Beautiful location right on the main road in Kona with an amazing view of the water. The food was…read moredelicious, especially the fresh, locally caught seafood. The clam chowder was seriously THE BEST I've ever had! It's an absolute MUST! It is a little pricey, but you're in a tourist town, eating fresh seafood with an ocean view, so that's pretty expected and I didn't think the prices were outrageous. Good service. The decor is a little outdated, but honestly, that's kind of part of the Hawaii charm. We tried quite a few of the popular restaurants along this stretch while we were in Kona, and The Fish Hopper was easily our favorite.

The Chowder I Still Think About…read more We stopped by for our first meal during a staycation in Kona. Right across the water, we had the most beautiful view. Our friendly server raved about their clam chowder and told us how famous it was. Of course, I had to get a cup. My only regret? Not getting the bread bowl for a bigger serving. The chowder was rich, creamy, and so good that I still think about it. You know a dish made an impression when you're regretting the size you ordered long after the meal is over. Definitely a must-go-back the next time I'm in Kona and cruising down Ali'i Drive. And yes, I'm getting the bread bowl next time.

BOMB We all got some…read morecombination of shrimp, short rib, and furikake chicken, which were incredible! The short rib was soooo tender, the shrimp was plump, and the chicken had the perfect fry on it. We loved the sauces that came with it, as well. The sides we got ranged from white rice, kimchi fried rice (fave!!), pickled cucumber, corn, and Mac salad. Place was packed but service was so quick! Tiny place but people were friendly and let you share tables.

Kailah, the cashier, was super helpful when ordering. Definitely knows how to mix and match what I…read morewanted to order. I got to Garlic Furikake Chicken (mini size plate) with a free side of Kimchee Cucumbers and Pork Belly Adobo Fries. The Garlic Furikake Chicken was super delicious! I'm so glad I got the sauce on the side, if I had it on, it'll be too much. The furikake really is so good with the chicken. The Pork Belly Adobo Fries is good but a bit too salty for me. The Pork Belly Adobo was the one that is really salty to me. The fries were really good and is crispy and soft on the inside. I'm glad I didn't order a whole order for that. Definitely need rice or something to balance the flavor of it. Plenty of indoor seating. Plenty of free parking. Water is tap water if you bring your own bottle.

Idk what took me so long to try their food (likely bc I didn't know where they were located), but…read moreWOW, seriously so ʻono!!! I ordered pinakbet, but bc they didn't have enough for a full order, they gave me what they had for free. Also ordered their oxtail soup. Both were so flavorful and packed with goodness!

When we visit Maui, we always make a point of eating at Tante's. Kona is so lucky to have them…read morehere now also. My favorite dish is the Furikake Chicken....so crispy and tasty! The menu is quite varied, a mix of Filipino and local favorites, and portions are generous. The employees are super friendly and always check to make sure your meal is onolicious. There's a couple of tables inside, but we love to sit out on the lanai under an umrella. To find it turn mauka off Kuakini, pass McDonald's, take the first right and it's about 75 yards on the mauka side of the street on the ground floor of a building that's about 3 stories tall. You can park in the building's ground floor lot under the building..

Visited ohana in Kona this past week and the fam decided to take us to try Sakura Sushi Kona. It…read morewas a nice casual restaurant that served a variety of sushi and other Japanese dishes. We came as a party of 10 so we were able to sit in the back in a little alcove. First glance at the menu and I was impressed. We ended up ordering couple sashimi and sushi platters to share. I ended up getting a combo plate with pork ton katsu and shrimp & veggie tempura. First off the service was great. With a big party, our waitress was very attentive to our needs and very patient. Now on to the food. Sashimi was so fresh and delicious. Sushi was also great! My plate was top notch. Everything came out piping hot and so crispy. Pork Ton Katsu was the perfect thickness and their katsu sauce was on point. Tempura was also great. Batter wasn't too thick and very light along with the tempura sauce. I definitely would go back and try their other dishes. Go check them out! Worth every penny!

