The 10 best diners to try in Kailua-Kona

The food was phenomenal! If only the service was too. We arrived about 15 minutes before happy hour and sat at the bar. After placing our order, a cocktail and 2 appetizers, we overheard the bartender asking the woman next to us if she would like another cocktail. She declined and wanted to wait 10 more minutes so she could get the happy hour price. He shrugged it off and said, "I'll put it in as happy hour." Looking out for your patrons should be a service standard. Happy hour was not even mentioned when we sat down. Support locals, shade the tourists. Aloha.

Awesome place ! Great food, atmosphere and service! First time ever menu that had a you choose 4 flavors “flight” of poke appetizer! I had it for my meal and it was so generous that I took half of it home! Hubby’s teriyaki beef short ribs were delicious! Their fish marketplace had poke flavors for takeout! I highly recommend it!

The best, and I am not kidding, the best fish tacos on the island. We came for lunch and my husband ordered the tacos while I ordered the seafood pasta. The pasta was not great (pretty bland) but the tacos were so good that they eclipsed that and make this restaurant still deserving of five stars. Get the Cajun seasoning on the fish and you will thank yourself. They were so good we came back for our final meal prior to our flight a few days later and ordered - yes - fish tacos (both of us this time). Their cocktails and calamari appetizer were also good! But I am still dreaming about the tacos.

Nothing like fresh poke as a first on-island meal. We chose 1 fish and 2 sides with brown rice. Service was nice and efficient. Good selection of poke.

Omg the best poke I’ve ever had - we had the poke nachos and the tuna on it was absolutely mind blowing. We also got Korean chicken which was so so good. I got a coolada and it was delicious. Favorite place we’ve been to in Kona! Our waiter was also so so helpful and had the best energy. Shout out to Isaiah for being amazing!!

There’s a restaurant side and a to go window. It’s a very popular local spot so reserve ahead of time. We opted to get it to go. The garlic shrimp was okay and the poke was very good. Priced good and portion size is good. Would definitely stop by.

05/10/2025 (Sat) We chose Umekes Fish Market Bar & Grill for the final dinner of our trip, as it’s said to be a popular local spot known for its fresh seafood. When we arrived around 7:00 PM, the restaurant was packed, and we were told there would be a 40–50 minute wait. Thankfully, we were seated in under 40 minutes. The restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating, as well as a bar area. On that evening, the indoor seating was already full, and the outdoor area was lively despite the rainy weather. A tent covered the terrace, but rain from earlier had blown in from the sides, leaving some tables and the ground damp. Since we had already had a heavy meal earlier in the day, we weren’t very hungry. So we decided to share the Big Boy Plate ($32) and Poke Nachos ($24), along with two iced teas ($4.50 each). Despite the crowd, our food came out in about 20 minutes, which felt fairly quick. The staff were polite and friendly, though it was a bit difficult to get their attention when we wanted a refill on our drinks — understandably, as they were very busy. As for the food, everything seemed fresh, but we felt that the different scoops of marinated tuna on the Big Boy Plate, while seasoned individually, lacked distinct flavors and came across a bit too similar to each other. The natural quality and freshness of the tuna didn’t quite shine through as we had hoped. The poke nachos were decent, though the chips were slightly soggy. One of the highlights of the evening was the live band playing outside — they had a great sound and really lifted the atmosphere. They even extended their set, which made for an extra enjoyable vibe. By the time we left, the rain had cleared, and overall, it was a fun and memorable way to wrap up our trip.😊✨

Good experience for breakfast and early dinner at island Lava Java. Only issue at breakfast ordering a waffle with bacon was that their waffle maker was broken!!! Anyway, their pancakes were available. Early dinner was also good and we had a table with a great ocean view. My one complaint is parking as is no longer free and quite expensive per hour even with 50% discount with validation.

