Hawaii Drive Guide Dining Guide

Kona District:

Baskin-Robbins in Lanihau Center (Map 1-A, C-3) (329-5144) at 75-5595 Palani Road, A-6, next to KFC. Enjoy the finest ice cream delights, with 31 wonderful flavors, plus shakes and sundaes.

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. (Map 1-A, D-5) (331-8663). Located on Alii Drive in Kailua-Kona. Delicious shrimp, crab legs, Dixie-style baby-back ribs, burgers, salads and more in a fun, family atmosphere. Visit Bubba Gump on the water. Open daily.

Island Breeze Luau (Map 1-A, D-3) (326-4969). Held on the historic grounds of King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel, Island Breeze invites you to an award-winning luau. Savor the delicious feast as you revel in the colorful costumes and dances from Polynesia. Call for reservations.

Jameson's By The Sea (Map 1, H-1) (329-3195). Located on Alii Drive. Savor a fine meal and colorful sunset over Magic Sands Beach, with daily fresh seafood specials, including mahimahi sautéed with lemon-butter and caper sauce. Lunch served Monday through Saturday.

Kona Brewing Co. (Map 1-A, D-1) (334-BREW, 334-2739). Located on Kuakini Highway, minutes from downtown. Enjoy a huge selection of Hawaii's best craft ales, lagers and fresh local cuisine. Free tours and tastings are offered. Extensive gift shop. Open for lunch and dinner daily.

Outback Steakhouse (Map 1, F-3 or Map 1-A, C-5) (326-2555). When you have had enough sun and sand and want to chill with a good meal, maybe it's time for dinner at Outback Steakhouse (with six more locations on the Neighbor Islands). Kick back, relax and enjoy the chicken, lamb, seafood and local fresh fish of the highest quality. And, of course, there's a selection of thick, juicy steaks. “Let Go. Go Outback.”

Kohala District:

Bamboo Restaurant (Map 3-A, A-2) (889-5555). Hawi, at the junction of Highways 250 and 270, North Kohala. Voted “Best restaurant on the Big Island,” featuring innovative and affordable Island-style cuisine, with fresh Big Island fish and local produce. Relax in the historic building and lush, tropical atmosphere as you sip a passion-fruit margarita-invented here! Closed Sunday nights and Mondays.

Coast Grille & Oyster Bar (Map 3, C-2) (880-3023). Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel, 62-100 Kaunaoa Drive. At this open-air restaurant with stunning ocean views, executive chef Piet Wigmans blends fresh Island produce with rich Pacific Rim flavors. Begin with panko-crusted yellow-fin tuna and ahi summer roll, or indulge in the oyster bar. Nightly specials always include grilled Keahole lobster, mahimahi macadamia nut, filet mignon and rib-eye steak. Open daily 6 to 9 p.m.

Gathering of the Kings (Map 3, D-2) (326-4969). The Big Island's newest Polynesian feast is a combination of the best at the Fairmont Orchid Hawaii at Mauna Lani, held Tuesday and Saturday evenings. Travel to the islands of Hawaii, Samoa, New Zealand and Tahiti as you taste the Pacific's culinary treasures. Enjoy the drama and dance, a fusion of both traditional and modern choreography. The Gathering of the Kings retells the story of the journey of the Polynesians who settled the Pacific. Visit www.gatheringofthekings.com

Kohala Coffee Mill, in Hawi (Map 3-A, B-2) (889-5577). Known for the best mochas on the island, the mill serves 100-percent Kona coffee and unique house blends, as well as the widest selection of black, green and herbal teas, smoothies, bagels, beverages, memorable Hawaiian gifts and gourmet products. A great stop for breakfast or lunch. Open daily.

Paniolo Country Inn (Map 3-B, B-2) (885-4377). Located in Waimea at the junction of Highways 19 and 190. Open every day from 7 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. for family-style dining in a country atmosphere. Extensive menu featuring barbecue, steaks, seafood, pizza, Mexican dishes, burgers, sandwiches, soups, pastas and full bar service. Breakfast specials include eggs Benedict and huevos rancheros.

