Conveniently located near Kona International Airport, many people stop at Harbor House Restaurant before or after a flight. However, you won’t just find tourists here. Many locals stop in for the cold beer, great food and low-key atmosphere.
This restaurant offers affordable meals in a casual environment. Not all restaurants in Kona are affordable, but this one is. Patrons can enjoy open-air dining right on the water. It’s beautiful to sit near the harbor and see all the boats.
In addition to an unmatched ambiance, Harbor House Restaurant has won several awards. These include “Coldest Beer” and “Best Hamburgers” from Best of Hawaii. This restaurant goes the extra mile by serving their beer in chilled schooners. The burgers are made with all local grass-fed organic beef, topped with organic lettuce.
The menu includes Pupus, salad, soup, Harbor House Specials, entrees, hamburgers, sandwiches, side orders, a kids’ menu, and desserts. For drinks, there are frozen schooners, big pitchers, bottles, wine, and non-alcoholic drinks. No one will leave this restaurant hungry or thirsty and there are menu options for every taste. Vegan options are available.
Here is a look at some of the menu favorites at Harbor House Restaurant:
Smoked Pork
An appetizer, this unique dish is sauteed with onion.
Calamari and Chips
Served in a large portion, this calamari is fresh and cooked perfectly.
Catch of the Day
You know you are getting fresh seafood when you opt for the catch of the day. The fish is served with white or brown rice and macaroni, green, or coleslaw salad.
Fish and Chips
Many hail the fish and chips from Harbor House Restaurant as the best they have ever had. Choose from fries or salad as a side.
Salad
When ordering a salad, start with the greens. You can stop there or add tofu, imitation crab, fresh fish, seared Ahi poke, or Teriyaki chicken. Salads come with several choices for dressing. These include 1000 island, ranch, blue cheese, Italian, or balsamic vinaigrette.
Hamburgers
The award-winning burgers here do not disappoint. All burgers are made from Hawaiian grass-fed ground beef. Choose from a white or wheat bun and fries or a salad. Burgers are served with lettuce, tomato, and onion. The burger choices include a regular hamburger, cheeseburger, bacon cheeseburger, Teriyaki burger, mushroom burger with Swiss cheese and grilled onion, and a chili burger with cheese and topped with onion.
Bring the kids along. Choose something from the regular menu for them to eat or pick something from the kids menu. The choices on the kids’ menu are macaroni and cheese with chicken nuggets or a kiddie burger with French fries. Harbor House Restaurant isn’t fancy, but many who travel to and from Kona make this a regular stop because of the pleasant atmosphere, quality of food, and good prices.
Insider Tips:
-Happy Hour is available every day from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. There are some great deals and it’s a terrific time to stop in.
-Be sure to confirm the hours of operation before you go. They tend to close earlier than other restaurants because of the hours of the marina.