Guidebook for Kailua-Kona
Food Scene
Da Poke Shack
76-6246 Ali‘i DriveWonderful poke (raw tuna salads)!
The island has many wonderful Thai restaurants - this is our favorite.
10 locals recommend
Royal Thai Cafe
78-6831 Ali‘i DrThe island has many wonderful Thai restaurants - this is our favorite.
Green Flash Coffee
75-6000 Ali‘i DrQuick walk from our condo - good coffee and ice cream.
Our favorite restaurant for a higher quality meal with local flavor.
127 locals recommend
Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill Kona
75-5995 Kuakini HwyOur favorite restaurant for a higher quality meal with local flavor.
Los Habaneros
Two locations - one casual and one formal.
Island Lava Java
75-5801 Ali‘i DrA great place to sit out and watch folks in town.
Kilauea Lodge Restaurant
19-3948 Old Volcano RdFabulous restaurant - not to be missed when in Volcano.
Village Burger Waimea
67 - 1185 Hawaiʻi Belt RdTHE best burger we've ever had - PERIOD.
Sandy's Drive In
79-7436 Hawaiʻi Belt RdReally basic - really cheap. Have a lilikoi soda for us!
Punalu'u Bake Shop
95-5642 HI-11Yummy yummy yummy pink and purple breads - sweet and fun.
The Coffee Shack
83-5799 Mamalahoa HwyVery special view and particularly good desserts.
Good prices, right in the heart of town with some outdoor, water-view seating. Great food.
10 locals recommend
Thai Rin Restaurant & Bar
75-5799 Ali‘i DrGood prices, right in the heart of town with some outdoor, water-view seating. Great food.
Harbor House
74-425 Kealakehe PkwyFun to see all the boats at the harbor - and wonderful fish & chips.
This is a real little gem. Food made fresh and served from 9:30 a.m. until it runs out or 2 p.m. at the latest. Made to order and super reasonable. A definite locals place. Take out only.
Tamari Lunch
22 Furneaux LnThis is a real little gem. Food made fresh and served from 9:30 a.m. until it runs out or 2 p.m. at the latest. Made to order and super reasonable. A definite locals place. Take out only.
Oh heck, if you have lunch from Tamari, grab a european style sweet treat from Moonstruck - yum yum yum.
7 locals recommend
Moonstruck Patisserie
16 Furneaux LnOh heck, if you have lunch from Tamari, grab a european style sweet treat from Moonstruck - yum yum yum.
You should go to Honoka'a and Tex's make great traditional plate lunches (representing bits of Hawaii's melting pot from plantation era). Also a spot for malasadas. Fun gift store.
72 locals recommend
Tex Drive-In
45-690 Pakalana StYou should go to Honoka'a and Tex's make great traditional plate lunches (representing bits of Hawaii's melting pot from plantation era). Also a spot for malasadas. Fun gift store.
Want super fresh, healthy and yummy - this is your place. We love pHresh. Great acai bowls too. Take out with some outdoor seating.
pHresh
79-7411 Mamalahoa HwyWant super fresh, healthy and yummy - this is your place. We love pHresh. Great acai bowls too. Take out with some outdoor seating.
If you are looking for a sophisticated and delicious dinner, go to Mi's. Reservations recommended.
26 locals recommend
Mi's Waterfront Bistro
75-5770 Ali‘i DrIf you are looking for a sophisticated and delicious dinner, go to Mi's. Reservations recommended.
A little on the expensive side, but reliably great food and super close to our condo (short drive up a steep hill).
Kuakini Highway
Kuakini HighwayA little on the expensive side, but reliably great food and super close to our condo (short drive up a steep hill).
Fruit stand and sandwich shop. Nice outdoor seating area.
15 locals recommend
The South Kona Fruit Stand
84-4770 Mamalahoa HwyFruit stand and sandwich shop. Nice outdoor seating area.
Ocean Seafood Chinese Restaurant
75-5626 Kuakini HwyGood Chinese food.
Hayama Japanese Restaurant
75-5660 Kopiko StGood sushi
Basik Cafe
75-5831 Kahakai RdGood frozen treat - breakfast, lunch or in between.
Splashers Grill
75-5663 Palani RdGood local restaurant where locals also eat in town.
If you are already in town and you've already been to Lava Java, then you might want to try Daylight Mind - Lovely location.
69 locals recommend
Daylight Mind Coffee Company
69-201 Waikōloa Beach DrIf you are already in town and you've already been to Lava Java, then you might want to try Daylight Mind - Lovely location.
