Hula's Island Grill & Tiki Room in Santa Cruz, CA

. This newer location, which opened in late 2006, goes even further with the tiki theme than the original spot. The owners got assistance with the decor from Bosko, 'Onatiki, Tiki Tony, Polynesiac, Oceanic Arts and Munktiki, and consulted with Forbidden Island's Martin Cate in developing the bar. The space is warm, lined with lauhala matting and filled with carvings, floats and tapa lamps.

In 2009, a related location opened in Phoenix, Hula's Modern Tiki

Hula's Modern Tiki

Phoenix, AZ

Bar & Restaurant

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Comments

Cretin90

April 17, 2017, 10:31 AM

We just stumbled into this place by accident yesterday!...And what a great surprise...This is large, well appointed and extremely well designed tiki restaurant and bar. WE came in on a quiet Easter sunday afternoon, and were seated in the 'surf room' , which is a bit bright for my taste in tiki. I explored for a few seconds and promptly asked to be re-located in to tiki room...this request was met with a smile. First test passed with an A. The decor was great. Clean, elegant, and varied. Really nice detail. I heard some Arthur Lyman in the background.---test #two passed with an A. The waitress (tall, brunette girl) was sweet, and seemed to enjoy her job test #3 passed-another A. The menu was excellent...Plantains, Poke and Mac n Cheese were all we had since it was between lunch and dinner. All were excellent...although the mac n cheese was a little blah. The Poke was outstanding---fresh, nicely prepared, and a generous serving. Test 4 another A. Then, a velvet painting caught my eye. ..one of the best Ive ever seen...it was of moonlight behind a palm tree with a Wahine in the foreground, with her skirt billowing in the night breeze. I tried to buy it right off the wall, but the manager Art said he wasn't allowed to sell it. TEST 5 - F!!
damn, I want that painting. Test 6 was still an A---the Mai Tai was excellent, but only came in a tumbler....partial C grade there.
This is a real jewel in a gritty town......I hope they get enough business to hang in there.
My only comment would be to re-do the exterior sign. It's very plain and not at all eye catching from the street unless you already know where Hula's is. Overall, Hula's is wonderful. Don't miss it.

Dr. McTiki

Dr. McTiki is a semi-regular at Hula's Island Grill & Tiki Room.

March 6, 2016, 9:02 AM

This is absolutely my favorite place in the South Bay to get my tiki-eats on. When I want some island inspired food on a beautiful weekend afternoon and I want to wash it down with a Zombie or a Painkiller this is the place to go. Right off the main drag in Santa Cruz. Try washing it all down with the banana coconut cream pie!

KevinCrossman

KevinCrossman has visited Hula's Island Grill & Tiki Room.

February 27, 2016, 3:38 PM

This place was great. We had lunch with the kids on a Saturday and the fish tacos and burgers were very well done. A very friendly and responsive staff made our experience enjoyable. This place has two main rooms, one being more surf oriented and the other being the "tiki room" that is more enclosed (no windows) and more traditional tiki bar decorated.

In terms of the drinks we tried the Mai Tai, which wasn't amazing due to the pineapple juice advertised as being part of the content. We had much better experience with the very nicely coconutty Blue Hawaiian and the tropical juice flavored Hawaii 5-0. Both were very refreshing.

If you're in Santa Cruz, this is THE place to be.

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