Island Lava Java
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We've been coming to Lava Java for years and it's our favorite spot for breakfast. It has a great view of Kona's oceanfront and it's relaxing to drink your mimosa or Mocha (or both as my wife does it) and watch the boats and para-sailors. The service is very good, especially if you are upstairs when Tawny is working. I used to get the Portuguese sausage, eggs, and rice. However, I tried the hollandaise a few visits back and I have been hooked ever since. Now I get the eggs Benedict with home fries and extra sauce for the potatoes. Make sure to visit this spot when you're looking for a tasty, easy going breakfast.
Definitely wouldn't recommend. The food was average, not a lot of flavor at all. They sat us a table without an umbrella, we were the only ones without when there were others empty. Worst part about this place was the server eric did something shady with the tip amount. I pressed the total amount on the hand held payment and when I saw the charge it was more.
We had breakfast at Island Lava Java and the location alone makes it worth visiting. It's right across from the ocean, the views are beautiful, and we even got to see dolphins while we were eating, which made the experience extra special. I had the island style pancakes and they were delicious. The coconut syrup was the perfect addition, and the Portuguese sausage was also really good. My husband had the luau scramble, which was alright but felt like it was missing a little something. My brother in law ordered the loco moco and really enjoyed it. Overall, we had a nice breakfast and would definitely go back.
Had a great breakfast experience at the Island Lava Java. We walked up to see what the wait time was like and we got lucky that a group had just cancelled their reservation so they took us right in. The service was excellent. Our waitress took care of us and was very friendly and funny. We sat in the upper balcony so we had good views of the ocean and surroundings. There is plenty of space for big groups upstairs. The food we ordered all looked great and tasted even better. I got the loco moco and it was very filling and delectable. We also ordered the ham and cheese croissant, and the burger with sweet potato fries. All excellent choices.
Stopped by for breakfast because it was across the street from our resort. Terri our server was so sweet and helpful. Never kept us waiting. We started with the French press Kona coffee which was complex and delicious. My wife loved her fresh catch Benedict I had the lava java breakfast and it was fantastic. Waffle was a little chewy was the only critique. Will definitely be coming back.
We came here twice. Once for breakfast and once at lunchtime. The restaurant has a beautiful ocean view. If you are able to get a table up front, you will have an unobstructed view of the Pacific ocean. Sometimes you might even be able to see some whales or a school of dolphins if you go during the right season. Our first visit was during lunch. It was around the time they were turning over their menu from breakfast/brunch to lunch and we were told that menu items would be limited or we could wait 10 more minutes while they complete the transition in the kitchen. We decided to share a pizza which was one of the no waiting option and the ahi bites. The Kona combo pizza had pepperoni, Italian sausage, olives and onions. It was large enough for the two of us to get full. The ahi bites were excellent. We had to wait for 10 more minutes to get them but they were worth the wait. The house wasibi aoili and umagi glaze were so flavorful and definitely elevated the taste of the ahi nuggets. Service was quick and friendly. Our server checked on us often enough to make sure we had drinks and that the food were delivered to our table. Our breakfast visit was the following day. Unfortunately, service was slower and our waitress was not very attentive. My husband ordered the island bagel and lox and I had the drag it through the garden croissant breakfast sandwich. While the food was good, the overall visit was like night and day from our previous experience. I'm still glad we came for breakfast though as the place does have a lot of great options as far as food went.
This morning was already a bit stressful because we couldn't decide where to eat, and in the end we chose this place because of the many reviews. Unfortunately, it ended up being disappointing. We ordered a vegetable omelet to share and two drinks, and the total was almost $70, which felt very overpriced for what we got. The portions were small and the food itself was nothing special. It definitely wasn't exquisite or memorable in any way. The view, however, was beautiful. We were seated on the second floor with an ocean view, and that part was truly lovely. But even with the scenery, the experience didn't feel worth the money. My husband's coffee also wasn't good at all. The waitress was polite, but the service was quite slow. Overall, the location and view are the best things about this place. Sadly, the food, drinks, and value didn't live up to the hype, and we left feeling frustrated.
