Drinks were good. Waitress was nice and friendly. Food was not good. I got fish tacos with corn tortillas and salad. The 2 tacos in the order were different, one had 2 pieces of fish and a mayo sauce, the other had one piece of fish and no sauce. The tortillas were split in half so I couldn't even pick up the taco. The fish was bland and the salad was over dressed. My husband got the fish sandwich. Too much dry bread, fish was dry, sauce was nothing to write home about. I would come back for drinks only but not food. read more

My husband and I stayed on the Big Island for 10 days. We ate out everyday so we ate at A LOT of different places. BUT.. I seriously have to give it up to Island Lava Java, which I have concluded was my favorite place that we ate at (even my husband agrees with me). It was even better than Roy's in Waikoloa. This place wasn't even on my itinerary of places to eat. We're just lucky that Huggo's had a 1 hour wait so we came here instead. (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/akg7B2mkNiZbCyE1RgP05Q?userid=JXt_vd2l_SkhFZdablieUg) By browsing the other review & photos, it appears that others come here for breakfast and not so much for the dinner entrees. My husband ordered the rib eye with stir-fry vegetables (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/akg7B2mkNiZbCyE1RgP05Q?select=3TfpmK2x5s5uQX_iPRYw4g) and I ordered the fish of the day. The fish of the day was Swordfish...mmm steak of the sea.. LOL which was crusted with macadamia nuts & toasted coconut served with risotto & Wasabi aioli. I must say, all the flavors really complimented each other well and *oh so heavenly*! (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/akg7B2mkNiZbCyE1RgP05Q?select=34PUnaGUCeLoIB4pHDFtYw) I ordered their Ginger Root iced tea. Gosh, that stuff is strong and burns going down. hahaha.. but it was good stuff. Seriously, everything on our plates was sooo delicious. I couln't stop picking the veggies from my husband's plate either. We then had to order dessert and ordered the Cappuccino & chocolate cheesecake. OMG!! I can't stop thinking about it.. even now! That cake sure woke us up!! (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/akg7B2mkNiZbCyE1RgP05Q?select=8RVzdgx-ENrkhXXmGvPpuQ) Anyway, we absolutely enjoyed witnessing the setting sun over the water while we ate our meal. It was absolutely beautiful AND delicious and was definitely one of the highlights of our trip! SEE PHOTO: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/akg7B2mkNiZbCyE1RgP05Q?select=C4bM8TN0uxiRj9mAuQNtCA read more

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This was our favorite place to eat this vacation! We had at least one meal a day here... It was that good. Cocktails we're definitely a highlight, with favs including the Coco-mo and Guava lemonade. You honestly can't go wrong with any of the cocktails though. For breakfast, the cinnamon pull apart is delightful, for something more hearty they usually have a good special. For lunch or dinner, our favorite was the Island Style Pizza with pulled pork, pineapple, and sweet chili sauce. The crust is great, they make it in house and add some herbs to the dough for extra flavor. Service was great and friendly, the view can't be beat (unless a cruise ship is in the harbor...) read more

What a lovely spot for a delicious breakfast or lunch. The Bloody Mary and mimosas were a hit with my group. The views were amazing and the staff was just so friendly. Best breakfast on Ali'i Drive by far!! read more

We got in at 7am and were hungry. We decided to try this place since it had so many great reviews. We got here around 730am so we beat the crowds and didn't have to wait. The parking lot is behind the place. This place over looks Ali'i Drive and you can see the ocean. Great location. When we got here, the sign said seat yourself. Once we sat down, another couple came and was going to sit down but the hostess chased them down to tell them they changed the sign to wait to be seated. We got menus and our server was friendly. Once she gave us menus and water, it took about 10 minutes for her to come back to take our orders. The food was fast and it came out about 10 minutes after that. We ordered a Lava Java Breakfast with a waffle and applewood smoked bacon, and a Big Kahuna Fish breakfast with rustic potatoes. Both breakfast dishes were filling and delicious. Lava Java Breakfast Waffle - the coconut syrup was good but the waffle itself was soft. I like crispy waffles so I didn't care for this one too much, it was a bit rubbery imo. Eggs - ordered fried and perfectly done Bacon - wish we got more than 2 thin pieces Big Kahuna Fish Brekafast Ono - fish of the day. It came in a huge block but amazingly was cooked perfectly and seasoned. Eggs - ordered over easy and made correctly Rustic potatoes - good flavor and consistency Fruit - honeydew, pineapple and cantaloupe that were fresh. Btw, we knew this was a tourist place since our breakfast came with orchids on them. This isn't where locals would eat breakfast I bet. I felt that this place was a bit overpriced for what you got. However, when we left, the people were lined up. Overall good was decent, location good, prices were a little high, service was good except for the hostess which helped me give 3 stars rather than 4 since I was debating. Would I give this place another try? Yes, I would. read more

