17 Must-Try Restaurants in Kona, Hawaii (2024)

Beach Tree Bar and Lounge

Located in the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, the Beach Tree Bar and Lounge is an elegant beachside spot that serves modern Italian fare and colorful island co*cktails in a sleek and sophisticated space. The lounge-style restaurant boasts breathtaking views of the Kona coastline with outdoor seating on an expansive wooden deck, a casual lounge, and a full-service bar. The restaurant serves a menu of Italian and Mediterranean cuisine infused with tropical and Californian flavors, with signature dishes of fresh seafood, prime steaks, wood-fired pizzas, organic salads and vegetables, and decadent desserts. The cuisine is accompanied by a selection of fine wines from around the world, craft and draft beers on tap and by the bottle, and classic co*cktails made with top-shelf spirits, and live Hawaiian music is performed on the lawn each night. Beach Tree Bar and Lounge is open for lunch and dinner, Monday through Sunday.

72-100 Kaupulehu Dr, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, Phone: 808-325-8000

Don the Beachcomber Restaurant and Mai Tai Bar

Based in the Royal Kona Resort, Don the Beachcomber Restaurant and Mai Tai Bar is a beachside restaurant and bar with kitsch décor that offers unforgettable tiki-inspired oceanfront dining. Boasting bold Tiki architecture and a lush tropical, open-air ambiance with beautiful views over the ocean, the restaurant serves a menu of sumptuous Hawaiian and international cuisine with Asian flavors prepared using fresh locally sourced ingredients and European culinary techniques. Fresh seafood, prime steaks and salads, vegetarian options and sweet desserts are just a few of the options on the menu, and the cuisine is accompanied by a selection of fine wines from around the world, craft and draft beers on tap and by the bottle, and classic co*cktails made with top-shelf spirits from the Mai Tai Bar. Be sure to check out our guide to the best Big Island beachfront hotels and find the perfect place to stay on vacation.

75-5852 Alii Dr, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, Phone: 808-329-3111

Fish Hopper Seafood and Steaks

Overlooking Kailua Bay on the Big Island Hawaii with an expansive patio for alfresco dining, Fish Hopper Seafood and Steaks Restaurant specializes in fresh sustainably sourced seafood from Hawaii and California and signature Bucket of Fire and Volcano Flaming drinks. Established in 1934 and a local Kona favorite and dining destination, the restaurant is a popular go-to spot for surf 'n' turf, clam chowder, and other classic Hawaiian fare. Signature dishes range from fresh grilled fish, clam chowder, oysters on the half shell, sesame-crusted ahi tuna, and seafood pasta, and the cuisine is accompanied by a selection of fine wines from around the world, craft and draft beers on tap and by the bottle, and classic co*cktails made with top-shelf spirits. Fish Hopper Seafood and Steaks Restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, daily.

75-5683 Alii Dr, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, Phone: 808-326-2002

Foster's Kitchen

Located in the Alii Sunset Plaza, Foster’s Kitchen is a relaxed family-friendly restaurant and bar that offers an exceptional dining experience with a warm and welcoming ambiance. One of the best places to visit in Hawaii, the restaurant focuses on from-scratch cooking using the freshest locally sourced ingredients possible and supporting local farmers, producers, and artisans.

Inspired by the bounty of the island, the menu features fresh seafood, grass-fed steaks and naturally-raised chicken, organic salads and vegetarian dishes, and sweet treats, made with non-GMO or USDA Certified Organic products when possible. The restaurant also serves local freshly baked bread, Kona coffee, homemade ice cream, and kombucha, along with a selection of fine wines from around the world, craft and draft beers on tap and by the bottle, and classic co*cktails.

75-5805 Ali'i Dr, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, Phone: 808-326-1600

Gertrude's Jazz Bar

Gertrude’s Jazz Bar is a hip establishment and modern bar with an oceanfront patio that hosts nightly music from jazz and blues to rock and serves a selection of small plates and tapas and a variety of drinks in a laid-back atmosphere. Inspired by American playwright, poet, novelist, and art collector Gertrude Stein, Gertrude’s Jazz Bar is a collaboration between mother-daughter duo Marlina Lee and Kira Kamamalu, and musician Greg Shirley, who founded the place to offer a gathering spot for the community and music-lovers to enjoy fantastic live jazz music. The hot spot in downtown Kailua Village is open every night for a celebration of dance, music, and art.

75-5699 Ali'i Dr, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, Phone: 808-327-5299

Honu's on the Beach

Located in the Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel, Honu’s on the Beach is the hotel’s signature, award-winning restaurant that offers a premier fine-dining experience in a spectacular setting. Serving breakfast, brunch, and dinner in the form of lavish buffets heaving with a wealth of Pacific Rim cuisine, the restaurant is set on a spacious lanai, complete with roaring fire pits and incredible views of the white sandy beach and ocean beyond. The cuisine is accompanied by a selection of fine wines from around the world, craft and draft beers on tap and by the bottle, and classic co*cktails made with top-shelf spirits. Honu’s on the Beach is open for breakfast, brunch and dinner, daily.

