Restaurants in Kailua-Kona
Best Restaurants
“Fantastic Poke selection, let’s just start with that!Me and some colleagues were headed to Kona for the afternoon and needed to grab lunch before our first meeting. We were thinking fast food options as we needed something quick, but after some rapid research I found this spot as it was fairly close to the airport and in the area where our meetings were.It’s got a “hole-in-the-wall” vibe to it… no frills! There’s no indoor seating, but a couple plastic benches to sit on outside.The service team were very friendly and offered their recommendations on what to try.I ordered to #1 Hapaha with the Shoyu Poke, Kim Chee, and seaweed (Ocean) salad. All of it was amazing! I really wanted to try the Tako poke, but I’ll have to save that for the next time. Honestly though, I want to try all of it, at one sitting!Anyways, I highly, HIGHLY recommend this joint! It’s what the locals call da kine!!!”
“Locally sourced food prepared daily. The freshness of it all comes with every bite. Reasonably priced but it is a la carte so be mindful. You'll wish you another stomach once you're full. Go and try them, you'll be glad you did. My next visit to Kona, I'm going back!”
“We tried the chicken katsu, the wontons, the smoked pork, and the spicy furikake karagi. The katsu had such a good crunch, the wontons were filled with smoked meat and the flavor of the wontons themselves was mildly sweet. The smoked pork was tender and juicy with a very nice smoky flavor. The atmosphere was very casual, and the place seemed to be owned by a lovely family. Would recommend.”
“We had an amazing dinner last night at Seiji's. Everything was delicious and so fresh. It's very intimate and feels like you're having an amazing dinner and someone's home. we are hoping that we can go back for another delicious meal before we leave the island.”
“Our group of 8 had such a good experience here. The hostess was friendly and accommodating, our server was so patient and good-natured, and the food was EXCELLENT. The Margherita pizza and beyond burger were some of the best food we had during our time on the islands. Also great water views and beer selection. The only thing that wasn’t great was the digital menu - it was confusing - many clicks to view the options. But we would come back anytime!”
Restaurants by Cuisine
“We ordered 5 specialty rolls for takeout and really enjoyed them all. The ingredients tasted super fresh, service was quick and friendly. We’re really looking forward to going back to try more rolls. It’s a huge plus that they’re open all day as most other sushi spots in the area close between lunch and dinner service- it was great being able to pick up at 5pm. Thanks Taka!!”
“Small place, big flavor!!This gem is tucked off the main street. Everything is made FRESH to order: we’ve been twice and everything was GREAT. Burgers live up to the hype. Prices are very reasonable.A handful of tables outside, and a small dining area inside. Super nice staff and ordering system (order and pay at the counter, then receive a buzzer). Ask for a loyalty card because you will be back!Jan 2024Wheelchair accessibility: Pavement & ramps”
“This is not the easiest place to find because there are no outside signs. It is located within the International Center food court with about six other food businesses. It's best to park at the back of the building.The food here is authentic, well prepared, and quite tasty.This building is outdated and uninspiring, but the common area of tables is open to outdoors and airy.If you found this review to be helpful please consider adding a thumbs up. ?”
Restaurants with Delivery
“Since it was my first trip to Kona I was excited to taste Kona coffee and my experience at Kona Coffee Cafe exceeded my expectations not only with the taste of their coffee but also their fantastic customer service! I approached the counter and their friendly, welcoming employee asked me if I would be interested in trying a sample of coffee. After asking me the type and flavor of coffee I normally preferred, she recommended and provided me five samples of different blends. I decided on the Peaberry dark roast and had several pounds shipped to my home, but enjoyed a cup of the flavorful coconut cream as I finished my order!”
“We went for lunch and I was thinking simple pizza. The only pizza they had was Pizza al Taglio. I was reluctant because it sounded like too much stuff on it. Fortunately, my friend won out and we got it. It was insanely good in a world where great vegan pizza is so hard to come by. The cheese was delicious and somehow the jackfruit tasted like the best fennel sausage from pre-vegan days. I will surely be dreaming about this pizza until next February when we're back again. So glad I didn't miss this!!”
“Amazing food, extremely polite waitress. They just started staying open tell 5:00, and seating customers until 4:30 on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, glad we decided to have an early dinner. Highly recommend. Def will send any friends that are visiting the island to eat here.”
“I love this place. They have the most incredible fish tacos I’ve ever had. The food here has so much flavor. The mango sauce is spicy and delicious. Can’t wait to continue to bring my family to this awesome food truck.”
“Fantastic Poke selection, let’s just start with that!Me and some colleagues were headed to Kona for the afternoon and needed to grab lunch before our first meeting. We were thinking fast food options as we needed something quick, but after some rapid research I found this spot as it was fairly close to the airport and in the area where our meetings were.It’s got a “hole-in-the-wall” vibe to it… no frills! There’s no indoor seating, but a couple plastic benches to sit on outside.The service team were very friendly and offered their recommendations on what to try.I ordered to #1 Hapaha with the Shoyu Poke, Kim Chee, and seaweed (Ocean) salad. All of it was amazing! I really wanted to try the Tako poke, but I’ll have to save that for the next time. Honestly though, I want to try all of it, at one sitting!Anyways, I highly, HIGHLY recommend this joint! It’s what the locals call da kine!!!”
