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    On The Rocks

    3.8 (2k reviews)
    ModerateBars, Cafes
    Closed 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

    On The Rocks Photos

    Business Info

    ON THE ROCKS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Live music
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - On The Rocks

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    Reviews With Photos

    Furikake Crusted Fresh Catch with coleslaw and sweet potato fries
    Noelle Y.

    We came here the night we landed. Sadly we missed sunset or I'm sure it would have been beautiful. But when we checked in, they told us it would be a 45 minute wait for 2 people. So we sat at the bar as it was full service and had 2 seats together. The bartender was nice but did not fill water or check on us unless we really tried to get his attention. We both ordered the furikake fresh catch. It comes with two sides as well. The coleslaw was actually really good as it had a coconut flavor. The fries were also good. The fish was pretty good but a little dry. The main reason I wanted to come was for the ice cream pie. We got the Kona coffee flavor ice cream pie. 5/5 stars. It was so good. However we had to order it twice as our waiter forgot to put it in and we had to ask someone else about it. There was live music too which was nice. I feel like it would have just been a bit better had we gone when we could see the view and had a little better service.

    Mai Tai
    Eowyn K.

    On the Rocks is the less expensive sibling next door to Huggo's. I had limited expectations as On the Rocks is high on the tourist meter. The reviews were great, the location great, especially for the sunset, and we did not have plans or reservations for dinner. I'm happy that the overall reviews were accurate (sounds like there were some bad experiences though as well), and it exceeded my expectations. They do not offer reservations, so first come first service for the bar, and you put in your name for a table. We were a party of two, and were lucky to grab seats at the bar for drinks while we waited. You can order from the food menu at the bar, our table was just ready after our drink, and had a better view. I had their version of the Mai Tai, which was good, but I'd recently had Mai Tai bar's, which were standout. What was a stand out drink here was their Ube limeade. We ended up coming back in the afternoon another day to have another before we left the island. There is a fantastic view, especially if you can time it for the sunset. They also had wonderful live music and dancing, when we were there, which made it an even better experience. We thought the food was great. My friend and I shared the pork nachos, then the fresh catch, tuna that day, with volcano seasoned fries, which were not spicy, though just standard good fries, and the key lime pie. The nachos were standout, right toppings and right portions. The only thing was not great was the service at the table, though the servicer did recognize and apologize, and was friendly in all interactions. If you can get there before the sunset, and there is not too much of a wait, a tourist location that lives up to the hype. I would return just for the Ube limeade, music, and the sunset view.

    View from On the Rocks
    Rachel C.

    We came at a particularly busy time and had difficulty getting a table, but that's on us for arriving on a Friday night with clear weather. This is definitely the place to be on Kona if you want a good drink with a view. The scenery is not to be missed, and the live music is definitely a bonus as well. I really enjoyed the fish and chips, which had dill in the batter (yum!). I also had the good fortune to order the Ube Limeade, possibly the best drink on the menu. Our server, Quince, was very personable with us. We would have liked a little more prompt service, but again it was a busy night and tables were completely full. I have no idea how On the Rocks handles rainy days. They may have to limit tables to those under umbrellas, but this is definitely a place that's best enjoyed in nice weather. I'd recommend calling ahead if there's rain in the forecast to make sure they can accommodate.

    View from the dining area
    John B.

    On The Rocks is your quintessential Hawaii beach dining experience. The food is fresh, tasty and quick, and the service is attentive and accommodating. Can't say enough good things about this establishment. We were trying to hit up Huggos, and ended up at On The Rocks by mistake. (They are both branded Huggo's and On The Rocks is a sister restaurant) But what a great find! On The Rocks is on a lava rock shorefront, (Hence the name) and the scenery is spectacular! We caught the sunset while we were there, and enjoyed the tiki torches once it got dark. I got the fish sandwich, and my wife got the fish plate, and they were both deliciously fresh. We upgraded the side to a cup of their chowder, and that was some of the best chowder I've had in a while. Although I haven't been, I understand that Huggo's proper is a little higher end, and On The Rocks is a little more casual, with a friendlier price point. That suited us perfectly, and I honestly believe that the waterfront view is better at On The Rocks. Probably can't go wrong at either location, as I'm sure the food at Huggo's is just as fabulous, but On The Rocks hit just right! You'll enjoy, trust me!

