Presentation on Map Reviews Nearby

Hulas Island Grill in Santa Cruz

4.4 (199) 221 Cathcart St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, United States

Categories

Restaurant
Asian fusion restaurant
Hawaiian restaurant

Location on the map

Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County, California, US

Phone: +1 831-426-4852
Site: https://hulastiki.com/menus-1

Opening hours

Monday:4–9:30 PM
Tuesday:4–9:30 PM
Wednesday:12–9:30 PM
Thursday:12–9:30 PM
Friday:12–10 PM
Saturday:12–10 PM
Sunday:12–9:30 PM

Edit info

Total reviews rating 4.4

199 Reviews for Hulas Island Grill 2024:

Review №1

2023-10-04 18:39:52

Good number of vegan options. The food is decent, if a bit overpriced, but the cocktails were tasty and the waiter was very friendly. The curry with plantains and tofu was good.

Review №2

2023-07-14 00:20:04

Only stopped in for a cocktail this time. The Muay Thai was great. Bartender was awesome, super friendly. Last time we were in town we had food and it was great! Very fresh and tasty. Fun atmosphere to have a cocktail or a casual bite to eat.

Review №3

2023-08-29 17:08:15

We decided to try hulas located in Santa Cruz, super cute place located in downtown, small restaurant but super cozy, we showed up there around 5 and they were pretty much all full, but luckily they had 1 table open! I recommend making reservations for this place, their menu is pretty similar to the one in Monterey, they have vegan/vegetarian and gluten free menu, will definitely be back

Review №4

2023-02-22 17:43:21

The atmosphere is beautiful and very unique to the design. When we arrived we were greeted right away. Wasnt fond that we werent given an option for a table but he sat directly in the bar. Which was fine happy hour is from 3 to 7, and items on the menu are limited but the drinks are well worth it. Order and the wait time werent bad either. The food was mediocre or maybe not so great if I was being honest. But it may also be limited by us only ordering happy hour food. Not sure if I would come back to try the dinner, not at happy hour. We ended up at five guys down the street 🤷🏾‍♀️

Review №5

2023-04-09 16:42:18

It was finally a beautiful day in Santa Cruz CA so after walking on the wharf we went downtown to our favorite restaurant, Hulas Island Grille. Amazing decore, and the food is fresh and oh so tasty. We had their famous burger with avocado, bacon, pineapple and jack cheese slathered with their special sauce. You will want more secret sauce for dipping...their hand cut fries are crunchy on the outside and cream on the inside. The tofu salad was a nice choice for those picky eaters, as is the wonderful Caesar salad with chicken or shrimp. Everything that came to the table was beautifully plated and we could not wait to dig in. Put this on your list the next time you are in the Santa Cruz CA area.

Review №6

2023-06-05 11:11:19

We went to this place for lunch during our visit to Santa Cruz. We had to wait 15 minutes to get the table. The place is kid friendly. We had a kid with us, and they provided high chair, etc. they have various island themed cocktails- although I drank a virgin pina colada. It was refreshing, however a bit too sweet for me. We didn’t try any appetiser. In the main entree, I choose the macadamia nut crusted fish ( barramundi) platter. I replaced the rice by mashed potato. The fish was fresh, flaky and a decent sized. Although I felt it was under seasoned. The mango and pineapple salsa was the best. I’m not a big fan of Coleslaw- however, this one was good. The mashed potato was garlicky and filling. Overall, I felt the portion size was a little less as compared to the price- however, the food was fresh and the fish was top notched.

Review №7

2023-04-17 19:32:09

Tried Hulas for dinner and drinks. The fish was good but wasnt as thrilled the way the macadamia crusting tasted. But it was good for a quick meal while passing through Santa Cruz. My wife loved her blood orange Martini.

Review №8

2023-05-25 02:58:43

Ordered the fish tacos, kale salad, spring rolls, edamame, coconut shrimp rolls, poke bowl, dessert and some cocktails. Everything was very tasty, service was great and food was brought out quickly. My kids felt like the poke bowl had too much lime or lemon juice, they said it messed up the flavor/taste for them. The cocktails were tasty and I will definitely go back

Review №9

2022-09-27 03:42:20

One of the best restaurants in the greater Bay Area. I came here after reading excellent recommendations from online articles and I was absolutely impressed. This Hawaiian/Island themed restaurant serves a variety of high quality plates, appetizers, and cocktails. Some of the best food we’ve had and the original Mai Tai was unlike any I’ve ever had.We were especially impressed with the ambiance of the entire place. It’s laid out in a consistent island theme. There is indoor seating, outdoor seating, and hybrid window covered seating which was really nice.The food came out very quickly and was delicious. Everything tastes like they put a ton of care into it. The service was also excellent. Everyone was friendly to me and kindly explained to me their best items which I eventually ordered.This place is worth driving from the Bay Area to visit, or definitely come here after a day on the beach. You will not regret it.

Review №10

2023-10-07 21:23:14

The Ahi is tough like overcooked sirloin and the drinks are not the normal tiki drinks. The classic Pain Killer tasted like very dated OJ and nothing like Pussers rum.Good try but stay to the one on the pier. Its definitely a better tasting experience.

Review №11

2023-07-04 22:34:12

Really nothing to write home about. Food was mediocre at best. Rice was way over cooked (think slimy and mushy). Overcharged one of our dishes and were resistant to fixing the mistake (see photos). Most of the dishes our table ordered were quite short of expectations, even being generous. Drinks are also extremely overpriced for the small volume you get. If you want high quality, well-cooked meals, go someplace else.

Review №12

2023-10-26 19:01:12

This is one of my favs in Santa Cruz! Love the tiki theme and the food is always great, the ceviche is my fav! Fun for cocktails at night or to stop in for a bite on the way through town. Wings had a nice spicy curry flavor and the pulled pork was tender and flavorful!

Review №13

2023-06-19 04:08:10

Really impressive drinks and food with bold flavors. Highly recommend the painkiller cocktail, seared ahi tuna wontons and Jawaiin jerk pork plate.

Review №14

2023-09-14 07:24:53

Really busy place with Tiki themed drinks and decor! Loved that they were supporting the wildfire relief efforts in Maui.

Review №15

2023-12-05 18:40:05

Its very annoying that they will not seat a party of 7 with six people present, and the whole party must be there.What was great is the drinks that were ordered came out after the food, and we were already about halfway done with the food.The Food is all alright, the vibes are probably better than the actual food.Used to be one of the favorite local spots, not sure I can say that anymore

Review №16

2023-01-03 05:01:13

My wife and I ate here tonight and were very pleased. I ordered the spicy Thai chicken bowl, which was delicious and packed full of flavor. My wife had the veggie burger, which was also good. To drink, I had a Summer on the Porch, which was very good and a unique way to have a bourbon cocktail. I would definitely return here!

Review №17

2023-05-21 19:03:39

Join the Happy Hour so you could get the best value for the BEST food in Santa Cruz.Everything was exquisite, Im unable to fully express my excitement for this establishment. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Ps. Get the Kalbi ribs 🤤

Review №18

2022-08-31 01:29:07

Yummy food!This restaurant is really cute and Definitely have some Hawaiian vibes in it.Our experience was excellent. We got seated right away, staff are very friendly and welcoming. Our food was delicious and no complaints at all. We both ordered fish and both dishes were excellent.If you venture out in downtown Santa Cruz this place is worth checking out.

Review №19

2023-06-24 22:39:12

Great food. I recommend any of their fish dishes. Most of the tables had this white fish soup that I wish we tried. The curry was amazing, pulled pork plate was great, but the portion was a bit small for the price. Staff was friendly and service was great.