Had a 💯 experience! Service was absolutely wonderful, friendly, prompt, real ohana vibes. Staff treated each other and guests kindly. Our server was super down to earth and kind and the food was delicious. I got fish tacos, the portions are great even the kids meals were quality and good portions, sat outside with a perfect view of the ocean. Id come here everytime I am in Kona. Fair prices on food. I had a local IPA, delicious too.

We went here the morning after we arrived on the big island and had brunch and it was EXCELLENT! We each ordered a cocktail (hibiscus something, and a bloody mary) with our food, and they were perfectly crafted and beautiful. The scenery is overlooking the ocean but under shade of a beautiful tree. Our food was incredible. The eggs Benedict was top notch. Our server was also friendly and helpful. Overall, one of the best meals we had our whole trip. 10/10

We ate here 5 days out of the 6 that we were here. And one day twice. Cuz it was that delicious. Their coffee, flavorful, what it needs to be. Their fish tacos, bomb. Fries, bomb, Benedict bomb, was done with a croissant. Crunchy and buttery. Omelettes so good. Banana strawberry smoothie, delicious. Ok everything on their menu is delicious, pancakes delicious. Drinks delicious. And they validate parking.

Worth the beautiful views! We sat with an ocean view and so beautiful and peaceful. Ordered the pineapple French toast and luau scramble. French toast was too sweet for us but worth trying if you pair it with something else!. The scramble was amazing and highly recommend!!

Great views and service was excellent. Food was good. Pizza was our favorite of what we ordered. They have a good variety of options here and food comes out fast.

Loved having breakfast at Lava Java. We had it twice during our stay. It does get busy since it’s a popular place. The staff were very friendly and the food was tasty. I highly recommend!!!!!

Went at noon on a Wednesday. There was barely anyone in there. The young lady at the register was very nice, and knowledgeable about the menu. Food was prepared quickly, and it was sooooo delicious. We got a few two meat combos. The pork belly was good, but the star to me was the spicy garlic furikake chicken. The pork fried rice was really good also. Will definitely be coming back next time I'm on the island.

Food: AMZING! I got a combo with braised beef and garlic shrimp and my bf got the spicy garlic chicken. The seasons and texture are truly braking our mouth, jaw-dropping for sure! The flavor is on the heavy side but the full-size side they give you (we got cucumber kimchi and mac salad) balanced the flavors. I’d recommend eating the cucumber and the beef together. Bravo! Service: welcoming and helpful. Ambiance: very popular place, so you need to make sure to go earlier and grab a seat if you’d like to dine in. Indoors dining is not recommended for big party, but suitable for friends and family for casual dining.

The food was good, shrimp was over cooked. The Adobo fries were delicious! The short ribs were awesome as well, the pork was salty. Very big portions, enough to share 1 order with 2 people. Good food overall

This was another amazing recommendation from a local. We tried to stop by a few times but always seemed to catch it when it was closed so we were thrilled when we finally made it in. It was such a treat knowing it was featured on Diners Drive Ins and Dives. The place was extremely busy but we were more than happy to wait. We ordered a hamburger for the kids, furikake chicken and garlic shrimp for my husband, and I had the pork belly and garlic shrimp. Every bite was absolutely delicious. The portions were generous and the flavors were incredible. Definitely worth the wait and we would come back in a heartbeat. A must visit if you’re in the area.

Half plate is more than enough for one person. Spicy chicken is not too spicy. Very delish with large portions great for sharing. Desserts look fun but we didn’t try. Busy with locals but quick service and very filling meal.

Goodness gracious!! The food here is so incredible it made me wanna punch a hole through the wall. We got the mac salad, pork fat fries, braised short rib, kalua pork, and the ube ice cream pie. I'm not exaggerating when I say this is the BEST mac salad I've ever had in my LIFE. The pork fries are bomb.gov, the short ribs were ridiculous with how good they are; tender as a new born baby, and perfectly seasoned, and sauced. The ube pie slice is MASSIVE, and is a perfect combination of flavor and texture the likes of which I've never behled. The staff was hella cool, and the food came out quick. I don't know what else to say except go eat here if you know what's good for your soul.

