Unearth The Voyage
Tucked beside Cheat Lake in Morgantown, one family-owned restaurant has transformed a corner of West Virginia into a tropical escape filled with authentic Hawaiian flavors, island hospitality, and unforgettable outdoor dining. Guests come for Mochiko chicken, Kalua pork, fresh poke, tropical cocktails, live music, a sprawling tiki-style patio, and recipes inspired by the owners’ Hawaiian roots. It’s the kind of place where dinner feels less like a meal and more like a mini island vacation.
The experience extends far beyond the menu. Tropical landscaping, one of Morgantown’s largest outdoor decks, live entertainment, family-friendly events, genuine Hawaiian hospitality, colorful cocktails, and a relaxed island atmosphere have made this one of West Virginia’s most distinctive dining destinations. Whether you’re looking for an unforgettable date night or a fun gathering with family and friends, it’s easy to understand why locals and travelers keep coming back.
Here’s why Tropics has become one of West Virginia’s most beloved restaurants and one of the best places in the state to experience authentic Hawaiian-inspired cuisine without leaving Appalachia.
Where the Mountains Meet the Islands
The address is 2500 Cranberry Square, Morgantown, WV 26508, and the moment I pulled into the parking lot, I could already tell this was not going to be an ordinary dinner. Cranberry Square sits near the scenic Cheat Lake in Monongalia County, a part of West Virginia known more for hiking trails and university life than for Pacific island cuisine.
Yet here it stands, a full-on Hawaiian restaurant that has carved out a loyal following in a landlocked mountain town. The placement near the Cranberry Hotel makes it an ideal stop for travelers, and the ample parking means arriving is genuinely stress-free.
What strikes you first is how intentional everything looks from the outside. The signage, the landscaping, and even the way the outdoor deck peeks out from behind the building all suggest that someone put serious thought into making this feel like a destination rather than just a restaurant. That instinct turns out to be completely correct.
Bringing the Spirit of Hawaii to West Virginia
Maria Burchfiel was born and raised in Hawaii, and her husband Brendan spent his formative years on the islands after his father’s work with the CDC brought the family there. That shared island upbringing gave them both a deep connection to Hawaiian culture, the food, the hospitality, and the concept of “Ohana,” meaning family.
In 2012, they made the bold decision to relocate to West Virginia and bring that spirit with them. Their first venture, a smaller spot called The Sandbar in nearby Westover, taught them that location was everything. Maria has said that she believes everything happens for a reason, and the move to Cranberry Square proved her right.
Brendan started his restaurant career at age 16 as a dishwasher and worked through every role imaginable before becoming an owner. Maria began serving at 20 and mastered front-of-house operations over years of practice. Together, they had previously owned and operated several establishments in Hawaii, including The Shack and Shack Waikiki, before bringing their expertise east.
Decades of Know-How Baked Into Every Dish
Some restaurants feel like they are still figuring things out. Tropics does not have that problem. The combined experience Brendan and Maria bring to this kitchen represents literal decades of hands-on learning across multiple restaurants and roles.
Brendan has done it all, from washing dishes as a teenager to managing full-service establishments, to bartending, cooking, and finally owning. Maria matched that trajectory on the hospitality side, developing a sharp instinct for service and atmosphere that shows in how the dining room runs. Their previous Hawaiian ventures, including Shack Waikiki and Shack Attack Fishing Charters, gave them a diverse operational background that most restaurant owners simply do not have.
That depth of experience means the kitchen runs with confidence. Dishes come out consistently well-executed, portions are generous, and the staff clearly knows the menu inside and out. Guests with food allergies have noted how knowledgeable the team is, which speaks to the training culture the Burchfiel family has built. This is a restaurant that has earned its 4.5-star rating across over 1,550 reviews the hard way.
An Interior That Actually Transports You
The inside of Tropics is casual without being careless. Light-colored wood, tasteful fixtures, and carefully chosen Hawaiian photography create an atmosphere that feels genuinely warm rather than like a theme park version of the islands.
Everything is spotlessly clean and well-maintained, which matters more than people often admit. One reviewer mentioned loving the aquarium projection on the back wall, describing it as something that brought real character to the space. The dim lighting indoors has also earned its own fan base among guests who appreciate a relaxed, unhurried meal.
Accessibility is clearly a priority here. The restaurant features wheelchair-accessible facilities, and the layout accommodates everything from intimate date nights to larger family gatherings without feeling cramped. The staff consistently gets described as friendly and personable, the kind of people who remember your name and make you feel like a regular even on your first visit. That combination of thoughtful design and warm service is what makes the interior feel like more than just a dining room.
The Outdoor Deck That Morgantown Did Not Know It Needed
The outdoor area at Tropics is genuinely one of the most impressive restaurant patios I have ever seen in a landlocked state. Maria Burchfiel has described it as the largest deck space in Morgantown, and after seeing it, I have no reason to argue.
Two covered pavilions sit at different levels, offering shaded dining alongside open umbrella tables perfect for sunny afternoons. A tiki bar, complete with authentic lauhala grass thatching, anchors the tropical theme and makes the whole space feel intentional rather than improvised. Maria planted banana trees herself, and they return bigger every year, which somehow feels like a metaphor for everything this restaurant represents.