Review №20

2023-04-05 16:15:03

We love this place. Every time we are in Santa Cruz, we make a point to stop for lunch and drinks. The staff is always professional and very friendly and can’t say enough about the food. Fresh fish and many vegetarian and gluten-free items.

Review №21

2023-07-05 16:03:03

What a find this place was, driving down Santa Cruz, saw this bubbling and happening place, decided to check it out, and were we amazed, the food was so so good, got to go back for sure.

Review №22

2023-06-13 06:08:08

Delicious! I had a Mai Thai it was perfect. The food was also good. The atmosphere was excellent with amazing tiki decor. Our server was sweet and they did the best they could to get our food out as we were a large party.

Review №23

2023-05-15 20:20:22

Place was a dope place to chill. Glad we made it before it got super busy on a Sunday afternoon. Server was great and paid attention to a friends gluten allergy. Food was good. Had the ahi tuna poke bowl. Wish there was more tuna. Also wish the carrots didnt look like peels but julienned instead. Otherwise great early dinner for us before driving back home.

Review №24

2023-01-02 04:23:54

Wonderful meal for New Years Day! Impressed by the Hawaiian atmosphere, we walked in to an early dinner and found amazing dishes on happy hour menu - Mac and cheese, spicy edamame, and Hawaiian ceviche - all super flavorful and delicious. Also had the fish sandwich with house-cut fries - cooked beautifully. After all these for two people, we luckily still had room to try dessert and the pie with macadamia nut ice cream and Oreo base is a perfect finish. Would visit again and again! Thank you for opening on New Years Day...

Review №25

2023-09-23 20:35:31

This place came highly recommended and I can see why. The wait for a table was too long so I ordered take out, then was able to get a space at the bar. The hostess was super nice and helpful and the bartender was an absolute rockstar. Totally full bar, training somebody, and she was still very efficient. Great staff, great decor, fantastic drink, and good food. Surprisingly good experience on such a busy night.

Review №26

2023-07-08 21:20:53

Crowded! But thats a good thing since everything was fresh and delicious!! Must try and worth the 15 to 30 minute wait!!

Review №27

2023-09-25 16:49:00

Great food and drink options on an extensive menu. The scorpion bowl is a great shared drink and the French fries are addicting

Review №28

2023-11-25 23:03:36

Such a great place. Took my mom for her birthday and she loved it. Great food and service as always.

Review №29

2023-09-12 03:54:01

Friendly service, very attentive and fast. The place was really full so a reservation is recommended. The margaritas were good and the food also. The food was a little too spicey, which was not mentioned in the vegetarian menu. But it was great that they offer vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options - not very common in the US so far!For sure a great place with a great atmosphere and interior - definitely a recommendation!

Review №30

2022-10-04 16:16:51

Came in for dinner around 4:30pm on a Saturday and waited around 15 min to be seated (which is not bad. Usually wait times are a bit longer on weekends) we were sat inside, which I love the tiki vibe. We got edamame and calamari for appetizers which were both very good and came out pretty quickly. I got the fish tacos, which were just ok, and my guest got the poke bowl, which was delicious. This place gets busy, but if you can get a spot, it’s worth it.

Review №31

2022-03-05 05:01:50

Kale salad and ceviche was delicious. Fish taco and fish of the day was good too. Lilikoi pie was too sweet for me. Tiki cocktails are on the sweeter side too. As comfort food, it hit the spot. Outdoor seatings are nice.

Review №32

2022-07-23 01:49:49

I don’t give out 5 stars often but the Kalbi ribs earned it. Fantastic flavor. Didn’t need any sauce. Just the right size. Poke bowl was good too. Fast service too on a Friday night.

Review №33

2022-03-23 03:44:20

The fam and I took a trip to Santa Cruz and I remembered this place from my college days, so we decided to check it out for dinner. It was about an hour wait for the 3 of us but we were finally seated. Our server was very nice and helpful. For drinks I ordered the Zombie and the wife ordered something...lol. It had bourbon in it. Mine was pretty good the wife said hers was good although she wouldnt order again (she doesnt like bourbon). For sides/apps we got sweet plantains which were tasty, Johnny cakes which were supposed to be like cornbread but wasnt our favorite. For mains the wife ordered Kimos Broke Da Mouth burger which she thought was just ok. The son ordered the cheese quesadilla which he enjoyed, and I ordered the Kingston Crab Curry. It was supposed to be a little spicy, but it really wasnt. I really enjoyed the sauce though. Cool spot to check out if youre in the area

Review №34

2023-04-23 00:53:58

Tripped into Hula’s looking for a downtown Santa Cruz happy hour…glad we did! Food was yummy, drinks were tropical and Maria’s service was on point! Stop if for HH for 4-6 daily! Mahalo 🤙

Review №35

2022-01-12 23:00:45

This is on a Wednesday, late lunch with only one other party inside. We were super hungry and visiting the pier.To share we ordered: large house cut fries, large sweet potato fries and a large Caesar salad - all delicious! Bro got the Ahi Katsu tacos - they come seared, he said they were good! I got the fish tacos and instead of rice and beans got it with arugula salad and a lemon vinaigrette - super delicious dish! Mom got the fish soup and lemme tell you that was delicious too - chunks of fish, udon swimming in a coconut and lemon grass milky soup! The lady waitress was cool and brought our little girl a lei! Awesome delicious lunch!

Review №36

2023-04-06 21:58:01

Food was extremely subpar, fries was ok, but the taco was terrible. Felt worse than homemade. Atmosphere is nice and the waiter was kind, but we waitedat the front with nobody helping us for multiple minutes. No bell to press for service either. would not recommend

Review №37

2019-02-05 07:12:05

Great spot for dinner! We were quickly seated and our waitress was very friendly and knowledgeable. Drinks were fast, and the order was taken shortly after we sat down. Food came out quickly, looked great and smelled wonderful. Excellent options for food and the decor was really cute! Definitely visit again next time we are in the area.

Review №38

2022-03-26 21:28:34

Satisfied except one thing. There rice quality is quite disappointed. But, I enjoyed the paradise iced tea: not sweet but refreshing! Ordered island poke. Do not squeeze lemon too much, it could be too sour. Ordered the pulled pork with pineapple. Tasty!

Review №39

2022-07-09 17:15:29

Loved this place! Menu has lots of vegan options that will make you want to try everything. Food was great! The place was packed (gets very busy around lunchtime and on the weekends) but the service was very fast.

Review №40

2021-08-13 05:39:28

We were visiting Santa Cruz for about 48 hours. We love a tiki bar so we tried this place. It definitely has a fun vibe. Has the look and feel of a tiki bar. My family and I had dinner and drinks. Two of us had the poke bowl and two had the luau plates. The poke bowls were pretty big, filling, and tasty. The pulled pork and jerk chicken were pretty good too. They were also a good sized serving. Over all it was a nice meal. The service was good. If I lived here I could see us going back.

Review №41

2022-02-07 04:18:26

Came here for lunch on a Sunday and it was pretty quiet inside, there werent a lot of people but a bunch outside.Good:The Kimo Burger I got was super tasty! I liked how big it was and the meat + sauce + tomato + bacon combo worked surprisingly well. I wasnt as big of a fan of the pineapple inside it though - it was a little too sweet. The cornbread was tasty too since I got that as my side. The burger was definitely the highlight though.Bad:Takes a while for the food to get to you - we waited for probably 15-20 min for our 2 dishes. Its definitely not as nice of an ambiance in the middle of the day, Id come back another time at night for the bar vibes. The service was also a bit slow, couldnt waive down the waiters too easily.Overall, a good experience, but mediocre vibes and ambiance.

