Lacto
American
International
Beer/Wine
Fusion
Hawaiian
Non-veg

Serves meat, vegan options available. Surf and Hawaiian themed restaurant and bar. On its webpage you will find a list of vegetarian dishes with tofu in a variety of fusion flavors - vegans should specify. Reported March 2017 that vegetarian menu may contain fish - please check and update Happy Cow. Open Mon 4:00pm-9:30pm, Tue-Sat 11:30am-10:00pm, Sun 4:00pm-9:30pm.


Venue map for Hula's Island Grill
© OpenStreetMap contributors

39 Reviews

First Review by pyatrus

nuviaruiz

Points +22

Vegan
28 Dec 2023

Akua Burger

Wasn’t sure what to expect when the description said it was made with sea kelp. I was also unsure about what their version of vegan cheese would be like. But let me tell you, I was pleasantly surprised by both! It was delicious! I would gladly order this again. The patty fell apart while I was eating it, but I didn’t mind too much. The cheese looked like a melted mess and it was kind of crisped from touching the grill, but again, I was pleasantly surprised by how good it all was. Check out this burger. It’s awesome! Two thumbs up!

roxfox2

Points +16

Vegan
17 Nov 2023

Vegan items not always vegan

I go here regularly. I eventually found out their "hula sauce" for their fries is vegan, but wait.... But recently I found out that sometimes they use egg mayonnaise instead of vegenaise in the sauce! I feel like this is such a weird move by a restaurant because it makes them so unreliable. The staff were not knowledgable at all on this and I was getting different answers from different staff about whether the sauce was vegan that day. I was even told by one girl that the coleslaw was vegan - I was so excited because I hadn't had coleslaw in awhile. I started eating it and later found out that their coleslaw is actually never vegan. They always use regular mayonnaise in it. How does any of this make sense? Anyway, anything that uses their hula sauce may or may not be vegan. Their coleslaw is never vegan. Who knows what else on the menu is sometimes vegan and sometimes not. Otherwise, this would be an excellent option for vegan food.

Cardell

Points +16

Vegan
30 Jul 2023

Good find, good food

Opened later, so a good find coming into town in the evening. People working there were friendly. Full vegetarian section of menu. Heated outside seating.

Had the jerk plate with veggie chicken, rice, slaw, plantain, and Johnny cake...nice, spicy meal. They were out of the vegan dessert (not that I had much room for it), but my daughter and wife really enjoyed the definitely non-vegan Ohana Pie, which was huge with a lot of different flavors.

Pros: Good selection , Flavorful food , Open later than other places

tj9045

Points +350

Vegan
01 May 2023

Lots of vegan options

The tater tots and the spicy tofu tacos were great! The wait staff was friendly and knowledgeable about vegan options, and there’s a vegetarian section on the menu.

rawharton

Points +578

Vegan
08 Dec 2022

Delicious vegan food

Love this place!! So many fun vegetarian and vegan options to choose from. There’s an entire page dedicated to vegetarian foods and another for gluten free options. Plus there are bahn mi tacos made with jackfruit that isn’t listed but ordered after staff recommended I try them. Yum!!! So glad I tried them. Two flavorful jackfruit tacos on corn tortillas, accompanied by black beans and rice. Just ask for vegan so they don’t add any cheese.

You’ve got to try the Mexican chocolate mousse (gluten free and vegan). Absolutely delicious!!

My husband got the Buddha bowl and loved it. I highly recommend this place, especially sitting in the back patio area. Just a fun laid back vibe. Food is great and staff is friendly. 👍

Updated from previous review on 2022-12-08

Pros: Lots of vegan options , Can make vegan if requested , Fresh and flavorful

Stillerz4Life

Points +72

Vegetarian
08 Dec 2022

HIDDEN GEM IN MONTEREY!

Fun spot to eat in Monterey! Buddha Bowl is fantastic! Service is awesome! Our server was incredibly knowledgeable of the menu and ingredients. The atmosphere is fun…. You gotta try it!

Pros: Many vegetarian options , Great Atmosphere , Awesome Service

JosephMash

Points +169

Vegan
19 Sep 2022

Simple but great place with good vegan options and nice cocktails.

Separate vegetarian menu which labels vegan options clearly and states that almost all dishes can be made vegan. Good options ranging from tofu tacos to curries and rice bowls. Fried plantain (side dish) was delicious!

