Mahi mahi dishes were fantastic as well as coconut shrimp, clam chowder, steak, and Mud Pie. View can't be beat and the ambience is like from an elegant bogart/bacall movie. A must when visiting Kona.
Leah
Just a better experience then anticipated. Great value at Happy Hour. The Mai Tais were indeed delicious and same with the fish tacos. Also i wasn't expecting such a great view. The ocean was right there and you could smell the salt from the ocean. The restaurant is definitely older but with it being historic, it fits. Only downside is how expensive the parking is for the entire area.
Scott
The food was good for Kona. The view and ambience was amazing. Unfortunately, the service was very uneven. We got our order taken pretty quickly but after the order, the next time we saw the waitress was for the bill. We had to share water because she never came back to refill our glasses.
Michelle
I loved the history and location of this place. It is open and airy, beautiful views, has vintage belt fans and just gives you an old Hawaii vibes. Perfect place to end our vacation. The food unfortunately was the downfall. We had the calamari it was ok, the clam chowder was very salty I only had a couple bites, the cashew crusted mahi mahi was soggy and had no flavor the garlic mash potatoes were ok. The fish and chips looked good but the fries looked like frozen crinkle kind. This place would be perfect if they had better presentation and tasty food.
Opentable Diner
The restaurant is locating in an wonderful spot providing an incredible sunset. Our server did a nice job of taking care of our table. Our food on the other hand, was marginal. My fish dish was so over cooked it was hard to chew, I ended up giving it back to have it remade. My husbands chicken dish, same thing, so dry he could not even cut through it. The nachos ordered were terrible and would not recommend as an appetizer. The provide a terrible plate of chips on one plate and then the toppings and a different plate as a dip. The food was way overpriced for the quality we received and keep in mind when they ask what you would prefer with your entree, you are being charged extra for that side (mashed potatoes, veggies, asparagus).. Overall, we wouldn't go back. We all felt that the food just wasn't good enough and for the prices that they charge for their fish dishes, there are better restaurants in town. 4 fish entrees, 2 appetizer and 4 cocktails and 1 beer was total of $368.00
Kristina Spencer
Wheelchair accessibility: No ramp to seating near the outdoor/water view.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Calamari Strips
Lynn Dowd
They have the old Kona feel. Food is delicious and beautiful view 😋
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cin MM
We wrapped our vacation at Kona Inn Restaurant. The food was really good. Our server, who was an older gentleman, was so kind and gave us great food suggestions. I enjoyed eating with a view! I appreciate how clean and tidy the restaurant looked!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
CR Jumbo
It's unbelievable what nature has left behind here
Atmosphere: 5
Lynn Wolff
We love the Kona Inn. We've been coming here since 1989. The ceiling fans are belt driven. The view is always great for a sunset. We just renewed our vows there.. that's how special it is to us! Great sashimi, great drinks.
Kona Inn Restaurant, Kailua-Kona: A Fiery Experience
(Located in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 75-5744 Alii Drive, Suite 135, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii). �(Warning: May cause future dinner reservations to be made with oven mitts on.)
It was our 25th anniversary. We, the culinary adventurers, carefully researched the best restaurants on the Big Island and—drum roll, please—chose Kona Inn Restaurant. Situated on Alii Drive with a gorgeous ocean view, this seemed like the perfect place to celebrate a quarter-century of wedded bliss. Reviews promised good food, good vibes, and good service. But the only thing hot that night was my forearm.
Here's what happened: We ordered drinks, followed the waiter’s recommendations for food (because we trust him, right?), and waited, eager to soak in the view. Drinks arrive, the sunset is beautiful, and we’re feeling the island breeze. Life is good.
Then, the food arrives. Enter: the young server. He sets the dishes down with no words, no warning. Just… "Here you go," and disappears into the Hawaiian sunset like a food delivery ninja.
Now, as I reach for my drink, my arm (the soft, delicate part) brushes against the oven-roasted plate. BOOM. 💥 My forearm ignites in searing pain. Apparently, this dish had been pulled straight from the fires of Mount Doom—somewhere around 350 degrees. No warning, no "Hey, be careful, the plate is hot enough to cook your skin." Nothing. Just a subtle "enjoy" and a quick exit from the server.
At this point, I'm clutching a glass of ice to my scalding arm like I'm in some sort of "how to survive a disaster" reality show. Did I mention the pain? Because yeah, it was there.
But the best part? When I eventually manage to flag the server down (who had clearly adopted the "out of sight, out of mind" strategy), he returned with… a dollop of butter. Butter. He actually suggested I rub it on my burn. I mean, seriously? That’s what Grandma might do when the toast gets a little too crispy. But, fine, in my dazed, "I just cooked my arm" state, I gave it a try. The server even threw in a piece of cake as a "consolation prize"—because nothing says "sorry for making your anniversary unforgettable" like a slice of dessert. I couldn't eat my dinner, but sure, let’s throw cake into the mix.
