17 Best Restaurants in Kailua-Kona, Big Island

From its upstairs, open-air dining room decorated with kitschy surfer chic, this restaurant invites customers to enjoy views of the pier and a bustling corner of Alii Drive. Fortunately, an excellent, extensive menu makes it well worth a stop; fresh fish plates including fish tacos are a sure bet. The clam chowder is some of Kona's best. Try the smashburger (a cooking technique that adds flavor while reducing grill time) or the marinated sirloin or New York strip. Death by Chocolate is the dessert to die for. They also serve breakfast from 7 until noon, and there's a happy hour, as well as live music nightly. Great prices keep the locals coming in. 

The historic Manago Hotel is like walking into a time warp, complete with a vintage neon sign, old-timey TV room, high school trophies on the shelves, and old photos on the walls. Their T-shirts brag (and it's not false advertising) that the restaurant has the best grilled pork chops in the world; the fresh fish and New York steak are excellent as well. Meals come with rice for the table and an assortment of changing side dishes, which usually include macaroni or tuna salad, long rice, and a sautéed veggie dish. 

This beloved local-style restaurant serves huge portions of pork chops, diet-busting loco moco (meat, rice, and eggs smothered in gravy), fresh poke, and an assortment of fish specialties at very reasonable prices. Get there early, as they are open only until 2 pm.

Visitors enjoy stopping here before or after a morning of snorkeling at Kealakekua Bay, and for good reason: the views of the Honaunau Coast from this roadside restaurant are nothing short of drop-dead stunning. This place is best for breakfast or a quick bite, as overpriced mains can miss; but if you're in the mood for a Hawaiian smoothie, iced honey-mocha latte, or scone, it's worth the stop. It can get crowded, and parking is tricky and limited, so you may need to plan carefully or get there early.

The largest open-air tiki bar in Kona has the absolute best view of Kailua Bay in town. This is the perfect spot to relax with a pupu (appetizer) such as the coconut-crusted shrimp or "Hapa" poke bowl, or to dig into something more substantial like the kiawe wood–smoked prime rib. The Breezeway Lounge is excellent for watching giant surf or breaching whales, and Don's hosts first-rate Hawaiian performers on Thursdays. During happy hour from 4 to 6, the famous mai tais are only $8; the pina coladas are $9. Save room for dessert; the mud pie is deliciously sinful, or order one of the luscious dessert coffees.

In the heart of Historic Kailua Village, the open-air Hawaii location of the popular Monterey, California restaurant offers an expansive menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a vintage building with a bayfront view. Inventive fresh-fish specials as well as simple fish-and-chips are among the local favorites. The lunch menu is tantalizing, especially the seafood entrées. There's also a comprehensive wine list, plus a happy hour menu chock full of great choices and prices.

A Kona icon since 1969, family-owned Huggo's is one of the few restaurants in town with prices and atmosphere comparable to the splurge restaurants at the Kohala Coast resorts. Dinner offerings sometimes fall short, considering the prices, but the pupus (appetizers) and small plates are usually a good bet. If you're on a budget or just want lunch, Huggo's on the Rocks, next door, is a popular outdoor bar in the sand, and the burgers are pretty darn good, too. It's also Kailua-Kona's hot spot for cocktails and live music nightly.

With cocktail bars both upstairs and downstairs, oceanfront Island Lava Java serves eggs Benedict for breakfast; fresh fish tacos for lunch; and pasta, Big Island beef, and seafood for dinner, plus towering, fresh bistro salads. There are also pizzas, sandwiches, and plenty of choices for both vegetarians and meat eaters. Portions are large, food is made from scratch, and most of the menu is fresh, local, and organic.

With its oceanfront location close enough for diners to feel the salt spray, Kai's is a fun, casual dining experience. Just pick a table, then order and pay online; they bring your meal to your table. In the morning, you can fill your paper coffee cup with limitless amounts of coffee at the self-serve station. For lunch and dinner, choose from the "plancha" burgers such as the smashburger or one of the gourmet pizzas with goofy names like Mango Tango or Funkai Funghi. Owned by the same company as Huggo's and Lava Lava Beach Club, Kai's prices are pretty good considering its spot right on the water. 

They specialize in breakfast and great views. This covered, outdoor establishment sits directly across from the Kailua seawall, so even if you have to wait, the view alone is worth it. The Tex-Mex scramble, lilikoi French toast, and salmon Benedict are crowd favorites, along with 100% Kona coffee. They can get busy and do their best to accommodate, so patience is advised. 

All of this family-owned coffee company's businesses—growing, roasting, brewing, and serving their authentic Kona coffee—operate within a 10-mile radius of the farm. At their homey little café, they offer a staggering array of coffee drinks, along with upscale deli items such as lox and a veggie focaccia sandwich; breakfast goodies include acai bowls. The café offers mostly takeout with limited dine-in availability. They do offer tours of their coffee farm: reserve online. 

Hidden in the corner of Keauhou Shopping Center adjacent to the movie theater, Los Habaneros serves up fast, decent Mexican food for good prices. Favorites are usually combos, which can be anything from enchilada plates to chiles rellenos. The burritos are a solid pick, stuffed with meat, beans, cheese, and all the fixings. Wash it all down with imported beer from Mexico.

Simply unbeatable proximity to the ocean is part of the draw of this lively restaurant in the heart of town: you just can't get any closer to the water without getting wet—and sometimes you do! It's popular to come here for sunset for drinks and appetizers such as the poke stack or the avocado fries. Otherwise, stick with a burger or sandwich, as the mains can get pricey. Order online for pickup and delivery. Beloved local musicians Lopaka Roots or LT Smooth play nightly. 

Perched above a shopping center with sweeping panoramic views, this open-air restaurant has lots to offer besides spectacular views from every table in the house. The slow-roasted rack of ribs is the star of the show, and the locally sourced fish-and-chips is a close second. Be sure to try the famous Key lime pie or Mighty Dozen doughnut holes with some 100% Kona coffee. Their fun tropical cocktails such as the Lava Flow are best imbibed with an epic green-flash sunset happening and tiki torches flickering. 

Known for home-baked pastries, gourmet loose-leaf teas, and high-end coffees, this sweet, cozy spot is a lovely destination not far from the beach. Try the brie, apple, and fig jam combo on freshly baked baguette or one of the signature salads. A to-go picnic box for two is priced at only $27. They even serve made-to-order Italian sodas.

Its modest exterior and interior belie the fantastic South Kona experience Teshima's brings; it has been a kamaaina (local) favorite since 1929 for a reason. Locals gather at this small landmark restaurant whenever they're in the mood for fresh sashimi, puffy shrimp tempura, or hekka (beef and vegetables cooked in an iron pot). Try teishoku (tray) No. 3, featuring sashimi, tempura, sukiyaki beef, rice, miso soup, and sunomono (cucumber salad). The restaurant has been family owned and operated by five generations of Teshimas, and if you come in more than a couple times, they will start calling you by name. 

Tucked away at the Kona Country Club at the far end of Alii Drive, this hideaway is the place to go for happy hour, appetizers, and ocean breezes. Oh, and did we mention the view? It has a large, open-deck lanai, a kamaaina (old-time) vibe, and decidedly nonfancy decor. While the mains are a bit overpriced, it's a great place to relax, order an appetizer, and maybe talk story with local residents, or perhaps discuss the day's best golf shots.