Rebel Kitchen

American restaurant · Hawaii County ·

Rebel Kitchen

American restaurant · Hawaii County ·

Hawaiian-inspired burgers, plates, homemade sauces & unique desserts

Information

79-7399 Hawaiʻi Belt Rd, Kealakekua, HI 96750 Get directions

$20–30

@afar

25,132 Postcards · 3,700 Cities

"Rebel Kitchen is a welcoming food joint in Kainaliu, just up from the Donkey Balls Factory . Choose from a selection of reasonably priced sandwiches and burgers made from local ingredients (there are a few mains, too, like jambalaya and coconut curry shrimp) or just kick back with an island beer, kombucha, or homemade lemonade. Happy hour is 4–6 p.m., there's a garden to the side if you want to eat outside, and that oh-so-moreish ketchup and hot sauce on each table? It's made in-house, and bottles are for sale. By AFAR Traveler , AFAR Contributor"

Where to Eat on the Big Island, Hawaii

Rebel Kitchen

@afar

25,132 Postcards · 3,700 Cities

Big Island Reasonably Priced Eats

Rebel Kitchen

Cory S.

Google

Stopped in for a late lunch (or early dinner). Everything looked amazing on the menu. Had Chicken Fajita Wontons, coconut curry ono and shrimp (pictured) and the lomo saltado. All three were excellent. The house made sauces were great as well! The wontons were creative and well done, the lomo was delishous, with super deep flavors. And the curry dish with shrimp and fish was executed perfectly (the cook on the shrimp and fish was spot-on)! The place is clean and well kept. Staff is friendly, Leigh was amazing and switched up the TVs so we could follow the home team! We will be back and highly recommend stopping in for a bite to eat!

Abbey K.

Google

Update: The coconut curry is the best dish they have on the menu! Delicious. Unique food, very tasty. Soup of the day was gumbo which was great. The jambalaya is different, but I enjoyed the spice. Wouldn’t order it again. My husband loved the seared Ahi plate.

Shayna S.

Google

Tried the Coconut Curry Ono and Shrimp & Lomo Saltado, both amazing! Rebel Kitchen is a Kona gem with fresh, flavorful food and a true local feel. Would be happy to go again!

Francisco G.

Google

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ **Solid entrees, incredible desserts—and don’t skip the appetizers!** Rebel Kitchen has a laid-back vibe and some great highlights on the menu. The entrees were decent—the beef stroganoff was mid but still had good flavor, and the cheesesteaks were good, just a bit dry. That’s probably why they offer their Hawaiian fire sauce, which is super tasty and definitely helps bring things to life. Garlic fries were pretty solid, especially if you're into bold garlic flavor. But one of the biggest surprises? The **Cuban rolls appetizer**—absolutely delicious and right up there with the desserts. Super flavorful and definitely worth ordering. Speaking of dessert, Rebel Kitchen knocks it out of the park. The lilikoi cheesecake was bomb, and the tropical strawberry shortcake was very good. But the **raspberry lava cake** was the best thing I had. I got the sorbet and cake served separately, and both parts were 10/10. I’d come back just for that!

Mark T.

Google

Perfect. No notes. Pepperoni garlic fries (not pictured because they were so tasty we ate them before the photo was taken) was delicious. Jerk chicken sandwich was delightful. Would eat here again any time.

Richie S.

Google

This is a great little escape from tourist food in Kona. We were just driving through the area and wanted to grab a quick beer so we stopped in a small cluster of shops and were lucky enough to park near Rebel Kitchen! After getting our delicious Maui coconut hiwa porter we noticed right away this place was unique and the menu brought us back a second time. That time we got a must try Rebel burger topped with spicy pineapple coleslaw and crispy bacon and fries 👌Also, you must try the mustard and ketchup! So good you could drink it!

Jesper K.

Google

This nearly-hole-in-the-wall place is unassuming, but the food is outstanding and the service is phenomenal. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with warmth. Had the Cuban rolls (WOW - comfort food bar none!) and my wife opted for the falafel salad (really good!) with me going for the jambalaya - the latter was with a twist, but a very good twist. We’ll be back next week - and the week after… ;-)

Leslie M.

