Duke's Kauai

This beachfront eatery has great atmosphere and service. The food however is just average. Some of the things are very good but my dinner tonight was not. Drinks were good, and bartenders Marci and Bob were fantastic. Crab wontons good and hula pie is a must..Burgers and wraps good too! Would recommended for lunch! They have a good salad bar, and entertainment too.

The food was okay, but also not particularly memorable in terms of taste. The presentation was great, and each dish looked beautiful, but the flavors didn’t quite impress me. On the plus side, the view was absolutely stunning. The restaurant overlooks the beach, and the scenery really adds to the atmosphere. The cocktails, however, were fantastic. If you’re looking for a beautiful spot to enjoy a drink with a view, this place is a great choice. The food might not blow you away, but the cocktails and scenery definitely make up for it.

Very decent option if you want to stay on the resort. The vibes are fun and relaxed, and the service is very friendly. The portions are good, too. The vegan ravioli is very flavorful; you don’t notice or bemoan the lack of cheese, because the squash filling and curry sauce are enough (though the sauce is a bit salty). We also had surf and turf with coconut shrimp and prime rib. The shrimp was nice and crunchy, but not too sweet, and the prime rib was very tender. Dessert was the classic Duke’s Hula pie — which is massive, but good.

Checked out Dukes for my birthday dinner. The location, views and service made it a great choice. Our server Chelsey was helpful, friendly and answered all of our touristy questions about the area. She was hustling as I think this place is always pretty busy, but she took the time to make me feel special and was on top of every part of our dining experience. I appreciated the card on the table when we arrived. The salad bar was pretty good, worth it for an add on! We tried the garlic shrimp, ribeye and hula pie. The shrimp and hula pie were good. We were pretty unimpressed with the steak but the mashed potatoes and cream corn were so incredible it made up for it in my eyes food wise 😁

A recent trip to Hawaii brought us to Kauai first. Our very first dinner stop this trip was Duke’s since it looked to get great reviews. Came at around 4:30 PM on a Saturday and they weren’t too busy. Our waitress was SUPER friendly, energetic, and attentive to our table, honestly one of the nicest waitresses I’ve ever seen at a restaurant! I got the Fish and chips as my entree. Overall, it was good! The fish was fried perfectly and tasted good and the fries were decent. We ended up coming back on Christmas Eve and I then tried out the Calamari and the Kalapaki Hot Wings. Both were very good, the wings were seasoned well and the Calamari was good. Overall, if you end up in Lihue or are staying at the Royal Sonesta next door, Duke’s is a cool spot! I’ll be back.

After a 25 min wait we got a table and ordered one of the best smoothie I’ve ever had. Get the spiced rum! I had the nacho and it was so good and filling. It had goodies all the way through. My wife had a fish dish and salad. She loved it. Our server was super friendly and lovely.

Great place for lunch with a beautiful view. La Pina cocktail is a must-try. Had the cheeseburger and steak tacos, as they were out of our seafood choices. Both the entrees were good.

There is an upstairs and downstairs area. We went upstairs and got a corner table with a nice view. The salad bar could be better- otherwise, the food was delicious and well seasoned. Service was nice, friendly staff.

We were driving back from the Kalalau trail and were looking through Yelp to find a place to eat on our drive. Duke's is a well-established restaurant, so we decided to give it a try. The parking location on the GPS is not the best. There are small signs that tell you to drive up the road, but it gets harder to see in the dark. The service was good, and our server had good recommendations. I thought the menu was a little limited, but once I tasted the food, I changed my mind. The items that are listed are excellent! We skipped the salad bar and ordered some other pupus. The entrees were delicious, and they split them for us at no extra cost. This was an excellent last minute dinner choice for us, and I would definitely go back on our next trip to Kauai.

So odd to say this about a chain restaurant, but this is by far the best, consistent food in the area. In general, the food available in Hawaii is awful. Order fried chicken anywhere, and it was cooked hours before. Dukes executes at a high level, everything we tried was well prepared and delicious. The staff is extremely friendly. They crush it. We recommend the Korean tacos.

