Where to eat: the 16 best restaurants in Kealakekua

Found this amazing spot on OpenTable and stopped by. Wow, amazing food and attentive service. We started with the eggplant appetizer stuffed with couscous which was a really nice flavor combination. My son ordered the pork chops with peppercorn gravy and finished everything, he's 8😁. My wife had the poke nachos and didn't say a word until they were gone... I'm thinking site really enjoyed them. I had the fresh Ono prepared like the catch of the day #4 and it was amazing. I had never heard of Hawaiian cherries and the sauce that they made from those was memorable. For dessert we couldn't decide so we had the lilikoi cheesecake and mango cobbler. The cheesecake was great, but the mango cobbler is something I would drive an hour for again any day. Highly recommend this restaurant if you are on the big island!

Bobby has been doing this for years. Never a disappointment. Fresh, local food with Aloha! Duck breast with fresh local veggies and Ono with organic greens! Oh so Ono!!! A wonderful experience!

Great food with big portions and nice setting with parking. Staff were wonderful but service was a bit slow - we might have caught them on a short staffed day. I'd recommend this place although it is on the pricey side. There was nice live music too!

The food here is fantastic. I love the pork chops with pineapple glaze. The people at this establishment are friendly and the service is great.

One of the best seafood pastas ever. Could have used more seafood but the taste was awesome! Great view too! They have live music but we got there too early. Only two of our party of 7 were hungry so this was just a to-go order but we would definitely go back. Staff was very nice.

We've been here for a week and this was, by far, the best meal we had. We haven't had bad food either but this was exceptional. The Joel Gott cabernet with the ribeye was absolutely divine. I don't have a picture because I ate it too fast. The staff was on top of it even being a server short. I don't have a single bad thing to say about the entire night.

The Ahi Nachos are AMAZING 10/10!! The entrees taste/flavor was great!! But at this price point, I expected slightly better. The Mahi Mahi veggie/salad/potato platters were very good, but the presentation was a little sloppy. The Mahi Mahi had good flavor, but it was still slightly bland - cooked to a perfect rare, but not a ton of flavor. The duck dish again is very tasty and good, the duck was cooked to a perfect rare!! but I expected the duck to have a crispy skin, all the food on the dish was a little wet, and the presentation was a little sloppy. Again, it's great food! But I feel like if one put in a big effort to home-cook a meal like the Duck, Mahi, they could do it to a similar level of presentation/taste.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ **Solid entrees, incredible desserts—and don’t skip the appetizers!** Rebel Kitchen has a laid-back vibe and some great highlights on the menu. The entrees were decent—the beef stroganoff was mid but still had good flavor, and the cheesesteaks were good, just a bit dry. That’s probably why they offer their Hawaiian fire sauce, which is super tasty and definitely helps bring things to life. Garlic fries were pretty solid, especially if you're into bold garlic flavor. But one of the biggest surprises? The **Cuban rolls appetizer**—absolutely delicious and right up there with the desserts. Super flavorful and definitely worth ordering. Speaking of dessert, Rebel Kitchen knocks it out of the park. The lilikoi cheesecake was bomb, and the tropical strawberry shortcake was very good. But the **raspberry lava cake** was the best thing I had. I got the sorbet and cake served separately, and both parts were 10/10. I’d come back just for that!

Stopped in for a late lunch (or early dinner). Everything looked amazing on the menu. Had Chicken Fajita Wontons, coconut curry ono and shrimp (pictured) and the lomo saltado. All three were excellent. The house made sauces were great as well! The wontons were creative and well done, the lomo was delishous, with super deep flavors. And the curry dish with shrimp and fish was executed perfectly (the cook on the shrimp and fish was spot-on)! The place is clean and well kept. Staff is friendly, Leigh was amazing and switched up the TVs so we could follow the home team! We will be back and highly recommend stopping in for a bite to eat!

Perfect. No notes. Pepperoni garlic fries (not pictured because they were so tasty we ate them before the photo was taken) was delicious. Jerk chicken sandwich was delightful. Would eat here again any time.

Tried the Coconut Curry Ono and Shrimp & Lomo Saltado, both amazing! Rebel Kitchen is a Kona gem with fresh, flavorful food and a true local feel. Would be happy to go again!

Everything we had here was sooo good. For the appetizer we got the Cuban Rolls -- HIGHLY recommend. The rebel burger was delicious too. The Hawaiian pineapple coleslaw was great and added a lot of flavor. This was exactly the kind of Hawaiian flavors I was looking for while staying in Captain Cook. ((The music selections were also great btw))

This is a great little escape from tourist food in Kona. We were just driving through the area and wanted to grab a quick beer so we stopped in a small cluster of shops and were lucky enough to park near Rebel Kitchen! After getting our delicious Maui coconut hiwa porter we noticed right away this place was unique and the menu brought us back a second time. That time we got a must try Rebel burger topped with spicy pineapple coleslaw and crispy bacon and fries 👌Also, you must try the mustard and ketchup! So good you could drink it!

