This was our second visit in two weeks. We liked it so much last week as a couple, we came back on June 1st with two other couples. They have a great Happy Hour menu with good deals on both pupus and drinks. All employees were kind and attentive - from Charlie the waiter, to Jon the manager who came over just to talk story and see how our experience was. Beautiful views from the top story of the Ilikai - we will definitely be back ! read more

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Definitely a great place to celebrate special occasions. The food is delicious and big portions, the service is amazing. read more

Empire Steak House - Steakhouses Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Empire Steakhouse Hawaii, perched on the top floor of the Ilikai Hotel, delivered an unforgettable dining experience. From the moment we walked in, the management and staff created a warm, welcoming atmosphere that made the evening feel special. The star of the show was undoubtedly the Wagyu tomahawk steak. It was cooked to perfection with incredible marbling and depth of flavor. It's hands down the best steak I've ever had. Between the cuisine, the service, and those panoramic ocean views, Empire Steakhouse has earned my highest recommendation. I'll will definitely be returning. read more

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Okay, so this is another "traditional" style steakhouse. Wait staff in ties, attentive table service, and the like. Similar to Hy's, Empire presents as slightly more upscale than some of the others. The prices reflect this to some extent, although lower than Hy's for sure. Even during "happy hour", the lower prices are often accomplished with less product. 4 oysters instead of 6...that kind of shenanigans. We had the "Emperor's steak for 2", along with some sides, including cauliflower soup, sautéed asparagus, mashed potatoes, and the oysters and fried calamari as starters. Also served bread. And we had some drinks. I ordered an old fashioned, which for the happy hour $12 was passable. I'm sure a regular priced version would have been a healthier pour and maybe even better than well whiskey. The bread was uneventful. The oysters were $16 for 4 of the smallest oysters I've seen. They were super fresh and all tho, so . The calamari was decent, but there are a few hundred bars in Honolulu that probably do a better job with it. The asparagus was cooked perfect and tasted good. The cauliflower soup was a bit under seasoned but otherwise okay. The mashed potatoes were actually pretty disappointing. Guess I was expecting more of a French prep. But they were a bit too much on the dry side for me and lacked any real flavor. Then we come to the steak. At ~$225 it is definitely a treat. But it did not disappoint. A bone-in porterhouse cut cooked perfectly to our requested temp. I especially appreciated the lack of over salting and tons of butter used by so many chefs these days. This allowed the natural juices to pull forward and give the good cut time to shine. The staff were, as I said, excellent. I'm not too sure of the backstory for the ownership or food sourcing, so I won't factor in that. I hope it's local ownership and not using Sysco products, but who knows these days. End of the day, if you like this type of experience and don't mind the spend, then Empire is a recommend. Overall the food was decent and the service is great. For me, I guess I'm just uncultured enough to prefer a good ribeye on someone's backyard grill tho. read more

Huge steaks, but also insane prices but the tomahawk was sooo juicy and fatty and delish. Was defs hard to finish tbh cuz it was so much food Appetizers not really worth because they were so small We asked for a specific window seat to see the fireworks and they said they would give us it but then they didn't.... They did comp some stuff for us though so that was nice read more

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Went here for Mother's Day, and they were offering a set menu for $139 per person. Surprisingly, there were only about three tables occupied when we checked in at noon. I have to say, for a steakhouse, the steaks were rather underwhelming. I ordered the New York strip, while my mother had the filet mignon. My New York strip was pretty average. It was cooked to my preferred medium rare but the cut of steak could've been better quality. I mean not to throw shade, but I've honestly had more tender New York strip steaks from Sam's Club. That said, some dishes really stood out. The calamari was excellent, especially paired with the marinara sauce. The crab cake was also very good and packed with lots of crab, although I thought it could have used a little more sauce. Dessert was probably the highlight of the meal. Both the tiramisu and the chocolate mousse cake were out of this world delicious!! Overall, the restaurant offers incredible views and the service was excellent, but it wouldn't be my first choice for the steaks. Happy eating!! 44 read more

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Roz was an excellent server. She was kind, informative and attentive. The dinner was a memorable experience in Honolulu while watching the fireworks. Highly recommend this restaurant and her care. Ambiance is beautiful read more

Empire Steak House - Steakhouses Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