Now, at this point, my appetite is shot. My arm is feeling like it’s hosting its own lava flow, and I finally ask for a manager. She arrives fashionably late, offering the classic "What can I do for you?" approach. I ask for a first aid kit. What does she bring me? Not an ice pack, not burn cream—no, no. She hands me a cold compress. Yes, a compress. So professional.
Then she casually mentions, "Well, I could give you the Urgent Care address." (Great, as if the fact that I'm 8 hours away from civilization and can't get a signal to call 911 wasn’t clear enough.) I’m left with the distinct feeling that maybe, just maybe, this place doesn't take "safety" as seriously as they should—especially considering the fire hazard I just encountered.
And the grand finale: After the smoke clears (pun intended), we get the bill. Yes, the same bill that includes charges for food we couldn’t eat because I now have a permanent reminder of the night. There’s a scar, folks. A souvenir. A keepsake. A “forever” gift from the Kona Inn.
So, what would you do if this happened to you? I think I know what I’d do: I’d give the restaurant a solid 5-star review for the views, and maybe toss in a quick reminder to… you know, have a first aid kit somewhere in that massive kitchen? It’s not just for the customers, folks. Burn prevention is key for all staff too.
Bottom line: If you're going to visit Kona Inn, make sure to bring your own fire extinguisher, because, apparently, customer safety isn't their hottest priority.
Ross Kocen
Great view of sunset 🌇
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Clam Chowder
Jim Dailey
The first place that we stop when we get to the Big Island. For over 25 years
Hands down the worst food I’ve had in a restaurant in maybe ever. We were stunned how bad it was. The club sandwich bread seemed like white Wonder Bread. It had a very thin piece of meat. The coleslaw was warm and flavorless. The fries looked like crinkle fries you buy from the grocery store. I could go on but I won’t. Just go anywhere else. The view isn’t worth the horrible food.
Kathy Welk
We made reservations to celebrate our anniversary. We’ve spent many anniversaries and always loved it. We got all dressed up , arrived at the restaurant. They seated us on the casual side with plastic tablecloths and paper napkins and plastic chairs. We’ve never sat there before. We politely asked to move to the more formals side. They accommodated us but were rude about it. Sadly, between that and the food not being nearly as good as previous visits we have decided to remove them from our list of restaurants we’ll visit when in Kona.
Mahi mahi dishes were fantastic as well as coconut shrimp, clam chowder, steak, and Mud Pie. View can't be beat and the ambience is like from an elegant bogart/bacall movie. A must when visiting Kona.
Just a better experience then anticipated. Great value at Happy Hour. The Mai Tais were indeed delicious and same with the fish tacos. Also i wasn't expecting such a great view. The ocean was right there and you could smell the salt from the ocean. The restaurant is definitely older but with it being historic, it fits. Only downside is how expensive the parking is for the entire area.
The food was good for Kona. The view and ambience was amazing. Unfortunately, the service was very uneven. We got our order taken pretty quickly but after the order, the next time we saw the waitress was for the bill. We had to share water because she never came back to refill our glasses.
I loved the history and location of this place. It is open and airy, beautiful views, has vintage belt fans and just gives you an old Hawaii vibes. Perfect place to end our vacation. The food unfortunately was the downfall. We had the calamari it was ok, the clam chowder was very salty I only had a couple bites, the cashew crusted mahi mahi was soggy and had no flavor the garlic mash potatoes were ok. The fish and chips looked good but the fries looked like frozen crinkle kind. This place would be perfect if they had better presentation and tasty food.
The restaurant is locating in an wonderful spot providing an incredible sunset. Our server did a nice job of taking care of our table. Our food on the other hand, was marginal. My fish dish was so over cooked it was hard to chew, I ended up giving it back to have it remade. My husbands chicken dish, same thing, so dry he could not even cut through it. The nachos ordered were terrible and would not recommend as an appetizer. The provide a terrible plate of chips on one plate and then the toppings and a different plate as a dip. The food was way overpriced for the quality we received and keep in mind when they ask what you would prefer with your entree, you are being charged extra for that side (mashed potatoes, veggies, asparagus).. Overall, we wouldn't go back. We all felt that the food just wasn't good enough and for the prices that they charge for their fish dishes, there are better restaurants in town. 4 fish entrees, 2 appetizer and 4 cocktails and 1 beer was total of $368.00
Wheelchair accessibility: No ramp to seating near the outdoor/water view.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Calamari Strips
They have the old Kona feel. Food is delicious and beautiful view 😋
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We wrapped our vacation at Kona Inn Restaurant. The food was really good. Our server, who was an older gentleman, was so kind and gave us great food suggestions. I enjoyed eating with a view! I appreciate how clean and tidy the restaurant looked!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
It's unbelievable what nature has left behind here
Atmosphere: 5
We love the Kona Inn. We've been coming here since 1989. The ceiling fans are belt driven. The view is always great for a sunset. We just renewed our vows there.. that's how special it is to us!
