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!”
“Our food was delicious and made to order. Kalua Loco moco was the first for me but so glad I tried it. Husband had the fresh ahi tuna sandwich, cooked great. 👍🏻”
Restaurants by Cuisine
“Holy cow this place is amazing! I stopped there yesterday with my wife and were floored at how good the food was. Friendly crew to boot! We both agree that there is zero chance that we are down way again and not stopping. Bravo folks!!”
Restaurants with Delivery
“Excellent Poke and sides. Staff is friendly and helpful. Shared a delightful haupia ube rice pudding for dessert. It's a small take-out counter service with no indoor seating. Right to the side of the building are very clean picnic tables with umbrellas and shade. A great place for lunch.”
“My family had just gotten out the airport after flying from San Francisco and we were hungry. The kids wanted hamburgers and so we found Ultimate Burger. It was one of the best hamburgers we have ever had. We still talk about it and its been three weeks since we were in Hawaii. I myself loved the Spicy Lava Burger and would do anything to have it again. It was that good.”
“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 ⭐️”
“Outstanding service and food. I appreciate the staggered reservations for the one-on-one service and recommendations! The food was amazing and I wish I could try the whole menu! Dessert was definitely the best part- the lilikoi mousse- phenom!”
“The food was excellent light and savory, fresh, the service excellent very welcoming, the atmosphere good, easy to find. We dined 2x there during our visit, I would be a regular if I lived in Kona.. wish I would have tried the basil rolls.”
Online Reservation Available
“We came over from the Four Seasons for dinner. The building is beautiful with high volume ceilings and incredible views, especially during sunset. The menu is small but food was well prepared. Don't miss the beef cheeks - something you don't often see on a menu. It was like a delicate slow braised short rib. Definitely make a reservation and stop in when in Kona.”
“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 ate here after 12 hours of traveling and could not have been happier. The service was so friendly and outdoor seating with tiki torches and a view of the water was great. My son isn’t always the most adventurous eater but he asked to try the clams from my seafood stew and pronounced that he “loves clams more than pizza”. It was his first time trying it. He had the kid’s grilled cheese with fries, and myself and my friend had the Crabby Patties crab cakes, cocktails, fish n chips and seafood stew. Everuthing came out quickly, hot and fresh. It was just what we needed after airport food all day.”
“An unforgettable dining experience! The oceanfront location at night created the most beautiful ambiance with the sound of the waves in the background. The Cavatelli with truffle and Spaghetti with Calabrian chili were absolutely delicious, and the house bonbons were the perfect way to end the meal. The service was exceptional—our server was warm, attentive, and made the entire evening feel special. Can't wait to come back!”
“Awesome people, and super friendly service.
Was my first time and it was so easy to order. They have pretty much everything! Will definitely come back. Was a really fun first time. Thai Tea was amazing!!! And their food is really good! They seem like they really try to put their heart in their work. Glad I got to stop by!”
“Absolutely love this place wonderful Aloha vibes! Live music is also great. 😊”
“Yama Sushi just earned its place as my favorite restaurant in Kona! BY FAR, the BEST food and service in the area. I dropped in to place an order for takeout, and a sweet young lady immediately met me at the door, seated me, and presented me with menus and a tumbler of ice water. The menu was exciting with a great variety of Asian specialties and beautiful looking desserts. The vibe was casual, yet classy. My order was ready in under 15 minutes and the young lady even held the door for me on the way out. I got the Spicy Garlic Shrimp lunch special. This was the tastiest shrimp dish I've ever eaten! Shrimps were fluffy and moist. They were seared in a spicy, tangy, sweet sauce that made the flavor and texture perfect. It came with a finely shredded cabbage salad that had a delightfully sweet dressing. The miso soup was very authentic with deep, rich flavors. Even the white rice had me wondering how they cooked it so perfectly! Mahalo, Yama Sushi for serving me a meal that deserves way more than five stars and for treating me like a VIP. I will definitely be back soon!”
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!!”
“This was not only the best latte I had in Kona, but honestly the best latte I’ve ever had.
The details matter and this spot knows it.
