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    53 By The Sea

    4.0 (1.5k reviews)
    Ultra High-EndSeafood, New American, Cocktail Bars
    Open • 11:00 am - 2:00 pm, 5:00 PM - 8:30 PM
    Updated 3 months ago

    53 By The Sea Photos

    Business Info

    53 BY THE SEA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Romantic
    Classy
    Upscale
    Quiet

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    Recommended Reviews - 53 By The Sea

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    Fresh bread
    Star T.

    53 By The Sea has an incredible view of the ocean and the ambiance inside was equally unmatched from any other place I've been in Oahu. The service was incredible as one would expect in an establishment like this and the food was a true experience to the senses. At the time of writing this post Internationally acclaimed chef Takayoshi Kawai was the head chef so keep that in mind when considering the prices here.

    Kylie S.

    Came here with a friend and we had a great experience! I haven't been here in years, but besides the food, the ambience, view and service is wonderful. I believe it's only complimentary valet parking, unless you want to find parking in the area and walk. We opted for one of the preset meals instead of à la carte and everything was cooked and plated perfectly. Some of the dishes were interesting but still tasted amazing. I was hungry but I definitely left full! I can't tell you exactly what we ate but I can tell you I enjoyed all of it. Our service from Tony was great and he graciously put up with us and our antics. Will hope to be back soon :)

    Karlo G.

    This restaurant will always be in our list of "must return" when visiting Honolulu. 53 by the Sea is an oceanfront fine dining known for their multi-course meals and sweeping views of Diamond Head and Waikiki. I've been here twice and both times the service and food were phenomenal. This restaurant is located on the waterfront right at the entrance of the Kewalo Boat Basin harbor. This restaurant is in the Ka'ako neighborhood and I recommend either rideshare or driving. If you're driving, they do offer complimentary valet service which I absolutely took advantage of. The building has a European design with a mix of Hawaiian textures. Driving up to the front entrance exudes palatial mediterranean vibes. The front doors are massive and provides a dramatic entrance into foyer. Guests are greeted with a view of the opulent marble dual grand staircase and crystal chandelier. And just behind the staircase is the dining room which offers a magnificent view of the waterfront, Waikiki, and Diamond Head. Their menu offers regional cuisine made with local ingredients. They have an a la carte option and a couple tasting menus to choose from. I was able try both their Naupaka Menu (4-course) and Kaui Menu (6-course) during my visits. The tasting menus also offers a caviar upgrade and wine pairing option. The stand outs were the crispy snapper, filet mignon, kikikoi ispahan, seared scallop & foie gras, grilled striploin, and olen-citrus tart. The wine pairings were a mix of french and italian wines. Pricing is splurge level and worth the experience. Service was equally impressive. The server consistently checked-in, took notes on preferences, and ensured all of our tasting note questions were answered. There's one major recommendation to fully maximize the views and experience. Come as soon as they open. Both times I booked for 5:00 PM allotted around 2-3 hours to complete the meal experience. Serving portions are decent and the 6-course Kaui menu was definitely a stretch to finish.

    Sandee M.

    This is an update to my earlier review. First the good: the service was impeccable and our cocktails were superb. And the view was still amazing. The not-so-good: a few of the dishes were okay but the fish dishes were not seasoned well and were a bit dry. My caesar salad included fresh Manoa lettuce but the dressing was very watery and tasteless. It was as if the leaves weren't dried before adding the dressing. The meal was disappointing overall because we were expecting the same experience that we enjoyed previously and the restaurant fell short of that. And at the prices they charge, we should have been able to have a more positive experience.

    Julys wine pairing menu
    Amber G.

    We went to the July wine pairing dinner. It was beyond fantastic. Jeremy was our wine event coordinator. He picked the wines and worked with the chef for each course. Ysabelle assisted us and did amazing. Between their impeccable service and the amazing food, it was a great night. There were three courses each paired with their own wine. The pours weee normal sized and perfectly paired with each course. The fried avocado was delicious and my favorite. We will return for another wine pairing at 53 by the sea.

    Ash N.

