53 By The Sea

We came here to celebrate my husband's birthday. It's a beautiful restaurant with very kind staff. We went at 6pm just as the sun was setting so we didn't get the view but it was still nice to look out on the water. We were seated right in front the door to the outside seating and beside a table that was really loud. The constant traffic of people coming in and out of the door was distracting and didn't make for the best experience. We tried to wait it out but eventually asked to be moved and the staff was really understanding. Aside from that, the meal was good. We chose the tasting menu and my husband added the wine pairing. The food was delicious and the service was good overall. The portions are small in the beginning but you will not leave hungry. I've seen a few comments/ questions about price and our bill for two was about $500. One minor nit is that they forgot the birthday cake for my husband. I'm thinking it was forgotten because we switched seats. Not a big deal but it would have been nice.

Outstanding place to dine with family and friends. For appetisers we had the shrimp,walu croquettes and prosciutto. Followed by lobster bisque. All very good, we were never rushed, and the service was consistently friendly, helpful and courteous. We then had the Granchio pasta and Seafood Risotto. Both very good and would absolutely order either one of them again. Great food and outstanding service. This restaurant is definitely a place I will not forget (it was that memorable) and will come to again the next time I am in Honolulu.

I came here to celebrate my wife's birthday and everything was perfect. The food was delicious and the view was amazing. Highly recommend outside seating.

We made reservations for 6pm, showed up on time, and placed our order within 5 minutes once seated. However, the meal did not arrive for at least an hour after that. The bread was great. We probably would have eaten more had we known how long the wait would be before eating. We were offered mocktails for the delay but was less than impressed after the food arrived. The tasting menu was simply that, small portions, not much seasoning, just blah to be honest. The steak was good, but all of the sides ordered were lacking flavor as well, and we were not impressed. We simply paid and left. Lesson learned, expensive, and "fancy" is not always better.

Best views during golden hour a bit dark once the sun sets. It has historical cozy vibes. Valet parking is complimentary. portion sizes are very small to be expected as a fancier restaurant. Order the prex fix menu and it was all right. It is hard when someone orders all a cart to time when their dishes come first when the prix fix courses come there was complementary focaccia bread with me so butter, which was very subtle and sweet. None of the food wowed me. The oysters were amazing!The tables came dressed for wine, pairings, and multiple courses and they changed out the utensils with every course. The tablecloth is cloth so if you drip or spill it is visible. The chairs were very comfy with padding.

53 By The Sea is one of those special spots in Honolulu where the view is just as incredible as the food. It’s definitely on the pricier side, but the oceanfront dining with Diamond Head in the background makes it worth the splurge, especially for a romantic night out or a special occasion. The seafood is fresh, the service is top-notch, and the atmosphere feels elegant without being stuffy. If you’re looking for a memorable dining experience in Hawaii, this place delivers.

We decided to have dinner here with a friend and were pleased. We were seated on the patio overlooking Diamond Head 😍 Amazing view, and at the end we also saw fireworks! We ordered the chef's testing menu for 2 people, the first 2 dishes were very tiny, but so beautiful and delicious, the third dish of fish and ribs with various vegetables pleased us with its size and taste. And the dessert is also delicious and beautiful. The service was top notch, our waiters were very attentive! Overall, we really liked it here!

First: Pricey. So be sure it’s worth it. Expect to pay $100-125 per person with apps, drinks and dessert. Second: it’s worth it. Come late on Friday… around 7. Be sure to reserve your table ahead of time and note you’d like a table at the window or outside. You’ll enjoy the show of local surfers catching waves and catamarans and longboats coming back to the pier. Take your dinner slow so you can see the fireworks off the beach at the Hilton in the distance between 730-8 depending on season. If you finish dinner early you can walk to point panic and hang out until the fireworks. We came for my wife’s 50th and the complimentary dessert was absolutely fantastic. We also ordered the crème brûlée and ice cream. Every dish was fabulous. Octopus salad, broccoli salad appetizers, fresh catch, bolognese, hand cut pasta and chicken involtini were amazing. The wine selections were superb. Would recommend to anyone looking for an amazing evening of great food and Aloha!

We went to this amazing restaurant last night for our very special anniversary dinner and this place exceeded our expectations. From the minute we walked in, the staff was wishing us happy anniversary. We were seated right away at a table with a beautiful view. Unfortunately, mama nature did not cooperate and it was pouring. We still had a nice view of the lights. The restaurant itself is beautiful! The ambience is perfect for a special occasion dinner with nice music but not loud. The service is excellent. Kudos and 10 stars to our server, Tony, who went above and beyond in providing a fabulous experience. What we ate: started with sharing the pork belly salad which was yummy. Hubby tried pork belly for the first time and it was not his favorite but no fault to the restaurant. They also served a delicious focaccia bread with it. For the mains, I had the pork chop which was large, tender and moist. Hub had the veal dish - he cleaned the plate. We also had a side of the carrots. For dessert, we had the lemon tart which was good but the crust was rather tough. The restaurant also gave us a small cake in celebration of our anniversary. Thank you 53 by the Sea for making our special evening so nice. Highly recommend this place and we hope to be back someday.

