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    Hula's Island Grill, Restaurant in Monterey
    Restaurant200Points

    Hula's Island Grill

    Lighthouse Ave, Monterey

    Restaurant in Monterey, United States

    The Read

    Dress

    Casual

    Why go

    Hula's Island Grill is the Monterey pick for a relaxed celebration when atmosphere matters more than formality. Choose it for an easy dinner with a date or group; cross-shop The Sardine Factory, Whaling Station Steakhouse, Bistro Moulin, or Schooners Monterey if the night calls for a more polished, quieter, or setting-led meal.

    About Hula's Island Grill

    Hula's Island Grill is a casual option in Monterey with straightforward planning details. The dress code is casual, and the restaurant is open evenings daily, with noon openings Tuesday through Sunday. That makes the listing most useful for travelers or locals who are trying to place it within a day's schedule, especially when the main question is not a deep menu comparison but whether the timing and general formality fit the occasion.

    Use it as a practical planning snapshot rather than a menu or price guide. For specific menu details, pricing, reservations, service style, and dietary policies, confirm those details directly before making plans. The value is its clarity: it keeps the decision focused on logistics you can use when planning.

    Use it for a casual Monterey meal

    The clearest fit for Hula's Island Grill is a casual Monterey meal. Hours run 4–9 PM on Monday; 12–9:30 PM Tuesday through Thursday; 12–10 PM Friday and Saturday; and 12–9 PM Sunday. Those hours point to an evening-friendly restaurant every day of the week, with additional midday flexibility on every day except Monday. If you are mapping out lunch, an early dinner, or a later casual meal, those published times are the strongest concrete details to use.

    Because menu specifics, price tier, and reservation details can affect the plan, treat the choice as a casual Monterey option rather than a destination decision based on awards, chef pedigree, or a documented tasting format. In other words, this is not the place in the guide to infer a special-occasion structure, a particular ordering strategy, or a precise budget. The better approach is to use the casual dress code and hours as the foundation, then contact the restaurant if the details of the meal itself will affect your plans.

    Where it fits in a Monterey restaurant plan

    If you are comparing Monterey options, consider Hula's Island Grill alongside The Sardine Factory, Whaling Station Steakhouse, Bistro Moulin, Schooners Monterey, or Il Vecchio. The clearest distinction for Hula's Island Grill is its casual dress code and published hours. That does not rank it above or below those other restaurants; it simply clarifies where it fits. When your shortlist includes several Monterey names, Hula's Island Grill is easiest to evaluate on convenience, timing, and low-formality fit.

    For a multi-meal Monterey plan, use the published hours to decide where Hula's Island Grill fits, then confirm current availability and any menu needs directly with the restaurant. This is especially important if your group has a narrow dining window, wants to plan around a specific meal period, or needs certainty on anything beyond the hours and casual dress code. For broader planning, pair this decision with our full Monterey restaurants guide.

    The takeThis is a spot built for casual, everyday dining with friends, families and small groups who value dependable cooking over spectacle. Hula’s suits informal get-togethers, after-work hangs and relaxed dinners where people come back because the food and service are steady. It’s not positioned as a scenic destination for waterfront views or a formal anniversary room; instead it thrives as a neighborhood anchor on a residential stretch of Lighthouse Avenue, appealing to locals and visitors who prefer a more low-key Monterey experience.
    Venue detailsSustainable Seafood
    Know before you goBefore you book
    Also considerAlternatives
    Restaurant contextMonterey, United States

    Planning details

    Location
    622 Lighthouse Ave, Monterey, CA 93940
    Reservations
    Book on OpenTable
    Website
    hulastiki.com
    Phone
    +18316554852
    Explore MontereyNearby
    Around this placeMore Pearl picks
    The take

    The Take

    The Vibe

    Hula’s Island Grill reads like a genuine neighborhood restaurant rather than a staged tourist stop. It sits on Lighthouse Avenue in New Monterey and occupies a middle register between white-tablecloth dining and the wharf’s chowder-stand energy. The kitchen leans on a considered Hawaiian idiom that references Japanese, Filipino, Portuguese and Indigenous Hawaiian influences, and the overall impression is one of modest, local-minded confidence. Regulars drive the rhythm here: the place feels familiar and unpretentious, focused on food and consistency rather than theatrical décor or picturesque waterfront views.

    Best For

    This is a spot built for casual, everyday dining with friends, families and small groups who value dependable cooking over spectacle. Hula’s suits informal get-togethers, after-work hangs and relaxed dinners where people come back because the food and service are steady. It’s not positioned as a scenic destination for waterfront views or a formal anniversary room; instead it thrives as a neighborhood anchor on a residential stretch of Lighthouse Avenue, appealing to locals and visitors who prefer a more low-key Monterey experience.

