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    53 By The Sea

    4.0 (1.5k reviews)
    Ultra High-EndSeafood, New American, Cocktail Bars
    Closed Closed

    53 By The Sea Photos

    Business Info

    53 BY THE SEA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Romantic
    Classy
    Upscale
    Quiet

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    Recommended Reviews - 53 By The Sea

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    Gnocchi with lobster
    Hailley O.

    My boyfriend took me here for my birthday and it was such a wonderful experience! Both the interior and exterior of the restaurant are beautiful, and you can't miss the iconic staircase everyone takes photos at haha. We had a pre-fixe menu, so we got to choose an appetizer, pasta, entree and dessert. I ordered the burrata salad to start, it was refreshing and I loved the creaminess of the burrata. For my pasta, I got the lobster gnocchi, and the texture of the gnocchi was so soft and paired nicely with the flavor of the lobster and sauce. I also tried my boyfriend's crab ravioli and that was tasty. For our entrees, we both got the short ribs and really enjoyed how tender they were. The vegetables were cooked perfectly as well and complemented the dish nicely. For dessert, we shared a chocolate cake and an apple dessert, and they gave me another birthday dessert cake that was fruity. They were all so yummy and a great way to end the meal! We were pretty full but still managed to finish dessert because it was just that good. Our server was friendly and attentive. Overall, I think 53 by the Sea lives up to the hype and delivers a fantastic dining experience!

    Beautiful entry
    Keeba O.

    We were looking for a restaurant by the water as we killed time before our red eye flight home... we needed something close ti the airport, was on the water, and had seafood: the in-the-moment criteria for 2 hangry people! Didn't know what to expect and when we pulled up we did not expect such a beautiful venue! Even though we didn't have reservations or were quite underdressed, the hosts were gracious and let us eat. Ordered the Fresh Catch, Cavatelli, Caesar Salad, Mashed Potatoes and a Sazerac. Perfect last meal before we left! Recommended for a special date night because it is that kind of place... special. Service was excellent.

    Ash N.

    I've been to 53 by the Sea many times, and although the restaurant is beautiful, something they lack is consistency. What I mean by this, is that it's either a hit or miss with the menu, at least for me. I don't know how often they change their menu, but everytime I go they seem to have new items, which makes it hard to get your favorite dishes. And don't get me wrong, I love an updated menu, but they always seem to get rid of the food items that are loved and they replace them with items that aren't as tasty. Another thing I noticed is that their raw seafood is also a hit or miss. Sometimes it's super fresh, and other times it's meh at best. This is a bummer since they have this beautiful seafood platter, but you never know if it's going to be amazing or not. I find that if you want an enjoyable experience, to skip any raw seafood, and just go for their cooked dishes, since they seem pretty standard across the board, but nothing spectacular. Something I love about my favorite restaurants is that I can consistently go back and have an amazing (if not, a MORE amazing) time there with delicious foods, but for some reason 53 by the Sea has never made me feel that way. It's either an amazing dinner, or mediocre. I do want to preface and say that their staff is super nice, and that they are always friendly and very accommodating. Unfortunately, for me, a big part of what makes a restaurant a 5/5 is their menu. I hate to say it but I probably won't be back here for a while, maybe not until they bring back some of the items I really enjoyed.

    Blueberry cheesecake
    April L.

    Food was excellent! Building is beautiful. Service was just okay. Paradise affair cocktail - so delicious. Had a sugar rim that I legit licked Caesar salad - not worth it Seafood pasta - absolutely delicious! Get this if it's on the menu when you visit Desserts - beautiful presentation but nothing was absolutely amazing.

    Carpaccio from Tasting menu
    Michelle W.

    It was a heavenly experience. The atmosphere is very light and bright. Such a peaceful view of the waves and Lē'ahi (Diamond Head), then once the sun goes down, you can see the Waikīkī skyline. Our server, Cade, was very knowledgeable, attentive and friendly. And the food was perfect. I don't think you can go wrong with anything on the menu. I made reservations for 5:30pm on a Wednesday night, and ordered the Tasting menu with wine pairing. After sunset, it did get busier.

    Leah H.

    Romantic and yummy. Service was 5 !! Our cocktails were perfect! The food was also 5 !! My crab stuffed lobster was more then what I could hope for. Lobster tail was perfectly prepared and the crab was full of flavor. The scallop appetizer was creamy fresh and delicious. We celebrated our anniversary here and I feel it was the perfect spot for a romantic dinner

    Duck
    Rob B.

