Guidebook for Kailua-Kona
Food Scene
Kona Coffee & Tea
74-5588 Palani RdDelicious Kona coffee and great local scene.
Kona Brewing Company
74-5612 Pawai Plgreat food, beer, and vibes.
one of our favorite coffee shops on island due to the best kona coffee
17 locals recommend
Kona Mountain Coffee
73-4038 Hulikoa Drone of our favorite coffee shops on island due to the best kona coffee
Peaberry & Galette
78-6831 Ali‘i Drdelicious food, baked goods, coffee, and crepes.
the best Acai bowls and health bar! also our favorite spot we worked at together in our teens haha :)
32 locals recommend
Basik Cafe
75-5831 Kahakai Rdthe best Acai bowls and health bar! also our favorite spot we worked at together in our teens haha :)
Original Thai Cuisine LLC
75-5629 Kuakini Hwybest thai food in Kona
Royal Thai Cafe
78-6831 Ali‘i Dranother favorite thai place in Keauhou
the best hole in the wall Sushi spot in town also known as Hayashis. talk about fresh 5 dollar rolls.
26 locals recommend
You Make the Roll
75-5725 Ali‘i Drthe best hole in the wall Sushi spot in town also known as Hayashis. talk about fresh 5 dollar rolls.
Big Island Brewhaus
64-1066 Mamalahoa Hwygreat food, beer, and local vibe
The Coffee Shack
83-5799 Mamalahoa Hwyour favorite breakfast spot with the best views
Two Ladies Kitchen
274 Kilauea Avebest Mochi on island
Tea:licious Cafe
75-159 Lunapule RdA quaint local favorite for great food, coffee, and tea.
A great place to grab a cup of coffee, read a book, or do some computer work.
18 locals recommend
HiCO - Hawaiian Coffee
74-5599 Pawai PlA great place to grab a cup of coffee, read a book, or do some computer work.
One of our favorite spots to grab a beer and some food. A cozy local favorite tucked away in a sleepy mountain town.
38 locals recommend
Rebel Kitchen
79-7399 Hawaiʻi Belt RdOne of our favorite spots to grab a beer and some food. A cozy local favorite tucked away in a sleepy mountain town.
Island Lava Java
75-5801 Ali‘i DrDelicious breakfast spot with great views.
If you have appreciation for plant based food and are a lil hippie at heart like us, then be sure to stop by this local favorite spot for some good eats and drinks.
57 locals recommend
Kaya's Kawanui Inc
79-7300 Hawaiʻi Belt RdIf you have appreciation for plant based food and are a lil hippie at heart like us, then be sure to stop by this local favorite spot for some good eats and drinks.
Our favorite cafe on island. Perfect for an intimate lunch or dinner date. Or even a solo cafe to eat some incredible food and unwind to a book. Everything is plant based and be sure to try the soft serve next door too!
12 locals recommend
Journey to Good Health Cafe LLC
75-5729 Ali‘i DrOur favorite cafe on island. Perfect for an intimate lunch or dinner date. Or even a solo cafe to eat some incredible food and unwind to a book. Everything is plant based and be sure to try the soft serve next door too!
A local favorite cafe with good vibes, coffee, food, and shopping.
6 locals recommend
Arvo Cafe Waimea
65-1227 Opelo RdA local favorite cafe with good vibes, coffee, food, and shopping.
Kalikala Cuisine
One of our favorite ocean front breakfast spots.
Ola Brew
74-5598 Luhia StA local favorite brewery. Great beer, cider, and food.
Parks & Nature
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
lava flow views
the best stargazing on a dark night. also great to watch the sunrise or sunset from the top of Mauna Kea above the clouds. this mountain gets a ton of snow during the winter so dress warm!
48 locals recommend
Maunakea Observatories Support Services
177 Makaala Stthe best stargazing on a dark night. also great to watch the sunrise or sunset from the top of Mauna Kea above the clouds. this mountain gets a ton of snow during the winter so dress warm!
Makalawena Beach
Hawaii 19Kua Bay Access Road
Kua Bay Access Roadone of the prettiest beaches on island
41 locals recommend
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Autograph Collection
62-100 Mauna Kea Beach Drone of the prettiest beaches on island
The look out is beautiful but the hike down to the beach is even better! Bring some comfortable shoes, plenty of water, and some simple beach gear as you'll want to swim and hang out on the beach. At the very end of the beach beyond the trees is another trail to hike up to an additional lookout which is highly recommended. We love coming here for sunrise and hanging out all morning. The current is strong so please be advised of the rip current and stay safe/close to shore. The trees are fun to hang out and slack line in as well. Bring your camera as this valley beholds so much beauty!
89 locals recommend
Pololu Valley Lookout
52-5100 Akoni Pule HwyThe look out is beautiful but the hike down to the beach is even better! Bring some comfortable shoes, plenty of water, and some simple beach gear as you'll want to swim and hang out on the beach. At the very end of the beach beyond the trees is another trail to hike up to an additional lookout which is highly recommended. We love coming here for sunrise and hanging out all morning. The current is strong so please be advised of the rip current and stay safe/close to shore. The trees are fun to hang out and slack line in as well. Bring your camera as this valley beholds so much beauty!
Entertainment & Activities
cruise old Holualoa town for some good food, old Hawaii vibes, and art galleries.
57 locals recommend
Holualoa
cruise old Holualoa town for some good food, old Hawaii vibes, and art galleries.
Aloha Theatre
79-7384 Hawaiʻi Belt RdEssentials
Costco Wholesale
73-5600 Maiau StSafeway
75-971 Henry StTarget
74-5455 Makala BlvdShopping
Favorite boutique that carries so many talented local artisans. Great for unique gifts such as jewelry, clothing, and home goods.
7 locals recommend
Quill & Feather
75-159 Lunapule RdFavorite boutique that carries so many talented local artisans. Great for unique gifts such as jewelry, clothing, and home goods.
Sightseeing
We recommend checking out the beach if you have 4x4 but please be careful and use a low gear/4l low along the steep single lane road. It's totally worth booking a tour to enter the valley and supporting a local business! There's lots of activities of interest in Waipio Valley including horseback riding, surfing, waterfalls, and more :) Be sure to respect the locals and stay on the trails. Trespassing is very common and very disrespectful to the natives.
201 locals recommend
Waipio Valley Lookout
We recommend checking out the beach if you have 4x4 but please be careful and use a low gear/4l low along the steep single lane road. It's totally worth booking a tour to enter the valley and supporting a local business! There's lots of activities of interest in Waipio Valley including horseback riding, surfing, waterfalls, and more :) Be sure to respect the locals and stay on the trails. Trespassing is very common and very disrespectful to the natives.
City advice
Don't miss
Nihilo Art Market
Be sure to check out the by-monthly Nihilo Artisan Market! Normally we would have a booth at this event but chances are we are out of town if it is happening during your stay :) If you love supporting local artists, eating great food, listening to live music, and stepping into the local atmosphere and artist/surf community of Hawaii then be sure to stop by this local favorite event.
Don't miss
Waimea Town Farmers Market
Every Saturday Waimea town hosts the most incredible farmers markets. From local art to locally grown food, you don't want to miss a Saturday in Waimea. There is three different markets to catch. Some specialize in local artisans from clothing to handmade jewelry. Others specialize in food booths, local products, soaps, and more. And others specialize in unique local produce. I would suggest hitting up all three :)