If you’re in the mood to kick back and relax while munching on decadent Hawaiian classics, get on over to Volcano’s Lava Rock Café. Located in the heart of the Historic Volcano Village, this cozy eatery definitely serves as the place to go for pure homemade deliciousness. The chef uses time-honored culinary techniques and high-quality ingredients to build every dish to order. On top of that, they embrace the true aloha spirit in all they do, plus roll out the live entertainment on the regular.
You’re always welcome to grab takeout and hit the road with your plates of choice, but the real magic lies in coming into their café and staying for a while. A true mom and pop eatery, this restaurant boasts an amazingly lowkey vibe that warmly welcomes you through the doors all on its own. The wood panel walls, eclectic mix of booths and tables, and soft lighting have a homey feel, ensuring you can settle down and relax in an instant.
On top of the welcoming vibe, the staff has endless aloha for their valued guests. You can expect a hearty hello as you waltz through the doors, plus an invitation to get started with drinks and appetizers galore. Once you put in your order, they work fast to deliver every item piping hot and ready to devour. The servers swing by here and there to ask if you need anything else, elevating your dining experience even more.
Adding to the magic are all the local musicians who come in to wow the crowds and keep the good vibes flowing your way. They often play for three hours or more, giving plenty of encores and honoring special requests. As the musicians play, you can stay well hydrated by frequenting the bar. They have all the best tropical cocktails, local brews, and wine by the glass. You can order drinks to go with your meal as well, of course. Or just stick with the non-alcoholic fare if you prefer.
Swing by for a taste of the:
Teriyaki Beef Sandwich
The Teriyaki Beef Sandwich takes a true island classic and puts it right in the palm of your hand. To create this dish, they slice teriyaki beef and grill it up on the flat top. Then, they split a hoagie roll in half and layer the beef with tomato, onion, and lettuce. Alongside, you get coleslaw, French fries, or potato-mac salad. Want sweet potato fries, curly fries, or onion rings? That’ll be an extra charge.
Chicken Katsu
When you want crispy fried decadence in every bite, treat yourself to the Chicken Katsu. Available in regular and double portions, this dish features chicken cutlets breaded in panko and fried until golden brown. After slicing up the chicken, it lands next to a scoop of white rice and another side of your choice.
Saimin
If you’re in the mood for a big bowl of flavorful soup, you cannot go wrong with the Saimin. This house favorite starts with a rich broth simmered all day. Then, when you put in your order, they add soft egg noodles to the bowl and cover it in their broth. Teri beef, kamaboko, and green onions go over that to elevate the flavors even more.
The huge portions promise to fill you up to the brim, but it’s well worth putting in the effort to save room for dessert. They roll out a new specialty cheesecake on the daily, after all, including their iconic lilikoi topped delight. If that’s not your style, you can get vanilla, chocolate, or lilikoi milkshake instead. Or just keep it simple with either chocolate or vanilla ice cream.
Insider Tips:
-Prefer curbside pickup? Put in your order through their website, and then arrive at the given time.
-Always take a moment to ask what drink specials they’ve dreamed up recently before ordering from the bar.
-They only serve their dinner favorites from 4:30 pm until they close.