🔥 Broke Da Mouth Grindz – Kailua-Kona, If flavor had a mic, this place would drop it. I stopped by Broke Da Mouth Grindz and ordered the Spicy Garlic Furikake Chicken and let me tell you, it lived up to the name. The chicken was perfectly crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and drenched in a sweet-savory garlic glaze with just the right kick. The furikake added a nutty, umami crunch that made every bite unforgettable. Paired with their signature sides like pork adobo fried rice and kimchi, it was a full on flavor explosion. Portions? Generous. Service? Friendly and fast. Vibe? Local gem with no frills charm. Whether you're grabbing takeout or tailgating from your trunk, this spot delivers island comfort food that’ll haunt your taste buds in the best way. 🌺 Verdict: Broke da mouth and broke my expectations incredible.

The fish trio was good, but the clam chowder was truly delicious and the highlight of the meal. The cocktails were wonderful as well. While island prices run a bit high, the quality, attentive service, and stunning view made the experience well worth it.

The food and the service were unbelievable. The ahi tuna, mahi mahi and opakapaka were amazing! The fish was so fresh and the seasonings/glazes were creative and tasty. To top it off, Rebecca gave us amazing recommendations of what to do on the island! Top notch food and top notch service! Can't recommend enough!

Went for dinner. The fresh catch was fried something. It looked really nice, but when it was served it was cold and dry. It must have been prepared before service to be sent out of the kitchen quickly. Fresh catch should be freshly cooked to order. I had the crab cakes, which were good, but the strike on the plate was all dried up! Again they must have prepared several plates before the dinner rush so all they had to do was set the crab cakes.

We had a great experience at Fish Hopper in Kona! I had the fish tacos with fries and my husband had the fish and chips — both were excellent. Generous portions, perfectly cooked, and full of flavor. It’s the perfect spot to relax, enjoy a great meal, and watch the ocean activity. Friendly staff, great location, and an overall wonderful dining experience. We’ll definitely be back!

An Upscale Restaurant (casual dress) with free on-site limited parking. Excellence throughout! Great Food for Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner. Centrally location on Alii' Dr. This is our Original Favorite for its Location and Food. We've enjoyed a few fish dinners including lobster for dinner and crab cakes or benedict for breakfast and meals were always delicious. Servers here are some of the Friendliest and know their Menu well. I don't know of any better Authentic Restaurant in Kona except maybe the Kona Inn. Fish Hopper's Breakfast Menu has an excellent variety is very good and priced well. They also have a good variety of fish dishes that are wonderful. Every item we've tried has been Delicious!

We stumbled into this place and decided to walk in because of its nice atmosphere and open seating facing the sea and the street. Service was great by both Leilani at the host booth and Andrea, our server. Service was relatively fast, but we did not feel rushed or anything. The food was very good, fresh fish very well prepared. We had the clam chowder, Opah and the Yellow Fin Ahí Tuna. Really a great place.

We enjoyed our last night in Kona with a delicious dinner at Fish Hopper Kona. I had the Monchong & Creamy Risotto; it was one of the best meals I’ve eaten. The fish was perfect & the risotto was so flavorful. My husband & daughter had the Ultimate Seafood pasta; which was also delicious. The Coconut shrimp came with a wonderful chili sauce! The staff were so friendly. The ocean view was breathtaking. We also loved how they honor active military & veterans.