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I had the Wapio Stack , is was delicious!! Also had the pomegranate lemonade cocktail it was also good. Staff super friendly and attentive. Can't ask for a better view with your breakfast. Definitely coming back!! read more

Island Lava Java - Waipio Stack - American Near Me - Kailua Kona, Hawaii

Okay, this is my last Yelp review from last month's trip to Hawaii. I thought I was done, but I had this unfinished review from brunch at Island Lava Java on our last day in Hawaii. I had the Island Style breakfast, which consisted of island-style pancakes (topped with chopped macadamia nuts, bananas and either coconut or guava-flavored syrup) with fruit and grilled potatoes. Despite the lack of spam and eggs, this breakfast was as good as it sounds! I wasn't expecting to finish the plate, but did so with relative ease. While we had a table outside with a very serene ocean view, there is a bird problem so you have to be careful where you sit. We first sat at a table that was between two umbrellas. This turned into a bad situation as the birds lined up along the edges of the umbrellas. We quickly realized how bad it was when the birds started bombing away! Luckily, another table opened up that was directly under an umbrella and out of harm's way. You also still need to be careful about leaning back, because the back of the chairs may not have been cleaned since the last bombing run. Despite the bird issues, it was a very good and relaxing breakfast. Good food and a good view was a great way to start the day...and the long journey home. read more

Island Lava Java - Island Style Pancakes - American Near Me - Kailua Kona, Hawaii

Picked up breakfast to go one morning on our vacation. The atmosphere and service made me wish I was eating there. Fantastic view and great people working there. I had the pancakes, island style. Excellent. Wife had the croissant sandwich and she enjoyed it. My older son had the egg breakfast which he liked as well. They were so fast with the order. A great decision for take out or dining in for breakfast with a view and great service. Kudos to Chloe for her over the top friendliness and service. read more

I've been driving by for a week and it's always full. I had to try it before we go back home. So we came by this morning. My husband and I trying to get attention from the staff was impossible. The girls that work here seem like they're too busy posing for a camera than actually working. Being a blond, rude tattooed girl with a tan must be the prerequisite for working here. It took at least 5 minutes for one of them to rudely tell us to sit at any seat outside. At this point, I was ready to just walk out. The only reason I stayed was because my husband said the food smells good. The Waffles and Eggs Benedict were delicious! The coffee and pineapple juice we got were great. When we finished our coffee, the Barbie that was serving us, walked by several times and never asked if we wanted more coffee. When we asked for more coffee, she seemed shocked! This is a split decision... The food/coffee get 5 stars The service less than 1 stars. This is big since I'm always sympathetic to those that work on their feet and in the service industry. I could understand one person having a bad day and having a bit of an attitude. Not one person was pleasant or welcoming. Very disappointed with the service. Enough that I won't be coming back. read more

This is our third visit in 24 hours. Breakfast was delicious both days. I had the pancakes and eggs the first and waffles the second day. My husband had the Luau omelet both days. It has pulled pork, pineapple and cheese and onions. It was to die for! We had the pull apart bread the first day and cinnamon roll the second day. Both were good and made in house. We liked the cinnamon roll the best. It was big and sticky and full of cinnamon. The service all three times was fast, friendly and efficient. They have a great Happy hour daily starting at 3 with $6 Mai Tais and well drinks. They also have a great Happy Hour menu with reduced prices and A good burger on the menu. read more

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We came here for our last meal before leaving the island. Our table of 4 had a "Basic Breakfast", plain waffle, banana pancakes and I the black bean tacos -cheese. Everyone was happy with their meal. My tacos were overflowing with enough beans and veggies to make one, if not two, more tacos. The fries were really good according to everyone at the table because there were so many I had to share. Come hungry!!!! Add in the awesome view and friendly service and this is a must try when in Kona. read more

