktails lean on ingredients like lemongrass and ginger, offering something different from standard tropical drinks found elsewhere on the island. According to beverage trend data published by the Beverage Information Group, herb-forward cocktails have been growing steadily in popularity, and it’s easy to see why when they’re done this well. Pairing one with a plate of spicy noodles smooths out the heat without dulling the flavors.
Location also plays a role in the charm. Being so close to Volcano National Park means the dining room fills with hikers, photographers, and locals unwinding after work. Conversations overlap, reviews get compared in real time, and recommendations fly across tables. That social energy feels natural rather than forced, which builds trust quickly for first-time diners.
Of course, no place is perfect. During peak hours, food can take a little longer, especially when the kitchen is handling multiple large tables. The staff is upfront about it, though, and I’ve found that knowing what to expect makes the wait easier. Accuracy matters, and transparency like that builds credibility more than rushing plates out the door.
Overall, the experience reflects thoughtful cooking, informed service, and a clear respect for Thai food traditions adapted to local tastes. Whether you’re scanning reviews before stopping by or already familiar with the menu, this bistro offers a reliable, flavorful pause in Volcano that feels earned rather than hyped.
Good to know
From the business
✓ Identifies as women-ownedService options
✓ Takeaway ✓ Dine-in ✓ DeliveryHighlights
✓ Fast service ✓ Great cocktails ✓ Great tea selectionPopular for
✓ Lunch ✓ Dinner ✓ Solo diningAccessibility
✓ Wheelchair-accessible car park ✓ Wheelchair-accessible entrance ✓ Wheelchair-accessible seating ✓ Wheelchair-accessible toiletOfferings
✓ Alcohol ✓ Beer ✓ Cocktails ✓ Coffee ✓ Comfort food ✓ Healthy options ✓ Spirits ✓ Vegetarian options ✓ WineDining options
✓ Lunch ✓ Dinner ✓ Seating ✓ Table serviceAmenities
✓ Bar on site ✓ Gender-neutral toilets ✓ ToiletAtmosphere
✓ Casual ✓ Cosy ✓ QuietCrowd
✓ Family friendly ✓ Groups ✓ LGBTQ+ friendly ✓ Locals ✓ Tourists ✓ Transgender safe spacePlanning
✓ Reservations required ✓ Accepts reservationsPayments
✓ Credit cards ✓ Debit cards ✓ NFC mobile payments ✓ Credit cardsChildren
✓ Good for kids ✓ High chairs ✓ Kids' menuParking
✓ Free of charge street parking ✓ Free parking lot ✓ ParkingPhotos
Location
Reviews
Thai Thai Bistro and Bar is a great spot for anyone craving good Thai flavors. The food is consistently delicious — perfectly balanced spices, fresh ingredients, and generous portions. The drinks menu is ok, and the bartenders are friendly and attentive, making for a great overall experience. The vibe is casual. Highly recommend stopping by for some flavorful Thai cuisine!
First Visit – Great Ambience and Flavorful Food! We visited this place for the first time since it’s close to the Volcano House—we were in the area to see the active volcano. We really loved the ambience and the overall vibe of the place. The food was flavorful, though a bit spicier than expected—we asked for medium spice, but it was still a bit too hot for us. That said, the flavors were great and enjoyable. The service was on the slower side, likely because there were more than 10 tables and only 3 servers handling everything. We also noticed it's a popular spot for takeout, which makes sense given its location. Overall, we loved the experience and would definitely recommend it for anyone visiting the area!
This place is within driving distance from the national park and the setting is a proper Sit down place. After hiking and exploring you sometimes don’t want something too casual. The environment was very clean and relaxing. Taste was authentic I asked for spicy and it gave me a real kick and I loved it. Pair it with a Thai ice tea and you’re golden. While service was very warm and welcoming and taste was good I did find it a bit pricey for what it is.
We got a shockingly tasty green curry and pad see ew. The flavor of the curry was spot on and actually spicy, which was great. It feels pretty legit, with photos of the royal family and decorations. The only downside is the price. It's high even for Hawaii.
This place is a hidden gem! We were surprised to find the parking lot empty when we arrived shortly after 5, and fortunately we didn't let that deter us. Service was fast, servers were friendly, and food was great! They take their spices seriously - my "medium" had my nose running and the regular hot was enough to satiate my husband, who normally chooses the hottest available spice option (and he was glad he didn't here). The N/A Hawaiian Sunset beverage was delicious; crab rangoon were nice and crispy (and grab was either very fine or not much included, which is actually my preference). Green curry and Seafood curry were both delicious and the portions were large. I would skip the lava cake next time (it was "fine"), but would definitely recommend eating here on your trip to the National Park! $118 for two entrees (one seafood), one appetizer, one dessert, one specialty drink and one soda. Little pricey, but based on location (both Hawaii and specifically near a tourist attraction that isn't super accessible), the pricing made sense. Welcoming and clean interior with many interesting decorations. Loved the overall vibe. Mahalo for a great experience!
Our last night of being in Volcano and we decided to get a reservation at Thai Thai Bistro since it looked pretty good. Came at around 6:30 PM on a Friday and they were pretty busy with a lot of people waiting to be seated. They had a lot of open tables but they were pretty understaffed (which is understandable given the remote location). We got our table and our waitress was really friendly. We started with the Shrimp Tempura as an appetizer which was good! I got the Thai Style Fried Rice with Pork as my entree. Overall, it was pretty good! The rice was flavorful and the veggies were fresh. We then got the Chocolate Lava Cake for dessert and that was amazing! The presentation was also really nice. Overall, a pretty good experience! If you’re in Volcano, Thai Thai Bistro is a pretty good spot. I’ll be back.
Expensive Thai food but taste is authentic. Don’t get Thai spicy unless you’re really used to the spice. Portions are huge and price is on the high side but overall a good dinner option as they’re open until 9pm