First off, let me say that Duke's is about more than just getting food, it's about the experience. So if that's what you're looking for- an experience - you're going to enjoy your time! We definitely did! We went for dinner on a Friday evening, here are just a couple things to note: -The atmosphere is lovely! We made a reservation ahead and requested to be closer to the ocean, but after walking around, I can say no matter where you were sat, it's beautiful. They have an indoor waterfall, and in the evening, live Hawaiian music. -The staff is really nice. Everyone from the valet to our waiter, Mark - was very kind. We were seated quickly, and everything came out in a reasonable time. Now, if you aren't looking for an experience, but instead you want the best meal on the island... don't go. Now don't get me wrong- the food was good. The Hula Pie - amazing. But for the price & portion - you aren't paying for just the food, you're paying for a slice of classic (movie-magic) Hawaii! Overall, I would definitely recommend a trip, at least once, if you're on Kauai. Go into it with the right mind-set, know what you're going for, and you will have a great time!

Wonderful place to dine again and again! Love the comp Hula Pie and AYCE Salad Bar. The calamari appetizer and entrees are always delish. A great place for a small gathering, occasion, or just a meal. The ambience and service is perfect. The view of Kalapaki Beach and mountains are breathtaking and never disappoints.

The food, staff and the view of the ocean can't be beat!! This is truly a gem of a restaurant. After a morning of snorkeling, we stopped by for lunch and had a great time.

This restaurant has a great beach vibe, from an ocean view patio to an indoor waterfall. Our server was also very friendly, helpful, and prompt. Having been to the Dukes in La Jolla and Waikiki, the food here was somewhat off, coming out lukewarm and visually pretty average. The flavors are still there, but could use some work on making it fresher.

This is a very nice Dukes in Kauai. It's located somewhat in the same area as the Sonesta Royal resort. We had an early reservation. Sat with a water view. The service was very attentive and the food delicious. Opinion: this is a nicer place than the Dukes in Waikiki. The restaurant condition, setting , and service was better in Kauai. Dinner is prob $$$, but worth it. Give it a try when on island.

Came for their Sunday Brunch Buffet. Good selection of food. Thought we would see more but it was good. Great view of the Cove in front of the Restaurant. Our Server was on the spot and brought us anything we asked for.

A fun little restaurant to pass the time near a resort if you are staying in this area for sure. The view of the ocean and the plant life inside is so beautiful and really gives an island feel to your meal. Our waiter was great! A+ for service and it was Christmas Day. The food was delicious too. I ordered bbq chicken and ribs and the chicken was very tender and the rib. The flavor for the rib was a little off but still good. The shrimp appetizer was also ordered. It was good but nothing special. Lastly we ordered the main desert they had that is a massive serving by the way. I don't remember what it's called but worth the order. It is very sweet!

Great food and service all around. Like the location in Huntington, there's little room for complaint. It's it's own thing and the peice matches appropiately the quality of the ingredients, their preparation and the service in other areas as well. If you've got the financial and temporal budget while on the island, check it out.

Solid 4. Good service. The waterfall with local plants was lovely. Table had cheeseburger - good taste, crab wontons - crab rangoon filling was creamy, fried calamari - nice and meaty, and finally hummus - good flavor with Mac nuts.

A standard for upscale dining on the islands. This location is conveniently located and within walking distance next to the Marriott Vacation Resort. Food consistently tasty. A must for Hula Pie. The service staff always prompted and friendly. Atmosphere offing a welcoming island vibe. Casual attire welcome.

We had a wonderful dinner here. Food was good and service was excellent! It's also very convenient if you're staying at the Marriott.

Very decent option if you want to stay on the resort. The vibes are fun and relaxed, and the service is very friendly. The portions are good, too. The vegan ravioli is very flavorful; you don't notice or bemoan the lack of cheese, because the squash filling and curry sauce are enough (though the sauce is a bit salty). We also had surf and turf with coconut shrimp and prime rib. The shrimp was nice and crunchy, but not too sweet, and the prime rib was very tender. Dessert was the classic Duke's Hula pie -- which is massive, but good.

