By: Nicole Rosania, travel content creator and writer at The Abroad Blog
One of the best parts of any trip to the Big Island is the food! Kona is home to fresh-caught fish, farm-grown produce, and world-famous coffee, and the best restaurants in Kona range from no-frills poke counters to oceanfront dining rooms with a front-row seat to the sunset.
If you're staying at the Mango Sunset BnB, breakfast is taken care of with a homemade, two-course meal each morning. That leaves lunch, dinner, and plenty of snack stops to plan! Downtown Kona is just a 10-15 minute drive from the BnB, so you can easily try something new every day. This guide covers where to eat in Kona like a local, including the best poke, plate lunch, dinner spots, shave ice, and a few places worth the drive south.
What To Eat In Kona: Local Dishes To Try
Before diving into the best restaurants in Kona, here are a few local dishes you'll see on menus all over the island:
Poke: Cubed raw fish (usually ahi tuna) marinated in sauces like shoyu, sesame oil, or spicy mayo. Order it as a bowl over rice.
Plate lunch: A Hawaii staple with a main protein, two scoops of white rice, and a scoop of macaroni salad.
Loco moco: A hamburger patty over rice, topped with a fried egg and brown gravy. The ultimate comfort food!
Kalua pork & lau lau: Slow-cooked, smoky pork and pork wrapped in taro leaves. Both are traditional Hawaiian dishes.
Shave ice: Finely shaved ice drenched in tropical syrups. It's the perfect treat after a beach day.
Best Poke In Kona
If you only try one local food during your trip, make it poke. Kona's fishing fleet brings in fresh ahi daily, so the poke here is some of the best in the state.
Da Poke Shack
Da Poke Shack is a tiny, takeout-style shop that has gained a cult following. It was once named the top restaurant in the entire country by Yelp reviewers! The poke here is always fresh and never frozen, and you'll find a long list of flavors to choose from. Popular picks include the Shack Special (a little sweet), the Wet Hawaiian, and Pele's Kiss (spicy!).
Order a bowl with rice and a side, then take it to the beach for a picnic. There is only limited outdoor seating here.
Pro-tip: Da Poke Shack closes when the poke sells out, which happens often. Go for an early lunch so you don't miss out!
Address: 76-6246 Aliʻi Drive, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Umekes
If you'd rather sit down for your poke bowl, head to Umekes. Fun fact: umeke means "bowl" in Hawaiian! Umekes works with local fishermen, farmers, and ranchers to source its ingredients. Aside from a rotating lineup of house poke, the menu also has fish tacos, fresh catch, and local-style plate lunches.
Address: 75-143 Hualalai Road, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Best Plate Lunch & Local Comfort Food In Kona
Some of the best food in Kona is served on a paper plate! These casual spots are where locals go for hearty portions at fair prices.
Big Island Grill
Big Island Grill is a local favorite for big portions of comfort food at honest prices. Order the loco moco or the teriyaki chicken if you can't decide. The decor is simple, but the food is the real draw here.
Big Island Grill serves breakfast and lunch Tuesday through Saturday from 8 am to 2 pm, and dinner Tuesday through Thursday from 4:30 pm to 8 pm. It's closed on Sundays and Mondays, so plan accordingly!
Broke Da Mouth Grindz
In Hawaii, "broke da mouth" means food that is so delicious. Broke Da Mouth Grindz lives up to its name with generous plates of Hawaiian and Filipino comfort food made with locally sourced ingredients.
If the dining room is packed, order takeout and drive a few minutes to Old Kona Airport State Recreation Area for a sunset picnic. It's one of my favorite relaxing things to do in Kona!
Pine Tree Cafe
Pine Tree Cafe is a takeout spot on the north side of Kona, near the airport, which makes it one of the closest local lunch options to the Mango Sunset BnB. Try the spicy garlic chicken or the fried rice with Portuguese sausage. It's also a great stop to grab food on your way to or from your flight!
Best Coffee & Brunch Spots In Kona
While breakfast is included with your stay at the BnB, you may want a second cup of coffee in town or a brunch spot for a lazy day.
Island Lava Java
Island Lava Java sits right on Aliʻi Drive with open-air seating and views of the ocean. It serves 100% Kona coffee and has its own on-site bakery, plus grass-fed Big Island beef and local produce on the menu. Breakfast is served until 11:30 am, and it's also a nice spot for lunch or an early dinner with a view.
