Kona

I thought the food was good but it's not on my list of places that I'm dying to go back to. It's beautiful inside, the service was good, it was clean and the food presentation is really nice. Maybe I ordered the wrong items.

I absolutely love the rich and diverse flavors of the food. Each dish offers a unique taste experience, whether it’s the spicy heat of a well-seasoned curry, the savory depth of a perfectly grilled steak, or the refreshing crunch of a vibrant salad. The balance of ingredients and the careful preparation really elevate every meal, making each bite a delightful adventure for my palate.

Had Christmas Eve dinner with my daughter and was well worth the money spent. There was a mixup on our reservation time and they were extremely helpful and we were sat quickly. Butter rolls are crazy good along with the crab ragoon and chicken curry soup. Main dishes were rib eye steak and cioppino. Both dishes were outstanding. Haven't had a bad meal here after a few visits. Couldn't have been a better experience. Thank you Kona.

OH MY GOD! I was in town for five days for a Realtor convention and I ate here for four meals and brought a large group of my fellow Realtors with me one of the nights. That's how amazing this place is. I only wish that I could rate this higher than 5 stars. The food had incredible flavor, the desserts were out of this world and the shaved ice WITH ICE CREAM INSIDE was unbelievable! I cannot speak highly enough about this place. On my final trip, the table next to me had an accident where one of the plates fell and the waitress impressed me with how professional and on top of it she was. So where do I start. On the first visit I was there for lunch. The waitress was incredible. I had the fried rice plate with chicken. It was fantastic. My second visit was that night with a group of six. I must have updated that reservation ten times as people confirmed and schedules changed (including that day at lunch) and the staff was very understanding and happy to work with me. I had the fillet, easily one of the best I've EVER had... and I've been to some incredible steak houses across America and Europe. The Bernaise sauce had a special seasoning on it that really made it pop. Some of our group got seafood, others got the fried rice entree, all were very thankful that I invited them as they loved the food. One of our group got (and thankfully shared) the creme brulee in the pineapple for dessert which was amazing. The rest of us had shaved ices which were incredible. The kiddie size was enough for us and the $1 for adding the ice cream inside was more than worth it! One of our group needed gluten free vegetarian options and there were SO MANY OPTIONS for her to choose from, she was very happy. My third trip was for another fillet. This time I started with the honey buns and had the Hula Pie for dessert. WOW! Just wow. You need to get this. My fourth and final trip was on the way out of town for another shaved ice, this time with Macadamia Nut ice cream inside. If lightning had struck me after that, I would have died a VERY happy man! They also have a cash discount!

+6

Honestly one of our best dining experiences we've had. The owner Mr. Bill was so kind & took time to Conversate with us. Our waitress went above & beyond for us. Thank you Katelyn, you made our night very Special ❤️

+6

Kona is a great Hawaiian restaurants in the Monterey Area. The atmosphere is great and stylish and the waiters and hostess provided great service. Food is very solid across the board, the sweet Hawaiian rolls are a must try! Overall, great place to chill and have a good meal.

Wonderful service. Wide menu. Moko Loco pretty bland. Drinks good. Fries top notch. Nice atmosphere. - update... top notch visit this round, burger excellent, bacon is top notch, fish and chips were delicious, ribs very good. And seriously their fries are the best for miles. They have a wonderful shaved ice dessert option. Our server was Sherri... just wonderful.

+3

This is the second time we've come here. They recently opened on 3/17/23. The first time we tried two of the specialty cocktails, which were entertaining and great. This time I tried a classic martini, served in an impressive Kona etched glass. It was good, but not great. Next, we tried the pupu platter, which was delicious. Their breaded shrimp is delicious, as well as the calamari. The fish and chips is great, one of my fellow diners said it was the best he had. I think one of the other local pubs has it equally as good. The chips are very crispy, arguably the best in the area. Two of their deserts have dry ice to create a fog which is very entertaining. We had the chocolate lava cake. The ice cream was as good as Marianne's. Be prepared for the bill, but it's worth it. They charge about 3% more to use a credit card. I saw the owner overseeing everything when I came in, which is excellent. The staff is attentive and helpful.