Review №42

2023-10-05 21:53:41

Had been here once before, but this visit was just excellent! If I ever were to be lost (maybe on a three-hour tour?) on a desert island, I could survive on the Kona Style Chicken Wings and Groms Grog.I went for happy hour and really didnt expect much, but the food was so delicious and such generous portions.The service was excellent, with everyone showing that island aloha spirit. Sometimes Santa Cruz feels like a sister city to a Hawaiian City--maybe Kona on the Big Island.Definitely worth the drive from wherever you are in the Bay Area.

Review №43

2023-04-16 01:15:01

Wow! I apologize for not having pictures, but the food was served to us so fast that we had to dig in to make room for our drinks. I was worried about freshness because it came so quickly when they were obviously busy, but it was still delicious 😋. We ordered the Kona wings, with enough heat to clear my sinuses & mild enough to enjoy. We devoured the hawaiian ceviche to the very last drop. The hula burger would have been given more credit if we hadnt ordered the Kalbi ribs. The kalbi ribs hit the spot, the portion, flavor, and presentation.I was still able to enjoy my drinks even though I was full. I at least captured a picture of that. The Painkiller is refreshingly good!

Review №44

2022-08-20 01:26:29

Awesome Happy Hour!Great service, strong flavorful drinks and tasty apps for $7 in a tiki themed spot with disco music jamming.We will be back…

Review №45

2023-08-12 21:19:09

Came here after a meeting for lunch. Waiter and staff were very friendly. The space itself is fun and laid back. I ordered the ahi poke bowl and the rice was a bit soggy. The flavor from the house sauce was pretty good and veggies included were on point. Overall an okay bowl but wouldnt come back for it.

Review №46

2022-12-17 06:58:32

If you’re thinking about dining here, do it. Service was great on a busy Friday evening. I had the spicy chicken bowl with pineapple wine. Spectacular! *chefs kiss* overall I was not disappointed and I will be back to try the Johnny cake.

Review №47

2020-03-14 21:25:54

We went there because we wanted Hawaiian and its not something easy to find where we live. There was no wait for lunch, and the food was really nice. Our waiter was really nice (Luis I think) and the dessert he recommended was great. I dont remember the name because I didnt have menu, but it had macadamia nuts, vanilla ice cream, chocolate and whip cream. I would definitely go back. We had the pork with pineapple and the Jamaican Jerk veggie chicken. The sauce would be spicy for most people do be careful with that. For me it was a good balance between spicy and flavor. Also their rice was better than we expected. Apparently they make it with coconut milk, so its worth trying.

Review №48

2023-10-18 05:53:49

I got the jungle tofu curry, the spicy edamame, and the Jamaican Johnny cakes. The spicy edamame was so good and got a discount for happy hour. The Johnny cakes were good, they’re just like really brown corn bread? Not sure why it was so dark but maybe they used brown sugar or browned butter? The jungle tofu curry seriously lacked salt. This is a common issue with vegetarian food - we like seasoning just choose not to eat meat. Also the rice was so mushy and overcooked. It was disappointing. There were plantains in the curry which were delicious so I recommend those. The edamame and Johnny cakes, and quality service are why I’m giving this 3 stars.

Review №49

2020-11-09 06:41:09

Had an amazing lunch here with my family. I tried their drinks which were good, I won’t say “Wow”. Overall the staff was very friendly and the whole vibe of the restaurant is amazing. If you haven’t been here, you should definitely go once for the whole experience.

Review №50

2021-08-29 05:11:39

Really nice restaurant that offers a lot of food offerings. Its a great take on Hawaiian cuisine, while also catering more-so to traditional American eats. Plus, their drink menu is bountiful and the seating area is really nice both outside and in. Just be aware that it does get pretty crowded during peak hours, so plan ahead if you want to dine here. Prices are about on par compared to adjacent restaurants, probably $20 - $30 for dinner per person. But the great atmosphere, friendly staff, and delicious food is well worth it!

Review №51

2023-07-24 20:38:24

We only tried some of the appetizers and a few drinks. I really enjoyed the Mac and cheese. It was extra cheesy!!! Their wings were good but i wish they were just a bit more crunchy!!! But I wasnt to happy with their Hawaiian ceviche it had big chucks of fish and the juice it was marinating wasnt as good as before.The drinks were on point and I had a good buzz after my second cocktail 🍸Over all the atmosphere made the place feel like you were on one of the islands!!Highly recommended!!!

Review №52

2023-01-01 04:37:06

Absolutely wonderful drinks, food, happy hour, and staff. We had a lovely time, ate amazing ceviche and wings, and took home a delicious Thai chicken bowl, All for a reasonable price!!

Review №53

2023-09-16 06:42:57

One of my favorite places in Santa Cruz! This Tiki Bar and restaurant serve up the classics and some great twists. Funny to comment about French Fries, but trust, one to share is not enough as your friends will just have a taste, then start tasting again. I also love the spring rolls. Dont let tofu scare you, they are great. Pulled Pork sliders delight as well as, of course, tiki drinks on point! A chill atmosphere. My one note, please make deeper benches to support tall people like me. 🙃 Hulas love!

Review №54

2023-08-10 03:18:25

Very busy, fine. We all know staffing has been an issue post covid. But the service was really terrible. Server took our drink order, appetizer and meal order at the same time. Half the drinks came maybe ten minutes later. The rest shortly followed. Then the appetizers and meal came all at once and the server never returned to ask about the meal, etc. We had to flag someone down for our check.We come from the service industry and have a lot of grace; if you cant staff for good service then reduce the amount of customers you can serve well.

Review №55

2021-07-12 00:39:10

Hawaii level delicious food and drinks, friendly staff and relaxed atmosphere. Tried a few dishes and they were all 🔥 fish tacos, shrimp tacos, pulled pork and pineapple with white rice, also shrimp rolls with some amazing sauce, and the chicken. Also had a mai tai, I ate the fruit before the picture, it was good . I would recommended it and will go back

Review №56

2023-10-08 13:45:47

Attractive Tiki bar in central Santa Cruz. A 30-minute wait but text service used. Really good fish tacos. Staff were very friendly and efficient.

Review №57

2023-07-26 05:31:31

This place is awesome. It’s funny that the pictures on the Google reviews make it look kind of kitschy or basic, but it is a really cool California/Hawaii dive bar meets Asian Grill. The vibe at dinner tonight was like something out of a movie, very cool and chill and island-meets-West Coast. We had the Hawaiian ceviche, which was fantastic. Coconut milk and lime juice and chilies and fried wontons and very good fish made it so good. We also had a kale and cashew salad with Asian vinaigrette which was tasty, albeit a bit salty. Our last dish was the Hawaiian poke, which was very good as well. We just had a great time here and I highly highly recommend it.

Review №58

2022-10-01 15:17:16

We wanted to try something different and we found it. Food variety and flavors here are unique and simply delicious. Loved the jerked chicken. The restaurant decoration and vibes definitely set the atmosphere

Review №59

2021-12-20 22:13:59

Amazing Tiki Bar! Perfect place for weekend brunch, outdoor seating with the heaters is very comfortable. Very polite staff, provided great recommendations. Great drink options, the place makes great cocktails.

Review №60

2023-10-09 04:21:39

Oh Hulas...once my favorite place for drinks in Santa Cruz, but goodness -- it may be a once-in-a-while spot for now!Lets be honest: Hulas has AN AMAZING drink selection. There are so many great options to choose from for a fun tiki drink, and the added option of a double shot is dangerously delicious. With happy hour from 4-6 Monday - Friday, its honestly one of the only spots in town that has happy hour past 5/5:30, so it already gets points for that. HOWEVER, with that extended happy hour, it can also be very easy to overextend and order too much.With one double-shot tiki drink and a side of fries, you just dont have enough -- and youre likely to overspend because you want to make sure youre not incredibly hungover from the sugary concoctions the next day. I recommend going with a friend, sticking to a one-shot drink apiece, and ordering 1 appetizer a piece.Another recommendation? Go on Tuesdays for all day happy hour -- get the most bang out of your buck!

