Sushi - best eaten by the sea. Hayashi’s ‘Ninja Star Roll’.
“Walk in someone else’s shoes or at least eat their food.”
One of our favorite parts of traveling is the food. Forget about the snazzy tourist traps with overpriced, mediocre renditions of your hometown fare. It’s time to duck into that side alley and eat where the locals eat. Here’s our guide to the best places to eat in Kona and get a belly-full of Hawaii’s eclectic local food culture.
For you budget conscious backpackers, the price range is noted for each spot. Since there’s so many great places to eat in Kona, we’ve organized this post into sub categories for ‘Breakfast’, ‘Lunch & Dinner’, ‘Vegan & Vegetarian’ and ‘Food Trucks & Pop Ups’. Places are listed alphabetically with in each section. Dig in and enjoy!
Breakfast of Champions
Fuel up so you can catch more waves and adventure all day long. Here’s a few of our favorite spots for morning grindz in Kona. Looking for that perfect coffee shop? Read our blog post on Kona’s Best Coffee Shops.
808 Grindz Cafe
75-5660 Kopiko Street
Update 9/7/20: Only offering take-out due to Covid-19. No walk-ins or sit down dining. Call (808) 936 5909 to order.
This local style breakfast spot has a location in Maui and in Kona on the Big Island. 808 Grindz is a favorite spot for Kona locals. They have awesome specials for only $6.75. Chow down on a mix of Hawaiian style and American breakfast plates like steak and eggs, loco moco, pancakes, mac nut and bacon waffles, fried rice, Kalua pork hash, and more.
Green Flash Coffee
75-6000 Ali’i Dr.
Right down the road from My Hawaii Hostel, (about 10-15 mins walking north on Ali’i Drive) this cute little coffee shop serves up yummy breakfast sandwiches, bagels, smoothies and paninis, plus Kona coffee and espresso. Try their french toast breakfast sandwich, grilled breakfast croissant, or breakfast bagel. For drinks, their Long Paddle Smoothie and signature Green Flash smoothie are delish, and so is the iced dirty chai. Prices range from $4 - $8. Limited outdoor seating.
Holy Donuts
5729 Ali'i Dr #75, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
If you are a donut lover, this is your holy grail. Mmmhmm. Check this place out for epic and creative flavors, including fresh fruit toppings. Yum! The sugar comma that follows is well worth it. Follow them on Facebook for updates.
L& L Hawaiian BBQ
Keauhou Shopping Center, 76-6831 Alii Dr ste d-124, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Local’s go-to spot for cheap eats, L&L serves up breakfast, lunch and dinner with big portions. L&L is a Hawaii chain with island style comfort food on the menu like chicken katsu, teriyaki beef, loco mocos, spam, saimin, and American staples like cheeseburgers and BLT sandwiches. They have a full breakfast menu from pancakes to loco mocos, breakfast bagels, omelets, and platters with rice, breakfast meat, and eggs. Prices range from $2.50 - $10 for larger plates. They have a location in downtown Kona and also in the Keauhou Shopping Center.
Lunch & Dinner
From sushi, local-style mix plates, killer BBQ, Pizza, and more, there’s a smorgasbord of options in Kona for lunch and dinner. If you’re feeling adventurous, try some poke - a Hawaiian specialty of raw cubed fish prepared with different sauce, herbs, and seasonings. Often, it’s made from locally caught fish from Kona’s waters.
Bale Kona
Kona Coast Shopping Center 74-5588 Palani Rd
Affordable Vietnamese fare, located next to KTA. Bale serves up giant bowls of yummy Pho, savory sandwiches like lemongrass chicken or tofu on fresh baked French bread, green papaya salad, spring rolls, beef stew with rice, Thai iced coffee, and more. Plates range from $5-$12. They offer ‘mini’ soup sizes for $5. Score. Open 11 am - 6pm Monday- Friday, Sat 11 am - 4pm, closed Sundays.
