Best dinning experience yet! Food was amazing, loved the music.... but our server Honu was fantastic! Very kind and knowledgeable. He went above and beyond. Thank you very much! He needs a raise! read more

Duke's Waikiki - Me - Hawaiian Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Great food and great service. Love coming here every year for my small family gathering

I loved this place. We came looking for it and followed the signs for the beach entrance. Don't do that LOL. It's easier to just enter through the front of the Outrigger Hotel. When you come through the beach, you have the option of dining at the bar, which seems to be a totally different experience. The bar serves burgers and other bar foods, and we wanted something a little less casual. After entering through the bar, we ended up having to go to the desk inside. They added my name and took down my phone number to text when the table is ready. This place is huge. There is indoor seating with lots of grass "skirt" trim around some of the ceiling and bars, and the upholstery of the dining chairs are different colorful aloha prints. On the deck there are think torches and umbrellas and string lights. On the level just a few steps down are more umbrella tables and some musicians playing Hawaiian music. All around are photos of the famous Olympic champion, surgery, and actor Duke Kahanamoku. Much to my surprise, as I was looking around while waiting for a table, a girl asked if I was Denise. They didn't text me; rather, they jot down a brief description so they can just look around and find you. She sat us on the beach deck. Our server was fantastic, so friendly with lots of explanations and recommendations. They use an ordering system and it's fun like a week liked machine. Hubby's beer was delivered to our table before our server even walked away! We both ordered the teriyaki sirloin steak with mashed potatoes. It. Was. Freaking. Delicious. I was full, but couldn't stop eating because it was so good. Dukes is really a place where you know you are in Hawaii--the decor, the food, the music, the friendly service. If you come to Honolulu and don't come to Duke's, you'll be missing out. read more

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Check this place out if you are in the area. The Mai Tai is a good starter while you take in the sandy beach area if you are sitting outside. We had the coconut shrimp to start with pickled veggies. A must try For entrees we had tacos and and a BBQ pork sandwich. Great bites for lunch. Service was attentive and friendly read more

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Ohhhh nice HPH employees with ID have 20% off . Thank goodness my son reads the information at work. Always wonderful lunch buffet. Awesome service. Salad and Fruit bar. Poke bar. Daily soup. Fried rice, white rice, Okinawan potato with haupia sauce, kalbi, teriyaki chicken, Kalua pork & cabbage, shrimp.... So many choices. You may order ala cart as well. The deserts are separate... the mud pie is over the top yummy. Huge piece. Shareable Casual attire - along the beach.... read more

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One of the more touristy spots I hit on my visit but the food did not disappoint. Beach views and such a lively atmosphere. Quintessential beach vibes and our server (I didnt catch her name) was awesome. Ahi Poke Tacos: 10/10 The wonton shell was perfectly crisp and held everything together really well with each bite. Heaping amount of fish and the sauce and guac was immaculate. Short Rib Special: 8/10 Off menu but the meat was super tender and flavourful. The sauce/gravy it came with was inc r edible and paired really well. Mango BBQ Pork Ribs: 8/10 Super flavourful and tender as well. read more

Duke's Waikiki - Hawaiian Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Dukes was a great experience on our trip to Waikiki! I like the fact that it's right by the beach. I high key recommend getting a reservation because it's very busy! They have a lot of dishes that include fresh fish, which I loved! Our server was nice too! read more

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Amazing service by Jenny - we had the burgers and fish tacos and I'm not usually a big fish taco eater but these were the best fish tacos I have ever had. The fish was grilled not fried. Burgers were perfectly made medium and it was juicy. Their FRIES - amazingly crunchy. We also got the mai tai and piña colada and it was also very good. Couldn't even taste the alcohol in it so it's very dangerous. Good seating outside to see the sunset, and have fresh air. Makes me want to try the Duke's back home to see if there's any difference but this Duke's really set my standard. read more

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Had an outstanding birthday dinner at Duke's Waikiki. It was filet mignon medium rare with a broiled lobster tail, mashed potatoes and a Chervil cream sauce. My family also had the vegetarian ravioli, and Keiki teriyaki chicken with rice. All dishes were outstanding and they provided a mud pie for my birthday dessert. Our server was patient, accommodating and refilled our drinks without being asked (that's my pet peeve, lol). We had to wait about an hour because we didn't have reservations. So we took a little stroll in Waikiki and did some window shopping while we waited. They also have a souvenir store at Duke's where they have cool t-shirts and other merch. There's plenty of seating and a bar and it has an old school nostalgia that beckons you from all the old photos on the wall. Very much a tiki lounge feel but with class. We thoroughly enjoyed the meal that was moderately priced but for Waikiki, probably on par. Overall, the best meal while we are in Oahu for the week. read more

