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Kilauea Lodge and Restaurant
Categories: Nightlife Bars Lounges Restaurants Lounges, Restaurants [Edit]
19-3948 Old Volcano RdVolcano, HI 96785
(808) 967-7366
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Best Nights:
- Sat
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Good For Dancing:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
58 reviews for Kilauea Lodge and Restaurant
Review Highlights
"...Restaurant is a gem just outside Volcanoes National Park."
(in 10 reviews)
"We split a slice of german chocolate cake for dessert and..."
(in 12 reviews)
"...salsa sauce, cinnamon apples, fresh baked bread, and papaya."
(in 2 reviews)
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58 reviews in English
-
Review from Suan W.
Silicon Valley
Who knew such a nice restaurant existed in the desolate and bleak town of Volcano? We stopped here for dinner after viewing the Kilauea caldera at the Jaggar Museum, and were surprised to find how upscale this establishment is amidst the rugged terrain. Upon being led to our fireplace table, we sampled the following:
-Brie Cheese. This was an excellent starter - a wedge of brie encrusted with coconut and deep fried. It was served with the softest bread alongside papaya salsa and brandied apples. The flavor combinations and textures were so unique and delicious!
-Paupiettes of Beef. Succulent, rich and hearty. It was a little on the salty side but perfectly cooked and enjoyable. We chose the complimentary duck soup to accompany our entree.
The German-inspired food is very heavy, so be prepared to skip dessert and still leave feeling overstuffed. I would strongly advise against planning a midnight romp afterward.
Oh yeah, order the Lilikoi Margarita rimmed with li-hing powder! -
Review from Norm H.
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Stayed here one night while visiting the Volcano National Park. This place is the best place to stay in Volcano. Everything was just perfect.
I booked the honeymoon suite which had a private balcony and nice fireplace in the room. The bathroom was huge and had double shower heads.
The Kilauea Lodge has down every detail to make you feel at home. The provide fresh water in the room and you receive free breakfast in the morning at their restaurant. The breakfast isn't just some plain continental, it's an amazing full breakfast.
For $180 a night you have to stay here while visiting the National Park which is a five minute drive away. The lodge also has a nice gift shop at the reception area. -
Review from Mike B.
New York, NY
10/10/2011
This is a review of the restaurant. The hotel is 5***** in my book; romantic and wonderful. The restaurant, not so much...
Sometimes, I think, a chef gets the idea that people really love his/her food and it's really not the food, it's that you're the only game in town... Although it's always packed, I think that's part of what's in play here.
I noticed a few more choices (a Thai place and some others) in Volcano than I had seen previously, but for fine dining, it's still the only choice.
The dining room is kind of romantic, especially if you're seated near the fireplace, and the service is good (although they don't give you the prices of the specials unless you ask, which always irritates me.)
The food is heavy, old-fashioned (duck l'orange, etc., which isn't a crime in itself) and very expensive. Attempts to update seem a bit misguided: antelope schnitzel? (Why not offer more than one fish, for instance, and have it not be Mahi.)
Also, in this time of "eat local" many, many of the ingredients come from far, far away...Venison from Texas...and that Antelope from who-knows-where...why do I need this in Hawaii? Everything is very heavily herbed too (at least that must be local.)
Breakfast (which was included in the room price,) was acceptable, but again overly fussy. Frankly, the $2 portuguese sausage omelet I had on the way up in Hilo was far more satisfying. -
Review from Dani O.
Norfolk, VA
2/1/2012
Spent our last night on-island here and were underwhelmed. The staff was genuinely friendly, and that was the highlight of the night. We split the baled brie, sadly falling short of what we had been eagerly awaiting, and the zucchini fries, good but greasy. My husband had the Hunters Stew which he thought was "okay" and the venison medallions which were "cooked perfectly to med-rare, but the seasoning was uninspired". I had the salad with the flavorful herbed vinaigrette and the special mushroom risotto which turned out to be totally overcooked and not at all creamy. We passed on dessert as nothing piqued our interests. Given the other eating options up the road, we probably won't be compelled to return.
-
Review from Kristen S.
Chicago, IL
9/17/2011
I was researching where to eat after a long drive from Waikoloa, and Kilauea Lodge Restaurant kept coming up, and it looked great. So we stopped here for a later lunch.