Pros: Good amount of options., Great cocktails, Great food and atmosphere

Cons: Not all vegan, Could do with a new set of menus (bit tattered)

sra_narwhal

Points +24

Vegan
23 Jul 2022

Very yummy and good options.

I’m used to only one or two options when I eat out, so I get overwhelmed when I have more! I got the chimichurri tofu because I don’t like very spicy food and it was delicious. My sister got spicy tofu tacos which were also delicious. Super happy here and I wish I lived locally so I could get it again!

haleykonz

Points +31

Vegan
11 Jul 2022

really good!!

I had their spicy tofu tacos the sauces that comes on them isn’t vegan but they have two other options really good

ktmoney

Points +128

Vegan
08 Jul 2022

Great veg options and fun vibes!

Such a fun restaurant with good vegan/vegetarian options! They have a full vegetarian section on the menu (and gluten free too!) and it seemed like most things could be made full vegan. I had asked about making the tofu tacos vegan and they said it was easy and they could just switch out the sauce. I ended up getting the tofu curry bowl though because it just sounded so good. They also had vegan chicken option which I will try next time. The bowl was delicious and so filling. Their drinks were also great and the patio is very fun and dog friendly!

Pros: Fun vibes, Good veg options

DustinBremner

Points +53

Vegan
24 Apr 2022

Easy to order vegan

Staff knew menu well and how to make meals vegan.

EatPlantsNotFriends

Points +197

Vegan
21 Apr 2022

Double check it is vegan!

Their food was good. I got the chick’n tacos. They had to redo my order because the sun dried tomato aioli is not vegan, and they also put dairy on my beans. The food was tasty and came quick. Just make sure to double check it is vegan and not vegetarian!

BaileySchneider

Points +2141

Vegan
20 Mar 2022

Exceeded my expectations!

Don’t pass this place up. They have a separate vegetarian menu with vegan options clearly listed. Most of their vegetarian options can also easily be made vegan so just ask!
Inside is super cute and they have an outside patio as well. Our waiter was very nice and super informed on the menu as well. There was a wait before we were seated so they can text you when your table is ready and you can either walk around or go to their speak easy next door.
I ordered a drink which was delicious and the spicy tofu tacos made vegan and he added a avocado sauce too it which was amazing. Highly highly recommend. The salsa was delicious and tofu was cooked perfectly. Only qualm was that the rice was not seasoned and needed a little salt but you can just add some. The rice and beans are vegan as well and they knew to also omit the cheese on top since I requested vegan.
I have nothing bad to say about this place. It was amazing and we will sure to be back!

Updated from previous review on 2022-03-20

JenRameyRoss

Points +26

Vegan
22 Jan 2022

I got the Kingston curry with the veggie chicken and it was so good!

I felt there were lots of great vegan options and the server knew how to replace items.

Pros: Many vegan options, Server was knowledgeable about vegan options

LuLuMer

Points +36

Vegan
19 Jan 2022

Vegan Delight

Hula’s has an ENTIRELY separate vegetarian and vegan menu. It is incredibly flavorful. They offer three different options for veg items - tofu, tempeh, and vegan chikin. they have vegan aioli for sandwiches and burgers. They also have two types of veggie burger. Both are vegan. BUT. Really go for the bowls and specials, Almost all the specials are available as VEGAN 🌱.
Be prepared to have a lot of excited staff talk to you about being vegan. It seems they’re mostly vegetarian and vegan.

Updated from previous review on 2019-11-02

Pros: There are no Fish items on the vegetarian menu. , Super flavorful

KMcConnell

Points +15

Vegetarian
31 Aug 2021

Spicy Tofu Tacos for the WIN!

It’s hard to find vegetarian/vegan options in costal towns. The spicy tofu tacos were wonderful! I passed on the “salsa” that tasted like tomato sauce with something spicy added to it. The rice and black beans were fine. But the tacos were everything!!!

vegangrocerygrabs

Points +1464

Vegan
02 Jul 2021

Unique Veg Options!

I LOVED the atmosphere at Hulas! They have a whole page of vegan and vegetarian items on their menu. Staff is extremely helpful and friendly. What's not to love?! Menu items are things you won't be able to find anywhere else. A very unique experience. I will 100% be back! ❤️🌱

Pros: Lots of vegan options, Friendly staff, Indoor and outdoor seating

AmberKMH

Points +181

Vegan
07 Apr 2021

Aloha to tasty vegan options!

