We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The TripAdvisor website may not display properly.We support the following browsers:
Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome. Mac: Safari.
TripAdvisor
Kailua-Kona
Post
Trips
Inbox
ProfileJOIN
Search

Bongo Ben's Island Cafe

Claimed
1,861 reviews
#35 of 183 Restaurants in Kailua-Kona
$$ - $$$, American, Bar, Grill
75-5819 Alii Dr, Kailua-Kona, Island of Hawaii, HI 96740-1311
+1 808-329-9203
Website
Menu
Open Now:See all hours
All photos (364)
All photos (364)

Ratings and reviews

4.0 1,861 reviews
#35 of 165 Restaurants in Kailua-Kona
Certificate of Excellence2016 - 2018 Winner
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere

Location and contact

75-5819 Alii Dr, Kailua-Kona, Island of Hawaii, HI 96740-1311
Website
Email
Improve this listing

Menu

BREAKFAST PLATTERS‏‏‏
steak or fresh catch benedict
famous bongo benedict plus grilled sirloin steak or fresh catch fish, & breakfast side.
18.95
steak or fresh catch & eggs
two eggs any style, sirloin steak or fresh catch fish breakfast side, & bread option. cajun style fresh catch - no charge
18.95
famous bongo benedict
Two poached eggs on toasted English muffin, honey cured ham, homemade hollandaise sauce, & breakfast side.
13.95
pork chop & eggs
two eggs any style, two grilled pork chops, grilled onions, mushrooms, pork gravy, breakfast side, & bread option
15.50
dixieland delight
two eggs any style, chicken-fried steak, white country gravy breakfast side, & bread option.
14.95
loco moco (local favorite)
two eggs any style, flame broiled 100% beef patty, brown gravy, white rice, & bread option.
13.50
basic bongo
two eggs any style, choice of bacon, ham, portuguese or country sausage, breakfast side, & bread option
10.95
huevos rancheros
two eggs any style, grilled corn tortilla, refried beans, cheese, sour cream, salsa, guacamole, & breakfast side.
10.50
chorizo scramble
two eggs scrambled w/ chorizo & cheese, refried beans flour or corn tortillas.
10.95
biscuits & gravy (southern style)
fresh homemade open-faced biscuit served w/ white country gravy breakfast side.
7.95
OMELETS
made w/ 3 eggs & served w/ breakfast side & bread option.
breakfast club omelet
ham, cheese & tomatoes, topped w/ our homemade hollandaise sauce.
13.95
the big bongo omelet
country sausage, bacon, cheese, mushrooms, & onion topped w/ white country gravy.
13.95
chorizo omelete
chorizo, cheese, green pepper, onions, & diced tomatoes topped w/ sour cream
13.95
spanish omelet
diced ham, cheese, onions, green peppers, & salsa.
13.50
build your own omelet
cheese & (1) of: bacon, ham, portuguese or country sausage chorizo, or pulled pork
12.95
build your own omelet
pork, & (2) of: green pepper, mushroom, avocado, tomato, onion, spinach, or salsa.
12.95
cheese omelet
9.95
WAFFLES, PANCAKES & FRENCH TOAST‏‏‏‏‏
served w/ maple or coconut syrup & butter.
tropical fruit waffle
belgium waffle, bananas, pineapple, macadamia nuts served w/ whipped cream.
11.50
maple
coconut
belgian waffle
served w/ whipped cream.
7.95
maple
coconut
banana mac-nut stack
buttermilk stack, macadamia nuts, & bananas.
half7.50
full9.50
maple
coconut
buttermilk stack
four buttermilk pancakes.
6.95
maple
coconut
cinnamon swirl french toast
two slices of grilled, egg-battered, homemade sweet cinnamon swirl bread topped w/ powdered sugar
9.50
maple
coconut
MORNING DRINK SPECIALS
bloody mary
regular or spicy
4.25
mimosa
sparkling wine & your choice of: orange juice, p.o.g. or passion fruit
4.25
baileys irish cream coffee
Baileys Irish cream liqueur & coffee topped w/ whipped cream.
4.25
HEALTHIER BREAKFAST CHOICES‏‏‏
grilled fresh catch
grilled fresh catch, fresh fruit, & bread option.
13.95
veggie omelet
cheese plus‏‏‏‏ any (3) of: green pepper, mushroom, avocado, tomato, spinach, or salsa.
11.50
spinach scramble
two eggs, spinach, tomato slices, & bread option.
9.50
healthy basic
two eggs any style, tomato slices, fresh fruit, & bread option.
9.50
spinach scramble
two eggs, spinach, tomato slices, fresh fruit, & bread option
9.50
fruit granola
half island papaya topped w/ yogurt & crunchy granola
7.50
oatmeal
served w/ brown sugar, raisins, & choice of bread
7.50
BREAKFAST A LA CARTE
island grilled potatoes
3.25
two eggs any style
4.25
bacon, ham, country sausage, or portuguese sausage
4.95
fried rice
3.95
white rice
3.25
avocado
(half avocado)
3.50
tomato slices
2.95
mixed island fruit
smaller portion
5.50
half papaya
5.95
grits
4.50
BEVERAGES‏‏‏‏‏
with ice cream or without ice cream
passion fruit
4.95
with ice cream
without ice cream
strawberry
4.95
with ice cream
without ice cream
chocolate
4.95
with ice cream
without ice cream
mango
4.95
with ice cream
without ice cream
pina colada
4.95
with ice cream
without ice cream
vanilla
4.95
with ice cream
without ice cream
banana
4.95
with ice cream
without ice cream
coconut
4.95
with ice cream
without ice cream
JUICES
large
orange
3.5
pineapple
3.5
cranberry
3.5
p.o.g (passion, orange, guava)
3.5
grape fruit
3.5
tomato
3.5
COFFEE & HOT TEAS‏‏‏
100% kona coffee
french press‏ brewed to order
4
espresso
single2.50
double4.25
latte
iced or hot (ask server for flavor)
3.75
flavored+0.75
cappuccino
3.75
mocha
4.25
frapuccino
frozen
5.25
hawaiian natural teas - organic
2.75
island breakfast tea
mango peach
lemon chamomile tea caffeine free
green tea
ICED TEAS REFILLABLE‏‏
ice tea
unsweetened
2.75
raspberry ice tea
sweetened
2.75
green tea
sweetened
2.75
arnold palmer
2.75
lemonade
tea
Show full menu

