We loved their unique blend of Hawaiian and Jamaican cuisines. I had the jerk chicken and my wife had the pulled pork. Both were delicious. They accommodated my wife’s dairy allergy as well as my plantain allergy. Friendly staff and great vibes.
Nice tiki bar with good drinks and good food, plus all day happy hour on Tuesdays makes it a great place to stop after the aquarium. Make sure to wear your Hawaiian shirt to blend in with the regulars!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Ahi
Anthony Biecheler
The food was good, but the bartender with the beard with unfriendly enough that it was awkward for our family. He was rude and short with us while we waited for a table.The host was amazing, figuring out how to get us into a table with only a 10min wait instead of a 45min wait, and our server (Carrie) was awesome, friendly, and attentive.The spicy edamame was an awesome appetizer and I’d recommend anyone get it. It was so unique. Very spicy. Very flavorful. Carrie said it is marinated for 24 hours and then (I think) fire roasted. The arugula salad with blacked tofu and mango chicken Cesar salads were great too.Lots of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options!Vegetarian options: Tons of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free options!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Spicy Edamame
Mike Elliott
Only one star lost here but its for the French Fries. We have ordered the burger and fries many many times. Each time we ask for crispy crispy fires and made a point when placing our order. 90% of the time the fries a limp and soggy. I really wish Hulas would train their frier how to make fries.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Hula Pie, Sandwich
Esmeralda Sucilla
A true hawian would be disappointed no flavor/seasonings the only reason it’s in business it’s next to shore and aesthics don’t be fooled save your money and time wait time was 45min+
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 2
Abninder Mundra
Our server was absolutely rude. Was very uncomfortable for our families to have an early dinner there as if she did not want us to be there. The restaurant was also pretty empty when we were being served and she hardly came to check up on us. A lot of attitude when taking our order as we were very nice to her, knowing that she was very rude and perhaps she was having a bad day. Or they act like that because they know they’re already getting an automatic 20% tip which we don’t have control over as customers. Definitely will not be coming back again.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 1
Chelsea Marcantonio
Amazing vegan tacos!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
gjh 14030
If you are in the monterey area and love all things Tiki, then you need to stop by Hula's Island Grill, you won't regret it. ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amy Howard
My husband and I love this place! We came twice while he was in town visiting me on my travel contract, and I’ve been once alone and plan to go again! The ceviche is soooo gooood. We’ve got it every time. He got the calamari both times. I liked it the first time, but the second it wasn’t crispy enough for me, but it’s also not my favorite dish so keep that in mind. He still loved it! He got the Kingston Crab Currie both times and we both thought it was amazing. I got the teriyaki ribs and they were really good! I got the Ahi Tuna Caesar the second time which was great, and the third time I got the colossal crab cake. It wasn’t the best I’ve ever had but it was still good enough for me to order again. I loved the sauces it came with! What I love the most about this place is the Blood Orange Martini! ? I never truly enjoy the taste of alcohol very much, but this drink is delicious! Going during happy hour is definitely worth it. I’ll probably go back tonight ?
I wasn't going to post a review until I met this wonderful and handsome young busser, Soren, I was running this poor kid around for pepper and extra sauce. And even though it took him 3 trips to bring all of our food he got it all done eventually, talk about perseverance! Will definitely be back, the food was amazing too ! Check out this Caesar salad!
Katy Z.
