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Name: The Fish Hopper
Address: 75-5683 Alii Dr, Kailua Kona, HI, 96740
Telephone: (808) 326-2002
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.63

The Fish Hopper

75-5683 Alii Dr, Kailua Kona, HI, 96740

(808) 326-2002
Store is closed

The Fish Hopper Menu

Hot Appetizers

Grilled Artichoke

Crab Cakes

Crispy Fried Calamari

Crispy Coconut Prawns

Sauteed Prawns, Scallops and Big Sur Mushrooms

Chef's Sampler

Clams and Mussels Bordel Aise

Award Winning Clam Chowder

Grilled Artichoke

Crab Cakes

Crispy Fried Calamari

Crispy Coconut Prawns

Sauteed Prawns, Scallops and Big Sur Mushrooms

Chef's Sampler

Clams and Mussels Bordel Aise

Award Winning Clam Chowder
Cold Appetizers

Jumbo Prawn Cocktail

Dungeness Crab Cocktail

1/2 Dozen Oysters On The Half Shell

Bay Shrimp Cocktail

Ocean Platter

Jumbo Prawn Cocktail

Dungeness Crab Cocktail

1/2 Dozen Oysters On The Half Shell

Bay Shrimp Cocktail

Ocean Platter
Salads

Small Caesar Salad

Mixed Green Salad

Iceburg Wedge

Sesame Ahi Tuna and Co conut Prawns Salad

Seafood Louie Salad

Caesar Salad

Poached Pear and Seared Scallop Salad

Small Caesar Salad

Mixed Green Salad

Iceburg Wedge

Sesame Ahi Tuna and Co conut Prawns Salad

Seafood Louie Salad

Caesar Salad

Poached Pear and Seared Scallop Salad
Pasta

Seafood Pasta Monterey

California Crab Alfredo Pasta

The Ultimate Seafood Pasta

Linguine Pasta Isabella

Stuffed Jumbo Prawn Pasta

"Crab Ravioli with Prawns And Scallops"

Fettuccine Alfredo

Artichoke Ravioli

Seafood Pasta Monterey

California Crab Alfredo Pasta

The Ultimate Seafood Pasta

Linguine Pasta Isabella

Stuffed Jumbo Prawn Pasta

"Crab Ravioli with Prawns And Scallops"

Fettuccine Alfredo

Artichoke Ravioli
Fresh from the Hopper

Sanddabs

Cajun Mahi Mahi

Grilled Salmon

Macadamia Crusted Tilapia

Broiled Swordfish

Roasted Halibut and Prawns

Sesame Crusted or Blackened Rare Ahi Tuna

Crab Crusted Sea Bass

Scallop and Prawn Scampi

Sanddabs

Cajun Mahi Mahi

Grilled Salmon

Macadamia Crusted Tilapia

Broiled Swordfish

Roasted Halibut and Prawns

Sesame Crusted or Blackened Rare Ahi Tuna

Crab Crusted Sea Bass

Scallop and Prawn Scampi
Hopper Fries it Up

Fish and Chips

Pan Fried fanny Bay Oysters

Shrimp Trio Platter

Fish and Chips

Pan Fried fanny Bay Oysters

Shrimp Trio Platter
Combination Platters

Seafood Cioppino

Surf and Turf

Prime Rib and Lobster Tail

Seafood Cioppino

Surf and Turf

Prime Rib and Lobster Tail
Hopper Crab and Lobster Platters

Half Dungeness Crab

Whole Dungeness Crab

Lobster Tail (10 oz)

King Crab Legs (1lb)

Half Dungeness Crab

Whole Dungeness Crab

Lobster Tail (10 oz)

King Crab Legs (1lb)
Poultry

Chicken Monterey

Chicken Monterey
Steaks

Certified Angus Beef Brand

Filet Mignon (10 oz)

Maple Soy Marinated Skirt Steak (12 oz)

Big PorterHouse Steak (22 oz)

New York Steak (14 oz)

Prime Top Sirloin (10 oz)

Tomahawl Bone In Ribeye Steak (18 oz)

Certified Angus Beef Brand

Filet Mignon (10 oz)

Maple Soy Marinated Skirt Steak (12 oz)

Big PorterHouse Steak (22 oz)

New York Steak (14 oz)

Prime Top Sirloin (10 oz)

Tomahawl Bone In Ribeye Steak (18 oz)

Healthy Meal suggestions for The Fish Hopper

Hot Appetizers

Grilled Artichoke [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crab Cakes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crispy Fried Calamari [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crispy Coconut Prawns [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sauteed Prawns, Scallops and Big Sur Mushrooms [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chef's Sampler [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Clams and Mussels Bordel Aise [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Award Winning Clam Chowder [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Artichoke [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crab Cakes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crispy Fried Calamari [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crispy Coconut Prawns [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sauteed Prawns, Scallops and Big Sur Mushrooms [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chef's Sampler [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Clams and Mussels Bordel Aise [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Award Winning Clam Chowder [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Cold Appetizers

Jumbo Prawn Cocktail [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Dungeness Crab Cocktail [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

1/2 Dozen Oysters On The Half Shell [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bay Shrimp Cocktail [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ocean Platter [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Jumbo Prawn Cocktail [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Dungeness Crab Cocktail [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

1/2 Dozen Oysters On The Half Shell [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bay Shrimp Cocktail [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ocean Platter [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Salads

Small Caesar Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mixed Green Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Iceburg Wedge [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sesame Ahi Tuna and Co conut Prawns Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seafood Louie Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caesar Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Poached Pear and Seared Scallop Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Small Caesar Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mixed Green Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Iceburg Wedge [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sesame Ahi Tuna and Co conut Prawns Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seafood Louie Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caesar Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Poached Pear and Seared Scallop Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Pasta

Seafood Pasta Monterey [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

California Crab Alfredo Pasta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

The Ultimate Seafood Pasta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Linguine Pasta Isabella [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Stuffed Jumbo Prawn Pasta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

"Crab Ravioli with Prawns And Scallops" [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fettuccine Alfredo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Artichoke Ravioli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seafood Pasta Monterey [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

California Crab Alfredo Pasta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

The Ultimate Seafood Pasta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Linguine Pasta Isabella [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Stuffed Jumbo Prawn Pasta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

"Crab Ravioli with Prawns And Scallops" [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fettuccine Alfredo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Artichoke Ravioli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Fresh from the Hopper

Sanddabs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cajun Mahi Mahi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Salmon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Macadamia Crusted Tilapia [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Broiled Swordfish [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Roasted Halibut and Prawns [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sesame Crusted or Blackened Rare Ahi Tuna [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crab Crusted Sea Bass [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Scallop and Prawn Scampi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sanddabs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cajun Mahi Mahi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Salmon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Macadamia Crusted Tilapia [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Broiled Swordfish [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Roasted Halibut and Prawns [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sesame Crusted or Blackened Rare Ahi Tuna [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crab Crusted Sea Bass [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Scallop and Prawn Scampi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Hopper Fries it Up

Fish and Chips [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pan Fried fanny Bay Oysters [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp Trio Platter [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fish and Chips [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pan Fried fanny Bay Oysters [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp Trio Platter [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Combination Platters

Seafood Cioppino [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Surf and Turf [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Prime Rib and Lobster Tail [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seafood Cioppino [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Surf and Turf [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Prime Rib and Lobster Tail [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Hopper Crab and Lobster Platters

Half Dungeness Crab [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Whole Dungeness Crab [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lobster Tail (10 oz) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

King Crab Legs (1lb) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Half Dungeness Crab [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Whole Dungeness Crab [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lobster Tail (10 oz) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

King Crab Legs (1lb) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Poultry

Chicken Monterey [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Monterey [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Steaks

Certified Angus Beef Brand [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Filet Mignon (10 oz) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Maple Soy Marinated Skirt Steak (12 oz) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Big PorterHouse Steak (22 oz) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

New York Steak (14 oz) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Prime Top Sirloin (10 oz) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tomahawl Bone In Ribeye Steak (18 oz) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Certified Angus Beef Brand [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Filet Mignon (10 oz) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Maple Soy Marinated Skirt Steak (12 oz) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Big PorterHouse Steak (22 oz) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

New York Steak (14 oz) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Prime Top Sirloin (10 oz) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tomahawl Bone In Ribeye Steak (18 oz) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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Write An Anonymous Review

Cece E.

The Fish Hopper is always a favorite. Well, it may be because of the loaded bloody mary. Living in Northern California and visiting the Fish Hopper in Monterey, it's great to have a familiar restaurant while you're on vacation. I love that they incorporate local ingredients to their menu.
(4)
Kim K.

Both for breakfast and dinner this place was delicious. It is definitely a place to eat at while visiting Kona.
(4)
Katrina W.

This is the third time my husband and I have came to The Fish Hopper for a meal (once for lunch and twice for dinner) and we love it more an more each time! Last night I had the asian spareribs for dinner which were absolutely delicious! The meal was a tad pricy, but the full rack was a HUGE portion and soo worth it! I actualy had the leftovers for lunch again the following day, and they were still just as yummy. My husband had the mac nut mahi mahi which was also awesome! Poke that we shared as an appetizer was some of the freshest raw fish we have literally ever had. The service was also great and everyone was super nice and attentive. The young hostess that greeted us as we entered (I think her name was Amanda) was super sweet and welcoming. She sat us on a table right on the water, and there is always an absolutely gorgeous view of the ocean and the sunset. Our waitress was a woman named Andrea and we both just loved her! I think we will be asking for her specifically next time, and yes there WILL be a next time!!! I would definitely reccomend!
(5)
Jh L.

Avoid this place at all costs. Stumbled upon this place because the rapuni island restaurant next door was closed. We ordered the crab cakes which tasted so fishy like it was from a can. I had the chicken Caesar salad. Salty chicken. Didn't even need the dressing. My husband got the sand dabs recommended by the waitress. They were so heavily breaded, it was mushy and greasy. The mashed potatoes that came with the sand dabs, tasted worse than boxed mashed potatoes. Seriously a waste of our money.
(1)
Erika D.

Stroller/wheelchair access isn't clearly labeled, so at dirt I walked by thinking I couldn't sit down for breakfast with the little one sleepy in the stroller. But I yelled up and asked someone who said "just go in the back, there's a ramp." watch for cars as they're exiting up this same ramp (opposite direction.) I walked in and none of the servers acknowledged me, had to walk all the way to the front and still stood around until I asked a waiter if they could seat me. Got seated and got the breakfast menu. Some pretty cheap breakfast food specials. Oatmeal and papaya with yogurt are both healthy options for only $6! Mimosa and bloody Mary's all morning for $2.99. I ordered 2 eggs over medium with fruit and toast.
(3)
Loosey B.

Went to the Fish Hopper last night and it was the best meal we've had on the Island for the past week, and we've been to many restaurants, including Merriman's in Waikaloa and Ruth's Chris. We had a very relaxing evening and didn't mind that the service was slow. We had booked a table with a view, and were seated right next to the outside wall with a view over the sea. The waitress was very friendly, and the food was OHMIGOD, delicious! Started with the stuffed mushrooms and almost had a second plate for my main course. So good. All 4 of us had different entrees and each of us cleared our plates. I had the fish tacos and there was so much fish I didn't think I'd be ale to eat it all. But I did! :0) Then the waitress brought over the dessert menu. We shared 2 between the 4 of us. I'm not sure I'd recommend this place if you are in a hurry, but if you have time to relax and enjoy the food and the view, book a table and ask for it to be a table with a view, then enjoy! We were the for 2 1/2 hours and I'd go back again if we weren't going home tonight. Just wanted to mention that they even have their own parking lot since parking in that area can be a challenge.
(5)
Andrew L.

Straight forward fish dishes done really well. I had the clam chowder and fish tacos. Great views, real good food at very reasonable rates.
(4)
Sarrah W.

The ocean seafood salad was good until my husband found a worm in the lettuce. The clam chowder was okay but definitely not the best I have had. My husband ordered a tropical drink served in a pineapple. The pineapple was partially rotten. I wouldn't recommend this place. They did comp us for our food since the sight of the worm in his food made me nauseous. They did try to make it up to us.
(2)
Danielle B.

Clam chowder and crab cakes were delicious. A bit pricey though
(4)
Warburg L.

Food is above average and the atmosphere is open and inviting. Had the Asian rib appetizer which was phenomenal. Service is good and we got seated quickly.
(4)
Yesenia R.

Had a piÃ±a colada it was good, service is decent. Wish I was hungry to try the food!
(3)
Daniel M.

Great location, right on the water. Perfect for people watching and catching the waves crash against the sea wall. Ask for the local menu. I went for all seafood [except the dessert]; -dozen oysters to start -Fish Tacos -Big Island Ahi -Kona Key Lime Pie I can't think of one negative thing. And if you can, you're an ungrateful grouch. Dude you're in Hawaii. That place is perfect. Smile for once.
(5)
Tina L.

The macadamia crusted mahi was the best meal my husband had in our week on big island. The lemongrass ono was superb but couldn't compare to the perfection of the mahi. Both potato sides and vegetables were cooked to perfection. The only thing that made our meal better were the inventive desserts. Must try!
(4)
Keely P.

The food was good, but the service was poor and took forever..and that can ruin any meal..our server was nice, but had no knowledge of menu and it just took so long to get apps, dinner..we were o e of 5 tables with tons of staff everywhere, we couldnt figure out the hold up, BUT, food was good, small portion ( as another reviewer also mentioned) and pricey, but good..we might give them another chance.
(3)
Sander D.

Good food, good service. Enjoyed a late dinner and snack where they made some special kids dinner for our son (fish and chips with no breading). Calamari appetizer was ok, but nothing special. Service from Andrea was top notch. Views would have been great if it had been a little earlier. All in all, a good spot to go.
(4)
Stephany L.

Nice location. Got a nice seat by the window and had a beautiful view. The oysters and the clam chowder were delicious! I got the prime rib which was good, along with the lobster which was decent not that great. My mom got the Parmesan crusted mahi mahi she said it was okay not the best, her favorite was also the oysters and clam chowder. The only downside is that the smells of the food attracts flies and it is an open restaurant no windows, so I had to spend most of my time scaring away flies from the good and eat at the same time.
(3)
Bruce L.

What a nice surprise. Casual but excellent food , service and prices justified. Don't leave without tasting their award- winning clam chowder. The desserts are to die for. Attentive service and manager Joel Genavia checked to see we had enjoyed the food and experience. Can highly recommend.
(5)
Joyce L.

We wandered into here on our last morning on Hawaii, thinking it might be good to try a new place to eat before leaving the island. Things started ok- the servers were nice and quick, and while the food is less refined than those offered further down Alii Dr (today's special was pancake battered bacon with scrambled eggs?!), on the flip side I liked that they offered local breakfast plates e.g. Spam with egg and rice. We were offered coffee and the server asked if we wanted the Kona blend, or the 100% Kona. Of course we opted for the latter. And this is when things tumbled downhill... The coffee was served in a French press. That meant we could look to see the coffee grounds- while the coffee was fairly fresh (produced crema), the coffee was grounded very unevenly which to me means the beans were not working as hard as they could be. Anyway that's just technical, and I can deal with. The bit I had a really hard time dealing with is them charging the 100% Kona at $6 A CUP. Their competitors up the road, which serves single origin/ producer coffee, charge half that price and offer a better quality brew. This restaurant's location probably means it cater for tourists fresh off the cruise ships. If you have the leg muscle to walk 5 mins down the road, I promise you there are much better!
(1)
Jamie W.

Our goal was to be the last ones back on the cruise ship so after a day of riding a zodiac and snorkeling we decided to hit up The Fish Hopper for a quick refuel. What we ordered: Ahi appetizer, coconut shrimp appetizer and of course... 2 Mai tais. Delicious. The coconut shrimp was good but the real standout here was the Ahi. They do it up three ways, one fresh, one lightly seared and the other with just a touch of Cajun spice. Perhaps the best quality Ahi I've ever had the privilege of consuming. No connective tissue and void of any fat. Absolutely outstanding. Great service, beautiful views and though the restaurant is in the throng of the touristy strip, in no way does it come off like a tourist trap.
(4)
Michelle S.

Great happy hour (2pm - 6pm). We tried a few of the items. All were very good. Artichoke hearts with aioli for dipping $5; kalua pork sliders with hot and delicious $6; but the fish tacos $6 were the real deal here! Amazingly fresh grilled fish. Very tasty. I'm hoping to make it back for another order before we leave. Excellent service at the bar. Go in an see Matt, he'll take good care of you. Fun and easy going. This was a nice relaxing way to spend some time out of the sun on a Monday afternoon.
(4)
Maggie L.

Not worth the exorbitant amount of money. Avoid if possible. I regretted coming here. However, if you have money to throw away, by all means come here and spend it on overpriced food! You will have great views! (unless you come at night, then you will get jipped of that too)
(2)
Charles L.

The clam chowder here is UNREAL. I don't even like clam chowder but decided to get one due to its award-winning status (and let's keep it real...who doesn't like rewards?), and ended up licking the cup. The coconut shrimp was also really good as well but didn't really compare to the clam chowder. The service was great, the view was fantastic...what's not to like?
(4)
Gina B.

The food was average and the price was average. The only thing I remember about this place is that the service was truly horrible. Their wait staff didn't acknowledge our group of 4 until about 10 minutes of standing around waiting to be seated. They zipped around us to service other tables but didn't say hello or even make eye contact with us. When it dawned on someone - who was clearly not their host - that we were waiting to be seated, he faked us out by motioning for us to follow him, then doubled back around and asked the man and his son BEHIND us how long they've been waiting and if they were ready to be seated. After that, I'm not sure why we stayed. Writing this post makes me want my money back.
(1)
Chris A.

This place made my vacation. The patio the looks out to the ocean across the street is probably in one of the best locations in Kona. The food is awesome offering such items as Dungeness Crab omelettes and Benedict you can't go wrong. They have also have an amazing bar with TV's to watch the latest sporting events, also with views of the ocean... I could have stayed here all day. This place is a must try!
(5)
Deirdre W.

Came here for a late dinner after a drive around the island. I was a bit tired and cranky but that was erased once I sat down and let the island breezes wash over me. We focused on ordering local fish and we weren't disappointed. The husband and I shared a few appetizers and the fish trio. Highly recommended! Our son had the grilled sanddabs and he declared it delicious. I ordered a cocktail that came in a coconut shaped container and it was yummy. (Figured I had to have one on our trip to Hawaii and this was the perfect place to do it!) The waiter was very attentive and polite. All in all, a good experience. PS--When I asked our dolphin tour guide where to go for seafood, she directed us here. She's been a Hawaiian Islander for 30+ years so I figured she must know her fresh fish!
(4)
Dean W.

I have eaten at several Fish Hopper locations, but the Kona location has, by far the best view. Particularly if the Annual Kone Brewfest is going on. The food was fresh and well presented, the service was excellent, and the selection of Scotch was impressive.
(4)
Spud M.

Excellent fish house without the high cost. $28 for very artistic dish that has very smooth flavor and macadamia nuts cooked in. Was here 2 years ago with 2 separate dinners and the taste was excellent then as well. Very attentive waiter. I will definitely come back again next trip to big island. Desert was passion fruit cheeses cake. Ah so good. Mahalo!
(5)
Elliot P.

I'm heaping four stars on the Fish Hopper because it's better than a lot of the places in Kona that get four stars and really only merit two or three. Somebody needs to even the score! This place is right between the two big banyan trees near the pier, and directly across the street from the sea wall -- wide open to the outdoors and views of the ocean and the pier-related comings and goings. Too often when you get a setting like that, the quality of the food doesn't live up to the view, but the Fish Hopper serves up some of the best fresh catch in town. A big "litmus test" for me, in seafood restaurants, is the clam chowder; some of the best I've ever eaten here. Fantastic fish and chips featuring fresh, local caught ono. Awesome dessert selection includes the best lilikoi cheesecake on the island. For all you kama'aina, the Fish Hopper is the most recent incarnation of the old Ocean View Inn. Wonderful transformation.
(4)
Tanya F.

This place was spacious, pretty touristy and casual. Take the following review under the consideration that I was part of a large rehearsal dinner, and while that may be a factor, the food and service should not have been so greatly affected by a foreseeable event. They understaffed the party of 50 with only one waitress, so we waited long periods of time to order, to get food, and we had to ask for the bread basket. Also, the same waitress was in charge of our drink orders. The family throwing the party had paid for in advance with drink tickets, yet she refused to take an order for two drinks at once despite how slow the service was. On top of that, it felt as though she was scolding some of the party for even asking for two drinks at once. The food I ordered was delicious - macadamia nut encrusted chicken with vegetables but the parmesan crusted mahi mahi made my boyfriend sick! It tasted a little off to me and he was ill the whole night. I wouldn't recommend this place. SKIP.
(1)
Keawe R.

So-so. Pretty good considering it's Kona which doesn't have a lot of great food choices (mostly just chains there). Had the fish tacos which were a mix of Mahi and Ono - pretty basic grilled with shredded cabbage. Seems to cater more to tourists versus having good food quality. Tacos came with pineapple salsa which was good but mushy pineapple. Fries were basic but good. Dad had clam chowder and caeser salad - clam chowder was good but nothing amazing. Caeser salad was great but lettuce was kinda wilty and brown. Wouldn't come back here again and wouldn't recommend it. Ok in a pinch (which we were).
(1)
Jenn H.

1.5 stars, but I feel a little bad only giving it 1 star on my overall rating. I think the only saving grace for Fish Hopper is its location. Fortunately for this restaurant, its awesome location can offset its terrible food. Our waitress was slow, and none too friendly; our other waitress was even slower (wasn't sure that was possible), clueless, and a little klutzy (knocked over a flower vase, wasn't too good at pouring water). We ordered some clam chowder, since it was one of the yelp "review highlights". It was utterly underwhelming--too thick, with an almost goopey texture. And for something so thick, surprisingly badly seasoned. I tried to fix with some pepper, to no avail. We also split some calamari--which came out lukewarm, in thick slices, and none too crispy. This was disappointing, to say the least. Nearly all of us had ordered fish tacos (we're all from SoCal). They were grilled mahimahi, we were told--though they didn't taste much like anything. Pineapples tasted canned. Tortilla was tough, though got soggy from the taco filling, so broke apart. This is probably the second-worst fish taco I've had (the other one was in Baltimore, and more like a fish quesadilla) One of our party got the coconut shrimp, which apparently was fine--maybe stick to that. Also, their fish and chips are decent.
(2)
Kes D.

3 stars for the food 5 stars for the drinks 4 stars for the service 3 stars for the bathroom averages out to a low 4 stars Service was friendly but not campy and reasonably prompt-- they have quite a few servers. The food was decent...except my fish in the fish tacos was super overcooked and my friends' ribs were too salty. Poke was decent. The sides and toppings were good though. Liked the guacamole. Best thing about this place: huge drink selection of those crazy fruity drinks you might want while you're in Hawaii. Bottom line: go grab a drink and watch the sunset.
(4)
Anthony G.

They were friendly, fast and the view was great! My fiancee and I went twice in our stay here for breakfast. I had the chicken-fried steak and it was excellent. My fiancee had the Macadamia-Coconut French toast, and after trying hers, I came back to have some for myself. The staff was friendly and attentive, without interupting us, or our time.
(5)
Patricia S.

During my stay in Kona I went to this restaurant 3 times; once for happy hour, twice for breakfast. Happy hour was great; huge glasses of beer for $5 and their fish tacos are not to be missed. We also ordered sweet potato fries..some of the best I've had. Breakfast was awesome too; try their french toast that comes with mac nuts and banana..soo good!. Service was friendly and helpful; gave a lowdown on beers and various menu items we inquired about. If and when we come back to Kona, we will be visiting The Fish Hopper!
(5)
Aaron B.

Our first visit was after we had dinner at another place. We stopped in for dessert. They have a wonderful selection of standard desserts and specialty local desserts. All in, the tab was $10 apiece for the two of us. And like the commercial says, "darn well worth it!". Three nights later, we returned for dinner. We were lucky enough to score a table along the ocean view side of the dining room. My wife and I both had fish. She had Mahi, I had Ahi. Both were spectacular. The presentation on both was also superb. Other reviewers have included photos of just how FH chefs plate the fish entrees' A mini-art display in itself. The next trip we won't wait so long to dine there.
(5)
Loyal B.

Food Quality: 7/10 The Alfredo that I had was average. I have had much much better. It was nothing special. Service Quality: 6/10 The waitress we had was nice. Unfortunately random waiters took care of us and forgot my drink twice. Atmosphere: 9/10 The ocean view and dim lit setting was very enjoyable. Cost Efficiency: 9/10 It was a fair price. It was the same as in Monterey. Menu Variety: 3/10 The menu was all seafood, it needed some variety added to it. Not all Kona visitors want to eat seafood for every meal. Over-all Score: 34/50 This restaurant was pretty good. I wouldn't recommend it, but it wasn't bad either.
(2)
Lucy K.

YUCK! Like seriously...YUCK! There is just something wrong with this place and I cant put my finger on it. Luckily my fiance and I decided to share a dinner this night since we weren't that hungry and we couldn't be happier that we did. We started off with drinks, I had a sangria which didn't taste right at all. It tasted like pineapple even though the menu said nothing about pineapple. We ordered the calamari for dinner and they were served in these thick pieces that were like fish and chips. They were gross! The texture and consistency just didnt taste right or fresh at all. For dinner we had the ribs, which didnt taste like bbq but more of a dry rub with some sauce dumped on it..just didnt blend well. Everything we had that night was gross - never would go back. Way over priced, tacky interior and staff didn't really check on us at all.
(1)
Paul L.

Our family recently visited Hawaii for the first time, and I certainly had higher hopes for the seafood at this restaurant given that we were in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. I found the portions to be a bit small for the price (e.g. swordfish, Ono), although the (fried) Fish Hopper Combo was generous. The atmosphere was wonderful, since you're right on the bay and can see the glow of the sunset. Also, the service was exceptional. Our server, Tina, was very pleasant, helpful and accommodating. We have a son with a nut allergy and she made sure that the kitchen was careful when cooking his meal.
(3)
Annette D.

An okay place but a bit touristy. it was good for our first night in Kona when we were tired and didn't know the lay of the land. We enjoyed many other places much more.
(3)
Dori L.

Good food. Good service ! :) Small portions, high prices :(
(3)
Antonia T.

My family and I come here frequently when visiting the Big Island. The service and food have always been great. A smile and a relaxed island attitude gets you the best service and a pleasant meal. You're on vacation, after all. The fish is always amazingly prepared. I love the sesame crusted ahi tuna salad, the fish and chips and the dinner specials are always a good choice.
(4)
JenCraze B.

Clam chowder had a flour taste and was blah. Shocked it won chowder contest. The fish was ordinary and service ok. It felt like a tourist trap and overpriced. It's not great and it's not bad, just ok.
(2)
Garrett S.

I should have known better....when in Kona, Hawaii, don't go to a Fish place when you really want a steak. But the hotel recommended them as a great restaurant so what the heck....UGH. First off, yes the award winning clam chowder fairly good, although not the best I ever had. The service was prompt and the view is the best in the area. The steaks will cost you an arm and a leg at $32-$40 and you will get a piece of meat that is shipped flash frozen from the mainland and lacks any discerning taste. The menu claims a garlic butter seasoning on ALL steaks so I wouldn't think any of the other steaks were any better. Absolutely no seasoning and not a very big piece of steak at that. I got the porterhouse medium rare, it was slightly over cooked. Seriously, you would think that a high price place like this would put the same effort into their steaks as they do the fancy drinks they have on sale. I should have stuck with the fish. But seriously, if you are going to have it on the menu, why not put the effort in it to have a great steak when you charge $40 for it. When the manager asked, I was honest and he was apologetic. My buddy got the same steak and the same results as well, so I'm assuming this is the norm.
(1)
Melinda P.

Fantastic food & on-point service. Teriyaki chicken and fish tacos were great. Food came out fast, too. Beautiful view overlooking the harbor. Highly recommend.
(5)
Caitlin C.

Simple and to the point expensive for the amount of food you get. I paid 12$ for 4 coconut shrimp. To be expected for the location of the restaurant. Service left us feeling well disappointed. The manager was at the host station and didn't even look up or acknowledge us for more than a minute when he finally did he was short and brute. Server was lackluster in my opinion we knew our order and were a really easy table but she never grave us outstanding service in fact we only saw her twice to order and bring the bill. Someone else brought out food and filled our waters. Good food, lame service, great views.
(4)
Elizabeth G.

Went in for breakfast and was seated fairly fast. The coffee was wonderful, no need for cream or sugar! I had the veggie omelet which was very very good. My boyfriend had the crab and avacado omelet which was very good as well. All around good experiance and food.
(4)
Liz N.

During our five day stay, we ate here twice. My husband couldn't get enough of the seafood pasta Monterey! The service was great and the filet mignon was one of the best I have ever had. We will be back on our next trip!
(5)
Stephanie B.

Amazing food and service. Coming from San Francisco and living here part time, I have come to realize that on the Big Island there are not as many gluten-free options. This restaurant was the first to offer me a menu with many yummy options available, including desserts. Our server, Tina, was outstanding and very on the ball. She was able to guide the order based on preferences and you could tell she knew what she was doing. I loved how the whole staff worked together to make sure our drinks were full, food was good and that we had everything we needed. Highly recommend and would say this was by far one of the best dinners I have ever had!! Thank you.. will be back.
(5)
Renee L.

Awesome food and spectacular service! The manager Dale Taylor made sure to recognize my Dad who is a Navy Vet. All the staff thanked my Dad for his service. The food was fresh and presented beautifully!
(5)
Olga A.

The main complaint is that the place is miscategorized into a $$ category, while the prices are $$$. The macadamia crusted mahi-mahi dish, their signature, was good, but not great. More of a $20 dish, not $28. The shrimp appetizer was alright. The waiter was pretty nice though. I guess any place on Alii drive is gonna be charging higher prices..
(3)
Gregory C.

Really bad service even for a touristy place. You'd think they would know a thing or two about fish based on the name and location. The sesame Ahi was was so over seasoned that you couldn't even taste the fish, the macadamia crusted Mahi was dry and over cooked, and the Ono was so over cooked it was almost jerky. I'd really stay away from this place. The only thing it has going for it is the location.
(2)
Melinda C.

Great meal and excellent service.
(4)
Kevin C.

Before heading to the airport, our group wanted to stop by the tourist area of Kona to grab dinner. I equate Alii to a "beach boardwalk" since it contains all the typical sunny weather tourist places: apparel stores, jewelry stores, souvenir stores, and restaurants. Since there are a bunch of restaurants located on this strip, we were torn on how to decide. I yelped it, but several places seemed to fall within the same ratings and feedback. So, we checked out the menus ourselves and decided on The Fish Hopper. The restaurant has upstairs seating which is open-air and has a nice view of the water. A little about our experience: * We ordered a few adult beverages and were surprised at the selection and prices, considering this is on the most touristy road in Kona. $9 for Grey Goose Martinis, $5-$6 for draft beers, and $10+ for island-style fruity drinks. * Everyone is our group was happy with their dinner selections: - Ahi Tuna entree (seared ahi tuna with jasmine rice, ~$25) - Crispy Seafood Combo (calamari, coconut shrimp, and ono fish & chips, ~$18) - Fish & Chips (they use the catch of the day, which was Ono, ~$16) - Fish Tacos (I believe it was mahi mahi, ~$16) Overall, we were very satisfied with the menu options, pricing, and quality of the food. Plus, sitting in an open-air environment is a must in Hawaii! Would recommend if you're looking for a good meal on this touristy road.
(4)
Taylor C.

Nothing special. it has a nice view though.
(3)
Drew M.

Great views, great food. Their happy hour is noteworthy, however, no oysters during happy hour is bush league imo. Fish tacos are deelish with fresh salsa and guac. Good spot for a beer and app or late lunch.
(4)
jo N.

Three stars for the view. Food was average and so was the cocktail.
(3)
Debbie M.

Wonderful view, so so service, resturant looks a little tired. We planned to go to another restaurant in the area that had wonderful Yelp reviews, but they were closed on Mondays so we stumbled in here without checking Yelp...shame on us. We came for lunch (11:55 a.m.) on a Monday...lots of wait staff and a barely full restaurant so I expected more. Hubby had the macadamia crusted chicken salad...the chicken was ground up & made in to a patty- he liked the dressing but not the chicken with a bowl of what he deemed Campbell's soup clam chowder. I was debating between the Hawaiian pulled pork & the fish tacos, the waitress told me I'd love the tacos....so I chose the tacos...well the first taco had no seasoning or flavor...the second taco was so spicy I almost choked to death on the first bite, but it was ok after that. Getting the check took a long while as did getting it processed...we not running back here any time soon.
(1)
Katie G.

This restaurant is fantastic to their guests. More than accommodating, welcoming. Manager Robert offered us a kitchen tour in addition to best activities in town. Great service, fresh island food. I was very impressed all around.
(5)
Nick D.

Great view from anywhere in the restaurant. Yummy coconut shrimp with thai dipping sauce. Really good local iced coffee from the place next door. Service was just ok. A little too touristy for my taste. A nice place to take a break.
(4)
Shawn W.

Screw this place. The menus on the outside had different (lower) prices, to draw you in. Once I sat down and looked at the menu I got right back up and walked out the door. Why? They were higher than the street. I even went back to look at the street and I noted that. Way overpriced. They have the prices of a Four Seasons.... not an entree on the menu was under $36.00 There was a stuffy attitude from the hostess as well. Not the Hawaii experience that anybody wants. There are dozens of restaurants along the main drag in Kona. Pick ANY other one.
(1)
Alena L.

The name of the restaurant was the main reason we've chosen it, we just wanted to get good fish. Unfortunately, it was't that great - dry and blend. I even didn't eat half. The rest of food- veggies and rice- smelt with butter, which made it hard to enjoy it. My mom though enjoyed her fish, but didn't like the veggies and potatoes for the same reason. My husband, not a fish lover, got the ribs, which were just ok. The drinks were good though.
(2)
Kiel F.

Food quality was below average IMO. Desserts were terrible. The only thing worth buying here is the clam chowder. Otherwise dine elsewhere.
(3)
Sophia C.

Another spot along the tourist strip of Kailua-Kona. Our matr'e D was an idiot..and seated us by a pole...except for the fact that the friggin' place was empty. I had to point out, "hey, can we get a booth instead of this seat with a pole right by my back, thanks"... and the lightbulb finally started flickering in that brain of hers...oh my. The drinks here are decent. Our waitress was much better than the matr'd in that our drinks came out fairly fast. Not bad. But again, the drinks were nothing "memorable" The fish here must be a hit or miss, because the reviews are all over the place. We ordered the Ahi Trio Platter as an appetizer. The Ahi was... semi-fresh, at best. There were a few "chewy" pieces, which is code for it's not fresh/today's catch. The hubby and myself decided to split an entree (we had plenty of food/drinks at other spots along the block), and aimed for the Macadamia Nut Mahi-Mahi-Pan seared, served with mashed Molokai sweet potatoes or rice with mango papaya salsa and citrus cream sauce. NOW this...was actually pretty good! The mahi-mahi was moist and the sweet potatoes beneath the fish was just tasty! This entree made up for the non-appealing appetizer. Overall, nothing special about this joint compared to the other restuarants nearby. Yes, this is not fine-dining, but you just get what you pay for, so no complaints of non-attentive waiters and such.
(2)
Pammy L.

Food is blah. I ordered the mac nut fish and thought there was no flavor. The dish did look colorful with the purple sweet potato mash and some greens sprinkled on top of the fish, but that's about as great as the dish get. The lilikoi cheesecake was ok but the topping was a bit sour (lilikoi). Service was great, food came out fast, and the view was pretty.
(2)
Jesse I.

We had a fried fish platter and a bowl of clam chowder. Fried fish platter was average but a clam chowder was subpar. It tasted like a flour gravy with potatoes instead of a clam chowder. There was not much clams in there either. Do not order it.
(2)
Katrina F.

We've lived on the Big Island for 20+ years and have found Kailua-Kona to be sorely lacking in restaurants worth the money or effort to frequent. Unless you are up for fast food, the COSTCO hot dog special, or a typical over-priced, below quality tourist trap there is very little from which to choose. After reading several reviews for the Fish Hopper we decided to give it a try and are very glad we did. The prices are comparable to similar restaurants in Kona, but this one has the quality of seafood to match the price. We went for a late lunch/early dinner which included the Calamari starter (good not exceptional), Lemongrass-Ginger Crusted Ono (excellent) and an Ocean Seafood Salad (very good). The wait staff were attentive and pleasant. My only real complaint was the ice tea - if I hadn't watched the waitress pour it into my glass I would have thought it was a glass of water with lemon. In the future I will pass on the barely colored ice water they call tea and just drink the complimentary water. The Fish Hopper is now on our list of "go-to" restaurants when in Kona both for light lunch and dinner options.
(4)
Craig R.

Trust your server and ask what is the freshest fish
(4)
Susan W.

We found this place several years ago & return each time we visit Kona. The food is always excellent, the view is fabulous, and the service has always been good. We don't usually have drinks, so I can't comment on the quality or value of the bar. I highly recommend the Fish Hopper.
(5)
Fiona F.

It was great! A few people have said "it wasn't fine dining" or "the price was too high" - it's on a tourist strip in Kona - what do you expect?! Geez, get over it. It was good, tasty, local food with a spectacular view with wonderful staff. The first night we went was so good, we went back the second night which was equally good. The food was much better than the various other pubs and coffee shops we had tried out in the same area. Both meals were pricey, but we weren't expecting the deal of the week. We'll be back.
(4)
Bill M.

Wow, what a mixed bag of reviews for this place. I wandered in for breakfast without consulting Yelp first (gasp). In our quest to avoid the $50 breakfast and because I had to exchange my shirt at the Kona Brewing Company, we left the Hilton and headed back to Kona, looking for a breakfast. We found plenty of options on Alii Road in Kona. This is the place to come for classic beachy shops. Don't miss it. We home in on the Fish Hopper after seeing the sign out front advertising the $2.99 Mamosa and Bloody Mary. It's 8AM and I'm on vacation. Hell, it's 3PM in Ohio, so drinks are in order. The menu out front looks good too. See the photos for my meal and our drinks. So, I order the Loco Moco, a local dish involving two eggs over meat, over rice, covered in brown gravy. You have meat choices including fish, hamburger and Spam. Yep, Spam it was. Talk about tasty, this dish delivered. The wife had the special, simply eggs, Portuguese sausage, potato and toast and it was good, although this combo is hard to mess up. The Mamosa was very good. My Bloody Mary was obviously freshly made, no mixes involved. I tasted of a bit of Clamato, plenty of vodka and various spices. The view from the main floor of the place is very nice. Dinner options on the menu were varied. We had great service and I'd recommend this place for any meal of the day.
(4)
Patrick M.

The fish hopper's food and drink selection is quite pricey for what you get. I ordered the crab alfredo which was well over $20. It didn't come with any bread or salad. The pasta itself was pretty good however. The sauce was great and included crab, diced tomatoes and artichoke hearts. The service was alright I suppose.
(3)
Matthew S.

Nice place to eat looking out at the beach. They have some awesome fish tacos here too.
(4)
Janet R.

Best food I had in Kona! I had the Mac crusted Mahi and it was so good I couldn't put my fork down. My husband had the shrimp, fish and calamari platter, he said he could tell the shrimp must have been swimming that morning. The portion of food was just right that I even had the coconut cake for dessert, it was so moist but light and airy I didn't feel stuffed afterwards at all. If your looking for a great fish dish, this is the place. Don't go to Huggo's at the other end of the village!
(5)
Rich J.

Located right across the street from the ocean in Kona. The crab cake here was the best I ever had..all crab, no filler..delicious red pepper/ mango sauce. I had an entree of three different fish all crusted differently (ahi with mac nuts, for instance...there was swordfish and mahi mahi, but can't remember which was crusted with what) and three different sauces. Good stuff..along with a great mai tai. Wish I could have drank more, but we were going jetskiing after lunch and I don't think being out there on the ocean on that thing drunk is a good idea. But, the good news is..we came back for drinks later on that night and more crab cake! Highly recommended if u are a seafood lover..especially if u like crabcakes..this will be the best u ever have.
(4)
william p.

This is a hard restaurant for me to handicap. The view is great. If you want or need a view, this one of a few great places in town. The food was not horrible or tasteless but it was standard fare. I had a complaint about my meal but the other three didn't. When I explained to the waitress my thoughts she immediately brought the manager who was most apologetic and offered a dessert which I refused. So the service and management are understanding and attentive. I will give them another shot, based on the other 3 meals and the service.
(3)
Kelton J.

Finding a bad seafood place there along the sea wall is really going to be hard. But that all said, we LOVE Fish Hopper. Go there every chance we get. Super friendly staff, kamaaina menus that always have great deals, great service and the food is just awesome. If you go there a few times, they will always remember you and will seat you at "your" spot if you have a habitual favorite. You don't get service like that much anymore, so cherish it when you do.
(5)
Albert H.

Chain restaurant with locations in California, but due to the unfamiliarity with the name we thought it was local and so gave it a try - twice. Breakfast was better, with their house special French toast being quite good. We arrived right at 11am and though half the table was ordering lunch, they were a bit reluctant to honor the yelp special of the free appetizer. Service was ok, though sometimes slow for refills and such, and the draft beer seemed a bit off for the Kona beers compared to how they tasted a few blocks away at the brewery. Unisex restroom was reasonably clean, and though they have their own parking in the back it felt a bit sketchy at night. Prices reasonable for the touristy area that it is. Decent view of the bay and the tourist boats docked there.
(3)
Gramercy Girl G.

Should have known when the woman on the street was trying to lure customers in with free tastes of pineapple. Can't tell you how the good was because we didn't stay. Waitress didn't know what fish was used in the fish tacos and told us Ono was snapper and not wahoo. Left after her second trip to the kitchen to answer basic fish questions at a fish restaurant.
(1)
Steve P.

Wow, had the Sword fish special tonight, it was absolutely awesome, the wife had the Macadamia crusted Mahi Mahi and she couldn't stop talking abut it. We started with a Mai Tai that was one of the best I have ever had. Benny to the Fish Hopper in Monterey it was good but the Kona one is better! I'll be back!
(5)
Charito C.

so i don't get how this place doesn't have more stars! mind you we only visited once during our recent trip to the big island, but after breakfast i was left thinking, "what the heck? why didn't we go there more often?" first, we sat down fast and the waitress was over to get our order quick. she brought out coffee which was FREAKIN AWESOME. I am not sure what it was about it, but the coffee was GREAT! the prices were reasonable, we paid about $20 (the $5.95 breakfast plate with toast, my $10 plate with pancakes, and my $3 coffee - i know, i know, but you are on vacation). you gotta go, especially if you are staying at the king kamehameha marriott, its like walking distance. the only con was that they seem to move slower in hawaii, so i am not sure if its slow service or i am impatient - or maybe a combination of both. but we would totally go again, the food was good and it was reasonable.
(4)
Dawn H.

In Kona wasn't sure if the food would be good or "touristy". This was really yummy! Butterfish was delicious! We all got something different, so tasted the salmon which was also good, didn't actually try the Seafood Platter but it looked beautiful and my husband cleaned his plate. Key Lime pie was superb and creme brÃ»lÃ©e was very. very good!
(4)
Jessica W.

We stopped in here for an impromptu rehearsal dinner after the place we had made a reservation at refused to give us happy hour pricing on appetizers because we were 5 min after the time it ended...despite the fact that we called before hand and were told it was fine. There were about 25 of us and they could not have been more accommodating on such short notice. We ordered everything at the bar, but they actually gave us a bunch of tables in the back which were more private. The food was okay...what i would expect for happy hour and being kind of a touristy location. Drinks were good. The view is amazing. All in all - they saved the night from being a complete disaster and could not have been nicer.
(4)
Kristen H.

Better options close by. I went here years ago and thought it was great but in recent visits, I have not been so impressed. The coconut shrimp used to be outstanding but now, I can get better coconut shrimp at home (and I live in landlocked Colorado where coconut only comes in bags!). The fried fish options are consistently good but nothing mind blowing. The fresh fish options are good but covered in sauces with more suger in them than the mojitos. The service is always great and the fruity drinks are fun. The location is great but unless you want something fried, keep walking.
(2)
Katherine W.

OK the view is amazing, but when I called to ask about their cooking oil, they told me that they cooked in olive oil. I have a soybean allergy. When I arrive, I'm actually told that they cook with soybean oil, but can potentially make me something with olive oil. I'm starving, so I stay and then I'm presented with a dish that has teriyaki sauce on it (which has soy I informed the waitress - she didn't know). Unfortunately I ate some, so ended the meal in a Benadryl haze. So much for being allergy oriented.
(1)
Kate L.

This place is awesome- way better than Sam Choys. Excellent food, excellent service and affordable at that. Freshest seafood we had while visiting- definately worth a visit!!
(5)
Tom F.

This was average although a little pricey for the quality of food. Its covered but open to the outside and the view isn't anything great when you consider some of the other places. Our service was slow to bring the food , drinks, and even the bill at the end. I wasn't impressed but it was ok. I wouldn't return again though.
(3)
Jeff K.

Went there last night for Valentines Day with my wife, daughter, and granddaughter for our last night on the Island. Our server Brooke was fantastic and very understanding with a 21 month old. The food was excellent and delivered quickly to our table despite how busy they were. Price is a little high but you expect that on Hawaii and for such good food. Would recommend to anyone!
(4)
Ruby W.

Been here twice. I don't think I'll be coming back. Don't get me wrong...service was great but the food not so great. I'd say get rid of the chef. Fish Hopper @ Montery Bay has better looking restaurant and better food.
(2)
V R.

Delish food, fish and a gluten free menu! We went there 3 times during our trip and every time the food and service was great!
(4)
Chris K.

Fantastic.... Get one of the fish specials.. If you like it deep fried go elsewhere.
(5)
JJ R.

Good service and good food! The tropical drinks are tasty! Has great seating and awesome view looking out into the ocean! Definitely will come back here!
(5)
Andrea T.

The food quality is good. It looks appetite too.
(5)
Tolete M.

Food was ok,the portions are small and the price I find it a little high...I wait around 30 minute for the food come out...waitress was helpful...I don't think come back again..didn't find anything special except the view to the bay...
(3)
Michele B.

I thought the food and the service were really good - not sure why the bad reviews. Maybe their staff has changed. We all had the fish tacos which were very good. I guess we thought $15 was a lot for fish tacos at the time but then we went to Maui and now it seems quite reasonable. Overall, it would be a four star. The fifth star was because my son's kid's meal was hands down the best kids' meal he has ever gotten at any restaurant. The fish was a small portion of the adult's panko crusted fresh fish cooked perfectly. Instead of fries he was offered a large fresh fruit salad - mango, papaya, pineapple. Fantastic!
(5)
Tiffany Y.