Dinner combination for our Christmas and New Year celebration at 53 by the Sea originally called John Domino's Best to go just before sunset and view of unobstructed view of Diamond Head The following food don't really remember what but everything was delicious recommend by our server The evening went well as the sun were setting treated by table side candles ambiance where food followed

We sat outside right before sunset. It was pretty nice to experience it there. The sunset view and the ocean's energy made up for the food lol Staff was pretty attentive. If you are on social media and want to post for the GRAM.. you can take really nice photos here:) Aloha ~~~~

Aloha, 53 by the Sea is mostly known for its mesmerizing views of our beautiful city from an ocean perspective, although a given, we forgot how lucky we are and to re-recognize why we live here. 53 by the Sea's - food wine and wisdom monthly dinners with MS Chuck Furuya are delicious fun and educational. The food was superb, Chuck's humor and selection of wines matched the food perfectly. If you haven't visited 53 by the Sea recently (ok I have 2 times within a week) you really need to make your way back here soon. I promise you'll love it! As the days get longer, you'll have a lot to enjoy! A hui hou!

It's always a treat to brunch at one of Hawaii's prettiest restaurants, 53 By the Sea. I especially love dining there for Sunday brunch as you have such pretty ocean views while enjoying your meal. Service here is always excellent too. Our large party had a great time and best part is that they don't rush you so you can enjoy your experience to the fullest. A perfect place to have your next gathering or plan a party for the upcoming holidays!

Before coming to 53 By The Sea to celebrate our sons AnSon & AnZie's birthday, we were a bit skeptical. We've been to many "high-end" and Michelin-starred restaurants where the food can be mediocre at best and the service subpar. However, 53 By The Sea truly delivered and exceeded our expectations. Let me tell you how The manager, Jordan, and his team welcomed us warmly and escorted us to our table with a breathtaking ocean view. Jordan and his team ensured we were comfortable and catered to all our needs. Then, Jordan handed us off to our MVP waiter, Sean. Sean was cool, collected, and incredibly attentive. He recommended all the right dishes, and let me tell you, the food was phenomenal--it "smacks"! His recommendations included two unique Hawaiian dishes: the "Hawaii salad" and a complimentary grilled fruit bread, which ended up being the highlight of my husband's night. He now swears it's one of the best foods he experienced during our 2024 Hawaii trip. We love our food spicy and often ask for chili or hot sauce, regardless of whether we're dining at a high-end or casual restaurant. We asked 53 By The Sea, and to our amazement, they brought out Thai chili and house-made hot sauce, continually refilling it for us. This alone deserves a 6/5 stars! At the end of the night, the General Manager, Tony, brought out complimentary cakes for our boys, making it an even more wholesome experience. Lastly, the view was breathtaking, and the ambiance and decor were lavish. Sean, Jordan, and Tony made our experience at 53 By The Sea even better than the 3-star Michelin restaurants we've been to. It stands out as one of the best restaurants we've experienced for its food, service, and views. When we return to Hawaii, we'll definitely be coming back to 53 By The Sea and hope the same fantastic team will be there. Thank you, 53 By The Sea, for a wonderful experience!

Three co-workers and I went to 53 By the Sea to collectively celebrate our birthdays. They opened for lunch during Restaurant Week, and we took advantage of the 3-course lunch ($45). The parking lot was deserted and one of us wondered if the restaurant was open. My three co-workers opted for plantation iced tea while I went with the wine pairing ($25). This was great value as it paired a 2022 Sancerre from Jean-Jacques Auchére with the appetizer / salad course, a 2021 Chablis from J. Moreau & Fils with the tagliatelle and a 10-year-old Malmsey Madeira from Broadbent with the dessert. Everyone received a Frisée Salad with slices of fried kabocha, pieces of crispy pork, Stracciatella (shreds of mozzarella), and fried sage. It was a healthy portion and the pork was crispy, but not dry. The crisp Sancerre was a good match for the salad. Three of us opted for the pasta dish consisting of tagliatelle, shrimp, diced scallops, clams with a miso butter sauce. The pasta was al dente, and the miso butter sauce was so good! The austere Chablis complemented the seafood. Our fourth chose the braised veal brisket ... He said it was so tender he didn't need to use his knife. It came with roasted root vegetables with a sprinkling of Gremolata. It looked fabulous. Our final course was a Kona Coffee Budino with a chocolate biscotti. Like a Mexican flan, the Budino was creamy and rich. I wanted a cup of black coffee, but the glass of Madeira was a fitting ending to a very good meal. We all liked the restaurant and the views and the service by McKenna was professional. Unfortunately, the place was almost empty. Folks, you're missing out on great food and views at a venue that is easily accessible. Take advantage while you can.