It was the best idea ever.
Wow. Volcano is a sweet little town. And the Lodge serves delicious meals in a truly historic building. I loved it. The Restaurant is a gem just outside Volcanoes National Park.
I had a huge salad with lots of locally sources ingredients and my husband had a sandwich. Service was friendly, the food was great, and the building was very cool.
Definitely stop here. -
Review from Jenn M.
Honolulu, HI
12/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
We were lucky and found a lot of good restaurants on the Big Island during our trip - this was probably our overall favorite. The restaurant is fancy, but with a small, intimate feel to the dining room. Picture eating in a large, oversized living room in an old house... complete with cozy fireplace and gorgeous Christmas tree. We didn't have reservations, but the staff did an excellent job of making us a place, despite us having a toddler. They brought our daughter lots of coloring sheets to keep her occupied while waiting on the food.
Everyone's meals were excellently cooked. They had a great selection of unique items (antelope, venison, seafood, etc.). We loved the touch of the local art hanging around. We were there on a night when there were 3 birthday celebrations and 2 anniversary celebrations. The staff truly made the meals specials for these parties - balloons, birthday deserts, and extra-special service (though service was great for everyone). -
Review from Rico S.
San Diego, CA
11/24/2011
Delicious stuffed mushroom caps for starters, tasty Duck l'orange for entree. Excellent service by Debbie, friendly waitstaff all round. Good coffee, nice decor and I wanted to steal the place mats.
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Review from Jade T.
Hawaii County, HI
9/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
So Cozy & Romantic! Fireplace & soft lighting! Escargot, Rack of Lamb & Mudd Pie is all I need! Delish!
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Review from Elyce N.
Bothell, WA
10/11/2011
We were looking for a place for dinner after doing the trek from the Kona side to the Volcano/Hilo side. Our innkeeper recommended this place because everything else was closed.
First of all it was extremely busy - which of course many people take to mean the food is good . . . not so much. We had to wait because we didn't have a reservation - no problem; however the hostess just took her time to even get us "wait listed." She was very friendly with the regulars but didn't seem to want to pay attention to anyone walking through the door.
The big plus on this was our server - she was amazing. Right there when you needed her, prompt service for what we wanted, good recommendations when we didn't know what we wanted, etc.
The food was just so so. Nicely presented but not a lot of flavor. However, the bread and butter is in a class by itself -- very fresh, very good.
If you have a lot of time and don't mind being ignored and then waiting for a few minutes, then go to the Kilauea lodge. -
Review from Cathy S.
5/23/2011
My husband and I spent 3 nights at the Lodge earlier this month. We split our trip between the Volcano and the gold coast and this was our first stop on our trip. We very much enjoyed our stay in the Tusugi room on the bottom floor near the common room. The room had everything we could have wanted (a ceiling fan would have been a nice touch since it was a bit muggy at night with the windows open). We used the hot tub every night and never had any company which was nice.
One of the nights we had dinner in the lodge and while it was a bit on the pricey side, it was very good (I loved the orange duck). The included breakfast is the same every day which does get kinda boring, but you can order from the regular menu. We did find the server to be much slower in the mornings for breakfast, so be patient before and after ordering.
The convenient location to the national park is perfect for exploring the park and visiting it every day (since your park entrance fee is good for several days). The entrance is literally right down the road. Do check out the pizza and Thai restaurants down the street for dinner! -
Review from Melissa K.
Baton Rouge, LA
11/6/2011
We were so lucky to stop here and get a reservation. We decided to revisit the volcano after dark so we called the Kilauea Lodge and Restaurant to get a reservation. Fortunately they had availability, so we went to the Volcano Winery and on to the restaurant. We arrived about 30 minutes early for our reservation hoping to just grab a cocktail and wait, but they seated us immediately. At first I wondered if they'd actually get full - it's a small hunting lodge styled restaurant, fireplace and all, but they were pretty empty. Sure enough, about halfway into our meal the restaurant was at capacity and we know why.
The food was outstanding. Truly, outstanding. We started with sauteed mushrooms and continued on with one order of duck and one of the venison. The duck was quite possibly the best I've had and while I don't care for venison and my husband does, I tried his and it was very good. I can't remember what we had for dessert - I think he had creme brulee and I think I had something apple, but it was wonderful because I do remember that despite being so full, I continued to eat!!