Details

About
Bongo Ben's Island Cafe has quickly made a name for itself as the "Go-To" place for an extensive menu and delicious food, outside ocean front dining with great ocean and sunset views, upbeat local evening entertainment Wed-Fri., large portions and affordable prices, and an Aloha fun-friendly atmosphere! We are honored to be voted "Best Breakfast West Hawaii" from the voters at the West Hawaii Today the last three out of four years, but you'll love our lunch and dinners too!
PRICE RANGE
$8 - $23
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch
CUISINES
American, Bar, Grill
FEATURES
Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Television, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Buffet, Live Music, Waterfront
Reviews (1,861)
Write a review
Filter reviews
1,823 results
Traveler rating
754
671
246
94
58
Traveler type
Time of year
LanguageEnglish
More languages
Traveler rating
754
671
246
94
58
Show reviews that mention
All reviews coconut onion rings huevos rancheros eggs benedict fries burger potatoes french toast cinnamon rolls fish tacos calamari across the street great view facing the ocean ate here bloody mary alii drive happy hour
Selected filters
FilterEnglish
Updating list...
1 - 10 of 1,823 reviews
Reviewed yesterday
Cold food

If you like cold breakfast this is the place for you. How hard can it be to bring food to table when it's still at least warm ? Coffee over priced and old tasting

Date of visit: January 2020
Thank Richard W
Reviewed 3 days ago
Good Restaurant

Ate here a few times, the menu looked the best of the other restaurants nearby. Service was wonderful, everyone is very friendly. The food was good.

Date of visit: January 2020
Thank tutana
Reviewed 4 days ago
My server was awesome. Great view, great bloody Mary.

