How is Sam Choy's Kai Lanai restaurant rated?

Sam Choy's Kai Lanai

4 (1364)

$30 and under

Hawaii Regional Cuisine

78-6831 Ali'i Dr., Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

About this restaurant

Great for scenic views
Great for outdoor dining
Romantic

You'll experience the wonderful hospitality of the Hawaiian culture, the sensational aromas of fresh, island cooking and the innovative recipes created by Hawaii’s culinary ambassador, Sam Choy.At Sam Choy's Kai Lanai, a stunning 230-degree view of the Pacific stretches out in a beautiful blue oasis before you. “The Short Bait” bar is a fun place to meet friends for pupus or sit by the fire pits and watch spectacular sunsets. The superb service and warm Aloha welcome will make this your top dining choice at breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Permanently Closed

This restaurant is permanently closed.

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Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Hawaii Regional Cuisine
Hours of operation
Serving Daily - Lunch and Dinner, Breakfast on Saturday and Sunday Monday - Thursday 11:00 am - 9:00 pm Friday 11:00 am - 9:30 pm Saturday 7:00 am - 9:30 pm Sunday 7:00 am - 9:00 pm HAPPY HOUR - Daily 3:00 - 5:00 pm
Phone number
(808) 333-3434
Website
http://www.samchoy.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
Sam Choy
Private party facilities
If you have an intimate party or a large gathering, you will select your menu or defer to Chef Choy’s suggestions and life-long experience in preparing custom, creative and undeniably delicious food.

Location
78-6831 Ali'i Dr., Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Neighborhood
Kailua-Kona
Parking details
Lot plus over flow parking lot with cart service between over flow lot and restaurant.
Additional
Beer, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 1,364 people are saying

Sam Choy's Kai Lanai reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

4.0

4.0 based on all time ratings

4.0Food
4.0Service
4.3Ambience
2.2Value

Noise • Moderate

1,364 Reviews

AY
AvinashY
Hawaii4 reviews
5.0
Dined on October 21, 2019
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
We want to grab afternoon lunch it wasn’t much crowded. Restaurant had an amazing view of The area, cocktails and food was to good
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DD
DavidD VIP
Hawaii23 reviews
4.0
Dined on October 19, 2019
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Tried the Kalbi and clam chowder/ grilled cheese. Nice variety of ice tea- mango, lillikoi, raspberry. Server Harvest as great.
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MW
MichaelW
Orange County3 reviews
4.0
Dined on October 11, 2019
1. Overall 4
2. Food 3
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The food was pretty good, but the view is spectacular! Worth a visit just for the view and the atmosphere.
Is this helpful?
KL
KonaLiving
Hawaii25 reviews
3.0
Dined on October 10, 2019
1. Overall 3
2. Food 2
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Restaurant is beautiful with gorgeous views...but the entree I selected, beef stew, was so so. Not many pieces of meat, but loads of fill ins like potatoes and big chunks of carrots.
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P
Pootunui
Las Vegas5 reviews
3.0
Dined on October 5, 2019
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 3
What happened Sam??? Do you even still own this place? Horrible service and cold grilled fish! WTH? We’ve been a fan of Sam Choy’s forever (since he used to be at the Kona Bowl!) and usually LOVE all his restaurants but not any longer. Things have really changed at this place, and not for the good. Really sad about this place now… Used to be nice dining, now just a take-out atmosphere, it’s changed too much. Sad. Used to be one of our favorite restaurants…
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OT
OpenTable Diner VIP
Atlanta3 reviews
5.0
Dined on October 4, 2019
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great place to watch the sunset!
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CC
CraigC
Chicago / Illinois15 reviews
3.0
Dined on October 3, 2019
1. Overall 3
2. Food 4
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 3
The biggest issue is they only take cash. This was not disclosed by them or by Open Table as part of the reservation process. In this age one has to assume they want to hide income if they only take cash.
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BD
BetsyD
Vancouver / British Columbia2 reviews
4.0
Dined on September 29, 2019
1. Overall 4
2. Food 3
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
It is a lovely setting, our waitstaff was very nice and attentive. It is however open air and very hot!
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DF
DeborahF
Seattle / Eastern Washington5 reviews
5.0
Dined on September 28, 2019
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
This was our last night on the big island and we wanted a nicer restaurant with a great sunset view which is exactly what we got The service was impeccable. The food was delicious and served promptly. If anything there was too much food (this seems to be a common theme in Hawaii-none of the plates have been small). Would highly recommend.
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RB
RichardB
San Francisco Bay Area9 reviews
4.0
Dined on September 22, 2019
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Awesome view
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FAQs

Sam Choy's Kai Lanai is rated 4 stars by 1364 OpenTable diners.

Permanently Closed

This restaurant is permanently closed.

78-6831 Ali'i Dr., Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

Additional information

Neighborhood
Kailua-Kona
Hours of operation
Serving Daily - Lunch and Dinner, Breakfast on Saturday and Sunday Monday - Thursday 11:00 am - 9:00 pm Friday 11:00 am - 9:30 pm Saturday 7:00 am - 9:30 pm Sunday 7:00 am - 9:00 pm HAPPY HOUR - Daily 3:00 - 5:00 pm
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Hawaii Regional Cuisine
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Lot plus over flow parking lot with cart service between over flow lot and restaurant.
Payment options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Sam Choy
Additional
Beer, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.samchoy.com/
Phone number
(808) 333-3434
Private party facilities
If you have an intimate party or a large gathering, you will select your menu or defer to Chef Choy’s suggestions and life-long experience in preparing custom, creative and undeniably delicious food.