I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like pizza. I am no different. Pizza has been called the “perfect meal.” If visiting Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii, come and enjoy some delicious pizza — Hawaiian style. Here are my top 5 picks for Kona pizza, starting with my personal favorite:
Big Island Pizza Napoletana
Kona Brewing Company
Get Sum Pizza
Bianelli’s Gourmet Pizza and Pasta
Longboard Legends PizzaThere are basically three types of pizza: the standard medium crust, the New York (or thin crust), and the Chicago style (also referred to as deep dish or stuffed crust pizza). My personal preference is the stone oven baked thin crust. The first recorded use of the word pizza dates way back to 997AD in southern Italy. While the exact origins are uncertain, the Greeks have the word pikte and in Latin has the word picta. They all translate to round, flat bread.
Whatever anyone wants to call it is fine by me. I just call it delicious!
1. Big Island Pizza Napoletana
Let’s begin our Kona pizza exploration with my top pick, Big Island Pizza Napoletana. It is located on Maiau St., just above Costco. It is one of those hole-in-the-wall great finds, that unless you are told about it, it’s easy to miss.
I love this pizza because it is stone oven baked with that amazing New York-style thin crust. This really allows you to savor and taste the variety of fresh ingredients while not filling up too quickly with so much crust. Just like a fine wine or a good beer, dough needs time to develop. By allowing the yeast enough time to ferment, it in turn gives the crust that unique flavor and hearty character. I really like their simple cheese pizza, or I like to make my own with bruschetta, arugula, black olives, artichoke hearts, and a little feta. Delizioso!
2. Kona Brewing Company
Moving on to my next favorite Kona pizza joint is none other than the Kona Brewing Company. Besides their world-renowed selections of locally brewed beers, their pizza is something to write home about. One thing I love about the Kona Brew is their consistency. You will always get great food that tastes fresh and high quality no matter how many different cooks are in the kitchen (if you know what I mean). I love to pair their Wailua Wheat beer with either the Kohala Pizza or the Thai Chicken Pizza. They also have live music on certain nights of the week and bring in some great concerts.
3. Get Sum’ Pizza
Tucked away in the back by the parking lot of the Coconut Grove Market Place is a little restaurant called Get Sum’ Pizza. They operate from the standard of ‘quality rather than quantity.’ I can appreciate smaller restaurants because they can take that extra time and pay special attention to detail, which ensures great food and service. If you like to eat a little healthier, try their amazing gluten-free pizza made with local ulu or breadfruit flour. When in Hawaii, do as the Hawaiians do…sample their pizza called Ho’Hawaiian made with, you guessed it, ham and pineapple. I am sure this Hawaiian-style pizza was inspired by a luau.