This place is absolutely beautiful! Waterfall coming down the middle of the 2 stories... on the water, there were fireworks during our visit, ambience was 200%!!! Service was awesome! Valet was on point, walked up to our car and directed us in as we didn't know where to go (it was dark and our first time there.) Hostess sat us right away although we arrived almost 8pm. I announced we were celebrating a birthday and there was a nice birthday card on our table when we sat. Our server, most beautiful smile and attentive! Kristine D. knew her menu and recommendations. We had the ahí tuna appetizer, it was ok. Nothing catching. The fillet mignon was a little dry for my liking but my son loved it. I had the Coconut Ginger Braised Seafood it was super milky coconutty and tasty.. it came with rice, lobster, shrimp, and menu said fish but it looked and tasted like chicken to me (however, meal was still good). We shared a hula cake for my son's bday which is pretty light for ice cream and HUGE! Reason for the 4 out of 5 stars is, my poor stomach paid... granted I'm traveling and I tried everything! My son and I ate the same things except he didn't have the Coconut Ginger Braised Seafood, which can be heavy on anyone stomach... so I hate to give 4 out of 5. Ehhh... you be the judge.

It was pretty good, not amazing though. I think you're mostly paying for the ambiance here than the food. Dukes has both an upstairs and downstairs section each with a different menu. Downstairs is more casual and upstairs is a little more formal sit-down style. Both menus looked good but we were in a more casual mood after hiking all day. We shared a couple appetizers: calamari and nachos. The calamari was okay, we usually don't order the calamari as sticks (the regular style of calamari tastes better) but it was one of the two things that jumped out to us on the page. Nachos were probably the best of the two. Especially with pulled pork. Definitely recommend to share with two or three people. Drinks are a bit on the pricier side, but that's pretty standard for the area and type of restaurant. I don't think we would come back but it was nice to try.

Best meal in Kauai for us . We came in for a late dinner and were immediately seated and attended to. There wasn't much of a view since it was late but the breeze and the waves did set a good ambiance. The vibe is upscale, and Tiki and I believe there was some indoor seating as well but I didn't see it on my visit. This place came highly recommended from friends and colleagues and I can say with surety ,I would be recommending it in turn to anyone visiting as well . We ordered sauteed herb and nut crusted fish and Fish tacos . The fish comes with a lemon butter sauce and some rice and mac n cheese. It was a delicious meal with almost everything tasting fantastic . We also had the Mai Tai which I feel wasn't at par with the food but still good. service is fast albeit a little snooty, perhaps their way of showing that they are upscale.

We saved Duke's for Kauai instead of Oahu because the restaurant was on our resort property! We made a reservation prior to going and was actually able to get seated an hour before our reservation time. The service was good, our waitress was nice, but can be a little over the top which made us a little uncomfortable. The menu was small, but we were able to find food that we liked. I, of course, got the Mai Tai. It was served in this cute tiki glass - it tasted good, but I've had better Mai Tais. My husband got the "Mo Bettah" tequila slushie and he loved it; we even got to keep the coconut mug it came in! For dinner, I got the wild mushroom and spinach ravioli. It was creamy and well-cooked. My husband got the rib and chicken plate. Both were delicious, but nothing too special. The atmosphere was relaxed yet romantic with the ocean waves crashing in the background.

We love Dukes Kauai! The venue has a spectacular view day or night and rain or sunny of the Kalapaki Beach. It has a special Aloha vibe throughout the venue and at times, there is live entertainment playing. Once we arrived, we were greeted with an Aloha pleasantry and received just the right amount of attentiveness by the restaurant staff who were dressed nicely in Hawaiian themed apparel. Now, the food is delicious from the prime rib plate to the Thanksgiving meal including drinks. We recently just returned from our Kauai visit over the extended Thanksgiving holiday and indulged in their Thanksgiving meal along with wine and other tropical drinks-Mai tai, Lava Flow. It was a lot of food that we had packed a to-go box plus we indulged in a sharing their Hula Pie. We weren't worried about the calories...hahaha! Overall, we had a lovely dining experience at Dukes Kauai. Every time we are in Kauai, we make it a point to dine at Dukes and afterwards visit our friends at Kukui Restaurant & Bar located at the Royal Sonesta Hotel next door. See you next year!!!

