From hidden gems to well-known eateries, here is your guide to the best places to eat in Kona! One of the most common questions we get from visitors to the Big Island is where they should eat while they are on their trip. We are here to say that you can’t go wrong with any of the food in Kona! No matter your budget or the style of food you are craving, there is an option for you within a few minutes drive of downtown Kona.
Best Restaurants in Kona
Best Breakfast in Kona
1. Lava Java
- Hours: 7:30 am – 7:30 pm
- $10-$20
Everything on the menu for breakfast here is delicious. Think island-style pancakes with bananas, macadamia nuts, and coconut syrup! Whether you’re keeping it light with a papaya and yogurt or going full-on with banana macadamia nut pancakes, it’s going to tantalize your tastebuds.
2. 808 Grindz
- 7 am – 1 Tuesday thru Sunday (breakfast all day)
- $8-$20
The pancakes with homemade Mac-Nilla sauce are killa good! But any of their plates are sure to satisfy even the largest appetites! Everything from Portuguese sausage and steak and shrimp!
3. Coffee Shack
- 7 am – sunset daily except Tuesday and Wednesday
- $10 – $15
Order it all, because it’s really that good. Just be prepared for crowds!
4. Kalikala Cuisine
- Wednesday through Sunday 8 am – 1 pm
- $5-$20
Lilikoi French Toast is what I grab every time I go! But really how could you go wrong with Hawaiian Waffles, coconut milk, pineapple chunks, and lilikoi syrup!
Kailua-Kona Restaurants
Krua
- Open Mon- Sat, 11am -3 pm and 5pm-9pm
Our favorite appetizer is the Spring Rolls. We love all of the curry dishes but really you can’t go wrong.
Tip: stick with mild unless you really like it hot!
Black Rock Pizza
- Open every day 11-8
Their dough and sauce are so delicious! They also have exciting pizza combinations to try out. Have a seat on the patio with a beautiful ocean view and devour some of the best pizza on the Island. Also, check out their fresh salads and maybe a cannoli for dessert.
Fosters Kitchen
- Open daily 11- 9 pm
Farm to table and delicious! For a tasty appetizer try their pimento cheese and cajun shrimp, or the whipped goat cheese bruschetta! The daily fresh catch is always a winner here! As well as the pulled pork plate! Don’t leave without trying the fosters banana pudding or the lilikoi cheesecake!
Willie’s Hot Chicken
- Open Mon-Sat 11am-8pm
Our favorite is the Nashville Hot chicken tenders, Franch sauce, and waffle fries! This place is truly delicious, their merchandise is cool, and the staff is super friendly.
Poi Dog Deli
- Open Mon-Sat 10:30am-8pm & Sun 10:30am-7pm
When you’ve been eating out a lot on vacay and just want a quick bite that feels fresh and healthy Poi Dog Deli is a good spot to grab a salad, sandwich, or half of each. We like to try their kitchen sink specials (which change often). However, the Turkey Orbit sandwich is truly delicious!
Loko Wraps
- Open daily 10am-7pm
Loko Wraps has two locations, one in central Kona, and one south in Captain Cook. There are lots of great things to go for here. They have delicious vegetarian options as well and beef, pork, and chicken. Feeling like something light and refreshing? Grab one of their smoothies or acai bowls. They make some great fresh creations that will delight your taste buds!
Ultimate Burger
- Open Mon-Thur 11am-8pm & Fri-Sat 11am-8:30pm
For those wanting to keep it simple with a giant burger and super good fries (served up with some special fry sauce), then this just might be the spot for you. Located across the street from Target in Kona.
Quinn’s Almost by the Sea
- Mon, Tue, Thurs 11am-9pm
- Fri 11am-10pm
- Sat 4pm-10pm; Sun 7am-9pm
Remember, you aren’t on a diet, you are on VACATION! This place is delicious comfort food served up perfectly! Trust us, get the fried pickles and the fish and chips! We’ve never had pickle chips this crunchy or delicious…remember, you’re on vacation!
Kailua-Kona Seafood Restaurants
While in Hawaii you might as well indulge in some sushi or poke. I mean you’re right by the ocean and some delicious fish are caught daily right off the coast!
Umekes Restaurants
- Open daily 11am-9pm
Fresh fish selections, sushi, and poke. They also have options for those not wanting fish.
Da Poke Shack
- Open daily 10am-4pm
The name says it all. All the types of delicious poke can be found here. Don’t want fish? No problem, grab a Hot Hawaiian plate of lau lau or kalua pork. So ono!
Honaunau Poke Shop
- Open daily 11am-6pm
This is a great option if you find yourself in south Kona or after a morning of kayaking with Bayside Adventures. Great selection, fresh and delicious!
Huggo’s
- Open daily 7am-11am
- Sun-Thur 5pm-9pm
- Fri & Sat 5pm-10pm
Huggo’s makes a great evening spot with an ocean view. They have something for everyone and on certain nights they even have live music.
Local Grindz
Super J’s
- Open Mon-Sat 10am-6:30pm
Amazing 100% traditional and authentic Hawaiian food. The lau lau is cooked in ti leaves days in advance, making the pork fall apart so easily. Very tender and salty. Great with a side of mac salad and lomi lomi with rice.
Broke da Mouth Grindz
- Open Mon-Sat 11am-7pm
As featured on Diners Drive-in’s and Dives from the Food Network you can’t go wrong with the Garlic Furikake Chicken. Stop in for a real local Hawaiian plate!
Want to work up an appetite before you head to one of the best restaurants in Kona?
Join us for a Big Island ATV Tour or a Polynesian Wood Carving Tour at Aloha Adventure Farms.
If you’re still in the trip planning phase, check out our posts about how to plan your Kona vacation, see the Big Island with kids, and execute the best Big Island Hawaii road trip itinerary.
Reach out to us by phone, email, or by filling out the contact form below with any questions!
