Royal Thai Cafe - Hawaii Restaurant
#35 of 199 Restaurants in Kailua

Royal Thai Cafe

4.1(398 community reviews)
Fine Dining ($$$$)

About

Discover Royal Thai Cafe, offering the best Asian experience in Kailua-Kona. Enjoy Fine Dining ($$$$) meals, explore their menu, and read reviews from the community on TasteHi.

A Near the Kona Coast

Tucked away in the heart of Kailua-Kona, Royal Thai Cafe offers a respite from the typical tourist fare found along the Ali'i Drive strip. As you step inside, the air carries the faint, comforting scent of lemongrass and galangal, signaling a kitchen that prioritizes traditional preparation over shortcuts. This isn't a place for white-tablecloth formality; it is a bustling, no-frills environment where the focus remains squarely on the steam rising from your plate.

Signature Spice and Island Influence

The menu leans heavily into classic Thai staples, with their Pad Thai and spicy Green Curry standing out as local favorites. The heat levels here are honest—if you ask for a five, the chefs in the kitchen will deliver a genuine kick that pairs perfectly with a cold local craft beer. Many regulars opt for the fresh spring rolls, which arrive crisp and packed with vibrant herbs, providing a sharp contrast to the richer, coconut-milk-based curries.

What to Expect on Your Visit

Royal Thai Cafe attracts a mix of locals grabbing a quick, flavorful lunch and visitors looking to fuel up after a long day of snorkeling in the Pacific. It is worth noting that the dining area is compact, and the acoustics can get quite lively during the dinner rush, creating a high-energy atmosphere that feels authentically lived-in. Parking in this part of Kailua-Kona can be a bit of a puzzle during peak hours, so plan for a short walk through the neighborhood if the immediate lot is full. Whether you are craving the comfort of a steaming bowl of Tom Yum soup or a quick pad see ew after exploring the Big Island, this spot delivers consistent, reliable Thai flavors without the fuss.

Location

78-6831 Alii Dr Ste 402, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, 96740-2495

Directions

Reviews

Showing 7 of 398 community reviews
J

James RobinsonGoogle Maps

Recently

Always delicious food and a lot of options that you don't find at most thai restaurants. Some of the best service on island!

N

n ozawaGoogle Maps

Recently

We enjoyed the food and the wonderful service. We ordered the oxtail udon that was a good size portion, tom yum dusted chicken wings which the husbands loved, fresh basil spring rolls, mango curry ( which I really liked the cubes of fresh mango….a bit of heat for mild but I could still enjoy), pad Thai ( good flavor) and royal chicken with peanut sauce stir fry ( very good). We over ordered for 4 of us but delicious. Somehow we found room to order mango sticky rice. I usually am not a fan of this dish but mango was fresh and rice was moist. Also got fresh berry lemonade which I would order again!! When we come back to island, we will return to this restaurant

C

Chris TheodoreGoogle Maps

Recently

Visiting Hawaii for the first time staying by at a nearby Airbnb came here with my family enjoyed the food so much we decided to come here a second time. Amazing service with very attentive staff noticing immediately where there someone needed a refill or if they could do anything to give us a good experience, truly a model for those in the restaurant industry. Special thanks to our waitress Miyabi for the exceptional service. We enjoyed each and every dish provided and enjoyed and bonded over the food with my family. I highly recommend for anyone in the area to stop by and give this restaurant a chance

V

Vijay JGoogle Maps

Recently

Tasty thai curry. The spring rolls were too oily for my liking. Chicken satay was a bit chewy. Staff were friendly, they helped us get some cash which we needed for something.

V

vamsi CGoogle Maps

Recently

Royal Thai Cafe was a miss for us. While the dishes had some flavor, the quality of the meat totally ruined the experience—it felt overly processed and just unappetizing. Once the food cooled down a bit, it became almost inedible. Definitely not planning to return.

M

MichaelangeloGoogle Maps

Recently

We eat a LOT of Thai food, traveled there several times, even got engaged in Bangkok. This restaurant is the real deal! Flavors and textures were excellent, the meats were tender and juicy and there were lot of vegetables. The best Thai food we’ve had on US soil. The staff was lovely and helpful, we can’t wait to come again, probably will every week! Highly recommend for folks who truly understand authentic Thai foods. Thank you so much for a great evening. Strongly recommend ordering Family Style and sharing everything, let them arrange the order, but foods come up quickly.

S

Shannon FleischfresserGoogle Maps

Recently

The food was good. (Not happy about a surprise upcharge on our pad thai-said it came with shrimp, then got charged for shrimp, but oh well.) They have a cool machine to save the servers from carrying food and plates throughout the restaurant that was fun to watch. Overall a nice place for dinner our first night on the island.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Royal Thai Cafe

Common questions from diners about Royal Thai Cafe in Kailua-Kona.

Yes, we are a vegetarian-friendly restaurant and offer a wide variety of both vegan and gluten-free dishes to accommodate dietary preferences.

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