LAVA JAVA - (Ali’i Dr. next to the volleyball court. $-$$, B,L,D) They serve our favorite, 100% Kona coffee all day (feel free to bring a cup for your crew!) and fresh baked muffins and pastries. The cinnamon roll is huge! They also have a variety of healthy breakfast choices, like smoothies, and for lunch, salads and sandwiches. Not to mention they have a fantastic view of the bay. (Our favorite spot to watch the first part of ironman, the swim).

KONA BEACH - (King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel. $$-$$$, Brunch, D) This is the scene of a Sunday Brunch that will make you understand why we used to not operate on Sundays. My favorite table consists of nothing but shrimp and crab legs; but then there's the prime rib & made to order omelets; the fruits and salads; the variety of hot dishes; and the inescapable (groan) dessert table.

ALOHA ANGEL CAFÉ - (Aloha Theater, Kainaliu, on Highway 11. $-$$, B,L,D) Pleasant place to stop- the food is quite good; lots of homemade and fresh baked goodies; be sure to eat on the outdoor lanai!

BUNS IN THE SUN - (Lanihau Center. $, B & L) Actually, a bakery that also serves huge sandwiches with side salads & gourmet coffees. Will put up a good lunch to go. For breakfast, they have fantastic muffins and they open at 5:30 a.m. for those of you still on East Coast time.

KONA MIX PLATE - (Kopika Plaza-just below Long's. $, L & D) Plain place with surprisingly great "plate" lunches & dinners- lots of "local" food! Good quantities!!

THE CLUB GRILLE - (Four Seasons Resort- Highway 19-approx. 12 miles N. of Kailua Town. $$-$$$, L & D) An absolutely GORGEOUS place with an unusual menu (lobster pizza???-it’s great!). Allow yourself plenty of time to stroll the grounds of this stunning resort. Take a sweater in evenings-breeze on the deck can be chilly.

KE'EI CAFÉ - (Highway. 11, down hear Honaunau. $$-$$$, L & D) A tiny, hidden gem with just extraordinary food. Call 328-8451 for reservations (a must) and directions. (They only take cash)

COSTCO - (Kaloko Light Industrial Park. <$, L & D) The best deal in town-$1.50 for hotdog and soda; pizza, salad & chicken bakes, too! (Not to mention cheap gas on the way back to the airport with your rental car.) Try the deli section in the back of the store for sushi, sandwiches, and salads. Pick up your Kona Coffee & Mac Nuts to take home!! Need a membership card to get in.

KONA NATURAL FOODS - (Safeway Plaza-Henry St. $, L & D) Health food grocery store with a great deli! Small sit down area or take out for a very healthy meal.

BACK TO THE 50’s HIGHWAY FOUNTAIN – (Highway 19, toward Hilo, past Honoka’a, after Lapahoehoe Gulch. $, B,L & D) If you find yourself on the other side of the island, you have to stop in a try Kendra and Chris’s 50’s theme restaurant. Burgers, fries and shakes. It’s a trip back in time.

KENICHI PACIFIC SUSHI & FUSION CUISINE – (Keauhou Shopping Center, $$-$$$, D) Another favorite! Great sushi, along with other delightful choices. (Kimberly is not a sushi fan) They also have a great bar to greet friends before dinner to enjoy a relaxing glass of wine or cocktail.

DINING IN KONA

So, you’re here, you’re speaking the language and now you’re hungry. Because Kona is a tourist town, we are lucky enough to have lots of excellent restaurants. The following suggestions are some of our favorites and some that have been highly recommended by our divers in and around Kailua town. It is nowhere near a comprehensive list. The Kohala hotels, Kawaihae and Waimea boast some excellent restaurants not covered here.

This section is keyed for which meals are served and the approximate prices.

B=BREAKFAST
L=LUNCH
D=DINNER

$=INEXPENSIVE=UNDER $10

$$=MODERATE=$11-20

$$$ = EXPENSIVE=OVER $20

$$$$ = DON'T ASK

QUINN'S - (Next to Kona Seaside Hotel. $-$$,L & D) Informal patio dining area with plenty of good food! Their pupus (hors d'oeuvres) - real fried onion rings, fried zucchini with their excellent house dressing-precede an array of salads, sandwiches (salad substituted for fries OK) and full meals. Fresh fish always great. Fish and Chips is outstanding, especially when they have fresh Ono. Crocks of clam chowder have warmed many a chilly night diver. A fun place!

SPLASHER’S – (Ali’i Drive just across the street from the pier. $, L & D) Excellent hand pressed 1/2 lb burgers, salads, some sandwiches and the best fish and chips! They have a nice patio with a great view of the pier where you can watch the cruise ship passengers wait in their looonggg line to get back on the boat. Try the Blue Cheese burger, yummy!

HUGGO'S - (Ali'i Drive, about 1/2 mi. S of pier. $$-$$$, L & D) From their outside patio, which seats you almost in the ocean, to their lovely dining room, a fun place to eat. From good to excellent! Fantastic view from almost all seats. Great place for a sunset cocktail!

KONA BREWING COMPANY - $-$$, L & D) One of our personal favorites that we enjoy on a regular basis! Outstanding gourmet pizzas, salads, sandwiches & great locally brewed beer.

MIXX - (King Kamahemeha Mall on Kuakini just North of Palani. $-$$, D) Owned by the guys who own the Kona Wine Market, so they have an outstanding wine list by the glass or bottle. They also serve a variety of Asian influenced pupus but no full meals. On most nights they have some sort of live music. All in all, a great place to relax after a long day of diving.

JACKIE REY'S OHANA GRILL 327.0209 75-5995A Kuakini Highway (Pottery Terrace)
$$ - $$$, L & D - By far one of the best places for lunch. Dinner is great too! Fabulous food, great service and a friendly atmosphere. Many business deals are formulated over lunch here.