Came to Kai Eats & Drinks off a recommendation from a local, and it was fantastic in every way we could have imagined! Seated quickly, we were brought to a table on the far end, oceanside. For the most part, the entire restaurant is a covered outdoors, relaxed space. The bar area is more towards the interior, center area but still outdoor adjacent - you can't go wrong with any table or seat there. Our server was fabulous (and made great suggestions!), and our drinks were solid - boozy yet balanced with great flavors. Since we are margarita lovers we got the Spicy Joe, which is a jalepeño tequila drink with ginger and lemon, and the Mahalo Margarita, a well-made classic. Both were tasty but our favorite was easily the Spicy Joe. For food, we got the coconut shrimp appetizer, which comes with six shrimp, perfectly fried and full of flavor, served with a ginger-chili aioli. For entrees, we tried the soy-marinated Kai Moa Chicken Breast, with a honey-hoisin glaze, and the meatsa pizza. Everything we tried was delicious - it was hard to choose what we wanted as every item on the menu seemed tantalizing, but decisions were made and we have zero regrets. read more

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The staff was very friendly. We had the Caesar salad (not enough flavor for me) focaccia which had good flavor but was dripping in oil so I'd skip or ask them to go light on the topping Bolognese which was tasty I would have preferred big slices of parmigiana cheese not the finely grated stuff that comes in a jar 30 day aged ragu which was ok it was kinda like stew on noodles. Haha I would have preferred the meat have more depth of flavor like 30 day ages should Coconut cake which looked beautiful but was dry and didn't taste very coconuty. I had to come home and add coconut to help the flavor. Also had drinks the man in the grey suit and lei'd back. The ladder was better read more

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We come here on a regular basis and have always been fans. Today the smash burgers were definitely not the same. It is usually a go to for me and I can tell you they changed the meat . I even took it apart to look at it as I was shocked at the change in texture and flavor. No fresh meat patty and overcooked with no flavor at all. Two frozen meat patties that they attempted to smash. Smash burgers that have fresh ground meat have irregular edges and amazing flavor which theirs use to have. They also wanted to up charge for fries when did that happen? Luckily we wanted the lemon fries anyway. Our service was great and the ube limeaide is delicious. The miniature Bloody Mary served not so much for the price. Not sure what has happened to the quality of the food and extra charges but still a great spot on the water. read more

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Came in on a Monday evening for our last meal before heading home. Sat at the bar - our fave - and were warmly greeted by the bar person. She pointed us in the direction of the menu and made sure we had drinks and utensils. G/f had the poke, I had the shrimp curry linguini. Honestly, the food was just so-so but the view and this bar person's service bumped this review to four states from three. read more

Hadn't been to Kai's since they changed the menu, and I was honestly pleasantly surprised. Everything we tried was fresh, flavorful, and way better than expected. Beth absolutely made the experience. Outstanding service from start to finish. She gave great recommendations, checked in at all the right times, and brought such fun, welcoming energy to the table. The vibes were on point all night and she really made us feel taken care of. Definitely glad we came back. The new menu won me over, and Beth is a huge reason we'll be returning. read more

Brought our Granddaughter to Kai on her last night in Kona. Our server Makela was awesome impeccable timing 5 star service all the way. One of her favorite foods is Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo. She Loved it. My Husband ordered the Lamb he was very impressed. I had the chicken Parmesan so yummy And Tiramisu for Dessert A Delicious meal and Pro Service and that Beautiful Ocean view Made her last night very memorable for a teenager read more

Wow! Surprised here. Didn't expect this at all. We didn't get a chance to review all the prior reviews. This place is awesome. Great service, great ambiance right next to the water and good food. Came right before closing after 8. No wait and they sat us right on the edge with the waves crashing feet away from us. I had the Mahi Mahi grilled tacos. Was not into the beans though. My daughter had the margherita pizza and couldn't finish it. No issues whatsoever. read more

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Parking next to restaurant (sort of under) is free (validated!). Stopped in for an early bite around 4 pm on Saturday and caught happy hour which was amazing with a toddler who likes pepperoni pizza ($5/slice). Had a couple of drinks - tried the passion fruit lemonade cider (good, not super like a cider though). Got a happy hour chicken taco and split a large order of coconut shrimp. Great service and friendly server. Loved the view and that we were quickly in and out (the speed of food was great for toddler!). read more

Kai Eats + Drinks - Happy hour chicken taco - Tacos Near Me - Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

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Best Beyond burger ever!! Service was excellent as well. Great view, right on the ocean. Friendly staff.