Address: 75-5801 Aliʻi Drive, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Arise Bakery and Cafe
Arise is a bright, relaxed bakery and coffee shop with freshly baked pastries, house-made sourdough, and breakfast and lunch sandwiches. It's the perfect place to grab a snack before a day of exploring.
Best Restaurants In Kona For Dinner
After a long day of adventures, these are some of the best restaurants in Kona for a sit-down dinner. For even more dinner ideas, check out my favorite restaurants in this guide on where to stay in Kona, including Sushi Sam, Huggo's, and Kai's.
Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill
Jackie Rey's is a family-owned restaurant that opened in 2004 and was named after the owners' daughter. It sits a few blocks back from the water, away from the busiest stretch of Aliʻi Drive. The menu blends fresh seafood with steaks and American classics. Don't miss the mochiko-crusted fresh catch or the seafood trio. Reservations are recommended for dinner.
Address: 75-5995 Kuakini Highway, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Kona Inn Restaurant
The Kona Inn Restaurant is a true Kona landmark, dating back to the days of the original Kona Inn Hotel. The open-air dining room looks west over the bay, so every table faces the sunset! The menu focuses on fresh fish brought in daily by local fishermen, prime rib, and the famous mud pie for dessert.
The restaurant opens daily at 11:30 am, and happy hour runs from 2 pm to 5 pm.
Pro-tip: Book ahead if you want a sunset table, especially during the busy winter season.
The Temple Kitchen + Bar
For something a bit more modern, The Temple Kitchen + Bar is an oceanfront spot on Aliʻi Drive with creative dishes and craft cocktails made with fresh, local ingredients. It's open daily, and there's brunch on weekends.
Kenichi Pacific
Kenichi Pacific is a great pick for sushi and Pacific Rim dishes in a sit-down setting. It's located in the Keauhou area, south of downtown Kona. Hours can vary, so check before you go.
Best Shave Ice In Kona
No trip to Hawaii is complete without shave ice! Here are three spots to try:
Scandinavian Shave Ice: Known by locals as "Scandi's," this downtown spot has been serving shave ice for more than 30 years. It's the perfect dessert after dinner on Aliʻi Drive. Address: 75-5699 Aliʻi Drive, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Ululani's Hawaiian Shave Ice: This Maui-born favorite has a Kona location inside the Courtyard King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel, opening right onto Kamakahonu Bay. Pair it with a swim at the calm beach next to Kailua Pier!
Original Big Island Shave Ice Co.: This family business traces its roots back to a beach food truck in 1957 and still uses the original family syrup recipes. Find it at the Kings' Shops in Waikoloa, which makes it a perfect stop after a day at A-Bay. Try it with Kona coffee or haupia (coconut) ice cream underneath!
Looking for more beaches to pair with your shave ice? Here are the best beaches near Kona.
Worth The Drive: Where To Eat In South Kona
If you're heading south to kayak Kealakekua Bay or visit Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau, make time for a meal along the way.
The Coffee Shack
The Coffee Shack in Captain Cook serves breakfast and lunch with Kona coffee and homemade bread. The terrace looks right out over Kealakekua Bay, so it's the perfect stop before or after a day of snorkeling near Kona.
Teshima's
About 15 minutes south of Kailua-Kona, Teshima's is a long-running, family-style restaurant serving simple Japanese comfort food in an old-school dining room. Order the fried pork chops!
Tips For Eating Out In Kona
Go early for local spots. Many poke shops and plate lunch counters close in the mid-afternoon, and some sell out before closing time.
Make reservations for sunset dinners. Oceanfront tables fill up fast, especially from December through March.
Plan a sunset picnic. Grab takeout and head to the beach for sunset. It's an affordable and memorable way to end the day!
Visit a farmers market. The Kona Farmers Market on Aliʻi Drive is a great place to pick up tropical fruit and local snacks. Learn more in this guide to the best activities in Kona.
Ask the innkeepers. The owners of the Mango Sunset BnB are always happy to share their favorite local restaurants during breakfast!
That brings us to the end of this guide to the best restaurants in Kona! From poke bowls and plate lunch to oceanfront dinners and shave ice, there's no shortage of delicious food to try on the Big Island. Ready to plan your trip? Book your stay at the Mango Sunset BnB and save by booking direct!