Kula Lodge & Restaurant

My new favorite place in Maui! Halfway up the slope of the Haleakela volcano sits the Kula Lodge and Restaurant. Great food at a reasonable price. Incredible views of the ocean and surrounding landscape. The pancakes are the best! Be sure to visit the art gallery and the gardens. This is a must!

This was the perfect place to stop for a filling and delicious breakfast on our bike ride back down from Haleakala. The banana and chocolate chip pancakes were amazing and the Portuguese sausage was the other highlight. The coconut syrup was good but definitely too sweet for more than a couple bites. The other things such as eggs, potatoes, etc were solid but nothing out of this world which is why I can only give 4 stars. It ended up being quite an expensive meal, and while delicious, maybe didn’t quite live up to the price point.

This is a really neat place. The setting is just gorgeous, and the view is great. It’s the perfect place to escape the heat of the lowlands. Our pizza was good but nothing special, while the fish of the day was outstanding. The service was excellent. I would love to visit here again.

We have been to Kula Lodge & Restaurant for lunch a handful of times. However, on our last trip to Maui; my sister who literally lives right around the corner from here insisted that my husband and I dine here on our last night here. We jumped at the chance since she offered to watch our little ones while we finally had a date night. We made our reservations for 7:30 pm. I told my husband that we won’t be able to enjoy the view since it would already be dark at this time. Still, we just wanted to have a great dinner before we flew back home the next morning.
We were seated right away; but, I noticed there were only three other occupied tables. It was a Thursday night; but, it is always busy during lunch. Our server was Michael. He took our drink order and I ordered an ‘Ulupalakua Sunset. It was okay. A few minutes later, he took our dinner order. I ordered the Margarita pizza and my husband ordered the mushroom risotto. The menu was very small and seemed very limited. We watched as saw the cook/​chef put my pizza into the brick oven (it’s outside and a few steps away from the restaurant). He removed it about 10 minutes later. When our food was served; I noticed the pizza seemed a little burned and the amount of ingredients was very sparse (see attached pictures). Also, it seemed like it was mostly crust and burnt dough. I was very disappointed. On the other hand, my husband’s risotto was very flavorful.
Overall, we were extremely disappointed in the quality of the food here. The service was terrible too. Michael never checked up on us once and our water glasses were empty and never refilled. To me, there was no excuse with such poor service since there were barely any patrons that night. We definitely will not be back for dinner since it is very overpriced for «what you get» or should I rephrase and say «don’t get».

We decided on a little staycation at Kula Lodge. They have several cottages and we got No. 2 which is to the right of the top parking lot. We’ve been to KL many times to eat and enjoy one of the best views in the world but we never stayed there. We’d never even seen inside the cottages, which would have been a good idea before booking, but we thought, based on the lodge itself and their website photos, that they would be quaint and cozy. Sadly we were wrong.
It’s more shack than chalet, with outdated, not vintage, furnishings. Very cheap Hotel 6 style soap, shampoo and coffee, no tub or housekeeping. No sheet on the bed only a polyester comforter. We ran home and grabbed our own sheet. It had a fake fireplace electric heater that rattled on and off continuously through the night (yes it gets cold at night even in the summer). And the unit is about 20′ from the road. Haleakala Hiway. The road that tourists and busses take up to the crater to catch the sunset. Starting at about 3 am. I’m so glad we had sleeping pills!
It was very easy to check in and the people were nice. When we realized we were so close to the road we asked if we could move to another unit but none were available so they offered to bring in a dehumidifier that we could run all night to cover the noise.
It’s a shame because it wouldn’t take too much to add some real character and charm. As it is I can’t recommend staying here especially for more than $ 200 a night.
Real quick on the food, over the past 15 years it’s varied, ranging from average to very good. Service is spotty depending on who happens to be working and how busy it is. The pizza is always good but a bit expensive. You pay for the view. The store is nice with a great selection of gifts and treats. Stick to the restaurant and the store but give the rooms a miss.

This is a great stop on the way down the mountain after you’ve attempted to witness the apparently-​life-​changing Haleakala sunrise. I say «apparently» because I’ve yet to witness it as heavy fog unexpectedly rolled in.
Between our large group, we were able to order a variety of foods and since we are family, the dishes were passed around like musical chairs so everyone can taste.
The Loco Moco was very good. Just like you would get it, and expect, from a good L&L Hawaiian chain. This means, one, you won’t be disappointed and, two, yes you are paying more for the same thing here.
Steak and Eggs was very good but ordered a medium and got well done. At least it wasn’t overcooked and tough.
Belgian Waffles was very good.
Macadamia Nut Pancakes were also very good.
There was quite a wait to get in and be seated for breakfast, but the wait is made bearable by the abundance of chairs at the front area, the presence of the Art Gallery and the existence of that awesome fireplace seating room.
Once seated, you can enjoy the beautiful view of the Valley from most of the tables inside the dining area because of the large windows. If weather permits, there are also outdoor seating available and it is beautiful!
Parking is not a problem as they have a private lot adjacent to their property and it is large and free. There are plenty of parking spaces.
Also available next to the parking lot is a grassy area with picnic benches in case you brought your own food.
I don’t know if it is in the same property or not, but there is a «General Store» where you can get local products that would be perfect as souvenirs.
Another structure is some sort of gift shop with cute stuff that makes you want to buy everything.
All in all, this is a great stop if you are tourist.