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Dukes is awesome! Amazing place with live music, on the beach, lots of seating, and great people watching. I only got an app and a beer and made my way to the next place. This is definitely a spot I would come back to every night. It is hard to find dining off the Main Street, just keep you eyes out for the signs that point you down the hallway, you won't be disappointed read more

Duke's Waikiki - Calamari - Hawaiian Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Dukes seems be pretty consistent wherever you visit. The nachos are always a crowd pleaser and the mai tai on point. This location had a long line to get in, because most can't go sit outside by the water. If you don't mind sitting inside, bypass the line and grab a bar table or barstool. We got served right away. Probably going back today to get the mud pie! read more

Duke's Waikiki - Pork nachos - Hawaiian Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Came for the cheap breakfast buffet for a large group of 8. From 7am to 11am it's $29/adults and $17/kids. This is cheaper than Vegas buffets and with beachside ocean view!! Even the drinks were cheap too. I added a $9 DUKE'S MIMOSA with your choice of fresh juice: orange, pog, pineapple or guava. They also have mimosa flight and morning michelada. The breakfast buffet spread was decent with eggs, fried rice, Portuguese sausage, banana pancakes with coconut syrup, bacon, yogurt, bagels, and banana mac muffins and you could order an omelette through the server. The price and buffet options were fantastic! I got a nice heaping of fresh fruit too to start my morning well. Highly recommend Duke's and there was no wait on a Tuesday morning at 8:30am during spring break week. read more

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I actually visited Duke's twice while on vacation. The first time we were seated outside and it was beautiful. The ambiance is superb. The food I ordered was delicious and being able to eat and enjoy the ocean air was a beautiful experience. I would definitely be back. The second time was just to grab a few drinks from the bar so we sat inside. The staff here are wonderful. So friendly and helpful. read more

Duke's Waikiki - Hawaiian Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

It's been many years since I've been back to Dukes but it's still a great experience. The food is still delicious and you still get the ocean view. Our server was friendly and informative. We added the salad bar to our dinner and it was super amazing. The kale and grilled pineapple salad is a must try along with some of their tropical salad dressings. read more

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Our reservation was a lifesaver, as the wait time and the line seemed pretty long. The live music on the first floor carries up to Dukes on the second floor and isn't too loud, which is nice. We got the steak and lobster, sashimi, poke tacos, and then asked for butter noodles with Parmesan (for the picky ten year old). We were super grateful because there was no pasta on the kids menu, but they made it for us anyway. Among the dishes, the poke tacos and the lobster were our favorites. read more

Duke's Waikiki - Poke tacos - Hawaiian Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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I visited Duke's Waikiki during my recent trip to Hawaii. The restaurant is located a little off the main strip of shops in Waikiki so parking is a hassle, walk if possible. It was a Thursday afternoon and we had a large party (6 adults and 4 kids) looking for lunch without a reservation. The restaurant was able to accommodate us within 15 minutes. Initially they would not seat us till our entire party was there, but once they saw we had 4 kids they made an exception and kindly seated us immediately once the table was available. The staff were amazing, I cannot say that enough! My younger son has some food allergies and when we mentioned it to the waiter to see if the kitchen could take some extra precautions to accommodate, he took it so seriously and management was brought over to confirm the allergy had been noted and would be accommodated. I am so thankful for the level of care they provided so that my son would be able to enjoy his meal. We ordered both the Fried Chicken and Teriyaki Chicken from the kids menu. Both of my kids were so happy with their meals. I even had a bite and was pleasantly surprised at how fresh and flavorful the chicken was in both dishes. For myself I ordered the Poke Tacos as my meal which comes with fresh raw ahi, shoyu, maui onions, chili flakes, avocado and wasabi aioli. The three tacos come in a delicious, crunchy shell packed with ahi tuna. The sauces are lightly drizzled and keeps the taco shells crunchy. I devoured my three tacos, it was one of my favorites from my recent trip. Overall, I loved my experience at Duke's Waikiki. I can see why this spot has the reviews that it does and am happy that we were able to visit. I would definitely recommend this spot, especially for large parties and for families as they are so accommodating and the staff are able to handle with speed, precision and great service :) read more