    Ube limeade
    Mel A.

    Beautiful view of the ocean while you dine. If you get a table closer to the oceanside, you get to put your feet on the sand if you wish. Vibe is excellent! We stopped for lunch and a couple of fun cocktails after a morning of activities and we were not disappointed. My husband had some fish tacos which were served with volcano fries and I had a poke bowl. Both were excellent but the highlight for me wad the ube limeade which came in a tall glass with the rim dipped in dissicated coconut. So delicious, I had 2! My husband had a cocktail as well but I can't remember which one. Overall, a very enjoyable lunch. I would recommend stopping by either for lunch or dinner. What better place to dine oceanside than here?

    Blue Sky Drink
    Chris R.

    Great place to grab a drink, just chill out and relax. The food was good, not the best but still good. The chips and queso was great! And our server was SO sweet and very helpful with suggestions. Including her suggestion on the taco salad. I was told that it was delicious.

    Rina H.

    We came here on Super Bowl Sunday, but were lucky to find a few seats! The servers were all friendly and welcoming. The ambience is gorgeous. Everywhere you sit has an ocean view. The food was also really good. I loved how it was presented and my friends all loved what they got. We also tried a couple drinks, which were also really tasty. I would definitely come back when visiting in the future.

    Chicken strips
    Steve S.

    This is one of those 4 star spots worth going out of your way to experience. Time your evening so you're seated just before sunset and take in the live music, dancing, and warm colors of the sky. There is bar seating with larger tables further from the water, but up close you can sit waterside in groups of 3-4 with your feet in the sand. Excellent feel-good vibes. No reservations, but the front was able to seat our group of 6 easily without much wait. Our waiter was fantastic and attentive. They serve classic bar items with Hawaiian flair, and their popular entree is the fish tacos. The food was good, but with limitations. Some items were overly salted (chicken strips), and others came out cold, like they had been sitting around for a while (room service vibe). The best item was the dessert, Mauna Kea ice cream pie. Just look at that monstrosity! Taking in the whole picture, we had a great time and would definitely come again.

    Chicken sandwich
    Tommy T.

    This restaurant had some amazing views of the bay. They offer validated Parking up to two hours. Service was great and friendly. The food was amazing. The Poke nachos were very delicious, the fried shrimp and chips were very delicious, and the chicken sandwich was very delicious. They had probably one of the best Mai Tai I had ever tasted. They do accept credit cards. The restrooms were clean.

    ahi Kona Poke
    Didi A.

    Food amazing I have strict food options as I eat only halal in the big island this place was recommended by yelp and chat GPT lol any ways It is the same group as lava lava beach house seating with ocean view parking was available by the restaurant. We went on a lunch on aweekday Has cool hawaiian vibe and I believe at night they have music My Kīlauea veggie burger tested amazing the best I have had and the loaded french fries amazing My husband loved his dish which was ahi poke Fish and chip was good Coconut coleslaw lacked flavor did not like Fish taco had was corn taco so my daughter did not like much Server was amazing Yum yum I will come back to his place or I am back to the big island

    Their sinful Kona Coffee Cheesecake
    Denise W.

    Hello Fellow Yelpers First time at this restaurant and I was truly impressed. The atmosphere, wait staff and food and drinks were amazing. We got a great seat on the sand with a very nice view. Ask for Tristan, he's a great waiter Remember to do random acts of kindness as it will make everyone feel wonderful Happy Yelping and please follow me for more awesome reviews

    Clown      Seafood Showder
    Louis M.