The weirdest experience that we've ever had!! Reservations for 2 at 6pm / got there early. Elevator takes forever to get to top floor where restaurant is. Hostess sits us on the backside of the restaurant floor next to bar. I literally had to plead, fight, forcibly insist to get a table with an ocean view. She said that all of the tables were reserved yet there was 4 tables occupied in the entire restaurant. I told her that we wouldn't be long and eat as fast as possibly and leave SHE STILL WOULDN'T ACCOMMODATE US I still insisted and wouldn't budge until we got a table NOT over looking a roof with air conditioners - omg. I finally told her / fuck it we are leaving AND THEN all of a sudden she found a table to our liking!!!!!! There was a family that had the best table in the entire restaurant and had already finished their dinner and yet they wouldn't leave. They were there for 2 + hours as they were still there after we left. They were Asians with small kids. Our first waitress ( Asain) didn't speak any English. Couldn't understand what blue cheese / olives / martinis were = Bad sign. Our second waitress helped us out and the other wait staff still had challenges. It took 3 times asking for lemons for our water. I asked if they had stuffed blue cheese olives w their martinis. HARD NO I asked for crumbled blue cheese and I would stuff my own olives for my martinis. I did - I stuffed 7 olives for my 2 happy hour martinis. I knew this was a huge mistake when we asked the white couple exiting out of the elevator if their meal was good and their response was "it's a great view" We are white. This restaurant caters to Asians / Japanese. I've never ever have written a review biased on race and this is sad that the language barrier was so great that we couldn't communicate ?!?!?! Not accommodating at all and I won't stand for this. So I'm gonna order eat n leave. Onion soup = pretty solid and good Lobster bisque = small portion, warm, and just ok Barratta = no bueno / horrible!!! Made them take it off the bill. We got the check and left a 10% tip and bailed. Sad sad place to spend money for dinner. Again, really weird. read more

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Really nice rooftop restaurant. Love the ambiance and decor, and piano player. Definitely date night place. All of the staff we encountered was warm and welcoming. Michael was our server and he was so friendly and attentive. Happy hour is a great deal. We ordered so many pupus, which were all great. We all ordered the prix fixe menu NYsteak, which was a great deal, but the steak was not good. It arrived drenched in some type of gray sauce, that if it were listed on the menu as coming with sauce I would have ordered the sauce on the side or chosen a different entree. I would definitely not order that steak again. I would be down to come back and give this place another try based on the ambiance and the service. read more

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Been many times, and seems like each time the service declines...Very nice, but everyone green. This time even some of the food wasn't as good Brought hubs for his bday... the porte cochere is always a nightmare. Not the restaurants fault, but be prepared for it. We were sitting there waiting to get in and 9 minutes after our reservation the restaurant called asking us if we were still coming. Seemed little soon to be calling. Got to the elevator and hostess stand downstairs. That's new. The nice thing was, the elevator is fixed! It's no longer scorching hot in there. Only took several decades (for Ilikai) to fix. Got in and quickly escorted to our table. The host did wish the hubs a happy birthday. Got a waitress who was very sweet but husband thought she looked very uncomfortable. Not sure if they realized we were there to spend money or what, but she got yanked and we got someone a little better. Not top notch, but not terrible. Oddly they had only 2 table settings. "Baby" is 2... yes, we stick her in a high chair because she can barely see over the table on a normal chair... but she does eat and can use utensils. We had to request a fork, and just fed her off our of bread plates and shared our water with her b/c nobody thought to bring a whole place setting. Bread. Now this was really surprising. They had junk bread when they first opened, completely improved the bread, and now it's a Sweet bread roll. Dry and underwhelming. Very disappointing since I believe that sets the tone of the meal. Ordered a bottle of wine and pupus... - Tako - cooked well. I'm just not a fan of all the olives. But hubs likes the olives. - Crab cakes - crabby. Tasty. - Mozz and tomato - always get this since Baby loves it. Food came fairly fast but we had to ask to put in our dinner order. - Shared a NY Strip - this was cooked well but needed a tad more salt, - Shared Special Sashimi platter - uni was good. Baby grinded the maguro. Hamachi good. Chutoro had too much tsuji. Not the best quality for a $100 platter...granted they are a steakhouse. - Garlic Rice - not good. No taste. Oily. Crunchy. Not purposefully crunchy , but crunchy like old rice stuck to the side of the pot. - Asparagus - Hubs said this had the best flavor. But it was soooo overcooked! It almost was as soft as canned. Terrible execution. - Creamed spinach - this I liked. I liked even more the next day. Hubs wanted cheesecake, so got that for dessert. They brought him a slice of chocolate cake and lit a candle, then walked away without saying anything. Was very strange. Not even a "happy birthday this is on us" or anything. I did like the chocolate more than the cheesecake. Bottle had finished, but no offer for additional drinks/wine list. So I just asked for the check. They used to have good service but didn't see our favorite waiter (who we told was "on leave" last time) and the young boy manager who was pretty helpful and always stopped by to see how we were doing. I may just give it 1 more chance since it is my favorite dry-aged steak on island...but really hope they step it up. read more