Duke's Waikiki - Kids Fried Chicken & Fries - Hawaiian Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Make your reservations, the moment you land to Honolulu. Love this place atmosphere is amazing. Service is great. Drinks are great. I had the fish tacos. Delicious! I happen to be in Hawaii when it was raining so the view was not the best but I've been there before. Definitely a great place for the sunset bar area very lively. All the servers were great I didn't have any issues with anything. They have a very cute gift shop at the entrance of the restaurant, mostly T-shirts and sweatshirts and the hats. Definitely will be back my next time to Waikiki. read more

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Service was friendly. They couldn't seat us until our whole party was there on a Saturday night and the place was PACKED. It's definitely overpriced. We were there for our parents' anniversary and they initially seated us without the beachfront view so we requested new seats and they were more than accommodating. You get the full patio, busy bar, beach view experience with live music and crazy bar vibes. We saw a guy getting taken out on a stretcher and ambulance from the restaurant. The lychee-hoo martini was good. Mango cocktail was yummy but like a fruit drink. The prime rib was dry. Mango bbq pork ribs, macadamia nut fish, filet mignon, and baked fish all were good but nothing wows you. Really nothing special for the price. Calamari and coconut shrimp were good appetizers. read more

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Always busy but service here is always consistent and great. Everyone seems happy working here. Must end with their mud pie. Our group had everything from their fish, pasta and salads. Lots of conversations and live music but you can still hear each other and don't feel like you have to talk above the noise. Make a reservation ahead of time to avoid the long wait times at the restaurant. read more

We stopped in for a drink after dinner and some love music - they seem to be understaffed with servers and the bartenders were flying with the drinks - I applaud them all - spring break season has begun. I ordered a vodka soda with lilikoi and it was just ok- soda was a bit flat I'll be back for the ambiance - sand, live music and drinks under the stars listening to waves read more

Duke's Waikiki - Bar in sunday - Hawaiian Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Absolutely phenomenal meal. You can't sit on Waikiki beach at sunset on a beautiful patio table and have a bad time. It was a Saturday evening at dinnertime, so the place was positively PACKED with people, but the vibes were impeccable thanks to live music and our waiter, Frank, being a genuinely cool guy. My family ordered the panko breaded calamari to start with, and I couldve eaten 3 plates of this alone. The calamari itself was so juicy and crispy and good, the sauces with them were just a little cherry on top. I also ordered the Wagyu NY Steak special, and I swear to you, top 3 steak of my life. The steak was cooked to a perfect medium and the demiglace on top was divine. The side to it was somewhat unmemorable compared to how good the Wagyu was. My partner ordered the ribeye, which was good, but was nowhere near as incredible as the Wagyu. The mashed potatoes that came with his meal, however, were positively delicious. Hell, I'd order the ribeye just for the mashed potatoes. My MIL ordered the filet and was pleased with her meal, and my FIL ordered the special fish for the evening, which was an herb crusted mahi mahi. He said it was positively delicious and demolished it. We finished off the evening with the Hula pie, which was also super delicious. It's basically a giant ice cream cake with hot fudge and macadamia nuts, but it's a must get. It's difficult to get in here on weekends without reservations, which we thankfully had, so we didn't have to worry. We did see plenty of people sitting, waiting for 2+ hours, which is pretty significant because the restaurant is huge. If you have a low wait time, or are in a position where you can make reservations, you should definitely eat here on Waikiki beach. read more

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It was so loud so if you're looking for something intimate - pick the fine dining option. We had a large party and opted for the side with a bar. Staff was just ok, seemed very rushed and trying to survive. Food was good but really nothing special expect for the cake dessert which was definitely different and delicious. I got the pulled pork and thought it was ok. A little dry but the sauce helped. Maybe I need to try something different. A family member got the nachos that I tried and those were better and massive read more

Duke's Waikiki - Hawaiian Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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This is a popular tourist restaurant. We've always had a great time here. There's the inside portion of the restaurant with a separate menu catered more to fork and knife dining (think steaks) and the outside part of the restaurant (more casual options). There's always live music here, which is why we come. It's chill vibes all around. The service is very friendly too. Given the number of tables they have and the popularity of this place, you should expect your waiter or waitress to be busy running around everywhere. But in terms of the food and drink? They're all solid. The fish and chips and just fish and chips. I love them and I'll get them again. We also got their burger which is exactly what you pay for. They don't skimp out on anything and they're all satisfying to eat. The Dukes Blonde ale is refreshing and perfect for the outdoors. Come try it out! read more

