Papa Kona – American
This sun-soaked coastal retreat captures the vibrant spirit of the islands, where the air is perfumed with the scent of charred huli chicken and the breezy atmosphere invites long, leisurely meals. The kitchen transforms fresh Pacific ingredients into edible art, from towering poke stacks and zesty firecracker shrimp to golden island-style French toast drizzled with tropical sweetness. Whether you are sharing a plate of volcano fries under the warm afternoon glow or starting the day with a vibrant papaya boat, every bite offers a lush, culinary escape.
75-5770 Aliʻi Drive https://papakonarestaurant.comRating: 4/5 (1 reviews)
Cuisine: American
Price range: $$
Dietary options: vegetarian, high-protein, vegan, low-carb, keto, kosher, halal, pescatarian, low-sodium, plant-based, heart-healthy, low-fat, whole30, paleo, high-fiber, gerd, dash-sodium-reduced, anti-inflammatory, south-beach, low-cholesterol, atkins, renal, zone, volumetrics, tlc, alkaline, carnivore, aip, macrobiotic, slow-carb, lectin-free, juice-cleanse
Currently closed
Hours
- Monday - Sunday
- 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
What diners are saying
Guests celebrate the impressive food quality and savory flavors, frequently noting how every dish arrives fresh and perfectly prepared. Reviewers highlight the professional service and welcoming atmosphere that creates a comfortable, high-quality dining experience. Praised for its consistent excellence and satisfying portions, the establishment leaves diners eager to return for another well-crafted meal.
Menu
Starters
- Vegan Poke - $22: crispy tofu tossed in our house made poke sauce, shaved red onion, cherry tomatoes, sushi sauce & avocado Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Alkaline Available at: dinner, lunch
- Avocado Fries - $18: panko breaded avocado topped with teriyaki sauce & sambal aioli Dietary tags: Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Volcano Fries - $15: crispy fries with sambal aioli, unagi sauce, parmesan cheese, furikake & shaved green onions Dietary tags: Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Firecracker Shrimp - $21: battered crispy shrimp tossed in a sweet & spicy firecracker sauce on a bed of steamed white rice Dietary tags: Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, DASH Sodium-Reduced Available at: dinner, lunch
- Poke Stack - $6: hawaiian style poke, white rice, avocado, unagi sauce, wasabi aioli, topped with shaved green onion & tobiko Dietary tags: Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Papa Kona Huli Chicken Wings - $18: served with ranch & celery sticks Available at: dinner, lunch
- Poke Nachos - $6: crispy wonton chips topped with ahi poke, diced tomato, diced pineapple, wasabi aioli, sambal aioli & sushi sauce Dietary tags: High-Protein, Low-Sodium Available at: dinner, lunch
Brunch
- Papaya Boat - $15: half of an island-grown papaya with yogurt & house made granola Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian Available at: breakfast, brunch
- Island Style Pancakes - $19: two pancakes, macadamia nuts, toasted coconut, coconut syrup & butter Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian Available at: breakfast, brunch
- Island Style French Toast - $20: punalu'u bake shop mango/taro/guava sweet bread, macadamia nuts, toasted coconut, coconut syrup & butter Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian Available at: breakfast, brunch
- Avocado Toast - $19: sundog ulu bread, guacamole, poached egg & furikake seasoning Dietary tags: Pescatarian, High-Fiber Available at: breakfast, brunch, lunch
- Traditional Eggs Benedict - $24: two poached eggs on a toasted english muffin topped with hollandaise choice of ham or kalua pork Available at: breakfast, brunch
- Seared Ahi Benedict - $6: two poached eggs, seared ahi, hollandaise, served on white rice with side of fruit Dietary tags: Pescatarian Available at: breakfast, brunch
- Plate Breakfast - $18: two eggs any style, breakfast potatoes & toast, choice of bacon, sausage, spam, or ham Available at: breakfast, brunch
- Veggie Scramble - $19: three eggs, onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, spinach & cheddar cheese, served with breakfast potatoes & toast Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, GERD-Friendly, Volumetrics, TLC Available at: breakfast, brunch
- Big Island Omelet - $22: three eggs, kalua pork, cheddar cheese, topped with pineapple salsa, served with breakfast potatoes & toast Available at: breakfast, brunch
- Loco Moco - $23: two sunny side up eggs, 8oz. beef patty, brown gravy & white rice topped with shaved green onions Available at: breakfast, brunch, dinner, lunch
- Chicken Fried Steak - $24: topped with country gravy, served with two eggs any style & crispy breakfast potatoes Dietary tags: Low-Sodium, DASH Sodium-Reduced Available at: breakfast, brunch
