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Categories: Coffee & Tea, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Pizza, Sandwiches, American (Traditional) [Edit]
75-5799 Alii Dr"Live music, oceanside breeze, great drinks, awesome food - what's not to love. I felt like I was truly on vacation in Hawaii when we went…" read more »
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Hands down the best fish tacos of my life.
Actually it totally ruined fish tacos for me because once i came back to California... i couldnt find anything as good ever. I probably came here 5 times in my 12 day trip in Kona.
So goooooood.
Breakfast is also really killer.
For sure worth a stop.
Also an amazing view of the ocean.
We went here for breakfast one day, and it was healthy and nourishing to start off our day. We shared a local style breakfast with scrambled eggs, Portuguese sausage and rice (missing some soy sauce, didn't notice if they had any). I had the yogurt and full bowl of granola (a bit too much granola, but I liked the yogurt). The organic Peruvian coffee (why not Kona coffee?) was good, but I would rather drink local Kona coffee (investing in local coffee farms would be so awesome!).
The service was a-ok, but they need to be more warm and friendly - more smiles, more Aloha spirit. Other than that, the food was pretty decent. They need to get in touch with the local spirit more. And it's a bit price-y, but mostly tourists come here. Loved the ocean views from the outside seating (please make sure the chairs are bird poop free though).
Breakfast for 2 = $30
Okay, this is my last Yelp review from last month's trip to Hawaii. I thought I was done, but I had this unfinished review from brunch at Island Lava Java on our last day in Hawaii.
I had the Island Style breakfast, which consisted of island-style pancakes (topped with chopped macadamia nuts, bananas and either coconut or guava-flavored syrup) with fruit and grilled potatoes. Despite the lack of spam and eggs, this breakfast was as good as it sounds! I wasn't expecting to finish the plate, but did so with relative ease.
While we had a table outside with a very serene ocean view, there is a bird problem so you have to be careful where you sit. We first sat at a table that was between two umbrellas. This turned into a bad situation as the birds lined up along the edges of the umbrellas. We quickly realized how bad it was when the birds started bombing away!
Luckily, another table opened up that was directly under an umbrella and out of harm's way. You also still need to be careful about leaning back, because the back of the chairs may not have been cleaned since the last bombing run.
Despite the bird issues, it was a very good and relaxing breakfast. Good food and a good view was a great way to start the day...and the long journey home.
I'd heard about the cinnamon rolls that they make fresh every morning, and so I just had to come here before we left. The morning we were flying home, we grabbed breakfast and printed out our boarding passes (yes, they have a computer and printer you can use for a fee).
even though this place is right in the middle of the tourist area on Alii Drive, i didn't think it had a touristy feel. and the view from front seating area can't be beat - looking out onto the beautiful Pacific Ocean. the cinnamon buns were just as i'd heard they'd be - huge, yummy and gushy, just how i like em. We also had breakfast bagels which, although they're hard to screw up, were pretty tasty. my sister had been there the day before and gotten the fish tacos and said they were amazing.
i hear they sell out of the sticky buns so i'd get there early (around 7 or 8am) to make sure you get a nice warm c-roll ; )
It seems like a place that would fit in perfectly at Manhattan Beach.
I got the turkey burger which like any ordinary turkey burger with avocado and bean sprouts. The potato chips were freshly made and delicious. The fries were also pretty good.
The place definitely has a nice beachy, hip vibe. It's a cool place to hang out as it's facing the beach.
Wonderful breakfast place. Reasonably priced, excellent coffee, and great service. Free parking too.
So great my wife and I came back a second time on our vacation. The cinnamon rolls (especially the pull apart one) are made on premises and are so good and so sticky.
Their breakfast dishes are equally great. My wife had the pancakes with coconut syrup and I had two variations of their breakfast sandwiches. Terrific. Great patio seating too.
Went to try out their famous cinnamon buns except we were pretty disappointed. True, the cinnamon buns are indeed big (see photo).
I asked if it could be heated it up and the woman said that they were baked fresh that morning and that nuking it wouldn't be a good idea. So we took it as is and it didn't taste fresh, it tasted dry and stale. The coffee was also very weak. Boo. But I'd be willing to give this place another try though and try some of their other food options.
We came here twice for breakfast. The first time I had a breakfast wrap with kalua pork, mushrooms and cheese. The eggs were fluffy and it tasted good, but they barely gave me any kalua pork, despite the fact that they charged an extra $3 (!) for it. With just that a la carte wrap and a coffee, my bill was over $15!
