Kōkeʻe Lodge

Super good food and surprisingly affordable. I've spent more to get full at food trucks on Maui, no disrespect to those fine food trucks feeding us all. Get a Lilikoi slushy with tequila--simply amazing! Gluten free options clearly marked on the menu is a huge A+

What a fun afternoon we had driving up thru the canyon and stopping here for an afternoon beverage. The manager was delightful and gave us a lot of tips for things to do and local places in Kauai. We also walked thru the museum here which is also a must to learn about the lands history. This place is magical!

We had a fantastic time at the lodge restaurant today! We sat at the bar, and had the best Bloody Mary's ever - pretty much delicious gazpacho with vodka. And the Kalua Loco Moco was absolutely delicious. The kalua pork (versus hamburger) really makes it. And make sure to order the cornbread! We had to take two extra orders to go. Finally, even though they were extremely busy, all of the staff couldn't have been nicer or more efficient. Every other dish we saw leave the kitchen looked fantastic as well. Truly a gem of a place!

Stopped here for a quick cup of warm coffee (we got mochas) after a rather disappointing view at most of the view points up ahead (I.e., everything was hidden by the dense clouds we were in). The sky was clear at Koke’e lodge and we god good coffees here! There is a nice gift shop within the cafe/restaurant as well. Bonus video of a cute dog enjoying the grassy lawn in front of the cafe.

We almost didn’t stop here! On a tour through Waimea Canyon getting our hike on and we had planned to get food on the way back to our hotel. The plan was to do one more hike so we decided to stop for food fuel and so glad we did! Love the general store when you walk in, ended up getting some cool bamboo stickers there. Got in line to order and got to listen to some beautiful music being sung live! Staff was incredibly friendly! Food: Poke bowl : the best one I had my entire trip to Kauai! The veggies and pickled items that came with it were a perfect pair! Kahlua pork, that extra crisp gave such great flavor and texture! Best I also had on the island! I noticed there were some cabins nearby so I would consider a stay that way if you want a quiet remote experience! 🫶🏼

We stopped after a day of sightseeing and loved the feel of this place. It was busy with other tourists but we didn’t have a wait on ordering food or it arriving to our table. My husband really enjoyed the pork plate (I can’t remember the actual name) with rice and sweet potatoes. The service was excellent and a fun stop along the way!

Beautiful drive up to the lodge. We decided to have breakfast. The pancakes are out of this world. Eggs weren't cooked to order. Coffee was ok. Not super hot. Lady wanted to charge me for a small black coffee refll.

We have been here several times now and it has always been a wonderful experience. The food, lodging, and gift shop items are all top notch. The owner Lisa is truly a wonderful human being and the rest of the staff are also great. This is a can't miss top on your trip and will likely be one of the great memories along the way. 10/10

We got here early before 10 am on a Wednesday. There were people roaming around the area because nothing else was open. Once Kokee Lodge opened, everyone was in line waiting to order food. We were first in line to order at the register. Their menu is a bit of everything from curry, to chili, and kahlua pig. We ordered the chili, smashed potatoes, strata, and grilled cheese (that came with a cup of tomato bisque). For drinks I wanted to try their matcha latte. The food came out nothing 10-15 minutes. I really liked the strata because of the veggies and flavor. The salad was light and not filling. The grilled cheese was good because of the sourdough bread - nice and tangy. The tomato bisque I enjoyed but some didn't like it. It was probably because of the amount of cream in soup. I also enjoyed the smashed potatoes with aioli. The kids enjoyed the chili with rice which is a Hawaii thing. But there is an option for corn bread. The interior of the restaurant is huge and very inviting, almost like a home. There is a gift shop located inside as well which helped pass the time waiting for our food. Parking can get a little crowded but we got there early enough for a spot. Overall we were happy to make the long drive from Lihue and be able to stop at a place in Waimea to get a fresh/hot meal. I would like to note that I had no reception while at the lodge and had to send a text to my husband who was hiking in the area via satellite notifying him where we were. My iPhone 17 pro was able to do it with Verizon but not sure if other carriers/phone versions have this option. If you are meeting another group, make sure to have a scheduled plan.