“Locally sourced food prepared daily. The freshness of it all comes with every bite. Reasonably priced but it is a la carte so be mindful. You'll wish you another stomach once you're full. Go and try them, you'll be glad you did. My next visit to Kona, I'm going back!”
“Made a good Manhattan, but out of cherries. I was hoping they would have had UFC or the Rainbow Warriors game on, but no. No wifi, limited reception. Tasty pupus.”
“You can do it. Especially as coffeeLover. The beans and the style are something special. However, also expensive. The plantation is also beautifully situated in the small jungle.”
“Happened across this place looking for a sunset dinner to celebrate our daughter’s birthday. The food & service were incredible and we had the perfect table on the patio to watch the sunset. We tried the kahlua pork egg rolls, carpaccio of the day, dynamite fries, ahi tuna salad, macadamia hibachi chicken, poke bowl, poke tacos, ube oreo cheesecake. Everything was delicious, probably the best meal we’ve ever had on the 5 years we’ve been to Kona. Small venue so you should make a reservation or expect a wait. We parked in the paid lot across the street. Don’t miss this place!”
“We had an amazing dinner last night at Seiji's. Everything was delicious and so fresh. It's very intimate and feels like you're having an amazing dinner and someone's home. we are hoping that we can go back for another delicious meal before we leave the island.”
“Our group of 8 had such a good experience here. The hostess was friendly and accommodating, our server was so patient and good-natured, and the food was EXCELLENT. The Margherita pizza and beyond burger were some of the best food we had during our time on the islands. Also great water views and beer selection. The only thing that wasn’t great was the digital menu - it was confusing - many clicks to view the options. But we would come back anytime!”
“We ordered 5 specialty rolls for takeout and really enjoyed them all. The ingredients tasted super fresh, service was quick and friendly. We’re really looking forward to going back to try more rolls. It’s a huge plus that they’re open all day as most other sushi spots in the area close between lunch and dinner service- it was great being able to pick up at 5pm. Thanks Taka!!”
“Amazing coffee and exceptional service, this place was full of history, the lady I spoke to was very knowledgeable about the process from farm to this store. I forgot her name but she was a great listener!”
“I went to Hawaii Island in August last year. I got addicted to shave ice at this store. It looks like shaved ice, but it has ice cream inside, which creates a very exquisite taste. You can also choose from three types of syrup. If you come to Hawaii, be sure to try shave ice!”
“Small place, big flavor!!This gem is tucked off the main street. Everything is made FRESH to order: we’ve been twice and everything was GREAT. Burgers live up to the hype. Prices are very reasonable.A handful of tables outside, and a small dining area inside. Super nice staff and ordering system (order and pay at the counter, then receive a buzzer). Ask for a loyalty card because you will be back!Jan 2024Wheelchair accessibility: Pavement & ramps”
“Shimaichi has become a go-to sushi spot for my family anytime we are in Kona. The fresh, high-quality sushi is worth returning for time and again. We decided to celebrate Valentine's Day there this year and made reservations ahead of time. When we arrived, the restaurant was quite busy with other couples and families out for the holiday. With just one server handling all the tables, service was understandably slower than usual. However, each dish that emerged from the kitchen proved the wait worthwhile. We ordered a few specialty rolls along with nigiri and sashimi. The innovative combinations of flavors and textures in rolls like the Pink Lady and Black Tiger dazzled our palates. And the nigiri featured thick cuts of the freshest ahi, salmon and hamachi - absolute melt-in-your-mouth perfection. Despite being short-staffed for the holiday rush, the sushi chefs crafted each roll with precision and care. None of the complex flavors or intricate presentations were lost. The exquisite tastes transported us right to the shores of Japan. For consistently exceptional sushi, impeccable freshness and taste combinations that impress, Shimaichi is a must. The relaxed, contemporary atmosphere provides the perfect setting for enjoying culinary works of art. It may take a little patience on busy nights, but the top-notch sushi is worth the wait. Shimaichi remains one of our go-to island celebrations spots.”
“Great food, very friendly staff, and good location with good vibes and good music.Parking: Parking behind the building actually has enough spaces but they are a bit skinny so do your neighbors a favor and take the time to straighten out your car so someone can get in next to you.”
“Upscale when it comes to breweries. Nice building and outdoor space. Lots of beers on tap, both their standards and experimental beers. Kona is doing a great job!”
Online Reservation Available
“Upscale when it comes to breweries. Nice building and outdoor space. Lots of beers on tap, both their standards and experimental beers. Kona is doing a great job!”
“Absolutely delicious ahi tuna nachos. Also quality of the cocktails is exceptional ?Service - amazing. Bartender aka waitress forgot to bring a cocktail at first time, and then did not included it in the bill because of that.Absolutely brilliant place!”
