Based on reviews, we were super excited to try Kai Eats & Drinks. Found a hair in my fettuccine, which was uncovered after my husband took a bite of my food. Ordered a different kind of meal entree so I would know they didn't just recycle my food back out to me. My replacement meal came after everyone else was done eating. The waiter made no accommodations for the mishap. When the bill came he made sure I knew I wasn't being charged for the hair fettuccine, but I was being charged for the replacement meal. This was not acceptable to me. Finally got the opportunity to talk to a manager after requesting one to the waiter twice. He was much more understanding & it was agreed we would just pay for our two drinks. The food that our group ate wasn't anything special. The fish from the fish & chips was soggy, not crispy. The Alfredo sauce on my 1st meal was good, but my replacement meal was runny & the chicken was mushy. Might come back for their daytime menu, but no reason to return for the Italian dinner menu. This was unfortunate, we had such high hopes for Kai Eats due to being affiliated with Hugggos, one of our favorite places to eat. read more

We stopped by Kai Eats and Drinks on Ali'i Drive for a light bite and some drinks, and overall, it was a good experience. We only ordered two mai tais and the poke appetizer. Drinks Both mai tais were excellent. Well-balanced, flavorful, and refreshing. Probably some of the better cocktails we had on the island. No complaints there. Food We ordered the poke, which came with all the classic toppings like wakame, ginger, green onions, and wonton chips. While it had everything it needed to be great, it wasn't assembled as poke nachos. Instead, everything was served separately, which made it tough to scoop and enjoy in one bite. I found myself trying to manually assemble each bite on a chip, which became kind of a hassle. Some toppings, like the ginger and seaweed, didn't really work on their own and would have been better integrated. The poke itself was okay but didn't taste as fresh as what we had at other spots on the island. Still good, but not standout. One small detail that stood out to me was the avocado. The menu said the poke would be served with avocado, but we only got one thin slice. I was expecting at least a few chunks or even half an avocado. It felt a little underwhelming for the price and description. Service and Atmosphere Our waitress was fantastic. She was friendly, attentive, and welcoming. The restaurant had a great vibe with excellent views of the ocean. It's definitely a good place to sit back, relax, and enjoy the sunset. The bathrooms were also clean, which I always appreciate. Extras They have a big beer selection if you're not into cocktails, and the overall drink menu looked solid. We didn't park directly at the restaurant, but it looked like there was parking available nearby. Final Thoughts I'd give Kai Eats and Drinks a solid 4 out of 5 stars. The drinks and service were great, the view was amazing, and the vibe was laid back. The poke could use some work, both in presentation and freshness, and a more generous portion of avocado would go a long way. Still, it's a nice place to grab a drink and enjoy the sunset, and I'd recommend it for that experience alone. read more

I haven't left a review in a while, but I feel like I need to ask, what happened to this place? Kais used to be one of my go to spots in Kona, but the new dinner menu it is not it. If the goal was to make it into an Italian restaurant, maybe it would've been better to open a new concept instead of changing what people loved about Kai. The food now feels out of place, and I can already see why so m any locals are saying the same thing. This isn't the same spot we used to support, and if things don't change, you're going to lose a lot of loyal business. And honestly, the responses from the "business manager" don't help, they read like copy and paste or even AI generated replies. It just comes across as dismissive rather than genuine. Overall, I also am really disappointed in the direction Kais has taken. read more

I used to really enjoy coming here for dinner, or just drinks and fries and night but the new menu is a big letdown compared to what they had before. I come often with friends and family, and we've always looked forward to the food, but now the portions feel smaller and the options just aren't good. The pizzas are tiny for the price, and all of the menu items I loved are gone. It feels like a missed opportunity not to keep some of the menu available at night, along with the larger pizzas. And no steak on the dinner menu anymore? That's a disappointment. I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who feels this way, hopefully they'll take another look at the changes, because this used to be one of our favorite spots. read more

Good food and free parking. Wonderful view of the ocean. Great beer selection , 48 taps and a lot of local beers too!