We came by for dinner on Sunday night. It was quite packed at 6:30pm (prime dinner time). We were estimated about a 25 minute wait, we waited for amount 33 minutes according to the Yelp Waitlist. They do not have a waitlist for you to sign up prior to getting to the restaurant, you must walk in to be placed on FYI. There were a good amount of tables on both sides so they are fairly quick if people do not stay and chat for a while after eating. They also have an open bar area right when you walk in that you can sit and grab drinks while waiting, though seats are limited. If you prefer to wait, they have 1 small bench outside next to a heat lamp as well. We ordered: - the Crab Cake (appetizer special for that night)- not on menu, estimated $16 - Jawaiian Jerk Chicken Plate ($22) - The Hawaiian Fish Soup ($24) This crab cake was massive, delicious and worth every bite. The crab cake came with a seared lemon and two sauces on the side, spicy mayo and horseradish. I felt like the spicy mayo was pretty standard, but that horseradish with the crab cake made it a 10/10. The crab was very fresh, packed, did not fall apart and was so yummy. I would recommend this to everyone if they have it. My boyfriend got the jerk chicken and he enjoyed it a lot. He said the chicken was juicy and flavorful. I am not the biggest fan of the flavor, so I cannot say too much in regards this. Though we both agreed that the jerk sauce was not spicy though the menu said it would be. The fried plantains were delicious, perfectly cooked with that nice brown caramelized texture. The slaw and Johnny cake were bit of a miss for both of us. The slaw was missing some types of flavors that we normally associate slaw with. Then again, we had slaw at a fish and chip place the previous day and that was also a bit different than what we are used to. So maybe it is a Monterey thing? The Johnny cake was very dry and I was not sure if that was what it was suppose to be like. The Hawaiian Fish Soup, WOW. Do not underestimate this one. Though on the little pricier side, it was very flavorful and perfect for a cozy night. I was between this dish and another one. On Yelp, the photos of this soup just didn't intrigue me, but the reviews (Thanks YELPERS!) convinced me that you cannot count this one out. The coconut ginger lemongrass broth was creamy, not watery, but it definitely was not as thick as a chowder. You can taste each ingredient in this soup for sure. Inside the soup were mini shrimps, and the white fish was definitely bite sized. The only thing I wished was that there were more Udon noodles inside the soup. Though creamy, this was definitely one of the lighter options on the menu in terms of substance. Overall, we enjoyed our dinner at Hula's Island Grill. The wait was not too bad, the service was quick and the food was pretty tasty. We weren't feeling getting drinks that night, but their drink menu was pretty tempting. FYI, the seating can be slightly cramped so probably not the best for super large groups.
Supa Infinite Luminescence
Oh boy do I LOVE the Hawaiian ceviche ?. I've actually been known to pick up two orders to go and inhale one in the car before I even leave the parking lot. It's different from Mexican ceviche, with coconut milk and a nice kick of serrano and garlic. Not ONE place in the area makes it besides Hula's. There are a lot of delicious options on the menu for meat eaters, vegetarians and vegans alike. The jerk spice is spicy but not overpowering and plays very well with the different varieties of fish. My husband had the pulled pork tacos and he's pretty picky but enjoyed his meal when we ate there together. The edamame appetizer is AMAZING and very spicy. I haven't even talked about the tiki drinks. They are delicious and make me feel like I'm in a Hawaiian resort. The restaurant is usually very busy and can be quite loud and crowded so if that's not your scene be advised but I recommend giving Hula's a try.Vegetarian options: Vegetarian and vegan bowls, appetizers and clearly labeled items for clarity.Parking: Street parking if you can find it and a shared parking lot behind the restaurant that tends to fill up quickly. Be prepared to walk a bit if you visit during peak hours.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Spicy Edamame
Casey V.
Might've been the worst place I've ever had. The decoration is beautiful, very. Service was great in the beginning. Once they took our order, it went downhill from there. They gave us plates for kids but they were all so dusty which felt dirty. Then they handed all of our food to the table behind us and handed it right to us which was disappointing because they weren't paying attention. The food was so bland, no seasoning. I've had numerous Hawaiian food and this was by far the worse. We went here since we were here on vacation. The pulled pork tacos were bland, salsa was the only thing that helped it. Rice was fluffy. My boyfriend got spicy Thai chicken and immediately felt sick right after finishing it. My sister got the hula burger and it was so raw. They did give us the burger free since they messed it up and handed it to the table behind us and made us wait. The Mac n cheese was also bland. The best thing were fries but even then you can tell we got the leftovers. I would not recommend this place to anyone. Total waste of $80 but would've been $100 with the burger. Not worth the price.
