Outdoor Experiences
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Outdoor Experiences
Retreats
Weddings
If your knowledge of Hawaiian cuisine is limited to ham and pineapple, you’re probably unfamiliar with ‘ono grindz. It’s a local term that you’ll hear in all the best restaurants in Kona, Hawaii. The word ‘ono means delicious, while grindz is a slang term for food. So when you hear a local say a place has “‘ono grindz“, you know you’re in for some great food. If you’re looking for ‘ono grindz during your trip to the Big Island, we’ve got you covered. We’ve compiled the ultimate guide to local favorites and hidden gems, serving everything from poke to Kona’s world-famous coffee. Hope you’re hungry!
Hawaii’s local food scene was born from necessity and circumstance. For as large as it looms in the cultural consciousness, Hawaii is ultimately a tiny archipelago in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. That means that chefs need to import ingredients from the mainland, often at a great cost. It’s not a quick trip, either. By the time these ingredients reach kitchens, they’ve been sitting in a shipping container for weeks. Decidedly not ‘ono.
Instead, Hawaiian chefs developed innovative dishes from what was available on the islands. These dishes draw inspiration from the diverse peoples of Hawaii, both indigenous and otherwise, and feature an eclectic blend of cultural influences. Fresh fish and rice are ubiquitous, but these dishes also highlight seasonal ingredients, such as taro root or mango.
Malasadas are a fried pastry similar to a donut, originating from Portugal. Unlike a regular donut, these decadent pastries include eggs and butter. Hawaiians typically fill Malasadas with cream flavored with local produce, such as coconut, ube, or pineapple.
The best malasada spot in Kona is Paradise Bakery Hawaii. Tucked away in the Kona International Market, Paradise Bakery offers malasadas and traditional donuts in a variety of flavors. You can get a classic, filling-free version, or get them in flavors like Dragonfruit or Fruity Pebbles. In addition to these tasty treats, Paradise Bakery Hawaii also sells coffee, cakes, and passionfruit (lilikoi) cheesecake.
Kona produces some of the most phenomenal coffee beans in the world, but you’ve got to be careful when shopping for it. Much like with olive oil, adulteration is a common practice. Many so-called “Kona” coffees contain very few, if any, Kona beans, instead substituting them with cheaper varieties. If you want an authentic Kona coffee, your best bet is to buy directly from a farmer. Fortunately, Kona has plenty.
The Coffee Shack, located roughly 25 minutes from Kona, is home to one such farm. They proudly serve 100% Kona coffee in a charming cafe that overlooks the Big Island’s coffee orchards. You can see the very trees that produced the coffee you’re drinking.
Coffee isn’t the only thing on the menu, however. The Coffee Shack is a breakfast and lunch cafe, serving omelets, sandwiches, personal pizzas, and other snacks. For a truly Hawaiian-style breakfast, try the Papaya Special: half a fresh papaya filled with mixed fruit, passionfruit yogurt, and coconut, served with scrambled eggs and a coconut pound cake.
Loco moco was invented on the Big Island, over in Hilo, when a group of local teenagers wanted an alternative to a sandwich. It consists of white rice topped with a hamburger patty, brown gravy, and a fried egg—some variants of the dish feature other meats, like spam, pork, or seafood.
Broke Da Mouth Grindz KONA is the place to go if you want to grab some moco loco. Its name comes from a term used to describe unbelievably delicious food. Food so good that ‘ono isn’t enough to describe it. Broke Da Mouth offers generous portions of loco moco and other delicious Hawaiian, Korean, and Filipino dishes, such as fried rice, musubi, and kimchi.
Another common Hawaiian specialty is the plate lunch, which traditionally consists of white rice, a macaroni salad, and a typically Japanese-style entree. Broke Da Mouth offers a variety of plate lunch options, but their most famous entree is the garlic furikake chicken. These are deep-fried, boneless chicken thighs coated in a sweet and savory sauce and sprinkled with furikake, a traditional Japanese seasoning. The spicy version features a spicy aioli and sriracha drizzle, along with their signature “Chili Peppah Watah”.
Tacos aren’t exactly what comes to mind when thinking of Hawaiian food, but fish tacos in particular are a local favorite. Fusion cuisine is the heart of Hawaii’s food culture, and few foods are as hackable as a taco. Throw in ingredients sourced from the Big Island, and you’ll have created a taco you’re bound to love.
Shaka Tacoz’s flagship location is situated in Captain Cook, just south of Kona. However, they also have a location in the heart of Kailua-Kona, if you’re not willing to make the trip and want a quick lunch or dinner. They make their fish tacoz (with a z) with grilled ono. That is to say, they’re made with wahoo, not the concept of deliciousness (that’s ‘ono). These fish tacoz are definitely both ono and ‘ono, you know.
“Poke” is a Hawaiian word meaning “to cut crosswise into pieces”. Despite its common inclusion on sushi restaurant menus, poke is actually a traditional Hawaiian snack. Modern poke draws significant influence from Hawaii’s large Japanese population and is one of the most common apps (or pupus) you’ll find on the island.
