Best Restaurants & Places to Eat in Kona

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 Breakfast in Kona

1. Lava Java

• Located 4 mins or a 15 min walk from Kailua Pier
• Address: 75-5801 Ali‘i Dr, Building 1, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
• Brunch: 7:00 am-12:45 pm
• Hours: 7:00 am – 8:30 pm
• $10-$20
• Specialty: island-style pancakes topped with bananas, mac nuts, and coconut syrup.

Everything on the menu for breakfast here is delicious. 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 taste buds.

2. 808 Grindz

• Located 3 min drive or a 10 min walk from Kailua Pier
• Address: 75-5660 Kopiko St, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
• Hours: 7 am – 1 Tuesday thru Sunday (breakfast all day)
• $8-$20
• Specialty: Homemade “Mac-Nilla” pancakes and hearty breakfast plates.

A local favorite that always delivers big flavor. From pancakes smothered in their signature Mac-Nilla sauce to hearty combos featuring Portuguese sausage, steak, or shrimp, everything here hits the spot. Come hungry, the portions are generous!

3. Coffee Shack

• Location: 27-minute drive from the Kailua Pier
• Address: 83-5799 Mamalahoa Hwy, Box 510, Honaunau-Napoopoo, HI 96704
• Hours: 7 am – 3:30 pm, closed on Wednesdays
• Price: $10 – $20
• Specialty: Homemade bread and unbeatable views of Kealakekua Bay.

Perched above the coastline, The Coffee Shack serves up scenic views and delicious food. Try anything featuring their house-baked bread or pastries. Locals swear by it. Expect a bit of a wait, but it’s absolutely worth it for the view and flavors.

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 Thai Cuisine

• Location: 12min or a 20 min walk from Kailua Pier
• Address: 75-5705 Kuakini Hwy, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
• Hours: Mon- Sat, 11 am – 9 pm Sunday 3:30 pm-8:30 pm
• Specialty: Authentic Thai curries and crispy spring rolls.

Krua Thai offers flavorful, made-from-scratch dishes in a relaxed setting. Start with spring rolls and don’t skip the curry. The portions are hearty, and the staff is always welcoming.

Tip: stick with mild unless you really like it hot!

Black Rock Pizza – Coconut Grove

• Location: 18 min walk or 5 min drive from the Kailua Pier
• Address: 75-5813 Ali‘i Dr Unit H, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
• Hours: Mon-Thurs 4 pm-8 pm Sat – Sun 11 am-8 pm
• Specialty: Handcrafted pizzas, ocean-view patio, and fresh salads.

Known for their perfectly chewy crust and flavorful sauce, Black Rock Pizza serves creative combinations and classics alike. Pair your pie with a crisp salad and end your meal with a cannoli. The view of the water seals the deal.

Black Rock Pizza – Captain Cook 

• Location: 25-minute drive from Kailua Pier 
• Address: 82-6127 Hawaiʻi Belt Rd #3, Captain Cook, HI 96704
• Hours: 11 am-8 pm
• Specialty: Family-friendly pizza stop with local flair.

South of Kona, this location offers the same beloved menu in a quieter setting. It’s a great stop after exploring the Captain Cook area or heading back from the beach.

Fosters Kitchen

• Location: 15-minute walk from Kailua Pier
• Address: 75-5805 Ali‘i Dr, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
• Hours: Mon-Sat 11 am-10 pm
• Specialty: Farm-to-table island cuisine.

Locally sourced ingredients with oceanfront vibes. 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! Don’t leave without trying the Foster’s banana pudding or the lilikoi cheesecake! 

Willie’s Hot Chicken

• Location: 18 min walk or 4min drive from Kailua Pier
• Address: 74-5599 Pawai Pl Ste#1&2, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
• Hours: Mon-Sat 11 am-9 pm Sun- 11 am-8 pm
• Specialty: Nashville-style hot chicken with aloha spirit.

Bringing Southern heat to Hawaii, the vibe is fun, the staff is friendly, and the food is addictively good.

Poi Dog Deli

• Location: 25 min walk or 5min drive from Kailua Pier
• Address: 75-1022 Henry St, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
• Hours: Mon-Sat 10:30 am-6 pm
  • closed sunday
• Specialty: Fresh, fast, and customizable deli favorites.

A great spot for when you’re craving something fresh and easy. Daily specials keep things interesting, and everything tastes homemade.

Loko Wraps

• Location: 13 min walk or 4 min drive from Kailua Pier
• Address: 75-5595 Palani Rd, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
• Hours: Open daily 11 am-8 pm
• Specialty: Healthy, flavorful wraps and bowls made with local ingredients.

Loko Wraps has two locations, one in central Kona and one south in Captain Cook. Choose from fresh wraps, rice bowls, or smoothies — with great vegetarian options, too, which makes eating well simple and easy.

Ultimate Burger

• Location: 30 min walk or 6 min drive from the Kailua Pier
• Address: 74-5450 Makala Blvd E112, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
• Hours: Open Mon-Thur 10:30 am-8 pm
• Specialty: Fresh, locally sourced burgers and hand-cut fries.

Sometimes you just need a burger, and Ultimate Burger delivers. Juicy patties, toasted buns, and signature fry sauce make this a must for casual eats in Kona.

Quinn’s Almost by the Sea

• Location: 3 min walk from Kailua Pier
• Address: 75-5655 Palani Rd, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
• Hours: Sun, Mon, Tue, Thurs, & Fri 11 am-10 pm
  • Closed Sun
• Specialty: Classic comfort food and local seafood favorites.

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

• Location: 18-minute walk or 4-minute drive from Kailua Pier
• Address: 74-5599 Pawai Pl, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
• Hours: Open daily 11 am-9 pm
• Specialty: Fresh poke, sushi, and local seafood dishes.

A staple in Kona’s food scene. Everything is made with locally sourced fish and a lot of aloha.

Da Poke Shack

• Location: 10-minute drive from Kailua Pier
• Address: 76-6246 Ali‘i Dr, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
• Hours: Open daily 10 am-4 pm
• Specialty: Authentic poke bowls made fresh daily.

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

• Location: 30-minute drive from Kailua Pier
• Address: 83-5308 Mamalahoa Hwy B, Captain Cook, HI 96704
• Hours: Mon- Thurs 10 am-6 pm Fri-Sun 9 am-6 pm
• Specialty: Fresh poke and local favorites in South Kona.

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

• Location: 17 min walk or 5 min drive from Kailua Pier
• Address: 5308, 75-5828 Kahakai Rd, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
• Hours: 4 pm-9 pm Huggo’s makes a great evening spot with an ocean view.
• Specialty: Oceanfront dining with live music and sunset views.

This casual island charm meets an elevated dining spot has something for everyone. Fresh seafood, tropical cocktails, and occasional live performances.

Local Grindz

Super J’s

• Location: 29-minute drive from Kailua Pier
• Address: 83-5409 Mamalahoa Hwy, Captain Cook, HI 96704
• Hours: Open Mon-Sat 10 am-3 pm
• Specialty: Authentic lau lau and classic Hawaiian comfort food.

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. Simple, traditional, and so satisfying.

Broke da Mouth Grindz

• Location: 5-minute drive from Kailia Pier
• Address: 74-5565 Luhia St, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
• Hours: Open Mon-Sat 11 am-2:30 pm- 4 pm-8 pm
• Specialty: Famous Garlic Furikake Chicken.

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!