    2 stars for value. Yes, the value for our money wasn't there. I felt cheated on the seafood chowder. If we removed the bread, it would turn out to be a cup for a ridiculous price of $26. I had to order two tacos just to fill my appetite. The idea here is that the restaurant caters to tourists, so it's a mousetrap to make money off them. 5 stars for the drinks. I had the Mai Tai and the Ube Limade, both supercharged with liquor. Good job! 5 Stars for the quality of food. We had a seafood platter and fresh catch of the day with volcano fries and coconut coleslaw. It was overall tasty but small portions. 5 stars for the service. Excellent service, quick, and very attentive. 5 stars for desert, it was plentiful, delicious, for the price of $22 was worth every penny. 5 stars for the view. It's fantastic, next to the ocean. What can you lose when you're in a front-row seat to one of the most beautiful places on Earth.

    Poke Bowl
    Zofia G.

    On the Rocks has got to be one of the best places we've eaten during Thanksgiving. We couldn't snag a reservation--we were too late--but we took a chance on walking in and it totally paid off. The poke bowl was delicious, and the noodle dish was just as good. The bowl looks bigger than the portion size, but once you finish it, it's honestly the perfect amount. Do not skip the Kona coffee cheesecake. Absolute must-order. The atmosphere is unbeatable. You're literally sitting in soft white sand, right by the ocean. It can get a bit sunny, so just be aware--but that view more than makes up for it. If you're vacationing in Hawaii at any time of year, I highly recommend stopping by On the Rocks.

    View from our oceanfront table. Best part of lunch.

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    11 days ago

    Food was ok. View was amazing. Bartender seemed distracted fish needed to go back to kitchen. Probably won't be back

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    Meh come on...if your open have staff to serve. Waited waterfront no water no service slow. I guess fun but slow drinks ok food ok.

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    Great views, great service. Fin being able to eat lunch in the sand. Food was great, had the poke and the pork.

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    On The Rocks Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - On The Rocks

    Garden seating vs terrace seating for outdoor view of sunset?

    You are literally sitting in a sandy area on top of the rocks. It's outdoors and there's some umbrellas and a bar. Your feet will be on sand.

    Is the current LIMITED MENU that recently replaced the regular full menu going to be upgraded soon?

    What are the parking options?

    First come first serve in the parking lot or park on the side of the street

    Do they do reservations? Or is it first come first serve?

    First come first serve.

    Good people ?ok

    Huh? Complete sentences, please.

    Do we need reservations?

    We are first come, first served! Mahalo!

    View All 11 Questions

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    Don's Mai Tai Bar

    Don's Mai Tai Bar

    3.8
    (313 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    During our recent stay at the Royal Kona Resort, we visited Don's Mai Tai Bar, having fond memories…read morefrom our last trip. While the scenic views and friendly service were as delightful as ever, we did notice some changes that left us missing the previous happy hour options. Last time, the Poke bombs and more extensive happy hour specials were highlights for us. This visit, the happy hour menu seemed more limited, with just a slight discount on items like the Chile nachos, which are no longer part of the happy hour deal. My husband also missed the Mai Tai flight and some of the unique drinks they previously offered. Breakfast was a bit underwhelming, but dinner certainly made up for it. The bruschetta and chips with guacamole were enjoyable starters, and my Royal Catch dish, with its flavorful miso Dashi broth and tender bok choy, was fantastic. My husband loved his rigatoni, which was a comforting delight. We're excited to see the outcome of the ongoing renovations and hope they might consider bringing back some of the previous menu favorites, like the happy hour options and Mai Tai flight. Despite the changes, Don's Mai Tai Bar remains a wonderful spot for enjoying a meal with a view.

    We went on a Friday evening. We were able to park on the street but they have validated parking…read moreoutside the hotel. The restaurant is right by the beach. The hostess was really accommodating and sat us promptly with ocean views. We were able to get the Happy Hour Special. They have $8.00 Mai Tai and $1 off Draft Beers. The Mai Tai was delicious 8/10. We ordered the Fish Tacos for $27.00 7/10. The sweet potato fries were great 8/10. We had great service provided by our waitress. I would definitely return and try their other menu items.