Was there for a birthday party so we were seated in the back room. Our server was attentive and got…read moreour orders in as people arrived. I ordered the sushi and sashimi deluxe, age tofu, and sake. The sushi was a little on the small size but everything was delicious. First time sitting in the back room and it was nice. It was semiprivate and cozy. They also seated us as we arrived and didn't make us wait for everyone to arrive to be seated. Good sushi, reasonable prices, and good service.

Our meal here was probably the best I've had in a long time. Started with a fantastic salad that…read morehad spring mix, beets, feta cheese, pineapple chunks and red onions with fantastic vinegrette. I ordered Jackie's Surf and Turf. What a beautifully prepared meal! The filet was perfectly medium rare, mashed potatoes with uzu really excellent and the grilled veggies perfectly. The demi-glace with filet was extraordinary!! We started with the Kaulua pork spring rolls. Melt in your mouth. The service was superb from when we first walked in to when we left. Warm, attentive, and friendly. I would not hesitate to go back again!!

This place was a bust from start to finish. We came for happy hour and immediately found that the…read morefirst two menu items we wanted were unavailable. The crudo arrived warm, and despite the menu stating it came with pickled onions, the onions served were not pickled. The drinks were no better. The rim on the guava martini tasted overwhelmingly artificial, like fake sweetener, and made the cocktail unpleasant to drink. For a restaurant with such a strong reputation, this was a very disappointing experience. Based on conversations with locals, it sounds like the Hilo location may offer a much better experience.

Really enjoyed this place all around. Went Saturday night and they had a concert taking place. Lots…read moreof people. Good vibes. Kid and dog friendly. Indoor outdoor seating. Nice little bar inside. Service was great, and didn't take long to get an order even though they were busy. The wings were great. Good flavor. Loved the mashed potatoes too. Whatever that sauce is that's served with the wings is really good too. Definitely will revisit this place.

Sunday Funday over Labor Day weekend! Live music, a fun vibe, and flavorful fried chicken. The…read moredrinks were good, and the staff was helpful. By the end of the evening, it was standing room only, but the aloha spirit was alive as people shared tables and made room whenever chairs opened up. Salad and chicken was good & large portions as always. If you're from the south skip the potato salad and opt for the Mac and Cheese.

Had my favorite Volcano Burger and it never disappoints. With a side of their delectable and…read moreunique tasting macaroni salad that could almost be placed in the burger at your discretion. Mighty tasty, mighty good. Flavor is powering, rich in spice and heat. May require some facial adjustment, as first introduction can feel intense. Pepsi in a bottle as Dr. Pepper was unavailable. A satisfying and welcoming revisit. Thank you : )

We ordered Fish Tacos (Ahi) side of fries and BBQ Burger with Bacon, side of Onion Rings…read more Fish was great way too much cheese though. Burger Patty was good but the bun was soggy Onion rings and fries were awesome.

I know triathletes are not eating raw fish the day before an Ironman, so we mere spectators stopped…read morehere for lunch the day before the race. This local's spot assured me we were in for a good time. The volcano calamari was fantastic. Spicy, sweet, and crunchy. The fish tacos (grilled) were covered in fresh cabbage, tempura strips, and a delicious sauce. The poke bowl was huge with two massive scoops of brown rice (!), assorted veggies, and the hottie ahi tuna. It was perfectly balanced and healthy to offset our less healthy vacation meals. Make your trip even shorter with their deli where you can order the poke directly.

I had such a great experience at Umeke's Fish Market Bar & Grill! I got the Poke of the Day along…read morewith the Lomi Oio with pickled onion and a side of hōʻiʻo, and everything was absolutely delicious. The flavors were fresh, well-balanced, and really showcased the local ingredients. The poke was definitely a highlight. It is fresh, flavorful, and exactly what I was hoping for. The Lomi Oio with the pickled onion added such a good combination of savory, fresh, and tangy flavors. If you're looking for delicious local-style food with quality ingredients and those true Hawaiʻi flavors, I'd definitely recommend giving Umeke's a try!