Great sashimi, great drinks.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Coconut Shrimp, Shrimp & Crab Cakes, Hula Chicken, Tuna Melt, Calamari Strips, Club Sandwich, Macadamia Crusted Mahi Mahi
Restaurantji Recommends
Kona Inn Restaurant, Kailua-Kona: A Fiery Experience (Located in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 75-5744 Alii Drive, Suite 135, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii). �(Warning: May cause future dinner reservations to be made with oven mitts on.) It was our 25th anniversary. We, the culinary adventurers, carefully researched the best restaurants on the Big Island and—drum roll, please—chose Kona Inn Restaurant. Situated on Alii Drive with a gorgeous ocean view, this seemed like the perfect place to celebrate a quarter-century of wedded bliss. Reviews promised good food, good vibes, and good service. But the only thing hot that night was my forearm. Here's what happened: We ordered drinks, followed the waiter’s recommendations for food (because we trust him, right?), and waited, eager to soak in the view. Drinks arrive, the sunset is beautiful, and we’re feeling the island breeze. Life is good. Then, the food arrives. Enter: the young server. He sets the dishes down with no words, no warning. Just… "Here you go," and disappears into the Hawaiian sunset like a food delivery ninja. Now, as I reach for my drink, my arm (the soft, delicate part) brushes against the oven-roasted plate. BOOM. 💥 My forearm ignites in searing pain. Apparently, this dish had been pulled straight from the fires of Mount Doom—somewhere around 350 degrees. No warning, no "Hey, be careful, the plate is hot enough to cook your skin." Nothing. Just a subtle "enjoy" and a quick exit from the server. At this point, I'm clutching a glass of ice to my scalding arm like I'm in some sort of "how to survive a disaster" reality show. Did I mention the pain? Because yeah, it was there. But the best part? When I eventually manage to flag the server down (who had clearly adopted the "out of sight, out of mind" strategy), he returned with… a dollop of butter. Butter. He actually suggested I rub it on my burn. I mean, seriously? That’s what Grandma might do when the toast gets a little too crispy. But, fine, in my dazed, "I just cooked my arm" state, I gave it a try. The server even threw in a piece of cake as a "consolation prize"—because nothing says "sorry for making your anniversary unforgettable" like a slice of dessert. I couldn't eat my dinner, but sure, let’s throw cake into the mix. Now, at this point, my appetite is shot. My arm is feeling like it’s hosting its own lava flow, and I finally ask for a manager. She arrives fashionably late, offering the classic "What can I do for you?" approach. I ask for a first aid kit. What does she bring me? Not an ice pack, not burn cream—no, no. She hands me a cold compress. Yes, a compress. So professional. Then she casually mentions, "Well, I could give you the Urgent Care address." (Great, as if the fact that I'm 8 hours away from civilization and can't get a signal to call 911 wasn’t clear enough.) I’m left with the distinct feeling that maybe, just maybe, this place doesn't take "safety" as seriously as they should—especially considering the fire hazard I just encountered. And the grand finale: After the smoke clears (pun intended), we get the bill. Yes, the same bill that includes charges for food we couldn’t eat because I now have a permanent reminder of the night. There’s a scar, folks. A souvenir. A keepsake. A “forever” gift from the Kona Inn. So, what would you do if this happened to you? I think I know what I’d do: I’d give the restaurant a solid 5-star review for the views, and maybe toss in a quick reminder to… you know, have a first aid kit somewhere in that massive kitchen? It’s not just for the customers, folks. Burn prevention is key for all staff too. Bottom line: If you're going to visit Kona Inn, make sure to bring your own fire extinguisher, because, apparently, customer safety isn't their hottest priority.
Great view of sunset 🌇
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Clam Chowder
The first place that we stop when we get to the Big Island. For over 25 years
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Coconut Shrimp, Nachos Grande, Fresh Fish, Calamari Strips, Club Sandwich, Nachos, Ahi
Hands down the worst food I’ve had in a restaurant in maybe ever. We were stunned how bad it was. The club sandwich bread seemed like white Wonder Bread. It had a very thin piece of meat. The coleslaw was warm and flavorless. The fries looked like crinkle fries you buy from the grocery store. I could go on but I won’t. Just go anywhere else. The view isn’t worth the horrible food.
We made reservations to celebrate our anniversary. We’ve spent many anniversaries and always loved it. We got all dressed up , arrived at the restaurant. They seated us on the casual side with plastic tablecloths and paper napkins and plastic chairs. We’ve never sat there before. We politely asked to move to the more formals side. They accommodated us but were rude about it. Sadly, between that and the food not being nearly as good as previous visits we have decided to remove them from our list of restaurants we’ll visit when in Kona.
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