the food was amazing and the service was just as good. The Hawaiian beach vibe was super cute and the way the food was presented totally matched the theme. read more

Update We returned on a packed house night. The teriyaki steak was great again and i had the fish of the day. Swordfish. Excellent Ambience. Total Surf Vibe. read more

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Beautiful outdoor patio! We've tried another location in Hawaii and stopped by and got the same plate here and loved it! We tried the tuna tacos as an appetizer- delicious! We shared the rib and chicken plate for lunch and it is a great portion - comes with sides too - great deal and super good! Service was great - also tried the mocktail with ginger beer and loved it! read more

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I've always loved eating at Duke's La Jolla, which is why this experience was disappointing. My son and I were briefly seated when another table closer to the beach view became available . I politely asked the hostess ( young blonde gal not wearing a name tag) if we could move to the open table. The hostess initially said no problem, and told me we would have to walk back to the front of the restaurant because they didn't want anybody standing around a table .. which was completely fine so my son and I did... she's then approached me and let me know that actually we couldn't be seated there because that table was for "very important people" her words exactly. As a visibly pregnant mom on lunch with my 9-year-old son for Mother's Day weekend, those words felt incredibly hurtful and unnecessary. I told her that we too were very important people. She said "you know what I mean like CEOs and stuff." How did she know I wasn't a CEO? I calmly explained that her verbiage was inappropriate and that everyone should be treated equally, regardless of status or title. A simple "the table is reserved" would have been sufficient . About five minutes later, we were offered a different table, but still with beach views which we were very excited about . It was my son's first time there and I wanted to give him the entire ambiance feel . Honestly, if he didn't want fish and a view so bad we would have left. & As things played out, it seemed the table wasn't necessarily reserved for "CEOs " or reservations after all, which made the earlier comments feel even more awkward and unnecessary.. A table being reserved is completely understandable but wording matters. Everyone deserves to be treated with kindness and respect regardless of status. Thankfully, manager Taylor handled the situation professionally offered to comp our meal and our server Bobby was amazing. Food was great and we ended up enjoying the rest of our time ... as you can see! I truly hope this was just a learning moment for the young girl moving forward. read more

Duke's La Jolla - New American Near Me - La Jolla, California

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Dukes was stop one on our 24 hour whirl wind anniversary trip. Right on the main strip in La Jolla and unbelievable ocean views made even better by great service from Gracie. We've been to I think every Dukes on the planet and we love this one. So you have to start with their famous mai tai. That drink combined with the view is just the perfect start to a great 24 hours. We had the pork wontons delicious. My wife had a crab and shrimp salad equally delicious and I had the Famous Dukes burger, which I loved so is the perfect first stop on this crazy 24 hours. read more

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I got the macadamia nut crusted fish and it was delicious!!! The restaurant was nice and the view was gorgeous. Our server was very nice and they accommodated our large party well. A little on the pricier end, but I was so pleased with the food quality and experience! read more

Duke's La Jolla - Macadamia Sauteed Macnut and Herb Crusted Fresh Fish - New American Near Me - La Jolla, California

Visiting from Houston and this was OUR MOST FAVORITE meal while here! LOVED IT! The location is cute, quaint and scenic. Our brunch was breezy, right on the water, but the heaters helped. The hummus appetizer was DELICIOUS! We had the avocado toast, crab cake eggs Benedict and coconut crust french toast. Not a single bad choice. And of course adult beverages to start the day. Although stuffed...we shared the fudgy ice cream and key like pie. Our waiter, Nathan, was fun! He wasn't expecting us...and we hope we made his day. read more

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Stopped in for a midday lunch and it was a great experiment! Our server was wonderful, the food was delicious, the views were incredible, and I had a tasty Mai Tai. I had the ahi bowl and my husband had the fish tacos and both were excellent! Overall great experience read more

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We went to SD for a weekend trip with friends and Duke's was our first stop of the trip for lunch. We made reservations ahead of time but still had to wait a little bit but wasn't too big of a deal because we did have friends running late. We were seated out on the patio and got to enjoy the absolutely stunning views and even got to see some sea lions and tons of birds! The view was seriously so stunning, sit outside if you can. I unfortunately forgot our waiter's name but he was so nice! Seriously so sweet and was on top of it in terms of service. We started with the Coconut Shrimp as our app and those were amazing. The coconut flavor was there but it wasn't overpowering which I appreciated - love the sauce they served with it too. For the entree, we went with the Fish Tacos. In all honesty I think the fish was a little under seasoned, but the slaw and sauce pulled it all together and still made it really enjoyable. The guac that they serve alongside the tacos is also phenomenal! On the side I also ordered some mac salad because I can't resist it and it was delicious. Definitely glad that we decided to come here and highly recommend for a delicious lunch! read more