String lights divide the space into cozy sections after dark, and a koi pond adds a quietly soothing element to the whole scene. Live music plays out here on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, turning the deck into something that genuinely buzzes with energy. Whether you come for a quiet lunch or a lively weekend evening, the outdoor space delivers a mood that is hard to replicate anywhere else in West Virginia.
A Menu That Earns Every Single Star
The Mochiko Chicken has developed a reputation that precedes it. Tender chicken coated in mochiko flour, fried to a crispy finish, and served alongside fluffy rice and Hawaiian macaroni salad, it is the kind of dish that makes you understand immediately why people drive across the state to eat here.
The Kalua Pig Nachos are a crowd favorite that brilliantly fuses slow-cooked Hawaiian pork with tortilla chips, guacamole, salsa, sour cream, and sliced jalapenos. Ahi Tuna Poke and Kalua Pig and Cabbage represent the more traditional side of the menu, dishes that are genuinely difficult to find elsewhere in West Virginia. The Loco Moco, a grilled hamburger patty smothered in brown gravy and topped with an over-easy egg served over rice, is hearty and satisfying in all the right ways.
Beyond the Hawaiian staples, the menu includes hand-tossed pizzas, burgers, fresh salads, and Chicken Katsu, giving the kitchen enough range to please almost anyone at the table. The Wednesday all-you-can-eat crab legs have become a local legend worth planning your week around.
Signature Drinks Worth Every Sip
The Lava Flow arrives looking like a postcard from Maui. A blend of coconut, pineapple, and strawberry, it is smooth, vibrant, and refreshing in a way that makes you instinctively reach for it again before you have even finished the first glass.
The Mai Tai at Tropics is made the traditional way, strong and topped with a dark rum float that gives it that classic Hawaiian finish. These are not watered-down, overly sweet tourist versions; they are the real thing, made with care and quality ingredients that reflect the owners’ genuine connection to island culture.
Pina Coladas round out the tropical drink lineup, and for those who prefer something non-tropical, the bar also offers a solid beer selection that impressed guests even late on a packed Friday night. A newer addition to the menu is a soft-serve machine that mimics the famous Disney Dole Whip, and the samples alone have reportedly won hearts. The drinks at Tropics are not an afterthought; they are a full part of the experience.
Live Music, Luaus, and a Kids Night Too
Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday evenings bring live bands to the outdoor deck, and the difference it makes to the atmosphere is significant. The music spills across the patio, people linger over their meals, and the whole space takes on an energy that feels genuinely celebratory rather than manufactured.
Thursday nights are designated as Kids Night, featuring face painting and balloons, which transforms the restaurant into an easy choice for families who want a fun outing without the stress of keeping young ones entertained. Parents get to relax while their kids actually enjoy themselves, which is a rarer combination than it should be.
The annual luau events are a true highlight on the Tropics calendar. A professional troupe originally from Hawaii, based out of Pittsburgh, performs a full Polynesian show with dancers representing Tahiti, Hawaii, and Fiji. These events sell out quickly and for good reason. Tropics also handles private event catering, specializing in Hawaiian-themed celebrations that range from traditional pig roasts to full tropical decor setups, making it a versatile venue beyond its regular dining hours.
Smart Tips for Planning Your Visit
Tropics is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 AM to 10 PM, Thursday from 11 AM to 10 PM, and Sunday from 10 AM to 9 PM. Monday is the one day of rest. The Sunday brunch hours make it a strong option for a leisurely late-morning meal, and the kitchen keeps putting out quality food even late into the evening on busy nights.
The dress code is island casual, meaning flip-flops are entirely appropriate and no one is going to raise an eyebrow at a Hawaiian shirt. The relaxed atmosphere is genuine rather than performative, which sets the tone from the moment you arrive. For the full outdoor experience with live music, aim for a Wednesday, Friday, or Saturday evening during the warmer months.
Parking is generally available in the Cranberry Square lot, and the restaurant is wheelchair accessible throughout. The phone number is 304-291-5225, and the website at tropicswv.com carries current event and menu information. Given how popular this spot has become, checking ahead before a large group visit or a special event night is a smart move that could save you a wait.
Why This Place Has Stayed the Course
A 4.5-star rating across more than 1,550 reviews is not an accident. It is the result of consistent food, a staff that actually cares, and owners who have spent their entire professional lives learning how to do this right. Tropics has built something genuinely durable in a competitive restaurant landscape.
The menu evolves with specials like Friday prime rib and Wednesday all-you-can-eat crab legs, giving regulars new reasons to return while the core Hawaiian dishes keep first-timers coming back for seconds. The Hula Pie, a layered ice cream dessert with a housemade crust, has developed its own devoted following among guests who say it is the kind of dessert that makes you plan your next visit before you have finished the current one.
What Brendan and Maria Burchfiel have created in Morgantown is a place that carries the warmth of Hawaii without pretending the mountains are not real. It honors two very different places at once, and in doing so, it has become something entirely its own. That kind of authenticity is exactly what keeps a restaurant standing long after the novelty wears off.