Island Lava Java - Black bean tacos minus cheese. - American Near Me - Kailua Kona, Hawaii

My honey and I were in need of some good coffee and tasty eats on our second day in Kona. A quick search on Yelp showed that Island Lava Java was quite popular and since it was just a quick 5 minute walk from our hotel, it was perfect! One look around the place and I knew we were in good shape to get some tasty breakfast eats. All of the patrons seemed quite pleased with their heaping plates of eggs, waffles, and steaming coffee. We placed our order for a breakfast burrito for the bf and a waffle breakfast for me. After grabbing our freshly brewed Kona coffees from the counter, we grabbed a table outside and waited for our breakfast. The view was delightful!!! Clear blues skies, surfers coming in and out of the break, and the beautiful ocean merely yards from us. Perfect! Our food came over shortly late and yumm-o!!!! http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/akg7B2mkNiZbCyE1RgP05Q?select=2XPxBZErAuVw1xN654KzfQ http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/akg7B2mkNiZbCyE1RgP05Q?select=fDjqD5FNhSnHAm2grQHi0g My waffle was delish--crunchy and not too sweet. The bf loved his burrito and it was huge! As for the coffee....it was the best I had yet on that side of the island. And that is saying a lot!! Tummies filled, we were ready to tackle another day in Kona! read more

Island Lava Java - Waffle Breakfast with Herb Potatoes and Portugese Sausage - American Near Me - Kailua Kona, Hawaii

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Had dinner here, great ambience and a beach view! Staff was also great and friendly. Our waiting staff was excellent, however food was bland. Had the catch of the day and ahi salad and Macadamia crusted fresh catch. Fish was fresh but wish the dishes were seasoned better. read more

Island Lava Java - Ahi salad - American Near Me - Kailua Kona, Hawaii

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A must stop for breakfast on the big island! Even though we stayed at a bed and breakfast, the owners insisted that we come here one morning--so glad they recommended it! We shared a HUGE cinnamon roll, had pancakes and omelet and an excellent vanilla frappe. Oh, and the birds like the pancakes too! They are brave--hold a piece in between your fingertips and they'll fly up and snatch it! read more

Overpriced? Yes. Great food? No. Okay food? Yes. Excellent ocean view? Yes. Worth it? No. We stopped by this little café with good Yelp reviews hoping for a decent meal on our last night in Kona. We ordered the Guava BBQ ribs ($27.95) and Kalaunu beef burger ($14.95). There was nothing exciting about either. The portions were okay, but the side salad was uninspired (think Costco mixed greens) and the pineapple slaw looked and tasted no different than the salad (did they run out?). I thought the fries tasted okay (maybe the rest of the meal desensitized my taste buds), but my partner in crime said they were stale. Maybe ILJ is worth a stop for coffee, but I would not come here for a meal again. read more

Great consistent breakfast, quick service, order and pay by toast interface, love the eggs Benedict.

One of the many fine days in paradise brought us down to the little beach town of Kialua-Kona where we wanted to get a good hearty breakfast before a day of hiking. For the price (yes, the prices in Hawaii make New York City look like Lincoln, Nebraska in prices, but it's so worth it) this was a pretty sweet deal. Island Lava Java serves large (jumbo!) portions, lots of fresh, local ingredients and the coffee is 100% Kona. I have just two words for you: cInNaMoN rolls! They're hand rolled daily; buttery, moist and delicious. Oh, and the coffee is served in nice porcelain mugs (you won't find Styrofoam here) that are about twice the size of a typical cup-o-joe, elsewhere. If you're a coffee drinker and you're in or around Kialua-Kona... stop by, you won't regret it. Lets put aside the delicious food, generous portions and coffee kicks, and admit why we really picked this restaurant. The outdoor seating, peaceful ocean view, friendly service, local art all around and good energy made this a difficult place to pass by. read more

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I have no idea how this restaurant is rated number one on Yelp in Kona at the moment. The service wasn't great to begin with which generally doesn't bother me but just added to the bad experience. The pork ribs were flavourless apart from a strong pepper taste. They were poorly seasoned, cooked just OK and mediocre at best overall. The blackened brie was nice but nothing out of the ordinary. The lava java salad was quite nice but again it was nothing out of the ordinary. The cocktails were nice and they have a decent craft beer selection. It was expensive for what we ate, however this is to be expected in a touristy area on the water which was the best part of the meal. read more

Great view. Service was good. Food , ehh. Maybe we just didn't order the right thing. read more

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I got the Big Island Basic with Portuguese sausage and potatoes. This place has really fast service! The food probably came out less than 10 minutes from ordering. The best part of this restaurant was the views and live ukulele music. read more

Island Lava Java - Big Island Basics - American Near Me - Kailua Kona, Hawaii

Ate here twice on while in Kona. Beautiful view while you dine. Both times the food was fresh and tasty. Definitely recommend.