Pricey, but good spot with a waterfront view! We came for dinner to enjoy the sunset, and were able to get seated immediately at a table outside at the perfect time to watch the sun set. Service felt a little awkward throughout the night but was friendly nonetheless. I got the fish and chips which was apparently a new item on the menu - I really liked how they came with sweet potato fries as one of the options since those are my favorite. The fish was so perfectly crispy on the outside and moist and tender on the inside. I thought the coleslaw on the side was quite disappointing though - it tasted like bland water haha. For the dish itself I thought the price was quite high. However, for the ambiance and experience it did justify it overall :) read more

Kai Eats + Drinks - Fish and chips - Tacos Near Me - Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Majority of the staff was great, but our server (possibly named Marjorie, and older tall local lady) was rude, aggressive, and impatient throughout our visit. She dismissed a simple request for a family photo, was inattentive, and reacted very unprofessionally when we didn't leave the tip she was expecting . Slamming the receipt next to my elderly aunt and openly complaining about us within earshot was unacceptable. It took all my patience to not say something out loud to her. I refrained because my children were present. Very uncomfortable experience due to her behavior. I will Not be recommending Kai Eats to family members visiting or local friends anytime soon. So unacceptably disappointing. read more

Not fancy but just darn good food. We went here based on reviews saying it was a perfect sunset place and words are not enough. The view and scenery are superb. My wife and I were not super hungry so we went for a pizza and coconut shrimp. Everything was cooked perfectly. We had the meet pizza minus the olives. I cannot say enough. The staff really aimed to please and everything had unique flavors leaving us the impression it was all made in house. The drinks were perfect with over 40 beers/ciders on tap. My wife loved her Mai Tai. We topped it all off with a slice of heaven in the form of mango cheesecake. read more

See all

I used to love this place Now it's shit due to the fact they don't do tacos after 3 an on weekends please get back steak tacos 24-7 Also I had a old waitress ask me why I left a 5$ tip when she had forgot to bring me what I asked and left black beans on my plate watch out for the old waitress there we where with a group of 10 an my friends all left big tips an this lady had the audacity to tell me something about why did I tip so little I'm shook place has gone to shit over the year read more

The view is what makes this place, nice big outdoor patio overlooking the ocean, prime spot. They do validate parking for 2h which is a huge plus. We actually ended up going on a Sunday, had no idea what day of the week it is, so brunch menu only until noon. We showed up at 11:40 and got a stern talking to that it's brunch menu only. I was looking forward to pizza, so we ended up waiting a bit to order it which absolutely didn't make our server happy. I mean it's close enough, give us the full menu and just let us know it's going to possibly be a bit of a wait. The food was good, I mean, nothing epic, but combined with the view, definitely a place to check out . Just double check days/time to get the menu and food you want. read more

Great service by Donna! What a great beachfront view too! The smashed burger was soooo good! And the fries too! Casual too

Ambiance = 5 if you get a table on the water! Food and service - both about 3.5. The food was totally fine, but nothing too exciting. We had pizzas and they were good. Overall, I wouldn't make this a special stop, but if you are in the area and can sit on the water, it's pretty good! read more

Kai Eats + Drinks - Tacos Near Me - Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

See all

My daughter and I really enjoyed our meals here. She got the catch of the day and I got a pizza. Both were huge! We should have shared but she didn't want pizza and I didn't feel like fish. We were seated ocean front and loved hearing the waves crash to shore as we ate. Service was quick and servers were nice. Would definitely eat here again. read more

We really enjoy the happy hour. It's not as busy and we love the setting nestled next to the ocean crashing on the lava rocks. It's a very pretty settling. Service has always been good and prompt. I enjoy the happy hour tacos and margaritas. My husband likes the burritos and hamburgers. The only issue we've had is with them undercooking the hamburgers. Well done was very pink‍ Kai's is one of our favorites for a chill happy hour or early dinner. read more