Went here for my 2 year anniversary and it was amazing. The restaurant is tucked away and you may miss it if you don't GPS your way there. They have free valet which is extremely nice. The views are some of the best for a restaurant on the island. You get a beautiful view of the ocean, mountains, and the city. The service was professional and prompt we showed up early and they were able to seat us ahead of time. Waiters were knowledgeable of the dishes they served us and helped us with menu items. The food was delicious. I orders the tasting menu and my wife ordered the pork belly salad and catch of the day. Some of it I've never eaten before so it was a new experience for me. I enjoyed all of the different dishes. My favorite being the pasta which I wished had its own standalone entree. The pork belly salad being a close second. Lastly the pricing is quite reasonable and I didn't feel like I was being overcharged for any item. I would highly recommend visiting this restaurant for any special occasion or if you want to treat yourself with great food and a great view.

Beautiful views and a spectacular stunning grand staircase when you first walk in ! Hubby and I came here to celebrate our wonderful anniversary! Most amazing service and wonderful ambiance ! It would have been a perfect ten but the food did match our expectations for fine dining ! Catch of day wasn't as fresh and hubby steak wasn't the best ! The time was still awesome and would go back for the views of Diamond Head and the city !

After having a great experience my 1st time here celebrating my boyfriend's birthday, we came back to celebrate his parent's anniversary (as they came to this place before it became 53 By The Sea). However, our experience this time was not a great one and as such, I do not have any immediate plans on coming back. We were seated shortly after heading to the server stand but after being seated, our waiter did not come back to see if we had any questions. Usually in my experience, the bread and butter is brought to the table soon after being seated but we saw tables next to us, who were seated after us, get their bread and butter before us. A different waitress came over to go over the menu, answer our questions and take our orders. We had to ask her about the bread and butter before it was brought out. She ended up being our main waitress as our original waiter had not come back to our table. The food came out in a timely manner and for the most part tasted pretty good. I didn't love my pasta but everyone else seemed to love their meals. After dinner, we were asked about dessert and ordered a few things. A different waiter came out with our orders and brought out something special for his parents. It wasn't until we had basically finished our desserts that our original waiter came back and goes "this is just a little something from us to you." In addition to the poor service, we had to deal a loud party of ladies at the table next to us. The group were almost done with the dinner, eating their desserts but they proceeded to stay at their table for our whole dinner and talking and laughing super loud. We weren't able to really hear each other talking over them.

The best restaurant on the entire island of Oahu. Service was incredible; we had Tony and he was great. Tony was very kind and polite, helped us choose great food and drinks from the menu, and overall made our night by being so attentive. The scallops in the Granchio Pasta dish were the best I've ever had in my life and the Crab Stuffed Main Lobster was absolutely delicious. Definitely a great spot if you're looking for a nicer dinner while on Oahu! The restaurant itself is very pretty, every staff member we interacted with was incredibly kind and professional, and the food is phenomenal.

Lovely ambiance and food!! We came for my sisters baby moon and they even surprised us with a dessert and that was so sweet! Staff were knowledgeable and very very friendly. We loved the experience here with the amazing views and loved the food even better.

53 by the sea is definitely an expensive restaurant, but that doesn't mean that the food is extraordinary . Unfortunately I learned that during my visit for dinner. The service is impeccable and if only rated on their staff I would give 5 stars. I felt very welcomed and comfortable at the restaurant and every staff member made sure we had a good experience. However, the food is very mid and not worth the price IMO. After dinner in the middle of the night I even woke up hungry, and that is a tell tale sign. The ocean view is gorgeous and you get a great spot to watch surfers. However, it faces east so you are never able to actually see the sunset. Not sure if I'll return, but I had a good experience overall. If you are looking for luxury AND delicious food, then try Mariposa.

Gorgeous restaurant and great food. Our party of two started with the Negi Toro and Inamona Crusted Scallops. Wasn't a huge fan of the Negi because of the after taste. I guess I was expecting more of a sweet taste, rather than a bitter after taste. Some bread could have helped with that. Scallop were good, but not amazing. We were more impressed with our mains, the Grilled Pork Chop and Aqua Paza. Both very good and full of flavor. If you're looking for fine dining, this is the place for you. We had two servers waiting on us and they both seemed very knowledgeable about the food and drinks. The location is not exactly close to the touristy area of the city. Wasn't quite walking distance from Waikiki where I was staying.

