By no means is this your typical national park concession, as some hot dog–seeking visitors are discouraged to find. The Rim and the adjacent Uncle George’s Lounge try to match their premier views of Kilauea Caldera with a menu that’s both artful and hyper-local. The bountiful breakfast buffet includes made-to-order eggs and waffles, tropical fruit smoothies, and housemade granola. Bento lunch boxes ($19, available 11am to 4pm) offer a choice of kalua pork, teriyaki chicken, an organic veggie/tofu stir fry, or macadamia-nut mahimahi, plus four tasty sides, Hilo poi, and haupia pudding. Kalua pork pizza, a local grass-fed beef burger, and coconut crusted fish and chips are also available. Reserve well in advance for a window table at dinner, when lights are periodically dimmed to showcase the glow from Halemaumau Crater. Culinary highlights include pan-seared Kona kampachi, and Hilo coffee-rubbed rack of lamb. The lounge serves burgers and pupu ($13–$18) such as chicken satay and avocado dip.

Note: Diners must pay park admission ($25 a vehicle, good for 7 days) to access the restaurant or lounge.