Island Lava Java
Order Island Lava Java Takeout or Delivery
Island Lava Java Photos
ISLAND LAVA JAVA ATMOSPHERE
What's the vibe?
You might also consider
More like Island Lava Java
Recommended Reviews - Island Lava Java
Start your review...
Reviews With Photos
Been coming to Kona now every month for about 2 years. Each morning starts with a swim with the pier swimmers followed by breakfast at the Java Lava. So far, I have yet to have any sort of negative experience whatsoever. The food is always good, the coffee is tasty, and the staff is always super friendly! Nothing beats an early morning swim and then a wonderful breakfast as you look out to the ocean and listen to the waves crash just across the street. It's one of my favorite parts of my business travel, and so far it's been great!
Great location and view of the ocean while dining. Plenty of options for breaks, lunch, and dinner. Expect a wait on the weekends if you're not there early. Overall worth checking out for a quick bite and drink along the ocean.
Very good service and a quality breakfast. The fresh fish Benedict and the island style waffles were very good and there is a great view. Coffees were decent but the highlight was definitely the food.
Pancakes were nice and fluffy. Bigger than I expected and the coconut syrup was a nice touch. Bacon could have been a little crispier but the taste was very nice. Vanilla latte was way too sweet (personally) but I did add vanilla syrup and cold foam so that's on me. Just didn't taste much of the coffee. Biscuits and gravy were delicious and the pork had amazing flavor. Waffle was a little dried out (we sent it back due to it not being crispy enough and we believe they just reheated the waffle). But the flavor was still good with the macadamia nuts and bananas The Bloody Mary was great, however, they could do with a little more spice and a little more tomato base. As far as bloody Mary's go, this was on the weaker side. Loved the Black Sea salt rim. Shoutout to our server, Terri, who was fabulous the whole time.
Had the Ube Bliss and Island Style Belgian Waffle. The Ube Bliss was very pretty! I'm not much of a coffee person, but this was relatively light and sweet, so it was enjoyable. A slight hint of ube and the coconut cream. The waffle was good as well! The coconut cream syrup was a nice island twist. It paired well with the mac nuts and banana slices. Great! Not to mention the views of the ocean right next to us. We saw a pod of 10-20 dolphins hanging out! Great staff. Mahalo!
Two years later so we figured we'd give it a try again, this time for lunch We had the fish sandwich and the smashburger The burger was fine. We ordered green salad as the sides and they were really good . Mixed greens, no iceberg, served with a tasty balsamic vinaigrette. The fish sandwich wasn't great. We' chose the seared ahi. It was cooked completely through, which was probably a good thing because it was FAR from fresh--extremely "fishy." We've had a lot of ahi that past two weeks and this was the worst. Service was friendly and prompt, although it was clear we arrived at the end of our server's shift. We' were handed the check when we were nowhere near finished with our sandwiches. This wasn't a huge issue for us, but some people might feel put off by that. Cleanliness was still an issue--the tables really be a good deep cleaning. You can't beat the view! There was construction right out front this time (not the restaurant's fault)) but at least it was interesting
We've been coming to Lava Java for years and it's our favorite spot for breakfast. It has a great view of Kona's oceanfront and it's relaxing to drink your mimosa or Mocha (or both as my wife does it) and watch the boats and para-sailors. The service is very good, especially if you are upstairs when Tawny is working. I used to get the Portuguese sausage, eggs, and rice. However, I tried the hollandaise a few visits back and I have been hooked ever since. Now I get the eggs Benedict with home fries and extra sauce for the potatoes. Make sure to visit this spot when you're looking for a tasty, easy going breakfast.
We had breakfast at Island Lava Java and the location alone makes it worth visiting. It's right across from the ocean, the views are beautiful, and we even got to see dolphins while we were eating, which made the experience extra special. I had the island style pancakes and they were delicious. The coconut syrup was the perfect addition, and the Portuguese sausage was also really good. My husband had the luau scramble, which was alright but felt like it was missing a little something. My brother in law ordered the loco moco and really enjoyed it. Overall, we had a nice breakfast and would definitely go back.