We almost didn't stop here! On a tour through Waimea Canyon getting our hike on and we had planned to get food on the way back to our hotel. The plan was to do one more hike so we decided to stop for food fuel and so glad we did! Love the general store when you walk in, ended up getting some cool bamboo stickers there. Got in line to order and got to listen to some beautiful music being sung live! Staff was incredibly friendly! Food: Poke bowl : the best one I had my entire trip to Kauai! The veggies and pickled items that came with it were a perfect pair! Kahlua pork, that extra crisp gave such great flavor and texture! Best I also had on the island! I noticed there were some cabins nearby so I would consider a stay that way if you want a quiet remote experience!

Kokee Lodge is a cozy cabin type structure in Waimea Canyon State Park serving up home style Hawaiian and Polynesian cuisine. I ordered the Kalua Pork with rice and purple potato (taro). My sister ordered the pork chop, which I tried a bit and it was very good tender and juicy. My parents split the chili. I thought that was pretty good as well. But it was just chilly and nothing special. The one thing I will say is the food was extremely salty and could have been significantly less. I think the service was pretty good, friendly but nothing much more than that. The best thing I ate was the lilikoi chiffon. It was light and fruity and not overly sweet. Personality was not recommend going to Kokee Lodge but it's the only readily available place to get food in the park.

Very nice little spot for this location. They have free wifi, which is awesome because there is no cell service. Live music was also fantastic Food was very good, we got the blackened fish and the garlic aioli was so good we asked for extra. The view is beautiful. Gift shop. A museum. Clean bathrooms

Highly rec stopping here for food while you're visiting. I had the loco moco 10/10!!! If I go back I will be reordering. Had coconut pie for dessert. Dried shaved coconut with chocolate drizzle. It was good but will try the passion fruit cream pie next time. There's a small gift shop inside lodge as well. Restrooms available and well kept.

Really great place and really out of the way but they had a very tasty loco moco. Only had two on the island but this was the better of the two. The sauce was really tasty. The views were really great and service was very friendly.

My wife and I came across Kōkeʻe Lodge while exploring Kauai and decided to stop for a break. There's a small visitor center and museum next door that's worth checking out, and then right beside it is the lodge with a great little gift shop. A gentleman was playing Hawaiian music while we browsed, which added a really nice touch. We decided to grab lunch at the lodge's restaurant. It's a walk-up setup where you order at the counter and then find a seat. We both had the pulled pork sandwiches, which were excellent and really hit the spot after a long morning of sightseeing. They also have a good selection of soft drinks and, from what I could tell, a full bar, although we didn't try any drinks. The staff was very friendly and welcoming. We found a cozy corner table near the fireplace, right by a mounted boar's head on the wall, and just enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere. Everything about the place felt genuine and low-key. If you're in the area, Kōkeʻe Lodge is definitely worth a stop for lunch, a quick browse in the shop, or just to soak in the mountain setting. We really enjoyed it.

Monday, 8/4/2025 - checked out Kokee Lodge. Address is 3600 Kokee Rd, Waimea, HI 96796. We were driving around and exploring Kauai. Saw this and stopped by here. There was a little museum across from the lodge. We didn't go into the museum. But we did grab some drinks to cool off in Kokee Lodge. There a little market in there, someone singing, and a lithe restaurant.

The Kokee Sate Park is beautiful, we have made a point to go on each trip that I have taken to Kauai. It's a really pleasant place to be and I love the grassy area. Each time we also make a point to eat at the Kokee Lodge. It's always been a good place to stop, but this last time both the food and service were not great. The first thing we noticed was the menu was reduced, so there were not as many options as before. That was ok, we managed to order a burger and a pulled pork plate. The food was pretty bland. The service was just lacking, I'm not sure what happened that day, but I was met with frustration and rudeness from the littlest things. I asked for a paper cup for my child, even offering to pay for it and not one but two people gave me a hard time for asking. I get back to my table and the food is served, the server asks if we need anything else and I asked for a spoon. She gave me an awful look for asking her to go grab something that was not accessible for me to grab myself. We left just feeling like it's just not the same as the previous visits. We spent over $60 on lunch, only to feel unwelcomed and let down. Oh well, we decided next time we will still visit the park, but pack our own lunch to enjoy.

