Visit This One Landmark Restaurant For A True Taste Of Hawaii
By Megan Shute|Published October 23, 2017
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Megan Shute
Author
With more than 10 years of experience as a professional writer, Megan holds a degree in Mass Media from her home state of Minnesota. After college, she chose to trade in her winter boots for slippahs and moved to the beautiful island of Oahu, where she has been living for more than five years. She lives on the west side but is constantly taking mini-road trips across the island and visits the neighboring islands whenever she can getaway. She loves hiking, snorkeling, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu.
From food trucks on Kauai’s north shore to iconic eateries in Hilo, the Hawaiian Islands are home to countless incredible restaurants. And while there are certainly several restaurants that define Hawaii in some way, there is one restaurant so quintessentially Hawaiian that it belongs on everyone’s bucket list, whether you’re visiting Hawaii, or have lived here your entire life.
The restaurant is Duke’s, and though you will find locations on Oahu, Kauai, Maui, and even Southern California, we’re focusing on their Waikiki location today. Let’s dive in.
Found just steps from Waikiki Beach, Duke’s Waikiki is not only a true Hawaiian landmark but a well-known tourist hangout as well. And who can blame them? With the Pacific Ocean and Diamond Head as a backdrop, this casual Hawaiian eatery serves up mouthwatering food.
Named after Hawaiian legend Duke Kahanamoku, this eatery is almost as iconic as Duke himself: According to the Duke’s website, "Duke Kahanamoku was a native Hawaiian, a six-time Olympic swimming and water polo medalist, the father of modern-day surfing, and the Hawaiian ambassador to visitors and dignitaries. In his lifetime, Duke traveled all over the world and introduced people to the Hawaiian lifestyle and the sport of surfing."
With four stars on Yelp and nearly 4,000 reviews, there’s no denying that Duke’s Waikiki is one of the most popular restaurants on the island — whether you’re visiting Hawaii for the first time or have lived on Oahu for twenty years.
Duke’s is known for serving up delicious original Hawaiian-inspired cuisine, including Kalua pork nachos, Korean steak street tacos, macadamia nut chicken katsu, mango bbq bacon burgers, and seared ahi. Is your mouth watering yet?
All meals are served with a generous helping of Aloha Spirit, and you are sure to fall in love with Duke’s from the moment you sit down at your oceanside table with Diamond Head views.
Don’t forget to save room for a slice of Hula Pie. Originally developed at Kimo’s several years ago, Hula Pie is now a favorite among Duke’s patrons. Made with macadamia nut ice cream piled on a chocolate chip cookie crust and topped with chocolate fudge, whipped cream, and macadamia nuts, this dessert is huge — but when sharing with family or friends, it won’t go unfinished.
Have you ever eaten at this iconic Hawaiian restaurant? Duke’s Waikiki is located within the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort at 2335 Kalakaua Ave #116, Honolulu, HI 96815, and is open from 7 to 12 a.m. daily. For more information about other Duke’s locations, click here.
