Duke's Waikiki

Previously:

Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort (Part 3 - Food)

If you're visiting Waikiki and want to enjoy local Hawaiian cuisine with an oceanfront view, Duke's Waikiki should be high on your list.  Located right on the beach at the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort, this laid-back yet lively spot is more than just a restaurant - it's an experience.  Named after legendary Hawaiian surfer Duke Kahanamoku, the restaurant honours his spirit with walls adorned in surfing memorabilia and a chill, nostalgic ambiance that pays tribute to old Hawai'i.

As soon as we walked into Duke's, I can feel a friendly, easygoing vibe that instantly puts you at ease.  Duke's staff are friendly, quick and genuinely seem to enjoy what they do. 

Let's talk about the star of the show - the food.  Duke's menu blend fresh island ingredients with traditional Hawaiian and Pacific Rim flavours, and they do great job of keeping it authentic while still approachable for all palates.

We were there for the lunch buffet.  I clearly aimed for their galbi and poke.  Just eating these two already worth it with the price we paid.  Their galbi was amazing, poke was fresh and crumbed prawns were surprisingly delicious too.  Having them with some broccoli salad and some sort of pineapple pickles was the best combination on a plate.

These are the top items from buffet menu for me personally (maybe this was my 3rd plate already)

Not part of the buffet menu but so many reviews say that you should get is their hula pie.  We were extremely full, so we missed this but apparently, it's that iconic. 

Duke's Waikiki might be a bit touristy, but it is popular for a reason.  It offers solid local dishes, great drinks and one of the best beachfront dining experiences on O'ahu.  Whether you're visiting for the first time or a local treating yourself to a night out, it delivers a genuine taste of aloha with every bite.

Also, if you could grab a table on the patio and you'll be dining with a front-row seat to Waikiki Beach.  Come during sunset for a seriously postcard-worthy scene and Diamond Head glowing in the background.

Duke's Waikiki

2335 Kalalaua Ave, Honolulu

Lunch for an adult USD 33 (around AUD 50), for a kid USD 17 (around AUD 25.80) 

Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort (Part 3 - Food)

Previously:

Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort (Part 2 - Pools and Lagoon)

If You're staying at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki, you might find that everything you need, especially when it comes to food - is right there at your fingertips.  We're talking big meals, tasty snacks, cool drinks, and sweet treats, all without ever leaving the hotel grounds.  Seriously, we spent the entire days enjoying all the food options without stepping outside the property - and we never got bored.

The Hilton Hawaiian Village is massive and so is its culinary offering.  With more than 20 restaurants, cafes, bars and quick bites scattered across the resort, you can find just about any type of cuisine - from Hawaiian plate lunches to Japanese, Italian, American classics, seafood and even gourmet grab-and-go.  

BBQ classic wings with ranch sauce USD 25 (around AUD 37.80)

Montague's all meat large pizza USD 36 (around AUD 54.40)

On one evening, after a full-on swimming in the pool and beach, we needed a meal with big carbs.  If you do know me, I like in-room dining, there is no option here but what we did, we bought as takeaway and enjoyed them in our room.  Works the same.  We grabbed a large pizza from Round Table and it hit the spot - crispy crust, cheesy goodness, and just the right amount of sauce.  

For something more local and hearty, we tried Blue Water Shrimp & Seafood.  Their plate lunches are everything you'd hope for - rice, salad and generous serving of flavourful protein.  Their crumbed fish was especially mouthwatering and the portions were big enough to satisfy even the hungriest beachgoer.

Fish & chips USD 18 (around AUD 27.20)

Sirloin steak plate lunch USD 20 (around AUD 30.20)

Hawaiian guava chicken USD 17 (around AUD 25.70)

When the Hawaiian sun starts heating things up, it's time for dessert.  We popped over to Diary Queen (DQ) and grabbed some ice cream.  There's just something about a cold DQ Blizzard that makes your day feel 10x better.  Whether you're into peanut butter, fruity or classic soft serve, it's a great pick-me-up after a swim or walk along the lagoon.