My husband and I stopped in here without reading any reviews. We had just stepped off a cruise ship, were hungry for brunch (although we could have eaten for free on the ship...), and were hoping that we had wandered upon a good restaurant. Without a reservation, we were immediately seated at a table overlooking the Kailua Bay. The waitress was friendly and attentive. We showed up at the very end of breakfast, so we asked if we could see the lunch menu, and she accommodated the request. The seafood on their menu is supposed to be sustainable and locally caught, and their produce is supposed to be locally grown. I ordered their crab quesadilla, and I was VERY pleased with the VERY large amount of crab! I have not had such a good crab quesadilla at any other restaurant. My husband also enjoyed his food, drinks, and service.
(4)
Jaime J.

Not sure why the mixed reviews but I loved it. The drinks were not watered down at all, which was evident by the buzz I had after 1 mai tai. I had the pan seared macadamia nut crusted Ono with grilled banana and papaya salsa. It was the fresh, clean seafood I was looking for after a week of BBQ and burgers. Hubby had the dungeness crab, shrimp, and scallops. It was very good but he's a big guy and was still kinda hungry afterwards.
(4)
Ken A.

One of the best locations along the Sea Wall. Try and get a table along the rail of open windows on Alii Drive. I actually prefer lunch time for the view of Kailua Bay. Good food, good service and a great bar. Don't skip the clam chowder. It really is excellent. In Kona Town this is just about the only choice for more upscale dining along the water. It's a little pricy but well worth it for a nicer dining experience.
(4)
Brad W.

Great location, atmosphere, and of course the food. Price is reasonable considering the quality of food.
(4)
Dan M.

The food was OK, I tried the LOCO MOCO which is a local dish and it was not as good as Bongo Bens version of it. It was considerably a smaller dish and the eggs were kinda over done and the gravy was not as thick as Bens and was on the sides. My wife ordered the Macadamia nut french toast and it was good but the service for her coffee was very slow, our waiter was not the best, but he tried. We went for breakfast so that may not be their specialty but maybe I will give it a try for dinner. I have to give them props for location and cleanliness. We sat in a booth looking straight out toward the pacific.
(2)
Nhung H.

This was the last dinner we had on the island and it was okay. We asked for our steak to be medium rare but it was a bit over cooked. The steak was okay and the lobster tail was just lobster tail. It wasn't really seasoned..just bland....Nothing stood out from our dish. Our waitress was really nice and patient with us because we did come in pretty late. But we didn't feel rushed at all even though they looked like they could have closed early because the restaurant was empty.
(3)
Sf Momm Y.

we finally found parking (read signs! Only ok on sundays in some spots) in front of the inflatable donkey ball donkey- it was a veeeeery long flight from SFO and all we really wanted to do was check in and sleep.. But we decided to stop in kona for a lunch. they were very child-friendly and the dishes we had were good... The 3 fish sampler, poke (ahi tuna) was ok, and the waiter was more than happy to provide us with a sample appetizer after we finished, when we noticed the yelp page. (it *is* a pretty touristy place, so every bit helps!) there's not a bad seat in the house and the view of the water is beautiful. be sure to ask about any locals only specials, they were doing $20 prime rib on mondays last time we heard... I'd go back, just with a healthier appetite and without a 35 pound weight strapped to my person! the couple next to us was having dessert,whiched looked scrumptious!
(4)
Miss A.

My mom and I are huge Eggs Benedict fans, so we like to venture all over to see who makes the best eggs benedicts. Fish Hopper makes a great classic eggs benedict but a not so great crab eggs benedict. The crab seemed to have no taste at all. The service here was great and so was the coffee. The view from the restaurant was beautiful. We will probably be back here on our next trip to Kona in August...CAN'T WAIT.
(4)
Andrew G.

It's good, not great. You will soon learn why the free appetizer is free, If you had paid $10.00 for the plate of calamari you wasted your money. The food, in my case it was crab encrusted salmon, will leave you wondering where the crab was. Overall, portions are small, so have a back up plan of dining. The service was decent, but it always helps if your party is larger.
(2)
Stephanie N.

Read good reviews and decided to try after many other great dinners on Ali'i drive. We went for dinner. Should have known something was wrong when before you enter they have a guy at a table with the menus explaining them. We obviously didn't get it- he was trying to get us to order off dinner menu but that is why we were there. When seated by hostess, she asked dinner or happy hour. Happy hour people must sit at bar. We said dinner and she lead us to a ocean view table. Before we sat down, I mentioned that we could still order happy hour drink specials from our table it had just started. She said no. I then got into a confusing discussion with her over the fact that we were about to order $30 entrees and they wouldn't let us have happy hour drinks?? I will mention that the price difference is drastic from the few feet from the bar area to dinner at happy hour. We planned to spend more for dinner than the people buying drinks and were told we had to pay double at the same time for a drink someone was drinking 5 ft away for half. There are too many great places close by so we walked out- spending our money elsewhere. Very very disappointed.
(1)
Lisa M.

We made a reservation via open table and they were ready for us well in advance. Service was attentive and exceptional but what was quite outstanding is that I have a lot of food intolerances and the waiter didn't even blink an eye. Normally I'm seen as a pain in the butt but he was quite accomodating and the chef overly delivered - not just a "make up" meal but something amazing. We had the ahi trio sampler (outstanding!) and then I had the lemon ginger ono - no starch, no sauces, and with steamed carrots/zuchinni. It was all presented beautifully. Hubby had the shrimp linguini. Both were outstanding and presented beautifully. My thanks for accomodating! Everything was great and after our first (awful) experience at another restaurant on the ocean front, we're not taking any chances and will definitely come back!
(4)
Edward B.

Very friendly staff and solid food make this a good choice for a casual meal with a touch of class! The staff was very playful with my 1.5 year old son - giving him crayons and a coloring page to work with while we ordered and waited for our food. They even had a helpful child's menu with multiple options under $5 which parents appreciate. (*He has the pasta with white sauce and gobbled it up*) I ordered the local Walu fish crusted with coconut which was served over some freshly steamed vegetables and a purple root that was mashed like a potato. The fish was cooked spot on - very moist and flaky....nice flavor. The vegetables with very good as well....but I was thrown off on the purple root as I didn't find the texture appealing for me. Overall I enjoyed the experience.
(3)
Luke S.

Came here for pupus and drinks with a friend who had VIP card and was disappointed. The service was terrible and the oyster shooters were the worst think I have ever had. The coconut shrimp was average and the calamari soggy. I ordered some cake which was obviously from costco. Overall this place is a tourist trap offering nothing special and charging big bucks. We laughed about VIP card because we got no discount and terrible service. Go to kava bar or to go sushi place in small alley if you want good fish. Even the inexpensive place next to fish hopper is better for about $8 a plate.
(2)
Kathy R.

We wanted a fine dining restaurant and our concierge suggested this place. He even gave us a coupon for a free appetizer, which turned out to be Calamari. In fairness it was the day after the Tsumani, and everything on the coast side was closed and damaged so the view was less than beautiful. The place was fairly empty and for a good reason. It's not very good. My husband had Ono and it was acceptable. But my steak? The quality was awful. It wasn't even choice grade - I wasn't expecting a Ruths Chris but it was overcooked and tough. The baked potato was hard and overcooked. Service was average. Wine choices by the glass poor but in line with a coffee shop. If you are in Kona, there are much better choices.
(2)
Steve L.

Wendy at Hawaii Forest & Trail recommended The Fish Hopper to take my fiancÃ© for her birthday. To sum it up-great service, location, and amazing food. We had the sangria (5/5), oysters (4/5), macadamia crusted mahi (the best we've ever had), coconut cake (5/5-so moist), and French pressed Kona coffee to top it off! This will always be our stop on visits to Kona!
(5)
Justyna Y.

We visited the Fish Hopper in December of 2010. This place is very accessible and close to the ocean. My husband and I both got fish (Mahi-Mahi and Ono) and they were both good (but not great). The one thing we loved about this place - was the clam chowder served outside! The restaurant wasn't that busy, yet we waited quite a white for the service and the food to show up. It took over 30 mins for the appetizer to come to our table, which is a very long time for two hungry people.
(3)
Sarah I.

Fish trio is a must try!!!! Everything is very good. Prices are compairable to area yet the ambiance and food quality is superior.
(5)
Mel P.

Had fresh fish sandwich and French fries. Fish was tiny and way over cooked (a shame to do that to fresh fish) Bun was huge, not the best quality, and burnt on top. A tiny small amount of French fries. Overall priced way to high for the amount if food. We are kamaina and will not be returning...
(1)
Zachary V.

Their fish was fresh and tasty and staffs seems to be proud of it. ordered "Opakapaka" ( unfortunately, it's in closed to catch in Big island between March - Sept. So, it's from California. ) Price is about average in the area. Above the dish was $17.95 Street side seats have view of ocean and Kailua-kona pier. Their cocktail menu doesn't have price and it's can be near $20 per glass. They charge for bread (it seems to be common practice in Kona)
(4)
Trey R.

Food was real good. View is awesome. My favorite breakfast in Kona. Steak and eggs, while gazing out at the ocean. I really miss this place.
(5)
Betty R.

We were walking along the ocean and had too much fun checking out the shops. We were starving, but still wanted to avoid a tourist trap. We looked at about five menus and ended up with this place because of the selection and price. My husband had the seared ahi wrap, I got the fish tacos and our son got the cheeseburger on the kids menu for $5. I loved my fish tacos.I think there's four or five different fish in two tacos. Came with pineapple salsa and some kind of semi spicy green sauce. My husband's ahi wrap was not as great. Not much fish in the wraps. The kids meal was good. The cheeseburger was actually two sliders, with fries and a drink, a great deal on the strip. The ocean view was fantastic. Lots of people paddle boarding to provide entertainment. Some girl was having a drink out of a whole pineapple. That was really touristy. We also got a slice of lillikoi (passion fruit) cheesecake, very good. Overall, considering the oceanfront location, a very good deal. Oh, by the way, none of the wood was sticky. Feels and looks very clean.
(4)
Christine K.

Boy, did I feel like a sucka eating here - total tourist trap. I should've known better than to eat in the central touron zone, but we were hungry and it was our first night on the island and we were desperate. One star for the great waiter, JB. The clam chowder was the WORST I've ever had and they tout it as the best in Hawaii? Maybe bland, clamless, gelatinous chowder is considered good in Hawaii because they have nothing to compare it to... Oh, and my white wine was warm. I can appreciate a white that's not ice cold (kills the flavor) but this was like drinking salt water. Yuck. Do yourself a favor and try one of the smaller mom and pop spots off the beaten path. Your tummy, your wallet and your taste buds will thank you.
(1)
Diana E.

I got a freebie from my Alaska Airlines flight crew, so I decided to check the place out - glad we came here for dinner last night! The location is convenient- right on Alii Drive, across from the seawall so you can't help but take in the view. They had a host parked right out on the sidewalk handing out free samples of clam chowder (which I don't like, so I didn't take her up on it - but the two families there tasting said it was delicious...so there you go). We were seated near the back wall of the restaurant but it was still a great view and totally comfortable even without A/C. I had the prime rib & lobster special - only $20 and only until 6::30pm - but WORTH IT. I love rare steak and it's not often I can find a good rare prime rib. They had it done to perfection! Served with crispy steamed veggies and some garlic mashed potatoes - it was far too much food and well worth the price. I also got to sample the alii skewers (steak, scallop & prawns) and we had the key lime pie and apple strudel for dessert - all of it phenomenal! The vanilla ice cream on the strudel ALONE is worth coming back for - it has to be homemade. All in all, a "recommend" - maybe have to stop by here again in the coming week!
(4)
Light Bulb J.

This place was pretty expensive for the mediocre food. We got the $19.99 prime rib and lobster special. It was ok. I went back to get a drink at the bar another night because I wanted something cold served out of a fruit. The Hopper Pineapple is a DELICIOUS drink served in a whole pineapple. The bartender was awesome, and both bartenders were very attentive. The thing cost $16, but I paid that for something similar in San Francisco so wasn't too surprised. I would go back for another drink, wouldn't go eat again.
(3)
Jessica B.

Cool place right downtown. Good, solid mahi mahi dinner entree. Desserts were good too.
(4)
Brian H.

I had dinner here and breakfast. Both were good. The food is prepared very nicely and good ingredients. It is slow, but hey, you are Hawaii and next to the bay. We says spinner dolphins playing while we waited.
(4)
Erin O.

We were doing some shopping and needed to slate our thirst, so we planted ourselves at the bar for some frosty Kona brews and a light snack! The bar was very well stocked and the beer selection was pretty good. We will be back for beer in the future, but we are not sure we'd eat a full meal. The bartenders were very friendly gave us the skinny on where to have dinner that night.
(3)
Sarah E.

We came here for a late lunch during the week and it was really good! The views are gorgeous and the seating is pretty comfortable. The coconut shrimp appetizer is apparently the best (according to the people at the table). I had the Kailua fish and chips and the fresh fish makes this the best fish and chips I've ever had! We also got the macadamia nut crusted mahi mahi and scallops which were also superb. The loco moco with scrambled eggs and hamburger is a must have. Overall this place has great food, service, and the prices are pretty decent as well.
(5)
semyon k.

This became our go-to restaurant last week. We had three dinners and two lunches and enjoyed every meal. The restaurant is right on the water with great views. The price is comparable to other places on Alii Drive. The food is much better. Really enjoyed their specials. Fish was always fresh. Seafood pasta was excellent. No complaints about the service either. Good experience all around.
(5)
Tammy W.

Looks like great food but costs were too high for a $$ more like $$$ or more the cheapest item was Alfredo and the you had to add salad or chicken 5.00 each more. We have heard the good is fantastic just not in our budget
(3)
Staci S.

Not impressed with this place at all. I tried to talk my friends out of going once I had read other reviews and I wish they had listened. Was overcharged for my meal, that was awful by the way, don't order the shrimp trio. Only came with 5 shrimp that were badly cooked, a spoonful of mashed potatoes and a spoonful of broccoli. The "special" price was $19.95, it should have been $9.95 at the most. The drink we had was fun and decent, it came in a cored out pineapple, but was $16.95 for one drink, The clam chowder tasted like it came from a can and the pressed coffee was just bland. Two of my friends had the Hopper Platter, which they said was ok, minus the bad coconut shrimp. Another had the mahi mahi, he actually liked that. The last friend had the fish special of the night, he somewhat liked it, but said it wasn't anything too special. All in all it's like a low rent red lobster knockoff and putting a flower on my dinner plate didn't add any type of class to my meal at all, Save your money and go elsewhere.
(2)
Jonathan C.

Well this is an update to the original unpleasant dining experience review I wrote about the Fish Hopper in Kona, HI. Shortly after we arrived home, I received a Yelp message from the Fish Hopper Marketing Director, JoAnn Crivello. She had read my review on Yelp and was genuinely concerned about our poor dining experience. She looked into the incident and advised that the treatment we received was not the norm, and not how the Fish Hopper conducts business. She advised that the incident was looked into and handled appropriately. JoAnn took the extra steps to "make it right" with our dining party as well. I certainly was not expecting this extra customer service, but we greatly appreciated it. The Marketing Director, JoAnn Crivello, went above and beyond our expectations to repair the damage created during our unpleasant dining experience. She is a credit to the Fish Hopper and proved to our dining party that the Fish Hopper Restaurant truly values our business. Thank you Fish Hopper! We will definitely visit again!
(4)
Patrick G.

While in Kona, we dined out a couple of times with our local friends. They love the Fish Hopper for its food, drinks, and super warm service. Fish Hopper is not the Four Seasons, but the food is great. Recommendations: 1) Coconut shrimp: deep fried filleted shrimp goodness. Yeah, it might kill you, but YUM. 2) Mai Tais: they are not familiar with watery drrrrrinks.... 3) Shrimp platter: 3 kinds of shrimp. All tasty. Major workout required afterward 4) ...and because I was feeling healthy one day, I got a salad for lunch. It was really quite good. Not everyone came make a Chicken Caesar Salad well. these guys do. 5) best of all the service was warm and friendly. they got us in and out before a huge wedding party had lunch on a weekday without skipping a beat. Definitely recommended.
(4)
Steve L.

Our family of four requires gluten-free food and the FishHopper staff did a wonderful job taking care of us. They have a gluten-free menu and we're told one of their employees is gluten-free and eats there frequently. Both our server and the manager were both concerned about making sure our food was not cross-contaminated and did a great job in doing so as none of us became ill due to accidental gluten contamination. Between the four of us, we had a seafood salad, Alii Skewers (steak and shrimp), filet mignon steak and swordfish. They even prepared a special calamari appetizer for us (gluten-free of course) which was delicious. Overall, the food was wonderful. The Fish Hopper is a great choice, regardless of whether you're eating gluten-free or not.
(4)
Yasutaka K.

friendly service. tasty sea food platter.
(4)
Stan C.

"The view was awesome, the food was excellent, the waiter was spacey, but the hostess was the mostest." -- anonymous companion who doesn't want to be identified as my lovely wife. Personally, I really enjoyed my half of her ahi wrap (great fish!) and the fish tacos were great! It might have been the flaming zombie, but the whole experience was great.
(4)
Lisa M.

A low key place with excellent food and service
(4)
J L.

The Fish Hopper is amazing! My wife, daughter and I ate there last night and absolutely loved every minute of our experience. The Clam Chowder is to die for and the Macadamia Crusted Mahi Mahi is scrumptious. The cocktails were great. The service was phenomenal. The view was incredible. I cannot more highly recommend the Fish Hopper for dinner while visiting the Big Island.
(5)
Carmen D.

I should have taken the advice from my fellow yelpers. This place sucked. Why did I bother? Once I sat down it took forever for the waitress to take my order. I ordered fries with my mahi sandwhich and she brought me rice. The fries were Luke warm and the mahi though cooked perfectly was nothing special. The best part of this meal was the Mai Tai. I should have went to my original thought Jackie Rey's Ohana grill. Walk pass this place. Tourist trap below average food.
(1)
Vanessa D.

This place definitely deserves more than 3 1/2 stars! First of all, their happy hour starts at 10am, how can you beat that??? We had dinner here the first night: my bf had chicken Alfredo : which he loved. Our free appetizer only consisted of two coconut shrimp but we weren't expecting much given the promotion. Both times the service was excellent! Our waitresses were friendly and offered suggestions on sightseeing and restaurants. The next day we had breakfast: we wanted to try the $5.95 special that a lot of the restaurants on the street offer. DELICIOUS. Although the serving was smaller than I expected , it was great! The eggs were tasty and the potatoes were mixed with veggies (way better than the potato wedges offered next door that were probably under a heat lamp). And of course : $3.00 bloody mary's : amazing!
(4)
jenny r.

My hubby and I were looking for a decent view restaurant in Kailua, and I saw online that they have a Monday and Tuesday special for lobster tail and prime rib for $20. I wanted to go to this particular location, because it is in the old Oceanview retaurant location that we used to enjoy so much for the local grinds and the ocean view. The food was really good. They didn't overcook the lobster, and hubby got the medium rare end cut that he so cherishes. I was wary about the service, because I had read the other reviews. But, to their credit, the floor service was attentive, there was no shortage of wait staff, and they were quite courteous, so no complaints!
(4)
Stephen F.

The fish was decent enough, but my seafood pasta was a little overdone and the sauce was a bit rich with butter for my Californian taste. (I think it's acceptable from other parts of the country) I's say stick with the fish! Atmosphere is a little too kitschy. But hey, you could say that about most of the places on Ali'i Drive. I asked for an Arnold Palmer (half tea, half lemonade), but I didn't realize the ice tea was "tropical island" with a bit of fruit already infused. So the combination was a little weird. I should have stuck with straight iced tea. I don't fault the restaurant for my mistake. Free parking in back, just don't overshoot the driveway going north. It's a long drive around the block! Views look good, but we went after dark, so.... Staff was very friendly and attentive, always a plus. large dining room. Didn't look like a problem getting a table when we went on a Monday night.
(3)
Steve H.

The $2.95 blood mary's are a great deal. $2.95 coffee is a terrible deal. Aside from the bloody mary's, our breakfasts were sub-par. My fiancee had the $5.95 two eggs w/ toast and potatoes. Her over medium eggs were dead around the edges and all her food (aside from the toast) was greasy. My "breakfast special" eggs benedict w/ steak was $15.95. Let me start by saying that my fiancee had more food on her plate for $5.95 than I did for $10 more. I ordered a MR steak that was served medium to medium well at best. The entire entree fit on the center 4" of plate and was stacked from bottom to top with greasy breakfast potatoes, half an english muffin, the overdone steak, spinach and topped with a single poached egg. Doesn't eggs benedict imply at least two eggs?! I've actually never seen a benedict served with one egg. Needless to say, I could have had done just about anything breakfast related for $15.95 that would have turned out better than this. The waiter never asked if I wanted another bloody mary and nobody ever refilled our glasses of water. We won't go back.
(2)
Larry H.

Great happy hour. Mark behind the bar is super. The Blue NeNe martini is the best I've ever had!
(5)
Blah C.

We went there for dinner because of many positive reviews on Yelp and it was close to where we stayed. The service was nice but the food was not worth the money we spent. I ordered the ahi salad, which turned out to be seared ahi tuna on a bed of napa cabbage with slices of mango, papaya, and avocado and it was 21.95++ for that. The dressing was so so and i felt like i ate plain cabbage. We were robbed by this place!
(1)
soumik S.

Ok place. Slightly on the expensive side. servings are relatively small. We ordered 1. macadamia crusted mahi mahi 2. tuna & mai tai for drinks. mai tai was ordinary. the fish could have been more fresh. Awesome view of the ocean though!
(3)
Steve P.

Excellent food and good service. Doesn't look like much from the street, yet our fish dinners were very tasty and nicely presented. We went back a few nights later for dessert and it was excellent as well. From what we saw it's one of the better places along the waterfront in town. Worth a stop.
(4)
lonni f.

Went for dinner. Based on the very mixed reviews, I'm not sure if we were just lucky, or if they've made an effort to improve the food+service recently. However, we were very pleased with both. On the way in, they handed us a card for a free fried callimari appetizer. Initially the service was really sluggish. The server ran off to get our appetizer, but then we waited over 10 minutes before she returned to actually take our order. However, once she did, she was fine for the rest of the visit. My wife got the seafood curry, and I got the 'island seafood platter' (both were on their daily special's menu). My wife was raving about how spicy (good) the curry was, and also what a great assortment of seafood it included. I was pleased with my food as well (the seared ahi was very nicely seasoned). The food was so good that we ordered dessert as well, and it too was pretty good.
(4)
Anthony F.

We were strolling along Ali'i drive working up an appetite, checking menus along the way. After perusing The Fish Hopper menu we knew we had arrived. After entering we were greeted with Aloha by Sam Johnson, the manager. We were a party of five with two babies in strollers. He was very courteous and accommodating. The atmosphere is perfect. The dining area is covered and open to the bay breezes and the view of the ocean beyond. Our server greeted us with Aloha as well and was very courteous and attentive. The food was excellent and the portions were generous. The prices are very reasonable, Kama'aina prices, not expensive resort prices. Excellent value. Skip the fast food because you can easily eat there several times during your stay. We will definitely be back the next time we are in Kona Town.
(5)
Lance N.

Despite the lackluster reviews, this restaurant was surprisingly good. Good prices, great ocean view from the patio, and they cooked my wife's steak perfectly.
(3)
Robert C.

The food was fine and the $3 bloody mary was nice, but oh my god was the service appalling. Our service was slow, and we weren't the only ones affected. I saw a couple tables where people were seated and given menus, but nobody came to take their order, and they just got up and left. Others who had gotten lucky and been served waited a long time for followup. It took us 10 minutes to get our check after asking for it. It may be incompetence or understaffing, but either way I would avoid this place unless you enjoy sitting and waiting a long time.
(2)
Lori A.

This place has a great island feel with the open concept front, that looks out to the ocean and you can hear the ocean waves! Good food, great seafood and some fun drinks to try. The 'volcano" drink that is suppose to be on fire, really isn't, so don't be disappointed. It also is very weak, it tasted like mixed juices, be aware. Nice presentation of meals. If you like the Hawaiian pulled pork, best place in the south or anywhere, in my opinion. It was greasy and has a crispy edging to it that made it different. Enjoy. Aloha!
(4)
Brenda P.

We stopped in here for lunch on our last vacation in Kona and found it to be very pleasant. The food was good, the service was good and I am pretty sure we would go back the next time we are in Kona. I don't remember exactly what I had- we were there in February - but believe me I would remember if it was crappy. The drinks were good too- no skimping on the alcohol - they tasted like a mixed adult beverage, not a virgin or mocktail drink. Not sure why the negative reviews, could be changes in ownership or management which I am sure happens some times.
(3)
Haley S.

I was wary because of the mixed reviews, but this place pleasantly surprised me. I didn't drink, but my madre ordered the $5 margarita and it really didn't taste like a margarita at all. She is a tequila snob, but still... Don't recommend it. The waitress took it back and didn't charge which was nice and unexpected. Plus one star for the waitress bringing us a free coconut prawn appetizer (which was served with a sweet-spicy sauce). They were decent, nothing to were home about, but it was a nice gesture because apparently the hostess was being overly selective about who she gave the coupons to. My seafood cioppino was HUGE and piping hot...it was pretty good and I didn't even realize it came with spaghetti. Way too huge of a portion but delicious. My brother had the ahi tuna wrap which he devoured...My mom ordered the clam & mussel appetizer as her entree and enjoyed it as well. The sesame ahi salad my dad ordered also disappeared pretty quickly. All in all this place is a good family restaurant, a bit overpriced but the meals were hearty and the service was fantastic.
(4)
Dustin H.

The worst service in Hawaii thus far. We were seated and the server never came. EVER. I had to get up and go to the bar and order our drinks there. The bartender seems to understand the lack of server being a problem and helped bring our beers over. This place is only good for drinks at the bar. They do have a very good bar happy hour, and I'd come back for that for sure. The views are nice but don't bother seating at the restaurant... Meh, there are better places In Kona.
(2)
Ed B.

A horrible experience without a remedy. It took 25 minutes to get a drink once we were seated. We ordered immediately, a fish sandwich and a spinach salad. 50 minutes later still no food. The waiter apologized and 5 minutes later brought out our food. The fish sandwich and fries were cold. The piece of fish only covered one half a regular size bun. The waiter asked if everything was okay and brought over the manager Dale when I explained the problem. I wanted nothing to do with the restaurant at this point and told Dale to bring the check. He assured me he would "take care of the check" and 10 minutes later the check arrived. I guess by take care of it he meany overcharge us for a drink and delete my entree. They didn't even have the courtesy to comp us my$2.50 iced tea! Pleas note the restaurant was not particularly busy.
(1)
Pete G.

This is the best restaurant in Hawaii! They have a number of fresh fish items that are not on the internet menu which are fantastic. The swordfish and prawn tower is to die for. The swordfish melts in your mouth and the prawns taste like lobster. We also love their crab cakes. Yaesterday we had the crab stuffed salmon and the day before we had the Panko crusted mahi. The manager Joel made us feel like old friends and we noticed him talking with many tables at length. It's really a personal touch. They have a view of the harbor and an open air seating area that is covered but feels fresh and easy going. We'll be back! After reading the mixed reviews i have to point out the place is busy every night with people who clearly love the place. For those that have critized the portions or the price, this is very unfair as we are extremely satisfied with both. You won't find this quality for this price in Hawaii often. We split a meal, an appetizer, a salad and a dessert, which was the right amount of food and a great way to enjoy a variety.
(5)
Bryan E.

The Chowder is best on the island in my opinion, but the rest of the menu is just average.
(3)
Kyoto W.

The filet mignonette was good but there was a huge roach crawling on so done and the staff killed it right in front of us.
(3)
Beth R.

This is always our choice when we drive from Kohala to have lunch with my mom who lives nearby. First plus is the location and design, with the big windows upon to Kona Bay. Second is the super friendly staff. We always enjoy our meals. Mom orders sand dabs which remind her of years in california. I tend to go for one of the daily specials (today it was opakapaka). Generous lunch portions with very fresh vegetables. Hubby asks for the filet mignon from the dinner menu at lunchtime, which they always accommodate...and now it was actually on the specials! We also like the ahi salad and fish tacos.
(4)
Brad S.

The food was not great - the service was not great. There were only three other tables in the floor and it seemed like nobody was working that night. Would be nice if they were really known for something or had a draw but I think this place survives on location alone.
(2)
Guy S.

This was absolutely great. We were looking for a good seafood place for our last night in Hawai'i, and this didn't disappoint. Our hotel gave us a coupon for a free chef's-choice appetizer with entree purchase (that night it was the Calamari), and we got the Ahi Trio platter. The fish was very fresh and flavorful, and the calamari was quite yummy. My father got a seafood pasta dish with a cream sauce (a bit off-menu, as it was supposed to have a garlic olive oil sauce), which was very flavorful. My brother got the New York Steak, which was especially good. It was perfectly cooked, extremely flavorful, and came with very tasty steamed veggies. My cousin got the broiled salmon, which was very nice, and I got one of their specials, the Fresh Fish Trio. This had sesame-coated seared Ahi tuna, a broiled Ono, and a Macadamia Coconut-crusted Mahi Mahi, which came on top of mashed purple sweet potato (or Taro, I'm not sure which one). For dessert, we got the Chocolate Macadamia nut Tart (which was very good, sort of like a pecan pie but with macadamias, covered in a thin layer of chocolate ganache), and the creme brulee, which was good, even by our high standards. A couple of minor criticisms: Don't go there if you're starving. The dishes are a bit small, though the quality far outweighs the quantity. Also, they had a listed special which I was very excited about (a pasta dish with Opakapaka) which they had run out of. It's not a big deal, but I had hoped to try the fish before I left the Islands, and so I was a little disappointed. My father thinks that the service was a bit slow (he says we waited a bit too long for them to come take our orders, bring out the check, etc), but I completely disagree. I felt the staff was very helpful, especially in suggesting an alternative to the dish they had run out of. It's a bit pricy, but if you're looking for a good place with great atmosphere and a nice view, with great-quality food, this is a fantastic place to go.
(4)
Donna L.

Good location, nice decor, dainty portions garnished with an orchid. I had the house special coconut macadamia brioche french toast $10. They must've run out of brioche because my french toast was made with two thin slices of ordinary white bread. The coconut-nut coating was nice and crunchy but otherwise the toast was just barely dipped and not eggy at all just kind of dry. A bit disappointing. Why even 2 stars? Well the view from the balcony is awesome, plate presentation is nice, the service is sharp, and the coffee is very good. Why not 3 stars? Because there are so many yummy places to eat in Kona. This is not one of them.
(2)
May T.

Where else to enjoy fresh seafood and a great outdoor dining patio next to the water in downtown Kona than this restaurant? The Japanese Panko Encrusted Ono with Citrus Cream the bf had was delightful, the fish was flaky and not overburdened by too much cream. My skirt steak was marinated in a light sweet soy with mango salsa over steamed rice. They make killer tropical blended drinks and, for the first time in 15 years, I ordered a grasshopper and wasn't disappointed with too much creme de menthe. The drink was a nicely balanced minty sensation. Service is really friendly and helpful, and the views of the ocean are wonderful in the evening.
(3)
Michael M.

solid food. First meal off the airplane in Kona and this place was solid. Good prices and great first beer to kick off my vacation :)
(3)
Dawn H.

Overcooked fish and slow service make The Fish Hopper in Kailua Kona a poor choice. We dined here for lunch and it took 15 min. for anyone to wait on us, even though the restaurant was half full. When the food was brought to us, my order was completely wrong. When my food finally came out 15 min. later (after my husband was done eating), the ono was so overcooked that parts of it were inedible. I ordered panko crusted ono with a sweet chili sauce; the fish was drowning in the sauce, rendering what might have been a crisply, flaky crust into mush. The same was true of the potato pancake; by layering the fish on it, it turned out mushy. My husband's meal was not as bad as mine... Although I mentioned that the fish was overcooked, and also taking into consideration that either the waitress or the kitchen got my meal wrong, they could have at least given us a discount. Instead we were offered a free dessert, but I didn't want to try anymore of their food. The location is good, but there are plenty of better quality restaurants with better views on Ali'i Drive. Skip the Fish Hopper and spend your money elsewhere.
(1)
Joe S.

Delicious food. I've been here today for lunch and ordered the fish trio. The dish presentation was awesome and it tasted heavenly. The fish was fresh and well cooked. Highly recommended.
(5)
Sheri L.

I came here twice during my vacation to Hawaii. We happened to just stumble in the first time trying to kill time with some drinks while waiting for our friends flight to come in. The drinks were really good and strong - they have daily specials which are always yummy. Our bartended Jonathan was awesome, gave us some great recommendations for beaches and things to do. We tried the calamari and the fish tacos. Fish tacos were really good, fresh and has two types of fish (salmon and white fish - my fiance hates salmon but thought this was delish!). The calamari has really good cocktail sauce that has a really good kick! So when the rest of our group arrived to Hawaii, we went back for dinner! Jonathan was there as our waiter this time ... he's really fun and kept the food and drinks coming. Sit along the edge and people watch and gaze into the ocean as you enjoy your dinner. There's not a whole lot to do on the big island so this area your best bet for night time! The service was great, the staff was fun, drinks were yummy and strong and the fish was fresh!
(4)
Angela D.

This place was a little overpriced and the food was a little under-whelming but what more can you expect from a restaurant on the main tourist drag of Kona? The breakfast menu was pretty small but had a little bit of everything from pancakes to huevos rancheros. The POG was waaaay too sweet and the coffee was a little weak, but it is a nice choice for dining with an ocean view. Definitely a good option for groups as they have a few large booths and lots of room to push together tables. Didn't see too many little kids running around though.
(3)
Mike R.

Excellent service, right next to the water, and the food is absolutely delicious!! I will definitely come back. Look for Dana! Awesome hostess, she'll treat you well!
(5)
Kai R.

We had some pretty good food here. Loco moco for me, and crab benedict for her. Both plates were tasty and came out in a timely manner. Coffee is especially good here, and they offer french press if you want it that way. Seating was quick, and they have tons of windows & window seating for a good view of the ocean waves. Would go here again.
(4)
Mark N.

The service was prompt and friendly at this bayside, open-air eatery. I started with the ceviche which was great with fresh avocado on top. I chose the triple-play of fish for the main course. The coconut-crusted Ono was almost as good as the blackened, but both were eclipsed by the Mac nut mahi mahi which was awesome. Go here last for a memorable meal
(4)
p w.

This is a great place for one of those fancy umbrella drinks, or a drink in a fruit (e.g. a pineapple). Food is adequate. View is great.
(3)
pauline y.

i live on a different island and i got married on monday, august 9, 2010 in kona on the big island. i had much stress trying to coordinate everything involved for a wedding from far away so when i arrived in kona on august 5th, i still did not have a place to take my wedding guests (about 40 people) for lunch after the wedding. for 3 days, i went from restaurant to restaurant checking, menus, prices, parking availability and atmosphere. i was told by some managers that it was just too last minute for them to accommodate me. seriously? it's not like most places have a lunch time rush on a monday that they would turn away 40 guests if they came in twos and threes. i walked into the Kona Fishopper on Ali'i Drive and liked the atmosphere immediately. it was casual and had a great view of the ocean. it was a little busy so i had to take the manager, Joel Genavia's number and call him later. when i did, he was most accommodating. he never once said that this was too last minute. he simply asked how many and what time and when i asked if we could create a simple menu keeping it at or under $15.00 a head, he said, " no problem!" he even typed a little keepsake menu for me and my guests. we had 6 entrees to choose from and it included a soup or salad. most ate the soup, their award winning clam chowder, and raved about that and all the entrees. the wait staff was also excellent. they were both friendly and helpful. because of the wonderful people at the Kona Fishopper, my wedding celebration was salvaged (see my review on the Kona Flower Shoppe) and happily memorable! this crew and Joel Genavia understands the meaning and lives aloha! mahalo piha!
(5)
Norman C.

A friend and I tried 2 fish dish that the server recommended and it was next to uneatable. Both fish was dry and over cooked. I had the parmesan Ono and my friend had the sanddabs The clam chowder was okay, not spectacular. The crabs cakes was hard and more bread than anything else
(1)
Megan S.

I ate here a couple of times, the first time the food was great and the service okay. The second time I returned the food was not consistent in flavor and portion. The waitress, Lenera was horrible! Bad customer service and because of that our family and I will never go back again!
(2)
Reese M.

Awesome. Really good food. Everything on the menu is good. You can't go wrong with anything you choose. Fast and friendly service. The staff are always very nice. Excellent mimosas in the morning. And there is a beautiful view of the beach. Seriously good food. Always leave happy.
(5)
Zohra B.

Went there for dinner on 4/22/11, service was good, view was nice but overall the food left much to be desired. Kahlua pork dish was bland, ceviche was lacking acidity and the drinks were expensive. Maybe it was just what we ordered, but I will not be going back.
(2)
Thomas P.

Good grindz on local and fresh catch fish. Service Manager very people pleasing. Made my special birthday dinner reservations through open table with an ocean view and table was reserved right on time. Food was very good! Lobster was prepared primo and Hawaiian Sea Bass was "ono" dats good tasting in Hawaii.
(5)
Omar A.

Clam chowder was amazing! Some of the best I have had. I think the fish was a little dry / over cooked... But the chowder made up for it. Plus the service was very friendly. Nice place to hang out after a day at the beach.
(4)
RJ M.

Pretty good food and drinks, kind of standard for a tourist restaurant, but the home made clam chowder was delicious. We also got a free appetizer for mentioning Yelp, which was definitely a plus!
(4)
michael p.

Last night on the Big Island and found this gem via Yelp...enjoyed the Coco-hops and coconut shrimp appetizer (Yelp-deal), followed by a fresh, delightful Hawaiian fish trio and Bayous coconut cake. Service was great. We were greeted and seated at a window-side table with a view of the sunset. Enjoyed lunch at their Monterey Bay, CA location in November. Both offer fresh fish in accord with Monterey Bay Aquarium's sustainable fish program. We'll be back!
(4)
pac s.

I like this place, the service was excellent, we had forgotten the discount card given to us by the activities person, but once we mentioned the name they gave us the discount with no questions asked. The restaurant manager stopped by asking about how our experience was in the restaurant. The food was very good, I ordered the Ahi crusted with Macadamia nuts, and the wife ordered the Hawaiian Sea bass. The dessert selection was as good as the main dish. Highly recommended.
(4)
Kate S.

I can't believe this restaurant got such bad reviews from some people! The food was delicious and the service was fast. The fish was very fresh. I got the 3 fish sampler and split it with my dad and it was more than enough food. The atmosphere is nice, right near the beach. For a place called "The Fish Hopper" this was a very pleasant surprise.
(5)
Phillip C.

This restaurant is the most overrated ,overpriced eatery in the whole of Kona. The prices for the meals relative to the quality and quantity of food and service makes you long for a Whopper. At least you usually walk out of Burger King full and don't feel you've been robbed. I ordered the swordfish for $29 and it was the size of a coin I put into a dollar slot machine. The mashed potatoes took all of one bite to finish, and the veggies were tastleless. The drinks were $10 each and definitely not worth the price; the service was terrible, the waiter never came back to check if we were satisfied, and we had to trip the busboy to get our check. If you aren' t hungry, feel like spending a lot of money and have a lot of patience, this is your place.
(1)
Michael M.

It's okay. Geared toward tourists I think. Food was good, but a bit pricey.
(3)
Jon G.

My family has been travelling to Kona for the last 22 years and this was our first trip to The Fish Hopper. It was recommended to us by some other vacationers as a nicer place to have dinner and they made a point to mention the views of Kona Harbor. We double checked the ratings on Yelp and discovered that we would receive a free appetizer for mentioning Yelp (got to love Yelp!). We decided to give it a shot and had an awesome experience. The free appetizer was delicious calamari. Two of us had the Walu off the nightly specials menu, which I would compare to a better halibut (I know, I can't believe I wrote that but it's true). The Walu was served over a roasted pepper puree with awesome mashed potatoes and some veggies. Just thinking about it makes me want to go back immediately. I don't remember exactly what everyone else ordered but I know no one had a complaint. There was a risotto and grilled prawn dish and my mom had an entree that involved three unique very generous "tasting" dishes. I remember one of those being a giant prawn, another was pink snapper... We all shared a molten chocolate cake for desert and took out two bottles of wine which Joel, the manager, came out to pour himself. All in all, a great experience, great service and great food. I will always come back here when I am in Kona.
(5)
Tony T.

After chuch we had lunch. If you are local, ask for Kama'ana menu which is best deal....come with salad or soup, entree, and dessert. Since the restaurant is by All Dr., it can be too noisy for conversation. We will go back again.
(4)
Michelle R.

My first experience here was great, so I decided to come back with my fiance's grandmother. I made the reservation through Open Table days earlier and I'm not really sure where the disconnect happened but the second time was really disappointing. I requested a window seat so that we'd have a nice view and when we got there, they sat us towards the back. I asked the hostess about the request that I had made and she told me that they don't reserve window seats. Our waiter was never around when we needed him and half way through the meal I see the hostess put up a RESERVE sign on a window seat! I could not believe it! I went up to the manager to let him know and he was fumbling for words. He did nothing to show us that he was sorry. The food was only mildly warm and they don't have an easy way for a disabled person to get into their restaurant. Go to HUGGO's or Splasher's Grill. They offer MUCH better service.
(2)
Curious L.

We ordered Macadamia Nut Mahi-Mahi and Fish Hopper Combo. The Mahi-Mahi was super. The fried fish is good. The fish from the kids meal is so so. You can tell the fish of the kids meal is not as fresh as the regular menu.
(4)
Phil F.

The rule in vacation area restaurants is that if the restaurant has great views, then the food will be mediocre. This rule holds for this restaurant. Prices were decent and happy hours drinks were good for $4.00. Service was good, no complaints. We had 3 different dishes amoung 4 of us. Everyone rated the food OK. Not great, not bad.
(3)
R G.

We went here because they boasted a gluten free menu. Unfortunately what makes their food gluten free is they cook the food without any spices. That was a disappointment. It would be nice if the chefs would go the extra mile and create a gluten free sauce or seasoning blend. My husband ordered from the mainstream menu and didn't find his food to have much more flavor than mine. To top it all off, our lunch bill came to $48.00. Seemed a bit excessive for the quality of food we were served. You can definitely do better than Fish Hopper.
(2)
Cathy S.

The scenery was outstanding, the staff were great and the food was excellent!! Next trip back to Kona, we are definately eating here again! We ate here 3 days after the Tsunami - everyone in Kona really worked together to clean up things.
(4)
Josh B.

Went here for dinner. On the plus side both fish entrees we got were quite nice. On the minus the appetizers were a bit unimaginative (typical fried stuff, tired ahi sashimi). Wine list also not spectacular. If you go and stick to the fresh fish, it's decent-good.
(3)
Holly N.

Oooh their half-shell oysters are fresh. Their dinner special on Mon & Tues lobster and prime rib for 19.95 is pretty awesome for the price. The coconut shrimps appetizer was something too.
(4)
Alaina J.

While in Kona, my family and I ate at Fish Hopper on two separate occasions. The food was good, the service was excellent, and the view excellent. Also, my husband forgot his phone at the restaurant, and they kept it safe for him. I really appreciate their honesty. I will definitely be visiting the Fish Hopper in Kona, as well as the one in Monterey, CA.
(4)
Amanda S.

I couldn't believe this cheesy, touristy looking place had such great food!!! The fish and preparation where great!!! It was the end of the night and the place was dead (everything shuts down at 8 or 9 in HI) and the service was great. Definitely will go back.
(4)
Will V.

I order the Treasure of the Sea here when I was in Kona. Treasure it was not. You get half a dungeness crab which is fine but you only get 2 scallops and 2 shrimp. And they both were dry and over cooked. If I spend $30+ on a meal that says crab, scallops, and shrimp I expect more than just 2 of each. I was still hungry to say the least and went to Burger King after. But I will say the service was good and it had nice decorations.
(2)
Susan D.

Absolutely loved their Sesame Crusted Ahi Salad -- so fresh. With avocado, papaya, mango, and napa cabbage, and the dressing is just slightly spicy hot. Perfect. The views are great, right on Alii Drive -- sat and watched the cruise ship shuttles load an unload on the bay. Hope to return often and looking forward to checking out their other locations in Monterey, CA.
(4)
Bryan L.

We ate at the Fish Hopper for lunch on a Friday afternoon. The place was about a quarter full and we were told that the head chef was visiting from their Monterey location (can't remember if we had been there before) and was offering some new dishes. Nothing too fancy, looked like typical California fare. The food was decent, the pricing was reasonable and the view was not bad (it's right by the seawall in Kona) but the service left something to be desired. It took a long time to for the waitress to take our order, and then even longer for our drinks. The water tasted like it came straight from the tap and we didn't get refills until our meal was done. There are better options in Kona.
(2)
helen s.

We stopped here because we were walking along the shops on Ali'i drive and a guy from the fish hopper was handing out free appetizer coupons and discount off of breakfast coupons. Also, we met a family who raved about this place so we decided to give it a try. With out free appetizer coupon, you don't get to choose off their appetizer menu. They have their own free list of 2 items you choose from; we chose the calamari. Yes, the calamari was free, but it was not that great. I've had better elsewhere. I ordered the mahi mahi tacos and my bf ordered the ribs & shrimp dish. He loved his, but I thought mine was bleh. The food wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either. It was just "a ok". later on, we met the family again and said we should've tried the clam chowder. Oh well...
(3)
John G.

I have been The Fish Hopper 3 times now over a 2 year period. I have been disappointed every time. I was there on Mothers Day and realize that is a busier than normal day but the 20 minute wait after being seated is not my main concern. I ordered the Kalbi ribs and did a double take when they arrived. They looked like overcooked freezer burned jerky. The manager must have seen my face and ran over and asked if all was OK. I pointed at my plate and she couldn't get it away fast enough. My wife didn't say anything about her partially raw eggs benedict I found out later. The manager did the right thing and brought me something else and went above and beyond and comped the whole ticket. The food was just bad and have had this problem here before. I will not give them a 4th chance and gave the one star rating for a 5 star location brought down by terrible food and it wouldn't let me give a no star rating.
(1)
Elaine F.

We ate here on our last day in Kona (Christmas Eve). Our waitress was right on the spot and we told her that we needed to be at the airport in 1 1/2 hour and she was excellent. We got a table in the front with a wonderful view of the bay. The food was very good and I would not hesitate to return. They also had a man singing Hawaiian songs that we enjoyed.
(5)
N. S.