Google

Everything we had here was sooo good. For the appetizer we got the Cuban Rolls -- HIGHLY recommend. The rebel burger was delicious too. The Hawaiian pineapple coleslaw was great and added a lot of flavor. This was exactly the kind of Hawaiian flavors I was looking for while staying in Captain Cook. ((The music selections were also great btw))

Gretchen C.

Yelp

Great food! Great service! The shrimp and bacon sandwich was excellent. Fries were hot and so good! Thank you!

Vlad Q.

Yelp

No. Almost $20.00 for (4) FOUR, 1.2.3.4. Wings!!!!! The chicken sandwich was dry and so small, again, another $20. Cheese steak was also small, tasteless, and go on, guess how much? Lunch for two was $100. Too bad, loved this place from way back but apparently quality isn't the focus anymore..... and the owners were there. Hate leaving this but it's a tourist trap It's A Trap!!!!

Jennifer K.

Yelp

Wow! Just wow! If you're in captain cook, this is a must stop. The food is so good. Everyone in the restaurant seemed super happy with dishes including us. The inside is small. It's like a picnic table. We sat next to the herb garden in back.

Stephanie B.

Yelp

Wowza! What a delicious meal. This very small eatery in Captain Cook is basically a roadside shack. A very nice shack, but no windows because you are looking through wood slats at wood tables. The service is friendly, but they cannot fill the tables because they are short staffed. The food is incredible. The Rebel Palmer (lilikoi lemonade and Tea) is refreshing and delicious. The Thai Steak Salad is the perfect mix of chopped veggies and tender local beef with a SPICY peanut dressing. Fam bam loved the cheesesteak sandwiches and the cuban rolls. The lunch was so good that we ordered one of each of the cookies. The peanut butter smore was the best followed closely by the lilikoi cookies and then the Hawaiian ginger. Personally, I would skip the chocolate chip-coconut next time. It was $90 plus tip for lunch for four without alcohol. Pricey but tasty.

Jared G.

Yelp

This was our first stop upon arriving in Hawaii and what a great first stop it was! We were seated promptly and found the service to be top notch - very attentive and made sure we knew all the beers, special, and desert options inside and out. My wife had the pulled pork sandwich and I had the Cajun pasta with chicken and shrimp. The pulled pork was cooked perfectly while the Cajun pasta was the ideal level of spice for me personally and was also bursting with flavor. The deserts were next level delicious too. We would highly recommend making a trip over here and plan on coming back next time we're on the island.

Jules S.

Yelp

Nice ambiance and a casual eatery environment. Enjoyed my blackened ono sandwich but was hoping for a slightly larger portion size. Five stars nonetheless because the whole family's food was exquisite. Very good taste including the coconut curry and smoky pulled pork sandwich. Good service.

Ayush N.

Yelp

Was able to get a table relatively fast and the food we ordered came after 20 minutes. I got a Da Rebel burger. The bacon was nice and crisp. The burger was juicy and great. The ketchup at this establishment is lightly spiced enhancing the experience of eating fries. Overall it was a great experience and a lively restaurant.

robin l.

Yelp

Great food, great service, cool vibe. Would def come back. We highly recommend. Had the pulled pork sandwich w coleslaw, and the shrimp bacon sandwich. Both excellent.

Mary K.

Yelp

Stopped in here without knowing they'd been on Food Network's Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives! Dining area is enclosed but open air at the same time. I had the Da Aina veggie burger with a house made veggie patty, avocado sauce, plus $1 for the pepperoni garlic fries (super garlicky but delicious!); and my husband had Shrimp & Bacon sandwich with regular fries. Both sandwiches were delicious; probably the best veggie patty I've ever had! They also have fun house-made sauces to pair with your meal and to purchase: Kona Ketchup, Hawaiian Fire Sauce, and Mauka Mustard. The hot sauce was very good; the ketchup I liked but it was a little sweet.

Jodie R.

Yelp

Visiting Kona and craving a good burger and fries. We were NOT disappointed. Juicy burgers with hand cut fries. Super fun ketchup and mustard. Chilled tea was delish. Staff was incredibly friendly and attentive. The spot is island forward and cool.

Tomomi S.

