The Best Restaurants in Kona, Hawaii
The Ultimate Guide to Eating on the Big Island
I’ve been visiting Kona since 2017, when I came for my babymoon while pregnant with my son, Ryder. What started as a getaway my ex-husband suggested turned into a full-on love affair with the Big Island. A few years and a condo purchase later, Kona is now home to my short-term rental, Kona Landing, and I’ve been eating my way across the island ever since.
This isn’t a touristy food list. These are my real-deal favorites, from fresh poke and epic brunches to sunset dinners and happy hour gems. I’m also big on balance, so you’ll find some grocery shopping tips in here, too. Whether you’re here for a quick trip or an extended stay, here’s where to eat in Kona (and exactly what to order).
Pack Like a Local
Before we get to the food, here's what I never show up to Kona without.
Kona Coffee & Breakfast Spots
Kona is famous for its coffee. You can even take a tour of a local coffee farm while you’re here. While I don’t drink coffee myself, I do love tea, so a lot of my drink recommendations and coffee shops lean that way. I also love ingredients unique to the island, such as macadamia nuts, ube, and pineapple. Everything in this section is either walkable or a short drive from Kona Landing, so you can start your day island-style.
My morning ritual. I grab a lavender chai latte with macadamia nut milk and sit on the lanai soaking up the sound of the ocean.
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If you're in Kona, you’ve got to check out Big Kahuna Beach Grill. Awesome ocean views, killer smash burgers, and the friendliest vibes. Perfect spot to chill by the pier with great food and a cold drink.
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Vibes and views. I love the macadamia nut pesto scramble, the kalua pork scramble, and their giant cinnamon roll.
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Acai bowls with bee pollen and local honey. It’s a nourishing boost before a beach day.
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Right below Kona Landing. Try the macadamia nut chai latte or a strong cup of coffee with ocean views. Great for a quiet solo morning.
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Extreme vibes. They serve ube foam drinks, avocado toast that will blow your mind, and carry cute merch. I love stopping here after hiking the Captain Cook Monument or before hitting the beach.
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Take Kona Home with You
Kona is famous for its world-renowned coffee, buttery macadamia nuts, and volcanic landscapes, including the only active volcanoes in Hawaii. If you’re planning a trip or just dreaming about one, getting a few local favorites before your trip is a fun way to keep a little piece of the island with you.
I always recommend picking up 100% Kona coffee, locally grown macadamia nuts, and black lava salt. Brew a cup of Kona coffee while planning your itinerary, then once you’re on the Big Island, make time for a coffee farm tour and bring home even more of the good stuff.
Where to Go for Lunch in Kona
Fresh poke is a must. Da Poke Shack is a classic. Grab it to-go and head straight to the sand.
👉 View Da Poke Shack Menu
Pro tip: Bring a cooler with icepacks to keep your poke fresh. Kona Landing has one, plus beach chairs, umbrellas, blankets, and kid toys. If your rental doesn’t have one, grab a cheap cooler, totally worth it.
Amazing poke bowls, fish tacos, and local favorites. Great for dine-in or takeout. Full bar too!
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Right next to Magic Sands Beach. Gluten-free fish and chips, tropical cocktails, and open-air seating with ocean views.
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Poke Picnic Essentials
I grab poke to go and head straight to the beach. Here's what makes it perfect.
Where to Eat Dinner on the Big Island
This is a must-do every trip. I walk here from Kona Landing and order the monchong with risotto. Sunset views are phenomenal.
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Fancier than its beachy sister. I sit at the bar and order the ahi tuna tower, sizzling shrimp, and Toes in the Sand cocktail (hold the pepper rim).
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Casual-upscale with stuffed mushrooms that taste like pizza bites. Amazing cocktails and ocean views.
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The Canoe house is one of my fave spots to grab an app and a drink. It’s a hidden gem right on the water. You won’t be disappointed.
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I love visiting the Four Seasons when I’m on Island and need a special occasion restaurant:
Kalua pork, firecracker shrimp, and kimchi fried rice, every bite is incredible. They sometimes sell out and are closed unexpectedly, so check hours. I always take it to go and eat on the lanai at Kona Landing.
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Best Kona Happy Hours
Trying to stay on budget without missing out on great grindz? I’ve got a full guide to the Best Happy Hours in Kona so you can bar hop your way down Ali’i Drive with small plates, strong cocktails, and no guilt.
Stock the Fridge at Your Rental or Hotel Room
One of my favorite budget friendly Kona travel tips is to stock your fridge as soon as you arrive.
Whenever I land in Kona, I place a grocery order through Target and either pick it up on the way to my rental or have it delivered. Instacart also works great on the Big Island, and you can order from places like Costco or local grocery stores.
Pro tip: Do not order Target through Instacart. It takes forever and can easily waste half a day of your trip while you wait around for groceries.
I’m someone who plans part of my vacation around grocery shopping because I love having easy food, drinks, and snacks ready to go without spending a fortune.
My typical Kona grocery haul includes; eggs, bacon, bread, coffee or tea for breakfast, sandwich supplies for beach days, fresh fruit, vegetables, sparkling water, drinks, snacks for the kids, and always a frozen pizza for late night cravings.
Having a stocked kitchen or even just a mini fridge makes mornings so much easier, especially when traveling with kids, and helps cut down on expensive restaurant meals for every single breakfast or snack.
What I Wear to Dinner in Kona
I’ve created an entire Kona packing list, but here are a few cute essentials I always pack for dinner in Kona.
It stays pretty warm here, even in the evenings, so you do not want anything too heavy. I usually reach for lightweight pieces that feel effortless but still a little elevated.
Time to Pack for Hawaii
If this guide has you booking a trip, you're going to need a great bag. These are my picks for getting to Kona in style.
Ready for Your Kona Getaway?
Whether you’re visiting Kona for the first time or returning for another trip to paradise, I hope this guide helps you eat well, stress less, and enjoy every minute on the Big Island. I’ve been coming to Kona since 2017, and it truly feels like a second home to me. From casual breakfasts by the ocean to sunset dinners along Ali‘i Drive, some of my favorite travel memories have happened around a great meal.
Now all that’s left to do is pack your bags, book a few dinner reservations, and get excited for everything Kona has to offer. Enjoy the sunshine, eat something amazing, and soak it all in.
Aloha and happy travels. 🌺