Essentials
The local Hawaiian grocery store - not always the least expensive, but our preference to support. Our #1 choice for buying fish.
156 locals recommend
KTA Super Stores
74-5594 Palani RdThe local Hawaiian grocery store - not always the least expensive, but our preference to support. Our #1 choice for buying fish.
Island Naturals Market & Deli Kailua-Kona
74-5444 Makala BlvdSuperb organic market.
Best price on gasoline - bring your Costco card with you!! Also good place for fresh fish.
Costco Gasoline
73-5600 Maiau StBest price on gasoline - bring your Costco card with you!! Also good place for fresh fish.
Shopping
Costco Wholesale
73-5600 Maiau StTHE place to stock up on your basic needs.
THE place for souvenirs and beach supplies. Long's is owned by CVS, so they can service CVS prescriptions and Extra Care benefits.
32 locals recommend
Longs Drugs
78 6831 Ali‘i DrTHE place for souvenirs and beach supplies. Long's is owned by CVS, so they can service CVS prescriptions and Extra Care benefits.
Parker Ranch Center
67-1175 Hawaiʻi Belt RdGreat gift store.
Kona Stories Book Store
78-6831 Ali‘i DrGreat local bookstore for gifts or your own delight.
There are lots of thrift and re-sale stores in this area - Discovery is above average AND they sell Tropical Dreams ice cream - you really should try it!
Discovery Antiques and Ice Cream
81-6593 Mamalahoa HwyThere are lots of thrift and re-sale stores in this area - Discovery is above average AND they sell Tropical Dreams ice cream - you really should try it!
Everything Else
Terrific fun - you'll get to hold your own seahorse and your admission supports their on going preservation work.
27 locals recommend
Ocean Rider Inc
73-4388 Ilikai PlaceTerrific fun - you'll get to hold your own seahorse and your admission supports their on going preservation work.
Sightseeing
Incredible snorkeling cruises. Deborah asks for this trip every birthday!
49 locals recommend
Fair Wind Cruises
78-7130 Kaleiopapa StIncredible snorkeling cruises. Deborah asks for this trip every birthday!
A must! Stay overnight or go before sunrise to see the lava glow in all its glory.
880 locals recommend
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
A must! Stay overnight or go before sunrise to see the lava glow in all its glory.
Small but nice garden walking trail. Nice picnic beach with pavilions.
40 locals recommend
Old Kona Airport State Recreation Area
75-5560 Kuakini HwySmall but nice garden walking trail. Nice picnic beach with pavilions.
Great snorkeling - but please don't step on the coral so we can all keep enjoying.
239 locals recommend
Kahaluu Bay
Ali‘i DriveGreat snorkeling - but please don't step on the coral so we can all keep enjoying.
Spencer Beach Park
62-3461 Kawaihae RoadLovely spot! Great beach!
Hāpuna Beach State Park
Old Puako RoadReally not to be missed - take your boogie boards!
If you even remotely like flowers, walking and spectacular ocean views, this is a wonderful place. You can take a bag lunch and sit on a bench to enjoy it. It is hilly and there is an entrance fee.
192 locals recommend
Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden
27-717 Mamalahoa HwyIf you even remotely like flowers, walking and spectacular ocean views, this is a wonderful place. You can take a bag lunch and sit on a bench to enjoy it. It is hilly and there is an entrance fee.
YOU MUST GO. To see the volcano glow, you need to either be their at dawn or dusk.
880 locals recommend
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
YOU MUST GO. To see the volcano glow, you need to either be their at dawn or dusk.
Waialea Beach
Old Puako RoadYet another lovely beach.
Particularly nice when there is sand (which occasionally washes away and eventually returns). Take the turn before the park.
159 locals recommend
Kua Bay
Particularly nice when there is sand (which occasionally washes away and eventually returns). Take the turn before the park.
Magic Sands is very close to the condo and great for boogie boarding.
11 locals recommend
Disappearing Sands Beach
Magic Sands is very close to the condo and great for boogie boarding.
Painted Church Road
Painted Church RoadSmall church with lovely murals - a nice little stop.
Drinks & Nightlife
We've yet to get there, but our friends give it high accolades.
47 locals recommend
Bamboo Restaurant & Gallery
55-3415 Akoni Pule HwyWe've yet to get there, but our friends give it high accolades.
Arts & Culture
Aloha Theatre
79-7384 Hawaiʻi Belt RdLocal productions - a nice old community theater.