- Big Papa's Breakfast Burrito - $22: ham, bacon, portuguese sausage, bell peppers, onions, cheddar cheese & crispy seasoned breakfast potatoes, wrapped in a 14" flour tortilla Available at: breakfast, brunch
- Unicorn Breakfast Sandwich - $17: punalu’u mango/taro/guava sweet bread, scrambled eggs, bacon, cheddar cheese & black pepper aioli with breakfast potatoes Available at: breakfast, brunch
Salads
- Spinach Strawberry Salad - $22: baby spinach, strawberries, feta, red onion, macadamia nuts & balsamic vinaigrette Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Island Chicken Salad - $24: shredded napa cabbage, spinach, mixed greens, grilled chicken, diced big island papaya, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, crispy wontons & miso ginger dressing Available at: dinner, lunch
- Chef's Caesar Salad - $19: blackhat farms baby romaine, parmesan cheese, croutons, caesar dressing Dietary tags: Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
Main Courses
- Grilled Miso Chicken - $31: purple sweet potato mash, spicy garlic baby bok choy, ponzu balsamic reduction Available at: dinner, lunch
- Chef Josh's Famous Vodka Sauce Pasta - $33: fettuccine, mushrooms, spinach & parmesan cheese topped with garlic marinated chicken Available at: dinner, lunch
- Lemongrass Shrimp Pasta - $35: fettuccine, sauteed shrimp, cherry tomatoes, & spinach tossed in a lemongrass cream sauce Dietary tags: Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Tsunami Coconut Shrimp Plate - $35: hand breaded crispy coconut shrimp, sweet chili aioli, white rice, island style mac salad with imitation crab, furikake & green onions Dietary tags: Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Sesame Seared Big Island Ahi - $6: line caught seared sesame ahi, with kimchi butter sauce, white rice, pineapple edamame relish & garlic broccolini Dietary tags: Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Coconut Mac Nut Crusted Fresh Catch - $6: grilled 6oz. catch of the day served with baby bok choy, white rice & pineapple beurre blanc Dietary tags: Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- 12 oz. Pork Chop - $39: brined bone-in grilled pork chop with garlic broccolini, mushrooms & brown gravy on a bed of steamed white rice Available at: dinner, lunch
- New York Strip Steak - $52: grilled 12oz new york strip steak, hawaiian purple mashed potatoes, baby bok choy & creamy garlic mushroom gravy Dietary tags: Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, GERD-Friendly, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC Available at: dinner, lunch
- Fish and Chips - $6: fresh catch battered in rice flour and sake then fried, served with french fries, lemon wedges & papa kona’s tartar sauce Dietary tags: Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, DASH Sodium-Reduced Available at: dinner, lunch
Sandwiches & Tacos
- Kona Burger - $22: 8oz. beef patty with cheddar cheese lettuce, tomato, onion, black pepper aioli & french fries Available at: dinner, lunch
- Pineapple Teriyaki Burger - $23: 8oz. beef patty with grilled pineapple, lettuce, tomato, onion topped with papa kona’s teriyaki sauce & french fries Available at: dinner, lunch
- Guava BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger - $24: 8oz. beef patty, papa kona guava bbq sauce, applewood smoked bacon, american cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion & french fries Available at: dinner, lunch
- Kalua Pork Sandwich - $22: kalua pork, guava bbq sauce, lilikoi slaw & fries Dietary tags: High-Protein, Low-Sodium Available at: dinner, lunch
- Crispy Chicken Sandwich - $23: fried chicken tenderdoins, american cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion, sambal aioli & fries Available at: dinner, lunch
- Grilled Chicken Sandwich - $22: herbed grilled chicken breast, cheddar cheese, black pepper aioli, onion, lettuce, tomato & fries Dietary tags: High-Fiber Available at: dinner, lunch
- Kalua Pork Tacos - $21: house made kalua pork, ube tortillas, pineapple salsa, cabbage, cilantro lime creama, red salsa & house salad Dietary tags: Anti-Inflammatory, High-Fiber Available at: dinner, lunch
- Fish Tacos - $6: blackened fresh catch, ube tortillas, pineapple salsa, shredded cabbage, cilantro lime crema, red salsa & house salad Dietary tags: Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
Sides
- One Egg - $3 Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Lectin-Free Available at: breakfast, brunch
- Toast - $4 Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Renal, Macrobiotic Available at: breakfast, brunch, lunch
- Rice - $3 Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Volumetrics, TLC, Renal, Macrobiotic Available at: dinner, lunch
- Potatoes - $5 Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC, Alkaline, Slow-Carb Available at: breakfast, brunch, dinner, lunch
