Restaurants in Kailua-Kona

“We stopped in when we were on vacation just to try different things, and the lady in charge was very helpful letting me try different types and flavors of coffee. My wife really loved the frappe she made her and I was impressed enough to buy 2lbs of decaf Kona for my parents and a pound of pea berry for me. I had everything shipped home which they made very easy. The people are very friendly and knowledgeable about their products. Next time we’re in Kona we will be there.”

“Flew over from Oahu to check out Journey Cafe. Not disappointed. Delicious food, nice ambiance, location could be better-like OAHU! Please come to our island! And bring the vegan ice cream � SO ONO!”

“This is a hidden gem with a fabulous menu selection, food is fresh, and the meals are wonderful and filling. The server was warm and welcoming. Our whole experience was delightful. We had a great time here.”

“Some of the best Poke on the island. Was recommended to us by a local and glad we stopped by! This is a takeout spot only but there but around the corner of the building they have 3 picnic tables with umbrellas and trash bins for you to eat there.Parking: Street Parking only”

“Awesome burgers. Just absolutely delicious. Very kind, polite and welcoming staff. Great environment. Very friendly. You can tell the employees have fun and enjoy their job!”

“Delicious options for all. The wahoo tacos were the best fish tacos I've ever had. They had a great veggie option for my friend. Everything was fresh and delicious! Service was awesome and the view outside was stunning.”

“The visit is pleasant, the lady explains all the processes to create their coffees. This visit is free and as a bonus you can taste their coffee flavors for free. Although expensive, it is possible to buy their coffee on site. For $10/group, no matter the number of people in your group, it is possible to take a short tour of part of their land. You don't see a ton of things there but it's still pleasant, especially considering the visit and the free coffee.”

“Seiji’s is the place you go if you know what it means to have really good sushi. His contacts for amazingly flavorful and deliciously fresh fish are among the best I have tasted. Seiji and his wife, Chie are truly delightful. Conversation that boasts an intimate family feel in their restaurant. Highly worth finding the time for a reservation!”

“We have eaten here twice on our trip! We really love it. The value is excellent for the amount of food. The sesame chicken was really outstanding (and a massive portion,) as well as the sushi rolls.”

“Kai is definitely one of my top places to lunch . The best and closest ocean view, the pizza is the best, their service is always good, parking is easy across the way! And most importantly I feel that they are one of not the most integrity driven food options on alii drive , while other establishments sometimes rest on a steady new supply of tourists and take advantage… I’ll be back soon”

“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!”

“This was a great place to eat. The food tasted amazing (definitely certified ono aka delicious) and very filling. The staff was friendly and the service was relatively quick. All of the ingredients were fresh. It was very close to the ocean and local shops, and there was a bathroom inside (which was an extra bonus if you've been out and about). I would definitely recommend it to others!”

“We were so happy to pick this spot for a coffee and chat before we departed. I loved my Ube cream foam cold brew. The kids had fun, the atmosphere is right up my alley and the kids shared a little vegan lemon cake. Lots nearby to walk to and parking was sufficient.”

“Mahalo Kona Coffee and Tea, favorite coffee on the Big island.. matcha is very good too and the macadamia nut milk was unique! employees very friendly, and chia is very good as well.”

“Food was really good, we hade fish tacos and it was delicious! Beer is also very goodBut unfortunately the service and waiters are not very friendly. One of the waiters gave us a bad attitude!”

“We love coming to the Fish Hopper. Affordable and yummy food with a great view. Every time we come to Kona, we love to stop in. Breakfast Benedict’s are our favorite. Don’t skip on their hearty dessert menu! Can’t beat the view, watching whales jump in the distance as we speak.”

“Wonderful view as the sun set, and GREAT service. Was told it was a 40min wait w/o reservations on a Th night, but were seated in 20. Excellent fish tacos, pasta, and fish and chipsParking: Small lot so chances are good you will park on the street but likely close by”

“Perfectly located next to the ocean with crashing waves, good food and friendly staff! I enjoyed the Poke pie bowl (delicious) and my spouse ordered the trio sliders with spicy fries. The atmosphere alone encourages us to go back (there doesn't seem to be many restaurants ON the water) but we'll definitely be back for more great eats also.”

“Absolutely amazing anniversary dinner under the stars with the waves lapping in the background. Service and food were outstanding cannot wait to go back and order more items :)”

“Everything at Kenichi Pacific was wonderful. The food was all perfectly cooked, service was outstanding, and our meals came out promptly. I had the Manapuas as appetizer, others ordered calamari and beef carpaccio which I did sample. All were delicious. My entree was the Ono. Again, it was perfect. My son had the seafood trio, which he loved. My grandchildren had California Rolls, Aspen rolls, the filet mignon, and buttered pasta for the youngest. All were devoured. I would highly recommend this restaurant for traditional Japanese dishes and seafood.”

