Where To Eat In Kona, Hawaii: A Foodie’S Guide

Kona is a paradise for food lovers with its vibrant culinary scene featuring fresh local ingredients. If you’re wondering where to eat in Kona, you’ll find plenty of delicious options from casual beachfront eateries to upscale restaurants.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: Head to Huggo’s on the Rocks for tasty fresh seafood with ocean views, Splasher’s Grill for burgers and tropical drinks right on the beach, and Island Lava Java for breakfast and locally-roasted coffee.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll suggest the best Kona restaurants by area and cuisine type so you can easily find the perfect spot to match your tastes and budget.

Best Restaurants in Kailua-Kona

Dining with a View

Kona is renowned for its incredible ocean views and sunsets, so be sure to enjoy a meal with a vista at one of these restaurants:

• Huggo’s on the Rocks – This open-air restaurant sits right on the rocks overlooking the sparkling blue Pacific. It’s the perfect place to toast the sunset while feasting on fresh local seafood.
• Kona Inn Restaurant – Sit on the large lanai next to the ocean and take in panoramic views of Kailua Bay while enjoying Hawaiian fusion dishes made with locally-sourced ingredients.
• Lava Java – Perched over the ocean just north of Kailua-Kona, this causal cafe boasts postcard views of the Kona coastline. Sip coffee or munch on a light breakfast or lunch bite while gazing out to sea.

Local Cuisine

Be sure to get a taste of authentic Hawaiian regional cuisine in Kona. Some top spots include:

• Island Lava Java – This popular local chain is hailed for its 100% Kona coffee and tasty breakfasts showcasing ingredients from nearby farms.
• Kona Brewing Company Pub & Brewery – Don’t miss the chance to pair locally-crafted beers with pub grub favorites made with Hawaii Island ingredients at this laidback brewpub.
• Mi’s Waterfront Bistro – Overlooking Honokohau Harbor, this cozy eatery specializes in Hawaii Regional Cuisine featuring fresh seafood and local beef in creative preparations.

Casual Beach Eats

For delicious bites with sand between your toes, head to one of Kona’s casual beachfront eateries like:

• Bite Me Fish Market Bar & Grill – This tiny spot dishes up crazy-fresh seafood baskets, tacos, sandwiches and plates after you pick your own fish at their market.
• Kona Inn Restaurant – Their beach bar serves tasty pupus (appetizers) and tropical cocktails right on Kailua Bay where you can dig your feet into the sand.
• Kona Canoe Club – With fun tropical drinks, island fusion dishes, and prime oceanfront tables, this is a top choice for laidback al fresco dining in Kailua-Kona.

Upscale & Romantic

For a special evening out, Kona also offers fantastic upscale dining options. Some of the best include:

• Beach Tree at the Four Seasons – The elegant restaurant at this luxury resort offers a custom tasting menu showcasing Hawaii Island’s bounty against a sublime sunset backdrop.
• Umekes – Specializing in fresh local fish and prime cuts of beef paired with fine wines, Umekes delivers a sophisticated yet laidback dining experience in an historic building in downtown Kona.
• Roy’s Waikoloa Bar & Grill – Featuring Chef Roy Yamaguchi’s Hawaiian fusion cuisine and gorgeous views of Anaehoomalu Bay, Roy’s offers the perfect romantic ambiance.

Best Restaurants in North Kona

Beachfront Dining

Nothing beats dining right on the beach in Hawaii with the gentle ocean breeze and waves crashing nearby. Some top beachfront restaurants in North Kona include Huggo’s on the Rocks, which serves up fresh local seafood and prime rib on a deck overlooking the sparkling blue Pacific.

Watch the sunset while enjoying appetizers like ahi poke and coconut shrimp. Or check out Kona Inn Restaurant‘s outdoor lanai for sweeping ocean views and Hawaiian fusion dishes incorporating fresh island ingredients. Their macadamia nut crusted fish is always a crowd pleaser.

Family-Friendly

When traveling with kids in tow, Kona has no shortage of casual, family-friendly eateries to please even the pickiest of eaters. Head to Island Lava Java for all-day breakfasts of giant cinnamon rolls, loaded omelets, and coconut macnut pancakes to fuel your family’s island adventures.

Or grab a patio table at Kona Brewing Company for excellent pub fare like crispy coconut shrimp, burgers, and salads. The little ones will love watching the fish feeding in the koi pond while the adults enjoy locally brewed beers.

Farm-to-Table

For a true taste of the island, check out North Kona restaurants focused on sourcing ingredients right from local farmers and fishermen. At award-winning Umekes, the fresh poke bowls burst with the flavors of the sea and ingredients like avocado, green onion, and sesame highlight the bowls.

For an upscale farm-to-table experience, make a reservation at Beach Tree at the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai where the 7-course tasting menu might include Hualalai beef tenderloin or ravioli with Hamakua mushrooms.