- Pancake - $8 Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian, High-Fiber, GERD-Friendly Available at: breakfast, brunch
- Granola - $5 Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Macrobiotic Available at: breakfast, brunch
- Fresh Fruit - $7 Dietary tags: High-Protein, Keto, Low-Carb, Vegan, Vegetarian, Kosher, Halal, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Carnivore, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC, Alkaline, AIP, Renal, Macrobiotic, Slow-Carb, Lectin-Free Available at: breakfast, brunch, lunch
- Side Salad - $6 Dietary tags: Keto, Low-Carb, Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Carnivore, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC, Alkaline, AIP, Renal, Macrobiotic, Slow-Carb, Lectin-Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Extra Cheese - $2 Dietary tags: Low-Carb, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, South-Beach
- Extra Sauce - $1
- Side Meat - $6: ham, bacon, kalua pork, Portuguese sausage, spam, or tofu Available at: breakfast, brunch, dinner, lunch
Beverages
- You're a Fine-apple - $30: tanduay double aged rum mixed with coconut, guava, fresh lime & muddled pineapple Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Lectin-Free
- It's Your Kuleana - $18: kuleana 'nanea' aged rum, locally made macadamia nut orgeat, fresh lime & royal combier orange liqueur Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based
- Auntie Gin's Mai Tai - $18: gray whale butterfly peaflower infused gin, orange liqueur, orgeat, fresh lime Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based
- Mai Tai - $16: light rum, dark rum, orange juice, pineapple juice & orgeat
- Piña Colada - $15: rumhaven rum, coconut cream & pineapple juice
- Tropic Like It's Hot - $16: kai lychee vodka, fresh lemon, amarretto & pineapple juice
- Ube Old Fashioned - $17: redemption bourbon, ube syrup & chocolate bitters Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian
- Jasmine Breeze - $17: tequila, jasmine-infused syrup, st germain, cucumber & lime juice Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Juice-Cleanse
- Tempted by Passion - $17: russell henry ginger gin, lilikoi, mint, fresh lime & a dash of orange bitters Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Lectin-Free
- Old Cuban - $17: local kuleana aged rum, koloa spiced rum, muddled mint, lime juice, angostura bitters, sparkling wine Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Juice-Cleanse, Lectin-Free
- Papa's Margarita - $16: layered lilikoi margarita with tequila, lime juice, sour mix & orange liqueur, li hing mui rim Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Juice-Cleanse
- Espress Yourself - $17: new amsterdam vodka, creme de cacao, and papa kona cold brew coffee, shaken & served with a crema float Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian
- Passionately Puckered - $15: lilikoi lemondrop made with citrus vodka, orange liqueur, lemon juice, lilikoi juice with a li hing mui rim Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Juice-Cleanse, Lectin-Free
- Juice - $6: orange, pineapple, cranberry, lemonade, apple or pog
- Soda - $5: coke, diet coke, sprite, gosling's ginger beer, seagram's tonic
- Mama's Iced Tea - $5: lilikoi black tea Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Plant-Based, Alkaline, AIP, Macrobiotic, Lectin-Free
- Tropical Lemonade - $7: with lilikoi, strawberry, mango or guava Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, TLC
- Lilikoi Spritzer - $7: lilikoi puree, lemon-lime soda, soda water, mint Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian
- Hibiscus Cooler - $7: hibiscus tea, hibiscus pomegranate syrup, lemon-lime soda Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, TLC
- Ube Lemonade - $8: locally made ube syrup, fresh sour mix, splash of lemon-lime soda Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian
- Ola Brew Co Hard Seltzers - $8: Lemon-Lime, Ginger, orange-vanilla or Lemongrass Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Lectin-Free
- Papa Kona 100% Kona Coffee - $6 Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Alkaline
- Hawaiian Drip Coffee - $5: hawaiian blend with refill Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Plant-Based, Alkaline, AIP, Macrobiotic, Lectin-Free
- Cold Brew Coffee - $5: steeped overnight, iced
Restaurants near Papa Kona
- Lava Java — American
- HiCO Hawaiian Coffee — American
- Island Ono Loa Grill — American
- Basik Açaí Cafe — American
- Foster's Kitchen — American
- Waimea Coffee Co at PACIFIC 19 — American
- Kona Elks Hawaii Lodge #2616 — American
- Sweet Journey Soft Serve — American
- 808 Grindz Cafe — American
- Herbivores — American
- The Cafe on Henry Street — American
- Kona Coffee & Tea — American