“Food was really good including appetizer, entrees and dessert as were the drinks but everything was overpriced. You can't beat the views sitting at a table right by the ocean and watching the sunset so that's what you're paying for. It's nice ambiance and a very romantic setting. Service was good and they always kept our water glasses full. If you're not staying at the Four Seasons, show up early and give yourself time to walk along the sidewalk in front of the beach as it's a beautiful setting. It's a very nice place for special occasions.”
“Fantastic food, excellent atmosphere and the view is fantastic! Ali'i Drive and view of Kona Harbor is breathtaking while you eat. If you get a chance, come here for dinner. I recommend either the monchong with creamy risotto or the ultimate seafood pasta! This is our favorite restaurant on the big island! Mahalo Fish Hopper! ??”
“Great dinner atmosphere. There is a kids menu, even though it's not listed online or on their QR code. It started to rain while we were there but we're protected by the oversized umbrellas. My wife had the guava pork and I had the mahi mahi tacos. Both were good and portions were what you could expect when paying for the ”
“Kenichi has Happy Hour when they open at 4:30pm, but only in the bar. It's a substantial discount on rolls and drinks. So, people show up as early as 4pm to stand/sit on line to get into the bar area. We did that again, and had some great sushi rolls at a great price. The rice is tender, the rolls are well made and the fish is exceedingly fresh. This is a deal that can''t be beat. On top of that, the bar staff at this place are top notch and keep up with the happy hour crowd as a matter of course. If you want an elevated experience, the dining room is very nice, as is the sushi bar. For a bargain though, the happy hour is the bomb.”
“Food is awesome delicious and it is one of the best places to eat Crab lobster, crayfish, and shrimp cajun food is the bomb they loaded it all in the pan it looked and tasted so good. and the services is amazing.”
“Excellent char siu fried rice and great portion. I order with extra pork. Have not eaten much off the large menu but the Chinese food is good and to go service is fast!”
“From the time we were seated until our last bite of food we loved our visit.Brianna was our server tonight and we couldn't have hand picked her ourselves! Friendly ( best smile ever ) efficient, and brought out our food still hot. She always checked our drinks and water, asked if we were needing anything else Jeff (owner) you hired a great one !)Mahalo”
“It's an older building, but is stays busy for a reason. The food is great. I had Pho with brisket and flank, I ate and drank every bit. We'll be back next trip.Parking: It's in a strip mall with plenty of parking.”
“Seafood was very fresh and live. They set up everything for the bbq. Also have eating tools, spices and sauces provided. Very convenience and clean. Staff onsite are friendly and nice. Help me order and prepare the food, and provide cooking tips. Very helpful. First taste abalones sweet and tender. Not chewy at all. Love it and will go back again.”
“L&L never disappoints. Always generous with portions. The staff at this location was very polite. Including the cooks. Always smiling interactions are very friendly. Love this place. Mahalo??”
“We originally Googled to find this place, and we thought it was an oceanfront restaurant... although it's not Oceanfront it is a pleasant atmosphere and the food is actually surprisingly good for a good value. Probably the best tofu I've ever ”
“Had dinner here just before sunset on a Thursday evening. Not too busy. Enjoyed happy hour from a table overlooking the sea wall across the street. Outstanding stuffed chicken breast for my wife and blackened ono for me (catch of the day). We were well taken care of by the wait staff. Altogether a wonderful evening, just as we'd expect from a top-notch restaurant "downtown" Kona midweek.”
“We stopped by for most of the days of our visit. Affordable dishes, and spam musubis for our beach days. You pay for what you get, it is cheap, and a little on the greasy side. otherwise, recommend to stop by.”
“Some amazing pizza and garlic bites!! Yes they are only open at certain times, he’ll explain why if you ask. Yes they are in a different area that doesn’t seem right when you roll down the street. Go - you you won’t regret ”
14
Huggo's
“Love this place!! Sunset meal that blew us away!!!The great: our server Marley’s attitude set the mood for a great meal. She was amazing.The sunset view took our breath away.The fish entrees, while just a little pricey were worth every penny.Drinks were great but couldn’t tell if light on the alcohol or if mixers did a great job masking the boozey flavor.Got a table for two at peak hours (5:45) immediatelyRoom for improvement: I like a little more liquor in my drinks for the price. They were too delicious/sweet, like a juice… so they were almost gone a minute after they hit the table… I like to sip on mine over the course of a meal. But still, great drinks. Maybe make ‘em a little bigger or add more liquor.The Cajun seared tuna app was also a little on the small side. Although, It was a perfect cut of tuna unlike what I can get on the mainland. Everything on the plate was grade A. I just wish it was a little more food, otherwise I would have ordered one for each of us.Altogether this was a 5 star meal. I think if you wanna have one of the best meals of your life you can have that here, but know it will be pricey and you may have to wait a lil for service. During the wait, take the time to unwind, enjoy the atmosphere, get to know your server, and order the most expensive stuff on the menu — and a whole lot of it and you will leave here really blown away.”
