The Original Tiki Restaurant In Hawaii You Must Visit Before Summer's Over
By Megan Shute|Published July 25, 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.
Your Hawaiian bucket list surely contains visits to various beaches, some crazy cool hikes, probably a few adrenaline-fueled experiences like skydiving or scuba diving with sharks, and countless mouthwatering restaurants. There is one restaurant, however, that you absolutely must add to your Hawaiian Islands dining bucket list. Located on Oahu’s Sand Island, La Mariana Sailing Club is one of the last truly original tiki restaurants found throughout the Hawaiian Islands, and an absolute must-visit while in Honolulu.
Nestled on the shores of Keehi Lagoon just six miles away from Waikiki and tucked behind a row of warehouses sits this iconic tiki bar and restaurant that will transport you back in time to Waikiki’s golden era. After all, the restaurant, which was founded in 1957, continues to serve as a historic reminder of the old days of Hawaii, with a vast collection of Hawaiiana items from many of the most famous - and beautiful - tiki-themed restaurants of the past.
While other restaurants across Hawaii - and the United States - may attempt to incorporate the elements of tiki style, none fully embraces the classic kitsch like La Mariana Tiki Bar and Restaurant.
Not only does La Mariana Sailing Club look the part of an old school tiki restaurant, but it plays the part well: featuring live piano music nightly, this island oasis welcomes the slow, unhurried pace of elegant dining that is no longer found across the Hawaiian Islands.
While the rest of Honolulu has sprinted into the future, this lush hideaway is a relic of old Hawaii, with rattan chairs, wooden tables, carved wooden masks, tiki statues, nets and glass balls hanging from the walls and ceilings, and other traditional decorations adorning every wall.
The food and beverages served at La Mariana are all part of the overall island vibe as well: we suggest starting your meal with one of their famous mai tais or zombies, followed by any of their delicious surf ‘n turf staples. The ahi spring rolls and kalua pork nachos are local favorites. Not quite sure what you’re craving? Order the Hawaiian pupu platter, which comes with ahi sashimi, ahi poke, and tako poke, and is perfect for sharing with a date.
We can’t forget that La Mariana is so much more than just a tiki bar: it is also a private marina, featuring 110 slips, utilities, and amenities to serve sailboat owners across the island.
La Mariana Sailing Club is open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and is located at 50 Sand Island Access Road, Honolulu, Hawaii. For more information, visit their website.