The best place I ate while on the Big Island for one week!! I am gluten and dairy intolerant and my server was so knowledgeable and was able to help me identify what I could eat. I got the fresh catch which was Ono and so delicious! And the zucchini was prepared to absolute perfection. They have lots of gluten free options that are also marked on their menus. Great vibe and has ocean views 🌊

Foster’s Kitchen Kona – A Culinary Gem on the Big Island! 🌺 Hands down, one of my favorite restaurants as a vegetarian in all of Big Island. I visited this place thrice in 1 week. Foster’s Kitchen Kona sets the bar with its commitment to fresh, organic ingredients and a menu that blends island flavor with gourmet finesse. Every bite was a burst of freshness—elevating even simple dishes to something unforgettable. The atmosphere is relaxed yet vibrant, perfect for soaking in the Kona vibe. Whether you’re grabbing lunch or settling in for dinner with a view, the staff’s warmth makes the experience feel personal and welcoming.

Food, service and ambience were great! Views of the sea and the street adds to the experience. The cajun fish tacos were spot-on. We ordered fresh catch of the day, which was Ono and tasted delicious. After the fish arrived, we saw it wasn’t fully cooked in the center, which they agreed, took back and brought fully cooked and it tasted better than before. The cajun fries were delicious! Overall, it was a good experience and we had a good time. Would recommend this place!

I had to wait 30 minutes to get a table just for myself but I can honestly say it was worth the wait. I had the Chicken pesto pasta and it was delicious. The Mai Tai was insanely good as well. My server was super friendly and nice my only minor critique is that she didn't ask me if I wanted another Mai Tai before handing me my check. Otherwise this place was great I can't imagine how good the rest of the food must be.

Food was really good and fresh! Me and my husband loved the atmosphere, the vibez was really nice. Ribs was falling off the bone, pasta was well seasoned!

If you’re in Kona, do yourself a favor and visit Foster's Kitchen – it’s a hidden gem! 🌺 The food here is absolutely amazing, and what makes it even better is that everything is made from scratch. You can really taste the freshness in every dish, from their delicious seafood to their unique island-inspired specials. The fish tacos are a must-try – they’re perfectly seasoned, fresh, and packed with flavor! 🌮 The views from the restaurant are also incredible! 🌊 With the ocean right there, you can enjoy your meal while taking in the breathtaking scenery. The atmosphere is so relaxed and welcoming, and the staff is super friendly – they make you feel like you're at home. Can't wait until my next meal there!

I had an exceptional dining experience at this beach-facing restaurant. The mushroom appetizer was a delightful start, bursting with rich flavors and perfectly cooked. The shrimp & grit main course was a symphony of tastes, with succulent shrimp complementing the creamy grits flawlessly. Another main course Ahi tuna served with rice and veggies was a highlight, impeccably seared and served with precision. The stunning view added to the overall ambiance, making it a must try five-star experience

Quinn’s was a good place to stop in and check out the vibe and food here. Atmosphere is very cool, lots of space and chill spot. My burger was fantastic, cooked perfectly and absolutely loved the Quinn’s brand on top. Wife and daughter shared the fish order and found it to be a tad overcooked but still tasty. Restroom is a shared one which was a bit to Pub like and a little less tidy. Service from the time we entered to the end was fantastic and top notch. Flowers all around made it feel cozy and inviting. I would still highly recommend making this place a stop, their menu has a lot to offer.

The location, atmosphere, and service were good. Everything looked appealing, but the food missed the mark for me. The soup was overly thick, and the fish and shrimp tasted more like pre-battered, fried items than fresh seafood.

Quinn’s Almost by the Sea is such a gem! The bar food is great — fresh, flavorful, and exactly what you want in a casual spot. The bartender was attentive and friendly, keeping the drinks flowing and the atmosphere upbeat. It has this wonderfully laid-back vibe, almost like a dive bar you’ve been going to for years. Easygoing, welcoming, and always a good time — definitely one of my favorite relaxed spots in Kona.

We ate here our last night in Kona - just walked over from the Courtyard where we were staying. The waitress was nice, but a bit strong in the way she suggested that I get the Ono for my Fish and Chips, but I took her recommendation and ordered it. My wife got the Fish sandwich. The atmosphere was interesting with some of the sports memorabilia, but the air in the area we were seated in felt stuffy. It felt to both of us that the food took longer than it should have coming out, and once it did we both said that it was just average. It looked good, and the portion size was large, but it just didn't taste that good. I don't think either of us finished our meal. Not a bad choice in coming here as it was convenient and reasonably priced, but we didn't think the food was that good.

