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Recommended Restaurants



Please note that some restaurants are closed on Monday. It is recommended that you make reservations. All times are Ranch-to-restaurant with parking and walking times included.




AN ASTERISK MEANS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED








Our Favorites


* Keei Café south of Kainaliu town about a half mile on the mountain (Mauka) side of the highway. Great food, great sauces. Cash or local check only. The food is always outstanding here. Allow 45 minutes because of traffic. Open until 7pm 322-9992

* Royal Thai Café in the Keauhou shopping-center, and caddy-corner from the movie theater. Tied for best Thai food with an excellent presentation. The prices are very reasonable. Green Papaya Salad and Pineapple Fried Rice are two of our favorite dishes. This is one we recommend you don't miss. Allow 35 minutes. 322-8424

* Orchid Thai - in the Old Industrial Center caddy-corner from the Kailua Candy Company - tied for best Thai restaurant. Good prices. 327-9437

* Kona Brewing Company in the Old Industrial Area on the north edge of town at the end of Pawai Place. They have great Veggie pizza and salads. Try their locally-grown spinach salad. They have great Kona beer on tap. One of our favortes. 334-2739

* Quinn's across from the King Kamehameha has great fish sandwiches and fish & chips. Great for a light meal. 329-3822



Elegant Dining

Donatoni's Italian restaurant at the Hilton Waikoloa Resort. Excellent. Hula dancers entertain you to Hawaiian music from a boat on the canal. Pricey as are most of the Waikoloa restaurants but very good. Allow 45 minutes. 886-1234

* Pahuia at Hualalai Resort north of town and about 10 minutes past the airport. Elegant dining, excellent food and elegant prices. Allow 35 minutes. 325-8000

Roy's Waikoloa Bar & Grill in the Kings' Shops center at the Waikoloa Resort area has excellent Asian-Pacific cuisine. Pricey as are most of the Waikoloa restaurants. Allow 35 minutes. 886-4321

* Daniel Thiebaut (French/American) in Waimea just outside of town on the road down to Kawaihae. Dress warmly as the wind blows and it is cool even in the summer. Allow 45 minutes. 887-2200



Fun Places

Hard Rock Café just south of town and north of the Royal Kona Hotel and Huggos (329-8866).

Bubba Gump's on the water side of Alii Drive on the south side of town. 331-8442




Italian/Pizza

Basil's on Alii Drive on the South side of town - good Italian and Pizza - very reasonable. 326-7836

* Kona Brewing Company in the Old Industrial Area on the north edge of town at the end of Pawai Place. They have great Veggie pizza and salads. Try their locally-grown spinach salad. They have great Kona beer on tap. One of our favortes. 334-2739

Ethnic

Imari Japanese Cuisine at the Hilton Waikoloa Resort. Allow 45 minutes. 886-1234.

Fujimamas Japanese Cuisine in an alley off Alii Drive. 327-2125.

Lotus Cafe Thai Cuisine - in the New Industrial area - on the access road to Costco. Very good; they advertise oragnic and the food is very fresh with great sauces.

Hiyama below Longs in the Kopiko Shopping Plaza on Palani Rd. Our choice for Japanese - especially Sushi. This is where the locals eat Japanese. 331-8888

Bangkok Houses behind the King Kam on the ocean side of the old industrial area has very good Thai food. 329-7764



Fish/Non-Ethnic

Huggos just north of the Royal Kona, about a half mile south of town. Good entrees, great view. On the expensive side but worth it if you want to splurge. Make reservations especially if you want a water-front table. 329-1493. Huggos On The Rocks, next to them is a great place for sandwiches and a drink and right on the water/rocks. Same kitchen, different menu and less expensive.

Holuakoa Cafe just north of "downtown" Holualoa and abut 10 minutes from the ranch. Mostly organic and oriented towards vegetarian with local fish. Lunch only until February 08. We ate there once and can't wait to go back when they serve dinner. 322-2233.

Jackie Rey's on Kukakini Hwy about two miles south of the last traffic light - full meals. Moderatley priced and very good. An atmosphere reminiscent of old Hawaii; reservations accepted 327-0209

Kona Inn at the south side of town on the water side of Alii Drive has fish, pasta and chicken. 329-4455

Beach Tree at the Hualalai Resort north of town and about 10 minutes past the airport. Right on the beach. They have a sumptuous buffet on Saturday nights - absolutely fantastic. 325-8000

Merriman's in Waimea. Excellent food. Portions at least at lunch tend to be small. Allow 45 minutes. 885-6822

Blue Sky Cafe on Pawai Place in the Old Industrial area on the northe edge of town and just before the entrance to Kona Brew Pub (Brewing Company) in the far end of an industrial bay on the right. Very good food; a little pricey. 329-9338.

Alan Wong's at the golf course at the Hualalai Resort north of town and about 10 minutes past the airport. They have a very nice atmosphere. Allow 35 minutes. Good food but we feel it is too pricey. 325-8000



Light Meals/Sandwiches/Breakfast

Huggos On The Rocks just north of the Royal Kona, about a mile south of town, and adjacent to Huggos. Great enviroment and view. Same kitchen as Huggos, different menu. 329-1493

* Coffee Shack between mile 109 and mile 108 markers, about 40 minutes south of Kona on the way to City of Refuge (Kealakekua Bay and Volcano also) has the best fish sandwiches in town on home baked bread and a spectacluar view of Kealakekua, City of Refuge and the adjoining coast. Stop for a sandwich, relax and take in the view. They have other great luncheon dishes. They have great Kona coffee and latte's. This is a don't miss place. 328-9555

U-Top-It for breakfast. Great omelettes/coffee/eggs etc. Just south of town near and north of Huggos and the Royal Kona Hotel. 329-0092

Peaberry & Galette Crepes only and are they good. In the Keauhou shopping center next to Royal Thai Cafe. A little pricey - $9 - $13 for a crepe entre and not necessarily the largest. But take it from someone (me) who normally puts a premium on quantitiy - they are superb. Crepes mainly; some sandwiches/salads/pastas/homemade cakes and sweets. Click for Menu 9:30 to 8pm weekdays; 9:30 - 10PM Saturday; 9:30 - 6PM Sundays. 322-6020.

Aloha Café on the highway in Kainaliu about 20 minutes south of Kailua is a great breakfast place. 322-3383

* Kona Natural Foods If you are watching your budget and your belt (and your health), this is it - next to Safeway on Henry Street - having a selection of health and organic produce. Their sandwiches, burritos, salads and soups are great. Through late afternoon for sandwiches/entrees.

Killer Tacos Are you starved for a burrito in the mainland style? This is the only place we know of. It is in the old industrial area on Lihue Street, 3 doors down for the corner. They have whole beans (black) for their very good burritios.

Lilikoi Cafe in Waimea behind Parker Ranch - small café-type with very gourmet good sandwiches and salads.