The best restaurants in Big Island

33 restaurants we’ve checked and stand behind — with the story on each one. Not a ranking; a record.

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Restaurants · 33 places · showing the latest additions first

Hawaii BBQ Deli

Restaurants

Hawaii BBQ Deli is that weeknight hero when you’re after serious plate-lunch vibes, with the BBQ Mixed Plate stacked just right, Kalbi…

74-5588 Palani Rd #10 (Kailua-Kona)

“Hawaii BBQ Deli is that weeknight hero when you’re after serious plate-lunch vibes, with the BBQ Mixed Plate stacked just right, Kalbi Short Ribs with Garlic Shrimp, crispy Crab Cheese Wraps, plus Spam Musubi and Korean Chicken Wings bringing big umami and crunch.”

From the Big Island newsletter, August 3, 2026

Seiji's Sushi

Restaurants

Seiji's Sushi is pure Big Island know-how, with Seiji bringing 40+ years behind the counter and fish that basically shook off seawater…

75-5669 Ali‘i Dr #1106 (Kailua-Kona)

“Seiji's Sushi is pure Big Island know-how, with Seiji bringing 40+ years behind the counter and fish that basically shook off seawater minutes ago, from ahi and ono to kampachi and snapper, plus crisp local veggies. Treat yourself to an omakase this week and let the chef steer.”

Papa Kona Restaurant & Bar

Restaurants

Slide into Papa Kona Restaurant & Bar for brunch or dinner by the sea, panoramic Oneo Bay views, a breezy wrap-around lanai, locally…

The Waterfront Row, 75-5770 Ali‘i Dr 1st Floor (Kailua-Kona)

“Slide into Papa Kona Restaurant & Bar for brunch or dinner by the sea, panoramic Oneo Bay views, a breezy wrap-around lanai, locally inspired plates, handcrafted cocktails, locally brewed beers, curated wines, and live music that sets the mood. It’s the midweek reset your Kona brain deserves.”

From the Big Island newsletter, August 7, 2026

Quinn's Almost by the Sea

Restaurants

Unpretentious bar & grill serving American seafood, Hawaiian specialties & tropical cocktails.

75-5655 Palani Rd (Kailua-Kona)

“Unpretentious bar & grill serving American seafood, Hawaiian specialties & tropical cocktails.”

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Umekes Fish Market Bar & Grill

Restaurants

Poke bowls & other Hawaiian favorites served in a spacious, laid-back setting with a full bar.

74-5599 Pawai Pl (Kailua-Kona)

“Poke bowls & other Hawaiian favorites served in a spacious, laid-back setting with a full bar.”

Sakura | Sushi • Japanese

Restaurants

Relaxed sushi restaurant serving an array of Japanese staples including teriyaki, sashimi, and bento boxes.

75-1027 Henry St #108b (Kailua-Kona)

“Relaxed sushi restaurant serving an array of Japanese staples including teriyaki, sashimi, and bento boxes.”

Kona Crust

Restaurants

Fast-food joint tossing 16" to 18" pies as well as thin and Sicilian-style slices, plus garlic knots.

74-5586 Palani Rd (Kailua-Kona)

“Fast-food joint tossing 16" to 18" pies as well as thin and Sicilian-style slices, plus garlic knots.”

Pine Tree Cafe

Restaurants

Hawaiian eats in hearty portions from a buffet-style counter for takeout or to stay in casual digs.

73-4040 Hulikoa Dr (Kailua-Kona)

“Hawaiian eats in hearty portions from a buffet-style counter for takeout or to stay in casual digs.”

Taka (Sushi ,Grill and Chinese Cuisine)

Restaurants

Relaxed restaurant featuring sushi, stir-fries, and other Asian eats.

75-5803 Ali‘i Dr B5 (Kailua-Kona)

“Relaxed restaurant featuring sushi, stir-fries, and other Asian eats.”

SUSHI COCORO & UDON NOODLE

Restaurants

Rustic, family-owned eatery offering poké, traditional & modern sushi & other Japanese dishes.

75-5699 Ali‘i Dr 1st Floor, Suite F (Kailua-Kona)

“Rustic, family-owned eatery offering poké, traditional & modern sushi & other Japanese dishes.”

Papa Johns Pizza

Restaurants

Pizza take-out & delivery chain offering classic & specialty pizzas, plus wings, sides & desserts.

75-5629 Kuakini Hwy Unit 110C (Kailua-Kona)

“Pizza take-out & delivery chain offering classic & specialty pizzas, plus wings, sides & desserts.”

Big Kahuna Beach Grill

Restaurants

Simple venue with live music & ocean views serving comfort food, breakfast & cocktails.

75-5663 Palani Rd (Kailua-Kona)

“Simple venue with live music & ocean views serving comfort food, breakfast & cocktails.”

Tenkatori Kona

Restaurants

Kona marketplace hangout whipping up Japanese-style fried chicken, alongside rice bowls and curries.

74-5533 Luhia St k4 (Kailua-Kona)

“Kona marketplace hangout whipping up Japanese-style fried chicken, alongside rice bowls and curries.”

L&L Hawai‘ian Barbecue

Restaurants

Island-themed fast-food chain whose menu features traditional Hawaiian plate lunches.

75-5595 Palani Rd (Kailua-Kona)

“Island-themed fast-food chain whose menu features traditional Hawaiian plate lunches.”

Sunset Kai Lanai

Restaurants

High-elevation Hawaiian eatery offers 230-degree vista views, eclectic fare, fire pits & cocktails.

