nwtraveler

Hello

My husband and I went to Kona, Big Island, Hawaii October 2016 and in researching for the trip I found that there was a lack of trip reports for the Big Island, especially restaurants. So I am sharing the list of places that we ate at while there for nine days. I hope you find it helpful for your upcoming trip. We really loved the Big Island and plan on going again.

Kailua-Kona
Fumi’s Kitchen** - we had breakfast here twice and enjoyed it.
Island Lava Java* - next door to Fumi’s. The food is good, has great views of the water, but I preferred the quiet of Fumi’s.
Holy Donuts** - amazing, awesome donuts – passion fruit glaze – need I say more?
Farmer’s Market** - this is where we got our fresh pineapple and mango – eye-rolling good.
Chubby’s Dinner** - We loved it the first time. The food was not as good when we went on Sunday, making us think that Sunday is the day off for the regular cook.
L&L BBQ - I liked it, DH didn’t.
Jackie Rey’s Ohana Grill* - I liked the Kalua Pork Spring Rolls, DH had the fish and chips, but the fish was overcooked.

Mamalahoa Hwy (Hwy 11)
Annie’s Burgers** - awesome burgers
Keoki’s Roadside Café* (go for the fish and chips)
Kaaloa’s Super J’s** – the best laulau we had on the trip
Kona Coffee House and Café* - really good tuna melt

Hawi
We went to Hawi for ziplining, but the drive was beautiful and I would do it again just for the views.
Sushi Rock*** – best sushi ever
Gill’s Lanai** – good fish tacos
King’s View Café* – sandwiches and pizza

North of Kailua-Kona
Three Fat Pigs** - very good, expensive, but definitely worth the drive for at least one meal
Ippy’s* – best pork loco moco I ‘ve ever had. It’s the only one I’ve ever had, but I would go in again.

nanabee

Hi nwtraveler,
thanks for this!! unfortunately we missed it by a week. we just returned fromt the big island end of feb.

We ate at the Lava Java in Waikoloa Village and had a great breakfast and excellent coffee.

For dinner, I would recommend Red River in Waimea in the Parker Ranch general area. We had excellent seafood. It was popular with the locals.

nanabee

"missed it" meaning your restaurant reviews

nwtraveler

nanabee
Thanks for the additions to the list. The date in my OP should be October 2015, not 2016.

Songdoc

Thanks. I'll keep these in mind for my June trip.

sf7307

We stayed on the Kohala Coast in November. I don't remember everyplace we ate, but we really enjoyed Pueo's (and happy hour at the Lava Lava Beach Club). Café Pesto was fine, but for us, it wasn't a "go out of your way" place.

fdecarlo

> Café Pesto was fine, but for us, it wasn't a "go out of your way" place.

We're long-time fans, but our last few meals there haven't been the greatest. Pizzas are usually good but beyond that it's hit or miss with their entrees.

If you're looking for steak and seafood instead of pasta and pizza, almost immediately next door to CP's Kawaihae location is Plantation Grill. Awesome ribs and osso buco.

olympicgaym

We liked Ultimate Burger in Kailua-Kona and The Coffee Shack(great breakfast with a view) near Captain Cook. The Big Island Grill in Kona was also very good. We also liked the Kings View Café.

Shar

in the village of Hawi, there is a great "hole in the wall" restaurant with fabulous fish tacos Gill's Lanai Restaurant. we ate there after Flumin the Ditch which was a blast.

Inakauaidavidababy

Oh Heavenly Hawi! Now I am craving all local strawberry goat cheese salad from Sushi Rocks with that papaya pom dressing. Oh, and the smoke roasted unsalted mac nuts and lilikoi puree from the guy at the farmer's market, oh and the huli hull chicken smoked roadside a day or two a week. . .and then there's the ice cream! And the Aunties sitting on the lanai watching the world go by. Always wave hello to the Aunties.

nwtraveler

Hawi turned out to be quite the foodie destination. DH and I tried the three places listed in my OP in one afternoon because we couldn't make up our minds.

Kailani

Oh, message to Inakauaidavidababy!

We went to Hawi (where we have a house) in January, and I asked the lilikoi guy at the farmer's market if he can send out his puree. (I think you asked about that once).

He said his operation is too small to do that, so I bought a jar in your honor, and added it to tequila and fresh lime for some special lilikoi margaritas.

Hawi and Kapa'au have such great food for such tiny towns. Bamboo & Sushi Rock are our favorites (love the local music & hula at Bamboo), but also like King's View Café (pizza and breakfast, creme brulée French toast, mmm) and the café in Kapa'au for delicious salads & panini and homemade lilikoi glazed cinnamon buns.
I agree Gill's Lanai is good, but I still miss Pico's Bistro! Lots of turnover in the restaurant scene over the years.

There are a few others worth a try if you are staying there longer: The Sweet Potato Kitchen (mostly vegan), the place where the Lighthouse Deli used to be (near the mailbox place) for lunches and the temporary looking barbeque place at the Hawi road intersection.

Funny, nwtraveler, I haven't heard of any of your restaurants, but I'll keep the list for future reference. I guess on our once per trip visits to Kona we eat at the Kona Village Inn, just 'cause the views are so nice.

The drive to Hawi is beautiful, and has the best places to see whales along the coast in my experience.

nanabee

Whaaaa! I wished I had all these mouth watering suggestions when were there recently. Should have asked. My mistake. It just means another trip.

Inakauaidavidababy

Aloha Kailani, those adult beverages sound lovely. He is a gentle guy that makes lovely puree. Do you rent you home out, or is it a family place. Ignore me if I'm asking too much. We may return next year to our special place at Kohala Ranch for our 25th but always like to see all rental options.

Best

Kailani

Aloha Inakauaidavidbaby! We don't rent out our place. It is really magical, next to an old wild gulch, in a '70's artistsan meets plantation house, wild orchard kind of way.

You would probably love it, but it has lots of old termite paint bubbles with geckos peaking out, and it gets invaded by bees and wild boar. (It has rats in the attic who have lived there since 1935.) So as a rental, it would have a lot of defective qualities!

If we are there at the same time, I can meet you at the Farmer's Market or at Takata's.

Inakauaidavidababy

It's the cane spiders that get me when we stayed in Hawi our first visit. Fast little bugs. We may be on island in August. Just exploring the idea of it right now.