The ambiance was so great, service was very attentive, and food was outstanding. I highly recommend this restaurant!! -
Review from J J.
San Gabriel, CA
9/4/2011 1 photo
The idea was to stay close to the volcano park and view the crater at night without having to drive back to Kona in the dark. It was just us three girls and staying at the lodge was the reasonable thing to do. We certainly had no expectations coming in, just a clean room with hopefully, hot showers. We were quite impressed when we got the keys to our cottage, perfect for our group- it looked like a doll house! Inside, it was clean, it was warm ( Volcano Village temps on our visit was rather on the cool side), and was comfortable. The rest room has a heated towel rack, which is really nice.
There is a common area, where you can play board games, and just hang out. Also a jacuzzi, which is so perfect with the cool rainforest weather.
The stay comes with the free breakfast, which is a wonderful AM treat.
There is so much to love in Kilauea Lodge ,and will definitely return and stay longer next time. -
Review from Samantha T.
Cincinnati, OH
2/10/2011
We stayed at the lodge and dined at the restaurant.
The Lodge: it's...rustic. We were in the building on the back of the property next to the hot tub. Those rooms all have access to a common lounge room, which was nice (although we didn't really have time to use it). The room was a decent size with a gas fireplace in the corner. Bathroom, especially the shower, was a bit small. Our room had a personal water cooler in the bathroom, which was nice. My only complaint was that the room wasn't very soundproof. We could hear people going to and from the hot tub, and could pick up most of their conversations. It also rained one of the nights we were there and the rain on the roof was SO LOUD. I barely slept.
The Restaurant: We had breakfast there each morning, which was a great (and easy) way to start the day - I'd recommend the taro french toast. We had dinner there one night and that was also really good. I ordered the prime rib special and my man tried the antelope, which was the clear winner. We split a slice of german chocolate cake for dessert and it amazing- really rich and chocolaty.
If I had it to do over again, I don't think I'd have stayed on the Volcano side of the island at all. One day was plenty in the National Park - and the B&B we stayed at on the Kona side was fantastic (check out my review - it's Honu Kai Bed and Breakfast). -
Review from Scarlett B.
Honolulu, HI
3/1/2011
BF and I were starving (for both air, and food) after hiking around Volcano National Park for the day, so we hit up Urban Spoon and Yelp for some ideas of a place to eat on our way out. Let me say, I feel very very VERY sorry for fellow reviewers who felt that this was even an above average dining experience, much less *gasp* the BEST meal they have ever had in their life. Please, please, please dine out more! There is much better out there- I promise!
Some tips for those who will still try it:
The restaurant is FREEZING!!! Unless you happen to be sitting on the hearth of that big cheery fireplace be prepared to wear not only a sweater but also an overcoat.
If you order a glass of champagne, make sure to ask them when it was opened lest they try to dump the last glass of a bottle that had lost its bubbles days ago down your poor, effervescent-starved throat. Our red wine also tasted like it had been opened the week before.
Do not get the fresh catch- especially if you are visiting the islands. I would hate to think that your life-long impression of Mahi Mahi would be a sad hunk of over-cooked fish covered in gooey sauce next to mushy, over-steamed (and yet still cold....) mixed vegetables that look like they came straight out of a freezer bag.
The Paupiettes of Beef were also a miss. Slices of beef stuffed with an indiscernible "mushroom" "cheese" "herb" blend (not sure what was really in there, but it was a brown mush that neither resembled in texture nor flavor any of the listed ingredients) deep-fried and drowning in sauce that clearly had waaay to much DRIED herbs in it was not appealing. I was hungry and still refused to eat it.
The spiced split pea soup was very good- so my last piece of advice would be to fill up on the free mini loaf of bread that comes with your meal and have a big bowl of soup- then you will be warm and might also not leave hungry. -
Review from Clara S.
Alexandria, VA
1/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
We were staying at cottages nearby and were told this is the place to do a nice dinner, but make reservations! We made reservations and the place was busy so we were glad that we did. Staff was super friendly and we were greeted right away when we entered.
We started off with an ice tea (brewed in-house) and my husband had the Volcano Ooh-long tea- comes in a tiny press which you do yourself once it sits for awhile.