This nearly-hole-in-the-wall place is unassuming, but the food is outstanding and the service is phenomenal. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with warmth. Had the Cuban rolls (WOW - comfort food bar none!) and my wife opted for the falafel salad (really good!) with me going for the jambalaya - the latter was with a twist, but a very good twist. We’ll be back next week - and the week after… ;-)

Local hole in the wall restaurant that served traditional, authentic Japanese comfort food w/ old-school interior & ambiance that transported us back in time. The walls were decorated w/ trinkets & pictures of the owner's family from generations that tell a story. They kept our attention while we waited for our food to arrive. My husband & I were fortunate to get a wonderful server who directly pinned 2 plumeria flowers above my left ear (left to indicate in a relationship & right to indicate that a woman is available). I was impressed w/ the staff's overall hospitality & attentiveness. We ordered the Teishoku No. 3 & the Corned Beef Hash Patties, which were both satisfying & didn't leave us feeling bloated. Simple & humble meals served w/ good portions. Mahalo from Vancouver, Canada!

TESHIMA’S has been around for a long time; now run by the founder’s descendants. The atmosphere is old school family restaurant with some of the most delicious bento boxes, daily specials, and Japanese comfort food. Prefect lunch stop on the way back from Captain Cook’s beach outing or a short drive down from Kahalu’u beach. Service is great and friendly.

After seeing the menu and reading the history, we decided we had to visit. We were greeted by a very friendly staff, unsurprising if you’ve read the history, and immediately offered green tea (a delight!!). The food was incredible, it’s served in traditional Japanese style with miso & tsukemono accompanying nearly every meal. The sukiyaki was excellent, the miso was quality, and my partner enjoyed the #3 a lot. We’ll definitely be returning the next time we’re on big island and recommending this place to everyone.

I love this historic little restaurant. It’s more authentically Japanese than the places near me in SF Japantown. The love they have for their matriarch is really touching and so much aloha. I just can’t. Oh and the food is really good too. Service is with an authentic smile. I ended up going twice, once out of my way.

Delicious home-style Japanese food. Loved the combo plate, especially the fried fish, and the tasty tomato beef dish that I’ve never had before. Staff was super friendly and accommodated us even though we arrived 10 minutes before closing. Also enjoyed the pictures of the owners grandpa (?) or great-grandpa playing baseball and cracking one into the bleachers! Mahalo!

Had the Sashimi platter and it was perfect. I have been to Japan and this is quite a great meal. The local american/japanese look of the restaurant is also unique. Try this family-run restaurant!

We were very thrilled to find an authentic Japanese restaurant opening for breakfast and offering Japanese dishes. For some reason the restaurant has very strict rules that they have a velvet rope like a fancy club to make you wait outside for entrance. And outside food or drink is strictly forbidden. Which is understandable. But it was a bit too far when we wanted to take our thermo water bottle in, A friendly staff told us to put it inside a bag so it would not show on the table. And I just happened to see one of the staff clearly having a flu sneezed in front of the soda machine and the ice box without wearing a mask. I think rules should be fair and respectful both ways. The food came quickly but I would not say it was very satisfying. May it was a bad day that the rice tasted like left over from the day before , and fried fish tasted very grease. We meant to order some bento boxes to go but decided not to.

Came here on a Wednesday evening, lots of parking spots and they validate parking. You order at the counter and sit down. Fast service. Spicy beef rib ramen - 3/5 - noodles are very overcooked Beef rib pho - 3/5 - very salty Beef rib kimchi fried rice - 4/5, the sauce on top is not great so maybe ask for it on the side Shrimp dynamite appetizer - 2/5 taste like Costco frozen shrimp tempura, so much breading to shrimp ratio

Delicious food, substantial portions, simple format. 🍖We absolutely loved the oxtail (+ fried rice). The meat quality and cook was amazing! 🧋Classic black milk tea was a little too sweet for our taste.

If you’re in the mode for pho this is the right place! My husband and I ordered the oxtail pho and lilikoi chicken. Portions were big, we had so much leftover to bring home. We really enjoyed both items we ordered. Service was quick and the staffs were really friendly. Plenty of seating inside! Recommend if you’re in the mode for asian food!

Everything was amazing! The spicy beef udon had the perfect kick, rich broth, and tender beef that melted in my mouth. Really liked mango boba tea! Great portions & friendly & quick service. Will be back!

Absolutely delicious! The broth was rich, flavorful, and perfectly balanced with just the right level of spice. The beef ribs were incredibly tender and full of flavor — they fell right off the bone. You can really taste the care put into every ingredient. I’ll definitely be coming back for this again!