We had good service, good food and they validate parking. The views for sunset were really pretty. We lucked out we didn't have a wait for a party of 7 on a Friday night. A bit pricey for what you get (they charged $3 to add lettuce to a kids burger) but that's Hawaii ! read more

See all

Mahi Mahi tacos ! Quick and friendly service! Don't mind the view , ocean views and delicious lunch read more

Kai Eats + Drinks - Mahi Mahi tacos ... ocean view , great lunch !! - Tacos Near Me - Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Lively tourist spot. Great for getting a drink while watching the sunset. Huggos Mai Tai was strong enough and the juice mix was tasty. 2 hr validated parking a big plus if you're looking to park. Server was good. Hostesses could use a little more training. read more

See all

We had amazing seats - beautiful view. The wait to be seated was not long (not taking reservations). I had the mahi mahi tacos which I loved. Husband had build your own burger- which was also yummy. Service was excellent- everyone friendly and our server checked with us often. read more

See all

Loved coming here! We had happy food and drinks! Beer was good and drinks tasty! We absolutely loved the coconut shrimp--if that's something you are looking for you must come here! Mai tais are delicious and beers are good! Service is great and vibe is awesome! read more

Kai Eats + Drinks - Coconut shrimp and lemon fries! - Tacos Near Me - Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

I have been DM'd on several occasions ridiculing my reviews for "tourist traps" and big name restaurants that are turning a profit and choking out the small business. Maybe...but I'm not gonna stop going to KAI KAI is part of the same ownership group as Huggos and Lava Lava Beach Club, and these are some of my favorite Hawaiian stops! Always on the beach with incredible ambiance, there are few things better than a Huggos Mai Tai and a sunset (unless you follow that up with a $5 happy hour Margarita). Just like all of their sister properties, the staff and management is outstanding making you feel like a regular no matter how many times you've come. It's easy to get in a conversation about a number of topics while still getting outstanding service! For me however, it begins with my staple order, the Hook Line and Sinker. Yes, the burgers are large and juicy and a hit! Yes, the fish tacos are generous and flavorful. However, the HLS is what I will ALWAYS ORDER. The HLS is a daily concoction that the chef creates based on the daily catch. Could be Ahi, Mahi Mahi, or any other exotic Hawaiian fish (my favorite has been the pan crusted Ono). They complement it with a vegetable and side, but what I have learned is, the chef makes an individualized sauce for each dish that is mouthwatering and amazing for the entire dish. I have not yet left a white plate at a meals conclusion. At the End of the Day the Five Star review is for the consistency of the Hook Line and Sinker, no matter the location, if not for the Mai Tai, staff, and experience. Most cases it would be a 4 star but this dish sets it apart for me. So while I may be choking out the small business with my patronage to this ownership group, at least I will be well fed with what remains! read more

Kai Eats + Drinks - Happy Hour Mai Tai best I've ever had! - Tacos Near Me - Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

While the food was good, the location right on the ocean, the service was abysmal. Our server hardly interacted with us, I felt she was doing us a favor just to take our order. She brought the drinks the food and never checked in again. The restaurant was not crowded so that wasn't the issue. Perhaps she was just having a bad day but her lack of care made it real hard to leave a tip. read more

Ambiance and service are are a plus. The Veracruz style fish tacos were absolutely delicious. The ocean view was really nice to enjoy and could imagine that a sunset dinner would be wonderful. We would definitely come back. read more

Kai Eats + Drinks - Veracruz style fish tacos - Tacos Near Me - Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

The food and location is excellent! The staff is friendly and personable. The Happy Hour (seating at the bar) offers really good deals.