We came back because I wanted to try their other breakfast stuff. Had the eggs benedict. It was unremarkable except for the fact that it was on a croissant instead of a muffin. The hollandaise sauce didt taste right and the whole thing ended up giving me a stomachache.
We come to Kona twice per year and we frequent Lava Java at least 2x/day! It has always been fresh, tasty and good eats. The hours are great too. We are always here for the Ironman in early/ mid Oct, the busiest time of their year. The owner says that they do 3x the business during the Ironman than they do all of the rest of the year. Sooo, if you go during that time expect a wait! But it's ALWAYS worth it. One negative I will add this year, is that their website isn't great, tough to navigate menu or order online (on a Mac with Safari anyway). As good as it gets in Kona!
Awesome! Excellent Kona Coffee and food to die for! Try the Cinimon Roll, the Pull Apart, the Yogurt in a Papaya... never been disappointed here. You may have to wait for a table out front, but you're on vacation, take your time, enjoy your java and sweet treat. I have frequently seen dolphins in the bay while sipping and munching.
Pricey! I guess you are paying for the views... although, we had dinner at Huggo's for less than our lunch here! (And my husband had a beer at Huggo's!)
We both had their Daily Fresh Fish Specials. (What... as opposed to Daily Not-So-Fresh Specials?) Ha ha ha! I had their fish tacos. It was tasty but not memorable. But eh... I'm not a huge lover of cooked fish in the first place anyways. I will always compare my fish taco experiences to the fish tacos that I had in Mexico... and so far... no one has come close to that definitely memorable experience! Hubby had the fish wrap, which included seared ahi and he loved his.
Nice outdoor seating and they allowed dogs. Seems that a bunch of locals come here... I think they receive a kamaaina discount... I mean, how else could they afford it? They asked me if I had their Makana card (when I went to pay)... I must remember to get one when we move here... ha ha ha.
My hubby would definitely return back here... As for me? I'd rather go to U Top It. If I was a local... maybe... I'd come for their pastries. I hear that their cinnamon rolls are legendary. Everything in their bakery case looked appealing. But nothing really popped out at me when I perused their menu.
My honey and I were in need of some good coffee and tasty eats on our second day in Kona. A quick search on Yelp showed that Island Lava Java was quite popular and since it was just a quick 5 minute walk from our hotel, it was perfect!
One look around the place and I knew we were in good shape to get some tasty breakfast eats. All of the patrons seemed quite pleased with their heaping plates of eggs, waffles, and steaming coffee. We placed our order for a breakfast burrito for the bf and a waffle breakfast for me. After grabbing our freshly brewed Kona coffees from the counter, we grabbed a table outside and waited for our breakfast. The view was delightful!!! Clear blues skies, surfers coming in and out of the break, and the beautiful ocean merely yards from us. Perfect!
Our food came over shortly late and yumm-o!!!!
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
My waffle was delish--crunchy and not too sweet. The bf loved his burrito and it was huge! As for the coffee....it was the best I had yet on that side of the island. And that is saying a lot!!
Tummies filled, we were ready to tackle another day in Kona!
This place lured us in with their evening food after a visit to Lulu's, but we definitely enjoyed the breakfast we had later in the week. I recommend the breakfasts beyond their delicious-looking cinnamon rolls.
I enjoyed some wonderful eggs and Portuguese sausage with a couple of pancakes. The syrup was skimpy but more was vailable. The lady had a nice omelet and smoothie which she called a good one, so... there you have iot.
The coffee is Kona, 100%, and brewed in different roasts (medium, full city and dark). There is also decaf for those of you who like it (ugh).
Guava jelly? Steal some, it's good the next morning on toast :)
Yeah, it's okay. But just Okay. The coffee was very weak when I was there last. The views are good, but i came for the coffee and was disappointed. The art on the walls is nice and the staff friendly. I may go back for lunch.
Lava Java seemed to be a popular breakfast, lunch and dinner spot in Kailua-Kona. We went twice, and every time we drove by, this place was crowded.
Both of our stops were for breakfast. Pete had the "Big Island Basics" which came with two eggs cooked to order, rice or potatoes, sausage or bacon, toast and fruit. I ordered the "Yogurt and House-made Granola". Both of our meals were excellent. The yogurt (plain or vanilla) was served in half a papaya, and that granola spilled over the whole plate. I have never had granola this good before. We were told we had to try the bakery items, and opted for a scone and a cinnamon bun...SO GOOD. The next day we just stopped in and got some bakery items before heading out for the day.
