Hands down the best Thai food I've had in my life--no exaggeration. Every dish tasted incredibly fresh, deeply flavorful, and clearly made with care. This is a small, family-run spot, and you can feel the love in the food. Special shout-out to the wonderful woman Cake running the floor--she was efficient, warm, and somehow managed a completely packed restaurant all by herself with grace and a smile. read more

I am sad. We have been regulars here for over 4 years. It was so good for so long! Then, we had a very bad experience time before last where our dinner was 2 hours due to take out orders and one server. The owner/cook was home in Thailand we learned. It took us a few months to get over this experience. But, we did and went back. Our fav server was there and the food was magic once again! She explained what had happened with the owner being away. Happy face! Went back tonight and arrived at a few minutes before 5. There was only one other table in the place and they had their food. Coast clear! The restaurant filled, our food was delayed, and there was one server on again, There were way too many takeout orders, and our food was bland. We went super early to set the experience for success. That was not enough. They lost us, I fear for good. read more

Good flavors and menu options! Coming from the mainland it was nice to have some options for Thai food that I wouldn't be able to get back home like the mango curry, and the curry with ono or mahi options. I got the fish filet with Thai curry sauce and was very pleased! Pretty typical pricing for food in this area. Overall a good experience! read more

Kiri Thai - Mahi filet with Thai curry sauce - Thai Near Me - Kailua Kona, Hawaii

Found this little gem by chance. The bf wanted sushi and I wanted Thai noodles, and lucky for us, the two just happened to be next to each other. Cute little restaurant tucked away in King K Mall with free parking. I had the spicy noodles with chicken, and picked the "hot" spice level. Let me tell you, it was so spicy I got a nose bleed. Food was fresh with mom in the back cooking. Mya was so helpful making her recommendations and even offered to bring more spicy sauce for my food. My nose said no tho. Food was authentic, service was fast and friendly would recommend and come back! It just felt real and that's what we wanted. read more

Kiri Thai - Thai Near Me - Kailua Kona, Hawaii

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My partner and I had dinner here the other night while staying at a nearby hotel. The place is pretty small and not fancy, but it's well lit and comfortable. We started with Chicken Satay. The appetizer comes with a peanut sauce (almost a paste) and a cider vinegar sauce. There were 4 large grilled chicken strips that were tender and flavorful. The sauces both were good and complemented the satay. We each got a soup. Both the Tom Yum and the Tom Kha were good. I prefer the veggie option to the chicken/meat option. The veggies were large pieces and crunchy. For entrees, I got the Green Curry (medium spice) with tofu and my partner got the Eggplant with Chicken dish (mild). We enjoyed both - I would have liked the tofu cooked a little more so that the outer coating was a bit crunchy, as opposed to soft. I think the medium spice level is good if you want a bit of heat, but not have the entree overwhelmed with spice. The service was good. Overall a solid Thai meal. If I lived in the area I likely would come back. read more

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I ordered this on DoorDash so I'm unsure of the atmosphere/parking of the restaurant itself The broth to the duck noodle soup was super flavorful and tasty although I'd probably get beef next time. They packaged the veggies and noodles separate from the broth which I really appreciated and the bean sprouts had nice, fresh, vibrant flavor The crab rangoons were some of the best I've had with the best dipping sauce unlike the typical red sweet and sour you get at most restaurants. Good fried dough and full of plenty of filling I don't know that this will become a "go to" spot BUT I'd definitely go back! read more

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We arrived here (starving) around 7:40 pm on a Saturday, and Google said they closed at 8. However, the sign outside says they open til 8:30. It was pretty empty when we arrived, had a few takeout orders come and go. We ordered our food quickly and sat inside. Two more parties came in after us for dine in as well. Service was friendly. Food came out pretty quickly. We ordered the pad Thai with chicken (one spicy and one mild) summer rolls. I think my friend ordered the pad see ew. Everyone enjoyed their food! We thought there would be leftovers but we all ended up devouring our food in 15 min or so. I will note that the pad Thai had more of a tomatoey taste than I'm used to. But in retrospect I'd rather have it more flavorful than bland. Definitely a great place to grab some Thai food if you're in town. They have WiFi too! read more