This a low key classic restaurant. Good prices. The food was good. I had the Mahi Mahi fish and chips. Huge portions. The fish was tasty and the fries were very good. I had a Mai tai which was expected. Service was fine. It was raining hard out side and we sat out side which was nice but the floors had a lot of water on it which we had to be careful of. Not a big deal but we could have slipped. There was a slippery floor sign there. My daughters had the chicken tacos and they loved them.

Love this place!! Amazing fish and chips (We got the Ono fish) and the BEST fish tacos! The pineapple Cole slaw is also something that is worth trying! The portions are big and the meals were decently priced. My husband and I were in Kona for the evening and stumbled across this place and we're so glad we stopped by here! We were here the same weekend of the Iron man and were afraid it'd take a bit since it was a busier day but we got seated super quick along with our waitress who got our food and drinks order in and out! Besides the delicious food, we really enjoyed our meal and experience overall because of the amazing service there. Our awesome waitress Janessa was super friendly, attentive and very sweet. She was just very helpful and gave us her recommendations on the meals we were choosing between. We will definitely be back here the next time we're visiting :)

This is a great spot offering comforting food in large portions. Staff extremely welcoming. Had a Reuben and an amazing lilikoi pie. Not seen anyone else around have Reubens on the menu and this place nailed this classic sandwich perfectly. I hadn’t planned on dessert but when Christian told me about a passion fruit pie, I was sold. It was a wonderfully tart and sweet curd filling on a coarse graham cracker crust with generous amounts of whipped cream. Very nice relaxed setting, great food and very genuine people.

Excellent small menu with highly-authentic local dishes using local ingredients, but they are best known for their cava, served in a coconut shell!

Great little corner with amazing kava and tasty local plates. We tried the lau lau, kalua pork, kalo and the freshest poi we've had on the islands! Everything was delicious. It's a must try if you're on Kona side!

If I went there for the kava alone, I would have given 3 stars. The "potent" kava was not so potent and barely did anything to relax any of us. We bought one bowl and shared it between 4 people. I don't mind the taste, but keep in mind it that it tastes like dirt water. The kalua pig was good and cooked just right. The garlic bread didn't have much flavor.

We went with the locally grown Hawaiian kava, and it was amazing. The food was top tier and the kimchi specifically was some of the best we’ve eaten.

03.17.3024 celebrated our St Patty's anniversary with the idea of eating traditional Hawaiian food. The hostess was very nice and knowledgeable. We ordered and love the Pupu with a side order of Jasmine rice with furikake and drinks of gingerade for me and kava for my hubby. The Pupu came in a beautiful dish and enough for two to share. The gentleman who delivered our food was great as he patiently explained each dish. The open outdoor eating area was wonderful. Will definitely be back to try other dishes.

The bowl I had wZlas delicious. Kava itself is a fun, uplifting, and a unique kind of intoxicating experience. The atmosphere of the bar feel traditional Hawaiian and laid back

Absolutely no Aloha here. Seriously disappointed and disgusted with how we were treated. Went with my family and as we're sitting there taking our time drinking our kava, the male bartender, who appears to be getting high with his buddies who are just hanging out talking very loudly and not ordering, he tells us basically if we're not buying more then we're not welcome to stay. Really? But your friends are huh? Didn't know aloha was all about the money and exclusion. And I'm sorry, but I thought it was normal to sit at the establishment whose cup you're using. Stupid thing is, we probably would have ordered more once we were done with what we had, but instead we asked for a to go cup for the rest of our drink and left. This bartender is an embarrassment for the company and Hawaiian culture. I had taken a new family member here to try it out, but this will be our last time going.

