Solid Pours Where the Pacific Meets Your Glass
· Kailua-Kona · Seafood / Classic American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · September 20, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Kona Inn Restaurant’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Kona Inn is tidy and approachable — 33 labels that won't overwhelm you on vacation but won't bore a repeat visitor either. It leans hard into recognizable names and safe bets, which makes sense for a classic waterfront seafood spot where the sunset is competing for your attention. Think less discovery, more dependability.
The list is organized cleanly across bubbles, whites, and reds, with a clear bias toward California and a handful of international picks to keep things interesting. You've got Ramey Russian River Valley Chardonnay and Mer Soleil Reserve Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay anchoring the whites — both solid, if predictable choices for a seafood menu. Internationally, Louis Jadot Pouilly-Fuissé and Craggy Range Sauvignon Blanc show some range, and Siduri Willamette Valley Pinot Noir gives the reds a little Pacific Northwest credibility. The champagne shelf punches up nicely with Devaux Grand Reserve, Louis Roederer Collection 246, and a Dom Pérignon sitting at $489 for anyone celebrating something serious.
Fourteen by-the-glass options is genuinely strong for a restaurant of this style — there's real choice here without decision fatigue. The glass list spans bubbles through reds, with prices running $8.75 to $21, and the Rombauer Chardonnay even comes in a larger pour at $21 if you're committed. Whispering Angel The Pale at $14/glass and Siduri Willamette Pinot Noir at $15/glass are the standouts worth ordering without overthinking.
The Bottom Line
Kona Inn's wine list is exactly what it needs to be — competent, crowd-friendly, and anchored by a by-the-glass program that actually gives you options. Markup trends steep, as expected in Hawaii's resort corridor, but a few smart picks like Siduri Pinot and Lieu Dit Blanc de Mer reward guests who look past the Rombauer reflex. If you're eating here for the view and the seafood, the wine list won't let you down — just don't expect to be surprised.
· Kailua-Kona · Modern Hawaiian / Seafood
Moana's wine list is a fascinating contradiction: twelve bottles, a Rosewood price tag, and two Birichino natural wines sitting next to a 2006 d'Yquem. It shouldn't work this well, but the curation earns respect. Come for the ocean, stay for the Tokaji — just be prepared to pay resort prices for the privilege.
Small but Thoughtful
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Waikoloa · Kailua-Kona · Hawaii Regional Cuisine / Asian Fusion Seafood Grill
Roy's Waikoloa is a reliable night out with food that outpaces the wine list by a full length. Drink the Sonoma-Cutrer with the butterfish, skip the markups on the obvious stuff, and let the view do the heavy lifting.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Waikoloa · Kailua-Kona · Italian osteria with locally sourced Hawaiian ingredients
Pueo's isn't building a destination wine program, but it's doing something harder — keeping prices honest in a market that rarely does. Send your friends here for dinner; just know the list is a supporting character, not the headliner.
Plays It Safe
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Waikoloa · Kailua-Kona · Beachside Hawaiian and Pacific Rim
Come for the sand, the sunset, and the Huli Huli chicken — just don't come expecting the wine list to match the view. Order the best white they have cold, tip your server well, and make peace with it.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Alii Drive · Kailua-Kona · Hawaiian-style barbecue / plate lunches
We would never send someone to TJ's for the wine list — we'd send them for the smoked brisket and the ocean view. But if you want something in a glass while you eat, the list does just enough to keep you covered, and $12 a pour is fair by Hawaii standards.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Kailua-Kona · Kailua-Kona · Hawaiian-inspired and pan-Pacific fare with a classic tiki bar
Don the Beachcomber is a genuinely fun place to spend an evening in Kona, and the cocktail program absolutely earns its reputation — so get the mai tai and leave the wine list alone. If you insist on a bottle, grab the La Crema, accept your losses, and watch the sunset.
Crowd Pleasers
Gouge
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
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
