House Without A Key

House Without a Key is a great date night location with beautiful ocean views and live music that creates a relaxed and romantic atmosphere. It is an ideal spot for an evening out. The food was good overall, though it was a little overpriced for what you receive. The ribeye steak was very good and well prepared. I was not a fan of the poi mashed potatoes, as they were not to my taste, but the soup of the day was excellent. The prosciutto Pizza was also very good and well executed. One thing that detracted from the experience was the drink service. I understand that refills are charged, but it would be much better if staff clearly communicated this and asked if I wanted a drink when it gets low rather than avoiding refills altogether. Overall, House Without a Key offers a great atmosphere, good food, and live music, making it a solid choice for a date night despite the higher prices. The ocean views are truly one of a kind and make the entire experience unforgettable.

We celebrated our anniversary at House Without a Key and it was an incredible experience from start to finish. I had the Coconut Old Fashioned, which was perfect for someone who enjoys a classic Old Fashioned but prefers it less sweet — the coconut added a smooth, subtle twist that really worked. Because the portions are generous, we skipped appetizers. I ordered the Hawaiian signature sea bass and my wife had the ribeye steak. Both dishes were outstanding and cooked to perfection. The vibe deserves its own mention — simply amazing. Live Hawaiian music and a Hula performance created a beautiful cultural atmosphere, while keeping the mood relaxed and romantic. It is on the expensive side (about $200 for two), but if you’re in Honolulu celebrating a birthday or anniversary, this place is absolutely worth it. A truly memorable dining experience.

House Without a Key was outstanding! From the moment we arrived until we left, the service was top-notch. They offer valet parking, and you can get your parking validated for 4 hours by the restaurant. Melissa greeted us and showed us to the restaurant. There was a short wait, but with the gorgeous view, perfect weather, and live music, it wasn't a problem while we waited for our table. Once seated, Trey was our server, and he was fantastic. He went over the menu with us and recommended some of his personal favorites. We started with cocktails and an appetizer. We had the Lawai'a roll, Pulehu Pineapple, and Coconut Old Fashioned. They also brought out complimentary Taro Rolls accompanied by a tropical butter, which was a nice touch. I'm still thinking about that Lawai'a roll while writing this review! For our main dish, we split the Tutū Mā Asian Braised Short Ribs with roasted red potatoes and home fries--it was just the right amount and very tasty. While we ate, the Hawaiian music continued, and a hula dancer appeared around 6pm, adding to the vibe. To wrap up, Kevin helped us with our car and even handed us two waters. Honestly, we had an amazing time all around--definitely check this place out!

Great experience! We got there 30 mins before the sunset cocktails/dinner time seating began. We were a group of 5 adults and 2 children under 3 and we had an amazing time. We did not have reservations and got great seats in their outdoor area. (But remember we got there early) Music was lovely. Service was great. The view was beautiful. Such a lovely scenery. If you are visiting Waikīkī I personally believe this is a place you have to visit at least once. It truly was a cool Hawaii experience (especially if you are NOT into the lu’au scene like me). It was a chill laid back dinner with cocktails and music experience. And yes the Mai tais were delicious. FOR THE PARENTS: They have a grassy area where the kids could run around and play and that was a HUGE plus for us since we have a toddler and a very active crawling 10 month old. So yes bring the kids and enjoy with the whole family. Also I think we stayed for 3 hours. We had a blast.

Fabulous lunch! Luckily, we arrived at opening and we were able to get a table for two without a reservation, and the shade. Lovely breeze and incredible ambience with blue sky and ocean nearby. Food was very good and service attentive!

Has been a bit since we have been here but we wish we were back. Hands down the best dinner we had in all our 9 days on 2 beautiful islands of Hawaii. A place so big and to have everything go so smoothly is just amazing. The music was so beautiful, server was busy but still we did not wait to long but once. Free dessert once again! Our food was phenomenal, everything was perfect.

Had a lunch here on the patio. We had the lobster salad and fish of the day (swordfish sandwich), combined with some cocktails. The cocktails were ok, but imo too expensive. Happy to also get some taro sandwiches with pineapple butter, yummy! Our entrees were also pretty expensive, but it was tasty and well balanced. My salad was not just lettuce and tomatoes, but also carrots, roots, cabbage, avocado, apple, etc. I had lots of lobster meat (I think I actually had a whole lobster). My husband's swordfish sandwich was also a whole filet on the burger with delicious tartar sauce. You mainly pay for the view of course. Despite that there were over 6 servers and only 2 other tables, tables around us sat with empty dishes and glasses from previous guests for almost our whole entire meal. Our server or one of the others that were just standing there, ignored those tables. I guess because it wasn't 'their' job. But this just comes across as lazy and not very nice to look at as guests (we can't keep watching the view the whole time). Other than that, beautiful setting! Would love to come back in the evening when they have live entertainment. Not entirely sure if it worth having dinner over here though. Perhaps just some bar food and drinks?

We visited here while on vacation and everything about this place was amazing! There was a live band and the former Ms. Hawaii was there dancing! We were able to catch the sunset and that was just beautiful! We only had drinks and they were so good! We mentioned my Granddaughters birthday and she got cake! Definitely put this on your places to visit!