Good customer service. The staff was very clear and nice in taking orders. She thoroughly asked us details about how spicy we would like for each meals we ordered. And she wears a nice smile 😊 I had Pad Thai and it was good. We are satisfied with the customer service and the food. Thank you!

Worse than mall food court Thai. Small portions, bad taste, and a complete disaster if you order anything with noodles. I honestly don’t know how this place is still in business. Pad Thai – They used super thin noodles, which completely ruined the texture. It was way too sweet and sour, like they just dumped bottled sauce over it. Drunken Noodles (Pad Kee Mao) – Hands down the worst I’ve ever had. It was watery, not stir-fried at all, and somehow, they also used thin noodles instead of the wide ones that are supposed to be in this dish. Panang Curry – I have no idea why there were so many cucumbers floating in the soup. The curry itself was thin and watery, lacking any richness or depth of flavor. The rice bowl was tiny, literally smaller than my fist—and I’m a slim female! Thai Basil Fried Rice – The only thing I could finish, but not because it was good—just because everything else was worse. When I asked the server about the thin Pad Thai noodles and cucumber curry—he said, “That’s how we’ve done it for five years.” Maybe that explains why everything was so bad. I have no idea how they’ve lasted this long. Do NOT waste your time or money here.

Food was good. We got sat down at a table immediately and our server was very friendly and service was very quick. We ordered the chicken pad kee mow (drunken noodles), basil fried rice with tofu, and basil fried rice with chicken. Both basil fried rices were good other than the fact that one was super spicy and we had to send it back. Pad kee mow was a little fishy in flavor but overall delicious.

We feel very disappointed with the food: 1. the fresh spring roll is basically lettuce roll + half shrimp. It cost 12 USD with 3 rolls. 2. The Penang curry is a small bowl of watery curry soup cost $22 3. The beef salad cost $27, with a plate of lettuce and onion, some beef covered on the top. The meal cost about $70, and tips with $10 which they won’t even bring you the water, you have to get by yourself. It’s a ripoff, and do not recommend.

I love Pad Thai, and buy it the first time I ever go to a Thai restaurant. I've eaten hundreds of Pad Thai dishes at hundreds of restaurants around the world. Let's start with the initial presentation below. Plenty of fresh, uncooked beansprouts for a good crunch texture in the mouth. A small but not tiny amount of chopped peanuts. These are good. However, unfortunately that's where my compliments on the Pad Thai have to end. The noodles were very thin for rice noodles, and seemed overcooked and fell apart into small bits before I had finished. The green onions were plentiful, but due to how large each piece was as you can see, instead of more finely chopped, this meant that some bites didn't have any onion taste, and some bites tasted of nothing but green onion. Worst of all though, is that this restaurant's design of the main flavoring, is a thick gooping of Mystery Red Sauce, what I call it when a pad Thai is just swimming in sauce rather than being lightly tossed in it. (this also contributes to rice noodles falling apart faster too). A good pad Thai should have only trace amounts of sauce left on the plate when finished. It's just overpowering otherwise. Also, as much as I love the fresh beansprouts in general, there seemed to be a weird almost metallic/chemical tang to them. Never have seen that before. Texture great on those, taste, sadly not. Ambiance of restaurant was fine, a little bland with heavy dark wood theme everywhere. Staff were busy and a bit stressed seeming (place was packed with tourists including us) but they were nice. All and all, I would stop by again probably, see how other dishes are, but I would never have the Pad Thai again, personally.

Good food (thought won’t say the best Thai food!) The avocado fried were great! Something unheard of so we tried them. Really crispy and fun to eat! Do ask for the lunch special on weekdays - rice, egg roll and an entree. Decent quantity and good value for money! Decent service and good food.

Good Thai food. Made our dishes vegan for us which was amazing. Our panang veggie curry was priced $16 on the menu but we were charged $20 and also overcharged by another $1 for not having tofu for some odd reason. If you like spicy, you need to go for at least 5-6 on scale. Portion for curry a bit small for the price but worth trying and stopping by. Glass noodle dish was just okay.

