Guidebook for Kailua-Kona
Food Scene
Da Poke Shack
76-6246 Ali‘i DriveBest poke in Kona! Stop by there for take out!
Great bar Don's Beachcomber (family friendly) for sunset and pupus. Also the luau here is one of the best in Kona. The architecture is authentic tiki and fun.
27 locals recommend
Royal Kona Resort
75-5852 Ali‘i DrGreat bar Don's Beachcomber (family friendly) for sunset and pupus. Also the luau here is one of the best in Kona. The architecture is authentic tiki and fun.
Expect a wait but it's worth it. The food is good, friendly service and outstanding award winning beer.
226 locals recommend
Kona Brewing Company
74-5612 Pawai PlExpect a wait but it's worth it. The food is good, friendly service and outstanding award winning beer.
We love this spot. Had wonderful lunches here with spontaneous hulu performances by wait staff. Super fun!
47 locals recommend
Bamboo Restaurant & Gallery
55-3415 Akoni Pule Hwy We love this spot. Had wonderful lunches here with spontaneous hulu performances by wait staff. Super fun!
This place is a must stop on your way around the island. Order some malasadas for the road. Clean restrooms.
185 locals recommend
Punalu'u Bake Shop
95-5642 HI-11 This place is a must stop on your way around the island. Order some malasadas for the road. Clean restrooms.
Excellent in town dining experience. Great view and expertly crafted food and drinks.
162 locals recommend
Huggo's
75-5828 Kahakai RdExcellent in town dining experience. Great view and expertly crafted food and drinks.
When up in Holualoa - this is the spot to have dinner. Definitely make a reservation.
61 locals recommend
Holuakoa Gardens and Cafe
765897 Kona Belt RdWhen up in Holualoa - this is the spot to have dinner. Definitely make a reservation.
We love Bianelli's! Everything on this menu is good. Super fond of the garlic pizza but all the pizza is tasty. They even have gluten free dough and vegan cheese available.
22 locals recommend
Bianelli's Gourmet Pizza and Pasta
78-6831 Ali‘i DrWe love Bianelli's! Everything on this menu is good. Super fond of the garlic pizza but all the pizza is tasty. They even have gluten free dough and vegan cheese available.
Great food and drinks. This is a local favorite. Make sure you make a reservation as this place is small and intimate and busy nightly.
51 locals recommend
Red Water Cafe
65-1299 Kawaihae RdGreat food and drinks. This is a local favorite. Make sure you make a reservation as this place is small and intimate and busy nightly.
On the pricey side but totally worth it! This is our special occasion restaurant. Great service and the best farm to table food on the island. Get a reservation.
102 locals recommend
Merriman's Big Island
65-1227 Opelo RdOn the pricey side but totally worth it! This is our special occasion restaurant. Great service and the best farm to table food on the island. Get a reservation.
This food stand is adorable. Great vegetarian and vegan options plus just really good fresh fruit smoothies and shakes. We love What's Shakin for snacks or picnic lunch on our way around the island.
15 locals recommend
What's Shakin
27-999 Mamalahoa HwyThis food stand is adorable. Great vegetarian and vegan options plus just really good fresh fruit smoothies and shakes. We love What's Shakin for snacks or picnic lunch on our way around the island.
Awesome specials. All locally sourced food here. Great bento boxes. They are only open for lunch so get there before 2pm.
13 locals recommend
Puka Puka Kitchen
270 Kamehameha AveAwesome specials. All locally sourced food here. Great bento boxes. They are only open for lunch so get there before 2pm.
Great lunch options and excellent desserts. This spot has one of the many street art murals organized by Temple Children. A must see!
11 locals recommend
Short N Sweet Bakery & Cafe
1263 Kinoole StGreat lunch options and excellent desserts. This spot has one of the many street art murals organized by Temple Children. A must see!
Excellent sunsets, local island grown cuisine with friendly service.
91 locals recommend
Magics Beach Grill
77-6452 Ali‘i DrExcellent sunsets, local island grown cuisine with friendly service.
Parks & Nature
Best white sand beach close to our home. Sunsets are magical here. It's called Magic Sands as during certain parts of the year the sand disappears and reappears in summer.
23 locals recommend
Kona Magic Sands
77-6452 Ali‘i DrBest white sand beach close to our home. Sunsets are magical here. It's called Magic Sands as during certain parts of the year the sand disappears and reappears in summer.
The park has re opened and is a great place to see and learn about the volcano.
880 locals recommend
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
The park has re opened and is a great place to see and learn about the volcano.
Great view from this lookout. There is a trail down to the beach here. Very steep but worth the hike. It can be wet and muddy which makes it slippery so be careful. This is not an easy hike so not really good for small children.
89 locals recommend
Pololu Valley Lookout
52-5100 Akoni Pule HwyGreat view from this lookout. There is a trail down to the beach here. Very steep but worth the hike. It can be wet and muddy which makes it slippery so be careful. This is not an easy hike so not really good for small children.