    Photos
    Don's Mai Tai Bar
    Don's Mai Tai Bar
    Great traditional Mai Tai, it was strong and flavorful.

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    Great traditional Mai Tai, it was strong and flavorful.
    The Temple Kitchen + Bar

    The Temple Kitchen + Bar

    4.5
    (163 reviews)
    0.1 mi

    Amazing food! Jennifer was patient, informative, and incredibly kind, which made the experience…read moreeven better. The food overall was awesome. The tri-tip tacos were just okay for me -- next time I'd probably try them with chicken instead. The ʻulu was absolutely delicious and definitely a standout dish. Sat looking at the ocean !! Nice

    Loved the Temple Kichen and Bar. The star of the show here is their Flatbreads and Meat. That is…read morewhat they are known for. Came in on a 4 PM Saturday afternoon after 7 hours of travel. Ravenous and throat parched, the pictures for The Temple drew us in. Restaurant was empty save a family of 6 sitting in the corner. To summarize the experience the food tasted as delicious as it looked. Service was spot on. Skip the barbecue chicken tacos they were overrated. Our server warned against it but we were feeling chicken. It was a mid dish. The star of the show was the Calabrese Flatbread. It was phenomenal. Really tasty, ample cheese, marinara sauce, with large chunks of sausage that were so flavorful. The potatoes we got were supposed to be island potatoes and tasted okay with lots of Chimmichuri Sauce. Ask for more on the side to dip the potatoes in. Kona beer on tap, Michelob in bottles, and some nice house drinks to round it off. Their dessert selection looked tasty, but so full that stomach was hurting after the meal. Will be back again if I'm in the area!

    Photos
    Through the Looking Glass Specialty Cocktail
    Through the Looking Glass Specialty Cocktail
    The Temple Kitchen + Bar
    Old Forester Prohibition Style Damn Good Old Fashion

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    Old Forester Prohibition Style Damn Good Old Fashion
    Laverne's Sports Bar

    Laverne's Sports Bar

    3.3
    (263 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    Laverne's is one of many good bars and restaurants along the water in Kona. It used to be Humpy's…read moreand still has the same vibe. They have a downstairs bar and tables, plus another larger bar upstairs that connects with their dance floor and bar, plus goes on to connect with the neighboring bar and music venue. There are restrooms both downstairs and upstairs. I've been here many times, and am always appreciative of their draft beer selection. They have a great collection of old tap handles around the ceiling, many beers and breweries that no longer exist. On our recent visit, we had a great bartender/server who was attentive and quick with orders. Beer glasses were clean, beer cold and fresh. They have a large menu of foods, including brunch earlier in the day.

    Stumbled upon Laverne's Sports Bar on a rainy day while looking for somewhere close to our hotel,…read moreand I'm glad we did! The place was pretty empty -- probably due to the downpour outside -- which honestly gave it a really chill, laid-back vibe that we ended up loving. Heads up if you're parking in the back: we scanned the QR code and it came out to $50, which felt steep. Not totally sure if that's standard or if we did something wrong, so just be aware before you scan! Inside, there was only one waitress working, but she was accomodating and even let us split our bill, which is always appreciated. The food also came out fairly fast, which was great since we were starving. I went with the chicken sandwich and fries -- the sandwich was perfectly moist and juicy, not dry at all, which is exactly what you want. Hit the spot on a cold, rainy day. Might possibly stop by again next time we're in the area - minus parking in the back lot. Great little spot if you want something low-key and satisfying.

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    Set up for Super Bowl LX!
    Set up for Super Bowl LX!
    Chicken sandwich
    Chicken sandwich
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    Bar

    On The Rocks - bars - Updated June 2026

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