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Not great. We ordered shrimp pad Thai and got chicken. The food was sweeter than I like. Food was also a bit dry

Delicious! Best Thai in Kona (in my humble opinion). I swear there was only one cook, and still, the service was amazing. The kitchen is what I noticed first, like any regular home kitchen. Made it feel authentic and cozy. We started with the appetizer sampler. It featured thai style wings, crab rangoon, shrimp wraps, and spring rolls. Everything was good, but the shrimp wraps were definitely the star - crispy, tasty, and fun! I also ordered chicken red curry with sticky rice and pad see ew. Both were delicious, I was glad to have leftovers for the week! read more

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Authentic, Fresh, and Warmly Welcoming -- A Must-Try in Kailua Kona! We had dinner at Kiri Thai last night and were absolutely blown away. This family-owned restaurant delivers the kind of authentic Thai flavors that instantly took us back to our travels in Thailand. Every dish was beautifully balanced -- light and fresh, yet full of depth and complexity. I ordered the local mahi mahi with green curry, and it was perfection -- tender fish in a silky, vibrant sauce with just the right amount of spice. My partner had the pineapple curry with pork (since they were sold out of mango), and it was equally delicious -- bright, comforting, and layered with flavor. As a double win, they have 4 different local beers from Ola Brewing on tap! Best beer we've had in Hawaii.... Ever. Our server, Maya, was incredibly gracious and kind, even though we arrived about 40 minutes before closing, right after what looked like a busy dinner rush. She made us feel completely welcome and never rushed. It's rare to find a place that combines authentic flavor, fresh local ingredients, and such genuine hospitality. We'll definitely be back next time we're in Kailua Kona! read more

Kiri Thai - Local Mahi Mahi with green curry on a bed of vegetables- Background, pineapple curry with pork. - Thai Near Me - Kailua Kona, Hawaii

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Great ambience, great host and has free parking available onsite. We had their veggie spring rolls, Veggie Green curry and Massaman curry. Everything was absolutely great. I would recommend the place anytime. read more

Stopped by here to pick up some to-go lunch. They run $12.95 lunch special 11-2pm on weekdays, pretty much select items from regular menu and slightly smaller portions. I had basil leaves and thought it was very good value especially considering rather high prices in Kona overall. Full of flavor, I was a bit puzzled why it had so little basil though but nonetheless it was delicious. The place has both indoor and outdoor seating however indoor seating did not have air conditioning, something to consider! read more

Kiri Thai - Basil leaves (lunch) - Thai Near Me - Kailua Kona, Hawaii

Good, fast but recommend asking for extra veggies. Be careful when ordering "to go" because there's another Thai place on the island called Krua Thai. Service was good and ambiance is simple and close quarters. read more

Just average food and ambiance. Wouldn't recommend or eat there again. We had the Rainbow Salad and the Pad Thai. Both ok, edible but not great. Place is clean but plays awful music so we decided to take the food to go. read more

I normally wouldn't write a review about a mediocre restaurant but I couldn't let what I now know to be hidden any longer. Most of the food here is ok but absolutely do not get the chow mein! It is literally top ramen that has been bought from Costco and recooked with a couple pieces of veggies and meat! I am not joking about this either. I talked with the cook/owner maybe not sure, and seen it with my own eyes as she was bringing it in the front door. What's funny is me and my friend I was with thought it tasted like top ramen and not even 10 minutes later she was bringing it in from outside. When we confronted her about it she didn't even care. She looked a little cautious when we brought it up but other than that nothing. I can only imagine what the other dishes are derived from but I will no longer eat here because of this. read more

What a delicious little spot in the Kona area! There isn't much seating inside and it's a seat yourself situation. The staff member who was working that night was alone for quite some time, so she was cooking, waiting on people and taking to-go orders. She handled it like a pro! The thai tea was absolutely delicious. I could have had a couple more. Definitely get that if you are looking for a sweet drink to go with your meal. I had the veggie pad see ew and it was also really tasty. The noodles were thinner than what I'm used to, but I really liked the whole dish and had no leftovers. Definitely recommend this spot if you are in this area! read more