“If you want to impress your date or you're looking for somewhere chill and relaxed without it being too crowded, this is the place. Food is good and of course service is great. It's part of Four Seasons so you'll have to drive through the gate and find parking deeper in (lots of spots).”
Takeout Restaurants
“This bakery definitely deserves 5 stars. The ladies working the day we went were so friendly and recommended a few items to us. We ended up getting 1/2 dozen malasadas and they were all amazing.”
“Only one group allowed in the shop! The kids liked the ice-cream. They have 2 picnic tables outside for you to eat at but they are a safety hazard. It's so wobbly it's liable to ”
“We tried the chicken katsu, the wontons, the smoked pork, and the spicy furikake karagi. The katsu had such a good crunch, the wontons were filled with smoked meat and the flavor of the wontons themselves was mildly sweet. The smoked pork was tender and juicy with a very nice smoky flavor. The atmosphere was very casual, and the place seemed to be owned by a lovely family. Would recommend.”
“First time trying real poke! Not a big fan of anything raw but decided since I'm in Hawaii, I need to try poke. This place was pretty straightforward with its options and had great ones. I went with a poke bowl with rice, shrimp, and dynamite (not really sure all it had) but nonetheless it had a great flavor.”
“Awesome lattes and doughnuts. The sign up front is missing right now, it is the last shop in the building next to Na Hoku. Strip of ocean view with the tables out front.”
“My husband and I went to the Grand Re-Opening celebration! They had live music and plenty of seating despite the crowd. I ordered the smoked chicken and my husband ordered the combo of brisket and pulled pork. Our sides were rice, baked beans, and smoked mac n cheese. Everything was delicious! The meat was so tender and flavorful! We were very satisfied with everything. Chef AJ is amazing! We highly recommend :)”
“Vibes - 5/5 Coffee - 4.5/5 Service - 3/5 (very friendly, but slow due to understaffing ) Ordered ube latte, Lily special (matcha latte with ube sweet cream), and two Americanos. Everything was pretty good, but I wish the ube sweet cream on both the ube latte and Lily special was more noticeable. Food takes a looong time to come out, so don't order any if you have someplace to be. The loaded spam musubi was good, but a bit too salty, and a little heavy on the Sriracha and mayonnaise sauces. The smoked Ahi toast was really good, but could use more ahi. Everything here is a little on the pricey side, so just keep that in mind. It was a very popular place, though, and the line was out the door.”
“This is not the easiest place to find because there are no outside signs. It is located within the International Center food court with about six other food businesses. It's best to park at the back of the building.The food here is authentic, well prepared, and quite tasty.This building is outdated and uninspiring, but the common area of tables is open to outdoors and airy.If you found this review to be helpful please consider adding a thumbs up. ?”
“Shimaichi has become a go-to sushi spot for my family anytime we are in Kona. The fresh, high-quality sushi is worth returning for time and again. We decided to celebrate Valentine's Day there this year and made reservations ahead of time. When we arrived, the restaurant was quite busy with other couples and families out for the holiday. With just one server handling all the tables, service was understandably slower than usual. However, each dish that emerged from the kitchen proved the wait worthwhile. We ordered a few specialty rolls along with nigiri and sashimi. The innovative combinations of flavors and textures in rolls like the Pink Lady and Black Tiger dazzled our palates. And the nigiri featured thick cuts of the freshest ahi, salmon and hamachi - absolute melt-in-your-mouth perfection. Despite being short-staffed for the holiday rush, the sushi chefs crafted each roll with precision and care. None of the complex flavors or intricate presentations were lost. The exquisite tastes transported us right to the shores of Japan. For consistently exceptional sushi, impeccable freshness and taste combinations that impress, Shimaichi is a must. The relaxed, contemporary atmosphere provides the perfect setting for enjoying culinary works of art. It may take a little patience on busy nights, but the top-notch sushi is worth the wait. Shimaichi remains one of our go-to island celebrations spots.”
“Perfect spot for a quick breakfast. I got the lavender latte that was delicious! A little more milky than I like but still good and not too sweet. Also can we talk about the papaya!! ITS AN ENTIRE HALF OF A PAPAYA! Filled with your choice of chia pudding or yogurt. I got half and half. The yogurt was much more refreshing but the chia had a fun texture I enjoyed. Also has a beautiful outdoor seating that id recommend way more than the indoor seating.”
“Its a completely vegan and vegetarian restaurant located in the middle of a parking lot in Kona.The food options are amazing. Variety of vegan burgers, vegan pizzas and salads on the menu. We tried the taro burger and a pizza. Also this place has some amazing smoothies that you must try.The guy who took our order was really sweet.”
