One of the questions guests ask us most often before arriving is: where should we eat? It is a fair question. The Kohala Coast has a handful of genuinely excellent restaurants, a couple of well-loved casual spots, and one or two hidden gems that most visitors would never stumble across on their own.
We have compiled our honest guide to the best restaurants near Mauna Lani. These are places we feel confident recommending — experientially, not just based on ratings. As with everything in our local guides, we want to be useful rather than exhaustive, so we will tell you what each place is really like rather than listing everything within twenty miles.
A note before you start planning: a full kitchen at Hale Mele means you do not need to eat out for every meal. The rhythm we usually suggest is breakfasts and some dinners at home, and a few well-chosen meals out. That balance keeps things relaxed, flexible, and genuinely enjoyable.
Lava Lava Beach Club — Waikoloa Beach Resort
If there is one restaurant that defines the spirit of a Kohala Coast evening, it is Lava Lava Beach Club. Located on Anaehoʻomalu Bay at Waikoloa Beach Resort — about a fifteen-minute drive from Hale Mele — this is toes-literally-in-the-sand dining, and it delivers on that promise completely.
The setting is the star: an open-air beach restaurant with tables right on the sand, live music starting at sunset, hula during the golden hour, and views across the bay that make it hard to leave. The energy is festive without being rowdy, and it works beautifully for families, couples, and groups alike.
Order a mai tai. Watch the sun go down. Let the kids play on the beach between courses. This is the kind of meal you come back from feeling like you properly arrived in Hawaii. Reservations are available, though the restaurant does hold space for walk-ins — the bay and the bar make any wait genuinely pleasant.
Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar — The Shops at Mauna Lani
Tommy Bahama at The Shops at Mauna Lani is Peter’s personal favorite, and he says so without hesitation.
There is something about this place that just works. The atmosphere strikes the right balance between relaxed and polished — elevated enough for a proper dinner, comfortable enough that you are not overthinking your outfit. It is the kind of spot where you can linger over a meal and a drink and feel genuinely at ease, whether you are celebrating something or just enjoying a Tuesday evening on the Kohala Coast.
Because it is right at The Shops at Mauna Lani, it is also one of the most convenient options for Hale Mele guests — a short golf cart ride or a quick drive, depending on where you are coming from. Worth making a reservation, especially in high season.
The Fish and The Hog — Kamuela (Waimea)
The Fish and The Hog is a casual, local BBQ spot in Waimea, the upcountry town about twenty minutes from the coast. It is the kind of place that does not need a glossy renovation or an Instagram-friendly interior to justify its reputation — the food does the work.
Expect a relaxed, no-frills atmosphere and the kind of straightforward cooking that becomes a highlight of the trip. It is popular with locals and visiting families alike, which tells you something. Book ahead — it fills up faster than first-time visitors expect.
Getting to Waimea also gives you a chance to experience the pastoral upcountry side of the Big Island, which feels genuinely different from the coast. The landscape, the cooler air, and the small-town pace make the drive part of the experience.
The Shops at Mauna Lani — Quick Bites and Breakfast
The Shops at Mauna Lani is a short drive or golf cart ride from Hale Mele and serves as a convenient neighborhood hub for groceries, quick meals, and casual dining. Mauna Lani Coffee Co. is useful for your morning coffee run if you want something outside the house, and Knead & Bake is a good option for fresh pastries or a quick bite.
Foodland Farms — the grocery anchor of the complex — is worth knowing about for stocking the kitchen. Their selection of locally grown produce, fresh seafood, and ready-to-cook options makes it genuinely easy to put together a good meal at home without driving all the way to Kona.
For a casual, no-planning-required lunch or early dinner, the dining options at The Shops cover most needs. Nothing here requires a reservation or a dressed-up evening — it is your neighborhood, essentially.
Brown’s Beach House — Fairmont Orchid
For a special occasion — an anniversary, a birthday, a farewell dinner, or an evening when you want the full experience — Brown’s Beach House at the Fairmont Orchid is the choice. This is the Kohala Coast’s signature fine-dining experience, and it earns that description.
The restaurant sits steps from the shore at the Fairmont Orchid. Hawai’i Island-inspired cuisine, live Hawaiian music, and the kind of sunset panoramas that make dinner feel like an event. The menu focuses on locally sourced ingredients — fresh seafood, island produce — prepared with care.
Dinner is served daily in the evening. Make a reservation well in advance, especially during peak travel periods. This is not a casual drop-in spot, and it should not be — the experience is better when you have planned for it.
Our Recommended Rhythm
Here is how we suggest thinking about dining when you stay with us: stock the kitchen well on arrival (Foodland Farms is your first stop), plan two or three dinners out during your stay, and let the rest be flexible. Breakfasts at home are easy and unhurried. Lunches can be a mix — beach snacks, a casual stop at The Shops, or leftovers from a home dinner.
When you do go out, pick restaurants that match the mood of the day. Lava Lava for a celebratory beach evening. Tommy Bahama for a relaxed neighborhood dinner. Brown’s Beach House when you want something memorable and elevated. The Fish and The Hog when you want something honest and local.
The kitchen at Hale Mele is fully equipped, and cooking together — especially after a morning at the beach — is one of those quiet trip rituals that families end up talking about for years. We find the best vacations tend to mix both: a few excellent nights out, and a few peaceful evenings at home.
→ For more local tips and recommendations, visit halemele.com/experiences/
Photo by Kohala Coast Properties
