Duke’s Waikiki

Near the top of many tourist’s dining wish list, Duke’s Waikiki restaurant, opened in 1992 and located within the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort, is a Hawaiian institution that blends top-tier casual dining and impeccable island hospitality with a décor and atmosphere that harkens back to surfing’s heyday. Guests can choose to eat in the dining room with a comprehensive but changing menu served throughout the day, or to dip their toes in the sand (and the ocean) and select from the truncated (but still sumptuous!) card at Duke’s Barefoot Bar.

The day starts early here with an ‘all you can eat’ breakfast buffet that represents excellent value and affords early risers unbeatable views of the beach, the ocean and Diamond Head, before the crowds arrive. Served from 07:00 - 11:00, the menu includes made to order omelets, pancakes, breakfast potatoes and French toast, as well as a selection of fresh local fruits, assorted cereals and baked goods for the sweet and savory-toothed. In addition to bottomless freshly brewed coffee and tea, a dedicated morning drinks menu is available, featuring a range of tropical juices, smoothies and sunrise cocktails.

Lunch is served from 11:15 - 15:00 and dinner from 16:45 - 22:00, with Pacific island flavors at the center of both menus. There’s a lot to like here, including - but not limited to - the Coconut Shrimp, Mango BBQ Pork Ribs, Waikiki Hot Wings and Korean Steak Street Tacos. Oh, and you cannot go to Duke’s without trying the Sautéed Macadamia Nut & Herb Crusted Fresh Fish of the Day, and you certainly can’t leave before indulging in Kimo’s Original Hula Pie! Drawing inspiration from Hawai’i’s rich bounty of ingredients, the extensive menu offers something to suit every taste, and special promotions such as Taco Tuesdays (11:00 - 16:30) and Thursday’s Prime Rib Buffet (16:45 - 22:00), along with a dedicated daily Keiki menu, help make Duke’s an ideal dining destination for all ages, budgets and occasions.

As delicious as the food is though, it’s only one part of the Duke’s package. A comprehensive drinks menu, live music entertainment and private event hosting are also available here. And the restaurant’s interior, adorned with photographs and memorabilia that pay homage to the islands’ water sports heritage (and in particular the achievements of Duke Kahanamoku), helps create a special atmosphere distinct from other venues.

As well as the original restaurant, the Duke’s brand (part of T S Restaurant Group) is now represented on Maui, Kaua’i and at three separate locations in California. All restaurants evoke Hawai’i’s beach lifestyle, but the Waikiki location, being literally on the site of the eponymous hero’s exploits, has its own unique ambiance and infectious Aloha spirit. Considered by many, the quintessential Hawaiian beachfront dining experience, a trip to O’ahu would be incomplete without at least one visit to Duke’s Waikiki…