Broke da Mouth Grindz
75-5864 Walua Rd, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
“Broke da Mouth”, a local figure of speech for being incredibly delicious is aptly named. Broke da Mouth is known for Filipino and Hawaiian style ‘plate lunch’ fare and was featured on the TV show Diners, Drive-ins and Dives in 2018. Try their pork adobo fries - a side that eats like a meal - crispy french fries, topped with slow-cooked to-die-for pork adobo, creamy aioli sauce and green onions. Other favorites are their kalbi ribs and sweet and savory garlic furikake fried chicken. Sides start at $5.50, and combo plates at $11.99. This is the kind of food you need a nap after eating. Sit down or take-out available. They also have a full bar. Hours are Monday - Saturday 11 am - 3:30 pm and 5 pm - 9:30 pm.
Daiichi Ramen
Kona Commons Shopping Center 74-5452 Makala Blvd
Located in the Kona Common’s Shopping center, this fast-food style Japanese-Chinese-local Hawaiian fusion spot is cheap, quick, and good. They serve up a giant bowl of ramen for $10, and offer a variety of other combos, appetizers and plates. The service is lightning fast. They are located next to several other cheap/fast food style restaurants including Genki Sushi, Dairy Queen, Panda Express. Open 10:30 am - 9 pm daily.
El Maguey
74-5563 Kaiwi St, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
An authentic, reasonably priced Mexican spot with big portions, free chips and salsa, and a good selection of bottled beers for under $4. Beware dainty-mouthed diners, the salsa is spicy! Large combination plates served with rice and beans range from $9.50 to $13, and their ala carte menu has tacos for $2.50, and enchiladas and tamales for $3. Sit down table service or take out is available. Hours are 11 am - 3:30 pm and 5 - 8 pm Monday - Thursday and 11 am - 3:30 pm and 5 - 9 pm Fridays - Saturday.
Get Sum Pizza
Coconut Grove Market Place 75-5813 Alii Dr
Right around the corner from Ocean’s. Get Sum Pizza, offers slices and pies. Slices start at $4, large pizzas start at $20. You can upgrade to gluten free crust on a pie for $8, and dairy-free cheese for $6. They stay open late on the weekends.
Harbor House
74-425 Kealakehe Pkwy #4
Overlooking Kona’s Honokohau Harbor, the Harbor House is an institution for locals and visitors in the know. Famous for their ice-cold schooners of beer, they also serve up simple, filling lunch and dinner fare that’s perfect after a long day on the water. Burgers, fish and chips, fresh fish sandwiches, crispy french fries, salads and homemade chili - everything on the menu is good! Main plates start at $8.95 and pupus at $4.25. Join a motley crew of sailors, tourists in wetsuits and flippers, and locals for a lively pau hana happy hour 3 - 6 pm for $2.95 18 ounce schooners of Coors Light, Bud Light, and Budweiser. Schooners of local Kona brews are $5.25 all day. Bar and restaurant table service or take out is available. Hours are 11 am - 7 pm Monday - Saturday and 11 am - 6 pm on Sundays.
Hayashi’s “You Make the Roll” Sushi
75-5725 Alii Dr Ste D101
Update 9/7/20: due to Covid-19 they are only accepting call in orders. No walk-ins or sit down eating outside. Call (808) 326-1322 to order.
Welcome to sushi, Hawaiian style. Massive rolls packed full of the good stuff, including locally caught fish like Ahi tuna, fresh papaya and avocado, and creative renditions like teriyaki chicken with cream cheese. Their rolls are impressively filling, with eight pieces and start at $6.45 and $5.25 for vegetarian and vegan options. Try their Ninja Star Roll, made with Ahi tuna, avocado and tempura shrimp. Hayashi’s is insanely popular with locals. Hours are 11 am - 6 pm Monday through Friday, 11 am - 3:45 pm Saturdays, closed Sundays and holidays.