Ruth's Chris Steak House (Map 3, D-1) (887-0800). Located at the Shops at Mauna Lani, 68-1330 Mauna Lani Drive. Open nightly for dinner from 5 to 10. At least one evening on the island, make sure to treat yourself to Ruth's Chris finest custom-aged, U.S.D.A. prime Midwestern beef and superb wines. In addition to the fine meats for which the restaurant is world-renowned, Ruth's Chris also offers a large selection of freshly prepared seafood items, including seared ahi tuna, shrimp Remoulade with a classic Creole sauce, New Orleans-style barbecued shrimp, lobster tails and fresh Island fish. For dessert, try the famous bread pudding or crème brûlée topped with fresh berries. Groups are welcome. Visit www.ruthschris.com

Tropical Dreams (Map 3-A, B-2) (889-5577). Operating from Kohala Coffee Mill, Highway 270. Tropical Dreams creates treats using cream from local dairies and the highest quality, locally grown fruits, nuts and chocolate for dreamy desserts to complement your Hawaiian adventures.

Hamakua District:

What's Shakin' (Map 4, I-3) (964-3080). Off Highway 19 on the 4-mile scenic route at Onomea, one mile north of the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden. Owners Patsy and Tim serve delicious, healthy lunches, including a variety of sandwiches on fresh buns and bagels, homemade salad dressing, salsa and farm-fresh fruit smoothies. A perfect place to relax with a breathtaking view. Open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Hilo District:

Baskin-Robbins in Puainako Center (Map 5, E-4) 2100 Kanoelehua Ave. (959-3331). Enjoy the finest ice cream delights, with 31 wonderful flavors, plus shakes and sundaes.

Mehana Brewing Co. (Map 5, C-4) (934-8211). Located in Hilo at 275 E. Kawili St., this microbrewery produces premium ales and lagers that have received worldwide recognition for quality and taste. In the World Beer Championships, the Volcano Red Ale was awarded the bronze medal in 1998 and the Mauna Kea Pale Ale was awarded the bronze medal in 2003. All of the handcrafted beers are micro-brewed and packaged in Hilo, including Volcano Red Ale, Roy's Private Reserve, Humpback Blue Beer, Hawaii Lager, Mauna Kea Pale Ale and the Hawaiian Crow Porter. Stop by for a free tasting and browse through the gift shop. Visit the Web site at www.mehana.com

Volcano Winery (Map 6, I-1) (967-7479) Located three miles from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Pii Mauna Drive and H-3. Sip into Hawaiian time at Volcano Winery, with award-winning Hawaiian wine. Free tasting daily by the fun and friendly staff. Six unique wines, including bronze medalists Macadamia Nut Honey Wine and Hawaiian Guava Wine. Open 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily. Visit www.volcanowinery.com

Puna District:

Kilauea Lodge & Restaurant (Map 6-A, C-2) (967-7366). Volcano Village. Owners Albert and Lorna Jeyte offer both fireside dining and delightfully appointed accommodations. The dining room has beautiful hardwood floors, koa tables, fresh flowers and original local art. At the center of it all sits the welcoming historic Fireplace of Friendship. Complete dinners nightly include favorites such as hasenpfeffer, duck, lamb and fresh Island fish. Visit www.kilauealodge.com/res

Ka'u District:

Punalu'u Bakeshop (Map 7, C-3) (866-366-3501) Naalehu. Famous throughout the Islands for delicious Hawaiian sweetbread, Punalu'u Bake Shop and Visitor Center, located in Naalehu, is a welcoming oasis on your way to Volcanoes National Park. Browse the unique gift shop, with Hawaiian arts and crafts, jewelry, Island-made preserves and more. Please your palate with scrumptious malassadas (Portuguese doughnuts), hearty plate lunches and refreshing ice cream, smoothies and freshly brewed Ka'u coffee. Free bread samples available. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. except on Christmas and New Year's day. Visit www.bakeshophawaii.com

Shaka Restaurant (Map 7, C-3) (929-7404). The southernmost restaurant and bar in the United States is located at the 64-mile marker in Naalehu, on your way to the volcano. Open continuously from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day, featuring fresh catch of the day, daily lunch and dinner specials and homemade desserts, including delicious tropical fruit cheesecakes. Everything is homemade, and Friday is prime rib night from 5 to 9.

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