Guidebook for Kailua-Kona
Food Scene
Try Poke (marinated raw fish), shave ice, local beer and all the tropical fruits!
Journey’s ginger kombucha is one of the best we’ve ever had! Try their jackfruit sourdough pockets (aka pizza pockets), too. Delicious! Next door is Sweet journey where they have vegan soft serve. Can’t miss that one, either ;-)
12 locals recommend
Journey to Good Health Cafe LLC
75-5729 Ali‘i DrJourney’s ginger kombucha is one of the best we’ve ever had! Try their jackfruit sourdough pockets (aka pizza pockets), too. Delicious! Next door is Sweet journey where they have vegan soft serve. Can’t miss that one, either ;-)
Good food variety, also some Hawaiian fusion food available and LOTS of different kind of beers. Close to ocean front. Live Music on the weekends.
77 locals recommend
Humpy's Big Island Alehouse
75-5815 Ali‘i DrGood food variety, also some Hawaiian fusion food available and LOTS of different kind of beers. Close to ocean front. Live Music on the weekends.
On your way to or from the airport: try the spicy tuna poke bowl! They have breakfast, too (9-11am). Very affordable.
45 locals recommend
Pine Tree Cafe
73-4040 Hulikoa DrOn your way to or from the airport: try the spicy tuna poke bowl! They have breakfast, too (9-11am). Very affordable.
Sumo Deli
75-5595 Palani RdGood & budget-friendly (Teriyaki chicken, Laulau, bento).
High quality Japanese and Asian food, a bit on the pricey side, but absolutely worth it if you are into Sushi and delicious Japanese food. Check out their happy hour from 5.30-7pm during the week (sushi half price).
43 locals recommend
Kenichi Pacific
6831 Ali‘i DrHigh quality Japanese and Asian food, a bit on the pricey side, but absolutely worth it if you are into Sushi and delicious Japanese food. Check out their happy hour from 5.30-7pm during the week (sushi half price).
Vegetarian, vegan "healthy fast food" with local ingredients. Excellent jackfruit Tacos!
16 locals recommend
Herbivores
75-5722 Hanama PlVegetarian, vegan "healthy fast food" with local ingredients. Excellent jackfruit Tacos!
Fantastic fish (spicy poke) and seaweed salad to go. Take your food and enjoy it at the nearby harbor.
18 locals recommend
Hale I'a Da Fish House
613665 Kawaihae-Mahukona RdFantastic fish (spicy poke) and seaweed salad to go. Take your food and enjoy it at the nearby harbor.
Tea:licious Cafe
75-159 Lunapule RdQuirky & comfy interior, excellent cakes and tea.
Great place for fish & chips, shrimp & chips and big schooner glass of Red Ale Lavaman beer. Beautiful view of the small Honokohau harbor.
34 locals recommend
Harbor House
74-425 Kealakehe PkwyGreat place for fish & chips, shrimp & chips and big schooner glass of Red Ale Lavaman beer. Beautiful view of the small Honokohau harbor.
Suisan Fish Market
93 Lihiwai StFresh fish and poke in Hilo
Fantastic choice of Kona beers (if you like dark beer, try the black sand porter), good pizza and starters. Usually crowded so just take a seat at the bar while you wait for a table. Live music on the weekends.
226 locals recommend
Kona Brewing Company
74-5612 Pawai PlFantastic choice of Kona beers (if you like dark beer, try the black sand porter), good pizza and starters. Usually crowded so just take a seat at the bar while you wait for a table. Live music on the weekends.
Kohala Burger & Taco
613665 Akoni Pule HwyExcellent fresh (fish) burgers and tacos.
The best shave ice in town, with non-artificial toppings and excellent home made ice cream as well.
24 locals recommend
One Aloha Shave Ice Co.
75-5711 Kuakini HwyThe best shave ice in town, with non-artificial toppings and excellent home made ice cream as well.
Loko Wraps
82-6066 Mamalahoa HwyMexican fusion. Favorite: Jackfruit Bento with Lilikoi dressing
Poi Dog Deli
75-1022 Henry StGreat sandwiches! Favorite: Mozzarella & Avocado
Daiichi Ramen
74 -5452 Makala BlvdGreat soups, budget friendly.
Great breakfast and cake. House coffee is good too. Fabulous view over the bay.
