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Sam Choy's Kai Lanai, Kailua-Kona, HI

Sam Choy's Kai Lanai

4.0
4
1368 Reviews
$30 and under
Hawaii Regional Cuisine
78-6831 Ali'i Dr., Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

About this restaurant

  • Great for scenic views
  • Great for outdoor dining
  • Romantic
You'll experience the wonderful hospitality of the Hawaiian culture, the sensational aromas of fresh, island cooking and the innovative recipes created by Hawaii’s culinary ambassador, Sam Choy.At Sam Choy's Kai Lanai, a stunning 230-degree view of the Pacific stretches out in a beautiful blue oasis before you. “The Short Bait” bar is a fun place to meet friends for pupus or sit by the fire pits and watch spectacular sunsets. The superb service and warm Aloha welcome will make this your top dining choice at breakfast, lunch and dinner.

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Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Hawaii Regional Cuisine
  • Hours of operation
    Serving Daily - Lunch and Dinner, Breakfast on Saturday and Sunday Monday - Thursday 11:00 am - 9:00 pm Friday 11:00 am - 9:30 pm Saturday 7:00 am - 9:30 pm Sunday 7:00 am - 9:00 pm HAPPY HOUR - Daily 3:00 - 5:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Sam Choy
  • Private party facilities
    If you have an intimate party or a large gathering, you will select your menu or defer to Chef Choy’s suggestions and life-long experience in preparing custom, creative and undeniably delicious food.
  • Neighborhood
    Kailua-Kona
  • Parking details
    Lot plus over flow parking lot with cart service between over flow lot and restaurant.
  • Additional
    Beer, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 1,368 people are saying

Sam Choy's Kai Lanai reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

4.0
4 based on all time ratings
  • 4Food
  • 4Service
  • 4.3Ambience
  • 2.2Value

NoiseModerate

1,368 Reviews
  1. OpenTable Diner

    Alabama1 review

    5.0

    Dined on March 8, 2020

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Enjoyed our meal at Sam Choy’s on our last night in Kona and it was an outstanding experience. The food was cooked to perfection and delicious and our server was cheerful, attentive and very helpful. Although it ended up being overcast, we had a great view and were very comfortable. Be sure to get the calamari appetizer and the Pineapple Coconut fritters for dessert!

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  2. OpenTable Diner VIP

    Des Moines19 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 5, 2020

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Good food & service. Beautiful view. Noisy.

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  3. OpenTable Diner

    New Mexico6 reviews

    2.0

    Dined on March 5, 2020

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    We remember this place as a little more upscale but it’s now more “every day”. Nice views to the ocean if you forget about looking over the mall rooftops. The word on the street is that Sam has forgotten about this location, instead focusing on his Oahu location. Two of us tried a “new” shredded duck entree and found the plum-based sauce did not taste very good — had an earthy/dirt taste to it. Our server was efficient; food came out quickly; but not overly friendly. I doubt we will go back. Too many other “OK” places to try.

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  4. marcm

    Calgary4 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on March 5, 2020

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 3
    food was very good but the service was very very rushed and poor

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  5. RandyV

    Caribbean1 review

    2.0

    Dined on March 5, 2020

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    Duck was undercooked, steak my friend received was overpriced. View from outside tables is spectacular

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  6. JKTP

    Tucson7 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on March 4, 2020

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Delightful with good service and tasty food.

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  7. OpenTable Diner

    Hawaii1 review

    5.0

    Dined on March 2, 2020

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our waitress, Rhonda, was wonderful . Very friendly and anticipated our needs. Came to check on us but did not intrude. The food was tasty, setting was stunning, but we found it a bit pricey. Lovely evening - just cost us more than we thought it would.

    1 person found this helpful

  8. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco1 review

    4.0

    Dined on March 2, 2020

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Service was excellent. Becca was awesome server!

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  9. LindaB

    Hawaii1 review

    5.0

    Dined on March 1, 2020

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had brunch on a Sunday and were so pleased with the beautiful setting, delicious and generous portions and friendly service. The prices were very reasonable and all four members of our group were pleased with their selections which included a ham omelette, fried rice, and eggs Benedict. The reservation process made our seating so quick and efficient as well!

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  10. EMSR

    Kansas City13 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 1, 2020

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    I had the short ribs and my wife had the "catch of the day". Both were prepared well and very enjoyable. Portions are generous. Can't comment on the dessert because we were too full to try one. The Mai Tai's are excellent. Setting is on top of a hill overlooking a shopping center and a main road but it also had a clear view of the ocean.

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FAQs

Sam Choy's Kai Lanai is rated 4 stars by 1368 OpenTable diners.

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable booking network. To check availability, please contact them directly.

Is this your restaurant?
Claim this listing
Google Map for Sam Choy's Kai Lanai

78-6831 Ali'i Dr., Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

Additional information

  • Neighborhood
    Kailua-Kona
  • Hours of operation
    Serving Daily - Lunch and Dinner, Breakfast on Saturday and Sunday Monday - Thursday 11:00 am - 9:00 pm Friday 11:00 am - 9:30 pm Saturday 7:00 am - 9:30 pm Sunday 7:00 am - 9:00 pm HAPPY HOUR - Daily 3:00 - 5:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Hawaii Regional Cuisine
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Lot plus over flow parking lot with cart service between over flow lot and restaurant.
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Sam Choy
  • Additional
    Beer, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
  • Private party facilities
    If you have an intimate party or a large gathering, you will select your menu or defer to Chef Choy’s suggestions and life-long experience in preparing custom, creative and undeniably delicious food.
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