Birthday dinner, had a great time. Food was delicious and very well served great view of the ocean loved it. read more

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I actually really like this place! Different from the other restaurants doing pizza and they do it well. I tried of course their version of Hawaiian and the brick oven puts that elevation on it. Filling and really good. The service was attentive and he was very nice as well. It's right on the water so depending on when you go you'll be eating with a great view. Even going at night, the ocean crashing against the rocks wasn't a bad thing to look at. Would definitely recommend heading over here. read more

Kai Eats + Drinks - Lau Pizza, White Pizza, Coconut Shrimp, Ana's Tropical Paradise - Tacos Near Me - Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

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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

If you're looking for a casual food spot this is the place for you. If you are looking for a nice or romantic dinner spot there are better places. Had made reservations for dinner with my husband but after being greeted in a not so friendly manner by the hostess and the overall vibe and decor of the restaurant, we quickly had drinks and an appetizer before going to dinner somewhere else. There are better drinks for the same price at other restaurants nearby. I will admit the coconut shrimp were really good. Didn't stick around to see how their entrees were. I think this would be a great spot if you are looking for a casual spot. read more

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first time trying their dinner, services is always quick and good. The pasta was average in my opinion and the portion for the salad was small for the price. But the cocktail was really yummy. read more

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Well we are back again! Not sure why I have not reviewed this wonderful establishment before. So to begin the view is untouchable. Right of Ali'i Dr on the water with a view to die for. If the Iron Man Swim event was on you could watch it from here. So short staffed on a Sunday and Mikella stepped up to cover the bar. Good for us! The drinks were awesome and the service wonderful! Do not leave without trying the coconut shrimp. I'm picky, they are bomb! The pizzas rick but the Low n' Slow ribs killed it. Our friends got the coconut macadamia crusted Mahi and loved. If you arrive and have a wait you will understand why. Just do it. Worth the wait. We will be back again. Aloha! read more

Kai Eats + Drinks - View from the tables - Tacos Near Me - Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Service was lacking. We came from church across the street and decided to have brunch. Front staff was very welcoming. Not quite busy around brunch and had the hostess set up a table by the water. At first, gave us reasons why they couldn't set it up but no one was there. Being in the industry in vegas understood but she accommodated and that was nice. Brunch options were average. Drinks were good! Service was good but went downhill when we didn't see him after he took our order. We requested some stuff like salt n' pepper and ketchup from the food runner and she was shocked that the server didn't come by and bring those. He never checked on us after he took our order. We were being patient since I notice he had several tables but when he finally did we were ready for the check. We had to ask several times for the check as well. The experience really killed it for us even though the ambience was beautiful. read more

Amazing thin crust pizza and friendly service. The chocolate macadamia nut tart is very rich and they do not skimp on the macadamia. It was a bit too decadent for my taste, but overall I'd revisit to try other dishes if given the chance. Parking can be tough to find. You'll have to find a paid lot or park further away and walk over. If you go for an early dinner you can catch the sunset as you're seated near the ocean. read more

As a Vegetarian, this place is OK because of the limited options. The lime fries are very sour so be aware of that before you order. Their beyond burger patty is the best I have had for a beyond burger and their vegan tacos are also good. Nothing fancy but good. They validate parking so make sure you park in their basement. Service is great and the view from their deck is awesome. Overall 3/5. read more

I've been here a couple times before, the setting is so wonderful and food is excellent. Staff was also really sweet. One of my better meals so far in Kona. read more

The view is great. The coconut shrimp appetizer was great. The rest not so much. Our server served people that came in after us, before us, which was fine but the bad service continued. After finally ordering we enjoyed the view and our short glasses of water and one beer were gone quickly but we were nicer offered refills. It was the worst service I've ever had. I ordered the Smashburger and it came to me on a gluten-free bun by a food runner. I told him that I did not request a gluten-free bun so he took it away. The server then came back and she tried to pass off the burger to me as-is and I again said that I wanted a regular bun. After a few minutes, they bring back the burger and it was obvious that they just removed the bun and placed a new one on because it took all the cheese and juices with it. The burger was very dry so we asked them to remake it. It was better the second time but again our waters were still empty. We asked for more tartar sauce at least three times. (The tartar is really good!) she may have been just having a bad day but she never made any apologies or even acknowledged the many missed. Wouldn't return if I saw she was serving us again. If you park in the underground parking on the same side of the street there next to it, they will validate. read more