We have been coming to Island Lava Java for many years now . We had a server Named Eileen who was so so sweet and attentive! Greeted us with a smile , even offered us to sign up on the app for rewards, which we had been 3 x already this visit and nobody else offered sadly ! Bagel & Lox are delicious, nice portions of Salmon , bloody Mary's are so good! Kalua pork, pineapple and eggs good also . We have never had a bad experience here , Tany is another server who is so nice and always smiling. We will miss the ocean waves and sunshine ! See you next year !
This place was recommended to us by locals so we knew we had to check it out. The view was stunning, you could see the ocean and people swimming. It was also fun to people watch as lots of shops are nearby so there are a lot of people walking around. We got the omelette, pancakes, and the eggs Benedict. The food was delicious, would order all of it again. Great ingredients, everything immaculately cooked, and generous portions. My favorite dish was the pancakes. They had a creamy sauce on top that really complimented the macadamia nuts and the bananas. It was sweet, ward, cozy and crunchy. My husband really liked his omelette, it was flavorful and perfectly cooked. The eggs Benedict was amazing because it came on a croissant which was just so extra in the nest way. The service was excellent. Servers were kind, attentive and knowledgable. I would definitely recommend this spot for a solid breakfast with a stunning view.
We had an amazing time Makamae was such a character and made our dinner so memorable. She really did a great balance of lightly offering things that helped me make a decision throughout the evening to keep the experience progressing without coming off as pushy. I felt like I could take as much time as I needed, but that she had good insight into the menu. So much fun so much good food highly highly recommend the poki and beet salad and the pono mai tais!!!
Love the outdoor porch vibe by the shore. Had a relaxing time enjoying an amazing meal with the views and sea breeze. Got to try the luau scramble and the pineapple upside down French toast. Both were unique fusion dishes that made for a fun brunch. The luau scramble uses a fried, crispy pork belly instead of bacon for protein. It's a nice thick cut with good flavor to it paired with rice and scrambled eggs. Worth trying! The pineapple upside down french toast was decadent! It really fuses the pineapple flavors into the french toast really well for a good excuse to do dessert for brunch!
Huge portions! Tasted great! Tried a pancake island style which meant macadamia nuts, banana, and their unique coconut syrup. I loved it, it was so filling and delicious. Also tried their garden omelette which was fresh and packed with veggies. The potatoes were a hit, perfectly seasoned and crispy!
So we got to Kona and I have been trying to eat healthy. That meant I needed my coffee fix. Luckily, Island Lava Java was right down the street from the condo. After working out at Planet Fitness, stopped in for a Cafe Mocha (organic espresso, chocolate syrup, steamed milk & house whipped cream). Definitely worth the visit and can't beat the views.
1 year ago
Great food, friendly service, good coffee and ocean views. Garden scramble was delicious. Order the pesto on the side and drizzle over a side of potatoes. It's the bomb! The pineapple upside down French toast is a must for those who love sweets, but not too sweet, treats. read more
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Jeff F.
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came here for my birthday brunch, love the seating on the second floor with great views of the ocean and some great people watching. We started off with the hibiscus gin lemonades and they were refreshing on the hot morning. Loved the Big Kahuna breakfast and got surprised with a birthday cinnamon roll for dessert. This place is one of the busiest at all times. Be sure to book a table in advance to avoid long wait times and the night vibe here is one I will have to come back for and experience. Mahalo! read more
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Jeff F.
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Somewhat average food, a little overpriced for what you get. The guava ribs were pretty tasty but the burger and fish fell a little flat. If I was to come back, I'd probably try the breakfast instead of lunch. read more
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Jeff F.
Rachel,…
3 years ago
There is a free parking lot limited to 3 hours parking nearby. It's about a 5 minute walk from the restaurant. The restaurant has seating upstairs as well so there's quite a lot of seating available. There are a ton of restaurants/shops located nearby. The staff here are super friendly and the food was delicious. This place was so great, we came here twice for brunch. This is what I ordered: Island Eggs Benedict (5/5): This is my first time ever having an egg benedict on a croissant and my gawshhh... what a game changer! This was absolutely DELICIOUS!! If you're an egg benedict lover, definitely give it a shot! And let me tell you... the potatoes were so seasoned, so good and they're literally making my mouth water just thinking about it. Luau Scramble (5/5) with Spinach and Tomato: I was torn between the luau and the garden scramble so I decided to add some veggies to the luau scramble to resolve the issue. I found this to be a very good decision as it satisfied my cravings that day. I loved the Portuguese sausage as it was so flavorful and complimented the meal very well. Fresh Juice Bar (5/5): The first day, I had apple, cucumber, and orange as my fresh juice. This was very refreshing and light. The second time, I had apple, ginger, and pineapple. This was also very refreshing. Pineapple flavor was definitely strong but it was still very good. A little more on the tart side. I really like that they offer this drink option as it was healthier and not so sugary especially in the morning. read more
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Jeff F.