    Aloha, another great specialty wine dinner at 53 by the sea. Guest chef isabella from from Venice with chef Dave outdid themselves. With MS Chuck pairing wines. So happy to be part of this sold out dinner. Mahalo

    The chestnut mousse
    Shana V.

    This place is absolutely stunning. The views from this restaurant are a fantastic reminder of how lucky we are to live in Hawaiʻi. We came for our first time for a special dinner with Osteria Oliva Nera. Parking was valet (complimentary not including gratuity). Upon entering the ginormous doors, we were greeted and guided up the grand staircase to a private dining room that overlooked the water. Our dinner started with a crisp prosecco and ended with a luxurious chestnut mousse. My plate was never missing the fluffy focaccia and each course of the meal was well executed. I can't wait to come by and try the regular menu for my next special occasion.

    Kristen D.

    If you ever need a private event/room, this is the best place to go! We came here twice for private events (celebrate our engagement with family & another time after we got married and wanted to treat our family), both times were amazing. Shout out to Anjela- who helped us coordinate getting the private room & was in communication with us leading up to our events. The food was set as a pre-fixe menu, and so so amazing. The service in the private room was on point- always there to refill out drinks & spacing out the times of our entrees perfectly. I would highly recommend inquiring with them for your next private event.

    We came here to celebrate my daughter's nursing school graduation, but ended up celebrating her engagement! Her boyfriend proposed right before our dinner reservations, and wow, what a fabulous restaurant to celebrate the occasion. The property itself was stunning, great ambiance and views. The staff were amazing, very attentive and welcoming, and the food was phenomenal! My husband and I split the dinner for two (which could actually have fed all five of us). My daughter and her fiancée both got the chefs tasting menu and were not disappointed. My youngest ordered the roast beef and said it was super tasty. We could not have chosen a better restaurant to elevate an already perfect evening.

    2018 Bergstrom "Silice" Pinot Noir
    Gerry L.

    The world food tour duo dined at one of the restaurants in Honolulu with great views of the ocean ... 53 By The Sea. This was the duo's first visit because until now, the menu was too focused on seafood and shellfish. We started with a 2018 Bergstrom "Silice" Pinot Noir ($135) and some focaccia with miso butter. I really like the wines from Bergstrom; it was earthy, with notes of red fruit, cola, spice and a little oakiness. We opted for Ahi Tartare ($28) and Pork Belly Pohole Salad ($25) as starters. The ahi was seasoned with bottarga (salted and dried fish roe) and came with slices of cucumber, crisps, and pieces of fennel. I tried the fennel ... Whoa, it was way too tough. The cucumber and crisps were much better vehicles for the tartare. The salad featured julienned cucumber, slices of pickled onion, halves of grape tomatoes, and chunks of roasted ulu. The pohole (Hawaiian ferns) was the highlight for us. The pork belly pieces were superfluous. Our entrees were the Hawaiian Rose Veal Bolognese ($42) and the Pan Seared Ribeye ($85) with Roasted Baby Carrots ($14) and Roasted Beets ($12). The Bolognese was served with two slices of toasted and buttered semolina bread. My ribeye was served with a large piece of Kalo au Gratin and long pieces of tatsoi (AKA spoon mustard). The roasted baby carrots were a highlight for me, but the roasted beets were served cold ... I would have preferred them warmed. My steak was tender and flavorful but was presented a little past the medium rare that I requested. The house made pappardelle pasta looked wonderful. We ordered the coconut / kulolo sorbet ($4) for my tablemate and a French Press of Kona Peaberry ($16) for me. There was just a hint of kulolo in the sorbet, served with quartered strawberry, raspberries and blackberries. My coffee was dark and rich, brewed much darker than usual for Kona Peaberry which I appreciated. While we enjoyed our time at 53 By The Sea, we can only give it a 4+ rating because while every dish was good, nothing was exceptional or special and there were a few misses. We've come to expect something special from the superb restaurants in Honolulu.

    Mountain View Farms grilled pork.
    Chris T.

    We had an amazing dining experience the other night for my wife's birthday dinner. The restaurant is nice, well spaced out seating with a great view. The wait staff all were excellent and commend the kitchen staff for cooking up some amazing dishes. We enjoyed a nice walu croquette appetizer and dined on the fresh catch (opakapaka) and the Mountain View Farms grilled pork. As well as a purple of sides, roasted local mushrooms and potato puree. All of the food was really delicious AND the grilled pork was the best we ever had!!! We saved a little room for their very tasty chestnut cake. This has to be one of the best service and food you can get!!! We will surely dine here again.

