Restaurants in Kailua-Kona
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Best Restaurants
“Clean tables, friendly staff, roomy and THE BEST WAFFLE WE EVER HAD!!!! Gotta do the CHANTILLY WAFFLE ! We loved the Big Island Grill so much, we went three times for breakfast during our vacay. Hubby LOVED the Loco Moco. I wish this restaurant existed in our town 💕 and seriously the chantilly waffle deserves an award ⭐️”
“Delicious food! Fast service! Astonishing portions! This is a must go to if you're in Kona!”
Restaurants by Cuisine
“Service was very good. Waitresses were kind and attentive.
Food ordered:
Shrimp tempura: very crispy, light and flavorful tempura. The oil tasted clean and shrimp fresh
Unagi Bento Box: Goyza were a little greasy but flavorful; Miso was very strong, lots of tofu pieces; Unagi was large, good flavor, cooked well
Jasmine Iced Tea: Very good flavor
Cons: They DO NOT serve alcohol. No wine or beer”
Restaurants with Delivery
“We showed up around 12:45 on a Saturday in early May and they only had 1 kind of poke left (Hawaiian). And all their dessert parfaits were sold out. I will say that the quality of the ahi was 10/10, trimmed perfectly and truly melted in your mouth. I didn't care for the Rock salt in the Hawaiian style poke, it was too salty and I would not order it again. But the fish was fantastic and the rice was spot on. Next time we go back we will be sure to go before noon to have more options for ordering!”
“Clean tables, friendly staff, roomy and THE BEST WAFFLE WE EVER HAD!!!! Gotta do the CHANTILLY WAFFLE ! We loved the Big Island Grill so much, we went three times for breakfast during our vacay. Hubby LOVED the Loco Moco. I wish this restaurant existed in our town 💕 and seriously the chantilly waffle deserves an award ⭐️”
“We happened upon this place last week on vacation, and went back again the next day. Absolutely delicious Thai food, with a lot of vegetarian options. Friendly wait staff, and easy location with parking available. Highly recommend!”
“Super great food, with an Asian touch. The poke and the fries were amazing!”
Online Reservation Available
“Listen, when I tell you this is one of my favorite restaurants on the Island, I mean it. Luke is our guy and has always taken such good care of us. I've never had a bad meal or experience that Luke didn't take care of himself. The man is in a league of his own. The food is amazing, Chef prepares them phenomenally. In fact I think we want to make another reservation for tonight. See you guys there.”
“Great menu and drink selections. The atmosphere is so relaxed and the ocean is just a few feet away. Samantha and Ryan are two of the best, and the rest of the crew are fantastic as well. You can sit outside or in, or bs with the bartenders. Love this place. 10 stars”
“My wife and I celebrated our 20th Anniversary on the Big Island and wanted to experience the best the island had to offer. Ulu Ocean Grille did not disappoint! Here is a summary of our dinner: We thoroughly enjoyed the Ebi Tempura roll - (it was good enough that we have encouraged several family members to join us at Ulu this evening for sushi and dinner) For our entrées we had the Mahi Mahi and the Spicy Crab Noodles. Both were perfectly prepared, very flavorful, and the presentation was perfect. For dessert, we couldn't decide between the chocolate or vanilla (the flavor of the evening) soufflé, so we got one of each (you only celebrate 20 years once!). Again, perfectly prepared and presented and was thoroughly enjoyed. And I can't overstate how excellent the service was. The staff went out of their way to make the experience memorable. It was the best dining experience I have ever had and I don't expect to top it soon, unless they outdo themselves when we return this evening. Ulu & Four Seasons Resort - well done!”
“We had a fantastic dinner, with outstanding service by Precious! She was a delight to talk with and paid very close attention to us throughout the evening. The octopus for an appetizer was so very delicious and our meals of Sea Bass and pasta with truffles and mushrooms were amazing! The atmosphere is beautiful with an ocean view and live music in the background. A bit on the pricy side, but if looking to splurge, a wonderful place for dinner!”
“This is a nice family owned business with convenient hours and location. They are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I'm a vegetarian, so I tried the Vegetable Fried Rice. It was decent. The portion was extremely large. I was able to get two meals out of it. Based on this experience, I would be willing to return and try other menu items. Service was very polite and the atmosphere was comfortable. I love the way they use their windows to display their menu!”
“The best salad I’ve had to date. The server cut the lettuce right off the plant at the table. It doesn’t get much fresher than that. Great experience and the view overlooking the golf course while eating during sunset was spectacular. Do yourself and the love of your life a favor and book it.”