Our server, SAM, was very nice and personable. Our first time at this location and we appreciate Sam for making it a great experience. Food was delicious as well! Only comment, restaurant was too cold. Otherwise, great experience!

The service was clear from when we walked in. It took 10 min to get us seated at10pm with the restaurant virtually empty. The waitress couldn’t be bothered to take our order or check in on us. The owner is doing his best to keep the place running but seems that his staff don’t care. The food was good. I liked the taste of the burger patties but it was lacking sauce big time. The steak fries were inconsistent in shape and hence doneness, some bordered on raw. My daughter liked her omelette

Our server Barbra is excellent! Always nice to see her and always a positive experience. We come here maybe once a week and she memorizes our order..lol For breakfast or dinner this location is so convenient! But overall Barbra is great to see every time we visit, excellent service!!

It is close to wallmart and running hours is long enough to Kona visitors. And also, food is amazing, and most of all, server Sam is the best!! He is really nice with recommendation of menu, and small talk with him was really fun!!

I just want to take a moment to shout out Barbara at Denny’s, she is absolutely amazing! Every time we come in, she takes such great care of us. She always gets our order perfect, down to the little details, and never forgets our cup of ice. Her service is not only fast and accurate but also genuinely friendly, which makes every visit a great experience. Barbara is the kind of server that makes you want to keep coming back. She’s a true gem at Denny’s!

Great Experience – Give the Hostess Some Credit! Came in with my family to Denny’s and had a really great experience. Right off the bat, we were greeted by a young hostess — I think her name was Sienna — and she was amazing! Friendly, calm, and super organized, even though it looked like a busy night. As someone who’s worked as a host at a restaurant myself, I know how much pressure that job comes with — handling the flow of guests, managing wait times, answering questions, and still staying polite through it all. It’s not easy, and it’s a position that honestly doesn’t get enough recognition. What impressed me even more is that Sienna looks like she’s not even 18 yet — and she’s already handling such a big responsibility like a pro. You could tell she cared about doing a good job. She kept things moving and made us feel welcome the whole time. The rest of the service was great too — our server was attentive, food came out on time, and everyone was friendly. But I wanted to especially shout out to the hostess, because I know firsthand how often their work gets overlooked. Give that girl some credit — she’s a star!

We had a great meal at the Kona Denny's. The service was great, due to our Wait-staff. Ysabel C. did a great job answering questions we had about the area, and also items on the menu. She did her job professionally, and was very courteous.

Great burgers with gluten free buns! Beautiful ocean views and great location. Pizza looked and smelled amazing since we sat right next to them making it, though we didn't get any (no GF crust). They have a separate GF menu and are good about cross contact. Sweet potato fryer is dedicated, but everything is cooked in soybean oil. Ugh. Don't pay for parking in the garage downstairs. They pay it for you if you give them your license plate number upon check-in.

So you might wonder how we can rate 5 stars on three categories but then give 4-stars overall .. Well, it’s because while the food, service, and ocean front atmosphere were really great, the Italian menu items were WAY over priced for the absolutely small portion sizes served. Note to Huggos (owners of Kai): Please increase portion sizes of all Italian menu items at Kai .. Especially the pizzas and pasta .. nobody is happy having just a few small bites of great tasting pizza .. And pasta noodles aren’t that expensive. .. Please add more food to the great tastes you’re serving guests .. and increase the size of your pizzas to at least 6” .. 3”-4” pizzas are not making families happy 😑 And what’s a bit funny is that the dessert portions are large and tastes were great .. so i guess if you’re still hungry, the desserts might fill you up 🙃 We’ll go again once we hear portion sizes have been addressed By the way, for folks that love great beer selection, i believe Kai has 48 (!!) taps to choose from 🍺

This is absolutely our GO-TO Restaurant in Kona. It too, is a open-air restaurant. Its' Menu has an excellent variety that includes pizza, fish, burgers and more. Their Menu is priced well. They provide "ice-cold" water quickly upon seating which I always find very refreshing. Seating feels and is prectically like you are at waters edge better than any other place. Kai also has on-site brewing but I have not tried there beer. Parking is Validated and located in the Parking Garage right next door.