There are some very creative and tasty vegan options! I love the spicy kitchen tacos, the vegan burger, and so many delicious salads!

Pros: Lots of vegan options, Fresh and delicious , Friendly service

CarolynBrouillard

Points +41

Vegetarian
31 Oct 2020

So good!

I stumbled across this place in Santa Cruz and had a wonderful meal there - lemongrass encrusted tofu with the tastiest slaw I've ever had. Then I saw it on the map for Monterey - my next road trip destination - and went again, this time getting the Cajun chikin tacos. They were incredible.

With a robust vegetarian/vegan menu, I could eat there again. Like tomorrow. Lots of tasty options, with many having the ability to be made vegan.

SueRosenstock

Points +21

Vegetarian
15 Sep 2020

Not vegan friendly

Fish sauce in “vegan” entree

Pros: Great menu

Cons: Sloppy cross-contamination , Fish

GeorgesDaou

Points +11

Mostly Veg
11 Sep 2020

Fabulous. Can’t go wrong if you are vegan or vegetarian.

Excellent all around.

Pros: Lots of options

Cons: None

CRW

Points +655

Vegan
07 Jan 2020

Lots of vegan options

There is plenty to choose from on the vegetarian menu. Vegan items are marked. Happy Hour includes vegan appetizer options (and the basket of fries is huge!) Service was friendly quick and we were checked on often. Was full from dinner but found room for the vegan dessert-Haupia chia pudding. Our favorite item of the night were the roasted shishito peppers.

missyogie

Points +58

Vegan
25 Dec 2019

Nice menu choices for vegetarian

The waitress was by far the most memorable. To me... service can make or break your experience no matter how good the food is!

I had the jungle tofu dish. I thought it was REALLY good.
My husband didn’t love his, like I did mine... although he ate every single bit. Lol so he did enjoy it. My kids both had meals I won’t comment on... bc they are so picky. Lol

Recommend trying the kimchi!!!

asreyes

Points +114

Vegan
22 Oct 2019

Bomb.com

I love coming here especially with friends who are omnivores. They have clear vegan options and are able to make things vegan with small changes. They now have the impossible burger patty and offer vegan aoli and vegan cheese (burger includes portobello mushroom). That’s what I order with a side of arugula salad. Delicious! Their shishito peppers are tasty, kinda spicy roasted peppers with a side of salt topped with peanuts. Tasty cocktail drinks. Get there during happy hour!

gabrielle.nayale

Points +41

Vegan
14 Jul 2019

Crowd pleaser

Hula’s is my go to when I have a group with mixed dietary needs. They have a great vegetarian menu, and as a vegan I always leave 1000% satisfied. Their dishes are much more interesting and delicious than what I’m used to having as an option. The cocktails and ambiance are also a lot of fun, and this location has a great garden out back which is perfect for a sunny day. This is one of my favorite restaurants on Monterey Bay. Highly recommend.

MandrillusSphinx

Points +301

Vegan
22 Dec 2018

Separate veg menus with vegan options- taco special was shockingly good

I had a great experience here and so did my Omni family members. The tofu fries were great, the spring rolls tasted healthy, the taco special was shockingly good and the vegan dessert was tasty. The place was super casual and fun. I’m also from Hawaii and loved the Hawaiian flavors and atmosphere.

Pros: Teriyaki flavored taco special was amazing!, Separate and extensive veg menu , Staff were vegan friendly

Cons: Meat on the menu

AveryLynne

Points +23

Vegan
06 Dec 2018

Great Hawaiian food!

I love to come here for the tiki Tuesday happy hour!

They have a separate vegetarian menu that you need to request from the host or server. They clearly label the vegan options and many of their vegetarian options can be made vegan. I love their fried plantains!

I usually get one of their bowls. It has rice, beans, cabbage, plantains, and your choice of meat sub and sauce. I have tried the tempeh and the mock chicken. Both were delicious, but I tend to lean toward the mock chicken. The food here tends to be spicy. The jerk sauce is no joke!!

Definitely would recommend this place.

Pros: happy hour drinks and apps, delicious food with lots of vegan options

Cons: can feel cramped and crowded depending on table, loud, busy atmosphere




This page has been viewed 7985 times.