Review №61

2023-01-10 06:40:06

The food was phenomenal, would love to go back!!! Great atmosphere, friendly service, but be prepared to wait as they are a busy place, worth it in my opinion!

Review №62

2022-03-30 16:45:21

Such a fun place to visit. We enjoyed the newly designed patio space that allows our pups to join us. The service is always great and the food was spot on!

Review №63

2022-10-03 15:37:30

Probably the most disappointing food I’ve had in a while. Atmosphere a little divey, but has its charm. Service wasn’t particularly memorable.FYI please don’t get the “mac and cheese and cheese”, can’t believe something this dry and flavorless left the kitchen.

Review №64

2022-03-26 05:46:36

[5/5, Santa Cruz, CA] Hawaiian cuisine, great food. Hawaiian Ceviche was amazing - must order. Crab curry, Kona chicken wings, jerk chicken, ahi tuna with chimichurri, barramundi with macadamia nut crust, spicy edamame - no complaints at all. Top it all off with happy hour from 4-6pm that isn’t watered down or reduced portions?!? $182 incl. drinks pre-tip for 5 pax, Take my money!!!

Review №65

2018-07-10 16:52:45

This place is great! The staff were friendly and got us seated quickly. The atmosphere was great too! We ordered some mixed drinks from their drink menu and they all came out quickly and were well poured and mixed and tasted great. Then we submitted our dinner order, first we got an Ahi poke appetizer and that was delicious. Then we ordered our entrees and they came out promptly as well, also delicious. I would definitely recommend this place and I will come back here when I am in the area again.

Review №66

2023-08-22 04:07:39

Very cool that all profits on Mondays are going to Lahaina fire relief funds right now. I am celiac and didnt even have to ask for a gluten free menu. Food was pretty good but the drinks made this a 5 star spot. Good vibe!

Review №67

2021-08-28 13:57:07

We waited an hour for our table, and i guess i just had higher hopes.The service was great. Very friendly! The food, in my opinion, each plate could have been better.Poke bowl: mushy rice, large chunks of tuna and tasteless sauce. I would change the recipe: cut the tuna in smaller pieces, improve the sauce, (add sesame oil, maybe a little Siracha)Ahi tuna tacos, had a similar problem, no flavor.My wife ordered the poke appetizer and also said it was somewhat tasteless.

Review №68

2023-09-25 04:49:58

I enjoyed my vegan meal and the mocktail options available.

Review №69

2022-05-03 21:43:46

Island Vibes brah 🤙🏽Plenty of outdoor/indoor/bar seating.A lot of options on the menu/bar menu for the whole ohana! Ordered the crispy coconut shrimp rolls, Hawaiian Ceviche and the Jawaiian Jerk Chicken Plate for the adults. Pictures taken might not do the dishes any justice (due to the dark and intimate setting of the indoor seating) but everything was delicious! Our server was also very courteous and helpful the entire time we were there 😊🤙🏽

Review №70

2023-11-12 00:27:38

Its good just not great. Its like what Outback is to Australia, but for Hawaii. Guessing with drinks it might be better, and the jerk dishes seem better than the rest. Also apps are better than entres

Review №71

2023-10-03 10:09:09

Would have given 5 stars, but was with another couple and they said it was policy that they wouldnt split checks. This is just a major pain for the customer and a minor inconvenience for the waiter. Simple request showed their lack of service for their customers.

Review №72

2018-09-08 09:29:41

This is a happening retaurant/ bar,.Great mixed drinks and the coffee was fantastic! The food was so delicious that I observed people devouring their food. The cervise was fast the servers were very nice and friendly, there is plenty of room for wheel chair, there is also out side sitting, the parking can be a challenge but not too difficult.I didnt see any evidence of handicapped parking. The place is in the way to everything. There is a bar so you can have cocktails before your table is ready. Make reservations is possible, do to good food good drinks and good cervise there can be a wait.

Review №73

2021-04-15 04:44:37

We accidentally stopped at this restaurant ... Im delighted !!!!! this restaurant is made with a soul ! the interior is just crazy! very nice!!!! ideally!!!! the food is delicious! careful, big size food .... lick your fingers !!!!! tasty! delicious! the waiters are very positive and fast! I am in love with this restaurant!

Review №74

2021-08-03 04:27:58

Came here with a few friends for our birthdays. There was a bit of a wait but they have a nice outside waiting area. Once we were seated we were quickly asked for drinks and food shortly thereafter. I ordered the Fresh Poke Bowl with Ahi Tuna. It had a really fresh and citrus taste to it. I would love to come back here and try their other food !

Review №75

2023-07-12 21:01:20

Pretty fun spot to grab a bite in downtown Santa Cruz. The area just doesn’t hit like it used to… but this place keeps pretty busy. The fun decor and atmosphere make for an enjoyable dining experience. I got the burger and it was pretty good. I would come back for sure… but it’s not at the top of my list.

Review №76

2023-07-26 17:12:51

Service was great, outdoor seating is a bit tight! But nice that I can bring my dog. Food is definitely not what it was a decade ago, but still a great spot to grab a super tasty cocktail!

Review №77

2020-11-02 18:40:59

I was visiting Santa Cruz with a friend and stopped by at this restaurant for a light dinner. We tried four small plates which were quite good, some were also unique and creative like the squid ink polenta that came with grilled prawns, and the eggplant with mascarpone and toast. Good beer menu as well though not much option on the wine side (only house wine.) The service was also fairly friendly.

Review №78

2021-03-28 01:50:28

The painkiller was the BEST drink!! We so enjoyed our time together! The service was speedy and friendly. The ceviche was OMG good!! The bacon, jalapeño mac n cheese was Soo good! We all enjoyed that! The Jawaiian Jerk Pork plate was phenomenal! I typically dont like cole slaw, but this one paired so well with the pork. I am so glad my friend recommended this place! A must of your in the San Jose area!!

Review №79

2022-01-15 04:09:52

A new fam favorite!! Fantastic place to enjoy some delicious alcoholic drinks & scrumptious food! Chicken wings are a must try! Our server was very attentive, thanks again Calvin!

Review №80

2017-09-10 04:54:22

We were so excited to eat here-- the reviews seemed consistently good, so we were surprised by the low quality appetizers and main courses we ordered. We wont be returning here and cant recommend it.The coconut shrimp spring rolls were tiny and barely warm. My main course, the luau pulled pork, lacked flavor and was plated very unappealingly. My partners dish, the spicy pulled pork, was dry (although more flavorful).The cocktails we had were ok: the one-eyed pirate had an odd taste but was drinkable. The waitstaff were very kind, but obviously rushed.Overall, this restaurant needs to work on their flavor, and on how they plate (present) food.

Review №81

2019-06-04 10:45:19

A must visit place in Santa Cruz. The menu is extensive and the food is very good. I love the huge vegetarian options available. The quality of the dishes explains how they are able to keep that menu operational. The place is so well done in accordance with the Hawaiian theme. The server was extremely helpful and cheerful to talk to. Full marks!

Review №82

2021-01-20 18:55:55

Amazing food, the service was great and easy. We ordered at the window and the food was ready quickly. Cant wait to try them when everything goes back to normal post-COVID19.

