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It was our 1st time to eat here.So when we planed to come here I so was excited!..We came here for a Mother's Day luncheon.It was quite bz.Luckily we didn't have to wait that long for a table..So here you have to place your orders then you go and find an open table.Also I didn't know you have to get your own water and condiments.Also Sadly they were sold out of almost everything on the menu.So we had to settle for either chili or Portuguese bean soup.Of course we were disappointed.So with the soup's we also got there corn bread.I must say everything was good!.Although The portions were alittle skimpy for the price.Customer service is okay.At least we got complimentary chocolate covered strawberries. Hopefully next time they won't be sold out?.
We almost didn't stop here! On a tour through Waimea Canyon getting our hike on and we had planned to get food on the way back to our hotel. The plan was to do one more hike so we decided to stop for food fuel and so glad we did! Love the general store when you walk in, ended up getting some cool bamboo stickers there. Got in line to order and got to listen to some beautiful music being sung live! Staff was incredibly friendly! Food: Poke bowl : the best one I had my entire trip to Kauai! The veggies and pickled items that came with it were a perfect pair! Kahlua pork, that extra crisp gave such great flavor and texture! Best I also had on the island! I noticed there were some cabins nearby so I would consider a stay that way if you want a quiet remote experience!
Very nice little spot for this location. They have free wifi, which is awesome because there is no cell service. Live music was also fantastic Food was very good, we got the blackened fish and the garlic aioli was so good we asked for extra. The view is beautiful. Gift shop. A museum. Clean bathrooms
We like it here. It was our 2nd time. Service has been very nice. Its the only place to eat when u come up to Waimea Canyon but its beautiful and has a cozy library type of feel. I read Plato to my daughter here the first time and Shel Silverstein Falling Up and a Keiki Hawaii book the second time. You can tell they care about the food and service. We heart you Koke'e Lodge.
Kokee Lodge is a cozy cabin type structure in Waimea Canyon State Park serving up home style Hawaiian and Polynesian cuisine. I ordered the Kalua Pork with rice and purple potato (taro). My sister ordered the pork chop, which I tried a bit and it was very good tender and juicy. My parents split the chili. I thought that was pretty good as well. But it was just chilly and nothing special. The one thing I will say is the food was extremely salty and could have been significantly less. I think the service was pretty good, friendly but nothing much more than that. The best thing I ate was the lilikoi chiffon. It was light and fruity and not overly sweet. Personality was not recommend going to Kokee Lodge but it's the only readily available place to get food in the park.
This place was awesome! We're surrounded by beautiful forest, meadows, and wild chickens throughout!! The service was prompt and excellent! I had a cheeseburger, we had some loaded, mashed potatoes, and the grilled cheese sandwich with the soup. I highly recommend this place, though you may not have many options out here. They have Wi-Fi so I am reporting directly from there.
We got here early before 10 am on a Wednesday. There were people roaming around the area because nothing else was open. Once Kokee Lodge opened, everyone was in line waiting to order food. We were first in line to order at the register. Their menu is a bit of everything from curry, to chili, and kahlua pig. We ordered the chili, smashed potatoes, strata, and grilled cheese (that came with a cup of tomato bisque). For drinks I wanted to try their matcha latte. The food came out nothing 10-15 minutes. I really liked the strata because of the veggies and flavor. The salad was light and not filling. The grilled cheese was good because of the sourdough bread - nice and tangy. The tomato bisque I enjoyed but some didn't like it. It was probably because of the amount of cream in soup. I also enjoyed the smashed potatoes with aioli. The kids enjoyed the chili with rice which is a Hawaii thing. But there is an option for corn bread. The interior of the restaurant is huge and very inviting, almost like a home. There is a gift shop located inside as well which helped pass the time waiting for our food. Parking can get a little crowded but we got there early enough for a spot. Overall we were happy to make the long drive from Lihue and be able to stop at a place in Waimea to get a fresh/hot meal. I would like to note that I had no reception while at the lodge and had to send a text to my husband who was hiking in the area via satellite notifying him where we were. My iPhone 17 pro was able to do it with Verizon but not sure if other carriers/phone versions have this option. If you are meeting another group, make sure to have a scheduled plan.