“This place!!!! UNBELIEVABLE FRESHNESS!!!!!! I stoped in to pick up some sweets for a visit to my friends home. It was a toss up between this and another establishment. Man ohh man am I glad I came here. I purchased the donuts on top shelf for my friends home visit. And also got 4 with custard on the bottom. The sugar coated ones. They were unbelievable. The filling in each is generous but not too sweet. I ate 4 of those babies by myself. I will definitely return here to get another fix before we fly out to NYC. Highly recommended.”
“Went for the coffee. They had good coffee. Next time I'll have to try their food. It looked really good. It was a good start to the mornings that I went.Parking: It's in a shopping center. I did not have any issues parking close.”
“Some amazing pizza and garlic bites!! Yes they are only open at certain times, he’ll explain why if you ask. Yes they are in a different area that doesn’t seem right when you roll down the street. Go - you you won’t regret ”
“This shop is a small counter-service spot with some outdoor seating available. The bowl was cool and refreshing, and the fruit toppings were fresh, but the açai base was too sweet for my liking and was likely store bought -- you couldn't taste the sourness that you'd get with a fresh base. There was a lot of granola, but it was a quality mix. The small (16oz) bowl came out to a little over $12 which is the cheapest I've seen on the downtown kona strip. Service was very quick and polite -- maybe only 3minutes between when I ordered and got my bowl. They also serve shaved ice and drinks, however I only tried the açai.”
“Rare good Chinese food fresh not overly greasey good ac clean dinning room good service overall good place to eat as a local in konaNoodles spring rolls beef broccoli orange chicken ”
“Such an unassuming location but this place is more than meets the eye! This was my first time here, I went thinking I wanted a fish dish but decided to try their loco moco. They had 4 varieties and I had the one called Brahda’s Moco and damn it was good! I definitely will be back for that again but also looking forward to trying their other menu items as well!”
“We ended up here after another restaurant where we had reservations never acknowledged us. We were very glad we did! Wifey has steak Pho and I had the beef ribs and fried rice. All of it was loaded with flavor and the portions were more than ample! Neither of us could finish our meal and we will likely be back!Parking: They validate the parking.”
Drive-Thru Restaurants
“Sometimes it is just good to see a familiar face!DQ and Orange Julius are a match made in heaven! Excellent service! A nice, new, clean place. Not as many options as some DQs I have been at in the past but Orange Julius definitely fills that gap! I got a strawberry Julius that was just what the doctor ordered after a beautiful day taking in the sun in paradise!”
“I love Starbucks ❤️. It doesn't matter which store I go too it is always a good experience!!!I worked for 10 yrs as a Starbucks manager. My favorite job ever. I wish the Partners now knew how lucky they are to be employed by such a great company. Buy there stock for your future??”
“I didn't see any branding outside of the Walmart store showing there was a McD here. We took our chances (most of the ones near home in CA removed their McD) since we needed other items and didn't want to pay over the already higher costs for goods.This McDonalds was just like anywhere else. No special menu items that I saw. One minor incident but nothing out of the norm for McDonalds.Just after paying, I thought I was supposed to get 1 more drink but I was corrected by the cashier (and she was right) who had an attitude as if they could do no wrong. In the end, they forgot sauces and I was missing 1 lg fry. So, not sure why the atittude, only to make 2 errors at the end.”
“Typical excellent Starbucks experience. Great service and quality product. Clean place. Lots of indoor and outdoor seating. Great place to study or work too. Drive through.”
“Reliable consistent fast food. Good burgers. After being let down by several of the local restaurants we grabbed a quick bite here after a long day. Tasted great.”
“What can I say it's McDonald's! It used to be very expensive here on the island now it's fairly priced and still great food. Shakes are really good! Fries are still salty!”
“The fries at this location have been consistently HOT AND FRESH! Lines can be long even if you use the mobile order. McDonald’s shrinkflation and prices are a little crazy (and not just bc it’s in Hawaii).”
“We ordered through DoorDash (almost ordered Subway and so glad we didn't). Wow, we're lucky to have a place like this in Kona! Don't settle for basic sandwiches, mac salad, or even pickles from just anywhere here- Christine's raised the bar. Nothing else like it here.”
“Absolutely delicious ahi tuna nachos. Also quality of the cocktails is exceptional ?Service - amazing. Bartender aka waitress forgot to bring a cocktail at first time, and then did not included it in the bill because of that.Absolutely brilliant place!”
“Who knew the best French food was in Kona Hawaii! We loved our meal and experience. We have lived on Oahu for the last two years and came to Kona for a short trip, I can honestly say the best meal we’ve had since living in Hawaii.”
Cheap Eats
“Delicious and authentic local fare made by a lovely local family….counter service in a food court is fast and perfect for to go orders. Best Banana bread and kalua pork we had all week ? I got the laulau and kalua pork mixed plate with poi, lomi-lomi and haupia and it was FANTASTIC….my son loved the poke and made us go BACK for 2 more pans of banana bread before we flew home ?”
“Didn’t eat here but food looked good. Stopped because of location and a dive bar atmosphere. While right on the sidewalk and road, the traffic crawls and the view of the water is the best.”