Stopped by for breakfast because it was across the street from our resort. Terri our server was so sweet and helpful. Never kept us waiting. We started with the French press Kona coffee which was complex and delicious. My wife loved her fresh catch Benedict I had the lava java breakfast and it was fantastic. Waffle was a little chewy was the only critique. Will definitely be coming back.
This morning was already a bit stressful because we couldn't decide where to eat, and in the end we chose this place because of the many reviews. Unfortunately, it ended up being disappointing. We ordered a vegetable omelet to share and two drinks, and the total was almost $70, which felt very overpriced for what we got. The portions were small and the food itself was nothing special. It definitely wasn't exquisite or memorable in any way. The view, however, was beautiful. We were seated on the second floor with an ocean view, and that part was truly lovely. But even with the scenery, the experience didn't feel worth the money. My husband's coffee also wasn't good at all. The waitress was polite, but the service was quite slow. Overall, the location and view are the best things about this place. Sadly, the food, drinks, and value didn't live up to the hype, and we left feeling frustrated.
Definitely wouldn't recommend. The food was average, not a lot of flavor at all. They sat us a table without an umbrella, we were the only ones without when there were others empty. Worst part about this place was the server eric did something shady with the tip amount. I pressed the total amount on the hand held payment and when I saw the charge it was more.
We came here twice. Once for breakfast and once at lunchtime. The restaurant has a beautiful ocean view. If you are able to get a table up front, you will have an unobstructed view of the Pacific ocean. Sometimes you might even be able to see some whales or a school of dolphins if you go during the right season. Our first visit was during lunch. It was around the time they were turning over their menu from breakfast/brunch to lunch and we were told that menu items would be limited or we could wait 10 more minutes while they complete the transition in the kitchen. We decided to share a pizza which was one of the no waiting option and the ahi bites. The Kona combo pizza had pepperoni, Italian sausage, olives and onions. It was large enough for the two of us to get full. The ahi bites were excellent. We had to wait for 10 more minutes to get them but they were worth the wait. The house wasibi aoili and umagi glaze were so flavorful and definitely elevated the taste of the ahi nuggets. Service was quick and friendly. Our server checked on us often enough to make sure we had drinks and that the food were delivered to our table. Our breakfast visit was the following day. Unfortunately, service was slower and our waitress was not very attentive. My husband ordered the island bagel and lox and I had the drag it through the garden croissant breakfast sandwich. While the food was good, the overall visit was like night and day from our previous experience. I'm still glad we came for breakfast though as the place does have a lot of great options as far as food went.
Wife liked her French toast, the pancakes were middling at best. The gripe I have is I had to sit and listen to two ladies yap in meetings while working remotely at the table beside us. I hear enough corporate double talk and have to sit through enough useless teams meetings every day. I didn't fly all the way to Hawaii to have breakfast in the middle of one. They hadn't even purchased meals and were sitting and drinking water and disturbing the whole space. Never again.
It was the last day in Hawaii and I hadn't had my Loco Moco so I was on a mission to find it. I came across the spot as we were walking by. It is two stories with open views of the ocean. It has great views from both levels. They sat us upstairs, which was more quiet than the downstairs. Our server was nice and attentive. I placed an order for my Loco Moco. It is plated beautifully. It tasted really good and flavorful. It was a bit on the salty side, but it was balanced with a perfectly cooked white rice. It is a hearty meal so it was perfect for a long plane ride. They had a sign for a daily happy hour from 3:30 to 530, FYI read more
1 month ago
We were looking for a place to eat it was getting late and places were closing. We decided to dine here. I was really undecided so I asked for more time and the server came back with drink orders. I still needed sometime so he said he'd be back. 20 minutes later he finally comes by - I get he was busy but wow! I ordered the Fried Rib Ends w/ a side of White Rice. The ribs ends were decliciois! I really loved the house-made guava-lilikoi BBQ sauce as it was sweet and had a nice tang to it. It was topped with tropical salsa and served on island slaw. The slaw was crisp! The server come back once but didn't come back again just to give the check. I was truly disappointed by the service which really left a bad taste in my mouth, hence the 2 stars. read more