Nice drive up canyon, great view of both sides of Maui. Good was great along with the service.

I really wish I could give this place a better review because the people are so friendly. The food, on the other hand, is pretty bad. We had caprese salads which were served with mostly ripe heirloom tomatoes and really lousy mozzarella with low grade balsamic and olive oil to match. Why the ingredients for something so simple took 25 minutes to reach our table and why the quality was so bad is a puzzle that won’t be answered anytime soon.
Other tables nearby, most filled with the blue haired variety, had pizzas which looked pretty good (coming from a wood fired oven outside).
The views are really nice. The ambience is kind of 1950s. The food needs a major refresh. I feel regretful posting a bad review because I’m so hopeful that the chef gets some better ingredients and a chance to update the menu. This is the kind of place you really want to love.

I finally made it after 3 years living on Maui. This place could be so great. The views, the name, and the location are perfect. But the rest leaves you a bit unsatisfied. Facility is dated, dirty, and neglected. Started out with the french onion soup. You will be disappointed with the presentation. Just a little cheese sprinkled on top of a wide brimmed bowl. French onion soup should be served in a ramekin, with broiled melted cheese dripping over the edge of a thick crusty piece of bread. But the broth flavoring was actually very good.
We split a steak sandwich and bbq chicken pizza. They cook the pizza outside is a stone oven. Pizza was good. Overall fairly overpriced when you factor in facility and general presentation and flavor of food. We ended with a cup of hot chocolate to sip in front of the fire place. The place was empty but the hostess made us feel unwelcome at the fire place and it was one of the worst cups of hot chocolate I’ve ever had.
The view is amazing, Jacaranda trees are my fav, and I love the fire place. Upcountry trips reminds me of home and the diversity this island has to offer. Whoever takes care of the grounds and garden is meticulous. It is beautiful. Definitely recommend a meander around the gardens and the art exhibit before you leave.

This is the best place for breakfast just after watching the sunrise. It’s one of the first places when you come down the mountain. Good food. Awesome view. And a fireplace!

Love the breakfast here. I had the sunrise which gives you a generous amount of food. service was great. The perfect place to go after the sunrise.

We visited here after visiting the volcano for lunch. The view is lovely and service was friendly. I have to say, the atmosphere in the restaurant seems a bit dated and the restrooms could use some help… but we had a nice time.
We were seated near the windows even though we were covered in dust and sweaty from our hike. The staff was really friendly and didn’t rush us at all. We had a pizza to share and it was good — cooked in a cool outdoor oven that we got to watch being prepared outside on the multi-​level patio. The pizza was a bit doughy, but with a good flavor. I think it was a bit overloaded with cheese, but that’s just me. Definitely tasty.
I would give this a solid review and go back if in the area. I think they could do a bit of updating, but I assume that this place is jam packed when it’s busy tourist season, so maybe they don’t need to.

Obligatory breakfast stop on the way down from Haleakula summit sunrise watching. The views from the glass-​enclosed dining area are fantastic, and the backyard is a beautiful tropical garden. Loved the potatoes (so light) and the house-​made (?) ketchup. My veggie eggs benedict was smothered in the homemade hollandaise and very good. The French toast was good but nothing special. Hot chocolate was a little watery, but the 3-​inch layer of whipped cream on top made it.

Husband and I stopped here for breakfast after visiting the Heleakala mountain for sunrise. To be honest the food here was a 3 star but the view can not be beat. We had the macadamia nut pancakes and a dish with rice, sausage and gravy. Both the food and service was good. Nothing to complain about but nothing to write home about either. If you haven’t had macadamia nut pancakes definitely give it a try with the coconut syrup. I am a fan but I’ve had better in Maui.
This place has an amazing view for sure. It was so nice sit down somewhere after seeing the sunrise at Haleakala, because you can prolong the high from the beauty of the Maui landscape. We will definitely be back. In a way I kinda like that the food isn’t 5 stars otherwise, I can’t imagine how long the line here would be after every sunrise.

The view and scenery of this place are the main attraction.
Coming back from Haleakala trail that morning our tummies were calling on us to get something good to eat. We Unilocaled away and destiny lead us here.
The beauty surrounding this place looks like something out of the northwest, not what you imagine when you think somewhere in Hawaii.
The inside of the place is similar to the country wooden home style of architecture. Brown wood, a fireplace and lots of green outside.
Menu: Their menu is good, but you come more for the scenery.
Food: For breakfast I ordered the corn beef hash which came with eggs and potatoes. My wife ordered the eggs, bacon and we split the pancakes. Both played came with this delicious thick toast. The passion guava jelly really added to the taste of the toast.
I poured coconut syrup over the pancakes and fell in love with the taste. It was so unique!
After the meal we talk a walk outside along the path to look at the scenery. It’s truly an experience coming here. Highly recommended!