“Easy place to be with a generous free pour. Nice staff. Self serve for ordering drinksBouncer saw I left my phone behind and came out and flagged me down.Mahalo!!! I would have been in a world of hurt!”
“Best breakfast I've had on any of the Hawaiian Islands!! Expertly prepared breakfast fried rice. Maple bacon mac nut pancakes were at least worthy of a Michelin star. 808 Grindz should not be overlooked. I loved the hometown, family run vibe. It's by far not fancy, which in my opinion is a good thing. It's a place that makes you feel like your home. Incredibly friendly and efficient service with food so damn good you walk away feeling like you should have paid WAY more money for. Which, by the way, there is a tip jar at the front counter that you should absolutely use. Mahalo 808 Grindz, I'll be counting down the days until I come back for more!!”
“Food was great, highly the garlic butter shrimp and furikake chicken . portion sizes were bigger than expected , which was nice . However the order took almost 30 minutes to come out , and they had no bathrooms and no place to sit and eat the food, which is a bummer when you’re traveling as a tourist .”
“We were enthusiastically greeted and offered a free sample immediately as we arrived. They gave us a small sample of each kind of soft serve which made it difficult to decide which one to choose! There are pre designed sundaes or you can build your own with all kinds of fun toppings and drizzle. Don't leave Kona without trying this place at least once!”
“I don't know where the people whose reviews mentioned poor service are coming from. I have NEVER experienced that here, & I come almost every year. I was there this morning and, as always in my experience, it was a little oasis of calm civility & wonderful food & ambiance. They were busy, but everyone was prompt, polite, cheerful & accurate with my order (which was eat in and take out. All I can say is go, you won't be sorry!”
“Awsome spot. View is amazing on the patio with sea view. There is enough shade to sit (in the morning at least). Coffe is good, barista is very friendly. Food is also great. I've had a egg bacon cheddar croissant and it's lovely. I would recommended going here. Even when it is just you alone.”
“Delicious food (chicaron plate) with decent prices. At a food court near Kona International Market and just about 6 min walking from Ola Brew.Got the chicaron lomi lomi plate, Hawaiian style. Asked for spicy Mac as one of the sides (besides the rice). Carried over to Ola and then.....Devoured ?Difference between Filipino and Hawaiian style for the lomi lomi plate is the former uses Paris and the latter uses ?shoyu? vinegar.”
“The Hawaiian shaved ice was delicious but the staff was not very friendly or attentive. They barely spoke to me. The seating wasn’t the most comfortable. It’s kind of a strange location in the back of the resort at the end of Ali’i drive. The Hawaiian shaved ice is worth all of the rest ”
“Perfect stop before the airport. Unassuming industrial area. We were thrifting- 3 places within proximity. Lit and under the radar! Delicious drinks, gorgeous view and breeze. Plus great service. Will def come back when I am in town again. I don't particularly like IPA so had a "hard seltzer something or other" -lillikoi guava I think. I have a feeling you can't go wrong whatever you order. They have flights too. Place is solid and food truck right out front.”
“Hidden Gem - It's hard to find good food in town and the beef melt was awesome! Unfortunately it's one street back from the main road so need to get the word out about this place.”
“I was just learning my self the area. So decided to check out the Gay Bar. The bar man was so friendly. The atmosphere too is unexplainable. Amazing place to unwind, relax over a beautiful mellow music. Of course sipping and ice cold beerWheelchair accessibility: The establishment is situated on the ground floor. Very easily accessible from parking to the bar. There’s plenty room on the inside. Definitely wheelchair accessible”
“On that solo trip...It's a store I remember fondly...Sure! ?A Japanese lady was at the reception desk,Where is my bus stop?When I visited,My grandmother kindly taught meThank you for your help (^^)b◎There are bus stops like in Japan.There are few places where this is clearly the case.It was a problem (ーー;)! ! !Auntie (^^)Thank you~ (^0^happy)/&I was thinking of buying you something as a thank you.I was in a hurry so I didn't buy anything, soI felt sorry for that (^^;)postscriptOn the mobile phone I had at the time,I took a lot of photos from my trip,My phone was damaged, soThis will be a post without photos (ーー;)if? If you are interested in Hawaii Island,Honokaa Boy (Japanese movie)I also recommend it (^^)b◎”
“We ordered food to go for 25 people and Ohana Q did not disappoint! Delicious meats (pork ribs, beef brisket, pulled pork) and yummy sides (Mac salad, cole slaw, smoked Mac and cheese) plus rice.Everything was perfectly cooked, fresh and warm, even though I was late picking it up.Cannot recommend this restaurant enough.Prices were reasonable based on other options, (I could not even find another comparable place tbh) we fed 25 with leftovers for about $550 including tip.Parking: Shopping center lot”
“Either indoor table seating, Ramen bar seating, or nice outdoor patio overlooking the Kona brewery outdoor tanks a few hundred yards. They were absolutely busy. We walked in and asked for a table, yet were immediately seated with no wait due to being a small party. Others didn’t seem to have to wait long. This was the hardest working/most well oiled machine staff I’ve ever seen in my life, no joke. If I moved to Kona, I’d 100% apply here to be a part of this work of art that was their service and chef team. The sushi, pork dumplings, tempura apps, all amazing. We’ll definitely be back, as we did not try the house-made Ramen.”