2 months ago
Been coming to Kona now every month for about 2 years. Each morning starts with a swim with the pier swimmers followed by breakfast at the Java Lava. So far, I have yet to have any sort of negative experience whatsoever. The food is always good, the coffee is tasty, and the staff is always super friendly! Nothing beats an early morning swim and then a wonderful breakfast as you look out to the ocean and listen to the waves crash just across the street. It's one of my favorite parts of my business travel, and so far it's been great! read more
Great location and view of the ocean while dining. Plenty of options for breaks, lunch, and dinner. Expect a wait on the weekends if you're not there early. Overall worth checking out for a quick bite and drink along the ocean. read more
10 days ago
Very good service and a quality breakfast. The fresh fish Benedict and the island style waffles were very good and there is a great view. Coffees were decent but the highlight was definitely the food. read more
Pancakes were nice and fluffy. Bigger than I expected and the coconut syrup was a nice touch. Bacon could have been a little crispier but the taste was very nice. Vanilla latte was way too sweet (personally) but I did add vanilla syrup and cold foam so that's on me. Just didn't taste much of the coffee. Biscuits and gravy were delicious and the pork had amazing flavor. Waffle was a little dried out (we sent it back due to it not being crispy enough and we believe they just reheated the waffle). But the flavor was still good with the macadamia nuts and bananas The Bloody Mary was great, however, they could do with a little more spice and a little more tomato base. As far as bloody Mary's go, this was on the weaker side. Loved the Black Sea salt rim. Shoutout to our server, Terri, who was fabulous the whole time. read more
Had the Ube Bliss and Island Style Belgian Waffle. The Ube Bliss was very pretty! I'm not much of a coffee person, but this was relatively light and sweet, so it was enjoyable. A slight hint of ube and the coconut cream. The waffle was good as well! The coconut cream syrup was a nice island twist. It paired well with the mac nuts and banana slices. Great! Not to mention the views of the ocean right next to us. We saw a pod of 10-20 dolphins hanging out! Great staff. Mahalo! read more
Two years later so we figured we'd give it a try again, this time for lunch We had the fish sandwich and the smashburger The burger was fine. We ordered green salad as the sides and they were really good . Mixed greens, no iceberg, served with a tasty balsamic vinaigrette. The fish sandwich wasn't great. We' chose the seared ahi. It was cooked completely through, which was probably a good thing because it was FAR from fresh--extremely "fishy." We've had a lot of ahi that past two weeks and this was the worst. Service was friendly and prompt, although it was clear we arrived at the end of our server's shift. We' were handed the check when we were nowhere near finished with our sandwiches. This wasn't a huge issue for us, but some people might feel put off by that. Cleanliness was still an issue--the tables really be a good deep cleaning. You can't beat the view! There was construction right out front this time (not the restaurant's fault)) but at least it was interesting read more
We've been coming to Lava Java for years and it's our favorite spot for breakfast. It has a great view of Kona's oceanfront and it's relaxing to drink your mimosa or Mocha (or both as my wife does it) and watch the boats and para-sailors. The service is very good, especially if you are upstairs when Tawny is working. I used to get the Portuguese sausage, eggs, and rice. However, I tried the hollandaise a few visits back and I have been hooked ever since. Now I get the eggs Benedict with home fries and extra sauce for the potatoes. Make sure to visit this spot when you're looking for a tasty, easy going breakfast. read more
We had breakfast at Island Lava Java and the location alone makes it worth visiting. It's right across from the ocean, the views are beautiful, and we even got to see dolphins while we were eating, which made the experience extra special. I had the island style pancakes and they were delicious. The coconut syrup was the perfect addition, and the Portuguese sausage was also really good. My husband had the luau scramble, which was alright but felt like it was missing a little something. My brother in law ordered the loco moco and really enjoyed it. Overall, we had a nice breakfast and would definitely go back. read more
Stopped by for breakfast because it was across the street from our resort. Terri our server was so sweet and helpful. Never kept us waiting. We started with the French press Kona coffee which was complex and delicious. My wife loved her fresh catch Benedict I had the lava java breakfast and it was fantastic. Waffle was a little chewy was the only critique. Will definitely be coming back. read more