The prime rib was not good. I did enjoy the salad bar, however not impressed with the prime rib. The mid pie was delicious.

Stunning view with direct beach access. Live music in the evening. Waitresses are friendly, professional, and attentive. We ordered (off menu) li hing mui margaritas. Along with korean sticky ribs (a bit on the dry side), teriyaki chicken with kalbi. This is a must try dish. The chicken thigh was boneless, tender, flavorful, and the highlight of our meal. The kalbi was flavorful, tender, and charred to perfection. The kim chee lacked flavor and the macaroni noodles were undercooked. The jasmine rice (long grain) had the consistency of calrose sticky (medium grain) rice. Come for the view stay for the food.

Please take me back to the Duke's in Kauai ASAP!!! Love love this island restaurant with such a laid back atmosphere. My favorite is their bbq chicken and short ribs rice plate and their Mai Tai is so amazing!! Lastly don't skip the hula pie!!!

Hello Yelpies!! This is the spot to hang out for food and drink but be ready to be shifted around a bit if the staff is transitioning shifts. We were seated and getting ready to order drinks when the hostess explained that there was no server on duty for our area until 4:30 about 30min wait. My wife and I were ok with it but the manager obviously wasn't and proceeded to tell us to move.... So we were seated up front... there is no bad seats here but being told to do something when your the customer and being asked if you are ok to wait is two different things. Food was good and new server was awesome the manager needs some communications training (don't get comfortable in a position it's just a job unless you own it)

Duke's was recommended by many to give a try and was highly disappointed in the result. I only gave it a star up because of the ambiance being peaceful with a great view of the ocean and live music playing by you. The food, drinks, and service were not great at all. For food, we ordered the Roasted Tristan Lobster and the Teriyaki Sirloin. Lobster tasted flavorless, but wasnt rubbery. The Sirloin was stiff and mashed potatoes were greasy. For dessert, we ordered the Lilikoi pono pie. The pie... best way to describe it was like youre biting into compact powder. For drinks, we ordered the Mai Tai and Espresso Martini. Martini was fine, you could barely taste the alcohol. The Mai Tai had way too much rum. Tasted more rum than any other ingredient in the Mai Tai. Service was absent a lot and it could be because they could tell we werent enjoying the food/drinks or that they were super busy. I do appreciate when servers give you space and arent always in your face, but the server was barely present. Only saw them when we had to order and when we were done, which we had to wait a while for. Overall, i do not recommend Duke's. It is overpriced for the quality you are getting. Enjoy a nice dinner someplace else. I did read other reviews that Duke's is way better in Maui, so if you wanna give it a try there, I recommend that first before this one. Wish I had it back when I visited Maui to give a better comparison.

We came to Duke's for dinner Friday the 28th our 1st night on vacation in Kauai. This place is walking distance from our hotel at the Royal Sonesta. We were luckily able to get a table right away & we're at the side of the outdoor seating with a great ocean view. The fish of the day was ono, they had it macadamia crusted and my wife & myself both got it, it was excellent. We also started with an ahi tuna & calamari apps. The calamari was like little steak sticks, breaded a bit differently. I liked this style compared to the rings/tentacles you get at most spots when serving calamari. Tuna was tender and flavorful, really good. We got the hula pie, but the different style one that had I've ice cream. Perfect for 4 of us to share.