Great experience! My husband and I wanted a nicer meal with a good atmosphere and that's what we got at Fish Hopper. We scored a seat by the water and listened to the waves as we dined. We received a free appetizer by mentioning Yelp and bottles of wine were 25% off. I had the Japanese Ono with a citrus glaze and mango salsa - so good! My husband had the Hawaiian Ahi, which was a good piece of fish, but not super memorable. Both entrees were about $25 each. We had the Chocolate Decadence dessert, which truly was decadent. Overall: great atmosphere, attentive service, perhaps overpriced - but it's all part of being in a touristy area. I would go back and recommend it.
(4)
Steve S.

This review is for the bar only. They actually have pretty good bar specials all day, including $5 mai tais and margaritas and a bunch of food specials like $5 poke and $5 for three oysters...not bad. The drinks were decent, service was excellent. Our bartender Chad was very friendly and attentive. Plus the location and view are awesome. I wish we'd spent more time drinking here instead of Huggo's and Lulu's.
(4)
Mary F.

If you are in the area, this is a great location. A woman in one of the shops recommended it to us for dinner as one of her favorites. We started with the calamari- crisp and flavorful with a good dipping sauce. Then,. I had the Ono and my husband had the Ahi tuna- both were very fresh and well prepared. The salads were fresh and side dishs also well prepared. We didn't have room for dessert though the dessert tray looked awesome. We were on the big island for 5 days and on Oahu for 6 and this was the best dinner for the price over all the others. We were seated with a great view of the ocean and waitress was super. We also split a large drink called a "volcano" that was fruit punch based and very good. While it is somewhat pricey, the quality is what makes it worthwhile and most of the restaurants in Kona are pricey unless it is a sandwich place or a taver/pub location. We will definitely visit it again next time we are there.
(5)
Mina Z.

I am on my first trip to Hawaii and for the last day here I decided to walk around Kailua Kona for the evening. I walked by this one restaurant and a server was passing out samples of their clam chowder and cards for a free appetizer. I went in after smelling the food wafting out the doorway. I ordered the ahi salad and my friend ordered the hawaiian fish trio. The calamari came out and they were very tender and scrumptious. We ordered two tropical drinks which came in a hollowed out pineapple decorated with an umbrella and orchid. DELICIOUS! Wasn't very strong so we were ok driving afterward. Our meals came out. Nothing but fresh fish and wonderful fusions of complimentary hawaiian flavors. Throughout the dinner the manager was chatting with us and making sure everything was great. We had a great server as well. For dessert we could not choose which one we wanted when the server came by with a platter of slices of heaven. He kindly arranged for the kitchen to give us a slice of each one!! We lived them all but I highly recommend the tiramisu & the sweet potato pie. My bff liked the cheesecake. The ambiance is what you expect in Kona. It's fine dining but does not require you to dress up. For the guys, dress can range from tshirt and boardshorts to a Tommy B silk shirt and slacks. Same for the ladies. I was wearing a tie dye sundress and slippers. I highly recommend this restaurant. Five star in all categories! Mahalo!
(5)
Nancy L.

I have to agree with most of the other reviews-not so great. However, we didn't get sick which is a plus. The view is nice, but there are sooo many other places to drop your dollar. I agree with Kim K., keep walking. Nothing special here.
(2)
Lindsey H.

This review is for breakfast only since that's all we ate here. Service first thing in the morning was prompt and friendly and everything was very tasty; if you like a sweet breakfast, try the macadamia french toast - yum! We came here on four or five consecutive mornings from the Kona Seaside motel next door; on the second day, the waitress recognized us as repeat customers and gave us a reusable coupon for a free fruit bowl. The ocean view, of course, is delightful. Breakfast is a bit on the expensive side, around $9-13 plus $2.75 for coffee. It would be nice if they listed a la carte items on their menu: some are available, but you have to ask because the choices are not specified.
(4)
Gibby K.

Its in downtown Kona and totally a tourist trap. Should have known better after seeing the fake food displays after entering the restaurant. The food was mediocre and overpriced for what you get. The seared Ahi Tuna was dry and more well-done than seared. The presentation looks good, but definately did not perform on taste and price. Views are good and that's essentially what you are paying for.
(2)
Nina N.

Sampled the clam chowder and it was the best I've ever had. The free fried calamari appetizer was alright and the teriyaki steak wasn't that good. The decor is like a typical tropical Hawaiian style and the view overlooks the bay.
(2)
Ibte K.

Had lunch here after the Atlantis submarine outing( across the street) .. My husband had the fish and chips.. I had the blackened ahi medium rare with veggies.. Both very good.. Didn't try desserts but looked huge and diner behind me seemed to be enjoying the macadamia pie..service was very good..
(4)
Nicole R.

We had our wedding reception at the fish hopper in August. As we are from the mainland I worked with Sam via email in getting the whole thing set up. Sam and his staff are very personable, very attentive and made our whole meal an experience. I would highly recommend this as a place to hold your special event. I can't wait to go back for our five year anniversary. You can bet we'll be back. Mahalo!
(5)
Donna P.

This place needs help learning how to run a restaurant from the TV show Restaurant Impossible. This restaurant might be making money, but it is not because of good food or good service. The location is wonderful, but the food was inedible and the service was poor at best. The chef was heavy handed with the salt shaker and no other seasoning. We tasted the pork, ribs and clam chowder, but could not eat them. Stop by and have a drink, but pass on the food at The Fish Hopper. Save your money. There are too many great restaurants in Kona to eat at TheFish Hopper.
(1)
Jeremy V.

pricey, but all i can really say is PURPLE SWEET POTATO PIE. i love sweet potato pie, but purple sweet potato pie with a coconut cream layer? out of this world! the service was great - our server recommended the walu special, and i was very happy to have tried it. the walu was super buttery and panko encrusted. my fiance had the mushroom ravioli and enjoyed them. our server even brought us fresh baked rolls (on request) to take care of the rest of the tasty red sauce the ravioli were bathed in. their house bloody mary was a great classic rendition of one of my favorites - 3 shrimp, 3 olives, a celery stalk and julienne carrots with plenty of pepper. yum. they were also ready to accommodate our party of 8 which was convenient. great view as well! perhaps a little pricey, but i think the entrees were well done with average sized portions. you have to expect to pay a little more in such a touristy spot.
(4)
Amy A.

it was convenient since it was right there when we get into town. not sure why it's rated one of the best seafood restaurants (in flight magazine...probably paid to be listed in the top 10) but the service was friendly. we were starving so anything goes. i thought it was a little pricey for what it was but you pay a premium for anything on ali'i drive. 2 stars for main course/service but extra star for the dessert. yummy...
(3)
Kim K.

We had dinner here because the dude at the rental car place gave us a free appetizer coupon. The Asian in me couldn't refuse free, lesson learned. This place was nasty. We ordered the fried calamari which came out in batter clumps. I had the opah for my entree which was burnt and hard as lava rocks. The bf ordered ahi tuna which came out completely cooked through! Drinks are watered down here too. Keep walking.
(1)
Traveling D.

Tasty food, ample portions Great service, fast, polite. Nice view, seated at a window table. Manager gave us recommendations for local places as well. All around fun place. Didnt try the drinks but they looked great. Would recommend to everyone.
(5)
Ginny S.

We visited the Fish Hopper in Feb., 2011. Made a reservation and were given a lovely booth that gave us a good view out the windows as well as of the restaurant. The free appetizer, we chose the hummus, was very good as were our dinners. Our only complaint is that it is VERY pricey. Without drinks, but with dessert, our meal was $63.
(4)
Salma S.

We thought that this would be a good place to rest our feet and grab a bite to eat. We were seated immediately - great! The waitress asked us to slow down while we were placing our orders. Never again to be seen until we asked for the check. The main courses came out before the ice teas, soup, and appetizer that we had ordered. We asked soem random guy three times about our ice teas, soup and apetizer - it took him that long to get it right. Aweful, aweful experience. Service was poor, seating was ok, and food was just ok.
(2)
Beau H.

Excellent food at a great location. Only problem is the price. Hard to justify eating here as a local, it careers more to tourists.
(4)
MIke S.

This place is a bit spendy for the quality of food IMO but then again a lot of places in Kona town seem to fit that description. The one thing that it has going for it is the nice view (see pics). The service isn't super speedy nor is it super friendly, but it's ok. I got the breakfast special with rice, portugese sausage and mac salad and it was ok. In one word, this place is...you guessed it...ok.
(3)
Trav15t ..

Great! As we arrived I was reading these reviews on my phone and was becoming apprehensive after reading all of these negative reviews. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the service was good, the calamari was excellent and the mai tai was stiff... Granted, we came for lunch on a Friday and it wasn't crowded, but we came as a group of seven and had no trouble getting seated and served promptly. I would normally give it a 4/5, but to counterbalance the negative reviews, I'll give it a 5 star. My next Kona trip may include a stop at the hopper.
(5)
Eli G.

It really is a shame that the only easy to find restaurants in Hawaii that are near anything worth seeing are all tourist traps selling the same swill over and over. Maybe we just went to the half dozen Hawaiian joints that aren't worth going to, I don't know. Fish hopped was another beach front clone, hawking flaming drinks served in large pieces of fruit, and its menu comprised mostly of run of the mill seafood and sandwiches. My sister and I decided to order a few of the house drinks, hers was flaming and mine was served in a FAKE coconut, weird. yelp.com/biz_photos/qqb3â€¦ yelp.com/biz_photos/qqb3â€¦ I decided to order a couple orders of fried calamari for the table. It was okay, the batter was a little on the bland side and the dips were on par. yelp.com/biz_photos/qqb3â€¦ I did applaud the fact that they served both hamburger and Spam loco moco. I got the burger one and my dad got the Spam one. The burger was cooked to medium-well but the egg was nice and runny. The gravy was also pretty nice, not the best, but far from the worst. I sadly ate half of mine before I realized I needed to take a pic. Luckily my dad was a slow eater. yelp.com/biz_photos/qqb3â€¦ Yuko got a huge fried everything platter. To me, it all tasted the same, fried. Again, nothing was bad, but nothing was close to being noteworthy. yelp.com/biz_photos/qqb3â€¦ Apparently my family went back a couple times after we left the island and enjoyed themselves. If I'm ever back on the Big one, I'll be sure to skip this place and any place with an ocean view.
(3)
Agent T.

Go for the Happy Hour! Great drinks and apps at 25% off. Can't go wrong with that. Tasty too! Our server was a great and offered helpful suggestions.
(4)
Pia A.

A little pricey for lunch. Ordered the fish tacos. Two tacos with generous chunks of ahi tuna and pineapple. The side of coleslaw was yummy. Couldn't tell if it had papaya or mango, whichever of the two went well with the slaw. Downside. The crab cakes. As a Marylander, I know good crab cakes. This had way too much filler.
(3)
Heather M.

Usually I avoid places like this because typically the food is mediocre at best and is SUPER expensive. However this place is DELISH! The average price of entrees is between $10-$20, but well worth it. I got the panko-crusted mahi mahi with grilled scallops, veggie croquet, and fresh veggies in a creamy sweet chili sauce. One word: BOMBALICIOUS! The portions are large, the seafood is fresh, and the food itself is flavorful and filling! My lunch guests told me that the loco moco and fish and chips are delish as well. The service was okay, the waiter was definitely on island time; however they did bring out a complementary appetizer, coconut shrimp, which were very yummy! Oh, and I recommend the ice tea for ice tea lovers as it was reallllly good!
(4)
Vincy L.

Came here around 9:10pm because all the other restaurants were close. Boyfriend orders a clam chowder. French press coffee. Three fish combo. He is raving about the food. It's the best clam chowder he and I have ever had. Amazing!
(4)
Aaron R.

Food was okay at best. Ordered the sampler plate and the calamari was cold, the coconut shrimp was the worst we've ever had and the fish was only okay. At least the fries were good. We also had the clam chowder which was only okay. Service was super slow as well. Overall I would definitely not go back. I might have given it a higher score if the prices were more reasonable.
(2)
Clarence C.

My wife and I were walking in Kona, looking for a new place to have dinner. Even though we didn't have a table with a view of the ocean, that was fine. I guess we just wanted to have our dinner without any hassles. My wife's food was under cooked, so she sent it back to be cooked further. After that, the waitress started having an attitude towards us. We ate our dinner and didn't get much in the way of service, so we left the tip according to the type of service we received. I decided to pay for our dinner with a credit card, which was a mistake. In a few days, I check my bank account, and find that these people over billed my card for twenty five dollars more than the bill was. I recommend you pay these people in cash or they will do the same to you. I definitely do not recommend this place at all.
(1)
Ellen G.

If you don't mind high prices & no service I suggest going here! However if you are like me, a restaurant can have amazing food but your server is the worst, it'll be a restaurant that'll. literally leave a bad taste in your mouth. Our server was brand new so I don't fault her for the service errors. However there is no example for her to learn from. In a quality restaurant you'd figure the maitre d can have the smarts to override the errors. Instead he apologized & the mistakes kept coming It'll be the most memorable " non memorable " restaurant for us in the Big Island!
(1)
Jennifer B.

I am from Massachusetts, so I know what clam chowder is supposed to taste like -- and this did not taste like clam chowder. It was gooey and had minute bits of clam. The fried calamari was more like rubber. I would never eat here again. Beware it does look charming and has lovely views.But because it is open air, there is no escaping the heat and humidity. The presentation though is lovely so someone in the kitchen knows what to do. Maybe they can speak to the chef.
(1)
Kristina G.

We came here on our first night based on the recommendation of our friends who own a condo on the Big Island. They suggested that we request the local menu. I thought the local menu would be special items--kind of like how Chinese restaurants have special "authentic" menus. Instead, the local menu was a 3-course meal with the entrees as the regular menu but at much cheaper prices (ie: $20 for a 3 course meal instead of $25 per entree). Not what I was expecting, but not bad. I figured it was like the fixed-price menus I've become accustomed to living in DC. We had the seared ahi and macadamia-crusted mahi. Overall, the food was "A-Ok." Not bad, but nothing you couldn't find over in the mainland either both in terms of preparation or freshness. Our drinks were underwhelming and completely overpriced. Having no prices on the cocktail menu should have been a huge tip-off but I think we were distracted by the sunset views. Finally, our server was nice but we had a very odd finish to our meal. One of the employees who greeted people at the entrance came over and asking us several questions. I'm not sure if he was interrogating us because he wanted to figure out if we were really locals, or if he was just an awkward conversationalist. If it was the former and the local menu is only for people who, for example, have a hawaiian address, then they should have explained that at the outset and we would have been fine. If it was the latter, then it was just uncomfortable. It wasn't a bad meal, but I probably wouldn't come back either. There is better food for the regular prices, and there are less awkward encounters for the "local" prices.
(3)
Em B.

Great view, drinks have much to be desired though, order a beer if you come here and forget the mixed drinks.
(2)
Elizabeth H.

I would give it five stars but I feel the prices are a bit inflated, especially on drinks. Now I realize everything on the island costs a fortune, but I'm just saying! My husband and I got the Opakapaka with scallops and the Mac Nut Mahi mahi and scarfed down every bite! And the clam chowder really is as good as everyone says... Great atmosphere, friendly staff, really REALLY yummy food.
(4)
Henry H.

Very family friendly with $5 kid meals. Great calamari app that was loved by my kids. Sesame crusted Ahi was very nice quality, as was the Ono entree. Will definitely come back!
(5)
Ed E.

The room manager at the King Kam suggested this place for dinner. We were on our wedding anniversary dinner and the staff at The Fish Hopper were extra nice to us. Everyone came to wish us a happy anniversary. Then our server came with two complimentary flutes of champagne. Then she returned with complimentary clam chowder. Then, OMG, she brought us a free pu-pu of fried calamari. We ordered prime rib with garlic mash potatoes and veggie 'medley' (mostly green and yellow squash). The beef was about 12 ounces of boneless rib roast, cooked to a nice medium rare. It was served with au jus and creamed horseradish (we prefer un-creamed horseradish). For dessert we had crÃ¨me brÃ»lÃ©e and a white coconut cake with haupia (coconut gel). Both were well done and not overly sweet. Delicous Kona coffee topped off the meal. We sat in a booth overlooking the waterfront. The view was fine, but sitting next to the window might have been better. For a special night, consider dinner at The Fish Hopper.
(5)
Melissa L.

The Fish Hopper has got to be a favorite of mine in Kona! Location: 5 stars- ocean front view! The absolute best. Any seating here is a great view but is highly recommend making reservations so you can get right up in the front. Located near shops is in the town so there is plenty to do before/after you eat. Also parking in the back is very convenient in this busy town. Food: 5 star Amazing! Everything was tasty and worth remembering for the next time. I'd highly recommend the CLAM CHOWDER it's the best I've ever had!!! Most tables around is were enjoying a bowl. I'd come back time and time again just to try that. For dinner I had the shrimp trio, also tasty and unique. Everything brought to our table was enjoyable. Service: 4.5 star. Friendly and overall good service. Waiter was nice & our food was brought out correctly. Service started to lack a little in the end with drink refills and getting the check but all in all it was a good experience and I recommend this place.
(5)
Felipe F.

It took me longer to enter than to leave. The restaurant is nicely located with a great view but BEWARE of their advertisement specially the posters outside... happy hour offers, early dinner offer... Once you enter and sit down be prepared to find out all the "but" and "conditions" on their offers. Misleading advertisement is simply wrong... Ready to check another restaurant.
(1)
Richard K.

We walked out. So I can't tell you if the food is any good, but the service definitely spurred more than one Wtf?? We went at happy hour. First, my 9 year old tried to order a diet coke in one of their coconut cups. They said no, they couldn't do it. Wtf?? Really?? It's a cheap plastic cup that by the way, looks more like an ashtray than a coaster. It's not like you're wasting a fresh coconut. Then we asked for a happy hour menu and we were told we could only eat happy hour appetizers by sitting in the bar... with our 2 kids. Wtf?? Really? I sit on the street side and shrimp is $14, but sit 6 feet away and it's only $5 ??? With that, we walked out. Ridiculous. If you're reading this walk half a block around the corner and go to Splashers instead! There my son drank from a real pineapple and we weren't punished for being a family.
(1)
Mary H.

Got seated at 11:00 and that is the breakfast cut off time. By the time server came over about 10 minutes later I was told too late for breakfast. The manager apologized and gave me a complimentary order of calamari. I had the Mac-nut salad and it was delicious, plenty of chicken and fresh greens. Great view, tables not too crowded together and comfortable chairs.
(3)
S J.

I spent my 30th birthday weekend on BI and enjoyed a marvelous meal at the Fish Hopper where Brittany took excellent care of us. I loved my watermelon margarita and my recommended fresh Onaga on bleu cheese polenta. My honey enjoyed his Mahi -but I think my plate was the winner of the night. Each person working was so kind and attentive, the view was beautiful and I couldn't have had a more delightful birthday meal.
(5)
Cris W.

Outstanding food and service, especially from Darci. Be sure to ask for her. Heed a bait-and-switch warning, however. A lady stands on the sidewalk giving out coupons for a free appetizer that she tells you is calamari. Once you're seated, it's a very cheap version of cerviche. The explanation is that it rotates. We're told this twice now. This is the only reason I didn't give 5 stars. The sidewalk approach smells of deception.
(4)
Christine L.

Located across from Kona Marriott with amazing views of the water. Mellow place with late happy hour and I was hungry. Pork sliders, coco prawns, Caesar with shrimp, Virgin breeze for $23! Highly recommended!
(5)
Hollis E.

We stopped in for a snack and a cocktail. We had to get the ultimate Bloody Mary and it was yummy and fun! It had olives and crab stuffed olives, a crab cake slider, a bacon wrapped shrimp, celery, a green bean and an oyster as a garnish. It was awesome and the mojitos are very good as well
(4)
Sarah W.

The food was not horrible, but definitely not has good as the other restaurants we ate at the week we were in Hawaii. The food was just average.
(3)
Janelle R.

I have been here more times than I can count in the last ten years... As a tourist. It is number one on my list of favorites and I am kind of a food snob. Joel, the manager is amazing. He will remember you years later if you bother to thank him... And you should. Darci, was our server this evening and she was amazing!! You go girl!!!! If you are in Kona... This is a must. Ask for the Ahi trio... Even if it's not on the menu. Ohhhhhhhh... And super cheap dinner wine list ... Same as every other place but bottle price is grocery store level. Enjoy, as I know you will!!!!
(5)
William R.

Oh boy, we love this place. Right on the main drag in the middle of Kona town. Be sure to visit when you are on the Big Island. At home we love to watch the live feed on the video cam showing the harbor
(5)
Rose L.

Short walk from Kona resort hotel.ordered grilled ono fish and kailua fish tacos on our 1st day in the island. Kayla was very nice and helpful and gave my son a complimentary bday sweet potato haupia pie.Very good lunch--my kids wanted to come back again to try more. On our last day in Kona, came back again and told them we have to be out in 30mins. kayla was there again to help us and we ordered pancake breakfast and fried rice with spam and bacon in the side. Got a complimentary fruit medley. food is so good and servers were all helpful and nice! highly recommended!
(5)
Howard H.

This restaurant is located in the heart of Kona and you get to eat while looking out on the water which is just across the street. Parking is in the back but somewhat limited. We came here for dinner and this place serves fairly standard seafood fare and does carry local fish like opakapaka and ono when available. While there was nothing to really get excited about, the fish was fresh and cooked well albeit a bit bland for my taste. The service was decent and the price is about what one expects for a seafood meal (about 30 to 35 bucks a person). Not a bad choice if you're in Kona looking to relax at dinnertime.
(3)
Steve G.

Really disappointed. Salad was tiny, 3 pieces of lettuce for my Caesar salad, fish was overlooked. Prices were typical but not worth the price. Prefer Huggos, just down the street.
(1)
Sweet Berry F.

Best happy hour for drinks and food. Also the view is perfect. I miss this place oh so much.
(5)
Katie R.

I was recently in Kona to hike Mauna Loa and, on the day we summited, we decided to treat ourselves here. Big mistake. Initially the service was great. I ordered Ono and asked that it be cooked through. It came raw in the middle. No biggie. I flagged down the waitress and let her know. Her response was, "It's because nobody ever orders it cooked that way." Wow. So, I am to blame for the kitchen's error? I don't do well with confrontation. I don't want to be that person, the one making a scene because something was wrong. I let it go and waited while my companion ate beside me. 20 minutes later the manager came over to apologize. I said that I prefer to not have the fish now (my companion was already done eating, so, really...). He said he'd knock the price of the salads off of the bill. Well, okay, if you consider that sufficient. Needless to say I would not return. Their customer service is incredibly poor. My companion's fish was good, but it's lame he had to eat it while I sat there empty handed (empty bellied? ha!).
(1)
David M.

Stale oyster crackers and soggy crab cakes. My wife and I went to Fish Hopper last night. We flew in from Honolulu and got to the restaurant at 8:30. The clam chowder was just "ok". The oyster crackers that came with it were stale. I shouldn't have dumped the whole bag on my soup. We also tried the kalua pork spring rolls. Oily. It came with 4 pieces, and we couldn't eat one. Asso had the crab cakes. Soggy. It was an order of two pieces, and we didn't eat more than a corner of one of the pieces. Our waiter, Lex asked if we didn't like the meal. I said we really didn't enjoy it. Pretty obvious, since we didn't eat anything we ordered. He shrugged his shoulders and said, "oh, I see", and just walked away. Really? What crappy service. Overall our meal was a $55 mistake. This restaurant IS NOT kaiamainna friendly. They're just in business to serve tourists awful, overpriced food.
(1)
Sara S.

Before shopping, we were hungry for some lunch. I received a coupon from our hotel for a free appetizer to the restaurant that I was thinking of going to. The appetizer happened to be Calamari! Lunch: Fish Hopper We loved it. It had ocean front views, people watch the Village Walk, and the food was delicious. I decided to order Fish Tacos It was made up with a mixture of Mahi Mahi and Ono fish. It had a refreshing pineapple and papaya salsa. When the waitress asked if I wanted dessert, I declined because I was going to have shave ice! I noticed a shave ice shop nearby when walking, so I got so excited. Highly recommend--
(4)
Guy B.

Always enjoy coming here. Great clam chowder and the calamari appetizer was delicious. 3 of us, each ordered an item off the specials list. I chose wrong tonight. The flavors in the parm crusted mahi dish didn't work for me. Everyone else enjoyed their dishes. Will be back. :-)
(4)
Don W.

I had high exception as the sign in front listed the local awards the restaurant had received for their food. The location can't be beat. It's right across from the water with fantastic views. The service is good, we had a waitress and she had her own helper, so no complaints there. Also, the food came out very quickly after we ordered. The cocktails were nice, but everything here is a bit over-priced. The reason for the 2-star review is the food quality. We ordered some calamari to share, and each got a bowl of clam chowder. The calamari looked amazing, some of the biggest pieces I've seen served in a restaurant. However, as I began to try it, the reason they looked so huge is that were way over battered. Not only did that cover the taste of the actual calamari (you mostly taste the fried breading), but it was SO over-salted, that it literally fried my taste buds. I think the chowder was good. It was VERY creamy, but I could not really taste anything after the calamari. By the time my entree came (I got the risotto), I couldn't taste a thing. It looked really good, but I had to stop eating after a few bites because my sense of taste was gone. All I was sensing was dry, blandness. When the waitress asked how I was enjoying the meal, I let her know about the salty calamari. She said that she would mention it to the chef. I asked if anyone else had commented about the calamari being too salty, and the waitress' helper said, "when isn't it salty!" When the check came, the waitress had removed the charge for the calamari, which was a nice gesture, but she really should have removed the charge for the risotto too, since I didn't get to enjoy that at all. If I do every go back here again, I'll avoid the fried foods.
(2)
Shanna S.

Love this place. Excellent food even better service. Joel the manager was extremely friendly. Will go back every time I visit. As a bonus happy hour all night long!
(5)
Traci T.

Love, love, LOVE this place! Fish Hopper is a restaurant that I've passed by many a time on my frequent trips to Kona within the past year. My experience with this place can be summed up with the phrase, "Don't judge a book by it's cover." Just by the look and a quick glance at the menu, I thought this wouldn't be the place for me. It was only after my boyfriend suggested we eat there that I decided to look them up on Yelp. Pictures are always what sell me and that's why their menu didn't sell me at first. But when I saw a picture of a clam chowder bread bowl on Yelp, I was immediately sold! And it didn't disappoint at all! I visited Fish Hopper twice on my most recent trip in December/January. And I got the same thing both times! Haha...yes the bread bowl is THAT good! I can't find one on Oahu as yummy. The clam chowder is delish and the top part that they cut out is made into a yummy garlic bread. I've never seen it made like that before. It is filling, though. I took half of it home. Our waitress was so thoughtful. She gave me a bowl to put my leftover chowder in and even put a little extra chowder inside for me to take home...with some crackers on the side as well! I've also tried the calamari during happy hour, which was okay. Nothing special. Happy hour is only a couple dollars off their regular menu. Not worth trying to fit happy hour (2-6 pm and 8:30 - closing) into your schedule if it doesn't just work out. We also tried the crab meat tower. Kind of small, but tasted good. My boyfriend got the Ali'i Skewers one time and the daily special another time which he really enjoyed. Neither of us were let down by what we ordered. Definitely make a reservation on Open Table so you can get your 100 points. Also, it gets pretty busy, so it's good to make a reservation ahead of time. If you go during sunset time, you'll get a beautiful view! Actually, it overlooks the bay so as long as the sun is out, you'll get a beautiful view. Happy dining!
(5)
Cindy D.

Excellent service, clean and accommodating. Food was good and decent prices. The view is to die for and I am told its a great place to sit in October for iron man races. Highly recommend coming in for a drink and the pupus, appetizers.
(5)
Jim W.

Best Deal In Kona Town! Awesome Food and Awesome Service. Love the atmosphere at night on the Ocean Front. No doubt my Favorite Place to Dine!
(5)
Vic M.

Jan 2015 dinner. Lahaina Mai Tai was great ($11) Lemon ginger ono with potato cake was excellemt ($30) Fish and chips was very good ($20) Macadamia chocolate pie very good. Excellent service.
(5)
Tamela C.

Not great. Ordered tequila, got rum? Then sent it back, was then returned saying that I was wrong, it was tequila? How can anyone mix those two up? The server wasn't very good. She works at a couple of the places including Don's, don't know how she gets jobs at such good places being so bad. Forgot a lot of what we asked for, couldn't remember who ordered what and everything took forever. Would say thumbs down but the food was good once it finally came.
(2)
Robert L.

We made reservations for four, person on the phone had an inviting personality! We arrived a few minutes early and were seated right away at a reserved table, I recommend a reservation for an unobstructed view of the harbor. Brittany was our server last night, what a delight!!! Joel in management also introduced himself, very cordial! We ordered drinks all were wonderful, appetizers came next, ribs, crab stack, and egg roll buffet, all were excellent. We all ordered different dishes from steak and lobster to crab and two different fish dishes, everyone thought there's was the best, so we ended up sharing a bit. We also celebrated a birthday! we let them know late and it was no problem whatsoever,. People say the place is expensive, but if you want Quality! The prices fall in line with the service, quality of the food and the professional friendly staff!
(5)
Kanoe I.

Well deserving of 5 stars! We came here for Valentines dinner. They had their regular menus as well as a Valentine's dinner special menu. We ordered.. Their famous calm chowder (Must try) Lobster bisque (did not care for it at all) a cheese pizza with fresh fruit Macadamia nut crusted Mahi Mahi with sautÃ©ed kale and mashed purple sweet potatoes. So DELICIOUS!!! Pesto Crusted Roasted Rack of Lamb with potatoes wedges. ( Valentines Special) The lamb was cooked perfectly.. Melt in your mouth and perfectly seasoned! Fish Hoppers is a bit pricey, but the food was very delicious! We ate everything on our plates.. We will be back!!!
(5)
Cem A.

wow this place is no good do not go here our calamari came after our food 38$ pallela no good only my 4 year old liked his pasta we asked for our bread never came i dont know whats wrong with this place but stay away from here
(1)
Forrest H.

Before I get to the review... I must point out there IS actual parking behind the Fish Hopper, a dedicated lot for the restraunt. Free. Now to the review! Wow what can I say about the fish hopper. After 10 days of dissapointing dining in Kona, we finally found the place. The Fish Hopper! Starting off with the vast local coffee collection, they have a whole menu just for coffee! Their breakfast was amazing, very fresh, had the best potatoes on the island. They have the specials made out on platters so you can actually see the food on a plate. We were also here celebrating my grandparents 50th wedding aniversary and the staff made a dessert just for them with out asking! Waiter John and manager Sam are awesome! Some of the best service on the island, period! John was the best waiter we have had in all 10 days of dining out twice a day in Kona. Some comments from others at the table included "John was the best waiter I've ever had". Always checking in making sure we were good on refills and that the food was okay. The manager Sam, was very personable, polite, and just an all around good guy. We will defiantly be life customers at the Fish Hopper, starting with tonight for dinner. Edit: Just came back for Dinner, it was excellent. The coconut shrimp were the best we've ever had. I also had a bone in rib eye and it was the best in Kona I've had this week. I usually don't name other places in reviews, but I had a new York steak at the Kona Inn and it was bland, and unseasoned, a bottle of pepper couldn't even fix it. I'm so happy you can get a good steak here in kona. It was worth the price! Everyone, the fish hopper deff deserves a stop, you'll come back. Back to Seattle we go in the morning but when we're back next year. We will be back here A LOT! Thanks Fish Hopper
(5)
Heather C.

Pros: - no long wait - reasonably priced food - great view Cons: - slow service - horrible coffee - mediocre food I got the short stack and two eggs scrambled soft, my BF got the pork omelet. Eggs were overcooked, pancakes were flat and bread-like. Pork omelet was heavy. If you're hangry, this is the place to come! If you've got some time keep walking down the street, you'll find much better pancakes.
(3)
Grace C.

We came in for the happy hour (2pm-6pm) but later on we were told happy hour prices were only available in the bar... They offered to reseat is but the prices didn't really seem worth it. The clam chowder was good but the oyster crackers were stale.. The cream of tomato with orzo tasted like spaghetti-o's. The server (Tim) was very nice and our entrees were delicious!! I had the crab crusted swordfish with sauteed vegetables and my friend had fish tacos which came with a juicy and fresh pineapple salsa!
(4)
Becky F.

Whether I've been gone a week, a month, or a year when I walk thru the door I'm greeted as family. That feeling has no price tag. The gentlemen behind the bar serve the perfect cocktail, every time. The staff from management to buser are spot on and fantastic. Let's talk food! Don't miss the chance to enjoy the Bene's for breakfast or the oysters any time. Everything, from apps to entree are always fantastic. Don't rush this, leave yourself time to enjoy all they have to offer and let them share the island experience with you Fish Hopper style!
(5)
Craig R.

This place was terrible, zero selection. And most of all bad service. I got the burger because they had no other crab or lobster or most things you would find at any normal sea food place. I would absolutely not recommend this to anyone.
(1)
Steven S.

Fish was mediocre, service was pretty bad. We were disappointed with all but the water view.
(2)
Rochelle R.

We love it here!! Great food and great customer service. It can't be beat!! A must try restaurant!!
(5)
Khalilah M.

This place was awesome! The bartender shanna is like family, and the drinks were fresh and fun. I don't like fruity drinks but the natural sugar was awesome! This was the perfect spot to begin my vacation! Not to mention I was with my beautiful fiancÃ©
(5)
Angela S.

This place usually has good service. Sometimes the servers interrupt conversations frequently. The meals are hit or miss. However, their oysters from Washington are usually fresh and just amazing. Their cocktails alone are worth a trip to this restaurant, their view is spectacular, and they have what I would consider to have desserts in the top 3 in Kona.
(4)
Dennis D.

We arrived with no reservations and were directed to a prime oceanside table without waiting. Everything was perfect. We came back a couple days later for breakfast with the same result. Food, service, and view are the best in Kona.
(5)
Megan V.

Awesome service, delicious food with a gorgeous view. Watched the outriggers go by while enjoying dinner! Josh and Low our waiters took care of us!
(5)
Sterling B.

For those who remember the Ocean View, a Kailua tradition for us, I dedicate this review. The old tables and chairs are gone, and the place has undergone a tremendous facelift (justified) but the view remains spectacular. We had a good nreakfast, two eggs, bacon (spam and sausage option), toast and grilled potatoes (rice an option). The food was good, decor good, and the view 5 stars.
(4)
Johanna M.

Fish hopper was cute and it was a pleasant surprise for us. Our service was a little sketchy because our waitresses pulled a little switcharoo on us, but they figured it out eventually. The restaurant is really cute. They have a nice lanai-style dining room, and we got a table right by the window, which was nice because they are located right across the street from the ocean. It was nice. My family and I went here for breakfast during our visit to Kona because it was near our hotel. I will say that we walked past this restaurant a couple of times, and they offer free samples of their chowda, which was pretty good. They also give out free pineapple slices. Who doesn't love free pineapples? I see your scheme Fish Hopper, and it worked. You lured us in with your Costco-like marketing. I ordered the French toast which was crusted in mac nuts. I'm a texture person, so this was rather enjoyable because it was crunchy. It also came with some fruit, which I really liked. I do wish they had added more cinnamon to my French toast though. My parents shared a breakfast plate which came with eggs, bacon, hash browns...you get the picture. They said it was fine. My hubby got a crab benedict which he really enjoyed. It was good. I have discovered I love crab in my breakfast food, and their crab Benedict was pretty good. I might come back here if I was visiting Kona again, but there really are a lot better places to eat there.
(3)
Lindsey S.

Service was wonderful! Everyone from the hostess to server to busboy was extremely friendly and helpful. I had a coupon for a free appetizer and it was nice. My dish was delicious, but their menu was a little expensive. My friend ordered the Caesar salad, but we were both disappointed with the quantity. they came out with a plate with literally three leaves of Romain lettuce with dressing on it. We told them this is not adequate portions, and the only thing they did was ask if we wanted change the order, rather then asking if they wanted to increase the size.
(3)
M.L. W.

We asked someone local what the best place was to have our last dinner on the island. She immediately said The Fish Hopper!! Quick 4 minute walk. Didn't have reservations, so the prime sunset view seats were already taken. But no worries! Super great waitress, friendly, helpful, even walked outside with us to take a picture in a better location. Monchong over artichoke risotto and sears Ahi - sesame preparation. Did not disappoint! Even her suggestion for the coconut cocktail which contained a shot of amaretto was perfect. Glad we listened to the local advice!
(5)
Mary J.

Outstanding food and service. I live in Kona and it's the best of both I've had anywhere. Fresh local fish and skirt steak were excellent. Will definitely go back. Brooke was our waitress and she was good.
(5)
dave L.

We really enjoyed the Fish Hopper. It is warm and inviting inside, a well cared for property. The menu has lots of local sustainable items and very fresh seafood.The food was very good. We really enjoyed talking with the Bartender Shawna, She made us excellent drinks.. She was kind and knowlegeable about the drinks, food and the history of the island. It was a really good time. We will be going back. Thanks Fish Hopper for a great time!
(4)
Yvette K.

Well those were some very average fish tacos I had for lunch yesterday. They used 3 types of fish which made me feel like these were the leftover dregs. My friend had a cheese burger and it was also boring at best and overcooked. Our waitress (Vicki) was nice, I have no complaint there, but the food is totally blah. The food was a little slow to come out of the kitchen and it wasn't busy.
(2)
Lance T.

3.20.2015 This was my first experience at The Fish Hopper. I had dinner with clients who had been there for the past two evenings, so that is quite the endorsement. The service was excellent although while enjoying our salads, our main entrees arrived soon after we had received our salads. The salad and main entree (Macadamia Nut Crusted Mahimahi) was delicious. I would not hesitate to recommend this restaurant to future clients, friends, and family.
(4)
Michael S.

Wasn't overly impressed with the food, which was on the expensive side. The service, however, was very good. There were a number of restaurants I liked a whole lot better in the area, which are less expensive.
(3)
Peter L.

Great location and the service was pretty good. My wife enjoyed the bagel and the daughter liked the French toast. My scramble eggs were a little dry and the sour dough bread lacked its usual bite.
(2)
Nava V.

Lunch was amazing. Everything was just delicious and I just want to give a shout out to our awesome server Dayne and say thank you for your aloha. It is rare these days to get such personal service. We appreciate it and hope the owners know what a keeper you are! Thank you. We also met a manager Sam who was a big help also...Thanks again
(5)
Kathy M.

A great place for dinner all around: beautiful view, excellent food, great service, and even free parking! The first 2 pages of the menu were all cocktails with pictures, which is a fun way to start. Everyone enjoyed their entree. I got mongchong with risotto in a burre blanc sauce that was to die for.
(5)
Steve K.

We dropped by last night since it had been a while since we'd been for dinner..... we occasionally have gone for breakfast and liked it. The last dinner we went to was mediocre, but that was some time ago. Last night we had the filet and stuffed shrimp, and both of us enjoyed it. The service was excellent. The manager stopped by to check on us and talked with us for several minutes. He did this with a bunch of tables, including the billfishers in the booth next to us who remembered him from their last visit several years ago! Our server Vicki was friendly and attentive as well. We prefer to sit as far as possible from the street in the booths. If you time it correctly you get great sunset colors and a nice view without the noise of traffic. We didn't think $32 was unreasonable for a nice steak and shrimp combo. Their fish dinners were in the $30 range as well, pretty much in line with other fine dining here. Parking behind the restaurant can be a little tricky, be careful going out as there is a blind spot and pedestrians on Alii Drive may be unaware of you. So, friendly service, a good meal, another day in paradise. Life is good. mahalo.
(4)
Chuck H.

A bit touristy and the drinks are too expensive but the food and views are both terrific. We had fresh Ahi and fried calamari and it was great. Good service and a fun place to eat.
(4)
Gail P.

When I was swimming off Kailua Pier along the Ironman buoy circuit, I could smell the most divine food. I think it might have been eggs cooking on a grill and it was making me hungry! Once back on dry land, I followed the scent to a great place a block away called the Fish Hopper. Now I am not looking for any kind of buffet or fancy meal. Just something that would give me some good quality protein and maybe a drink with some alcohol in it. The Fish Hopper is the perfect place for that. They advertise a Breakfast Special with two eggs, home fries, your choice of meat and toast for a very reasonable (for Hawaii) $6.95. A good price and then you can order a Bloody Mary or Island Cocktail for $5.95. Additionally, look to sit along the side of the open air restaurant that overlooks the main drag and Kailua Bay. The view is extraordinary and the fresh smell of salt from the ocean, (even on a cloudy day) is so invigorating, Even though it might appear from it's location to kind of be a tourist trap, I can assure you that it is not. 5 YELP STARS for delicious food in Kona, Hawaii at reasonable prices.
(5)
Stephen P.

Crab Cakes, Fish and Chips, Prime Rib, Mongchong, MaiTais and Gecko Coladas... how can you go wrong? Last October the wife and I ate here twice on our anniversary vacation. Once for lunch and once for dinner. The service was very good, and the staff was very nice. The waiter took his time to tell us about the specials, and explain what each was when we were not certain. The food tasted very good. Great location, as you can watch the spray from the waves crashing on the sea-wall wash over and douse unsuspecting vacationers.
(4)
Juan S.

I went there twice for breakfast while I was on the big island. I had the Toast and the pancake special. It's a great location with good food at a reasonable price. Pros: - Great view of the ocean - Centrally located - Good variety Cons: - None
(4)
Waiola C.

Fish Hopper is our family's go to spot. Gotta love the view and food but by far the best part is the staff, Joel is fantastic, he manages to somehow always greet us at the door and show us to our table and we just love him and then we get to Darci, she is an absolute delight every time and we look forward to seeing them as much as we look forward to the oysters on the half shell which was the reason we started coming here several years ago ,those paired with the great staff that makes us feel completely at home every time The Fish Hopper is by far one you don't want to miss.
(5)
Perez P.

Absolutely Fantastic appetizers, dinner & dessert at Fish Hopper Kona Hi. Mahalo to ALL, Benji, Sabu, Joel, & Kathleen. Aloha
(5)
Brynn O.

Went here for breakfast to have some loco moco. Was very happy with the service and the food was good, a bit on the salty side but good!
(4)
Jeff H.

We visited the bar while waiting for our window table. Patty our cocktail waitress was very pleasant. Our adult beverages were very tasty. We absolutely loved our server Darci. She had great suggestions and made us feel welcome with her outstanding smile. We shared her favorite dessert. Purple sweet potato pie, even though we were extremely full. I had the monchong special and my mom had the swordfish. I liked them both the same. We will be back for sure. Hats off to the Fish hopper. Hell of a CATCH!
(5)
Lauren L.

This place is amazing. We loved the food. The clam chowder was amazing. The seafood was Great. Our sever Andrea was amazing. The mangers were so nice to my daughter and I. They got us fresh flowers to put in our hair. Would definitely come back again.
(5)
Mark H.

Food came out in like 15 mins, drinks took a bit longer but the staff is accommodating and friendly.
(4)
Vivian S.

Brittany, Shauna, and Joel were all so friendly. Shauna made a great off menu drink for me and her mai tai is killer! Brittany was great at giving recommendations and so friendly she really was a fantastic server. Joel checks in on all the takes to ensure everyone is happy and enjoying their food. We had the mahi mahi with toasted macadamia nuts and the ono, both were a well prepared and beautifully plated. Chocolate macadamia nut pie for dessert.
(5)
Romel E.

Had the pancake breakfast with an Irish coffee. I added macadamia nuts to my pancakes, had the eggs over easy, and chose the sausage as my meat. The food was good, but not amazing. I tried some of the peaberry Kona coffee, that was great! The waitress with curly hair was very nice.
(3)
Analyst C.

We came here during happy hour and to watch the sunset but unfortunately it was cloudy; then when we met Mark the bartender and decided to stay for happy hour We ordered a couple of fish tacos-each order consists of 2 fish tacos-good enough for 1 person; mixed salmon, ono with mango salsa. We also ordered the coconut shrimp which was ok served with sweet sauce. The menu dinner has alot to choose from and we decided this is the place to get dinner at reasonable price. We will definitely come back here and talk with Mark again and watch him make those special hawaiian drinks.
(5)
Noura J.

I love this restaurant! I recommend it for any one who loves great food with reasonable price :) I will definitely come back again and again. Our waiter was Jose and he was so funny and helpful.
(5)
Jenny E.

Oh my god!! This place is so ridiculously delicious.we ordered fish and chips on the kids menu and it was so soft and so good, also the fish tacos, pulled pork sandwich..delicately would come back again and again.memorable great tasting food
(5)
Shawn L.

I had the pistachio crusted mahi mahi. Good food. Outstanding view. Very good bartender/atmosphere. A bit pricey for quality but view makes it worth it.
(4)
Joel G.

This place is rock solid for fresh fish. Little less expensive than a few places and a great selection of fish dishes. Not really local but there coconut shrimp are fantastic. Great cocktails and friendly staff. Enjoyable and walk-able right in Kona. If you are in the touristy area this is a solid choice at a reasonable price.
(3)
LaVonne V.

Everyone here was very nice, but this is 2015! How hard is it to carry a few vegan options on the menu? There were NONE! ZIP! ZERO! NADA! The waitstaff said everything is prepared in butter and/or cream; the pasta contains eggs, the marinara has chicken stock? No vegan appetizers and desserts, just beverages. Pretty pathetic experience! One star for the cocktail. One star for the waitstaff.
(2)
Kristine E.

The best place on the island. So amazing. So fresh. So good. Joel is the man. If you don't go here you truly missed out on a Kona experience. It's a very family oriented place and worth every cent. The view is right on the ocean. I'm from Monterey, Ca and this is the sister restaurant to one in my home town every week. Up to par. Still thinking about that crab stuffed lobster.
(5)
H L.

One of the better restaurants in Kona. Fresh food, crispy calamari, and decent happy hour.
(4)
Katherine B.

LOVED it. The four star instead of five is due to the fact that the hostess placed us where we wouldn't qualify for the happy hour. Maybe she should have asked? I don't know. We had the clam chowder and loved it. Even the "non eaters" (8 yr old)liked it. We all enjoyed the coconut shrimp. The sauce, on the side, was good and optional for those that thought it too spicy. We then all shared in the Filet minion and lobster tail. We were all pleased. Yum dilly. I would go again. Eight year old didn't really like his pepperoni pizza but .... who's going to be totally happy?
(4)
John J.

Excellent fish dishes..... Very flavorful! The service/ wait staff was also very attentive! You also cannot beat the views!
(5)
Barbara G.

I loved this place. I came here twice, for Happy Hour each time. As a result, I can only comment on the bar area; didn't eat in the restaurant area. The drinks and appetizers, and the value you receive for your money, are great! Also, Happy Hour begins at something like 2:00 or 2:30 PM, so you will be receiving good deals. I had the nachos with chicken, which were warm and very good. I greatly enjoyed the fantastic view of the harbor and the hospitality of the staff. I arrived alone, but from the get-go, had friendly people to talk to as I relaxed and sipped my beverage. Would definitely return.
(5)
Brandon S.

