Don the Beachcomber TripAdvisor Reviews
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"Don the Beachcomber"
West_Coast_YVR 4 contributions
Vancouver, Canada
May 11, 2009
We were in Kona at the end of April (2009) and while driving around heard the radio ad for their Thursday Prime Rib/Surf&Turf special. So we called made reservations for that night.
We arrived a few minutes before our rez and were quickly seated outside with an amazing view of the departing cruise ship and setting sun. The tiki torches lit up the area as darkness was quickly upon us.
Our server recommended the 2-1 special which included shared appetizer platter (seared ahi tuna, prawns and crab cake), entree (prime rib, rack of short ribs, fish or chicken) dessert (cheesecake),
and a bottle of wine (Smooking Loon - cab sav, merlot or sav blanc) for two the menu price was $59.98.
Of course, we had to try their famous Mai Tai's as well and it was among the best I've had. The squeeze of lime helps to take away the sweetness, so you can adjust it to your preferance.
The meal was spectacular - we were very full and combined with the atmosphere and attentive service (good pace, not rushed) we had a very enjoyable evening.
Here's a tip: if you're driving over the the Royal Kona Resort - park in the self-park lot and take your ticket stub in - Don's validates for up to 3 hours of free parking!
"Good food, service and wonderful view"
California
April 22, 2009
 (View From Our Dinner Table)
We were staying at the hotel (see separate review) and decided to have an early dinner here which was a great choice. Food was expensive but good, service very good and the view was wonderful from our waterfront table. I would not have enjoyed our dinner nearly as much if we had been at a table inside. We plan to return.
We had a drink at the bar prior, and I will definitely return there as well. Happy hour regular mai tai was $4.50 and decent. Lovely area with awesome views
“Don's . . . a blissful Hawaiian experience!”
Canada
April 5, 2009
  
Oh, if only I was sitting there right now sipping a Mai Tai and taking in that view!
We dined here the day of our outbound flight from Kona, starting out at the Mai Tai bar and then moving to the restaurant for dinner. We ordered a '41 Mai Tai with the waitress double-checking to ensure we did indeed want to order it as it was not part of their Happy Hour menu at 9USD per person - absolutely - a bargain compared to the 14 USD per person with tax & tip Blue Hawaiians at Waikoloa! If we hadn't had dinner reservations, I would have been happy to sit here for the rest of the afternoon and early evening sipping Mai Tais. Great service, fun and casual crowd, and superb view.
Moving over the restaurant, we were seated quickly at a table by the water's edge with a wonderful view of the sunset - passing what some would describe as "tacky" tiki decor in the inner part of the restaurant, but I found it quite charming - what comes to mind when I think of a traditional Hawaiian restaurant. We opted for the dinner for two with appetizers, entree, dessert and bottle of wine - all at an unbelievable price of just under 60 USD for two before tax and tip - a refreshing change from the "extraction zones" further up the coast in Waikoloa! Service was friendly and attentive; food tasty; and view beautiful.
Don's has a charm that can't be denied!
“Best Dinner and value in Kona”
Hawaii
March 31, 2009
Have been eating here off and on over the past year.... First the google map is total wrong.... so ignore it.
Second, it is not possible to get a meal in Kona of this quality for twice the price.
The menu has a constant stream of special offerings, Heck some of their offerings are better than the Four Seasons.....
The bar is pretty reasonable and has the best Mai tai.. ( ask for the 41) Service is smooth , outgoing an efficient..
The view is the best you can get, a curved veranda that over hangs the ocean. with no obstructions... and great atmosphere. casual and relaxed.. fun.
Living here I get a chance to eat everywhere... and get to see stuff on good days and bad.. Dons has never turned out anything but flat out excellent quality food since it opened... So much so that my wife refuses to consider others as a waste of time...
Not to mention great parking.... a rairity in Kona.