75-5660 Palani Rd, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, Phone: 808-331-6388

Hualalai Grille

Overlooking the 18th green of the famous Hualalai Golf Course at the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, the Hualalai Grille is a classic American steakhouse that serves prime USDA steaks, classic chateaubriand, and fresh seafood infused with island flavors. The open-air chophouse boasts an intimate, club-like ambiance with spectacular views of the golf course and the palm-tree framed ocean and serves a menu of thick house-butchered cuts of USDA choice steaks, free-range chicken and pork, fresh seafood and a range of vegetarian options. The full-service bar has an extensive menu of fine wines from around the world, which can be enjoyed by the glass or bottle, craft beers on tap or by the bottle, and handcrafted co*cktails. The Hualalai Grille is open for dinner only, seven nights a week.

72-100 Kaupulehu Dr, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, Phone: 808-325-8525

Huggo's Restaurant

Huggo’s Restaurant is a seafood stalwart that has been serving fresh, locally caught seafood, steaks, and pasta against a backdrop of unfettered ocean views for more than 50 years. Opened as a casual spot for good steak, a slab of fresh fish, and fresh salads, Huggo’s has grown into Kona’s premier restaurant for fresh seafood, live entertainment, colorful tiki drinks, and co*cktails and an elegant, oceanfront ambiance. Tuck into signature dishes of poke bowls, hearty burgers and healthy sandwiches, and fresh salads, along with a wide variety of craft beers on tap or by the bottle, fine wines from around the world, which can be enjoyed by the glass or bottle, and handcrafted co*cktails. Huggo’s Restaurant is open for lunch and dinner daily.

5308, 75-5828 Kahakai Rd, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, Phone: 808-329-1493

Huggo's on the Rocks

Located next to the local landmark Huggo's Restaurant, Huggo’s on the Rocks is an oceanside lounge that serves island bites and classic co*cktails right on the water. The self-described “toes-in-the-sand” restaurant offers a casual dining experience with an emphasis on island fresh foods and serves sublime tropical co*cktails against a backdrop of spectacular sunset views. Signature dishes on the menu include a variety of pupus (appetizers), fish tacos, burgers, sandwiches and salads, and delectable desserts like Huggo’s tasty Big Island Lime Pie. Sip a selection of fine wines from around the world, craft and draft beers on tap and by the bottle, and classic co*cktails made with top-shelf spirits. Huggo’s on the Rocks is open for lunch and dinner daily.

75-5824 Kahakai Rd, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, Phone: 808-329-1493

Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill

Located in Pottery Terrace, Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill is a casual, family-owned restaurant with a retro-kitsch Hawaii vibe that serves refined versions of locally-inspired fare such as wasabi-seared ahi, guava-glazed ribs, and mochiko fish with Moloka?i purple sweet potatoes. Established in 2004, the colorful, casual eatery is named after the two owners’ daughter and specializes in seafood straight off the boat, along with premium quality steaks, chops, and burgers, a variety of pasta, local organic salads and vegetables, and homemade dressings. Signature dishes include New England clam chowder and a healthy wild mushroom bowl, and several delicious pupu (appetizers) options and the fare is paired with fine wines from around the world, craft and draft beers on tap and by the bottle, and classic co*cktails made with top-shelf spirits. Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill is open for lunch and dinner, Monday through Friday and dinner only on the weekends.

75-5995 Kuakini Hwy STE 1, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, Phone: 808-327-0209

Restaurants Near Me: Kamana Kitchen

Located in the Waterfront Row Shopping Center, Kamana Kitchen brings the rich tastes of India to the tables of Kona. Committed to preserving the culture, tradition and culinary tastes of Indian cuisine, richly varied menu pays homage to the tastes and flavors in India with made-from-scratch dishes using high-quality ingredients, wholesome sauces, and house-toasted spices and traditional spice mixes. Signature dishes include paneer tikka, vegetable pakora, biryanis, tandoori, and specials of Punjabi curry, saag, tikka masala, and vindaloo. A variety of non-alcoholic drinks include lassis, masala chai, soft drinks, iced tea, and bottled water. Kamana Kitchen is open for lunch and dinner, seven days a week.

75-5770 Ali'i Dr #2-3, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, Phone: 808-326-7888

Kenichi Pacific

Located in the Keauhou Shopping Center, Kenichi Pacific serves refined Japanese Pan-Asian fusion cuisine and sushi in a contemporary atmosphere. The understated strip-mall restaurant serves traditional handmade sushi and sashimi, as well as Asian-inspired steak, lamb, chicken, and duck confit, along with ample sides, fresh salads and vegetables, and fabulous dessert selections. Signature dishes include Chinese five-spice cured duck leg with wild mushrooms, grilled Ono Tataki with mashed yams and Japanese mushrooms, and the Dynamite Shrimp with smelt aioli and teriyaki sauce. Kenichi Pacific is open for dinner only, seven nights a week.