“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!”

“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.”

“The pancakes are to die for in the Lava Java breakfast! Our waitresses, Tracey and Allie, was VERY understanding of our situation with having our 3 yr old child with us and us trying to enjoy the restaurant's breakfast items. They have a great sense of hospitality, and my spouse and I respect them even more for what they do. I highly recommend this place, just be here before 10 am to enjoy their food. Some of the customers here may be disrespectful and rude, but the staff here is DEFINITELY NOT! So thank the staff for what they do every chance that you get while you are there. ?”

“Had a misunderstanding with the young man taking the order but he and the older gentleman remedied the situation very well. Food was excellent. The grilled shrimp is fantastic. Overall... great find!Parking: Wide open mini strip mall type location with outdoor seating under roof. No real view to speak of but nice nevertheless.”

“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.”

“Hawaii's own fast food. This is near Kona's airport, so tourists are often here. Sad that they often order burgers or fried chicken and ignore a broad menu of local faves.”

“We were happy with the food. My partner came in hangry and we both left full and happy.Our waitress Jenny was sweet and attentive! She was happy to explain all the food and asked the chef about Gluten free options. Even with my hangry partner, she never got flustered. To top if off, we forgot something at the table and she found us in the parking lot to return it!!! 5 star service ??2 stars for atmosphere, for some reason hard rap was playing and the amount of f*bombs dropped over lunch was surprising! Eventually the music did change.But the quality and speed of the food, was undeniable! We will be back”

“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.”

“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 ”

“The staff work hard and the place stays busy. Darci makes fabulous refreshing drinks or refills you beer when ready I enjoy the live music and the poolside environment New cooks so food isn’t as good as with the previous cook but still good”

“I cant recommend them enough. I placed a big order for my wedding. Not only were they so easy to work with and accommodating, but the donuts were out of this world amazing! Thank you sooooo much!!! Mahalo! ❤️”

“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.”

“I highly recommend this gelato business! It is the perfect place to go and get some gelato, and then walk across the street and watch the sun set into the beautiful Pacific Ocean. Plus, there are lots of shops to browse around before you go satisfy your sweet tooth.”

“The best poke I've ever had, but then it was the first time in my life I've ever tried poke, so I guess technically it was also the worst poke I've ever had. But seriously, it was absolutely delicious.?”

“Great food n super fresh. Loving the kimchi fired rice w oxtail. Staff is friendly n the food portion is a big u are getting a bang for ur buck. I'll eat here everyday if I can.”

“I'm speechless. I had the barbecued jackfruit sandwich and a smoothie. The sandwich was absolute perfection. I had to keep reminding myself, though, that this was vegan - it was just amazing! I will definitely come back.”

“I am so sad this place is closing! The donuts are wonderfully delicious and they come up with all kinds of combos that are yum!! The workers are great! Helpful and kind. My favorite was the bacon one. We will miss you! #damnCovid2020”

“Great sushi rolls. Had the “train wreck” 3 times. On there specialty rolls they ask you to try them first without using soy sauce and they are right. You don’t need it. So good and the employees are super friendly.”

“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.”

“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!”

“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.”

“The tropical flavors all complimented each other and it wasn’t too sweet which is just how I like it. Too much sugar gives me migraines. The customer service was wonderful as well. Will definitely go back when I visit the big island again.”

“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 ”

“Very touristy stop to get coffee. Lots of offers to taste things and shelves of options to buy things for travelers. Service was great and very patient with my daughter changing her mind all the time.Kid-friendliness: Very patient with my daughter and they were sharing kids books with us while there.”

“Fireart Cuisine has some of the best Asian food we have ever had! We are on a short visit to Hawaii, but we’ve already been there twice - the food is so good we had to come back! Both the beef and broccoli and the shrimp and broccoli have delicious flavor with perfectly cooked broccoli. The braised green beans and chicken (mild) was also delicious. And for desert, this was our first time ever trying fried ice-cream - delicious and so much fun! Staff are super kind and on the ball. Everyone seems to want to put out the best - for those who love great food, this little spot is an awesome find!”

“I love DQ. Sometime I wish they would be open a little later til 9 or 10pm too. Anywho I got the Oreo hot chocolate blizzard. One of my favs. Wondering if you folks wouldn't mind putting marshmallows fluff on it and toast it instead of whip cream.”