From the chocolate covered coffee bean on the top of the cup, to the actual shot of espresso. It was so delicious. Extra points for being a shop that’s open early.
The chocolate macadamia nut cookie was also delicious.
This place packs a punch for being a coffee truck.”
“I ordered an Acai smoothie with almond butter drizzle. And my mom got a mocha frappe. Both were very delicious! This coffee shop has plenty of parking and seating inside is ample. Great place for families, remote workers or a place to chat with a friend. The baristas were super friendly and helpful when deciding what to order. They have vegan options for drinks here and food. And I loved that they also sold locally made sourdough bread and tons of other goodies sold by local artists and bakers! We also got the chia peanut butter bites that were delicious! You gotta try them! I would highly recommend coming here! They have such a diversity of drink and smoothie and Acai bowl options that you won’t have a hard time finding a drink or snack you like!”
“New favorite breakfast / cafe spot in Kona. Everything exceeded our expectations from the food to the service to even the fun table markers they put on the table when you order. Probably one of the best açaí bowls I’ve had in all of Hawaii (don’t forget to add peanut butter) and something about the way they cook their eggs in the jet lag wrap is drool worthy. Have not been able to enjoy their coffees but they have so many fun options. Will definitely be back…. All the time.”
“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!”
“Located in a non-descript spot right off the beach, this is some of the freshest and tastiest poke you’ll ever enjoy. The team is knowledgeable and their service is fast and efficient. Go early as they do run out often on busy days. Seating outside is the only option on two picnic tables and no dining indoors so be prepared to squeeze in and make new friends with other customers. A great meal and well worth the wait.”
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!”
“Located in a non-descript spot right off the beach, this is some of the freshest and tastiest poke you’ll ever enjoy. The team is knowledgeable and their service is fast and efficient. Go early as they do run out often on busy days. Seating outside is the only option on two picnic tables and no dining indoors so be prepared to squeeze in and make new friends with other customers. A great meal and well worth the wait.”
“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
“This Jamaican food truck next to the gas station was amazing! I ordered the oxtail rice and the jerk plate, and both were absolutely delicious. The food was mildly spicy, the sauces were full of flavor, and everything tasted very authentic. It was my first time trying Jamaican food, and I really loved it. Highly recommend tourists stop by and give it a try!”
“My husband and I ate there when we were famished and the food came out quickly and hot. The seafood platter was delicious and contained shrimp, breaded squid, breaded oysters and breaded white fish. That was my husband’s dish and he truly enjoyed it. I, on the other hand had grilled mahi mahi, green salad, onion rings and beef stew. We both tried everything and the food was to our liking. The staff was very accommodating when we asked for e tea lemons and a to-go set up (bag & container). The restaurant was clean and the food was hot, quick and delicious! Kuddos for a meal and job well done!”
“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 ❤️”
“Absolutely a fan of Sam’s sushi.
Naomi and Yuki are always warm smiling welcoming. Amazing service and crazy delicious food! Ahi tataki and special roll all day long. I swear the ahi is caught the hour of it being served to you. Highly recommend! Reservation only! Make sure to call in.”
“We came over from the Four Seasons for dinner. The building is beautiful with high volume ceilings and incredible views, especially during sunset. The menu is small but food was well prepared. Don't miss the beef cheeks - something you don't often see on a menu. It was like a delicate slow braised short rib. Definitely make a reservation and stop in when in Kona.”
“We got the seafood pasta!! Throughly enjoyed!!! Would recommend. Our steak was also cooked perfectly! Good portions and the food was nice and hot!”
“We have been coming here for years. The pizza rolls are a must-have. I do wish they served fries instead of potato chips, but the pizza and sandwiches are great.”
“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.”
“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 cannot say enough about the quality of the food and quantity. I had the pot roast, and oxtail soup. They cut their own ox tails. I must have had 12 oxtail in my soup Chinese style. Excellent service and great Aloha !!! I will be back for the Loco Moco yum. Thank you again 😁🤙🏾”
“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
“Good food and very friendly servers (of course - it's Hawaii). The prices are pretty steep for the amount of food served, but food quality is very good. I would have liked to see some more interesting poke options, and plates could use some color (fruit or other garnish), but overall, the dining experience was pleasant.”
