Island Lava Java Bistro

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1. LH

   LoriH

   Hawaii

   2 reviews

   2.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 4 days ago

   overall2food2service2ambience2

   We were seated at an undesirable table. The poached eggs on the Benedict were overcooked, nearly hard boiled consistency. The toast was burnt black, and yet was served to us. Very disappointed.

   Report
2. SM

   SusanM

   Seattle

   1 review

   4.0

   1 review

   Dined 5 days ago

   overall4food5service4ambience5

   We booked through Open Table letting them know we were celebrating our anniversary. The hostess did acknowledge our anniversary, but tried to seat us in a cramped corner without the waterfront view which I had originally requested. There were other open tables still, so I requested a different table and the hostess agreed. They were out of Pinot Griot, my favorite wine. The waitress was attentive, but she served my husband a 20oz beer when he had requested a smaller size. We had the shrimp fettuccine which was outstanding. Overall a beautiful evening, but disappointed our requests were overlooked and it was up to make it right for our evening.

   Report
3. JW

   JuliW

   Seattle

   2 reviews

   4.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 5 days ago

   overall4food4service5ambience5

   Fish tacos are excellent. The crusted mahi mahi didn’t have a lot of flavor. Are there twice and much preferred the fish tacos.

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4. TC

   TikiCarl

   Chicago

   4 reviews

   3.0

   4 reviews

   Dined 7 days ago

   overall3food3service1ambience4

   Service was very slow and hostess was not friendly.

   Report
5. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   1 review

   2.0

   1 review

   Dined 7 days ago

   overall2food2service4ambience4

   Food was not seasoned. Salad was underdressed. Rice was bland. Fish had good sauce but was overcooked, small portion for the price.

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6. E

   Eatout8

   Seattle

   9 reviews

   3.0

   9 reviews

   Dined on January 29, 2023

   overall3food3service3ambience3

   There was only one option for fresh fish. The drinks were good. Food was average. Service and atmosphere average too. Nothing wowed us.

   Report
7. CT

   CindyT

   Central Coast

   2 reviews

   5.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on January 28, 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Fresh, high quality ingredients equals great food. Great place with great views!

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8. AN

   AnnekeN

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on January 26, 2023

   overall5food5service4ambience3

   Amazing food and fresh juices, great coffee. Seating quite crowded but overall a place I would definitely recommend.

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9. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   1 review

   2.0

   1 review

   Dined on January 24, 2023

   overall2food2service3ambience3

   They didn't give me a reserved seat. The food was all overcooked and hard.

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10. SD

    SarahD

    Phoenix

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 23, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5

    Food was awesome. Scenery was even better. It’s a loud, energetic restaurant right on the Main Street overlooking the ocean. Service was slow, but seemed to always be busy.

    Report
11. CZ

    CZDZ

    Seattle

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on January 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great service and great food. Our waitress Tawnie was busy but very attentive.

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12. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Hawaii

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on January 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Lava Java is pretty much our go-to place on Friday evenings. Sweet live music, delicious food and staff members who serve with Big Island Aloha.

    Report
13. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    We were welcoming a close friend just off the road lane from soggy SanFrancisco. She was a vegetarian. Daniel was a friendly, very experienced waiter. He chose a very good Cabernet for us. The pizza crust was light and the vegetables on it were fresh and flavorful.. We also enjoyed a side salad that was also fresh and flavorful.

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14. A

    Asia

    Hawaii

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on January 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Nice view of the ocean, friendly service, and big portion of food.

    Report
15. BS

    BradS

    Orange County

    30 reviews

    4.0

    30 reviews

    Dined on January 16, 2023

    overall4food3service5ambience3

    For some reason they didn’t have our reservation notwithstanding a confirmation from Open Table. We opted to sit at the bar. Service was exceptional. Food was OK. Both the Kailua Pork and the potatoes were VERY salty. Also I ordered pancakes, but got waffles with my eggs. Moreover, the waffle was not hot, and was limp, not crisp. Great view but don’t go for the food.

    Report
16. t

    tfrisch1

    Calgary

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on January 14, 2023

    overall3food2service4ambience3

    Not overly impressed with our visit. Food quality wasn’t great ( our guava ribs were served Luke warm, and pan seared lemongrass mahi mahi was not very flavourful). Service was good, drinks were good.

    Report
17. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Hawaii

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on January 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Exceptional Server and Bartender. Our salads and fresh Mahi were excellent, as always.