Happy Hour 4pm - 6 pm with incredible discounted food and drink options. We had four cocktails and dinner for two for $77. The drinks and the food were both outstanding! Amazing views and service by Tony at the bar and Ava at the door! Shhhh don't tell anyone that this is the best happy hour in Waikīkī read more

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What a gem!!! Top 4 steak-houses I've ever been to. Steak was seasoned perfectly and my salmon was perfection. Cocktails were great and live piano was nice. Views and good service is there, I was a happy camper! Room to improve: lemon pasta wasn't super flavorful but I didn't mind given how terrific everything else was. Thank you for a lovely night. read more

Empire Steak House - Catch of the day salmon. Fries in the back. - Steakhouses Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

The Empire Steak house is on the 30th floor of the Ilikai Hotel in Honolulu. We had a table at the expansive window with a beautiful view. The restaurant has a wonderful vibe, with a piano player near the bar. We shared the Tuna Tartare --- amazing. The steak, too, perfectly cooked and sliced. It was enough to take home, including the bone full of meat. The Empire potatoes went perfectly with the steak.This is fine dining at its best with impeccable service. Dessert was watching the fireworks from the marina on the ground level. A lovely evening. 27 read more

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OMG....This is the most amazing restaurants I've been too.... Natasha was amazing, and ALL the was friendly and attentive to our needs... The atmosphere was absolutely amazing.... The food was FANTASTIC! Tricia was also very attentive to our needs and again ALL the staff were GREAT! read more

Empire Steak House - Beef Short Ribs - Steakhouses Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Celebrated my retirement at Empire Steakhouse on Top of the Ilikai. Beautiful restaurant very open and welcoming. Service was excellent from the Greeter in front to the Hosts to the Wait Staff and the Managers. We ordered the Calamari for an appetizer. Prepared perfectly crispy outside moist and tender inside with a nice slightly spicy sauce. Everyone had the House Salad and we ordered pretty much all of the sides. Mushrooms with Onions, Grilled Asparagus, Spinach Stir Fried with Garlic, Potatoes fried in Beef Tako, and Creamy Mashed Potatoes. The Potatoes fried in Beef Talo were delicious and addictive. Crispy outside moist and fluffy inside. For entrees we ordered the Pan Seared Onaga, Seared Ahi, Filet Mignons, and a bunch of Bone in Ribeyes. I ordered a Bone In Ribeye medium rare. It was perfectly prepared with just the right amount of seasoning perfectly seared on both sides. One of the Best Steaks I've ever had. For dessert we ordered a sampling of the Cheesecake, Tiramisu , and Chocolate Mousse Cake. The Chocolate Mousse Cake was wonderful it was so decadent yet light with a slight hint of sweet crunch in the middle. We all had a great time celebrating my retirement. read more

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The food was amazing!!! We got there around 5:30 pm and sat at the bar. The bartenders, Tony and Tevita Tended to us as we needed. The ambiance was exactly as expected. Rooftop with beautiful Waikiki views and live piano. I would absolutely recommend the oysters if you have a lil craving like we did. Only 4, but worth the price. The Mini Loco Moco was NOT MINI. For only $19, we would've ate this every day of our trip. This will be something I will CRAVE back on the mainland. The standard martinis on happy hour, extra dirty vodka and espresso, and beer and cab on draft were absolutely delicious. I can't imagine what the dinner is like, the happy hour was EPIC!!! Definitely recommend! read more