You can order breakfast, lunch, or dinner online at their website, and have it delivered to you. That is a nice treat if you are having a lazy day or don't want to deal with all the mass of tourists on this busy main street. However, eating in was great because the view is close to perfect. Yes, you are on the other side of the street from the ocean, but you have a great view of the water. If you are lucky, you can also have a view of the very old, very tanned, shoeless and shirtless man with dreadlocks in his hair and beard that was smoking a joint close to our table.
When I walked in to Lava Java and saw the "People on Yelp Love Us" stickers plastered all over the place, I couldn't help but smile. I did hardly any research on Kona eateries before heading out there since I was visiting a friend who lives there and put my faith entirely in his island expertise. This was the first place he took me and probably my favorite.
Excellent breakfast (waffles and bacon...mmmm) and the best 100% Kona coffee I had during my entire stay. The view can't be beat, either, and--really--prices are on par with what I'd pay for that quality of breakfast here in the city.
Great cinnamon rolls! Went here a few times for a cup of coffee and some breakfast several days on the way to area beaches. Tried some other places for this but Island Lava Java was the best. Dinner- chicken and pesto over penne was great, BBQ pizza was average. Great view at sunset. Pricey for the area, but worth it.
Cinnamon roll = heaven. Yeah, I have a sweet tooth, I have to admit. When I go to Kona, Lava Java is definitely a place I like to frequent. However, I went there once, and they didn't make my fresh squeezed orange juice because they forgot. Booo!
I "hear" their food is pretty amazing. My whole review is pretty biased, as I've only had their cinnamon roll. Cinnabon ain't got nothin on this joint. I think they put 10 lbs of sugar into it. Ahhhhh, still good, nonetheless. It's a short walk from most of the hotels on Ali'i, so it's close to everything. FInd me here, when it's time to be in Kona.
If we are rating the food I would definitely give this place 4 stars. They have great cinnamon rolls, cinnamon flavor ice cream, whole fruit smoothies, and of course Kona coffee. They are always packed and serve lots of vegetarian and organic options. The salad with honey mustard dressing was delicious, but after spending 13.00 on a salad I left hungry. Portion sizes depend on what you order though because the sandwiches ARE HUGE. This place is incredibly expensive, but what isn't in Hawaii. So drop by Lava Java get a smoothie, a salad, or a cinnamon bun and take advantage of the free wireless internet
Good fish tacos. Rather pricey. The coffee frappé was alright, though the smoothie I had was overly sweet and artificial tasting, much like Jamba Juice. I keep hearing that they have great breakfast. I will have to stop back in at some point and sample it.
We went to Island Lava Java three times in the week we were in Hawaii. Comparatively it had great vegetarian options for dinner at a decent price and the island style panckaes were wonderful! We had a pizza and a vegetarian burger and my oh my was it delicious! We split most of our meals beacuse their plates were so large! The location by the water was wonderful as well. I highly recommend stopping here if you're in Kona. It's more than worth it!
We were recommended this place as the "best breakfast" in Kona, and I was not disappointed! Since we came on the day of the Ironman competition, the place was hopping and the line was out the door. However, the view of the Pacific Ocean definitely made waiting in line far less of a hassle.
I ordered the Big Island Basics (if I can remember correctly), two eggs, potatoes, toast, and Portuguese sausage. A tad pricey, not enough tables for the crowd, and had to wait awhile after ordering, but worth the wait fo sho!
My favorite spot in downtown Kailua Kona.
If I had the means to open a coffee shop, it will be Island Lava Java II. With their freshly brewed 100% Kona coffee, cinnamon rolls and ice cream, you could spend a whole morning or afternoon here gazing out at the ocean.
Open daily from 6am to 10pm. SWEET!
It's the see-and-be-seen place {{for the haoles}} on Ali'i Drive. But it can back up its popularity with its offerings of good coffee (per the drinkers in my party), good breakfast food (alas, I have not yet arrived in time to sample one of those legendary cinnamon rolls), great sammies and salads, and a prime location. It's always packed, at least when we've gone by.