This dish was amazing! The shrimp were perfectly grilled — juicy, flavorful, and seasoned just right. The crispy rice crackers added a great crunch, and the dipping sauce brought everything together with a perfect sweet-and-tangy balance. It’s a must-try appetizer that tastes as good as it looks!

We had the biggest surprise in coming to TK Noodles. We had the OxTail Ramen and the Hawaiian combo plate with OxTail and garlic shrimps. It is out of this world the taste the food had, the flavors. The oxtail meat was so tender and soft it felt like a pudding. We changed our plans for the next day just to come here again. The staff was very nice and welcoming even though we arrived before closing. This is certainly a place not to miss in Kona.

Farm to table FRESHHH! Dishes were hot and the ingredients were locally sourced and notably fresh and clean. Vegan options available too! I recommend you call ahead for reservations as the restaurant is cozy and quaint with a charming and cheery atmosphere. Limited seating in door with some seating outdoor, which can get chilly. 👍🏼👍🏼Two thumbs up for sure!!

This place is a gem. Definitely recommend, such a cute date night spot. I’m vegan and my husband isn’t but there were delicious options for both of us. I had such good curry and his pizza he said was one of the best he’s ever had. Even the herbal tea was incredible! Our only critique would be adding fresh strawberries to top the strawberry shortcake dessert. We will definitely be back!

Great place for lunch or dinner. They have a limited menu, but the good quality is excellent. The desserts are huge and to die for. I will go again.

Delicious food! The lumch menu changes daily per the preferences of the chef. Great service and a very cute atmosphere. Will definitely be returning. The desserts are also delicious and are homemade everyday!

Cutest little place! You can tell they really take the time to make your food pretty and it's really tasty too. We were in a hurry and everything came out fast and hot and beautiful.

Just off the highway, the Strawberry Patch is a healthy and fresh place to stop for a meal. The food was great and service was genuine. It was worth the stop.

We had our wedding catered by Amelia, and was a little nervous since we were doing a destination wedding and could not do a tasting in advance due to our time constraints. She definitely exceeded our wildest expectations, the food was amazing, her staff was very professional and kind. Our guests can't stop talking about the food, my maid of honor's boyfriend said it was his favorite part of his whole week in Hawaii! We definitely recommend her catering!

$16 for 6 tiny wings - i kid you not! And they're not even half decent. At least we got a good laugh at this silliness. When I ordered over the phone, they actually warned me that their wings were "not their best option" 😆 On a positive note, it's a nice quiet little bar to hang out and play pool. They also have live music on Fri + Sat nights. 🍻

I was over at Kona community Hospital, and I asked a new friend of mine where I should eat. He recommended this place which was just down the street said they had good burgers. Atmosphere is nice and casual and the staff is exceptionally friendly and cool. My server recommended a prime rib French dip and it was fantastic. Plenty of meat. nice bun delicious au jus and I got these thick onion rings. I’ve never had onion rings so thick but they were yummy. They also have a nice selection of drinks including Lagunitas Hoppy refreshers. I always love it when a bar has a nonalcoholic alternative that taste great. They got pool tables here plenty of TVs and great music. It’s a perfect stop over if you’re going between Hilo and Kona or a nice lazy day. I’ll be back.

We started out our dinner eating outside but because of a pre-arranged reservation we needed to move inside. This sports bar has it all. Pool, live band and lots of TVs. The owner is just a super friendly guy comes by and chats with everyone. Food is excellent. Staff is very friendly and helpful.

Alright. We went on saturday during live music night. I don't know why there's so many good reviews on the food. The food is just okay... if I had to say it must have a pretty low budget. The food almost tastes like arcade food, cheap but not finessed. And cheap food can be finessed! I ordered the chicken Alfredo and the chicken reminded me of jack in the box chicken with cream of mushroom Alfredo. We also ordered the nachos but the queso was not it. The topping were great though! BUT if you're looking for a good place to drink your beer, hang out, and munch on something (even if its not great) with good atmosphere and excellent service, this is the place for you! Food is only half the battle, the service and atmosphere is the other half! Our server was honestly great and the manager came around to check on all the tables! If this place would just work on the taste of their food a little more, it would be actually a pretty good restaurant and bar.

Food was good, but the flies were horrible and unrelenting. Hard to eat when you’re waving off the flies. Had to get my own drink refill. I had heard such good things. Not worth going back.

Customer service 9/10 Value for money 10/10 Quality of experience 9/10 A very fine sport bar with great dining options. The highlight today was the fish taco. 3.5 a piece is a bit pricy but the taste is fabulous. The burger was very luxuriously made and its price very reasonable. The onion soup too salty. The shrimp scampi is a bit too dry and lacks some flavors. The cocktail is normal, not too impressed. On second visit We tried the prime rib and Taco Tuesday. The 2 dollars taco is a true joy! It is delicious as usual and no longer pricey. I cannot honestly recommend the prime rib. It is not impressive at all. But you're mostly paying for the meat anyway.

