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The reviews I read regarding Eating in Volcanoes National Park, are mixed, leaning toward the negative. There are many complaints, but we decide that sometimes you have to say,

“When in Rome ,” or in Hawaii in our case.

It’s our first National Park Lodge, stay, and we can’t pass up the chance to eat here. We make our reservation for Volcano House’s The Rim restaurant, months in advance.

Review Compliant #1-The Reservation

One complaint, is that if you don’t have a reservation for The Rim at Volcano House, you will most likely get turned away. Now there are always exceptions, a slow night, a cancellation, but don’t be dumbfounded if you walk up, and the hostess informs you that the restaurant is booked solid the entire week. Make your reservation on the website, as soon as you can.

Review Complaint #2 – The Seating

The biggest complaint I read, when Eating at Volcanoes National Park, concerns the seating. There are only so many window tables. The restaurant doesn’t allow guests to specify seating, or wait for a window seat. You sit where you sit. I understand the rule. The windows look out over Kilauea Volcano. It’s an astounding view. If you gave visitors an option, everyone is going to want to sit at the window. It would be chaos. Many reviewers felt that because they were visiting from…, or had kids, or it was a special occasion, they should be the acceptation to the rule.

At check-in, the hostess reiterates the seating rule. We state we are fine with wherever we sit.

When our name is called, we are lead to a seat at the window!

Review Complaint #3-Uncoorpertive Volcano

Some complaints about Eating in Volcanoes National Park, and Volcanoes National Park in general, is that there was no lava, due to the volcano being inactive.

Our hopes ignite, just like Kilauea Volcano, two months before our trip. She is jumping and spewing. Unfortunately, Pele was in no mood, by the time we set foot on Hawaii’s Big Island. Seeing red lava, is on our bucket list, and we would be ecstatic to see Kilauea showing off, but not seeing her active, by no means ruins the trip. There is so much to experience at Volcanoes National Park.

At least we are able to see large puffs of volcano smoke.

Review Complaint #4- The Music is too Loud

The music was not too loud on the evening we ate at the restaurant.

Our musician plays Hawaiian music. A Hula Dancer, interprets the songs. It is lovely, and adds to the dining experience. I squeal, when the musician starts playing, Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s version of, Somewhere Over The Rainbow. Surprisingly it’s the only time I hear the song during our entire Hawaii trip.

On a positive note, if you don’t get a seat by the window, you will have a good seat for the performer(s).

The volume of the music seems to depend on who is playing. On the night we didn’t eat at the restaurant, we hear a contemporary musician’s tunes reverberating through Volcano House’s lobby.

Final Review Complaint-The Food is Bad

There aren’t a plethora of places to choose from when Eating at Volcanoes National Park. It’s either a place in The Lodge, or a few places on the park’s outskirts.

I’m a lady who likes to get “the thing to order,” at eateries. At The Rim, I opt for the Volcano House Pasta. The Volcano House pasta comes with vegetables, feta cheese, and macadamia nut pesto. I’m most excited to try the pesto, which ends up tasting like a creamier version of traditional basil pesto.

Shannon gets the grilled fish special. After a busy day of physical activity, he is happy to get a meal that is well-grilled and doesn’t sit heavy in the stomach.

For dessert I order the ice cream trio.

Shannon gets the crème brule.

All of the food is enjoyable. This is a National Park restaurant, and a popular tourist destination. The dishes are composed to satisfy a wide range of palates. The food is by no means bad. Are you going to taste new and surprising flavors? No. You are going to get, satisfying, toned down, dishes.

If you are a foodie and the actual food means more to you than the overall experience, visit Tuk Tuk Thai Food Truck, just outside the National Park. Their Thai cuisine pops.

If your priority is getting a seat by the window , or having dinner while watching dancing lava, or having mind-blowing cuisine, don’t feel bad about skipping The Rim. It is the most expensive option in the area and if it doesn’t feel worth it to you, don’t force the meal.

We felt that eating at The Rim at Volcano House was worth it. The servers are fantastic, and go out of their way to make sure you have a wonderful dinner. We did luck out and got a table at the window, and it was Hawaiian music night. These extra touches, made the dinner extra special, but it wouldn’t be miserable without them. Above all, as National Park enthusiasts, we will always have the memory of eating in a National Park Lodge while glimpsing a volcano.

Find a Place to Stay around Volcanoes National Park