    Report
18. KF

    KevinF

    Hawaii

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on January 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Good food as usual. Server was wonderful. View of the ocean, 👍🏼

    Report
19. KM

    KathyM

    Detroit

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on January 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The food and drinks were fabulous! We went to watch the sunset and everything was beautiful! We got there during happy hour and the only downside was the server did not tell us that one of our drinks was not included in happy hour. :-(

    Report
20. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Hawaii

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on January 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Wonderful and bright server. Awesome music. Sacred sunset views and our go to Farmers Beet Salad with Catch of the Day was very delicious.

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21. WJ

    WilliamJ

    Hawaii

    10 reviews

    4.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on January 7, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    The food was good and the service was adequate...good view of the sunset

    Report
22. TM

    TriciaM

    Indiana

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on January 5, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5

    Great experience

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23. E

    Elaine

    Edmonton

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on January 4, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5

    Perfect view. Delicious food. Friendly servers. :)

    Report
24. K

    Konagal

    San Francisco

    56 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    56 reviews

    Dined on January 4, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We love breakfast at Lava Java and we were not disappointed!

    Report
25. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on January 3, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Had family in town and wanted a great breakfast and knew you could deliver. Was not disappointed. Noia was very sweet as well.

    Report
26. C

    Cheryl

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 1, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    As always, Island Lava Java remains our favorite Kailua spot. Great service. Wonderful staff. Food that never disappoints. And a cool island vibe.

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27. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Orange County

    6 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on January 1, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Very nice staff! Well worth the rewards program.

    Report
28. DS

    DrofStyle

    Baltimore

    7 reviews

    4.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on January 1, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience5

    Great Experience!

    Report
29. SC

    StephC

    Hawaii

    5 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on December 30, 2022

    overall5food5service3ambience5

    Once again, Lava Java is maintaining its place as one of my favorite restaurants in Kailua. Right by the sea, one can sit by the sea, or on a hot day enjoy the second level with its ocean breezes. The menu is varied and the staff is flexible usually. Lots of good people watching 🌺

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30. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Seattle

    16 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on December 30, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Good food, good service.. sat us where there were a lot of small loud children.. which wasn’t pleasant at times .. but otherwise a nice evening …

    Report
31. J

    Jeff

    Las Vegas

    5 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on December 28, 2022

    overall2food2service4ambience1

    Food was uneven. However, the biggest issue was our table was under a tree that had birds in it, and the birds defecated on two of our guests during the meal.

    Report
32. i

    itisme

    Dallas

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 27, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Found this gem the first day we arrived on the island…fell in love with so much we returned for a second time! Loved the Lilikoi Mimosas!

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33. u

    ulu1

    San Diego

    28 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    28 reviews

    Dined on December 26, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Made reservations for lunch at 12:15. At 11:45 I received a text message saying that my table was ready. When I arrived at 12:00 and inquired why I received a text 30 minutes prior to my reservation the host explained that from 12:15 to 1:15 they only offer appetizers, pizza or salad. The remainder of the lunch menu is not available until 1:15. I love going to Lava Java and I guess I’ve either gone for breakfast or a later lunch. It would be helpful if this limitation was posted on the website or when the online reservation is confirmed. The server was great, food was great also.

    Report
34. C

    Chitown666

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 26, 2022

    overall1food2service1ambience3

    Horrible service. Food came out at all different times. Waitress was so rude.

    Report
35. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 25, 2022

    overall1food2service1ambience2

    Horrible service. Subpar food. Never coming back.

    Report
36. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Portland

    18 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    18 reviews

    Dined on December 25, 2022

    overall5food4service5ambience5

    Our go-to for brunch in Kona! Wonderful food and quick service. Great view of the bay—can’t beat it!

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37. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 24, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Delicious!

    Report
38. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 23, 2022

    overall5food4service5ambience4

    Perfect by the water casual dining with great service and solid food choices. Above the standard burger place for sure.

    Report
39. AD

    AlexD

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 18, 2022

    overall3food3service2ambience4

    Our experience was disappointing, especially for the price. I was served the wrong meal and waited several minutes for anyone to check on us. When I explained the error, the server took the plate away and dropped it off at another table for someone else to eat. It’s unfortunate that instead of getting a fresh meal, they had to eat food that had been sitting out for ten minutes with someone else breathing over it—that’s never acceptable, but especially not when the risk of illness is high like it is now. I finally received my meal when the other members of my party had almost finished their food. At no point did the server apologize for the error, which is the first thing you should do when something like this happens—that is Customer Service 101. It was by far our worst dining experience in Kona. Would not recommend.

    Report
40. CH

    CynthiaH

    Orange County

    15 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on December 16, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We went here for breakfast and it was amazing. Drinks, breakfast selections were outstanding. We enjoyed it so much, we had to come back a second time before we left for the airport!

    Report