The food here is superb and elegant rendition of local kine fare. Their adobo pork belly was perfectly succulent the dessert was okay wish they did like a modern version of a sweet lady of waihole or something of that nature. The Service here is amazing and they truly make you feel welcome and some what Nobel and regal with the door person there opening up those jurassic park sized doors. Eating here was expensive but worth the experience and the view.

A bunch of us came for Sunday brunch to celebrate an engagement. Our server was really attentive and checked on us regularly. I had the breakfast hash and ginger blossom drink (non-alcoholic) and shared the truffle fries and pastry basket. Honestly, there wasn't anything too special about the breakfast hash for its price, but I really enjoyed the truffle fries. I think what makes this spot special is its location and iconic view of diamond head surrounded by blue waters. A very romantic place to celebrate anniversaries, birthdays, graduations, and other special occasions. You could also walk outside to their patio for photos. If I come back, I would love to try their dinner menu.

With our wedding anniversary fast approaching, I thought of reviewing all the restaurants my husband and I have dined in. To be fair, this review is almost two years overdue, and we dined a week after executive chef turnover, so this may not be up to date. Hubby and I decided to forgo valet parking and chose the free route, parking at the overflow dirt lot lol. Once we arrived at the restaurant, we saw the famous spiral staircase where most couples pose for a photo, and I was expecting the host to offer to take our photo. We had just missed sunset, which was fine. We can catch sunset on the island any day. I chose this restaurant for our anniversary since my cousins who are very particular about dining out, loved their experience here a few months before our visit. I did hear that the restaurant hired a new executive chef just a week prior to our meal, so I knew we were taking the risk by coming here. In short, besides the scenic sunset view, hubby and I thought the food wasn't much better than our favorite "Yelp two dollar sign" restaurants for regular date nights. We couldn't remember what we ordered; savory dishes and our dessert had simple flavors. We appreciate dessert was complimentary for our anniversary, though! Lesson learned--go to a tried and true restaurant for an anniversary dinner, or come with an adventurous, trusting open mind when patronizing a new chef. I just wanted a comfortable but fancy meal since our anniversary is the one day my husband is willing to splurge on a meal for ourselves! Four stars because that staircase (even though we had no photo) and sunset view are unique and can't be beat.

Great Ambience, love going to here to celebrate birthdays and anniversary. We go here atleast once a year!

53 By The Sea has the most breathtaking sweeping views of the ocean and Diamond Head. This elegant fine dining establishment is perfect for any celebration. With white table cloths, exceptional service, and stunning dining rooms and private dining space, this spot is as elevated as its seafood forward menu. We've celebrated holidays here and have enjoyed amazing prix fixe menus, but the real star of the show is their weekend brunch. They have free valet parking that is so convenient for groups and events. Be prepared to be blown away by the architecture, design, hospitality, and cuisine!

Celebrating our GMs retirement after 15 years with the company, and doing it in style at the perfect location with the perfect view of Waikīkī Beach and Diamond Head. We were a big party of 12 and we all enjoyed our food, wines, and especially the impeccable service of our servers. The foods were very tasty, fresh, and delicious. The wines were amazing. I'm a white wine drinker so I had both the Aubert Chardonnay and the Condrieu E. Guigal. Both wines were great but the Aubert stood out as crisp and refreshing! Our total tab broke the bank, lol, but it was well worth the experience! I highly recommend anyone to spoil themselves here at least once. Yes it's very pricey but again it's worth the experience and YOLO. It comes with complimentary valet parking (don't forget to tip the valet ).

An unparalleled million dollar view of Diamond Head at brunch watching the waves, surfers and a beautiful day unfolding. We arrived before 10 a.m. and saw a photographer capturing memories for the bride and groom. I wonder if he even saw the cool balcony above. Precisely at 10 a.m. the solid massive doors opened. We had fabulous attentive servers assigned to our table. Not sure if it is a well kept secret but a wonderfully romantic spot for a date, anniversary, birthday or even a shower. The nonalcoholic drinks were pretty. The prices are comparable to Waikiki but without crowds and has free parking. The staircase is a great photo op as well as the outdoor shots with Diamond Head. When you arrive they ask if it is a special occasion.