Kai Eats is a great spot for some drinks, pizza, and good views in busy Kona. Ocean view at night made it intimate and romantic. Service was nice and attentive. No wait time and got a comfortable booth seating. Pizza was great! You can watch them make your pizza in the window too. They have the legit Italian flour they import from Italy too! Ordered drinks which were all good. Happened to come in during their happy hour and got discounts. Woohoo! There's street parking or paid parking garage nearby. read more

Kai Eats + Drinks - Delicious Pizza! - Tacos Near Me - Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

We stopped in around 5:00 pm, about an hour before sunset. We enjoyed Mai Tais and, since it was Italian night, a spicy pepperoni pizza appetizer. Dinner was a shared order of Spaghetti Bolognese with burrata and a bottle of wine followed up with Oreo cheesecake for dessert. Everything was delicious and the service was great. We didn't feel rushed and were able to enjoy a beautiful Hawaiian sunset eating great food! read more

Kai Eats + Drinks - Sunset at Kai's - Tacos Near Me - Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Kai used to be our go to place for a drink or a big dinner or anything in between. They have completely changed their menu and significantly increased their prices. They have tried to changed to a high end Italian restaurant and have fallen short. Unless they change back to the old menu, I will not be back. There are too many other options in Kona. read more

My fiancé and I had a pizza, it was fantastic! View was incredible and service was amazing, even with the power outage they were facing. We had a great experience! read more

Loved getting a table along the railing! Service was quick and the wait staff had great recommendations. Personal favorite is the Pipe Dream salad with added steak. Lemon Fries are amazing. Bring out of state guests here regularly and they are always suprised at how good the lemon fries are read more

The food here is all delicious, portions are great and the views, lovely! We loved the margarita flight and taco flight we ordered. The waves of the ocean, the delicious food, the excellent service. This place is a hidden gem and even better, going across the street to the wonderful local farmer's market. I'm a sucker for farmer's market so this is my favorite place to be for a fun afternoon! read more

Love the lunch menu. Was very excited to try the new Italian dinner. Was immediately greeted by staff that seemed they didn't want us to be there. Appetizers were cold and bland. Entrees were served and all of our dishes were poorly seasoned and bland. Pizza was subpar. Ordered beers from the bar, the bartender gave us a different beer than we ordered, thinking we would not notice. We were then made to feel difficult for requesting the correct beer. Overall will not be coming back for dinner... maybe lunch though read more

Got lucky finding this place on Yelp. It's a typical Hawaiian resort town restaurant with ocean view. I felt like I could have been in Lahaina. What I liked about this place is that it was less pretentious than some other beachfront places. Casual with friendly service, it serves good 'ol American fare- pizza, burgers, tacos and beer perfect for the 4th of July! I got the "Fun Guy" fungi pizza which was delicious. My friend got the Pipe Dreams-a strawberry arugula salad with candied macadamia nuts and Gorgonzola . A little heavy on the dressing which we shoulda ordered on the side but still Yum !! She also got the poke. I've had better. I liked my Kona Light beer which was perfect for a hot summer evening. The best part about this place was its ideal location for fireworks viewing!! I mean the the fireworks launching barge was right in front of the restaurant!! Luckiest restaurant find ever!!! We were very fortunate to walk in without rez at the perfect time! Thank you Kai for an awesome 4th of July experience! read more

See all

The customer service from our waitress was awesome. We sat next the beach which made the experience that much more pleasurable. The smash burger was just ok...kind of bland, but overall 5 star! My wife ordered the meat pizza which was delish! You have to try the Ube Limeade! read more

Kai Eats + Drinks - What a view! - Tacos Near Me - Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Made a reservation for dinner and had a lovely seat outdoors with a view of the sunset, just beautiful! Jessica was our server and she was great, so friendly, humorous, and very upbeat! She made recommendations on cocktails which we tried and thoroughly enjoyed!! The bartender made a perfect manhattan!! The salad and pizza we had were very good! Liked it so much that we returned the following night for a different pizza. The pizza and cocktails were just as good, but it wasn't the same dining experience without Jessica. read more