From small plates to white tablecloth dining, farm-fresh cuisine shines in North Kona.

Best Restaurants South of Kona

Organic & Healthy

For those seeking wholesome and nutritious dining options south of Kona, there are some great organic and healthy restaurants to choose from. The Dragon Mochi Tea House crafts fresh mochi daily and serves it alongside organic teas in a tranquil garden setting.

Their mochi doughnuts with honey are simply divine! If you’re craving a huge salad or wrap, head to Island Lava Java, where they pile veggies high and use all-natural ingredients. Don’t skip their cold-brew iced coffee – it’s the best way to energize after a morning surf session.

And for a delightful oceanfront dinner as the sun sets, Keei Cafe serves up locally-sourced fish and grass-fed beef entrees that will make you feel refreshed.

Budget-Friendly

You don’t have to break the bank to eat well south of Kona. For cheap and satisfying plate lunches, pull up a picnic table at no-frills Hot Nalu’s near Magic Sands Beach. Their garlic shrimp is always a winner.

Families love Bite Me Fish Market Bar & Grill for its casual vibe and kid-friendly menu – try their fish and chips basket and you’ll be happy as a clam! And you can’t beat Mi’s Waterfront Bistro for Hawaiian soul food, like loco moco and kalua pork sandwiches, at just $10-12 per meal.

Sit on the sandbar deck and take in dreamy ocean views as you dine. With awesome eats at affordable prices, Kona’s southern shore has budget friendly dining locked up!

Coffee Shops

No visit to Hawaii’s coffee belt is complete without patronizing some local coffee shops and cafes along the southern coast. Just a short walk from Magic Sands, Island Vintage Coffee serves up incredible pour overs, cold brews, and espresso drinks using beans grown nearby.

Their baristas are incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about Hawaiian coffee – don’t hesitate to pick their brains for brewing tips! For a fruit-infused cold brew and homey, chilled-out vibe, Kona South is a must.

And if you need an early morning java fix before hitting the waves, Surf Shack Cafe opens at 5:30am right on Magic Sands Beach. Sit on the patio and enjoy Dawn Patrol blend coffee with a breakfast burrito as an endless stream of surfers file down to the renowned break.

With world-class beans and baristas focused on quality and sustainability, Kona coffee culture is alive and well south of town!

Kona’s Can’t-Miss Culinary Experiences

Sunset Dinner Cruise

One of the best ways to savor Kona’s natural beauty is on a sunset dinner cruise. Multiple companies offer evening sails along the Kona Coast that include a gourmet meal with locally-sourced ingredients.

As the sun sinks into the Pacific, feast on dishes like macadamia nut-crusted mahi mahi while taking in the vibrant colors lighting up the sky. Top off an incredible evening with a decadent chocolate lava cake as you gaze at the twinkling stars.

Fresh Hawaiian Fish

It’s no surprise that seafood shines in Kona’s dining scene. Due to the area’s remote location, restaurants rely on the exceptional local catch straight from Kona’s fishing villages. Indulge in favorites like ahi tuna, mahi mahi, and opah at seaside spots like Huggo’s on the Rocks.

Their fusion preparations combine Hawaiian flavors like mango salsa and lilikoi butter with the fresh snap of the island fish. Or keep it classic at no-frills joints like Kona Seafood where the fish plates simply highlight natural flavors.

Kona Coffee Tasting

You can’t visit Kona without trying its famous coffee. The region’s rich volcanic soil and ideal climate produce what connoisseurs consider the finest coffee in the world. Numerous farms welcome visitors to sample different varieties like Peaberry and Experience Extra Fancy.

Learn first-hand how meticulous hand-picking and sun-drying shapes these complex brews on a tour at an estate like Hula Daddy Kona Coffee. Compare preparation methods with a flight of pour-over, cold brew and espresso beverages at a local cafe.

By the end, you’ll undoubtedly appreciate each smooth sip!

Star Gazing Dinner

Get a side of astronomical delight with your meal on Mauna Kea, Hawaii’s tallest mountain. At almost 14,000 feet elevation, the atmosphere is so clear and pollution-free that 11 countries operate massive telescopes here.

Facilities like Mauna Kea Summit Adventures transport visitors up the mountain via 4×4 for a meal under the cosmos. As astronomical guides point out star clusters, planets and satellites, dine on chef-prepared dishes featuring local ingredients.

It’s a magical combination of science and cuisine showcasing two of Hawaii’s most marvelous offerings.

Conclusion

With stunning ocean views and farm-fresh cuisine, Kona offers memorable dining experiences to satisfy all tastes and budgets. Use this guide to discover the best places to eat in Kona for sunset dinners, local fish, Hawaiian coffee, and more.

We hope our recommendations lead you to delicious meals and unforgettable adventures on the Big Island!

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