6831 Alii Dr #78, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, Phone: 808-322-6400

Kona Inn Restaurant

Located in the historic Kona Inn Shopping Village on the waterfront in the heart of old Kona town, the Kona Inn Restaurant is a vintage restaurant boasting an open-air setting with unobstructed views of the ocean. The restaurant features a massive horseshoe-shaped all-Koa-wood bar that serves fine wines from around the world, craft and draft beers on tap and by the bottle, and classic co*cktails made with top-shelf spirits, including the best mai-tais on the island. The menu features seafood straight off the boat, premium quality steaks, lamb chops, and burgers, a variety of pasta, local organic salads and vegetables, and decadent desserts. The Kona Inn Restaurant is open for lunch and dinner daily.

75-5744 Alii Dr, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, Phone: 808-329-4455

Restaurants Near Me: La Bourgogne French Restaurant

La Bourgogne French Restaurant brings the rich tastes and flavors of French cuisine to Kona. The intimate restaurant exudes European countryside charm with elegant décor, soft lighting, and a warm and welcoming ambiance. Owners Head chef Ron and his wife Colleen create a menu of French-inspired fare prepared using locally sourced ingredients and traditional European culinary techniques with specialty dishes, such as escargot, cassoulet, baked brie, and sweetbreads. The cuisine is accompanied by a selection of fine wines from France and around the world, craft and draft beers on tap and by the bottle, and classic co*cktails made with top-shelf spirits. La Bourgogne is open for dinner six nights a week.

77-6400 Nalani St #101, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, Phone: 808-329-6711

Residents' Beach House

Overlooking the 18th tee box of the Hualalai Golf Course and the tranquil Waiakauhi Pond, the Residents’ Beach House offers casual lanai dining in an elegant setting. The breezy dining spot specializes in traditional Hawaiian fare, fresh seafood, premium steaks, and chicken, and organic salads and vegetarian options, and a range of pupus (appetizers) can be enjoyed on the picturesque patio overlooking the beach. The cuisine can be paired with award-winning wines from around the world, local craft beers, and classic co*cktails made with high-end spirits, and the restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, Monday through Sunday.

100 Kaupulehu Dr, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, Phone: 808-325-8510

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Sam Choy's Kai Lanai

Located in the Keauhou Shopping Center, Sam Choy's Kai Lanai is a go-to spot for traditional regional Hawaiian cuisine. Owned by Hawaii’s culinary ambassador, Sam Choy, the restaurant boasts spectacular panoramic views of the ocean and is the perfect place to enjoy dynamite sunset panoramas while sipping handcrafted co*cktails and dining on Pacific Rim fusion cuisine. The dinner menu features sublime signature dishes like lamb chops with soy, ginger and local bird-peppers, macadamia-crusted chicken, Kona orange duck, and tender Asian pork and noodles. The Short Bait serves craft and draft beers, fine wines around the world, and classic co*cktails, and the restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, daily.

78-6831 Alii Dr, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, Phone: 808-333-3434

Restaurants Near Me: ‘Ulu Ocean Grill and Sushi Lounge

Tucked away in the beautiful grounds of the five-star Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, Ulu Ocean Grill + Sushi Lounge is a stylish restaurant that serves award-winning regional cuisine and exceptional wines against a backdrop of breathtaking ocean views. The oceanside restaurant has tables and chairs just steps from the Pacific Ocean and specializes in traditional Hawaiian fare, fresh seafood, premium steaks and chicken, and organic salads and vegetarian options. After dinner, guests can relax around the beach terrace fire pits while sipping post-dinner drinks like handcrafted co*cktails, global wines, and imported digestifs. Ulu Ocean Grill + Sushi Lounge is open for breakfast, brunch and dinner, daily.

72-100 Ka'upulehu Drive, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, Phone: 808-325-8000

17 Must-Try Restaurants in Kona, Hawaii:

• 1. Beach Tree Bar and Lounge
• 2. Don the Beachcomber Restaurant and Mai Tai Bar
• 3. Fish Hopper Seafood and Steaks
• 4. Foster's Kitchen
• 5. Gertrude's Jazz Bar
• 6. Honu's on the Beach
• 7. Hualalai Grille
• 8. Huggo's Restaurant
• 9. Huggo's on the Rocks
• 10. Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill
• 11. Restaurants Near Me: Kamana Kitchen
• 12. Kenichi Pacific
• 13. Kona Inn Restaurant
• 14. Restaurants Near Me: La Bourgogne French Restaurant
• 15. Residents' Beach House
• 16. Sam Choy's Kai Lanai
• 17. Restaurants Near Me: ‘Ulu Ocean Grill and Sushi Lounge