Review №83

2019-08-12 19:16:41

The place has a very good atmosphere, very family friendly, not too noisy, really great to grab a bite. At first the food seemed good but actually it was ok and below. The calamari starter had a weird texture, the ceviche was super sour (added too much lime, was impossible to eat on its own), the wings were really good and the shrimp spring rolls were nice. The caesar salad with tuna was also a bit sour. The happy hour drinks were good. All in all a cute place to go back for drinks and wings, not for having a meal.

Review №84

2023-08-17 18:46:59

Had the coconut shrimp rolls, incredible... and the pineapple horseradish dip was **chefs kiss emoji**. My mezcal drink was delish and the giant tuna steaks in the Ahi Katsu Tacos were unreal. Everything cooked to perfection.

Review №85

2018-04-29 22:45:16

What a great experience. The location is great, and while from the outside the restaurant looks quite small, and maybe even cheap, its not! The waiters are very kind and friendly. The atmosphere is very Hawaiian. The drinks are phenomenal (I got a great virgin pina colda). And then comes the food.It is quite well made, scrumptious, and not a bad price. The average plate is 15$, and if you pay more than that, you usually get more food.I got the Hawaiian fish soup, which is like Thai Tom Ka (coconut soup), and they did a great job. Just the right flavor. The other party of four with me enjoyed their seafood curry, Hawaiian burger, and kale salad quite a lot too.

Review №86

2018-07-13 15:40:34

We stopped in after a long day at the boardwalk. We stopped in at the end of happy hour and happy that we were able to take advantage of the $6 pupus and drinks. Although their prices do seem a little high the portions made up for the extra cost. We ordered the Ahi Tuna tacos and the regular fish tacos and they were excellent. The beans and rice do you have a lot of improvement. We ordered a Mai Tai and two glasses of wine. Had a great time and the decorations were very interesting to say the least. We really enjoyed our dinner company and would love to go back

Review №87

2021-06-27 02:47:54

Service was very good, food was incredibly fast but honestly...I just didnt like it.We tried the two pulled pork dishes and the combination of flavors on the plate just didnt seem to come together, especially the slaw. We also got two drinks, and neither of us liked them - in fact, Id say after a sip or so I started feeling sick which probably didnt help the rest of the meal. I can see how someone would like the food here, but I would not get a drink here again.

Review №88

2022-05-14 15:19:09

Great service. Loved eating outside. Burger, salad and plantains were tasty. Skip the rice - waste of calories.

Review №89

2023-02-17 14:12:00

Flawless from entry to exit. Great service. Wonderful and interesting food. Fantastic cocktails. Super reasonable price point. If you’re lucky enough to eat here do it.

Review №90

2021-08-09 01:09:05

Wonderful dine in, sat outside and had a great time with my family. Great for vegan and vegetarian eaters, I had the spicy tofu tacos and it was the best tofu I’ve ever had. Had some issues with the desserts, but they were very nice about it. Would come again!

Review №91

2023-02-01 15:45:02

Stopped here with some coworkers, the waitress recommended the jerk chicken plate so we all got it. We all loved it, but do think it was expensive for what you get. Had a mai tai that was delicious as well. Would recommend trying Hula’s!

Review №92

2022-09-11 00:17:25

Great happy hour. Very strong tiki drinks. Wings and ceviche were great. Outdoor seating.

Review №93

2021-05-05 19:53:28

We came here for the first time for my brother in laws birthday and we all loved it. Friendly waiters and laid back atmosphere (we sat outside). I got the chicken mango salad, it was a little too zesty for me but the quality and portion was excellent. Would recommend trying this place out.

Review №94

2023-08-22 01:53:45

Best restaurant in Santa Cruz. Very cool drinks, fun atmosphere, and food is delicious (Kalbi Ribs 👌). Very reasonably priced. Amazing happy hour. You won’t be disappointed

Review №95

2021-03-27 23:56:03

Fantastic service, food, prices, and atmosphere! My husband had an amazing chicken Caesar salad with mango that was super light and yummy. I had the Ahi Wasabi Bowl. I requested the tuna be cooked a bit longer since I’m pregnant and the waiter was so nice about it. The food was SO GOOD. And when we told them it was my husband’s birthday and I ordered dessert (a macadamia nut ice cream pie that I can’t remember the name of now), they gave it to us for free. Honestly wish I lived in SC so I could eat here on the daily. 10/10 would recommend.

Review №96

2019-04-25 02:49:23

I actually would give this restaurant 4.5 stars. For our appetizers, we ordered the spicy edamame, shishito peppers, and Hawaiian ceviche (made with coconut milk). My son did not like the appetizers because he prefers his ceviche without coconut milk. He didnt enjoy the other two appetizers because he thought they were too spicy. My husband liked the peppers and the edamame. I liked all three. We ordered the walu walu fish with shitake mushrooms and gravy, jerk chicken, and spicy Thai chicken bowl. The three of us enjoyed our entrees. I ate everything on my plate (walu walu fish). When you order a fish entree, you select the fish: halibut, salmon, walu walu, etc. Then, you select the sauce. The jerk chicken is no longer coated with the sauce; it is marinated and then roasted. The atmosphere/decoration is cute and the service is fantastic.

Review №97

2021-06-03 22:28:46

Excellent Hawaiian food and cocktails located in beautiful Santa Cruz. I had the balbi ribs and enjoyed every bit of it. They come with a side of macaroni salad and rice. I also tried the jalapeño mac n cheese, which was excellent; great flavor.Definitely worth a visit if youre ever in the S.C. area.

Review №98

2022-12-08 23:53:10

The Kalbi Ribs was very yummy but the thickness of the ribs were quite thin. The Jerk Chicken was ok, a little on the dry side.

Review №99

2019-11-23 21:52:45

I really like Hula’s. They have some pretty tasty cocktails and being a Tiki bar/ Hawaiian restaurant it’s got some cool decor. Give the Painkiller or Zombie drinks a go. The Jala Bac Mac (jalapeño Mac & cheese) and Pulled Pork Plate are great. They have pretty good prices during their happy hour. Gave them a 4 out of 5 because of consistency. Have been here a bunch of times and sometimes their drinks/food aren’t as good as they could be. Go on the weekend and expect to wait a bit for a table.

Review №100

2023-10-01 16:27:03

The Jerky chicken was delicious . Their drinks. Delicious. Good atmosphere for the entire family.

Review №101

2023-07-10 19:36:19

I recently had dinner there and I must say it was a complete disaster. Within two hours of consuming their food, I experienced severe food poisoning symptoms and ended up vomiting uncontrollably. It was a horrifying experience that I wouldnt wish upon anyone.

Review №102

2021-02-15 05:55:56

Im so glad I ordered the Cubano pork tacos! They were so amazing! You can taste the freshness and quality of ingredients!

Review №103

2023-09-17 21:38:22

Fun Hawaiian Tikki Bar atmosphere with indoor and outdoor seating. Must try is the Abalone Calamari and the Bacon Jalapeno Mac and Cheese! Recommend the Hulas Famous Mai Tai .

Review №104

2023-05-23 20:01:48

The food was fine but not worth the price. Liked the fish stew but the slow roasted pork was unexpectedly sweet and actually closer to a pulled pork. Cute place and nice atmosphere though. Would give it 2.5 stars if I could.

Review №105

2021-02-09 17:11:30

Amazing food. Amazing service. Amazing vice. We come here on Monday night and the restaurant is crowd. Make sure you check in on Yelp before arriving to avoid waiting.

Review №106

2023-05-02 14:48:35

The best bacon burger I’ve had in a while! The veggie burger was delicious as well, and our son loved the mac n cheese 🫕A bit on the pricey side but well worth it!Another good thing was the parking lot that’s right across the restaurant- which can be difficult to get on weekends and in the evenings. I’ll recommend getting 3 hours of parking ($1.5 per hour) so you don’t have to come back to top it up again.