Highly rec stopping here for food while you're visiting. I had the loco moco 10/10!!! If I go back I will be reordering. Had coconut pie for dessert. Dried shaved coconut with chocolate drizzle. It was good but will try the passion fruit cream pie next time. There's a small gift shop inside lodge as well. Restrooms available and well kept.
Monday, 8/4/2025 - checked out Kokee Lodge. Address is 3600 Kokee Rd, Waimea, HI 96796. We were driving around and exploring Kauai. Saw this and stopped by here. There was a little museum across from the lodge. We didn't go into the museum. But we did grab some drinks to cool off in Kokee Lodge. There a little market in there, someone singing, and a lithe restaurant.
The Kokee Sate Park is beautiful, we have made a point to go on each trip that I have taken to Kauai. It's a really pleasant place to be and I love the grassy area. Each time we also make a point to eat at the Kokee Lodge. It's always been a good place to stop, but this last time both the food and service were not great. The first thing we noticed was the menu was reduced, so there were not as many options as before. That was ok, we managed to order a burger and a pulled pork plate. The food was pretty bland. The service was just lacking, I'm not sure what happened that day, but I was met with frustration and rudeness from the littlest things. I asked for a paper cup for my child, even offering to pay for it and not one but two people gave me a hard time for asking. I get back to my table and the food is served, the server asks if we need anything else and I asked for a spoon. She gave me an awful look for asking her to go grab something that was not accessible for me to grab myself. We left just feeling like it's just not the same as the previous visits. We spent over $60 on lunch, only to feel unwelcomed and let down. Oh well, we decided next time we will still visit the park, but pack our own lunch to enjoy.
We've been to this restaurant on each of our Kauai trips and it's been consistently excellent after our hikes and a must see when visiting Waimea. We hiked the canyon trail this trip a little over 3 1/2 miles of decent elevation gain and loss, and we were hungry to say the least. This lodge reminds me of my hometown in Reno Nevada and is something that you might see at Lake Tahoe. It is woodsy and quaint with large Hawaiian Christmas trees around a beautiful grassy green area at the top of Kokee road / Waimea canyon. I had the line caught panko mahi-mahi fresh special bowl with a glass of crisp and light Pinot Grigio and my husband had their classic burger with an IPA on tap. We sat at the bar and got to talk to the owner and learn about the longtime family owned restaurant that had been resurrected and brought back to life. There was wonderful live music playing on this day which was a treat during the lunch hour. The grounds are beautiful as well. There were a lot of folks that were just enjoying the large grassy area, picnicking. They were busy this day and we were able to sit at the bar without a reservation. Waimea is cooler bring a light rain jacket! We hope to be back again soon!
Had a quick weekend getaway to Kauai over the weekend for the Waimea Town Christmas Parade and wanted to go up to Koke'e to get some fresh mountain air. We drove up to the Kalalau lookout to get some views and then went back down to the Koke'e Lodge for breakfast. When you get to the restaurant you order at the counter and then you seat yourself. I decided to order Pancakes, Portuguese Sausage and Eggs and a Midnight Magic coffee (4 Shots Espresso) Everything was so delicious. The restaurant is so warm and inviting, the vibe is really relaxing that you forget that you're in a restaurant. Everyone that works here is so friendly too. This restaurant is a must if you are visiting Koke'e!
Nestled in the heart of Koke'e State Park, this restaurant was a great place to get a bite and still see Hawaiian landscape. Since its one of a few places for a sit down meal, it can get busy - plan accordingly. As you can see from their menu board, they have very few offerings. But what we had was quite fresh and good. As you can see from my salad pic, it was extremely fresh. The side salad dressing was tasty. The Kalua Plate, see my pic, had surprisingly good pulled pork. It had a fair amount of smoke flavor even though it was light on bark and smoke ring. The sides of potato salad and cole slaw were also good.