Great for breakfast. This place was amazing, cute little area when you first check in with a fireplace and chairs surrounding it. After a long drive up Haleakala at 4 in the morning it was nice to have this place to stop right at the end of the trip back. Especially since we were super hungry.
We ended up having the Sunrise and Corned Beef Hash with a side of Silver dollar pancakes. Everything was outstanding! Cooked to perfection, not to mention the view where you eat is overlooking the island.
This is definitely a place to stop after the Haleakala Summit drive.

After sleeping at Hosmer Grove the night before, waking up for sunrise at the top of Haleakala, a warm cup of coffee, waffles, and classic eggs Benedict was just what my sister and I needed.
We waited no more than 15 minutes for a table for 2 right in front of the window! We had a beautiful view and was really relaxing with the old lodge feel. Fireplace crackling in the background and super-​friendly service, our last breakfast on Maui could not have been better!

If you find yourself in the north country, either on you way back from Haleakala or exploring, make a worthy stop at Kula Lodge. We went for breakfast but I explored social media pics of the lunch and dinner selections and everything looks super tasty. We arrived around 8AM and were promptly seated in their big dining room. The view is beautiful and overlooks West Maui Mountains.
We ordered the cinnamon raisin French toast which is thick cut as advertised. Sometimes restaurants say that their French toast is thick cut and they’re actually lying fools. Kula Lodge is not lying. We also ordered the big breakfast with macadamia nut pancakes, eggs, and bacon. OMG the pancakes! And OMG coconut syrup. We didn’t think we’d love it as much as we did. Get it. Do it. Eat it. Love it.
The coffee is hot hot hot which was nice after the chilly temperatures 7,000 feet above at Haleakala. The price for everything was $ 40.

The Good:
*Excellent views… Request a seat near the window!
*Friendly, quick service.
The Bad:
*Limited breakfast selection
*High prices
Kula Lodge & restaurants are a series of lodges and a restaurants in Kula, on the slopes of Haleakala on the island of Maui. It sits at the 3,200 ft level of the dormant volcano and is comprised of a series of lodges and the restaurant. I’ve never stayed here, nor do I have any desire to, but I’ve heard good things about the restaurant. My parents particularly like lunch or dinner with their fresh, homemade pizza cooked in their outdoor, wood fired, brick pizza oven. But for our visit, we stopped by for breakfast on our way to Upcountry Maui.
When we arrived, we had a little and were seated at an awesome window table! Service was generally good, though there were little annoyances, like our menus clearly being damp within the plastic and growing mold! But no matter. The wife ordered a hot beverage, which was promptly delivered with some waters. We stepped outside to enjoy the great view more, and before we knew it, our food was ready.
The wife had ordered Granola Blend ($ 9). It was a decent size bowl of local granola with a small bowl a fruit, some milk and some plain yogurt. The wife seemed happy enough, but I wouldn’t exactly call that a breakfast… Even when I want to eat light/​healthy, this isn’t what I’d go for!
For my meal, I ordered the Ham, Cheese, and Mushroom Omelet ($ 14). Served with Lodge Potatoes and wheat bread toast, the most unique item this is not. This wasn’t a particularly pretty dish either, but it was delicious in filling! I was pleasantly surprised, especially since I ordered it because I really couldn’t find something I actually wanted to eat on the menu. I didn’t want anything too heavy or large, nor did I want something as meager as the wife’s dish, so this was the best option to me, and it’s something I’d order again.
So would we come here again? Sure, but likely for lunch or dinner. Admittedly the breakfast menu is somewhat limited and the prices here are high in general, but such is the case in general on Maui. It’s also a great stop on your way to or from Upcountry Maui and/​or Haleakala National Park. Though technically on the way to these destinations, it is along a more «scenic» route so be sure to plan accordingly and allow for additional travel time.

Stopped in today at the height of the breakfast rush (8:30 am) looking for a repeat of the delicious meal we had on our last visit to Maui. Like last time, we stopped in on our way down from sunrise at Haleakala.
This time there were 9 adults and we were visiting during the hectic week between Christmas and new year (note to self-​DO NOT VISIT HAWAII DURING CHRISTMAS AGAIN-​ever!!!) so things were hectic every where including this spot.
Since our last visit, not much had changed-​it looked the same inside, still inviting. The warm cozy fire was lit and the views were still outstanding. The food continued to be huge portions and hearty.
Unfortunately, the service has taken a BIG STEP BACKWARDS.
This time the wait was pretty long (quoted 25 – 30 min., actual was more nearly 60) so we killed some time again in the great store (Kula marketplace) and because we were hungry, ended up buying a bunch of snacks for later. We finally were seated around 9:35 and ordered pretty much right away. The first two plates came out around 10:15 and the last 2 almost 10 minutes later. This is not the way things normally work in well run kitchens.
This place seemed to be seriously understaffed with the hostess acting as bus person to try and hurry things along. We only noticed about 2 servers and they just could not keep up. It was almost 11 am before the breakfast rush was over.
BOTTOM LINE: still good food but be patient if you get here after the first throngs from Haleakela arrive. Slow kitchen and uneven service.