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

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

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Great view, right on the waters edge. Casual and attentive staff, with several people checking on us throughout our meal. They have a pretty good happy hour menu, 3-5pm. Our server approached us at 2:51, told us about happy hour and offered to come back in 9 minutes, which we gladly accepted. They have a code to scan on the table, but our server offered paper menus for those who prefer. I ordered a bubba burger (mushrooms, cheese, barbecue sauce, lettuce, tomato, and onion). It was great, bursting with flavor, but so huge that it was served with a steak knife. Part way through I stopped enjoying it. Just too much of a good thing! They also have pizza, tacos, lots of burger options, and some other things like chicken breast, steak, fish, etc., along with good beer and cocktail options. We didn't have dessert but someone at a neighboring table ordered coconut cake, it looked amazing and those enjoying it raved about it. Good food and fantastic view. Go hungry and enjoy! read more

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We had Myra as our server at the bar. She was fabulous. Very attentive, cordial, and personable. We live in Waikiki and fly over here every few months. She was such a treat. We got the meatsa Pizza and the Ragu which were freaking fabulous read more

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

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Vegans and vegetarians rejoice! You have many options at Kai Eats. We sat at the bar and Ben, the bartender was very nice and efficient. We share the lemon fries (yum! The chimichuri was everything) and I had the Mango Tango pizza. The curry sauce was a fun departure from normal red sauce. My husband had the grilled chicken and it was a huge portion. We both brought half of our meal back to our Airbnb for lunch the next day. If you're worried about the high prices in HI, share food or bring some home. The portions are normally huge. It's a wonderful spot to watch ch the sunset! Good job feeding the veg heads Kai! read more

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Surface was super friendly and personable. But I would not call this an elegant environment. Cute and casual. Bar looked great and it seemed I would prefer that versus sitting down to the meal which was very expensive and the food was subpar. I had the margarita pizza and honestly, it was the worst pizza I've ever had. Stale and chewy with rotten spinach on top. My partner had the fish - Aahi which was soaked in butter and oil, but surprisingly good. Again service was great , ambience cute but probably wouldn't return based on the cost of the food and the quality. read more

Kai Eats sounded great based on reviews. We started at the bar with happy hour Mai Tai and Calamari. The Mai Tai was more juice than rum. Luckily it was only $8. The fried Calamari was a bit over cooked and rubbery. We were given an amazing table with ocean view and our waitress was terrific. I had a meat ragu over papperdelle. Touted to be beef aged over 30 days. A ragu should not have chunks of stewed meat. The meat was tough and flavorless, the sauce under whelming. They have changed dinner to Italian fare so you think they would offer fresh Parmesan to top your entree. Hubby had the chicken parm. That was a slap in the face. The chicken was a perfectly square frozen cutlet about 3/8" inch thick. A very small portion of spaghetti was served alongside. We make a better parmigiana at home. Cost $34,00!!! We had the coconut cake for dessert which saved the day. I seriously can't recommend Kia Eats. I am glad we didn't make reservations at Huggo's or Lava Lava Club. Sister restaurants but more expensive. They get 3 stars for the lovely waitress and the coconut cake. Food - zero stars. Just horrible. read more

We ordered the fish tacos, they were delicious. I had a delicious coconut Mai tai-excellent! Friendly staff, wonderful ambiance outdoors, we would definitely come back. Fast service too. read more

Kai Eats + Drinks - Mai tai - 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

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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

Fantastic service! Joe our waiter was amazing, attentive and fun. The location has NO rival and the food has never disappointed! We were here in August and so happy to return for fantastic food! Hook, Line And Sinker - catch of the day- delicious, succulent mahi and the Mahi tacos Vera Cruz style with side of pineapple salsa were the entrees that followed the BEST coconut shrimp tacos we've ever had! We stay right across the street at a condo - so we'll be back several times!! read more

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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 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

Amazing food and service by Beth B!! We went to Fish Hopper and had a terrible experience and then came to Kai and Beth made our night super special! Really recommend. read more

Kai Eats + Drinks - Right on the ocean - 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

We went to Christmas Dinner and it was so festive, and delicious, wonderful service.!! Special thanks to "KaiGuy" who helped with the short notice reservation!!! Aloha! read more

Good food great drinks, banter and prices. Came here once and been here every day since. Bradford, the bartender was amazing. I will say come one come all and enjoy it alllll read more

Drinks were excellent, food was pretty good...but the prices....damn! $16 for an alcoholic drink, $18 for a smash burger, another $3 for fries (didn't realize they didn't come with). Ketchup on our table was spoiled. Our server was very nice though, wonderful ocean view...guess you pay for the view. read more

When in Kona, Kai is one of our favorite places to enjoy a great meal, whether it's breakfast or dinner. The ocean view is phenomenal! The service is wonderful. Staff is very friendly! They even validate parking from parking structure next door. 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