4 months ago
5 months ago
Considering the fact that it's legit the only place to eat in the area... this place is actually so solid yall! Stopped by after a quick hike and went w a couple of my favorites: pordugeeee bean soup + corn bread. Now while the soup was good, the star of this meal was most def that fire corn bread. I understand some of yall don't wanna and would never spend close to $10 on a piece of corn bread... but I'm not built like that! Feed me more Kokee! There's plenty of parking. The lodge includes the cafe/restaurant in the same space as a nice lil gift shop. Good vibes all around. read more
5 months ago
It was our 1st time to eat here.So when we planed to come here I so was excited!..We came here for a Mother's Day luncheon.It was quite bz.Luckily we didn't have to wait that long for a table..So here you have to place your orders then you go and find an open table.Also I didn't know you have to get your own water and condiments.Also Sadly they were sold out of almost everything on the menu.So we had to settle for either chili or Portuguese bean soup.Of course we were disappointed.So with the soup's we also got there corn bread.I must say everything was good!.Although The portions were alittle skimpy for the price.Customer service is okay.At least we got complimentary chocolate covered strawberries. Hopefully next time they won't be sold out?. read more
We almost didn't stop here! On a tour through Waimea Canyon getting our hike on and we had planned to get food on the way back to our hotel. The plan was to do one more hike so we decided to stop for food fuel and so glad we did! Love the general store when you walk in, ended up getting some cool bamboo stickers there. Got in line to order and got to listen to some beautiful music being sung live! Staff was incredibly friendly! Food: Poke bowl : the best one I had my entire trip to Kauai! The veggies and pickled items that came with it were a perfect pair! Kahlua pork, that extra crisp gave such great flavor and texture! Best I also had on the island! I noticed there were some cabins nearby so I would consider a stay that way if you want a quiet remote experience! read more
Very nice little spot for this location. They have free wifi, which is awesome because there is no cell service. Live music was also fantastic Food was very good, we got the blackened fish and the garlic aioli was so good we asked for extra. The view is beautiful. Gift shop. A museum. Clean bathrooms read more
6 months ago
We like it here. It was our 2nd time. Service has been very nice. Its the only place to eat when u come up to Waimea Canyon but its beautiful and has a cozy library type of feel. I read Plato to my daughter here the first time and Shel Silverstein Falling Up and a Keiki Hawaii book the second time. You can tell they care about the food and service. We heart you Koke'e Lodge. read more
Kokee Lodge is a cozy cabin type structure in Waimea Canyon State Park serving up home style Hawaiian and Polynesian cuisine. I ordered the Kalua Pork with rice and purple potato (taro). My sister ordered the pork chop, which I tried a bit and it was very good tender and juicy. My parents split the chili. I thought that was pretty good as well. But it was just chilly and nothing special. The one thing I will say is the food was extremely salty and could have been significantly less. I think the service was pretty good, friendly but nothing much more than that. The best thing I ate was the lilikoi chiffon. It was light and fruity and not overly sweet. Personality was not recommend going to Kokee Lodge but it's the only readily available place to get food in the park. read more
This place was awesome! We're surrounded by beautiful forest, meadows, and wild chickens throughout!! The service was prompt and excellent! I had a cheeseburger, we had some loaded, mashed potatoes, and the grilled cheese sandwich with the soup. I highly recommend this place, though you may not have many options out here. They have Wi-Fi so I am reporting directly from there. read more
11 months ago