I really liked this place, my server was awesome and she was actually conversational even though it was busy. The pancakes were really good (try the coconut syrup), my bloody Mary was excellent, and they have a great view.

Date of visit: January 2020
Thank Greg T
Reviewed 5 days ago
Good Breakfast!

We had breakfast here one morning - pretty good food and they even have GRITS if you're into that! But probably the best part is the view. You're looking out over the bay - (just across the street from it) and it's super cool! -...More

Date of visit: January 2020
Thank JRMNash
Reviewed 1 week ago
good breakfast at a good price

Served a good breakfast at a decent price and they had a parking place on the premises. Service great. Would go again

Date of visit: February 2019
Thank Jane D
Reviewed 2 weeks ago
Great place, great food, great view.

Get a seat at the bar if you can. The first day we were there there were whales breaching offshore. What a great view for breakfast. Try the crescent rolls and the Kona french press.

Date of visit: January 2020
Thank Cgfcpa
Reviewed 2 weeks ago
Lunch

Stopped in here for lunch. We tried Poke for the first time. Food was good. Serve was too. Would highly recommend.

Date of visit: June 2019
Thank LindaS3515
Reviewed 3 weeks ago via mobile
Just ok food, decent service

We ate lunch and had a nice view of the water. Service was decent. But the food was just ok. The seafood sampler had plenty of breading, was slightly overcooked and lacked seafood flavor. It was hard to tell what I was eating, onion rings...More

Date of visit: December 2019
Thank WireWrapGems2
Reviewed 3 weeks ago via mobile
Horrible service

Waited about 10 minutes to be seated. Then waited 15 to 20 minutes to have our order taken. Others seated after we were had their order taken before us. We waited an hour on our food. When it came it was cold. I said something...More

Date of visit: December 2019
Thank 106sheryl
Reviewed 3 weeks ago via mobile
Breakfast and Coffee

Great wait staff and food was fantastic. The waffle with bananas and macadamia nuts is the best! Use the coconut syrup for an extra boost of Hawaiian flavor!

Date of visit: December 2019
Thank 348jac
View more reviews
123456…183
Nearby
Nearby HotelsSee all 50 nearby hotels
Royal Kona Resort
3,764 reviews
.16 miles away
Uncle Billy's Kona Bay Hotel
590 reviews
.35 miles away
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Kailua-Kona
637 reviews
.37 miles away
Club Wyndham Kona Hawaiian Resort
998 reviews
.64 miles away
Nearby RestaurantsSee all 1,097 nearby restaurants
Gypsea Gelato
151 reviews
.02 miles away
Basik Acai
454 reviews
.07 miles away
Foster's Kitchen
687 reviews
.05 miles away
Huggo's Restaurant
1,609 reviews
.05 miles away
Nearby AttractionsSee all nearby attractions
Hawaii Outdoor Guides
1,051 reviews
.36 miles away
Wasabi Tours Hawaii
2,155 reviews
.29 miles away
Jack's Diving Locker
1,805 reviews
.05 miles away
St. Michael the Archangel Church
183 reviews
.22 miles away
See all 50 nearby hotelsSee all 1,097 nearby restaurantsSee all 1,273 nearby attractions
See all
Questions & Answers
Ask a question
See all 8 questions
rdmustang99
May 7, 2017|
AnswerShow all 2 answers
Response from MN_Travel_Bug_1 | Reviewed this property |
Have no idea on any of their recipes.
-1
Votes
Pamela H
July 9, 2016|
AnswerShow all 4 answers
Response from Gerald F | Reviewed this property |
I am not sure about every night. We did hear music a couple times as we were out walking. There is music playing every night somewhere along that street or at least the week we were there. Sorry I can't help you more than... More
1
Vote
francine h
February 5, 2016|
AnswerShow all 3 answers
Response from JaneKnoxville | Reviewed this property |
I am sorry but I do not know. We just found it to be a great place to eat breakfast when in Kona. Actually the only place!
0
Votes
123
Is This Your Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim Your Free Listing