Kula Sandalwoods Inn & Cafe

Stopped for a warm beverage and a little breakfast after seeing the sunrise at Haleakala. Lovely owner! He said it was closed for a while but it’s now open. Great place to warm up!

Located just next to Haleakala National Park, Kula Sandalwoods Inn and Cafe is a great place to stop for breakfast or lunch after visiting the summit. The service is quick and friendly, and the food is delicious. The owner is very sweet and welcoming, and has taken good care of the place. There is lots of foliage to admire, and the atmosphere is very relaxing. The French toast is amazing, and the Egg Benedict is also very good. You get free coffee refills, and the staff won't push you to leave soon. There are restrooms on the premises, and plenty of parking. Overall, Kula Sandalwoods Inn and Cafe is a great place to enjoy a delicious meal in a relaxed atmosphere. I highly recommend it!

Great breakfast after finishing the Haleakala sunrise tour. Easily located at base of mountain with enough parking. At this time, only outside dining is allowed but weather was nice. Owner was friendly and seems to have cooked the breakfast himself. Enjoyed the coffee/latte and breakfast (French toast, hash browns, and eggs Benedict).

Stopped here after watching the sunrise. We had to wait a but since this place doesn't open until 8 am and we were down after the sunrise by ~7:15, so I recommend timing it better than we did. Food was excellent, but you are definitely paying for the excellent view. I loved the fried rice instead of hashbrowns for my side. Great coffee.

As we went on a vacation to Maui, we decided to stop by this clean and welcoming cafe. There was no one there which we were happy about from this Coronavirus time, and we we also got sit outside. The place was very neat as there is a nicely mowed lawn with a gazebo. When we went in, we were nicely greeted. Everywhere was very neat and tidy which we really liked. Even the bathroom was very clean and for people like us who care so much about bathrooms were very impressed. The eggs were delicious with the hash browns which had an amazing flavor and crunchiness was score. The service was one of my stars of this cafe. I highly recommend stopping by this cafe when you go to any trails ahead for a light and delicious meal. This cafe was probably one of the best cafes we went on our Maui trip.

My husband and I really enjoyed our stay here! Beautiful quaint little cottages nestled on a hill just outside of the Haleakalā National Park. We went up to see the sunrise at the summit of Haleakalā, and after that, we came down and enjoyed a wonderful breakfast (get the fried rice side!!), good coffee, and friendly conversation. We would absolutely stay here again. Picture of the beautiful sunrise at Haleakalā.

We didn't stay at the Inn, but we did enjoy 2 great breakfasts here in 10 days! James, the owner, waiter, is wonderful and hard working! He covers the room very well! My husband enjoyed the pancakes with macadamia nuts and I simply found the eggs benedict, veggie style perfect. I had them once with spinach, and once without...both great! That sauce.....that sauce....! I didn't care for the potatoes but you can get fried rice cooked in bacon fat. Looked great, but not for a vegetarian, sadly! Lovely fruit garnishes the plate! Truly exceptional...and, actually enjoyed this place more than others in the area that are known for breakfast. If you like great benedicts, you will not be disappointed!

I never write reviews but thought I should to help a fellow traveler. There were not many reviews about the Inn itself ( more about restaurant) so thought this info might be helpful. There are many rules and they are given before check-in so that should have been a tip off. You feel a little like a child on vacation with your controlling parents. ||The grounds are beautiful and the cabin is clean. However, the cottage gets really cold. You are given a squeaky heater but it never gets to the temperature you set it at. It is 54 degrees as I type this and it has been running all night. The hot water is set for certain times to be "green" however there is no recycling and she changes the towels everyday. She came into our room to "clean" everyday but we were never asked and it felt like a way to check in on us. It's a great location but for the price it's not worth the controlling nature of owner or the freezing nights and mornings. Simple things like providing a coffee maker to warm you up in am, hot water available at all times, and a better running heater would spruce up this basic place a bunch. I think the owner should sleep here one night to see what it is like for her customers.

Great place for breakfast, after enjoying a beautiful drive "up country." Limited menu, limited hours, and who cares. What they serve is delicious. We go up for breakfast, probably enjoying the 45 minute drive from Kihei going down mountain more than going up. Going down you can really enjoy the panorama and ocean views. I'm a sucker for ham and cheese omelets. What makes them great at Sandalwoods is the freshest eggs you'll ever have. I think they have chickens laying eggs out back. The ham in the omelets is a skimpy serving, but the fresh fruit on the side makes it simply a great breakfast. No decaf coffee, but chamomile tea fills in. No inside service for breakfast, which is what you want. Eating on the lanai lets you enjoy the fresh air and the view. It's a remarkable view in a peaceful almost-rural setting. Bring a sweater - it's cooler up here.