Incredibly friendly staff, great view just a few yards from the water. Was just here for a quick layover, but would've stayed longer if time allowed The purple bread was nice and soft, the Mai Tai was just great, one of the best I've had. Decent amount of alcohol. First time having Ahi Tataki, it did not disappoint. Will now order it more often, but nothing will beat this place!

Should have gone to the Ritz or Roy's. Weird experience at this restaurant with a weird name. We came here to celebrate my birthday and it was a let down. First, the ambiance isn't great with their super bright LED interior lights and the tables are too close to each other I was practically rubbing backs with the guy behind me and the loudness was unbelievable. I got a headache from being here. They sat us right by the staff table and so lots of people were walking by and hovering around us, doesn't feel private or relaxing at all. The food was terrible and I wonder why it's so over hyped. They brought out cold dinner rolls and the tap water tasted like ass. The Royal Hawaiian hotel serve good water and has filtered water machines throughout as a sidenote. We loved the RH where we stayed and glad we didn't stay at Halekulani because it feels too corporate but back to the dinner experience... The hamachi collar came out mid and not even hot. The one leaf on the plate was sad and wilted. The $20 extra crab salad add-on was inedible --- canned crab drowning in a sea of mayo! Ew. I took one bite and wanted to throw up. I don't think a dog would've eaten it. Our two entrees, the fresh catch and short ribs were so bland and it was just placed on a bed of some pieces of steamed bok choy. A regular Chinese restaurant would have been more flavorful! Not to mention the rice was not cooked well and so sloppily made. Basic cooking skills were amiss here at such a"high end" establishment. Duke's buffet is 10x better and they actually have good ambiance there. Heck, I would have gladly eaten at Denny's instead. Lastly, when they packed the foods for us to take home (I wanted to get out of there) - it was so oily that it spilled inside the bag and bled all over my stroller!! I ended up chucking the entire bag in the trash can, where it belongs. Would never go back here and would only recommend this place to a frenemy. Save your money and maybe only go here for a drink.

Second time here, first time was during my first visit to Honolulu and went for dinner. Second time was during my second visit, had lunch. Unfortunately can't really reminder what I had first time except from pictures. Second time I had the ahi sashimi (delicious$ with pina colada (one of the best pina coladas I've ever had). Loved the view from this restaurant and the vibes of the hotel is what I wish I could afford

The coconut cake and the service save this from being a three star review.... I was stationed here from 1981 to 1984, so I remember the transformation from the original property, to what it is now. It is an absolutely beautiful property. I came in to have a drink, and my sister told me that I *HAD* to try a slice of the coconut cake. I sat in the outside seating area next to the pool, and the view just OK. I could see diamond head off to the side, but because of a fence and bushes, I couldn't really see the beach or the ocean. That was kind of a letdown. They had a decent sized menu, the prices are definitely on the higher end, but I get it. This is a premium property. My waiter came, and he was very nice I ordered a virgin mai tai, and a slice of the legendary coconut cake. The cake was amazing! I had heard stories, but this blew everything out of the water. Moist, tender, a wonderful coconut flavor. One of the best slices of cake I have had in an extremely long time..... Now, let's get to the drinks... the virgin Mai Tai was good, but the problem was, the glass was filled, almost totally with crushed ice. It was mostly crushed ice, and not that much drink. Plus, the ice started to water the drink down almost immediately. I looked at the menu, and I saw that they also have a mocktail called a creamsicle. I decided to give it another shot, no pun intended... He brings that, and again, the drink was very good, but there was once again the problem of the crushed ice. It definitely took away from the drink.... Two drinks, a slice of the coconut cake, and a tip, and I'm out the door $55 poorer. Again, I get it, it is a premium property but come on guys, at these prices, you can afford to use ice cubes, instead of crushed ice. At least they did validate my parking... I would definitely come back for a slice of the coconut cake and a soda, but from here on out, I'm staying away from the bar drinks... Thanks anyway.

Never look a gift horse in the mouth Don't slap the hand that feeds you Wassa madda you??? Here is my story: Preface saying I've been here a number of occasions and ok, nothing to write home about but this visit deserves a talking to: Went for the breakfast buffet and I preface this by saying it was my first breakfast visit. They do not take reservations. I was a guest for this visit and my hostess was so kind to show me the process as she's been there for breakfast many times before. The food was okay. It was your regular western faire like scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, etc. They do have a hot omelette bar. My issue is we had the worst attitude Shift Manager you could shake a stick at. I will not forget the embarrassment he caused to my host who was kind enough, wanting for me to have a nice breakfast there. Won't get into details but will say I was upset such that I called the hotel and spoke to the Assistant Director of Food and Beverage who PROMISED ME SHE WILL LOOK INTO IT AND GET BACK TO ME! Of course, she didn't Nuff said. 3rd star for the property at large. 2nd star for the other workers, table bussers etc. 1st star for my host's tenacity in wanting to dine there... To House Without A Key! Shame on you for not following up on the matter as you said you would. As I said! Don't slap the hand that feeds you My final advice to anyone who reads this! Go to Orchids. Don't waste your time here at House Without A Key OR; Go here for your afternoon cocktail to watch the sunset. NOTHING MORE

Good, not great especially for the price. Got two apps (pictured, which were the best of the meal) and two entrees. Tell me how it was over 200$? Don't get me wrong, it was a good meal, even if the rib eye entree had more fat and no crust that once thought possible, lol. End of the day the waitress and service was great, with an awesome band performing on the sands of the beach with the sun dipping below the horizon. Its good, just not great, and as I mentioned, especially not for that price point.