This black sand beach is the most accessible of all the black sand beaches on the island. This beach is a turtle sanctuary so you will definitely see turtles sunning themselves on the beach here and dozens in the water eating. Please stay at least 20 feet away and follow all signs and instructions. To break the rules or touch turtles is a crime and Hawai'i is very strict about protecting these native creatures.
175 locals recommend
Punalu‘u Beach
This black sand beach is the most accessible of all the black sand beaches on the island. This beach is a turtle sanctuary so you will definitely see turtles sunning themselves on the beach here and dozens in the water eating. Please stay at least 20 feet away and follow all signs and instructions. To break the rules or touch turtles is a crime and Hawai'i is very strict about protecting these native creatures.
This beautiful park in the heart of Hilo is a must see. Take a walk through the grounds and make sure to see the huge Banyan trees!
103 locals recommend
Liliuokalani Park and Gardens
189 Lihiwai StThis beautiful park in the heart of Hilo is a must see. Take a walk through the grounds and make sure to see the huge Banyan trees!
This place is one of best collections of tropical plants and flowers in the most beautiful settings with real, natural waterfalls. Also this is on the must see scenic road 9 miles north of Hilo.
192 locals recommend
Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden
27-717 Mamalahoa HwyThis place is one of best collections of tropical plants and flowers in the most beautiful settings with real, natural waterfalls. Also this is on the must see scenic road 9 miles north of Hilo.
Amazing spot for local history, snorkeling at Two Step, and picnic area has great tide pools!
30 locals recommend
Honaunau Bay
Amazing spot for local history, snorkeling at Two Step, and picnic area has great tide pools!
Everything Else
Best snorkeling in Kona. Lots of turtles and beautiful fish. Go in the morning when the lighting is best.
239 locals recommend
Kahaluu Bay
Ali‘i DriveBest snorkeling in Kona. Lots of turtles and beautiful fish. Go in the morning when the lighting is best.
Essentials
Closest super market to our home -- walking distance but can be a little pricier than the other stores.
156 locals recommend
KTA Super Stores
74-5594 Palani RdClosest super market to our home -- walking distance but can be a little pricier than the other stores.
This is a great Target. In addition to the grocery and all the sundries and electronics you would expect from a Target this store has lot's of Hawaiian made clothes, souvenirs, etc
70 locals recommend
Target
74-5455 Makala BlvdThis is a great Target. In addition to the grocery and all the sundries and electronics you would expect from a Target this store has lot's of Hawaiian made clothes, souvenirs, etc
This is THE store for vegans and those folks looking for local and clean food. They also have a great hot and cold food bar for packing lunches or just grabbing food for a picnic.
61 locals recommend
Island Naturals Market & Deli Kailua-Kona
74-5444 Makala BlvdThis is THE store for vegans and those folks looking for local and clean food. They also have a great hot and cold food bar for packing lunches or just grabbing food for a picnic.
Entertainment & Activities
Best chartered snorkeling to Kealakekua Bay. Family friendly fun. Take the morning snorkel cruise with provides bbq lunch on board.
49 locals recommend
Fair Wind Cruises
78-7130 Kaleiopapa StBest chartered snorkeling to Kealakekua Bay. Family friendly fun. Take the morning snorkel cruise with provides bbq lunch on board.
Arts & Culture
Great little art center with interesting exhibits and a wonderful little gift shop - if you're looking for a handcrafted keepsake for your trip or a special one of a kind gift. For those staying longer on the island we recommend taking a class here -- super fun!
16 locals recommend
Donkey Mill Art Center
78-6670 Mamalahoa Hwy Great little art center with interesting exhibits and a wonderful little gift shop - if you're looking for a handcrafted keepsake for your trip or a special one of a kind gift. For those staying longer on the island we recommend taking a class here -- super fun!
First Friday of every month, Holualoa comes alive with First Friday Art Walk. This is a must see. Galleries are open, live music and great food! Usually starts around 5pm and is over by 8pm.
57 locals recommend
Holualoa
First Friday of every month, Holualoa comes alive with First Friday Art Walk. This is a must see. Galleries are open, live music and great food! Usually starts around 5pm and is over by 8pm.
Drinks & Nightlife
If you're interested in the history of the Mai Tai then this is the place for you. Mai Tai flights available including the original from back in the day! Food is average but the view is stunning. Covered bar so this place is good in the rain. Excellent live entertainment from famous locals on Thursday nights.
38 locals recommend
Don's Mai Tai Bar
75-5852 Ali‘i DrIf you're interested in the history of the Mai Tai then this is the place for you. Mai Tai flights available including the original from back in the day! Food is average but the view is stunning. Covered bar so this place is good in the rain. Excellent live entertainment from famous locals on Thursday nights.
Great place to watch the sunset and live entertainment on the water. The food is excellent. This is a fun spot!
149 locals recommend
On the Rocks
75-5824 Kahakai RdGreat place to watch the sunset and live entertainment on the water. The food is excellent. This is a fun spot!