THE ULTIMATE KONA RESTAURANT GUIDE
Where to eat, drink, and caffeinate in Kona without wasting a meal.
A curated guide to Kona’s best restaurants, cafes, bars, and local eats—organized by category so you can skip the hype and eat well every day of your trip.
Kona’s food scene isn’t trying to be trendy. You won’t find tasting menus or natural wine bars hidden behind velvet curtains. What you will find is good local fish, comforting plate lunches, and just enough variety to keep things interesting without turning every meal into a decision tree.
This guide isn’t comprehensive—it’s curated. These are the places we actually go to, grouped by category so you can skip the scroll and get straight to the eating. From sushi counters and poke windows to cafes, cocktails, and hot chicken, here’s where to eat well in and around Kailua-Kona.
Sushi
Sushi Sam Unassuming from the outside, but consistently excellent. Sam sources fresh local fish and serves it with quiet confidence—no flash, just good technique and clean cuts. Go for the nigiri, stay for whatever’s on the specials board.
Izakaya Shiono Kona A well-rounded Japanese restaurant with a full izakaya menu and dependable sushi. The fish quality is solid, the small plates are varied, and the space works equally well for a casual dinner or something more formal. Expect grilled skewers, simmered dishes, and proper sake options.
Kenichi Pacific Located in Keauhou, this is the polished option—sushi with a broader pan-Asian menu in a more upscale setting. Rolls are creative without being over the top, and there’s enough cooked fare to please non-sushi eaters. A good choice for happy hour or a low-key night out.
Seiji’s Sushi A true hole-in-the-wall on Ali‘i Drive—just a few tables, no décor to speak of, and some of the best sushi in town. The focus here is precision and quality. Traditional cuts, clean presentation, and a chef who keeps things quiet and serious. Come when you want to skip the scene and eat something excellent.
Poke & Local Fare
Da Poke Shack Probably the most well-known poke spot in Kona—and still worth it. It's takeout only, the parking is tight, and they often sell out. But the quality is high, the variety is solid, and you’re a short walk from the water. Call ahead if you’re serious.
A quiet contender with generous portions and good flavor options. Less crowded than some of the more hyped spots, and that’s not a bad thing. The kind of place you find once and keep coming back to.
Ali‘i Poke & Shaved Ice Quick, clean, and consistent. The fish is fresh, the toppings are customizable, and it’s easy to get in and out. Not trying to reinvent anything—just a solid poke bowl and a good spot to cool off with shave ice after.
Known for their garlic furikake chicken, which is exactly as intense as it sounds. Local-style plate lunches, big portions, and a line out the door at lunch for a reason. It’s comfort food—don’t come here looking for balance.
A breakfast and brunch spot that leans into local classics. Think loco mocos, mac nut pancakes, and gravy on just about everything. The vibe is casual chaos—expect a wait and don’t be in a rush.
Near the airport, Pine Tree is part diner, part takeout counter, part time machine. The menu is long, the service is fast, and the food is exactly what it looks like. Good for a landing-day lunch or a last stop before your flight out.
About 30 minutes south of Kona, but one of the best spots on the island for traditional Hawaiian food. Laulau, lomi salmon, poi, all served without fanfare. Run by a local family. Cash only, no website, no problem.
Casual Dining
A relaxed spot where you can get a beer, hard cider, or hard seltzer brewed on-site, plus whatever food truck is parked out front that day. There’s usually live music, and the vibe feels more like someone’s backyard than a bar.
Hot chicken, Hawaiian heat. This place doesn’t mess around with spice levels, so order accordingly. Messy, loud, and exactly what you want after a beach day. Outdoor seating, cold beer, no pretense.
Underrated lunch spot with a rotating menu of sandwiches and salads that go beyond the usual deli basics. The ingredients are thoughtful, and it’s a solid alternative to the heavy plate lunch standard. Takeout is fast if you’re en route to somewhere else.
Another good grab-and-go lunch spot, with local-style sandwiches and rotating hot specials. You’re not coming for the atmosphere—you’re coming to eat well and keep moving.
Plant-based but not preachy. The food is fresh, the menu is creative, and even non-vegans will find something satisfying. Great smoothies and breakfast bowls. A good spot to reset.
Burgers made from Big Island grass-fed beef, served fast-casual style. Simple, straightforward, and consistently good. You’re not getting truffle aioli or brioche here—just a solid burger that doesn’t need dressing up.
Bright, funky little taco stand with colorful plates and a mix of classic and island-style fillings. It’s not traditional Mexican food, but it’s fun, fast, and hits the spot after a long hike or swim.
More traditional Mexican than most places on the island. No surf-themed décor, no pineapple salsa—just good tacos, solid salsas, and a short menu done right.
Casual, counter-service taco spot with fast turnaround and simple options. Good if you’re hungry and nearby. Not a destination, but not disappointing either.