I would give 10 stars if I could. My friends & I came here for my birthday, mostly for the scenery and the well-known grand staircase. We loved everything we saw. The front of the restaurant is beautiful; the front door, the hallways, the fountain. On the side of the restaurant there's a beautiful arch covered in vines with Diamond Head perfectly in the background. There was a rainbow overhead too! It was breathtaking. The back of the restaurant had a complete view of Diamond Head & the ocean. Boats of people would go back & forth. The workers told us we could go on the lawn below as well, which was really nice. The food was amazing. It exceeded my expectations. First they brought their bread with a miso butter-- so ono. I wanted to take the butter home haha. We ordered the togarashi fries with a dipping sauce to share among us three. We couldn't stop eating it. I ordered the Catch of the Day. When the waiter set the plate down & walked away, I finished the plate by the time he came back to check on us because it was that good. The plate was wiped clean. They also gave a complimentary slice of cake for my birthday, which was also delicious. We had multiple workers/waiters come up to us and each one was friendly and professional. Our water was never empty, they explained what the menu items were in full detail, they accommodated for my friends who were allergic to shrimp and peanuts. We brought a cake with us, they offered to put it in their fridge until it was time to eat, and they even offered to cut it! Multiple workers asked if we wanted photos of all three of us in different locations. Very very attentive and caring. It was such a pleasant experience. Thank you to the workers here who made my birthday very special.

My husband and I come here for our special occasions such as birthdays and anniversaries. They make it very special. On Fridays we make reservations by the water so we can watch the fireworks while we eat. They make it a wonderful experience. We've done the wine tasting pairing menu as well as the pasta dishes as well. Everyone is very kind and the ambiance is calm and relaxing.

I loved it. Beautiful mid century architecture which a beautiful large staircase, big beautiful entry doors, beautiful ocean view and set up. Parking was free Valet. Definitely felt like I was joining the Von trapps for a party. Haha The food was very very good. For appetizers we had ahi tartare, Frisee salad which were both very good. The free Bread was a homemade foccaccia which was do good with their butter and good for dipping the sauce from the entrees. Waiters walked around regularly offering more. Entrees: seafood stew was amazing. I wanted to lick the bowl and would have if the place weren't so full of customers. My friend had the catch of the day which was sooo good I wanted to steal hers. The hand cut pasta was just as great. No complaints. The drinks were amazing. I've been seeking a place that does a cocktail with jasmine tea and I was so excited they had one. Lots of wine varieties for every pallete and they allow you to taste it first as it should be. For desert I had the coffee Brulee which was so good. They brought out a complimentary birthday lemon slice. I hate lemon pastries but this was so Ono I ate it all forgetting the birthday girl. The staff were all so sweet and accommodating. The toilets were bidets. Just my new favorite place. It's expensive but worth it. My new financial goal is to hustle so I can dine there more often lol.

I went here for my birthday with my gf. We got a window seat but it was blocked off by a pillar. The window was dirty and the views were blocked by a family that was seated outside. The food was really disappointing. My gf got the ribeye and I got the seafood pasta. The ribeye was mediocre and lukewarm. It tasted like it was sitting out for 30 mins. The seafood pasta had NO flavor. I was shocked. I had my server get me another entree which was the seafood stew. IT was even worse than the seafood pasta LOL Anyways I'm rating this spot 2 stars because the server was super friendly!! It wasn't his fault the food sucked and the views weren't it.

My husband and I brought both our moms to 53 By The Sea to celebrate Mother's Day. The service from the valet to our waiter was impeccable. Everyone was so helpful, kind, and answered any questions that we had. The presentation of our food was beautiful and the view from our table was breathtaking. Our food and our dessert was delicious. I got to sample everyone else's dish and my favorite was the granchio pasta. It had so much flavor in that one bite. The only downside was my Mahi Mahi. It was a bit dry that I couldn't really finish it. Overall, I would love to come back here and try other things on their menu.

Came here to celebrate my best friend's new marriage. We wanted to go somewhere special on the last night of the destination wedding weekend, and our hotel concierge set us up here. The restaurant was beautiful and very photo-worthy. The food was great and the portion sizes were surprisingly large. We had a great waiter who was very helpful but didn't linger too much. They even brought out a special treat for our friends, congratulating them on their nuptials.

Romantic ambience, free valet parking, friendly staff, great views and great service! It was my second time coming to 53 By The Sea and it was enjoyable. Watching the sunset, hearing the ocean with dinner is such a great peaceful vibe. I got the fresh catch of the day which was mahi mahi and it was delicious. The veggies along with it though, was not the best. Quite bland. I forget the name of the potato side that came along with the steak, but it was soooooo good! Cheesy, flakey, delicious.