House Without A Key was a beautiful celebratory conclusion to our special O'ahu vacation. Got there in time to catch a picturesque Pacific Ocean sunset near the lovely ancient Kiawe tree. Enjoyed beautiful live Hawaiian music and hula in the background while sipping their famous Mai Tai's. For dinner we enjoyed the unique scrumptious hoisin ribs covered with coconut and macadamia. Although positioned as an appetizer it is a generous portion and enough for an entree. Also loved the lawai' a roll which featured red king crab, salmon, tempura shrimp and roe. For dinner, we shared a brick oven margarita pizza which was quite good. Finally, for dessert we loved the coconut cake which is a long standing favorite on the menu. Overall an outstanding experience made even more special by the helpful and attentive service.

We came for the drinks at sunset. Got there around 545 and were told 45-1 hour wait. Unfortunately we did not get seated in time to have our cocktails with the sunset which was a bummer. We got seated at 7, with just enough time to finish up our drinks and listen to the last set of the live band & hula dancer. The staff should be more up front and just say if you aren't seated by 5pm, no one is going to leave before sunset so no shot to get a table. The view was beautiful though, and cocktails were tasty. I liked my coconut old fashioned a lot but my husbands was a bit too sweet. Lesson learned: come here early for those sunset pics!

Although the view is nice, food is subpar. Expected crab cake to be breaded and fried which would have been better. It was a bit boring without the sauce. Roasted potatoes were under seasoned and kind of plain. Taro bread rolls were good but nothing crazy. Drinks were good. I made a reservation for my anniversary to come here and requested in the notes to be sat closer to the view but was seated at a table a bit in the middle back. Not sure how they arrange seating since there were some available closer to the edge but it wasn't a big deal. Besides my thoughts on food and seating, I love the live music and view. It was really nice during sunset and calming. Servers were nice and attentive. Overall, come here for some drinks and to enjoy the ambience, not recommended for the food.

This beautiful outdoor space located in the Halekulani Hotel is the perfect way to spend an evening in Waikiki. Enjoy oceanfront views with a cocktail, pupus, the ocean breeze, and Hawaiian entertainment. Take a picture with Diamond Head in the background. We weren't able to stay for the sunset and fireworks. Next time we are in Oahu that will be on my list to do.

Long overdue for a review. I used to work in Waikiki and I remembered dining for lunch at The House without a Key, before the renovation of the kitchen windows and area. This was in the early 1990s. I've been to Orchids for Saturday's breakfast and Sunday's brunch buffet many times. Little did I know there was a really nice daily breakfast buffet at the House without a Key. The buffet was half the price of Orchids' Sunday brunch buffet. The buffet offerings were extensive and of good quality: salads, pastries, breakfast meats, eggs, omelet station, Japanese sides, and breakfast items. It was nice to see miso soup, okayu, nishime, and salmon , saba, or one time had chicken! My favorite was the Saturday's salmon skin fried rice, fish, and the truffle mushroom salad! The restaurant does offer plastic plate covers if needed to protect your food from the birds. I've been here six times within the last seven months. I enjoyed the buffet but can't eat as much as the first time, but it's so nice to treat a friend on their special day. There are a variety of choices. When I came for the first time with a group of 8 Yelper friends for a birthday and then later for my friends' birthdays, including mine. It was a great choice, Nadine C! Everyone I brought here enjoyed the excellent service from our first waitress, Kelly, and the other waiters we had, such as Jack, Darren, Guy, and John! Some waiters recognized me since I've been coming a lot and welcomed me back. LOL! It's not too often they get too many local diners than the visitors from their hotel rooms. There are no reservations taken, so it's best to come early for breakfast since it ends at 10:30 a.m. Many come and go since they have their day all planned out, but for us, we are celebrating something special since we are making a trip to Waikiki for a nice buffet. I was impressed with the service received from Jason in May 2025 (the bussed help). He was so attentive to my mom to find a seat for me while I checked in since we came from the back pool area since she was using a walker at age 90 and can't go through the regular entrance with the little stairs to go down or even the long way over for the handicap. She was blessed as Jason helped her with her food. She hardly gets to dine out often, so she enjoyed her food, ambiance, and experience! The kindness shown made it a lasting one. Even the nice valet person (I think his name was Ross?) assisted my mom down the stairs to the valet area as we were leaving. I was even impressed when I forgot my phone in my car after the valet person just parked my car , so the valet person ran and got it for me. I was so grateful and tipped him, of course! On Sunday, 8/17/25, we were celebrating my friend Terry's birthday and asked the Relief Manager on duty, Sean McCloskey, first if they can give her a birthday cake slice for my friend's birthday, but he said it's a breakfast buffet and gave some reasoning even if I mentioned it was given before. I asked the waiter and later came back with a sorry. Basically, it's decided by the manager or relief manager on duty. We had no issues before getting a birthday coconut cake for the other 5 visits when we brought our friends here for their birthdays. When my friend Jo Y treated me here for my birthday and most recently like a couple of weeks prior to 08/17/25, she always contacted the manager Chris Wong about getting a birthday slice prior to her planned visit when she was celebrating her husband and another family member and had no problem getting the 2 slices of coconut cake for the two birthday people. She did mentioned when she first called when Chris wasn't working, the relief manager didn't returned her call. It's okay not getting a cake and we were enjoying our time together since Terri's hasn't been here in ages! We were celebrating her birthday until Sean, the relief manager, came by to tell us that other people are waiting for tables. I was shocked and disappointed to tell us at 10:08 a.m. when the buffet was ending in 20 minutes. There were several opened tables of 4 inside and many outside tables available, I was hoping he had a change of heart and he was going to tell us he would do something for her birthday after all. Despite our last visit, it's a really nice buffet with an awesome view of Waikiki Beach with great service from everyone else. Cake is just something extra, but it would have been a nice gesture for a wonderful birthday experience for the birthday person, since we made an extra effort to come into Waikiki to celebrate my friend's special day! I enjoyed it here so much and wanted my other friends who wouldn't normally come here to be treated here and experience the wonderful buffet on their special day!

