Nov 23, 2020, 10:33 am
Last edit by: FlyinHawaiian
Moderator's Note: Sadly, due to COVID-19, many of the restaurants listed in this thread are no longer in business. Please check online to determine a restaurant's current status.
The 2021 and onwards thread on this topic may be found here: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hawaii/2035765-favorite-restaurants-west-coast-big-island-hawaii.html
Mahalo,
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Hawaii (Travel) Forum
The 2021 and onwards thread on this topic may be found here: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hawaii/2035765-favorite-restaurants-west-coast-big-island-hawaii.html
Mahalo,
FlyinHawaiian, Co-Moderator
Hawaii (Travel) Forum
Big Island: "South Kona-Kona-North Kohala-Waimea restaurants" Thread [Archived]
Aug 15, 2013, 1:29 pm
#121
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Observing current locals may give an accurate reflection of how they live now, but how bout lessons of the past. I love to join locals in their eateries and observing current trends, but what I'm interested is learning about the past. I guess engaging in conversations would help one learn, but we do that with whoever we meet up with anyways and doesn't seem like a whole lot of history being learned and how Hawaiian hospitality and culture that once was IMHO. Hawaiian natives are desensitized to the current world. If I can visit Niihau maybe we'll have a but if blast from the past. But I bet there are TVs and current world conveniences even amongst the small population of 200. I think there may be a role for some organization to take us back 500 years and show us how its really like before Captain Cook arrived at the shores of Hawaii.
Dined at Charley's Thai in Waimea yesterday and the experience did not disappoint. The sweet Thai iced tea is a treat, the massaman curry a delight, sticky rice a twist to what I'm used to and deep fried red snapper in sweet and sour sauce is excellent. The pad Thai is not to be missed and the Mahi special on the back page not bad served with a handsome portion of island veggies. Mmmmmmm
Dined at Charley's Thai in Waimea yesterday and the experience did not disappoint. The sweet Thai iced tea is a treat, the massaman curry a delight, sticky rice a twist to what I'm used to and deep fried red snapper in sweet and sour sauce is excellent. The pad Thai is not to be missed and the Mahi special on the back page not bad served with a handsome portion of island veggies. Mmmmmmm
Nov 22, 2013, 3:55 am
#122
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I have family in Kealakakua and I travel there several times a year. Here is my take and a few of my favorite places to dine:
Ba-Le french/vietnamese is next to the KTA in Kona and has great pho and sandwiches. KTA carries sashimi grade ahi in season, a bottle of shoyu and a tube of wasab and all you need is a sharp knife for a grand meal!
Great breakfast at the Fishhopper. Lava Java is always crowded and is the place for expresso, skip the food however.
Ocean side dining is best at Huggos (best mai-tai) or you can watch the Mantas as you dine at Rays on the Bay (expensive).
Best cheesesteak is at the bar at Honohaku harbor accompanied by a beer in a frozen goblet.
Sam Choys has a great view but the food is so-so and the sauces are loaded with sugar.
Teshimas is famous for their bento.
Go to the Coffee Shack during avocado season and order any sandwich with avocado. Captain Cook avocados can be the size of your head!
Shop for fresh produce at the farmers market in downtown Kona or Hilo. Apple Bannas!
Take the drive to Hilo for a meal at Sombats, she grows fresh herbs and peppers in a garden by the front door. Creapes are good at the Magic Pan. Anything is good at the Hilo Bay Cafe. Merrimans in Kamula is worth the trip.
Ba-Le french/vietnamese is next to the KTA in Kona and has great pho and sandwiches. KTA carries sashimi grade ahi in season, a bottle of shoyu and a tube of wasab and all you need is a sharp knife for a grand meal!
Great breakfast at the Fishhopper. Lava Java is always crowded and is the place for expresso, skip the food however.
Ocean side dining is best at Huggos (best mai-tai) or you can watch the Mantas as you dine at Rays on the Bay (expensive).
Best cheesesteak is at the bar at Honohaku harbor accompanied by a beer in a frozen goblet.
Sam Choys has a great view but the food is so-so and the sauces are loaded with sugar.
Teshimas is famous for their bento.
Go to the Coffee Shack during avocado season and order any sandwich with avocado. Captain Cook avocados can be the size of your head!
Shop for fresh produce at the farmers market in downtown Kona or Hilo. Apple Bannas!
Take the drive to Hilo for a meal at Sombats, she grows fresh herbs and peppers in a garden by the front door. Creapes are good at the Magic Pan. Anything is good at the Hilo Bay Cafe. Merrimans in Kamula is worth the trip.
Nov 22, 2013, 2:01 pm
#123
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Nov 22, 2013, 8:02 pm
#124
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I have family in Kealakakua and I travel there several times a year. Here is my take and a few of my favorite places to dine:
Ba-Le french/vietnamese is next to the KTA in Kona and has great pho and sandwiches. KTA carries sashimi grade ahi in season, a bottle of shoyu and a tube of wasab and all you need is a sharp knife for a grand meal!