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Dinner Side Review Stopped in about 5:45 on a Monday to get on the wait list for the dinner side. Wait was about 30 minutes. Seated at a great table just under the roof, but with a great view of the sunset. Our server took our drink and food orders and both came out pretty quickly. Good wine list, both by the glass and bottle. For dinner I got the 1/2 chicken, and my wife got the Teriyaki Steak. I inquired about getting a $28 appetizer and adding the salad bar, but to get the 'discounted' salad bar (~$11), you have to order a true entree...or pay the $29'à la cart charge. Service was great, but the food was 'meh'. My chicken was OK in spots and dry in others. The marinade is (of course) on the outside, and the skin absorbed most of it. The rice was pretty good. My wife's steak was a bit crispy around the edges, but cooked as she ordered it. The potatoes were fine, but bland and not memorable. The teriyaki was ok, and it could have used more of it. You have to plan to get a table here, and given our experiences at sister restaurant Hula Grill, and the 'bar side', of Duke's, this would come in a distant third. But...it's very popular and there must be a reason. Maybe we were just there at the wrong place and time. read more

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Celebrating family Joe's 50th b-earth -day ! Most of us included the salad bar with our entrees, though many salads were delicious, fruit was nowhere, no good bread . A mushroom soup was offered 6/10 the banana bread muffin horribly dried! 0/0 didn't care to try the carrot muffin. Fruit option would have been a better choice. Not my choice to eat here. Had a good time amongst family/friends Ice cream was good /w fudge & macadamia Service was slow on checking on us for refills read more

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We are staying at the Outrigger Resort and ordered poolside. I had the bbq burger and my husband had a classic cheeseburger, both with fries. We really needed some solid food and these burgers did not disappoint. Nice and thick, cooked medium. I would say mine could have been a tad more cooked, but my husband's was a great medium. The fries were great. read more

Duke's Waikiki - Mango BBQ Bacon Burger - Hawaiian Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Visited Dukes after checking out from the Royal Hawaiian for lunch on a Saturday. We had a reservation for 12:30pm, arrived at 12:00 and we were told we would most likely be waiting until our reservation time. We were invited over to a waiting area with little benches and chairs outside the main dining room. Sure enough at 12:30 we were seated. We were lead to a table right on the outer edge of Duke's with a great view up Waikiki beach. We tried the Vic's '44 Mai Tai, and our daughter got the virgin tropical smoothie (which tasted like a killer pina colada). Mai Tai's were a little on the sweet side, good pineapple flavor and boozy. Of course once you add pineapple juice, it ain't a Vic's 44 mai tai anymore but ah well... We ordered the ahi tuna tacos - crispy fried wonton shells with some good quality seasoned ahi tuna, spicy sauce and we got the avocado on the side. So good. We ordered the coconut shrimp which came with a Vietnamese dipping sauce, nice size' crispy, buttery coconut and with the twang from the sauce it was fire. We also split the mango bbq burger which was tasty, our daughter ordered the Keiki burger and fries. Truthfully the Keiki burger ($14) was not conspicuously different in size than the adult burger. ($23) same bun too. We couldn't make it a trip to Duke's without getting the legendary Hula Pie which is a as great and mostly lived up to the hype, the service overall was friendly and very good. No major complaints here. Perhaps a little on the pricey side for what it is, but we are in the heart of Waikiki beach at this spot so what do I expect? Give it a try and do your best to make reservations in advance! read more

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I've gotten Duke's twice, once as takeout on a trip where I got deathly ill and couldn't do anything, and this past week in person. For takeout, I got the filet, mashed potatoes, and a slice of hula pie. Even though not fresh, everything was fantastic, even in my sick and dying state. This past time around was my first time trying it as a vegan. They have one vegan dish on the menu which is labeled as vegan, the ravioli, and it was very tasty! I loved the Thai basil addition in it and thought it was a very good portion. I also added on the salad bar, which was good, but I would've really appreciate if their options at the bar were also labeled vegan since a lot of them looked so, but I didn't know the specific ingredients. I was able to try some of the pre-made salads and make my own, so was still happy. The service is good and the interior/ambience sre phenomenal, right on the beach, crowded, with good music. I probably won't be back on my own unless they get another vegan option, but still definitely recommend trying if you've never been! read more