Our reservation was for 6:15 pm tonight. We arrived early, that's on us. We were seated later than our reservation time, and that was a portent of things to come. It took a long time before someone came to take drink orders -- we almost left. We got a strawberry daiquiri (mediocre, do not recommend) and a mai tai. The mai tai was served without the rum floater (how does that even happen? Does nobody look at the drink after it's made? Even when garnishing?) -- we had to take it up to the bar to get that corrected. After that, it took a long time again before someone took our food order. All said and done, it was 7:06 pm by the time any food was served. No rolls, no appetizer, no salad, nada. Dinner rolls did not come until we asked for it. All food (a sushi roll appetizer, dinner rolls, sea bass, ribeye, and beet salad) arrived all at the same time. It then took 2 requests to get steak knives, while the steak got cold. They did very thoughtfully divide the ribeye into 2 plates for sharing, we appreciated that. The food was pretty decent, but the overall experience was terrible. They did comp a coconut cake slice, but for the price...would not recommend and would not return. No matter how pleasant the live music or how good the coconut cake.

Wildly overpriced family restaurant. Captains catch was good, but poke trio and tuna tataki were bland. People seem to like the sunset view here, which is guess mostly what you are paying for.

I had been wanting to come here for the longest time and finally made it for the Saturday lunch, and it was beyond my expectations. First of all, the scenery was amazing although it was a bit hot as this was an open air restaurant. And the service was great as expected, because you know, located at Halekulani Hotel ;) We had the famous Mai Tai - I actually came here for this, because I heard this was the original Mai Tai and I drink Mai Tai pretty much everywhere I go for a fun comparison. It was not overly sweet and refreshing. The complimentary taro rolls with mango butter were so good. It must be from the Halekulani Bakery? Then we had Fish Tacos for an appetizer and that was a perfect start. A big piece of broiled fish was inside of soft taco and that was delicious. After the appetizer, we had an Arugula & Prosciutto Pizza and immediately noticed how serious they were about pizzas! I also liked that there was not too much cheese on it. We also had Loco Moco, which had both a beef patty and Portuguese sausage layered over rice. The gravy was not too heavy and rice was cooked surprisingly well (I'm originally from Japan, so very picky about rice). Of course, I had to give five shiny stars for this place. I know I'm not easy to please, yet I was quite content :)

Went here for a 40th birthday. Jan took care of us and had wonderful recommendations. I got a maitai. It was strong and tasty. The view of the ocean is hard to beat. It was amazing view and backdrop. I got the braised shortrib. It was soft and tender. Super flavorful and I enjoyed every bite. We shared the mushroom truffle pizza and every bite was truffle. Subtle and not strong but super addicting! My wife got the catch of the day and she devoured it. We don't remember if it was mahi mahi or sea bass? But it was soft and flavorful. Thank you Jan and House without a key.

Frunch... When friends gather for brunch it's definitely makes it a beautiful day and what a lovely place to enjoy it all at the House Without a Key a spot in the Halekulani where they only distraction from the views is the stunning tree decked out with lanterns itself as I understand that they also have some night time event as well and can just imagine as the sun goes down what a lovely sight it truly is. What better way to take in all this wonderful vibe then a table right at the end of the covered area that all I can see is the breathtaking unobstructed beach scenery something that I do take for granted but am so happy to enjoy on this beautiful Sunday morning along with an amazing brunch and can see why many recommend this location as I've never felt so taken care of and what a luxurious feeling. Each item offered is displayed perfectly as the hot is kept hot and covered while the salad items are chilled along with fun options like chia pudding and ramen there's nothing more I can ask for as I felt so relaxed and really enjoyed it all, thank you Nadine C for taking me on this adventure. Thank you!