“I was genuinely surprised by the amount and quality of food I got here. I ordered a lunch platter with teriyaki chicken, white rice, and salad. $11 plus tax. There was a really nice generous portion of chicken, and it was tender and well cooked. I'm not saying it was gourmet, but cheap Chinese food this close to the ocean in Hawaii, it was a great deal.”
“Absolutely love this place wonderful Aloha vibes! Live music is also great. 😊”
Takeout Restaurants
“WOW! These are the best donuts I have ever had. We came here with our young family of 6 and started out with 6 donuts and ended up licking the box clean and got another 6. They are perfected, delicious but not too sweet so you can eat and eat! also they are not your regular donut so ask about the flavors!!”
“🌺🤙🏽 Huge shout-out to Kohola Coffee 🐋 🙌
Every time I stop by, I leave feeling so much aloha. This coffee truck is a true gem in our community, with reasonable prices and the freshest local ingredients.
What makes it extra special isn’t just the amazing coffee, it’s the heart behind it. Jeannette built this business from the ground up, and you can feel her passion and hard work in every detail. It’s rare to find a spot that serves incredible drinks and creates such a genuine sense of community, but she’s nailed it.
Even if you’re not a coffee person, there are plenty of other delicious drinks (the matcha is my favorite) and the food always hits the spot. The convenience of the drive-through also makes it so easy to swing by and grab something tasty on the go.
Highly recommend stopping in, it’s the best coffee shop in Kona. Plus supporting a self-made local entrepreneur who pours her heart into everything she does is the best bonus! 🌴✨”
“They make proper espresso coffee here. We're from Australia so have to navigate that in US they put a lot more milk in than we do. Anyway the barista was great and we had 8oz size, 2 shot latte. All v tasty. They had great bagels to go which we got for our trip over the Saddle Road. For those with little kids, they had a lovely set up for kids to play in like a mini cafe with fake food etc, plus kids books etc. A lovely place.”
“WOW! These are the best donuts I have ever had. We came here with our young family of 6 and started out with 6 donuts and ended up licking the box clean and got another 6. They are perfected, delicious but not too sweet so you can eat and eat! also they are not your regular donut so ask about the flavors!!”
“Great night celebrating my Dads visit to Kona. Da Bomb fries and Kona fish tacos were delicious. Service was friendly and attentive, Widdy Loo - entertained- the beautiful Kona sunset was spectacular! Thanks for a wonderful evening!”
“This is an absolute must-visit spot for anyone craving authentic, fresh poke. The quality of the fish is outstanding, and it's clear that they prioritize sourcing the best ingredients possible. The casual, beachside vibe makes it the perfect place to grab a healthy, delicious meal after a day in the sun, and I’m already looking forward to my next visit to try more of their unique flavor combinations.”
Drive-Thru Restaurants
“This was the culinary highlight of our trip to the big island! Sam and Jennifer are super kind in explaining the business-all local ingredients! Premium ingredients (local chocolate, Kona hinted brownies-Mac nut base ice cream)-wowza! Serious stuff! Come support this incredible shop. Yum!”
“This is an absolute must-visit spot for anyone craving authentic, fresh poke. The quality of the fish is outstanding, and it's clear that they prioritize sourcing the best ingredients possible. The casual, beachside vibe makes it the perfect place to grab a healthy, delicious meal after a day in the sun, and I’m already looking forward to my next visit to try more of their unique flavor combinations.”
“Our server Angel was amazing! Super friendly, prompt and engaging!”
“This place is special. Awesome crew , killer food and amazing live music! Only a few years old and already a Kona landmark! Do yourself a flavor and get ya some Willies!!🤙🏽”
Cheap Eats
“The Ono fish and chips.....onolicious. The quality of the ono fish is outstanding. I haven't found anything remotely this good where I live. I believe you definitely get your money's worth! If you haven't tried Pine Tree Cafe, you don't know what you're missing. I guarantee you won't be disappointed. The service was outstanding and the people were very nice and friendly! So what are you waiting for? Get over there and check this place out!
Call ahead if you are pressed for time. Pine tree Cafe is the best!!!”