    I've been to 53 by the Sea many times, and although the restaurant is beautiful, something they lack is consistency. What I mean by this, is that it's either a hit or miss with the menu, at least for me. I don't know how often they change their menu, but everytime I go they seem to have new items, which makes it hard to get your favorite dishes. And don't get me wrong, I love an updated menu, but they always seem to get rid of the food items that are loved and they replace them with items that aren't as tasty. Another thing I noticed is that their raw seafood is also a hit or miss. Sometimes it's super fresh, and other times it's meh at best. This is a bummer since they have this beautiful seafood platter, but you never know if it's going to be amazing or not. I find that if you want an enjoyable experience, to skip any raw seafood, and just go for their cooked dishes, since they seem pretty standard across the board, but nothing spectacular. Something I love about my favorite restaurants is that I can consistently go back and have an amazing (if not, a MORE amazing) time there with delicious foods, but for some reason 53 by the Sea has never made me feel that way. It's either an amazing dinner, or mediocre. I do want to preface and say that their staff is super nice, and that they are always friendly and very accommodating. Unfortunately, for me, a big part of what makes a restaurant a 5/5 is their menu. I hate to say it but I probably won't be back here for a while, maybe not until they bring back some of the items I really enjoyed.

    Gnocchi with lobster
    Hailley O.

    My boyfriend took me here for my birthday and it was such a wonderful experience! Both the interior and exterior of the restaurant are beautiful, and you can't miss the iconic staircase everyone takes photos at haha. We had a pre-fixe menu, so we got to choose an appetizer, pasta, entree and dessert. I ordered the burrata salad to start, it was refreshing and I loved the creaminess of the burrata. For my pasta, I got the lobster gnocchi, and the texture of the gnocchi was so soft and paired nicely with the flavor of the lobster and sauce. I also tried my boyfriend's crab ravioli and that was tasty. For our entrees, we both got the short ribs and really enjoyed how tender they were. The vegetables were cooked perfectly as well and complemented the dish nicely. For dessert, we shared a chocolate cake and an apple dessert, and they gave me another birthday dessert cake that was fruity. They were all so yummy and a great way to end the meal! We were pretty full but still managed to finish dessert because it was just that good. Our server was friendly and attentive. Overall, I think 53 by the Sea lives up to the hype and delivers a fantastic dining experience!

    Koji S.

    53 by the Sea Fine Dining Seafood/Steak Restaurant Overall: 8.8/10 Food: 8.6/10 Service: 9.5/10 Ambiance: 9.6/10 Value: 7.8/10 Amazing course dinner to celebrate caros birthday! We got the Naupaka and Kaui course and the food was delicious, highlights being the ahi carpaccio and hand-made pasta. I do wish the complimentary focaccia bread came warm; it was served room temperature. Service, ambiance, and views were also amazing- complimentary valet and they even pulled up my car to the front before we exited the restaurant because they noticed we were nearing the end of our meal . All in all an amazing experience. Definitely expensive but worth the price of a special night out.

    Ni'ihau Lamb
    Xin L.

    I've seen this spot a few times but always thought it was just a very nice home from the outside. Who knew it was actually a restaurant! Upon arrival, you are greeted by a valet whos service will be validated after your meal. Per all of the pictures of the inside and outside, this would be a good place for a quick photo op. We were seated by the booths that were side by side, they're called window seated on the booking site. HOWEVER, they were actually more in the wall, facing the window but with other tables in front fully blocking the view. I would honestly recommend just getting a regular table to avoid basically staring at random ppl your entire meal. They really shouldn't call these seats window seats though! We got one tasting menu for us to share and then we added the pan seared ribeye and added the Atlantic lobster tail on top as well. * Free Focaccia: pretty good, not super oily (I hate that), good start to the meal * Miso Cured Kahala (tasting menu): 9/10 amazing first bite to the meal. Tastes like an elevated grilled Chinese with the miso fish on top. * Uala Agnolotti (tasting menu): 7.5/10 wasn't crazy about this but it wasn't bad, kind of reminds me of mashed potatoes but less creamy. It was still pretty flavorful though. * Ravioli: 7.2/10 I think the ravioli was a bit under cooked. The wrapped wasn't yet al dente. Not terrible just wouldn't get it again * Walu Croquettes: 7.8/10 I like crab cakes and this was basically crab cakes, no notes, it was good. * Stuffed Ta'ape (tasting menu): 7.8/10 pretty good! It had a pretty good "stuffin" within. The fish was flakey and had a nice sear on top. * Seared Ribeye & Lobster Tail:7.5/10. I didn't realize the kalo gratin was going to be little a stick of kalo (I'm so used to gratin being like a creamy dish), so that was a huge let down. The ribeye was good and so was the lobster tail but nothing that blew me away. * Ni'ihau Lamb (tasting menu): 7.4/10 it was good, flavorful. * Kiawe Bean Dudino (tasting menu): 8.3/10 I LOVE kulolo so this dessert would've been hard to fumble. It was pretty good, various textures (crunchy light wafer, harder crunches from the streusels, slight chew/bounce from kulolo, and creamy/smoothness from whipped cream and mousse). Overall, I'm not 100% sure If I'd care to come back, but if I do, I'd make sure I get a better seat LOL.