We were four people to house without a key for lunch, and there was a nice view . We took a lot of nice pictures outside of the restaurant, and the waiter was waiting us to order very patiently. The waiter's name was Guy, and answered us all questions when we asked . We were two people ordered a pizza and a sandwich for sharing for two, and other two people also ordered a pizza too and a hamburger for sharing for two, and we asked Guy to give us four plates for sharing. unbelievable, when the food came out and the sandwich and hamburger had cut in half and on the individual plate already, and that made us so happy. The waiter Guy was so nice to us and he knew what we wanted, and he had a great service to us during our meal. We enjoyed the ambiance and service, we loved it. We will back again.

This restaurant is a hidden gem in a quieter area of Waikiki. The atmosphere is lovely with live music in the evenings, a glimpse of the sunset, and beach front minus all the sand. Food was amazing, we enjoyed the hamachi collar, beet salad, catch of the day, and the ribs. The drinks were lovely as well. Waitress was very accommodating. Dinner is 5-9 PM. Recommend making a reservation but they do take walk-ins! Bar seating and open seating in front of the live musician. Parking is validated in the garage of the hotel for 4 hours.

Located in the Halekulani hotel in Waikiki. Beautiful outside views of Diamond Head, the Pacific and their old Kiawe tree (Hawaiian mesquite). Came here for the breakfast buffet. The buffet had both American and Japanese entrées. I had most of the Japanese entrées which consisted of miso soup, tofu dishes, sweet egg omelette, smoked salmon, and all the trimmings, Nishime, numerous Japanese pickles and condiments, fresh fish. All dishes were delicious and in small sizes so you can sample many things. On the American buffet breakfast there were mochi waffle with coconut and various Hawaiian syrups, and typical American meats from sausage bacon sometimes they have Portuguese sausage, but the waiter said that they didn't have any, but brought us some out from the kitchen that they made fresh. Also had an omelette station, fresh eggs, fresh fruit from pineapple, strawberries, blueberries, and numerous side dishes from breakfast, potatoes, cream spinach, which was yummy and fresh bread and rolls. Service was outstanding. Our server was attentive and friendly. He knew my auntie and uncle because they come here often. they have a lovely view of the outside which has views of diamond head and outside tables to enjoy the Hawaiian weather.

When I worked for a major Japanese tour agency during my breaks returning home from college back in the days, I had many inquiries of guests wanting to dine at Halekulani Hotel. Most of them wanted either dinner at La Mer or Orchids Sunday brunch but would also get requests for House Without a Key (HWK). Located on the 1F of Halekulai adjacent to the beachfront pool, HWK offers breakfast, lunch and dinner with indoors and outdoors dining options. One of our foodie friends specifically requested to dine at HWK for their breakfast buffet. To mirror my memory from my part time job, HWK does not accept reservations and are seated first come first serve. Was a little concerned for our party of eight but we had no issues when our group arrived at the agreed time of 8am on a Sunday morning. HWK has an amazing ambiance and scenery as you overlook the stunning view of Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head. Shortly after we sat down, staff came to take our drink orders. Our main server was Kelly and were informed we could start our buffet with the multiple stations. The food was outstanding. For a buffet the quality exceeded my expectations, especially the Japanese station (grilled saba, nishime, kobachi) and egg/omelet station. We really enjoyed the variety and the local flair offerings, such as lup cheong fried rice, kalua pork and cabbage. When we were asked what the occasion was for dining here, Kelly brought a slice of their famous coconut cake for our friend. Such a nice gesture. My experience was so great that I was determined to drag my family here. It's hard to coordinate our busy schedules so I ended up taking off on a weekday to dine with the family. We arrived at 830am to somewhat avoid the morning rush hour traffic. There were a handful of people already dining and we were immediately seated for our party of 6. I informed my family of my previous experience and we all surveyed the buffet line prior to getting our food. I immediately noticed the offerings were different. From my previous experience I had to get the popovers again and in this go around I found out that the strawberry preserves are not commercially made. Had nice pieces of strawberries that were non-mushy. I got another customized omelet again but switched protein from smoked salmon to Portuguese sausage this time. For the Japanese station I was deeply saddened not to see the grilled saba but this time they had karaage, which was replenished regularly so it was piping hot when I had some. I also had more baked goods of a croissant and pain au chocolat. Delicious. Service was good but there was a slight delay in getting drinks refills as orders were submitted but it took some time to get them. Overall, great breakfast experiences where I'm game to return. It may seem a bit pricey at $52 per person but definitely worthy for special occasions. 2025 #10

The service was amazing. Food for the price wasn't worth it . The view and live music and the back drop was spectacular.

Everything about here is just beautiful the views at night the food and the service was so amazing. One of my go to spots when I come here will definitely be back in the future.

Asked for extra crispy pizzas for dinner and they were almost inedible, so doughy on center. Yuck!

A great spot in Waikiki inside of the Halekulani Hotel that features open-air indoor and outdoor seating with lovely views. While I wanted to go for sunset cocktails and hula show, I got there after sundown but was still able to enjoy the live music. I sat at in the bar area which was more towards the back of the restaurant and while they have a very good selection of cocktails, they are pricey at about $24. But then again this is pretty standard for a nice Waikiki hotel bar. The service at the bar was excellent, very friendly and personal bartenders and quick service. If you are looking for a picturesque bar with good cocktails and entertainment, this is the spot to check out!