Yelp

I've been wanting to come here a while, but the line was always out of the door. But today, we had our chance to eat here as it was before lunch rush. Foods are delicious, my curry had spicy zing to it and very tasty. Big chunks of Ono and shrimp on top of fluffy rice. And don't miss out on the Lilikoi cheesecake!!! So creamy and tart, it melts in your mouth. Inside is very cozy and relaxing. I can't wait to try other items on the menu!

Racquel J.

Yelp

Loved the ambience of this restaurant. The staff are all friendly and treated us like Family! My family & I enjoyed sharing each meal. The shrimp pineapple curry had the perfect taste of spicy & sweet blend in one dish. The side of pepperoni garlic fries where I dipped each fry with their special Kona ketchup is to die for. Also, their Hawaiian Lilikoi cheesecake is one of the best cheesecakes I have ever had! Such a fresh & creamy treat! I highly recommend this place to others.

Erin R.

Yelp

Absolutely one of the best lunches yesterday. Great food , friends to share it with and fantastic service. This place is always a hit but celebrating three of the groups birthday week for lunch made it perfect. From the curry with ono and shrimp, famine burger with fries and two Rebel burgers one with garlic fries one with their special pepperoni garlic fries it was all so tasty and perfectly cooked. The sangria, beer and lillikoi lemonade were all perfect additions to our meal. Service was fast and so friendly it definitely makes you want to return again and again.

Lauren W.

Yelp

"Home of the Kona Ketchup" should be included in the name of this place - we would come here just for this yummy goodness! Loved all the homemade sauces but this one was fantastic. We might have to buy this online on the regular! BBQ pulled pork sandwich with spicy pineapple coleslaw - nice sweet, tangy and moist pulled pork. 4 stars. Pineapple coleslaw was a little too spicy and lacking other depth of flavor - 3 stars. Da Shroom Burger - crisp bacon, tasty mushrooms and grilled onions and cheesy goodness on buttery grilled bread. Added their house made mustard and made it to die for! 5 stars. Pepperoni garlic parmesan fries - what a great idea!! And only for $1?!?! Outta control garlic on these fries. 5 stars!! Laid back island speed service but since it wasn't too hot it it was tolerable. Always appreciate the scratch made to order shops though!

Janette B.

Yelp

Loved the Cuban rolls, pineapple coleslaw and nacho fries!! Relaxed atmosphere. Great place to catch lunch or dinner.

pudge p.

Yelp

You'll need to find street parking. Service was fast but we did arrive later in the night. Not a fancy sort of ambiance. My wife loves their ketchup and bought a bottle to go. Kids- mixed reviews on the Lilikoi Lemonade, but they loved the root beer float. We devoured all the burgers and cheesesteak.

Marcie P.

Yelp

We are locals and this is one of our favorites. They use local, fresh ingredients and you can tell. Their soups are my go-toNever had a soup there I didn't like. The display local artists as well. Cozy space and easy street parking.

Brad O.

Yelp

I will start by saying the food is decent. However, there is one staff member that has a really bad attitude towards the customers. As we were looking for a new place to go, a young man came outside and invited us back in. He was the only saving grace for the restaurant.

Nancy L.

Yelp

My husband and I had burgers...prepared as ordered, and served with a smile! Ambiance is nice, very casual! Was disappointed they are closed on Mondays, but we will be back before we leave the Islands!

Nathalie J.

Yelp

Fun place to go! They have traditional things on their menu with a twist and have their food en homemade ketchup. Staff is always welcoming. We've sat at the bar and tables. The food is actually really delicious, just their portions are pretty small, so sometimes doesn't seem like you're getting your monies worth. But definitely would recommend for their great food.

Liliya Z.

Yelp

It's worth coming here for the likikoi juice and likikoi cheesecake. But their food has a specific flavors which might please someone from Peru who appreciated those kind of spices,

Grace T.

Yelp

We have been on the island for 7 days and this is the BEST food (lomo saltado, Cuban rolls, Thai salad) we have had. It is fresh and seasoned perfectly!! I give this spot a solid 5 stars!

Rachel K.