Glad to hear you enjoyed your visit, Serenity! Check your inbox for a…
1 year ago
Christmas Dinner Island Lava Java * Kona, Hawaii * December 25, 2024 We arrived! We were in Kona. It was Christmas. Time for the family's Kona Christmas! A hearty "Aloha" to 75-5801 Ali'i Dr Building 1, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, the bustling oceanfront restaurant: Island Lava Java. This dinner had been months in the planning, with matching "Kona Christmas" tee-shirts designed by Danielle Gro'ak. Our stomachs were rumbling, tumbling, ready to go tummy-to-toe with a menu of delicious Island offerings. https://stephenjgroak.blogspot.com read more
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Jeff F.
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(IG: @foodwithdeni) #dEATs *Went to @islandlavajava for lunch with the family and we shared Ahi Poke, Island Lava Java Salad, Macadamia Nut Crusted Fresh Fish & LJ's Fresh Catch N Chips *We were late for their popular brunch menu but hopefully next time I can try it! *Favorite dish-- LJ's Fresh Catch N Chips, crispy coating & loaded with fries Address: 75-5801 Ali'i Drive, Bldg 1 Kailua Kona, HI 96740 FEATURING-- Ahi Poke Island Lava Java Salad Macadamia Nut Crusted Fresh Fish LJ's Fresh Catch N Chips read more
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Jeff F.
It's great to know we've given you an amazing experience, Denise!…
1 year ago
Visiting from Oahu and was looking for an open place for breakfast. This place was opened and right next to the water. The waitress was knowledgeable and overall employees were friendly. I had the croissant sandwich and was very filling, it could be shared. I also ordered an unsweetened matcha with oat milk which was okay but I wasn't expecting this but the coffee to be good. This place is nice for a sit down meal beside the ocean with great staff and vibes. read more
7 months ago
Great service with a view! Definitely recommend getting breakfast here while enjoying views of the ocean!! read more
1 year ago
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Jeff F.
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1 year ago
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Jeff F.
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6 months ago
4 months ago
beautiful restaurant for sunset dining. the big island pizza as reviewed on the food network, didn't disappoint. everyone else ordered the ribs(also on food network) and i almost regret not getting them! read more
1 year ago
Loved it! Nice waiter, fantastic views and ambiance. Yummy food and fair prices. Definitely recommend if you're in the area. read more
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Jeff F.
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4 months ago
Came back again during our week to outstanding service (thanks Tawny!) and tasty food. We were seated upstairs this time with another amazing view of the ocean. Thanks again! read more
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Jeff F.
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2 years ago
Excellent food and view. I got the fish tacos with fries and it was absolutely delicious. You can tell the fish is fresh. My brother got the pizza and said it was really good. Service and view was great. No wait either. read more
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Jeff F.
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A very disappointing visit to this restaurant last night. Our calamari was on the chewy side & a small portion. By far the most disappointing was the fresh fish tacos. I was shocked when the plate was placed in front of me. The 2 fish tacos are half filled, flopping all over the plate & the sweet potato fries were burnt to a crisp. They were inedible! A chef with eyes (and a server) would know that these could be not be eaten but they served them anyway on my fish taco plate & on my husband's chicken sandwich plate. I just looked at other pictures of fish tacos 'from this restaurant & they are served with 2 salsas & a decorative orchid - mine had none! How can there be these inconsistencies? When I finally flagged down the waitress & told her about the visibly burnt sweet potato fries & if they could give us ones we could actually eat - instead of apologizing & jumping on it - she said she "would ask" (the kitchen) I'm assuming! They took at least 15-20 min to bring them out ~ by which time we had finished our meal. So very disappointing as we had read the good reviews & were really looking forward to eating here. read more
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Jeff F.