    Blueberry cheesecake
    April L.

    Food was excellent! Building is beautiful. Service was just okay. Paradise affair cocktail - so delicious. Had a sugar rim that I legit licked Caesar salad - not worth it Seafood pasta - absolutely delicious! Get this if it's on the menu when you visit Desserts - beautiful presentation but nothing was absolutely amazing.

    Carpaccio from Tasting menu
    Michelle W.

    It was a heavenly experience. The atmosphere is very light and bright. Such a peaceful view of the waves and Lē'ahi (Diamond Head), then once the sun goes down, you can see the Waikīkī skyline. Our server, Cade, was very knowledgeable, attentive and friendly. And the food was perfect. I don't think you can go wrong with anything on the menu. I made reservations for 5:30pm on a Wednesday night, and ordered the Tasting menu with wine pairing. After sunset, it did get busier.

    Leah H.

    Romantic and yummy. Service was 5 !! Our cocktails were perfect! The food was also 5 !! My crab stuffed lobster was more then what I could hope for. Lobster tail was perfectly prepared and the crab was full of flavor. The scallop appetizer was creamy fresh and delicious. We celebrated our anniversary here and I feel it was the perfect spot for a romantic dinner

    Tracy B.

    From the moment we walked in we were greeted. We ordered the Kaui Menu. Delicious! Every dish we had was amazingly delicious! Our waiter was very polite. Actually everyone who waited on us was friendly and polite. Great atmosphere. We had a lovely view of Diamond Head. My husband and I really enjoyed ourselves. We'll be back for sure!!

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    Page 1 of 38

    53 By The Sea Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - 53 By The Sea

    Can I bring my toddler to the Sunday brunch?

    Yes. We noticed small children there at the next table over.

    Is charging a kitchen fee legal?

    yes it is legal since the ninth court of appeals ruled on traditionally tipped employees vs. cooks, dishwashers, etc. "Because of a Ninth Circuit Court decision that says… 

    I noticed dress code, but are sandals allowed?

    You could do a elevated sandal. No slippers.

    Do you guys still have fireworks. If so @ what time?

    Do you guys still over bottomless mimosas?

    We no longer offer bottomless mimosas; however, we do have brunch beverage specials, $5 mimosas and $8 specialty cocktails.

    How much is corkage fee?

    $25 for bottles not on our wine list, $50 for bottles on our wine list, $50 for magnum size, $50 + ($25 for each size higher)… 

    Will you be bringing back happy hour?

    Not at this time. Stay up to date with our us on our Instagram @53bythesea_hawaii

    What days and time is happy hour?

    We're not offering happy hour at this time, and have no current plans on bringing it back.

    With the bottomless mimosas option for brunch, for a party of 2, do we both have to get the bottomless package or can 1 individual order it?

    We no longer offer bottomless mimosas; however, we do have brunch beverage specials, $5 mimosas and $8 specialty cocktails.

    Will you be bringing in copper river salmon this year?

    There are currently no plans to, however, we are currently serving King Salmon from New Zealand.

    Is the tasting menu still available?

    We have a new five course tasting menu with additional wine pairing available.

    How much is their 7 course meal? Do you have to request it before hand? TY!

    No need for requests in advance.

    Is the valet parking back or is it still self parking?

    Valet Parking is now available.

    What is the dress code? Pants and close toed shoes for men?

    resort casual. most are dressed up but did see more than a few families in therewearing shorts and slippers but with collars. resort casual should be a safe option.