Kiri Thai - Veggie pad see ew - Thai Near Me - Kailua Kona, Hawaii

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I like the sweet and sour duck but only order it once in a while, my work lunch companion orders it every time. We went for lunch last Friday, even though on our two prior visits we were pretty un happy with the food. So, this past Friday the regular maître d' was running the house instead of the part time server, and she was aware of the last visits not going so well, she broached the subject frankly and professionally with a stated desire to make things right, she worked successfully with the kitchen to improve things. My lunch companion who orders the sweet and sour duck every time was very pleased that day. As for me I was also glad that it was better and too his liking, that said I liked the old recipe and or preparation method better, I would say the same about the Tom Yum Gai which is a different receipt too so I just don't get it any more. But the bottom line is that there is so much on the menu that I really like that it's not a problem. And it is still my favorite Thai place on the island and I've been to them all. read more

Tried this place for the first time last night. Ordered the Pad Thai-pork - medium spice. I have to say I think it was the best pad Thai I've ever had in my life. Small place, cute ambience, friendly wait staff...reasonable prices who could ask for more. I will definitely go back. read more

Sweet casual lunch place with nice menu selection, close to Ali'i. Great service and plenty of parking. We enjoyed a quiet lunch. Delicious! read more

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This is hands-down my favorite Thai restaurant in Kona! The food is consistently delicious--flavorful, fresh, and always hits the spot whether I'm dining in or taking out. The service is quick and efficient, which I really appreciate, especially when I'm short on time. A special shoutout to Maya, who is truly the sweetest person ever. She's always so warm and welcoming, and goes out of her way to make you feel at home. Her kindness makes the experience even better every time I visit. If you're craving great Thai food and genuine hospitality, this place is a must! read more

Came here because of the great reviews, so our experience might be unusual. Also they were very busy but had only one server. We both ordered Pad Thai. Both of our orders came out with minor mistakes. Mine had unwanted bean sprouts, his was missing tofu. Both tasted really bad. At first I thought it was a choice, like added liquid smoke. More likely a dirty wok or reused oil. He ordered extra sauce and his tasted almost rotten to me. He said it was like they just poured the "extra sauce" over the top without cooking it. Service was friendly but the server never had a chance stop by to see how we were. Thai iced tea was a little too sweet. On the plus side, veggies were fresh and cooked well. read more

Absolutely delicious Thai food! And I've traveled from the north to the south of Thailand. The flavors made me feel like I was in Chiang Mai again. Definitely returning. Tom Kah soup was very good, as well as the yellow curry and pork spring rolls. Yum! read more

The best Thai I have ever had! We will definitely come back... Very clean restaurant and friendly staff. read more

Obligatory stop when driving to Kona. Lunch Special is unbelievable. Great price, great food. read more

Kiri Thai - Drinks menu - Thai Near Me - Kailua Kona, Hawaii

I ordered a bunch of appetizers and all were good. No complaints. Potstickers, crab Rangoon, chicken satay. My favorites were the entrees-Red curry and pineapple fried rice. Get them both read more

I have Thai relatives so I know real Thai food. The spring rolls? Skip them. Not worth it. But I had several dishes that were LEGIT. Red Curry Thai hot was excellent. Summer rolls were very good. Service...spotty. Probably a little understaffed and slow--not unlike other places in Kona. Regardless, worth the try. read more

Did a take out of the Chicken Massaman Curry, the Ono Fish with Basil Sauce and Vegetables, and Mango Sticky Sweet Rice. First the server was missing from the restaurant and I had to wait for her to come back. Then when she got back she didn't seem to know the menu or Thai Food. Asking about other Thai dishes had a short "No" for a response. I guess she was not having a good day. Don't get me wrong, she was certainly not rude but just not particularly friendly either. The fish - just 2 pieces in the entire dish - that she recommended on the phone turned out to be hard and dry. I would not recommend this dish. The curry was ok but not anything like what it looked like in the picture. The Mango Sticky rice was good. The restaurant was pretty empty for 6:30 pm. But the ambiance looked clean and traditional. Price wise the three items costs US$57.43 - a pretty high price for a less than mediocre experience with medium to small portions. I don't think I'll be coming back except perhaps to try their Beef Noodle - which I think is what they are calling Guay Tiew Reua in English. Hard to tell as the server did not know.... Will update once we do that. read more