Came here for Earl's for the "Sunset Cocktails in the lawn area at House Without A Key." I wanted to hear live Hawaiian music, and knowing that the backdrop was of the water and sunset, I had to come and just be surrounded by all things Hawaiian. I came a little before 5pm and was seated close to the front. I ordered two non-alcoholic drinks: The Tide Pool and Halekulani Creamsicle. Both were so yummy and refreshing! I loved that the Tide Pool had two Swedish fish gummies in it, and a sour strip on top. So creative. I also ordered the Hoisin Coconut BBQ Ribs. I enjoyed the macadamia nuts and scallions on top. The meat was so tender that it fell off the bone. The live Hawaiian music was good! Great voices and harmony. The hula dance was beautiful and so beautiful to watch. Overall, it was such an awesome experience. It was the perfect setting: live Hawaiian music, hula dancing, sunset in the background, being near the ocean, sitting outside, eating yummy food, and enjoying some tropical drinks. I couldn't ask for anything more. I loved being there absorbing everything in.

Breakfast buffet in Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii... I heard about this All You Can Eat special ($52) at Halekulani Hotel from my former co-worker and her husband. They said that their family likes this buffet so much that they drive all the way over the Pali from Kaneohe! For locals, that's a commitment! The good news is that parking is free! We parked across the street at Halepua and got validation at the cashier at House Without A Key. Kelly was our patient, efficient server. She brought us coffee, tea, and juice, and cleared our used plates! She's very professional and ninja... i didn't even know when she refilled my glass! Because they don't take reservations, we agreed to meet at 8am (opening time) on a Sunday. We beat the crowd and got a large table so that the eight of us could sit together. Even though it's outdoor seating, it wasn't hot. There was a slight breeze, but it didn't stop the pesky birds. Uhg! The food was fantastic! The presentation was so beautiful - it's what you get at a fancy hotel! I especially liked the omelet station, the salad bar, fresh fruits, the variety of excellent pastries, and the Japanese station that had items such as miso soup, making sushi, saba, and nishime. The regular breakfast items like scrambled eggs, lup cheong fried rice, bacon, cereal & milk, sausage, etc. were present and good! Thank you for the complimentary birthday dessert of a generous slice of the signature coconut cake! It was scrumptious and decadent. We were reminded that a whole cake costs $100. This is a great place to celebrate a special occasion! Thanks to my friends for waking up early on your day off to spend it with me! You made my dream a reality!

This morning few of us decided to celebrate a birthday breakfast buffet at House without a Key located in the Halekulani Hotel . The food was amazing most people would say it's only breakfast items . I can say the Lup Cheong fried was my favorite . They had a section with Japanese breakfast, along with all your pastries, cheese platter, meats, yogurt, cereals, fruits . Everyone on our table really liked the Saba. They also had a small dish with Japanese sweet egg along w/Ikura . The service was on point with Kelly our server she worked there over 27 years . The view is also stunning with an open air lanai with also outside seating the view of the ocean and Diamond Head . I would definitely return for breakfast Buffett in the future I really enjoyed the food along with good company. They also provide validation up to 4 hours so you can valet your car for convenience. Support local

Great ambiance and views but service was not up to par. Server was slow and I booked with a birthday celebration note that was ignored. Why bother asking on the reservation if it doesn't mean anything to the restaurant. I even confirmed with the hostess at check in if they can put happy birthday on the cake we'll order and she said yes. I even confirmed that I would not need to remind the server separately bc I wanted it to be a small surprise for my husband. At the end of dinner time, our cake came plainly without anything which ruined the night. Ordered seafood roll & mai thai which was great. The truffle mushroom pizza & signature coconut cake was just ok.

This place was one of the amazing place that we found!! Everyone recommended watching the sunset at this outdoor venue which is located inside the beautiful hotel. Lovely music from Hawaiian trio, as well as a beautiful Hawaiian interpretive dancer. Interesting drinks, delicious appetizers and catering staff were plus to this experience. The sunset was breathtaking and perfect for any couple who love a romantic evening. This was definitely highlights of our Hawaii trip.

House Without a Key was outstanding! From the moment we arrived until we left, the service was top-notch. They offer valet parking, and you can get your parking validated for 4 hours by the restaurant. Melissa greeted us and showed us to the restaurant. There was a short wait, but with the gorgeous view, perfect weather, and live music, it wasn't a problem while we waited for our table. Once seated, Trey was our server, and he was fantastic. He went over the menu with us and recommended some of his personal favorites. We started with cocktails and an appetizer. We had the Lawai'a roll, Pulehu Pineapple, and Coconut Old Fashioned. They also brought out complimentary Taro Rolls accompanied by a tropical butter, which was a nice touch. I'm still thinking about that Lawai'a roll while writing this review! For our main dish, we split the Tutū Mā Asian Braised Short Ribs with roasted red potatoes and home fries--it was just the right amount and very tasty. While we ate, the Hawaiian music continued, and a hula dancer appeared around 6pm, adding to the vibe. To wrap up, Kevin helped us with our car and even handed us two waters. Honestly, we had an amazing time all around--definitely check this place out!