    Do i need to let the restaurant know ahead of time if we want to try the 7 course meal ? We have reservation at 8pm will we have enough time for 7 course meal ? Thank you

    Considering that your reservation is at 2000 and that they close at 2100 maybe you should call and ask. I've been there a few times (with a group ranging from 6-10 people) and spent over 1 hour in the restaurant each time. Just a heads up, the… 

    Do you take reservations for a spot with the best view?

    Probably best to call with this question, but most every seat has a good view.

    Do you currently have vegan entrees available?

    Aloha Sarah, We do have a vegetarian entree, Maitake Mushroom, which can be altered slightly to accommodate vegan requests

    Can you see the water front in the private dining room? What are the requirements for the private…

    Hi Trace, Thank you very much for your question. Yes, you can see the water front from the… 

    I was planning on reserving for a party of 9 but due to the whole covid situation will my guests be split up into different tables?

    Hi Michelle, Thank you very much for your question. Yes, due to the limited amount tables and the… 

    Do they have high chairs for toddlers?

    Hi Michelle, Thank you for your question. Yes, we do have high chairs for toddlers.

    View All 45 Questions

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    Catching up on an old review I never finished when this place first opened 2 years ago !…read more Of course the menu has since changed. The former 3660 has been totally transformed into a vintage bookstore in the front, followed by a bar in the middle, and a "speakeasy" behind door number 3. Not sure what to expect, the food totally exceeded my expectations with creative and tapas style dishes and beautifully crafted drinks. We enjoyed sharing these tasty dishes: Tofu with mushrooms, Gold Curry Clambake, Taco flight, cochinita pibil with masa cakes, and Cowboy Beef Salad. It had a fun vibe with dim lighting and vintage style decor, a great choice for my bday dinner with the gurls!

    I never knew this cute little place existed until a co-worker told me about it. Vintage Books is a…read morebookstore themed restaurant and bar tucked away in Kaimuki. It kind of reminded me of a "speak easy" with the vibes. There is bar seating, tables, and even some couches! Surprisingly, there was no wait and we were seated right away. Their drink menu is full of crafted beverages. I got a fruity sangria and it was delicious! The food menu had a lot of interesting items that I was excited to try. My favorite was the Prosciutto Arugula salad- a nice healthy option. I also really enjoyed the Ulu tacos! Instead of traditional tortillas, breadfruit slices took its place.

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    Green Lady Cocktail Room - Absinthe on the rocks and cocktails

    Green Lady Cocktail Room

    4.4(138 reviews)
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    Such a fun hidden gem in Waikiki!…read more Tucked inside the White Sands Hotel, Green Lady has that true speakeasy feel. Look for "Room 8" to your left--finding the entrance is part of the fun! Once inside, you're greeted with a clean, intimate space, low lighting, and moody vibes. There are only a handful of seats in the indoor bar, so it feels cozy and exclusive rather than like your typical crowded Waikiki bar. The mixologists are fantastic at their craft. Every cocktail we tried was creative, flavorful, and deliciously strong--definitely drinks you want to sip and enjoy! If you love hidden bars, creative cocktails, and a chill, intimate atmosphere, definitely add Green Lady to your Honolulu list.

    It was very cute and the aesthetic was nice. However, my partner and I were ignored. We waited at…read moreour table for about 10 minutes, got up to order but told to sit back down and someone would come to take our order. We waited at least another 10 minutes before someone came to take our order, who was rolling her eyes and even throwing her arms down at us, especially when my boyfriend ordered. Rolled her eyes and left. Waited maybe 10-15 more minutes and we ultimately got up and left. During this time span, we saw her come out and take orders for other tables, bring them their drinks, and even come back for a second round for them. It was very unfortunate, especially considering we were some of the only POC there.

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    Deck.

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    Locally sourced ingredients

    The first breakfast we had on our vacation was at Deck. located at the Queen Kapi'olani Hotel in…read moreWaikiki. We were seated immediately at a table that afforded us an excellent view of Diamond Head. The unhindered breeze gave the place a relaxed island vibe. Service was top notch with friendly and mindful servers who made sure we were comfortable and answered any questions we had concerning the menu items. We decided on the Diamond Head breakfast with the Portuguese sausage and the Tokyo style pancakes. The Diamond Head Breakfast was the standard two eggs, meat and potatoes. But the Tokyo style pancakes were excellent! They were fluffy with ricotta cheese incorporated in the pancakes. This is our first experience with this type of pancake and it was delish! It was well worth the visit!