We got the brie as an appetizer. Dusted in coconut flakes and lightly fried with a mango chutney salsa sauce, cinnamon apples, fresh baked bread, and papaya. I don't like coconut, but it was so light, it was delicious!!
Next, you could choose either soup or salad and we both got the Potage soup (split pea). It had a nice kick to it, pepper, and something else. My husband swears there was a hint of tropical fruit in there.
For our entrees, I got the Safari Schnitzel (the chef is German), and my husband got the Catch of the Day (Ono fish with a lemon caper sauce. My schnitzel was served with the fluffiest mashed potatoes I've had in a long time, and not too buttery or salty. Also a red sauerkraut, zucchini/carrots and a light sauce. The schnitzel was made with veal and was extremely tender, almost melting in my mouth. The ono was great too, but I'm not a lemon sauce/caper kind of gal.
We finished off our meal with a chocolate ganache cake, mainly b/c I wanted chocolate. The also had special desserts like passion fruit cheesecake and cake. And a bread pudding with nuts and many other ingredients I can't remember. It all looked great. -
Review from Sara P.
West Los Angeles, CA
3/8/2011
This review is for the restaurant.
We came here around 8:30pm our first night on the Big Island. The parking situation is a little weird/tricky -- there's no clearly marked "restaurant parking" though a lot of things are marked "guests only." We just decided to risk it (who's going to tow us in the rain at 8:30 at night?!) and parked near the front.
As you walk in, you're greeted by the warmth of the lodge. We did not have reservations, but they managed to seat us with very little wait. I wish I knew more about the history of the place to share with you, but suffice it to say, this place looks like a historical building. There is a giant fireplace in the corner of the room called the "International Fireplace" that has plaques and signs from different countries. Tables and couches are set up around the fireplace and further out into the restaurant. Local artwork is displayed on the walls, and the whole place has a very warm and welcoming feeling.
The food is pricey and strives to be very gourmet and unique. For starters, we got the coconut-encrusted, deep-fried brie cheese, which came with a loaf of fresh baked bread; papaya salsa; deep-fried cinnamon apples; and jam. It was delicious! I'd never had anything like this before and I highly suggest you try it!
I wasn't really too hungry after that, so I only ordered a cup of the pea soup, which was phenomenal. It had a curry/tumeric flavor and was filling. Mmmm.
My husband got the special of two lobster tails with vegetables and salad. It was very good. His lobster was perfectly cooked and the presentation was gorgeous. We did not get a dessert -- both too stuffed at that point -- and the bill was pretty expensive at around $100 (no drinks).
So, if you are in the area and willing to spend good money for a good experience, I would recommend Kilauea Lodge. -
Review from Holli R.
San Francisco, CA
4/22/2011
The ambiance of this place was really nice (large fireplace, rustic yet slightly refined), and the food was fairly good. I had the German sausages with sauerkraut, and husband had the New York strip steak with lobster tail.
As the waitress was bringing our food out, husband asked (in a Top Chef moment) if the chef had made the German sausages. The waitress hurriedly said no and left the table. There's really no excuse for that- if a chef is going to serve sausages as an entree in a restaurant, they should at least make them! I can cook bought sausages myself, for far cheaper than $20-some a plate. Although the food was good, the sausages left a bad taste in our mouths. -
Review from Tim H.
12/21/2010
Great lunch spot serving German food near Volcano National Park.
I had some mini burgers(beef and 2 game meats) and also tried some white veal sausage. All the food was good and I would definitely be willing to return here if in the area again.
Service was attentive and friendly. -
Review from Shannon R.
Morrisville, NC
8/22/2010
Fine dining in a country lodge!
We started our meal with the brie wedge coated in herbs and coconut. Served with papaya salsa, brandied apples and freshly baked bread. The bread was a little dense as an accompaniment with the cheese. I'd recommend crostini or crackers instead. Nevertheless- absolutely amazing flavor. This large plate was only $8.50. Definitely worth it!!!
I had the soup and salad combo. The Alsacian soup was flavorful and creamy. A departure from my standard soup selections. A+! The Caesar salad was spot-on as well. My husband had the German sausage plate, which looked very tasty.