Yelp

We've been to Rebel Kitchen a few times over the years and as soon as we saw the Cuban Rolls on the menu we knew this spot would be fun. They have bar seating, indoor seating and outdoor seating and every time we've been in the staff has been friendly. They source their ingredients locally and have house made sauces that they also sell in store and online. All their menu items are packed with flavor and the sauces go great on many items including the fries. We love the Cuban Rolls and have gone just for those and a beer or two. They're a bit pricy considering it's three rolls cut in half, but the flavor is great and it's a really unique item. We also love that they carry local beers here like Big Island Brewhaus.

Nancie M.

Yelp

Just had lunch at Rebel Kitchen. The food, price and service were really good. Convenient FREE parking.

Geoff D.

Yelp

Came in just before closing. Service was friendly, beer was refreshing and food was delicious. Loved the Cuban rolls which paired well with the mustard. Jambalaya was well prepared and flavorful but on the mild side. The fire sauce was great to take the heat up a notch. Took some of it home. Will happily return my next time on the island.

Ann W.

Yelp

Local recommendation after getting massages a few doors down. Food was great, service was friendly. One of the best Lomo Saltado plates I've ever had!

Christine M.

Yelp

the sauce!!!!! the service is quick the quantity is good and the food was awesome! it's a small place but we were able to get in. not sure if it's new our friends brought us. We visited twice and would do it again. We are GF and they were knowledgeable!!! That's always a plus!!!!! I did get the chance pulled pork sandwich and that was filling and the sauce was delicious!

Lynda H.

Yelp

We really didn't plan to eat while we were in the area. I wanted to visit the fabric store and a few of the other places, but when we saw this restaurant we decided to stop for lunch. Since I always like to taste falafels wherever we go, I opted for the falafel salad. The falafels were different than I've ever had, and they were less spicy which was a good thing and worked perfectly with the other salad ingredients. It was a filling salad, and the more I ate it, the more I liked it although I felt there was still something missing. We also ordered the home-brewed tea which was delicious. To top off my meal I opted for the chocolate cupcake which was the perfect size - you know the size that used to be standard. It was delicious. The restaurant was clean and inviting, and the staff were all happy and very helpful. We really wanted to return, but the only days we had left were the two days they weren't open. We'll be back for sure when we're in the area.

Beth H.

Yelp

This place was a must visit! We were looking for something to scratch our itch for local cooking and Rebel Kitchen did not disappoint. The Cuban Rolls drew me in but the burgers, salads and entrees are equally amazing. I had the tropical sangria and it was one of the best drinks I had on the island. For dessert we were able to get a cookie ice cream sandwich with toasted coconut ice cream. The best ending to a great meal. We couldn't figure out why it wasn't busy on a Friday night but maybe that is just the sleepy town? If you are looking for a great spot on your visit to Kona, check them out. The servers were super sweet and friendly too. They may be rebels with their menu but they are angels with their service.

Sione L.

Yelp

If you love Strong Flavor!!?? This place is DA ONE! Tha amount of flavors in one bite is crazy. The menu itself is unique compared to local Hawaii food, IN A GOOD WAY. Service was lovely. She always there when you need her to be. Food comes out unexpectedly fast. The whole staff are kind. The ONLY Downside is that it's kind of HOT Inside. BTW THE GARLIC FRIES ARE THE BEST FRIES IVE EVER HAD.

Kathrine P.

Yelp

We were in Kona visiting a sick relative in the hospital. We happened upon Rebel Kitchen quite by accident and were very glad we did. This restaurant is right along the highway with ample street parking. The staff was welcoming and the food was delicious. We ended up purchasing their special ketchup to take home with us- it was unique and delicious! A gem of a restaurant to be sure!

Pan's G.

Yelp

Banging burgers and stuff super nice service and awesome atmosphere local and nice ... oh and the condiments they make very cool

T O.

Yelp

Nice place to grab a beer in a casual environment with good friendly service. Oven been here a couple of times and my favorites were the jambalaya and their desserts - lilikoi cheesecake and chocolate buttercream cupcakes. The seasoned wings were unfortunately not my favorite. Good beer selection and tv for sports.

Trish C.

Yelp

Absolutely delicious! Everyone in our party loved what they ordered. Cute hole in the wall. Service was fantastic! Highly recommend!

Brenda D.