Tip: Parking for the plaza (Ali'i Sunset) is off of Kuakini, which is behind Ali'i. You can't access the parking lot if you're coming southbound on Ali'i...so you'll have to drive around a bit :)
Fantabulous Kona Coffees, super Wraps, delightful Pastries & the location is absolutely top notch.....what a terrific cafe!
Area reminds me of a typical Beach Boardwalk - lots of touristy shops & restaurants surround the far superior local establishments ( go local! ), tons of people walking around in sun-glasses & flip-flops & happiness, happiness everywhere b/c after all, you're in Paradise
Mocha was molten-lava-hot - burned my tongue - but yummy & chocolaty. At first sip, I was like OMG this is da bomb - towards the end, I almost got that smack-smack-syrupy-bleh but can still say I'd definitely go back every day if I could.
Menu items include Pancakes, Waffles, a multitude of Egg concoctions, Fresh Juice, Smoothies, Muffins & Croissants
Also indulged in their Breakfast Wrap, filled w/ scrambled eggs, cheese, tofu & shrooms.....you can pick your own 3 egg-companions.......next time I'll be sure to include the Breakfast Potatoes b/c I'm a sucka for taters!
Brought back a Cinnamon Roll for the house to share & another OMG - it is so delectable! Ginormous treat that takes up a whole plate....TONS of ooey, gooey topping & white icing sit in the middle of this roll that is somewhat shaped like a little pizza but w/ Cinnamon-roll dough instead of pizza dough
So far this is my fav place for fun atmosphere & vibe - sit right outside, watch the water & passersby, a boat or 2 on the water & lots of happy, smiling people all around you!
The lava java shake was delicious and the big island pizza (kahlua pork and pineapple) was different but very good. They have outdoor seating and free WIFI. I enjoyed coming here for drinks and to relax.
Our last evening on the Big Island, my sister and I headed off the beach and into town. We passed Lava Java glancing at their eclectic menu and decided to settle in. Wow - they have the best fish tacos I've ever had ... hands down. Friendly service and great deserts.
Every time I drove/walked by this place it was always packed so I just had to stop by and see what the fuss was about. Fresh baked pastries, cakes, homemade ice cream, awesome food, and friendly service* all make this place a winner in my book. Convenient free wi-fi in a town full of internet cafes. Ummm, I thought the nineties were over 9 years ago! These guys deserve 5 full stars in my book for setting the trend in Kona. I just hope I get another chance to drop in before I return to Oahu.
* So check this out. I wanted something cold so I ordered a lava java shake which is made with their homemade coffee ice cream. Unfortunately, they were out of the coffee ice cream so bummer right? Well... wrong! They ended up making me a chocolate shake with a shot of espresso in it that tasted awesome. And they only charged me for the chocolate shake price which is less than the lava java shake. Sweet!!!
I really liked Lava Java - it was a very cute and low-key cafe that served the neighborhood's Starbucks needs while maintaining a Kona feel - I'd always come down here for a drink or a sandwich, just to hang out with friends while watching others walk by on the boardwalk.
Plus they make really good drinks and their pastries always look delicious.
THE best breakfast in Kona. Lava Java is perfect for a sit-down meal or a quick bite to go. The Eggs Benedict is amazing as is the Lava Javawich. If you sit at the patio tables you just might see a pod of dolphins swimming by!!! Lunch is also great here and I have also had an amazing Ahi Poke for dinner. I always stop here when I'm in Kona.
The coffee here rocks. The service is a bit slow sometimes but, compared in entirety to other places around, Lava Java freaking rocks. The capuccino, the volcano breakfast, and the cinnamon roll were awesome for breakfast. I am not a cinnamon roll kind of girl so there was way too much "syrup" on it but I think it's divine to those who like them in the first place. I went there a second time and shared crab cakes (the aioli was ono) and had the chicken caesar salad. The pork tacos were also nice but, again, not really my thing.
The price is right for what you get. Would *definitely* go back if I revisit the Big Island!
We came here to try out the famous cinnamon rolls and we also tested the ginger iced tea, since we were on our way to jet ski. I heard on I think, Myth Busters, that ginger alleviates motion sickness, so I thought that the ginger iced tea might help. (I didn't get sick, so maybe it helped!) Anyway, the ginger was definitely strong, but I really liked it a lot, and the iced part cooled me down since it was so hot outside! To be honest, I actually wasn't a huge fan of the cinnamon roll. It was indeed big, the size of the plate, but it wasn't as fluffy as I wanted it, and near the end of the roll, I realized that it was soaked in butter, and not really in a good way. There are plenty of other people here that reviewed this place and raved about the cinnamon rolls, so I'm probably just the odd woman out, and it's based on personal preference. This is a really cute shop and it's open early to late, and I like that it's got a great view of the water when you eat.