Hualalai BBQ
In front of Holualoa Gallery, 76-5921 Mamalahoa Hwy, Holualoa, HI 96725
Traditional Texas-style slow smoked brisket, ribs, and pulled pork sandwiches! IT IS SO TENDER AND DELICIOUS! This little gem is open limited hours (Wednesday - Saturday, 11am - 7pm) and sells out in a flash. We suggest getting there early. Sandwiches start at $10 and plates start at $15. Their famous smoked brisket is $30/lb. Ribs are $18 half rack/$35 full rack. They also offer some creative hot dogs, cheesesteaks, and sides. Limited outdoor seating available and grab and go take-out. See their Facebook page for specials and updates.
Izakaya Shiono
74-5599 Pawai Place, Kailua Kona
Newly opened in Kona’s Brewery Block. Japanese spot serving up Sushi, Ramen, and Kushikatsu. They make their own noodles on site! They offer generously portioned lunch ‘sets’ or combos in the $15-$20 range. Ramen starts at $12.50 and specialty sushi rolls start at $10.50. See their website for a full menu. They are open for lunch 11am - 2pm, and Dinner 5 - 9pm.
Kona Crust
Kona Coast Shopping Center Lot #7 74-5586 Palani Road
A no frills east coast style pizza place. Kona Crust makes excellent pizza and garlic knots, probably because they are owned by a New York transplant. You can get a large pie starting at $18.42, garlic knots 3 for $1.20. Slices start at $3.65. Hot, greasy, delicious! Open daily 11 am - 8pm and 12 - 8 pm Sundays.
KTA Deli
Kona Coast Shopping Center 74-5594 Palani Road
Keauhou Shopping Center 78-6831 Ali‘i Drive
Something for everyone. The KTA deli is where many locals grab a quick to-go lunch. Choose from pre-made or custom-made sandwiches starting at $4, hot and cold deli items like fried chicken, mashed potatoes, salads, and more priced by the pound. You must ask deli staff to serve you. At the fish counter, you can purchase poke by the pound, or in a ‘poke bowl’ where it is served over hot rice. Poke bowls start at $6-$7 and are super filling. There are two KTA stores in Kona, one downtown and one in the Keauhou Shopping Center, south of My Hawaii Hostel.
Ocean’s Sports Bar
Coconut Grove Market Place 75-5811 Alii Dr
Close to My Hawaii Hostel, Ocean’s Sports Bar is located off Ali’i Drive in the Coconut Grove Marketplace. Stop by for their Taco Tuesday, Thursdays, and Saturdays 3 - 10 pm for $3.25 tacos, $3.75 Pacifico and Dos XX, $4 Corona, $5 Margaritas. TVs, pool tables, and loud music included. Hours are 3 pm - 2am daily. They also have a street taco stand outside the bar open 7 days a week, from 11 am - 9 pm.
Original Thai
75-5629 Kuakini Hwy, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Delicious and authentic Thai food! This family run spot is our favorite place for Thai food in Kona. Dine in or take-out. Everything is good - Tom Kha soup, Pad Thai, Thai fried rice, curries, green papaya salad, crispy crab rangoon wontons with yummy dipping sauce…we could go on. Check their website for more. Appetizers start at $7, Pad Thai at $13, soups and curries at $16. Open Tuesday - Friday 11:30 am - 3p and 4 - 8pm, Saturday - Sunday 4 - 8pm.
Pau Hana Poke
By Costco, 73-5617 Maiau St Bay 10, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
New poke spot serving up delicious, fresh poke made with a variety of local caught fish! Check them out. Check out their Facebook Page to learn more. Grab and go take-out.
Ultimate Burger
74-5450 Makala Blvd E112, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
If big, juicy burgers are your thing, you’re going to love Ultimate Burger. This spot serves up delicious grass-fed beef burgers and perfect french fries - crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Did we mention their sauces? They have a tasty house aioli sauce and a spicy 'lava sauce’ that are delicious. Dress up your burger with quality toppings like fresh avocado, grilled pineapple, bacon, sautéed mushrooms, and a selection of cheeses. See their full menu on their website. Dine in and takeout available. Open 11 am - 8pm daily.
