-
$ | |
It figures that the best laulau (pork or chicken wrapped in taro leaves and steamed) in West Hawaii can be found at a roadside hole-in-the-wall rather than at an expensive resort luau; in fact, this humble family-run eatery was featured on the Food Network's The Best Thing I Ever Ate. Plate lunches to go include tender chicken or pork laulau, steamed for up to 10 hours. The kalua (earth oven–baked) pig and cabbage is delicious, and the lomilomi salmon features vine-ripened tomatoes. Owners John and Janice Kaaloa grind their own poi sourced from taro in Hilo and Waipio.
83-5409 Mamalahoa Hwy., Honaunau, Hawaii, 96704, USA
Known For
- Tasty kalua pig and cabbage
- Friendly and welcoming proprietors
- Lomilomi salmon
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
-
$ | |
With vintage memorabilia and a bluesy soundtrack as a background, this cool deli in a tiny strip mall has a lot more to offer than the average sandwich shop. Yes, there are gourmet sandwiches, salads, and wraps, but Poi Dog's wide-ranging menu extends to an impressive list of wines, craft beers, ales, and pilsners from all over the world. On the lighter side, they have a great mix of hard ciders as well. But there are also kombuchas, coffees, and other nonalcoholic beverages to choose from. Hailing from New Orleans, the proprietors love to bring a touch of the Big Easy to Kona, which you'll feel throughout the place.
75-1022 Henry St., Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, 96740, USA
Known For
- Salads featuring house-made Cajun croutons and house dressings
- House-made soups
- Ranch House Reuben
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
-
$ | |
With the bar in the front and the dining patio in the back, Quinn's may seem like a bit of a dive at first glance, but this venerable restaurant serves the best darn cheeseburger and fries in town. The menu has many other tasty options, such as fish-and-chips and beef tenderloin tips. If time gets away from you on a drive to the north beaches, Quinn's, which stays open until 10, awaits your return with a cheap beer and a basket of fried calamari. Drinks are strong—no watered-down cocktails here. Breakfast is served from 7 to 10:45 during football season, and it's sure to be lively, especially if the Green Bay Packers are involved. Park across the street at the Courtyard King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel and get free 90-minute parking with validation.
75-5655 Palani Rd., Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, 96740, USA
Known For
- Strong cocktails
- Comfort food like meatballs
- Old Kona vibe
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Wed.
-
$ | |
A local institution, this casual place is famous for its malasadas, the puffy, doughy, deep-fried Portuguese doughnuts without a hole, best eaten hot; there are also cream-filled versions, including vanilla, chocolate, and coconut. For more than a snack, go for the Hawaiian burger, with a fat, juicy slice of sweet pineapple on top, the overstuffed burrito, or some decent house-made pizza.
45-690 Pakalana St., Honokaa, Hawaii, 96727, USA
Known For
- The island's best malasadas
- Food cooked to order
- Long waits
-
$ | |
Shave ice and ice cream in every imaginable flavor can be found at the ideal spot, close to the resort coast beaches. Prepare to wait in line for 15–20 minutes as you ponder your options, but don't fret: it's worth it.
61-3665 Akoni Pule Hwy., Kawaihae, Hawaii, 96743, USA
Known For
- Lilikoi shave ice
- Kona fudge ice cream
- Creative use of local flavors
-
Recommended Fodor’s Video
-
-
$ | |
Established in 1948, this casual spot is famous for its tasty loco moco, prepared in more than three dozen ways (with different meats, chicken, vegetables, and fish), and its low-priced breakfast and lunch specials. The word "restaurant," or even "café," is used loosely—you order at a window and eat on one of the outdoor benches provided—but you come here for the food, prices, and authentic, old-Hilo experience. You can stuff yourself for $5 if you order right.
969 Kilauea Ave., Hilo, Hawaii, 96720, USA
Known For
- Family-owned eatery
- The Super Loco Moco
- Generous portions
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed weekends
-
$ | |
Hidden lakeside at the Kings' Shops, this little takeout place is a best-kept secret in the Waikoloa Beach Resort. The combo baskets brim with tempura fresh-catch fish, chicken, shrimp, and more. Grab a table beneath the gazebo and enjoy assorted appetizers, salads, soups, sandwiches, and desserts while taking in the view.
