Big Island Restaurants

The FISH HOPPER located across from the Sea Wall on Alii Drive. Voted OUR "RESTAURANT OF CHOICE"

There are a lot of restaurants on the West side of the Big Island. Many more also come and go. We wanted to share from a local's perspective which ones we think rate. If you have a restaurant you would like to see added, please send us your comments and we will add it for you (and give you the review credits). Thanks for helping us help you find the best ono food on the West Side of the island.

KONA Restaurants

The Fish Hopper

Big Island Revealed does not rate it very high, but I challenge them to come back. They have only been open several years and it's Hawaii. Help is hard to find, especially in a start up restaurant. I'm sure BIR was there during their start-up phase.

It is fabulous food and fabulous service 99% of the time. The owners are form Monterey CA and own 5-6 of the major restaurants in Monterey, so they definitely know the restaurant business. The staff is wonderful, the food is wonderful and the right out front full on ocean and pier view is wonderful. Breakfast not to miss. They have a $ 5.95 breakfast special you cannot beat. "Mo, one of the best-known chefs in Monterey County travels to the Big Island Hopper frequently to train the chefs and staff and bring in new menu items. They are located across from the sea wall near the pier. New restaurant, so the décor and finishes are very upscale.

We rate it 10 out of 10. Tell them Prince Properties sent you and you will get something nice in return I am sure.

Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill

One of the best restaurants in Kona. The view is of a parking lot, but if the view does not matter the food and ownership, staff and wait help are superb. They go to the max in their food choices and local style deserts. Great wine menu and full bar. On Kuakini Hwy across from Walua Road. Make sure you say "Hello" to Paul the owner, a really neat a great human being.

We rate it 9 out of 10 only due to location.

Shiono's Japanese Restaurant

The best Japanese for the money for a sit-down Japanese. The food is always fresh and good; the service is excellent and friendly. Located in the Alii Subset Plaza, behind Lava java on Alii Drive. No ocean view directly inside but just outside the door, you can see some great sunsets.

We rate it a 9 out of 10 only due to location.

Quinn's Almost-by-the-Sea

Lunch offers seafood, burgers and sandwiches. The fish sandwich, especially Cajun style, is excellent, as are most seafood items. Service is good. Famous for their fish and chips. On Palani Road across from the King Kamehameha Beach Hotel in downtown Kona. Limited parking. Older establishment. Needs a face lift.

We rate it 7 of 10 due to inside dining and no view.

Splashers

A cute but small bistro type restaurant. Order your food and try to find a seat. Half-pound hamburgers that could feed a small army and other great food. Also located across from the sea wall on Alii Drive just a few doors down form the Fish Hopper. The view is great, not too much service. If you don't care about calories, and cholesterol.

We rate it 7 out of 10 due to its very cramped small eclectic location and almost help yourself service.

Keei Café

One of the BEST foods on the Island places. Very reasonably priced at that. It is located past mile marker 112 and 113 just past Kainaliu. The food is always always good, no matter what you order. Limited wine selections by the glass. Nice décor. Classy Island style with nice art. Poor location right on the highway. Have to pay cash or locals can write a check. Reservations recommended on weekends.

We rate it 9 out of 10 due to location.

Don the Beachcomber

Located in the Royal Kona Resort (Old Hilton) off Alii Drive. Great location sitting right on the water dining. Recently renovated and is now very nice. Senior (over 50) specials. Food is good, service good, and prices are good.

We rate it 9 out of 10.

Harbor House at Honokohau Harbor

Also known as "Schooners". Great diner located at the small boat harbor. Featuring fresh fish sandwich, fries, and frozen schooners. A fisherman's and locals hangout. North of Kona on the way to the airport. It's more fun to go there than actually eat there. A person watching is great. Does not serve dinner.