Ambiance 5 stars Food 3 stars Gorgeous location, and I can see why everyone wants to eat here. But the food is supremely OK, possibly underwhelming. So much so that I didn't even take a photo. Service was standard, our waiter was quite busy during lunch and I had to go up to the prep counter get a receipt. The location is also a little tucked away so I'm sharing a photo for easier recognition. read more

Duke's La Jolla - Front - New American Near Me - La Jolla, California

Always love a visit to Dukes! On this visit we enjoyed the upper deck which was a first for us and loved the spectacular views! Began with a Lychee martini and enjoyed their great food - the macadamia hummus which is always delicious as was the ceviche, coconut shrimp and poke tacos ! Loved every bite! Ended with the Hulu pie and a local IPA and full bellies, having enjoyed the service, views and La Jolla sun! read more

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We had yummy food on a beautiful evening in La Jolla. A friend was visiting from Australia with her mom. Service was exceptional and attentive. We wanted somewhere festive with a view for catching up and that is what we did. read more

Duke's La Jolla - Bass - New American Near Me - La Jolla, California

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Incredible view and incredible food! Also very family friendly. We had the daily fresh fish, which was amazing (I can't remember the exact fish, but it was a meaty, white fish). The sides were also very good, especially the macaroni salad. Has a nice, Hawaiin vibe. read more

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I visited Duke's while with a work group of 4 on a Tuesday night in April. Surprisingly, the wait for a table was over an hour... so having a reservation is highly recommended. After walking around the area and checking out the sea caves and wildlife, we walked back in to find out it would be another 15-20 minutes. Luckily there were 4 open seats at the bar, which is where we had dinner (not an issue to be fair, just missed out on the gorgeous view from a deck table!). As it was Taco Tuesday, most of the group had those (Mahi Mahi for 3, Pork for 1). Appetizers was ceviche and won tons. Everything my group tried was tasty, washed down with local beers. Service was good and the staff was attentive. For a "chain" restaurant (I was told this the next day from colleagues in my local office), the experience was still good. The history of "Duke" is also quite interesting (can read about on a wall mural as you enter/leave this location). I'd eat here again... just with a reservation next time! read more

We only stopped in for dessert & drinks while visiting from out of town. Server was very friendly & the hula pie was huge & soooo good. Very pretty views as well. read more

Duke's La Jolla - Hula Pie - New American Near Me - La Jolla, California

We stopped into Dukes for a taste of Hawaii while visiting La Jolla. The food was tasty. We got poke tacos to start which were pretty good. Kalua pork burger was reminiscent of that from the island. My daughter inhaled her fish & chips, which is always a good sign. The ambience was lovely with open air, views of the ocean, and live music. Service was friendly and quick. read more

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Shawn is awesome I love aloha fridays There's live music upstairs with a gorgeous view of the water (La Jolla cove ) Parking is a bit challenging but there's valet and a parking garage nearby if you don't want to circle around for street parking Aloha fridays offer $10 mai tais and small bites including $12 Thai chicken skewers $14 lemongrass poached shrimp cocktail And $10 chilled edamame I really enjoy the overall vibe of this place it always feels relaxed and chill The view and live music is a bonus and the mai tai are so cute but also delicious Although seating at or near the bar isn't the full service you'd get at a table You can easily walk to the bar to order and the food comes out at a reasonable time I love that you can even sit outside on the side for a better view of the water in a more intimate setting for yourself or small group and still hear the music The food is great Vibe is nice and drinks are even better read more

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We came for Restaurant Week tonight. We had a nice table on the patio overlooking the ocean. I chose the Korean sticky ribs for my appetizer, filet mignon for my entree, and the key lime pie for dessert. Everything was delicious. I especially liked the corn served with the filet. The key lime pie was so tasty, I especially liked the crust. Our server was great and attentive. We will be back for the burger and beer Monday special soon! read more

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Came here for a drink and a view. Presentation of the drink was great, but definitely this is not your traditional maitai. Not as boozy as you would expect it to be. Still tasted great but more fruity and cocktail like rather than boozy. Staff is very friendly and service is great. read more