“I am so in love with this place!!! I feel peaceful, happy, safe, accepted as I am!!! Met lots of super nice people here as well! It started when my friends invited me to meet them 10/23/2021, at the Mask at 1pm- I stayed till closing- they have karaoke songs, I love music! Then asked the owner if I could have my birthday party there. He surprised me by saying “yes” long story short- the rest is history. I look forward to going there, the bartenders are ohana (family) to me, so are the patrons, I feel a connection to others. Comfy, cozy, casual or dressed up, it doesn’t matter!!! Everything they have there I enjoy, trivia, darts, pool table, karaoke, drinks, sells lau lau (a local favorite, pork/salt butterfish in taro leaves-steamed to perfection, so ono -delicious) I am just a regular person, authentic and honest - like the people who are there. It’s a everybody type of place from all walks of life!!! Mahalo for reading my recommendation and hope to see you here! A hui Hou (until we meet again) if you read any bad comments-it’s the person, not the place. Aloha my friends!!! Xoxo 😘 me Ke Aloha pumehana ❤️”
“Sushi Sam was outstanding and easily one of the better sushi meals I’ve had in a long time.
What stood out right away was the quality of the fish. Everything looked pristine the moment it hit the table, and that first impression carried through the entire meal. The nigiri was beautifully cut, clean, delicate and incredibly fresh. This is the kind of place where the ingredients do the heavy lifting because they are that good, and the kitchen is smart enough not to overcomplicate things.
We had a range of nigiri, hand rolls and small plates, and everything felt thoughtful and well executed. The fish had real texture and flavor, the rice was right, and the balance in each bite was exactly what you want. A few dishes had a little more flair in presentation, but nothing felt forced or gimmicky. It all still came back to freshness, restraint and quality.
I also appreciated that Sushi Sam does not try to be trendy for the sake of it. It is not one of those places leaning on atmosphere or social media appeal to make up for average food. This place actually delivers where it matters. The menu is strong, the execution is consistent, and there is a quiet confidence to the whole experience.
The service was another big plus. Warm, easy, attentive and professional without being stiff. Everything moved smoothly, dishes came out well paced, and the meal felt relaxed in the best way.
There are plenty of sushi places that are flashy, expensive, or trying hard to be the next big thing. Sushi Sam felt more grounded than that. Just really good sushi, very fresh fish, careful preparation and a restaurant that clearly takes pride in what it serves.
I would absolutely go back and would recommend it without hesitation.”
“Listen, when I tell you this is one of my favorite restaurants on the Island, I mean it. Luke is our guy and has always taken such good care of us. I've never had a bad meal or experience that Luke didn't take care of himself. The man is in a league of his own. The food is amazing, Chef prepares them phenomenally. In fact I think we want to make another reservation for tonight. See you guys there.”
“We got the seafood pasta!! Throughly enjoyed!!! Would recommend. Our steak was also cooked perfectly! Good portions and the food was nice and hot!”
“Excellent beer, great service, nice atmosphere, and good food.
I highly recommend Kona Brewing on your visit to Big Island. I also recommend making reservations, as it's a very popular spot.”
“Great menu and drink selections. The atmosphere is so relaxed and the ocean is just a few feet away. Samantha and Ryan are two of the best, and the rest of the crew are fantastic as well. You can sit outside or in, or bs with the bartenders. Love this place. 10 stars”
“Honestly this place was very good and very fair priced.. the food came out so fast and was packaged well for our to go order. A great meal to bring back to the Airbnb when we needed something quick and other places were closed.”
“We started our first trip Kona side eating and ended it here as well!!! One of the best places in Kona that we found and the staff??? I wanted to take all the ladies home with me!!! They were so cute, so understanding, even when my husband walked away without taking our boxes up food, the waitress walked over cleaned everything up and left the food at the edge so we could see it!!! - sorry but here on Oahu you did that it's straight into the trash!!!
It is with a bowling alley... So... It can get loud but our group thought the food and the service was worth the crashing of pins!!!”
“My wife and I celebrated our 20th Anniversary on the Big Island and wanted to experience the best the island had to offer. Ulu Ocean Grille did not disappoint! Here is a summary of our dinner: We thoroughly enjoyed the Ebi Tempura roll - (it was good enough that we have encouraged several family members to join us at Ulu this evening for sushi and dinner) For our entrées we had the Mahi Mahi and the Spicy Crab Noodles. Both were perfectly prepared, very flavorful, and the presentation was perfect. For dessert, we couldn't decide between the chocolate or vanilla (the flavor of the evening) soufflé, so we got one of each (you only celebrate 20 years once!). Again, perfectly prepared and presented and was thoroughly enjoyed. And I can't overstate how excellent the service was. The staff went out of their way to make the experience memorable. It was the best dining experience I have ever had and I don't expect to top it soon, unless they outdo themselves when we return this evening. Ulu & Four Seasons Resort - well done!”
Latest Reviews
“We were very impressed with the quality of these coffee beans. I wanted to bring home to Michigan authentic Kona Coffee. I paid a high price, however, it was worth it! This coffee is freshly grown in Kailua-Kona. The Peaberry Med Roast is a smooth cup of coffee! We loved it!”
