Very disappointing experience. We made a reservation for 9:00 PM and arrived on time, only to be told that they couldn’t serve us because the kitchen had already closed.
How is it possible to accept a 9:00 PM reservation if the kitchen closes at 9:00 PM? It makes no sense and shows a complete lack of organization and respect for your guests’ time.
For a restaurant that presents itself as a high-end establishment, this level of service is unacceptable. We planned our evening around this reservation and left without being able to dine. Extremely frustrating and very disappointing.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Melinda Smith
Clean, quick & pleasant service with delicious tasting good food 😋 👌
Jackie Jones
We made a reservation a week ago for an ocean side table to celebrate my husband’s 65th birthday and retirement with our family.
We arrived on time for our reservation tonight and were told we could not sit at the table or any of the open ocean side tables because someone else would be sitting there. The table we reserved was empty and nobody else was waiting but us. The hostess was not helpful and didn’t care that we had a reservation, so we asked to speak to the manager. The manager told us she was unable to look up reservations because their computer was down. I asked how do you know someone else has the table then? Her tone was extremely rude and she refused to look on the notebook where reservations were apparently also made.
I looked at my husband and said, “They are saving it for someone they know.” The hostess and manager just stood there. Their dishonest behavior ruined what should have been a pleasant dining experience and celebration. We walked away and had to find a new place to eat dinner.
Poor customer service. Be careful if you try and reserve a table here. Many of the shops in this area are also vacant and abandoned. It’s just sad and this terrible customer service is so disappointing! Also parking is expensive. One area wanted us to pay $50 for two hours.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Michael Tremain
Kona Inn has been my family’s spot for nearly 40 years. So many memories, which is why I’m grateful that it has maintained its overall aesthetic.
There’s a new food menu, so I haven’t gotten to try much of it yet, but it looked great. I got the caesar salad, calamari, and grilled cheese, my classic order. It was just as I remembered.
The staff is always friendly, and the Mai Tais are still the same. No complaints from me! In my opinion, Kona Inn’s Mai Tais are second to none. Everyone else is trying to match these Mai Tais. They’ve got quite the kick.
Don’t forget about the happy hour menu! 🤙🏽
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Aaron Evans
Other than the sunset view id have to advise to not visit the Kona Inn Restaurant. On a Tuesday were out of Filet Mignon, my 56 dollar ribeye was unable to be cooked at medium rare and was Dennys quality at best. Asked for draft beer brought me a bottle with no explanation as to why. An hour to wait for our order on a slow Tuesday night is unacceptable. Our whole time on the Island this has been our only subpar experience. For the price they should do better.
Karen Klemme
As local, Kama Aina We returned to our favorite place for calamari and wine. The happier menu has Drastically changed into the new owners. And the prices have gone way up. The pokey nachos is now $28.25. Hurricane fries are now $12.75. There’s a new pineapple teriyaki chicken wings appetizer that’s $15.25. Everything else is on the lunch menu. Be aware Chardonnay is no longer our house wine only Pinot Grigio and Sylvia no Blanc our weight was caught little off guard.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lia-Lucine Cary
I am really not impressed by the new dinner menu or execution of it. The service and location are great but the food is simply not something I would pay for. The new cocktails are good though!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 5
Cartridge Calls
Great food and experience. Fantastic sunset view.
Dan Evans
Of all the restaurants we have been to Kona over the years, the Kona Inn, took the #1 spot. The food is great with good ingredients, and very well prepared, along with a perfect flavor. The drinks were good, but what stole the show was the service. From the check-in to being sat down, you have world-class professional and knowledgeable servers and wait staff. We come to Kona a lot, and we already decided to add the Kona Inn the the #1 spot on the restaurant rotation.
Kessie Hollister
The whole opakapaka was amazing. Well presented, delicious, and the manager, Kawehe, took the time to help debone and pack our leftovers for us. Durok pork ribeye was also delicious, well cooked and presented. Keane was our server and she was awesome - friendly, attentive to our beverages and food, and super friendly. Have been a long time supporter of Kona Inn so nice to see the menu change (but retention of calamari), the investment into the new tarp over the cafe space, and the integration of dining room and cafe that used to be separated by half dead plants. Much more “ohana” feeling and *LOVE* the live music addition!
Beautiful oceanside restaurant with amazing seafood and tasteful local dishes. The tables near the ocean are amazing however the blindingly bright lights at night are a bit much and dimming them would create a lovely atmosphere. The service is good but a bit slow as a result of the restaurant's popularity. Regardless of anything else, I've been twice before and will absolutely be back.
Dana Black
Had a reservation and still waited 15 minutes to be seated. Service was horribly slow, food order was wrong, they ran out of something and substituted without asking, the soup was salty. Took over 2.5 hours to finish meal and ran out of drinks three times for over 15 minutes each time. Do not recommend.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 2
Annette Cade
Wow, what can I say. The location is like none other, the food was amazing, the live band was one of the best I have ever heard. The wait for our dinner was pretty long but we enjoyed ourselves with the atmosphere, great music, drinks and good conversation. I was pleasantly surprised about the restaurant a friend picked with it being her first time to the Big Island. GREAT CHOICE! A wonderful experience and a restaurant I will return to my next trip with family.
Palani Kurashige
Great food such as the prime rib, calamari, bread and pesto sauce along with great drinks and wine selection. Also, the service was top level. Can’t wait to eat at this restaurant again!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kayla Barney
Since their re-opening the food has completely done a 360 and I can confidently say that everything tasted amazing! My favorite was the coconut ceviche. This place has by far the best view and environment if you’re looking for a sunset dinner. If you’re visiting Kona you have to reserve a night to dine here for the history of the restaurant and the food!