“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??”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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).”

“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 hours are very inconsistent, including the drive thru. Never have it delivered vis Door Dash, it's terrible every time. Expect a lengthy wait when visiting. Food is good, it's the service that needs work, and has been needing help for a long time.”

“Ever since I discovered this restaurant, I have been in love. The workers are so kind and definitely remind me of my own family. The food is so good that I try to come atleast once a month to support the business. Highly recommend!!”

“Willie's chicken is definitely hot, those who like it hot should definitely try the Lava …. This is an excellent hot dry rub. Paige has a healthy respect for people on vacation... very generous pours. The atmosphere and ambiance is second to none. Affordable prices, friendly and fun setting, indoor and outdoor seating and the most important thing is the food is great. Shawn, Soren and Ky..... thank you all for the invite and the hospitality, definitely a highlight for us.....you have people ready to move across a whole ocean. Looking forward to the next time already!”

“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 ?”

“Very mellow, Great people watching along Alii drive, beautiful views of the outriggers. Come early for happy hour this is a small place. Drinks are strong, nai Tai and ginger beer soda $17, well worth the entertainment value. Bar tender great! Feed the geikos.Parking: Parked near Don Ho's maitai bar and walked the .7 miles.”

“I have to say this HOME is Iike none other! It's a wonderful place to celebrate any occasion, but also a great space to be yourself and "hideaway." Special thanks to all of the great hospitable fam here, but especially Celeste! It's not this place that makes this woman stand out, but the culture definitely is elevated by her shining character! The first time I met Celeste, she was quick to support me as an individual and genuinely cared, but she also made a spot on *chefs kiss* gin martini with the right level of dirty! Thank you Sam's fam!!”

“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!”

“I moved to the island about a year ago and thought I had already found my favorite sandwich at Poi Dog Deli. Then came across this place hiding near my home and have not looked back (no offense to Poi Dog, they're incredible - but wow). Recommended to order ahead so you can pick up and enjoy without waiting! :)”

“Our cashier Ren was so nice! Gave us the full Aloha service! Was extremely accommodating with providing a variety of gluten free options and not just generic GF pancakes but a variety of flavors. Nice comfortable indoor and outdoor seating. Short drive to the beach if you want to take your food and go eat at the beach. The macadamia pancakes were amazing. Super fluffy and moist eggs were cooked to perfection in. The spam was delicious! 10 out of 10 would highly recommend!Dietary restrictions: Gluten Free options”

“Food was delicious and unique. The cashier was friendly but this is not a sit down restaurant, they only have takeout. There is a minimum 15-20 minute wait for the food to be cooked so just something to keep in mind. overall I would definitely recommend grabbing a bite from here if you have the time!”

“Super-cute instagrammable boba shop! I highly recommend the mango rice yogurt with added lychee jelly at 50% sweetness. I'm always on the lookout for creative caffeine-free drinks at boba places and I've never seen anything like this one.The yogurt taste is balanced nicely with the mango and the rice gives a fun chewy texture that's different from boba and jellies which keeps your mouth entertained with constantly changing textures and flavors. Try it!”

“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 :)”

“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.”

“Loko Wraps actually helped cater our wedding of ~50 people and we can not speak highly enough about how much we and our guests enjoyed everything we ordered! A handful of our guests loved our taco bar so much, they ended up going back to Loko Wrap’s storefront the next day for lunch! We ordered a handful of different veggie and meat fillings, sides, sauces and toppings. The ceviche, BBQ jackfruit and shoyu chicken are AMAZING. Mike was super friendly over the phone and helped us put together a delicious menu that our guests all loved. Highly recommend Loko Wraps for catering, you will not be disappointed!”

“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”

“Love this cafe. Have been many times and always get great food, coffee, and friendly service. Their bacon is perfect and lots of delicious coffee drinks to pick from.”

“We stopped in when we were on vacation just to try different things, and the lady in charge was very helpful letting me try different types and flavors of coffee. My wife really loved the frappe she made her and I was impressed enough to buy 2lbs of decaf Kona for my parents and a pound of pea berry for me. I had everything shipped home which they made very easy. The people are very friendly and knowledgeable about their products. Next time we’re in Kona we will be there.”

“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”

“Absolutely amazing anniversary dinner under the stars with the waves lapping in the background. Service and food were outstanding cannot wait to go back and order more items :)”

“Some reviews talked about slow service. Not our experience at all. We were seated at 2:30pm, waitress took our order at 2:35, food arrived at 2:40. We got the Ono beer battered fish and chips, which were some of the best we have ever had. Also got the Poke nachos, which was also fantastic. Our server was great, and was hustling to take care of her tables, refill drinks, and take orders. Fantastic food, service, and what an incredible view of the harbor and Coast line. Definitely 5 stars, we will be back!Parking: About 40 parking spots, no problem finding a spot to park.”