Review №107

2023-04-25 16:11:13

I was extremely disappointed by Hulas Island. I was recommended by a friend who went a couple of years ago so we decided to make a long drive to try it out.We did received great customer service and we were sat at a table almost immediately. That was our only positive experience.Both of our plates were salty and sour, we didn’t even finish half the plate because we absolutely could not eat it. Also our food and one drink each came out to nearly $80! It was definitely not worth it. We ended up going to get pizza afterwards because our food was unfortunately disgusting.We left a tip and paid with our card. We later found out they charged us more than what was on our receipt! Keep in mind we paid with our card and left the tip in cash!Not only was our food expensive and gross we were also charged more on our card statement.

Review №108

2022-07-14 06:15:52

Long wait, OK food, rushed service. We came in late in the evening,after using help waitlist,and still had to wait 25 min,and ended up in a 4 people table,so we don’t have to wait even further. Our server was nice, we had fish and also Ahi tacos, kids burger and Mac and cheese. The food was fine but really nothing more than that. They only had 2 desert choices so we ended up not taking one at all.

Review №109

2023-10-08 23:11:20

45 minute wait time, had to go and ask and they forgot to text us. The food is ok, the music was a bit on the loud side, unable to have a conversation without almost screaming.

Review №110

2023-09-05 05:38:12

The food is amazing here.. great service, very popular, May need to wait a while to be seated for a large party, but you can always wait at the bar.

Review №111

2023-08-06 17:20:26

Food was good and disappointed with the drinks. No daiquiri or blender type drinks. Service was lacking since they were busy. I had heard it was a good place to go but not for drinks.

Review №112

2023-06-24 02:29:39

Fun Hawaiian tiki themed place. Great location close to walkable downtown area.

Review №113

2023-05-03 21:35:57

This was one of the best places we went on our Santa Cruz vacation. The food was amazing and the drinks were delicious. The service was great and we just had a lovely time. Well worth the 30 minute wait to get in. We even bought some tiki glasses as a souvenir for our trip. 10/10 Would love to go again!

Review №114

2023-10-17 20:04:43

Food was great! All four in our group were very satisfied! Would highly recommend.

Review №115

2017-09-15 21:07:13

Love this little spot and make my way to eat hear every time I come over the hill from San Jose. I always get the same thing. Kimos broke da mouth burger its my absolute favorite. Pair that with their Mai Tai Which packs a punch and Im in heaven. Great size little spot plenty of seating with a small outdoor seating section. Surfing magazines and art litter the walls. Lots of Staff quick friendly service. Have to deal with a little bit of the downtown traffic but thats okay parking across the street is typically $0.50 an hour cant really beat that. Try it out I think youll be surprised.

Review №116

2021-06-11 22:58:29

Absolutely yummy.. we had to hit it twice... everything was yum yum... I loved the Kingston Crab Curry...

Review №117

2021-12-15 02:42:01

Fun Hawaiian restaurant with a great happy hour menu! I got the poke bowl and coconut shrimp rolls. The rolls were delicious and the bowl was massive, it’s definitely meal-sized.

Review №118

2023-07-03 03:14:17

Really fantastic food here! The ceviche and Kona wings were awesome! The luau pork plate was delicious. Great service too!

Review №119

2022-05-21 04:49:52

We ordered Rib Eye Steak Sandwich in Hula’s Island Grill. Great service and great food.

Review №120

2020-02-26 02:27:13

Unique interior atmosphere and great food. Like going back in the 1950s/ early 60s with the ideal red glow from the lighting inside. Everything Ive ordered is above average. One of the best places for getting very good food and feeling comfortable inside due mostly in the way they arranged the interior and lighting. Love the art pieces that take you back to good ol days..

Review №121

2022-06-13 20:25:59

Great drinks and main dishes: plus you can’t beat the price. Seasoning on their main dishes, especially the ahi tuna sandwich is perfect. Side dishes are not as good as their other locations, so maybe focus on drinks and main dishes.

Review №122

2020-10-18 10:14:52

Had a really good meal here today! Staff was warm and attentive. We had a group of 5 that came in at varying times and they were great about checking in with us.

Review №123

2023-02-21 23:40:07

My recent trip to Hulas was bittersweet. The food and drink menu included a fun variety. Lots to choose from, and I thoroughly enjoyed my meal. In my earlier visits the service has been great, but this time around, our waitress was extremely rude. She did not introduce herself, and when my friend sent her food back to the kitchen, the waitress did not ask if they wanted a different dish or ask what they didnt like about it. We had a great time, but her manners definitely made our table feel like an inconvenience even though we were respectful guests. It was very clear that she either didnt want to serve us or didnt want to be there...

Review №124

2020-07-17 23:42:51

Always a good place to eat, whether in Santa Cruz or Monterey. This last time, they were set up for outdoor dining only, of course, with good spacing. Staff were friendly as usual. I had the crab curry for the first time, which was great. Cocktails were also good.

Review №125

2022-10-03 03:04:40

Nice food, good service and excellent value for money. Fun Hawian themed decor without being ott or tacky. Place had nice buzz about it.

Review №126

2023-08-16 20:56:47

The ceviche was great. All other food was not good at all. Drinks weren’t great either. Service left a lot to be desired. Overall extremely disappointing experience.

Review №127

2018-09-19 05:00:42

Ordered the white fish tacos and they were delicious. Their famous mai tai is very yummy and big in size, a must try. The pulled pork appetizer and coconut rolls were also good.

Review №128

2022-06-15 13:34:06

Not sure how this place is. We stopped here after a afternoon at the boardwalk. 3 adults 3 kids. They told us it would be a 20 minute wait for a table. We waited 30 to 45 minutes. Watched other groups our size get seated. Asked about our wait time employee was very snippy about them trying to get a table ready for us. Not friendly at all. Sorry! We didnt get to try the food. We went across the street to burger place. We were hungry, cold, and it was getting late, especially with kids. Service was terrible. Wish we could have tried the food.

Review №129

2018-09-09 19:43:18

Great environment and an interesting experience. Came here a few times when I visited and had an enjoyable time. The location is set in downtown Santa Cruz but a little bit away from the boardwalk. The inside is fairly dim but decorated with large amounts paintings and statues that are impressive to look at. The food however I would give it a 4 because both times I tried the place it just didnt appeal to me. It may be my personal opinion but the place I had was a little bland and the pork had flavor but was just decent. The place is a little more pricey with an avg of 15 ish per plate but the service is great. Would recommend but not for me.

Review №130

2022-01-11 18:07:25

I just love this place so hard. Staff is awesome, drinks are strong and food is super yummy. Plus the vegan menu, awesome vibe, local flavor and well curated soundtrack. If you’re in Santa Cruz and want a great meal/tiki drinks, head to Hula’s.

Review №131

2021-06-26 06:53:22

Dang, how has this place flown under my radar until now? The staff was very friendly and attentive and the food was insanely good. I got a drink (alcohol) with my lunch and that was great too. I was worried the menu would be limited and I might not find something that interested me, but it was the complete opposite, I had a hard time choosing between all the delicious sounding food. I guess I will just have to keep going back to try it all. Definitely going to be one of my go-to restaurants from now on, I wish I had tried it sooner.

Review №132

2023-09-25 04:49:07

Best fish tavos ive ever had! And im hispanic and have had fish tacos all the time.

Review №133

2023-05-28 03:16:00

The food here is very good, and the employees are really nice. It is a bit loud, and hard to have a conversation. But it is a great place to just hang out with friends, and have some good food and drinks.

Review №134

2022-02-20 03:31:07

Those tiki drinks are dangerously delicious!! Great service, and good food too. I had the plantains and their Bacon Jalapeños Mac, and cheese prettt darn good!

