Jackie Rey's Kailua-kona - Hawaii Restaurant
#5 of 199 Restaurants in Kailua

Jackie Rey's Kailua-kona

4.5(3,389 community reviews)
Upscale ($$$)

About

Discover Jackie Rey's Kailua-kona, offering the best Seafood experience in Kailua-Kona. Enjoy Upscale ($$$) meals, explore their menu, and read reviews from the community on TasteHi.

A Local Favorite Near the Kona Coast

Tucked away in the industrial area of Kailua-Kona, Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill has built a reputation as the go-to spot for locals looking for high-quality food without the tourist-trap price tag. The space is loud, bustling, and unpretentious, reflecting the true spirit of an island ohana. Expect the clatter of silverware against plates and the steady hum of conversation that signals a kitchen in full swing.

Signature Island Flavors

Chef-driven plates define the menu here. You cannot visit without trying the Furikake-crusted fresh catch, which highlights the abundance of Hawaii's waters. The kitchen leans heavily into a surf-and-turf philosophy, balancing bold, savory preparations with the freshness of locally sourced ingredients. Whether it’s the charred exterior of a steak or the delicate flake of locally caught fish, the focus remains on consistent, reliable execution.

The Kona Experience

This is not a place for a quiet, whispered conversation. The environment is energetic and often cramped, making it a favorite for families and friends gathering after a day on the water. If you visit during peak dinner hours, be prepared for a bit of a wait; parking can be a challenge in this specific pocket of Kailua-Kona, but the atmosphere makes the effort worthwhile. It is the kind of neighborhood establishment that feels like a staple for residents, providing a grounded, authentic culinary experience that avoids the fluff of beachfront dining.

Location

75-5995 Kuakini Hwy Ste 1, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, 96740-2144

Directions

Reviews

Showing 10 of 3389 community reviews
Aishwarya Subramanian review avatar

Aishwarya SubramanianGoogle Maps

Recently

The best tasting food I’ve had in a while. It’s pricey but absolutely worth it. I got the seafood pasta and grab cakes.

Fred Arnold review avatar

Fred ArnoldGoogle Maps

Recently

Jackie Rey's is always one of our favorite places for a special dinner when we're on the Big Island. From the moment you arrive, the staff makes you feel welcome and takes great care of you throughout the evening. The cocktails were excellent. The mocktail was especially impressive—most are either too sweet or too bland, but this one was perfectly balanced and refreshing. The Whiskey Old Fashioned was equally well done, not too dry and not too sweet, just right. For dinner, I had the ribs, which were a delicious twist on a classic dish with a subtle mango sauce that complemented the flavors perfectly. Nikki enjoyed the Catch of the Day, which was prepared beautifully and showcased the freshness of the local fish. Jackie Rey's is the perfect place to celebrate, relax, and enjoy a wonderful meal while escaping to paradise. Great food, excellent drinks, attentive service, and a warm atmosphere make this a must-visit whenever we're in Kona. A wonderful spot to slow down, enjoy the evening, and make vacation memories.

Ashley Bardsley review avatar

Ashley BardsleyGoogle Maps

Recently

Sooo delicious! Seafood trio, fresh catch, and mud pie at our table along with the mai tai and honeybee cocktails. Attentive service. Amazing family dinner.

Lori Raisch review avatar

Lori RaischGoogle Maps

Recently

Good but not great. The service was impeccable. Definitely 5 stars there. The food wasn't bad but also wasn't "OMG I want to go back for that" We got the seafood trio The crab cakes were mostly bread, which honestly is what you get in most restaurants. The shrimp was good but there were only two of them so not exactly filling. The atmosphere was pleasant, and as I said the service was top notch.

Lisa Rousseau review avatar

Lisa RousseauGoogle Maps

Recently

We arrived at a recommendation of a friend. The Kona Low was approaching fast and furious. The crew had to pull down the art and blinds in what the staff said they haven't experienced. It was wild. The food and service was amazing regardless of the circumstances. Staff was amazing! Shortly after we left there was flooding.

Francesca Della Ripa review avatar

Francesca Della RipaGoogle Maps

Recently

Yum! Ordered: Pupu sampler, seafood trio, yuzu cheesecake, and mud pie, with mai tais. Everything tasted excellent! Plating was beautiful, service was attentive, drinks were great!

BA Paul review avatar

BA PaulGoogle Maps

Recently

Great service and atmosphere for sure. The good was very good but just a little too expensive for what we got. We got a surf and turf special and it was very yummy but just not exactly what we pictured- wasn't Cajun as was told to us and missed the shrimp, but they brought them out once we mentioned something. Portion was very small. The apps were very yummy! We got a sampler type platter and it was the best part of the meal by far. Beautiful spot for sunset. Cute little bar. Server, busser/expediter and bartender were all great. Water was always full, plates always cleared, order was timed well.

Zach review avatar

ZachGoogle Maps

Recently

Pork chop was a bit too big proportion wise to the rest of the plate. It was 85% pork chop and 15% side. Seafood trio was great, ube potatoes were a little dry, coconut shrimp were phenomenal. Ceviche was mid. Goat cheese dip was fantastic. Staff was kind and accommodating. Mud pie was a really great flavor, the crust was a little too firm but still great!

Megan Cahill review avatar

Megan CahillGoogle Maps

Recently

Kayla K was an amazing waitress! It made our first experience here that much better. Food was delicious! Service great! Drinks yummy! It was a win for our family of 5.

Kasey Kraft review avatar

Kasey KraftGoogle Maps

Recently

Wow! So glad we left our resort and tried this place. Looks are deceiving. Not fancy at all looks like it's been there for a long time but has amazing ocean views. Staff is super friendly and knowledgeable and the food is unbelievable. Those pork egg rolls and coconut shrimp were to die for! Lamb shank was awesome. Go!

Comments & Reviews

Please sign in to write a review.

No reviews yet. Be the first to write a review!

Frequently Asked Questions about Jackie Rey's Kailua-kona

Common questions from diners about Jackie Rey's Kailua-kona in Kailua-Kona.

The restaurant offers casual fine dining with Hawaiian hospitality in an open-air setting.

Nearby Restaurants

Barrio Burrito Bar
$$
5.0(2)

Barrio Burrito Bar

Mexican

Kailua-Kona
Wingstop
$$
0.0(0)

Wingstop

Restaurant

Kailua-Kona
Sushi Ku'u
$$
5.0(1)

Sushi Ku'u

Sushi

Kailua-Kona