Very disappointing experience. We made a reservation for 9:00 PM and arrived on time, only to be told that they couldn’t serve us because the kitchen had already closed.
How is it possible to accept a 9:00 PM reservation if the kitchen closes at 9:00 PM? It makes no sense and shows a complete lack of organization and respect for your guests’ time.
For a restaurant that presents itself as a high-end establishment, this level of service is unacceptable. We planned our evening around this reservation and left without being able to dine. Extremely frustrating and very disappointing.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Clean, quick & pleasant service with delicious tasting good food 😋 👌
We made a reservation a week ago for an ocean side table to celebrate my husband’s 65th birthday and retirement with our family.
We arrived on time for our reservation tonight and were told we could not sit at the table or any of the open ocean side tables because someone else would be sitting there. The table we reserved was empty and nobody else was waiting but us. The hostess was not helpful and didn’t care that we had a reservation, so we asked to speak to the manager. The manager told us she was unable to look up reservations because their computer was down. I asked how do you know someone else has the table then? Her tone was extremely rude and she refused to look on the notebook where reservations were apparently also made.
I looked at my husband and said, “They are saving it for someone they know.” The hostess and manager just stood there. Their dishonest behavior ruined what should have been a pleasant dining experience and celebration. We walked away and had to find a new place to eat dinner.
Poor customer service. Be careful if you try and reserve a table here. Many of the shops in this area are also vacant and abandoned. It’s just sad and this terrible customer service is so disappointing! Also parking is expensive. One area wanted us to pay $50 for two hours.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Kona Inn has been my family’s spot for nearly 40 years. So many memories, which is why I’m grateful that it has maintained its overall aesthetic.
There’s a new food menu, so I haven’t gotten to try much of it yet, but it looked great. I got the caesar salad, calamari, and grilled cheese, my classic order. It was just as I remembered.
The staff is always friendly, and the Mai Tais are still the same. No complaints from me! In my opinion, Kona Inn’s Mai Tais are second to none. Everyone else is trying to match these Mai Tais. They’ve got quite the kick.
Don’t forget about the happy hour menu! 🤙🏽
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Other than the sunset view id have to advise to not visit the Kona Inn Restaurant. On a Tuesday were out of Filet Mignon, my 56 dollar ribeye was unable to be cooked at medium rare and was Dennys quality at best. Asked for draft beer brought me a bottle with no explanation as to why. An hour to wait for our order on a slow Tuesday night is unacceptable. Our whole time on the Island this has been our only subpar experience. For the price they should do better.
As local, Kama Aina We returned to our favorite place for calamari and wine. The happier menu has Drastically changed into the new owners. And the prices have gone way up. The pokey nachos is now $28.25. Hurricane fries are now $12.75. There’s a new pineapple teriyaki chicken wings appetizer that’s $15.25. Everything else is on the lunch menu. Be aware Chardonnay is no longer our house wine only Pinot Grigio and Sylvia no Blanc our weight was caught little off guard.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I am really not impressed by the new dinner menu or execution of it. The service and location are great but the food is simply not something I would pay for. The new cocktails are good though!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 5
Great food and experience. Fantastic sunset view.
Of all the restaurants we have been to Kona over the years, the Kona Inn, took the #1 spot. The food is great with good ingredients, and very well prepared, along with a perfect flavor. The drinks were good, but what stole the show was the service. From the check-in to being sat down, you have world-class professional and knowledgeable servers and wait staff. We come to Kona a lot, and we already decided to add the Kona Inn the the #1 spot on the restaurant rotation.
The whole opakapaka was amazing. Well presented, delicious, and the manager, Kawehe, took the time to help debone and pack our leftovers for us. Durok pork ribeye was also delicious, well cooked and presented. Keane was our server and she was awesome - friendly, attentive to our beverages and food, and super friendly. Have been a long time supporter of Kona Inn so nice to see the menu change (but retention of calamari), the investment into the new tarp over the cafe space, and the integration of dining room and cafe that used to be separated by half dead plants. Much more “ohana” feeling and *LOVE* the live music addition!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Beautiful oceanside restaurant with amazing seafood and tasteful local dishes. The tables near the ocean are amazing however the blindingly bright lights at night are a bit much and dimming them would create a lovely atmosphere. The service is good but a bit slow as a result of the restaurant's popularity. Regardless of anything else, I've been twice before and will absolutely be back.
Had a reservation and still waited 15 minutes to be seated. Service was horribly slow, food order was wrong, they ran out of something and substituted without asking, the soup was salty. Took over 2.5 hours to finish meal and ran out of drinks three times for over 15 minutes each time. Do not recommend.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 2
Wow, what can I say. The location is like none other, the food was amazing, the live band was one of the best I have ever heard. The wait for our dinner was pretty long but we enjoyed ourselves with the atmosphere, great music, drinks and good conversation. I was pleasantly surprised about the restaurant a friend picked with it being her first time to the Big Island. GREAT CHOICE! A wonderful experience and a restaurant I will return to my next trip with family.
Great food such as the prime rib, calamari, bread and pesto sauce along with great drinks and wine selection. Also, the service was top level. Can’t wait to eat at this restaurant again!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Since their re-opening the food has completely done a 360 and I can confidently say that everything tasted amazing! My favorite was the coconut ceviche. This place has by far the best view and environment if you’re looking for a sunset dinner. If you’re visiting Kona you have to reserve a night to dine here for the history of the restaurant and the food!
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