Review №135

2023-12-07 04:26:38

Nice, friendly, and professional staff. Lots of gluten-free options.

Review №136

2021-12-07 06:08:27

Good meal and service. Genuinely wanting to help and be friendly. Had the fish tacos and would highly recommend.

Review №137

2021-07-02 06:23:05

Stopped in for dinner after reading good reviews, we were not disappointed. Best Mai Tai Ive had in many years. The food was unique and memorable. We had the Jawaiian Pork and Coconut Crab Curry, both were excellent. Friendly bartender and server, and a nice selection of local spirits.

Review №138

2018-09-01 23:04:58

Jalapeno bacon Mac and cheese is the bomb. They made a change to their ceviche and its too watery now. Great appetizers.

Review №139

2017-05-30 05:09:28

Friendly hostess and waitresses. Yummy food. We visited during their happy hours:Sun- Mon (4-6pm)Wed-Sat (2-6pm)Tue 2pm-10pmThey serve fusion dishes. They are very tasty!

Review №140

2023-08-20 05:46:38

Highly recommended!! Great food and ambience. Appreciate the owners donating to Hawaii disasters as well!

Review №141

2017-07-25 21:52:29

Great prices and very fun selections. Our large group shared a bunch of appetizers, the bahn mi sliders and spring rolls stood out as excellent. Awesome theme in the restaurant and fun decor everywhere, quite dark though. Very fairly priced, we had 9 people and the tab was under 150. I had the dark and stormy cocktail, delicious but pretty strong :)

Review №142

2022-12-06 06:42:07

We only had a drink. The bartender was awesome. I had contacts in for distance, so I couldnt see the menu to order. He just asked me a couple of basic questions and was able to then describe two drinks he thought I would enjoy.I ended up ordering a large Pain Killer. Super yummy and perfect for what I like. Also, quite strong. 😘 🥰Id definitely go back for drinks and try their food.

Review №143

2022-11-01 18:29:26

Great ambience and location.The food was also very tasty. Would definitely recommend the Crab curry and the Jamaican Jerk chicken

Review №144

2021-08-09 16:13:11

Food was delicious and the menu had plenty of options for everyones tastes. We were seated quickly outdoors for lunch and the staff was attentive. Will definitely return!

Review №145

2020-10-17 02:03:43

Food was ok. Ahi was not seasoned well. Poke was drowning in bottled lime juice. Little bit pricey for the quality, probably wont go back.

Review №146

2018-08-28 02:30:36

Great tasting food at reasonable prices! Super friendly and accommodating staff! Really nice decor!

Review №147

2023-06-15 02:38:59

Favorite was the Crispy Coconut Scrimp Rolls with dipping sauce. All our dinner foods were excellent, but the rolls were my favorite 😋

Review №148

2023-06-26 19:38:55

Great location with a good drink menu plus a bartender who could make anything we wanted. The only reason for 4 stars and not 5 was that service was slower than expected but we did have a large party.

Review №149

2022-10-10 03:38:32

I love Santa Cruz and its surrounding areas. From the hills to the water every visit here is an adventure.That being said, I understand that eateries in downtown S.C. will be a little costly. And I dont mind spending a little money accordingly. But if Im honest I have to say this place may be overpriced.Twenty dollars per dinner and two starters and few drinks was $170 for four and a half people. And that would have been fine if the food was as memorable as the area.It wasnt.And the place is DARK. I mean, yeah myself and my companions are in our 40-50s but its kinda embarrassing to have to use our phone flashlights to read the menu. But we did it and were able to order without too much trouble.And I want to point out that there was no problem with the service. The staff was nice and attentive (and were tipped accordingly.)But the food was pedestrian and certain items were overcooked. The texture of my pulled pork was that of something boiled in a bag. Not saying it was. But...Anyways, if youre looking for a new place to visit where the food is DECENT and the drinks are tasty, visit Hulus. But youd probably be best ordering apps and drinks.

Review №150

2023-04-01 19:28:53

Great drinks, great food, exceptional service. This is a great little getaway spot for an early bite or a late night dinner. Our server Vivian was amazing, she even helped us figure out where we wanted to go for lunch the next day.

Review №151

2019-01-30 19:13:25

Their happy hour menu was pretty legit. The food was amazing! Their drinks were ok, considering it was a tiki lounge I thought that they could’ve have had more of a variety for happy hour instead of the normal margaritas

Review №152

2023-01-18 21:51:22

They knew what they were doing when they put the Ohana pie in the front of the menu! Food was excellent. Prompt, friendly service, too.

Review №153

2022-07-23 21:18:49

It was okay food with some Hawaii style. Steak were ordered medium but fully cooked.

Review №154

2021-05-25 05:17:02

First night in Santa Cruz my aunts and I was looking for a place to eat and we found this place and we wasnt disappointed. They have the best sweet potato fries Ive ever had. I had the jerk pork Wich was great also.

Review №155

2022-06-28 00:49:36

Great place to grab a quick lunch. We split an order of the pork tacos and the coconut shrimp rolls. Both were very good and the portions were very generous. The service was excellent and we had our food way sooner than we expected given how busy the place was. If you are going here (you should) I would definitely recommend doing the Yelp check-in thing that they offer. We got a seat within a few minutes of arriving on a very busy afternoon.

Review №156

2022-10-25 22:36:49

Good food, nice seafood choices, a few veggie choices, GREAT rum selections, all with an island flavor. Service at 6pm on a Friday (not too busy yet) was excellent. We have not eaten there in several years and they seem to have stepped it up a notch. It was a very nice dinner for a table of four.

Review №157

2023-04-24 21:24:57

The ceviche was soooo good! Fish tacos were really good. We also got the pork tacos, not the best but alright. Service was great 10/10 will come back.

Review №158

2022-09-13 16:52:24

Interesting Hawaiian food restaurant. Really good fries! Vibe is chill and loved the service!

Review №159

2022-07-25 02:23:21

Great food, enjoyed the ribeye steak and mashed potatoes

Review №160

2022-07-24 23:28:16

The food was so good I forgot to take a photo before!! Their Kono wings are amazing!!!

Review №161

2023-04-15 05:36:37

We were told 20-30 minute wait and ended up waiting 90 minutes for a table. Two of our orders were missed by the kitchen and were delayed an additional 15 minutes. When asked about these delays, we were told “this is pretty standard”. Food is good but does not justify the ridiculous wait times and poor service with a mandatory 18% gratuity. Will not be returning.

Review №162

2023-07-04 12:57:27

Great vibe, food was yummy. Whenever I go to Santa Cruz I always stop by this place to eat. Highly recommend 👍

Review №163

2018-10-23 05:43:09

We mostly came here because it was one of the only places in town that was still open at 9:15 pm. Little did we know that this would end up being one of the best meals of our two week trip to the Bay Area. We had a trio of appetizers. The bhan mi sliders were so delicious they made me want to write a great review. That’s why they’re not pictured... Also, great decor.

Review №164

2019-07-21 03:55:08

The sauces for the Vietnamese Spring Rolls were so goooooood! I wonder what they were. One was peanut sauce one was something else. Any ideas?The Ahi fish with Hawaiian style was ace! 9/10

Review №165

2022-10-06 17:32:54

Very cool place with great food and drink! The Luau Pork was so good and the beers were cold and refreshing. Friendly and helpful staff ensure you choose just the right dish. Maya was great. Good job and Ill be back for sure.

Review №166

2021-07-27 03:47:18

Love the ambience and food taste excellent especially the Key Lime pie so delicious!