Duke's La Jolla - Mai tai - New American Near Me - La Jolla, California

Thanks to Restaurant Week we made a reservation here. Yikes....made a reservation for 6:30pm on a Saturday night, but still didn't get in till close to 7pm. Glad we didn't have anything after! Waitress was super nice and attentive. Busy for her but she was so on top of servicing us. Food was yummy and drinks were tasty. We were seated upstairs and close to the waters. Too bad it was dark so we couldn't see the view. I can smell the salt water from the ocean! read more

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Honestly I don't think that I would come to this restaurant for the food, but the views are great! We sat outside and was able to enjoy the view with lunch. I got the Black Bean Nachos with Chicken. Black Bean Nachos with Chicken - First off, there was almost no chicken. For paying extra, I expected more. However, the melted cheese on the chips was pretty good. Wish there was more guac and pico. Overall, I would come back to enjoy the view the with friends! read more

Duke's La Jolla - Chicken Black Bean Nachos - New American Near Me - La Jolla, California

Duke's is the best! I once attended a private event here and dreamed of it, but honestly loved it just as much as a regular patron. You will need a reservation if you want to sit outside or near the doors. The ambiance is always on point. The food is stellar as is the service. I promise you will have a good time. La Jolla is very hard to park, but the parking garage next door is $35 so drive around before paying. You'll be able to find a spot nearby most days. read more

Service was good, the scenery was pretty, the food was great. But whatever you do, do not look at the online menus. My family and I looked at the menu online to get an idea of what they serve but when we got to the restaurant and were handed our menus we where met with disappointment as they didn't have most foods we saw on online. But then again that was our fault for not double checking. Anyways this place is good for a first time try, I'd come back again if I was celebrating something for cute pictures!! read more

Duke's La Jolla - Ribs and Chicken Plate - New American Near Me - La Jolla, California

It was so nice to be recognized by Taylor and Grant! They went out of their way to make us feel special. Thank you. We were here last month and had a wonderful time. We came on Mother's Day and knew it would be busy. Things went well. We were seated at our reservation time and given a beautiful table at the glass rail. Sean was very friendly. The food was delicious. The service was ok considering how busy they were. One plate side was incorrect but it wasn't a problem. The wait between the starter and the enter was extremely long. When I mentioned to Sean that they were really busy he said that we could take our time. Odd comment. We were waiting for our entree, not just lounging and enjoying the view. The food came out quickly after him checking on us and filling our water and tea. The view is amazing, but late afternoon to sunset the sun is very intense and 2 in our party are burnt from being in the direct sun so long. We really enjoyed ourselves, but a few little things kept it from being outstanding. We will definitely return. read more

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A solid brunch location with a view of ocean at La Jolla. The brunch cocktail menu includes interesting choices such as kiwi mojito. The scrambled eggs are well executed and within expectation. read more

Duke's La Jolla - New American Near Me - La Jolla, California

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In my humble opinion, Duke's is great for the stunning views of La Jolla and the water. The food, on the other hand, is nothing special. The wait for two guests was not long at all, and we had a great view of the ocean although we were sat closer to the middle of the outdoor patio. The brunch menu had a wide variety of dish options so we had a lot to choose from. To start, I had the kiwi mojito and my friend had the Boomer's margarita. Both were super refreshing and balanced in flavor and spirit-forwardness, if that's even a word. We also got poke tacos and ahi sashimi as our appetizers. The poke tacos were pretty good but more on the plain side. The ahi was very fresh in both taco and sashimi forms, which I did love. For our mains, we shared the Korean street steak tacos and the ribs/chicken plate lunch. I did not care for my tacos at all. The steak was marinated overly sweet, but I did like that it was a bit charred. The salsa wasn't that good unfortunately. As for the plate lunch, my friend and I split the ribs and we both enjoyed those. The chicken was pretty good and had a smoked flavor. We both didn't care for the mac salad. I left full but not very satisfied, so I probably won't be back. My server was really nice though! read more

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Our daughter and her friend had prom the night before at Balboa Park. There were a few hiccups but it ended well. The next day (4/26) we wanted to take them to a nice lunch before driving back home. Duke's met all expectations. Nice table on the patio. Good view! Sean, our server, such an incredible person. Friendly. Professional. Efficient. Easy to connect with. Mai Tais hit the spot. The glasses are a bonus. Opah was the fish of the day. Had it with the Parmesan crust. Incredible! Not heavy. Perfect balance. Our daughter had the pulled pork sandwich. Soooo good! Smoke flavoring, but not overpowering. Just right. Sweet sauce is a great addition. Definitely will return! read more