The service at Kilauea lodge was absolutely fabulous. Multiple wait staff attended our table, our courses were timed perfectly. Very nice! Reservations are a good idea during peak meal times. You don't want to miss it! -
Review from Johnny L.
New Fairfield, CT
3/14/2011
I cannot believe anyone would give this joint less then 5 stars. In the big Island this was the best meal of 30 or so meals we had. Perhaps we caught it on a good night.
1) The service was perfect.
2) The brie appetizer is worth the trip there alone
3) I had the seafood over pasta...not bad.
4) Wife had the meatloaf, awesome. the soups were included with the entrees, both the rabbit soup and the bisque were awesome.
The cocktails we had there had my wife begging me to take the 45 min trip back. Passion-fruit margaritas...ooooo so good.
Its not cheap, but the service, ambiance food and drink are excellent.
nuff said! -
Review from mario k.
Brisbane, CA
8/5/2011
Most expensive thai I ever had. Place Ihas
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Review from Kat S.
El Cerrito, CA
7/19/2010
This is for the restaurant breakfast only.
The prices were what you would expect in a restaurant connected to a higher end hotel, but not the worth the very broing food. There was nothing particularly special or unique on the breakfast menu and while the normal fair we were served was cooked just fine, I expected more for the price.
The Lava Rock Cafe is just down the road, cheaper, and the food is about comparable (though the ambiance is definitely not as nice). -
Review from Gary P.
Diamond Bar, CA
7/26/2011
My wife and I ate lunch here two weeks ago. We had a club sandwich and a veggie peta. Both were tasty and good. The atmosphere is, as the name implies, lodge-like and very comfortable -- kinda like the Tamarack Lodge in Mammoth, CA. Large fireplace with a wall of various world regions and signs. We would return.
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Review from Francesca m.
Weymouth, MA
5/11/2011
I stayed here for two nights with my husband and son and my parents. Our room was in the back, very large and beautifully decorated. No TV, (which I liked). Giant bathroom and nice touches throughout. The lodge is great for families, we enjoyed the gazebo on the front lawn each morning after breakfast and my son loved all of the lawn toys (balls, croquet). The restaurant served a nice breakfast each day. Dinner was good but not as "gourmet" as their decription and prices would lead you to believe. If you like exotic game (antelope, rabbit, seer, etc) or german food then give it a try perhaps, but I would not consider the dinner a MUST do. We also ate here a few years back (we didn't stay at the lodge during that trip) and my husband reminded me that he hated the food then....and he hated it again this time. (He graduted from a culinary arts school, so does know good food, but he is not hard to please if the food is well prepared)
One (small) thing that turned me off was this. After my family spent about $350 on dinner, I asked the owner who was at the hostess station if she could fill my sons bottle (just 4 oz!!) with milk. We were heading back to bed and I had no milk (and there are no stores like in a large hotel). Well, she charged me $5!! Are you kidding me?? We are guests at the lodge, paying $250/night and we JUST spent $350 on dinner and they want $5 for 4 oz of milk? It left a pretty bad impression on me and it was not AT ALL what a classy hospitable lodge would do. Small faux pas, yet to me it spoke volumes.
All in all, I would stay here again, but I do think I would also look at some of the other local B&B's because there seems to be quite a few very nice places to stay. -
Review from Jamie W.
Kirkland, WA
2/12/2011
Best meal we had on the Island!
We were staying nearby at one of the vacation condo rentals when we decided on this establishment after scanning the reviews on Yelp.
Reservations are highly recommended.
Just about everything on the menu sounded wonderful, but we went for the one thing customers have raved about and demanded STAY on the menu - The Poppiets of Beef. We were NOT disappointed. We didn't eat, we dined. We feasted.
If you're on the big island and don't eat here, you have no one but yourself to blame for missing what will be one of the best meals of your life. -
Review from Anne M.
Seattle, WA
11/15/2010
Very friendly atmosphere and they put up with our two toddlers nicely - Yelp says it's no good for kids, and they don't have a kids menu, but they do have highchairs and straw cups and a somewhat tolerant environment.
The coconut encrusted Brie was delicious, as was the lilikoi (passionfruit) margarita. Stuffed mushrooms were good.
The teriyaki steak was bland, and the tempura shrimp were over-breaded. My friend's lamb chops were dry, and my husband's fried steak stuffed with cheese was only ok. The special antelope fillet was nothing special.