We've been to this restaurant on each of our Kauai trips and it's been consistently excellent after our hikes and a must see when visiting Waimea. We hiked the canyon trail this trip a little over 3 1/2 miles of decent elevation gain and loss, and we were hungry to say the least. This lodge reminds me of my hometown in Reno Nevada and is something that you might see at Lake Tahoe. It is woodsy and quaint with large Hawaiian Christmas trees around a beautiful grassy green area at the top of Kokee road / Waimea canyon. I had the line caught panko mahi-mahi fresh special bowl with a glass of crisp and light Pinot Grigio and my husband had their classic burger with an IPA on tap. We sat at the bar and got to talk to the owner and learn about the longtime family owned restaurant that had been resurrected and brought back to life. There was wonderful live music playing on this day which was a treat during the lunch hour. The grounds are beautiful as well. There were a lot of folks that were just enjoying the large grassy area, picnicking. They were busy this day and we were able to sit at the bar without a reservation. Waimea is cooler bring a light rain jacket! We hope to be back again soon!

Had a quick weekend getaway to Kauai over the weekend for the Waimea Town Christmas Parade and wanted to go up to Koke'e to get some fresh mountain air. We drove up to the Kalalau lookout to get some views and then went back down to the Koke'e Lodge for breakfast. When you get to the restaurant you order at the counter and then you seat yourself. I decided to order Pancakes, Portuguese Sausage and Eggs and a Midnight Magic coffee (4 Shots Espresso) Everything was so delicious. The restaurant is so warm and inviting, the vibe is really relaxing that you forget that you're in a restaurant. Everyone that works here is so friendly too. This restaurant is a must if you are visiting Koke'e!

Nestled in the heart of Koke'e State Park, this restaurant was a great place to get a bite and still see Hawaiian landscape. Since its one of a few places for a sit down meal, it can get busy - plan accordingly. As you can see from their menu board, they have very few offerings. But what we had was quite fresh and good. As you can see from my salad pic, it was extremely fresh. The side salad dressing was tasty. The Kalua Plate, see my pic, had surprisingly good pulled pork. It had a fair amount of smoke flavor even though it was light on bark and smoke ring. The sides of potato salad and cole slaw were also good.

The chili and cornbread from this spot might be my favorite meal on island! This is the only restaurant up in Kokee and it's a great spot to stop in if you're spending the day up there. It has a true lodge vibe and feels very homey, especially with the friendly staff. They have a little store in the front for souvenirs and knickknacks. They also have games you can play while you're waiting for your food. 10/10 recommend!

Nice little cozy spot for a snack or a drink after a long hike/drive. Servers were very nice to all the tourists.

Food was good!! Staff were very kind and the service was quick for a popular spot. Good place to eat after hiking. Forgot the name of the plate I got but I remember it was delicious.

Prettiest place for a meal! The food choices were varied, and served up quickly. I had the Local Veg Curry with white rice, which was delicious and plenty filling. Loved the hibiscus tea. Music provided by Nicholas Castillo and his guitar--very nice selection of mellow tunes.

We visited the lodge and museum on a day tour of the area. Just a cozy, friendly vibe. I would definitely want to stay here if I were to be in the mood for some rustic, nature camping. The food at the lodge is all elevated comfort. So delicious. They have board games and live music that isn't loud or annoying.

The "lodge" was better than I had expected. After camping for a few days it was nice to have a proper drink & hot food. There was even bagged ice that was cheaper than the closest grocery store, but the firewood was not. There is also WiFi but it only works at the bar room.

What a surprise to see food when we forgot to pack a lunch. Having only one option to order, we weren't sure what to expect. WOW! This was an excellent place to order lunch. There were four of us and we all enjoyed our meals. The fresh farm salad was delicious!!' Dressing light and tasty, all veggies were fresh! I added kaluia pork on my salad, YUM!!! Someone ordered the burger and another ordered the locomoco. What a delicious afternoon visiting the canyon. Service was friendly and food came out pretty quickly. Indoor seating was clean and neat table tops. A definite canyon trip stop. And it's by the museum.

