Bella N.
Yelp
I have been to Hula's a couple times now, once on a date and once with friends, and every visit has reminded me why I keep coming back. Most recently I ordered the Luau Pork Plate, which is always solid. I really like their cold slaw, though it is heavy on ginger, so that flavor has to be something you enjoy. I personally love it.
I also tried the Jamaican Jerk on one of my visits. I appreciated the plantains so much because I swear you can barely find plantains anywhere in Monterey. The spice blend was not completely to my personal liking, but it definitely tasted like a true jerk style seasoning, so I think it was just my preference and not the dish itself.
One of the biggest reasons I love Hula's is how hard it is to find food like this in Monterey. There are plenty of Thai, Chinese, and Vietnamese spots, but anything that falls under Hawaiian, tropical, or Pan Asian fusion is almost impossible to find here. Whatever category Hula's officially fits into, it fills that gap. They describe themselves as a throwback to old tiki restaurants, and that feels right. The whole place looks like a giant tiki bar. Dark lighting, immersive decor, tropical touches everywhere. You walk in and it immediately feels like a theme, in a good way.
I have gone with my vegan friend before, and they love this place. They usually get the Wild Mushroom Curry. I did not try it directly, but they swear by the curries and love that Hula's has real vegan options and plenty of gluten free choices too. It is honestly pretty rare to have a Hawaiian inspired place that is this accommodating.
Kyle has gotten the Kalbi Ribs Plate and one of their burgers before. I tried a bite of his plate and it was really good. No complaints on his end either.
Service has always been great for us. The server we had during our most recent visit was especially kind and helpful. Just easygoing, attentive, and made the whole experience even nicer.
Overall, Hula's fills a unique niche in Monterey. Great vibe, fun menu, and food you really cannot find anywhere else around here. If you want something tropical, Hawaiian inspired, or just different from the usual local options, this is one of the few places that really delivers.