Dining in the Kohala Resort Area: How to Save Money

Big Island Guide Travel Guide
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Kohala is a traveler’s paradise, offering some of the most diverse dining opportunities on the Big Island. While you’ll spend much of your time exploring and playing in the ocean, between activities, you’ll need to recharge and regroup, and that’s where Kohala’s tremendous dining scene comes into play. With the presence of high-end resorts and shopping areas, there’s a real challenge to finding affordable restaurants, but with this list, you should have everything you need to eat like a king while saving some cash during your visit to Kohala.


Island Fish and Chips
250 Waikoloa Beach Dr
Waikoloa Village, HI 96738
(808) 886-0005
Website

Now featuring a full breakfast menu, Island Fish and Chips lives up to its name – some of the best, no-nonsense fish and chips, fish tacos, clam chowder, and a kid-friendly menu. Fast, affordable, and the perfect spot for a quick lunch during a day of shopping, Island Fish and Chips makes for a great, fast meal.


Charley’s Thai Cuisine
69-201 Waikoloa Beach Dr
Waikoloa, HI 96738
(808) 886-0591
Website

With two locations in Kohala, Charley’s is among the most affordable Thai cuisine available on the Big Island. Spicy curry, stir-fry, and Pad Thai round out a traditional Thai menu that – as with most – can be customized based on spice level, meat selection, and type of rice. It’s an excellent way to enjoy some good Thai food on the Big Island while keeping your costs low.

Da Fish House Lunch Wagon
61-3665 Akoni-Pule Hwy
Kawaihae, HI 96743
(808) 882-1052
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A stationary, cash-only food truck with outdoor seating, Da Fish House is as straightforward and affordable as you get when it comes to Big Island seafood. Fresh-caught fish dictate much of the daily menu, but you can reliably get incredible fish and chips or poke from this unassuming joint. Just don’t expect the tablecloth and linens treatment here.

Kohala Burger and Taco
613665 Akoni Pule Hwy
Waimea, HI 96743
(808) 880-1923
Website

One of the most visible and reliably tasty burger spots on the Big Island, Kohala Burger and Taco has all the stylings of a typical American burger establishment: mid-century aesthetics, thick, creamy milkshakes and malts, and a wide variety of fresh-cooked hamburgers. There’s also a small selection of seafood dishes available, including the popular fish tacos and an impressive poke burger. If you’re away from their physical location, they have a traveling food truck that attends community events throughout the island, so if you catch them during your travels, be sure to stop in.

King’s Shops Farmer’s Market
250 Waikoloa Beach Dr
Waikoloa Village, HI 96738
Website

Every Wednesday from 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM, some of the local farmers and artisans from Kohala bring their fresh fruits, produce, and handmade goods to the King’s Shops courtyard. A perfect place to find a unique gift for your return trip or to stock up on ingredients for a home-cooked meal back at your vacation rental or beachside BBQ.

Queens’ MarketPlace Island Gourmet Markets
69-201 Waikoloa Beach Dr.
Waikoloa, HI 96738
Website

The Island Gourmet Market is a small grocery store with a good deli, specialty food, convenience items, gifts, and alcohol. They have plenty of great snack food for the beach, ingredients to cook at your condo, and even freshly made sandwiches, salads, and hot deli foods if you’re looking to grab a quick bite on the go. Open 9:30am – 9:30pm.

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