+1

I visited to celebrate both of my friends' birthdays and the staff really made their night special! The prices are not bad, the food was very flavorful, and the shave ice was a perfect dessert! The atmosphere is so fun with a shaved ice bar and Hawaiian theme. The staff even gave us a free dessert (not pictured). Overall it was a fun time and would recommend taking friends and family here!

Very nice place. My wife had Coconut Shrimp, and Chow Mein - both very good! I had a house salad, and the Loco-Moco - a bed of rice with a 1/2 lb burger (+gravy w/mushrooms &onions) and two eggs on top, this was also quite tasty. The place is clean, roomy - and a nice place to eat...

This was our first but not last time here! I loved their décor and atmosphere. We sat at the bar and ordered cocktails and the pineapple brulee which we loved. Our bartender was awesome, the bathrooms were clean, and they even have a cute little gift shop. I am excited to go back and try more of their food!

+3

So good in every posdible way. Service was top notch our waitress Was so helpful and pleasant. We were seated quickly. It’s so nicely decorated too. We really like enjoyed our meals. Many good choices on the menu too. We’ve decided this will be our go to when we visit monterey. Pleasant atmosphere, located at a mall, where you can walk and enjoy nice landscaping of beautiful trees and plants.

Went to the happy hour in the Zen Den for my cigar with my husband and a friend. Can’t say enough good stuff about this place. Great food, lovely service, cute ambience, yummy drinks. Gave me a little show and treat for my bday too! Tip: we sat in the bar but it’s not huge, so if you want a bar seat, go earlier rather than later.

It’s not easy managing a party of 11 on a busy holiday weekend but the wait staff were friendly and attentive. Our group of kids and adults took full advantage of the many menu offerings and enjoyed the loco moco, poke bowl, fish tacos, mac & cheese, pulled pork, orange chicken, and seafood pasta. All delicious! Our server Matin was especially sensitive to food allergies in our group. When we encountered an issue with one of the meals, Matin went above and beyond to resolve it quickly and professionally. Hooray for Matin! He definitely deserves to be recognized for excellent service. This is a great place for large groups. Come with a big appetite as the portions can be quite large!

Our server, Ethan was spectacular! We had never been in and he was patient with us, happy to recommend things and even made sure to take our allergies seriously. It was wonderful. You can tell he really enjoys his job and the food. Had nothing but good things to say about the owners too. The host was awesome as well. He was so friendly. Our food was amazing. The French Dip, shrimp fried rice and you HAVE to get the dry ice dessert with shave ice! It was dessert AND a show. We will be back for sure!!

Kona is such an incredible restaurant to visit. The service is exceptional. Our server Alma and busser Isaac were on top of refilling our drinks and helped us decide what to pick from options we were interested in. This place isn't cheap but the quality of the food and atmosphere is well worth it. It has a very laid-back vibe. The New York Steak was perfectly cooked to the medium rare that I like. I look forward to coming back and trying another dish! A 10/10 experience.

This place is amazing, food, service and atmosphere gets a 10 from us. We have been here 4 times and Kona does not skip a beat. Located in beautiful Monterey by the sea.

Kona was a fantastic place. The atmosphere was beautiful and very welcoming. It was tastefully decorated and very clean. The hosts and servers very kind and helped us with our orders. We were in need of nothing while there. The food was so good. The moco loco was delicious. The Calamari steak was so tasty. The BBQ plate pure awesomeness. Our server Donna was phenomenal and very accomodating. When in the area again, we will definitely come back. Great job Kona.

In the mall, in what used to be the PF Changs space is a gem of a restaurant, opened in 2023. Went for Happy Hour (which is everyday until 9pm) and delighted with the experience. Reminds me of a higher end dining experience in Honolulu with a gorgeous interior and little elegant touches like nice glassware, reading lights for the menus, gorgeous interior and patio. Happy hour specials are large and can definately be split. And if you have room, the desserts are amazing and options for the whole family. Sat at the bar and had great service from Mitchell as well as Kaitlyn.

Kona Steak and Seafood is a fantastic spot with a nice, inviting atmosphere and excellent service. The food is wonderful — the Seafood Napoleon is especially yummy, and the Ahi Poke is fresh and absolutely delicious. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a great dining experience!

