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.

BEACH TREE- (Four Seasons Resort at Hualalai- Highway 19-approx. 12 miles N. of Kailua Town. $$-$$$, L & D) An absolutely GORGEOUS place with a California-Italian influenced menu. Casual resort attire.  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.

ISLAND NATURALS MARKET & DELI - (74-5487 Kaiwi St. $, L & D) Health food grocery store with an extensive deli! Small sit down area or take out for a 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.

DON THE BEACHCOMBER – Ali’i Drive, The Royal Kona Resort, $$-$$$, B, L & D A great place for a drink after that long flight. Great views and good food. The Mai Tais are the best!

LOS HABANEROS – (Keauhou Shopping Center – near the movie theatre, $, L & D) One of our favorites! Great Mexican food in the taco shop style. Open Monday-Saturday. Cash only.

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

SPLASHER’S – (Ali’i Drive just across the street from the pier. $, B,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.

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.

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. They now serve dinner too.  Not to mention they have a fantastic view of the bay. (Our favorite spot to watch the first part of ironman, the swim).