SPECIAL OCCASION RESTAURTANTS
These restaurants range from pricy to very pricy. There are lots of very pricy restaurants in and around Kona and the Kohala coast. In our experience, most of them are just plain over priced for the quality and service that you get. A good example of this is Jamison's by the Sea, which is the restaurant that you look at from our lanai. It's a short walk from our house and has a truly beautiful setting. But the service and food just don't match the ambiance and the prices. After multiple attempts we sadly don't eat there any more. But the following 6 recommendations are the exception. They all have interesting menus and excellent food.
78-6831 Alii Dr.
Kailua-Kona, HI
The sushi here is expensive but the portions are generous and exquisitely prepared. Even more interesting is the Japanese fusion entrée menu which is unique, elegant and memorable. This is probably the most ambitious and pretentious restaurant in town. Definitely a "special occasion".
19-3948 Old Volcano Rd.
Volcano Village, HI
If you plan to drive to Volcano National Park then we recommend that you make this an overnight trip and stay at the Kilauea Lodge in the little town of Volcano, just outside the park boundaries. The accommodations are rustic, but very well done and maintained and the Lodge restaurant is the best restaurant in the area.
75-5744 Alii Drive
Kailua-Kona, HI
For pure atmosphere this is the most interesting restaurant in town. The Kona Inn dates back to the early days of steamship cruises and captures the plantation style of the late 19th century. The setting along the shore of Kailua Kona Bay is lovely. Lunch is pretty basic salads, sandwiches and burgers, but the dinner menu is more interesting. Maybe the best fresh fish preparations in town. The ambiance is worth the price.
77-6400 Nalani St
Kailua-Kona, HI
Don't be put off by the outside appearance. Inside, this is a French bistro style restaurant transported to Kona. It's small and almost always reserved in advance, so plan for this one. Ron is the chef and wife Colleen does the table service. The fare is traditional country French—hearty and not particularly subtle. The atmosphere is very intimate and romantic—a great date place.
65-1227 Opelo Rd
Kameula, HI
In our opinion, this is the only gourmet restaurant on this list. There are several restaurants of this quality at the big hotels like the Four Seasons and the Mauna Kea, but you'll need a second mortgage. Merriman's is in the quaint town of Waimea at about 2000 feet elevation. It is often cool and rainy there, so go prepared to layer. The dining room is beautifully appointed. The menu is exclusively drawn from local produce, meats and fish, imaginative and elegantly presented. But Waimea is at least an hour drive from home so your visit to Merriman's should be planned as part of a day trip to some of the other attractions at the north end of the island.