    We visited Deck for brunch around 10:30 AM with a party of 8 and had a reservation. Our server was…read morefriendly, although they were pretty busy with other tables, so we didn't get checked on as often throughout the meal. It wasn't a huge deal for us, though. The food was good! We tried the truffle fries, calamari, haupia French toast, kim chee fried rice, and braised short rib loco moco. Everything was tasty, but if I had to pick one dish to order again, it would definitely be the kim chee fried rice, as the portion was huge & tasted yummy. We also shared a few bottles of mimosas, and the iced mocha was delicious and perfectly chocolatey. One thing to keep in mind is that it can get pretty warm, especially during the summer. They have a large covered area and can cover portions of the restaurant that are getting direct sun, but if you're visiting during the daytime, I'd definitely recommend bringing a portable fan. You could also call ahead and request a table that isn't directly in the sun. Overall, we had a great brunch experience and would definitely come back again!

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    Deck.
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    Bar Leather Apron - Japan old fashioned

    Bar Leather Apron

    4.5(476 reviews)
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    Date night? Hanging with friends? Pau hana with colleagues? Just want your own moment but you also…read moreenjoy history and well made drinks and pupus? This is your stop. Plan for reservations well in advance because you're going to want to sit at the bar. That's where the storytelling is center stage. From the outside, you'd easily miss it. But once you step inside, you realize you're stepping into an experience. Every drink comes with a unique story and the bartender is not simply a storyteller but an artist as well.

    Months before my trip to Oahu, I tried to book a reservation to Bar Leather Apron but was unable to…read moredo so because the reservations were immediately scooped up right as they were released. To my surprise, on a Sunday evening after having dinner nearby at Maze, my wife and I walked over to Bar Leather Apron and we were able to get seated right away! In fact, around 7:30 p.m. when we stopped by, there was actually a ton of seating available in the bar. Who would've guessed. If you're in the same boat as me and are unable to find a reservation for your upcoming visit, I would encourage you to stop by and try a walk-in. The first page of the menu lists a wide variety of whiskey based cocktails. Most -- if not all, of the cocktails are pre-fixed with BLA (Bar Leather Apron), and represent a collaboration with the named distillery. If you're fan of whiskey, you'll definitely have a difficult time picking only one. I ultimately ordered their "Take Warning" -- 2021 BLA Knob Creek BLA Single Barrel, Cynar, Carpano Antica, Mezcal, Bergamot Salt. Drinks here are not cheap -- averaging $20 to $25 per drink. Although my drink was very spirit forward, it still felt very well balanced. I appreciated the hint of smokiness from the mezcal that rounded out the end of a sip. Service here quick and friendly. When we received the check, a cute small chocolate snack was brought over as well, borrowed from the menu at Maze. Overall, I can see why Bar Leather Apron has earned so many accolades in its field. Definitely worth a stop by if you enjoy the art of mixology.

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    4.5(52 reviews)
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    I went here for my birthday and didn't realize I should've made a reservation for a larger group,…read moreespecially since it was my first time. Thankfully, Michael and his team were able to accommodate us, which I really appreciated. From the moment we walked in, the place had a great vibe, the interior is beautiful. Throughout the night, the staff and Michael (the owner) were incredibly welcoming, funny and attentive. The cocktails were amazing. I had the expressing my love all night and even though the place was busy and there was a bit of a wait for food, it was honestly worth it. We had the crab dynamite, the ahi brioche, and the prosciutto and burrata. SO GOOD! My friends and I had such a great time and will definitely be back.