Review is solely for the bar / drinks: Really enjoyed the vibe and love how quiet it was during the afternoon. Set inside as the sun was hot but still provided really good ocean view. Service was very good. Drinks were fair but don't expect the best quality if you are a cocktail connoisseur. Would come back for the view and chill/quiet ambiance.

Had drinks at the bar. Excellent service. Beautiful layout. Very expensive, but worth it for a special night out

Always amazing here! It's so peaceful and the service is impeccable. They have THE BEST mai tai (and have won awards)! They are have some great mocktails- the tidepools had glitter and gummi fish and rainbows! Made with spirulina blueberry and lemon lime soda. The complimentary bread is delish - so good the birds try to eat it! Served with guava butter. The poke bowl was filling and fresh. The açaí bowl was gorgeous and full of goodness. The crab sandwich was light and served with homemade taro chips. A fav place!

The menu albeit limited is well curated and very much perfected. The ambiance and live music made the dinner even more special--thanks to Lorenzo who gave us one of the best tables in the house. The star to me however would be the house bread which is made with purple sweet potatoes/yam. Matched with the mango/pineapple butter, it was a truly heavenly combination. The bread basket was complimentary and made such a difference--definitely created with much aloha. Captain's Catch Of the Day was a sword fish with pistachio sauce and cooked with basil, lime and li hing and garnished with tomatoes and grilled asparagus. Eye popping goodness. Kudos to the very innovative chef! We missed woodfire pizza and ordered a couple. Those hit the spot both in flavor and quality. Exactly how I imagined my Margherita and Truffle Mushroom pizza to be. If you're a cocktail drinker then you're in for a treat because they do not disappoint and the list is more extensive than the food menu. Do expect Waikiki prices but know that it's worth a visit. House Without A Key has absolutely found the key to my heart.

We've been to this restaurant numerous time, before and after the remodel. Great place for the ambience, entertainment and food. Dessert especially, their coconut cake! But most of all, the views of Waikiki, Diamond Head! Halekulani is very classy and beautiful.

My favorite restaurant. Took a date there for her first time. Definitely hands down. The food we ordered and the customer service was amazing. The market fish with veggies, Cesar Salad, house bread, and the Mai Tais are a must. The ambiance was perfect for our evening which included the live Hawaiian music entertainment. The evening was topped off with their signature Coconut Cake!!

Located at the beautiful Halekulani, House Without a Key is a great spot to go to to grab some bite to eat, enjoy the views, as well as watch a very classy, wonderful Hawaiian dance (by a previous Miss Hawaii!). Make sure you have reservations, and the staff are pretty open to letting you request a specific table; try to sit towards the front in the center, so you don't have any obstructions. We ordered: +a Mai Tai - one of the hotel's signature cocktails; prepared with Bacardi Gold Rum, Bacardi Select, orange curacao, orgeat syrup, fresh lime juice, and a lemon hart 151 float; this was strong and aesthetically pleasing +The Gable - prepared with fresh cucumber juice, pineapple cordial, fresh lemon, aloe juices, and mango ice; refreshing and healthy-tasting +and a slice of the Halekulani Coconut Cake - with anglaise and raspberry coulis The breeze felt amazing, and service was top notch; we were checked in often throughout the evening. You'll be guaranteed to have a lovely time! +Hawaiian dancing and music +friendly service +reservations recommended +located at the Halekulani

When we go to Hawaii we will eat there at least 5 to 5 times. We have made it a family tradition. The staff and ambiance is absolutely amazing.

House Without a Key is a timeless classic in Honolulu and is a favorite of my family's. They recently underwent some remodeling and the new open kitchen and remodeled bar add a cool new element to the dining experience. As always, the live entertainment and hula dancing with a background of the sunset is an incredible and unique experience. We've eaten here many times and this was the first time that I felt the food was good, but not great. The cocktails and dessert were delicious but I miss some of the old classics like the coconut shrimp appetizer. For anyone looking for an upscale, tasty dinner in Waikiki, this is a very solid option and I'd recommend it!

A PLUS SERVICE. The Halekulani is the nicest hotel around! House without a key has the best nightly entertainment out in front of the keawe tree. Wonderful trio they've played here for years. Brooke Lee on the hula, just a beautiful night all around. Had a few bourbons and a few other drinks, followed by wonderful coffee. Salad bundles wrapped by marinated flank steak, just perfectly tender and great teri flavor, smoke. Our waiter did a great job and working in a tight room to boot. The best night out around here absolutely. first class place. 5 stars. BEAUTIFUL hotel.

Dinner was great and the entertainment was lovely! There are chairs in front of the stage that don't require you to order food (drinks may be required though?) We came in 45 minutes prior to our reservation and got seated right away.

7/27/2025 Jan is the best! We brought our family tonight to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries. All of us ordered fish dishes ( even the toddlers ) and everyone was very pleased . The ambiance is so pleasant and beautiful and of course the service is always right on! We were so happy to bring our whole family.

The hotel is beautiful, ambiance is great. Perfect place to watch the sunset with a nice Hawaiian live band. The pizza was good, fish of the day was good but needed more sauce which they gave us when we asked. The coconut cake was good, light and fluffy, but the coconut flavor was not as strong as I expected (but 2 of my friends loved it).