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We had an early reservation at Empire Steak House, and from the moment we arrived, the experience was nothing short of exceptional. Being seated promptly set the tone for a relaxed and enjoyable evening, but what truly made the night stand out was the outstanding service. Mark went above and beyond to ensure everything was perfect. He was attentive without being intrusive, knowledgeable about the menu, and genuinely warm and welcoming. His recommendations were spot-on, and he made us feel like valued guests rather than just another table. The food was phenomenal--perfectly cooked steaks, excellent sides (get the spinach and mushrooms!!), and a refined atmosphere that lives up to Empire's reputation. Combined with Mark's exceptional service, it made for a memorable dining experience. Highly recommend for anyone looking for top-tier service and an unforgettable steakhouse experience. read more

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I stopped by Empire this weekend for their Happy Hour and was super impressed. The bar menu was nicely priced and had a great selection. I tried the Steak Sliders, the Loco Moco, the Empire Burger, and a Steak Kabob. Everything they brought to the table was delicious. The burger and the steak sliders both came with a side of large cut steak fries. Gavin, the bartender, took care of me at my small table. I had a great view out over the south shore and got to watch the airplanes take off. Gavin kept an eye on me all afternoon ensuring I had everything I needed and my glass was never empty. As a matter of fact, everyone up there was friendly and ready to help. I can't recommend this place enough for happy hour. I'll be back soon to try out their dinner menu but I expect their steaks to be just as top notch as their happy hour grindz. read more

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Went here for a private company Christmas party in the marble room. Arrived right before 6pm just in time to see the sunset from the elevator that takes you directly to the restaurant. Parking validation only good for 3 hours anything after that is $14+. The marble room was beautiful, view was gorgeous. Service was great and food was delicious. The seafood platter had all my favorites and the porterhouse for 2 was more than enough to eat. read more

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We came here without a reservation and everything went smoothly. Upon entering the hotel, we walked towards the lobby where there was a huge sign saying empire steak house. They have their own elevator with just two buttons which is pretty simple and the elevator has a beautiful view of the marina! We got seated immediately and received free bread and butter. After we ordered it took a while for the food to come out but the portions were large and it was so delicious! My favorite was the grilled Branzino which was so flavorful and soft The live music was a great touch as well read more

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My friend and a I went here for a light dinner based on a recommendation from a mutual friend. Initially, we were almost gonna leave because we thought happy hour lasted until seven and we arrived shortly after six. Anyway, we ended up staying my friend. Had the clam chowder and Caesar salad and I had a clam chowder and kebab. We both enjoyed the food. It was all pretty high-quality in my opinion, but what really made our meal enjoyable was the service especially by Mae and her back up Roland. They were both extremely attentive, friendly, and personable. Yes it is a pricey restaurant, but in my opinion, it's worth the money. I will definitely be going back. read more

This review is solely based on a takeout order, I have not had the chance to dine in at this restaurant yet. Empire Steak House is one of the few resy restaurants on Oahu in which you can use your AMEX credit. This is pretty much the only reason why I placed a takeout order here. Location is weird - it's located inside a very 70's looking hotel Staff is really nice Food was honestly just OK Steak was good but I've definitely had better Baked potato was very plain... like no toppings at all, which I thought was odd but whatever it was essentially free due to the AMEX credit. I'll have to rate it a pretty mediocre 3stars for now, hopefully it's better if I actually dine in read more