This morning was already a bit stressful because we couldn't decide where to eat, and in the end we chose this place because of the many reviews. Unfortunately, it ended up being disappointing. We ordered a vegetable omelet to share and two drinks, and the total was almost $70, which felt very overpriced for what we got. The portions were small and the food itself was nothing special. It definitely wasn't exquisite or memorable in any way. The view, however, was beautiful. We were seated on the second floor with an ocean view, and that part was truly lovely. But even with the scenery, the experience didn't feel worth the money. My husband's coffee also wasn't good at all. The waitress was polite, but the service was quite slow. Overall, the location and view are the best things about this place. Sadly, the food, drinks, and value didn't live up to the hype, and we left feeling frustrated. read more
Definitely wouldn't recommend. The food was average, not a lot of flavor at all. They sat us a table without an umbrella, we were the only ones without when there were others empty. Worst part about this place was the server eric did something shady with the tip amount. I pressed the total amount on the hand held payment and when I saw the charge it was more. read more
We came here twice. Once for breakfast and once at lunchtime. The restaurant has a beautiful ocean view. If you are able to get a table up front, you will have an unobstructed view of the Pacific ocean. Sometimes you might even be able to see some whales or a school of dolphins if you go during the right season. Our first visit was during lunch. It was around the time they were turning over their menu from breakfast/brunch to lunch and we were told that menu items would be limited or we could wait 10 more minutes while they complete the transition in the kitchen. We decided to share a pizza which was one of the no waiting option and the ahi bites. The Kona combo pizza had pepperoni, Italian sausage, olives and onions. It was large enough for the two of us to get full. The ahi bites were excellent. We had to wait for 10 more minutes to get them but they were worth the wait. The house wasibi aoili and umagi glaze were so flavorful and definitely elevated the taste of the ahi nuggets. Service was quick and friendly. Our server checked on us often enough to make sure we had drinks and that the food were delivered to our table. Our breakfast visit was the following day. Unfortunately, service was slower and our waitress was not very attentive. My husband ordered the island bagel and lox and I had the drag it through the garden croissant breakfast sandwich. While the food was good, the overall visit was like night and day from our previous experience. I'm still glad we came for breakfast though as the place does have a lot of great options as far as food went. read more
2 months ago
Wife liked her French toast, the pancakes were middling at best. The gripe I have is I had to sit and listen to two ladies yap in meetings while working remotely at the table beside us. I hear enough corporate double talk and have to sit through enough useless teams meetings every day. I didn't fly all the way to Hawaii to have breakfast in the middle of one. They hadn't even purchased meals and were sitting and drinking water and disturbing the whole space. Never again. read more
3 months ago
I found this place on TikTok and was really excited to give it a try. I ordered the Loco Moco, and my boyfriend ordered the Luau Scramble. At first, the Loco Moco was okay. It was a little saltier than I expected, so I started separating everything on my plate while I was eating. That's when I found the first strand of hair underneath the rice. I pulled it out and honestly tried to brush it off. A few bites later, I took another bite of the patty and rice. When I went to wipe my mouth, another strand of hair came out of my mouth. At that point, my boyfriend and I decided to completely separate the food, and that's when we found a third strand of hair embedded in the rice. After finding three hair strands of hair, I completely lost my appetite. If anyone thinks I'm exaggerating, I recorded the entire experience, and it'll be included in my YouTube video. As for whether I'd recommend this place or come back, unfortunately, no. Maybe the other menu items are better, but based on my experience, I definitely wouldn't recommend ordering the Loco Moco. read more
2 months ago
Great top notch service. The view alone and that ocean breeze our worth the wait. Food is delicious and portions our perfect. Be sure to reserve just in case and travel hack pay for parking at restaurants to get half off. read more
10 months ago