The mister took me here for our 10th Anniversary earlier this month. Everything from the food to the service to the ambiance was exceptional. I wouldn't expect anything less from a place like this. The two main people who serviced our table was Jared and Jordan. They were fantastic and kept refilling our bread. The complimentary bread was delicious by the way. It was a toasted focaccia bread with a garlic aioli spread. We must have gotten five refills, lol. We also tried two of their beverages, Sunset Cooler (strawberry, yuzu, rose syrup, calpico, yuzu soda) and Tropical Dream (pineapple, coconut, lilikoi, orange, soda). Both were yummy, but I liked the Sunset Cooler more. For dinner we both ordered the Pre-Fixe Menu. If you're doing pre-fixe the whole table has to do it. First course was the ahi poke. The ahi was fresh, smooth and firm. The bubu arare gave it a nice crunch for texture. Second course was the pork lechon. This was so good. The pork was tender and the skin was super crispy. I scored cuz the hubby doesn't eat pork, so I ate his too. Third course offered a choice between the pan seared ribeye and the pan roast. We got one of each so that we could try both. The hubby doesn't like seafood so I took the pan roast. It had fish and tiger prawns drizzled with americaine sauce. Surprisingly, this was my least favorite of the night and I usually love seafood. The ribeye was much better. It had great flavor, was juicy and had a crisp crust. It was better than the steaks that I've had at Ruth Chris and Morton's. Final course was dessert, honey lemon tart. This dessert was very interesting and very tasty. It had a honeycomb toffee on the top. The lemon curd and yogurt cream was in the middle. The chocolate crunch mascarpone mousse was on the bottom. I would definitely order this again. They gave us a slice of guava mousse cake for our anniversary. Thank you! It just so happened that our anniversary fell on a Friday, so we got to watch the fireworks from the Hilton. We also took an obligatory pic on the staircase that everyone seems to take. The restaurant is beautiful, especially that staircase, so don't forget your pic.

53 by the Sea is a charming restaurant serving interesting takes on local fare with a great selection of drinks. We came here to celebrate 2 birthdays as recommended by American Express. The property is very beautiful with a French Riviera design. There is only valet parking. The restaurant sits right on the bay so it has a wonderful view of the ocean and Waikiki beach. The food was good but nothing to write home about. We ordered their mushroom tempura and the negi toro. The latter of which was very good and the former was only okay. I had their catch of the day which was sea bass which had good flavor but the texture wasn't outstanding. Their Kona crème brûlée was excellent. Our waitstaff team of Shawn and Ann were very nice and hospitable. They were attentive to a lot of minor details and explained everything featured on the menu. They always came back to check up on us and fill our wine glasses. The experience at 53 by the Sea was positive overall. The food left a little more to be desired however the service and hospitality received from the waitstaff and hosts were incredible.

I'm not a huge fine dining person, but if I do go out of my way to splurge, it better be with really nice ambiance and excellent service. Thankfully, 53 by the Sea meets both those criteria, plus had really delicious food! The restaurant itself feels kind of random, as it's in the middle of the industrial harbor area and looks like a rich person's mansion. The views from the restaurant of Diamond Head and Waikiki can't be beat though, it's fun to watch all the surfers / paddlers out at sunset, too. The service was incredible! Everyone was so polite and fast, no request went unanswered, waters and drinks were always filled, plates were quickly cleared, and food came out quickly. The food was delicious. I sampled the ahi poke (fresh ahi with nice shoyu and arare pairings), the pork belly salad (they did not skimp on the meat here, it's a seriously hefty portion of lechon!), and the braised short rib (super tender, juicy, and flavorful). Also, their house bread was incredible- it was freshly baked focaccia and so addictive, I even had seconds which I never do for bread sides. Also they have deluxe Toto toilets/bidets in the bathrooms...true luxury! :P

Charming location in the water. Really enjoyable food and nice atmosphere. Service was pretty good, but they still need more training. The staff in years past was better than my recent visit. We had almost every appetizer among the 7 of us dining and a good variety of entrees and desserts. The risotto got nice reviews, my lobster stuffed with crab was delicious, and the veal on the tasting menu were among the favorites. All in all it was a great night out. Thank you!

53 By The Sea is one of those spots where you go for the content to post on social media, to tell friends and family you went for a special occasion, and the iconic staircase photo. We ordered the: Mushroom Tempura-Tempura battered Hamakua Ali'i mushrooms, vegan X.O. sauce, micro greens "Fresh Catch"-Locally caught fish, broccolini, baby squash, lup cheong curry sauce Seafood Spaghetti While the tempura was a nice appetizer, the mushrooms should've been sliced more for a digestible taste and the X.O. sauce on the side in a separate saucer instead of at the bottom of the food although it tasted more like chili oil. They did provide complimentary "focaccia"-which tasted more like sourdough with a side of aioli. I ended up mixing the two sauces together to spread on the bread and tempura and it made such a big difference! Portions were small, so don't come here expecting to leave full, however the complimentary bread did make up for it. For special occasions, they do offer a strawberry guava cake, which was rich in the two flavors! I would recommend coming here only for special occasions and on Fridays since there is a fireworks show. You get a nice view of the sunset with some boats coming back to shore!