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DO NOT COME HERE!!! WORST SERVICE EVER!!! The management was extremely unprofessional in handling what should be a fine dining establishment. This was the worst experience I have ever had at this restaurant. We made a reservation for three people last Friday to celebrate an early Father's Day. We arrived on time at 7:00 p.m., and the hostess seated us promptly. We ordered drinks and began reviewing the menu. More than 35 minutes passed after our drinks were served, and no one came to our table to take our dinner order. We assumed the restaurant was busy, so we waited patiently. As it got darker, we noticed there wasn't enough light, so I used my phone's flashlight to get something out of my bag. I initially thought the dim lighting was intentional. A waitress happened to walk by and said, "Oh, sorry, it's getting darker. Our power is out, so the lights aren't on." That was the first time we realized there had been a power outage since we arrived. No one from management or the waitstaff had informed us of the situation. We only found out by chance because a waitress saw me using my phone flashlight. Around 7:55 p.m., another waitress came by and asked if we wanted to order more drinks. Again, no one provided an update on the power outage or when power might be restored. Since she was still offering drinks, we assumed the issue would be resolved shortly and ordered another glass of wine. I also asked if they could provide some bread for my 5-year-old son since it was already well past his normal dinner time. I was told they had dinner rolls but could not heat them, so they were unable to offer any bread. By 8:20 p.m., the power was still out. At that point, I flagged down our waitress and asked if they had any cold rice or anything else my son could eat because he was hungry and said his stomach was hurting. I also requested our bill. She brought out a small bowl of rice for him, and we paid and left the restaurant at approximately 8:35 p.m. Unfortunately, the experience didn't end there. After going downstairs, we had to wait another 35 minutes for valet to retrieve our car. We finally left the Ilikai at 9:15 p.m. At that point, none of us had eaten dinner, and most nearby restaurants were already closed. We ended up picking up fast food on the way home. What was supposed to be a happy celebration dinner turned into a nightmare. What disappointed us most was not the power outage itself--those things happen. It was the complete lack of communication, transparency, and customer service from management. No one explained the situation, provided updates, or offered any meaningful accommodation despite the lengthy delay. For a restaurant that presents itself as a fine dining establishment, this level of service was unacceptable. read more

Party of six long time locals. Great happy hour, Service and view!Charlie our waiter was very good. Gave us the specials twice as some of our party was late. He took care of all our needs! Mahalo Charlie! The food was 5 star and the cocktails were perfect. Jun the manager was very personable and came to greet us with great stories. The check in was very pleasant and we were seated right away. The sliders were wonderful! The kbobs were cooked perfectly. Best Happy Hour in Waikiki!We will return for a full dinner! Definitely our new Happy Hour! read more

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Disappointment was the feeling of the night. Noise level: At first, I thought it was a nice touch to have a live pianist, but it was so loud we couldn't even hold a normal conversation. I ended up moving my chair next to my boyfriend instead of across from him just to hear each other. Service: Our waiter was all over the place. While taking our order, I turned to ask my boyfriend which fish he wanted, and the waiter literally bolted mid-order saying, "Oh, I have to take care of something." He did come back later and admit he wasn't his usual self since it was busy, but still, it felt chaotic. Pacing: Slow, slow, slow. It took forever to get our food. When it finally arrived, the salmon was overcooked, and the baked potato was cold. At that point, I wasn't about to send it back and wait another 45 minutes. Value: For the price, Empire is one of the highest I've seen compared to other steakhouses we've been to, and with much less charm. Cocktails & Class: We enjoy cocktails and started with prosecco and one of their signature drinks. The prosecco was overly sweet with peach undertones (not for me), so I asked to swap it for another cocktail. The drinks we ended up with were good. But when the check came, they left the untouched prosecco on the bill. I understand paying for something I order and don't like, but after such a long wait, which even the waiter acknowledged, it would've shown some class to remove it. Overall, the evening felt overpriced, slow, and lacking the "special" touch you expect from a high-end Waikiki steakhouse. Unfortunately, we left more frustrated than impressed. read more

We went there during Happy hour. Super nice view sitting up on 30th floor of Ilikai Hotel overlooking the beautiful ocean view! Recommended by Guy Hagi - saw it on YouTube, looked fabulous. We ordered from the Happy hour menu: waghu beef slider, colossal shrimp cocktail, fresh oyster, steak kabob, calamari, 2 cocktails and crème bulee. definitely recommend reservation, happy hour ends later than other restaurant (7pm). This is fine dining priced restaurant, an alternative for a new steak place for those who love steak. A tom mohawk is $210 for 2 people. check it out! read more

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What a spot! I've never found a better combination of fine dining, quality food, reasonable prices, and extraordinarily friendly staff. I came through the Ilikai with some coworkers, and we found this place to be our regular stomping ground in the evenings. The happy hour prices are easily the best in the city, and the quality/portion sizes were surprising. Oh, and you really cannot beat the views! They put up with us and made us feel at home. Empire Steakhouse is going to be on a list of "must take people when I come back" now. read more