Since this was the only place in waimea canyon we stopped over here for a quick lunch before heading back home We got a grilled cheese for my son and me and my husband shared a veg curry. The menu options are super limited esp for vegetarians. We eat chicken and seafood but almost everything else had pork and beef The grilled cheese was very good on a soudough bread. It was a bit too small though. The curry was delicious and felt great to have warm confort food after walking and hiking around in the park Overall highly recommend this place if you are in waimea canyon

Excellent food! This is my 5 th time on top of this mountain. The first time in 1991,I just couldn't believe it. A rainforest at 4200 feet with all the unpronounceable tree names and toss in a few unlikely majestic conifers. Back then,it was raining so hard I didn't stay long. On subsequent returns I went in the lodge but never ate there, until today. I had read a few Yelp reviews talking about the great food. One limitation is the hours. 10-2. But,I planned for it and so glad . Great food,friendly people,rustic environment. It's a winner and I urge you to plan on being hungry on your visit. You'll be glade you are here. Eclectic menu includes entrees such as Portuguese Soup,Kauai grass fed beef burger and chili, grilled cheese, smoothie,lemonade,full bar and desert. Go!

This was a fun stop at the top of Wiamea Canyon. There's a cute gift shop and some yummy food! The coffee cake definitely tastes home made

The food and service here was great. You walk in and order then seat yourself. I had the kalua plate which was excellent. It came with a salad with a nice dill dressing and Taro salad. I tried the Loco moco and the gravy was amazing. We also had the breakfast special with the Portuguese sausage that was soo good. I also had a cup of the chili which was not too spicy and had a hint of sweetness. My fave and the star of the show was the pancakes with candied macadamia. For some reason pancakes in Hawaii are just on another level!!

Most everywhere in Kauai is expensive-and Kokee Lodge isn't any different. However, when the guy behind the counter was super cheerful and friendly, it took a bit of the sting of the costliness away. The food was pretty good and the flavored lemonade was tasty, although I'm not sure I'd pay $5 for a cup of it again.

Very friendly staff. Only tried the coffee bar and store. Excellent coffee and mocha. The food looked and smelled very good. Be sure to say hi to Koa the local dog out front.

Hands down my favorite restaurant during our trip, but granted I'm from Appalachia so this felt like home. Amazing matcha, loco moco was worth 5 more visits alone, and I could write a novel about how much I loved the fireplace/leather furniture. Barista was hilarious. Didn't want to leave. Idk if you'll get what you'd expect as "island" vibes here (maybe crunchy state park vibes) but that's what makes it so unexpected and special. Don't skip the gift shop.

This isn't your Xanterra / Aramark national park offering! SERIOUSLY BETTER! This is a family-run lodge in the Waimea Canyon / Kokee state parks. The food is solid. The Portuguese bean soup is something of a legend and worth a try. The barbeque pork plate was also a winner. And they have beer to wash it all down if you wish. The ambience is wonderful - cozy cottage setting with games and lots of wood everywhere. It's order at the counter and then brought to you, but is done so quickly and with a smile. A definite find! No need to pack a lunch to the park!!!

A good place to stop on your drive for a place to eat and even live music. We were hungry and got the kalua plate which was pretty good. I've gotten coffee from here in the past and would recommend that as well. Food isn't anything special but a good place to stop if you're hungry!

The timing was good for us to pop into Kokee Lodge for lunch during our visit to Waimea Canyon. Cute place with a limited menu. We were pleased with our choices of the kalua pork plate, served with rice, sweet potato salad and coleslaw (which had a spicy kick!) and the island burger. The mai tai was disappointing however. You order at the counter and receive a number to have your food delivered to you. The staff buses your table here. There was a live musician which added a nice touch. We were there about 40 mins in total and visited the small museum next door afterward.

What a great find! Such a cute and quant ambiance. Enjoyed a break from the exploration of Waimea Canyon. Was able to enjoy the delicious food and the live music made for such a true Hawaiian experience. Highly recommend the moco loco as well as any of their lemonades. The staff was so kind and welcoming. It's an order at the counter situation and they bring your food to your table. Any drinks ordered are picked up at their drink counter. There was a crowd but still felt there was plenty of space to accommodate everyone. Also, you can buy chicken feed to feed the chickens that roam the area. The kids loved feeding them after lunch and will remember the experience for a lifetime. Must Try!!!