Willie’s Hot Chicken
74-5599 Pawai Pl, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Newly opened in Kona’s Brewery Block. Southern-style fried chicken with all comfort food sides you love like waffles, fries, Mac ‘n cheese, potato salad, baked beans, and slaw. Choose your spice level, from mellow ‘Southern Classic’ to ‘Nashville Hot’ and for the brave - ‘Like Lava’. Plates come with your choice of 1 side, 1 sauce, bread, and sliced pickles. See their website for the full menu. Sandwiches and plates ranging from $14 - $24. Open Tuesday - Saturday 11 am - 8 pm.
Vegan & Vegetarian
Let’s face it. Hawaii is big on meat! But there is a growing number of excellent plant-based eateries popping up around Kona. Here’s a few of our go-to’s.
Basik Açai
75-5831 Kahakai Rd, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
This place keeps it simple - just açaí bowls and smoothies - and they do it right! Choose from a selection of their signature bowls and smoothies, or build your own. Smoothies start at $7 and bowls at $11. Find their full menu on their website. Hours are Monday - Thursday 7 am - 4pm, Friday - Sunday 8 am - 4pm. This spot also has a cool ocean view, set high up in a loft-like building. Outdoor seating or grab and go take-out. Follow them on Facebook for drool worthy photos and lot’s of tasty reviews from fans.
Cultivate Good Food
79-7411 Mamalahoa Hwy, Kealakekua, HI 96750
Located in South Kona in quaint Kainaliu Town, Cultivate offers cold-pressed juices, salads, and wraps that are full of color and flavor. This plant-based cafe and juice bar sources produce from local farmers for the freshest seasonal ingredients. Check out their full menu on their website. Juices are $9 for a 16 oz. bottle. Salads and wraps are $12. Open daily 10 am - 4 pm.
Herbivores
75-5722 Hanama Pl, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
This little cafe serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a large plant-based and gluten-free menu. They have salads, sandwiches, wraps, tacos, smoothies, and baked goods. They have a drive through window and outdoor seating. Open daily, 7 am - 8 pm. Breakfast items range from $5.95 - $10.50. Lunch items range from $6.75- $13. Follow them on Facebook for photos and reviews.
Food Trucks and Pop-Ups
Don’t miss these awesome spots! Kona is home to a growing number of food trucks and pop-up food stands that sell on set days in certain locations. Check out their websites and follow them on social media to stay current on specials.
Food Truck Fridays & Saturdays
Feast from a Smorgasbord of food trucks and mingle with local foodies! Goes down every weekend in Kona.
Fridays 4 - 7pm @ HPM parking lot - 1653, 74-5511 Luhia St, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Saturdays from 4 - 7 pm @ Lowes parking lot - 75-5677 Hale Kapili Street, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Follow the Pizza Rovers Facebook Page for updates and info on the weekly event.
Vendors that usually participate include:
Pizza Rovers
Ohana Q (BBQ)
Gallery Cuisine (Thai)
Baklava Sweet Life (sweets and baked goods)
Tai Shan (GF farm to fork-burgers & tacos)
G’s Cue BBQ
Cheese Please
Big Island Creamery (Vegan)
Molokai Hot Bread
Sweet Lemon Peel
and more!
Sundog Bread
A pop-up that slings out-of-this-world fresh baked bread, organic wood-fire pizza, and other goodies every other Friday in Holualoa. Their offerings change based on what’s seasonally available - hello fresh Lilikoi buns! You can visit their website to pre-order. They are open for pick-up and first come first serve purchases 4 - 7pm. Here’s a sampling of what they recently had on offer:
•roasted heirloom tomato & parmigiano danish
•lilikoi buns (the vine is slowing so gettem while you can!)
•dark choc croissant
•makrut lime leaf shortbread
•guava (mixed Pahoa variety) & cheese danish
•jalapeño cheddar swirl
•cinny monkey bread
•cranberry mac nut sourdough
•pumpernickel pan loaf
That’s all for now folks!
We’ll be periodically updating this blog post so you can stay in the know about Kona’s best places to eat. Thanks for helping support small business in our community by chowing down at local restaurants, food trucks, and pop-up stands. Also, we love to live vicariously through your foodie adventures! Tag us in all your Instagram worthy eats @myhawaiihostel.