Yelp

A fun Island place to grab a beer and burger. It is small, so be prepared to wait but it is worth it. Service and food great. Only negative is no bathroom. The home made desserts are also a special treat.

Austin C.

Yelp

In Kona for a few nights, and have been to this place back to back nights! The food is unlike anything we've had, they put a twist on some classics and the flavor and house made from scratch sauces are incredibly delicious. Night 1 we had the Lomo Saltado with a piece of made from scratch Lilikoi cheesecake for dessert. Both were amazing, unfortunately we didn't get any pictures. Night 2 we had the Jerk Chicken sandwich, and the ono and shrimp coconut curry, with the Hawaiian Fire wings, and then a warm biscuit with strawberry lilikoi cheesecake ice cream topped with pineapple, everything was so good. I can't recommend this place enough, a must try when in the area on the Big Island!

Katie T.

Yelp

We really enjoyed Rebel Kitchen. Food and service were excellent! Highly recommend the pepperoni garlic fries.

Nils E.

Yelp

Outstanding burgers. This was our favorite place to eat while we stayed on the Big Island. WAY better than the options in Kailua-Kona. And I don't know what they put in that "ketchup" bottle, but it's better than just about any burger sauce I've had before. Somebody here knows what they are doing in the kitchen.

Baylee B.

Yelp

This is hands down my favorite restaurant to exist. The food is incredible, they have something for everyone. My favorite is the shrimp bacon sandwich, 10/10. Service was awesome every time I have been there, very attentive and polite while getting our food out quickly.

Scott S.

Yelp

Great food and really nice selection. Super friendly and helpful staff. Can't wait to eat here again!

Rodney M.

Yelp

The friendly staff and seasoned used on food was exceptional! Check out their spices and pastries too.

Ted P.

Yelp

We enjoyed the carnitas salad and a Rebel burger. Both tasty. Oh, and the garlic-pepperoni fries, which were sinfully delicious, especially the crispy, deep-fried pepperoni slices on top. Nice casual, sports-bar-esque vibes.

Nancy K.

Yelp

The lilikoi Cheesecake was the best dessert I have had on the trip. I kept ordering it at other restaurants but none could stand up to theirs. Maybe it was my first lilikoi Cheesecake and so I thought this was the golden standard. But none the less, the meal was also good. I had the coconut curry shrimps. That was also great. Should have gone back for more. We usually don't go back to the same place on a trip but had other meals that weren't as good.

Bill M.

Yelp

OMG.....we almost missed this place because Trip Advisor had it with 4 dollar signs. The guy that owns the music store down the street told us we "had" to go there.....yep, always take advise from a musician. This place is so not expensive. Everything was so good, fresh, tasty and the service was beyond friendly. Gabby, she owns it with her husband, makes the best cheesecake ever. Truly, if you are anywhere near the Captain Cook area....go check this place out.

Kristin C.

Yelp

Holy smokes! This was so good. I got the da shroom burger with the pepperoni fries. Perfectly cooked burger and the fries were unreal. My husband got the coconut curry ono and shrimp which was also unreal. Flavortown!!!

Rachel H.

Yelp

Not gonna lie, but I came here because of DDD. I ordered the blackened ono sandwich and upgraded to the pepperoni garlic fries. My fish was very over cooked and hard to bite into. I liked the fries, but I think the garlic could have been more evenly dispersed. To wash it down, I ordered the lilikoi lemonade, but I couldn't taste the lilikoi at all. It was a fun atmosphere, and the service was great. I would probably order something else next time.

ronda a.

Yelp

This is a great little sitdown restaurant. Nice ambience. Interesting drink list and fresh brews on tap. The chef creates an eclectic menu with local ingredients. I had the Peruvian entrée. It was extremely flavorful and very spicy. My friends had the mushroom burger and the Ono coconut shrimp curry, we all tasted each other selections. There were no complaints only big smiles and lip. Smacking comments. Parking is hard at this little town, The bathrooms weren't the cleanest.

Camila K.

Yelp

Came in with a really bad sunburn and asked if we could use the aloe outside of the restaurant, our waitress explained that the aloe was the wrong kind to treat sunburns so she offered to call her husband and bring us aloe vera gel. Thank you Ms. Lady, you're the best! Other than that the burger, fries, and drink i had was amazing! The ambiance in the place is so welcoming. Love it here.