We've sent you a private message to personally address some concerns…
1 year ago
The food was AMAZING. Probably the best nachos I've ever had. Definitely for two people! We waited 1.5 hours for a table. read more
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Jeff F.
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7 months ago
Lava Java has excellent prices and a fantastic rewards system! The rewards guve you 10% of your bill towards a return visit with the percentage increasing to 20% during happy hour. Their smash burger is consistently awesome and their fries are well seasoned and battered. I've been going to this location read more
2 years ago
Food - I got the upside pineapple French toast. It wasn't overly sweet and the portion was a good size. I didn't feel overly stuffed afterwards. Would recommend getting again. We also got the papaya yogurt and it was so fresh especially to balance the heaviness of the French toast. The orange juice was freshly squeezed and so fresh. Service - friendly service. Our waitress made a mistake on our order but she caught it and made adjustments to our bill. We made reservations (party of 2) and even though it wasn't busy we were glad we did because they saved us a seat upstairs facing the ocean so I'd strongly recommend booking in advance. There were also only a few other folks upstairs compared to the bottom level. Ambience - busy but efficient. Great open space with lots of seatings. Ocean views! read more
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Jeff F.
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2 years ago
We love this place! We stumbled across it on our first day in Kona and we went back every day at least once. Breakfast - Bloody Mary is a must - the candied bacon is to die for! The cinnamon roll and the pineapple upside down French toast are worth the calories. For lunch or dinner - pizzas are delicious and the Nicoise salad - ooh la la! Bartenders make great drinks - my personal favorite is the Coco Mo. mmmmmm! And the view...great anytime but sunsets are particularly special. read more
We went here for breakfast and ordered the garden scramble which was DELICIOUS! It came with many veggies and was topped with goat cheese and Mac nut pesto! We also ordered the pineapple upside down French toast which they make their own syrup and that was filling and delicious! I ordered the Matcha Latte which was perfect! Super creamy and not too sweet. My girl ordered the Hibiscus Mimosa which came with the flower inside and she ate that at the end! She def got a buzz off of this :) Our server was super attentive, and it's right on Alii drive so we were able to walk there from our room and have a view of the ocean! read more
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Jeff F.
Mahalo for your review, Sara. We responded to you privately so check…
9 months ago
4 months ago
7 months ago
I had the Hana House cocktail to start. It had ocean vodka, guava purée, fresh orange, pineapple and lime juices. A pleasant enough drink but no trace of alcohol although the bartender said it was masked by the fruit juices. I had the poke bowl which I can't complain about. The chunks of ahi were larger than the ones back home. The restaurant was an open air affair woa beautiful view of the water across the street. read more
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Jeff F.
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4 months ago
Stayed consistent with what was shared about This location the "POKE BOWL'S " were Bomb!!! & Their Passion fruit Tart Dessert enough for 2-4 people had a Beautiful presentation & was Delicious! The Cocktails were worth it & tasted Great as well!!! read more
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Jeff F.
Mahalo, Kassie! We love the pictures, be sure to check your inbox…
Good location; quick service. Friendly staff. The ahi was fresh and tasty- I enjoyed the wasabi aioli on top of it- felt light and not too heavy. The French toast was recommended by our waitress and I really wanted to like it- it was so dry- almost like they used 3 day old bread and DIDN'T soak it in an egg mixture. It had potential. If they could soak it longer and use fresh pineapple vs the canned stuff I think it could be a home run. read more
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Jeff F.
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Al fresco dining with beach views in Kona town. Server was friendly and helpful with menu suggestions. Service was a good even For a busy Sunday crowd. We had the lava Java breakfast island style and the hoku croissant sandwich. Waffles came with a coconut sauce which was not too sweet with Mac nuts that gave it some crunch served with bananas- delicious. Croissant was solid. We enjoyed our meal and expect to come back again. read more
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Jeff F.