My personal favorite restaurant we visited on our trip to the island. Farm to table dishes, friendly staff, and warming atmosphere. Made the drive up to the lodge a few times during our visit just to get their chocolate chip macadamia nut cookies.

Do not underestimate this little restaurant in the middle of nowhere because they serve great food! Most people who eat here are probably coming to tour Waimea Canyon because it's a bit of a drive to come here just to eat. Honestly, we didn't have much expectations just because this was the only restaurant around, however, we were curious, so we still stopped by. order at the counter. There was a short line around 1:30pm, we had a late lunch. We got the Loco moco, the burger, and the cornbread. The cornbread was a little pricey for what it was and it was OK so I would skip that. However, the local moco and the burger were amazing! The egg was runny, the gravy was peppery and savory, and the burger patty was so juicy and thick! For the burger, they used, ciabatta bread, same juicy burger patty plus all the fixings, and it was scrumptious! This could be one of the best meals we had on Kauai actually, I know, right. Also, don't forget to check out the little gift shop and spend some time with the chickens because they're hilarious. Enjoy Kauai!

Beautiful lawn. Great gift shop. Grabbed a coffee and the best coconut cheesecake I have ever had! Can't wait to try it again. Didn't get a picture because we ate it so fast! Very nice staff

Jimmy, Celeste, and the entire team at Kokeʻe Lodge are absolutely amazing! Whether you're fueling up before a hike or unwinding afterward, this is the definitely the place for you. The food is thoughtfully prepared using fresh, local ingredients, and you can really taste the difference in every bite. The cozy, rustic ambiance paired with live music creates an unforgettable vibe...relaxed, authentic, and full of aloha. If you are hiking, picnicking in the meadow or just passing through, don't miss this hidden gem in the heart of Kokeʻe!

Well we were told the cornbread was amazing and it was really really good. We decide to hike the canyon trail to the falls so we were up there. I wouldn't take the windy road just for the cornbread but the restaurant has lots of choices and a beautiful location and by the way great cornbread.

Fun little place to find up in the mountains. And wow the Portuguese stew was delicious and they make a mighty good bloody Mary. The woman that worked at the bar was also a delight to chat with... Took her a little time I think to trust us, I'm sure there's a lot of tourists that come through but everybody was very nice and friendly. It was a great stop and glad we had the experience.

For some place as far as this it was such an incredible experience to see and witness everything up at Kokee. The park was amazing, the food was great, the service was amazing and the atmosphere was very family style oriented. It checked off all my boxes in a great place to be. There was also live music that I enjoyed and up here was slightly colder then usual so if heading up to Kokee especially the lodges be sure to bring something warm for yourself. I had the time of my life learning and reading about this history here it was definitely an experience to have when in Kauai.

If you're expecting an amazing culinary experience, don't come here. If you're expecting a cozy cabin feel with super latte, teas and smoothies options with a warm fire, live music and farm to table home cooked meal-vibes, then stop here on your way up to the view! You order at the counter after perusing their limited menu detailed beautifully on a chalkboard. Their coffee shop menu is quite extensive, and they have a bunch of milk alternatives. The food comes quickly, and they only have like 2 vegetarian options that aren't a cookie so veggies beware. The veggie curry was very good and rustic feeling and was an option to add as a cup of soup with the grilled cheese. Worth the stop on the way up or down for some sustenance. You can buy chicken feed for $1 ro entertain the kids and to feed those rowdy chickens on the way out as well!

Surprisingly great place to stop if you're exploring Waimea Canyon SP. It was busy, but we still got a table and our food didn't take long to come out. We got the loco moco and Kalua plate and both were really good. The little gift shop area is cute too.

Whilst just now eating my yummy lunch of rye toast with eggs and avocado, I was happily transported into a memory of my most recent trip to Kokee Lodge, so much so, that I had to immediately Yelp them to read all of the happy reviews! I can't believe I missed a review of this truly memorable event of visiting Kokee Lodge and the delicious lunch we had! The food broke da mouth! It was SO ONO! The Portuguese Bean Soup and the garlic noodles were OUTSTANDING! It was the perfectly fried egg on top of the noodles that transported me just now... Best garlic noodles of my life. Best everything. Yup cornbread is truly as good as its many reviews. The perk is that you are on the mountain, surrounded by trees, blue sky or clouds, native and exotic trees, Nene birds, and yes, chickens. Such a magical spot, with the excellent food being the ultimate cherry on top! Add this to my list of best foods in the best of places, to have on Kauai!