We have been coming to Island Lava Java for many years now . We had a server Named Eileen who was so so sweet and attentive! Greeted us with a smile , even offered us to sign up on the app for rewards, which we had been 3 x already this visit and nobody else offered sadly ! Bagel & Lox are delicious, nice portions of Salmon , bloody Mary's are so good! Kalua pork, pineapple and eggs good also . We have never had a bad experience here , Tany is another server who is so nice and always smiling. We will miss the ocean waves and sunshine ! See you next year ! read more
1 month ago
Went here during the evening and everything was pleasant! The waiter didn't catch his name was super active and made sure we were well off. The Mahi Mahi was the fresh catch and definitely was a well fit for the tacos! Highly recommended. The only unfortunate was that they lacked a bar tender so no mixed drinks only beer/wine. Other than that 5 read more
This place was recommended to us by locals so we knew we had to check it out. The view was stunning, you could see the ocean and people swimming. It was also fun to people watch as lots of shops are nearby so there are a lot of people walking around. We got the omelette, pancakes, and the eggs Benedict. The food was delicious, would order all of it again. Great ingredients, everything immaculately cooked, and generous portions. My favorite dish was the pancakes. They had a creamy sauce on top that really complimented the macadamia nuts and the bananas. It was sweet, ward, cozy and crunchy. My husband really liked his omelette, it was flavorful and perfectly cooked. The eggs Benedict was amazing because it came on a croissant which was just so extra in the nest way. The service was excellent. Servers were kind, attentive and knowledgable. I would definitely recommend this spot for a solid breakfast with a stunning view. read more
Had a great breakfast experience at the Island Lava Java. We walked up to see what the wait time was like and we got lucky that a group had just cancelled their reservation so they took us right in. The service was excellent. Our waitress took care of us and was very friendly and funny. We sat in the upper balcony so we had good views of the ocean and surroundings. There is plenty of space for big groups upstairs. The food we ordered all looked great and tasted even better. I got the loco moco and it was very filling and delectable. We also ordered the ham and cheese croissant, and the burger with sweet potato fries. All excellent choices. read more
Love the outdoor porch vibe by the shore. Had a relaxing time enjoying an amazing meal with the views and sea breeze. Got to try the luau scramble and the pineapple upside down French toast. Both were unique fusion dishes that made for a fun brunch. The luau scramble uses a fried, crispy pork belly instead of bacon for protein. It's a nice thick cut with good flavor to it paired with rice and scrambled eggs. Worth trying! The pineapple upside down french toast was decadent! It really fuses the pineapple flavors into the french toast really well for a good excuse to do dessert for brunch! read more
Huge portions! Tasted great! Tried a pancake island style which meant macadamia nuts, banana, and their unique coconut syrup. I loved it, it was so filling and delicious. Also tried their garden omelette which was fresh and packed with veggies. The potatoes were a hit, perfectly seasoned and crispy! read more
We had an amazing time Makamae was such a character and made our dinner so memorable. She really did a great balance of lightly offering things that helped me make a decision throughout the evening to keep the experience progressing without coming off as pushy. I felt like I could take as much time as I needed, but that she had good insight into the menu. So much fun so much good food highly highly recommend the poki and beet salad and the pono mai tais!!! read more
We returned to the Kona area in the spring and went straight from the airport to Lava Java! Needed our fish taco fill! We shared the Fish Tacos and Big Island Beet Salad. Both hit the spot and were just as fresh and delicious as they'd been on previous visits. LAVA JAVA'S FRESH FISH TACOS Choose charbroiled fresh catch (ono for us), with creamy citrus cabbage slaw, tomato, cilantro & chipotle aioli in two tarot tortillas. Choice of organic greens salad or French fries. *Fresh fish, tarot tortillas (beautiful purple color and delicious), citrus zing. We love the fries, especially the sweet potato fries, but it was the start of our vacation so we kept it clean with a side of greens. BIG ISLAND BEET SALAD Oven-roasted beets, baby tomatoes, goat cheese, avocado & spiced walnuts on Lehua farm's organic greens. Tossed in lemon vinaigrette *Fresh local ingredients. Substantial salad. He got an iced latte - couldn't resist that Kona Coffee! I got an iced tea. We enjoyed a delicious and relaxing lunch, with friendly service, in an open-air setting with spectacular ocean views. Looking for coffee, brunch, lunch, snack, cocktails, and/or dinner? Island Lava Java has got you covered! read more
Business owner information
Jeff F.