Entrees were just plain bad if compared to restaurants in Seattle, Portland or SF, but relatively good for the island. I guess. Turns out there's not much good food on the island at all, and given the number of tourists with money to spend it seems like somebody could make a pretty penny by opening an actual good restaurant. Unfortunately, this is not that restaurant.
It is expensive, so be prepared for that. Between the expense and the blah-ok food, it's definitely not worth many stars. But, given the staff's friendliness and the proximity to the volcano, it's decent enough. -
Review from Lisa C.
Sacramento, CA
1/17/2011
Review for restaurant only:
Had dinner tonight and dined on the specials: blackened ahi tuna and German sausage. The soup and salad were fresh and flavorful and the bread (an oat-wheat-sunflower seeds mix) was good, too. The tuna came with just the right amount of spices and sauce. I had the fish medium-rare and it fell apart in moist yummy pieces without any effort. The German sausage dish came with 2 different sausages, sauerkraut, and house potatoes. The sausages were moist and delicious and the sauerkraut had a lovely mustardy-tanginess to it. I would definitely recommend visiting this place if you're in the area. Just be warned: it's not a cheap or fast place to eat. -
Review from Betty Y.
Manhattan Beach, CA
9/20/2009
I think this place really deserves the stars from us. This was our last night on our second anniversary trip. I made reservations in advance based on recommendations and people telling us that there weren't a lot of places in the town of Volcano as far as food. Also, they told us to avoid the food inside the Volcano House where we were staying.
We were late for dinner and the restaurant called. We were coming back from the lava flows about 20 mi away. They said the would try to hold our reservation because the kitchen was going to close soon.
I guess we were close to missing our last meal altogether. We race into the restaurant and the owner / host was really kind. She said that we made it and welcomed us and Happy Anniversary! How special that they remembered that when I called. The restaurant is also quite warm with a fireplace and cottage or cabin like environment.
We open the menus and what do we see? Our names were printed on the evening's menu - with Happy Anniversary on it! Wow that was really nice of them to go that extra mile for us. We also had a couple of helium balloons tied to our table to make us feel extra special. I am so glad that we didn't miss our dinner with them.
The 'baked' brie was to die for! If you go you must order it. This was another recommendation by our awesome horseback riding guide. She mentioned it was a must have....so we decided to go for it. Totally spot on!
I ate the ostrich with lemon caper sauce, and my husband had the steak with a pepper gravy. It was really good...and SO FILLING! I wish that we could have eaten all of the food they served. The portions were so large and we didn't have anywhere to take the leftovers...booo. I would have eaten it again too if we had a fridge or something. We had to skip dessert cuz we were just too uncomfortably full.
It was an unforgettable night! Thanks Kilauea Lodge for doing that special menu addition for us. -
Review from M. C.
Redwood City, CA
10/30/2009
5 stars to the restaurant for being the best out of a very limited set of restaurants in the Hilo-Volcano east & south zones of the Big Island. Had breakfast and dinner here. (We chose not to stay in the Lodge - $250/night -- we got less than half that price at a B&B down the street.)
Pros:
- great ambiance inside and outside: one of those old restored wilderness lodges. Take a few minutes to wander around and look at the various artifacts.
- pleasant service
- good food
- light years and away the best food in the Volcano area, IMO. (only other great place in the vicinity is the Hilo Cafe, about 30 min drive away)
Other points -- I don't consider these cons, but be aware:
- traditional style menu -- most of the menu items are in the style of high-end restaurant food like it used to be done 20+ years ago. I'm fine with that, but people who are looking for more creative dishes or modern style "fresh" cuisine may be disappointed
- cost. Yeah, it's pricey -- so is every nice restaurant in Hawaii. And this one is out in the boons, not in a high-end resort in Kona. I thought the prices were in line with other higher-end places on the island, but it's true that you won't look at your bill and say "gee, what a bargain." -
Review from Janelle W.
Detroit, MI
12/21/2007 6 photos
Kilauea Lodge serves impeccable dinners in a warm, rich setting. Every entree is prepared with high quality ingredients and the finest cuts of meats. The fish entrees and the lamb are always excellent. Presentation is beautiful and desserts are heavenly.
