Umekes Fish Market Bar & Grill
Kailua-Kona, Kailua Kona
Restaurant in Kailua Kona, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Chef
Nakoa Pabre
Dress
Casual
Why go
Umekes Fish Market Bar & Grill is a practical Kailua-Kona pick when seafood and an easy meal matter more than ceremony. Treat it as a casual repeat-visit option rather than the trip's big special-occasion dinner, especially if the group wants flexibility and a lower-pressure plan.
About Umekes Fish Market Bar & Grill
Use Umekes Fish Market Bar & Grill as a casual Kailua Kona option rather than a high-ceremony booking. In Kailua Kona, where travelers may be choosing among many kinds of dining plans, this is the kind of place to consider when the priority is an easygoing meal and a simple schedule, not a dressed-up night.
A better fit for repeat casual meals than one big splurge
The smartest way to approach Umekes Fish Market Bar & Grill is as a flexible part of a Kailua Kona itinerary. Its hours run from 11 AM to 9 PM every day, which makes it easier to fit into a day than venues with narrower schedules. That matters for travelers spending several days around Kailua Kona: not every meal needs to carry the weight of a special occasion.
Chef and owner Nakoa Pabre gives the listing a named lead, which is useful in a category where many casual restaurants blur together online. Still, the appeal here should be judged by the basics: casual dress, daily hours, and a direct place in the Kailua Kona dining mix. If the group wants a lower-pressure meal after a day out, this is easier to justify than a more staged night out.
Go when the group needs an easy Kailua Kona plan
The practical cue is simple: choose Umekes Fish Market Bar & Grill when convenience and casual dress matter more than formality. The schedule is consistent across the week, with service listed from 11 AM to 9 PM Monday through Sunday. That gives it a clear role for diners who want a plan that does not depend on a narrow opening window.
For an explorer who wants depth, the move is to treat this as part of a Kailua Kona eating map rather than the whole answer. Compare it with other casual dining in the area before assigning it a role. Umekes Fish Market Bar & Grill is worth considering when the group wants an easygoing meal without turning dinner into a production. It is not the strongest choice if the brief is a highly formal or ceremonial room.
Quick reference: casual Kailua Kona option with daily 11 AM to 9 PM hours and casual dress.
Planning details
- Location
- 74-5599 Pawai Pl, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
- Website
- umekesrestaurants.com
- Phone
- (808) 238-0571
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Umekes reads like a working fish market transplanted into a dining guide: pragmatic, no‑frills and unapologetically harbor‑side. The address is described as light‑industrial and the first impressions arrive via salt air and charcoal rather than curated decor. The kitchen deliberately keeps out of the fish's way—quality is signaled through a glass display case, ice change and the day’s catch. The mood is direct and matter‑of‑fact, favoring freshness and local sourcing over theatrical service. It’s a casual, industrious spot where community and catch steer the experience more than atmosphere or mise‑en‑place.
Best For
This is a place for uncomplicated, market‑driven meals: quick poké lunches, family plate‑lunch outings and casual groups who want fresh local fish without fuss. It sits outside of the resort sunset circuit, so it’s less about scenery and more about the product—ideal for locals, visitors chasing authentic neighborhood flavors, and solo diners who want a straightforward counter order. If you’re seeking formal dining or a white‑tablecloth evening, Umekes isn’t that; if you want fresh, immediately local seafood served simply, it’s exactly the kind of spot to choose.
Ordering Tips
Umekes operates on a fish‑market, counter‑service logic: your best clues to quality are the display case and what’s been landed that morning. Order at the counter, scan the glass for recently changed ice and the freshest cuts, and prioritize market‑driven options. The Poke Flight and signature bowls like Da Avo Poke and Hottie Poke are called out specialties—choose the flight if you want to sample varieties. When freshness matters, ask staff what came in that day; the menu and the display typically tell you more than any written menu.
Venue details
Ambiance
Fun and lively atmosphere with live music on weekends, comfortable outdoor patio seating under canopy, and casual air-conditioned interior.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Sourcing
Accessibility
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Casual
- Noise Level
- Lively
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Standard
- Capacity
- Medium
Signature Dishes
- Poke Flight
- Da Avo Poke
- Hottie Poke
Know before you go
Know Before You Go
- Getting there
- 74-5599 Pawai Pl, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Planning details
Location
Recognition and awards
Also consider
If this does not fit the plan
For a group that wants beer and an easy social setup, cross-shop Kona Brewing Co. For a more value-driven casual meal, look at Broke Da Mouth Grindz instead.
Restaurant context
How it compares in Kailua-Kona
Choose Umekes Fish Market Bar & Grill when the group wants a seafood-focused casual meal without committing to a more staged experience. Kona Brewing Co. is the better fit for beer, groups, and a more familiar brewpub rhythm, while Umekes is the sharper pick when the meal should lean toward fish-market-bar territory.
Quinn's Almost by the Sea and Splashers Grill make more sense for travelers prioritizing a classic casual Kona restaurant feel near visitor traffic. Umekes is a better call when ambience is secondary and the group is choosing based on seafood direction and ease.
Island Breeze Luau is not a direct substitute; book that when the evening needs entertainment and a full visitor experience. Broke Da Mouth Grindz is the cross-shop for comfort-food value and local-style eating, while Umekes fits the seafood lane more clearly.
Explore Kailua Kona
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Umekes Fish Market Bar & Grill guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Umekes Fish Market Bar & Grill
| Venue | Location | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| Umekes Fish Market Bar & Grill | Kailua Kona | 2026 Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives Featured Bars |
| Kona Brewing Co. | Kailua Kona | No published awards |
| Quinn's Almost by the Sea | Kailua Kona | No published awards |
| Island Breeze Luau | Kailua Kona | No published awards |
| Splashers Grill | Kailua Kona | No published awards |
| Broke Da Mouth Grindz | Kailua Kona | 2026 Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives Featured Restaurants |
How Umekes Fish Market Bar & Grill compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Umekes Fish Market Bar & Grill accommodate groups?
Group accommodations and seating capacity are not specified here. The hours are Monday through Sunday from 11 AM to 9 PM, which gives diners a broad window for choosing a time in Kailua Kona.
What should I order at Umekes Fish Market Bar & Grill?
No specific dishes or menu recommendations are listed here. Use the restaurant name and current menu as your guide, and expect a casual Kailua Kona meal rather than a highly formal experience.
Is Umekes Fish Market Bar & Grill good for a special occasion?
It works best for a low-fuss occasion, not for a high-formality night out. The appeal is practical: a casual dress code, a Kailua Kona setting, and daily service from 11 AM to 9 PM.
Can I eat at the bar at Umekes Fish Market Bar & Grill?
Is lunch or dinner better at Umekes Fish Market Bar & Grill?
The hours run from 11 AM to 9 PM every day, but separate lunch or dinner menus are not specified here. Choose the time that best fits your Kailua Kona plans, and confirm any current service details directly with the restaurant if timing or menu availability is important.
What are alternatives to Umekes Fish Market Bar & Grill?
Other named options to consider include Kona Brewing Co. Quinn's Almost by the Sea, Splashers Grill, Broke Da Mouth Grindz, and Island Breeze Luau. They serve different trip needs, so compare the current details for each before choosing.
