Duke's Restaurant at Waikiki

Hi,

Is Duke's Restaurant worth the price? Any opinions or suggestions? Thanks so much.

we live near Dukes in Huntington Beach, CA (same owners) and we always pick it for our special occasion dinners. Never had a bad meal or service there!

The food is good and the view wonderful!

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I like the breakfast buffet there the best!

Chuck:D

Hi,

Is Duke's Restaurant worth the price? Any opinions or suggestions? Thanks so much.

It sounds like you may feel Duke's prices are high, and we just have to warn you that Hawaii is an expensive place to live and to visit. Duke's prices really aren't out of line for that type of restaurant in case you are trying to figure your budget.

As others have alluded to here- prices are fairly middle range for Hawaii- especially on Waikiki where food is pretty generic and touristy with a lot of large chains.

We’ve always found Dukes to be consistently good. It’s not fine dining but it isn’t priced as such either. We also go to Hula Grill and Leilani’s on Kaanapali, which are owned by the same restaurant group, and find the same about them.

In the black hole of authenticity in Waikiki, Dukes is a slightly more loc chain (than say a Cheesecake Factory) that has good food, a fun bar, and like others have mentioned a great view.

Do you need reservations typically on a week night? What are the odds of getting a table to see sunset?

Do you need reservations typically on a week night? What are the odds of getting a table to see sunset?

Day of the week doesn't matter as most people going are on vacation. :)

We have had reservations every time we have gone usually around sunset. Each time we have seen crowds of people sitting around with pager waiting up to an hour to be seated. Highly recommend reservations for that time of the evening.

Thanks everyone for the information. Trying to plan a perfect vacation is difficult! Lol

The owners of Duke’s (T S Restaurants) also have locations on Maui...Duke’s (North Kaanapali), Kimo’s (Lahaina), Hula Grill & Leilani’s (Kaanapali).

The Hula Pie that’s available at Duke’s & Kimo’s (not sure about other locations) is great! A “slice” of vanilla ice cream on a crust covered with hot fudge. :D

We’ve enjoyed all of their restaurants but haven’t been to Leilani’s & the prices are normal for good food in Hawaii.

We like Dukes, but prefer the bar, or the outdoor seating on the patio in the evening. Friday late afternoons are wonderful on the patio with great music. We like the Hula Grill upstairs with a table on the balcony. Magic!!!! Other recommendations...Lulu's across from the beach and Kapiolani Park. There has been a recent review and photos. Have fun. Cherie p.s. If you decide on Dukes, Hula Grill, or Lulu's, make sure you make a reservation and give your preference for view.

Thanks for the information. Called and got a reservation at sunset! 3 weeks until we leave!!

We will be there end of March..how soon can I call for a reservation? If you say you want to be there for sunset will they help with timing?

We will be there end of March..how soon can I call for a reservation? If you say you want to be there for sunset will they help with timing?

We will be there the end of February on a Thursday night. I called for reservations. My first time requested was not available but was able to get a table for 2 a little later. I asked for an outside table and she said she would note the request. Would not wait too long to make the reservation. I looked and saw the time for sunset for the time of year we are going and made the reservation around that time. Excited!!

We like Dukes, but prefer the bar, or the outdoor seating on the patio in the evening. Friday late afternoons are wonderful on the patio with great music. We like the Hula Grill upstairs with a table on the balcony. Magic!!!! Other recommendations...Lulu's across from the beach and Kapiolani Park. There has been a recent review and photos. Have fun. Cherie p.s. If you decide on Dukes, Hula Grill, or Lulu's, make sure you make a reservation and give your preference for view.

I second the Hula Grill upstairs. It's just beautiful sitting on the balcony with the tiki torches lit on the beach in the evening and the ocean lapping the shore near by. Oh and the food was delicious too. :D

I second the Hula Grill upstairs. It's just beautiful sitting on the balcony with the tiki torches lit on the beach in the evening and the ocean lapping the shore near by. Oh and the food was delicious too. :D

Hula Grill’s Barefoot Bar is a good spot for casual dining with most of the umbrella covered tables in the sand across from Kaanapali Beach. Entrées are about $15-$20 and they have live music at lunch...good place when in the area.

How far in advance to you recommend making reservations for a table at sunset?

As soon as you can, you can always cancel.

I called Dukes and was able to get a reservation at 6:15 p.m. and requested a view for sunset. She asked if we wanted a reservation in the dining Room. Does anyone know what views are like there? Is it better to be at the bar/patio area?

Not all tables in the dining room have a view. You might call Duke's back and ask where they suggest you request a reservation. We like the bar, which does not take reservations, because of the view, and we like the outdoor patio in the evening but the sunset views will not be as good. The best guaranteed sunset views from that hotel are from the terrace tables at the Hula Grill which is upstairs. Many people who have restaurant reservations at sunset without a view go out to the beach to watch the sunset and then go back to their table. I love evenings on Waikiki so would choose being outside on the patio but that is just my preference. Cherie

The owners of Duke’s (T S Restaurants) also have locations on Maui...Duke’s (North Kaanapali), Kimo’s (Lahaina), Hula Grill & Leilani’s (Kaanapali).

 

The Hula Pie that’s available at Duke’s & Kimo’s (not sure about other locations) is great! A “slice” of vanilla ice cream on a crust covered with hot fudge. :D

 

We’ve enjoyed all of their restaurants but haven’t been to Leilani’s & the prices are normal for good food in Hawaii.

Actually it is macadamia nut ice cream. :D very tasty

Hula Pie. ... Hula Pie is made with Kimo's favorite macadamia nut ice cream piled high on a chocolate cookie crust and topped with chocolate fudge, whipped cream, and more macadamia nuts. It is sized for sharing, but rarely goes unfinished!

Actually it is macadamia nut ice cream. :D very tasty

 

Hula Pie. ... Hula Pie is made with Kimo's favorite macadamia nut ice cream piled high on a chocolate cookie crust and topped with chocolate fudge, whipped cream, and more macadamia nuts. It is sized for sharing, but rarely goes unfinished!

Mahalo...haven’t had it in years but might go there soon with visiting friends. :D

And lucky for all of us the Hula Pie is available at Duke's and The Hula Grill on Waikiki and Kaanapali. Delicious, and enough to share with 4. Cherie

And lucky for all of us the Hula Pie is available at Duke's and The Hula Grill on Waikiki and Kaanapali. Delicious, and enough to share with 4. Cherie

It’s definitely ono-licious! :D

Years ago at Duke’s in Malibu they gave a slice to people celebrating a birthday. Three of our group of four received a complimentary Hula Pie & we could have made a meal from it. ;)

That's my kind of meal!!!!!!!! Especially while enjoying a Hawaiian starry night, palm trees, and the sound of waves. Cherie