Cinnamon rolls the size of dinner plates. No joke. In addition to freshly baked pastries, they also serve tasty omelets and other cooked breakfasts.
Great place to sit outside and watch the people stroll by. I went for breakfast, but I bet this would be a great place to watch sunset too, because the cafe is located across the street from a seawall.
Not cheap (what do you expect? this is Hawaii!), paying $5.50 for a fresh juice felt a little steep. A cinnamon roll, juice and latte came to $14.
I took a gigantic cinnamon roll to go from this place, it was more than enough to feed two. Good food, great outdoor seating near the water. Parking is a little tricky, it's in the back.
This was our first stop after the airport. The reviews on here made this a "must visit" on my last trip and I was not disappointed. Hubby and I grabbed a table outside and took turns going in to order. Friendly, fast service. Hubby and I both had fresh pineapple juice that they just produced from their juicer as we ordered it. Yum!
Hubby had ham, egg, and cheese on a croissant. My husband has pretty high standards but he hadn't eaten two bites when he declared it the best egg and anything on a croissant he has ever had. He was even kind enough to share some with me and I confirmed it.
I ordered eggs benedict on a croissant with a side of potatoes. Again, the eggs benedict hit the mark. Eggs cooked perfectly and the hollandaise was very tangy and not too buttery. The croissant was, once again, darn near perfect.
The only thing on which I must downtick was the potatoes. They were very hard and barely cooked. The flavor was nice but they were far underdone. It was strange having those poor potatoes on the plate with the lovely benedict. It was sad because I really had a taste for some good potatoes that morning, but hubby and I had enough food between us to satisfy my tummy so I didn't take the time to complain. By the time I realized the issue, the line was almost out the door and I didn't want to waste the time dealing with it.
I would have breakfast here again without hesitation and would take friends and family here if they are in the area visiting. Lava Java really has something special going on!
Went here twice for bfast. Line is out the door, but that's a good sign, right?
Convenient location on Ali'i with outdoor seating and a nice view of the water. Hubby had the wrap with tomato, mushroom, and cheese. LJ added sprouts and other toppings/garnishes. End result was a fresh, distinctive flavorful plate. The next day, he had the eggs benedict. I had the LavaJavawich. Both days, I asked them to exclude the ham. Both days, they forgot and left it on. Still, we cleaned our plates and would've gone back had we stayed in the area another day.
i almost forgot about this place because i haven't been back to kona for almost 3 years. but it must have been good, if i suddenly remember it. i remember thinking back then that i were to open a restaurant, i'd want some thing laid back, like island lava java. i went here for breakfast and lunch during my visit.
i like places were you can order with a cashier and the food is delivered to you, but there is no need for a server. it makes me happy that those people don't depend on tips...that usually sucks!
anyway, i can't go back and enjoy!
Being in Kailu-Kona, I had to sample the coffee. Since Michele wanted to walk around, I decided to grab a cup-o-joe before doing so.
Even though all I ordered was a simple medium cup of Kona coffee, it was really good and did not have any of the nasty burnt taste that a lot of coffee in the US seem to exhibit (I was spoiled by tasty coffee in Asia which usually is much more potent). Besides, it was a great to people watch for a while.
Excellent coffee, amazing views and free wifi. What more could you ask for? I do wish we had tried their food there but the coffee and my daughter's smoothie was a good impression for me. The barista that helped us out was very friendly. Made a little small talk about Seattle with my cousin. Too bad she wasn't cute so that he could hit on her but oh well. The coffee and service makes up for it. Definitely would come back.
This place is good because I had two meals in one day here! A friend and I started off with a light breakfast in the morning, I had a cup of Kona coffee, a mango cinnamon muffin and a cup of fruit. Everything was so fresh! We ended up finding a cool spa next door and after a relaxing massage, we went back for lunch! This time we shared a yummy pizza with shredded Kahlua pig & chunks of pineapple. Another winner!! Service was excellent and the view was incredible. It was also within walking distance to downtown Kona (shops, restaurants, etc). I definitely recommend Lava Java on your trip to Kona!
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