69-250 Waikoloa Beach Dr., Waikoloa, Hawaii, 96738, USA
Known For
- Breakfast options such as loco moco (meat, rice, and eggs smothered in gravy), laden with tempura fish fillet
- Local ownership since 2000
- Great fish-and-chips to go
-
$ | |
Unassuming from the outside, this small, local-style plate-lunch eatery serves top-quality, genuine Hawaiian specialties in Hilo. All the staples are here, from kalua pork (slow-cooked and pulled) to shoyu chicken (cooked in a sauce including fermented soy sauce), loco moco (meat, rice, and eggs smothered in gravy), and pork adobo. Order at the takeout window and grab a seat at one of the picnic tables outside.
194 Hualalai St., Hilo, Hawaii, 96720, USA
Known For
- Daily specials like oxtail soup
- Extremely affordable prices
- Favorite among locals since 1964
-
$ | |
This is a popular local hangout, and not just because the kava drink makes you mellow. The Hawaiian proprietors also serve traditional Hawaiian food, including fresh poke, bowls of healthy organic greens, opihi (limpets), and traditional Hawaiian laulau (pork or chicken wrapped in taro leaves and steamed). Organic kava root, used for relaxation, is harvested on the Hamakua Coast and transformed into a traditional, slightly bitter brew. Seating is at a premium, but don't be afraid to share a table and make friends.
75-5803 Alii Dr., Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, 96740, USA
Known For
- Kava served in coconut cups
- Pulled kalua pork
- Squid luau (the leaf from a taro plant)
-
$ | |
When not on limited pandemic hours, this little spot offers epic cheeseburger plates (using grass-fed beef) and even has a 1950s-style malt shop. They also serve a local favorite, the pineapple whip, perfect for a cool break on a hot day. For now, order online and pick up; check online to see if they're back to full capacity.
61-3665 Akoni Pule Hwy., Kawaihae, Hawaii, 96743, USA
Known For
- Freshly prepared meals
- One of the few eateries in Kawaihae
- Mexican food on the menu
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed weekends and Mon. No dinner
-
-
$ | |
If you're looking for something sweet—or savory—this busy café in downtown Hawi serves breakfast (bagels, espresso machine–steamed eggs), and lunch (hot dogs, burgers, chili, salads) until 6. Sit outside and watch the world go by as you enjoy locally made ice cream that is ono (delicious), as well as other sweet treat specialties.
55-3412 Akoni Pule Hwy., Hawi, Hawaii, 96719, USA
Known For
- Vegan soup
- Sometimes crowded
- Outstanding local coffee
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
-
$ | |
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. Stop by the café/outlet on Wednesday (starting at 8:30 am) for a free curated tasting with the baristas, and shop for other Hawaiian-made treats, from honey to chocolate-covered coffee beans. There's a happy hour daily from 3 to 6; a small selection of beer and wine is available.
74-5588 Palani Rd., Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, 96740, USA
Known For
- Small-batch, estate-grown coffee
- Kona coffee tastings every Wednesday
- Hawaiian-made food treats for sale
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
-
$ | |
It's quite simply the best New York–style pizza in Kona. At this small, no-frills shop, the proprietors take great care to obtain the highest-quality ingredients for their pizzas, including large gourmet olives, banana peppers, and even meats sourced directly from Fontanini in New York. They shipped their special pizza ovens and mixers directly from New York too, adding to the pizza quality and authenticity. Try the Kona Supreme, smothered with mozzarella, sausage, red peppers, bacon, onions, and other fresh toppings. The homemade drizzles range from olive oil to BBQ sauce to ranch to sriracha. Online ordering makes it easy to call in your order and pick it up hot and ready to go. Kona Crust is open daily until 8 pm.
74-5586 Palani Rd., Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, 96740, USA
Known For
- Pizza by the slice
- Homemade drizzles
- Authentically sourced ingredients
-
$ | |
A hidden gem, the open-air eatery is on the second floor of an oceanfront shopping center. Patrons can watch the scene below on bustling Alii Drive while enjoying freshly prepared Thai specialties, including plenty of vegetarian options and delicious Thai iced tea. Be prepared to bring some home, as the portions are large. Locals flock here for the lunch specials.