“We ate here after 12 hours of traveling and could not have been happier. The service was so friendly and outdoor seating with tiki torches and a view of the water was great. My son isn’t always the most adventurous eater but he asked to try the clams from my seafood stew and pronounced that he “loves clams more than pizza”. It was his first time trying it. He had the kid’s grilled cheese with fries, and myself and my friend had the Crabby Patties crab cakes, cocktails, fish n chips and seafood stew. Everuthing came out quickly, hot and fresh. It was just what we needed after airport food all day.”
“My husband and I ate there when we were famished and the food came out quickly and hot. The seafood platter was delicious and contained shrimp, breaded squid, breaded oysters and breaded white fish. That was my husband’s dish and he truly enjoyed it. I, on the other hand had grilled mahi mahi, green salad, onion rings and beef stew. We both tried everything and the food was to our liking. The staff was very accommodating when we asked for e tea lemons and a to-go set up (bag & container). The restaurant was clean and the food was hot, quick and delicious! Kuddos for a meal and job well done!”
“An unforgettable dining experience! The oceanfront location at night created the most beautiful ambiance with the sound of the waves in the background. The Cavatelli with truffle and Spaghetti with Calabrian chili were absolutely delicious, and the house bonbons were the perfect way to end the meal. The service was exceptional—our server was warm, attentive, and made the entire evening feel special. Can't wait to come back!”
“My family had just gotten out the airport after flying from San Francisco and we were hungry. The kids wanted hamburgers and so we found Ultimate Burger. It was one of the best hamburgers we have ever had. We still talk about it and its been three weeks since we were in Hawaii. I myself loved the Spicy Lava Burger and would do anything to have it again. It was that good.”
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 ;)”
“Yama Sushi just earned its place as my favorite restaurant in Kona! BY FAR, the BEST food and service in the area. I dropped in to place an order for takeout, and a sweet young lady immediately met me at the door, seated me, and presented me with menus and a tumbler of ice water. The menu was exciting with a great variety of Asian specialties and beautiful looking desserts. The vibe was casual, yet classy. My order was ready in under 15 minutes and the young lady even held the door for me on the way out. I got the Spicy Garlic Shrimp lunch special. This was the tastiest shrimp dish I've ever eaten! Shrimps were fluffy and moist. They were seared in a spicy, tangy, sweet sauce that made the flavor and texture perfect. It came with a finely shredded cabbage salad that had a delightfully sweet dressing. The miso soup was very authentic with deep, rich flavors. Even the white rice had me wondering how they cooked it so perfectly! Mahalo, Yama Sushi for serving me a meal that deserves way more than five stars and for treating me like a VIP. I will definitely be back soon!”
“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.”
“The food is fabulous, so delish..highly recommend”
“The drinks are great, love the art on the menus, but I will say the Conrad Mai Tai which is a specialty at this bar feels overrated to me. It is a bit too alcoholic. The Moana Mai Tai at the restaurant next door is much better.
They have sushi nights sometimes, and the sushi is a solid average in NYC. Would eat, but not go out of way to get.”
“Absolutely, the best dining experience I've ever had, coming from being born and raised here.
Tim, our server, is exceptional with service, very apt to answer any questions we had, and was a stellar professional.
Jason and Simon are awesome as well.
10/10 will be back.”
“Ono service and food!!! Please go down!”
“Pedro was fantastic! Our entire family had a great time with different alcoholic and no-alcoholic drinks. But the best part was the amazing conversations we had with Pedro, he really helped us understand more about the Hawaiian culture and took the time to teach us more about the history of the Big Island.
I fully recommend anyone who wants to have a relaxing time to come to this bar!”
“Awesome counter-service coffee shop where you can get a coffee, tea, or sausage breakfast sandwich. You can eat it outside with views of the pier. Across the street is an ABC store where you can browse after. Inside Hamakua Coffee it is airy and spacious. This place is quite crowded since it's in the center of the tourist area.”
“It was delicious and great service!”