Eat Like a Local
Some of our favorite Big Island meals are found right here in South Kona—from tiny coffee stops and old-school local institutions to farm-to-table dinners and cocktails worth lingering over.
These are the places we actually eat, love, and recommend to our Casa Collective guests.
Coffee & Pastries
- South Kona
White Nene Coffee Roasters
Small-batch Kona coffee and one of our favorite local roasters. If you’re serious about good coffee, start here.
COFFEE
LOCAL ROASTER
CASA FAVORITE
HICO Coffee
Coffee, easygoing atmosphere, and a convenient stop while explGreatoring South Kona.
COFFEE
CASUAL
QUICK STOP
So'K Coffee Station
An easy drive-through stop for coffee and breakfast when you’re heading out for the day.
OUR PICK: Breakfast burrito
COFFEE
BREAKFAST
DRIVE-THROUGH
Menehune Coffee Company
A great stop on your way south toward Kealakekua Bay. Grab coffee and breakfast before a morning on the water.
BREAKFAST
COFFEE
GOOD BEFORE SNORKELING
Breakfast
- South Kona
Teshima's
A South Kona institution serving Japanese-American comfort food since the 1940s—and, in our opinion, the best pancakes on the island.
There’s an unconfirmed rumor that mochi might be the secret ingredient. We can’t confirm it, but whatever they’re doing, it works.
OUR PICK: The pancakes
LOCAL INSTITUTION
BREAKFAST
CASA FAVORITE
Kaya's
A relaxed South Kona café for coffee, breakfast, baked goods, and lighter bites. Easygoing, local, and always a solid choice.
LOCAL
CASUAL
BREAKFAST
The Coffee Shack
Come for breakfast and stay for the view. Perched above Kealakekua Bay, this is one of our favorite places to start the morning.
OUR PICK: Mac nut pancakes
GO EARLY
OCEAN VIEW
BREAKFAST
Theatery
One of South Kona’s most unique breakfast experiences, with creative dishes that are anything but ordinary.
OUR PICK: Chocolate Breakfast
BREAKFAST
UNIQUE EXPERIENCE
Lunch & Casual Dining
- South Kona
Ka'aloa's Super
One of our favorite places for authentic Hawaiian food. It’s casual, local, and absolutely worth a stop while you’re in South Kona.
GOOD TO KNOW: Go early, they can sell out.
GO EARLY
HAWAIIAN FOOD
LOCAL FAVORITE
Shaka Tacoz
Fresh, casual tacos and an easy choice when you want something delicious without making a big production out of lunch.
Best TACOS
CASUAL
QUICK BITE
Black Rock Pizza
Great pizza, craft beer, and an easygoing atmosphere. Perfect for a casual lunch or low-key pizza night.
PIZZA
CASUAL
CRAFT BEER
Royal Thai
A dependable neighborhood favorite for flavorful Thai food and an easy option when you’re craving takeout.
Thai
TAKEOUT
CASUAL DINNER
Dinner & Cocktails
- South Kona
Soko Kitchen
One of our absolute South Kona favorites. Come for dinner, stay for the cocktails, and don’t be surprised if you end up coming back twice.
CASA FAVORITE
DINNER
COCKTAILS
Theatery
Part dinner, part experience. Creative food and cocktails come together with a theatrical twist for a night that’s anything but ordinary.
DINNER
COCKTAILS
DATE NIGHT
Teshima's
A beloved South Kona institution serving Japanese-American comfort food for generations. Unpretentious, authentic, and full of local history.
DINNER
Family Owned
Something Sweet
- South Kona
Gypsy Gelato
Locally made gelato and the perfect little stop for something sweet after a day exploring South Kona.
GELATO
DESSERT
MADE ON ISLAND
Hale Cocoa Cafe & Kona Chocolate Farm
Chocolate right at the source. Try locally made chocolate and cacao drinks, and learn how cacao goes from farm to finished chocolate.
CHOCOLATE
CACAO
LOCAL FARM
Gecko Girlz Shave Ice
A fun stop for classic Hawaiian shave ice made with real-fruit syrups—especially good after a hot beach day.
SHAVE ICE
LOCAL FAVORITE
Real Fruit Syrups