A View To Dine For!

Best piece of travel advice I have learned so far…talk to the locals. You can buy all the travel books and read all the blogs, but the locals will know the ins-and-outs of the best kept secrets, wherever you are visiting.

After exploring Pu’uhonua o Honaunau, followed by snorkeling in the bay, we had built up quite an appetite. Our wonderful landlords had previously offered a detailed suggestion list of “not-to-miss” restaurants and adventures on the Big Island. Now, I don’t know about you, but I LOVE discovering those little hidden gem, one-of-a-kind eateries. Well it just so happened, conveniently located on our route back home, was The Coffee Shack. Now I realize the name may not be awe-inspiring, but let me tell you what, the second you glance at the views, you won’t even care how amazing the food tasted!

View of Kealakekua Bay from the lanai of The Coffee Shack

When I hear the saying “a picture is worth a thousand words”, I may forever have this photo etched in my mind, and it doesn’t even do it justice! A light rain had just finished falling; mixing with the gentle salty breeze coming off the water. The brilliant oranges, yellows, and pinks of tropical flowers, sagging slightly under the weight of the raindrops, formed a floral border around the lanai . Geckos raced back and forth across the white painted railings, eating jam that had been specially set out for their dining pleasure.

Because it was late afternoon, we ended up having the entire outside seating area to ourselves! The menu offered a delightful assortment of sandwiches, salads, pizzas, pastries, and coffees. May I just go ahead and recommend the chicken salad sandwich, made with a roasted garlic mayo, on homemade whole wheat bread?! Dave and I originally planned to split an order, but half way through, we decided it isn’t always nice to share and had to order a second plate! We even splurged and ordered dessert, which may have been one of the best decisions of my life. Four words…HOMEMADE WARM BANANA BREAD! Best banana bread I have ever tasted!

Jeffery, our server, was as warm and inviting as the food he set before us. As they say in Hawaii, he was very “aloha.” When it was time to leave, he even did us the favor of taking our first family photo in Hawaii, that wasn’t a selfie!

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