My friend and I came to Dukes after landing in Hawaii. We were starving but also wanted a nice beach front view. And we got it. Our server was lovely Charles who was such a doll and FUN. He is such a vibe. Not a dull moment and he keeps it real. He made sure the drinks kept coming :) and even encouraged us to view the live band. Charles said come on Thursdays as it gets lit. Whatever that meant ....we came on Friday and it was lovely and came again because why not. But it was for dinner. The food is delicious definitely can't go wrong here. Guaranteed a good time. Definitely a MUST stop to chill on the beach and eat great food and wonderful hospitality. Some days or nights are busier than others so make a reservation for evening . For us a party of 2 at night was about 30 minute wait but they had a party of 30 they sat pretty quickly! Impressed! Would love to come back soon! read more

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We stopped by on a Wednesday afternoon, and were fortunate enough to walk in and find seats at the side bar. Service was quick and cordial. We were right between lunch and dinner menus, and they were willing to work with us, which was appreciated. I ordered the Mai-Tai and she got the blueberry lavender yuzu lemondae. I was afraid that both would be too sweet, but they were really balanced. The nachos with kalua pork were great. The bartender also got us a side of sauce (Korean chili, we think?) that made them so much better. read more

Duke's Waikiki - Mai-Tai - Hawaiian Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

The service was amazing and food was even better. I would recommend everyone to visit. Good portions and very tasty. Right on the beach so you have views of the water while dining. read more

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Great ambiance with direct access to the beach. On Fridays they have fireworks show. Food was good. Had the Friday special which was a bento box for $24. Overall very delicious but expect long waits to sit outside. We waited 25 minutes for outside patio with a different menu. However, I think the patio is better as you have live music. read more

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It's hard not to notice that the floor seems to be staffed largely by very young employees. There's an energy that comes with that -- and unfortunately, so does a lack of the polish and attentiveness you'd expect at this price point. It felt less like a dining experience and more like a training shift. At the end of the day, you're really paying for the view, not the food. For what they're charging, the kitchen and the service need to match the scenery. We'd love to come back, but it'll take some convincing after this one. read more

Duke's Waikiki - Seating area buffet in back - Hawaiian Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Brunch buffet had good options. Really loved the Portuguese chorizo. The bloody Marys were really good. Super friendly service. Casual ambiance right on the beach. A little pricey for brunch though. read more

Duke's Waikiki - Bloody Mary - Hawaiian Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Service was great and the food was great! Ambiance was nice and the live music set the mood! Our server Kamalei was amazing! read more

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We were here for a group dinner with a fixed menu. Duke's is a famous spot on Waikiki. You can sit outside with a limited menu, or indoors with a full menu. Servers were really attentive to our group of 30. They offered a non alcoholic smoothie which was really tasty. Hubby had a Mai Tai, he mentioned it wasn't exactly a heavy pour. The steak was cooked as he liked it. I had the vegetarian option of mushroom and spinach ravioli. It was a large portion, I couldn't finish it. It was ok, too much sauce though. Noisy atmosphere and always very busy. read more

I really recommend getting the +$11 additional salad bar option. The salad bar was really good !! I also recommend getting the ahi steak as your entree. The place has a really nice vibe, and the staff is all super nice and sweet. Love it here. read more

Duke's Waikiki - ahi steak - Hawaiian Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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The date of my visit was 2/10/26. My family came to Duke's for dinner. It was busy when we got there but it was only a 30 minute wait for a table for five. I've been here before many years ago when I was stationed here at Pearl Harbor for the Navy. The food, service and vibe is on point and I know my family would like it. Our server was Travis a native of the island and from Wahiawa a town north of Oahu. He patiently went through the specials and answer questions. And went to fetch our drinks while we looked over the menu. For appetizers we went with the calamari and crab wontons. Which were outstanding. My mom, Step dad, and brother went with the Prime Rib. Sister in law ordered the Smoked Cannellini & Maui Onion Ravioli and I got the Sauteed Macadamia Nut & Herb Crusted Fresh Fish which was mahi mahi. Food came out promptly and was delicious everyone loved their plate. Travis recommended their Hula pie and man it didn't disappoint. It was this jumbo slice of macadamia nut ice cream and chocolate it took all five of us to finish it. Overall the food and service was excellent. Kudos to Travis for providing the best service on our vacation. I definitely return if I'm ever back in Waikiki. I highly recommend. read more

