Pine Tree Cafe
Poke Plate · Teri Chicken · Loco Moco
A casual local plate-lunch cafe up by Honokohau Harbor with a cafeteria feel and big, filling plates — spicy ahi poke plate, teriyaki chicken, Korean chicken, loco moco — at prices regulars call comparably cheap for Kona. Plates come with rice and mac salad and run in the low-to-mid teens, so two eat full for around $20. Open early to evening, a reliable local stop.
Kona Chinese BBQ
Mochiko Chicken Plate
A tiny Kuakini Hwy takeout spot doing Chinese plates and local grinds — beef chow fun, mochiko chicken, teppanyaki, seafood crispy noodle — with one reviewer summing it up: all that meat, two scoops rice and mac salad for $14.99. Generous and well-marinated, so two eat for around $20 without dropping $30 like everywhere else in Kona. Small seating; mostly takeout.
Island Ono Loa Grill
Local Beef Burgers · Big Loco Moco
A hole-in-the-wall on Ali'i Drive doing never-frozen, cooked-to-order grass-fed burgers (beef from Ka'u's Kuahiwi Ranch), a huge loco moco with pulled pork, fish tacos, and a Kona dog with killer spicy sauce — plus the best onion rings around. Burgers and plates run in the low-to-mid teens, so two eat for around $20. A handful of tables; gets hot and busy. Closed Wed.
Pa'akai Poke
Fresh Poke Bowls · Mini to Big Boy
An IG-famous little Kona poke shop (Pa'akai means sea salt) with super-fresh ahi cut in big chunks, kiosk ordering, and multiple sizes — Mini, Plate, Big Boy — plus poke nachos and kalua/ahi tacos. Price per person runs $10–20, so two grab Minis or share a Plate for around $20. Order early; they sell out. Mostly grab-and-go with a little covered seating. Closed Tue.
Chubby's Diner
Huge Local Plates (Share)
A only-in-Kona diner inside a bowling-and-arcade center, serving surprisingly good local food in massive portions — chicken katsu Hawaiian plate, loco moco, ramen, even pizza — at low prices. Portions are big enough that they'll tell you to split a plate, so two eat for around $20 and can bowl or sing karaoke after. Open late, family-friendly, a fun cheap night out.
You Make the Roll
Massive Sushi Rolls
A tucked-away Ali'i Drive sushi spot famous for enormous made-to-order rolls — fans say two people can't finish three of them — with high-quality fish and fantastic prices. Each roll is eight big pieces, so two share a couple of rolls for around $20. The catch: waits can be long (order ahead), and parking's tight. Worth it for some of the best-value sushi on the island. Closed Sun.
808 Grindz Cafe
Mac-Nut Pancakes · Big Breakfast
A hole-in-the-wall breakfast spot with a big menu and a loyal following — macadamia-nut pancakes, ube-coconut pancakes, loaded omelets, eggs Benedict — all served grab-and-go in takeout boxes at honest prices. Two can split a stack and an omelet plate for around $20. Atmosphere is bare-bones (most folks take it to go), but the breakfast delivers. Daily till early afternoon.
Daiichi Ramen
Affordable Ramen · Gyudon
A dependable Kona ramen shop with flavorful broth, generous bowls and fast service — spicy tonkotsu, the gyudon-gyoza-katsu combo, udon with mini pork fried rice — at genuinely affordable prices. A bowl runs in the low-to-mid teens, so two eat for around $20. Nothing fancy, but a reliable, filling, cheap meal when you want something hot.
Shaka Tacoz
Best Tacos in Kona
A Kona taco truck on lower Ali'i Drive that fans call the best tacos they've ever had — ono fish, birria pork, carne asada on cheesy crisped tortillas with a wall of house salsas (the Volcano sauce is no joke). Tacos run about $5 each, so two can put together a spread for around $20. No real seating — grab it and find a sea wall. Closed Mon.
Kanaka Kava
Traditional Hawaiian · Lau Lau & Kalua
A laid-back open-air kava bar steps from the ocean on Ali'i Drive, serving genuinely traditional Hawaiian food — lau lau, kalua pork, kalo, the freshest poi around, and poke — alongside fresh-pounded 'awa (kava). Plates are well-priced for the strip, so two share Hawaiian plates for around $20, with a bowl of kava if you want the full local experience. Open afternoons into the night.
Paradise Bakery Hawaii
Famous Made-to-Order Malasadas
A Luhia St bakery (in the food-court building behind the gas station) turning out some of the best malasadas on the island — ube, coconut, pineapple, custom-filled raspberry and Boston cream — big, fluffy, and great value, with flavors selling out by mid-morning. A box plus coffee keeps two well under $20. Get there early, take them to the beach. Closed Mon.
Big Island Grill
Local Institution · Loco Moco & Pancakes
A Kona mainstay (locals call it 'BIG') packed for breakfast and plate lunch — char-grilled loco moco with house gravy, famous macadamia-nut pancakes, chicken katsu, and the best mac-potato salad around, all in huge portions. A couple of items run higher, so lean on the breakfast plates and shareable loco moco to keep two around $20. Worth the wait. Closed Sun–Mon.
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These chain deals work anywhere in the country, including Kona.
Buffalo Wild Wings
Pick 6 — Meal for Two from $19.99
The Pick 6 lets two people build a shared meal — choose six items across wings, tenders, and sides — starting around $19.99. A reliable two-for-$20 play at any BWW. Dine-in or takeout; pricing varies slightly by market.
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