cblaisd

Post your recommendations and questions concerning Big Island restaurants in the South Kohala-Kailua-Kona-North Kohala-Waimea areas

ALadyNCal

Will have a condo, so some meals prepared in. However, would love some recommendations. We are staying near Kailua Kona. We don't know that many places in town to eat at. On our trip in 2002, we stayed in Waikoloa and did eat at ROY'S (and got engaged there -- it was great and we will return again).

Anything you want to tell me about is great -- places for sunset, good bargains, seafood, casual, sushi -- open to all ideas.

Thanks

awcrounse

The Kona Brewing Co. has great beer and excellent wood fired pizza.

Penguinmoon

If you have a car, IMHO, I think the best restaurants on the BI are in Waimea. Many of them were started by former chefs from the Kohala resorts. Merrimans is not to be missed! Also, try Koa House Grill and Parker Ranch Grill.

In Kona, Quinns Almost by the Sea, is good food/good value. For cheap Mexican, some of the best Tacos I have ever had, Killer Tacos in the old industrial area...

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Spreading Aloha around da world one trip at a time!

cblaisd

Utterly agree. And for those staying at the HWV, it's closer and a much more pleasant drive.

cactuspete

Lavarock7

I like the portion size at the Big Island Grill (at the bottom of Henry Street (makai from WalMart) next to Aloha Gas).

I particularly like Kona Brewing's pizza and beer.

In Captain Cook area, the Manago Hotel is an interesting diversion. By the way, yes, I tried the pork chops and think mine are better, but that is a personal opinion.

For value, you can't beat the COSTCO hotdog and drink at $1.50 plus tax :-) They also have a nice chicken caesar salad at the food court. Also their sandwiches and salads in the back by the ribs :-)

I hear Denny's is a bargain but have not been there to see.

[This message has been edited by Lavarock7 (edited Jan 26, 2004).]

olympicnut

Whatever you do, make sure you stop by the Mac Pie factory. OMG these pies are AWESOME!!! Tahitian vanilla - YUM!!

I wasn't too happy with Quinns (service wasnt all that great and the food - eh) and that's my last name too!!

We ate at quite a few of the restaurants along the drive there and most places were pretty tasty.

philemer

See www.konaweb.com It is free to join and is kinda like FT. People sharing info on the BI and a lot of restaurant reviews. Oodles of Noodles, near Safeway, is very good but BYOB because they don't serve any alcohol. No corkage fee either. Cafe Pesto is excellent. Huggos is good for views & drinks. We were there 2 wks. ago and agree with you on Roy's. Awesome.

Also, check out Ebay for a seller by the name of hawaiisavers. He sells discount coupons. We used a couple and were happy. He is legit.
Phil


[This message has been edited by philemer (edited Jan 27, 2004).]

Deacon

Just returned Sunday 1/25, so info ain't too out of date.
In Kailua-Kona: Jameson's is a bit pricey but the food is excellent. Didn't get to beachconber's (old Charthouse).

Drysdale's #2 in Keauhou Shopping Center is likewise good & not so pricey; sports bar venue.

Tip o' the day: The Daylight Donuts shop in that center (Corner of Kamehameha III and Ali'i) produces GREAT sandwiches. They're open from about 6 am until early evening. Get some to take on a day trip or to the beach.

Not to be missed: Bamboo restaurant in Hawi (far north end of the BI). For a nice ride, use 190 out of K-K to Waimea, then west on 19 to 250 (just a few miles). 250 winds through the mountainous parts of Parker Ranch and is a lovely ride, ending in Hawi. Best hamburger (for lunch only) in the known universe. Dinner menu is pricier, but outstanding.

Need a great hot dog? Try Cuz'ns in the shopping area at the north end of Ali'i.

Curious, where is your Timeshare? we were one week in Holua resort at Mauna Loa, 2d at Kona Coast.

Bon voyage ...

l etoile

Wow! I've been eating at Oodles of Noodles several times a year since they opened and didn't know Amy gave up her liquor license a few months ago until reading this and confirming. That's really surprising because she had a pretty nice wine list and a full bar before.

FYI - Safeway's in the same center for anyone who wants to grab a bottle of wine before dinner.

ALadyNCal: Since you're staying in Kona, head to the Keei Cafe in Captain Cook one night. Decor is, um, late American plastic patio, but the food's great. You'll need reservations. Excellent banana bread down that way too at a deli. You'll see the sign. The chocolate banana is my favorite. They also sell some wonderful spreads - lillikoi is great on your breakfast breads. Not what you asked for, but there's also a massage school a little south of Kona, where I get massages for $25 an hour. You need reservations. If you want details feel free to email me.



[This message has been edited by letiole (edited Feb 05, 2004).]

Sweet Willie

Obviously to each their own, but C'mon burgers, hotdogs, pizza?!!??

Why did you leave the mainland, there is incredible/unique food on the Islands that one will not find elsewhere, explore a little, try something different.

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l etoile

Hey, don't knock the pizza and other offerings at Kona Brewing Company Sweet Willie.

The beers are handcrafted and include a lilikoi-flavored beer and I don't think you can get them outside of Hawaii, Japan and California (and I've only seen a few of their beers here). They offer a beer tasting too where they bring you smallish glasses of all their beers.

They also have a lot of interesting pupus with macadamia nut pesto (can also get this on a pizza) and lots of stuff marinated in their beers or with taro oil and other local ingredients. Their veggies are just about all locally grown and they have a lot of interesting pizza toppings. This isn't Round Table - it's well worth eating at. Their pizzas are better than those at Cafe Pesto and far better than what you'd find in, oh, say Chicago.


[This message has been edited by letiole (edited Feb 07, 2004).]

aa4ever

When we stayed in Kona (we stayed in the resort Kona Villiage), there is a Luau (sp?). Although the food is not spectacular at the resort or luau, it is a great experience and a lot of fun (especially if you have young girls). It is only on Friday night and I believe it starts at 5 if you are not staying in the resort. It has a tour of the resort grounds and then you go to a table that probably has about 15 people. You see them take the pig out of the ground, and you eat from a buffet. I believe the price is 60 USD per person when not staying there. It is included when staying.

Have fun in Hawai'i!!!

Aloha

Lavarock7

The Kona Brewing Company also has live music. Last week the concert was Robert Cray and sometimes Hawaiian music/slack key, etc.

It is funny how some people pooh pooh the thought of pizza, yet eat pu pu's on the grass at a picnic (well, we call them a luau) they paid over $60 per person for. Makes you wonder