Went here for wife's bday dinner. Very nice ambiance. Service and food were just as good. We live close by but I'd you're walking be aware that you're going to have to walk to a not so nice part of Kakaako. I recommend driving but parking is valet only. However it is complimentary. We had the catch of the day - can't quite remember what it was, but it was good. Also had their 53 by the sea panroast which was just as good. The fish was tender and savory. Could not decide on dessert so we ordered the flight. It's $$$ but worth it. Especially if you have a sweet tooth. They were all delish! Ambiance is romantic. You have ocean and city views overlooking Kakaako high rise luxury condos as well as diamond head views. We sat outside which made our experience even more of a "seaside" experience. You can even walk around the grass area right by the water and take photos. It's an expensive restaurant but worth it in my opinion.

We went with a group of 5 to celebrate a friends birthday. Our bill was $631. 3 out of the 5 of our orders was wrong. We sent a dish back, it was brought out incorrect a second time. Overall a poor experience for the price.

Very disappointed in the christmas set menu. I was really looking forward to it, because me and my family dine here almost every year around the holidays. The food and experience is always outstanding so I had high expectations. However, sadly this was probably the worst set menus i've had. I'm not sure what happened, but the courses were highly underwhelming and took forever to come out. 30 minutes between the first and second course is pretty long imo...The second course, which was a soup, was extremely small portioned as well, so i'm not sure why it took so long. I wouldn't even call it a soup- more like a sauce lol. In between meals me and my family were just twiddling our thumbs wondering what was taking so long. I wouldn't have minded the long wait if the food was actually good though lol. And the final course was really disappointing to me as my meal came out very lukewarm and almost cold....very odd but i just ate it anyways because im not the type to complain about my food really. The best course was probably the dessert lol. I'm just really so disappointed that this was what our long awaited christmas dinner turned out to be.

This place is the iconic "staircase" picture in Hawaii, but I'm glad that the food and experience matched the aesthetic It was a little interesting since you have to pass through an industrial complex, but it opens to a hidden gem with free valet parking Once you enter and see the iconic staircase, the staff is friendly and helps you get seated (reservations recommended) and we chose the outdoor seating which is still comfortable on a summer day They offer fresh bread with butter which was a nice touch, while you enjoy views of the ocean and Waikiki The tempura mushroom was not the best, but that's because it's a large piece of mushroom so the outside is crispy but the mushroom was hard to chew and was wet so it wasn't a good combination, the sauce was good though The seafood pasta with Kauai shrimp and scallops were flavorful in the red wine sauce, and mopped up with the extra bread was nice, the catch of the day was a miso kanpachi filet which was okay, perhaps if there was something more paired with it like soba or rice All in all you're paying for the view and ambiance, so great for special occasions

Wow, is the one word I would use to describe this whole experience. We got a table outside, that is perfect for a Friday night because you have prime viewing of the fireworks. Now to the food....everything we had was wonderful, Our servers were knowledgeable of the menu and what was ok for my family who have food allergies. Everything that came out was better than the last! I highly recommend trying this restaurant if you are in the area.

Had a fantastic meal by the sea celebrating our anniversary. The service was unbeatable. They knew our names when we checked in and had someone open the doors for us at every point. (We sat outside on the patio) Our waiter also helped us take pictures and when one of us went to the restroom, he waited for us to come back to plate the food so food was always hot. The bathroom toilets are clean and amazing as well. The toilets have all the fancy washing functions, seat warmer and thick paper towels. (Yes I'm obsessed with nice bathrooms) The food: We ordered some drinks and the prefixed menu just to be easy. While we were waiting and enjoying the view, the waiter brought out warm bread and aioli. We had two appetizers: ahi poke and pork belly. Both tasted amazing and for mains we had ribeye with potatoes gratin. It wasn't the best ribeye I've had and the potatoes were a little undercooked/flavorless on the bottom, but my husband who doesn't normally like fatty meats loved the meat and we both finished every bite. For dessert we had a lemon tart. I don't usually like lemon tarts, but this dessert is fantastic! The honey comb bites were absolutely brilliant. And the chocolate ice cream on the side was perfect as well. They brought us another cake for our anniversary and We ended the night with a firework show and some more drinks. It was a perfect night! Will come back next time :)

Had reservations here for Christmas dinner, set menu and a beautiful seat on the patio overlooking the city lights and the harbor. Lovely professional service and I really appreciated the local farms incorporated into the menu, I could tell there was thought and good planning behind each course. Pricing is high and it's definitely a choice to pay for the whole experience of the set menu. Made for lots of lovely photos and I'm glad I had the chance to visit!