“Really great delivery service! Quick to deliver and food is hot when it arrives. Noah is really great with calling to let me know if a problem exists. Mahalo nui loa!”

“Kai is definitely one of my top places to lunch . The best and closest ocean view, the pizza is the best, their service is always good, parking is easy across the way! And most importantly I feel that they are one of not the most integrity driven food options on alii drive , while other establishments sometimes rest on a steady new supply of tourists and take advantage… I’ll be back soon”

“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!:)”

“The pancakes are to die for in the Lava Java breakfast! Our waitresses, Tracey and Allie, was VERY understanding of our situation with having our 3 yr old child with us and us trying to enjoy the restaurant's breakfast items. They have a great sense of hospitality, and my spouse and I respect them even more for what they do. I highly recommend this place, just be here before 10 am to enjoy their food. Some of the customers here may be disrespectful and rude, but the staff here is DEFINITELY NOT! So thank the staff for what they do every chance that you get while you are there. ?”

“We were so happy to pick this spot for a coffee and chat before we departed. I loved my Ube cream foam cold brew. The kids had fun, the atmosphere is right up my alley and the kids shared a little vegan lemon cake. Lots nearby to walk to and parking was sufficient.”

“Food was delicious and unique. The cashier was friendly but this is not a sit down restaurant, they only have takeout. There is a minimum 15-20 minute wait for the food to be cooked so just something to keep in mind. overall I would definitely recommend grabbing a bite from here if you have the time!”

“Willie's chicken is definitely hot, those who like it hot should definitely try the Lava …. This is an excellent hot dry rub. Paige has a healthy respect for people on vacation... very generous pours. The atmosphere and ambiance is second to none. Affordable prices, friendly and fun setting, indoor and outdoor seating and the most important thing is the food is great. Shawn, Soren and Ky..... thank you all for the invite and the hospitality, definitely a highlight for us.....you have people ready to move across a whole ocean. Looking forward to the next time already!”

“You can't beat the view .....we missed sunset but still beautiful on the ocean. Food was good......we ordered the nachos as an app and they were so so big we were all pretty full when our entrees came. One thing that stood out for us was our server.......my husband had a headache, we asked where can we get ibuprofen.....she said hold on a minute and came back w 2 ibuprofen. She was so friendly and took care of our family. Sorry I don't remember her name......loved her.”

“Alright, here's the deal. You're on vacation looking for something to do and you see a sign. A whale of a sigh that reads, "Humpy's Alehouse"Literally, how can you NOT stop by?These guys have got their marketing downIt's everything you would expect it to be. Stop in and make some memories.”

“A great oceanside location. Food was good, skip the Caesar salad as it had zero flavor, but the other entrees were good. The banana pudding was hands down one of our favorite dishes we had on the island - a unique spin on a classic dessert.”

“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.”

“Awesome burgers. Just absolutely delicious. Very kind, polite and welcoming staff. Great environment. Very friendly. You can tell the employees have fun and enjoy their job!”

“One of the best experience I have had at a restaurant in what seems like a long time. The service is above all others, the food tastes like everyone loves their profession, made from scratch and with love. And the atmosphere is very classy. Very very pleased with this place, I wish all the success to them.”

“The best poke I've ever had, but then it was the first time in my life I've ever tried poke, so I guess technically it was also the worst poke I've ever had. But seriously, it was absolutely delicious.?”

“We just revisited Kona after a four year away. The name change didn’t effect service or quality. We had a great server Shiloh and so friendly. Honestly we had a margarita and a Bloody Mary with an order of onion rings. I hope to have time to go back before we leave the island.”

“The tropical flavors all complimented each other and it wasn’t too sweet which is just how I like it. Too much sugar gives me migraines. The customer service was wonderful as well. Will definitely go back when I visit the big island again.”

“This was a great place to eat. The food tasted amazing (definitely certified ono aka delicious) and very filling. The staff was friendly and the service was relatively quick. All of the ingredients were fresh. It was very close to the ocean and local shops, and there was a bathroom inside (which was an extra bonus if you've been out and about). I would definitely recommend it to others!”

“This is a hidden gem with a fabulous menu selection, food is fresh, and the meals are wonderful and filling. The server was warm and welcoming. Our whole experience was delightful. We had a great time here.”