We got here early before 10 am on a Wednesday. There were people roaming around the area because nothing else was open. Once Kokee Lodge opened, everyone was in line waiting to order food. We were first in line to order at the register. Their menu is a bit of everything from curry, to chili, and kahlua pig. We ordered the chili, smashed potatoes, strata, and grilled cheese (that came with a cup of tomato bisque). For drinks I wanted to try their matcha latte. The food came out nothing 10-15 minutes. I really liked the strata because of the veggies and flavor. The salad was light and not filling. The grilled cheese was good because of the sourdough bread - nice and tangy. The tomato bisque I enjoyed but some didn't like it. It was probably because of the amount of cream in soup. I also enjoyed the smashed potatoes with aioli. The kids enjoyed the chili with rice which is a Hawaii thing. But there is an option for corn bread. The interior of the restaurant is huge and very inviting, almost like a home. There is a gift shop located inside as well which helped pass the time waiting for our food. Parking can get a little crowded but we got there early enough for a spot. Overall we were happy to make the long drive from Lihue and be able to stop at a place in Waimea to get a fresh/hot meal. I would like to note that I had no reception while at the lodge and had to send a text to my husband who was hiking in the area via satellite notifying him where we were. My iPhone 17 pro was able to do it with Verizon but not sure if other carriers/phone versions have this option. If you are meeting another group, make sure to have a scheduled plan. read more
Highly rec stopping here for food while you're visiting. I had the loco moco 10/10!!! If I go back I will be reordering. Had coconut pie for dessert. Dried shaved coconut with chocolate drizzle. It was good but will try the passion fruit cream pie next time. There's a small gift shop inside lodge as well. Restrooms available and well kept. read more
Monday, 8/4/2025 - checked out Kokee Lodge. Address is 3600 Kokee Rd, Waimea, HI 96796. We were driving around and exploring Kauai. Saw this and stopped by here. There was a little museum across from the lodge. We didn't go into the museum. But we did grab some drinks to cool off in Kokee Lodge. There a little market in there, someone singing, and a lithe restaurant. read more
2 years ago
The Kokee Sate Park is beautiful, we have made a point to go on each trip that I have taken to Kauai. It's a really pleasant place to be and I love the grassy area. Each time we also make a point to eat at the Kokee Lodge. It's always been a good place to stop, but this last time both the food and service were not great. The first thing we noticed was the menu was reduced, so there were not as many options as before. That was ok, we managed to order a burger and a pulled pork plate. The food was pretty bland. The service was just lacking, I'm not sure what happened that day, but I was met with frustration and rudeness from the littlest things. I asked for a paper cup for my child, even offering to pay for it and not one but two people gave me a hard time for asking. I get back to my table and the food is served, the server asks if we need anything else and I asked for a spoon. She gave me an awful look for asking her to go grab something that was not accessible for me to grab myself. We left just feeling like it's just not the same as the previous visits. We spent over $60 on lunch, only to feel unwelcomed and let down. Oh well, we decided next time we will still visit the park, but pack our own lunch to enjoy. read more
We've been to this restaurant on each of our Kauai trips and it's been consistently excellent after our hikes and a must see when visiting Waimea. We hiked the canyon trail this trip a little over 3 1/2 miles of decent elevation gain and loss, and we were hungry to say the least. This lodge reminds me of my hometown in Reno Nevada and is something that you might see at Lake Tahoe. It is woodsy and quaint with large Hawaiian Christmas trees around a beautiful grassy green area at the top of Kokee road / Waimea canyon. I had the line caught panko mahi-mahi fresh special bowl with a glass of crisp and light Pinot Grigio and my husband had their classic burger with an IPA on tap. We sat at the bar and got to talk to the owner and learn about the longtime family owned restaurant that had been resurrected and brought back to life. There was wonderful live music playing on this day which was a treat during the lunch hour. The grounds are beautiful as well. There were a lot of folks that were just enjoying the large grassy area, picnicking. They were busy this day and we were able to sit at the bar without a reservation. Waimea is cooler bring a light rain jacket! We hope to be back again soon! read more
Had a quick weekend getaway to Kauai over the weekend for the Waimea Town Christmas Parade and wanted to go up to Koke'e to get some fresh mountain air. We drove up to the Kalalau lookout to get some views and then went back down to the Koke'e Lodge for breakfast. When you get to the restaurant you order at the counter and then you seat yourself. I decided to order Pancakes, Portuguese Sausage and Eggs and a Midnight Magic coffee (4 Shots Espresso) Everything was so delicious. The restaurant is so warm and inviting, the vibe is really relaxing that you forget that you're in a restaurant. Everyone that works here is so friendly too. This restaurant is a must if you are visiting Koke'e! read more