They improved the patio with bamboo fencing. It cuts off the cool breezes. It makes for a more comfortable dining outside at night. Great happy hour Mai Tais! The bacon half pound cheddar cheese burger with fries was more than enough for the two of us! It was a wonderful delicious meal. I had the special Thursday pork chop dinner for less than $20. It was a rainy evening and we sat inside. People were watching sports and playing pool and enjoying their meals. For my wife, she enjoyed the large burger, but doesn't enjoy the restaurant noise. The restaurant is south of the town of Kailua-Kona. Check out the specials for the day and save money while doing it!

We ordered Bulgogi Fries. That was really good. I would order that again. We also ordered Chicken Katsu, Veal plate, Chicken Boat (substituted the fries for rice), and Sweet Potato Tempura. I felt that the Katsu could've been better. It was slightly overcooked. The Veal was nice and tender. I didn't get a chance to taste my son's chicken so I can't comment on that, but the sweet potato tempura was really good too. Slightly oily, but that's my only complaint for that. The flavors were really good and I'd go back again to try some other things on their menu.

We went to this place based on the reviews from TripAdvisor. Very reasonably priced and friendly service. The only negative is the over medium eggs came out a little underdone. The yeast donuts are made fresh and were pretty good. We would definitely eat here again and maybe try some of their dinner plates.

Good, fresh food at good prices. Rotating specials as supplies last and something for everyone: burgers, whole fried fish, and everything in-between. Fishburger comes with two freshly-fried mahi filets, and the mac salad is solid here.

Loco Moco plate was awesome. I’ve had a few from several different spots across the islands and Sandy’s is as good they come.

Clean facilities, good food that’s cooked well and served quickly, healthy portions, surprisingly reasonable prices, friendly service, and I don’t think you can ask for anything else. I ordered the loco moco, my children had the breakfast plates with bacon, and wife had a cheeseburger. Would recommend to anyone. Might want to bring your own hot sauce if you like spicy food. Thank you Sandy’s!

I've been going back and leaving reviews for places I've visited in the past and this place stands out above so many others. Me and my father took a trip to the islands many years ago and we still talk about this place, even though we forgot the name. Spent 30 mins looking at maps to find this to leave a review. To start off, the food was out of this world. Simple and delicious. the atmosphere was really nice as well, nothing fancy, but you felt comfortable in there while you eat. Very friendly staff from what I can recall because we went back several times the week we stayed there. Tried fried spam for the first time here as well. When me and my wife go to Hawaii I will be taking her here as well.

This place is hidden gem for local comfort food. My two picky kids loved their fried chicken and white rice. I really liked their chicken too. They didn’t over cook like the Californian’s. And their macaroni salad is so delicious, you won’t stop licking the utensils. And they have the best Lilikoi soda float. I would totally bring my kids to this place again . Let me not forget, they have awesome customer service and plenty of parking.

Hands down the best sesame balls I have ever had! Delicate crisp outside, moist and chewy inside, perfect red bean filling!

We stopped by to grab dinner, they only serve to go, no dine in. We had two orders of the two choice lunch plate. The orange chicken and sweet and sour pork were stale, they were not crispy at all. The beef and broccoli and rice and noodles ware better. I would pass on the deep fried proteins unless you know they were recently cooked. Quantity and price were good though and fast service.

Very fresh, not greasy, fast and friendly Chinese food up mauka! Takeout only, big parking lot. Accepts credit cards. Called in order at 5:15pm on a weekday night and it was ready to be picked up in 15 minutes. We ordered fried pork hash dumplings, Crispy gau gee mein with cake noodles, Ma Po Tofu, eggplant and pork in garlic sauce, lemon chicken, and shrimp fu young. Pork hash is something I've never encountered outside of Hawai'i and the fried version was different and tasty. Inside the perfectly fried exterior is a mixture of mostly pork and a little chopped water chestnut for crunch. The shrimp fu young had lots of finely chopped cabbage inside the egg which I appreciated and there was enough shrimp. Tasted like my childhood. Eggplant and pork in garlic sauce was very yummy. The eggplant was fresh, garlic sauce had a nice light flavor and the pork was soft and tender. Ma Po Tofu wasn't the best I ever had but it checked all the boxes. Nice flavor and spice and not super oily like at other places. Doesn't come with rice so be sure to order it separately. They didn't separate the cake noodles which was disappointing because they were all soft by the time we ate, however the overall taste of the dish made up for it. I liked the large variety of fresh veggies and the fried gau gee is always meaty fried goodness. The lemon chicken was the only dish I would not order again. The chicken was a little tough and the lemon sauce was very artificial (orange in color and didn't taste like lemon).