    I've been waiting for this cocktail spot to iron out its flaws and become as good as it should be…read more Sadly, I don't think it will happen. That's a shame because it has the potential to be very good. When you start with a cocktail concept that is deliberately kept low key with no signage, and a drink menu that rotates and evolves, you have a pretty good floor to start. Having a cozy place to settle in and being able to enjoy food from Chris Kajioka should give 430 Pkwy a high ceiling. If you like an espresso martini try something a little different. Their Espressing My Love batches espresso with Averna, black walnut bitters, and a unique monkeypod syrup. Unfortunately, there is no espresso machine so you cannot get fresh drawn espresso to make a Carajillo the way Cafe Miro use to. The ahi brioche is a carry over from all Chris Kajioka places. The grilled cheese is excellent. Hotdogs are kicked up - it used to be a black truffled miso chicken sausage but the current one is a little different. The problem is the food preparation totally undermines the whole place. Without a separate kitchen you have frying being done just a few feet away from where cocktails are made. If you sit on the right side of the bar you will quickly understand why this doesn't work. I would come here more frequently if i didn't have to smell like cooking oil afterwards. Fix that problem and this place would rock.

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    1.5 mi
    •$$

    My husband and I went here on a whim after finding this place online and we are so glad we did!…read more The speakeasy is inside the Hawaiian Brian's club, but hidden behind a door that looks like a vintage vending machine. The ambiance inside is a unique blend of Japanese and urban with musical tracks from artists like Nujabes to match. Fern and Elsa served us and were friendly and so welcoming, answering questions and the menu and making great cocktail recommendations. We thoroughly enjoyed our drinks (several of which are named after famous anime characters) which were a unique blend of Japanese inspired botanicals, and a couple of side dishes. The ube sake shot was dangerously delicious and the mushroom boa were savory and tasty. This was the most unique place we vision our trip and we hope to visit again on our next Hawaiian vacation. If you are in the Ala Moana area, definitely stop by!

    Firstly, the vibes are IMMACULATE. 20/10…read more Wild Orange is a speakeasy hidden behind an old-school Aloha Maid vending machine. Apparently you're normally supposed to put a coin in to open the secret door, but it's broken right now, so the whole vending machine just swings right open. Slightly less secret, but still very cool. Inside is where this place really shines. Moody lighting, a giant orange tree in the middle of the room, Japanese hip hop playing in the background (I want to steal this entire playlist), and extremely cool and friendly servers and bartenders. I've been to a few other attempted "speakeasies" in Honolulu, but most are basically just dark bars with a fun door or code word. Wild Orange actually has the VIBES to make the whole concept work. Definitely worth coming just to hang out and chill. They have a full bar and an extensive specialty cocktail menu. Tried the Purple Dragon, made with ube liqueur and coconut cream. Very sweet--a little TOO sweet for my taste--but tasty and pretty. Probably should have listened to the menu and kept it as a shot, but I wanted something I could sip on for a while and chill. The Umeshu Highball was also very pretty and tasty. My friend who works as a sake distributor was impressed with their selection of good sake, so of course we had to order a bottle. Our server brought it out in an ice bucket, kept it off to the side, and completely served it for us throughout. Very classy. The food menu is fun and creative, but unfortunately not really for me because it's entirely vegan. Most times, but ESPECIALLY when I'm drinking, I want MEAT. Tried the Wild Musubi, a vegan Spam musubi. I'm not actually sure what the "meat" was. Possibly fried tofu? Whatever it was, it was definitely a passable alternative, but would have been 100x better if it were just plain old Spam. It also falls victim to what I find is a common problem with vegan attempts at Japanese food: anything teriyaki ends up being way too treacly sweet without actual meat or seafood to ground it in reality. Also tried the Char Siu Tofu Bao, fried tofu in a red Chinese-style char siu sauce on fluffy white buns. Again, fun and certainly not bad, but these would be 1000x better with actual pork. If Wild Orange had this exact same creative food menu but carnivore edition, this place would probably be 7/5 stars for me. That being said, I know being vegan will actually be a huge draw for some people, and I appreciate that the food is creative rather than just the usual sad vegan afterthoughts. Parking is pretty easy by Honolulu standards. It's inside Hawaiian Brian's, so there's a large shared parking lot. That being said, you might still have trouble finding a spot during peak gym hours since you're competing with all the 24 Hour Fitness customers. All in all, I LOVE this place. Definitely a fun stop--first, middle, only, or nightcap--on a chill night out. Will absolutely be adding Wild Orange into the rotation of places to bring out-of-town guests when I want to impress them with something cool and different. The vegan menu probably means it'll be a couple-times-a-year place for me rather than a regular haunt. But for drinks, service, atmosphere, and pure VIBES? 20/10.