Nestled in the heart of Koke'e State Park, this restaurant was a great place to get a bite and still see Hawaiian landscape. Since its one of a few places for a sit down meal, it can get busy - plan accordingly. As you can see from their menu board, they have very few offerings. But what we had was quite fresh and good. As you can see from my salad pic, it was extremely fresh. The side salad dressing was tasty. The Kalua Plate, see my pic, had surprisingly good pulled pork. It had a fair amount of smoke flavor even though it was light on bark and smoke ring. The sides of potato salad and cole slaw were also good. read more
1 year ago
The chili and cornbread from this spot might be my favorite meal on island! This is the only restaurant up in Kokee and it's a great spot to stop in if you're spending the day up there. It has a true lodge vibe and feels very homey, especially with the friendly staff. They have a little store in the front for souvenirs and knickknacks. They also have games you can play while you're waiting for your food. 10/10 recommend! read more
4 months ago
This is a great place to eat after a hike on any of the trails from the lookout points along Waimea Canyon. It can get busy and the line can get long around lunch, so be prepared to wait just in case. They had live music when we were there which was a nice touch. There's plenty of seating and also a gift shop to buy any souvenirs. The food was delicious. The potatoes were crispy and loaded with the toppings which gave a lot of flavor. The cornbread came out super quick and is a nice appetizer to hold you over while waiting for food. This place is quick service, so you order at a counter and then wait at a table with a number for your food. It didn't take too long, but it was nice to enjoy the lodge atmosphere while waiting for food. Parking can be a little difficult if you choose a nice day as the spots are shared with a museum and field. Overall, this place is a great place to grab a bite for lunch. read more
11 months ago
My wife and I came across Kōkeʻe Lodge while exploring Kauai and decided to stop for a break. There's a small visitor center and museum next door that's worth checking out, and then right beside it is the lodge with a great little gift shop. A gentleman was playing Hawaiian music while we browsed, which added a really nice touch. We decided to grab lunch at the lodge's restaurant. It's a walk-up setup where you order at the counter and then find a seat. We both had the pulled pork sandwiches, which were excellent and really hit the spot after a long morning of sightseeing. They also have a good selection of soft drinks and, from what I could tell, a full bar, although we didn't try any drinks. The staff was very friendly and welcoming. We found a cozy corner table near the fireplace, right by a mounted boar's head on the wall, and just enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere. Everything about the place felt genuine and low-key. If you're in the area, Kōkeʻe Lodge is definitely worth a stop for lunch, a quick browse in the shop, or just to soak in the mountain setting. We really enjoyed it. read more
2 months ago
7 months ago
When you picture Kauai you don't typically imagine a cozy cabin in the woods, so I stop every time I make my way down the mountain. After a cold and windy hike there's nothing better than a bowl of chili by the fire. The live music is always amazing and there isn't a single item on the menu I've had that didn't hit the spot! The cornbread is a MUST and just know that if you have one cookie, you're going to want several more! They have free WiFi, wonderful staff, and amazing coffee. read more
7 months ago
Great spot at the end of the road at the top of Waimea Canyon. For lunch, cocktails, and other provisions after a half day or so of scenic lookouts and small hikes. Very comfortable, great staff, good food and drinks. Perfect for what it is ... a nice reward at the end of the road. (And you MUST get the cornbread.) read more
9 months ago
Really great place and really out of the way but they had a very tasty loco moco. Only had two on the island but this was the better of the two. The sauce was really tasty. The views were really great and service was very friendly. read more
11 months ago
Nice little cozy spot for a snack or a drink after a long hike/drive. Servers were very nice to all the tourists. read more
1 year ago
Food was good!! Staff were very kind and the service was quick for a popular spot. Good place to eat after hiking. Forgot the name of the plate I got but I remember it was delicious. read more