10/18/22 For years we've passed by this Koke'e Lodge & I've often wondered & wanted to try because it looks inviting. It's what I had pictured it, rustic & cozy as we entered, country music is playing. Hubby wanted an oat milk latte & I saw Koke'e pancakes on the menu, it peaked my interest. I wanted to try it so if it's any good then we'll know if we'll come by again the next time we're visiting. Hubby's oat milk latte came out piping hot & he says, "loved it, it's beautiful" That surprised me coz I thought it was just okay. I had asked for the pancakes to go but when it came out (see photo), we couldn't resist. We figured it's best to eat while fresh & hot. I'm torn whether to give it a 3.5 or a 4 star coz the texture of the pancake is not what I'm used to. It might've been made with corn bread (grainy) flour but it was good & satisfying. It paired so well with the candied macadamia nuts, whipped cream & blueberry preserves. Great balance of flavors. Okay, deal, the pancakes deserve a 4 star. The staff are very friendly (I wasn't expecting that either). I really love the vibe here because it's rustic & it feels warm. It makes a difference when the staff have a positive attitude towards customers, it makes me want to come back & try other stuff on the menu. It's definitely off the beaten path & the only place for a sit down meal in Koke'e/Waimea. The lush surrounding is very inviting. There cabins for rent nearby. This place does not feel like Kaua'i because it's 64 degrees, amidst pine trees (while it's 87 degrees when you come down the canyon). Definitely worth another look/try--we'll sit & dine next time.

Nice surprise at almost the end of the road. My husband and I enjoyed the Portuguese bean soup and lilikoi merengue pie, both equally delicious. Great pleasant and fast service, makes everyone feel like a local and the ambiance is rustic and today we had the pleasure to have live Hawaiian music. Definitely a must STOP if you're driving through the island of Kauai.

This place is brilliant! Breakfast and lunch. Coffee and full bar. I had the pork and a beer and it's the best pork I've had in all of Hawaii! Small-ish hours, check ahead. Very friendly. Highly recommend. Cute lodge-y feel. Worth a stop for sure.

About the halfway point in the State Park, on the road up to the top. I recommend making a stop. Not only for the museum building next door. Many tables to sit and hangout. Clean restrooms inside as well. This lodge offers a shopping/souvenir side and various food options. A mix of beverage options; coffee, smoothies, lemondes, a grab n go selection and a full bar. Food is a bit on the pricier side. My grandfather really enjoyed the cheeseburger. I recommend Portuguese bean soup and cornbread. If I had to only get one the CORNBREAD! YUM! The perfect texture with a buttery top. The flavors in the soup and cornbread go together so well. I'd highly suggest getting both. It was another highlight of the day, alongside the beautiful views of the canyon!

Ordered a Paniolo Latte with extra shot & macadamia nut milk ... the double shot espresso was unique and tasty... they had great music and awesome patio seating... highly recommend this cafe...

Omg we LOVED Kokee Lodge!!! After trekking through Waimea Canyon, we stopped here for some refreshments. THE PEOPLE WERE SO HAPPY AND NICE! One of them overheard it was my birthday and told my sister to tell me happy birthday, ha! We had a drink, bought some snacks and merch, and used the facilities before heading out of the park. Excellent stop, you must!

It's nice to have a "real" restaurant in a park. While we didn't partake, extra bonus that it has a bar. This is not your typical snack bar that is often found at parks.. The food is good and relatively a good price. The service was terrible. We were there around 2:00 on a Saturday. It was busy but not insane. We didn't have to wait for a table. We were not the only table that had to wait a long time to get their lunch. Another group asked the waitress when their food was coming out and they didn't get an answer.

We didn't use the restaurant but Did The gift shop and restrooms. 2 Nice bikes parked out side. I found a nice little stuffed Turtle that will be a gift for a little girl in Vermont. Lots of tables inside.

Very quaint environment with delicious food and good service. It was a great stop along the drive along the Waimea Canyon.