Da Poke Shack is widely regarded as the best poke spot in Kona, serving fresh catches in the classic Hawaiian style. Unlike a mainland poke bowl, Hawaiian poke is typically served on its own, with rice on the side. Hawaiian poke is also more seasoned and mixed with onion, aioli, miso, and other ingredients.
Most dishes at Da Poke Shack are made from locally caught ahi tuna. Shrimp, tako (octopus), and taegu (dried cod or cuttlefish) dishes are also on the menu. If someone in your party is averse to seafood, there are also pork and vegetarian options.
Da Poke Shack is located just over a mile from Magic Sands Beach, a popular tourist attraction famous for its disappearing and reappearing sand. The food at Da Poke Shack also tends to disappear quickly, so try to get there as early as you can!
When you think of a luau, you probably think of hula dancers, leis, and Mai Tais. But the term ‘luau’ has its roots, or rather its leaves, in traditional cuisine. Lūʻau refers to young taro leaves, a common ingredient in Hawaiian cuisine. The most essential part of any luau isn’t the dancing; it’s the food!
Preparation for the luau begins hours in advance, when the hosts prepare an imu, or an underground oven. The centerpiece of the feast is kalua pork: a whole roast pig, slow-cooked in the imu on a bed of ti leaves and vegetables for the better part of a day. The result is a succulent dish of shredded pork, served over rice.
If you’re looking for spectacle, the Voyagers of the Pacific luau hits all the right notes. Voyagers is an elaborate performance and dining experience featuring authentic Kalua pork, accompanied by hula dancing, storytelling, and ocean views. It’s the quintessential Hawaiian dining experience, and it doesn’t disappoint. As you watch the performers dance across the sand, take a moment to enjoy the traditional food and open bar.
If you’re looking for low-key Hawaiian fare at a fair price, a stop at Kaaloa’s Super J’s is precisely what you’re looking for. Located just south of Kailua-Kona, this (not-so) hidden gem specializes in traditional, no-frills fare. This isn’t a fancy restaurant: you order food at the counter, and eat at a large shared table or outdoors on the patio. There are no hula dancers, no leis, and no reservations. Instead, you’ll find a warm, welcoming atmosphere with some of the best food on the island. This isn’t just one of the best restaurants in Kona, Hawaii: it’s one of the best restaurants period. Even Yelp agrees, ranking them number 2 on their 2023 list of the Top 100 US Restaurants.
Kaaloa’s Super J’s specializes in kalua pork and laulau, a related dish made by steaming pork, rice, and fish wrapped in ti leaves. They also offer chicken laulau, though it’s not as traditional. The food here is phenomenal, consistently pulling in rave reviews from guests. Best of all, you can get a healthy portion for a fraction of the price you’d pay for a luau ticket. Trust us, you won’t miss the Mai Tais.
A recurring theme throughout this article is that most of the listed restaurants are small, independently owned establishments. That’s intentional: as a Nook Outdoors reader, we know you prefer bespoke, high-quality experiences, and are willing to go off the beaten path for excellence. However, our next pick is definitely one you’ll need a dinner reservation for.
‘ULU is a beachfront restaurant that specializes in fresh, locally-sourced seafood. 75% of the ingredients they serve come from the Big Island. Here, you can taste the best of what the Big Island has to offer, surrounded by unparalleled ambiance and ocean views.
The bulk of ‘ULU’s dining experience focuses on sushi and seafood, alongside local food staples like poke. You’ve got the standard array of rolls, shellfish platters, and fish. However, the most eye-catching dishes are the ones that deviate from the standard seafood model.
The signature dish at ‘ULU is the Ahi Tuna “Wellington”. A seared ahi tuna steak resting on a bed of taro leaves, and nested between layers of Ali’i mushrooms and foie gras bordelais, wrapped in a flaky crust. It’s a distinctly Hawaiian take on the classic beef wellington, and one of the most decadent things you’ll ever have the opportunity to eat. Just be ready to pay luxury resort prices for the experience: decadence isn’t cheap, you know.
Amidst all of these island adventures, eventually you’re going to need to stop, sit down, and relax in the island ambiance. After all, it is a vacation. That’s why we recommend a stay at Pacific 19, a boutique hotel in Kailua-Kona.
If you’re looking for a bespoke, self-directed experience, rather than the walled garden of a typical resort, Pacific 19 is precisely what you’re looking for. Everything is designed to stoke your adventurous spirit, from the lava rock walls to the photos on the wall.
The hotel is just a short walk from Kamakahonu Beach, known for its white sands and tranquil waves. Over on nearby Kailua Pier, you can book a snorkeling expedition, take a glass-bottom boat tour, or admire a reconstruction of King Kamehameha’s home.
Back at the hotel, you can taste single-estate Kona coffee at the cafe, along with tea and other specialty drinks. Or you can watch the world go by on the pool deck, as you check out from daily life and embrace the Aloha spirit.
Hawaii is an incredible place to visit during all four seasons. But Hawaii isn’t all that’s on our menu. Nook Outdoors offers a smorgasbord of fresh vacation ideas. Whether your dream vacation involves a stay at a luxury hotel, a rustic ranch, or even a literal treehouse, Nook has something for you. Browse our collection today and discover what’s waiting out there.
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