Excellent food! This is my 5 th time on top of this mountain. The first time in 1991,I just couldn't believe it. A rainforest at 4200 feet with all the unpronounceable tree names and toss in a few unlikely majestic conifers. Back then,it was raining so hard I didn't stay long. On subsequent returns I went in the lodge but never ate there, until today. I had read a few Yelp reviews talking about the great food. One limitation is the hours. 10-2. But,I planned for it and so glad . Great food,friendly people,rustic environment. It's a winner and I urge you to plan on being hungry on your visit. You'll be glade you are here. Eclectic menu includes entrees such as Portuguese Soup,Kauai grass fed beef burger and chili, grilled cheese, smoothie,lemonade,full bar and desert. Go! read more
7 months ago
Prettiest place for a meal! The food choices were varied, and served up quickly. I had the Local Veg Curry with white rice, which was delicious and plenty filling. Loved the hibiscus tea. Music provided by Nicholas Castillo and his guitar--very nice selection of mellow tunes. read more
Most everywhere in Kauai is expensive-and Kokee Lodge isn't any different. However, when the guy behind the counter was super cheerful and friendly, it took a bit of the sting of the costliness away. The food was pretty good and the flavored lemonade was tasty, although I'm not sure I'd pay $5 for a cup of it again. read more
1 year ago
We visited the lodge and museum on a day tour of the area. Just a cozy, friendly vibe. I would definitely want to stay here if I were to be in the mood for some rustic, nature camping. The food at the lodge is all elevated comfort. So delicious. They have board games and live music that isn't loud or annoying. read more
8 months ago
The "lodge" was better than I had expected. After camping for a few days it was nice to have a proper drink & hot food. There was even bagged ice that was cheaper than the closest grocery store, but the firewood was not. There is also WiFi but it only works at the bar room. read more
The food and service here was great. You walk in and order then seat yourself. I had the kalua plate which was excellent. It came with a salad with a nice dill dressing and Taro salad. I tried the Loco moco and the gravy was amazing. We also had the breakfast special with the Portuguese sausage that was soo good. I also had a cup of the chili which was not too spicy and had a hint of sweetness. My fave and the star of the show was the pancakes with candied macadamia. For some reason pancakes in Hawaii are just on another level!! read more
4 years ago
Do not underestimate this little restaurant in the middle of nowhere because they serve great food! Most people who eat here are probably coming to tour Waimea Canyon because it's a bit of a drive to come here just to eat. Honestly, we didn't have much expectations just because this was the only restaurant around, however, we were curious, so we still stopped by. order at the counter. There was a short line around 1:30pm, we had a late lunch. We got the Loco moco, the burger, and the cornbread. The cornbread was a little pricey for what it was and it was OK so I would skip that. However, the local moco and the burger were amazing! The egg was runny, the gravy was peppery and savory, and the burger patty was so juicy and thick! For the burger, they used, ciabatta bread, same juicy burger patty plus all the fixings, and it was scrumptious! This could be one of the best meals we had on Kauai actually, I know, right. Also, don't forget to check out the little gift shop and spend some time with the chickens because they're hilarious. Enjoy Kauai! read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
Three stars because it was pretty pricey for what it was and the food was a bit above average. But, after a long day of hiking, the lodge is a great place to have some warm food and/or a drink and play some games--it's a super cozy haven in the middle of kōke'e park with great family-feeling service, but it is on the more expensive end. Our two beers, chili, cornbread, and kalua plate totaled to be around $70. The chili was served somewhat cold, but was still really good. Kalua plate was also decent, just a bit dry. The cornbread was the star of the show for sure! Also a great place to connect to wifi and get service if you're camping read more
1 year ago
This was a fun stop at the top of Wiamea Canyon. There's a cute gift shop and some yummy food! The coffee cake definitely tastes home made read more
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More info about Kokee Lodge
3600 Kokee Rd
Waimea, HI 96796
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(808) 335-6061
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http://kokeelodge.com
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