Highly recommend eating at Hong Kong Chop Suey. They have tasty barbecue pork and noodles. You can get food to go or sit down. I also recommend the orange chicken and shrimp dishes.

Very good place to eat if you're looking for some Chinese food on the big island. Portion sizes and prices are comparable to those on the main land. Flavor is a little on the light side, but still not bad. All in all, a good place for dinner, dine in or carry out. Note: food items are just that; there's no combo platters that I saw. Pictured are orange chicken, crispy chicken, fried wonton, egg roll, beef & broccoli, and pork fried rice.

This place has a red closed sign from the HEALTH DEPARTMENT. :( they were ok when I ate takeout, nothing great but good enough to come back when there aren’t other options within hours. disappointing and gross they were shut down

The service was great. The food was ok. It wasn’t the best and wasn’t the worst. I got the sweet and sour chicken with fried rice.

I'm not sure what food all these other reviewers ate, but man. I ordered simple veggie fried rice, and guys, it was real bad. Crazy greasy, the rice was clearly not freshly made, and the veggies were basically raw. The eggrolls I ordered with it were equally rough and literally dripping oil. Either all of these other reviews are fake, or the dine-in experience is exponentially better. Either way, I won't be going back.

The service is great n the environment is friendly n full of joy n the food is onolicious n food portion is great for the price...... I'd give it 10 stars if I could.

Good food,reasonable price,excellent customer service. I've been here so many time and so far so good.😊

We live not too far away & used to occasionally eat at this place despite its marginal flavor. Then several months ago we were bowled over at the transformation. I can say quite comfortably that this is the best Chinese on the island. We eat there regularly & our friends thank me for referring me there. Not a fancy place, but good food at good prices. Top shape.

We stumbled there by accident while driving towards the airport from black sand beach. Best Chinese food in a while...We loved the food. The Mongolian beef was so tender and juicy. We had lunch portion and it was big. Great prices and authentic taste. Will be back on our next visit

A gem on the outer skirts of town. We noticed this place on our way to green sand beach. We looked up some pictures and reviews online and decided to pop over for some dinner. All the dishes we ordered we're ridiculously good (chashu pork, garlic eggplant, crispy duck, and beef noodle soup). It's as authentic as being a Chinese restaurant on an island can be. Stop by if you like good food and don't want to pay an arm and a leg in town. You won't be disappointed.

The food is delicious. Very down to earth Hawaii -style atmosphere. The chef is very good. Don’t miss this place. When you are there, quiet yourself and feel the old country vibe of Kealakekua.

My husband and I had a fantastic time here. The lady taking our order was very attentive and checked the ingredients for soy (my husband is allergic). The food was AMAZING! Best poke bowl I've ever had. I got the nachos with the spicy kine fish, and I already want to come back for more. EDIT: I came back AGAIN during my vacation and got the poke plate. 10/10 and the server is so nice

Friendly service, cool atmosphere and great poke! Spicy and sesame poke were tasty and fresh. The ahi katsu was a pleasant surprise for our kid. Delicious!

This place was awesome. We went in on a weekday afternoon and had the place to ourselves. The poké was as good as it gets and my wife got the Ahi Katsu which was delicious and served as a plate lunch. I had to track down some One-Ton chips so I can make my own poké nachos at home. Worth the drive from Kailua or anywhere really to get poké here.

We went by today to grab food, and we left very happy. We enjoyed the good food as the Sun set - what a view! The service person is SO helpful, walking customers through different items and combos. She gave samples as requested, making sure everyone in our party was well prepared. The California Dreaming Poke is out of this world. The plate is a lot of food - be prepared.

Alexa was super friendly and served us some really good Poke after a long day of adventuring on the island. They have sweet merchandise there too and the hats are the coolest.

First stop for us on the big island. Great Poke bowls! I would recommend and return here myself! Killer view out the windows. The gal that helped us was very kind. Love supporting small business. Thank you guys!

They pride themselves in daily freshly caught fish, they have several poke flavours to choose from. The poke nachos were a bit heavy, my partner thought the crisps were thick and taste more like a deep fried wonton wrappers. But I enjoyed them. Other than that, a good place to stop for lunch.