Mahalo for this outstanding review, Mary! We sent you a private…
This place is right across the water. amazing views while you have the breakfast! great portion of food that can be shared, the chocolate chip pancake is just yummy! they used special kind of chocolate chip. Service is great as well!they validate 90 mins just make sure you know your plate number. read more
Arrived and sign says wait to be seated. Workers were kind of busy and gathered at one end of the bar area. A person finally approached and sat me in a nice area with a good view. I was hoping to relax and enjoy a nice meal. Great waiter who suggested Catch of the day Ono fish. So i got their Ono fish and crispy fries. While I was waiting my ice tea came and was tasty. Ono fish and fries arrived. Fries were good and enjoyable. But when I dipped my fish into the tartar dip and begin to take a bite and almost threw up. I wasn't sure what happened. I looked at the tartar sauce and it didn't look good. I peeled back the batter and it looked nasty. It looked like throw up. (Look at photos) I was done. I couldn't eat no more. It was horrible. I covered it with a napkin so I wouldn't see it. read more
3 months ago
They open early, the service is quick, and our waiter was friendly. The food was delicious, and the shaded outdoor seating offers beautiful views. If we're ever back in Kona, we'll definitely be coming to Lava Java again. Highly recommend it for a great breakfast! read more
27 days ago
So we got to Kona and I have been trying to eat healthy. That meant I needed my coffee fix. Luckily, Island Lava Java was right down the street from the condo. After working out at Planet Fitness, stopped in for a Cafe Mocha (organic espresso, chocolate syrup, steamed milk & house whipped cream). Definitely worth the visit and can't beat the views. read more
Business owner information
Jeff F.
Thanks for the great review! We reached out in a private message so…
Came for the views, stayed for the ribs. Fall off the bone ribs. The ribs are slightly sweet from the guava and not too tart like regular bbq sauce. The slaw has pineapple bits. Super nice and refreshing! The fries were just fries, but added a good texture. Patio seating has a nice ocean front view where you can listen to the waves. Staff were very friendly and checked on us multiple times to refill water! read more
10 days ago
Once again, we were delighted with a scrumptious meal and amazing service at Lava Java. The location is fantastic for ocean views and people watching. read more
Business owner information
Jeff F.
Thank you for the 5-star review, Debbie! We've sent you a more…
10 months ago
Great view and good food, good service. Excellent drinks! Really nice and unique fish tacos good and piping hot fish. One of the best espresso martinis I've tasted. Super good lunch experience read more
10 months ago
The atmosphere here is really fun and the servers were great. The food was just average however. If I could give it 3 1/2 stars I would. My veggie omelet was very underwhelming and I felt like it needed more flavor. The biscuits and gravy were good but not amazing, and the eggs Benedict had amazing sauce, but the croissant it was on was really chewy and not very light and fluffy like croissants are supposed to be. My daughter loved her waffles though. And the pancake was good. Overall it was hit and miss and we probably wouldn't go back unless we couldn't find anywhere else to go. read more
Page 1 of 80
More info about Island Lava Java
75-5801 Ali'i Dr
Bldg 1
Kailua Kona, HI 96740
Directions
(808) 300-5672
Call Now
Visit Website
http://www.islandlavajava.com
Full menu
Hours
Payment methods
Food & Alcohol
Indoor Amenities
Outdoor Amenities
Other Amenities
From the Business
Island Lava Java Reviews in Other Languages
Ask the Community - Island Lava Java
What's good for lunch?
Fish and chips if you're on vacation. If you are leaning healthy, the Lava Java salad with the grilled shrimp. The goat cheese on that salad is fantastic!
Can you get lunch all day? For example, we would like to come for breakfast, but also pick up sandwiches to have at the beach later that day.
The entire lunch menu is NOT available all day. However, they do offer a brunch menu that includes some lunch items.
What are the Ube wraps or tortillas you use, please tell me?
Breakfast served all day?
No. Breakfast is served until 11:00 and then they switch to their lunch menu.
I am looking for a place to host a small wedding reception dinner in September. I would like it to be outside with an amazing view of the water. Ideas?
Try thesr In downtown Kona. https://www.daylightmind.com/…
Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
111 reviews that are not currently recommended
The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.
15 years ago
1 year ago
8 years ago
11 months ago
18 years ago
3 years ago
12 years ago
9 years ago
3 years ago
3 years ago
18 years ago
3 years ago
13 years ago
12 years ago
18 years ago
18 years ago
