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  3. Hawaii
  4. Hawaii / Big Island
  5. Kailua-Kona

Island Lava Java Bistro

4.5
4.5
1574 Reviews
$30 and under
Contemporary American
Top Tags:
Family-owned Oceanside Restaurant, specializing in fresh, local, organic and sustainable food with 100% Kona coffee, freshly squeezed juices, and our own bakery on site. Currently serving Everyday Brunch, Lunch & Dinner, plus Happy Hour. We are committed to using the highest quality locally produced ingredients. We invite you to relax and enjoy our scratch-made food and drinks in our island-style, open-air dining room, bar & lanai. Experience our inventive cuisine, attentive service, and a friendly atmosphere; come see what makes us one of the most popular restaurants, craft bar and coffee houses in town. We look forward to meeting you! E Komo Mai!
Craft Bar, Great Wine List, Open-Air Oceanside Dining. *Now offering "Touchless" QR Code Order & Pay (with a Smartphone)*

Make a reservation

2 people
8:00 PM
Booked 27 times today

Additional information

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Cuisines

    Contemporary American, Fusion / Eclectic

  • Hours of operation

    Brunch Daily 7:30 am–1:00 pm Lunch Daily 1:00 pm–5:00 pm Happy Hour Daily 3:30 pm–5:30 pm Dinner Daily 5:00 pm–8:30 pm

  • Phone number

    (808) 327-2161

  • Website

    http://www.islandlavajava.com/

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Discover, JCB, MasterCard, Visa

  • Dress code

    Casual Dress

  • Executive chef

    Chef Travis Lamb

  • Catering

    Delicious hot or cold options. Order from one of our menus or work with our chef to create a catering event specific to your taste!

  • Location

    75-5801 Ali'i Dr., Kailua, HI 96740

  • Neighborhood

    Kailua-Kona

  • Cross street

    Palani

  • Parking details

    Free parking for our customers in the Coconut Grove Marketplace

  • Public transit

    Public bus stop 300 yards away.

  • Entertainment

    Live Hawaiian & acoustic music, mornings, weekends & evenings

  • Additional

    Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Dog Friendly, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 1,574 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.5
4.5 based on recent ratings
  • 4.5Food
  • 4.5Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.2Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Hawaii / Big Island

    Best Value

  • Hawaii / Big Island

    Neighborhood gem

  • Hawaii / Big Island

    Great for outdoor dining

  • Hawaii / Big Island

    Most Booked

Sort by

  1. VSmith

    Central Coast

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great breakfast, service, view & value for the money. Appreciate that Island Lava Java takes reservations! We will be back!

  2. OpenTable Diner

    Hawaii

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food. Great service. This a good place to eat breakfast. Make your reservations in advance and ask for ocean view seating. Plenty of Free 3 hr parking around the back.

  3. OpenTable Diner

    Alabama

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    Family really enjoyed the food. Location was excellent for sunset. Good people watching. Fifty yards from a sand volleyball court where they were playing “king of the court” with talented players. Recommend

  4. MaryG

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    You can't go wrong with Lava Jave whether it's breakfast lunch or dinner

  5. RachelV

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 25, 2023

    overall2food2service1ambience4
    The host was friendly and kind, but the server was very brusque and curt. She didn’t even greet us but just said “anything but water?” And looked annoyed we were even there. My waffle came out like raw dough. Being ocean front was the only plus of of this place. Definitely overhyped. Save your money!

  6. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 25, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    Great wait staff. Friendly environment. Great job!

  7. Ctray

    Portland

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on May 23, 2023

    overall5food5service2ambience4
    Food was excellent but pricey. Service was indifferent.

  8. Houstonfoodie

    Phoenix

    68 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    68 reviews

    Dined on May 21, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    What a beautiful place to have Sunday brunch - ocean view with delightful service and food.

  9. Linda

    Hawaii

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Everything was amazing from the staff to the food!

  10. Aileen

    San Diego

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on May 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food was delicious and served quickly. Our server was attentive and got our drinks and appetizers quickly. The location overlooks the ocean and beautiful sunsets.

  11. KarenN

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This restaurant has a great view and great food. Good prices for the area.

  12. Danny

    Seattle

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on May 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Waterfront location on main drive through town, great for sunsets. Food was excellent, very fresh and served after short wait. Server was helpful and attentive throughout our meal. The fish tacos and burgers are delicious.

  13. mck1968

    Hawaii

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    My wife and I love eating brunch here, always good and the staff are super friendly!!!

  14. DebbieD

    Hawaii

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on May 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Without exception, this is my favorite restaurant in Kailua Kona.

  15. OpenTable Diner

    Hawaii

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 9, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience4
    “Tawny” has provided me great service several times in the past. She did it again! The ambience on the 2nd floor is limited by wires in the view and traffic noise rising from Ali’i Drive. Nothing that the restaurant can do about either of those conditions.

  16. Homer

    Phoenix

    13 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on May 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Greatest "greeter" ever. Food was a great as usual.

  17. EmilyP

    San Diego

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 6, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    It was fabulous! One of the best meals we had, brunch was so delicious and the coffee was superb.

  18. OpenTable Diner

    Phoenix

    4 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on May 6, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    We had great service with a very friendly server. Atmosphere is lovely. Coffee was delicious.

  19. KathyM

    Denver

    11 reviews

    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on May 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Wow - I can't say enough about this restaurant. The coffee was amazing and the Mac nut pancakes and Big Breakfast was fabulous. Very generous with the Mac Nuts and Coconut Syrup! Then to top it off, we ordered pizza the next night for dinner and it too was a wonderful surprise. Great Food. Great Location. Thanks again!

  20. Jerry

    Denver

    60 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    60 reviews

    Dined on April 30, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great location on the water in Kona. Good breakfast and great service. We go there regularly.