Duke's Waikiki - Mahi Mahi macadamia nut crusted fresh fish - Hawaiian Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

If your jam is to have a nice beach view while enjoying dinner, then you'll have to check out Duke's! We specifically requested a seat by the water and were able to see the sunset!! Our table was near the hotel guest only area where they also had a live band performing!! It was a dreamy experience :) On top of that, our waitress went above and beyond with the service. She regularly checked on us and didn't rush our dinner at all! What we ordered: - Furikake Ahi Steak: This is my favorite! Largely biased because I really like fish but it was really good. The presentation was beautiful & I loved the sesame seafood flavors :) - Slow Roasted Prime Rib: Can't go wrong with this. It was very good and shareable - Hula Pie: First time trying this & it really felt like a celebration in dessert form. The portion was generous. It felt like a merge of different sweet treats ... a cookie, ice cream sundae & some mac nuts on top read more

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I can only imagine how different it was before, but over the last few decades, parts of Waikiki seem to have changed so much. Gone are the likes of the original International Market Place and so many of the older hotels have been renovated and/or replaced. So, amidst all of those changes, it's great how Duke's has remained ever constant. Not only is this place one of the last vestiges of years past, but it's also a Waikiki institution! Truth be told, our meal here wasn't actually the first time I've been to Duke's. Rather, that happened during my first trip Honolulu with friends, but since we only stayed long enough to grab a couple of rounds of drinks before moving on for the night, there wasn't much to say. As such, ever since, I've felt almost compelled to come back to get a real experience. Sadly, we couldn't make it work to check out one of their famed buffets (breakfast or prime rib, which I definitely wanted to try), but their dinner menu still looked great. While it may not be all that extensive, it still has an appealing variety of apps, entrees, and burgers to choose from. -- POG COCKTAIL - 100% Hawai'l Grown Fruit Juice Slushie with Ocean Vodka Admittedly, most of the other cocktails were far more unique, but I couldn't resist some nice, refreshing POG. Thankfully, this turned out to be pretty solid - the juice wasn't super sweet and the pour of vodka wasn't super heavy (though, i wouldn't have minded more). -- BLUEBERRY LAVENDER YUZU LEMONADE - Tito's Vodka, Yuzu Sake, Blueberry Lavender Syrup, Fresh Lime, and Soda Of the two, I definitely liked this cocktail a lot better. The mix of flavors was really interesting - slightly floral, slightly fruity, slightly tart - and they complemented each other really well. Plus, the amount of vodka in this one was perfect. -- CHILLED SHRIMP SALAD - Local Greens, Maui Onions, Citrus Avocado, Yuzu 1000 Dressing, Tomato, Cucumber, Hard Boiled Egg, Lemon Vinaigrette...$25 Maybe it's because we hadn't eaten a lot of veggies to this point on our trip, but this felt well worth the money. Even with the surprisingly tart dressing, this was so refreshing. I especially liked the Maui onions and avocado, but the shrimp were the star - so good! -- RIB & CHICKEN PLATE - Compart Family Farms Pork Ribs, Mango BBQ Sauce, All-Natural Huli Huli Chicken, Macaroni Salad, Steamed Rice, Pickled Cucumbers...$31 Ehh...not bad, but hardly amazing. On the one hand, both the ribs and the chicken were really moist and tender. On the other, the sauces on each was a little sweet/sugary. The acidity of the pickled cucumbers helped to cut it, though, and the macaroni salad wasn't too shabby. Much like with our food and drinks, the atmosphere and vibe at Duke's felt a little uneven as well. While our server was decently friendly, their open seating format by the bar can make it chaotic as people compete for a free table and how some will loiter/stalk groups that may or may not be leaving soon. Similarly, the those lines, the ambiance can also be really good or really meh. When my friends and I came here years ago for drinks, we sat at a corner inside that was really loud. This time, however, we lucked out with a table outside by the live music, which felt a lot more peaceful and not nearly as hot. Given how long it has been around and it's near institutional status in Waikiki, coming to Duke's almost feels like a necessity, even if it's more than a little touristy (they even have a gift shop outside). So, in that sense, I'm more than happy to have been able to check them off of my list, despite how we weren't overwhelmed. However, the one thing I would definitely recommend is to make a reservation if you can. At the very least, it'll make securing a table a whole lot more relaxing, especially if you can get one outside! read more

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