In addition to having fabulous scenery to enjoy and numerous cool attractions and fun activities to keep you busy, Hawaii also has some pretty amazing restaurants. In today’s post, I will share some of our favorite places to grab breakfast and some of the top lunch spots on the Big Island from our recent visit.
Basik Acai
I always find it a bit of a challenge to eat healthy while travelling. We were fortunate to have Basik Acai just a few blocks from our condo rental. Located at 75-5831 Kahakai Road in Kailua-Kona, this cute little shop offers smoothies and an absolutely incredible dish called acai bowls.
Offered in various sizes, each bowl features blended acai berries (small blackish-purple berries produced by a South American palm tree) which form the tasty sorbet-like base. You can then select various combinations of fresh fruits, nuts, granola and other healthy ingredients like hemp seeds, spirulina and ginger. The result is an incredibly delicious and refreshing treat that’s perfect for breakfast or a light afternoon snack. And you get a nice little charge after eating all those nutrient rich and anti-oxidant loaded ingredients. A must visit when on the Big Island.
Bongo Ben’s
Man. There’s nothing better than watching live NFL football on a Sunday morning at 8:00am while diving into a hearty breakfast and enjoying some tasty extra spicy $3 Bloody Marys. You get to finish the early game and be on the beach before lunch!
Bongo Ben’s located on the main strip at 75 Alii Drive in Kailua-Kona is a high energy fun little spot that serves excellent breakfasts on the Big Island. From amazing waffles (you have to try the coconut syrup) and breakfast burritos, to a killer Huevos Rancheros and the Famous Bongo Benedict, this restaurant is the perfect breakfast stop. And the fast and friendly servers don’t bat an eye if you yell when your team scores a touchdown. Trust me, I know.
Da Poke Shack
Saving the best for last, if you love sushi like we do – you absolutely, positively have to try the island delicacy called poke. And no one does poke better than Da Poke Shack. Located at 76-6246 Alii Drive in Kailua-Kona, this little take-out joint with a couple tables inside and a picnic table out front, serves some of the most delectable raw fish I have ever tasted.
Poke is a raw fish salad normally served as an appetizer in Hawaiian cuisine. While it can feature things like octopus, squid and tobiko, the real star of the show is the super delicious Yellowfin tuna. Served in various dressings like spicy mayo or sesame oil and cilantro, this fish tastes incredible. And when you can see the chef filleting the fish right in front of you, you know it’s fresh. And that’s what separates good fish from great fish – the freshness. Select your poke and add a side of seaweed salad, edamame and brown rice or quinoa and you’re in heaven! Definitely worth several visits when on the Big Island. Highly recommended.
Stay tuned for future posts covering some of the top restaurants for dinner on the Big Island – and there’s plenty. For now, back to the cage.
