Must-see restaurants in Kailua-Kona

  • Da Poke Shack

    Kailua-Kona

    Poke is a local specialty that blends ceviche and sushi: raw, marinated cubes of fish mixed with soy sauce, sesame oil, chilies, seaweed and…well, really,…

  • Poi Dog Deli

    Kailua-Kona

    What happens when sandwich-loving owners from Louisiana and Arizona come together on the Big Island of Hawai'i? Pure delight on bread, from turkey Reubens…

  • Broke Da Mouth Grindz

    Kailua-Kona

    A favorite with the plate-lunch crowd, Broke Da Mouth lives up to its name via heaping portions of delicious garlic furikake chicken (try it 'hurricane…

  • Sushi Shiono

    Kailua-Kona

    Inside a mini mall, wickedly fresh sushi and sashimi are complemented by a sake list that's as long as Honshu. Everything is good, but the grilled eel and…

  • Umekes Fishmarket Bar & Grill

    Kailua-Kona

    Come here for several variations on delicious ahi tuna poke, plus a range of other island dishes like salted Waimea beef served plate-lunch style with…

  • Ba-Le Kona

    Kailua-Kona

    Don’t let the fluorescent-lit dining room and polystyrene plates fool you: Ba-Le serves the sort of Vietnamese food that makes you want to pack it all up…

  • Seiji's Sushi

    Kailua-Kona

    An adorable little Japanese sushi house awaits discerning eaters on the west end of Aliʻi Dr. Friendly Seiji serves fresh fish and creative rolls that…

  • Island Lava Java

    Kailua-Kona

    A convivial gathering spot for Sunday brunch or a sunny breakfast (served until 11:30am) with ocean-view dining on the sidewalk patio. This upscale diner…

  • Ultimate Burger

    Kailua-Kona

    Kailua-Kona is likely your introduction to the Big Island; with this in mind, let Ultimate Burger be your introduction to the wonderful world of Big…

  • Kona Brewing Company

    Kailua-Kona

    Expect a bustling crowd at this sprawling, eco-sustainable brewpub, with tiki-torch-lit outdoor seating and laid-back waitstaff. Pizza toppings verge on…

  • Fumi's Kitchen

    Kailua-Kona

    Fumi's was founded by members of the family that runs Teshima's, and they bring a similar high level of home-cooked fare to hungry diners. The menu dips…

  • Hayama

    Kailua-Kona

    Hayama imparts that feeling of authenticity you get when the kitchen and service staff don't speak much English, and most of the clientele speaks fluent…

  • One Aloha Shave Ice

    Kailua-Kona

    Head here for organic shaved ice, with flavors ranging from green tea to bubble gum to mango to li hing mui (sweet and salty plum). This shaved-ice spot…

  • Big Island Grill

    Kailua-Kona

    The grill serves gut-busting portions of Hawaiian soul food like plate lunches and loco moco (rice, fried egg and hamburger patty topped with thick gravy)…

  • Foster's Kitchen

    Kailua-Kona

    In the midst of the booziest, cheesiest stretch of Aliʻi Dr, Foster's comes out with farm-to-table New American dishes – roast chicken, fresh salads,…

  • TJ'S BBQ By The Beach

    Kailua-Kona

    Located in Aliʻi Gardens Marketplace, TJ's does enormous, tasty slabs of ribs and other meaty favorites, smoked and slathered in sauce (lots of sauce; if…

  • Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill

    Kailua-Kona

    Jackie Rey's is a casual, family-owned grill with a delightfully retro-kitsch Hawaii vibe. Haute versions of local grinds include guava-glazed ribs,…

  • Original Thai

    Kailua-Kona

    Run by a friendly Thai family, this place does a mean line of Thai classics (as the name implies), including the standard rainbow of curries. There's a…

  • Scandinavian Shave Ice

    Kailua-Kona

    Shave ice is piled up here in huge, psychedelic-colored mounds that are as big as your head. Dither over a rainbow variety of toppings, from condensed…

  • Kamana

    Kailua-Kona

    Kamana is a fine choice for Indian food way out here in the islands, with a deep menu that caters to carnivores (chicken vindaloo) and vegetarians …

  • KTA Super Store

    Kailua-Kona

    The Big Island's best grocery chain, featuring many Hawaii-made products.

  • Metal Mike's Twisted Pretzels

    Kailua-Kona

    Metal Mike, who seriously looks like he spent time as a roadie, runs this rock 'n' roll pretzel stand on a narrow alley by a parking lot just above Aliʻi…

  • Quinn's Almost by the Sea

    Kailua-Kona

    Quinn's, while lacking a waterfront location (did you see the name of the place?), serves up some of the better fish and chips in Kailua-Kona. The…

  • Basik Cafe

    Kailua-Kona

    Healthy, wholesome acai bowls bursting with tropical fruity goodness, granola, nuts, shredded coconut and even cacao nibs, along with fresh juice…

  • Island Naturals Market & Deli

    Kailua-Kona

    This health-conscious grocery store has a deli making sandwiches, wraps and salads to go, plus a hot-and-cold takeout bar.