Valet parking was available right at the main entrance, and we took the Empire Steak House elevator straight to the 30th floor. The ride was smooth, opening up to a breathtaking view of the ocean and Waikiki Harbor. We were warmly greeted by the hostess and seated at a lovely table with a spectacular view. Our server introduced herself and quickly explained the menu options and took our order. Sparkling water and fresh bread were served to start. I ordered the calamari while my daughter had the clam chowder--both beautifully presented and delicious. Our medium-rare steak arrived shortly after, perfectly seasoned and cooked just right. The sides were equally impressive: broccoli with a touch of garlic, tender yet crisp, and fluffy mashed potatoes full of flavor. We finished with apple pie à la mode and coffee--served hot on a chilled plate, an excellent touch to a perfect dessert. The entire experience was exceptional, made even better by the stunning view. Easily one of the best value lunch spots on the island. I'll definitely be bringing friends here! read more

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Amazing stake, great service and friendly and helpful staff. Will recommend this place read more

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This restaurant exceeded our expectations! The views are breathtaking, the food is delicious and the staff is so friendly and welcoming. From the moment we sat, the staff greeted us nicely. The food was amazing and so flavorful. A big thanks to Mai for serving us today, she's the best! read more

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Empire Steak House is located on the 30th floor in the Ilikai Hotel. We came here to celebrate a friend's birthday over lunch. They have their own private elevator and you can see the beautiful Pacific Ocean while riding the elevator. Valet was only $6 with validation but there were some issues for most of us when using the valet service downstairs. You can also park in the metered stalls in the back of the hotel if you don't want to valet. The place is nicely done with a beautiful wine cellar along with spectacular views of Honolulu. It seemed that we were the only people there but apparently there was a wedding party on the other side of the restaurant. The news was also there to film a segment about tariffs. We all decided to order the Power Lunch. It comes with a starter, entree and a drink (Decaffeinated & Regular Coffee or Tea). I ordered the Fresh Mozzarella & Beefsteak Tomato, Beef Short Rib and Iced Coffee. Customer service wasn't consistent but overall it was good. We all found it odd that the time between starter and entree was a noticeably long. We did get free drink refills but timing from the kitchen could have been better. The Fresh Mozzarella & Beefsteak Tomato was a decent starter. Paul C was kind enough to share some of his Fried Calamari with me so I could taste another starter. Their Beef Short Rib had a good flavor and you could taste the essence of the rosemary they used as a garnish. I personally would have liked the meat to be more tender and less chewy. It was hard to cut through, even with a steak knife. Presentation was nice though. The birthday girl received a complimentary dessert so that was nice. Overall, amazing lunch to celebrate our friend turning 21 ;p read more

Empire Steak House - Fresh Mozzarella & Beefsteak Tomato - Steakhouses Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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***4.5 STARS*** Trust. Go with the flow. Trust your foodie friends. Thank you Auntie (Nadine C.) and Donna O. The girls came to Empire Steak House (ESH) back in February 2025, just about a month after their grand opening that was on January 10, 2025. ESH boasts USDA prime dry aged steaks and seafood where the restaurant is located on the 30th floor at Ilikai Hotel that overlooks Waikiki and the yacht harbor. ESH hails from New York which started in 2010 and now has 3 New York locations and a restaurant in Tokyo (Roppongi). Our group recently came here for a birthday lunch on Good Friday. Shout out to Craig T. for organizing and providing us with their Power Lunch menu. I was one of the last two to arrive. After catching the exclusive elevator to ESH, I was greeted at the hostess stand and immediately saw my group that sat on a long table next to the window. We all took part on the Power Lunch where you select your starter and main course. We were served complimentary focaccia bread and our meal came with coffee or tea (hot or iced). After ordering there was a bit of a wait time but that was utilized by catching up with my friends. After the food came, we snapped away with our phones and it was then time to dig in. THE VERDICT: To be honest I didn't really expect much for a lunch experience but the food quality and quantity exceeded my expectations. For my starter I chose the fried calamari and it was served piping hot. There was a spicy dipping sauce and it paired well together. For my entree I selected the Empire Burger and it was also served to me piping hot. The 100% beef patty had a beautiful exterior crust where the meat temperature was nailed perfectly medium rare but was disappointed that the chef forgot to season the patty. I added salt and now my burger was delicious Burger came with thick, home cut fries that were also served hot and crispy with a ramekin of ketchup. My friends seemed to enjoy their meals, especially the salmon that was moist. The ambiance and scenery are just absolutely breathtaking here. It was a clear, sunny day where we enjoyed the views during our stay. Customer service was above average. There were multiple servers on the floor. In addition to delivering our meal and refilling our drinks, we were checked upon throughout the meal to see how we were doing. For $39.95 this meal was a great deal in my opinion. Our group was also given a tour of the restaurant and were introduced to private dining rooms if we wanted an intimate dining experience in the future. Overall, I had a great first experience at ESH where I'd be game for another visit. Next time I'd like to return for dinner and get a nice steak. NOTE: ESH only validates valet parking and not self parking. read more