But even more than the food, the atmosphere really makes Kilauea Lodge shine. The dining room is warmly lit, so as to highlight the natural wood facade. The fireplace provides an interesting and welcoming centerpiece, with beer steins on the mantle and various coins mounted into the fireplace rocks.
Kilauea Lodge is an excellent dining choice for a special celebration and during the holidays. -
Review from Philip V.
Chicago, IL
12/21/2011
My wife and I stayed here for the first part of our honeymoon,which involved exploring volcano national park. This was a very nice, romantic place to begin our vacation. We stayed in a nice room separate from the main lodge with our own small kitchen and a comfortable living space. The breakfasts at the inn were hearty and delicious and set us off on the right foot for days spent hiking and checking out the wonders of the park. They even prepared a take out breakfast one day when we decided to get up at the crack of dawn for a serious 15 mile hike. The dinners were also quite tasty. Hearty, meaty, German inspired fare that stuck to the ribs... They also had a very nice hot tub which we enjoyed after hiking all day. We recommend both the lodge and the restaurant. Given that there aren't many dining options in the area, this is probably the best... And while we didn't stay anywhere else near the park, we can't imagine how our experience could have been much better.
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Review from Mark H.
Fremont, CA
5/24/2009
Stayed here for two nights at Tutu's place. A highly charming and quaint guest house just 2 miles from Volcanoes National Park. Tutu's Place is a 2 bedroom/ 1 bath cottage with hardwood floors, fireplace, full kitchen and comfy living room. Decor is tropical casual - lots of nice touches abound - like hot tea, books and games to entertain the kids, flashlights to explore Volcanoes Nat'l Park, and towel warmers in the bathroom. If you are staying here, it is worth it to spend the extra $25/night to upgrade from a standard room to the cottage.
You should know that Tutu's place is off the grounds from the main lodge. So it feels a bit remote but if you are looking for quiet - this place is for you!
The included breakfast is superb - friendly staff and truly tasty french toast and bacon. I suggest getting the papaya slice over the OJ. Dinner is tasty was well but very pricey.
We enjoyed our stay and can recommend it for families and traveling couples. -
Review from Jack D.
Las Cruces, NM
6/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great place to stay! This is not the Drake Hotel in Chicago or the Plaza in New York, this is a lodge on the Big Island. The rooms are very nicely decorated, and have just what you need. Big Dupa, no TV and no phone!!!!!! They do have wireless inet for free so you a not totally disconnected. Expensive, but worth the money. Very close to the NP, which is great for the mid afternoon naps. The restaurant: The staff is very attentive, they listened very carefully to my martini order (and made it right the first time), they have Chopin vodka (!!!!), the food is good. The lodge five Dupa's, the restaurant four Dupa's.
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Review from Lisa L.
San Francisco, CA
11/5/2007
Living in San Francisco is a blessing and a curse. I don't mean to brag, but we have good food aplenty here and we don't have to pay through the nose for it.
But, it kind of makes eating everywhere else a drag.
That said, I liked the Kilauea Restaurant and I LOVE that a former magnum p.i. makeup artist is the owner and chef! How rad is that? Plus, I really liked the menu: game meats plus German side dishes. I had venison in a mushroom sauce with mashed potatoes, german cabbage, and veggies. It was good. It was also like $40 per entree.
This is not a negative review for Kilauea Lodge as much as a positive review for all of my favorite restaurants in SF:
You guys spoil me!!
You don't rip me off!!
You try to use organic and local ingredients when available!! -
Review from Gina W.
Torrance, CA
4/19/2011
Four of us had dinner here the night we stayed at the lodge. The menu was a mix of French classics and German fusion, as the chef, who is also the owner of the lodge, is German and studied cooking in France.
The restaurant was mid-sized but cozy, with a fireplace and nice original art on the walls. The waitress was friendly and all the staff seemed like they had been there for many years - a family feel. Service was excellent.
I had steak with pepper sauce, husband had a stuffed, rolled beef that was like a sauerbraten. Our friends had the lobster tail duo. Entrees came with soup or salad. Every dish was delicious. The chef favors thick savory sauces on the meat entrees, so if you like a plain steak, you may not like this. I liked my steak sauce - it was very tasty. Pre-dinner mai-tais were great. -
Review from Alex B.