Loved this place and it took over an HOUR to get our food. Do not come here if it is busy or if you have anywhere to be! We both got a combination plate and loved all of the different meat options and I also got a very delicious juice!

VIBE: 10/10 FOOD: 10/10 SERVICE: 8/10 - only 1 person Amazing food!! Service is only 1 server who is the owner nice and friendly always! Food is limited right now bc: covid. Usually a bigger menu - the sandwich is to die for! The rosemary aioli is like heaven !!

Quaint little spot! Dinning is outside which is perfectly fine because there's a small view above the tree line. Food menu is pretty small but good options! Service is good

Kula Sandalwoods is a charming little cafe in Kula country just off Haleakala highway. Off the beaten path, but definitely worth a stop! The owners are very friendly and serve up an authentic espresso and absolutely wonderful breakfast. We tried the following breakfast items: - veggie omelet with cheddar cheese - eggs benedict with a delicious homemade hollandaise sauce - fried rice with a lot of garlic flavor and great texture from a slight char on the rice - hash browns - macadamia nut pancakes with butter and fresh bananas and strawberries A cute, quaint little cafe where everything was enjoyable and tasty. There's not much of the usual full island views from this cafe that are typical of Kula country, despite all the big, bright and cheery glass windows, but we were all so busy savoring our meals and enjoying each other's company to really notice.

Fantastic! We stopped here for breakfast and coffee on our way back from seeing the sunrise at Haleakala. Great coffee. Great food. Great service, even with few people working that day. I had the French toast, which comes with a variety of very fresh chopped fruit on top - delicious. My friends had the open-faced omelette and eggs Benedict, which were equally delicious. I also definitely recommend trying the side of fried rice rather than hash browns - it was fantastic!

It was incredible . The owners Eleanor and James are the hostess with the mostess!! The warm Hawaiian hospitality can't be compared to any other place. The food was ono and the feel was layed back , as if you were at someone's house with amazing scenery . Would highly recommend !!!!!

Special thank you to Eleanor who accommodated our late check in to our cabin. We stayed here for one night as we were traveling to Hāna early the next morning. Kula Sandalwoods is located just past Kula Lodge on the left side of the road, it's not lit up to the extent that Kula Lodge is which makes it easy to miss but it is closer to the entrance of Haleakalā State Park (note you need a permit for sunrise now). Staying in these small cabins reminds me of glamping in Yosemite. I'm even a fan of the throwback curtains, bedding, etc. It reminds me of my tūtū (grandma). Being that this place is at a higher elevation the views are unreal and it's also chilly (they do provide a space heater). I highly recommend staying at Kula Sandalwoods for your next adventure to Haleakalā State Park.

I don't want to leave a low star review to hurt the business but just want larger groups and families(we are a family of 6) to know that on a Sunday(not sure about other mornings) the person working refused to seat us (they still aren't seating inside, outside only) despite having every table empty because he said they were reserved for later, we got there right at open. We had seen many other reviews that had mentioned they had just walked in to eat and had a great experience so we did not have a reservation. If you want to try this, especially on a weekend morning and you are a group larger than 4 who wants to eat in might want to call about a reservation so you don't run into our experience.

I've been going to this restaurant for years and it's one of the few places on Maui that has maintained its mom & pop local charm. There are so many elements of Kula Sandalwoods Cafe that makes this place feel like home. From enjoying the amazing view to sitting next to a warm fireplace to eating their delicious, home cooked dishes, it's definitely a place to check out after watching the sunrise at Haleakalā or before a day of exploring Upcountry Maui. The inn and cafe owners, James and Eleanore, are always so welcoming and kind. I'd recommend their Eggs Benedict (they have the best hollandaise sauce!) with a side order of hash browns or their pancakes. You won't be disappointed :)

My husband and I really enjoyed our stay here! Beautiful quaint little cottages nestled on a hill just outside of the Haleakalā National Park. We spent the night and then went up to see the sunrise at the summit of Haleakalā, and after that, we came down and enjoyed a wonderful breakfast (get the fried rice side!!), good coffee, and friendly conversation. We would absolutely stay here again. Picture of the beautiful sunrise at Haleakalā.