Kiri Thai - Left to right: Ono Basil Fish, Masaman Curry and Mango Sticky rice. - Thai Near Me - Kailua Kona, Hawaii

Delicious food! Service was also friendly. Even my picky seven year old exclaimed, "This food is GOOD!" Fairly reasonably priced, too. considering the cost of food on the island and it being 2025. read more

Uninspired and lackluster. That's how I would describe my dining experience. There was nothing remarkable about this place. I'm sure there are way better Thai options in the area. I felt compelled to write a review because I was appalled by the presentation of one of the signature dishes, the Crying Tiger (Seua Rong Hai). I can't believe they served the sticky rice in a plastic bag. It makes me wonder if they steamed the rice in the bag too. The meat just tasted like steak. I would not come back here unless I was starving and there was no other places to eat. read more

Kiri Thai - Crying Tiger - Thai Near Me - Kailua Kona, Hawaii

I was craving some Thai food so we headed over to check this place out. They have awesome lunch specials pretty reasonably priced my husband got them mixed vegetables with chicken and I ordered Tom Kha soup. Spice level was perfect for both items and my husband loved the sauce and rice that came with his chicken and vegetables. He usually doesn't enjoy rice but this is legit jasmine rice from Thailand. Nice service a pretty view of the harbor makes this a great place to pop in for lunch or dinner, highly recommended! read more

Kiri Thai - Chicken with Vegetables and Tom kha soup - Thai Near Me - Kailua Kona, Hawaii

So it was good, good flavor, had Pad See Ew, got it mild because I'm a little wimpy....but there was no hot whatsoever..I think I would even order medium? I little spendy, but it is Kona. My biggest complaint, it was hotter than heck in there. I don't know if the A/C was broke, but it was hot! Did I mention it was hot? Very uncomfortable! I'd go again, but I'm gunna try some other spots first! read more

Kiri Thai - Pad see ew - Thai Near Me - Kailua Kona, Hawaii

Always love eating here when we drive over from Hilo. Never disappoints. Fresh. Ambiance is good too!

Overall the food was good to average. The Curry was great and the Pad Thai was average. But the place was hot stuffy and miserable so it was Hard to enjoy the food. They only had a couple of small AC units and lots of fans. Would recommend order to go or go when it's cooler. read more

Kiri Thai - Pad Thai. - Thai Near Me - Kailua Kona, Hawaii

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We tried this spot craving good Thai food and we weren't disappointed. We started with the fried veggie spring rolls. We both ate noodle dishes and the serving sizes were quite large, we had plenty left for leftovers. We ate the mango sticky rice for dessert. read more

Kiri Thai - Mango sticky rice - Thai Near Me - Kailua Kona, Hawaii

REALLY BAD service--especially for pickup. Ordered on DoorDash for pickup. Waited 45 got confirmation food was ready to pickup only to be met by very rude waitress who was unpleasant from start to finish groaning and rolling her eyes when I told her about my pickup. She goes in the back for several minutes only for her to come back and tell me it won't be ready for another HOUR! Wtf. When I told her my DoorDash said otherwise she said whatever you don't need to get you food if you don't wanna. Terrible experience. Thankfully there are a few better Thai options in KOA I can always rely on and this place is NOT one of them. read more

The place is a little muggy but cute and delicious. Had panang and pad Thai which were soooo good. Checked in on yelp for free Thai tea!

Cute little shop right off the main strip, lots of parking available. Food was delicious! Haven't had good Thai like this in a while. Service was good. There's ac, and about 10 tables. This was our first time and we'll definitely be back. read more

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Food is really good red curry was so yummy and flavorful. Calamari was very soft and not chewy. They didn't skimp on the filling for the crab Rangoon. read more

Food overall was good. The place is on the smaller side so I can see why some people said it's packed or busy. Parking was a little rough for the plaza. The ac doesn't cover the whole restaurant! Staff were very nice and everything came out as ordered. read more

I absolutely loved my meal. The sweet and sour duck is so delicious. The pineapple was my favorite part being so fresh. The waitress added even more pineapple for me due to substituting out veggies I didn't like. I will come back here when in Kona again. read more