Plenty of food! Quick with the orders.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Spicy Edamame
We loved their unique blend of Hawaiian and Jamaican cuisines. I had the jerk chicken and my wife had the pulled pork. Both were delicious. They accommodated my wife’s dairy allergy as well as my plantain allergy. Friendly staff and great vibes.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Duke's Luau Pork Plate, Jawaiian Jerk Pork Plate
Nice tiki bar with good drinks and good food, plus all day happy hour on Tuesdays makes it a great place to stop after the aquarium. Make sure to wear your Hawaiian shirt to blend in with the regulars!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Ahi
The food was good, but the bartender with the beard with unfriendly enough that it was awkward for our family. He was rude and short with us while we waited for a table.The host was amazing, figuring out how to get us into a table with only a 10min wait instead of a 45min wait, and our server (Carrie) was awesome, friendly, and attentive.The spicy edamame was an awesome appetizer and I’d recommend anyone get it. It was so unique. Very spicy. Very flavorful. Carrie said it is marinated for 24 hours and then (I think) fire roasted. The arugula salad with blacked tofu and mango chicken Cesar salads were great too.Lots of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options!Vegetarian options: Tons of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free options!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Spicy Edamame
Only one star lost here but its for the French Fries. We have ordered the burger and fries many many times. Each time we ask for crispy crispy fires and made a point when placing our order. 90% of the time the fries a limp and soggy. I really wish Hulas would train their frier how to make fries.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Hula Pie, Sandwich
A true hawian would be disappointed no flavor/seasonings the only reason it’s in business it’s next to shore and aesthics don’t be fooled save your money and time wait time was 45min+
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 2
Our server was absolutely rude. Was very uncomfortable for our families to have an early dinner there as if she did not want us to be there. The restaurant was also pretty empty when we were being served and she hardly came to check up on us. A lot of attitude when taking our order as we were very nice to her, knowing that she was very rude and perhaps she was having a bad day. Or they act like that because they know they’re already getting an automatic 20% tip which we don’t have control over as customers. Definitely will not be coming back again.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 1
Amazing vegan tacos!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
If you are in the monterey area and love all things Tiki, then you need to stop by Hula's Island Grill, you won't regret it. ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My husband and I love this place! We came twice while he was in town visiting me on my travel contract, and I’ve been once alone and plan to go again! The ceviche is soooo gooood. We’ve got it every time. He got the calamari both times. I liked it the first time, but the second it wasn’t crispy enough for me, but it’s also not my favorite dish so keep that in mind. He still loved it! He got the Kingston Crab Currie both times and we both thought it was amazing. I got the teriyaki ribs and they were really good! I got the Ahi Tuna Caesar the second time which was great, and the third time I got the colossal crab cake. It wasn’t the best I’ve ever had but it was still good enough for me to order again. I loved the sauces it came with! What I love the most about this place is the Blood Orange Martini! ? I never truly enjoy the taste of alcohol very much, but this drink is delicious! Going during happy hour is definitely worth it. I’ll probably go back tonight ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Kingston Crab Curry, Kalbi Ribs
Restaurantji Recommends
Excellent food and
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lilikoi Pie, Duke's Luau Pork Plate
I wasn't going to post a review until I met this wonderful and handsome young busser, Soren, I was running this poor kid around for pepper and extra sauce. And even though it took him 3 trips to bring all of our food he got it all done eventually, talk about perseverance! Will definitely be back, the food was amazing too ! Check out this Caesar salad!