    Photos
    Wild Orange - The space is eclectic with fun vintage furniture

    The space is eclectic with fun vintage furniture

    Wild Orange - Dumplings

    Dumplings

    Wild Orange - Hoisin Mushroom Bao

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    Hoisin Mushroom Bao

    RM 38

    RM 38

    4.8(83 reviews)
    2.1 mi•Waikiki
    •$$

    What we thought was a pawn shop turned out to be... a speakeasy?!…read more What a lovely surprise. A gem of a find! I will never forget this experience. I was just skipping around town exploring wanting to check-in to as many places as I could like the responsible Yelp elite that I am and then I find this amazing hole on the wall speakeasy. The lovely gentleman in the front welcomed us in to take a look around and I asked him if I could take photos for yelp and he told me that if I was going to write a review, I had to join them. So of course, I took the invite and decided to stay for a little while. We sat at a nice area. A perfect little place. I just want to take a snapshot and keep it in my memory so I can emulate it and turn it into my home study. I could stay here forever. The vibes were on point. The server recommended drinks that he thought we would like, and we loved both of them. I don't remember what the drinks were called, but mine had a blueberry taste to it, and my friend had a mock tail, but some sort of Yuzu to it. We also shared a $15 charcuterie graze. 10 out of 10 would recommend being curious and opening doors to finding out that there's a speakeasy randomly in an area you never thought would be there. What an amazing experience.

    This spot is the place to be in Waikiki! Definitely make a reservation because this place fills up…read morefast, especially later into the night. What surprised me most was how good the food was for the price. Usually spots with this kind of atmosphere rely on the drinks to carry the experience, but every dish actually delivered. The chicken karaage was crispy and packed with flavor, the beef takoyaki disappeared almost instantly, and the taro chips with mascarpone were such a unique combination. Between the cocktails, food, service, and atmosphere, everything just worked.

    Photos
    RM 38 - Lounge area

    Lounge area

    RM 38 - Ahi

    Ahi

    RM 38 - Dragon Lady and 38 Old Fashioned

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    Dragon Lady and 38 Old Fashioned

    EP Bar - Mocktails (2 of the 3 available)

    EP Bar

    4.6(152 reviews)
    1.4 mi•Downtown
    •$$

    This bar did not disappoint. It not only had great drinks, but the vibes were high. The best way to…read moredescribe my experience is: imagine entering the 36 Chambers, and the first thing they hand you is a double fish of highballs We had such a great time with the drinks, the vibes, and the friendly staff that after our initial visit, we brought another friend group two days later. The drinks are crafted with care, and all of them were hits. I would highly recommend either the Cantaloop or the Sticky Fingaz. Bangers left and right. A perfect bar for a millennial who enjoys a great DJ set alongside even better drinks.

    Cocktail tastes to new heights! First time here and I really…read moreloved the vibes coming in. Entire vinyl wall full of great music and area you can play and listen to music. The cocktails that are served are also extra delicious. They all sound super funky, but I challenge you to try them all. It was a mixed bags of flavors that cater to a lot of different taste buds. There would be one I really like, but my friend wouldn't like it. Then she would like the next one, and I wouldn't like it. It wasn't an overall standard, it was how the drink mixed with the persons taste buds. That was something I enjoyed. I could sit at this bar for ages and just have the bartenders make me what ever they want. Also the bartenders listen to options and keys that you like. I let one of them know I like a mezcal smoky, but give me something different then the usual. He gave this amazing mix that I honestly couldn't describe, but I for sure loved it. Can't wait to take more of my friends and try all the cocktails again!

    Photos
    EP Bar - Sake also goes w vinyl. Hoyo Sawayaka, a Junmai from the oldest brewery in Miyagi, using a sake specific Kura No Hana varietal rice.

    Sake also goes w vinyl. Hoyo Sawayaka, a Junmai from the oldest brewery in Miyagi, using a sake specific Kura No Hana varietal rice.

    EP Bar - Ambience

    Ambience

    EP Bar - Marx making an old fashioned.

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    Marx making an old fashioned.

    53 By The Sea - seafood - Updated October 2026

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