This place is great! We stopped here after the Haleakala sunrise hike and were warmly greeted by the owner as soon as we stepped in. We didn't expect to get anything more than a simple cup of coffee, but it's hard to say no to macadamia nut pancakes and Brie stuffed French toast. The breakfast here was awesome and we had a great conversation with the inn owner all the while. Definitely recommend after the sunrise drive!

This was a great brunch spot after the bike ride down Haleakala. It was recommended to us by one of our guides and it was perfectly timed on our route down as we were famished by he time we arrived. The place is run by a nice couple and has a very chill atmosphere. Service is a little slow, but it's Maui. All of the breakfast items were great and filling. The price isn't bad either. I'd still suggest packing some snacks since you'll be burning it off quickly due to the amount of energy you'll expend on the ride as well as the coldness of the morning. It never got swamped by other tourists, so I'd also highly recommend it based on that.

Although we did not stay here, we were just looking for a place to eat breakfast near by. James quickly greeted us and sat us down. We ordered coffee and an omelette, eggs Benedict with hash browns and fried rice. What a beautiful & quaint little spot to enjoy a nice meal. Thank you James for making our experience so wonderful! We will definitely be back.

Kula Sandalwoods is a hidden gem. The food is always consistently great and the atmosphere is laid back. This family owned restaurant is by far the best in the kula area. If you have a chance to try it you will not be disappointed. Fried rice is super ono as well as eggs Benedict. Small menu but all items in the menu are great.

We had intended to go to Kula Inn but it was obviously crowded so we went to Sandlewoods. We were really delighted that we did. Dining was only outside and the Menu was Covid limited but it was delicious and the owner was helpful and friendly. Give it a go!

Secret Gem! After taking a trip to the Summit, my friend and I stopped here for some food and it was great! The lemonade is AMAZING! Very nice service and an open patio to eat and look out into the islands!

I go here for breakfast every once in awhile. Admittedly, I always order the Brie stuffed French toast, but that's just because it's so good! The fresh squeezed lemonade is also delicious, with free refills, always a plus! Would recommend on the way down from the crater!

Such a good little spot after going to the Haleakala crater for sunrise. We had a little break between our hike to the crater and ziplining with skyline ecoadventures (which was awesome btw), and didn't want to come all the way down the windy road and back up again, so this was our haven for a delicious breakfast. I'm sure everything is good, but when we went it was just the one guy (he's a Duke alumni) and he was awesome. He made us espresso (the mocha was delicious), and hot chocolate, and the amazing cooks brought us the omelet and french toast and I couldn't have been happier. Overall, the perfect place to stop for some yummy eats. Don't expect "local" food, just expect to be satisfied. Plus, the view from your seat will be worth it.

The worst breakfast on maui. Avoid this place at all costs. Seriously horrible service and even worse food. STAY AWAY!!!! AVOID!!! KAPU!!!!!

I love driving up country on Sunday mornings to eat at this wonderful restaurant. The food is always cooked to perfection -- eggs exactly the way you order them -- and the fluffiest pancakes on Maui! Warning: They don't have half and half, so Dunkin Donuts coffee aficionados will have to settle for mild with their coffee. Also, James, the owner/manager refuses to carry the real thing as far as maple syrup goes, so I carry my little tote bag with east coast pure maple syrup and a little cup of half and half every time I go there with friends and guests! And it's always the perfect meal, wonderful view from high up Haleakala where the air is quiet, fresh and just feels so healthy! Highly recommend Sandalwoods for breakfast -- especially on a weekend morning...

This place is a great treasure of Kula. We came here for breakfast, and we were not dissapointed. The service was great, very personable and attentive. The owners take pride in their establishment and their food. We ordered eggs Benedict, ham and cheese omelet, hash browns, and fried rice. All of the above were very tasty and fresh. We wiped our plates clean it was so good! Our coffee hit the spot and James made sure they were always full. I can't say enough about this gem of the mountains. It's views are to die for as well, the landscape is breathtaking. We will definitely be back!!!

I'm local, and haven't been there for a while but only because I don't go out for breakfast much. But I had a very nice breakfast the other day with a client there. The eggs Benedict was as good as I remember it to be. And my client had a very nice omelette there as well. I will have to go there more often than not.