Me and my wife found out an amazing bartender/mixologist named George was now working here at Kona’s, so we came in here today hoping to see him and we did . We were very happy to see him and said hello to him 12/17/25 . We will always support and appreciate someone like George so much knowledge great customer service and amazing at making customers feel special . Wish you all the best and me and wife will continue to visit you 🙏🏽👍🏽 Your amazing person 💪🏽

12/29/2025..celebrating our 25th year wedding anniversary, had sooooo much fun, our waitress Brooke was sooooo awesome...we highly recommend her...she was really patient in explaining the menu, how large the portions were, its was our 1st time there , my husband and I will definitely go back not just for our anniversaries but for all times.

The cuisine was exceptional, the restaurant's ambiance and design were impressive, and our server, Regina, provided outstanding service.

Everything was great. Glad a friend recommended this place. In town only for the night and great to have a nice dinner reminiscent of home in Hawaii. The rolls were just like those back at Liliha bakery! And my loco moco was almost perfect. Gravy taste authentic but the over easy eggs could’ve been more “runny” then over medium. The fries that came with the rib eye steak were too soggy. Our server was friendly and gave great service.

We went to Kona for my husband’s birthday in early February, and it instantly became one of our favorite places we’ve ever been! The food was absolutely incredible, our server had us laughing nonstop, and the atmosphere was a perfect 10/10. With tip, we spent around $240, which covered generous portions, plenty of drinks, and dessert—and every penny was worth it! An unforgettable experience from start to finish!

Our server Edgar was a rockstar! My wife and I came by to celebrate our 1 year marriage anniversary, and our visit was one of the highlights of our entire trip! 🥳 The service of the staff and the atmosphere of the restaurant were top notch! As for the food, delicious!!! We have never had veggies that good before! And my wife loved their Mai Tai and Kona Rita! Our only regret was not staying for dessert 🥲 We are absolutely coming back! 😁

Super dog friendly, patio was so relaxing and we had filet mignon and the lava cake of course. My puppy had a beef patty and we were all happy! Thank you!!

Emily Murase

It’s not easy managing a party of 11 on a busy holiday weekend but the wait staff were friendly and attentive. Our group of kids and adults took full advantage of the many menu offerings and enjoyed the loco moco, poke bowl, fish tacos, mac & cheese, pulled pork, orange chicken, and seafood pasta. All delicious! Our server Matin was especially sensitive to food allergies in our group. When we encountered an issue with one of the meals, Matin went above and beyond to resolve it quickly and professionally. Hooray for Matin! He definitely deserves to be recognized for excellent service. This is a great place for large groups. Come with a big appetite as the portions can be quite large!

T Bright

Our server, Ethan was spectacular! We had never been in and he was patient with us, happy to recommend things and even made sure to take our allergies seriously. It was wonderful. You can tell he really enjoys his job and the food. Had nothing but good things to say about the owners too. The host was awesome as well. He was so friendly. Our food was amazing. The French Dip, shrimp fried rice and you HAVE to get the dry ice dessert with shave ice! It was dessert AND a show. We will be back for sure!!

Napoleon Navarro

Kona is such an incredible restaurant to visit. The service is exceptional. Our server Alma and busser Isaac were on top of refilling our drinks and helped us decide what to pick from options we were interested in. This place isn't cheap but the quality of the food and atmosphere is well worth it. It has a very laid-back vibe. The New York Steak was perfectly cooked to the medium rare that I like. I look forward to coming back and trying another dish! A 10/10 experience.

Carlos Garcia

Kona was a fantastic place. The atmosphere was beautiful and very welcoming. It was tastefully decorated and very clean. The hosts and servers very kind and helped us with our orders. We were in need of nothing while there. The food was so good. The moco loco was delicious. The Calamari steak was so tasty. The BBQ plate pure awesomeness. Our server Donna was phenomenal and very accomodating. When in the area again, we will definitely come back. Great job Kona.

Erin Kelley

In the mall, in what used to be the PF Changs space is a gem of a restaurant, opened in 2023. Went for Happy Hour (which is everyday until 9pm) and delighted with the experience. Reminds me of a higher end dining experience in Honolulu with a gorgeous interior and little elegant touches like nice glassware, reading lights for the menus, gorgeous interior and patio. Happy hour specials are large and can definately be split. And if you have room, the desserts are amazing and options for the whole family. Sat at the bar and had great service from Mitchell as well as Kaitlyn.