We came by for dinner on Sunday night. It was quite packed at 6:30pm (prime dinner time). We were estimated about a 25 minute wait, we waited for amount 33 minutes according to the Yelp Waitlist. They do not have a waitlist for you to sign up prior to getting to the restaurant, you must walk in to be placed on FYI. There were a good amount of tables on both sides so they are fairly quick if people do not stay and chat for a while after eating. They also have an open bar area right when you walk in that you can sit and grab drinks while waiting, though seats are limited. If you prefer to wait, they have 1 small bench outside next to a heat lamp as well. We ordered: - the Crab Cake (appetizer special for that night)- not on menu, estimated $16 - Jawaiian Jerk Chicken Plate ($22) - The Hawaiian Fish Soup ($24) This crab cake was massive, delicious and worth every bite. The crab cake came with a seared lemon and two sauces on the side, spicy mayo and horseradish. I felt like the spicy mayo was pretty standard, but that horseradish with the crab cake made it a 10/10. The crab was very fresh, packed, did not fall apart and was so yummy. I would recommend this to everyone if they have it. My boyfriend got the jerk chicken and he enjoyed it a lot. He said the chicken was juicy and flavorful. I am not the biggest fan of the flavor, so I cannot say too much in regards this. Though we both agreed that the jerk sauce was not spicy though the menu said it would be. The fried plantains were delicious, perfectly cooked with that nice brown caramelized texture. The slaw and Johnny cake were bit of a miss for both of us. The slaw was missing some types of flavors that we normally associate slaw with. Then again, we had slaw at a fish and chip place the previous day and that was also a bit different than what we are used to. So maybe it is a Monterey thing? The Johnny cake was very dry and I was not sure if that was what it was suppose to be like. The Hawaiian Fish Soup, WOW. Do not underestimate this one. Though on the little pricier side, it was very flavorful and perfect for a cozy night. I was between this dish and another one. On Yelp, the photos of this soup just didn't intrigue me, but the reviews (Thanks YELPERS!) convinced me that you cannot count this one out. The coconut ginger lemongrass broth was creamy, not watery, but it definitely was not as thick as a chowder. You can taste each ingredient in this soup for sure. Inside the soup were mini shrimps, and the white fish was definitely bite sized. The only thing I wished was that there were more Udon noodles inside the soup. Though creamy, this was definitely one of the lighter options on the menu in terms of substance. Overall, we enjoyed our dinner at Hula's Island Grill. The wait was not too bad, the service was quick and the food was pretty tasty. We weren't feeling getting drinks that night, but their drink menu was pretty tempting. FYI, the seating can be slightly cramped so probably not the best for super large groups.
Oh boy do I LOVE the Hawaiian ceviche ?. I've actually been known to pick up two orders to go and inhale one in the car before I even leave the parking lot. It's different from Mexican ceviche, with coconut milk and a nice kick of serrano and garlic. Not ONE place in the area makes it besides Hula's. There are a lot of delicious options on the menu for meat eaters, vegetarians and vegans alike. The jerk spice is spicy but not overpowering and plays very well with the different varieties of fish. My husband had the pulled pork tacos and he's pretty picky but enjoyed his meal when we ate there together. The edamame appetizer is AMAZING and very spicy. I haven't even talked about the tiki drinks. They are delicious and make me feel like I'm in a Hawaiian resort. The restaurant is usually very busy and can be quite loud and crowded so if that's not your scene be advised but I recommend giving Hula's a try.Vegetarian options: Vegetarian and vegan bowls, appetizers and clearly labeled items for clarity.Parking: Street parking if you can find it and a shared parking lot behind the restaurant that tends to fill up quickly. Be prepared to walk a bit if you visit during peak hours.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Spicy Edamame
Might've been the worst place I've ever had. The decoration is beautiful, very. Service was great in the beginning. Once they took our order, it went downhill from there. They gave us plates for kids but they were all so dusty which felt dirty. Then they handed all of our food to the table behind us and handed it right to us which was disappointing because they weren't paying attention. The food was so bland, no seasoning. I've had numerous Hawaiian food and this was by far the worse. We went here since we were here on vacation. The pulled pork tacos were bland, salsa was the only thing that helped it. Rice was fluffy. My boyfriend got spicy Thai chicken and immediately felt sick right after finishing it. My sister got the hula burger and it was so raw. They did give us the burger free since they messed it up and handed it to the table behind us and made us wait. The Mac n cheese was also bland. The best thing were fries but even then you can tell we got the leftovers. I would not recommend this place to anyone. Total waste of $80 but would've been $100 with the burger. Not worth the price.