Oceanfront Crowd-Pleaser With Familiar Faces
Kailua Pier / Ali'i Drive · Kailua-Kona · Seafood & Steak · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed July 24, 2026 · How we review
RagingWine reviewed Fish Hopper Seafood & Steak’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
The view does a lot of heavy lifting here — you're sitting on the water on Ali'i Drive and the wine list lands like a greatest-hits album from a Costco wine aisle. Everything is recognizable, nothing surprises, and that's clearly by design for a room full of vacationers who just want something cold and drinkable.
Fish Hopper leans hard into California safe bets: Rombauer Chardonnay, Francis Ford Coppola Cab, J. Lohr, and a handful of Sycamore Lane bottles anchoring the budget end. The list covers the basics — white, red, rosé, sparkling — without venturing anywhere near interesting. There's no old-world presence to speak of, no Oregon Pinot to complement the seafood-heavy menu beyond a couple of Central Coast options, and no real reason to trade up. The Roar Pinot Noir is the one wine here that signals someone, at some point, was paying attention.
Glass pour specifics aren't published, but the roster of producers suggests a standard by-the-glass program pulling from the same lineup — expect Sycamore Lane and Line 39 as the house pours at the lower end and Rombauer as the splurge option. Rotation appears nonexistent; this list reads like it hasn't been touched since the menu was last laminated.
J. Lohr Chardonnay — Unknown
J. Lohr consistently punches above its price point and holds up better than the Sycamore Lane house options. If you're going white at a seafood spot, this is the move — reliable, food-friendly, and not embarrassing.
Roar Pinot Noir
Roar is a Santa Lucia Highlands producer that most tourists will scroll right past in favor of the Estancia or Line 39. It's a legitimate wine from a legitimate place, and it stands out like a sore thumb on this list — in the best possible way.
Francis Ford Coppola Cabernet Sauvignon
A Cab that's fine at a grocery store shelf price becomes a questionable decision at restaurant markup on a Hawaii oceanfront. You're paying for the name and the view, not the wine.
Bernardus Sauvignon Blanc + Clam Chowder in a Sourdough Bread Bowl
Bernardus Sauvignon Blanc from Monterey has enough citrus and herbaceous brightness to cut through the richness of a cream-heavy chowder without getting steamrolled. It's the most thoughtful match on a list that doesn't try very hard.
The Bottom Line
Fish Hopper is a perfectly decent place to drink wine if you're already there for the ocean view and the clam chowder — just don't come expecting the list to impress anyone. Stick to the better California producers, avoid the house wine trap, and let the sunset do the work.
· Kailua-Kona · Pop-up Wine Bar / Events
Kona Wine Nights earns its Wild Card badge precisely because it defies the normal restaurant wine calculus — you're buying into an experience led by a sommelier, scored by local musicians, and framed by a Hawaiian sunset. We can't verify the specific bottles or pricing, so we're not going to pretend otherwise, but the concept is genuinely compelling for anyone who wants something more than a Caymus pour at a hotel bar. If you're in Kailua-Kona and want a wine night that feels like it was designed with intention, this is worth the ticket.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Occasional
Acceptable
· Kailua-Kona · Modern Hawaiian / Tasting-Style
CanoeHouse is a beautiful place to drink wine — the setting, the seafood, and the overall experience justify the splurge on a special night. But the wine program itself appears to be resort-standard: solid, Champagne-and-Burgundy-leaning, and priced for the zip code rather than the quality in the glass. Come for the view and the lobster tempura; don't come expecting a list that surprises you.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Hilton Waikoloa Village · Kailua-Kona · Steak & Seafood
Kamuela Provision Company has a stunning setting and almost certainly a strong kitchen, but its documented wine program is barely a program at all. If you're here for the view and the fresh catch, order something off the cocktail menu instead — one Chardonnay at a 3x markup isn't worth building a dinner around.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
MIA
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Kailua-Kona · New American / Hawaiian
Magics Beach Grill earns its reputation on atmosphere, not its wine program — and there's nothing wrong with that, as long as you know what you're walking into. If the sunset and the fresh fish are the draw, go for it; just don't expect the list to keep pace with the view. A happy hour window from 2–5 pm and again at 8 pm to close gives you a reason to order a glass without overthinking it.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Occasional
Acceptable
· Kailua-Kona · Italian-Inspired / Casual
Kai is a great place to watch the sun drop into the Pacific with something cold in your hand — just don't expect the wine list to be the reason you went. The program is serviceable for the setting, but with resort-level markups likely baked in, the cocktail menu might be a smarter play. If wine is your priority, lower your expectations before you sit down; if the view is your priority, you're exactly where you should be.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Kailua-Kona · Seafood / Steakhouse
Huggo's is a reliable enough place to drink wine if you're already there for the view and the fresh fish — just don't come expecting value or discovery. The regional mix is competent, the setting is genuinely spectacular, and the list will get you through dinner without incident. If you're a wine-first traveler, this probably isn't your destination, but it's a perfectly reasonable stop if the ahi tuna is calling your name.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
City Center · Carmel · Seafood & Steak
Salt is a reliable date-night option in Carmel's City Center — the wine list won't blow your mind, but it won't ruin your evening either. If you're here for the Chilean sea bass and a bottle of something from the French or California section, you'll leave happy enough.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Ogden · Ogden · Seafood & Steak
Market Street Grill is a reliable, comfortable seafood house where the wine list does its job without doing anything particularly interesting — you'll find something that works with your oysters, but you won't be texting anyone about it afterward. Go for the food and the classic atmosphere; the wine is there to support, not steal the show.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Kingsbury Grade / Stateline · South Lake Tahoe · Seafood & Steak
Chart House Tahoe is a beautiful place to watch the sun drop over the water, but the wine list is strictly an afterthought — safe, generic, and clearly not a priority for the kitchen or the chain. Drink the Riesling with your fish, order the Sherry with dessert, and save your serious wine budget for somewhere that cares.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
List Variety
Markup
Glassware
Staff
Specials & Deals
Storage & Temp