137 locals recommend
The Coffee Shack
83-5799 Mamalahoa HwyGreat breakfast and cake. House coffee is good too. Fabulous view over the bay.
Excellent local grindz. Recommend Kalua pork, Furikake chicken, basically everything on the menu. Important: take out only and very long waiting time! To avoid crowds go there between 2 and 4pm, otherwise waiting time can be 1 hour or more.
53 locals recommend
Broke Da Mouth Grindz & Catering
74-5565 Luhia StExcellent local grindz. Recommend Kalua pork, Furikake chicken, basically everything on the menu. Important: take out only and very long waiting time! To avoid crowds go there between 2 and 4pm, otherwise waiting time can be 1 hour or more.
Fantastic local food. Try the poke bowls and ho'io salad (fern salad). Waiting time for a table can be up to 30-40 minutes around dinner time.
154 locals recommend
Umekes Fish Market Bar & Grill
74-5599 Pawai PlFantastic local food. Try the poke bowls and ho'io salad (fern salad). Waiting time for a table can be up to 30-40 minutes around dinner time.
Now called Uncle Kimo's Coffee Shop. Great variety of coffee drinks, pastry, breakfast burritos. Fav: avocado toast. Live music on the weekends.
6 locals recommend
Holuakoa Coffee Shack
76-5900 Mamalahoa HighwayNow called Uncle Kimo's Coffee Shop. Great variety of coffee drinks, pastry, breakfast burritos. Fav: avocado toast. Live music on the weekends.
Café with a view and very friendly and welcoming staff. Great coffee and sandwiches.
10 locals recommend
Caffe Florian
81-6637 Hawaiʻi Belt RdCafé with a view and very friendly and welcoming staff. Great coffee and sandwiches.
Parks & Nature
Good snorkeling and nice sunset watching, can be rather crowded so avoid weekends. Lots of turtles.
239 locals recommend
Kahaluu Bay
Ali‘i DriveGood snorkeling and nice sunset watching, can be rather crowded so avoid weekends. Lots of turtles.
The old airport, with nice beaches (not for swimming, though) for picknick and a lovely garden to go for a run or a walk.
40 locals recommend
Old Kona Airport State Recreation Area
75-5560 Kuakini HwyThe old airport, with nice beaches (not for swimming, though) for picknick and a lovely garden to go for a run or a walk.
Very good snorkeling spot south of Kona (Captain Cook)
21 locals recommend
Two Step diving & snorkeling
Very good snorkeling spot south of Kona (Captain Cook)
For everyone who's interested in volcanoes and craters ...
880 locals recommend
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
For everyone who's interested in volcanoes and craters ...
What an amazing spot to watch big waves crash and enjoy the sunset!
8 locals recommend
The End Of The World
What an amazing spot to watch big waves crash and enjoy the sunset!
Punalu'u Black Sand beach
Ninole Loop RoadBlack sand beach
So called "Place of refuge" (historic site where ancient defeated warriors found sanctuary - hence the name) is a memorable introduction to traditional Hawaiian culture.
270 locals recommend
Pu'uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park
State Highway 160So called "Place of refuge" (historic site where ancient defeated warriors found sanctuary - hence the name) is a memorable introduction to traditional Hawaiian culture.
What a great hike through an ancient volcano crater! Bring hat, sunglasses, water. 4 miles round-trip. Start at the "wrong end" aka go counter-clock-wise and the hike is a lot easier!!
6 locals recommend
Kilauea Iki Trail
Kilauea Iki TrailWhat a great hike through an ancient volcano crater! Bring hat, sunglasses, water. 4 miles round-trip. Start at the "wrong end" aka go counter-clock-wise and the hike is a lot easier!!
What a beautiful Botanical Garden, tons of plants, orchids, flowers, stunning sea views.
192 locals recommend
Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden
27-717 Mamalahoa HwyWhat a beautiful Botanical Garden, tons of plants, orchids, flowers, stunning sea views.
This beach has green sand! A 5 miles rountrip-hike to one of the most interesting beaches on the Big Island.
148 locals recommend
Papakōlea Green Sand Beach
This beach has green sand! A 5 miles rountrip-hike to one of the most interesting beaches on the Big Island.
One of the island's most famous and best hiking trails. 3 miles, waterfall, for experienced hikers.