Raden Lee

Kona Steak and Seafood is a fantastic spot with a nice, inviting atmosphere and excellent service. The food is wonderful — the Seafood Napoleon is especially yummy, and the Ahi Poke is fresh and absolutely delicious. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a great dining experience!

Student of Culinary Arts

Me and my wife found out an amazing bartender/mixologist named George was now working here at Kona’s, so we came in here today hoping to see him and we did . We were very happy to see him and said hello to him 12/17/25 . We will always support and appreciate someone like George so much knowledge great customer service and amazing at making customers feel special . Wish you all the best and me and wife will continue to visit you 🙏🏽👍🏽 Your amazing person 💪🏽

Jenn

The cuisine was exceptional, the restaurant's ambiance and design were impressive, and our server, Regina, provided outstanding service.

Xtine Bala

12/29/2025..celebrating our 25th year wedding anniversary, had sooooo much fun, our waitress Brooke was sooooo awesome...we highly recommend her...she was really patient in explaining the menu, how large the portions were, its was our 1st time there , my husband and I will definitely go back not just for our anniversaries but for all times.

Agnetha Garcia

Super dog friendly, patio was so relaxing and we had filet mignon and the lava cake of course. My puppy had a beef patty and we were all happy! Thank you!!

Adrianne James Datiles

Our server Edgar was a rockstar! My wife and I came by to celebrate our 1 year marriage anniversary, and our visit was one of the highlights of our entire trip! 🥳 The service of the staff and the atmosphere of the restaurant were top notch! As for the food, delicious!!! We have never had veggies that good before! And my wife loved their Mai Tai and Kona Rita! Our only regret was not staying for dessert 🥲 We are absolutely coming back! 😁

R Reviews

Everything was great. Glad a friend recommended this place. In town only for the night and great to have a nice dinner reminiscent of home in Hawaii. The rolls were just like those back at Liliha bakery! And my loco moco was almost perfect. Gravy taste authentic but the over easy eggs could’ve been more “runny” then over medium. The fries that came with the rib eye steak were too soggy. Our server was friendly and gave great service.

Pac-Man Casias

Honestly one of our best dining experiences we've had. The owner Mr. Bill was so kind & took time to Conversate with us. Our waitress went above & beyond for us. Thank you Katelyn, you made our night very Special ❤️

Raquel Degeneffe

We went to Kona for my husband’s birthday in early February, and it instantly became one of our favorite places we’ve ever been! The food was absolutely incredible, our server had us laughing nonstop, and the atmosphere was a perfect 10/10. With tip, we spent around $240, which covered generous portions, plenty of drinks, and dessert—and every penny was worth it! An unforgettable experience from start to finish!

Ak Mal

I absolutely love the rich and diverse flavors of the food. Each dish offers a unique taste experience, whether it’s the spicy heat of a well-seasoned curry, the savory depth of a perfectly grilled steak, or the refreshing crunch of a vibrant salad. The balance of ingredients and the careful preparation really elevate every meal, making each bite a delightful adventure for my palate.

First time being at Kona’s was a great experience. The service and quality of food met the expectations of our final tab. The price was reasonable for the quantity of food. We celebrated a birthday and provided a cake which the staff members engaged with participation and excitement. To top it off the Lobster Mac N cheese was a hit & run. I would recommend coming here and we will be back to Kona’s.

Kona is one of the best restaurants in Monterey. The food is always amazing, with so many delicious and unique options to choose from, and the service is excellent. The atmosphere is fun and welcoming. The drinks are fantastic and the desserts are to die for, especially the chocolate lava cake on dry ice. The very friendly owners are usually there to greet you and make sure you have enjoyed your meal. This evening I forgot my leftover box and our server, Kylie, ran it out to us in our car as we were driving off. I don’t think you’ll find better service than that anywhere. We have been here many times, and we’ll keep coming back as often as we can. Fabulous restaurant!