My girlfriend and I came here for breakfast witch is seabed all day long, it was very responsible priced compared to the others on the beach front. Very clean and friendly staff. The cocktails are a little pricy.
(4)
Kelly M.

Love the fillet mignon! I've been here a hundred times, and the service is always great. I love that Sam, one of the managers, always stops by my table to check how we're doing. The drinks are also nice. Keep up the good work!
(5)
Robert L.

Had the coconut crusted Ono for lunch, with purple mashed potato. It was fantastic. When back the next day for blackened swordfish, nearly as good. Great friendly service too.
(4)
Sherri D.

The best time to go to Hoppers is Happy Hour. Whether you drink or not, you'll enjoy the special menu. Hawaii can be expensive, but this is one of those quiet secrets the locals like to keep to themselves. The staff at the bar are seriously fantastic and attentive. They became like family after a year or so, and we found ourselves going out for fish tacos and Stella cider whenever we had a spare night. Since leaving the island, we've found we miss the atmosphere and prices of Hoppers.
(4)
Matt B.

Went for lunch because we had a card for a free app. Great lunch. Great waiter. Went back 2 days later for dinner. The sea food had no flavor. The oysters were non existent. Desert was great. Be careful what you order
(3)
Tim N.

Very good clam chowder. Calamari was nice as well. Shrimp Trio was very good. Nice sever, with very attentive service. Great view of the bay even though we were seated 3 table rows inside the restaurant. Overall, I liked this place.
(4)
Kimberly T.

Expensive drinks! Stopped by to try out Fish Hopper for drinks and a couple of appetizers. Kona beers were $6.50 compared to $4 - 5 elsewhere. Mixed drinks $11, really? I have to say the Ahi trio was delicious. And despite reviews otherwise we found the calamari very good.
(4)
Chelsea A.

Let's get this out of the way at the start--the food is not anything amazing here, at least at lunch. It's good, exactly what you'd expect from a restaurant that caters to tourists, but you shouldn't go in expecting your taste buds to be blown away. Ok, now let's get on with it. My sister was visiting and on her last day I finally took her down to Alii Dr for the tourist walk. We stopped at the Fish Hopper for lunch because we needed a place that was A) good for two 1 year olds, B) served drinks and C) had a view. Check, check, and check. Staff was very friendly and accomodating, lunch (fish tacos for sister, veggie wrap for me, linguini with tomato sauce for the kidlets and artichoke appetizer) was fine, and of course the view overlooking the water is just lovely. The thing that brings this up to 4 stars though really is the service--my sister works in restaurants and neither of us can stomach just leaving the (inevitable) mess from the kids on the floor. Just took a second and she cleaned it up, even though the waitress told us to let them go crazy and make a mess. As we were leaving, the manager tracked us down to let us know we hadn't needed to do that, they were a family restaurant and happy to clean up. She really seemed worried that we were under the impression we HAD to clean up or something I guess? I dunno, but it was sweet. We assured her that wasn't the case and she thanked us again for coming in. This extra little service is enough to guarantee I'll be going to the Fish Hopper whenever visitors come to town.
(4)
Paige C.

My husband and I both had white fish dishes. They were both amazing! Little bit prIcey.. But so worth it!!! We will be back.
(5)
X X.

I wasn't going to go to this place until a girl out front offered me a free sample of clam chowder. I got food to go because the sample was really good and I normally don't care for seafood. I ordered to go a cup of clam chowder for $7 and a standard garden salad for $8. The portions were tiny which is why I am giving it 3 stars. Don't get me wrong. The clam chowder tasted great but the cup was equivalent to 1 scoop of ice cream! The salad was also fairly small. Looked more like a side salad that a full dinner salad. Service was fast though which is rare in Hawaii but I wouldn't return based on the portions.
(3)
Jan F.

Nothing terrific to speak of at this restaurant. Two of us ordered the Oho. It was overcooked and boring. The potato cake that accompanied the fish was bland. The plate was unappealing in general. Another diner ordered Ahi and that was good. The portions were quite large. There were some specialty beers available and Mai Tai's.
(2)
Jacqueline F.

I went here, after it was highly recommended by someone we at our resort. My husband and I were walking by and wanted a light snack, before attending a luau later on in the evening. Well, first we arrived and sat down outside. There was only one other couple there. The seating was filthy and there were birds walking around eating leftover food on the ground. They also left some "presents" on one chair. But the area we were in was relatively clean, and we actually walked there. We waited for 5-7 minutes before someone finally came out and gave us some water. She told us that someone would be with us momentarily. They never came. After another 10 minutes, my husband went inside and ordered. I wanted a cola ice cream float, he ordered a beer, and we split a salad with macadamia nuts and a lemon vinaigrette. He returned with a beer in his hand and then we waited for another 10-12 minutes. I asked my husband if he had paid, because I was just going to return to our room and raid the refrigerator. I asked him to let them know that we would take the food togo. Unfortunately, he had already paid. So we waited all of that time. When we received our order the salad looked sad and had started to wilt. We ate what we could off of it. The best thing on it were the macadamia nuts. The vinaigrette was not special in any way. I make a better one at home and did several nights later. Also, my cola float was just plain nasty. It was half full, and looked like someone's left over because above the float (which was only 60% full, there were lots of big bubbles, and disgusting looking residue on on the sides of the cup. The cup was half full and it looked like it had been sitting out for a very long time, probably the whole time we'd been waiting. I have never seen a float look like that before. I just left it on the table, took the salad and left. Gross! Disgusting! Did not want to go there at all for dinner, even though we had a coupon.
(1)
Debbie C.

Great atmosphere with ocean front views! Fun cocktails. Good selection of fresh fish. The Monchong (white flaky fish) was good but the "risotto" was more like al dente rice in cream sauce. The clam chowder was good but VERY creamy. Great cheesy place to go while you are visiting Big Island!
(3)
Sue S.

We had dinner here, enjoyed sitting by the outside wall with a view of the bay. Love these outdoor dining restaurants! Good food, but not a real extensive menu. Very nice staff, one even volunteered to take our picture! It was all good!
(4)
Jeanine M.

Came in here in the fly. Friendly service, manager even stopped by to inquire about my meal. I had a wonderful preparation of Ono with lemongrass, a to die for potato cake and tasty assortment of veggies (green beans, cauliflower, brocolini, and cabbage) Yelp reviews were only so so but they received a Trip Advisor award in 2014.
(5)
Kent M.

The Fish Hopper is a nice spot in a central location in Kona. You'll know it by the friendly lady serving free samples of their delicious clam chowder on the street! The food looked beautiful when it was brought out. Their risotto was delicious, as was the Cajun-spiced monchong that sat atop it. Not inexpensive mains, at least for dinner. However, the food quality was worth the price (the expensive drinks however, may not be). My group was met with great service here for both dinner meals that we experienced. Our servers were friendly and reasonable attentive, although there weren't frequent opportunities to top up our waters. Notably, you have great views of the pier and the beach, and Fish Hopper is a lovely spot to watch the sun set. As you head out, make sure to sample the coffee from the next-door vendor in the building (which I am guessing is owned by the same people, as the greeters seemed to cross-promote?). it's absolutely delicious and I dare you not to purchase a bag.
(4)
Crystal C.

This place is amazing. We kind of just wandered in because it was close. There's a view of the ocean from your seat. The food is amazing and the service is wonderful. Every one is happy and welcoming. We didn't wait an exceptional amount of time to give our order or get our food. Our waiter was Dayne who was very welcoming, friendly and happy to help with food choices. I highly recommend this place. Best restaurant experience I've had visiting Hawaii so far!
(4)
David W.

A 1985 menu with 2015 prices. Really, a desert tray? The only thing missing was a Michael Jackson medley.
(2)
Lori C.

This restaurant has a beautiful view and relaxing atmosphere. I love sitting at the bar and enjoying breakfast - their crab benedict special was delicious. Angela is super friendly and makes customers feel welcome. The oysters on the half shell are always great!
(4)
Wing W.

This place is a delight. We ordered loco moco and 2 eggs breakfast. The service was fast and the food was great. I'd come back. There is parking at the back.
(4)
Julie S.

The fish is sooo good here.. I was only in kona for 4 Nights and came here 3 out of 4 of those nights. If they have risotta as the special GET that. The ahi is amazing and so was the opakapaka ! Also you must get the chocolate macadamia nut pie for dessert !
(5)
Ed M.

Great view great staff, great food which means a great management team. The best risotto on the island. Been coming here for 9 trips now.
(5)
Tim A.

This is the first place I stopped at when I was Kona. I wished I had gone back because this place was really good. The beer was fresh and the food was too. The view is absolutely perfect and immediately gave you the impression you were in Hawaii.
(4)
Dawn L.

Walked in for dinner tonight and glad we did. Had the lobster ravioli, shrimp trio, and the skewers. Very good food and attentive staff. Would come back when we're on the Big Island again.
(5)
Janice T.

We would have avoided this place because it looked like a tourist trap. We only tried it because we got a free appetizer coupon from the coffee shop next door. LOCATION/ AMBIANCE: Located along Alii Drive, a short walk from Courtyard KingKam. The restaurant has an island vibe to it with a great ocean view. SERVICE: Prompt and friendly service. I guess we would not have minded if they took longer to serve our food because it afforded us more time to enjoy the ocean view. FOOD: Crab Benedict -- $14.95. I enjoyed it so much I made my husband take me there a second time. Macadamia French Toast -- $9.95 plus Banana -- $1.00. Bananas and macadamia on french toast (or pancake) is a winning combination! VIP Fruit Plate -- $10.95 Colorful presentation but not worth the price. It's a good thing it's free (because we used a coupon from the coffee house next door), otherwise we would not have ordered it. BILL: Our total bill was @26.98 without tip. It's a bit pricey for breakfast fare but we didn't mind paying a premium for the fantastic view and delicious food. VERDICT: If you're on a budget, just come for breakfast and enjoy like we did :)
(4)
Gregory P.

Excellent food, excellent service, fresh seafood. Truly amazing. We eat paleo so we needed special preparation which sometimes can be difficult to get but the Fish Hopper made our changes with a smile. We will be back
(5)
Jennifer F.

The seafood is definitely very fresh - the Ahi's to die for. I do wish the seasoning could be more on point. The view is amazing :)
(4)
M S.

Bad Hygiene This is our first trip to the island and our first dinning experience. The food was below average compared to other seafood we had in Maui and Kauai. That wasn't the problem. The real problem was one of the waiters was wiping something from the floor and then went and picked up the dishes to place on the table without washing his hand!! Both my husband and I had stomachache that night.
(1)
Arnnise Y.

We really enjoyed the Fish Hopper. We went at 3 pm between crowds. The service was great and the ambiance we wonderful. This place can really get crowded so we come either late afternoon or late morning. I had the coconut encrusted ono and my husband had a trio of crab cake, prawns and tuna. I had a sweet potato pancaje eith mine - super yummy!
(5)
Karin R.

Very friendly service. I had the bacon wrapped fish on the day over vegetables. It was good. We had Mai Tais made with mostly fresh juices. My husband had sashimi and clam chowder. He said the chowder was excellent. We'll be back.
(4)
Cynthia C.

First I would have to say the pictures on the previous reviews looked nothing like what we received. Very tasteless. Our drinks were just as bad. Give me a good drink and I can overlook the bad food. $16 for a bad fruity drink? I think not! Our waitress Sherry was the best and tried her best to improve our experience, but I only give the overall 2 stars.
(2)
Mathieu L.

Recommended by a waiter from the Sheraton Kona resort (originally for their breakfast) we had dinner and enjoyed the view of the bay right after sunset. We were very happily surprised by the food which was the best we sampled since getting in both Oahu and the big island. Amazing appetizer of Poke perfectly prepared, melting in the mouth, and mains were equally fantastic. Good service completed a great evening there. Very happy with that dinner and we had a 2 years old with us, but all went great!
(5)
Tammy L.

Our waitress Andrea is phenomenal. Her recommendations were great. The manager Dale greeted us at the hostess stand and gave us a table overlooking the water. The Macademia nut mahi mahi, monchong, and filet were delicious. The desserts: flourless chocolate cake, keylime pie, and coconut cake were great.
(5)
Amy F.

My husband and I gave this restaurant a try because they brag about their "award winning" clam chowder. It's truly a disappointment, the clam was not cleaned very well so when I took a bite, the sand grit cracked between my teeth and it gave me goose bumps. The chowder doesn't have a good flavor, all I can taste are flour thickener to make the soup thick. The price is not great either $11.95 for a bowl of thick flour clam chowder with bits of sandy clam and carrots. Their sandwiches are in the $18-$19 for lunch menu and portions are small. This place is for tourists who want a view of the ocean and a food to fill their gut. No more no less. Never again.
(1)
Kevin N.

Had an awfully slow paced service here. I am not pleased whatsoever.
(1)
Roseann E.

This morning we went to the Fish Hopper for a birthday breakfast and got greeted at the door and service seemed pretty on it. But, it took a while for water to come to the table and the Bloody Mary was full with celery salt and too much unnecessary ingredients. Not a good way to treat the birthday girl. I must say they do try to remember the menu but they are too slow to bring drinks. Food portions are a joke. I ordered fried rice for $2.50 and it came out almost about a half a regular rice scoop. I am a little lady and when I think it's a small portion it is. Avocado slice is a half of a half a avocado. You need to make noise in order for the servers to get a hint you need something or to get it fixed. The food speed was good but hamburger was well done. Cooks are totally wasting servers time and air if they do not cook the food they way it's order. I am not on good terms with going back.
(2)
Kristen R.

Picked the Fish Hopper for breakfast because they had lox & bagels and mimosas on the menu. Service was kind of slow, but the food was good. I ordered the french toast breakfast, which was a mac nut/coconut encrusted sweet bead with whipped cream and berries--yum! The drink menu is fun with pretty much everything you could think of, including two flaming drinks and a $25 Bloody Mary that has a crab cake and an oyster on it.
(4)
Mark M.

This was a great place to eat a fine meal in a casual island atmosphere. The waitstaff were helpful and friendly. Fabulous drink specials and the seafood was fresh. You could dress up for date night if you wanted but we were welcomed in our tourist beach attire. Did I mention the staff were friendly and efficient? We would definitely dine here again.
(5)
Dawn N.

Great food, great service. We had a group of 10 and the staff did a great job of taking care of us and getting our food out quickly.
(4)
Lulu Y.

Delicious ahi poke with seaweed salad on top! The burgers are huge and tasty too. If I lived here I would surely come back and try other items on the menu :)
(5)
Michele C.

My husband and I ate here on our first evening in Kona. The view of the ocean and open seating drew us into the restaurant but I will definitely be back again for the food. I had the monchong with risotto, which is a deliciously light white flaky fish on top of a creamy mouthwatering rice. The wait staff were also friendly and knowledgable about the menu. We had to try breakfast the next morning, Yummo! Crab Benedict for me and loco moco w/fried rice for my hubby. Great start to a beautiful day in Kona!
(5)
Louis R.

I've been here 2 times for breakfast...its always packed with haoles and tourists. The service before 7:30am is crazy slow....but the breakfast is deeelish. Loco mocos, urrrrymorning. Mahalo.
(4)
Graeme B.

I gave this place five stars due to the absolutely epic location and open air dining area. One of the best Kona patios. Secondly just absolutely top notch service. Friendly people who really take care of you, its nice to see a manager on the floor working hard to back up his staff. I had the fish and chips, which was halibut fresh out of the fryer. The batter was not too heavy and did not overshadow the great fish. The fries were simple, hot, and delicious. Paired with a longboard lager and i guarantee you'll be coming here for your regular fish and chip fix. Thanks for an enjoyable meal for myself and the others in my party.
(5)
Gretchen L.

Great breakfast today! Sam and Vicki topped off our great experience and being able to watch the paddling races was an added bonus! Mahalo!
(5)
Carl S.

The wife and I had a great dinner last night. Shared the 3 ahi appetizer and the Opah entree. Both were delicious and the perfect amount of food. Then we had the best cheesecake we ever had. Passion fruit cheesecake. Casual atmosphere, friendly and attentive staff.
(5)
Gina W.

Front desk recommended fish hopper. We asked for a place that was so touristy, this fit the bill. Great food! Waitress Margaret was awesome. In walking distance to hotels. Fish tacos w pineapple salsa and fries was great. Clam chowder was very cream, different but yummy. Bby pork sandwich was also very good but we got sauce on the side. Fish hopper was right across from the water....super clean restaurant and friendly staffed. I'd go back :)
(4)
Jordan A.

The most amazing night of my life. I proposed to the most spectacular woman I have ever known and she said yes! I couldn't have done it without the incredible staff. Special thanks to General Manager Matt, Manager Joel, Bar Manager Chad, Bartender Matt and Mark, our Server Tim, as well as the Hostessess and the rest of the staff for keeping this secret and special till the end!
(5)
Ben G.

This place deserves 1/2 star if that even. I came here when I was on the island vacationing with friends for a wedding party. The family had generously pre-bought drink tickets from the management and gave us all a few for drinks during dinner. As soon as the family headed home from the dinner (they left a little early) the management decided to stop serving drinks and told us the tickets can no longer be used. I asked the management to either keep serving us drinks with the PRE BOUGHT tickets or let us use the tickets the following morning for breakfast. My problem is the management oversold the tickets to the family and all of it was already paid for! Each ticket was worth at least $11 and we had a ton left! The manager wouldn't budge or compromise and went as far to say "why do you care, YOU didn't buy these tickets!" Wow! Talk about no respect for the customer! Do NOT host your parties here! Do NOT give these people your money! With so many other and better places to eat in the area I would say STAY AWAY from this place.
(1)
Vanessa F.

We walked into this restaurant when we first arrived on the Big Island since it was open and was walking distance from our hotel. This probably wouldn't have been my first choice, but I was actually pleasantly surprised. We ordered fried fish plate which had fried fish, fried calamari and fried shrimp, the appetizer crab cakes and a side Caesar salad. I usually don't like ordering fried seafood plates because the seafood is usually overcooked, but this was not the case. The fried fish and shrimp were crispy on the outside, but juicy on the inside. I absolutely loved the fried calamari, so much so we actually considered ordering another one if we were not full by the end of our meal! The crab cakes were not large, but they were good, and not overly seasoned. I loved the small salad that accompanied it, which really put my side Caesar salad to shame. The service was great, and the view of the ocean is nice. I'd definitely eat here again. Oh, and I know Yelp says this place is a steakhouse, but I only saw one steak on the menu (maybe cuz it was lunch). Still, I don't know if I'd classify this as a steakhouse.
(4)
Joe M.

So I went to this place... it's right across from the shore and has a beautiful view. Our waitress, however, was unbearable. She was rude, slow, and obnoxious. She asked me if my wife was pregnant. She's not. Then she asked if my wife wanted a vegetable dish, insinuating she needed to lose wait?? I don't know. Our meals took forever. I saw her chit-chatting with a friend, and I am pretty sure she forgot about us. Our food came out cold. Her name was Sherry or Cherry or Shari or something.
(1)
kim S.

This place is amazing. Even if you get a table toward the back the view are fantastic. Every dish that we ordered off of the menu was delicious. The kids food is great too! We ordered the crab omelet, the french toast with macadamia and coconut, the seared ahi salad, the crab benedict, mai tai's were amazing, the coffee and coconut cream pie was hands down the best I've ever had. We also ordered a chocolate flourless cake at one point we were there that was amazing. The service was great, seated quickly and food came quickly, at one point I had forgotten to ask for my daughter's food to be brought first but they thought of that without me mentioning. The kids menus are for coloring and the give crayons. Very good selection for breakfast, lunch and dinner. They also have their specials on a table by the hostess desk freshly cooked and wrapped up so you can see what you would be eating if you order. Everything is fresh ingredients from the island. Highly recommend this place! I didn't go to the bar for happy hour since I traveled with kids but that looked really fun as well. The bar is set slightly apart from the restaurant so that it makes for a nice experience for families and singles. Spacious and airy with fans running
(5)
Sean W.

I have nothing poor to say. The service was nice and very accommodating. The fish was marvelous. The open dining with the breeze was pleasant, and the view of the ocean was enjoyable. Oh, and one drink was all my sister needed.
(5)
Julie B.

No stars!! Sorry yelpers this place isn't worth your time especially for a big party!! We had a rehearsal dinner here & paid ahead & the service was horrible! The manager Joel was extremely rude & not accommodating! Unfortunately our large party paid ahead & we did NOT get what we paid for!! They "closed" the bar early although we still had more then half of our drinks tickets that we pre-paid for. And on too of that half of our party got sick from the food!! Don't waste your time or money or calories!! And I never give bad reviews...but I must warn y'all when it's beyond horrible!
(1)
Craig D.

Great views with cool breezes...warm and friendly service...comfortable relaxed seating and atmosphere...even perfect music...great food and drinks. The best spot we tried while here. The best breakfast in the islands, ask for a crab and shrimp omlette.
(5)
Angie E.

Great food, great service, spectacular views! The first time we ate at the Fish Hopper was about a year ago and our meal was so tasty we decided to return tonight as we made it back to Kona. It's always a gamble; returning to a restaurant and praying that consistency is also in their repertoire. Fortunately, this place did not disappoint! In fact, this was better than I remember! I had the sanddabs- the fish was crispy and light. The veggies that were served with the fish were fresh as could be and full of flavor. My boyfriend had the ahi- the fish was super clean with buttery texture and no fuss. Finishing it off was some of the best rice pudding I've ever tasted with obligatory island macadamia nuts and coconut. Totally worth every, delicious calorie. Do not share! You will be doing rice-pudding math if you do- scrutinizing every extra bite your partner takes! Shout-out to our waiter Bronson and all of the support staff. Our glasses were always full, our plates cleared very timely and everyone was super friendly. This place will not disappoint! Eat, relax and enjoy!
(5)
Nancy S.

We enjoyed the food on the appetizer menu; the fish tacos, the pork sliders and sweet potato fries. Everything was delicious. Our bartender/waiter from Chicago was amazing. Recommend going after 8pm.
(4)
Amelia A.

the monchong over artichoke risotto was delicious, and big enough for hubby and I to share. after reading the rave reviews we ordered the clam chowder but it was disappointing. being a Pacific Northwest gal I kind've know my clam chowder...I think! the flavor was okay but it was a little gluey. salad was okay and desserts so-so. tried the key lime pie and all of us though it was too sweet and not Limey enough. kona coffee brÃ»lÃ©e and lilikoi cheesecake okay too. not bad (we ate it all) but not anything to moan over. service and ambience was great for our party of 11. overall an enjoyable dinner.
(4)
Kimberly C.

Wonderful cuisine at reasonable prices for lunch. Had Macadamia-crusted Mahi with Molokai mashed potatoes and Seared Ahi with roasted garlic and red pepper coulis over Parmesan-crusted eggplant. Mac Nut pie and Creme BrÃ»lÃ©e for dessert. Everything was perfectly prepared and artfully presented. Friendly service.
(5)
Wendy C.

Came here for breakfast and it was delicious. A little bit pricey for my personal taste, but still work it. Customer service was pretty good, but the waitress coulda come by a bit more frequently. Will be planning on going back on my next visit.
(4)
Timothy Y.

I live in Kona and try to eat here at least once a week. Generally, I am in the bar area. Service is always great (Chad, Mark and Matt). Food is always a treat. Fish tacos are outstanding! Today I had Chicken Nachos and they were perfect. Chicken well cooked, salsa just right and chips crispy. I love the Happy Hours as well
(5)
Mary Anne B.

The restaurant doesn't look fancy from the outside but when you step in, holy moly what a great open view of Kona Bay! The food was great, and we had been looking all over to have a Flaming Volcano cocktail and this place had it. It's served in a bowl with long straws. We had oysters and poke, both superb. Our son had short ribs. Our nephew had pizza. Sherry the waitress was a sweetheart and engaging and went the extra mile in recommending some places to visit on the Island. I hope we have time to return to this restaurant, where we can just walk in. You don't have to sit right next to the window to enjoy the view, and is probably better if you sit back a few rows. Enjoy.
(5)
Nari H.

This place was pretty good. I'm torn between a 3 and a 4 star rating. My friend ordered the crab cake appetizer and I had one of their burgers. Both were tasty and their salads were nice. Everything we ate was good, but their fries were subpar when we were there. May have just been a fluke that time. Decor was just average, but the view of the beach/pier across the street is nice. Service was standard.
(3)
Pamlyn C.

I got the Big Island Fish Tacos with a cup of clam chowder. The fish tacos were not good. The fish seemed old, hard, and dry. The clam chowder was the best. I would just come for the clam chowder. I think they won awards for it. My sister got the Fish Hopper Combo and the calamari was delicious, fish was tough and dry. Great service though.
(3)
Julie H.

We really enjoyed breakfast at The Fish Hopper and the service was excellent. My boyfriend had the breakfast special and I had the the French toast breakfast. We went back for breakfast the next morning. Can't forget to mention the beautiful view of the ocean !
(5)
Adriana O.

I really enjoyed this place. The service is very good. The food was fresh, tasty and delicious. I strongly recommend !!
(5)
Francis S.

Wow ! My first visit to the Big Island and what a score I had for my family and friends when by chance walking through Kona we found Fish Hopper Restaurant, the greeting from the Hostess was lovely and warm, the service was awesome and the Manager Sam stopped by the table several times to make sure everything was perfect. Oh, and the food was amazing ! Far exceeded all our expectations. Sam made us feel like we where family even though we were far from home. I believe the Hawaiians have a word for that but it escapes me. Before we left our vacation on the Big Island we had to go back to Fish Hopper's one more time to visit Sam and his Gang ! What a treat.
(5)
Chuck D.

We've eaten breakfast and dinner here a total of six times in the past two weeks. Consistently high food quality and top-notch service. Prices higher than nearby establishments for dinner are worth it.
(4)
Patrick L.

Dropped by this AM for a quick breakfast with the family. Just because it is so close to town and plus we found an excellent parking spot. The kids loved the eggs and spam.the Portugese sausage was yummy. Plus i got some good kona coffee. Ambience is good (at 10am). the view of the water is great. Watch the sea splash. Will try their dinner soon.
(4)
Sandy B.

Simply fantastic! If you are going to splurge on one meal, this is the place. If price isn't an issue you will come back over and over.
(5)
Melissa M.

Nothing spectacular about this place. I had the prime rib sandwich for lunch and it was very fatty. The waitress we had was not as friendly as the rest of the staff members seemed to be. We had to ask for things like a straw, napkins and ranch more than two times, and the place wasn't even that busy (maybe 15 guests in the whole restaurant at the time). A plus: the restroom was clean. The part we enjoyed most about this place was the view of the ocean. If someone asked me about where to eat in town, I would not bring up this place.
(3)
Mariel F.

Gluten free was NOT. I was made very sick by breading on one side my supposedly gluten free shrimp and steak kebabs. It appears the grill was not cleaned before my allergy dish was prepared. $20 for 3 small (frozen) shrimp and 5oz of dried out, well done steak when it was ordered medium rare. $10 for a pineapple mojito, but not a trace of the well barcardi could be tasted by anyone at the table. $$ is a lie, with entrees starting at $22 and going to $45+ it's easily $$$.
(1)
EC R.

FABULOUS! Great location with ocean breezes. Staff is friendly & inviting. We loved the happy hour drinks & food!! Can't beat those fish tacos anywhere! Big chunks of fish, whatever is fresh that day and from the trim of the filets. Never seen so much fish (and fine fish at that) in a taco! The flour tortillas were cooked perfectly and had a nice taste themselves. Also loved the Cesar salad (with shrimp)! Happy hour prices are a great value!! Great way to sample the menu, too! We went every day. Thank you!
(5)
Cynthia D.

We are from New England visiting Hawaii and as much as we just love the state, the fish from Hawaii is just not as good as fresh New England haddock or cod! Great restaurant, attentive but not over bearing service, wonderful view of the bay, an all round good experience. The coconut shrimp was excellent!
(4)
Mike R.

As with many restaurants in downtown Kona, this place has a great view. I went with a group of 8 on a Tuesday. They allowed me to call and make a reservation, so that made it easy. They also have some parking behind the restaurant, which is nice considering how tough parking can be in that area. Our server was above average both in terms of pleasantness and attentiveness. We ordered drinks that were a bit overpriced and nothing to rave about. We also ordered a calamari appetizer. I don't eat calamari, but the table appeared to enjoy it, it looked like I expected, and I heard no complaints. For my entree I ordered the 7 oz filet. This isn't a steakhouse, so I won't judge them by that standard. It was a good mid rare, but the steak was a bit dry and lacking flavor. It was edible, but definitely overpriced. Compared to its competition, this isn't a bad place to visit considering Kona isn't exactly a culinary destination to begin with.
(3)
Grace M.

L-O-V-E The Fish Hopper! After walking up and down Ali'i, my husband and I were on the hunt to find three things: 1) good food 2) good drinks 3) clear ocean view. Is that too much to ask for on vacation? :) This place has it all - in addition to the BEST service. We were seated right away and everyone was so friendly. The manager, Joel, went out of his way to kindly greet us and even took our drink order. We also saw him help the bus boy clean up something he accidentally dropped on the floor. That itself speaks volumes about the leadership of this business. We've dined/had drinks at a few places in the same area and The Fish Hopper is clearly above the rest. My only regret is that I wish we found this place sooner. :) We will return!
(5)
Sean S.

Friendly staff and a good deal. Cheap drinks ($5 for a goblet) but the food was pretty dry and forgetful.
(4)
Kayan H.

Steak and lobster tail = yummy! Ahi tuna salad = good mushroom ravioli = the sauce was very good but it only came with like 4 raviolis and it wasn't a kiddie meal. Calamari appetizer was good. I would've given this place a 4 star rating, except that towards the end of our meal, a giant cock roach was walking on my friend's lap. He yelled and swatted it away, no one came by as we stared at it for a good minute, and people around us were looking too. Finally, the bar tender came around and stomped on it. Gross.
(2)
Stephen C.

Their prices for appetizers and drinks can't be beat during happy hour. They have two sets of happy hour specials 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm. Great deal and great atmosphere right across the street from the ocean.
(4)
Karin T.

Excellent fish. Excellent lobster. Steak just OK. But why get steak at a seaside place called fish hopper?
(4)
Jim M.

Great spot, right on the ocean. Parking in back. Seated quickly, friendly service and excellent seafood.
(5)
Dina H.

Great view, great service & great food! Ordered the chicken wrap sandwich and macadamia nut crusted Mahi Mahi with salad. Delicious! And Dayne was a fabulous server. And if all THAT wasn't enough, it was the least expensive meal we've eaten since arriving in Kona. Definitely check it out!
(5)
Bill C.

Food and service were not spectacular. Great waterfront view of the ocean and especially great for sunset. Came here on a Saturday morning with 4 friends. Food was not spectacular. Got a coke. Lacked the kick from the carbonation. Tried the loco moco, and I've definitely had better. The gravy for the loco moco lacked flavor. Also had some of the crab benedict. It was lacking flavor. What a surprise. Service was not spectacular. Asked the waitress to split the check 4 ways, and she rolled her eyes. She also scoffed at my friend's ID. There's no need to laugh at somebody who is 23, but looks like a prepubescent middle school student. Not that the service was offensive, but like the food, it was bland. Would definitely come back only for drinks and the view.
(2)
Jonathon A.

Excellent food. Was looking for a place to eat in the evening, was new in town. It is kind of trash touristy around this place so this was the only place that looked decent. It is nice and open, by the water. The prices were a little bit of shock because it looks very casual inside and out and this part of town does not look exclusive at all. However, the food was excellent! They had a breakast special that we went to a couple days later and that was more reasonable and very good!! Parking is a real negative though. Forget parking in the lot behind, i never saw an open space back there. We had to park blocks away and walk in the dark and it doesn't seem the safest in this area.
(5)
Reed N.

We did take out late on a Saturday. Service was quick, and the manager even tried to sell us a bottle of wine while we waited! LOL The Mediterranean Seafood pasta was fine. It lacked a little acidity in the light sauce, but it was obviously healthy. The scallops were good, the shimp "meh," but the chunks of fish were excellent. The fish and chips were what I would expect. Standard fare, but they did use what seemed to be mahi mahi as the fish instead of the mainland standards of haddock or cod. Another plus for homemade tarter sauce... I found a small chunk of pickle that did not get ground up, so I knew it was house-made. : )
(3)
Todd G.

I love places like the Fish Hopper which offer a relaxed dining experience with just a touch of old school charm. We had made a reservation and were greeted by name when we arrived. That grace note set the service tone for the entire meal as each member of the staff treated us well and made us feel special. We skipped appetizers and went for the Grilled Sand Dabs and Ahi Salad. The Sand Dabs were breaded perfectly and were complemented by a traditional mix of steamed vegetables and creamy mashed potatoes. A little too much butter for my taste, but there was nothing on my plate at the end! The Ahi salad was a hit with my partner who enjoyed the crunch of the cabbage along with the perfectly, lightly seared fish. We ended with the flourless chocolate cake which was a delightfully decadent treat. I would add, if you're planning to watch the sunset as you dine, you're not going to see it this time of year as the restaurant faces southeast. The water view is still magnificent, however, and adds to the comfortable ambience of the dining room.
(4)
Andy G.

I can definitely understand some of the negative reviews this place receives. Despite the fact that there are employees visible everywhere--probably one per table at least--they all hurry around but never quite look like they are doing anything. We were seated right away, but it took quite a while for our server to come over. I got the impression that no one knew who was supposed to get our table until I made eye contact with a manager and he told someone to serve us. That's normally a bad sign and I usually leave if I have to wait 5 min or longer after being seated before a server comes over. But, we waited... Overall we were rewarded. The server that did come over was friendly and efficient. The food was decent and not overly filling, but lacked much flare or inspiration considering the cost. The entrees are around $20 and up, for which one expects some serious goodness.
(3)
Jason W.

Great food, great service. I had the fresh fish trio(tuna/hebi/mahi mahi) which was prepared very well. Also, the clam chowder was better than expected!!
(5)
Aileen C.

What a great meal! Best I've had on our one week trip. First, earlier in the afternoon Sam the manager took our reservation. He was wonderful and as promised a window table was waiting for us. Brittany (our waitress) was wonderful! She provided suggestions and was extremely attentive and just outstanding. I had a loaded Bloody Mary (came with 3 shrimp) which was perfectly spiced and yummy. My husband had a longboard lager which he enjoyed. He had the lemongrass Ono which was fresh and delicious. I had the shrimp trio-fabulous! The lava cake special with icecream was dessert and was oozing dark chocolate. All in all a 5 star experience (and I am a foodie :))
(5)
Chloe C.

My family visited the Fish Hopper for dinner. It looked pretty busy so we decided to stop in. We became pretty disappointed when the food came out though. I had the blackened swordfish with risotto. It was a great piece of fish, but wasn't close to blackened. The risotto was delicious though. My brother had the teriyaki skewers with steak and shrimp. It was pretty much tasteless and the steak was almost rubbery. We did tell our waitress about this, and she made it half price. With the quality of the meal, I was expecting we would get it for free. Overall, the service was good, the spot was good, but the food was not worth the money. Also, shoutout to Flavio, he was the friendliest one there.
(3)
June S.

We were riding down Alii Drive and noticed the sign that The Fish Hopper had been voted best seafood restaurant in 2012, so we made a reservation for later in the week. I can see why they received this award. The food was excellent and the service was outstanding! I had the beef and shrimp skewers and my husband had one of the fish specials. Both were excellent! And there was always someone walking by our table to pour more water or get anything we needed. Oh, the chocolate macadamia nut pie was wonderful! We didn't order the clam chowder, but the sample that the lady gave us as we walked in, was delicious! We had a table by the window so we watched the sunset while waiting on our food. The meal was expensive, but that's to be expected for a nice restaurant in Hawaii.
(5)
Cesar R.

10:00 AM Raw fish pre breakfast snack AHI POKE ($7.95) yelp.com/biz_photos/qqb3â€¦ Ridiculously large cubes of raw marinated Ahi. Basically tuna sashimi served atop some greens in a tasty soy sauce and sesame oil marinade dressed with some fresh sliced onions. Is there a better way for a dad to start a morning than with an oceanside view, tasty raw seafood and a semi conscious infant? yelp.com/biz_photos/qqb3â€¦ I highly doubt it.
(4)
Joanne C.

Only 3.5 stars on Yelp? Pleasant surprise... this place was good! We came here for a wedding lunchon. Service was friendly. Great place for large parties. Ocean view. Fresh fruit was excellent!! It was served with strawberry yogurt, which was just okay. I was happy with just my plate of fruit. Calamari was good. Served with 2 dipping sauces. MACADAMIA NUT MAHI-MAHI WAS DELICIOUS! This is a must! Good portion. I got mine with rice and my boyfriend got his with the Sweet Molokai Mashed Potatoes. For dessert, we shared with the table...Lilikoi Cheese Cake, Chocolate Macadamia Pie, and Bread Pudding which were all good.
(4)
Joedda B.

Consistently yummy food and the staff are so friendly and courteous! If you're lucky Margaret will wait on you. Kathleen is the best supervisor of this establishment! Always remembers patrons, friendly and accommodating.
(5)
Pete M.

Loco moco - best I've ever had in Hawaii. Macadamia French toast was primo! Friendly if not very fast service. Relaxing and a spot with a great view! Give it a try!
(5)
Jamie D.

Mixed review. I came here last night for happy hour and had a great time. Calamari, fried artichokes, and fish tacos were all great. Most drinks and food were $2 off regular price with happy hour which made them normal price. I would definitely recommend coming for happy hour. I also came for breakfast and had the French toast combo. Prices were a bit high for the size and quality but if you aren't too hungry it's ok. Friendly staff though
(4)
Jeff M.

Made reservations for 4 with an ocean view and everyone was more than satisfied.food was fresh and cooked perfectly as we ordered and service was great!
(5)
S Sebastian K.

My girlfriend and I visited this restaurant after a referral from someone from our hotel. We had the fish tacos which were a bit fishy for us. The service was great.
(2)
Adam S.

The food and drinks here were great! I had the fish of the day sandwich which was awesome!
(5)
Balt D.

This place looks like the typical tourist trap from the outside so I've ignored for several trips now. After talking with one of the locals she said this is where she usually takes visiting friends and family for seafood so I decided it was worth checking out for dinner. Nice view of the water and the staff is friendly. Their menu says number one rated clam chowder so I ordered a cup. It was very good. Good enough that next time I will probably get in a sour dough bowl and make that my meal. That was my thought until my main course arrived. Parmesan Crusted Butterfish (see my picture post). I'm not normally a fish eater so it has to be really good for me to like it. I enjoyed ever bite. I think this may become one of my regular places. The only negative would be the price. Very expensive but when done you don't feel like you didn't get you moneys worth.
(5)
M K.

Well prepared fresh seafood with a great view overlooking Kona harbor. Ask for Linda; she will go out of her way to take care of you!
(4)
Patty J.

What this place needs is organization. Had a lot of people running around but it seemed really unorganized. Food was pretty good but service was absolutely terrible. All personal was extremely happy but not very observant about waiting on you (whether it was their table or not). How much does it take to fill water glasses? We sat 15 minutes waiting on our check. But there was a lot of talking going on between employees. A picture is worth a thousand words. I asked for a spoon and never did get it. We sat at the bar but ordered a meal. My husband always tips well. This time he didn't and almost left none. 8% when he normally leaves 15 to 20%. This is the only review we have done on Yelp and thought it was bad enough to share. We come to Hawaii once a year but this place will not be on our list to revisit.
(2)
Nick H.

We had breakfast here and the food was far better than Bongo Bens. They also had great service and an amazing view!
(4)
Mark H.

Service: everybody was super friendly. Perhaps the Hawaiian mentality is a pervasive reason why drinks aren't usually refilled very quickly, but, that is a small price to pay for the friendly "aloha" spirit that is widespread at every restaurant I went to on the island of Kona, HI. The food: my one meal was served with an eye for presentation fairly well. The fish was bland, and I don't really think the "grilled fish sandwich" was grilled at all. It appeared to have been baked. No matter, it tasted reasonably good. The french fries were crisp and hot. Atmosphere: I could not have been more pleased with the atmosphere. The restaurant is very nicely decorated with Hawaiian-type appointments. The open air cafÃ© was just across the street from the Pacific Ocean, with the waves lapping against the black-sanded, volcanic-rock shore. The weather was perfect and I neither needed a jacket, nor a cloth to wipe my brow. Would I go again "? Heck yes! I plan to return, and this time take my friends. Menu: the menu had several delicious sounding meals, and, in addition, they actually had several of their best dishes on display as well as their several interesting drinks. One of the "drinks" even had sliders skewered in long sticks above the beverage. So when you order the beverage, you got a fish sandwich slider with it. How amazing is that?! Value: for the sights, sounds, and taste... The food was very reasonably priced. My fish sandwich and fries, mind you, the fish was fresh and was approximately 5 to 6 ounces, was $14. I would never pay this, stateside, but considering the exotic location, and the tremendous geography, I was happy to pay it. The iced tea was $2.45.
(4)
Christine B.

We thoroughly enjoyed our meal here. The food and service was excellent. Highly recommend.
(5)
Randy W.

The Macadamia Nut Crusted Mahi Mahi is delicious here! On a week stay on the Big Island I had tried Mac Crusted Mahi Mahi at two other fine restaurants (one priced at $40!) & they were not prepared as interestingly as at The Fish Hopper. I enjoyed it so much I came back a second time. They have it on their lunch menu priced @ $16 (before 4pm) or $25 for the dinner portion. Great ambiance inside with a nice view of the water. Service was excellent also. I liked it so much I may have to try their other location in Monterey, CA. Highly recommended!
(5)
Paul O.

This is the best restaurant on the bay in Kailua Kona. Everyone should try it. You'll love it and the service is great also. Paul
(5)
Brandi B.

We had a delicious breakfast here! Great food, beautiful view, great service! The crab/avocado omelette was awesome!
(4)
Trish J.

Went here for Mother's Day dinner and had a fabulous meal. The homemade clam chowder soup is the best I tasted so far. It's to die for. I had a rib eye for dinner along with some roasted asparagus and steamed vegetables. The steak was cooked to perfection. The location has a spectacular view of the Pier and at the time of dinner we were able to enjoy a beautiful Kona Sunset on their lanai seating. Mother's Day was phenomenal for me. Will totally have more special occasion dinner's here since it was a bit pricey. Spent $140.00 for 2 adults and a child, but the food and service was well worth every dollar.
(5)
Lee D.

Disappointing!!! For $300 for 4 people I expect my food to be excellent. The oysters for the appy and the key lime pie for dessert were good. Our waiter Tim was attentive and good. This review is based solely on the poor quality of the entrees. They were bland and appeared to have no seasoning. My wife's steak was over cooked I should have sent it back. My daughters seafood pasta had 0 flavor and no spice to speak of, the seafood was tough and over cooked. My seared Ahi was not much better. As a restaurant you should shine on Christmas Eve it is your largest night! As an aside I think this is the first poor review I have actually written on yelp I just couldn't let this dinner slide without comment.
(2)
Tom S.

I wasn't impressed with The Fish Hopper, my wife and I came here looking for fantastic fish but were met with high priced mediocracy. We had better fish for breakfast at Big Island Grill and Lava Java. However, the clam chowder was delicious, grab a free sample on your way to Lava Java.
(2)
Blake S.

The clam chowder is worth going for. It was lovely. The drinks were so so, and the bar smelled like it had been there for a long time. If you have worked in a restaurant and know that great smell in the kitchen, kind if like first used mop water, that is what it smelled like sitting at the bar. Fish tacos for happy hour were not too bad. Fish a bit over done. I would go back for a beer and clam chowder in a heart beat. I didn't think one great item warranted more stars. Without the chowder this would be a no return.
(3)
Tam H.

Best clam chowder I've ever had! I live in CA and I've had clam chowder in San Francisco, Pismo, Monterey. ...doesn't even come close to this clam chowder.
(5)
Mrs. M.

My husband and I stopped here for lunch. We were both immensely impressed. Ocean view while we ate fresh food. My husband had chicken teriyaki with a papaya salsa. I had the macadamia nut crusted mahi mahi with fresh veggies and fresh mashed taro. Absolutely delicious lunch.
(5)
Candra M.

We picked this place for our first lunch of the vacation. It wasn't busy and it has a nice view of the water. This place is a bit pricey for what it is and the other restaurants around it but it was ok. I ordered the grilled fish sandwich and it was ok. Not the best nor the worse I've ever had. Someone else in our party had the pulled pork and the really enjoyed it. All in all, just ok. I wouldn't go back though. The staff was friendly and fast.
(3)
Rod P.

Ok. Been checked in for a while. OMG, the best Coconut Prawns I have ever eaten.we ordered a second batch they were so good.
(5)
Terry J.

This restaurant does not care about its customers! Three weeks ago I was told we don't reserve tables for special occasions, I get there and all the tables were RESERVED! I asked what was going on, told sorry a "few slipped in by mistake",and the person behind me was telling the wait person, we just got onto the island, heard about the parade, came in and I got the reservation! The manager was as more rude than I have ever witnessed! My wife and friends on the island like the food, but doubt we will be back due to the way they treat people and change their stories to fit what they want to say. Terry X customer!
(1)
M K.

Absolutely Fantastic! Everything is fresh and delicious -- locally grown. Yeah! We LOVE dining here, and invite ohana near and far. We especially like your kama'aina menu and desserts. Service is Great! Overall ambiance superb. Mahalo Nui Loa!
(5)
Lynne F.

Our experience was pretty good, especially considering its in the downtown tourist area. Setting very pleasant with cool breezes off the water. My friends ordered drinks, the Bloody Mary being the best selection- meal in itself. The hostess accommodated our request for oceanside table and the waiter was prompt as we were trying to get an airplane. My friend and I shared the sea bass in risotto. Very yummy, well seasoned and good. Other friend had clam chowder because she filled up on the Bloody Mary All said we were pleased with the evening. Prices are a bit high but the food was good, service was a bit slow but very attentive
(4)
Jordan S.

I was promptly seated by the hostess but for some reason we weren't able to sit at a table by the window as it wasn't "allowed" with a high chair. There were only five tables seated in the entire restaurant with two servers working you would think that service would not take long. We waited there for over 15 minutes before a servers assistant came to our table, dropped off some water, apologized for the wait. He informed us that someone would be right with us. My son was the only one that actually got to eat as we brought his meal with us. We sat there for another 10 minutes while my son ate and got up and left. They do have a great view but I couldn't tell you about the food. And as far as the service goes...
(1)
Kathleen C.

We had a surprising wonderful lunch there today. The service was terrific, delightful , friendly waitress and the coconut shrimp salad was delicious... Fresh, great flavor and great coconut shrimp! We've been underwhelmed with the food here, but will definitely return here
(5)
Bill D.

Was great for a couple of cocktails and calamari. View fantastic and service in the bar was friendly and fast. Very chill.
(4)
Tom M.