I never write posts for places, but this place was really great and convenient for our stay to drive up to see the crater one morning. It feels very rustic and cottage-y set up high over looking the island and ocean. The people were so nice. We had a spot of bother when we first checked in with no water, but they came and took care of it immediately. They are very green, so they turn the water off to each unit to save which is great. We ate breakfast the next morning by the wood fireplace after coming down the mountain, and there are only like 1 or 2 people there working so things are slower but it's island time so who's in a hurry! Lol... It was very delicious food. Also see the bakery around the OGG airport and the Gazebo... All completely different food profiles and all wonderful...

BEST BREAKFAST ON MAUI!!! I came here with my family 3 years ago during our bike ride down Mount Haleakala, and it was so good that we came back a second time during that trip. As soon as I found out we were coming back to Maui this year, I made sure we stopped for breakfast at Kula Sandlewood at least once! Amazing pancakes, amazing eggs Benedict, amazing fresh pineapple juice It's just a little ways up on Haleakala highway, but so so so so worth the distance from the beach. Make sure you get here early enough so they don't run out of breakfast! One of the highlights of our trip every time!

We had stopped here after visiting Haleakala. It was a good spot to eat a breakfast. Coffee was fresh and tasty.

Fantastic!!! We stopped on our way down from Haleakala Peak for breakfast. The place is a very quaint overlooking the island. The service is to match. The gentlemen who assisted us was very attentive. The food was delicious. We had 2 omelettes, oatmeal and pancakes. They truly taste homemade. I would absolutely come back here and would recommend it.

A nice surprise on 377... Kula Lodge was between breakfast and lunch and we didn't want to wait the hour for the Lodge to ramp back up so we pulled up to Sandelwood Cafe. We've passed it many times but won't anymore!! The food was wonderful...light pancakes, nice egg sando and veggie scramble w/hasbrowns....BEST BREAKFAST in Kula!!

I would not recommend at all. Stopped in for lunch. Only one other couple was in attendance. Should have been a clue. Man behind counter non attentive. "Hawaiian" coffee was instant, not stirred very well either. Hot chocolate, instant. Did not finish stirring that either. Man behind the counter would not come take food order, so after 30 minutes we left without eating. If I had wanted a refill on coffee, that was free, however any extra or "to go" would be $4.00! Go away.

stumbled upon this place on our bike ride down from watching the haleakala sunrise. though our bike guide had initially recommended another location down the street from kula sandalwoods, we opted for this location mainly due to the huge lawn in front that we were able to lay our bikes on and keep an eye them...the favorable pricing was a plus too! we were greeted by the owner of the cafe and he easily accommodated our group of 10. would totally recommend sitting on the outside patio. you're in maui..take in the beautiful scenery=). our orders consisted of: 1) eggs benedict 2) elua plate - 2 eggs any style with ham, bacon, sausage, or portuguese sausage 3) lokelani - the breakfast sandwich 4) french toast with seasonal fruits all of the dishes were a hit! whether it was because we were starving from being up since 3am to watch the Haleakala sunrise or from the bike ride down..who cares..the food was SO GOOD! everyone loved their dishes, and those who ordered the eggs benedict raved about it-the hollandaise sauce was the kicker..nice and rich. whenever we get eggs benedict back home, we always use kula's hollandaise sauce as the comparison factor-kula you set the bar high on our eggs benedict standards!!! i got the french toast and man do they give generous portions! all in all, completely satisfied. kula...a winner is you!

Love love loved the fried rice with over easy eggs and sausage. Perfect little diversion before the climb up haleakala - such nice service and peaceful, charming, place with crisp air and view.

We were about an hour early for our zipline tour so we stopped by the Cafe to have breakfast. It's very small and quaint, looks like a converted living room with a fireplace in the corner. Service is slow but friendly. It seems like there is only one server and cook. But the food is well worth the wait -- I ordered the Lokelani - a ham, egg and cheese sandwich on homemade onion bread. AMAZING. The bread is so deliciously good. I could eat it all day long. My husband had the eggs benedict with hash browns and though I didn't try any, he said they were really good as well. Haleakala National Park doesn't have any food, so I definitely recommend stopping here for a meal before the long road up to the top!

I hate to write bad reviews, I really do, but I had to warn people. My wife and I both had the Chicken Sandwich, and both of us suffered horrible ... intestinal issues ... as a result. Add to that the REALLY REALLY slow cooking time, and I couldn't suggest this place to anyone. (also - why did the person who ordered the salad get their food 5 minutes after everyone else?).