Fantastic experience here. The food was absolutely delicious. We often go to the sister restaurant, Jake's, so we were excited to try this location as well. The crab wontons and calamari were both excellent -- the calamari in particular was incredibly flavorful. For brunch, I highly recommend the crab cake Benedict, and their burger never disappoints. The kids loved their meals too, and it's great that they offer the same kids' menu as Jake's, which makes it very easy for families. Overall, this is a very family-friendly restaurant with great service and phenomenal views. We'll definitely be back. read more

The vibe is great at Dukes. Beautiful ocean view. Nice historical displays about Duke. I ordered the only vegan option and it was good. Spinach and mushroom ravioli. I liked it because it had a nice amount of veggies. It would also be great to have a Hawaiian vegan dish too. Our waitress was very efficient and calm. It would also be fun to have seasonal variations. read more

Duke's La Jolla - Vegan spinach and mushroom ravioli - New American Near Me - La Jolla, California

We went in for a late lunch and got seated immediately. They gave us the perfect spot, closest to La Jolla coves overlooking the ocean. Out waitress, I forget her name but was very attentive making sure all our needs were met. The food was delicious we started w the black bean nachos that were crispy and had the perfect amount of toppings. My husband and I both got the Huli huli chicken and the lavender pina colada. And the kids got fish and chips and a burger. All of us were happy and satisfied after dining here. Great job dukes! read more

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We're in town for a convention and wanted to explore the city a little bit prior to being locked up for the next three days. Dukes was suggested as a place for us to die on Saturday night. Luckily, they're part of the end of the Cable app so we were able to make reservations a few weeks in Vegas. The restaurant is two levels with both indoor and outdoor receiving now. The menu is surprisingly simple, which we all appreciated as we determine what we're gonna have for dinner. We started with three appetizers, the macadamia nut hummus, sticky ribs, and coconut shrimp. All were delicious, and the hummus was a great blend of flavors. There are a couple of fish options with mahi-mahi salmon being on the menu. Two of my colleagues had the chicken and ribs that came with more than generous heap of rice and macaroni salad. It's a beautiful restaurant and the staff is impeccable and very knowledgeable about the menu read more

Was in the areas and made last minute dinner reservations through Opentable. I've passed this location for years and had never ventured inside. Usually, it's packed, but I lucked out on this Sunday early evening. Stepped inside to host stand and although 1 member of our party was running late, they seated us. Yay! We were seated outside, which has gorgeous views of La Jolla Cove. Started with the Crispy Coconut Shrimp & Korean Sticky Ribs. Coconut shrimp was good, but Korean sticky ribs were a bit messy and a too much sauce for my liking. For my entree, sautéed MacNut & Herb Crusted Fish. There's a reason it's a Duke's favorite. I have to admit, it doesn't hit the same way the Honolulu location does, but still has the same friendly service, good food and a view. read more

Duke's La Jolla - Sauted Mac Nut & Herb Crusted Fresh Fish - New American Near Me - La Jolla, California

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We were in town to celebrate a couple of friend's birthday and had such a great time! We sat outside by the water during lunch - the view was absolutely beautiful. I ordered the fish, and it was delicious, had a nice crunchy crust and juicy inside. My partner had the ribs and chicken combo; the ribs were amazing, fall-off-the-bone good, but the chicken could've been a bit better. We also shared an order of poke taco, which was mouthwatering - fresh, flavorful, and one of the highlights of the meal. Overall, a wonderful dining experience with great food and a lovely atmosphere. Would definitely come back! read more

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Meet up in La Jolla and we were hungry and needed something to eat. We decided to give Duke a try. When you walk in, it's actually very interesting. They have the entryway and longish hallway with information about Duke Kahanamoku, a native Hawaiian Olympic swimmer and the father of modern surfing. I did not get to finish reading because our wait time is very short. I don't know if there is exclusively interior sitting set outside on a covered patio with heating is very comfortable even on a chilly day for San Diego. The menu had a lot of options, but I saw fish tacos and I do love some grilled fish tacos My fish tacos were very tasty. I really enjoyed that they had a little kick to them. For $21 I got two fish tacos and some tortilla chips. A little pricey, but given the location. I can understand it. read more

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What I loved most about Duke's was the vibe, the fact that it reminded me of being on Maui. Also, that hula pie--the hula pie is ice cream and sweetness on top of a chocolate shell--and if I had a third a stomach, I would've finished the whole thing on my own. The huli huli chicken was bland and beige and it tasted just like it looked. The kalua pork sandwich was also average but it's ok. Duke's gave me the feeling of being on an island vacation, and that makes it all worth it. read more

