Why Locals Love Kahuwai Cookhouse & Market
Nestled within the scenic Kona Village Resort, Kahuwai Cookhouse & Market offers an inviting culinary escape that celebrates the vibrant flavors of the Hawaiian Islands with a contemporary twist. This restaurant masterfully blends fresh, local ingredients into an inventive menu that captivates both the eye and the palate.
Start your dining journey with an array of mouthwatering pupus, such as the Pineapple Fried Rice, bursting with tropical sweetness balanced by savory undertones, or the Bbq Kushi Oysters, which deliver a smoky, briny punch that perfectly complements their tender texture. The Ahi Poke is a must-try—its delicate cubes of fresh ahi sashimi marry beautifully with savory, tangy seasonings, while the Crispy Pork Fritters offer a satisfying crunch followed by juicy, flavorful pork beneath. For those craving something heartier, the Steak "Alambre Tacos pack robust smoky grilled steak into soft tortillas, finished with fresh garnishes for a bite full of depth and character.
The beverage selection is equally impressive, showcasing local teas like the fragrant Big Island Black Tea and the subtly sweet Paradise Cascara Tea. Pair your meal with a refined sip from their curated list of sake options, such as the sophisticated Dewazakura Dewasansan Green Ridge Junmai Daiginjo, or celebrate with a glass of Louis Roederer Collection 245 Brut champagne. Coffee lovers will appreciate classic favorites including lattes and mochas, while those with a sweet tooth can indulge in desserts like the velvety panna cotta or the delicately flavored lemongrass ice cream, both offering a perfect cool finish to your meal.
The dining atmosphere at Kahuwai Cookhouse & Market is relaxed yet upscale, enhanced by breathtaking views of the lush Hawaiian landscape. It’s an ideal spot to unwind after a day of exploring Kona, where every bite echoes the island’s rich culinary heritage. While some guests note that pricing can be on the higher side and that service has had its ups and downs, many others praise the warm, attentive hospitality and consistently delicious food that make this spot a memorable highlight of their Hawaiian experience.
Whether enjoying a lively lunch or a serene dinner, Kahuwai Cookhouse & Market invites you to savor the essence of Kona in every thoughtfully crafted dish and perfectly poured drink.
See the Space & Food
What Makes This Place Friendly
- Outdoor seating
- On-site services
- Dine-in
- Delivery
- Great cocktails
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
- Wheelchair-accessible car park
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Wheelchair-accessible seating
- Wheelchair-accessible toilet
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Coffee
- Comfort food
- Small plates
- Spirits
- Wine
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
- Bar on site
- Toilet
- Casual
- Groups
- Tourists
- Accepts reservations
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Real Reviews from the Community
- Feb 25, 2026
This year service wasn't in alignment with the rest of the resort. Attention to detail and genuine hospitality was average at best. I hope they tighten it back up.
- Feb 20, 2026
Nice spot in the Kona village resort for smoothies, snacks, coffee and pastries. They don’t display prices anywhere, so be aware of how expensive it is. Otherwise you might pay $11 for a tasty cookie like someone I know
- Feb 17, 2026
Delicious food. For lunch try the tres leches dessert. Fish taco, lettuce cup and spam pineapple fried rice. Guacamole n chips is also fresh n good. The steak for dinner is grilled. Actually anything on the dinner menu is really worth trying.
- Feb 12, 2026
I had a great dinner at Kahuwai Cookhouse. The location and view is remarkable and the experience got better from there. The cocktail list is fun with twists on recognizable favorites. I started with the Hearts of Palm Lomi. It was a nice, fresh beginning. For my main, I picked the Grilled Island Ahi. It was cooked perfectly and the curry hash was amazing. I finished with the panna cotta, though I forgot to get a picture. Service was excellent throughout.
- Jan 28, 2026
Driving Kona side and stopped by for a quick lunch and sight-seeing of Kona Village. Food and service were great at the Kahuwai Cookhouse.
- Dec 14, 2025
We had a very nice dinner at this place in the Rosewood resort at Kona. Situated right in the beach the Chef Junior cooks a an eclectic menu using fresh ingredient using a wood fired oven. They have pretty extensive wine list with both alcoholic and non alcoholic cocktails, and bears on tap from The local Kona brewing company. We were a large group of 15 and so sat at the lower level on the beach with bench seating ( not my preferred). I would suggest sitting at the restaurant level. Our server Hayley was very friendly and helpful. We had a 15 course dinner . The focaccia bread starter was excellent. We had a hamachi ceviches and a poke bowl both came with chips. The pineapple fried twice and tofus fried rice were good the chicken and fish were excellent. For vegetarians we had the cauliflower steak. All the desert were also great
- Dec 11, 2025
Tried bunch of things- super good. Surprisingly everything we tried was tasty and served beautifully. I tried lychee mocktail- it wasn’t the best but not bad either. Was more like Citric side. Food- Ceviche was melting in mouth, onion tings were crispy throughout, taco (mahimahi) were good. Ramen salad turned out great surprise for us.
- Dec 4, 2025
Fantastic service and even better food. Love that it has an open kitchen so it’s fun to chat it up w the chefs for a bit and see them all work. Still trying to recreate some dishes at home that we liked so much. The 4.1 rating is insane so disregard it. If you can figure out how to ask for something when and if you ever need it you’ll be lovin and lovin life here.