Throughout the resort, you'll find restaurants and snack shops like ABC Store is one of them, perfect for grabbing a quick bite or refreshing beverage.  Whether it's a morning coffee, an afternoon smoothie, or a tropical cocktail to sip by the pool, the Hilton Hawaiian Village has it covered.

Staying at Hilton Hawaiian Village isn't just about the beach or the pools - it's about having everything you need, right at your feet, especially when it comes to food.  You'll never run out of delicious options.  So, go ahead, stay in your swimsuit, enjoy your day in paradise and let the food come to you.  No car needed, no reservations required (in most cases) and zero stress.  Just great food and good vibes - all day long.

Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort

2005 Kalia Road, Honolulu

Ph: +1 808 949 4321

Check in: 4pm and check-out: 11am

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Hawaii:

Duke's Waikiki

Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort (Part 2 - Pools and Lagoon)

Previously:

Paina Lanai Food Court in Royal Hawaiian Center, Honolulu

The Hilton Hawaiian Village is undeniably one of the biggest and most iconic resorts in Waikiki.  This massive resort that truly lives up to the "village" in its name.  With its sprawling layout and beachfront location, it offers plenty of attractions - the man-made lagoon was definitely a highlight for us.  The lagoon is calm, kid-friendly, and perfect for paddleboarding, aqua cycling or just relaxing.  We also enjoyed the hotel guests pool with waterslide, which was a great bonus for the kids and parents alike.

The resort has a lot going on, and it's great if you're looking for energy and action.  There are shops, restaurants, bars and activities all within walking distance.  It's almost like a mini city.

However, the size of the hotel also comes with downsides.  It often felt overcrowded, especially in common areas and the lack of visible security made it easy for non-guests to access hotel pool, which was a bit concerning.  At times, it felt more like a public space than a private resort.  For the price point, we expected more in terms of service - small details like no kid's club and no complimentary coffee (something we appreciated at The Stay Hotel) made us feel the value could be better.

It's a fun and vibrant place to stay, especially for families, but it may not be the best fit if you're seeking peace or exclusivity.  The overall value felt more about volume than value.  

Rainbow tower

Lagoon

Lagoon

Aqua cycling

Main swimming pool (many non-guests use this pool)

Pool with sliders, only for hotel guest

Pool with sliders, only for hotel guest

Pool with sliders, only for hotel guest

Uber pick up spot

Firework every Friday night

Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort 

2005 Kalia Road, Honolulu

Ph: +1 808 949 4321

Check in: 4pm and check-out: 11am

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Hawaii:

Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort (Part 3 - Food)

Paina Lanai Food Court in Royal Hawaiian Center, Honolulu

Previously:

Palama Supermarket in Honolulu

During my recent visit to Waikiki, we also stopped by the Royal Hawaiian Center - a vibrant mix of shopping, culture and of course, food.  If you're looking for a convenient spot to grab a bite, this place doesn't disappoint... well, mostly.

I found some real gems in the food court.  One of my favourites was the Texas toast from Raising Cane's- warm, soft and buttery.  It paired perfectly with the crispy chicken.  Another standout was the galbi from L&L Hawaiian BBQ - simple but done right.  

On the flip side, I had high hopes for the doughnuts from Penny Malasadas as we had amazing doughnuts from Leonard's before, but they fell flat for me.  They only sell them as a package of 3 or 6, but the seller told me that I can't mix flavours.  Of course, I wanted to try all different flavours.  And we can't buy individually too.  With disappointment, I ended up with only a box of mini beignets.  The texture and flavour just didn't hit the mark.  If you wanna try malasada in Hawaii, I don't recommend this place.  Go straight to the best one in town from Leonard's Bakery.  