Charlie Root

Had Christmas Eve dinner with my daughter and was well worth the money spent. There was a mixup on our reservation time and they were extremely helpful and we were sat quickly. Butter rolls are crazy good along with the crab ragoon and chicken curry soup. Main dishes were rib eye steak and cioppino. Both dishes were outstanding. Haven't had a bad meal here after a few visits. Couldn't have been a better experience. Thank you Kona.

We arrived on the Monterey Peninsula and found ourselves at the restaurant because of some quick restaurant search on Google. At first the restaurant appeared to be a typical kind of mall restaurant but it didn't take long before we were very pleased. We were greeted to politely and taken to a table outside. It wasn't long before my wife was too cold and our server moved us inside. We sat at a nice booth overlooking the dining area. Our server gave us a suggestion to try the Rolls and Butter. "Sure.... let's do it" Oh my gosh, it was AMAZING!!! The Fish and Chips and Fish Tacos were very good too. The portions were generous, which made me happy because I have a large appetite. We will likely be back next year during Car Week.

+1

New Year special banana cream pie was amazing. All other dishes were also nice. Service was excellent and restaurant is beautifully decorated. The restaurant was pretty busy on Saturday night but it was not uncomfortably loud.

10.30.2024. Enjoyed Panko crusted sand dabs $28. They were crisp and flavorful. I've also enjoyed the grill version which is also delish! One Friend enjoyed the Chinatown orange chicken on rice $25. Hesaid it was wonderful! The other friend ordered the chow mein, $25, with added chicken. Also said it was delish. The atmosphere is beautiful and the service was spot on. The restaurant is also very clean. PAST REVIEW. Happy Hour and again a few days later for lunch. The sliced calamari (steaks) were Krispy & flavorful, especially with ranch dressing! The shredded pork BBQ sandwich w/battered fries had a nice flavor - fries were great. My wife had the pork tacos and said they were mostly good, just lacking flavor. The hamburger for lunch was a chargrilled patty with lots of flavor. Note that the onions on the burger are sweet, as is the bun & kona sauce. The bun is great! My personal preference is to taste the beef. I'd axe the onions & sauce and add mustard. We had salad versus fries (extra cost). The salad was very well thought out and was delish!! Finally, the portion size, the atmosphere & service are all great. There's plenty of choices on the menu. Prices are very reasonable. We will return and try new items, maybe fish n chips!

+3

We had a Sunday, 4:30 reservation and were seated right away. It was a very busy place too. I ordered the House Salad, which was good but not exceptional, really most house salads are pretty basic anywhere. Another in our party had the Beet Salad, for $3 more than my House Salad, it looked fantastic and she enjoyed it. We all had the Macadamia nut Halibut. Mashed potatoes had great flavor, a nice serving size of the fish that was cooked perfectly with a delicious topping. Vegetables were not overcooked (carrots a bit too crunchy though) but overall good. For dessert we shared the Mud Pie, which was very good. All dishes were beautifully served. Our waiter could have been a little better though in a few respects. He brought us the wrong dessert, which we quickly realized after one of our party already took a bite. We decided this dessert looked good so we didn't complain. Ambiance is relaxing. The restaurant wasn't overly noisy even though it was so busy so we were able to carry on a conversation. It is fairly expensive depending on what and how many courses you order, but I think the prices are basically the same as what I have noticed at other similar restaurants. Happy Hour looked to be good with affordable pricing on drinks and food. We will be going back. I take one star off for the waiters' error.

Love the vibe and service is great. I have enjoyed the food, but the price point for the food is a little on the high side. The burger was on point. The fried rice could have used a little more seasoning but still good. Will definitely be back to try the ribs and a steak at some point.

A fun unique concept 'tropical' steakhouse with some kinks to work out. The decor and ambience are both top notch. The menu could use a layout do-over to flow better. Service was attentative but a little chaotic. Food was a mixed bag. The spring rolls were a huge miss. They were premade and kept cold so the rice paper and noodles were clumpy, cold, and hard. The wrapper broke anytime we took a bite. Fried rice was a generous serving and was good. Steak temp was spot on and seasoned well, but au gratin potatoes were underdone so the potato was hard and the cheese was grainy. Drinks were creative, fun, and tasted balanced. (My companion was thrilled with the mocktail options). All the drinks were served with a lil extra razzle dazzle. The shaved ice for dessert was a great idea but the execution was a little disorganized. We were told to go order from the shaved ice counter and we paid for our shaved ices there. Then when our food bill came out, the shaved ices were charged on there too! Overall, glad this new restaurant opened up at the shopping center as another dining option. The concept is fun and the food was mostly good. I can definitely see bringing family or friends here when they visit for the ambience and fun drinks. They have a few food and service kinks that should be fixable and it would be an amazing place. Will come back and update soon!