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Located at the Top of the Ilikai hotel, your journey to the 30th floor will be one of the highlights of the experience with the glass elevator overlooking the harbor. This has restaurant has all the makings of an amazing steakhouse... it's just not there yet. (But I do hear they have a great happy hour from 4-7pm) Pros: - Ooo this 360 view at the top of the ilikai is incredible!! The lighting is nice and dim so it's got a great vibe with an actual live pianist. - The food tastes GREAT. Steaks were cooked very well and seasoned nicely! I could actually taste lavender (which is usually just aromatic) in the Lavender Crème Brûlée. - The seating layout was so nice and spacious. It was so nice to not hear the party nearby and has ample space to traverse the restaurant. Compared to other steakhouses, this ambiance of Empire is one of the best in Waikiki. Cons: - Our reservation was at 6PM, three parties came up in the elevator, we were all greeted by an empty host stand and stares from the staff working hard at the bar who watched us look confused. - The Wine list/ drink menu could use some improvement... although a HUGE selection of wine, I'm more of a Whiskey guy and other than their touristy cocktail list, there were no options listed (and staff wasn't familiar enough with the bar selection) so I just went with a basic Jameson on the rocks... also related to the drink menu, they ran out of caffeinated coffee and espresso - but you could get the decaf versions? - There were other minor things that could be improved... like though my water glass was always full, but my bread plate stayed on the table until after the steak arrived. The table itself felt very cheap, for a party of 6, it was (2) two-top square tables put together with one end that flipped out (where I sat) and it wasn't sturdy. We did valet parking, which was $6 after validation, run by Elite Parking. (This was not a great valet experience but totally unrelated to the restaurant). read more

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A few of us Yelpers decided to have lunch because not only it was Good Friday it was my sister Debbie Birthday . Empire is located on the 30th floor in the Ilikai hotel . With validation you can have your car valet for $6 up to 4 hours . Scenery of the restaurant is breathtaking the food was ok the service could have been a little better . Our food took awhile to come out but that's ok we had good conversation going on plus several news crew was filming regarding the Tariffs. The best part we all were on the news LOL how exciting of course in the background . We all ordered their Power lunch menu for $39.95 you cannot go wrong . A choice of appetizers and your entree along with either coffee or tea. Just the ambience is 5 stars lucky we live in beautiful Hawaii . Overall rating : Ambience: 5 stars Service: 4 stars Food : 4 stars Prices : 4 stars They also have private rooms for any special occasion. Support local read more

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Service and servers were hospitable beyond expectations. We then were an ear shot of a disgruntled "regular" over the differences of happy hour and dinner menus prices. Because he left without paying, please remember this man's face and understand he is nothing near the Aloha spirit. #idareyoutocomeforme read more

Empire Steak House - Manager Kastir displayed the utmost professionalism of class and patience you could ever find on a human man. Mahalo, Kastir. - Steakhouses Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Came here for my birthday dinner with my fiancé. Overall a pretty good experience. I deducted one star solely because where we were sat, where it felt like for peasants. There were empty seats and tables in the middle of the restaurant (nicer side of the restaurant), but were told those tables are reserved for those who pay. Didnt know paying extra, gets you better tables. Well either way, we sat at the very end of the restaurants near one of the kitchen entrances, which also made it a little difficult to see the Hilton fireworks show. We both had to get out of our seats to view it. But besides that, I thought the service and food were pretty good for this fancy-type restaurant. The food was as expected for the amount we paid. Very beautiful setting while being on the top floor of the Ilikai. Didnt even know this restaurant was there. Hosts and server were very nice, polite, and helpful. May try this place again, maybe for happy hour. read more