“A good meal”
Calgary, AB
March 21, 2009
My boyfriend and I were staying at the Royal Kona and we decided to try Don's. I ended up having an amazing seared scallop, sugar cane skewered jumbo shrimp with creamy lobster risotto. My boyfriend had a seared ahi tuna & rice. Both dishes were pricey but very delicious. One of the better places to eat in Kona.
“Beautiful Location on the Water, Great Food”
Bend, Oregon
November 14, 2008
My husband and I went to Don the Beachcomber's for his birthday. Neither of us had ever been before, and when we entered the lobby of the Royal Kona Hotel, we were thrilled with the location and the decor. The restaurant is literally right on the water - waves broke over the rocks causing the diners to gasp every 10 minutes or so when a big one came ashore. We did not have a reservation but were seated at a beautiful table outside overlooking the ocean. The tables are bordered with tiki torches, making it even more dramatic.
Our waitress was excellent. She made sure she understood our orders (prime rib and catch of the day) and checked on the timing of when each course would arrive. The food was very good. It is not fine, gourmet dining, but it is far better than average, especially for a touristy area like Kailua Kona. We had two alcoholic drinks, two entrees, and one appetizer for $91.00. Considering the quality of the food, the ambiance, and the service, I feel that this was a good value. It was well worth it, especially for a special occasion. We will go back!
“Best deal in Kona-and romantic too”
Creswell, Oregon
October 31, 2008
We went to Don The Beachcomber in the Royal Kona Inn for the Wednesday night Rib Eye Special and it was a perfect evening. We were seated on the lanai next to the crashing surf, lit only by candles and tiki lights. The wait staff was efficient and professional, but friendly too. They brought us 1/4 of a perfectly ripened pineapple and a basket of their delicious rosemary foccaccio before we even ordered. The dinner came with an excellent salad of fresh field greens and the drink of our choice. The rib eye was grilled perfectly and their special potatoes were outstanding. We took away enough leftovers to make an excellent breakfast the next morning and still got out for under $60, including tip.
It was a thoroughly delightful experience.
“A true favorite in Kona-Kailua!”
San Diego, CA
October 21, 2008
If you are looking for a nice restaurant with a gorgeous view and excellent food, visit Don the Beachcomber's. Before dinner, enjoy a gorgeous sunset from Don's Mai Tai Bar. It's the largest open-air bar n town. Naturally, drinks are not cheap (with Mai Tais being so popular here and a view to die for) but stopping here before dinner is a very nice way to start the evening. I had high expectations for dinner, after reading some very complimentary reviews...which can set you up for a disappointment. HOWEVER, Don the Beachcomber's did not disappoint...it was delightful! We were seated in the outdoors area, but from the way the restaurant was situated, I don't think there was a bad seat in the house. Our fish dinners were fresh and delicious. I had the seafood pasta and there was a generous mix of seafood in this tasty entree. The service was attentive without being intrusive. A few reviews recommended Don's over Huggo's (just down the street) because it's not quite as expensive and "way better." I would agree!
“Great food and view, prices okay.”
September 5, 2008
My wife and I stayed next door to the Royal Kona Resort at Hale Kona Kai and went to Don the Beachcomber last night (our last night in town). After looking at the high prices at Huggo's, just slightly further up the beach, we decided to try Don's. We were fortunate to be there on a Thursday night when the special was prime rib and slipper lobster. The food was excellent and reasonably priced for a resort on the ocean. Our waiter Wes was also excellent. Our condo has just as good a view as Don's so that did not influence us one way or the other, On the way out, they offered us coupons to use on a return visit but since we are leaving today, we could not take advantage of them. I can enthusiastically recommend Don's.
“Delicious food, great view”
Kentucky
July 31, 2008
Don the Beachcomber had the best food we ate during our visit to the Big Island. We had both dinner and breakfast here, also trying their mai tais (which were fantastic) during dinner.
The view is absolutely stunning at sunset as the restuarant is open air with a large lanai facing West out into the Pacific. I highly recommend getting reservations for a lanai table during sunset if you are planning on having dinner here. |