Had a great breakfast experience here! I got the macadamia nut pancakes with a cocounut/mac nut syrup which was OFF THE HOOK. Amazing! How can I go back to consuming regular syrup? I could drink buckets of that stuff (if diabetes/caloric intake/waistline measurements were not a factor). The pancakes were encrusted with mac nuts and it gave me just the right nutty flavor. They were also superbly fluffy :-) mmmmm... I also sampled my friend's veg omelette. I was really impressed by how light the eggs were. I don't think you can go wrong with anything here! Also, their pastries are a work of art. Definitely drool-worthy. read more

I love love love this place. Love! It's in downtown Kona and right across from the water. You can get outside seating, which I always do. The last time I was here, there was a freakin cute Hawaiian guy singing Hawaiian style covers of pop songs and it seriously just put me in the happiest mood ever. I mean, just imagine me, sitting outside, perfect weather, calm wind blowing through my hair, eating egg bennies with a side of pancakes drowned in mac-nut syrup, ice cold coffee (and I don't even drink coffee), instagramming photos of this Hawaiian guy on the guitar. That is the dream. Island Lava Java also has a great pastry menu. Not everything's listed so you'll have to walk up to the pastry counter and take a look. They run out of their popular ones early so don't get there too late!! I love the cinnamon roll. I loved everything. read more

Located right in the center of town-Beach front. Kids really enjoyed the pizza, my poke bowl was fresh but lack of seasoning and the slaw lack of dressing, looks amazing on the reviews but lacks of taste. My hubby ordered a turkey sandwich and is just ordinary. The waiter was very nice and friendly. The dessert was good read more

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We love this place so much. Got to experience their new location on our last trip, and it's just as great as the old location...only bigger!! We come here for breakfast and dinner, and we've never once been disappointed. Breakfasts are always solid, and reliable....dinner specials often exceed expectations. read more

We are returning visitors to the big island, and always go to this place for breakfast and happy hour! Our server Elisia was so awesome! She gave us great service, and food was delicious! My kids shared the keiki scramble, and big island pancakes, and loved it! I had the bagel with lox and cream cheese. So good!! Excellent price for breakfast! read more

Island Lava Java - Mimosa - American Near Me - Kailua Kona, Hawaii

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Such a great place with beautiful view, good foods/coffee and services are so friendly. Definitely recommend this place for awesome breakfast and view. read more

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The Eggs Benedict is so delicious here! Came to Lava Java two mornings in a row for it! Customer service is very friendly and quick. Great view of the ocean as well! I ordered the Hibiscus Mimosa the first day we came. Absolutely delicious! Comes with an edible hibiscus flower, which is pretty sweet in my opinion. The server described it as tart, but I thought it was on the sweeter side when I had it. Either way, very tasty! Perfect way to start a relaxing trip on Kona. Walking distance (about 5-7 minute walk)from the Royal Kona Resort. read more

Island Lava Java - American Near Me - Kailua Kona, Hawaii

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Stopped for breakfast, service was quick, the place is clean, has a nice ambiance, food was good, view of the ocean was nice. Over all I'd say it was above average. I'd go back without having to rub my chin and think about it. read more

We stopped here on a Friday night and really enjoyed the live music and their Lava Java milkshakes! We also shared a piece of their delicious carrot cake! We could see and hear the crash of the ocean waves across the street. Very enjoyable atmosphere in the late evening. read more

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Loved the ambiance. Friendly waiters and good food. Would return. Pros: 1. As close as it gets to the ocean - gorgeous views 2. The frittata I had was delicious! Cons: 1. Drinks were a tad over-priced. I suppose you pay for the view. read more