Texas toast

Beignets with powdered sugar USD 7.95 (around AUD 12.10)

L&L Hawaiian BBQ

Ph: +1 808 744 2795

Raising Cane's

Ph: +1 808 909 3098

Penny's Waikiki - Malasadas 

Ph: +1 808 744 0422

Royal Hawaiian Center

Paina Lanai Food Court

2nd Fl, 2233 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Hawaii:

Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort (Part 2 - Pools and Lagoon)

Palama Supermarket in Honolulu

Previously:

Makai Food Court at Ala Moana Center

I found this place while scrolling on Google map.  Not sure why we landed there but I know we made a great choice.  This place is more than just a grocery store, where you can find takeaway food.  But there is also Korean food corner, where you can grab some delicious hot food too.  If you're in Hawaii and craving authentic Korean food, Palama Supermarket is a hidden gem you don't want to miss.  Come hungry - you'll leave happy.

Pig feet USD 13,99, meat jun USD 9.99 and steamed kimchi dumpling USD 5.99

Short rib galbi

Their meat jun or meat omelette from supermarket and galbi from food corner were my favourites.  From just planning to only grab some snacks, we ended with having a big satisfying meal.  

Palama Supermarket

1670 Makaloa St, Honolulu

Ph: +1 808 447 7777

Open: Everyday from 8am -9pm

Palama Snack Corner closes at 6pm

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Hawaii:

Panai Lanai Food Court in Royal Hawaiian Center, Honolulu

Makai Food Court at Ala Moana Center, Honolulu

Previously:

Kona Coffee Purveyors at International Marketplace

When people think of Hawaii, they often picture postcard-perfect beaches and maybe a poke bowl or two.  But one of our favourites - and slightly underrated - experiences from our trip?  Food court hopping.  Yep.  You heard that right.

We found ourselves loving the humble food court, especially the one inside Ala Moana Shopping Center.  It became a kind of ritual, whenever we were out exploring or just cooling off from the tropical heat, we'd gravitate toward a food court to refuel.  Here's why.

- Options Galore

Everyone's mood and appetite change by the hour when you're on vacation.  One minute you're craving fried chicken, the next minute it's ramen or something sweet and icy.  Food courts give you options without arguments.  Everyone gets what they want and no one has to settle.  In Makai food court at Ala Moana, the variety is next level.  Whether you're into fast food, BBQ, plate lunch, bubble tea, or crepes, there's something for every taste and craving.

- No tip? No Guilt

One of the lesser talked about perks of food courts is no tipping required.  After days of sit-down dining with minimum 15% tips added to every bill, it felt refreshingly simple to just pay, eat and go.  (And yes, the locals do it too - this isn't just a tourist hack)

- Affordable and delicious

Let's face it, Hawaii can get pricey, especially when eating out three times a day.  But food courts? Total lifesavers.  Most meals were under $20 and the quality?  Surprisingly solid.  Some even... outstanding.

Food courts are also fun because they turn into a mini adventure.  Each of us has their go-to.  My husband obsessed with Jolibee.  There's something about that crispy chicken joy.  For me, the hands-down winner was the brisket from L.A. Brisket.  Smoky, juicy and tender meat.  Our son, every single time we're here, it was the Oreo shake from Jack In The Box.  No matter what he ate, that drink was non-negotiable.

So, if you're heading to Hawaii anytime soon, don't overlook the food courts - especially at places like Ala Moana.  They're convenient, budget-friendly and full of local flavour.  

Brisket bowl USD 19 (around AUD 28.80)

Oreo cookie shake (L) USD 6.99 (around AUD 10.60)

Cheeseburger meal with french fries and oreo shake USD 17.89 (around AUD 27.10)

12 pieces chickenjoy fried chicken USD 35 (around AUD 53)

Aloha chicken sandwich USD 9.49 (around AUD 14.40)

Regular Philly cheese steak USD 13.25 (around AUD 20.10)

Tonkotsu egg ramen USD 17.98 (around AUD 27.25)

Above shops are located inside the Makai Food Court at Ala Mona Shopping Mall

1450 Ala Moana, Honolulu

L.A. Brisket Ala Moana

Jack In The Box

Ph: 01 808 809 8782

Jolibee Ala Moana

Ph: +1 808 944 0440

Charleys Philly Steaks 

Ph: +1 808 945 2687

Ramen Bario Ala Moana

+1 808 942 2025

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Hawaii:

Palama Supermarket in Honolulu