Julia B.

Yelp

Food was so good! I was hangry af after traveling and we finally stopped here for a late lunch. The food is local and bread is made in-house which made it really good and fresh. I got the veggie burger, my dad got the regular burger, and my mom got the shrimp and bacon sandwich. Their fries and sauces are also really fun and delicious. The ketchup has a curry powder added to it which makes it unique. Service was pretty quick too and server was really kind and helpful in picking out what to order. Comfy place with a relaxed feel. Impressive how they run the place with only 4 ppl being staffed!

@afar

25,132 Postcards · 3,700 Cities

Where to Eat on the Big Island, Hawaii

Rebel Kitchen

@afar

25,132 Postcards · 3,700 Cities

Big Island Reasonably Priced Eats

Rebel Kitchen

Cory S.

Google

Abbey K.

Google

Shayna S.

Google

Tried the Coconut Curry Ono and Shrimp & Lomo Saltado, both amazing! Rebel Kitchen is a Kona gem with fresh, flavorful food and a true local feel. Would be happy to go again!

Francisco G.

Google

Mark T.

Google

Richie S.

Google

Jesper K.

Google

Leslie M.

Google

Gretchen C.

Yelp

Great food! Great service! The shrimp and bacon sandwich was excellent. Fries were hot and so good! Thank you!

Vlad Q.

Yelp

Jennifer K.

Yelp

Stephanie B.

Yelp

Jared G.

Yelp

Jules S.

Yelp

Ayush N.

Yelp

robin l.

Yelp

Great food, great service, cool vibe. Would def come back. We highly recommend. Had the pulled pork sandwich w coleslaw, and the shrimp bacon sandwich. Both excellent.

Mary K.

Yelp

Jodie R.

Yelp

Tomomi S.

Yelp

Racquel J.

Yelp

Erin R.

Yelp

Lauren W.

Yelp

Janette B.

Yelp

Loved the Cuban rolls, pineapple coleslaw and nacho fries!! Relaxed atmosphere. Great place to catch lunch or dinner.

pudge p.

Yelp

Marcie P.

Yelp

Brad O.

Yelp

Nancy L.

Yelp

Nathalie J.

Yelp

Liliya Z.

Yelp

It's worth coming here for the likikoi juice and likikoi cheesecake. But their food has a specific flavors which might please someone from Peru who appreciated those kind of spices,

Grace T.

Yelp

We have been on the island for 7 days and this is the BEST food (lomo saltado, Cuban rolls, Thai salad) we have had. It is fresh and seasoned perfectly!! I give this spot a solid 5 stars!

Rachel K.

Yelp

Nancie M.

Yelp

Just had lunch at Rebel Kitchen. The food, price and service were really good. Convenient FREE parking.

Geoff D.

Yelp

Ann W.

Yelp

Local recommendation after getting massages a few doors down. Food was great, service was friendly. One of the best Lomo Saltado plates I've ever had!

Christine M.

Yelp

Lynda H.

Yelp

Beth H.

Yelp

Sione L.

Yelp

Kathrine P.

Yelp

Pan's G.

Yelp

Banging burgers and stuff super nice service and awesome atmosphere local and nice ... oh and the condiments they make very cool

T O.

Yelp

Trish C.

Yelp

Absolutely delicious! Everyone in our party loved what they ordered. Cute hole in the wall. Service was fantastic! Highly recommend!

Brenda D.

Yelp

Austin C.

Yelp

Katie T.

Yelp

We really enjoyed Rebel Kitchen. Food and service were excellent! Highly recommend the pepperoni garlic fries.

Nils E.

Yelp

Baylee B.

Yelp

Scott S.

Yelp

Great food and really nice selection. Super friendly and helpful staff. Can't wait to eat here again!

Rodney M.

Yelp

The friendly staff and seasoned used on food was exceptional! Check out their spices and pastries too.

Ted P.

Yelp

Nancy K.

Yelp

Bill M.

Yelp

Kristin C.

Yelp

Rachel H.

Yelp

ronda a.

Yelp

Camila K.

Yelp

Julia B.

Yelp

Rebel Kitchen

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