Kona has more restaurants per block than you’d expect for a town this size, which makes the choice harder, not easier. Most visitors end up at the same few spots near the harbor. Some of those are fine. A lot of them are not worth your time.
This page covers the places we actually go back to, a mix of Kailua-Kona spots and a few in the South Kona / Captain Cook area worth the 20-minute drive. Use the table below to find something that fits your budget and situation, then read the entry for the specifics.
Table of contents
- Restaurant Recommendations + Map
- Restaurants in Kona
- Restaurants in the South Kona district
Table of Contents
- Restaurant Recommendations + Map
- Restaurants in Kona
- Restaurants in the South Kona district
One note on scope: this list skews toward casual and local. If you want a once-a-trip splurge dinner, Merriman’s is the benchmark, but that’s a different kind of night. If you like what you find here, our Hilo restaurant picks are worth checking before you cross to the east side.
Where to Eat in Kona: Quick Picks by Situation and Map
We love going to the Fish hopper in downtown Kona because of their great views over Kailua Bay (BIG breakfasts – try to get a table at the windows) or to the Arise Bakery and Cafe if you are looking for a more simple “coffee and pastry” style breakfast . If you are staying further south, Teshima’s is a good option.
Magic’s Beach Grill (across the street from Magic Sands beach) and Broke da Mouth Grinds (a few blocks from Old Airport beach) are great options for take-out and sunset viewing.
Da Poke Shack is our #1 choice for take-out poke, and Umekes is a great place to go for a sit-down poke bowl.
Big Island Grill is the value pick: big portions of local food at honest prices, open Tuesday through Saturday until 2pm. Da Poke Shack is the right call if you want fresh poke to take to the beach. Pine Tree Cafe is good for takeout if you want something quick and local such as spicy garlic chicken or fried rice with Portuguese sausage.
Magic’s Beach Grill is the most reliable pick: outdoor seating across from Magic Sands beach, a solid drink menu, and a range of dishes that works for most groups. Broke da Mouth Grinds is the better call if you want local Hawaiian and Filipino comfort food at a fair price. For sushi in a sit-down setting, Kenichi’s is worth it despite the mall location.
Prices and map locations below last verified April 2026.
| Name | Best for | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| 1Pine Tree Cafe | Take-out and a sunset beach picnic | $10-20 |
| 2Arise Bakery and Cafe | Pastries and coffee | $10-20 |
| 3Kaaloa’s Super J’s | Authentic Hawaiian dishes | $10-20 |
| 4Peaberry & Galette | Coffee and Galettes (pancakes) | $10 |
| 5Teshima’s | Japanese comfort food, breakfast | $20-30 |
| 6Magic’s Beach Grill | Sunset beach dinner | $20-30 |
| 7Broke da Mouth Grindz | Takeout for a picnic at Old Airport Beach Park | $20-30 |
| 8Umekes | Poke bowls | $20-30 |
| 9Big Island Grill | Value | $20-30 |
| 10Willie’s Hot Chicken | Spicy fried chicken, quick lunch | $20-30 |
| 11The Fish Hopper | Ocean view breakfast | $20-30 |
| 12Da Poke Shack | Poke bowls | $20-30 |
| 13Coffee Shack | Breakfast + Lunch | $20-30 |
| 14Black Rock Pizza | Pizza | $20-30 |
| 15Kenichi’s | Sushi, date night | $30-50 |
Restaurants in Kailua-Kona
All of the restaurants below are in or just outside central Kailua-Kona. South Kona picks are in the next section.
Pine Tree Cafe
Pine Tree Cafe (website) is not a sit-down restaurant but is one of the better takeout stops in Kona. Some favorites are the spicy garlic chicken, fried rice with Portuguese sausage , and Korean chicken.
Teshima’s
Located 15 minutes south of Kailua Kona, Teshima’s (website) is a long-running eatery serving up simple Japanese comfort food in a simple, old-school atmosphere. Fried pork chops and their really good breakfast menu are a few good reasons to go there.
Arise Bakery and Cafe
Arise (website) is a great bakery slash coffee shop in a beautiful, open space, decorated in a way that feels open and relaxed. We love going here for the freshly baked pastries but they also serve breakfast/lunch sandwiches, sourdough breads, and more.
Magic’s Beach Grill
Opposite Magic sands beach for an after meal swim or just to watch the waves, Magic’s Beach Grill (website) offers tasty creative dishes and a nice drink menu. Get a seat in the sand out front to watch the waves or out back on the deck for sunset.
Broke da Mouth Grindz
Broke da Mouth Grindz (website) offers an excellent combination of food quality, price, ambiance and service. Their menu mostly consists of hearty portions of locally sourced Hawaiian & Filipino staples.
Order take out and go to the nearby Old Airport Beach for sunset dinner if it is too busy inside.
Kenichi’s
Kenichi’s (website) is in a mall, but the sushi is good and reasonably priced and are also a solid choice for breakfast.
Umekes
Umekes (website) is a good place to go to for a poke bowl and some other local favorites such as fish tacos and fresh catch.
Big Island Grill
Honest local food in big portions for a fair price but only open for breakfast and lunch. Try their loco moco or teriyaki chicken if you have trouble making a choice. Don’t expect a cute little eatery though, since the decor is somewhat lacking.
Opening times are from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm on Tuesday through Saturday. They are closed on Sunday and Monday. More information on their website.
Willie’s Hot Chicken
If anything spicy and southern-style fried chicken are your things then Willie’s Hot Chicken (website) is a solid stop for a quick lunch.
The Fish hopper
The Fish Hopper (website) with its excellent ocean views is our favorite breakfast spot in downtown Kona.
Peaberry & Galette
Peaberry & Galette (website) is a small coffee shot that makes great galettes (pancakes) in the Keauhou shopping center.
Da Poke Shack
Known around the island for consistently fresh poke, Da Poke Shack (website) is the place to try if you are curious about poke and poke bowls. Poke is the perfect lunchtime meal to take on the go, to the beach, or to a nearby beach-front park for example.
Da Poke Shack prides themselves to always serve fresh fish.
Restaurants in South Kona / Captain Cook
These three are worth planning around if you’re driving the South Kona coast. Each is a legitimate reason to stop rather than a detour.
Kaaloa’s Super J’s
A small family owned and operated food stop that is known for their authentic Hawaiian dishes – try their pork and poi lau lau if you want to try a local favorite. Really good food at really good prices.
More information on their facebook page.
The Coffee Shack
The Coffee Shack in Captain Cook serves great coffee, breakfast, and lunch (get their homemade bread if you can). The terrace looks straight out over Kealakekua Bay and if you’re already driving the South Kona coast for a coffee farm tour or a stop at Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park, the Coffee Shack is the right place to eat.
The Coffee Shack overlooks Kealakekua Bay
Black Rock Pizza
If you feel like a great pizza that is hand-made from sauce to crust you should check out Black Rock Pizza in Captain Cook. The patio view over the hills and good service are reasons to stay a while.