Kona Brewing Company

Great gourmet pizza and homemade brew. Kona Brewing Co.'s beers have long been some of our favorites, and now the Pub serves sandwiches, salads, calzones and great ono pizza. Personally always have had bad service. Walked out many time before they remodeled. Live music on Sundays. North Kona Shopping Center, at Kuakini Hwy. and Palani (behind old Zac's Photo by foot, down Kawai street, first right to the end by car). Lunch and Dinner served.

Buns in the Sun

The sandwiches are fresh (they bake their own breads). Ranges from great sandwiches to take to the beach or out on the boat with you. For breakfast they have pastries, as well as egg dishes. In the Lanihou Shopping Center off Palani Road. Reasonable Prices.

Big Island Grill

Located on the corner of on the Kuakini Highway and Hanama Place. Family-run, good local style food and customers. A lot to eat and a lot of coronary disease. Not open on Sunday.

Kona Inn

Place where everyone visiting gets to go when they arrive to visit friends. Food is the same ole same ole same ole probably for years and years. (just the prices keep changing) Menu never changes. OK food, great location. Mud pie makes it worth the dining there.

Huggo's

An icon. Food is OK not great, no ingenuity in the menu. Prices up there. Killer location Not open for lunch. Near the Royal Kona Resort on Alii Dr.

Jameson's by the Sea

Another killer location, mediocre food and up there prices. A great, Oceanside location, live music during dinner. On Alii Dr., next to Magic Sands beach.

Restaurant La Bourgogne

Classic French cuisine, if you don't mind sitting in a dark quaint environment to eat. Very small and dark. People rave about the food if you like French cuisine, not to miss. Reservations required

KAWAIHAE Restaurants

Café Pesto

Good food in a nice casual atmosphere. Great continental cuisine and great wine list. Good selection of wine. Located in the lower level of the (small) Kawaihae Shopping Center

Kawaihae Harbor Grill

Just off the beach off Kawaihae. A quaint little restaurant with great clam strips, fish, and crab cakes and salads. Often Hawaiian music .The Harbor Grill has added a Seafood Bar upstairs next door with "Light Dining", featuring tropical drinks in a "Tiki Lounge" atmosphere, along with pupu fare such as steamed clams, sashimi, an individual pizza of the day, a variety of fresh West Coast oysters, shrimp, and more.

HAWI Restaurants

The northern most city on the Big Island. Very eclectic and lots of galleries. Home of King Kamehameha

The famous Bamboo Restaurant

Charming Old "Hawaii" motif restaurant/gallery. A popular place and a must if you drive up that way. There is a gallery in the building as there are many around Hawi. Lots of Koa woodworks and other artist's pieces. John Keawe plays wonderful slack key guitar there on many Friday or Saturday evenings. Lunch, Dinner, and Sunday Brunch. Call ahead to check hours etc. as it is a long drive to get there and have them closed. Normally closed Sunday evenings and Mondays.

HONOKA'A - THE WAIPIO VALLEY Restaurants

Tex Drive-In

Not to miss on your way back from Hilo. On Highway 19, this little diner is known for its malasadas (Portuguese pastries, kind of like a raised sugar donut without the hole) great deli style food, burgers, and salads. Nice break from the drive.

CAPTAIN COOK Restaurants

The Coffee Shack

This is a great place for breakfast or to stop for lunch to take to the beach or on the way home from the beach. The array of sandwiches is amazing. They make their own breads, and the sandwich bread is an inch thick. You will be amazed. Other great specials all the time. Plan on a wait. Overlooks Kealakekua Bay and you can see south almost to Miloli 'i on the coast.

HONOLO Restaurants

The next little town north of Kainaliu

Teshima's

Another icon and local favorite. Nothing fancy, but nice place to stop. A local favorite. Run by a long time Japanese family. Like stepping back into the 60's when you enter.

Prince Properties Inc. Vacations "Purveyors of Fine Island Homes & Estates"™
75-169 Hualalai Rd Suite 300A • Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 • office: 808-930-0007