Duke's is a Hawaiian Restaurant chain that is located in beachfront locations in Honolulu, Malibu, Huntington Beach, and here in Downtown La Jolla. I came along with family for their Weekend brunch, which is an a la carte menu from 10a-3p. Featured are their banana macadamia nut pancakes, omelets, and breakfast burritos and sandwiches. Duke's Mai Tai, featuring pineapple juice and two rums, is one of their signature drinks and it's pretty standard in all of their locations. It's nice to feel like you're in Hawaii for a few sips. If you want to go alcohol-free and have similar feelings, definitely go for their POG Juice (Passion fruit, guava, and orange juice). For appetizers, we went with their "poke tacos" and their "crab wontons". Both were great ways to open up the palate. When it comes to a Hawaiian Breakfast, my wife can't pass up a loco moco and theirs is beefy, their gravy is savory with a mushroomy base, and the egg was prepared as requested. It's exactly what she was craving. While I debated about getting pancakes, I went with their breakfast sandwich, which was loaded with bacon, spam, egg, and some delicious sauces in a brioche bun. It also came with a side of perfectly seasoned potatoes. Solid breakfast. Overall, I'm glad that we had a great brunch here. The views of the La Jolla coastline can't be beat here and the food and drinks were solid. If you're looking for value, check out their menu for taco tuesday deals and Friday night happy hour! Regarding parking, we went with valet, which was $20 for three hours and this was cheaper than many of the public lots in the area. read more

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This is the 3rd Dukes Restaurant i have ever been to.. First one was in Honolulu, 2nd one in Huntington Beach. I have lived in San Diego all my life and I have no idea why I waited so long. Personally, I thought the front reception staff need a little humbling and a lesson or two about the diverse cultures that come to this great establishment. I had made reservations for 7p because of San Diego Restaurant week. Checked in about 30mins early, host(s) said my table wasnt ready so I decided to go to the bar and watch the Padres game. Bar staff was superb that I didnt bother to leave. Half way through my appetizer. A young hosts happened to pass by and I told her to cancel my table reservation. Food was delicious. My favorite was the calamari and filet mignon. Fried fish was good too but the macadamia nuts killed it for me. Ambiance is beautiful, perfect for date night. I am definitely coming back. I'm sorry that I didn't take pictures, I was so excited when the food came out, I just dug right in. lol read more

I had a beautiful experience at Duke's La Jolla during restaurant week. We got two orders off their special menu. The ribs were a little too saucy for me, but my husband devoured them. Coconut shrimp was delicious. The ahi tuna was way too spicy for me, but again my husband loved them. My filet mignon was amazing though. Everything about it was perfect. Even the mashed potatoes with the garlic sauce was so good. I also love key lime pie so I was so happy to see it on the menu. The view was breathtaking and we got lovely sunset pictures overlooking the ocean. We had two little kids with us, but they were very accommodating. Service was excellent, super attentive. Absolutely loved it. read more

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Very nice spot especially with a nice view when seated outside! When arriving to the restaurant, noticed you have to find parking on the street so just be mindful because Duke's is next to other restaurants and stores. Went on a Saturday morning and very lucky to find street parking near the restaurant and was able to get seated right away. The hostesses were very nice and able to sit us with a view. Our server was also amazing, she gave us time look through the menu and checked on a few times to make sure we were okay. Got 2 starters - crispy coconut shrimp and crab wontons and shared the fish tacos because it came with 2 tacos. Love that our server asked if we wanted the fish tacos separate plates like me and friend was able to have 1 fish taco each with a good amount of chips and salsa on the side. read more

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Very beautiful view of La Jolla cove and the customer service here was good. We were seated promptly and our orders didn't take long to come out after they were taken. There's also plenty of indoor and outdoor seating (which is both shaded and sunny). The virgin lavender colada and ginger fizz drinks were really refreshing and probably my favorite part of the meal. I had come for restaurant week just to check out the place. The Cesar salad looked really good, but their calamari was a bit of a disappointment. It was too thick, chewy, and bready and the sauces that came along with it were very mediocre. The herb crusted fish was pretty good but was a bit heavy even tho seafood typically shouldn't be that heavy of a meal but the Mac salad it came with was really refreshing ! I didn't try the burger but the fries that came with it were nice and crispy. You come here essentially for the view and not the food to be quite frank. It's not a bad spot to take someone if it's they're visiting San Diego just to have lunch with good views but just keep in mind that the food is okay at best. read more

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