  21. PatriciaG

    Seattle

    16 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on April 30, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience5
    Eggs benedict are on point and pancakes are fluffy, bacon is fantastic! We had great seats that they reserved for reservation guests it was over looking the water. My only complaint was my Bloody Mary was way to salty like yuck.

  22. JamesD

    Hawaii

    13 reviews

    4.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on April 26, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Perfect for its location. Fun place and surroundings.

  23. Laurie

    Hawaii

    10 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on April 24, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Awesome breakfast, and lilikoi mimosa...our reservation was handled perfectly and we had front row water view. You definitely need to dine here...we will be back...aloha

  24. ToshaMonterey

    Central Coast

    24 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    24 reviews

    Dined on April 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Sat upstairs for Sunday brunch. The Benedict was great. Great service and amazing views.

  25. Ilovefood

    New York Area

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on April 23, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience3
    Was put at table next to the main area so booth was in way of sunset which was what I was there to see do very disappointing & were competing musicians…right side was live & left side live & we could hear both so although both were good individually, just annoying/sounded like noise to us cause couldn’t hear either one so made for a very stressful/non relaxed experience, food & service were very good & the drink selection was so unique was truly great!

  26. Samantha

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 21, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    Outstanding service and view. Hostess seated us immediately after notifying them of our reservation. They gave us a great table with an amazing view. Food was delicious

  27. Konagirl

    San Francisco

    137 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    137 reviews

    Dined on April 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Tasty eggs Benedict cooked perfectly Attentive friendly service

  28. OpenTable Diner

    Sacramento

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 19, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience5
    Service a little spotty, long time to be acknowledged by server, a couple of things like water, menu left without looking at me. Mahi mahi tacos wonderful! Big hunks of fish in each one! Fries as good as ever.

  29. JonB

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 19, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience2
    On a Tuesday evening. Excellent food (poke, ribs, fresh catch mahi, burger). Service was very prompt and good. We really enjoyed the meal. Just wish it hadn't been so noisy. A minor point, the menus were fairly small print and the lighting (after dark) was pretty dim, especially for old eyes. So we had to use our cellphone flashlights.

  30. TravelingTwosomes

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Our waitress, Julia, was absolutely superb. She was intuitive, cheerful and most helpful in helping us to tailor our various orders. We would return any night if we could have her again.

  31. OpenTable Diner

    Seattle

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on April 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Thank you for making my husbands 66th Birthday Breakfast special. We were acknowledged as the Birthday group at the entrance. Food was delicious and well-prepared. It shouldn’t be hard for restaurant chefs to scramble eggs right, but it seems to be difficult for many, but not at Lava Java - perfect scrambled eggs! We got a pull apart to share and I thought a fight was going to break out toward the end. Ambience . . .it goes without saying!!! Great staff. They’re definitely well trained and run their budies off.

  32. H2EAUU

    Denver

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on April 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Customer service was excellent and food was delicious. Would return….

  33. Diner96720

    Hawaii

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on April 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food, great service and an outstanding location.

  34. BrennaC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Loved the food. We had gladys as our waitress and she was fantastic!

  35. VictoriaR

    Hawaii

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Breakfast is great. So is Lynch and dinner. Very fresh ingredients.

  36. chgomomX2

    Chicago

    167 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    167 reviews

    Dined on April 12, 2023

    overall3food3service4ambience3
    Food was ok to good - nothing exceptional. Our server was super friendly and took good care of us.

  37. MarcJ

    Los Angeles

    12 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on April 12, 2023

    overall3food2service2ambience4
    The Macadamia Nut Fresh Catch is far too sweet. I would have appreciated a straightforward, grilled fresh catch option.

  38. SuzanneZ

    Hawaii

    12 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on April 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Was a wonderful Easter brunch, and the wait staff were beyond terrific. 2 nd story view and so pleasant with a bit more privacy. Thank you, Island lava Java Bistro!!

  39. JuniperH

    Calgary

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great location. Expensive breakfast but it is Hawaii.

  40. Konagirl

    San Francisco

    137 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    137 reviews

    Dined on April 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We went for Easter brunch/breakfast and it was very busy but we didn’t feel rushed, the food came out hot and without delay. Our server was friendly and efficient. A favorite breakfast spot of ours

Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
    • Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Contactless payment available

  • Physical distancing

    • Extra space between tables

  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace

FAQs

You can order delivery directly from Island Lava Java Bistro using the Order Online button. Island Lava Java Bistro also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (808) 327-2161.

Island Lava Java Bistro is rated 4.5 stars by 1574 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
8:00 PM
Booked 27 times today
Google Map for Island Lava Java Bistro

75-5801 Ali'i Dr., Kailua, HI 96740

Additional information

  • Cross street

    Palani

  • Neighborhood

    Kailua-Kona

  • Hours of operation

    Brunch Daily 7:30 am–1:00 pm Lunch Daily 1:00 pm–5:00 pm Happy Hour Daily 3:30 pm–5:30 pm Dinner Daily 5:00 pm–8:30 pm

  • Cuisines

    Contemporary American, Fusion / Eclectic

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Dress code

    Casual Dress

  • Parking details

    Free parking for our customers in the Coconut Grove Marketplace

  • Public transit

    Public bus stop 300 yards away.

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Discover, JCB, MasterCard, Visa

  • Executive chef

    Chef Travis Lamb

  • Entertainment

    Live Hawaiian & acoustic music, mornings, weekends & evenings

  • Additional

    Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Dog Friendly, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

  • Website

    http://www.islandlavajava.com/

  • Phone number

    (808) 327-2161

  • Catering

    Delicious hot or cold options. Order from one of our menus or work with our chef to create a catering event specific to your taste!

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