We love this place. Came back a second timed during out 10 day visit to Kona. First time our server was Darci. She was excellent and well versed in the selections. I had the Ahi, and my wife had Ono. Both were cooked perfectly and the presentation was beautiful. We were so impressed that we came back 7 days later to be served by Gregg. Another great experience. I had Monchong and my wife had the tower of ahi and crab. This might not be the fanciest place, but we love it.
(5)
Patrick M.

The food was ok, but the service we had was terrible, the server only came by to take the order and bring the check. When I asked someone if I could get fresh ground pepper he was like umm I think so and never came back! It was so bad I didn't tip!
(1)
Mason D.

This is THE place to go in Kailua Kona for fresh fish. On my first visit, had the Mongchong.... delicious. On my last visit this past Saturday, I had the Mahi Mahi with garlic mashed potatoes over a pepper sauce that was out of this world. The fish portion was more than adequate and there was enough potatoes and sauce to accompany evey bite of fish. Our desserts, yes we had two, were the Lilikoi Cheesecake and the Kona Lime Pie. Incredible. The service was excellent, VERY attentive staff and of course the view was nice. Next visit will be eating here for lunch and breakfast for sure!!!
(5)
Hanna C.

If you have time to stop by when they serve breakfast order the macadamia nut French toast! its so good.
(5)
Josh R.

I have to agree with the other awesome reviewers on here, as well as reviews from locals, other tourists, and even those from other apps. I read the suggestions of ordering the macadamia-crusted Mahi-Mahi, and even though it wasn't inexpensive to say the least, it was worth paying for! Great service, amazing atmosphere, & service was high-grade. Thank you all for a great dinner on my first night in Hawaii! ^__^
(5)
A K.

I wished I read some of the reviews here before going to this place but my family and I were hungry and we were in the mood for good seafood and came upon this place. I was a bit taken aback by the prices at first but considering the view was nice and the seating arrangements were comfortable enough we thought we were getting our money's worth. Boy were we wrong. We ordered 4 different dishes and while they didn't taste terrible and the portions were fine we didn't finish feeling satisfied. The food was just bland and the worst part is the presentation makes it look a lot better than it tastes. As for the service, while our waitress was nice we felt ignored for the most part. We waited at least 15 mins for our drinks, 25-30 mins for our dinner, and another 15-20 minutes for our desert. It was odd because the place wasn't busy and there was more than enough people working. As someone else has mentioned this place is a "tourist trap" and I fully believe it after dinning here. I have no problem splurging on good food with a nice view if the food actually tastes good. I just felt cheated after eating here. That is not the way you want to spend your money when vacationing on the Big Island. Do yourself a favor and dine elsewhere.
(2)
Michael T.

We have eaten here twice. The first time I said I'd never go back but a family member visiting from Honolulu thought the place was classy so we went a second time -- just confirmed that the place is all talk and pretty and does not deliver. It also charges thru the nose for the location. They unfortunately could care less and don't try very hard. Neither time we went were they slammed but they acted like we were on the end of a big list. I never did get coffee on one trip. A second time I was floored the same thing started to happen again and with a totally different wait staff. The food was pretty, but looked like a sample you would be served from Costco, and the quality did not make up for the lack of portion, it just added insult to injury. Folks, just walk next door. You'll save about $5 and get some decent food and much less attitude and you'll keep yours -- go to Tante's next door.
(1)
Ellen M.

This restaurant is the best value in Kona. Great views, free parking in the back, reasonable prices, and excellent customer service! They have an early-bird menu before 6pm that you must request -- $15 for soup/salad, an entree, and dessert. The presentation is fantastic and the food is cooked perfectly. I had the ahi salad one night, and a shrimp/steak kabob another --- really good!!! The coconut brioche french toast was a hit with our group for breakfast. My only suggestion is that their flower arrangements needed refreshing.
(5)
Ibte K.

Had lunch here after the Atlantis submarine outing( across the street) .. My husband had the fish and chips.. I had the blackened ahi medium rare with veggies.. Both very good.. Didn't try desserts but looked huge and diner behind me seemed to be enjoying the macadamia pie..service was very good..
(4)
Nicole R.

We had our wedding reception at the fish hopper in August. As we are from the mainland I worked with Sam via email in getting the whole thing set up. Sam and his staff are very personable, very attentive and made our whole meal an experience. I would highly recommend this as a place to hold your special event. I can't wait to go back for our five year anniversary. You can bet we'll be back. Mahalo!
(5)
Donna P.

This place needs help learning how to run a restaurant from the TV show Restaurant Impossible. This restaurant might be making money, but it is not because of good food or good service. The location is wonderful, but the food was inedible and the service was poor at best. The chef was heavy handed with the salt shaker and no other seasoning. We tasted the pork, ribs and clam chowder, but could not eat them. Stop by and have a drink, but pass on the food at The Fish Hopper. Save your money. There are too many great restaurants in Kona to eat at TheFish Hopper.
(1)
Jeremy V.

pricey, but all i can really say is PURPLE SWEET POTATO PIE. i love sweet potato pie, but purple sweet potato pie with a coconut cream layer? out of this world! the service was great - our server recommended the walu special, and i was very happy to have tried it. the walu was super buttery and panko encrusted. my fiance had the mushroom ravioli and enjoyed them. our server even brought us fresh baked rolls (on request) to take care of the rest of the tasty red sauce the ravioli were bathed in. their house bloody mary was a great classic rendition of one of my favorites - 3 shrimp, 3 olives, a celery stalk and julienne carrots with plenty of pepper. yum. they were also ready to accommodate our party of 8 which was convenient. great view as well! perhaps a little pricey, but i think the entrees were well done with average sized portions. you have to expect to pay a little more in such a touristy spot.
(4)
Amy A.

it was convenient since it was right there when we get into town. not sure why it's rated one of the best seafood restaurants (in flight magazine...probably paid to be listed in the top 10) but the service was friendly. we were starving so anything goes. i thought it was a little pricey for what it was but you pay a premium for anything on ali'i drive. 2 stars for main course/service but extra star for the dessert. yummy...
(3)
Kim K.

We had dinner here because the dude at the rental car place gave us a free appetizer coupon. The Asian in me couldn't refuse free, lesson learned. This place was nasty. We ordered the fried calamari which came out in batter clumps. I had the opah for my entree which was burnt and hard as lava rocks. The bf ordered ahi tuna which came out completely cooked through! Drinks are watered down here too. Keep walking.
(1)
Traveling D.

Tasty food, ample portions Great service, fast, polite. Nice view, seated at a window table. Manager gave us recommendations for local places as well. All around fun place. Didnt try the drinks but they looked great. Would recommend to everyone.
(5)
Ginny S.

We visited the Fish Hopper in Feb., 2011. Made a reservation and were given a lovely booth that gave us a good view out the windows as well as of the restaurant. The free appetizer, we chose the hummus, was very good as were our dinners. Our only complaint is that it is VERY pricey. Without drinks, but with dessert, our meal was $63.
(4)
Salma S.

We thought that this would be a good place to rest our feet and grab a bite to eat. We were seated immediately - great! The waitress asked us to slow down while we were placing our orders. Never again to be seen until we asked for the check. The main courses came out before the ice teas, soup, and appetizer that we had ordered. We asked soem random guy three times about our ice teas, soup and apetizer - it took him that long to get it right. Aweful, aweful experience. Service was poor, seating was ok, and food was just ok.
(2)
A K.

I wished I read some of the reviews here before going to this place but my family and I were hungry and we were in the mood for good seafood and came upon this place. I was a bit taken aback by the prices at first but considering the view was nice and the seating arrangements were comfortable enough we thought we were getting our money's worth. Boy were we wrong. We ordered 4 different dishes and while they didn't taste terrible and the portions were fine we didn't finish feeling satisfied. The food was just bland and the worst part is the presentation makes it look a lot better than it tastes. As for the service, while our waitress was nice we felt ignored for the most part. We waited at least 15 mins for our drinks, 25-30 mins for our dinner, and another 15-20 minutes for our desert. It was odd because the place wasn't busy and there was more than enough people working. As someone else has mentioned this place is a "tourist trap" and I fully believe it after dinning here. I have no problem splurging on good food with a nice view if the food actually tastes good. I just felt cheated after eating here. That is not the way you want to spend your money when vacationing on the Big Island. Do yourself a favor and dine elsewhere.
(2)
Michael T.

We have eaten here twice. The first time I said I'd never go back but a family member visiting from Honolulu thought the place was classy so we went a second time -- just confirmed that the place is all talk and pretty and does not deliver. It also charges thru the nose for the location. They unfortunately could care less and don't try very hard. Neither time we went were they slammed but they acted like we were on the end of a big list. I never did get coffee on one trip. A second time I was floored the same thing started to happen again and with a totally different wait staff. The food was pretty, but looked like a sample you would be served from Costco, and the quality did not make up for the lack of portion, it just added insult to injury. Folks, just walk next door. You'll save about $5 and get some decent food and much less attitude and you'll keep yours -- go to Tante's next door.
(1)
Ellen M.

This restaurant is the best value in Kona. Great views, free parking in the back, reasonable prices, and excellent customer service! They have an early-bird menu before 6pm that you must request -- $15 for soup/salad, an entree, and dessert. The presentation is fantastic and the food is cooked perfectly. I had the ahi salad one night, and a shrimp/steak kabob another --- really good!!! The coconut brioche french toast was a hit with our group for breakfast. My only suggestion is that their flower arrangements needed refreshing.
(5)
Alaina J.

While in Kona, my family and I ate at Fish Hopper on two separate occasions. The food was good, the service was excellent, and the view excellent. Also, my husband forgot his phone at the restaurant, and they kept it safe for him. I really appreciate their honesty. I will definitely be visiting the Fish Hopper in Kona, as well as the one in Monterey, CA.
(4)
Amanda S.

I couldn't believe this cheesy, touristy looking place had such great food!!! The fish and preparation where great!!! It was the end of the night and the place was dead (everything shuts down at 8 or 9 in HI) and the service was great. Definitely will go back.
(4)
Michelle R.

My first experience here was great, so I decided to come back with my fiance's grandmother. I made the reservation through Open Table days earlier and I'm not really sure where the disconnect happened but the second time was really disappointing. I requested a window seat so that we'd have a nice view and when we got there, they sat us towards the back. I asked the hostess about the request that I had made and she told me that they don't reserve window seats. Our waiter was never around when we needed him and half way through the meal I see the hostess put up a RESERVE sign on a window seat! I could not believe it! I went up to the manager to let him know and he was fumbling for words. He did nothing to show us that he was sorry. The food was only mildly warm and they don't have an easy way for a disabled person to get into their restaurant. Go to HUGGO's or Splasher's Grill. They offer MUCH better service.
(2)
Curious L.

We ordered Macadamia Nut Mahi-Mahi and Fish Hopper Combo. The Mahi-Mahi was super. The fried fish is good. The fish from the kids meal is so so. You can tell the fish of the kids meal is not as fresh as the regular menu.
(4)
Phil F.

The rule in vacation area restaurants is that if the restaurant has great views, then the food will be mediocre. This rule holds for this restaurant. Prices were decent and happy hours drinks were good for $4.00. Service was good, no complaints. We had 3 different dishes amoung 4 of us. Everyone rated the food OK. Not great, not bad.
(3)
R G.

We went here because they boasted a gluten free menu. Unfortunately what makes their food gluten free is they cook the food without any spices. That was a disappointment. It would be nice if the chefs would go the extra mile and create a gluten free sauce or seasoning blend. My husband ordered from the mainstream menu and didn't find his food to have much more flavor than mine. To top it all off, our lunch bill came to $48.00. Seemed a bit excessive for the quality of food we were served. You can definitely do better than Fish Hopper.
(2)
Cathy S.

The scenery was outstanding, the staff were great and the food was excellent!! Next trip back to Kona, we are definately eating here again! We ate here 3 days after the Tsunami - everyone in Kona really worked together to clean up things.
(4)
Josh B.

Went here for dinner. On the plus side both fish entrees we got were quite nice. On the minus the appetizers were a bit unimaginative (typical fried stuff, tired ahi sashimi). Wine list also not spectacular. If you go and stick to the fresh fish, it's decent-good.
(3)
Holly N.

Oooh their half-shell oysters are fresh. Their dinner special on Mon & Tues lobster and prime rib for 19.95 is pretty awesome for the price. The coconut shrimps appetizer was something too.
(4)
Will V.

I order the Treasure of the Sea here when I was in Kona. Treasure it was not. You get half a dungeness crab which is fine but you only get 2 scallops and 2 shrimp. And they both were dry and over cooked. If I spend $30+ on a meal that says crab, scallops, and shrimp I expect more than just 2 of each. I was still hungry to say the least and went to Burger King after. But I will say the service was good and it had nice decorations.
(2)
Don W.

I had high exception as the sign in front listed the local awards the restaurant had received for their food. The location can't be beat. It's right across from the water with fantastic views. The service is good, we had a waitress and she had her own helper, so no complaints there. Also, the food came out very quickly after we ordered. The cocktails were nice, but everything here is a bit over-priced. The reason for the 2-star review is the food quality. We ordered some calamari to share, and each got a bowl of clam chowder. The calamari looked amazing, some of the biggest pieces I've seen served in a restaurant. However, as I began to try it, the reason they looked so huge is that were way over battered. Not only did that cover the taste of the actual calamari (you mostly taste the fried breading), but it was SO over-salted, that it literally fried my taste buds. I think the chowder was good. It was VERY creamy, but I could not really taste anything after the calamari. By the time my entree came (I got the risotto), I couldn't taste a thing. It looked really good, but I had to stop eating after a few bites because my sense of taste was gone. All I was sensing was dry, blandness. When the waitress asked how I was enjoying the meal, I let her know about the salty calamari. She said that she would mention it to the chef. I asked if anyone else had commented about the calamari being too salty, and the waitress' helper said, "when isn't it salty!" When the check came, the waitress had removed the charge for the calamari, which was a nice gesture, but she really should have removed the charge for the risotto too, since I didn't get to enjoy that at all. If I do every go back here again, I'll avoid the fried foods.
(2)
Shanna S.

Love this place. Excellent food even better service. Joel the manager was extremely friendly. Will go back every time I visit. As a bonus happy hour all night long!
(5)
Traci T.

Love, love, LOVE this place! Fish Hopper is a restaurant that I've passed by many a time on my frequent trips to Kona within the past year. My experience with this place can be summed up with the phrase, "Don't judge a book by it's cover." Just by the look and a quick glance at the menu, I thought this wouldn't be the place for me. It was only after my boyfriend suggested we eat there that I decided to look them up on Yelp. Pictures are always what sell me and that's why their menu didn't sell me at first. But when I saw a picture of a clam chowder bread bowl on Yelp, I was immediately sold! And it didn't disappoint at all! I visited Fish Hopper twice on my most recent trip in December/January. And I got the same thing both times! Haha...yes the bread bowl is THAT good! I can't find one on Oahu as yummy. The clam chowder is delish and the top part that they cut out is made into a yummy garlic bread. I've never seen it made like that before. It is filling, though. I took half of it home. Our waitress was so thoughtful. She gave me a bowl to put my leftover chowder in and even put a little extra chowder inside for me to take home...with some crackers on the side as well! I've also tried the calamari during happy hour, which was okay. Nothing special. Happy hour is only a couple dollars off their regular menu. Not worth trying to fit happy hour (2-6 pm and 8:30 - closing) into your schedule if it doesn't just work out. We also tried the crab meat tower. Kind of small, but tasted good. My boyfriend got the Ali'i Skewers one time and the daily special another time which he really enjoyed. Neither of us were let down by what we ordered. Definitely make a reservation on Open Table so you can get your 100 points. Also, it gets pretty busy, so it's good to make a reservation ahead of time. If you go during sunset time, you'll get a beautiful view! Actually, it overlooks the bay so as long as the sun is out, you'll get a beautiful view. Happy dining!
(5)
Cindy D.

Excellent service, clean and accommodating. Food was good and decent prices. The view is to die for and I am told its a great place to sit in October for iron man races. Highly recommend coming in for a drink and the pupus, appetizers.
(5)
Jim W.

Best Deal In Kona Town! Awesome Food and Awesome Service. Love the atmosphere at night on the Ocean Front. No doubt my Favorite Place to Dine!
(5)
Vic M.

Jan 2015 dinner. Lahaina Mai Tai was great ($11) Lemon ginger ono with potato cake was excellemt ($30) Fish and chips was very good ($20) Macadamia chocolate pie very good. Excellent service.
(5)
Tamela C.

Not great. Ordered tequila, got rum? Then sent it back, was then returned saying that I was wrong, it was tequila? How can anyone mix those two up? The server wasn't very good. She works at a couple of the places including Don's, don't know how she gets jobs at such good places being so bad. Forgot a lot of what we asked for, couldn't remember who ordered what and everything took forever. Would say thumbs down but the food was good once it finally came.
(2)
Robert L.

We made reservations for four, person on the phone had an inviting personality! We arrived a few minutes early and were seated right away at a reserved table, I recommend a reservation for an unobstructed view of the harbor. Brittany was our server last night, what a delight!!! Joel in management also introduced himself, very cordial! We ordered drinks all were wonderful, appetizers came next, ribs, crab stack, and egg roll buffet, all were excellent. We all ordered different dishes from steak and lobster to crab and two different fish dishes, everyone thought there's was the best, so we ended up sharing a bit. We also celebrated a birthday! we let them know late and it was no problem whatsoever,. People say the place is expensive, but if you want Quality! The prices fall in line with the service, quality of the food and the professional friendly staff!
(5)
Kanoe I.

Well deserving of 5 stars! We came here for Valentines dinner. They had their regular menus as well as a Valentine's dinner special menu. We ordered.. Their famous calm chowder (Must try) Lobster bisque (did not care for it at all) a cheese pizza with fresh fruit Macadamia nut crusted Mahi Mahi with sautÃ©ed kale and mashed purple sweet potatoes. So DELICIOUS!!! Pesto Crusted Roasted Rack of Lamb with potatoes wedges. ( Valentines Special) The lamb was cooked perfectly.. Melt in your mouth and perfectly seasoned! Fish Hoppers is a bit pricey, but the food was very delicious! We ate everything on our plates.. We will be back!!!
(5)
Cem A.

wow this place is no good do not go here our calamari came after our food 38$ pallela no good only my 4 year old liked his pasta we asked for our bread never came i dont know whats wrong with this place but stay away from here
(1)
Forrest H.

Before I get to the review... I must point out there IS actual parking behind the Fish Hopper, a dedicated lot for the restraunt. Free. Now to the review! Wow what can I say about the fish hopper. After 10 days of dissapointing dining in Kona, we finally found the place. The Fish Hopper! Starting off with the vast local coffee collection, they have a whole menu just for coffee! Their breakfast was amazing, very fresh, had the best potatoes on the island. They have the specials made out on platters so you can actually see the food on a plate. We were also here celebrating my grandparents 50th wedding aniversary and the staff made a dessert just for them with out asking! Waiter John and manager Sam are awesome! Some of the best service on the island, period! John was the best waiter we have had in all 10 days of dining out twice a day in Kona. Some comments from others at the table included "John was the best waiter I've ever had". Always checking in making sure we were good on refills and that the food was okay. The manager Sam, was very personable, polite, and just an all around good guy. We will defiantly be life customers at the Fish Hopper, starting with tonight for dinner. Edit: Just came back for Dinner, it was excellent. The coconut shrimp were the best we've ever had. I also had a bone in rib eye and it was the best in Kona I've had this week. I usually don't name other places in reviews, but I had a new York steak at the Kona Inn and it was bland, and unseasoned, a bottle of pepper couldn't even fix it. I'm so happy you can get a good steak here in kona. It was worth the price! Everyone, the fish hopper deff deserves a stop, you'll come back. Back to Seattle we go in the morning but when we're back next year. We will be back here A LOT! Thanks Fish Hopper
(5)
Heather C.

Pros: - no long wait - reasonably priced food - great view Cons: - slow service - horrible coffee - mediocre food I got the short stack and two eggs scrambled soft, my BF got the pork omelet. Eggs were overcooked, pancakes were flat and bread-like. Pork omelet was heavy. If you're hangry, this is the place to come! If you've got some time keep walking down the street, you'll find much better pancakes.
(3)
Grace C.

We came in for the happy hour (2pm-6pm) but later on we were told happy hour prices were only available in the bar... They offered to reseat is but the prices didn't really seem worth it. The clam chowder was good but the oyster crackers were stale.. The cream of tomato with orzo tasted like spaghetti-o's. The server (Tim) was very nice and our entrees were delicious!! I had the crab crusted swordfish with sauteed vegetables and my friend had fish tacos which came with a juicy and fresh pineapple salsa!
(4)
Becky F.

Whether I've been gone a week, a month, or a year when I walk thru the door I'm greeted as family. That feeling has no price tag. The gentlemen behind the bar serve the perfect cocktail, every time. The staff from management to buser are spot on and fantastic. Let's talk food! Don't miss the chance to enjoy the Bene's for breakfast or the oysters any time. Everything, from apps to entree are always fantastic. Don't rush this, leave yourself time to enjoy all they have to offer and let them share the island experience with you Fish Hopper style!
(5)
Craig R.

This place was terrible, zero selection. And most of all bad service. I got the burger because they had no other crab or lobster or most things you would find at any normal sea food place. I would absolutely not recommend this to anyone.
(1)
Steven S.

Fish was mediocre, service was pretty bad. We were disappointed with all but the water view.
(2)
Rochelle R.

We love it here!! Great food and great customer service. It can't be beat!! A must try restaurant!!
(5)
Khalilah M.

This place was awesome! The bartender shanna is like family, and the drinks were fresh and fun. I don't like fruity drinks but the natural sugar was awesome! This was the perfect spot to begin my vacation! Not to mention I was with my beautiful fiancÃ©
(5)
Angela S.

This place usually has good service. Sometimes the servers interrupt conversations frequently. The meals are hit or miss. However, their oysters from Washington are usually fresh and just amazing. Their cocktails alone are worth a trip to this restaurant, their view is spectacular, and they have what I would consider to have desserts in the top 3 in Kona.
(4)
Dennis D.

We arrived with no reservations and were directed to a prime oceanside table without waiting. Everything was perfect. We came back a couple days later for breakfast with the same result. Food, service, and view are the best in Kona.
(5)
Megan V.

Awesome service, delicious food with a gorgeous view. Watched the outriggers go by while enjoying dinner! Josh and Low our waiters took care of us!
(5)
Sterling B.

For those who remember the Ocean View, a Kailua tradition for us, I dedicate this review. The old tables and chairs are gone, and the place has undergone a tremendous facelift (justified) but the view remains spectacular. We had a good nreakfast, two eggs, bacon (spam and sausage option), toast and grilled potatoes (rice an option). The food was good, decor good, and the view 5 stars.
(4)
Johanna M.

Fish hopper was cute and it was a pleasant surprise for us. Our service was a little sketchy because our waitresses pulled a little switcharoo on us, but they figured it out eventually. The restaurant is really cute. They have a nice lanai-style dining room, and we got a table right by the window, which was nice because they are located right across the street from the ocean. It was nice. My family and I went here for breakfast during our visit to Kona because it was near our hotel. I will say that we walked past this restaurant a couple of times, and they offer free samples of their chowda, which was pretty good. They also give out free pineapple slices. Who doesn't love free pineapples? I see your scheme Fish Hopper, and it worked. You lured us in with your Costco-like marketing. I ordered the French toast which was crusted in mac nuts. I'm a texture person, so this was rather enjoyable because it was crunchy. It also came with some fruit, which I really liked. I do wish they had added more cinnamon to my French toast though. My parents shared a breakfast plate which came with eggs, bacon, hash browns...you get the picture. They said it was fine. My hubby got a crab benedict which he really enjoyed. It was good. I have discovered I love crab in my breakfast food, and their crab Benedict was pretty good. I might come back here if I was visiting Kona again, but there really are a lot better places to eat there.
(3)
Lindsey S.

Service was wonderful! Everyone from the hostess to server to busboy was extremely friendly and helpful. I had a coupon for a free appetizer and it was nice. My dish was delicious, but their menu was a little expensive. My friend ordered the Caesar salad, but we were both disappointed with the quantity. they came out with a plate with literally three leaves of Romain lettuce with dressing on it. We told them this is not adequate portions, and the only thing they did was ask if we wanted change the order, rather then asking if they wanted to increase the size.
(3)
M.L. W.

We asked someone local what the best place was to have our last dinner on the island. She immediately said The Fish Hopper!! Quick 4 minute walk. Didn't have reservations, so the prime sunset view seats were already taken. But no worries! Super great waitress, friendly, helpful, even walked outside with us to take a picture in a better location. Monchong over artichoke risotto and sears Ahi - sesame preparation. Did not disappoint! Even her suggestion for the coconut cocktail which contained a shot of amaretto was perfect. Glad we listened to the local advice!
(5)
Mary J.

Outstanding food and service. I live in Kona and it's the best of both I've had anywhere. Fresh local fish and skirt steak were excellent. Will definitely go back. Brooke was our waitress and she was good.
(5)
dave L.

We really enjoyed the Fish Hopper. It is warm and inviting inside, a well cared for property. The menu has lots of local sustainable items and very fresh seafood.The food was very good. We really enjoyed talking with the Bartender Shawna, She made us excellent drinks.. She was kind and knowlegeable about the drinks, food and the history of the island. It was a really good time. We will be going back. Thanks Fish Hopper for a great time!
(4)
Yvette K.

Well those were some very average fish tacos I had for lunch yesterday. They used 3 types of fish which made me feel like these were the leftover dregs. My friend had a cheese burger and it was also boring at best and overcooked. Our waitress (Vicki) was nice, I have no complaint there, but the food is totally blah. The food was a little slow to come out of the kitchen and it wasn't busy.
(2)
Lance T.

3.20.2015 This was my first experience at The Fish Hopper. I had dinner with clients who had been there for the past two evenings, so that is quite the endorsement. The service was excellent although while enjoying our salads, our main entrees arrived soon after we had received our salads. The salad and main entree (Macadamia Nut Crusted Mahimahi) was delicious. I would not hesitate to recommend this restaurant to future clients, friends, and family.
(4)
Michael S.

Wasn't overly impressed with the food, which was on the expensive side. The service, however, was very good. There were a number of restaurants I liked a whole lot better in the area, which are less expensive.
(3)
Peter L.

Great location and the service was pretty good. My wife enjoyed the bagel and the daughter liked the French toast. My scramble eggs were a little dry and the sour dough bread lacked its usual bite.
(2)
Nava V.

Lunch was amazing. Everything was just delicious and I just want to give a shout out to our awesome server Dayne and say thank you for your aloha. It is rare these days to get such personal service. We appreciate it and hope the owners know what a keeper you are! Thank you. We also met a manager Sam who was a big help also...Thanks again
(5)
Kathy M.

A great place for dinner all around: beautiful view, excellent food, great service, and even free parking! The first 2 pages of the menu were all cocktails with pictures, which is a fun way to start. Everyone enjoyed their entree. I got mongchong with risotto in a burre blanc sauce that was to die for.
(5)
Steve K.

We dropped by last night since it had been a while since we'd been for dinner..... we occasionally have gone for breakfast and liked it. The last dinner we went to was mediocre, but that was some time ago. Last night we had the filet and stuffed shrimp, and both of us enjoyed it. The service was excellent. The manager stopped by to check on us and talked with us for several minutes. He did this with a bunch of tables, including the billfishers in the booth next to us who remembered him from their last visit several years ago! Our server Vicki was friendly and attentive as well. We prefer to sit as far as possible from the street in the booths. If you time it correctly you get great sunset colors and a nice view without the noise of traffic. We didn't think $32 was unreasonable for a nice steak and shrimp combo. Their fish dinners were in the $30 range as well, pretty much in line with other fine dining here. Parking behind the restaurant can be a little tricky, be careful going out as there is a blind spot and pedestrians on Alii Drive may be unaware of you. So, friendly service, a good meal, another day in paradise. Life is good. mahalo.
(4)
Melissa L.

The Fish Hopper has got to be a favorite of mine in Kona! Location: 5 stars- ocean front view! The absolute best. Any seating here is a great view but is highly recommend making reservations so you can get right up in the front. Located near shops is in the town so there is plenty to do before/after you eat. Also parking in the back is very convenient in this busy town. Food: 5 star Amazing! Everything was tasty and worth remembering for the next time. I'd highly recommend the CLAM CHOWDER it's the best I've ever had!!! Most tables around is were enjoying a bowl. I'd come back time and time again just to try that. For dinner I had the shrimp trio, also tasty and unique. Everything brought to our table was enjoyable. Service: 4.5 star. Friendly and overall good service. Waiter was nice & our food was brought out correctly. Service started to lack a little in the end with drink refills and getting the check but all in all it was a good experience and I recommend this place.
(5)
Felipe F.

It took me longer to enter than to leave. The restaurant is nicely located with a great view but BEWARE of their advertisement specially the posters outside... happy hour offers, early dinner offer... Once you enter and sit down be prepared to find out all the "but" and "conditions" on their offers. Misleading advertisement is simply wrong... Ready to check another restaurant.
(1)
Richard K.

We walked out. So I can't tell you if the food is any good, but the service definitely spurred more than one Wtf?? We went at happy hour. First, my 9 year old tried to order a diet coke in one of their coconut cups. They said no, they couldn't do it. Wtf?? Really?? It's a cheap plastic cup that by the way, looks more like an ashtray than a coaster. It's not like you're wasting a fresh coconut. Then we asked for a happy hour menu and we were told we could only eat happy hour appetizers by sitting in the bar... with our 2 kids. Wtf?? Really? I sit on the street side and shrimp is $14, but sit 6 feet away and it's only $5 ??? With that, we walked out. Ridiculous. If you're reading this walk half a block around the corner and go to Splashers instead! There my son drank from a real pineapple and we weren't punished for being a family.
(1)
Vivian S.

Brittany, Shauna, and Joel were all so friendly. Shauna made a great off menu drink for me and her mai tai is killer! Brittany was great at giving recommendations and so friendly she really was a fantastic server. Joel checks in on all the takes to ensure everyone is happy and enjoying their food. We had the mahi mahi with toasted macadamia nuts and the ono, both were a well prepared and beautifully plated. Chocolate macadamia nut pie for dessert.
(5)
Romel E.

Had the pancake breakfast with an Irish coffee. I added macadamia nuts to my pancakes, had the eggs over easy, and chose the sausage as my meat. The food was good, but not amazing. I tried some of the peaberry Kona coffee, that was great! The waitress with curly hair was very nice.
(3)
Analyst C.

We came here during happy hour and to watch the sunset but unfortunately it was cloudy; then when we met Mark the bartender and decided to stay for happy hour We ordered a couple of fish tacos-each order consists of 2 fish tacos-good enough for 1 person; mixed salmon, ono with mango salsa. We also ordered the coconut shrimp which was ok served with sweet sauce. The menu dinner has alot to choose from and we decided this is the place to get dinner at reasonable price. We will definitely come back here and talk with Mark again and watch him make those special hawaiian drinks.
(5)
Noura J.

I love this restaurant! I recommend it for any one who loves great food with reasonable price :) I will definitely come back again and again. Our waiter was Jose and he was so funny and helpful.
(5)
Jenny E.

Oh my god!! This place is so ridiculously delicious.we ordered fish and chips on the kids menu and it was so soft and so good, also the fish tacos, pulled pork sandwich..delicately would come back again and again.memorable great tasting food
(5)
Shawn L.

I had the pistachio crusted mahi mahi. Good food. Outstanding view. Very good bartender/atmosphere. A bit pricey for quality but view makes it worth it.
(4)
Joel G.

This place is rock solid for fresh fish. Little less expensive than a few places and a great selection of fish dishes. Not really local but there coconut shrimp are fantastic. Great cocktails and friendly staff. Enjoyable and walk-able right in Kona. If you are in the touristy area this is a solid choice at a reasonable price.
(3)
LaVonne V.

Everyone here was very nice, but this is 2015! How hard is it to carry a few vegan options on the menu? There were NONE! ZIP! ZERO! NADA! The waitstaff said everything is prepared in butter and/or cream; the pasta contains eggs, the marinara has chicken stock? No vegan appetizers and desserts, just beverages. Pretty pathetic experience! One star for the cocktail. One star for the waitstaff.
(2)
Kristine E.

The best place on the island. So amazing. So fresh. So good. Joel is the man. If you don't go here you truly missed out on a Kona experience. It's a very family oriented place and worth every cent. The view is right on the ocean. I'm from Monterey, Ca and this is the sister restaurant to one in my home town every week. Up to par. Still thinking about that crab stuffed lobster.
(5)
H L.

One of the better restaurants in Kona. Fresh food, crispy calamari, and decent happy hour.
(4)
Katherine B.

LOVED it. The four star instead of five is due to the fact that the hostess placed us where we wouldn't qualify for the happy hour. Maybe she should have asked? I don't know. We had the clam chowder and loved it. Even the "non eaters" (8 yr old)liked it. We all enjoyed the coconut shrimp. The sauce, on the side, was good and optional for those that thought it too spicy. We then all shared in the Filet minion and lobster tail. We were all pleased. Yum dilly. I would go again. Eight year old didn't really like his pepperoni pizza but .... who's going to be totally happy?
(4)
John J.

Excellent fish dishes..... Very flavorful! The service/ wait staff was also very attentive! You also cannot beat the views!
(5)
Barbara G.

I loved this place. I came here twice, for Happy Hour each time. As a result, I can only comment on the bar area; didn't eat in the restaurant area. The drinks and appetizers, and the value you receive for your money, are great! Also, Happy Hour begins at something like 2:00 or 2:30 PM, so you will be receiving good deals. I had the nachos with chicken, which were warm and very good. I greatly enjoyed the fantastic view of the harbor and the hospitality of the staff. I arrived alone, but from the get-go, had friendly people to talk to as I relaxed and sipped my beverage. Would definitely return.
(5)
Brandon S.

My girlfriend and I came here for breakfast witch is seabed all day long, it was very responsible priced compared to the others on the beach front. Very clean and friendly staff. The cocktails are a little pricy.
(4)
Kelly M.

Love the fillet mignon! I've been here a hundred times, and the service is always great. I love that Sam, one of the managers, always stops by my table to check how we're doing. The drinks are also nice. Keep up the good work!
(5)
Robert L.

Had the coconut crusted Ono for lunch, with purple mashed potato. It was fantastic. When back the next day for blackened swordfish, nearly as good. Great friendly service too.
(4)
Sherri D.

The best time to go to Hoppers is Happy Hour. Whether you drink or not, you'll enjoy the special menu. Hawaii can be expensive, but this is one of those quiet secrets the locals like to keep to themselves. The staff at the bar are seriously fantastic and attentive. They became like family after a year or so, and we found ourselves going out for fish tacos and Stella cider whenever we had a spare night. Since leaving the island, we've found we miss the atmosphere and prices of Hoppers.
(4)
Matt B.

Went for lunch because we had a card for a free app. Great lunch. Great waiter. Went back 2 days later for dinner. The sea food had no flavor. The oysters were non existent. Desert was great. Be careful what you order
(3)
Tim N.

Very good clam chowder. Calamari was nice as well. Shrimp Trio was very good. Nice sever, with very attentive service. Great view of the bay even though we were seated 3 table rows inside the restaurant. Overall, I liked this place.
(4)
Kimberly T.

Expensive drinks! Stopped by to try out Fish Hopper for drinks and a couple of appetizers. Kona beers were $6.50 compared to $4 - 5 elsewhere. Mixed drinks $11, really? I have to say the Ahi trio was delicious. And despite reviews otherwise we found the calamari very good.
(4)
Chelsea A.

Let's get this out of the way at the start--the food is not anything amazing here, at least at lunch. It's good, exactly what you'd expect from a restaurant that caters to tourists, but you shouldn't go in expecting your taste buds to be blown away. Ok, now let's get on with it. My sister was visiting and on her last day I finally took her down to Alii Dr for the tourist walk. We stopped at the Fish Hopper for lunch because we needed a place that was A) good for two 1 year olds, B) served drinks and C) had a view. Check, check, and check. Staff was very friendly and accomodating, lunch (fish tacos for sister, veggie wrap for me, linguini with tomato sauce for the kidlets and artichoke appetizer) was fine, and of course the view overlooking the water is just lovely. The thing that brings this up to 4 stars though really is the service--my sister works in restaurants and neither of us can stomach just leaving the (inevitable) mess from the kids on the floor. Just took a second and she cleaned it up, even though the waitress told us to let them go crazy and make a mess. As we were leaving, the manager tracked us down to let us know we hadn't needed to do that, they were a family restaurant and happy to clean up. She really seemed worried that we were under the impression we HAD to clean up or something I guess? I dunno, but it was sweet. We assured her that wasn't the case and she thanked us again for coming in. This extra little service is enough to guarantee I'll be going to the Fish Hopper whenever visitors come to town.
(4)
Paige C.

My husband and I both had white fish dishes. They were both amazing! Little bit prIcey.. But so worth it!!! We will be back.
(5)
X X.

I wasn't going to go to this place until a girl out front offered me a free sample of clam chowder. I got food to go because the sample was really good and I normally don't care for seafood. I ordered to go a cup of clam chowder for $7 and a standard garden salad for $8. The portions were tiny which is why I am giving it 3 stars. Don't get me wrong. The clam chowder tasted great but the cup was equivalent to 1 scoop of ice cream! The salad was also fairly small. Looked more like a side salad that a full dinner salad. Service was fast though which is rare in Hawaii but I wouldn't return based on the portions.
(3)
Jacqueline F.

I went here, after it was highly recommended by someone we at our resort. My husband and I were walking by and wanted a light snack, before attending a luau later on in the evening. Well, first we arrived and sat down outside. There was only one other couple there. The seating was filthy and there were birds walking around eating leftover food on the ground. They also left some "presents" on one chair. But the area we were in was relatively clean, and we actually walked there. We waited for 5-7 minutes before someone finally came out and gave us some water. She told us that someone would be with us momentarily. They never came. After another 10 minutes, my husband went inside and ordered. I wanted a cola ice cream float, he ordered a beer, and we split a salad with macadamia nuts and a lemon vinaigrette. He returned with a beer in his hand and then we waited for another 10-12 minutes. I asked my husband if he had paid, because I was just going to return to our room and raid the refrigerator. I asked him to let them know that we would take the food togo. Unfortunately, he had already paid. So we waited all of that time. When we received our order the salad looked sad and had started to wilt. We ate what we could off of it. The best thing on it were the macadamia nuts. The vinaigrette was not special in any way. I make a better one at home and did several nights later. Also, my cola float was just plain nasty. It was half full, and looked like someone's left over because above the float (which was only 60% full, there were lots of big bubbles, and disgusting looking residue on on the sides of the cup. The cup was half full and it looked like it had been sitting out for a very long time, probably the whole time we'd been waiting. I have never seen a float look like that before. I just left it on the table, took the salad and left. Gross! Disgusting! Did not want to go there at all for dinner, even though we had a coupon.
(1)
Debbie C.

Great atmosphere with ocean front views! Fun cocktails. Good selection of fresh fish. The Monchong (white flaky fish) was good but the "risotto" was more like al dente rice in cream sauce. The clam chowder was good but VERY creamy. Great cheesy place to go while you are visiting Big Island!
(3)
Sue S.

We had dinner here, enjoyed sitting by the outside wall with a view of the bay. Love these outdoor dining restaurants! Good food, but not a real extensive menu. Very nice staff, one even volunteered to take our picture! It was all good!
(4)
Jeanine M.

Came in here in the fly. Friendly service, manager even stopped by to inquire about my meal. I had a wonderful preparation of Ono with lemongrass, a to die for potato cake and tasty assortment of veggies (green beans, cauliflower, brocolini, and cabbage) Yelp reviews were only so so but they received a Trip Advisor award in 2014.
(5)
Kent M.

The Fish Hopper is a nice spot in a central location in Kona. You'll know it by the friendly lady serving free samples of their delicious clam chowder on the street! The food looked beautiful when it was brought out. Their risotto was delicious, as was the Cajun-spiced monchong that sat atop it. Not inexpensive mains, at least for dinner. However, the food quality was worth the price (the expensive drinks however, may not be). My group was met with great service here for both dinner meals that we experienced. Our servers were friendly and reasonable attentive, although there weren't frequent opportunities to top up our waters. Notably, you have great views of the pier and the beach, and Fish Hopper is a lovely spot to watch the sun set. As you head out, make sure to sample the coffee from the next-door vendor in the building (which I am guessing is owned by the same people, as the greeters seemed to cross-promote?). it's absolutely delicious and I dare you not to purchase a bag.
(4)
Crystal C.

This place is amazing. We kind of just wandered in because it was close. There's a view of the ocean from your seat. The food is amazing and the service is wonderful. Every one is happy and welcoming. We didn't wait an exceptional amount of time to give our order or get our food. Our waiter was Dayne who was very welcoming, friendly and happy to help with food choices. I highly recommend this place. Best restaurant experience I've had visiting Hawaii so far!
(4)
David W.

A 1985 menu with 2015 prices. Really, a desert tray? The only thing missing was a Michael Jackson medley.
(2)
Lori C.

This restaurant has a beautiful view and relaxing atmosphere. I love sitting at the bar and enjoying breakfast - their crab benedict special was delicious. Angela is super friendly and makes customers feel welcome. The oysters on the half shell are always great!
(4)
Wing W.

This place is a delight. We ordered loco moco and 2 eggs breakfast. The service was fast and the food was great. I'd come back. There is parking at the back.
(4)
Julie S.

The fish is sooo good here.. I was only in kona for 4 Nights and came here 3 out of 4 of those nights. If they have risotta as the special GET that. The ahi is amazing and so was the opakapaka ! Also you must get the chocolate macadamia nut pie for dessert !
(5)
Ed M.

Great view great staff, great food which means a great management team. The best risotto on the island. Been coming here for 9 trips now.
(5)
Tim A.

This is the first place I stopped at when I was Kona. I wished I had gone back because this place was really good. The beer was fresh and the food was too. The view is absolutely perfect and immediately gave you the impression you were in Hawaii.
(4)
Dawn L.

Walked in for dinner tonight and glad we did. Had the lobster ravioli, shrimp trio, and the skewers. Very good food and attentive staff. Would come back when we're on the Big Island again.
(5)
Jan F.

Nothing terrific to speak of at this restaurant. Two of us ordered the Oho. It was overcooked and boring. The potato cake that accompanied the fish was bland. The plate was unappealing in general. Another diner ordered Ahi and that was good. The portions were quite large. There were some specialty beers available and Mai Tai's.
(2)
Janice T.

We would have avoided this place because it looked like a tourist trap. We only tried it because we got a free appetizer coupon from the coffee shop next door. LOCATION/ AMBIANCE: Located along Alii Drive, a short walk from Courtyard KingKam. The restaurant has an island vibe to it with a great ocean view. SERVICE: Prompt and friendly service. I guess we would not have minded if they took longer to serve our food because it afforded us more time to enjoy the ocean view. FOOD: Crab Benedict -- $14.95. I enjoyed it so much I made my husband take me there a second time. Macadamia French Toast -- $9.95 plus Banana -- $1.00. Bananas and macadamia on french toast (or pancake) is a winning combination! VIP Fruit Plate -- $10.95 Colorful presentation but not worth the price. It's a good thing it's free (because we used a coupon from the coffee house next door), otherwise we would not have ordered it. BILL: Our total bill was @26.98 without tip. It's a bit pricey for breakfast fare but we didn't mind paying a premium for the fantastic view and delicious food. VERDICT: If you're on a budget, just come for breakfast and enjoy like we did :)
(4)
Gregory P.

Excellent food, excellent service, fresh seafood. Truly amazing. We eat paleo so we needed special preparation which sometimes can be difficult to get but the Fish Hopper made our changes with a smile. We will be back
(5)
Jennifer F.

The seafood is definitely very fresh - the Ahi's to die for. I do wish the seasoning could be more on point. The view is amazing :)
(4)
M S.

Bad Hygiene This is our first trip to the island and our first dinning experience. The food was below average compared to other seafood we had in Maui and Kauai. That wasn't the problem. The real problem was one of the waiters was wiping something from the floor and then went and picked up the dishes to place on the table without washing his hand!! Both my husband and I had stomachache that night.
(1)
Arnnise Y.

We really enjoyed the Fish Hopper. We went at 3 pm between crowds. The service was great and the ambiance we wonderful. This place can really get crowded so we come either late afternoon or late morning. I had the coconut encrusted ono and my husband had a trio of crab cake, prawns and tuna. I had a sweet potato pancaje eith mine - super yummy!
(5)
Karin R.

Very friendly service. I had the bacon wrapped fish on the day over vegetables. It was good. We had Mai Tais made with mostly fresh juices. My husband had sashimi and clam chowder. He said the chowder was excellent. We'll be back.
(4)
Cynthia C.

First I would have to say the pictures on the previous reviews looked nothing like what we received. Very tasteless. Our drinks were just as bad. Give me a good drink and I can overlook the bad food. $16 for a bad fruity drink? I think not! Our waitress Sherry was the best and tried her best to improve our experience, but I only give the overall 2 stars.
(2)
Mathieu L.

Recommended by a waiter from the Sheraton Kona resort (originally for their breakfast) we had dinner and enjoyed the view of the bay right after sunset. We were very happily surprised by the food which was the best we sampled since getting in both Oahu and the big island. Amazing appetizer of Poke perfectly prepared, melting in the mouth, and mains were equally fantastic. Good service completed a great evening there. Very happy with that dinner and we had a 2 years old with us, but all went great!
(5)
Tammy L.

Our waitress Andrea is phenomenal. Her recommendations were great. The manager Dale greeted us at the hostess stand and gave us a table overlooking the water. The Macademia nut mahi mahi, monchong, and filet were delicious. The desserts: flourless chocolate cake, keylime pie, and coconut cake were great.
(5)
Amy F.

My husband and I gave this restaurant a try because they brag about their "award winning" clam chowder. It's truly a disappointment, the clam was not cleaned very well so when I took a bite, the sand grit cracked between my teeth and it gave me goose bumps. The chowder doesn't have a good flavor, all I can taste are flour thickener to make the soup thick. The price is not great either $11.95 for a bowl of thick flour clam chowder with bits of sandy clam and carrots. Their sandwiches are in the $18-$19 for lunch menu and portions are small. This place is for tourists who want a view of the ocean and a food to fill their gut. No more no less. Never again.
(1)
Kevin N.

Had an awfully slow paced service here. I am not pleased whatsoever.
(1)
Roseann E.