This was our last meal while on the island, and probably my favorite. After a short wait, we were seated at a table with beautiful ocean views, as well as lovely views of the interior of the restaurant. Live music was being played to further enhance the Hawaiian dining experience. This is a touristy restaurant, but the food was really good. Here's a tip: do not skip the salad bar. You can add it for $7, and there were many choices to make an excellent salad. Additionally, there was pasta salad, potato salad, a variety of fruit and bread. My salad was delicious. We each enjoyed our entree selections, which ranged from chicken to steak to burger to seafood. There was something for everyone; I really liked my macadamia crusted fish. If our hotel had been closer, we would have eaten here more than once. Highly recommend!

Service was good despite a super busy night. They ran outta things but it's ok. Staffing is hard on the island lately and there are help wanted signs everywhere we go.

There's 2 options for dining at Dukes. Dukes on the beach is where we ate, which is downstairs with a basic meal option. The better food is upstairs, but is a lot more costly. Our server wasn't the best. Rushed us, kept forgetting about us, and wasn't very friendly. We only ate here as it was at our hotel.

Ate here while the cruise ship we were on was overnighting in Kauai. Glad we did! First, the place is beautiful! They've got a koi pond and waterfall built into the steps up to the dining room and open windows to let the breeze in. I had the teriyaki sirloin and king crab legs - delicious! My wife had the sirloin and coconut shrimp, which she really enjoyed. We had their hula pie for dessert (shared a piece - it's HUGE!) and it was pretty darned amazing! Service was good, prompt. Would definitely stop by here again.

I want to start this off by noting my comments relating only to the Sunday Buffet. I'll start with the positives. The service was excellent and, of course, so was the view. As for the positives related to the food, the star of the show on 12/8 was the succulent, tender Prime Rib which both of us loved. Next I should note I don't ever order omelets. I like my eggs poached, sunny side up and never scrambled, because I never like the way they are cooked at restaurants. But for once I decided to try one, in this case the "all meat." I thought it was excellent. It's made fresh and brought to the table. Sadly, the rest of the menu selection was very limited and the quality of the food just average. There were the usual buffet items: salads, breads, eggs. bacon, fried rice, etc.. The cost was $138 for two, which included a tip and an adult beverage. And, I'm sorry to say, I don't believe the total experience justified this cost. Having said that, this is the only Sunday Buffet on Kauai, so you may feel it's worth it for that reason alone.

Such a disappointment. Our server was excellent. Our food was nothing that should be served in a supposedly high end restaurant. The prime rib was medium to medium well (ordered medium rare), dried out, and literally had that freezer burn look when warmed over meat comes out of the microwave. My wife's fish was ok--what one might expect when paying $16.95 for the meal. The hula pie was very good. The ambience and quality of food here is what you would expect in a mid-priced restaurant, not a supposedly higher end establishment. Do not go here expecting an excellent meal, even though that's what you are paying for.

My wife and I celebrated my birthday at Dukes on the bay. Then we went back again a couple days later (after walking out of the Italian place next door that failed miserably). The fresh fish is amazing, and so are the Mai Tai's! Be sure to ask for Blaze's section. She is so energetic, customer centric and absolutely adorable. Aloha!

My favorite restaurant in the world! Everything is wonderful - atmosphere, employees, food, drinks, and decor. I could eat at Dukes everyday. Would recommend salad bar for creamy everything, the muffins are a must get for tomorrows breakfast ;) fish, chicken, ribs, kids menu, and fries all so good. Must get hula pie and pineapple cocktail!! Duke photos and education and music - it's just an excellent spot along the beautiful beach. Expect $150-200 for family of 3.

I don't care if it's a little touristy...Duke's is the place for an immediate island immersion after arriving in Lihue. The drinks are delicious and do not skimp on bite. Duke's Mai Tai is overfilled with aloha and rum. Menu choices range from approachable to authentic. The real win of Duke's is that you can enjoy an island beverage and an island snack while taking in the beauty of Nawiliwili Bay. For the win: Start with the Ahi Sashmi. Next, the Kalbi Ribs and Teriyaki Chicken served with rice and macaroni salad. Wash it down with either a Pineapple IPA from Kona Brewing or Duke's Mai Tai.