75-5744 Alii Dr., Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, 96740, USA
Known For
- Uncrowded, spacious layout
- Lunch specials
- Large portions
-
$ | |
There's no atmosphere to speak of at this diner, and water is served in unbreakable plastic tumblers, but if you're searching for local fare—that undefinable fusion of ethnic cuisines—this is the place. Choose from "grindz" that include loco moco (meat, rice, and eggs smothered in gravy), oxtail soup, plate lunches, pork chops, steaks, saimin, stir-fry, and daily specials.
80 Pauahi St., Hilo, Hawaii, 96720, USA
Known For
- Authentic Hawaiian experience
- Good plate lunches
- Award-winning one-pound laulau
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues.
-
-
$ | |
The staff at this little place take pride in learning customers' names and treating you like a "regular." All the coffee favorites are here, from espresso to latte to a good old-fashioned cup of Kona. Homemade pastries are available, and they open at 6 am for the early birds.
68-1330 Mauna Lani Dr., Waimea (Hawaii County), Hawaii, 96738, USA
Known For
- Variety of blended frappes
- Outdoor seating
- Free Wi-Fi and outlets
-
$ | |
There's been a bakery in this building since 1912, when the previous owner served cookies and treats to the kids of plantation workers. Dean and June Edmoundson took over the spot in 1990 and have been treating visitors and residents to delectable goodies, including guava bear claws, paniolo (cowboy) cookies, homemade preserves, ice cream, and shave ice. There are also basic snacks if you've worked up an appetite visiting Akaka Falls, such as hot dogs and manapua (pork wrapped in a steamed bun). If you're staying in the area, they will deliver.
28-1672 Old Mamalahoa Hwy., Honomu, Hawaii, 96728, USA
Known For
- Fresh-baked pastries and desserts every morning
- To-go food such as hot dogs and manapua (pork in a steamed bun)
- Proximity to Akaka Falls State Park
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. No dinner
-
$ | |
Across the street from the Kona Inn Shopping Village, in Kailua Village, this upstairs cantina is a nice perch for enjoying nachos and margaritas (try the hibiscus margarita) on a lazy afternoon, or for watching the passersby on Alii Drive. Try the molcajete—a type of bowl—loaded with marinated chicken, steak, and shrimp and a sauce crafted of chiles and topped with jack cheese. Or just order the chips, salsa, and ceviche, which might hit the spot at the end of a long day sightseeing. At 5 pm, the banyan tree nearby fills with hundreds of chirping mynah birds, a veritable happy hour in bird land. The cantina is open daily 3 to 8.
75-5725 Ali’i Dr., Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, 96740, USA
Known For
- Popular happy hour hangout
- Better for snacks than a full meal
- Homemade salsa
-
$ | | Café
The menu at this little crêperie includes Illy espresso, teas, excellent sweet and savory crêpes, sandwiches, soups, salads, and rich desserts like lemon cheesecake and chocolate mousse, all made fresh daily. The small venue has a relaxed, urban-café vibe. It's a nice place to hang for a bit if you're waiting for a movie at the theater next door or feel like taking a break from paradise to sip a decent espresso and view the latest local art installations on display.
Keauhou Shopping Center, 78-6831 Alii Dr., Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, 96740, USA
Known For
- French crêpes
- Cushy seats
- Biweekly art exhibits
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
-
$ | |
Named for a popular nearby surf spot, the low-key, no-frills café offers local plate lunch options and classics such as loco moco (meat, rice, and eggs smothered in gravy), alongside new inventions like crab curry bisque. The fresh-fish plate is decent, and all meals are served with fries or rice and macaroni salad. The prices are a bit higher than you might expect, but the portions are huge. It's a good place to stop for a last-minute bite—breakfast, lunch, or dinner—before catching your flight back to the mainland.
73-4354 Mamalahoa Hwy. (Hwy. 11), Hawaii, 96740, USA
Known For
- Early-morning breakfast
- Fresh fish
- Popular with locals