This morning we went to the Fish Hopper for a birthday breakfast and got greeted at the door and service seemed pretty on it. But, it took a while for water to come to the table and the Bloody Mary was full with celery salt and too much unnecessary ingredients. Not a good way to treat the birthday girl. I must say they do try to remember the menu but they are too slow to bring drinks. Food portions are a joke. I ordered fried rice for $2.50 and it came out almost about a half a regular rice scoop. I am a little lady and when I think it's a small portion it is. Avocado slice is a half of a half a avocado. You need to make noise in order for the servers to get a hint you need something or to get it fixed. The food speed was good but hamburger was well done. Cooks are totally wasting servers time and air if they do not cook the food they way it's order. I am not on good terms with going back.
(2)
Kristen R.

Picked the Fish Hopper for breakfast because they had lox & bagels and mimosas on the menu. Service was kind of slow, but the food was good. I ordered the french toast breakfast, which was a mac nut/coconut encrusted sweet bead with whipped cream and berries--yum! The drink menu is fun with pretty much everything you could think of, including two flaming drinks and a $25 Bloody Mary that has a crab cake and an oyster on it.
(4)
Chuck H.

A bit touristy and the drinks are too expensive but the food and views are both terrific. We had fresh Ahi and fried calamari and it was great. Good service and a fun place to eat.
(4)
Gail P.

When I was swimming off Kailua Pier along the Ironman buoy circuit, I could smell the most divine food. I think it might have been eggs cooking on a grill and it was making me hungry! Once back on dry land, I followed the scent to a great place a block away called the Fish Hopper. Now I am not looking for any kind of buffet or fancy meal. Just something that would give me some good quality protein and maybe a drink with some alcohol in it. The Fish Hopper is the perfect place for that. They advertise a Breakfast Special with two eggs, home fries, your choice of meat and toast for a very reasonable (for Hawaii) $6.95. A good price and then you can order a Bloody Mary or Island Cocktail for $5.95. Additionally, look to sit along the side of the open air restaurant that overlooks the main drag and Kailua Bay. The view is extraordinary and the fresh smell of salt from the ocean, (even on a cloudy day) is so invigorating, Even though it might appear from it's location to kind of be a tourist trap, I can assure you that it is not. 5 YELP STARS for delicious food in Kona, Hawaii at reasonable prices.
(5)
Stephen P.

Crab Cakes, Fish and Chips, Prime Rib, Mongchong, MaiTais and Gecko Coladas... how can you go wrong? Last October the wife and I ate here twice on our anniversary vacation. Once for lunch and once for dinner. The service was very good, and the staff was very nice. The waiter took his time to tell us about the specials, and explain what each was when we were not certain. The food tasted very good. Great location, as you can watch the spray from the waves crashing on the sea-wall wash over and douse unsuspecting vacationers.
(4)
Juan S.

I went there twice for breakfast while I was on the big island. I had the Toast and the pancake special. It's a great location with good food at a reasonable price. Pros: - Great view of the ocean - Centrally located - Good variety Cons: - None
(4)
Waiola C.

Fish Hopper is our family's go to spot. Gotta love the view and food but by far the best part is the staff, Joel is fantastic, he manages to somehow always greet us at the door and show us to our table and we just love him and then we get to Darci, she is an absolute delight every time and we look forward to seeing them as much as we look forward to the oysters on the half shell which was the reason we started coming here several years ago ,those paired with the great staff that makes us feel completely at home every time The Fish Hopper is by far one you don't want to miss.
(5)
Perez P.

Absolutely Fantastic appetizers, dinner & dessert at Fish Hopper Kona Hi. Mahalo to ALL, Benji, Sabu, Joel, & Kathleen. Aloha
(5)
Brynn O.

Went here for breakfast to have some loco moco. Was very happy with the service and the food was good, a bit on the salty side but good!
(4)
Jeff H.

We visited the bar while waiting for our window table. Patty our cocktail waitress was very pleasant. Our adult beverages were very tasty. We absolutely loved our server Darci. She had great suggestions and made us feel welcome with her outstanding smile. We shared her favorite dessert. Purple sweet potato pie, even though we were extremely full. I had the monchong special and my mom had the swordfish. I liked them both the same. We will be back for sure. Hats off to the Fish hopper. Hell of a CATCH!
(5)
Lauren L.

This place is amazing. We loved the food. The clam chowder was amazing. The seafood was Great. Our sever Andrea was amazing. The mangers were so nice to my daughter and I. They got us fresh flowers to put in our hair. Would definitely come back again.
(5)
Mark H.

Food came out in like 15 mins, drinks took a bit longer but the staff is accommodating and friendly.
(4)
Carl S.

The wife and I had a great dinner last night. Shared the 3 ahi appetizer and the Opah entree. Both were delicious and the perfect amount of food. Then we had the best cheesecake we ever had. Passion fruit cheesecake. Casual atmosphere, friendly and attentive staff.
(5)
Gina W.

Front desk recommended fish hopper. We asked for a place that was so touristy, this fit the bill. Great food! Waitress Margaret was awesome. In walking distance to hotels. Fish tacos w pineapple salsa and fries was great. Clam chowder was very cream, different but yummy. Bby pork sandwich was also very good but we got sauce on the side. Fish hopper was right across from the water....super clean restaurant and friendly staffed. I'd go back :)
(4)
Jordan A.

The most amazing night of my life. I proposed to the most spectacular woman I have ever known and she said yes! I couldn't have done it without the incredible staff. Special thanks to General Manager Matt, Manager Joel, Bar Manager Chad, Bartender Matt and Mark, our Server Tim, as well as the Hostessess and the rest of the staff for keeping this secret and special till the end!
(5)
Amelia A.

the monchong over artichoke risotto was delicious, and big enough for hubby and I to share. after reading the rave reviews we ordered the clam chowder but it was disappointing. being a Pacific Northwest gal I kind've know my clam chowder...I think! the flavor was okay but it was a little gluey. salad was okay and desserts so-so. tried the key lime pie and all of us though it was too sweet and not Limey enough. kona coffee brÃ»lÃ©e and lilikoi cheesecake okay too. not bad (we ate it all) but not anything to moan over. service and ambience was great for our party of 11. overall an enjoyable dinner.
(4)
Ben G.

This place deserves 1/2 star if that even. I came here when I was on the island vacationing with friends for a wedding party. The family had generously pre-bought drink tickets from the management and gave us all a few for drinks during dinner. As soon as the family headed home from the dinner (they left a little early) the management decided to stop serving drinks and told us the tickets can no longer be used. I asked the management to either keep serving us drinks with the PRE BOUGHT tickets or let us use the tickets the following morning for breakfast. My problem is the management oversold the tickets to the family and all of it was already paid for! Each ticket was worth at least $11 and we had a ton left! The manager wouldn't budge or compromise and went as far to say "why do you care, YOU didn't buy these tickets!" Wow! Talk about no respect for the customer! Do NOT host your parties here! Do NOT give these people your money! With so many other and better places to eat in the area I would say STAY AWAY from this place.
(1)
Vanessa F.

We walked into this restaurant when we first arrived on the Big Island since it was open and was walking distance from our hotel. This probably wouldn't have been my first choice, but I was actually pleasantly surprised. We ordered fried fish plate which had fried fish, fried calamari and fried shrimp, the appetizer crab cakes and a side Caesar salad. I usually don't like ordering fried seafood plates because the seafood is usually overcooked, but this was not the case. The fried fish and shrimp were crispy on the outside, but juicy on the inside. I absolutely loved the fried calamari, so much so we actually considered ordering another one if we were not full by the end of our meal! The crab cakes were not large, but they were good, and not overly seasoned. I loved the small salad that accompanied it, which really put my side Caesar salad to shame. The service was great, and the view of the ocean is nice. I'd definitely eat here again. Oh, and I know Yelp says this place is a steakhouse, but I only saw one steak on the menu (maybe cuz it was lunch). Still, I don't know if I'd classify this as a steakhouse.
(4)
Joe M.

So I went to this place... it's right across from the shore and has a beautiful view. Our waitress, however, was unbearable. She was rude, slow, and obnoxious. She asked me if my wife was pregnant. She's not. Then she asked if my wife wanted a vegetable dish, insinuating she needed to lose wait?? I don't know. Our meals took forever. I saw her chit-chatting with a friend, and I am pretty sure she forgot about us. Our food came out cold. Her name was Sherry or Cherry or Shari or something.
(1)
Nancy S.

We enjoyed the food on the appetizer menu; the fish tacos, the pork sliders and sweet potato fries. Everything was delicious. Our bartender/waiter from Chicago was amazing. Recommend going after 8pm.
(4)
kim S.

This place is amazing. Even if you get a table toward the back the view are fantastic. Every dish that we ordered off of the menu was delicious. The kids food is great too! We ordered the crab omelet, the french toast with macadamia and coconut, the seared ahi salad, the crab benedict, mai tai's were amazing, the coffee and coconut cream pie was hands down the best I've ever had. We also ordered a chocolate flourless cake at one point we were there that was amazing. The service was great, seated quickly and food came quickly, at one point I had forgotten to ask for my daughter's food to be brought first but they thought of that without me mentioning. The kids menus are for coloring and the give crayons. Very good selection for breakfast, lunch and dinner. They also have their specials on a table by the hostess desk freshly cooked and wrapped up so you can see what you would be eating if you order. Everything is fresh ingredients from the island. Highly recommend this place! I didn't go to the bar for happy hour since I traveled with kids but that looked really fun as well. The bar is set slightly apart from the restaurant so that it makes for a nice experience for families and singles. Spacious and airy with fans running
(5)
Sean W.

I have nothing poor to say. The service was nice and very accommodating. The fish was marvelous. The open dining with the breeze was pleasant, and the view of the ocean was enjoyable. Oh, and one drink was all my sister needed.
(5)
Julie B.

No stars!! Sorry yelpers this place isn't worth your time especially for a big party!! We had a rehearsal dinner here & paid ahead & the service was horrible! The manager Joel was extremely rude & not accommodating! Unfortunately our large party paid ahead & we did NOT get what we paid for!! They "closed" the bar early although we still had more then half of our drinks tickets that we pre-paid for. And on too of that half of our party got sick from the food!! Don't waste your time or money or calories!! And I never give bad reviews...but I must warn y'all when it's beyond horrible!
(1)
Craig D.

Great views with cool breezes...warm and friendly service...comfortable relaxed seating and atmosphere...even perfect music...great food and drinks. The best spot we tried while here. The best breakfast in the islands, ask for a crab and shrimp omlette.
(5)
Angie E.

Great food, great service, spectacular views! The first time we ate at the Fish Hopper was about a year ago and our meal was so tasty we decided to return tonight as we made it back to Kona. It's always a gamble; returning to a restaurant and praying that consistency is also in their repertoire. Fortunately, this place did not disappoint! In fact, this was better than I remember! I had the sanddabs- the fish was crispy and light. The veggies that were served with the fish were fresh as could be and full of flavor. My boyfriend had the ahi- the fish was super clean with buttery texture and no fuss. Finishing it off was some of the best rice pudding I've ever tasted with obligatory island macadamia nuts and coconut. Totally worth every, delicious calorie. Do not share! You will be doing rice-pudding math if you do- scrutinizing every extra bite your partner takes! Shout-out to our waiter Bronson and all of the support staff. Our glasses were always full, our plates cleared very timely and everyone was super friendly. This place will not disappoint! Eat, relax and enjoy!
(5)
Kimberly C.

Wonderful cuisine at reasonable prices for lunch. Had Macadamia-crusted Mahi with Molokai mashed potatoes and Seared Ahi with roasted garlic and red pepper coulis over Parmesan-crusted eggplant. Mac Nut pie and Creme BrÃ»lÃ©e for dessert. Everything was perfectly prepared and artfully presented. Friendly service.
(5)
Wendy C.

Came here for breakfast and it was delicious. A little bit pricey for my personal taste, but still work it. Customer service was pretty good, but the waitress coulda come by a bit more frequently. Will be planning on going back on my next visit.
(4)
Timothy Y.

I live in Kona and try to eat here at least once a week. Generally, I am in the bar area. Service is always great (Chad, Mark and Matt). Food is always a treat. Fish tacos are outstanding! Today I had Chicken Nachos and they were perfect. Chicken well cooked, salsa just right and chips crispy. I love the Happy Hours as well
(5)
Mary Anne B.

The restaurant doesn't look fancy from the outside but when you step in, holy moly what a great open view of Kona Bay! The food was great, and we had been looking all over to have a Flaming Volcano cocktail and this place had it. It's served in a bowl with long straws. We had oysters and poke, both superb. Our son had short ribs. Our nephew had pizza. Sherry the waitress was a sweetheart and engaging and went the extra mile in recommending some places to visit on the Island. I hope we have time to return to this restaurant, where we can just walk in. You don't have to sit right next to the window to enjoy the view, and is probably better if you sit back a few rows. Enjoy.
(5)
Nari H.

This place was pretty good. I'm torn between a 3 and a 4 star rating. My friend ordered the crab cake appetizer and I had one of their burgers. Both were tasty and their salads were nice. Everything we ate was good, but their fries were subpar when we were there. May have just been a fluke that time. Decor was just average, but the view of the beach/pier across the street is nice. Service was standard.
(3)
Pamlyn C.

I got the Big Island Fish Tacos with a cup of clam chowder. The fish tacos were not good. The fish seemed old, hard, and dry. The clam chowder was the best. I would just come for the clam chowder. I think they won awards for it. My sister got the Fish Hopper Combo and the calamari was delicious, fish was tough and dry. Great service though.
(3)
Julie H.

We really enjoyed breakfast at The Fish Hopper and the service was excellent. My boyfriend had the breakfast special and I had the the French toast breakfast. We went back for breakfast the next morning. Can't forget to mention the beautiful view of the ocean !
(5)
Adriana O.

I really enjoyed this place. The service is very good. The food was fresh, tasty and delicious. I strongly recommend !!
(5)
Francis S.

Wow ! My first visit to the Big Island and what a score I had for my family and friends when by chance walking through Kona we found Fish Hopper Restaurant, the greeting from the Hostess was lovely and warm, the service was awesome and the Manager Sam stopped by the table several times to make sure everything was perfect. Oh, and the food was amazing ! Far exceeded all our expectations. Sam made us feel like we where family even though we were far from home. I believe the Hawaiians have a word for that but it escapes me. Before we left our vacation on the Big Island we had to go back to Fish Hopper's one more time to visit Sam and his Gang ! What a treat.
(5)
Chuck D.

We've eaten breakfast and dinner here a total of six times in the past two weeks. Consistently high food quality and top-notch service. Prices higher than nearby establishments for dinner are worth it.
(4)
Patrick L.

Dropped by this AM for a quick breakfast with the family. Just because it is so close to town and plus we found an excellent parking spot. The kids loved the eggs and spam.the Portugese sausage was yummy. Plus i got some good kona coffee. Ambience is good (at 10am). the view of the water is great. Watch the sea splash. Will try their dinner soon.
(4)
Sandy B.

Simply fantastic! If you are going to splurge on one meal, this is the place. If price isn't an issue you will come back over and over.
(5)
Melissa M.

Nothing spectacular about this place. I had the prime rib sandwich for lunch and it was very fatty. The waitress we had was not as friendly as the rest of the staff members seemed to be. We had to ask for things like a straw, napkins and ranch more than two times, and the place wasn't even that busy (maybe 15 guests in the whole restaurant at the time). A plus: the restroom was clean. The part we enjoyed most about this place was the view of the ocean. If someone asked me about where to eat in town, I would not bring up this place.
(3)
Mariel F.

Gluten free was NOT. I was made very sick by breading on one side my supposedly gluten free shrimp and steak kebabs. It appears the grill was not cleaned before my allergy dish was prepared. $20 for 3 small (frozen) shrimp and 5oz of dried out, well done steak when it was ordered medium rare. $10 for a pineapple mojito, but not a trace of the well barcardi could be tasted by anyone at the table. $$ is a lie, with entrees starting at $22 and going to $45+ it's easily $$$.
(1)
EC R.

FABULOUS! Great location with ocean breezes. Staff is friendly & inviting. We loved the happy hour drinks & food!! Can't beat those fish tacos anywhere! Big chunks of fish, whatever is fresh that day and from the trim of the filets. Never seen so much fish (and fine fish at that) in a taco! The flour tortillas were cooked perfectly and had a nice taste themselves. Also loved the Cesar salad (with shrimp)! Happy hour prices are a great value!! Great way to sample the menu, too! We went every day. Thank you!
(5)
Cynthia D.

We are from New England visiting Hawaii and as much as we just love the state, the fish from Hawaii is just not as good as fresh New England haddock or cod! Great restaurant, attentive but not over bearing service, wonderful view of the bay, an all round good experience. The coconut shrimp was excellent!
(4)
Mike R.

As with many restaurants in downtown Kona, this place has a great view. I went with a group of 8 on a Tuesday. They allowed me to call and make a reservation, so that made it easy. They also have some parking behind the restaurant, which is nice considering how tough parking can be in that area. Our server was above average both in terms of pleasantness and attentiveness. We ordered drinks that were a bit overpriced and nothing to rave about. We also ordered a calamari appetizer. I don't eat calamari, but the table appeared to enjoy it, it looked like I expected, and I heard no complaints. For my entree I ordered the 7 oz filet. This isn't a steakhouse, so I won't judge them by that standard. It was a good mid rare, but the steak was a bit dry and lacking flavor. It was edible, but definitely overpriced. Compared to its competition, this isn't a bad place to visit considering Kona isn't exactly a culinary destination to begin with.
(3)
Grace M.

L-O-V-E The Fish Hopper! After walking up and down Ali'i, my husband and I were on the hunt to find three things: 1) good food 2) good drinks 3) clear ocean view. Is that too much to ask for on vacation? :) This place has it all - in addition to the BEST service. We were seated right away and everyone was so friendly. The manager, Joel, went out of his way to kindly greet us and even took our drink order. We also saw him help the bus boy clean up something he accidentally dropped on the floor. That itself speaks volumes about the leadership of this business. We've dined/had drinks at a few places in the same area and The Fish Hopper is clearly above the rest. My only regret is that I wish we found this place sooner. :) We will return!
(5)
Sean S.

Friendly staff and a good deal. Cheap drinks ($5 for a goblet) but the food was pretty dry and forgetful.
(4)
Kayan H.

Steak and lobster tail = yummy! Ahi tuna salad = good mushroom ravioli = the sauce was very good but it only came with like 4 raviolis and it wasn't a kiddie meal. Calamari appetizer was good. I would've given this place a 4 star rating, except that towards the end of our meal, a giant cock roach was walking on my friend's lap. He yelled and swatted it away, no one came by as we stared at it for a good minute, and people around us were looking too. Finally, the bar tender came around and stomped on it. Gross.
(2)
Stephen C.

Their prices for appetizers and drinks can't be beat during happy hour. They have two sets of happy hour specials 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm. Great deal and great atmosphere right across the street from the ocean.
(4)
Karin T.

Excellent fish. Excellent lobster. Steak just OK. But why get steak at a seaside place called fish hopper?
(4)
Jim M.

Great spot, right on the ocean. Parking in back. Seated quickly, friendly service and excellent seafood.
(5)
Dina H.

Great view, great service & great food! Ordered the chicken wrap sandwich and macadamia nut crusted Mahi Mahi with salad. Delicious! And Dayne was a fabulous server. And if all THAT wasn't enough, it was the least expensive meal we've eaten since arriving in Kona. Definitely check it out!
(5)
Bill C.

Food and service were not spectacular. Great waterfront view of the ocean and especially great for sunset. Came here on a Saturday morning with 4 friends. Food was not spectacular. Got a coke. Lacked the kick from the carbonation. Tried the loco moco, and I've definitely had better. The gravy for the loco moco lacked flavor. Also had some of the crab benedict. It was lacking flavor. What a surprise. Service was not spectacular. Asked the waitress to split the check 4 ways, and she rolled her eyes. She also scoffed at my friend's ID. There's no need to laugh at somebody who is 23, but looks like a prepubescent middle school student. Not that the service was offensive, but like the food, it was bland. Would definitely come back only for drinks and the view.
(2)
Jonathon A.

Excellent food. Was looking for a place to eat in the evening, was new in town. It is kind of trash touristy around this place so this was the only place that looked decent. It is nice and open, by the water. The prices were a little bit of shock because it looks very casual inside and out and this part of town does not look exclusive at all. However, the food was excellent! They had a breakast special that we went to a couple days later and that was more reasonable and very good!! Parking is a real negative though. Forget parking in the lot behind, i never saw an open space back there. We had to park blocks away and walk in the dark and it doesn't seem the safest in this area.
(5)
Reed N.

We did take out late on a Saturday. Service was quick, and the manager even tried to sell us a bottle of wine while we waited! LOL The Mediterranean Seafood pasta was fine. It lacked a little acidity in the light sauce, but it was obviously healthy. The scallops were good, the shimp "meh," but the chunks of fish were excellent. The fish and chips were what I would expect. Standard fare, but they did use what seemed to be mahi mahi as the fish instead of the mainland standards of haddock or cod. Another plus for homemade tarter sauce... I found a small chunk of pickle that did not get ground up, so I knew it was house-made. : )
(3)
Mark M.

This was a great place to eat a fine meal in a casual island atmosphere. The waitstaff were helpful and friendly. Fabulous drink specials and the seafood was fresh. You could dress up for date night if you wanted but we were welcomed in our tourist beach attire. Did I mention the staff were friendly and efficient? We would definitely dine here again.
(5)
Dawn N.

Great food, great service. We had a group of 10 and the staff did a great job of taking care of us and getting our food out quickly.
(4)
Lulu Y.

Delicious ahi poke with seaweed salad on top! The burgers are huge and tasty too. If I lived here I would surely come back and try other items on the menu :)
(5)
Michele C.

My husband and I ate here on our first evening in Kona. The view of the ocean and open seating drew us into the restaurant but I will definitely be back again for the food. I had the monchong with risotto, which is a deliciously light white flaky fish on top of a creamy mouthwatering rice. The wait staff were also friendly and knowledgable about the menu. We had to try breakfast the next morning, Yummo! Crab Benedict for me and loco moco w/fried rice for my hubby. Great start to a beautiful day in Kona!
(5)
Louis R.

I've been here 2 times for breakfast...its always packed with haoles and tourists. The service before 7:30am is crazy slow....but the breakfast is deeelish. Loco mocos, urrrrymorning. Mahalo.
(4)
Graeme B.

I gave this place five stars due to the absolutely epic location and open air dining area. One of the best Kona patios. Secondly just absolutely top notch service. Friendly people who really take care of you, its nice to see a manager on the floor working hard to back up his staff. I had the fish and chips, which was halibut fresh out of the fryer. The batter was not too heavy and did not overshadow the great fish. The fries were simple, hot, and delicious. Paired with a longboard lager and i guarantee you'll be coming here for your regular fish and chip fix. Thanks for an enjoyable meal for myself and the others in my party.
(5)
Gretchen L.

Great breakfast today! Sam and Vicki topped off our great experience and being able to watch the paddling races was an added bonus! Mahalo!
(5)
Todd G.

I love places like the Fish Hopper which offer a relaxed dining experience with just a touch of old school charm. We had made a reservation and were greeted by name when we arrived. That grace note set the service tone for the entire meal as each member of the staff treated us well and made us feel special. We skipped appetizers and went for the Grilled Sand Dabs and Ahi Salad. The Sand Dabs were breaded perfectly and were complemented by a traditional mix of steamed vegetables and creamy mashed potatoes. A little too much butter for my taste, but there was nothing on my plate at the end! The Ahi salad was a hit with my partner who enjoyed the crunch of the cabbage along with the perfectly, lightly seared fish. We ended with the flourless chocolate cake which was a delightfully decadent treat. I would add, if you're planning to watch the sunset as you dine, you're not going to see it this time of year as the restaurant faces southeast. The water view is still magnificent, however, and adds to the comfortable ambience of the dining room.
(4)
Andy G.

I can definitely understand some of the negative reviews this place receives. Despite the fact that there are employees visible everywhere--probably one per table at least--they all hurry around but never quite look like they are doing anything. We were seated right away, but it took quite a while for our server to come over. I got the impression that no one knew who was supposed to get our table until I made eye contact with a manager and he told someone to serve us. That's normally a bad sign and I usually leave if I have to wait 5 min or longer after being seated before a server comes over. But, we waited... Overall we were rewarded. The server that did come over was friendly and efficient. The food was decent and not overly filling, but lacked much flare or inspiration considering the cost. The entrees are around $20 and up, for which one expects some serious goodness.
(3)
Jason W.

Great food, great service. I had the fresh fish trio(tuna/hebi/mahi mahi) which was prepared very well. Also, the clam chowder was better than expected!!
(5)
Chloe C.

My family visited the Fish Hopper for dinner. It looked pretty busy so we decided to stop in. We became pretty disappointed when the food came out though. I had the blackened swordfish with risotto. It was a great piece of fish, but wasn't close to blackened. The risotto was delicious though. My brother had the teriyaki skewers with steak and shrimp. It was pretty much tasteless and the steak was almost rubbery. We did tell our waitress about this, and she made it half price. With the quality of the meal, I was expecting we would get it for free. Overall, the service was good, the spot was good, but the food was not worth the money. Also, shoutout to Flavio, he was the friendliest one there.
(3)
June S.

We were riding down Alii Drive and noticed the sign that The Fish Hopper had been voted best seafood restaurant in 2012, so we made a reservation for later in the week. I can see why they received this award. The food was excellent and the service was outstanding! I had the beef and shrimp skewers and my husband had one of the fish specials. Both were excellent! And there was always someone walking by our table to pour more water or get anything we needed. Oh, the chocolate macadamia nut pie was wonderful! We didn't order the clam chowder, but the sample that the lady gave us as we walked in, was delicious! We had a table by the window so we watched the sunset while waiting on our food. The meal was expensive, but that's to be expected for a nice restaurant in Hawaii.
(5)
Cesar R.

10:00 AM Raw fish pre breakfast snack AHI POKE ($7.95) yelp.com/biz_photos/qqb3â€¦ Ridiculously large cubes of raw marinated Ahi. Basically tuna sashimi served atop some greens in a tasty soy sauce and sesame oil marinade dressed with some fresh sliced onions. Is there a better way for a dad to start a morning than with an oceanside view, tasty raw seafood and a semi conscious infant? yelp.com/biz_photos/qqb3â€¦ I highly doubt it.
(4)
Joanne C.

Only 3.5 stars on Yelp? Pleasant surprise... this place was good! We came here for a wedding lunchon. Service was friendly. Great place for large parties. Ocean view. Fresh fruit was excellent!! It was served with strawberry yogurt, which was just okay. I was happy with just my plate of fruit. Calamari was good. Served with 2 dipping sauces. MACADAMIA NUT MAHI-MAHI WAS DELICIOUS! This is a must! Good portion. I got mine with rice and my boyfriend got his with the Sweet Molokai Mashed Potatoes. For dessert, we shared with the table...Lilikoi Cheese Cake, Chocolate Macadamia Pie, and Bread Pudding which were all good.
(4)
Joedda B.

Consistently yummy food and the staff are so friendly and courteous! If you're lucky Margaret will wait on you. Kathleen is the best supervisor of this establishment! Always remembers patrons, friendly and accommodating.
(5)
Aileen C.

What a great meal! Best I've had on our one week trip. First, earlier in the afternoon Sam the manager took our reservation. He was wonderful and as promised a window table was waiting for us. Brittany (our waitress) was wonderful! She provided suggestions and was extremely attentive and just outstanding. I had a loaded Bloody Mary (came with 3 shrimp) which was perfectly spiced and yummy. My husband had a longboard lager which he enjoyed. He had the lemongrass Ono which was fresh and delicious. I had the shrimp trio-fabulous! The lava cake special with icecream was dessert and was oozing dark chocolate. All in all a 5 star experience (and I am a foodie :))
(5)
Pete M.

Loco moco - best I've ever had in Hawaii. Macadamia French toast was primo! Friendly if not very fast service. Relaxing and a spot with a great view! Give it a try!
(5)
Jamie D.

Mixed review. I came here last night for happy hour and had a great time. Calamari, fried artichokes, and fish tacos were all great. Most drinks and food were $2 off regular price with happy hour which made them normal price. I would definitely recommend coming for happy hour. I also came for breakfast and had the French toast combo. Prices were a bit high for the size and quality but if you aren't too hungry it's ok. Friendly staff though
(4)
Jeff M.

Made reservations for 4 with an ocean view and everyone was more than satisfied.food was fresh and cooked perfectly as we ordered and service was great!
(5)
S Sebastian K.

My girlfriend and I visited this restaurant after a referral from someone from our hotel. We had the fish tacos which were a bit fishy for us. The service was great.
(2)
Adam S.

The food and drinks here were great! I had the fish of the day sandwich which was awesome!
(5)
Balt D.

This place looks like the typical tourist trap from the outside so I've ignored for several trips now. After talking with one of the locals she said this is where she usually takes visiting friends and family for seafood so I decided it was worth checking out for dinner. Nice view of the water and the staff is friendly. Their menu says number one rated clam chowder so I ordered a cup. It was very good. Good enough that next time I will probably get in a sour dough bowl and make that my meal. That was my thought until my main course arrived. Parmesan Crusted Butterfish (see my picture post). I'm not normally a fish eater so it has to be really good for me to like it. I enjoyed ever bite. I think this may become one of my regular places. The only negative would be the price. Very expensive but when done you don't feel like you didn't get you moneys worth.
(5)
M K.

Well prepared fresh seafood with a great view overlooking Kona harbor. Ask for Linda; she will go out of her way to take care of you!
(4)
Patty J.

What this place needs is organization. Had a lot of people running around but it seemed really unorganized. Food was pretty good but service was absolutely terrible. All personal was extremely happy but not very observant about waiting on you (whether it was their table or not). How much does it take to fill water glasses? We sat 15 minutes waiting on our check. But there was a lot of talking going on between employees. A picture is worth a thousand words. I asked for a spoon and never did get it. We sat at the bar but ordered a meal. My husband always tips well. This time he didn't and almost left none. 8% when he normally leaves 15 to 20%. This is the only review we have done on Yelp and thought it was bad enough to share. We come to Hawaii once a year but this place will not be on our list to revisit.
(2)
Nick H.

We had breakfast here and the food was far better than Bongo Bens. They also had great service and an amazing view!
(4)
Terry J.

This restaurant does not care about its customers! Three weeks ago I was told we don't reserve tables for special occasions, I get there and all the tables were RESERVED! I asked what was going on, told sorry a "few slipped in by mistake",and the person behind me was telling the wait person, we just got onto the island, heard about the parade, came in and I got the reservation! The manager was as more rude than I have ever witnessed! My wife and friends on the island like the food, but doubt we will be back due to the way they treat people and change their stories to fit what they want to say. Terry X customer!
(1)
M K.

Absolutely Fantastic! Everything is fresh and delicious -- locally grown. Yeah! We LOVE dining here, and invite ohana near and far. We especially like your kama'aina menu and desserts. Service is Great! Overall ambiance superb. Mahalo Nui Loa!
(5)
Mark H.

Service: everybody was super friendly. Perhaps the Hawaiian mentality is a pervasive reason why drinks aren't usually refilled very quickly, but, that is a small price to pay for the friendly "aloha" spirit that is widespread at every restaurant I went to on the island of Kona, HI. The food: my one meal was served with an eye for presentation fairly well. The fish was bland, and I don't really think the "grilled fish sandwich" was grilled at all. It appeared to have been baked. No matter, it tasted reasonably good. The french fries were crisp and hot. Atmosphere: I could not have been more pleased with the atmosphere. The restaurant is very nicely decorated with Hawaiian-type appointments. The open air cafÃ© was just across the street from the Pacific Ocean, with the waves lapping against the black-sanded, volcanic-rock shore. The weather was perfect and I neither needed a jacket, nor a cloth to wipe my brow. Would I go again "? Heck yes! I plan to return, and this time take my friends. Menu: the menu had several delicious sounding meals, and, in addition, they actually had several of their best dishes on display as well as their several interesting drinks. One of the "drinks" even had sliders skewered in long sticks above the beverage. So when you order the beverage, you got a fish sandwich slider with it. How amazing is that?! Value: for the sights, sounds, and taste... The food was very reasonably priced. My fish sandwich and fries, mind you, the fish was fresh and was approximately 5 to 6 ounces, was $14. I would never pay this, stateside, but considering the exotic location, and the tremendous geography, I was happy to pay it. The iced tea was $2.45.
(4)
Christine B.

We thoroughly enjoyed our meal here. The food and service was excellent. Highly recommend.
(5)
Randy W.

The Macadamia Nut Crusted Mahi Mahi is delicious here! On a week stay on the Big Island I had tried Mac Crusted Mahi Mahi at two other fine restaurants (one priced at $40!) & they were not prepared as interestingly as at The Fish Hopper. I enjoyed it so much I came back a second time. They have it on their lunch menu priced @ $16 (before 4pm) or $25 for the dinner portion. Great ambiance inside with a nice view of the water. Service was excellent also. I liked it so much I may have to try their other location in Monterey, CA. Highly recommended!
(5)
Paul O.

This is the best restaurant on the bay in Kailua Kona. Everyone should try it. You'll love it and the service is great also. Paul
(5)
Brandi B.

We had a delicious breakfast here! Great food, beautiful view, great service! The crab/avocado omelette was awesome!
(4)
Trish J.

Went here for Mother's Day dinner and had a fabulous meal. The homemade clam chowder soup is the best I tasted so far. It's to die for. I had a rib eye for dinner along with some roasted asparagus and steamed vegetables. The steak was cooked to perfection. The location has a spectacular view of the Pier and at the time of dinner we were able to enjoy a beautiful Kona Sunset on their lanai seating. Mother's Day was phenomenal for me. Will totally have more special occasion dinner's here since it was a bit pricey. Spent $140.00 for 2 adults and a child, but the food and service was well worth every dollar.
(5)
Lee D.

Disappointing!!! For $300 for 4 people I expect my food to be excellent. The oysters for the appy and the key lime pie for dessert were good. Our waiter Tim was attentive and good. This review is based solely on the poor quality of the entrees. They were bland and appeared to have no seasoning. My wife's steak was over cooked I should have sent it back. My daughters seafood pasta had 0 flavor and no spice to speak of, the seafood was tough and over cooked. My seared Ahi was not much better. As a restaurant you should shine on Christmas Eve it is your largest night! As an aside I think this is the first poor review I have actually written on yelp I just couldn't let this dinner slide without comment.
(2)
Tom S.

I wasn't impressed with The Fish Hopper, my wife and I came here looking for fantastic fish but were met with high priced mediocracy. We had better fish for breakfast at Big Island Grill and Lava Java. However, the clam chowder was delicious, grab a free sample on your way to Lava Java.
(2)
Blake S.

The clam chowder is worth going for. It was lovely. The drinks were so so, and the bar smelled like it had been there for a long time. If you have worked in a restaurant and know that great smell in the kitchen, kind if like first used mop water, that is what it smelled like sitting at the bar. Fish tacos for happy hour were not too bad. Fish a bit over done. I would go back for a beer and clam chowder in a heart beat. I didn't think one great item warranted more stars. Without the chowder this would be a no return.
(3)
Tam H.

Best clam chowder I've ever had! I live in CA and I've had clam chowder in San Francisco, Pismo, Monterey. ...doesn't even come close to this clam chowder.
(5)
Mrs. M.

My husband and I stopped here for lunch. We were both immensely impressed. Ocean view while we ate fresh food. My husband had chicken teriyaki with a papaya salsa. I had the macadamia nut crusted mahi mahi with fresh veggies and fresh mashed taro. Absolutely delicious lunch.
(5)
Candra M.

We picked this place for our first lunch of the vacation. It wasn't busy and it has a nice view of the water. This place is a bit pricey for what it is and the other restaurants around it but it was ok. I ordered the grilled fish sandwich and it was ok. Not the best nor the worse I've ever had. Someone else in our party had the pulled pork and the really enjoyed it. All in all, just ok. I wouldn't go back though. The staff was friendly and fast.
(3)
Rod P.

Ok. Been checked in for a while. OMG, the best Coconut Prawns I have ever eaten.we ordered a second batch they were so good.
(5)
Lynne F.

Our experience was pretty good, especially considering its in the downtown tourist area. Setting very pleasant with cool breezes off the water. My friends ordered drinks, the Bloody Mary being the best selection- meal in itself. The hostess accommodated our request for oceanside table and the waiter was prompt as we were trying to get an airplane. My friend and I shared the sea bass in risotto. Very yummy, well seasoned and good. Other friend had clam chowder because she filled up on the Bloody Mary All said we were pleased with the evening. Prices are a bit high but the food was good, service was a bit slow but very attentive
(4)
Jordan S.

I was promptly seated by the hostess but for some reason we weren't able to sit at a table by the window as it wasn't "allowed" with a high chair. There were only five tables seated in the entire restaurant with two servers working you would think that service would not take long. We waited there for over 15 minutes before a servers assistant came to our table, dropped off some water, apologized for the wait. He informed us that someone would be right with us. My son was the only one that actually got to eat as we brought his meal with us. We sat there for another 10 minutes while my son ate and got up and left. They do have a great view but I couldn't tell you about the food. And as far as the service goes...
(1)
Kathleen C.

We had a surprising wonderful lunch there today. The service was terrific, delightful , friendly waitress and the coconut shrimp salad was delicious... Fresh, great flavor and great coconut shrimp! We've been underwhelmed with the food here, but will definitely return here
(5)
Bill D.

Was great for a couple of cocktails and calamari. View fantastic and service in the bar was friendly and fast. Very chill.
(4)
Tom M.

We love this place. Came back a second timed during out 10 day visit to Kona. First time our server was Darci. She was excellent and well versed in the selections. I had the Ahi, and my wife had Ono. Both were cooked perfectly and the presentation was beautiful. We were so impressed that we came back 7 days later to be served by Gregg. Another great experience. I had Monchong and my wife had the tower of ahi and crab. This might not be the fanciest place, but we love it.
(5)
Patrick M.

The food was ok, but the service we had was terrible, the server only came by to take the order and bring the check. When I asked someone if I could get fresh ground pepper he was like umm I think so and never came back! It was so bad I didn't tip!
(1)
Mason D.

This is THE place to go in Kailua Kona for fresh fish. On my first visit, had the Mongchong.... delicious. On my last visit this past Saturday, I had the Mahi Mahi with garlic mashed potatoes over a pepper sauce that was out of this world. The fish portion was more than adequate and there was enough potatoes and sauce to accompany evey bite of fish. Our desserts, yes we had two, were the Lilikoi Cheesecake and the Kona Lime Pie. Incredible. The service was excellent, VERY attentive staff and of course the view was nice. Next visit will be eating here for lunch and breakfast for sure!!!
(5)
Hanna C.

If you have time to stop by when they serve breakfast order the macadamia nut French toast! its so good.
(5)
Patricia S.

During my stay in Kona I went to this restaurant 3 times; once for happy hour, twice for breakfast. Happy hour was great; huge glasses of beer for $5 and their fish tacos are not to be missed. We also ordered sweet potato fries..some of the best I've had. Breakfast was awesome too; try their french toast that comes with mac nuts and banana..soo good!. Service was friendly and helpful; gave a lowdown on beers and various menu items we inquired about. If and when we come back to Kona, we will be visiting The Fish Hopper!
(5)
Aaron B.

Our first visit was after we had dinner at another place. We stopped in for dessert. They have a wonderful selection of standard desserts and specialty local desserts. All in, the tab was $10 apiece for the two of us. And like the commercial says, "darn well worth it!". Three nights later, we returned for dinner. We were lucky enough to score a table along the ocean view side of the dining room. My wife and I both had fish. She had Mahi, I had Ahi. Both were spectacular. The presentation on both was also superb. Other reviewers have included photos of just how FH chefs plate the fish entrees' A mini-art display in itself. The next trip we won't wait so long to dine there.
(5)
Loyal B.

Food Quality: 7/10 The Alfredo that I had was average. I have had much much better. It was nothing special. Service Quality: 6/10 The waitress we had was nice. Unfortunately random waiters took care of us and forgot my drink twice. Atmosphere: 9/10 The ocean view and dim lit setting was very enjoyable. Cost Efficiency: 9/10 It was a fair price. It was the same as in Monterey. Menu Variety: 3/10 The menu was all seafood, it needed some variety added to it. Not all Kona visitors want to eat seafood for every meal. Over-all Score: 34/50 This restaurant was pretty good. I wouldn't recommend it, but it wasn't bad either.
(2)
Lucy K.

YUCK! Like seriously...YUCK! There is just something wrong with this place and I cant put my finger on it. Luckily my fiance and I decided to share a dinner this night since we weren't that hungry and we couldn't be happier that we did. We started off with drinks, I had a sangria which didn't taste right at all. It tasted like pineapple even though the menu said nothing about pineapple. We ordered the calamari for dinner and they were served in these thick pieces that were like fish and chips. They were gross! The texture and consistency just didnt taste right or fresh at all. For dinner we had the ribs, which didnt taste like bbq but more of a dry rub with some sauce dumped on it..just didnt blend well. Everything we had that night was gross - never would go back. Way over priced, tacky interior and staff didn't really check on us at all.
(1)
Paul L.

Our family recently visited Hawaii for the first time, and I certainly had higher hopes for the seafood at this restaurant given that we were in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. I found the portions to be a bit small for the price (e.g. swordfish, Ono), although the (fried) Fish Hopper Combo was generous. The atmosphere was wonderful, since you're right on the bay and can see the glow of the sunset. Also, the service was exceptional. Our server, Tina, was very pleasant, helpful and accommodating. We have a son with a nut allergy and she made sure that the kitchen was careful when cooking his meal.
(3)
Annette D.

An okay place but a bit touristy. it was good for our first night in Kona when we were tired and didn't know the lay of the land. We enjoyed many other places much more.
(3)
Antonia T.

My family and I come here frequently when visiting the Big Island. The service and food have always been great. A smile and a relaxed island attitude gets you the best service and a pleasant meal. You're on vacation, after all. The fish is always amazingly prepared. I love the sesame crusted ahi tuna salad, the fish and chips and the dinner specials are always a good choice.
(4)
JenCraze B.

Clam chowder had a flour taste and was blah. Shocked it won chowder contest. The fish was ordinary and service ok. It felt like a tourist trap and overpriced. It's not great and it's not bad, just ok.
(2)
Garrett S.

I should have known better....when in Kona, Hawaii, don't go to a Fish place when you really want a steak. But the hotel recommended them as a great restaurant so what the heck....UGH. First off, yes the award winning clam chowder fairly good, although not the best I ever had. The service was prompt and the view is the best in the area. The steaks will cost you an arm and a leg at $32-$40 and you will get a piece of meat that is shipped flash frozen from the mainland and lacks any discerning taste. The menu claims a garlic butter seasoning on ALL steaks so I wouldn't think any of the other steaks were any better. Absolutely no seasoning and not a very big piece of steak at that. I got the porterhouse medium rare, it was slightly over cooked. Seriously, you would think that a high price place like this would put the same effort into their steaks as they do the fancy drinks they have on sale. I should have stuck with the fish. But seriously, if you are going to have it on the menu, why not put the effort in it to have a great steak when you charge $40 for it. When the manager asked, I was honest and he was apologetic. My buddy got the same steak and the same results as well, so I'm assuming this is the norm.
(1)
Melinda P.

Fantastic food & on-point service. Teriyaki chicken and fish tacos were great. Food came out fast, too. Beautiful view overlooking the harbor. Highly recommend.
(5)
Caitlin C.

Simple and to the point expensive for the amount of food you get. I paid 12$ for 4 coconut shrimp. To be expected for the location of the restaurant. Service left us feeling well disappointed. The manager was at the host station and didn't even look up or acknowledge us for more than a minute when he finally did he was short and brute. Server was lackluster in my opinion we knew our order and were a really easy table but she never grave us outstanding service in fact we only saw her twice to order and bring the bill. Someone else brought out food and filled our waters. Good food, lame service, great views.
(4)
Elizabeth G.

Went in for breakfast and was seated fairly fast. The coffee was wonderful, no need for cream or sugar! I had the veggie omelet which was very very good. My boyfriend had the crab and avacado omelet which was very good as well. All around good experiance and food.
(4)
Liz N.

During our five day stay, we ate here twice. My husband couldn't get enough of the seafood pasta Monterey! The service was great and the filet mignon was one of the best I have ever had. We will be back on our next trip!
(5)
Stephanie B.

Amazing food and service. Coming from San Francisco and living here part time, I have come to realize that on the Big Island there are not as many gluten-free options. This restaurant was the first to offer me a menu with many yummy options available, including desserts. Our server, Tina, was outstanding and very on the ball. She was able to guide the order based on preferences and you could tell she knew what she was doing. I loved how the whole staff worked together to make sure our drinks were full, food was good and that we had everything we needed. Highly recommend and would say this was by far one of the best dinners I have ever had!! Thank you.. will be back.
(5)
Renee L.

Awesome food and spectacular service! The manager Dale Taylor made sure to recognize my Dad who is a Navy Vet. All the staff thanked my Dad for his service. The food was fresh and presented beautifully!
(5)
Olga A.

The main complaint is that the place is miscategorized into a $$ category, while the prices are $$$. The macadamia crusted mahi-mahi dish, their signature, was good, but not great. More of a $20 dish, not $28. The shrimp appetizer was alright. The waiter was pretty nice though. I guess any place on Alii drive is gonna be charging higher prices..
(3)
Gregory C.

Really bad service even for a touristy place. You'd think they would know a thing or two about fish based on the name and location. The sesame Ahi was was so over seasoned that you couldn't even taste the fish, the macadamia crusted Mahi was dry and over cooked, and the Ono was so over cooked it was almost jerky. I'd really stay away from this place. The only thing it has going for it is the location.
(2)
Melinda C.

Great meal and excellent service.
(4)
Kevin C.

Before heading to the airport, our group wanted to stop by the tourist area of Kona to grab dinner. I equate Alii to a "beach boardwalk" since it contains all the typical sunny weather tourist places: apparel stores, jewelry stores, souvenir stores, and restaurants. Since there are a bunch of restaurants located on this strip, we were torn on how to decide. I yelped it, but several places seemed to fall within the same ratings and feedback. So, we checked out the menus ourselves and decided on The Fish Hopper. The restaurant has upstairs seating which is open-air and has a nice view of the water. A little about our experience: * We ordered a few adult beverages and were surprised at the selection and prices, considering this is on the most touristy road in Kona. $9 for Grey Goose Martinis, $5-$6 for draft beers, and $10+ for island-style fruity drinks. * Everyone is our group was happy with their dinner selections: - Ahi Tuna entree (seared ahi tuna with jasmine rice, ~$25) - Crispy Seafood Combo (calamari, coconut shrimp, and ono fish & chips, ~$18) - Fish & Chips (they use the catch of the day, which was Ono, ~$16) - Fish Tacos (I believe it was mahi mahi, ~$16) Overall, we were very satisfied with the menu options, pricing, and quality of the food. Plus, sitting in an open-air environment is a must in Hawaii! Would recommend if you're looking for a good meal on this touristy road.
(4)
Taylor C.