“We are in town doing the tourist thing and Thai food sounded good. I ordered online close to closing time. My order was ready well ahead of when it was promised. The employees were kind and helpful and even gave me chocolates and a rose since it was Valentine’s Day.,The green curry was absolutely delicious! My mother had the vegetable chow mein and enjoyed it as well.”
“Fish tacos were extremely tasty and different. Wife had the half pound burger...good and different shaped fries were excellent. Kind of thick like steak fries but in a curled manner. Food portions were generous.I generally do not drink Coke but theirs was really good. Fizzy and just the right taste.Prices? Well, in Hawaii what's not expensive. Party of three, no alcohol, $85 plus a cash $20 tip.Parking: Park in back. Generous size lot.Wheelchair accessibility: Easy.”
“Food was really good including appetizer, entrees and dessert as were the drinks but everything was overpriced. You can't beat the views sitting at a table right by the ocean and watching the sunset so that's what you're paying for. It's nice ambiance and a very romantic setting. Service was good and they always kept our water glasses full. If you're not staying at the Four Seasons, show up early and give yourself time to walk along the sidewalk in front of the beach as it's a beautiful setting. It's a very nice place for special occasions.”
“Read a review that said best blended coffee so we had to try it. DEFINITELY the best blended coffee. I got a blended white chocolate Mac nut mocha and it was amazing. Staff is also SO friendly and nice”
27
pac5dc
“We arrived at 4:45pm on a Monday and the restaurant was nearly full- a great sign. We were seated at a table for two and waited on promptly. The menu is extensive but we found an appetizer and two entrees and placed our order relatively quickly. Staff was friendly, efficient and our meals: pad tai, roasted eggplant and Tom ka with chicken, were all excellent. Highly recommend!”
“Fire food! Check these guys out!Own a restaurant on island and know how hard it is right now in this staffing environment to deliver day after day and these guys do! Had their pineapple fried rice with shrimp tonight and didn’t disappoint.”
“One of the best restaurants in Kona! Prices are high but not outrageous. Great place to celebrate a birthday or anniversary. Seafood trip is literally perfect every time.”
“Food was excellent and delicious. Service was friendly and cheerful. The kimchi fried rice was standout as was the Hawaiian spicy chicken Bao and burnt pork belly ends. The food was so great I bought the kitchen a round of beers.”
Latest Reviews
“Since it was my first trip to Kona I was excited to taste Kona coffee and my experience at Kona Coffee Cafe exceeded my expectations not only with the taste of their coffee but also their fantastic customer service! I approached the counter and their friendly, welcoming employee asked me if I would be interested in trying a sample of coffee. After asking me the type and flavor of coffee I normally preferred, she recommended and provided me five samples of different blends. I decided on the Peaberry dark roast and had several pounds shipped to my home, but enjoyed a cup of the flavorful coconut cream as I finished my order!”
“This place was super convenient right next to the Courtyard so we ducked in around 7:30pm. Ahi ahi fish tacos were cooked to perfection and tasted amazing. Unfortunately the only negative I have is that the waitress was visibly upset and was not keeping it to herself. Made us uncomfortable but the food certainly made up for it.”
“Top Notch place! Great food, fantastic actually- all locally grown- I met the owner during Covid - what a wonderful human she isCan't say enough good about this place”
“Food was really good including appetizer, entrees and dessert as were the drinks but everything was overpriced. You can't beat the views sitting at a table right by the ocean and watching the sunset so that's what you're paying for. It's nice ambiance and a very romantic setting. Service was good and they always kept our water glasses full. If you're not staying at the Four Seasons, show up early and give yourself time to walk along the sidewalk in front of the beach as it's a beautiful setting. It's a very nice place for special occasions.”
“Great view! The service was great. All the girls were very friendly and attentive. Food was amazing. We stopped in for breakfast and had the grilled fish and eggs. The ono was cooked perfectly. Large servings!!”
“Uber eats your heart out!!! This is a fantastic locally owned and operated food delivery service. The website works great and the service is superb. Amazing how well it all works. Highly recommend. Now go place your order already.”
“Our group of 8 had such a good experience here. The hostess was friendly and accommodating, our server was so patient and good-natured, and the food was EXCELLENT. The Margherita pizza and beyond burger were some of the best food we had during our time on the islands. Also great water views and beer selection. The only thing that wasn’t great was the digital menu - it was confusing - many clicks to view the options. But we would come back anytime!”
“Tried 3 different drilled signatures and they were all really good! It was a cute place & we want to go back for boba and more ice cream! It was quick too!:)”
Most Popular Restaurants
“Fantastic food, excellent atmosphere and the view is fantastic! Ali'i Drive and view of Kona Harbor is breathtaking while you eat. If you get a chance, come here for dinner. I recommend either the monchong with creamy risotto or the ultimate seafood pasta! This is our favorite restaurant on the big island! Mahalo Fish Hopper! ??”