Review №167

2023-05-15 19:34:05

Reservations are a good idea.I had a burger with sweet potato fries. Both were excellent.Absolutely will eat here again

Review №168

2023-06-22 16:32:41

Great place for a festive, informal dinner. Our party of ten, all ages, had a great time.. something for everyone.

Review №169

2023-05-09 17:58:43

Great service, fresh seafood. Good beers on tap. Great place to stop if you’re visiting UC Santa Cruz. Parking close by and there’s some cool shops in area.

Review №170

2018-11-01 12:14:40

I very rarely say this, but there is NOTHING I would change about my meal here. The mai tai was great and strong. The jawaiian jerk chicken platter was perfect. Slaw, plantains, Jonny cake, and perfectly cooked chicken thighs with amazing jerk sauce. It was devine. I came here to kill some time while in Palo Alto (50 min away) but would consider coming back next time, it was that good! Great atmosphere too. 6 stars.

Review №171

2023-04-20 10:00:53

12 dollar costco frozen food apps, to start, lol. Drinks, oh lord dont get me started, most over priced and under boozed drinks in town. Next I had to send 4 of or 6 main dishes back and when we did we left due to the hour plus wait for asking for our order to be correct. Would love to be compensated but would never expect to have a bad time made right from any place in santa cruz. Town is falling apart at the seams, I remember when this wasnt a cooperate money grab. Good luck screwing this year tourists. I have 20m followers on my foodie channel. Shape up or shut up!

Review №172

2023-03-26 21:30:38

Burger, pork, fish sandwiches were good. Fish taco was also good. Poke is drenched in lemon juice though so tuna is very sour once it touches the palate.

Review №173

2017-06-18 22:20:19

Excellent experience. Very friendly and the customer service is very good. Ordered our food and within 5 mins we had our food ready to eat

Review №174

2019-02-19 02:37:08

This place was a refreshing restaurant to eat at. The seared ahi bowl was great. The fish was seared perfectly and had good portions of rice, beans and veggies. My passion fruit soda was also good. I didnt feel as guilty drinking it because it had ingredients you could actually pronounce. My fiancè got the chicken tacos which were just ok. Nothing too special, not bad but not memorable. The coconut cilantro lime chicken wings were amazing! Fall off the bone goodness.

Review №175

2023-03-18 22:58:25

Stephanie was super rad as our server!! We had a great time and the drinks were awesome. Shoutout to Al for the food recommendation right out the gate, Veggie chicken curry was fire 🔥🔥🔥🥵 gas ⛽️ delish

Review №176

2023-03-27 18:40:56

Love this place- fantastic happy hour but i come here anytime- food and service is good (service can be pretty slow sometimes). Mai Tai is so good! Hawaiian ceviche is yummy too. I’ll be back!

Review №177

2019-06-02 02:30:56

A solid Hawaiian grill experience. Service was friendly and quick. I would highly recommend the bowls.

Review №178

2022-07-27 00:29:50

Great food ..cool atmosphere..great service .. Spicy edamame is awesome ..I highly recommend this Hawaiian restaurant

Review №179

2019-06-02 01:52:31

Great Hawaiian style food and atmosphere. If you plan on eating there during dinner hours, I definitely recommend having a reservation.

Review №180

2022-10-27 05:38:15

They were able to seat our large party quickly. Very good food with plenty of vegan options. Our server did an awesome job, but it was clear she was having to handle more tables than normal.

Review №181

2022-06-13 17:36:41

If you have time this is a good place! The service super nice, the food is good and the drinks are good and strong ( I love it)

Review №182

2022-11-13 01:56:27

Really cool spot. We arrived without a reservation, and the host was really accommodating, getting us a place to sit in the outdoor waiting area around the fire pit. The bar is awesome. If you are going for cocktails, must try the Mai Tai. Our party all enjoyed the food. Ahi tacos, burgers or pulled pork plate were all wins. The vibe was cool, a bunch of fun patrons there too.Thanks Hulas, looking forward to our next visit

Review №183

2019-07-01 14:50:20

Loved it! Deelish food flavorful & bountiful ... didnt have cocktails but for sure im going back & i will try the cocktails then!

Review №184

2022-04-23 14:35:06

Amazing place to dine out with family. The food was really good and fresh. I usually get bloated after eating out and tired but I feel so good after. My sensitive digestive system was pretty happy. We finished everything we ordered. Great server that night too!

Review №185

2023-05-28 22:00:36

Service wasn’t great, the food didn’t feel very authentic Hawaiian. They have tough competition from great local Hawaiian restaurants so they really need to step up their game.

Review №186

2022-07-19 05:35:55

Could not have possibly had a better experience. Everything I could have hoped for and more- one of the only places that was even open after 8pm on a Monday, and on top of that our server was SO so good, the food was SO high quality and the prices were super reasonable. They get sushi-grade ahi tuna DAILY and we had better food at 10pm than Ive had in broad daylight throughout this entire trip. So highly recommend.

Review №187

2022-08-02 01:10:51

Yummy food, great service and really good cocktails. Will be back for sure. We had the Kalua pork sandwich (we found a tad too sweet, but the toasted bun was bomb) and the Hawaiian fish soup, which was excellent. The pies (we tried key lime and lilikoi) were apparently home made but lacked in flavor and acidity. Still a good place for some island vibes.

Review №188

2023-09-07 03:45:58

The Ceviche is GOOOOD Gold Hulas RUM coke Drinks is good

Review №189

2023-07-22 18:28:27

Great happy hour 7 days a week! Delicious wings and edamame.

Review №190

2023-04-24 00:32:58

-1 star because their drinks tend to be pretty weak. Thats not to say they dont taste good, Theyre just weak when it comes to the alcohol content. Everything is great.

Review №191

2022-03-27 15:31:14

We had a lot of fun sitting outside! The drinks were tasty and I had an amazing Fish Soup. The calamari was delicious. My son said their chicken smackers were the best nuggets he ever had. The ahi poke appetizer had a tasty ginger sauce, but was otherwise quite boring. I would have given 5 stars except they werent willing to seat us at a large table, even though they eventually gave those tables to groups of our same size. They also made us wait twice as long as they told us we would have to wait. Still, we will be happy to return some day!

Review №192

2022-12-31 21:24:59

Delicious food and drinks. Loved my burger and the painkiller I ordered. The service was good even though they were super busy. Loved the vibe. Was a fun dinner night out.

Review №193

2022-11-06 01:20:16

My experience was disappointing. Ive read great reviews of this place so I thought Id give this place a try. Although we were seated right away, the waiting staff ignored us, the food was beyond bland (the sauces could not cover up the taste of the actual meat), and the bar drinks were dreadful (the syrup and flavoring were over powered by the liquor). Unfortunately my experience was very different from others that have written reviews, so maybe this was just an off night.

Review №194

2019-07-21 04:35:59

Ribs were kinda cold but they were good! Recommend th coconut shrimp rolls!

Review №195

2021-07-03 15:59:33

Food and drinks were really good. Staff are friendly and helpful.

Review №196

2022-11-03 06:02:18

Good service. Was not happy with a table as it was across the open door and it was blowing cold air. Got switched to another table no problem.Food was disappointment. Pulled pork was dry, a bit burnt and no flavour. While there was a bit of sauce on top, it was not enough to mix up well. It was not worth the price at all.

Review №197

2016-08-30 20:41:55

Shockingly good appetizers!! Come here for happy hour and stuff your self on the wakame, shrimp rolls and calamari...yum!

Review №198

2023-04-25 17:16:44

This was a great place with good vegetarian options. The vibe was chill and the service was good too. We got Big Sur burgers (vegetarian) and they were so good!

Review №199

2022-06-14 21:54:18

Food was extremely delicious and so are their cocktails! The wait staff are very friendly too.