Nothing special. it has a nice view though.
(3)
Dori L.

Good food. Good service ! :) Small portions, high prices :(
(3)
Drew M.

Great views, great food. Their happy hour is noteworthy, however, no oysters during happy hour is bush league imo. Fish tacos are deelish with fresh salsa and guac. Good spot for a beer and app or late lunch.
(4)
jo N.

Three stars for the view. Food was average and so was the cocktail.
(3)
Debbie M.

Wonderful view, so so service, resturant looks a little tired. We planned to go to another restaurant in the area that had wonderful Yelp reviews, but they were closed on Mondays so we stumbled in here without checking Yelp...shame on us. We came for lunch (11:55 a.m.) on a Monday...lots of wait staff and a barely full restaurant so I expected more. Hubby had the macadamia crusted chicken salad...the chicken was ground up & made in to a patty- he liked the dressing but not the chicken with a bowl of what he deemed Campbell's soup clam chowder. I was debating between the Hawaiian pulled pork & the fish tacos, the waitress told me I'd love the tacos....so I chose the tacos...well the first taco had no seasoning or flavor...the second taco was so spicy I almost choked to death on the first bite, but it was ok after that. Getting the check took a long while as did getting it processed...we not running back here any time soon.
(1)
Katie G.

This restaurant is fantastic to their guests. More than accommodating, welcoming. Manager Robert offered us a kitchen tour in addition to best activities in town. Great service, fresh island food. I was very impressed all around.
(5)
Nick D.

Great view from anywhere in the restaurant. Yummy coconut shrimp with thai dipping sauce. Really good local iced coffee from the place next door. Service was just ok. A little too touristy for my taste. A nice place to take a break.
(4)
Shawn W.

Screw this place. The menus on the outside had different (lower) prices, to draw you in. Once I sat down and looked at the menu I got right back up and walked out the door. Why? They were higher than the street. I even went back to look at the street and I noted that. Way overpriced. They have the prices of a Four Seasons.... not an entree on the menu was under $36.00 There was a stuffy attitude from the hostess as well. Not the Hawaii experience that anybody wants. There are dozens of restaurants along the main drag in Kona. Pick ANY other one.
(1)
Sophia C.

Another spot along the tourist strip of Kailua-Kona. Our matr'e D was an idiot..and seated us by a pole...except for the fact that the friggin' place was empty. I had to point out, "hey, can we get a booth instead of this seat with a pole right by my back, thanks"... and the lightbulb finally started flickering in that brain of hers...oh my. The drinks here are decent. Our waitress was much better than the matr'd in that our drinks came out fairly fast. Not bad. But again, the drinks were nothing "memorable" The fish here must be a hit or miss, because the reviews are all over the place. We ordered the Ahi Trio Platter as an appetizer. The Ahi was... semi-fresh, at best. There were a few "chewy" pieces, which is code for it's not fresh/today's catch. The hubby and myself decided to split an entree (we had plenty of food/drinks at other spots along the block), and aimed for the Macadamia Nut Mahi-Mahi-Pan seared, served with mashed Molokai sweet potatoes or rice with mango papaya salsa and citrus cream sauce. NOW this...was actually pretty good! The mahi-mahi was moist and the sweet potatoes beneath the fish was just tasty! This entree made up for the non-appealing appetizer. Overall, nothing special about this joint compared to the other restuarants nearby. Yes, this is not fine-dining, but you just get what you pay for, so no complaints of non-attentive waiters and such.
(2)
Pammy L.

Food is blah. I ordered the mac nut fish and thought there was no flavor. The dish did look colorful with the purple sweet potato mash and some greens sprinkled on top of the fish, but that's about as great as the dish get. The lilikoi cheesecake was ok but the topping was a bit sour (lilikoi). Service was great, food came out fast, and the view was pretty.
(2)
Cece E.

The Fish Hopper is always a favorite. Well, it may be because of the loaded bloody mary. Living in Northern California and visiting the Fish Hopper in Monterey, it's great to have a familiar restaurant while you're on vacation. I love that they incorporate local ingredients to their menu.
(4)
Kim K.

Both for breakfast and dinner this place was delicious. It is definitely a place to eat at while visiting Kona.
(4)
Katrina W.

This is the third time my husband and I have came to The Fish Hopper for a meal (once for lunch and twice for dinner) and we love it more an more each time! Last night I had the asian spareribs for dinner which were absolutely delicious! The meal was a tad pricy, but the full rack was a HUGE portion and soo worth it! I actualy had the leftovers for lunch again the following day, and they were still just as yummy. My husband had the mac nut mahi mahi which was also awesome! Poke that we shared as an appetizer was some of the freshest raw fish we have literally ever had. The service was also great and everyone was super nice and attentive. The young hostess that greeted us as we entered (I think her name was Amanda) was super sweet and welcoming. She sat us on a table right on the water, and there is always an absolutely gorgeous view of the ocean and the sunset. Our waitress was a woman named Andrea and we both just loved her! I think we will be asking for her specifically next time, and yes there WILL be a next time!!! I would definitely reccomend!
(5)
Jh L.

Avoid this place at all costs. Stumbled upon this place because the rapuni island restaurant next door was closed. We ordered the crab cakes which tasted so fishy like it was from a can. I had the chicken Caesar salad. Salty chicken. Didn't even need the dressing. My husband got the sand dabs recommended by the waitress. They were so heavily breaded, it was mushy and greasy. The mashed potatoes that came with the sand dabs, tasted worse than boxed mashed potatoes. Seriously a waste of our money.
(1)
Erika D.

Stroller/wheelchair access isn't clearly labeled, so at dirt I walked by thinking I couldn't sit down for breakfast with the little one sleepy in the stroller. But I yelled up and asked someone who said "just go in the back, there's a ramp." watch for cars as they're exiting up this same ramp (opposite direction.) I walked in and none of the servers acknowledged me, had to walk all the way to the front and still stood around until I asked a waiter if they could seat me. Got seated and got the breakfast menu. Some pretty cheap breakfast food specials. Oatmeal and papaya with yogurt are both healthy options for only $6! Mimosa and bloody Mary's all morning for $2.99. I ordered 2 eggs over medium with fruit and toast.
(3)
Loosey B.

Went to the Fish Hopper last night and it was the best meal we've had on the Island for the past week, and we've been to many restaurants, including Merriman's in Waikaloa and Ruth's Chris. We had a very relaxing evening and didn't mind that the service was slow. We had booked a table with a view, and were seated right next to the outside wall with a view over the sea. The waitress was very friendly, and the food was OHMIGOD, delicious! Started with the stuffed mushrooms and almost had a second plate for my main course. So good. All 4 of us had different entrees and each of us cleared our plates. I had the fish tacos and there was so much fish I didn't think I'd be ale to eat it all. But I did! :0) Then the waitress brought over the dessert menu. We shared 2 between the 4 of us. I'm not sure I'd recommend this place if you are in a hurry, but if you have time to relax and enjoy the food and the view, book a table and ask for it to be a table with a view, then enjoy! We were the for 2 1/2 hours and I'd go back again if we weren't going home tonight. Just wanted to mention that they even have their own parking lot since parking in that area can be a challenge.
(5)
Andrew L.

Straight forward fish dishes done really well. I had the clam chowder and fish tacos. Great views, real good food at very reasonable rates.
(4)
Sarrah W.

The ocean seafood salad was good until my husband found a worm in the lettuce. The clam chowder was okay but definitely not the best I have had. My husband ordered a tropical drink served in a pineapple. The pineapple was partially rotten. I wouldn't recommend this place. They did comp us for our food since the sight of the worm in his food made me nauseous. They did try to make it up to us.
(2)
Danielle B.

Clam chowder and crab cakes were delicious. A bit pricey though
(4)
Warburg L.

Food is above average and the atmosphere is open and inviting. Had the Asian rib appetizer which was phenomenal. Service is good and we got seated quickly.
(4)
Yesenia R.

Had a piÃ±a colada it was good, service is decent. Wish I was hungry to try the food!
(3)
Daniel M.

Great location, right on the water. Perfect for people watching and catching the waves crash against the sea wall. Ask for the local menu. I went for all seafood [except the dessert]; -dozen oysters to start -Fish Tacos -Big Island Ahi -Kona Key Lime Pie I can't think of one negative thing. And if you can, you're an ungrateful grouch. Dude you're in Hawaii. That place is perfect. Smile for once.
(5)
Tina L.

The macadamia crusted mahi was the best meal my husband had in our week on big island. The lemongrass ono was superb but couldn't compare to the perfection of the mahi. Both potato sides and vegetables were cooked to perfection. The only thing that made our meal better were the inventive desserts. Must try!
(4)
Keely P.

The food was good, but the service was poor and took forever..and that can ruin any meal..our server was nice, but had no knowledge of menu and it just took so long to get apps, dinner..we were o e of 5 tables with tons of staff everywhere, we couldnt figure out the hold up, BUT, food was good, small portion ( as another reviewer also mentioned) and pricey, but good..we might give them another chance.
(3)
Sander D.

Good food, good service. Enjoyed a late dinner and snack where they made some special kids dinner for our son (fish and chips with no breading). Calamari appetizer was ok, but nothing special. Service from Andrea was top notch. Views would have been great if it had been a little earlier. All in all, a good spot to go.
(4)
Stephany L.

Nice location. Got a nice seat by the window and had a beautiful view. The oysters and the clam chowder were delicious! I got the prime rib which was good, along with the lobster which was decent not that great. My mom got the Parmesan crusted mahi mahi she said it was okay not the best, her favorite was also the oysters and clam chowder. The only downside is that the smells of the food attracts flies and it is an open restaurant no windows, so I had to spend most of my time scaring away flies from the good and eat at the same time.
(3)
Bruce L.

What a nice surprise. Casual but excellent food , service and prices justified. Don't leave without tasting their award- winning clam chowder. The desserts are to die for. Attentive service and manager Joel Genavia checked to see we had enjoyed the food and experience. Can highly recommend.
(5)
Joyce L.

We wandered into here on our last morning on Hawaii, thinking it might be good to try a new place to eat before leaving the island. Things started ok- the servers were nice and quick, and while the food is less refined than those offered further down Alii Dr (today's special was pancake battered bacon with scrambled eggs?!), on the flip side I liked that they offered local breakfast plates e.g. Spam with egg and rice. We were offered coffee and the server asked if we wanted the Kona blend, or the 100% Kona. Of course we opted for the latter. And this is when things tumbled downhill... The coffee was served in a French press. That meant we could look to see the coffee grounds- while the coffee was fairly fresh (produced crema), the coffee was grounded very unevenly which to me means the beans were not working as hard as they could be. Anyway that's just technical, and I can deal with. The bit I had a really hard time dealing with is them charging the 100% Kona at $6 A CUP. Their competitors up the road, which serves single origin/ producer coffee, charge half that price and offer a better quality brew. This restaurant's location probably means it cater for tourists fresh off the cruise ships. If you have the leg muscle to walk 5 mins down the road, I promise you there are much better!
(1)
Jamie W.

Our goal was to be the last ones back on the cruise ship so after a day of riding a zodiac and snorkeling we decided to hit up The Fish Hopper for a quick refuel. What we ordered: Ahi appetizer, coconut shrimp appetizer and of course... 2 Mai tais. Delicious. The coconut shrimp was good but the real standout here was the Ahi. They do it up three ways, one fresh, one lightly seared and the other with just a touch of Cajun spice. Perhaps the best quality Ahi I've ever had the privilege of consuming. No connective tissue and void of any fat. Absolutely outstanding. Great service, beautiful views and though the restaurant is in the throng of the touristy strip, in no way does it come off like a tourist trap.
(4)
Michelle S.

Great happy hour (2pm - 6pm). We tried a few of the items. All were very good. Artichoke hearts with aioli for dipping $5; kalua pork sliders with hot and delicious $6; but the fish tacos $6 were the real deal here! Amazingly fresh grilled fish. Very tasty. I'm hoping to make it back for another order before we leave. Excellent service at the bar. Go in an see Matt, he'll take good care of you. Fun and easy going. This was a nice relaxing way to spend some time out of the sun on a Monday afternoon.
(4)
Maggie L.

Not worth the exorbitant amount of money. Avoid if possible. I regretted coming here. However, if you have money to throw away, by all means come here and spend it on overpriced food! You will have great views! (unless you come at night, then you will get jipped of that too)
(2)
Josh R.

I have to agree with the other awesome reviewers on here, as well as reviews from locals, other tourists, and even those from other apps. I read the suggestions of ordering the macadamia-crusted Mahi-Mahi, and even though it wasn't inexpensive to say the least, it was worth paying for! Great service, amazing atmosphere, & service was high-grade. Thank you all for a great dinner on my first night in Hawaii! ^__^
(5)
Deirdre W.

Came here for a late dinner after a drive around the island. I was a bit tired and cranky but that was erased once I sat down and let the island breezes wash over me. We focused on ordering local fish and we weren't disappointed. The husband and I shared a few appetizers and the fish trio. Highly recommended! Our son had the grilled sanddabs and he declared it delicious. I ordered a cocktail that came in a coconut shaped container and it was yummy. (Figured I had to have one on our trip to Hawaii and this was the perfect place to do it!) The waiter was very attentive and polite. All in all, a good experience. PS--When I asked our dolphin tour guide where to go for seafood, she directed us here. She's been a Hawaiian Islander for 30+ years so I figured she must know her fresh fish!
(4)
Dean W.

I have eaten at several Fish Hopper locations, but the Kona location has, by far the best view. Particularly if the Annual Kone Brewfest is going on. The food was fresh and well presented, the service was excellent, and the selection of Scotch was impressive.
(4)
Spud M.

Excellent fish house without the high cost. $28 for very artistic dish that has very smooth flavor and macadamia nuts cooked in. Was here 2 years ago with 2 separate dinners and the taste was excellent then as well. Very attentive waiter. I will definitely come back again next trip to big island. Desert was passion fruit cheeses cake. Ah so good. Mahalo!
(5)
Elliot P.

I'm heaping four stars on the Fish Hopper because it's better than a lot of the places in Kona that get four stars and really only merit two or three. Somebody needs to even the score! This place is right between the two big banyan trees near the pier, and directly across the street from the sea wall -- wide open to the outdoors and views of the ocean and the pier-related comings and goings. Too often when you get a setting like that, the quality of the food doesn't live up to the view, but the Fish Hopper serves up some of the best fresh catch in town. A big "litmus test" for me, in seafood restaurants, is the clam chowder; some of the best I've ever eaten here. Fantastic fish and chips featuring fresh, local caught ono. Awesome dessert selection includes the best lilikoi cheesecake on the island. For all you kama'aina, the Fish Hopper is the most recent incarnation of the old Ocean View Inn. Wonderful transformation.
(4)
Tanya F.

This place was spacious, pretty touristy and casual. Take the following review under the consideration that I was part of a large rehearsal dinner, and while that may be a factor, the food and service should not have been so greatly affected by a foreseeable event. They understaffed the party of 50 with only one waitress, so we waited long periods of time to order, to get food, and we had to ask for the bread basket. Also, the same waitress was in charge of our drink orders. The family throwing the party had paid for in advance with drink tickets, yet she refused to take an order for two drinks at once despite how slow the service was. On top of that, it felt as though she was scolding some of the party for even asking for two drinks at once. The food I ordered was delicious - macadamia nut encrusted chicken with vegetables but the parmesan crusted mahi mahi made my boyfriend sick! It tasted a little off to me and he was ill the whole night. I wouldn't recommend this place. SKIP.
(1)
Keawe R.

So-so. Pretty good considering it's Kona which doesn't have a lot of great food choices (mostly just chains there). Had the fish tacos which were a mix of Mahi and Ono - pretty basic grilled with shredded cabbage. Seems to cater more to tourists versus having good food quality. Tacos came with pineapple salsa which was good but mushy pineapple. Fries were basic but good. Dad had clam chowder and caeser salad - clam chowder was good but nothing amazing. Caeser salad was great but lettuce was kinda wilty and brown. Wouldn't come back here again and wouldn't recommend it. Ok in a pinch (which we were).
(1)
Jenn H.

1.5 stars, but I feel a little bad only giving it 1 star on my overall rating. I think the only saving grace for Fish Hopper is its location. Fortunately for this restaurant, its awesome location can offset its terrible food. Our waitress was slow, and none too friendly; our other waitress was even slower (wasn't sure that was possible), clueless, and a little klutzy (knocked over a flower vase, wasn't too good at pouring water). We ordered some clam chowder, since it was one of the yelp "review highlights". It was utterly underwhelming--too thick, with an almost goopey texture. And for something so thick, surprisingly badly seasoned. I tried to fix with some pepper, to no avail. We also split some calamari--which came out lukewarm, in thick slices, and none too crispy. This was disappointing, to say the least. Nearly all of us had ordered fish tacos (we're all from SoCal). They were grilled mahimahi, we were told--though they didn't taste much like anything. Pineapples tasted canned. Tortilla was tough, though got soggy from the taco filling, so broke apart. This is probably the second-worst fish taco I've had (the other one was in Baltimore, and more like a fish quesadilla) One of our party got the coconut shrimp, which apparently was fine--maybe stick to that. Also, their fish and chips are decent.
(2)
Kes D.

3 stars for the food 5 stars for the drinks 4 stars for the service 3 stars for the bathroom averages out to a low 4 stars Service was friendly but not campy and reasonably prompt-- they have quite a few servers. The food was decent...except my fish in the fish tacos was super overcooked and my friends' ribs were too salty. Poke was decent. The sides and toppings were good though. Liked the guacamole. Best thing about this place: huge drink selection of those crazy fruity drinks you might want while you're in Hawaii. Bottom line: go grab a drink and watch the sunset.
(4)
Anthony G.

They were friendly, fast and the view was great! My fiancee and I went twice in our stay here for breakfast. I had the chicken-fried steak and it was excellent. My fiancee had the Macadamia-Coconut French toast, and after trying hers, I came back to have some for myself. The staff was friendly and attentive, without interupting us, or our time.
(5)
Aaron R.

Food was okay at best. Ordered the sampler plate and the calamari was cold, the coconut shrimp was the worst we've ever had and the fish was only okay. At least the fries were good. We also had the clam chowder which was only okay. Service was super slow as well. Overall I would definitely not go back. I might have given it a higher score if the prices were more reasonable.
(2)
Clarence C.

My wife and I were walking in Kona, looking for a new place to have dinner. Even though we didn't have a table with a view of the ocean, that was fine. I guess we just wanted to have our dinner without any hassles. My wife's food was under cooked, so she sent it back to be cooked further. After that, the waitress started having an attitude towards us. We ate our dinner and didn't get much in the way of service, so we left the tip according to the type of service we received. I decided to pay for our dinner with a credit card, which was a mistake. In a few days, I check my bank account, and find that these people over billed my card for twenty five dollars more than the bill was. I recommend you pay these people in cash or they will do the same to you. I definitely do not recommend this place at all.
(1)
Ellen G.

If you don't mind high prices & no service I suggest going here! However if you are like me, a restaurant can have amazing food but your server is the worst, it'll be a restaurant that'll. literally leave a bad taste in your mouth. Our server was brand new so I don't fault her for the service errors. However there is no example for her to learn from. In a quality restaurant you'd figure the maitre d can have the smarts to override the errors. Instead he apologized & the mistakes kept coming It'll be the most memorable " non memorable " restaurant for us in the Big Island!
(1)
Jennifer B.

I am from Massachusetts, so I know what clam chowder is supposed to taste like -- and this did not taste like clam chowder. It was gooey and had minute bits of clam. The fried calamari was more like rubber. I would never eat here again. Beware it does look charming and has lovely views.But because it is open air, there is no escaping the heat and humidity. The presentation though is lovely so someone in the kitchen knows what to do. Maybe they can speak to the chef.
(1)
Pia A.

A little pricey for lunch. Ordered the fish tacos. Two tacos with generous chunks of ahi tuna and pineapple. The side of coleslaw was yummy. Couldn't tell if it had papaya or mango, whichever of the two went well with the slaw. Downside. The crab cakes. As a Marylander, I know good crab cakes. This had way too much filler.
(3)
Kristina G.

We came here on our first night based on the recommendation of our friends who own a condo on the Big Island. They suggested that we request the local menu. I thought the local menu would be special items--kind of like how Chinese restaurants have special "authentic" menus. Instead, the local menu was a 3-course meal with the entrees as the regular menu but at much cheaper prices (ie: $20 for a 3 course meal instead of $25 per entree). Not what I was expecting, but not bad. I figured it was like the fixed-price menus I've become accustomed to living in DC. We had the seared ahi and macadamia-crusted mahi. Overall, the food was "A-Ok." Not bad, but nothing you couldn't find over in the mainland either both in terms of preparation or freshness. Our drinks were underwhelming and completely overpriced. Having no prices on the cocktail menu should have been a huge tip-off but I think we were distracted by the sunset views. Finally, our server was nice but we had a very odd finish to our meal. One of the employees who greeted people at the entrance came over and asking us several questions. I'm not sure if he was interrogating us because he wanted to figure out if we were really locals, or if he was just an awkward conversationalist. If it was the former and the local menu is only for people who, for example, have a hawaiian address, then they should have explained that at the outset and we would have been fine. If it was the latter, then it was just uncomfortable. It wasn't a bad meal, but I probably wouldn't come back either. There is better food for the regular prices, and there are less awkward encounters for the "local" prices.
(3)
Em B.

Great view, drinks have much to be desired though, order a beer if you come here and forget the mixed drinks.
(2)
Elizabeth H.

I would give it five stars but I feel the prices are a bit inflated, especially on drinks. Now I realize everything on the island costs a fortune, but I'm just saying! My husband and I got the Opakapaka with scallops and the Mac Nut Mahi mahi and scarfed down every bite! And the clam chowder really is as good as everyone says... Great atmosphere, friendly staff, really REALLY yummy food.
(4)
Henry H.

Very family friendly with $5 kid meals. Great calamari app that was loved by my kids. Sesame crusted Ahi was very nice quality, as was the Ono entree. Will definitely come back!
(5)
Ed E.

The room manager at the King Kam suggested this place for dinner. We were on our wedding anniversary dinner and the staff at The Fish Hopper were extra nice to us. Everyone came to wish us a happy anniversary. Then our server came with two complimentary flutes of champagne. Then she returned with complimentary clam chowder. Then, OMG, she brought us a free pu-pu of fried calamari. We ordered prime rib with garlic mash potatoes and veggie 'medley' (mostly green and yellow squash). The beef was about 12 ounces of boneless rib roast, cooked to a nice medium rare. It was served with au jus and creamed horseradish (we prefer un-creamed horseradish). For dessert we had crÃ¨me brÃ»lÃ©e and a white coconut cake with haupia (coconut gel). Both were well done and not overly sweet. Delicous Kona coffee topped off the meal. We sat in a booth overlooking the waterfront. The view was fine, but sitting next to the window might have been better. For a special night, consider dinner at The Fish Hopper.
(5)
Jesse I.

We had a fried fish platter and a bowl of clam chowder. Fried fish platter was average but a clam chowder was subpar. It tasted like a flour gravy with potatoes instead of a clam chowder. There was not much clams in there either. Do not order it.
(2)
Katrina F.

We've lived on the Big Island for 20+ years and have found Kailua-Kona to be sorely lacking in restaurants worth the money or effort to frequent. Unless you are up for fast food, the COSTCO hot dog special, or a typical over-priced, below quality tourist trap there is very little from which to choose. After reading several reviews for the Fish Hopper we decided to give it a try and are very glad we did. The prices are comparable to similar restaurants in Kona, but this one has the quality of seafood to match the price. We went for a late lunch/early dinner which included the Calamari starter (good not exceptional), Lemongrass-Ginger Crusted Ono (excellent) and an Ocean Seafood Salad (very good). The wait staff were attentive and pleasant. My only real complaint was the ice tea - if I hadn't watched the waitress pour it into my glass I would have thought it was a glass of water with lemon. In the future I will pass on the barely colored ice water they call tea and just drink the complimentary water. The Fish Hopper is now on our list of "go-to" restaurants when in Kona both for light lunch and dinner options.
(4)
Craig R.

Trust your server and ask what is the freshest fish
(4)
Alena L.

The name of the restaurant was the main reason we've chosen it, we just wanted to get good fish. Unfortunately, it was't that great - dry and blend. I even didn't eat half. The rest of food- veggies and rice- smelt with butter, which made it hard to enjoy it. My mom though enjoyed her fish, but didn't like the veggies and potatoes for the same reason. My husband, not a fish lover, got the ribs, which were just ok. The drinks were good though.
(2)
Kiel F.

Food quality was below average IMO. Desserts were terrible. The only thing worth buying here is the clam chowder. Otherwise dine elsewhere.
(3)
Susan W.

We found this place several years ago & return each time we visit Kona. The food is always excellent, the view is fabulous, and the service has always been good. We don't usually have drinks, so I can't comment on the quality or value of the bar. I highly recommend the Fish Hopper.
(5)
Fiona F.

It was great! A few people have said "it wasn't fine dining" or "the price was too high" - it's on a tourist strip in Kona - what do you expect?! Geez, get over it. It was good, tasty, local food with a spectacular view with wonderful staff. The first night we went was so good, we went back the second night which was equally good. The food was much better than the various other pubs and coffee shops we had tried out in the same area. Both meals were pricey, but we weren't expecting the deal of the week. We'll be back.
(4)
Bill M.

Wow, what a mixed bag of reviews for this place. I wandered in for breakfast without consulting Yelp first (gasp). In our quest to avoid the $50 breakfast and because I had to exchange my shirt at the Kona Brewing Company, we left the Hilton and headed back to Kona, looking for a breakfast. We found plenty of options on Alii Road in Kona. This is the place to come for classic beachy shops. Don't miss it. We home in on the Fish Hopper after seeing the sign out front advertising the $2.99 Mamosa and Bloody Mary. It's 8AM and I'm on vacation. Hell, it's 3PM in Ohio, so drinks are in order. The menu out front looks good too. See the photos for my meal and our drinks. So, I order the Loco Moco, a local dish involving two eggs over meat, over rice, covered in brown gravy. You have meat choices including fish, hamburger and Spam. Yep, Spam it was. Talk about tasty, this dish delivered. The wife had the special, simply eggs, Portuguese sausage, potato and toast and it was good, although this combo is hard to mess up. The Mamosa was very good. My Bloody Mary was obviously freshly made, no mixes involved. I tasted of a bit of Clamato, plenty of vodka and various spices. The view from the main floor of the place is very nice. Dinner options on the menu were varied. We had great service and I'd recommend this place for any meal of the day.
(4)
Patrick M.

The fish hopper's food and drink selection is quite pricey for what you get. I ordered the crab alfredo which was well over $20. It didn't come with any bread or salad. The pasta itself was pretty good however. The sauce was great and included crab, diced tomatoes and artichoke hearts. The service was alright I suppose.
(3)
Matthew S.

Nice place to eat looking out at the beach. They have some awesome fish tacos here too.
(4)
Rich J.

Located right across the street from the ocean in Kona. The crab cake here was the best I ever had..all crab, no filler..delicious red pepper/ mango sauce. I had an entree of three different fish all crusted differently (ahi with mac nuts, for instance...there was swordfish and mahi mahi, but can't remember which was crusted with what) and three different sauces. Good stuff..along with a great mai tai. Wish I could have drank more, but we were going jetskiing after lunch and I don't think being out there on the ocean on that thing drunk is a good idea. But, the good news is..we came back for drinks later on that night and more crab cake! Highly recommended if u are a seafood lover..especially if u like crabcakes..this will be the best u ever have.
(4)
william p.

This is a hard restaurant for me to handicap. The view is great. If you want or need a view, this one of a few great places in town. The food was not horrible or tasteless but it was standard fare. I had a complaint about my meal but the other three didn't. When I explained to the waitress my thoughts she immediately brought the manager who was most apologetic and offered a dessert which I refused. So the service and management are understanding and attentive. I will give them another shot, based on the other 3 meals and the service.
(3)
Kelton J.

Finding a bad seafood place there along the sea wall is really going to be hard. But that all said, we LOVE Fish Hopper. Go there every chance we get. Super friendly staff, kamaaina menus that always have great deals, great service and the food is just awesome. If you go there a few times, they will always remember you and will seat you at "your" spot if you have a habitual favorite. You don't get service like that much anymore, so cherish it when you do.
(5)
Albert H.

Chain restaurant with locations in California, but due to the unfamiliarity with the name we thought it was local and so gave it a try - twice. Breakfast was better, with their house special French toast being quite good. We arrived right at 11am and though half the table was ordering lunch, they were a bit reluctant to honor the yelp special of the free appetizer. Service was ok, though sometimes slow for refills and such, and the draft beer seemed a bit off for the Kona beers compared to how they tasted a few blocks away at the brewery. Unisex restroom was reasonably clean, and though they have their own parking in the back it felt a bit sketchy at night. Prices reasonable for the touristy area that it is. Decent view of the bay and the tourist boats docked there.
(3)
Gramercy Girl G.

Should have known when the woman on the street was trying to lure customers in with free tastes of pineapple. Can't tell you how the good was because we didn't stay. Waitress didn't know what fish was used in the fish tacos and told us Ono was snapper and not wahoo. Left after her second trip to the kitchen to answer basic fish questions at a fish restaurant.
(1)
Steve P.

Wow, had the Sword fish special tonight, it was absolutely awesome, the wife had the Macadamia crusted Mahi Mahi and she couldn't stop talking abut it. We started with a Mai Tai that was one of the best I have ever had. Benny to the Fish Hopper in Monterey it was good but the Kona one is better! I'll be back!
(5)
Charito C.

so i don't get how this place doesn't have more stars! mind you we only visited once during our recent trip to the big island, but after breakfast i was left thinking, "what the heck? why didn't we go there more often?" first, we sat down fast and the waitress was over to get our order quick. she brought out coffee which was FREAKIN AWESOME. I am not sure what it was about it, but the coffee was GREAT! the prices were reasonable, we paid about $20 (the $5.95 breakfast plate with toast, my $10 plate with pancakes, and my $3 coffee - i know, i know, but you are on vacation). you gotta go, especially if you are staying at the king kamehameha marriott, its like walking distance. the only con was that they seem to move slower in hawaii, so i am not sure if its slow service or i am impatient - or maybe a combination of both. but we would totally go again, the food was good and it was reasonable.
(4)
Dawn H.

In Kona wasn't sure if the food would be good or "touristy". This was really yummy! Butterfish was delicious! We all got something different, so tasted the salmon which was also good, didn't actually try the Seafood Platter but it looked beautiful and my husband cleaned his plate. Key Lime pie was superb and creme brÃ»lÃ©e was very. very good!
(4)
Jessica W.

We stopped in here for an impromptu rehearsal dinner after the place we had made a reservation at refused to give us happy hour pricing on appetizers because we were 5 min after the time it ended...despite the fact that we called before hand and were told it was fine. There were about 25 of us and they could not have been more accommodating on such short notice. We ordered everything at the bar, but they actually gave us a bunch of tables in the back which were more private. The food was okay...what i would expect for happy hour and being kind of a touristy location. Drinks were good. The view is amazing. All in all - they saved the night from being a complete disaster and could not have been nicer.
(4)
Kristen H.

Better options close by. I went here years ago and thought it was great but in recent visits, I have not been so impressed. The coconut shrimp used to be outstanding but now, I can get better coconut shrimp at home (and I live in landlocked Colorado where coconut only comes in bags!). The fried fish options are consistently good but nothing mind blowing. The fresh fish options are good but covered in sauces with more suger in them than the mojitos. The service is always great and the fruity drinks are fun. The location is great but unless you want something fried, keep walking.
(2)
Katherine W.

OK the view is amazing, but when I called to ask about their cooking oil, they told me that they cooked in olive oil. I have a soybean allergy. When I arrive, I'm actually told that they cook with soybean oil, but can potentially make me something with olive oil. I'm starving, so I stay and then I'm presented with a dish that has teriyaki sauce on it (which has soy I informed the waitress - she didn't know). Unfortunately I ate some, so ended the meal in a Benadryl haze. So much for being allergy oriented.
(1)
Janet R.

Best food I had in Kona! I had the Mac crusted Mahi and it was so good I couldn't put my fork down. My husband had the shrimp, fish and calamari platter, he said he could tell the shrimp must have been swimming that morning. The portion of food was just right that I even had the coconut cake for dessert, it was so moist but light and airy I didn't feel stuffed afterwards at all. If your looking for a great fish dish, this is the place. Don't go to Huggo's at the other end of the village!
(5)
Kate L.

This place is awesome- way better than Sam Choys. Excellent food, excellent service and affordable at that. Freshest seafood we had while visiting- definately worth a visit!!
(5)
Tom F.

This was average although a little pricey for the quality of food. Its covered but open to the outside and the view isn't anything great when you consider some of the other places. Our service was slow to bring the food , drinks, and even the bill at the end. I wasn't impressed but it was ok. I wouldn't return again though.
(3)
Jeff K.

Went there last night for Valentines Day with my wife, daughter, and granddaughter for our last night on the Island. Our server Brooke was fantastic and very understanding with a 21 month old. The food was excellent and delivered quickly to our table despite how busy they were. Price is a little high but you expect that on Hawaii and for such good food. Would recommend to anyone!
(4)
Ruby W.

Been here twice. I don't think I'll be coming back. Don't get me wrong...service was great but the food not so great. I'd say get rid of the chef. Fish Hopper @ Montery Bay has better looking restaurant and better food.
(2)
V R.

Delish food, fish and a gluten free menu! We went there 3 times during our trip and every time the food and service was great!
(4)
Chris K.

Fantastic.... Get one of the fish specials.. If you like it deep fried go elsewhere.
(5)
JJ R.

Good service and good food! The tropical drinks are tasty! Has great seating and awesome view looking out into the ocean! Definitely will come back here!
(5)
Andrea T.

The food quality is good. It looks appetite too.
(5)
Tolete M.

Food was ok,the portions are small and the price I find it a little high...I wait around 30 minute for the food come out...waitress was helpful...I don't think come back again..didn't find anything special except the view to the bay...
(3)
Michele B.

I thought the food and the service were really good - not sure why the bad reviews. Maybe their staff has changed. We all had the fish tacos which were very good. I guess we thought $15 was a lot for fish tacos at the time but then we went to Maui and now it seems quite reasonable. Overall, it would be a four star. The fifth star was because my son's kid's meal was hands down the best kids' meal he has ever gotten at any restaurant. The fish was a small portion of the adult's panko crusted fresh fish cooked perfectly. Instead of fries he was offered a large fresh fruit salad - mango, papaya, pineapple. Fantastic!
(5)
Tiffany Y.

My husband and I stopped in here without reading any reviews. We had just stepped off a cruise ship, were hungry for brunch (although we could have eaten for free on the ship...), and were hoping that we had wandered upon a good restaurant. Without a reservation, we were immediately seated at a table overlooking the Kailua Bay. The waitress was friendly and attentive. We showed up at the very end of breakfast, so we asked if we could see the lunch menu, and she accommodated the request. The seafood on their menu is supposed to be sustainable and locally caught, and their produce is supposed to be locally grown. I ordered their crab quesadilla, and I was VERY pleased with the VERY large amount of crab! I have not had such a good crab quesadilla at any other restaurant. My husband also enjoyed his food, drinks, and service.
(4)
Jaime J.

Not sure why the mixed reviews but I loved it. The drinks were not watered down at all, which was evident by the buzz I had after 1 mai tai. I had the pan seared macadamia nut crusted Ono with grilled banana and papaya salsa. It was the fresh, clean seafood I was looking for after a week of BBQ and burgers. Hubby had the dungeness crab, shrimp, and scallops. It was very good but he's a big guy and was still kinda hungry afterwards.
(4)
Ken A.

One of the best locations along the Sea Wall. Try and get a table along the rail of open windows on Alii Drive. I actually prefer lunch time for the view of Kailua Bay. Good food, good service and a great bar. Don't skip the clam chowder. It really is excellent. In Kona Town this is just about the only choice for more upscale dining along the water. It's a little pricy but well worth it for a nicer dining experience.
(4)
Brad W.

Great location, atmosphere, and of course the food. Price is reasonable considering the quality of food.
(4)
Dan M.

The food was OK, I tried the LOCO MOCO which is a local dish and it was not as good as Bongo Bens version of it. It was considerably a smaller dish and the eggs were kinda over done and the gravy was not as thick as Bens and was on the sides. My wife ordered the Macadamia nut french toast and it was good but the service for her coffee was very slow, our waiter was not the best, but he tried. We went for breakfast so that may not be their specialty but maybe I will give it a try for dinner. I have to give them props for location and cleanliness. We sat in a booth looking straight out toward the pacific.
(2)
Nhung H.

This was the last dinner we had on the island and it was okay. We asked for our steak to be medium rare but it was a bit over cooked. The steak was okay and the lobster tail was just lobster tail. It wasn't really seasoned..just bland....Nothing stood out from our dish. Our waitress was really nice and patient with us because we did come in pretty late. But we didn't feel rushed at all even though they looked like they could have closed early because the restaurant was empty.
(3)
Sf Momm Y.

we finally found parking (read signs! Only ok on sundays in some spots) in front of the inflatable donkey ball donkey- it was a veeeeery long flight from SFO and all we really wanted to do was check in and sleep.. But we decided to stop in kona for a lunch. they were very child-friendly and the dishes we had were good... The 3 fish sampler, poke (ahi tuna) was ok, and the waiter was more than happy to provide us with a sample appetizer after we finished, when we noticed the yelp page. (it *is* a pretty touristy place, so every bit helps!) there's not a bad seat in the house and the view of the water is beautiful. be sure to ask about any locals only specials, they were doing $20 prime rib on mondays last time we heard... I'd go back, just with a healthier appetite and without a 35 pound weight strapped to my person! the couple next to us was having dessert,whiched looked scrumptious!
(4)
Charles L.

The clam chowder here is UNREAL. I don't even like clam chowder but decided to get one due to its award-winning status (and let's keep it real...who doesn't like rewards?), and ended up licking the cup. The coconut shrimp was also really good as well but didn't really compare to the clam chowder. The service was great, the view was fantastic...what's not to like?
(4)
Gina B.

The food was average and the price was average. The only thing I remember about this place is that the service was truly horrible. Their wait staff didn't acknowledge our group of 4 until about 10 minutes of standing around waiting to be seated. They zipped around us to service other tables but didn't say hello or even make eye contact with us. When it dawned on someone - who was clearly not their host - that we were waiting to be seated, he faked us out by motioning for us to follow him, then doubled back around and asked the man and his son BEHIND us how long they've been waiting and if they were ready to be seated. After that, I'm not sure why we stayed. Writing this post makes me want my money back.
(1)
Chris A.

This place made my vacation. The patio the looks out to the ocean across the street is probably in one of the best locations in Kona. The food is awesome offering such items as Dungeness Crab omelettes and Benedict you can't go wrong. They have also have an amazing bar with TV's to watch the latest sporting events, also with views of the ocean... I could have stayed here all day. This place is a must try!
(5)
Beau H.

Excellent food at a great location. Only problem is the price. Hard to justify eating here as a local, it careers more to tourists.
(4)
MIke S.

This place is a bit spendy for the quality of food IMO but then again a lot of places in Kona town seem to fit that description. The one thing that it has going for it is the nice view (see pics). The service isn't super speedy nor is it super friendly, but it's ok. I got the breakfast special with rice, portugese sausage and mac salad and it was ok. In one word, this place is...you guessed it...ok.
(3)
Trav15t ..

Great! As we arrived I was reading these reviews on my phone and was becoming apprehensive after reading all of these negative reviews. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the service was good, the calamari was excellent and the mai tai was stiff... Granted, we came for lunch on a Friday and it wasn't crowded, but we came as a group of seven and had no trouble getting seated and served promptly. I would normally give it a 4/5, but to counterbalance the negative reviews, I'll give it a 5 star. My next Kona trip may include a stop at the hopper.
(5)
Eli G.

It really is a shame that the only easy to find restaurants in Hawaii that are near anything worth seeing are all tourist traps selling the same swill over and over. Maybe we just went to the half dozen Hawaiian joints that aren't worth going to, I don't know. Fish hopped was another beach front clone, hawking flaming drinks served in large pieces of fruit, and its menu comprised mostly of run of the mill seafood and sandwiches. My sister and I decided to order a few of the house drinks, hers was flaming and mine was served in a FAKE coconut, weird. yelp.com/biz_photos/qqb3â€¦ yelp.com/biz_photos/qqb3â€¦ I decided to order a couple orders of fried calamari for the table. It was okay, the batter was a little on the bland side and the dips were on par. yelp.com/biz_photos/qqb3â€¦ I did applaud the fact that they served both hamburger and Spam loco moco. I got the burger one and my dad got the Spam one. The burger was cooked to medium-well but the egg was nice and runny. The gravy was also pretty nice, not the best, but far from the worst. I sadly ate half of mine before I realized I needed to take a pic. Luckily my dad was a slow eater. yelp.com/biz_photos/qqb3â€¦ Yuko got a huge fried everything platter. To me, it all tasted the same, fried. Again, nothing was bad, but nothing was close to being noteworthy. yelp.com/biz_photos/qqb3â€¦ Apparently my family went back a couple times after we left the island and enjoyed themselves. If I'm ever back on the Big one, I'll be sure to skip this place and any place with an ocean view.
(3)
Agent T.

Go for the Happy Hour! Great drinks and apps at 25% off. Can't go wrong with that. Tasty too! Our server was a great and offered helpful suggestions.
(4)
Heather M.

Usually I avoid places like this because typically the food is mediocre at best and is SUPER expensive. However this place is DELISH! The average price of entrees is between $10-$20, but well worth it. I got the panko-crusted mahi mahi with grilled scallops, veggie croquet, and fresh veggies in a creamy sweet chili sauce. One word: BOMBALICIOUS! The portions are large, the seafood is fresh, and the food itself is flavorful and filling! My lunch guests told me that the loco moco and fish and chips are delish as well. The service was okay, the waiter was definitely on island time; however they did bring out a complementary appetizer, coconut shrimp, which were very yummy! Oh, and I recommend the ice tea for ice tea lovers as it was reallllly good!
(4)
Vincy L.

Came here around 9:10pm because all the other restaurants were close. Boyfriend orders a clam chowder. French press coffee. Three fish combo. He is raving about the food. It's the best clam chowder he and I have ever had. Amazing!
(4)
Miss A.

My mom and I are huge Eggs Benedict fans, so we like to venture all over to see who makes the best eggs benedicts. Fish Hopper makes a great classic eggs benedict but a not so great crab eggs benedict. The crab seemed to have no taste at all. The service here was great and so was the coffee. The view from the restaurant was beautiful. We will probably be back here on our next trip to Kona in August...CAN'T WAIT.
(4)
Andrew G.

It's good, not great. You will soon learn why the free appetizer is free, If you had paid $10.00 for the plate of calamari you wasted your money. The food, in my case it was crab encrusted salmon, will leave you wondering where the crab was. Overall, portions are small, so have a back up plan of dining. The service was decent, but it always helps if your party is larger.
(2)
Stephanie N.

Read good reviews and decided to try after many other great dinners on Ali'i drive. We went for dinner. Should have known something was wrong when before you enter they have a guy at a table with the menus explaining them. We obviously didn't get it- he was trying to get us to order off dinner menu but that is why we were there. When seated by hostess, she asked dinner or happy hour. Happy hour people must sit at bar. We said dinner and she lead us to a ocean view table. Before we sat down, I mentioned that we could still order happy hour drink specials from our table it had just started. She said no. I then got into a confusing discussion with her over the fact that we were about to order $30 entrees and they wouldn't let us have happy hour drinks?? I will mention that the price difference is drastic from the few feet from the bar area to dinner at happy hour. We planned to spend more for dinner than the people buying drinks and were told we had to pay double at the same time for a drink someone was drinking 5 ft away for half. There are too many great places close by so we walked out- spending our money elsewhere. Very very disappointed.
(1)
Lisa M.

We made a reservation via open table and they were ready for us well in advance. Service was attentive and exceptional but what was quite outstanding is that I have a lot of food intolerances and the waiter didn't even blink an eye. Normally I'm seen as a pain in the butt but he was quite accomodating and the chef overly delivered - not just a "make up" meal but something amazing. We had the ahi trio sampler (outstanding!) and then I had the lemon ginger ono - no starch, no sauces, and with steamed carrots/zuchinni. It was all presented beautifully. Hubby had the shrimp linguini. Both were outstanding and presented beautifully. My thanks for accomodating! Everything was great and after our first (awful) experience at another restaurant on the ocean front, we're not taking any chances and will definitely come back!
(4)
Edward B.

Very friendly staff and solid food make this a good choice for a casual meal with a touch of class! The staff was very playful with my 1.5 year old son - giving him crayons and a coloring page to work with while we ordered and waited for our food. They even had a helpful child's menu with multiple options under $5 which parents appreciate. (*He has the pasta with white sauce and gobbled it up*) I ordered the local Walu fish crusted with coconut which was served over some freshly steamed vegetables and a purple root that was mashed like a potato. The fish was cooked spot on - very moist and flaky....nice flavor. The vegetables with very good as well....but I was thrown off on the purple root as I didn't find the texture appealing for me. Overall I enjoyed the experience.
(3)
Luke S.

Came here for pupus and drinks with a friend who had VIP card and was disappointed. The service was terrible and the oyster shooters were the worst think I have ever had. The coconut shrimp was average and the calamari soggy. I ordered some cake which was obviously from costco. Overall this place is a tourist trap offering nothing special and charging big bucks. We laughed about VIP card because we got no discount and terrible service. Go to kava bar or to go sushi place in small alley if you want good fish. Even the inexpensive place next to fish hopper is better for about $8 a plate.
(2)
Kathy R.

We wanted a fine dining restaurant and our concierge suggested this place. He even gave us a coupon for a free appetizer, which turned out to be Calamari. In fairness it was the day after the Tsumani, and everything on the coast side was closed and damaged so the view was less than beautiful. The place was fairly empty and for a good reason. It's not very good. My husband had Ono and it was acceptable. But my steak? The quality was awful. It wasn't even choice grade - I wasn't expecting a Ruths Chris but it was overcooked and tough. The baked potato was hard and overcooked. Service was average. Wine choices by the glass poor but in line with a coffee shop. If you are in Kona, there are much better choices.
(2)
Steve L.

Wendy at Hawaii Forest & Trail recommended The Fish Hopper to take my fiancÃ© for her birthday. To sum it up-great service, location, and amazing food. We had the sangria (5/5), oysters (4/5), macadamia crusted mahi (the best we've ever had), coconut cake (5/5-so moist), and French pressed Kona coffee to top it off! This will always be our stop on visits to Kona!
(5)
Justyna Y.