78-6831 Ali‘i Dr #1000 (Kailua-Kona)

“High-elevation Hawaiian eatery offers 230-degree vista views, eclectic fare, fire pits & cocktails.”

Domino's Pizza

Restaurants

Delivery, carryout & dine-in chain offering a wide range of pizzas, plus a variety of other dishes & sides.

75-1027 Henry St (Kailua-Kona)

“Delivery, carryout & dine-in chain offering a wide range of pizzas, plus a variety of other dishes & sides.”

Ultimate Burger

Restaurants

Casual spot offering made-to-order grass-fed beef burgers, fresh-cut fries, beer & tea.

74-5450 Makala Blvd E112 (Kailua-Kona)

“Casual spot offering made-to-order grass-fed beef burgers, fresh-cut fries, beer & tea.”

Island Ono Loa Grill

Restaurants

Unfussy counter-serve eatery featuring a menu of burgers, sandwiches & Hawaiian plate lunches.

75-5799 Ali‘i Dr Ste A4a (Kailua-Kona)

“Unfussy counter-serve eatery featuring a menu of burgers, sandwiches & Hawaiian plate lunches.”

Kona Rainbow Cafe

Restaurants

Basic counter serve with a pictorial menu of Chinese entrees plus Hawaiian mixed plates.

73-5612 Kauhola St (Kailua-Kona)

“Basic counter serve with a pictorial menu of Chinese entrees plus Hawaiian mixed plates.”

KillerTacos

Restaurants

Tacos & other Mexican fast food are served in a no-frills setting in a former industrial area.

74-5483 Kaiwi St # A145 (Kailua-Kona)

“Tacos & other Mexican fast food are served in a no-frills setting in a former industrial area.”

PHO KIM ANH

Restaurants

Casual, family-friendly eatery specializing in Vietnamese eats, including pho, bun, rice noodle soup and rice dishes.

75-5660 Kopiko St #D1 (Kailua-Kona)

“Casual, family-friendly eatery specializing in Vietnamese eats, including pho, bun, rice noodle soup and rice dishes.”

Willie's Hot Chicken

Restaurants

Simple eatery frying chicken legs and wings to-order and offering beer, wine and other drinks.

74-5599 Pawai Pl Ste#1&2 (Kailua-Kona)

“Simple eatery frying chicken legs and wings to-order and offering beer, wine and other drinks.”

Big Island Pizza Napoletana

Restaurants

Family-owned spot serving traditional, specialty & build-your-own pizzas, plus sandwiches & salads.

73-5618 Maiau St (Kailua-Kona)

“Family-owned spot serving traditional, specialty & build-your-own pizzas, plus sandwiches & salads.”

Sushi Sam

Restaurants

Casual sushi bar with sake and beer serving up fresh fish and specialty rolls.

75-5626 Kuakini Hwy (Kailua-Kona)

“Casual sushi bar with sake and beer serving up fresh fish and specialty rolls.”

Huggo's

Restaurants

Scenic, waterfront fixture providing seafood, steaks & pasta, plus tiki drinks & live entertainment.

5308, 75-5828 Kahakai Rd (Kailua-Kona)

“Scenic, waterfront fixture providing seafood, steaks & pasta, plus tiki drinks & live entertainment.”

The Temple Kitchen + Bar

Restaurants

Beachside eatery crafting cocktails and beers as well as pizzas and seafood staples, such as ceviche.

75-5799 Ali‘i Dr A2 (Kailua-Kona)

“Beachside eatery crafting cocktails and beers as well as pizzas and seafood staples, such as ceviche.”

Kona Brewing Co.

Restaurants

Microbrewery with informal tours, pizza, live music on Sundays & a lanai with a corrugated tin roof.

74-5612 Pawai Pl (Kailua-Kona)

“Microbrewery with informal tours, pizza, live music on Sundays & a lanai with a corrugated tin roof.”

Kona Chinese BBQ

Restaurants

Chinese comfort food, including burgers and local plate lunches, served in a casual setting in a shopping center.

75-5629 Kuakini Hwy #133 (Kailua-Kona)

“Chinese comfort food, including burgers and local plate lunches, served in a casual setting in a shopping center.”

Big Island Grill

Restaurants

Roomy, unassuming restaurant serving Hawaiian staples including loco moco, saimin & Kalua pork.

75-5702 Kuakini Hwy (Kailua-Kona)

“Roomy, unassuming restaurant serving Hawaiian staples including loco moco, saimin & Kalua pork.”

L&L Hawaiian Barbecue

Restaurants

Island-themed fast-food chain whose menu features traditional Hawaiian plate lunches.

74-5035 Queen Ka'ahumanu Hwy (Kailua-Kona)

“Island-themed fast-food chain whose menu features traditional Hawaiian plate lunches.”

Island Lava Java

Restaurants

Part coffeehouse & bakery featuring Kona coffee, part American bistro serving locally sourced meals.

75-5801 Ali‘i Dr Bldg 1 (Kailua-Kona)

“Part coffeehouse & bakery featuring Kona coffee, part American bistro serving locally sourced meals.”

IZAKAYA SHIONO KONA

Restaurants

Relaxed restaurant serving sushi, sashimi, and other Japanese dishes with beer, wine, and cocktails.

74-5599 Pawai Pl B4 & B5 (Kailua-Kona)

“Relaxed restaurant serving sushi, sashimi, and other Japanese dishes with beer, wine, and cocktails.”

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