We were excited to try this place. An experienced NYC Chef, an interesting menu, plenty of locals -not too touristy. Our server was a bit behind the curve but the place was not full or busy. We waited a bit for a greeting and to give our drink order. I knew what I wanted when I saw Mai Tai on the menu—it was a Saturday night at sunset! They were out. I tried a vodka drink, that was spilled on me upon delivery. It would’ve been better hospitality if the server had replaced the drink and brought me soda water and a cloth napkin to rub it out of my dress (a red drink). He apologized and brought a paper napkin (disintegrates on fabric). We tried the green bean salad with “crispy rice paper” and a beet salad. The portion size is a bit small for the price. The bean salad had maybe 3 green beans fillet’s in half, red bells, soggy fried rice paper and a dressing that was unpleasantly sweet. In Hawaii I would expect more of a a bounty of their great local produce and flavors. Like a mango ginger chopped salad or more tropical vibe like kale with coconut lime macadamia. I’d like to see the chef integrate more Hawai’i flavors. The flavors felt a little too “winter on the mainland”. Next we had short ribs and yellowtail in a lemongrass taro coconut red curry. The ribs were tender and in a thick gravy, the pomme puree perfect, but the set felt heavy handed for the summer weather. The fish was ok, but the flavors were not as described on the menu. The curry needed to be more bold, with more ginger, lime leaf, more spice, more acid, more herbs. It was a boring sauce which is surprising when you’re surrounded by so much vibrancy of nature. For dessert we tried the mango soup with a lemongrass sorber(?) and fried ginger. This is a fun fine dining classic from back in the day. It was good, altho I’d have added more lime to punch up the soup and the fried ginger could have popped more with a dusting of ginger sugar and more tender young ginger —these were fibrous. Overall this place does stand out on the Big Island as a must try. The interior is very pretty. The patio could use a bit more polishing to match the decor. Service could improve, this place is pricy. And with the Chef’s resume and pedigree, flavors should be better/bolder.

We just had dinner here and the ambiance was lovely, warm, welcoming, and beautifully set up. We tried the lamb, which was absolutely delicious, and the mushroom pasta, which was just okay. Unfortunately, it wasn’t our luckiest night when it came to service. Our server seemed a bit off. We waited around 30 minutes before she took our order. Even though one of our friends was parking the car, we had his order ready, but she didn’t acknowledge us until we flagged down a few different staff members. When the food finally arrived, our grandma was given the wrong dish. The server apologized, but it really disrupted the meal. We all ended up eating very slowly, trying to wait for her correct dish to arrive so we could enjoy dinner together. It took the joy out of what should’ve been a special night. She also missed the tone of the moment, trying to lighten things up with jokes when we were clearly frustrated. At the end, we ordered three desserts and she comped one as an apology. While we appreciate the gesture, comping an $11 dessert didn’t quite make up for the dinner experience being off. I really want to believe this was just an off night, because the food and ambiance do have a lot of potential. Hopefully, service will be more attentive next time. Obs: small portions (except for the lamb), I left a bit hungry..

The Theatery is one of my favorite fancy restaurants in Kona! Their food is next level delicious and offers a classy, elegant, fun evening vibe. My favorite appetizer is the pounded ahi. All of their food is created by a chef and they change out their specials regularly. I also loved the banana ice cream dessert, which is made right in front of you at the table! This restaurant is partnered with Puma Chocolate Company and incorporates their chocolate with the desserts. I will definitely be going back! :) We went on a night when they did not have a show at the theatre, so parking was easily accessible. I imagine that parking will be more difficult on show nights. I believe on Wednesday nights they do a Kama’aina discount.

Hands down the best meal we had in our entire Hawaiian trip which included Maui as well. Food service atmosphere all really good here. Nice job guys. I would totally recommend and come back.

My wife and I went with two other couples and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We were dining a bit later than usual, arriving at 7:15, and on a Thursday it was not busy. One couple was late and the staff was great about that, and we proceeded to order around a half hour later. We enjoyed different meals and they were all excellent. Many other reviews have covered them in detail, so I'll skip that. The chef/owner has done a great job here. He could be seen coming out on occasion, and the staff was attentive. He has an impressive background and it was interesting reading about his journey. Our server David let us alone but was always there when needed. I think that the crew did a great job and we were left to catch up with our friends with good food and conversation. One of our friends grew up in France and had just returned from vacationing in Portugal and he was blown away by the meal. He could not believe we had this sort of dining experience in sleepy Kona! My short ribs were perfect, and the steak looked delicious. We ended with two wonderful desserts and left the place completely satisfied. David made it easy to split the bill for three couples, and the 20% gratuity for a table of six was totally deserved. We're lucky to have a place like this on the island. We all agreed that this was a unique place and perfect for a special occasion. I forgot to inquire about corkage fees as I found the wine list lacking, having grown up in Northern California I'm biased towards Napa/Sonoma vintages. My wife and I look forward to returning and trying out some more of their excellent food soon. Mahalo.

Truly an amazing dining experience here! The food was several levels above what you would normally get in Kona for the same price - kudos to the chef, bravo! I had the chicken and it was the best ever. Lynda chose the swordfish with some trepidation and absolutely loved it. The cocktails were also excellent. This place is a true gem off the beaten path and a must do! Please support this amazing local business!! Edit: we just visited again and still top notch!