Great breakfast at the Fishhopper. Lava Java is always crowded and is the place for expresso, skip the food however.
Ocean side dining is best at Huggos (best mai-tai) or you can watch the Mantas as you dine at Rays on the Bay (expensive).
Best cheesesteak is at the bar at Honohaku harbor accompanied by a beer in a frozen goblet.
Sam Choys has a great view but the food is so-so and the sauces are loaded with sugar.
Teshimas is famous for their bento.
Go to the Coffee Shack during avocado season and order any sandwich with avocado. Captain Cook avocados can be the size of your head!
Shop for fresh produce at the farmers market in downtown Kona or Hilo. Apple Bannas!
Take the drive to Hilo for a meal at Sombats, she grows fresh herbs and peppers in a garden by the front door. Creapes are good at the Magic Pan. Anything is good at the Hilo Bay Cafe. Merrimans in Kamula is worth the trip.
Ba-Le french/vietnamese is next to the KTA in Kona and has great pho and sandwiches. KTA carries sashimi grade ahi in season, a bottle of shoyu and a tube of wasab and all you need is a sharp knife for a grand meal!
Great breakfast at the Fishhopper. Lava Java is always crowded and is the place for expresso, skip the food however.
Ocean side dining is best at Huggos (best mai-tai) or you can watch the Mantas as you dine at Rays on the Bay (expensive).
Best cheesesteak is at the bar at Honohaku harbor accompanied by a beer in a frozen goblet.
Sam Choys has a great view but the food is so-so and the sauces are loaded with sugar.
Teshimas is famous for their bento.
Go to the Coffee Shack during avocado season and order any sandwich with avocado. Captain Cook avocados can be the size of your head!
Shop for fresh produce at the farmers market in downtown Kona or Hilo. Apple Bannas!
Take the drive to Hilo for a meal at Sombats, she grows fresh herbs and peppers in a garden by the front door. Creapes are good at the Magic Pan. Anything is good at the Hilo Bay Cafe. Merrimans in Kamula is worth the trip.
Hilo Bay Caf is excellent, and just recently expanded. I haven't been since the expansion, but Hilo Bay Caf is a definite must consider when driving through. Merrimans is a great spot in Waimea.
Local eats.. Again Pine Tree Caf near the airport turnoff is a local hangout. Great food at a great price.
Nov 23, 2013, 3:45 pm
#125
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I have family in Kealakakua and I travel there several times a year. Here is my take and a few of my favorite places to dine:
Ba-Le french/vietnamese is next to the KTA in Kona and has great pho and sandwiches. KTA carries sashimi grade ahi in season, a bottle of shoyu and a tube of wasab and all you need is a sharp knife for a grand meal!
Ba-Le french/vietnamese is next to the KTA in Kona and has great pho and sandwiches. KTA carries sashimi grade ahi in season, a bottle of shoyu and a tube of wasab and all you need is a sharp knife for a grand meal!
Nov 24, 2013, 3:00 pm
#126
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Ahi has always been available when I've been there. Ono, not always. These fish are caught year around.
Nov 24, 2013, 11:16 pm
#127
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Awesome idea on Wasabi- also related to Costco- they carry wasabi in a largeish dual tube pack. Unfortunately I've only seen this in Hawaii locations- so I tend to buy a pack when I'm there. Have a growing collection at home now
Nov 29, 2013, 6:58 am
#128
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Like to stock up at Costco for these items. Fresh Fish does go fast though- and the variety does vary. They've been carrying more and more local fruit & veggies too ^
Awesome idea on Wasabi- also related to Costco- they carry wasabi in a largeish dual tube pack. Unfortunately I've only seen this in Hawaii locations- so I tend to buy a pack when I'm there. Have a growing collection at home now
Awesome idea on Wasabi- also related to Costco- they carry wasabi in a largeish dual tube pack. Unfortunately I've only seen this in Hawaii locations- so I tend to buy a pack when I'm there. Have a growing collection at home now
Certainly an excellent stop for us any island we travel to. We've been visiting Hawaii Costco's for 10 years. The food court is convenient, for anyone needing a quick bite.
Feb 18, 2014, 8:31 pm
#129
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Hello,
Does anyone know if there's a restaurant similar to BarAcuda in Princeville, Kauai, on the Big Island's Kona side?
Its a tapas restaurant that was very good and seemed to straddle the line between upscale and relaxed at the same time.
Any replies greatful^
Does anyone know if there's a restaurant similar to BarAcuda in Princeville, Kauai, on the Big Island's Kona side?
Its a tapas restaurant that was very good and seemed to straddle the line between upscale and relaxed at the same time.
Any replies greatful^
Jan 26, 2018, 10:20 pm
#130
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Bump for a couple visits in the next month 
Still plan on Hawaiian Style Cafe :-:
Still plan on Hawaiian Style Cafe :-:
Jan 26, 2018, 10:27 pm
#131
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And the coconut rice pudding at the Menehune Coffee Company cafe in Captain Cook, just past Middle Keei Rd is to die for. It is like crack - totally addicting.