Great portions at a decent price. Expansive menu with authentic tasting food. No nonsense setup, great for quick & hearty meals on the go
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sherilee Nimon
The Katsu Dip was amazing. Lots of side options.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Katsu
Lissa Kay
Perfect island style comfort food. Stop in after flying into Kona, get some ono grinds before heading off to adventures on the Big Island.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Grant Cate
Amazing food, but quite pricy. You are paying for the beachside views though. Gets very crowded which makes service a bit slow.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 3
Gyan The Farmer
Straight fire u can't miss: every plate is a banger plus Aunty holds it down on the daily!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Taylorann Makio Medeiros
Waited over 30 mins for my food and then come to find out they messed it up vary poor quality hamburger patties all I taste is bread
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 1
Zac Latz
Amazing food service was quick good music
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kevin Haevischer
Most food looked really good Loco moco patty that was handmade was really good. The gravy seemed like it came out of a can and was not very warm. Looks like the burgers are very popular The club sandwich looked amazing
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 5
Svetlana Perets
Ordered a couple of burgers. I was an unpleasant surprise. Burgers have a relatively low meat content, the meat is heavily mixed with bread or whatever filler they use. You are just eating mush at this point. Not sure why ir has good reviews
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
Eric Sparrow (Candle Genius)
I came to Kona for the ocean, the sunsets, and the gentle reminder that mainland stress is optional. I did not expect to have my soul spiritually exfoliated by breakfast.
Yet here we are.
From the moment I walked into Pine Tree Cafe, I knew I was in the presence of greatness. Not fancy greatness. Not white-tablecloth greatness. This was flip-flops-on, coffee-poured-before-you-ask, “you’re-home-now” greatness.
Let’s start with the food. Calling it “delicious” would be an insult. This was food that looked me in the eye and said, “Relax. I’ve got you.” Every bite tasted like it had been perfected over decades by someone who genuinely cares about your happiness and possibly your long-term emotional health.
The portions? Heroic. The flavors? Dialed in like a Hawaiian shortwave radio. The coffee? Strong enough to wake you up, but kind enough not to judge you.
And the vibe—oh man, the vibe. It’s the kind of place where locals nod knowingly, tourists instantly understand why they were told “you gotta go there,” and time slows down just enough to remind you that life is actually pretty great when pancakes are involved.
The staff deserves a standing ovation and possibly a parade. Friendly without being fake. Efficient without being rushed. They operate with the calm confidence of people who know they work at a legendary establishment—and they’re absolutely right.
I left Pine Tree Cafe full, happy, slightly emotional, and questioning every breakfast decision I’ve ever made before this moment. I may never be the same person again. Honestly, that’s fine.
If you’re in Kona and you don’t eat here, I won’t say you wasted your trip—but I will say you left greatness on the table. Literally.
Final verdict: Pine Tree Cafe isn’t just a restaurant. It’s a life event. Five stars. Ten stars. All the stars.
Rented a car next door and stopped by for breakfast, which was a nice breakfast room.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Bubbas
Best meal I had on the island
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Daniel Marciante
This was a GREAT find. The food is reasonably priced, and they give a generous portion serving. The hamburger was extremely tasty and the fries are superb, as are their salads. The fish and chips dish was not as expected...too much breading on the fish and the kind of fish is suspect, given they don't disclose it. All in all, they have a huge menu that will please anyone, though be aware that they get very busy during regular breakfast/lunch/dinner hours.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Jean Du
Amazing value and really good local spot. Highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Penelope Kioko
Delicious!! Best place to stop after you arrive in Kona.
Great portions at a decent price. Expansive menu with authentic tasting food. No nonsense setup, great for quick & hearty meals on the go
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
The Katsu Dip was amazing. Lots of side options.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Katsu
Perfect island style comfort food. Stop in after flying into Kona, get some ono grinds before heading off to adventures on the Big Island.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amazing food, but quite pricy. You are paying for the beachside views though. Gets very crowded which makes service a bit slow.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 3
Straight fire u can't miss: every plate is a banger plus Aunty holds it down on the daily!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Waited over 30 mins for my food and then come to find out they messed it up vary poor quality hamburger patties all I taste is bread
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 1
Amazing food service was quick good music
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Most food looked really good
Loco moco patty that was handmade was really good. The gravy seemed like it came out of a can and was not very warm.
Looks like the burgers are very popular
The club sandwich looked amazing
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 5
Ordered a couple of burgers. I was an unpleasant surprise. Burgers have a relatively low meat content, the meat is heavily mixed with bread or whatever filler they use.
You are just eating mush at this point. Not sure why ir has good reviews
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
I came to Kona for the ocean, the sunsets, and the gentle reminder that mainland stress is optional.
I did not expect to have my soul spiritually exfoliated by breakfast.
Yet here we are.
From the moment I walked into Pine Tree Cafe, I knew I was in the presence of greatness. Not fancy greatness. Not white-tablecloth greatness. This was flip-flops-on, coffee-poured-before-you-ask, “you’re-home-now” greatness.
Let’s start with the food.
Calling it “delicious” would be an insult. This was food that looked me in the eye and said, “Relax. I’ve got you.” Every bite tasted like it had been perfected over decades by someone who genuinely cares about your happiness and possibly your long-term emotional health.
The portions? Heroic.
The flavors? Dialed in like a Hawaiian shortwave radio.
The coffee? Strong enough to wake you up, but kind enough not to judge you.
And the vibe—oh man, the vibe. It’s the kind of place where locals nod knowingly, tourists instantly understand why they were told “you gotta go there,” and time slows down just enough to remind you that life is actually pretty great when pancakes are involved.
The staff deserves a standing ovation and possibly a parade. Friendly without being fake. Efficient without being rushed. They operate with the calm confidence of people who know they work at a legendary establishment—and they’re absolutely right.
I left Pine Tree Cafe full, happy, slightly emotional, and questioning every breakfast decision I’ve ever made before this moment. I may never be the same person again. Honestly, that’s fine.
If you’re in Kona and you don’t eat here, I won’t say you wasted your trip—but I will say you left greatness on the table. Literally.
Final verdict:
Pine Tree Cafe isn’t just a restaurant.
It’s a life event.
Five stars. Ten stars. All the stars.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Rented a car next door and stopped by for breakfast, which was a nice breakfast room.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Best meal I had on the island
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This was a GREAT find. The food is reasonably priced, and they give a generous portion serving. The hamburger was extremely tasty and the fries are superb, as are their salads. The fish and chips dish was not as expected...too much breading on the fish and the kind of fish is suspect, given they don't disclose it. All in all, they have a huge menu that will please anyone, though be aware that they get very busy during regular breakfast/lunch/dinner hours.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Amazing value and really good local spot. Highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Delicious!! Best place to stop after you arrive in Kona.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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