    Ordering Tips

    Lean into the Hawaiian-influenced signatures and plan to share. Start with the Crispy Coconut Shrimp Rolls for a crunchy, tropical-flavored opener, then move to the Luau Pork Plate as a hearty centerpiece that showcases the restaurant’s take on island-style roasting and seasoning. The Hawaiian Ceviche is a good lighter option for contrast and for diners seeking bright, Pacific flavors. Portions and flavors favor communal eating, and the menu rewards sampling several dishes so you can experience the restaurant’s multifaceted Pacific influences.

    Venue details

    Ambiance

    Happy, California casual atmosphere with island décor, eclectic music, tropical cocktails, and a lively crowd of all ages.

    Tags

    Vibe

    LivelyEnergeticCasual

    Best For

    Casual HangoutGroup DiningLate Night

    Experience

    Open Kitchen

    Sourcing

    Sustainable Seafood

    At the Table

    Dress Code
    Casual
    Noise Level
    Lively
    Service Style
    Upscale Casual
    Meal Pacing
    Standard
    Capacity
    Intimate

    Signature Dishes

    • Crispy Coconut Shrimp Rolls
    • Luau Pork Plate
    • Hawaiian Ceviche
    Know before you go

    Know Before You Go

    Getting there
    622 Lighthouse Ave, Monterey, CA 93940
    Planning details

    Location

    622 Lighthouse Ave, Monterey, CA 93940 · Directions

    +18316554852

    hulastiki.com

    Book on OpenTable

    Also consider

    Also Consider

    • The Sardine Factory, Seafood, $$$$
    • Whaling Station Steakhouse, Notable alternative
    • Bistro Moulin, Notable alternative
    • Schooners Monterey, Notable alternative
    • Il Vecchio, Italian, ₩₩
    Restaurant context

    How it compares in Monterey

    Hula's Island Grill is the casual, lower-pressure choice in this set. The Sardine Factory is the clearer splurge play, with a seafood focus and $$$$ positioning, so choose it when the dinner itself is the main event. Hula's is the better fit when the group wants a lively meal without making the night feel formal.

    Whaling Station Steakhouse is the steakhouse alternative for a heavier, more classic celebration. Bistro Moulin is the smarter cross-shop for a smaller date night or a quieter dinner, especially if conversation matters. Hula's wins on ease and mood; Bistro Moulin is likely the better call for a more intimate table.

    Schooners Monterey is the one to consider when setting is the priority. Il Vecchio, listed as Italian and ₩₩, is the value-minded alternative if Italian sounds better than an island-grill format. If Hula's is not available, start with Bistro Moulin for a quieter meal or Schooners Monterey for a setting-led night.

    Explore Monterey
    Around this place
    Read more on Pearl

    Discover more on Pearl

    Unlock the full Hula's Island Grill guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.

    Compare Hula's Island Grill
    Hula's Island Grill Monterey and similar venues
    VenueLocationCuisinePriceAwards
    Hula's Island GrillMonterey, , No published awards
    The Sardine FactoryMontereySeafood$$$$
    Star Wine Lists 20262026 Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence2026 Michelin Plate2025 Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence2025 Michelin Plate2024 Michelin Plate
    Whaling Station SteakhouseMonterey, , No published awards
    Bistro MoulinMonterey, , No published awards
    Schooners MontereyMonterey, , No published awards
    Il VecchioSeoulItalian₩₩
    2025 Michelin Plate2024 Michelin Plate

    How Hula's Island Grill Monterey compares with similar nearby venues.

    FAQ

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How far ahead should I book Hula's Island Grill?

    For reservations, check directly with the restaurant. The published hours are 4–9 PM Monday, 12–9:30 PM Tuesday through Thursday, 12–10 PM Friday and Saturday, and 12–9 PM Sunday. Confirm current availability directly before going.

    Can Hula's Island Grill accommodate groups?

    For group accommodation details, check directly with the restaurant. Hula's Island Grill has a casual dress code and published hours, but party-size policies should be confirmed directly with the restaurant.

    Does Hula's Island Grill handle dietary restrictions?

    For dietary restrictions or allergies, contact the restaurant directly before going.

    Is lunch or dinner better at Hula's Island Grill?

    The published hours show noon openings Tuesday through Sunday and a 4 PM opening on Monday. Dinner is possible daily within the published hours. Choose based on your schedule, and confirm current hours before visiting.

    Is Hula's Island Grill good for a special occasion?

    It may fit a casual occasion if the published hours and casual dress code match your plans. If the occasion requires specific arrangements, such as atmosphere, private dining, pricing, or service format, confirm directly with the restaurant.

    What are alternatives to Hula's Island Grill in Monterey?

    Other Monterey options to compare include The Sardine Factory, Whaling Station Steakhouse, Schooners Monterey, Il Vecchio, and Bistro Moulin. Use current hours, availability, and your own dining priorities to decide which fits best.