We had breakfast here after our Haleakala sunrise. Food was excellent and service was quick. My daughter had regular pancakes and me and my wife had macadamia pancakes, my son had an omelette.

i was pretty delirious coming back from Haleakala, i was actually trying to get to another cafe called kula something or other and got confused because this place has kula in the name and is a right up the street from them. they have a really small menu - about 5-7 items. pretty standard stuff - my order was alright - had the open faced omelette - i will say the hash brows were kinda boo hiss. - the owner was nice - and the place looked clean and had a great view. i think i was the only person in my party that didn't absolutely hate the place - a couple things i heard on the drive back coffee sucked. sausage sucked they charged extra for ham on eggs Benedict - which is like charging extra for cheese in an omelette... or ice in a soda. meh.

This establishment is incredible!! I've eaten here multiple times and have never been disappointed! The food at the cafe is amazing, its served hot and fresh and the customer service is excellent!! Check them out, you'll be happy you did!

Every time i come to Maui, I make sure I get to Sandalwoods for a Kalua pork sandwich. Forget Kula Lodge across the street (unless you want to wait a while and be treated impersonally). Sandalwoods has a simple, yummy menu and James, the owner, is very cheerful. Sandalwoods has a simple, local feel. Best Kalua pork sandwich on the island, too.

My husband and I randomly came across this restaurant on our way to Haleakala National Park, and decided to stop in for breakfast. I had the breakfast sandwhich, and it was DELICIOUS! It was honestly the best breakfast sandwhich I have ever had. The sauce that they put on it was amazing, and we had a great time! I highly recommend this restaurant. It's very quaint and cozy!

During our drive to Haleakala, we got a little turned around and missed our planned lunch stop, so we Yelped and found the Sandalwood Cafe and Inn. Our initial impression was of concern since only two people were inside when we arrived at 11:30 AM. Additionally, the staff was nowhere to be found. However, the locals sitting inside were friendly and encouraged us to sit down. Thank goodness we did. The lunch turned out to be better than expected! We enjoyed the Hawai'ian classic Kalua Pork Sandwich with a tangy sauce, toasted Onion roll and shredded cabbage "salad" on the side. The food was tasty and the prices extremely reasonable for Maui. We continued on to the National Park with full bellies glad we happened by the Sandalwood.

Service is very slow. Sunday morning 10:30, took 1/2 hour after we ordered to get our order. Kula Lodge doesn't serve breakfast after 10:30 otherwise we would have gone there. But their food is fresh and delicious-- short stack of pancakes were exceptionally good. The hash browns were also very good. Worth the wait!!!

An upcountry treasure with loads of local charm (and beautiful native plants out front!). Great spot for good kona coffee and a hearty, homey, DELICIOUS breakfast. Small menu, sure, but it's all great. The keokea omelette and the brie stuffed french toast are my favorites. Sit outside to eat, and enjoy the quiet and the VIEW!

Hate to give poor reviews but the the food here is not good. Pretty sure everything served here was bought at Costco and then put on a plate. We sat outside as it felt like being in grandmas basement inside. On the plus side the server was nice and friendly. If you can, hold the appetite until you reach civilization.

Great place for breakfast on your way back from summit. Try veg omelet

We biked down Haleakala and stopped in for breakfast. Beautiful, calm spot in the morning. Delicious food and James was very friendly serving us and asking us about our plans for the rest of the day. I'd go back!

We only popped in for coffee after a rather voggy, wet, and miserable trip to Haleakalā. Mocha was hot and tasty and the owner was warm, kind, and inviting. It was a pleasant experience that I will remember.

Simple, satisfying fare. Plus there isn't a whole lot of choice in the town of Kula. It's literally a mom-and-pop operation, but they're friendly and the view of west Maui is fantastic. The kalua pork sandwich was savory, especially with the nice touch of hoisin sauce. Fried fish sandwich (it was ono when we came) was also very good. Pretty no nonsense place.

Party of 13 had prompt, friendly service. Breakfast was delicious and at a reasonable price!

Outstanding family run restaurant. Eleanor is a classically trained chef who has worked in New York City and opened restaurants in Japan. Her cooking is a hidden gem on Maui. Try the Eggs Benedict. Sauce is amazing! Views are outstanding.

If you are not with a tour group, don't go. They told us a 10 minute wait. All the tour groups show up and they sat all the groups before. We waited for 45 minutes to be seated. We ordered food that was supposed to be fast, that took 30 minutes. If you are doing a bike ride, don't waste your time here.