This restaurant has solid breakfast. It's a seat yourself place, so just pick up a menu and find an open table. Come here early because it gets crowded fast, especially if you want a table with the view of the water. We came here twice on our stay on the island because we were fans of their Island style waffle breakfast. It comes with your choice of bacon or Portuguese sausages and a cup of fruit. The waffles are delicious! It's topped off with macadamia nut and bananas with a side of coconut syrup. I like the syrup because it's not super sweet or rich. We also tried the Island style pancake breakfast which is basically the same thing but with pancakes instead of waffles. Those were also very good. I also tried their Luau omelet which was okay. It was lacking a lot of flavors and I wouldn't recommend ordering it. We also ordered a Mochaccino and Ice Kona mocha with whip cream. The mochaccino was very good but was unimpressed by the Iced Kona, especially considering that the name of their restaurant is Island Lava Java. You would think their coffee drinks would be exceptional. read more

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Food: We had the island eggs benedict (house-made hollandaise sauce on two poached eggs, sliced ham, and toasted croissant), Portuguese sausage and pancakes with coconut syrup (the coconut syrup was to die for), the cinnamon roll, and the lava java shake. I highly recommend the pancakes with the coconut syrup and the lava java shake. The coconut syrup was flavored so well that I wanted to dip everything in it. If you get the cinnamon roll, make sure you share it because it's a huge portion (see picture below). They have a variety of plates from pancakes and waffles to croissant sandwiches, pastries, bagels, and bagelwiches. Service and Ambiance: It took a while to get a table but when we did get a table, it was all worth the wait. We sat outside near the live music and had a gorgeous view. I absolutely loved it. Tip: If you stay at the nearby hotel (Courtyard King Kamehameha's Kona Beach House), I recommend just walking here and around this area. read more

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Summary: Awesome view, pretty good food (excellent coconut syrup), standard service,  Note: If you don't like birds, be advised that if you sit outside there is the occasional presence of dive bombing birds. Came for early breakfast (630) on a Sunday and was immediately seated at one of the outdoor tables with a killer view. The crowd started to come in around 7. The food: Sunday's brunch menu is different than the standard menu, which is disappointing since they said they aren't able to make anything off of the normal menu.  Kalua pork omelet with the side of Portuguese sausage: the omelette had a decent amount of pork and the sausage was nice and tasty, if not a bit on the oily side.  Catch of the day: seared ahi - this was a bit disappointing as the fish didn't seem to be all that fresh and wasn't all that tasty Pancakes with Mac nuts and bananas -THESE were delicious, especially when doused with their delicious coconut syrup! service was fine. The lady with the British accent seemed to be in charge and she was extremely nice. read more

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WE had a delicious breakfast. We saw the beautiful ocean from our table. My food was fantastic. The wait staff was busy, but did well with all the customers. read more

The macadamia crusted fish of the day was very tasty. Kids got cheese pizza with veggie sticks as their kids meal. They liked it. I got a massive chicken sandwich with a salad. That sandwich could easily be split between 2 kids or small eaters. Everything was tasty read more

Their Kona coffee is okay as it was not hot Service is also just okay that makes you look for host, asks how everything is when you are mouthful, and makes you wait for servers. However I cannot stand saggy waffle, wet sausage and mashy fruit, thus applying 2 stars. Pancakes didn't look great either. While some other brunch menu items look better, but who knew. :-/ read more

Island Lava Java - Bay view tables at side walk. - American Near Me - Kailua Kona, Hawaii

Visited Hawai'i (Big Island) for a week and on our last day, we decided to have a proper sit down breakfast. We were staying at the Royal Kona so this was just a stone's throw away, and the only place that was open at 630am because we had to drive to Hilo. We had the pancakes, and the ahi tuna steak, as well as two lattes. Bill came up to almost $50. Food was mediocre and unimpressive. Our server was rushing about but we never felt neglected - she attended to us well, and that's why I'm giving the review two stars. Other servers were just dumping water all over the place such as into plants when they clear tables. It's disgusting. I'd stay away from all these touristy joints if I were you. There's much better food in the food trucks found around the island at a more reasonable price. read more

Island Lava Java - Blah breakfast. - American Near Me - Kailua Kona, Hawaii

Good fresh food. The 5 dollar mimosas were good and did the job. It was a bit on the pricey side but what isn't here in kona

Great drinks, wonderful atmosphere and the view is amazing. The food is very fresh, seafood is tasty and the servers are busy but attentive. read more

Island Lava Java - Sunset on the Deck. - American Near Me - Kailua Kona, Hawaii