Restaurants in Kona
 

We will be staying on the Big Island around Kona in a few weeks. First time there for myself, wife and two 20 yr old sons. Looking for some good mid range restaurants to dine at...suggestions?

I highly recommend the Holuakoa Cafe, up the mountainside in nearby Holualoa. Gorgeous garden setting, beautiful views, terrific food, pretty reasonable (though I've only visited for lunch several times, not dinner).
http://www.holuakoacafe.com/

There are many casual places along Alii drive (waterfront Kona)we've enjoyed, often just for the setting overlooking the water; I don't know about fine dining, but if you order the fresh fish or local grass-fed beef sandwiches, it's hard to go wrong!

I second Holuakoa Cafe http://www.holualoahawaii.com/member.../holuakoa.html
plus it's fun to go to Holualoa

Here are the restaurant reviews from the konaweb site--might be helpful http://www.konaweb.com/restaurant/index.cgi

Here are some other restaurants we enjoy when we're on the Big Island--
In South Kona
http://www.anniesislandfreshburgers.com/index.html
http://www.keeicafe.net/ A little more upscale
http://www.coffeeshack.com/ great view and good breakfasts

In Keauhou
http://www.kenichihawaii.com/ more expensive--
http://www.samchoy.com/ can't beat the view

In Kailua Kona
http://konabrewingco.com/ pizza and beer
http://harborhouserestaurantkona.com/ alocal favorite--get the catch of the day sandwich and an ice cold schooner of beer
http://thelotuscafe.com/ good Thai--located close to Costco

If you're going to go to other areas of the island (Hawi, Hilo, Volcano, Waimea), and would like restaurant suggestions, let me know.

In Kona we enjoyed Huggo's On The Rocks and Don's The Beachcomer
They are pretty much side and side and what we loved was the view. Both restaurants are built out over the rocks and the ocean and the views are excellent! Especially at sunset! The food at both was fine but we went for the view. One favorite restaurant was Lava Lava Beach Club (Waikoloa Beach Resort) this is north of Kona maybe a 20min drive. We loved this place because you can sit on the beach with your feet in the sand having good food and drinks.
If you like Poke the best place on the Island is Da Poke Shack on Alii Drive. It's located in a hotel but we always got take out and took it back to our condo. If you have a place with a kitchen they also sell fresh Ahi for $16.99 a pound. You have to arrive before 11am in order to get it. It's fresh every morning and by at 11am he starts making Poke.

I have a yelp list of reviews on Big Island: http://www.yelp.com/list/foodies-tak...sland-holualoa

but here are the highlights:

Big Island Grill - Great breakfasts, lunch and dinner in a casual diner style setting

Hawaiian Style Cafe - about a 30 min drive to Waimea but best breakfast on the Big Island.

Sam Choy's Kai Lanai in Keauhou which MartyM mentioned...fabulous view and nice, pacific rim-style food.

Good burgers at Village Burger in Waimea

Take out or quick meal at Pine Tree Cafe.

Fancier: Roy's in Waikoloa Beach Resort, Merriman's in Waimea, Brown's Beach House (they have a nice prix-fixe menu).

We loved the poke that you can buy from the bars in all the Foodlands. Had that every day.

We had fun at Lava Lava for happy hour and drinks. Not the best beach on the island by any stretch but a fun spot with a nice happy hour

Our best meal was at the Beach Tree at the Four Seasons. if you have a chance, grab dinner there.

Thanks all for the tips. Martym-We will be making a day trip to the Volcano for a bike ride so we might look for a place to eat in that area.

Here are some suggestions--in Hilo and Volcano--hope this helps

In Hilo
http://www.hilobaycafe.com/index.html upscale--reservations advised for dinner
http://kenshouseofpancakes-hilohi.com/ local place extensive menu - first place I ever tried loco moco (with grilled fish to make it healthier) :)
http://www.sombats.com/ good thai food

In Volcano
Lava Rock Café http://www.volcanoslavarockcafe.com/menu/ burgers, plate lunches, I always get the chow fun
Café Ono http://www.volcanogardenarts.com/cafeono.html vegetarian
Kilauea Lodge and Restaurant http://www.kilauealodge.com/ haven’t eaten here – menu looks ok
Thai Thai http://www.lavalodge.com/ThaiThaiRestaurant.htm

I second the Hilo Bay Cafe, although in a shopping strip mall, is a terrific place, esp. for lunch (reasonable prices for lunch).
Another choice that was a pleasant surprise was the newly reopened Volcano House, within the park; fabulous views, very nice menu with reasonable prices.

My boys tell me they want to try surfing for an afternoon. Any suggestions where? Do I need to make a reservation?