We were seated inside during one sunset which really took away any "specialness" of the occasion. Even outside, the view was good but not exceptional. Perhaps I came in with too high of expectations. The menu was a little overwhelming as well. We opted for the crudo. Obviously with the location, prices are way inflated. It was fine. The singers and hulu was fine. Again, maybe I was expecting more. Oh well. First world problems but I feel one could do better with both food and scenery.

My friend and I had a lovely breakfast at the famous House Without a Key at the Halekulani Hotel! The Halekulani Hotel, translating to "house befitting heaven," is a 453-room hotel on 5 acres on Waikiki Beach with 3 restaurants, with House Without a Key being one of them. The original hotel was opened in 1907 and sold/renovated a number of times and reopened on 3/1/84 with elegance to what it is today. Opened at the same time as the hotel in 1984, the House Without a Key is known as a gathering spot for informal breakfast, lunch, sunset cocktails, appetizers, and Hawaiian entertainment under a century-old kiawe tree. It is noted for its signature mai tai and coconut cake. It is said that the House Without a Key was named after a 1925 novel by Earl Biggers, which is the 1st Charlie Chan mystery, and makes mention of a restaurant named "House Without a Key." Another story mentions it was named after a nickname given to the lanai area next to a young kiawe tree planted in 1987 that was reflective of when locals did not have to lock their house doors. House Without a Key offers breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. This review is for their impressive breakfast buffet that consists of: * Omelet station. Build your own with meat choices (bacon, ham, Portuguese sausage, shrimp, smoked salmon, onion, cheese, bell pepper, green onion, tomato, mushroom, spinach. * Pastries: croissants, banana bread, mini muffins, popovers, danish, whipped butter. * Japanese: sides (octopus salad, egg w/ ikura daikon, hijiki, natto, cold tofu, spinach salad, ogo, tsukemono); garlic chicken; miso soup and rice porridge w/ condiments; nishime; ramen; white rice. * Fresh fruits: grapefruit, banana, pineapple, strawberries, apple, melons, papaya, orange. * Yogurt and granola parfaits: with mixed berries, dried fruits, chia w/ berries & blueberries. * Cheeses and cold cuts. * Salads: tossed, beet, pasta, kale, baked salmon, potato w/ bacon, truffled mushroom, fresh veggies. * Hot entrees: French toast, salmon skin fried rice, bacon, chicken apple sausage, scrambled egg, roasted potatoes. Cute mini bottles of tabasco sauce are offered. * Cereal with various toppings situated on an angled board. * Drinks: pineapple, orange, guava, POG, tea, coffee. I was impressed with the many food choices and knowing that I could not eat everything, I had to pick and choose my favorites and what looked interesting. I thought the presentation of the food items were excellent, with the complementary dishes, cute parfait glass bottles, angled cereal toppings, and plated arrangements so beautifully placed. I loved the Japanese station, as the dishes and sides were all delicious and authentic; I understand that a new chef from Japan had been hired and is creating these eye-catching dishes. The nishime was on point, and local-style ramen and its condiments was comfort food. Lots of great fruits, with the local papaya so sweet (I saw hotel guests taking whole platefuls of them), but the pineapple was a little sour, as it's not in season. I enjoyed the banana bread, which was so flavorful and moist. Tried a little bit of everything, and all tasted good! Wish I had a bigger appetite to take on the delicious-looking omelets and salads. Plus, a complimentary birthday coconut cake was presented (restaurant planning to charge about $16 per slice soon), and it was the best coconut I've ever had, as it was so fluffy, moist, flavorful, and not overly sweet; it literally just melted in your mouth! We had excellent service by Jack who promptly took away our used plates, refilled our drinks without asking, and checking on us if we need anything. He and other staff all had smiles and wished us a happy birthday. Awesome customer service! The large dining area included an outside open-air patio and covered interior with beautiful views of Diamond Head and Waikiki Beach. If eating in the open patio, be careful of birds flying around and scrounging for food. Almost all tables were taken during peak breakfast hours. There's a nice window-plated open kitchen alongside the buffet line. And if you need to use the restroom, bidet toilets are standard. Hours of operation for the breakfast buffet is daily from 7a to 10:30a. No reservations for breakfast. We showed up at 8a and stayed to closing; we were not rushed to leave. Free validated parking for 4 hours is available. This is an awesome breakfast, especially for a celebration! There is a nice variety of foods that will please everyone. Thank you to my Yelp friend, Donna O., for a heavenly birthday breakfast! I would love to return to celebrate a special occasion! Excellent dining experience!

House without a key was a wonderful experience. We made reservations so that we could view the luau with the hula dancers. The drinks were fantastic and you should not pass up the coconut cake. It was clearly the best coconut cake on the island.

Food is always well executed here. The location is as good as it gets in Waikiki, on the beach. This restaurant is the rare combination of excellent food and incredible ambiance. It may sound strange but the two things rarely come together in Waikiki. Service is attentive and professional, these are not college kids looking for extra cash.

5/5 for the view and ambience of the place. Food was underwhelming 3/5 , felt basic despite the hefty price. Drinks were good 4/5. coconut Cake was good, the only thing that I remembered

The setting is amazing, service is great along with wonderful entertainment and good food. Can't miss here.