Salem, OR
2/16/2010
This is the "fanciest" restaurant in Volcano village, though we're talking about Hawaii here, so it still has an informal air.
We went here when another place nearby had too long a wait. We didn't have to wait to eat here, although about 3/4 of the tables were full.
Service was ultra-friendly (even by Hawaii standards). My partner LOVED his lamb, and I thought my ahi was good too, though it was unevenly cooked - I had asked for rare, but I got something that ranged from rare to basically raw (still it was tasty, with a mango-chutney sauce).
The dessert was the only thing close to a disappointment; it was a slice of ice-cream pie that was served frozen almost rock-solid. -
Review from John S.
Mount Airy, MD
7/23/2007
If you visit Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island of Hawaii you must stay at the Kilauea Lodge & Restaurant. The lodge is located a couple of minutes outside the park. The rooms are very nice. Rainwater feeds a cistern that is provided for both the rooms and restaurant. Even through it rains a lot on this side of the island, I love the lush tropical foliage.
The restaurant is based in an old YMCA camp building that has been restored. Food is really good here with a German Hawaiian flair. I love the fish entrees. -
Review from Mitchell F.
Pompano Beach, FL
7/21/2011
The breakfast was good. The pancakes were super thick and tasty. The service was friendly. The price was appropriate for the meal. The atmosphere is nice.
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Review from Rami A.
Fort Worth, TX
7/29/2011
Hubby and I wandered in after a long day at Volcano Park to see if they had rooms available, and they did not but the woman we spoke to generously offered to call around to see if other places had vacancies...talk about the aloha spirit! She called a few places before finding a room for us at the Aloha Crater Lodge (which I'll review separately). We then decided to stay for dinner and are so glad we did because it was a fabulous experience. We sat near the fireplace and it was so lovely and cozy (even in July!). I had duck that was outstanding and hubby ordered leg of antelope medallions. Neither of us cared much for the antelope, but he ordered it because he'd never had it before and we didn't have high expectations based on other gamey meat we've eaten elsewhere. We also had two delicious soups and dessert (some kind of bread pudding), and hubby said the bread was the most delicious bread he's ever had. It was pretty tasty. All around it was a fantastic experience. I would give it 4 1/2 stars if I could (just can't quite bear to give a 5 star rating yet).
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Review from Brittany B.
Santa Clarita, CA
7/2/2010
We spent a week on the Big Island during our recent vacation, and two of those nights were spent at the Kilauea Lodge and Restaurant. Please note that this site was a former YMCA, so if you're looking for walk-in closets and spa-style tubs, the Kilauea Lodge is not for you. If, however, you seek a cozy, charming spot that feels like a little home away from home, this is the place for you.
We were traveling with children, so it made sense to stay local to Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park rather than try to trudge from Hilo or, even worse, from Kohala. The Kilauea Lodge was the perfect respite from the bustling (but fun) resort atmosphere of Kohala/Kona, and it afforded us an opportunity to relax during the portion of our vacation we thought would be the most bustling. We stayed in the 1-bedroom cottage, and it was lovely! Very cozy and homey, which I think the kids really needed. There was no T.V. but there was an AWESOME free wi-fi connection that provided very fast internet service (a marked improvement from going though our cell phone service). We used it to stream "Sponge Bob" episodes at night to avoid cartoon withdrawals for the kids (extremely important for the 3-5 year old set). There was no bath but a very nice shower with TOWEL WARMERS, definitely appreciated in the cool air of this area and after a very taxing 4-mile hike. The beds were cozy, a fireplace was in the living room to warm us at the turn of a switch (nights here are chilly), and there were even some playing cards and dominoes provided to add to the homelike atmosphere.
The restaurant was also great. The free breakfast was one of the best I've ever had, with friendly service from the staff, who were so considerate to our small children! We ate in the restaurant one night for dinner, and we were further impressed. Although we were nervous about taking our kids to such a nice place for dinner, the atmosphere was very laid-back; the kids were provided with crayons, paper, and Wiki Sticks; and the offerings were accessible but very well-done. We live near Los Angeles and have dined at many fine restaurants, and the restaurant at the Kilauea Lodge measured up in our eyes.
This is the one place I stayed on the Big Island that I know I will definitely return to!