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Beautiful views, but unfortunately the food didn't quite rise to the occasion. We ordered the filet mignon, chicken parmigiana, lobster bisque, crab cake, Caesar salad, and several drinks. The drinks were solid, and the service kept things moving along nicely. The lobster bisque and crab cake held their own as well. The rest of the meal, however, felt like it missed the memo. The Caesar salad was less "Caesar" and more "lettuce with aspirations," dressed in what tasted suspiciously like something poured straight from a bottle, a bold move for a $20 salad. The filet mignon was a bit of a paradox: technically present, but so chewy it seemed determined to outlast the conversation. The chicken parmigiana followed suit, leaning more toward overcooked than comforting. All in all, while the view certainly knows how to make an impression, the food doesn't quite keep up with the scenery or the price tag. Not somewhere I'd rush back to, unless I was just there for the view. read more

We visited Waikiki for our anniversary and received a local recommendation to try Empire Steak House for its beautiful view. Although the restaurant had only been open for two months, we decided to give it a chance despite our initial skepticism. Before our reservation, we sat at the bar to enjoy a couple of happy hour drink specials. We had a great conversation with the bartender, James, who was delightful and clearly skilled at his job. The atmosphere was enhanced by a piano player, adding a nice touch with the music. When we sat down at our table, a lady greeted us and mentioned she would be our waitress. We ordered an appetizer and salad from her. Shortly after, the manager introduced himself, which was a nice gesture. We requested a sommelier from another waiter, and the manager came over to give us wine suggestions. We ended up ordering our food from the manager since the waitress only stopped by our table once. We received more attention from the manager and another server named Alfred, who provided exceptional service throughout the evening. We made sure Alfred was well taken care of at the end of the night. Now, let's talk about the food! It was probably one of the best meals we've ever had, and we were pleasantly surprised. A week later, we're still talking about it. We started with the grilled octopus and Caesar salad. The octopus was cooked to perfection, not rubbery at all, and absolutely delicious. For our main course, we ordered the beef short ribs and prime NY strip steak. We were advised to try the risotto, which paired wonderfully with the steak and ribs. Although the risotto was great, it was a lot of food since the ribs came with rice, which wasn't mentioned on the menu. The short ribs literally melted in our mouths, and the NY steak had the best flavor, cooked exactly as we wanted--perfectly seasoned. We ate a lot, from the start of the meal to the end! To celebrate our anniversary, they brought us a piece of cheesecake that we didn't need but still devoured. It was a great ending to the night. Thank you all for making it so special. I highly recommend trying Empire Steak House for its ambiance, service, drinks, wine, and especially the food. The views didn't disappoint either! read more

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Such a pretty view and the food was phenomenal ! Me nd the wife came just for the seafood platter and bone marrow . Both were so good , mary and charlie killed it ! Thanks to them the service was excellent . Must try . read more

Steak house with a view and comfortable elegance! The Caesar salad was refreshing and yummy, with just the right amount of dressing and crispy croutons. Really enjoyed the dry-aged bone-in ribeye steak, cooked medium. They offered to slice up the steak and it was helpful because the server checks if the doneness is ok with you right before serving. The ribeye was not overly fatty and oily, hardly any gristle. It was more on the leaner side for a ribeye and with a slight meaty chew. Overall, great flavor. For the sides, the creamed spinach and mashed potatoes were not excessively creamy, which was appreciated. The downfall of the meal was dessert. Ordered the vanilla panna cotta and it was somewhat tangy, had a thicker texture almost like yogurt, and a bit too gelatinous - basically not smooth and silky. The complimentary celebratory cheesecake dessert was pretty but not good for eating - dense and crumbly. The wine selection was robust. They also offer happy hour (only at the bar) until 7pm. I ordered a standard HH cocktail (cosmo) and was disappointed. Would recommend sticking to wines. They had a live piano player and a photographer that came around to the tables to take your picture. The tables were nicely spaced apart and you can't beat the city/coastal views of Waikiki. Valet parking was $6 with validation. Make sure to find and take the elevator with a view because it is fun and also that it takes you directly to the restaurant! read more

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