“I recently stopped in to get lunch and they started serving the kalua pork again (My Favorite) this bowl with all the yummy veggies plus the brown rice, extra sweet potato, edamame and miso good dressing was the BOMB! The service here is outstanding, super friendly and nice staff. Definitely recommend stopping here for a healthy and great lunch!”
“My wife and I celebrated our 20th Anniversary on the Big Island and wanted to experience the best the island had to offer. Ulu Ocean Grille did not disappoint! Here is a summary of our dinner: We thoroughly enjoyed the Ebi Tempura roll - (it was good enough that we have encouraged several family members to join us at Ulu this evening for sushi and dinner) For our entrées we had the Mahi Mahi and the Spicy Crab Noodles. Both were perfectly prepared, very flavorful, and the presentation was perfect. For dessert, we couldn't decide between the chocolate or vanilla (the flavor of the evening) soufflé, so we got one of each (you only celebrate 20 years once!). Again, perfectly prepared and presented and was thoroughly enjoyed. And I can't overstate how excellent the service was. The staff went out of their way to make the experience memorable. It was the best dining experience I have ever had and I don't expect to top it soon, unless they outdo themselves when we return this evening. Ulu & Four Seasons Resort - well done!”
“I ate there twice in March, and twice in April, not brisk service, Hawaiian leisure!, but incredible food! The coconut shrimp, with either sauce (although I loved the sweet chili), both panko and beer battered fish and chips were delicious, and I never expected to find THE tastiest BLT sandwich I have ever eaten!”
Most Popular Restaurants
“A great place to grab a bite to eat on the island, one of the best seafood places in Kona. Staff is helpful and friendly, and the building is well maintained and clean, if lacking much character. Excellent and varied menu full of food for every person, local and good!”
“We had a fantastic dinner, with outstanding service by Precious! She was a delight to talk with and paid very close attention to us throughout the evening. The octopus for an appetizer was so very delicious and our meals of Sea Bass and pasta with truffles and mushrooms were amazing! The atmosphere is beautiful with an ocean view and live music in the background. A bit on the pricy side, but if looking to splurge, a wonderful place for dinner!”
“The Ono fish and chips.....onolicious. The quality of the ono fish is outstanding. I haven't found anything remotely this good where I live. I believe you definitely get your money's worth! If you haven't tried Pine Tree Cafe, you don't know what you're missing. I guarantee you won't be disappointed. The service was outstanding and the people were very nice and friendly! So what are you waiting for? Get over there and check this place out!
Call ahead if you are pressed for time. Pine tree Cafe is the best!!!”
New Restaurants
“I was looking up ice cream spots near me during a stay this past week and saw all the glowing reviews and knew I had to try it. Went yesterday a few hours before my flight home and it did not disappoint. I had guava and passionfruit in sweet cream and it was fantastic! So so good. Owner was friendly and nice to chat with :) I only wish I could have tried more flavors but not a bad problem to have ;)”
“Service was very good. Waitresses were kind and attentive.
Food ordered:
Shrimp tempura: very crispy, light and flavorful tempura. The oil tasted clean and shrimp fresh
Unagi Bento Box: Goyza were a little greasy but flavorful; Miso was very strong, lots of tofu pieces; Unagi was large, good flavor, cooked well
Jasmine Iced Tea: Very good flavor
Cons: They DO NOT serve alcohol. No wine or beer”
“An absolute diamond in the rough. Our family of four was visiting from Maui and had breakfast here and everything was yummy, wholesome, and not loaded down with butter/grease like so many other breakfast menus. Plenty of free parking and a very friendly staff. Definitely coming back the next time we’re in Kona.”
“I had the spicy pork cubbap bowl with garlic spinach , and a Tiramisu mochi donut. It was delicious. The shop is spotlessly clean, and the treats look amazing. The staff were friendly and even offered me a sample for the spice level. Prices were fair for Kailua-Kona
A new neighborhood favorite, looking forward to trying the rest of the menu.”
“The food is fabulous, so delish..highly recommend”
“Ono service and food!!! Please go down!”
“A local friend tipped me off to this spot, and it ended up being the highlight of my time on the Big Island. Sitting at Talk Story with a drink in hand at sunset is an absolute must if you’re anywhere nearby. Eric, the bartender, made one of the best cocktails I’ve ever had and was incredibly welcoming and accommodating. After having a drink here, be sure to visit shipwreck bar for some sushi followed by a beach walk. This is the kind of place that makes you want to stay a little longer.”
“It was delicious and great service!”