“From the time we were seated until our last bite of food we loved our visit.Brianna was our server tonight and we couldn't have hand picked her ourselves! Friendly ( best smile ever ) efficient, and brought out our food still hot. She always checked our drinks and water, asked if we were needing anything else Jeff (owner) you hired a great one !)Mahalo”
“Vibes - 5/5 Coffee - 4.5/5 Service - 3/5 (very friendly, but slow due to understaffing ) Ordered ube latte, Lily special (matcha latte with ube sweet cream), and two Americanos. Everything was pretty good, but I wish the ube sweet cream on both the ube latte and Lily special was more noticeable. Food takes a looong time to come out, so don't order any if you have someplace to be. The loaded spam musubi was good, but a bit too salty, and a little heavy on the Sriracha and mayonnaise sauces. The smoked Ahi toast was really good, but could use more ahi. Everything here is a little on the pricey side, so just keep that in mind. It was a very popular place, though, and the line was out the door.”
“Great dinner atmosphere. There is a kids menu, even though it's not listed online or on their QR code. It started to rain while we were there but we're protected by the oversized umbrellas. My wife had the guava pork and I had the mahi mahi tacos. Both were good and portions were what you could expect when paying for the ”
“Food was great, highly the garlic butter shrimp and furikake chicken . portion sizes were bigger than expected , which was nice . However the order took almost 30 minutes to come out , and they had no bathrooms and no place to sit and eat the food, which is a bummer when you’re traveling as a tourist .”
“Kenichi has Happy Hour when they open at 4:30pm, but only in the bar. It's a substantial discount on rolls and drinks. So, people show up as early as 4pm to stand/sit on line to get into the bar area. We did that again, and had some great sushi rolls at a great price. The rice is tender, the rolls are well made and the fish is exceedingly fresh. This is a deal that can''t be beat. On top of that, the bar staff at this place are top notch and keep up with the happy hour crowd as a matter of course. If you want an elevated experience, the dining room is very nice, as is the sushi bar. For a bargain though, the happy hour is the bomb.”
“I had the hawaiian chicken sandwich and it was phenomenal I really enjoyed it, and for dessert I shared the kona inn mud pie with my family it was amazing and made me wish I could eat it more often overall I thoroughly enjoyed my dinner.”
“We love Foster's kitchen. Food is always tasty, service is on point and the view is great. We always come here for a few meals when on the island. Love the happy hour discount too!”
“Good pizza easy to get to with parking available. We normally go to the Black Rock Pizza in Captain Cook, and it is some of the best pizza I have found on the island. I saw that they opened up in Kailua-Kona right off Ali'i, so we gave it a try. The pizza is very good, not at all disappointing. I do favor the Captain Cook location maybe because of the ambiance and the view. I am not a big beer drinker but Captain Cook offers beer,wine and hard liquor whole currently the Kailua'Koba location does not offer alcohol. But the pizza is very good. The staff and service is great. They are on top of your need while there.”
“I reserve my five star reviews for a really exceptional experience but I do love this restaurant! We have visited twice. Our server both times was Jack and he is excellent. Our dinners were all top notch for quality and portion size. Sadly we are leaving the Island but will be back next year and Kona Pasta Company will be our first visit!”
“Stopped in Humpys for a quick drink & they had an awesome beer selection! A lot of drafts to choose from. Our waitress was really friendly and provided great service! Would definitely recommend and we will be back when we visit again.”
“First time trying real poke! Not a big fan of anything raw but decided since I'm in Hawaii, I need to try poke. This place was pretty straightforward with its options and had great ones. I went with a poke bowl with rice, shrimp, and dynamite (not really sure all it had) but nonetheless it had a great flavor.”
“Honestly my expectations for this place weren't high as the atmosphere is very geared towards tourists. However the food was very good! We had the loco loco and the fish tacos. Both were very flavorful! Would recommend these dishes.Service was also quick and friendly!Parking: Very limited street parking.”
“Very yummy pizza. Quick friendly service. Lots of specialty pizzas to choose from or create your own. Full bar. The crust wasn’t too doughy and had a nice crispness. Lots of pasta options as well.”
“I went to Hawaii Island in August last year. I got addicted to shave ice at this store. It looks like shaved ice, but it has ice cream inside, which creates a very exquisite taste. You can also choose from three types of syrup. If you come to Hawaii, be sure to try shave ice!”
“We went for lunch and I was thinking simple pizza. The only pizza they had was Pizza al Taglio. I was reluctant because it sounded like too much stuff on it. Fortunately, my friend won out and we got it. It was insanely good in a world where great vegan pizza is so hard to come by. The cheese was delicious and somehow the jackfruit tasted like the best fennel sausage from pre-vegan days. I will surely be dreaming about this pizza until next February when we're back again. So glad I didn't miss this!!”