So, we are foodies, both of us from the restaurant business, and this is an excellent place to eat. It's not often I say this, but I couldn't find a single thing wrong with this place. Happy hour is from 3:00 to 5:00 and we got a small nachos and small lemon fries for five bucks each and they were both outstanding! We also shared the Jalisco chicken sandwich and it was mouth-watering. The menu is varied, the service is impeccable, prices are more than reasonable, and the view is to die for. I guarantee you that you will be happy with your dining experience no matter what you order! read more

First off this place is really awesome with incredible views and good food. I went there tonight to try their new pasta dishes (which Ive heard are awesome) but wasnt able to do so. My advice: When you come here get a table from the nice hosts that can also help you with parking. Skip the bar especially if the two headbands are working. We ordered a bottle of wine and finished half of it without getting our food order taken, It was literally over 20 minutes. One headband had to leave so badly because his girlfriend was sitting at the bar and he couldnt take our order while the other headband was chatting with servers at the well. So we paid for the wine tipped and dipped. Ended up at the always awesome Jacky Reys. read more

Kai, I LOVE YOU. I'm not embarrassed to say that you're the stuff of dreams. From the host and welcoming vibe, to the accommodating and knowledgeable wait staff, every bit of service at Kai is top notch. We came for a seaside meal and were seated in a great spot to view the crashing surf. My boo had a spicy Joe, a knockout take on a bloody mary, with tequila, jalapeno syrup and some other wonderful stuff while I enjoyed the Hawaiian hibiscus lavender bev from Ola Brewery. Might sound odd but it was sooo yummy. Had to go with pizza and salad, but not just any salad. The Green Room kale salad with crunchy garbanzos and tahini dressing will feature in my dreams for years to come. The veg pizza had a phenomenal crust and had great balance. Can't wait to come this way again, and visit these lovely peeps. read more

Kai Eats + Drinks - The view is fab. - Tacos Near Me - Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

See all

Delicious food, wide menu, waterside dining highly recommend. We loved the lemon fries, chicken tenders and fish and chips. Great service, and a beautiful view. The green sauce served with the lemon fries would be great with any fish dish - I think it was chimichurri..must try! read more

See all

Happy hour half priced drink menu from 3-6pm at the bar top Happy hour food menu half priced at the bar top from 3-9pm. Not sure which food item we liked best... full sided cheese burger, meatball sandwich, lemon pesto fries, personal sized pizzas, shrimp scampi... everything was tasty and just delicious! We came back a few times. Can you tell? read more

I didn't have high expectations as a lot of restaurants like these tend to be tourist traps, but I was pleasantly surprised by the excellent service and delicious food. Best ocean-front views and free parking, too! We went for a mother-daughter brunch on a Saturday afternoon, and their brunch menu was great. Friendly and warm vibes worth checking out. read more

Kai has changed. The name has changed, just slightly. Used to be Kai Burger + Eats. No more burgers. No more amazing fries with chimichurri sauce for dipping. Or truly a decadent sharing experience, those amazing fries with gorganzola and steak. No more steak with crispy fresh veggies. I'd pretend I was just getting the side order of veggies, oh go on, the steak too. No more fish tacos. No more pizza ~ the pear was my favorite. Well, there's pizza. 6" instead of 16". The menu changed without any warning; we were there 5 days ago. I used to tell passengers to go to Kai. I used to tell crews from 2 different airlines to meet me there. I used to meet locals there. Now the menu is high end. Italian with tablecloths. Not a good spot to sit at the bar and wait for your friends, we were shooed from the bar. And not everyone wants to spend that much on dinner. And the Aloha spirit was missing. My waiter was lovely. Lisa who waited on my friends was lovely, as usual. Others were missing the aloha spirit as if I chose the menu changes myself. Still fantastic ocean front view and fun beer choices. But there are lots of places with fantastic ocean views. I haven't explored them because I loved Kai. Now I have the opportunity to go explore and find my new favorite spot to tell my passengers and crews. read more