7 Best Restaurants Near Kona Bay Estates

Most people associate the gorgeous landscape of Hawaii with beach vacations and pristine outdoor activities. And while these associations are an accurate depiction of everything Hawaii has to offer vacationers, this state is also a rich culinary hub, home to a plethora of dining experiences.

From the most amazing fish in the world to traditional comfort dishes made locally, Kailua-Kona is as much a food town as a beach town. If you’re looking to relocate to this picturesque corner of Hawaii, Kailua-Kona Bay has some of the best food the Big Island offers.

If you’re searching for homes for sale in Kona Bay Estates, these seven restaurants need to be on your list to try out.

For upscale fare with incredible views, try Honu’s on the Beach, inside the stunning Kona Beach Hotel. This beachfront restaurant boasts a remarkable atmosphere. The serene and sweeping patio with fire pits and pretty lights is the perfect spot to take in an ocean view of Kailua-Kona Bay — while also taking in a great meal. The menu offers a sea-inspired collection of dishes that riff on fresh local ingredients with flavorful flair. Honu’s on the Beach has a celebratory feel that is great for date nights, visiting guests, or a luxuriously long brunch in the best setting one can imagine.

Hawaii’s laid-back vibe sometimes makes rave-worthy restaurants easy to miss. Bangkok House is often unnoticed because of its relaxed feel, but its fantastic food will leave an impression. This unassuming restaurant is a local favorite for authentic Thai food made by a family-run kitchen of Thai transplants to the island. The reviews emphasize how delicious and savory all the cuisine on the menu is, as well as how nice and inviting the owners and staff are. There’s a genuine kindness to the pace and culture of Kailua-Kona, and it’s easily found in a great meal at Bangkok House.

Located near Kona Bay Estates is Umeke’s Fish Bar and Market, which encapsulates Hawaiian food at its best. The chef has been featured on popular shows like “Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives” and serves a varied menu of refreshing, delicious options. Almost all the dishes reflect the meaning in the restaurant’s name — umeke means bowl, and the best bowls can be found coming out of this kitchen. The popular Hawaiian dish sweeping the nation, the poke bowl, is a staple at Umeke’s Fish Bar and Market, including catches from local fishers' boats.

Kona Brewing Company offers some of the best ales in Hawaii. This popular microbrewery was founded near Kona Bay Estates, making them a neighborhood favorite. Not only do they make their cooling elixir on-site, but they also serve a delicious menu of bar snacks such as tacos and burgers. The dessert menu is eclectic, featuring a beer float with their classic micro-brew. Kona Brewing Company is a great place to socialize, kick back with friends, and sink into the island lifestyle Hawaii’s known for.

Big Island Grill is the best place around Kailua-Kona to get traditional and beloved Hawaiian soul food. As warm and comforting as the Hawaiian sun, their menu serves up an array of dishes authentic to the islands they’re served on. Big Island Grill’s signature is their Loco Moco, a Hawaiian dish consisting of white rice, hamburger, or katsu with fried eggs and their special spiced gravy. You can also get the island favorite, saimin soup, a Japanese-inspired take on noodle soup that is big on flavor. Comforting options like waffles and macadamia nut pancakes are also on the menu for breakfast. These filling foods will leave you satisfied and relaxed.

Hawaii is known for its fantastic shave ice, and there’s nowhere better to try it out than One Aloha Shave Ice. Their yummy shave ices are made with fresh local fruit and nothing artificial, so you get the most scrumptious taste with the best ingredients Hawaii has to offer. One Aloha is also a great stop for some signature Kona Coffee. You can grab a shave ice, a post-dinner java, and enjoy the balmy evening weather. On top of their shave ice options, they also serve ice cream made locally on the Big Island of Hawaii. Fun flavors like lychee, coconut, and ube reflect the island's cultural influences.

 

Voted best sandwich in the community multiple years running, the Poi Dog Deli is a lunch gem in Kailua Kona. With a bright menu that’s constantly being updated, this neighborhood favorite is a great place for grab-and-go meals to take to the beach. Their sandwiches revolve around classic favorites like the Reuben and Hawaiian culinary staples like macadamia nuts, ham, and pineapple. Poi Dog Deli offers a little something for everyone on the menu, with light salads consisting of the best island produce and filling sandwiches. Poi Dog Deli is the perfect stop for a beach day.

Beyond the perfect beaches and pleasing weather that the Big Island of Hawaii offers, there’s so much culture and community awaiting visitors and transplants to the state. There’s no place like Hawaii, and Kailua-Kona is at the epicenter of everything that makes the Big Island great.

To learn more about life in paradise, and what buying and selling real estate looks like in Hawaii, contact trusted Kailua-Kona Bay real estate agent Sharon Brown.