Warm weather, sunshine, and long white sand beaches are enough to draw most visitors to the Big Island’s Kona Coast, but the food here is just as good as the beaches. During my visit to the Big Island I ate my way up and down the Kona Coast and today I’m going to be sharing my favourite spots!
Basik Café
If you’re not looking for it, you’ll drive right past this hidden gem off of Kahakai Road in the historic Kailua Village. Basik Café is a tiny acai bowl and smoothie shop located on the upstairs, above another restaurant. Acai bowls are an absolute must while you’re in Hawaii and Basik Café is the best place to find them in Kona. Their menu offers a massive range of different acai bowls with a variety of toppings including granola, goji berries, cocoa shavings, and different seasonal fruit options.
My top pick: Forager bowl or Puna bowl
Umekes Fishmarket Bar & Grill
If you’re looking for a fresh, local seafood dinner, Umekes is the place to be. This restaurant prides itself on serving dishes that feature high quality local ingredients and all of their menu items are authentically Hawaiian. You can build your own poke bowl depending on what kind of fish and sauce your taste buds desire. Bonus: their portions are massive! I ordered a poke bowl that was big enough to feed at least two people, so be sure to plan your visit for a day you’ll have worked up an appetite!
My top pick: Poke Bowl
Da Poke Shack
The absolute best place to find fresh, local, and authentic Hawaiian poke is Da Poke Shack. You can build your own poke bowl or plate here, one features two types of poke and the other features four, so regardless of how hungry you are you’ll be able to satisfy your poke craving here. Each bowl or plate is freshly made to order and comes served with rice and your choice of sides including kim chee mussels, wakame seaweed salad, or edamame.
My top pick: Pele’s Kiss or Dynamite Poke
Rays on the Bay
If you’re looking for a fancier dining option with the best dinner views on the island, then look no further than Rays on the Bay. This upscale seafood restaurant is located at the Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay and is best known for its unobstructed ocean views, specifically of the bay where Kona’s manta rays are known to reside. The flavourful menu offers a variety of different dishes, specializing in locally caught seafood with a modern twist.
My top pick: Macadamia Nut Crusted Mahi Mahi
Longboard Legends Pizza
Comfort food with a local Hawaiian twist is the specialty here at Longboard Legends Pizza. I accidentally discovered this place by accident when I had a nagging pizza craving one day and man am I glad that I did. Longboard Legends features taro flour crusts, island-grown produce, and house-smoked meats on their pizzas. I am really picky about my pizza and not many joints stand up to my hard-core pizza taste buds, but Longboard Legends had the perfect sized slices that weren’t too greasy or heavy and offered the perfect amount of twist on familiar flavours.
My top pick: Endless Summer Pizza
Kona Brewing Company: Kailua-Kona Pub & Brewery
The pub at the Big Island’s most famous brewery is the perfect place to wind down after a day of shopping. If you’re up for trying some free samples of Kona’s delicious brews, go for a quick and intimate brewery tour. If you’re looking for some food, they serve up some of the best Hawaiian influenced pub grub including pizzas, salads, burgers, and sandwiches. Whatever you do, be sure to try one of their brews one way or another; I promise you will not regret it, you might even find your new favourite beer!
My top pick: Big Wave Shrimp Melt & Longboard Island Lager