This is about Roadside Grindz Lunch. I am a local and have dined in the restaurant several times before and it was always amazing so I tried newly started lunch with high expectation. The smash burger however had way too much salt ( patty was like bathed in salt and fries oversalted too) the way I couldn’t eat it. The coffee shop staff was so nice that offeredd me a replacement, (plus lettuce I ordered and paid was missing ) and tried but came back with untouched box because “it is the way it is”. If so people please be warned! Smash burger here uses too much salt and pepper the way it makes you sick. Such a shame because (a lot) less shakes of salt would have made it very tasty.

Stopped by on our way back from Two Step beach and had a lovely late lunch. Parking was easy, prices are reasonable, and our food came quickly. The Singapore noodles and garlic green beans were especially delicious with excellent flavor. However, the noodles in the beef chow fun were a bit undercooked and the char siu was a little dry and lacking flavor. Overall though we enjoyed our meal and would come again.

DAY 5 of Vacation - After a long day of hiking and exploring new beaches, we were ready for dinner! I found this spot while Yelping and figured it was time for some comfort food. We enjoyed their dishes so much we came back 2x! Parking: They have a small parking lot. Finding a spot can either be a hit or miss. We visited around 6pm on a weekday, and it was fairly easy. Free parking. Ambiance/Environment: This spot is located upstairs. They have a large space with plenty of indoor seating and limited outdoor seating. It was fairly clean inside. It gave more of a traditional Chinese setting. Service: There was only one server, and we forgot to ask for her name. She was quick and efficient. Throughput took under 10 minutes after ordering. They do speak broken English. Food: Portions are LARGE, so come with a big appetite! They have a large menu filled with traditional Chinese dishes and more. We ordered a lot of food, and as hungry as we were, we even had leftovers. I ordered the Shrimp Fried Rice, Crab Rangoon, Honey Walnut Shrimp, and Jasmine Green Milk Tea. The fried rice was cooked and seasoned well. The Crab Rangoon was the perfect appetizer. It was crunchy and had a good amount of cream cheese filling. The Honey Walnut Shrimp was sweet and not too citrusy. It paired perfectly with the fried rice. The Jasmine Green Milk Tea was basic and satisfied my boba craving. We visited again the day before we departed. I wanted to try something completely different, so I ordered the Chicken Katsu Burger w/ Garlic Cheese Fries. The burger was very basic and decent especially for its price. The fries were definitely garlicy, but I'd prefer the cheese to be more melted. Pricing: We thought it was definitely worth its price! Portions were large, so almost everything was shareable. Highly recommend for traditional Chinese dishes and other options!

So delicious!!!!!!! All locals inside and great prices. All 4 of us had huge plates of leftovers, too. For 4 the check was $80, including 4 dinners and an appetizer. I wish we could go back, tomorrow. It was so good! I highly recommend!!!! You really do not want to miss out on this food. I also recommend the loco moco plate. It was absolutely mouthwatering.

I was really hoping to like this place more. A couple positives first…My wife’s sesame chicken was good and our crab Rangoon was good. Additionally the girl that waited on us was friendly. The cleanliness wasn’t up to what I’d consider was restaurant clean with condiments on the tables warm, dirty and unfilled. My Mongolian beef did not resemble that dish ordered from any other Chinese restaurant I’ve been to. I think there is room for improvement.

Our favorite restaurant on the island! Literally something for everybody- breakfast, lunch, dinner from beef, pork, chicken, seafood, and they all taste delicious! Cheaper to get a burger combo here than McDonald’s and taste better. They also have boba with lots of flavors and add ons. Our go to restaurant!

At there as a family of four, the portion sizes were so large we accidentally ordered food for a family of eight. However we’ll be happy to save the leftovers and eat them for lunch tomorrow. I ordered the Wor Wonton Saimin which had a great variety of different vegetables and meats and the wontons were delicious. I also tried the Singapore Rice Noodles and the Garlic Green Beans both were absolutely dripping with delicious sauce. I topped off my meal with wintermelon milk tea and boba and this is my one complaint: the boba was cooked unevenly and leaned towards heavily overcooked. However the milk tea itself was great. I will be trying the fruit tea if I make it back on this trip.

Phenomenal vegetarian options for me, I got the Kung Pao Tofu and my husband thoroughly enjoyed the Ribs and Katsu plate. Cool local spot! They also had boba, which is hard to resist... We shared a Thai tea boba. We'll be back when we visit the island again.