We were seated upstairs.Food was ok really expected it to be better.The Hula pie for dessert was very good.The service was fantastic and the view we requested was great.

Come for the food, stay for the view!!! If you're lucky enough to get a table right against the railing, it's the perfect dinner view. The food and drinks are amazing. We came back a second time during our trip and both times did not disappoint. If you end up sitting towards the inside of the restaurant, they also have live music! They have a small menu but you can't go wrong with any choice here. Make sure to save room for hula pie, and maybe consider sharing one.

Great food, great service, great views. Had an amazing dinner here while on vacation, and it was one of the highlights of our trip! Instead of a traditional meal, I got the ahi appetizer and a side and was thoroughly satisfied. Super easy walk from the Royal Sonesta and the other hotels on that road, and we were honestly surprised that we didn't have to wait for a table in the late summer season. I would still highly recommend making a reservation, but it was starting to get REALLY busy when we were leaving.

This place was super fun. The upstairs part of the restaurant is more formal. Higher end food and the bottom is more like bar food. A little hard if you're a healthy eater but I found something to have. Food was very good. I loved the ambiance and they have yummy desserts. I watched a documentary on Duke on the way back home and wished I watched it before we went. He was a special guy.

Duke's Kauai offers an unforgettable dining experience that seamlessly blends fantastic food with an unbeatable atmosphere. Situated in a prime location, the restaurant boasts stunning views that enhance the overall dining experience. Upon arrival, we were greeted with a vibrant and upbeat atmosphere that immediately set the tone for a memorable evening. They had live music, which made the experience even better. The service was impeccable, with attentive staff members ensuring that every aspect of our dining experience was nothing short of exceptional. Having made prior reservations for a birthday dinner, we were eager to indulge in the culinary delights that Duke's had to offer. And we were not disappointed. From the moment the Coconut Ginger Braised Seafood graced our table, we knew we were in for a treat. The dish was bursting with flavor, thanks to the perfect combination of super fresh ingredients and skillful preparation. The coconut-infused rice served alongside provided a delightful sweetness that perfectly complemented the savory seafood. But it was the Hula Pie that stole the show for me. Despite not being a fan of chocolate, I found myself thoroughly enjoying every decadent bite of this indulgent dessert. The pie was simply perfection, with its rich chocolatey flavor and creamy texture serving as a delightful finale to an already fantastic meal. In conclusion, Duke's Kauai exceeded our expectations in every way possible. From the great location and upbeat atmosphere to the impeccable service and delicious food, it's a dining destination that I wholeheartedly recommend. And if you have the chance, be sure to treat yourself to the Coconut Ginger Braised Seafood and finish off your meal with a slice of their heavenly Hula Pie. You won't regret it.

Duke's Kauai, located right by the beautiful Kalapaki Beach, is the perfect spot to relax and enjoy. The dining area is upstairs, while downstairs is more of a casual place to grab drinks and chat. In the evening, the atmosphere is peaceful, with a gentle ocean breeze--it's ideal for couples, newlyweds, or small gatherings of friends. The food here is fresh and delicious. I highly recommend the Surf & Turf combo--lobster tail and prime rib/filet mignon make the perfect pairing! I truly loved everything about this place, and I can't wait to come back for another vacation!

We had an amazing dining experience at Dukes! We got reservations beforehand, so upon arrival there wasn't a wait. The service was great, and although they were busy they still managed to be attentive! The views were to die for from the upstairs area. Drinks and appetizers were delicious, entrees were good(not amazing). Overall a great atmosphere, and really wrapped up our vacation well!

Whether visiting the barefoot bar or the upstairs dining room, Duke's offers delicious selections that will satisfy the whole family. Both areas offer stunning views of the beach and let you feel the ocean breeze. While there, I've had the Duke's burger and the macadamia nut crusted fish. When the waiters ask if you want desert, never pass on the Hula Pie!