117 locals recommend
Waipio Valley
One of the island's most famous and best hiking trails. 3 miles, waterfall, for experienced hikers.
Kiholo Bay
71-1890 Queen Ka'ahumanu HwyOne of the best beaches to see turtles chillin'.
Pololu Trail
Pololū TrailWonderful and short hike (20 minutes) down to a beautiful black sand beach.
White sand beach, great for boogieboarding. Take a beach umbrella as there are almost no trees there to provide shade.
80 locals recommend
Makalawena Beach
Hawaii 19White sand beach, great for boogieboarding. Take a beach umbrella as there are almost no trees there to provide shade.
Magic Sands Beach Park
Ali'i DriveBeach in Kona town for swimming and surfing.
Kohanaiki Beach Park
SURFING!!
New black sand beach, that has been formed by the lava flow in 2018. Stunning scenery!
101 locals recommend
Isaac Hale Park
13-101 Kalapana - Kapoho RdNew black sand beach, that has been formed by the lava flow in 2018. Stunning scenery!
Shopping
Kona Farmers Market
75-5767 Ali‘i DrHandmade items, fruits & veggies
Maku'u Farmer's Market
15-2131 Keaau-Pahoa RdWhat a great farmer's market! Open only on Sundays.
Punalu'u Bake Shop
95-5642 HI-11Yummy sweet bread and icecream.
Hilo Farmers Market
Mamo StreetBeautiful little art store with a great selection of handmade Hawaiian art. Pottery, paintings, photography, woodwork, you name it.
Harbor Gallery
Beautiful little art store with a great selection of handmade Hawaiian art. Pottery, paintings, photography, woodwork, you name it.
Essentials
Costco Wholesale
73-5600 Maiau StTarget
74-5455 Makala BlvdIsland Naturals Market & Deli Kailua-Kona
74-5444 Makala BlvdBio & Organic food, cosmetics etc.
Grocery store with locally caught fresh fish, local produce, Asian food section.
156 locals recommend
KTA Super Stores
74-5594 Palani RdGrocery store with locally caught fresh fish, local produce, Asian food section.
Arts & Culture
Small and beautiful art gallery with lots of Hawaiian artwork, jewelry, greeting cards, photography, woodwork.
Kona Art Gallery
76-5938 Mamalahoa HwySmall and beautiful art gallery with lots of Hawaiian artwork, jewelry, greeting cards, photography, woodwork.
Art classes, including traditional Hawaiian crafts. Small gallery and shop.
16 locals recommend
Donkey Mill Art Center
78-6670 Mamalahoa HwyArt classes, including traditional Hawaiian crafts. Small gallery and shop.
Excellent art classes. Small gallery and art store in the main house.
16 locals recommend
Donkey Mill Art Center
78-6670 Mamalahoa HwyExcellent art classes. Small gallery and art store in the main house.
Sightseeing
Mauna Kea
Greatest view. Fantastic night sky.
Kalapana
Lava flow!
South Point Park
South Point RoadAmazing view, great cliffs and beautiful sunsets
Honokaa
Friendly little town with nice shops (Island Originals etc)
Waipio Valley Lookout
Stunning views over Waipi'o Valley
Our favorite scenic drive. Not a highway at all but a stunningly beautiful winding beach road. 14 miles drive (or bike ride) along the coast. Combine with snorkeling at Kapoho tide pools!
State Highway 137
State Highway 137Our favorite scenic drive. Not a highway at all but a stunningly beautiful winding beach road. 14 miles drive (or bike ride) along the coast. Combine with snorkeling at Kapoho tide pools!
Beautiful scenic drive (or bike ride). Follow highway 19 north of Hilo. Between mile marker 7 and 8 take the right hand turn that is marked "scenic Drive". Combine with a visit to the Botanical Garden.
48 locals recommend
Onomea Bay Trail
27-547 Mamalahoa HwyBeautiful scenic drive (or bike ride). Follow highway 19 north of Hilo. Between mile marker 7 and 8 take the right hand turn that is marked "scenic Drive". Combine with a visit to the Botanical Garden.
Entertainment & Activities
Jack's Diving Locker
75-5813 Ali‘i DrDiving and snorkeling tours
James Bean Coffee Co
77-360 Nohealani StFree coffee farm tour for our treehouse guests only. Ask James.