First visit, very nice hawaiian decor. Dishes are on the smaller side but delicious for the price. Would come back to try other dishes if travel to this area. We had crab cakes, lobster mac n cheese, sea food pasta, Filet mignon sliders.

steve thai

First visit, very nice hawaiian decor. Dishes are on the smaller side but delicious for the price. Would come back to try other dishes if travel to this area. We had crab cakes, lobster mac n cheese, sea food pasta, Filet mignon sliders.

WT

10.30.2024. Enjoyed Panko crusted sand dabs $28. They were crisp and flavorful. I've also enjoyed the grill version which is also delish! One Friend enjoyed the Chinatown orange chicken on rice $25. Hesaid it was wonderful! The other friend ordered the chow mein, $25, with added chicken. Also said it was delish. The atmosphere is beautiful and the service was spot on. The restaurant is also very clean. PAST REVIEW. Happy Hour and again a few days later for lunch. The sliced calamari (steaks) were Krispy & flavorful, especially with ranch dressing! The shredded pork BBQ sandwich w/battered fries had a nice flavor - fries were great. My wife had the pork tacos and said they were mostly good, just lacking flavor. The hamburger for lunch was a chargrilled patty with lots of flavor. Note that the onions on the burger are sweet, as is the bun & kona sauce. The bun is great! My personal preference is to taste the beef. I'd axe the onions & sauce and add mustard. We had salad versus fries (extra cost). The salad was very well thought out and was delish!! Finally, the portion size, the atmosphere & service are all great. There's plenty of choices on the menu. Prices are very reasonable. We will return and try new items, maybe fish n chips!

Tero Halla-aho

New Year special banana cream pie was amazing. All other dishes were also nice. Service was excellent and restaurant is beautifully decorated. The restaurant was pretty busy on Saturday night but it was not uncomfortably loud.

Service was great. Food is not Japanese not Hawaiian. Salty. Dessert performance was awesome. But we could enjoy Hawaiian art and goods inside.

T Chloe

Service was great. Food is not Japanese not Hawaiian. Salty. Dessert performance was awesome. But we could enjoy Hawaiian art and goods inside.

Served less than mediocre food for fine dining prices. I have had better food at fast food restaurants. The food was served on the colder side and had little to no flavor and it was supposed to be "spicy". This seems like a tourist trap restaurant, I'd suggest to avoid it.

Steakhouse my ass, this was worst steak for the most money I've ever eaten. The ribeye i got was ultra salty & then my prime rib to replace it came out seared. Who sears prime rib unless its well done? Well I ordered medium & my prime rib came out full of fat & overcooked from searing. Will never come here again. Then no bread for the table or even at least some crackers instead like at least Big Boy will do for ya. The 2nd try left me late for work & they didnt even offer any kind of discount on at least my plate. Highly do not recommend

If I could give them zero stars I would. Don't come here if you have toddlers who has big emotions and don't know how to control them yet. We had a family outing and was going to end the night with steak dinner and stumbled on this place that LOOKS family friendly. We ordered and my little girl was tired from the day out and started being a little fussy. Our server, she said it's okay, we have children here all the time. I went to use the restroom and come back to my table to find my husband and the baby outside. Husband comes in with the baby annoyed and said let's go. Apparently the staff had asked him to bring the baby outside due to her crying. They told me that when a child is crying, they have to start moving people away from their tables because it's a distraction. The restaurant was not even busy. At most, it had like 7 other tables. They didn't give us a chance to calm and let our child express her emotions, but instead asked us to leave. AVOID THIS PLACE if you wanted a family dinner outing. Little 3 feet peoples with big emotions are NOT WELCOME.