I gotta say I love the outdoor ambiance, but bro eating outdoors when the humidity is too da max, it's a different dinning experience. Good thing the food and the amazing staff took my mind off the heat. Once you pound down one Duke Mai tai and guzzle down some fried calamari, poke nachos and the mushroom ravioli everything will be aghhh right. Shoots

Hey Everybody, Just came to Dukes with my family, In which we ordered three drinks, an app of calamari, Korean street tacos, a pulled pork sandwich, teriyaki and ribs, and fish and chips. The Good: - The non-alcoholic beverages were fairly enjoyable with good presentation - The water tasted good - Great live music - Korean Steak Tacos we're good(wish they had salsa for the side of chips) The Bad: - The wait to get seated was roughly 40 minutes - The wait for food was another 50 minutes(another table with significantly more people had ordered after us, gotten their food, and left before we had received our food) - The appetizer took 40 minutes(One order of calamari) - About half of the ordered food was room temperature(teriyaki chicken and rice had no heat, rice was overcooked as well. Fish and chips were also soggy/cold) - The pulled pork sandwich was extremely oily, to the point where it was fairly gross(was also room temperature) - Service started out really strong, then just disappeared. No updates on food and the check took a long time to come. Summary: All in all I can see why this place had great reviews. But our experience was definitely not positive and I won't be looking to come back again nor recommend to anyone else. Review: 1.5/5 stars

Duke's was exactly what our hungry group needed! I loved the location, it had great views of this sweet cove and the beach. Our server was so friendly and nice and had great suggestions on some sight seeing excursions for us. They had a great deal for a beer and a burger so that's what I opted for. We also ordered the panko crusted calamari which was my favorite calamari anywhere else on the island. The burger was great! The meat was cooked perfectly and the bacon was crisp. Fries were also delicious. Mai Tai was also great! Loved Duke's!

Always good food and great location!! This time we did pupus and Hula pie. Coconut shrimp are amazing. My husband has to have the ice cream pie at least once every visit. Nice service too.

We love this place in the barefoot bar. It's next to the Royal Sonesta They have cheaper menu items and great mai tais. The service is consistently good and friendly. The open outdoor ambiance here is amazing and over looks beautiful Kalapaki bay. We absolutely love this bar. They often have live music. Outstanding!

Good ocean view, and a beautiful indoor stream with giant koi at the bottom. We landed on the island and this was our first real meal (a late lunch). It was raining on and off, as it does in winter Hawaii, and they sat us so close to the edge of the building we kept getting sprayed a bit too much and had to shimmy our table away. Other than that, service was standard and friendly. The food wasn't that special, but my family tells me my low review was overly harsh so I'm bumping to 3 stars. They enjoyed their meals and flavors, it was mostly my pulled pork that was too bland maybe. The highlights were the unique flavor BBQ sauce on the side for the pulled pork, and the large poke chunks. My son says the fish tacos had a really flavorful Cajun seasoning too. Otherwise, the pulled pork itself was fairly dry and flavorless. I didn't get a picture of the burger before my son started digging in, but it was a good size and cooked a nice medium, flavorful and juicy. He says it was a good burger. Not sure if it was a $22 burger but it was thick and flavorful. Three stars is fair here. Mine wasn't that good and based on one dish I wouldn't go back. My wife said she'd go back for the poke, and my sons said it tasted good but they'd go elsewhere.

An unplanned addition on our most recent visit, it ended up being our favorite stop of the day. Duke's is the famous chain found across Hawaii and in California. We had never visited this location and weren't sure what to expect. Conveniently located at the end of Rice Street in Lihue, it's easy to get here driving or ride share from the airport and popular hotel areas nearby. It opens onto a bay and beach, gorgeous views on both the ground floor with bar and upstairs with sit down seating for dinner. On arrival, we were greeted well and chose a table overlooking the beach. Our server was wonderful - attentive and welcoming. We mostly came in for pupu and drinks, it was great just to relax and listen to the holiday music. Prices here are more in line with other touristy areas, a bit high but worth the fun visit. They have a great selection of local draft beer, plus many foods worth sharing. We absolutely loved our visit here and can't wait to come back on our next visit to Kauai.