As a person with MANY food allergies I was thrilled to discover such a delicious friendly beautiful location! The Chef/Owner is super delightful and as genuine as they come! She has made a wonderful menu for Vegan, vegetarian, gluten free and anyone who enjoys fresh ingredients and creative use of spices. A wonderful breakfast/lunch spot!!

happy heart kona is such a gem. it’s a cafe where simple things taste extraordinary because of the quality of the ingredients and the care that goes into the food. you can tell the owners have put their heart into the place and really make an effort to support the local community. my favorites were the fruit plate (amazing if you’re visiting hawaii and want to try local tropical fruit you’ve probably never had before), the mexican indian burrito (can’t find this delicious spice combo anywhere else), da pest with turkey (mac nut pesto is SO creamy) and of course, the vegan poptarts (still dreaming about the guava flavor). we ate here 3 times during our visit to kona and can’t wait to come back!

Love this cafe! As a vegetarian, I liked the philosophy of everything defaulted to veggies and offering meat as an add on. We ordered the hummus sandwich, chive sandwich, rice bowl, indian Mexican burrito, rosemary lemonade and the fruit plate. All soooo good, great flavors, very fresh. Came here twice and would definitely come back.

Amazing place and they have great pop tarts here. Vegan options and just good aloha quality food. The owners are amazing and I’m sure that anyone that eats here will have a great experience. A+ I promise you won’t be disappointed

😋 Happy Heart Kona will leave you without words. The spice game in the Indian Mexican burrito will make your lunch special. Looking for something sweet? The vegan fruit pop tarts will make you come back again and again. Do not leave the place without having their fresh fruit plate with a selection of seasonal and local fruits. If this would not be enough, Happy Heart Kona is run by the sweetest couple that will help you with any questions and recommend you the perfect meal for your day.

What a great experience! We stopped for lunch on our way to volcano national park! The staff were excellent so inviting! We chatted with whom I believe was the owner, so nice! Small menu. I had the wrap! Party in your mouth ! Packed with Flavor and fresh. I tried the golden iced coffee. Also very good! Can't go wrong here!

I’ve been waiting to try one of their gf/df pop tarts since they were just a booth at the farmers market. Finally made it to check out their new spot near Captain Cook. Wowza the pop tarts are insanely good. They taste like they are made with wheat and real butter. Flakey, buttery dough with delicious, seasonal fillings. Mine was mountain apple. The space and the vibe is so awesome with all the local art and super friendly staff. Wish I lived closer and could come back here every morning for a pop tart and yummy oatmilk chai!

These empanadas were delicious!! The owner was so kind as I avoid dairy and he actually had some leftover vegan dough, he made some up fresh for me which I really appreciated. The sweet potato chips are also fantastic!

We got a recommendation from Kai at Aloha Adventure Farms to come try these empanadas. Boy was that a great recommendation! We ordered the signature Grandma’s style, New York, and Ube. So good and flavorful and our kids loved them too! Anyone traveling to the island like us or living here should really stop by. Such a great find.

Amazing Empanadas and outstanding service. This is a must stop if you are on the Big Island. We tried every flavor but the vegetable and there is not a bad one on the menu. However, I highly recommend the Grandmas, the New York Chop, and the Ube one.

Absolutely outstanding!! We tried almost all the different kinds of empanadas on the menu, and everything was so delicious. Truly the best food we had during our trip to Hawaii! The owner was also so kind, and the service was great! We were very impressed with Aloha De Nada and would love to come back the next time we are in Hawaii

Ube-Bae and Pollo Loco were my favorites! Tony did a fantastic job explaining the flavors and wait time for our order. Surprisingly filling! Too bad it won’t be open before we leave the island.

Delicious, authentic homemade Puerto Rican empanadas! My daughter and I went twice in one day! You can take out or eat on the shaded lanai patio. Tony, the proprietor, is so friendly and dedicated to making sure you have a wonderful experience. Try his “grandmother’s” recipe for empanadas! So good!

I do love the empanadas at five dollars each! I have tried several and the pastry has always been fresh and it’s wonderful and hot and ready to eat. They also have desserts. I had the Bad Bunny carrot cake marvelous. Best value on the island. Atmosphere is really not applicable. This is a small place with good technology and Tony doing a great job.

Wow. The food here is incredible. Fresh, flavorful, and generous portions. Our family of 5 ate here twice during our holiday and everything we had was amazing. I especially loved the ahi poke salad and bulgogi beef. Extra bonus: The interior has original art that is a level (or two) up from what you usually see in small restaurants. This is great value for your money. Highly reccomend.

Good service,Fresh food....Very satisfying!! Everytime we make our 1 hour and half drive to do our shopping this our to go lunch spot. Every visit the food has been consistent with good quality. I highly recommend Galbi 808...

Very expensive take out place. Prices are more for dine in. $20 for a fried rice plate.

Nice place,good and affordable korean food 😍

My new favorite restaurant on the planet!!!

They closed down