Whenever you’re craving all the best island favorites served by the waterfront, just set your sights on a trip to Papa Kona Restaurant & Bar. At this Kailua-Kona eatery, they go all out in serving up scrumptious meals paired with craft cocktails and other wonderful drinks. On top of that, they roll out the beautiful oceanfront views, live music, and friendly service on the regular.
Every day starts with breakfast fare bright and early in the morning. You’re welcome to start with fresh brewed coffee or tea, and then dive into omelets, pancakes, and everything in between. If you love eggs benedict, you’ll want to try their many variations on the classic preparation, including their ever-popular Kalua Pork Benedict.
If you come by after 11 am, it’s time for lunch instead, although they still have all their benedicts available for your pure enjoyment. Plus, they have burgers, sandwiches, tacos, and so much more. The dinner hour starts at 3 pm sharp and adds even more delightful dishes to the spread. From Firecracker Shrimp to Hamakua Chicken, all the island favorites promise to tantalize your tastebuds from the first bite to the very last.
Every time you waltz through the doors, you can trust that every dish starts with fresh, local ingredients. The chefs go all out in their support of local farmers, fishermen, and ranchers, ensuring you get a taste of the Big Island in every bite. Just as much care goes into selecting the ingredients for their craft cocktails.
Coconut, pineapple, hibiscus, and many other tropical delights beautifully elevate the high-quality spirits used in every drink. Hard seltzers, bottled beer, and draft brews round out their offerings as well. Prefer to keep it alcohol-free without skipping the tropical journey? Ask about their stellar mocktails.
No matter when you come by – or how you build your meal – the open-air eatery will treat you to scenic views of Oneo Bay and beyond. But if you arrive during the sunset hour, the views get even more magical, especially if you grab a table on their second-floor lanai. The live music starts each night at 6 pm, too, beautifully completing this picture of perfection.
You cannot miss their:
Passionately Puckered
For a sweet and sour kick in every sip, treat yourself to their Passionately Puckered cocktail. This drink starts with their naturally infused citrus vodka hit with a splash of triple sec. Muddled lemon joins the party next alongside lilikoi juice. Then, it all goes in a glass with a li hing mui rim right before serving.
Unicorn Breakfast Sandwich
If you’d like to put a little pep in your step at the start of the day, go with the Unicorn Breakfast Sandwich. This breakfast entrée begins with Punalu’u Bakery Kalakoa bread. To that, they add a scrambled egg covered in cheddar cheese and bacon slices. Black pepper aioli gets drizzled over top right at the end to elevate the flavors even more.
Grilled Fresh Catch
Whenever you’re craving all the best island flavors, the Grilled Fresh Catch is the way to go. Although the fish changes on the daily, they always prepare the filet on the grill until light and flaky. Then, they top it with a lilikoi-parsley compound butter before adding grilled new potatoes and market veggies alongside.
If you want a chance at grabbing a table at the sunset hour, reservations are a must. You can reserve your spot well ahead of time through their website or by simply giving them a call. Let them know if you’re celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or other special occasion when you book a table. Oftentimes, they’ll bring out a complimentary dessert for the guest of honor if you do.
Insider Tips:
-Live music plays nightly from 6 pm to 9 pm.
-If you’re planning a big event, consider wowing your guests with their catering services.
-Their happy hour runs from 3 pm to 5 pm daily. Come by then for discounts on drinks and select appetizers.
-When making your reservation, let them know if you’d like to sit by the water, near the entertainers, or in a quiet area.