Sit-Down Restaurants
Of the three Thai spots in Kona, this one’s our favorite. It’s low-key, unassuming, and delivers consistently strong flavors without trying to be anything it’s not. The curries are rich, the noodles are balanced, and the spice level holds up. If you’re only hitting one Thai place while you're here, make it this one.
Bright, modern space with a menu that blends familiar Thai staples with a few more refined options. Not groundbreaking, but reliable, well-executed, and a step above most takeout Thai spots. Good for groups, better for dinner than lunch.
More traditional than Orchid, less polished, and often more flavorful. Portions are large, prices are reasonable, and the spice level isn’t dialed down for tourists. If you know what you like, you’ll probably come back.
It’s not just about the beer. The open-air courtyard setting, wood-fired pizzas, and solid pub fare make this a dependable choice for families, groups, or anyone wanting a laid-back meal with good beer and no surprises.
Right on the water with a view that does a lot of the work. The menu leans toward upscale-casual: poke bowls, fresh fish, burgers, and a decent cocktail list. Not cheap, but the location justifies it. Come for golden hour.
Lively, loud, and always busy. Known for poke, but the rest of the menu holds up too—grilled meats, plate lunches, and seafood with a local twist. You’re not here for a quiet conversation; you’re here to eat well and maybe have a beer with it.
One of the few Indian restaurants on the Big Island. The food is rich, the spices are dialed in, and the naan is worth the carbs. It won’t win design awards, but if you’re craving something different, it delivers.
An old-school seafood joint that feels stuck in time, in the best way. Expect fried fish, cold beer, and a mix of locals and visitors who’ve been coming here for years. It’s not fancy, and that’s kind of the point.
Touristy? Sure. But it’s also oceanfront with good views and better-than-expected seafood. The menu has something for everyone, which makes it a safe bet for mixed groups.
Part tiki bar, part small-plates restaurant, part tourist trap—but somehow it works. Drinks are strong, the menu is playful, and the setting is built for vacation mode. Fun if you’re leaning into the tropical mood.
Cafes & Dessert
Design-forward, quiet, and well-curated. The menu is small but focused—espresso, matcha, a few excellent pastries. It’s more about the atmosphere than the volume. A good spot to slow down and take a beat.
Bright, modern café with a young crowd and solid execution. The coffee is good, the staff is sharp, and the space feels like it could be in any well-designed city on the mainland. Doesn’t try too hard, which helps.
Local beans roasted in-house, plenty of seating, and a laid-back feel. You’ll see laptops, retirees, and surfers in equal measure. Great for a post-hike coffee or mid-morning linger. One of the more versatile spots in town.
If you’re into good bread and strong coffee, this one’s for you. Rustic, straightforward, and clearly run by people who care. Get there early—things sell out.
Not in town, but absolutely worth the drive south. Perched on the mountain with an incredible view of the coast, it’s part café, part lookout point. Go for the pie, stay for the banana trees and distant ocean haze.
Locally made gelato in rotating, tropical flavors. It’s small-batch, not overly sweet, and one of the few places that gets texture right. The lilikoi is a standout.
This is the classic Kona sugar bomb. Piled high, drenched in syrup, and probably more for the kids than the adults—but also kind of perfect after a day in the sun. Go all in or don’t go at all.
Bars
The name sounds like a tourist trap, but it’s actually one of the more fun places to grab a drink. Colorful cocktails, laid-back staff, and enough irreverence to keep things from feeling theme-y. Go for a mai tai, not a serious conversation.
Dive bar energy in the best way. Strong pours, mismatched furniture, and sunset views that cost way less than they should. You’re not here for craft cocktails—you’re here to loosen up and watch the sky change color.
Feels more like a garage with a DJ booth than a bar, but it’s got energy and local crowd cred. Live music, neon, and a rotating food truck out front most nights. Come with a group, stay if the vibe’s right.
A long-running favorite for waterfront drinks at sunset. It’s a little dated, but in a charming way. The kind of place where you get a mai tai and actually want to sit still for a while. Expect tourists, but also regulars who’ve been doing the same thing for decades.
Editor’s Picks
If you’re short on time, overwhelmed by options, or just want a handful of spots you can count on—start here. These are the places we go back to again and again.
Sushi Sam
Still the best raw fish in town. No flash, no nonsense, just great cuts and real care behind the counter.
Pau Hana Poke
Fresh, fast, and always satisfying. Skip the lines at the more hyped spots and eat something better.
Kaaloa’s Super Js
Worth the drive. Traditional Hawaiian food done the way it’s supposed to be—without a website or a marketing plan.
Willie’s Hot Chicken
Spicy, loud, messy, and exactly what you want after the beach. Get extra napkins.
Poi Dog Deli
A sleeper favorite for a good lunch. Sandwiches with actual flavor, not filler.
Original Thai
Of the island’s Thai options, this one just gets it right. Order whatever you’d normally get—chances are it’ll be better here.
HiCO – Hawaiian Coffee
Sharp coffee, clean design, and a space that makes you want to sit down and stay a while.
Cheeky Tiki – Kona
Cocktails without the ego. Bright, weird, and fun in all the right ways.