I can spend 53 years by the sea if it's at @53bythesea_hawaii This might be one of the most scenic and beautiful must-visit spots in Waikiki, and I would highly recommend booking a reservation beforehand, especially to celebrate a special event. @53bythesea_hawaii faces the beautiful, crystal blue waters of Waikiki harbor, and the outside patio offers a scenic view of boats coming in and out. I was also impressed by the presentation, quality, and incredible thought placed into each dish that I tried. My favorites were the waiter's recommendations of the shrimp and grits and Galbi moco, which were absolutely mind blowing and had the most well-crafted and unique flavors. The ahi tuna poke and half shell fresh oysters were also incredibly fresh starters as well. My only gripe about the outdoor patio seating were the flies, but the waiters tried to accommodate by placing a fan on the table that prevented the flies from getting into the food. If this would be a problem though, I would also highly recommend sitting inside, which is beautifully decorated and still has an incredible view of the ocean!

Just LOVE this place. Views, service and great food. They are expensive but worth it! Spectacular views of diamond head and the water.

The overall experience at 53 was excellent. Incredible ambiance and impeccable service. The staff went out of their way to make us feel special. The wine selection and cocktails paired with the view (Friday night fireworks) were amazing. We loved our appetizers and our desserts but the main courses were a little lackluster. All of the things aside from the main dishes made it an enjoyable experience but for the price I expected to be wowed by the food. Probably would not go again but it's a nice location for a special occasion. Be prepared to spend some money though, that view ain't free!

We went here for Christmas Eve dinner, the experience was absolutely horrendous. They made us wait 20 minutes to get a table. The entrees took over 2 hours (same for many other tables)

Terrible service. terrible food. Don't waste your money! The bartender was so rude and slow. I was there with tow other people and we were the only ones at the bar. by the way we had to sit at the bar because they messed up our reservation. I had to ask the bartender if she was ganna serve because she was walking around aimlessly with sticky note and had no clue. The pre-set meal is a joke. they don't time the meals so you are just waiting around the entire time. Also if you look at the reviews this company doesn't respond to the reviews which tells me they could care less.

What a view of Diamondhead. Parking was excellent as it was valet. The view with the private room was amazing. Great place for a private meeting. The service was excellent and can't be any better. Food was excellent of course. Great venue, service and experience.

A lovely experience! Highly recommend the Caesar salad. Ours came with kalua pork that was slightly salty but it made the salad unique and I'm really glad I ordered it. The negi toro was delicious! As long as you like wasabi. Not too salty. Comes with a generous portion, enough for 3 to share. Lamb was the best, came with a chimichurri sauce and the purée tasted like curry and hummus mixed together. Chick peas were crunchy like chips. Lobster risotto was the second best. Tail was tiny but perfectly cooked. Tender and juicy. Uni was fresh, not fishy. Risotto was so tasty but it came with a lot. Ended up taking some home for lunch the next day. Wish it came with more lobster or a few pieces of some other seafood to balance out the amount of risotto. Filet was slightly over cooked but still tasty and came with a variety of vegetables. I loved the li hing mango dessert and the lemon tart which is unexpected because they weren't the ones I would have ordered off the menu. Glad I got the dessert flight for this reason. View of Waikiki shore and Diamondhead was worth the visit. Loved relaxing and watching the boats come in and out of the harbor. The building is really lovely. Rare to see a place like this in Hawaii. Service was attentive. Make sure you have at least 2 hours to eat because it does take time here. Complimentary valet. Don't forget to ask valet to take your family picture by the beautiful front door before you go in because it will be dark by the time you leave.

We had great views of the ocean from the patio. Our server was nice, but he had forgotten our order and had to come back to ask us again. Additionally, there was another mixup and we waited an hour to receive our entrees. The highlight was actually the ahi tare tare appetizer. We were given a surprisingly healthy portion. The food was mediocre and does not justify the price. We got the hand cut pasta which was just okay, and quite unremarkable. I would not recommend the catch of the day, our fish was overcooked and tasted rubbery.

I went with my son to celebrate his birthday. He is a foodie and first time at this restaurant. The service was impeccable, staff is attentive and food was delivered quickly. We ordered the Oysters and Grilled Octopus. The Oysters was good, but the Octopus was just OK. I had the Hand Cut Pasta, however the shrimp was overcooked. My son ordered the Rib Eye, which in his opinion was also okay. The prices are high and they also charged a kitchen charge of 3% of the TOTAL bill included the cocktails. Hmmm, isn't kitchen charge should only be on the food? Been at this restaurant a few times, the food and its prices were fantastic, but since they raised their prices and the food was just okay this time, I won't be going back.