Aloha Rowena,…
This was probably the most full restaurant we've been to on our trip to the Big Island. There's just less tourists than Honolulu. I ended up getting the luau scramble, which was decent. My mom got the garden scramble and the flavor wasn't as good as the one I got. I added a little tabasco sauce to my scramble and that helped the flavor pop even more. I would say the service wasn't that great. Wasn't sure if it was our particular waitress. She walked towards our table, and smiled right at me looking like she was going to take our order, and instead went to the table behind me and helped them instead. She later came back to take our order and was not very welcoming. We got seated under a tree so leaves and pieces of the branches kept falling down, which was completely understandable. What I didn't enjoy was when something fell into my dad's water and we needed to ask the waitress 3 times for a new cup. It took more than 10minutes to just get a new cup of water. Majority of the tables are outside or feel like they're outside as it's an open space with no windows. You have a view out towards the water which was nice in the morning. read more
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Jeff F.
Biana,…
3 years ago
Oh how I loved the Island Lava Java! I came here twice for dinner, once with my parents and once on a date. I would definitely say that this place is arguably one of the top date night spots on Ali'i drive. The ambiance is very romantic with the lovely sunset ocean view that it has. Let's talk about the food. The first time around we ordered the sunset burger and LJ's fresh catch-n-chips. The burger was good, nothing special but did the job as our first meal after landing. The fish and chips however were soooo good! I think the fish was ono that day but it was super fresh and tasted amazing. Add a little lemon juice to it and you have perfection... *chefs kiss.* The second time around I ordered the wedge salad with chicken and my date ordered the island lava java salad. We were shocked at how huge the salads were but they were refreshing, delicious and we both enjoyed them! I think the chicken here is also a great add to any salad, it was super tender and melts in your mouth. It seems as though this restaurant is famous for its breakfast which unfortunately I never got the chance to try. It all looks phenomenal though. The staff - all waiters I had were very friendly, helpful, and answered any questions with great recommendations. They were also very attentive and checked in on us several times. I had a pleasant experience and got to create some wonderful memories here. I hope to be back sometime in the near future to stop by for brunch! read more
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Jeff F.
Aloha Hosanna! Please check your inbox for a direct message. We truly…
8 months ago
10 months ago
4 months ago
3 years ago
Made 10am brunch reservations, but when we arrived we still had to wait for our table to be set up. Although there were tables available at the front where there was at least some sort of view, we were seated at the back behind the stairs with no view. Many in our party ordered the Lava Java breakfast - choice of pancake or waffle, eggs your way, and choice of bacon or portugese sausage. The waffles weren't all cooked the same - some noted theirs were cooked light and fluffy while others noted theirs being dense and more brown. They all noted their breakfasts were filling, however. Kiddo ordered his waffle Island Style, and he liked the Haupia sauce. Hubs ordered the Luau Omelette - quite filling and he couldn't finish it. Good if you like pineapples in your eggs. I ordered the Big Kahuna Fish (only- menu noted it came with choice of potatoes or rice AND fruit. However, I was told it was choice potatoes, rice, or fruit. I chose fruit and received 2 cups of fruit. The fish was meaty and cooked well. read more
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Jeff F.
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I want to start by saying that our food was wonderful. The cook staff definitely needs to be recognized. We sat at the bar, and the bar tender didn't acknowledge us for over five minutes. We were the only people at the bar. Even a quick I'll be right with you would've been great. Then once he did come to us, he was very dismissive when we asked about the beers. A friend/ coworker then sat at the bar and he was very engaged with him. Finally came to take our food order... He kept talking about the sunset... like dude the views are great, sunset will be gorgeous but you still need to wait on us lol read more
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Jeff F.
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More info about Island Lava Java
75-5801 Ali'i Dr
Bldg 1
Kailua Kona, HI 96740
Directions
(808) 300-5672
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http://www.islandlavajava.com
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Ask the Community - Island Lava Java
What's good for lunch?
Fish and chips if you're on vacation. If you are leaning healthy, the Lava Java salad with the grilled shrimp. The goat cheese on that salad is fantastic!
Can you get lunch all day? For example, we would like to come for breakfast, but also pick up sandwiches to have at the beach later that day.
The entire lunch menu is NOT available all day. However, they do offer a brunch menu that includes some lunch items.
What are the Ube wraps or tortillas you use, please tell me?
Breakfast served all day?
No. Breakfast is served until 11:00 and then they switch to their lunch menu.
I am looking for a place to host a small wedding reception dinner in September. I would like it to be outside with an amazing view of the water. Ideas?
Try thesr In downtown Kona. https://www.daylightmind.com/… Read more
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Island Lava Java - tradamerican - Updated June 2026
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