To whom it may concern we love the Thai restaurant. We love the atmosphere of food and the service mostly the people who run the place and work the place on Thursday for dinner. We had a poor experience. It took 20 minutes to get a glass of water another 20 minutes to get my lemon and cherry another 20 minutes to get a glass of wine. Meanwhile, the water got warm. I ordered a Bradford, which is a longboard with bloody Mary mix. I ordered a shot of bloody Mary mix and a longboard. The wage just brought me the wrong beer and she brought me a whole glass of tomato juice that was wrong. We finally got to order our appetizer which we ordered Garlic bread. The bread was horrible. It was stale and cold. The garlic dip was amazing. We sent it back. They brought us a half order so I ordered the rest of the half order to complete the order so we got our moneys worth that was a problem. I ordered the lobster with the vegetables. The lobster was perfect. The vegetables were cold, but they tasted good. That was a problem. My Girl ordered the I guess Seabass it was horrible. It was cold and the sauce was so hot you couldn’t even come near it. I love hot food and I couldn’t even touch it. It was so hot. The fish was cold. The vegetables were cold. That was a problem. My Girl ordered a martini slightly dirty. The bartender made it very dirty more vermouth then vodka it tasted horrible so Steve made it himself. It was perfect. He always does a good job. That’s why I was surprised you brought out the half of a garlic bread. The only good thing about the whole evening was the lobster that’s it. I paid over $100 for a lobster dinner. It was not worth it. We will give the other restaurants a chance we love them all, but we won’t be back to Kai until Steve calls me and says everything‘s fixed. I would like to get my money back or have them give me a free dinner at another restaurant that the owner ownsjust so I can break even I spend several hundred dollars a day to feed My Girl and I breakfast lunch and dinner and we go out for breakfast lunch and dinner so far our favorite restaurant is the Royal Kona never has had a bad meal. Never had a problem with the SERVICE flawless every time when we go in there, they know exactly what we’re gonna order. I know exactly what we’re gonna drink. I know exactly what we’re thinking we like that and we’re willing to pay top dollar for that so lots to ramble on, but I hope they fix things cause we’re gonna miss Steve Brad Dylan Vavid And other staff members Mahalo for everything aloha ciao Continuation of my post place this review a few days ago still haven’t heard from Steve or Teagan on what they’re gonna do about it. I’ve seen both in the restaurant and they won’t look me in the eye. Fortunately, I have dozens of other places to go to the only thing I’ll ever go there for is water And maybe a Bradford I’m gonna miss Brad and Dylan. You’re the only ones who care in that restaurant, I’m very disappointed with Steve. I was really surprised he was willing to lose $1000 a week from one person. I hope that doesn’t happen to their whole Customer base. I really hate to say negative things about businesses or people but when you pay a lot of money for a great service and you don’t get the great service or the great food. You just move on and that’s what I’m doing Kai. Please don’t waste your time getting a hold of me. Respond to my review. Just continue to conduct business the way you’re doing . Mahalo. Aloha.

The restaurant is a great vibe and amazing views. Only negative was the granola yogurt bowl, there’s virtually no yogurt that comes with it. Maybe like one spoonful. But my friend loved the breakfast burrito 4/5.

This is a fantastic spot to have a meal and drinks right on the water. The prices are good for the value. Makela made our experience special and ensured we had everything we needed throughout the meal for the best dining experience. Drinks were well made, and they have speciality Hawaiian cocktails and mocktails.

During our trip, we ate here three nights in a row because you can’t really go wrong with this place. Everything that we tried was really good. Our personal favorite was the barbecue chicken pizza and the nachos.