Yeah, tried Lave Java before & to be honest wasn't crazy, but thanks for recommendation. Any idea what happened Aloha Angel Cafe?

Sorry, not a clue, though they survived for around 25 years I believe -- certainly a looooong time! Hop on over to Maui & try the SeaHouse, Plantation House & Gazebo (if a near hour long wait doesn't chaff you! ;)

About the only time I eat a traditional breakfast is when I'm on island..

Kona is pretty lame in the breakfast department. There's Splashers which I can't say has great food, just a lot of it. If you're up for a drive or spending a day trip elsewhere, Hawaiian Style Cafe in Waimea has really good pancakes.

I share your nostalgia for Aloha Angel ... ate breakfast or lunch on that lanai quite a few times on my first two visits here. A shame it is gone!

The AA Cafe closed and the Aloha Theater Cafe opened. Then it closed. Then an Italian place opened, last April? But has no reviews or website, and I don't live down there, so no idea if it's even open.

Blog write-up ...

konababes.com/2012/…

I seem to recall the U Top It closed as well.

I don't think it is very common for residents to breakfast out, at least not after the pre-work rush is over, and those are people grabbing a quick meal, so the breakfast places really depend on the visitors.

A little south of town the Coffee Shack is pretty good ... gorgeous views as well! Might be worth a shot!

Well, it's a bit more than a "little" south of town, but I agree the Coffee Shack has great breakfast. Speking of nostalgia, it was the first place I wanted to go early in the morning a few hours after giving birth to my youngest daughter eleven years ago. I ate two breakfasts and took home an entire coconut pie for later, which they gave me on the house.

::-)

The coconut pie was great and so was the cheese cake! As of 10/3/12 The cinnamon roll at Lava Java was really good as well

Shea - love that story! :)

So where is this Coffee Shack located? Mahalo! :)

With the admission that we're partial (extremely) to ocean front restaurants, and it's up in Waikoloa (but worth the drive; especially if a day trip to Hawi is of interest), you might want to consider Pahu i'a at the Four Seasons ( fourseasons.com/hualalai/… ). The Lanai setting is wonderful and the Buffet has something yummy for just about anyone.

Big Island TV has an informative Hawi video that may be helpful in making your decision of whether, or not, the drive is worth it:

bigislandtv.com/broadband/BigIslandvs.html

Once you're at the site, click on "Places", then "North Kohala".