We visited the Fish Hopper in December of 2010. This place is very accessible and close to the ocean. My husband and I both got fish (Mahi-Mahi and Ono) and they were both good (but not great). The one thing we loved about this place - was the clam chowder served outside! The restaurant wasn't that busy, yet we waited quite a white for the service and the food to show up. It took over 30 mins for the appetizer to come to our table, which is a very long time for two hungry people.
(3)
Sarah I.

Fish trio is a must try!!!! Everything is very good. Prices are compairable to area yet the ambiance and food quality is superior.
(5)
Mel P.

Had fresh fish sandwich and French fries. Fish was tiny and way over cooked (a shame to do that to fresh fish) Bun was huge, not the best quality, and burnt on top. A tiny small amount of French fries. Overall priced way to high for the amount if food. We are kamaina and will not be returning...
(1)
Zachary V.

Their fish was fresh and tasty and staffs seems to be proud of it. ordered "Opakapaka" ( unfortunately, it's in closed to catch in Big island between March - Sept. So, it's from California. ) Price is about average in the area. Above the dish was $17.95 Street side seats have view of ocean and Kailua-kona pier. Their cocktail menu doesn't have price and it's can be near $20 per glass. They charge for bread (it seems to be common practice in Kona)
(4)
Trey R.

Food was real good. View is awesome. My favorite breakfast in Kona. Steak and eggs, while gazing out at the ocean. I really miss this place.
(5)
Betty R.

We were walking along the ocean and had too much fun checking out the shops. We were starving, but still wanted to avoid a tourist trap. We looked at about five menus and ended up with this place because of the selection and price. My husband had the seared ahi wrap, I got the fish tacos and our son got the cheeseburger on the kids menu for $5. I loved my fish tacos.I think there's four or five different fish in two tacos. Came with pineapple salsa and some kind of semi spicy green sauce. My husband's ahi wrap was not as great. Not much fish in the wraps. The kids meal was good. The cheeseburger was actually two sliders, with fries and a drink, a great deal on the strip. The ocean view was fantastic. Lots of people paddle boarding to provide entertainment. Some girl was having a drink out of a whole pineapple. That was really touristy. We also got a slice of lillikoi (passion fruit) cheesecake, very good. Overall, considering the oceanfront location, a very good deal. Oh, by the way, none of the wood was sticky. Feels and looks very clean.
(4)
Christine K.

Boy, did I feel like a sucka eating here - total tourist trap. I should've known better than to eat in the central touron zone, but we were hungry and it was our first night on the island and we were desperate. One star for the great waiter, JB. The clam chowder was the WORST I've ever had and they tout it as the best in Hawaii? Maybe bland, clamless, gelatinous chowder is considered good in Hawaii because they have nothing to compare it to... Oh, and my white wine was warm. I can appreciate a white that's not ice cold (kills the flavor) but this was like drinking salt water. Yuck. Do yourself a favor and try one of the smaller mom and pop spots off the beaten path. Your tummy, your wallet and your taste buds will thank you.
(1)
Diana E.

I got a freebie from my Alaska Airlines flight crew, so I decided to check the place out - glad we came here for dinner last night! The location is convenient- right on Alii Drive, across from the seawall so you can't help but take in the view. They had a host parked right out on the sidewalk handing out free samples of clam chowder (which I don't like, so I didn't take her up on it - but the two families there tasting said it was delicious...so there you go). We were seated near the back wall of the restaurant but it was still a great view and totally comfortable even without A/C. I had the prime rib & lobster special - only $20 and only until 6::30pm - but WORTH IT. I love rare steak and it's not often I can find a good rare prime rib. They had it done to perfection! Served with crispy steamed veggies and some garlic mashed potatoes - it was far too much food and well worth the price. I also got to sample the alii skewers (steak, scallop & prawns) and we had the key lime pie and apple strudel for dessert - all of it phenomenal! The vanilla ice cream on the strudel ALONE is worth coming back for - it has to be homemade. All in all, a "recommend" - maybe have to stop by here again in the coming week!
(4)
Light Bulb J.

This place was pretty expensive for the mediocre food. We got the $19.99 prime rib and lobster special. It was ok. I went back to get a drink at the bar another night because I wanted something cold served out of a fruit. The Hopper Pineapple is a DELICIOUS drink served in a whole pineapple. The bartender was awesome, and both bartenders were very attentive. The thing cost $16, but I paid that for something similar in San Francisco so wasn't too surprised. I would go back for another drink, wouldn't go eat again.
(3)
Jessica B.

Cool place right downtown. Good, solid mahi mahi dinner entree. Desserts were good too.
(4)
Brian H.

I had dinner here and breakfast. Both were good. The food is prepared very nicely and good ingredients. It is slow, but hey, you are Hawaii and next to the bay. We says spinner dolphins playing while we waited.
(4)
Erin O.

We were doing some shopping and needed to slate our thirst, so we planted ourselves at the bar for some frosty Kona brews and a light snack! The bar was very well stocked and the beer selection was pretty good. We will be back for beer in the future, but we are not sure we'd eat a full meal. The bartenders were very friendly gave us the skinny on where to have dinner that night.
(3)
Sarah E.

We came here for a late lunch during the week and it was really good! The views are gorgeous and the seating is pretty comfortable. The coconut shrimp appetizer is apparently the best (according to the people at the table). I had the Kailua fish and chips and the fresh fish makes this the best fish and chips I've ever had! We also got the macadamia nut crusted mahi mahi and scallops which were also superb. The loco moco with scrambled eggs and hamburger is a must have. Overall this place has great food, service, and the prices are pretty decent as well.
(5)
semyon k.

This became our go-to restaurant last week. We had three dinners and two lunches and enjoyed every meal. The restaurant is right on the water with great views. The price is comparable to other places on Alii Drive. The food is much better. Really enjoyed their specials. Fish was always fresh. Seafood pasta was excellent. No complaints about the service either. Good experience all around.
(5)
Tammy W.

Looks like great food but costs were too high for a $$ more like $$$ or more the cheapest item was Alfredo and the you had to add salad or chicken 5.00 each more. We have heard the good is fantastic just not in our budget
(3)
Staci S.

Not impressed with this place at all. I tried to talk my friends out of going once I had read other reviews and I wish they had listened. Was overcharged for my meal, that was awful by the way, don't order the shrimp trio. Only came with 5 shrimp that were badly cooked, a spoonful of mashed potatoes and a spoonful of broccoli. The "special" price was $19.95, it should have been $9.95 at the most. The drink we had was fun and decent, it came in a cored out pineapple, but was $16.95 for one drink, The clam chowder tasted like it came from a can and the pressed coffee was just bland. Two of my friends had the Hopper Platter, which they said was ok, minus the bad coconut shrimp. Another had the mahi mahi, he actually liked that. The last friend had the fish special of the night, he somewhat liked it, but said it wasn't anything too special. All in all it's like a low rent red lobster knockoff and putting a flower on my dinner plate didn't add any type of class to my meal at all, Save your money and go elsewhere.
(2)
Jonathan C.

Well this is an update to the original unpleasant dining experience review I wrote about the Fish Hopper in Kona, HI. Shortly after we arrived home, I received a Yelp message from the Fish Hopper Marketing Director, JoAnn Crivello. She had read my review on Yelp and was genuinely concerned about our poor dining experience. She looked into the incident and advised that the treatment we received was not the norm, and not how the Fish Hopper conducts business. She advised that the incident was looked into and handled appropriately. JoAnn took the extra steps to "make it right" with our dining party as well. I certainly was not expecting this extra customer service, but we greatly appreciated it. The Marketing Director, JoAnn Crivello, went above and beyond our expectations to repair the damage created during our unpleasant dining experience. She is a credit to the Fish Hopper and proved to our dining party that the Fish Hopper Restaurant truly values our business. Thank you Fish Hopper! We will definitely visit again!
(4)
Patrick G.

While in Kona, we dined out a couple of times with our local friends. They love the Fish Hopper for its food, drinks, and super warm service. Fish Hopper is not the Four Seasons, but the food is great. Recommendations: 1) Coconut shrimp: deep fried filleted shrimp goodness. Yeah, it might kill you, but YUM. 2) Mai Tais: they are not familiar with watery drrrrrinks.... 3) Shrimp platter: 3 kinds of shrimp. All tasty. Major workout required afterward 4) ...and because I was feeling healthy one day, I got a salad for lunch. It was really quite good. Not everyone came make a Chicken Caesar Salad well. these guys do. 5) best of all the service was warm and friendly. they got us in and out before a huge wedding party had lunch on a weekday without skipping a beat. Definitely recommended.
(4)
Steve L.

Our family of four requires gluten-free food and the FishHopper staff did a wonderful job taking care of us. They have a gluten-free menu and we're told one of their employees is gluten-free and eats there frequently. Both our server and the manager were both concerned about making sure our food was not cross-contaminated and did a great job in doing so as none of us became ill due to accidental gluten contamination. Between the four of us, we had a seafood salad, Alii Skewers (steak and shrimp), filet mignon steak and swordfish. They even prepared a special calamari appetizer for us (gluten-free of course) which was delicious. Overall, the food was wonderful. The Fish Hopper is a great choice, regardless of whether you're eating gluten-free or not.
(4)
Yasutaka K.

friendly service. tasty sea food platter.
(4)
Stan C.

"The view was awesome, the food was excellent, the waiter was spacey, but the hostess was the mostest." -- anonymous companion who doesn't want to be identified as my lovely wife. Personally, I really enjoyed my half of her ahi wrap (great fish!) and the fish tacos were great! It might have been the flaming zombie, but the whole experience was great.
(4)
Lisa M.

A low key place with excellent food and service
(4)
J L.

The Fish Hopper is amazing! My wife, daughter and I ate there last night and absolutely loved every minute of our experience. The Clam Chowder is to die for and the Macadamia Crusted Mahi Mahi is scrumptious. The cocktails were great. The service was phenomenal. The view was incredible. I cannot more highly recommend the Fish Hopper for dinner while visiting the Big Island.
(5)
Carmen D.

I should have taken the advice from my fellow yelpers. This place sucked. Why did I bother? Once I sat down it took forever for the waitress to take my order. I ordered fries with my mahi sandwhich and she brought me rice. The fries were Luke warm and the mahi though cooked perfectly was nothing special. The best part of this meal was the Mai Tai. I should have went to my original thought Jackie Rey's Ohana grill. Walk pass this place. Tourist trap below average food.
(1)
Vanessa D.

This place definitely deserves more than 3 1/2 stars! First of all, their happy hour starts at 10am, how can you beat that??? We had dinner here the first night: my bf had chicken Alfredo : which he loved. Our free appetizer only consisted of two coconut shrimp but we weren't expecting much given the promotion. Both times the service was excellent! Our waitresses were friendly and offered suggestions on sightseeing and restaurants. The next day we had breakfast: we wanted to try the $5.95 special that a lot of the restaurants on the street offer. DELICIOUS. Although the serving was smaller than I expected , it was great! The eggs were tasty and the potatoes were mixed with veggies (way better than the potato wedges offered next door that were probably under a heat lamp). And of course : $3.00 bloody mary's : amazing!
(4)
jenny r.

My hubby and I were looking for a decent view restaurant in Kailua, and I saw online that they have a Monday and Tuesday special for lobster tail and prime rib for $20. I wanted to go to this particular location, because it is in the old Oceanview retaurant location that we used to enjoy so much for the local grinds and the ocean view. The food was really good. They didn't overcook the lobster, and hubby got the medium rare end cut that he so cherishes. I was wary about the service, because I had read the other reviews. But, to their credit, the floor service was attentive, there was no shortage of wait staff, and they were quite courteous, so no complaints!
(4)
Stephen F.

The fish was decent enough, but my seafood pasta was a little overdone and the sauce was a bit rich with butter for my Californian taste. (I think it's acceptable from other parts of the country) I's say stick with the fish! Atmosphere is a little too kitschy. But hey, you could say that about most of the places on Ali'i Drive. I asked for an Arnold Palmer (half tea, half lemonade), but I didn't realize the ice tea was "tropical island" with a bit of fruit already infused. So the combination was a little weird. I should have stuck with straight iced tea. I don't fault the restaurant for my mistake. Free parking in back, just don't overshoot the driveway going north. It's a long drive around the block! Views look good, but we went after dark, so.... Staff was very friendly and attentive, always a plus. large dining room. Didn't look like a problem getting a table when we went on a Monday night.
(3)
Steve H.

The $2.95 blood mary's are a great deal. $2.95 coffee is a terrible deal. Aside from the bloody mary's, our breakfasts were sub-par. My fiancee had the $5.95 two eggs w/ toast and potatoes. Her over medium eggs were dead around the edges and all her food (aside from the toast) was greasy. My "breakfast special" eggs benedict w/ steak was $15.95. Let me start by saying that my fiancee had more food on her plate for $5.95 than I did for $10 more. I ordered a MR steak that was served medium to medium well at best. The entire entree fit on the center 4" of plate and was stacked from bottom to top with greasy breakfast potatoes, half an english muffin, the overdone steak, spinach and topped with a single poached egg. Doesn't eggs benedict imply at least two eggs?! I've actually never seen a benedict served with one egg. Needless to say, I could have had done just about anything breakfast related for $15.95 that would have turned out better than this. The waiter never asked if I wanted another bloody mary and nobody ever refilled our glasses of water. We won't go back.
(2)
Larry H.

Great happy hour. Mark behind the bar is super. The Blue NeNe martini is the best I've ever had!
(5)
Blah C.

We went there for dinner because of many positive reviews on Yelp and it was close to where we stayed. The service was nice but the food was not worth the money we spent. I ordered the ahi salad, which turned out to be seared ahi tuna on a bed of napa cabbage with slices of mango, papaya, and avocado and it was 21.95++ for that. The dressing was so so and i felt like i ate plain cabbage. We were robbed by this place!
(1)
soumik S.

Ok place. Slightly on the expensive side. servings are relatively small. We ordered 1. macadamia crusted mahi mahi 2. tuna & mai tai for drinks. mai tai was ordinary. the fish could have been more fresh. Awesome view of the ocean though!
(3)
Steve P.

Excellent food and good service. Doesn't look like much from the street, yet our fish dinners were very tasty and nicely presented. We went back a few nights later for dessert and it was excellent as well. From what we saw it's one of the better places along the waterfront in town. Worth a stop.
(4)
lonni f.

Went for dinner. Based on the very mixed reviews, I'm not sure if we were just lucky, or if they've made an effort to improve the food+service recently. However, we were very pleased with both. On the way in, they handed us a card for a free fried callimari appetizer. Initially the service was really sluggish. The server ran off to get our appetizer, but then we waited over 10 minutes before she returned to actually take our order. However, once she did, she was fine for the rest of the visit. My wife got the seafood curry, and I got the 'island seafood platter' (both were on their daily special's menu). My wife was raving about how spicy (good) the curry was, and also what a great assortment of seafood it included. I was pleased with my food as well (the seared ahi was very nicely seasoned). The food was so good that we ordered dessert as well, and it too was pretty good.
(4)
Anthony F.

We were strolling along Ali'i drive working up an appetite, checking menus along the way. After perusing The Fish Hopper menu we knew we had arrived. After entering we were greeted with Aloha by Sam Johnson, the manager. We were a party of five with two babies in strollers. He was very courteous and accommodating. The atmosphere is perfect. The dining area is covered and open to the bay breezes and the view of the ocean beyond. Our server greeted us with Aloha as well and was very courteous and attentive. The food was excellent and the portions were generous. The prices are very reasonable, Kama'aina prices, not expensive resort prices. Excellent value. Skip the fast food because you can easily eat there several times during your stay. We will definitely be back the next time we are in Kona Town.
(5)
Lance N.

Despite the lackluster reviews, this restaurant was surprisingly good. Good prices, great ocean view from the patio, and they cooked my wife's steak perfectly.
(3)
Robert C.

The food was fine and the $3 bloody mary was nice, but oh my god was the service appalling. Our service was slow, and we weren't the only ones affected. I saw a couple tables where people were seated and given menus, but nobody came to take their order, and they just got up and left. Others who had gotten lucky and been served waited a long time for followup. It took us 10 minutes to get our check after asking for it. It may be incompetence or understaffing, but either way I would avoid this place unless you enjoy sitting and waiting a long time.
(2)
Lori A.

This place has a great island feel with the open concept front, that looks out to the ocean and you can hear the ocean waves! Good food, great seafood and some fun drinks to try. The 'volcano" drink that is suppose to be on fire, really isn't, so don't be disappointed. It also is very weak, it tasted like mixed juices, be aware. Nice presentation of meals. If you like the Hawaiian pulled pork, best place in the south or anywhere, in my opinion. It was greasy and has a crispy edging to it that made it different. Enjoy. Aloha!
(4)
Brenda P.

We stopped in here for lunch on our last vacation in Kona and found it to be very pleasant. The food was good, the service was good and I am pretty sure we would go back the next time we are in Kona. I don't remember exactly what I had- we were there in February - but believe me I would remember if it was crappy. The drinks were good too- no skimping on the alcohol - they tasted like a mixed adult beverage, not a virgin or mocktail drink. Not sure why the negative reviews, could be changes in ownership or management which I am sure happens some times.
(3)
Haley S.

I was wary because of the mixed reviews, but this place pleasantly surprised me. I didn't drink, but my madre ordered the $5 margarita and it really didn't taste like a margarita at all. She is a tequila snob, but still... Don't recommend it. The waitress took it back and didn't charge which was nice and unexpected. Plus one star for the waitress bringing us a free coconut prawn appetizer (which was served with a sweet-spicy sauce). They were decent, nothing to were home about, but it was a nice gesture because apparently the hostess was being overly selective about who she gave the coupons to. My seafood cioppino was HUGE and piping hot...it was pretty good and I didn't even realize it came with spaghetti. Way too huge of a portion but delicious. My brother had the ahi tuna wrap which he devoured...My mom ordered the clam & mussel appetizer as her entree and enjoyed it as well. The sesame ahi salad my dad ordered also disappeared pretty quickly. All in all this place is a good family restaurant, a bit overpriced but the meals were hearty and the service was fantastic.
(4)
Ed B.

A horrible experience without a remedy. It took 25 minutes to get a drink once we were seated. We ordered immediately, a fish sandwich and a spinach salad. 50 minutes later still no food. The waiter apologized and 5 minutes later brought out our food. The fish sandwich and fries were cold. The piece of fish only covered one half a regular size bun. The waiter asked if everything was okay and brought over the manager Dale when I explained the problem. I wanted nothing to do with the restaurant at this point and told Dale to bring the check. He assured me he would "take care of the check" and 10 minutes later the check arrived. I guess by take care of it he meany overcharge us for a drink and delete my entree. They didn't even have the courtesy to comp us my$2.50 iced tea! Pleas note the restaurant was not particularly busy.
(1)
Pete G.

This is the best restaurant in Hawaii! They have a number of fresh fish items that are not on the internet menu which are fantastic. The swordfish and prawn tower is to die for. The swordfish melts in your mouth and the prawns taste like lobster. We also love their crab cakes. Yaesterday we had the crab stuffed salmon and the day before we had the Panko crusted mahi. The manager Joel made us feel like old friends and we noticed him talking with many tables at length. It's really a personal touch. They have a view of the harbor and an open air seating area that is covered but feels fresh and easy going. We'll be back! After reading the mixed reviews i have to point out the place is busy every night with people who clearly love the place. For those that have critized the portions or the price, this is very unfair as we are extremely satisfied with both. You won't find this quality for this price in Hawaii often. We split a meal, an appetizer, a salad and a dessert, which was the right amount of food and a great way to enjoy a variety.
(5)
Bryan E.

The Chowder is best on the island in my opinion, but the rest of the menu is just average.
(3)
Guy S.

This was absolutely great. We were looking for a good seafood place for our last night in Hawai'i, and this didn't disappoint. Our hotel gave us a coupon for a free chef's-choice appetizer with entree purchase (that night it was the Calamari), and we got the Ahi Trio platter. The fish was very fresh and flavorful, and the calamari was quite yummy. My father got a seafood pasta dish with a cream sauce (a bit off-menu, as it was supposed to have a garlic olive oil sauce), which was very flavorful. My brother got the New York Steak, which was especially good. It was perfectly cooked, extremely flavorful, and came with very tasty steamed veggies. My cousin got the broiled salmon, which was very nice, and I got one of their specials, the Fresh Fish Trio. This had sesame-coated seared Ahi tuna, a broiled Ono, and a Macadamia Coconut-crusted Mahi Mahi, which came on top of mashed purple sweet potato (or Taro, I'm not sure which one). For dessert, we got the Chocolate Macadamia nut Tart (which was very good, sort of like a pecan pie but with macadamias, covered in a thin layer of chocolate ganache), and the creme brulee, which was good, even by our high standards. A couple of minor criticisms: Don't go there if you're starving. The dishes are a bit small, though the quality far outweighs the quantity. Also, they had a listed special which I was very excited about (a pasta dish with Opakapaka) which they had run out of. It's not a big deal, but I had hoped to try the fish before I left the Islands, and so I was a little disappointed. My father thinks that the service was a bit slow (he says we waited a bit too long for them to come take our orders, bring out the check, etc), but I completely disagree. I felt the staff was very helpful, especially in suggesting an alternative to the dish they had run out of. It's a bit pricy, but if you're looking for a good place with great atmosphere and a nice view, with great-quality food, this is a fantastic place to go.
(4)
Donna L.

Good location, nice decor, dainty portions garnished with an orchid. I had the house special coconut macadamia brioche french toast $10. They must've run out of brioche because my french toast was made with two thin slices of ordinary white bread. The coconut-nut coating was nice and crunchy but otherwise the toast was just barely dipped and not eggy at all just kind of dry. A bit disappointing. Why even 2 stars? Well the view from the balcony is awesome, plate presentation is nice, the service is sharp, and the coffee is very good. Why not 3 stars? Because there are so many yummy places to eat in Kona. This is not one of them.
(2)
May T.

Where else to enjoy fresh seafood and a great outdoor dining patio next to the water in downtown Kona than this restaurant? The Japanese Panko Encrusted Ono with Citrus Cream the bf had was delightful, the fish was flaky and not overburdened by too much cream. My skirt steak was marinated in a light sweet soy with mango salsa over steamed rice. They make killer tropical blended drinks and, for the first time in 15 years, I ordered a grasshopper and wasn't disappointed with too much creme de menthe. The drink was a nicely balanced minty sensation. Service is really friendly and helpful, and the views of the ocean are wonderful in the evening.
(3)
Mary H.

Got seated at 11:00 and that is the breakfast cut off time. By the time server came over about 10 minutes later I was told too late for breakfast. The manager apologized and gave me a complimentary order of calamari. I had the Mac-nut salad and it was delicious, plenty of chicken and fresh greens. Great view, tables not too crowded together and comfortable chairs.
(3)
S J.

I spent my 30th birthday weekend on BI and enjoyed a marvelous meal at the Fish Hopper where Brittany took excellent care of us. I loved my watermelon margarita and my recommended fresh Onaga on bleu cheese polenta. My honey enjoyed his Mahi -but I think my plate was the winner of the night. Each person working was so kind and attentive, the view was beautiful and I couldn't have had a more delightful birthday meal.
(5)
Cris W.

Outstanding food and service, especially from Darci. Be sure to ask for her. Heed a bait-and-switch warning, however. A lady stands on the sidewalk giving out coupons for a free appetizer that she tells you is calamari. Once you're seated, it's a very cheap version of cerviche. The explanation is that it rotates. We're told this twice now. This is the only reason I didn't give 5 stars. The sidewalk approach smells of deception.
(4)
Christine L.

Located across from Kona Marriott with amazing views of the water. Mellow place with late happy hour and I was hungry. Pork sliders, coco prawns, Caesar with shrimp, Virgin breeze for $23! Highly recommended!
(5)
Hollis E.

We stopped in for a snack and a cocktail. We had to get the ultimate Bloody Mary and it was yummy and fun! It had olives and crab stuffed olives, a crab cake slider, a bacon wrapped shrimp, celery, a green bean and an oyster as a garnish. It was awesome and the mojitos are very good as well
(4)
Sarah W.

The food was not horrible, but definitely not has good as the other restaurants we ate at the week we were in Hawaii. The food was just average.
(3)
Janelle R.

I have been here more times than I can count in the last ten years... As a tourist. It is number one on my list of favorites and I am kind of a food snob. Joel, the manager is amazing. He will remember you years later if you bother to thank him... And you should. Darci, was our server this evening and she was amazing!! You go girl!!!! If you are in Kona... This is a must. Ask for the Ahi trio... Even if it's not on the menu. Ohhhhhhhh... And super cheap dinner wine list ... Same as every other place but bottle price is grocery store level. Enjoy, as I know you will!!!!
(5)
William R.

Oh boy, we love this place. Right on the main drag in the middle of Kona town. Be sure to visit when you are on the Big Island. At home we love to watch the live feed on the video cam showing the harbor
(5)
Rose L.

Short walk from Kona resort hotel.ordered grilled ono fish and kailua fish tacos on our 1st day in the island. Kayla was very nice and helpful and gave my son a complimentary bday sweet potato haupia pie.Very good lunch--my kids wanted to come back again to try more. On our last day in Kona, came back again and told them we have to be out in 30mins. kayla was there again to help us and we ordered pancake breakfast and fried rice with spam and bacon in the side. Got a complimentary fruit medley. food is so good and servers were all helpful and nice! highly recommended!
(5)
Howard H.

This restaurant is located in the heart of Kona and you get to eat while looking out on the water which is just across the street. Parking is in the back but somewhat limited. We came here for dinner and this place serves fairly standard seafood fare and does carry local fish like opakapaka and ono when available. While there was nothing to really get excited about, the fish was fresh and cooked well albeit a bit bland for my taste. The service was decent and the price is about what one expects for a seafood meal (about 30 to 35 bucks a person). Not a bad choice if you're in Kona looking to relax at dinnertime.
(3)
Steve G.

Really disappointed. Salad was tiny, 3 pieces of lettuce for my Caesar salad, fish was overlooked. Prices were typical but not worth the price. Prefer Huggos, just down the street.
(1)
Sweet Berry F.

Best happy hour for drinks and food. Also the view is perfect. I miss this place oh so much.
(5)
Katie R.

I was recently in Kona to hike Mauna Loa and, on the day we summited, we decided to treat ourselves here. Big mistake. Initially the service was great. I ordered Ono and asked that it be cooked through. It came raw in the middle. No biggie. I flagged down the waitress and let her know. Her response was, "It's because nobody ever orders it cooked that way." Wow. So, I am to blame for the kitchen's error? I don't do well with confrontation. I don't want to be that person, the one making a scene because something was wrong. I let it go and waited while my companion ate beside me. 20 minutes later the manager came over to apologize. I said that I prefer to not have the fish now (my companion was already done eating, so, really...). He said he'd knock the price of the salads off of the bill. Well, okay, if you consider that sufficient. Needless to say I would not return. Their customer service is incredibly poor. My companion's fish was good, but it's lame he had to eat it while I sat there empty handed (empty bellied? ha!).
(1)
David M.

Stale oyster crackers and soggy crab cakes. My wife and I went to Fish Hopper last night. We flew in from Honolulu and got to the restaurant at 8:30. The clam chowder was just "ok". The oyster crackers that came with it were stale. I shouldn't have dumped the whole bag on my soup. We also tried the kalua pork spring rolls. Oily. It came with 4 pieces, and we couldn't eat one. Asso had the crab cakes. Soggy. It was an order of two pieces, and we didn't eat more than a corner of one of the pieces. Our waiter, Lex asked if we didn't like the meal. I said we really didn't enjoy it. Pretty obvious, since we didn't eat anything we ordered. He shrugged his shoulders and said, "oh, I see", and just walked away. Really? What crappy service. Overall our meal was a $55 mistake. This restaurant IS NOT kaiamainna friendly. They're just in business to serve tourists awful, overpriced food.
(1)
Sara S.

Before shopping, we were hungry for some lunch. I received a coupon from our hotel for a free appetizer to the restaurant that I was thinking of going to. The appetizer happened to be Calamari! Lunch: Fish Hopper We loved it. It had ocean front views, people watch the Village Walk, and the food was delicious. I decided to order Fish Tacos It was made up with a mixture of Mahi Mahi and Ono fish. It had a refreshing pineapple and papaya salsa. When the waitress asked if I wanted dessert, I declined because I was going to have shave ice! I noticed a shave ice shop nearby when walking, so I got so excited. Highly recommend--
(4)
Guy B.

Always enjoy coming here. Great clam chowder and the calamari appetizer was delicious. 3 of us, each ordered an item off the specials list. I chose wrong tonight. The flavors in the parm crusted mahi dish didn't work for me. Everyone else enjoyed their dishes. Will be back. :-)
(4)
Michael M.

solid food. First meal off the airplane in Kona and this place was solid. Good prices and great first beer to kick off my vacation :)
(3)
Kyoto W.

The filet mignonette was good but there was a huge roach crawling on so done and the staff killed it right in front of us.
(3)
Beth R.

This is always our choice when we drive from Kohala to have lunch with my mom who lives nearby. First plus is the location and design, with the big windows upon to Kona Bay. Second is the super friendly staff. We always enjoy our meals. Mom orders sand dabs which remind her of years in california. I tend to go for one of the daily specials (today it was opakapaka). Generous lunch portions with very fresh vegetables. Hubby asks for the filet mignon from the dinner menu at lunchtime, which they always accommodate...and now it was actually on the specials! We also like the ahi salad and fish tacos.
(4)
Brad S.

The food was not great - the service was not great. There were only three other tables in the floor and it seemed like nobody was working that night. Would be nice if they were really known for something or had a draw but I think this place survives on location alone.
(2)
Dustin H.

The worst service in Hawaii thus far. We were seated and the server never came. EVER. I had to get up and go to the bar and order our drinks there. The bartender seems to understand the lack of server being a problem and helped bring our beers over. This place is only good for drinks at the bar. They do have a very good bar happy hour, and I'd come back for that for sure. The views are nice but don't bother seating at the restaurant... Meh, there are better places In Kona.
(2)
Dawn H.

Overcooked fish and slow service make The Fish Hopper in Kailua Kona a poor choice. We dined here for lunch and it took 15 min. for anyone to wait on us, even though the restaurant was half full. When the food was brought to us, my order was completely wrong. When my food finally came out 15 min. later (after my husband was done eating), the ono was so overcooked that parts of it were inedible. I ordered panko crusted ono with a sweet chili sauce; the fish was drowning in the sauce, rendering what might have been a crisply, flaky crust into mush. The same was true of the potato pancake; by layering the fish on it, it turned out mushy. My husband's meal was not as bad as mine... Although I mentioned that the fish was overcooked, and also taking into consideration that either the waitress or the kitchen got my meal wrong, they could have at least given us a discount. Instead we were offered a free dessert, but I didn't want to try anymore of their food. The location is good, but there are plenty of better quality restaurants with better views on Ali'i Drive. Skip the Fish Hopper and spend your money elsewhere.
(1)
Joe S.

Delicious food. I've been here today for lunch and ordered the fish trio. The dish presentation was awesome and it tasted heavenly. The fish was fresh and well cooked. Highly recommended.
(5)
Sheri L.

I came here twice during my vacation to Hawaii. We happened to just stumble in the first time trying to kill time with some drinks while waiting for our friends flight to come in. The drinks were really good and strong - they have daily specials which are always yummy. Our bartended Jonathan was awesome, gave us some great recommendations for beaches and things to do. We tried the calamari and the fish tacos. Fish tacos were really good, fresh and has two types of fish (salmon and white fish - my fiance hates salmon but thought this was delish!). The calamari has really good cocktail sauce that has a really good kick! So when the rest of our group arrived to Hawaii, we went back for dinner! Jonathan was there as our waiter this time ... he's really fun and kept the food and drinks coming. Sit along the edge and people watch and gaze into the ocean as you enjoy your dinner. There's not a whole lot to do on the big island so this area your best bet for night time! The service was great, the staff was fun, drinks were yummy and strong and the fish was fresh!
(4)
Angela D.

This place was a little overpriced and the food was a little under-whelming but what more can you expect from a restaurant on the main tourist drag of Kona? The breakfast menu was pretty small but had a little bit of everything from pancakes to huevos rancheros. The POG was waaaay too sweet and the coffee was a little weak, but it is a nice choice for dining with an ocean view. Definitely a good option for groups as they have a few large booths and lots of room to push together tables. Didn't see too many little kids running around though.
(3)
Mike R.

Excellent service, right next to the water, and the food is absolutely delicious!! I will definitely come back. Look for Dana! Awesome hostess, she'll treat you well!
(5)
Kai R.

We had some pretty good food here. Loco moco for me, and crab benedict for her. Both plates were tasty and came out in a timely manner. Coffee is especially good here, and they offer french press if you want it that way. Seating was quick, and they have tons of windows & window seating for a good view of the ocean waves. Would go here again.
(4)
Mark N.

The service was prompt and friendly at this bayside, open-air eatery. I started with the ceviche which was great with fresh avocado on top. I chose the triple-play of fish for the main course. The coconut-crusted Ono was almost as good as the blackened, but both were eclipsed by the Mac nut mahi mahi which was awesome. Go here last for a memorable meal
(4)
p w.

This is a great place for one of those fancy umbrella drinks, or a drink in a fruit (e.g. a pineapple). Food is adequate. View is great.
(3)
pauline y.

i live on a different island and i got married on monday, august 9, 2010 in kona on the big island. i had much stress trying to coordinate everything involved for a wedding from far away so when i arrived in kona on august 5th, i still did not have a place to take my wedding guests (about 40 people) for lunch after the wedding. for 3 days, i went from restaurant to restaurant checking, menus, prices, parking availability and atmosphere. i was told by some managers that it was just too last minute for them to accommodate me. seriously? it's not like most places have a lunch time rush on a monday that they would turn away 40 guests if they came in twos and threes. i walked into the Kona Fishopper on Ali'i Drive and liked the atmosphere immediately. it was casual and had a great view of the ocean. it was a little busy so i had to take the manager, Joel Genavia's number and call him later. when i did, he was most accommodating. he never once said that this was too last minute. he simply asked how many and what time and when i asked if we could create a simple menu keeping it at or under $15.00 a head, he said, " no problem!" he even typed a little keepsake menu for me and my guests. we had 6 entrees to choose from and it included a soup or salad. most ate the soup, their award winning clam chowder, and raved about that and all the entrees. the wait staff was also excellent. they were both friendly and helpful. because of the wonderful people at the Kona Fishopper, my wedding celebration was salvaged (see my review on the Kona Flower Shoppe) and happily memorable! this crew and Joel Genavia understands the meaning and lives aloha! mahalo piha!
(5)
Norman C.

A friend and I tried 2 fish dish that the server recommended and it was next to uneatable. Both fish was dry and over cooked. I had the parmesan Ono and my friend had the sanddabs The clam chowder was okay, not spectacular. The crabs cakes was hard and more bread than anything else
(1)
Megan S.

I ate here a couple of times, the first time the food was great and the service okay. The second time I returned the food was not consistent in flavor and portion. The waitress, Lenera was horrible! Bad customer service and because of that our family and I will never go back again!
(2)
Reese M.

Awesome. Really good food. Everything on the menu is good. You can't go wrong with anything you choose. Fast and friendly service. The staff are always very nice. Excellent mimosas in the morning. And there is a beautiful view of the beach. Seriously good food. Always leave happy.
(5)
Zohra B.

Went there for dinner on 4/22/11, service was good, view was nice but overall the food left much to be desired. Kahlua pork dish was bland, ceviche was lacking acidity and the drinks were expensive. Maybe it was just what we ordered, but I will not be going back.
(2)
Thomas P.

Good grindz on local and fresh catch fish. Service Manager very people pleasing. Made my special birthday dinner reservations through open table with an ocean view and table was reserved right on time. Food was very good! Lobster was prepared primo and Hawaiian Sea Bass was "ono" dats good tasting in Hawaii.
(5)
Omar A.

Clam chowder was amazing! Some of the best I have had. I think the fish was a little dry / over cooked... But the chowder made up for it. Plus the service was very friendly. Nice place to hang out after a day at the beach.
(4)
RJ M.

Pretty good food and drinks, kind of standard for a tourist restaurant, but the home made clam chowder was delicious. We also got a free appetizer for mentioning Yelp, which was definitely a plus!
(4)
michael p.

Last night on the Big Island and found this gem via Yelp...enjoyed the Coco-hops and coconut shrimp appetizer (Yelp-deal), followed by a fresh, delightful Hawaiian fish trio and Bayous coconut cake. Service was great. We were greeted and seated at a window-side table with a view of the sunset. Enjoyed lunch at their Monterey Bay, CA location in November. Both offer fresh fish in accord with Monterey Bay Aquarium's sustainable fish program. We'll be back!
(4)
pac s.

I like this place, the service was excellent, we had forgotten the discount card given to us by the activities person, but once we mentioned the name they gave us the discount with no questions asked. The restaurant manager stopped by asking about how our experience was in the restaurant. The food was very good, I ordered the Ahi crusted with Macadamia nuts, and the wife ordered the Hawaiian Sea bass. The dessert selection was as good as the main dish. Highly recommended.
(4)
Kate S.

I can't believe this restaurant got such bad reviews from some people! The food was delicious and the service was fast. The fish was very fresh. I got the 3 fish sampler and split it with my dad and it was more than enough food. The atmosphere is nice, right near the beach. For a place called "The Fish Hopper" this was a very pleasant surprise.
(5)
Phillip C.

This restaurant is the most overrated ,overpriced eatery in the whole of Kona. The prices for the meals relative to the quality and quantity of food and service makes you long for a Whopper. At least you usually walk out of Burger King full and don't feel you've been robbed. I ordered the swordfish for $29 and it was the size of a coin I put into a dollar slot machine. The mashed potatoes took all of one bite to finish, and the veggies were tastleless. The drinks were $10 each and definitely not worth the price; the service was terrible, the waiter never came back to check if we were satisfied, and we had to trip the busboy to get our check. If you aren' t hungry, feel like spending a lot of money and have a lot of patience, this is your place.
(1)
Michael M.

It's okay. Geared toward tourists I think. Food was good, but a bit pricey.
(3)
Jon G.

My family has been travelling to Kona for the last 22 years and this was our first trip to The Fish Hopper. It was recommended to us by some other vacationers as a nicer place to have dinner and they made a point to mention the views of Kona Harbor. We double checked the ratings on Yelp and discovered that we would receive a free appetizer for mentioning Yelp (got to love Yelp!). We decided to give it a shot and had an awesome experience. The free appetizer was delicious calamari. Two of us had the Walu off the nightly specials menu, which I would compare to a better halibut (I know, I can't believe I wrote that but it's true). The Walu was served over a roasted pepper puree with awesome mashed potatoes and some veggies. Just thinking about it makes me want to go back immediately. I don't remember exactly what everyone else ordered but I know no one had a complaint. There was a risotto and grilled prawn dish and my mom had an entree that involved three unique very generous "tasting" dishes. I remember one of those being a giant prawn, another was pink snapper... We all shared a molten chocolate cake for desert and took out two bottles of wine which Joel, the manager, came out to pour himself. All in all, a great experience, great service and great food. I will always come back here when I am in Kona.
(5)
Tony T.

After chuch we had lunch. If you are local, ask for Kama'ana menu which is best deal....come with salad or soup, entree, and dessert. Since the restaurant is by All Dr., it can be too noisy for conversation. We will go back again.
(4)
Susan D.

Absolutely loved their Sesame Crusted Ahi Salad -- so fresh. With avocado, papaya, mango, and napa cabbage, and the dressing is just slightly spicy hot. Perfect. The views are great, right on Alii Drive -- sat and watched the cruise ship shuttles load an unload on the bay. Hope to return often and looking forward to checking out their other locations in Monterey, CA.
(4)
Bryan L.

We ate at the Fish Hopper for lunch on a Friday afternoon. The place was about a quarter full and we were told that the head chef was visiting from their Monterey location (can't remember if we had been there before) and was offering some new dishes. Nothing too fancy, looked like typical California fare. The food was decent, the pricing was reasonable and the view was not bad (it's right by the seawall in Kona) but the service left something to be desired. It took a long time to for the waitress to take our order, and then even longer for our drinks. The water tasted like it came straight from the tap and we didn't get refills until our meal was done. There are better options in Kona.
(2)
helen s.

We stopped here because we were walking along the shops on Ali'i drive and a guy from the fish hopper was handing out free appetizer coupons and discount off of breakfast coupons. Also, we met a family who raved about this place so we decided to give it a try. With out free appetizer coupon, you don't get to choose off their appetizer menu. They have their own free list of 2 items you choose from; we chose the calamari. Yes, the calamari was free, but it was not that great. I've had better elsewhere. I ordered the mahi mahi tacos and my bf ordered the ribs & shrimp dish. He loved his, but I thought mine was bleh. The food wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either. It was just "a ok". later on, we met the family again and said we should've tried the clam chowder. Oh well...
(3)
John G.

I have been The Fish Hopper 3 times now over a 2 year period. I have been disappointed every time. I was there on Mothers Day and realize that is a busier than normal day but the 20 minute wait after being seated is not my main concern. I ordered the Kalbi ribs and did a double take when they arrived. They looked like overcooked freezer burned jerky. The manager must have seen my face and ran over and asked if all was OK. I pointed at my plate and she couldn't get it away fast enough. My wife didn't say anything about her partially raw eggs benedict I found out later. The manager did the right thing and brought me something else and went above and beyond and comped the whole ticket. The food was just bad and have had this problem here before. I will not give them a 4th chance and gave the one star rating for a 5 star location brought down by terrible food and it wouldn't let me give a no star rating.
(1)
Elaine F.

We ate here on our last day in Kona (Christmas Eve). Our waitress was right on the spot and we told her that we needed to be at the airport in 1 1/2 hour and she was excellent. We got a table in the front with a wonderful view of the bay. The food was very good and I would not hesitate to return. They also had a man singing Hawaiian songs that we enjoyed.
(5)
N. S.

Great experience! My husband and I wanted a nicer meal with a good atmosphere and that's what we got at Fish Hopper. We scored a seat by the water and listened to the waves as we dined. We received a free appetizer by mentioning Yelp and bottles of wine were 25% off. I had the Japanese Ono with a citrus glaze and mango salsa - so good! My husband had the Hawaiian Ahi, which was a good piece of fish, but not super memorable. Both entrees were about $25 each. We had the Chocolate Decadence dessert, which truly was decadent. Overall: great atmosphere, attentive service, perhaps overpriced - but it's all part of being in a touristy area. I would go back and recommend it.
(4)
Steve S.

This review is for the bar only. They actually have pretty good bar specials all day, including $5 mai tais and margaritas and a bunch of food specials like $5 poke and $5 for three oysters...not bad. The drinks were decent, service was excellent. Our bartender Chad was very friendly and attentive. Plus the location and view are awesome. I wish we'd spent more time drinking here instead of Huggo's and Lulu's.
(4)
Mary F.

If you are in the area, this is a great location. A woman in one of the shops recommended it to us for dinner as one of her favorites. We started with the calamari- crisp and flavorful with a good dipping sauce. Then,. I had the Ono and my husband had the Ahi tuna- both were very fresh and well prepared. The salads were fresh and side dishs also well prepared. We didn't have room for dessert though the dessert tray looked awesome. We were on the big island for 5 days and on Oahu for 6 and this was the best dinner for the price over all the others. We were seated with a great view of the ocean and waitress was super. We also split a large drink called a "volcano" that was fruit punch based and very good. While it is somewhat pricey, the quality is what makes it worthwhile and most of the restaurants in Kona are pricey unless it is a sandwich place or a taver/pub location. We will definitely visit it again next time we are there.
(5)
Mina Z.

I am on my first trip to Hawaii and for the last day here I decided to walk around Kailua Kona for the evening. I walked by this one restaurant and a server was passing out samples of their clam chowder and cards for a free appetizer. I went in after smelling the food wafting out the doorway. I ordered the ahi salad and my friend ordered the hawaiian fish trio. The calamari came out and they were very tender and scrumptious. We ordered two tropical drinks which came in a hollowed out pineapple decorated with an umbrella and orchid. DELICIOUS! Wasn't very strong so we were ok driving afterward. Our meals came out. Nothing but fresh fish and wonderful fusions of complimentary hawaiian flavors. Throughout the dinner the manager was chatting with us and making sure everything was great. We had a great server as well. For dessert we could not choose which one we wanted when the server came by with a platter of slices of heaven. He kindly arranged for the kitchen to give us a slice of each one!! We lived them all but I highly recommend the tiramisu & the sweet potato pie. My bff liked the cheesecake. The ambiance is what you expect in Kona. It's fine dining but does not require you to dress up. For the guys, dress can range from tshirt and boardshorts to a Tommy B silk shirt and slacks. Same for the ladies. I was wearing a tie dye sundress and slippers. I highly recommend this restaurant. Five star in all categories! Mahalo!
(5)
Nancy L.

I have to agree with most of the other reviews-not so great. However, we didn't get sick which is a plus. The view is nice, but there are sooo many other places to drop your dollar. I agree with Kim K., keep walking. Nothing special here.
(2)
Lindsey H.

This review is for breakfast only since that's all we ate here. Service first thing in the morning was prompt and friendly and everything was very tasty; if you like a sweet breakfast, try the macadamia french toast - yum! We came here on four or five consecutive mornings from the Kona Seaside motel next door; on the second day, the waitress recognized us as repeat customers and gave us a reusable coupon for a free fruit bowl. The ocean view, of course, is delightful. Breakfast is a bit on the expensive side, around $9-13 plus $2.75 for coffee. It would be nice if they listed a la carte items on their menu: some are available, but you have to ask because the choices are not specified.
(4)
Gibby K.

Its in downtown Kona and totally a tourist trap. Should have known better after seeing the fake food displays after entering the restaurant. The food was mediocre and overpriced for what you get. The seared Ahi Tuna was dry and more well-done than seared. The presentation looks good, but definately did not perform on taste and price. Views are good and that's essentially what you are paying for.
(2)
Nina N.

Sampled the clam chowder and it was the best I've ever had. The free fried calamari appetizer was alright and the teriyaki steak wasn't that good. The decor is like a typical tropical Hawaiian style and the view overlooks the bay.
(2)

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Address : 75-5683 Alii Dr
Kailua Kona, HI, 96740
Phone (808) 326-2002
Website https://www.fishhopper.com/
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :7:00 am - 9:3

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes

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The Fish Hopper

75-5683 Alii Dr, Kailua Kona, HI, 96740

The Fish Hopper Menu

Hot Appetizers

Cold Appetizers

Salads

Pasta

Fresh from the Hopper

Hopper Fries it Up

Combination Platters

Hopper Crab and Lobster Platters

Poultry

Steaks

Healthy Meal suggestions for The Fish Hopper

Hot Appetizers

Cold Appetizers

Salads

Pasta

Fresh from the Hopper

Hopper Fries it Up

Combination Platters

Hopper Crab and Lobster Platters

Poultry

Steaks

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