    Jason H.

    My wife and I ate at 53 By The Sea a while back and somehow forgot to post--but this brunch absolutely deserved the reminder. We've always loved brunch here, and once again the service, ambiance, and food were dialed in. The sweeping ocean views, with Diamond Head in the distance, never get old and make brunch feel like a mini escape. We started with the Fresh Oysters, bright and refreshing, layered with preserved lemon, coconut, lemongrass oil, and Haleiwa salt--clean, coastal flavors that set the tone perfectly. The Market Catch was cooked just right and paired beautifully with canary beans, green beans, charred tomatoes, chili, and a punchy green olive salsa verde. The clear star was the Savory Dutch Baby, loaded with Maine sea scallops and Atlantic lobster tail, finished with vanilla drawn butter (and yes, we added the poached egg--zero regrets). Rich, indulgent, and completely worth it. Paired with a crisp Pinot Grigio and those views, it made for another memorable brunch. A consistently excellent spot and one we'll happily keep coming back to.

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    Page 1 of 38

    53 By The Sea Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - 53 By The Sea

    Can I bring my toddler to the Sunday brunch?

    Yes. We noticed small children there at the next table over.

    Is charging a kitchen fee legal?

    yes it is legal since the ninth court of appeals ruled on traditionally tipped employees vs. cooks, dishwashers, etc. "Because of a Ninth Circuit Court decision that says… Read more

    I noticed dress code, but are sandals allowed?

    You could do a elevated sandal. No slippers.

    Do you guys still have fireworks. If so @ what time?

    Do you guys still over bottomless mimosas?

    We no longer offer bottomless mimosas; however, we do have brunch beverage specials, $5 mimosas and $8 specialty cocktails.

    How much is corkage fee?

    $25 for bottles not on our wine list, $50 for bottles on our wine list, $50 for magnum size, $50 + ($25 for each size higher)… Read more

    Will you be bringing back happy hour?

    Not at this time. Stay up to date with our us on our Instagram @53bythesea_hawaii

    What days and time is happy hour?

    We're not offering happy hour at this time, and have no current plans on bringing it back.

    With the bottomless mimosas option for brunch, for a party of 2, do we both have to get the bottomless package or can 1 individual order it?

    We no longer offer bottomless mimosas; however, we do have brunch beverage specials, $5 mimosas and $8 specialty cocktails.

    Will you be bringing in copper river salmon this year?

    There are currently no plans to, however, we are currently serving King Salmon from New Zealand.

    Is the tasting menu still available?

    We have a new five course tasting menu with additional wine pairing available.

    How much is their 7 course meal? Do you have to request it before hand? TY!

    No need for requests in advance.

    Is the valet parking back or is it still self parking?

    Valet Parking is now available.

    What is the dress code? Pants and close toed shoes for men?

    resort casual. most are dressed up but did see more than a few families in therewearing shorts and slippers but with collars. resort casual should be a safe option.

    Do i need to let the restaurant know ahead of time if we want to try the 7 course meal ? We have reservation at 8pm will we have enough time for 7 course meal ? Thank you

    Considering that your reservation is at 2000 and that they close at 2100 maybe you should call and ask. I've been there a few times (with a group ranging from 6-10 people) and spent over 1 hour in the restaurant each time. Just a heads up, the… Read more

    Do you take reservations for a spot with the best view?

    Probably best to call with this question, but most every seat has a good view.

    Do you currently have vegan entrees available?

    Aloha Sarah, We do have a vegetarian entree, Maitake Mushroom, which can be altered slightly to accommodate vegan requests

    Can you see the water front in the private dining room? What are the requirements for the private…

    Hi Trace, Thank you very much for your question. Yes, you can see the water front from the… Read more

    I was planning on reserving for a party of 9 but due to the whole covid situation will my guests be split up into different tables?

    Hi Michelle, Thank you very much for your question. Yes, due to the limited amount tables and the… Read more

    Do they have high chairs for toddlers?

    Hi Michelle, Thank you for your question. Yes, we do have high chairs for toddlers.

    View All 45 Questions

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    $$

    Super chill spot in Chinatown.......the ambiance, the music,…read morethe super cute and friendly bartender (Jen). And the most delicious cocktails ever. Highly recommend and should have taken some photo evidence, next time!

    Fifteen minutes west of Waikiki, you'll find yourself in a completely different Hawaii…read more Honolulu's Chinatown feels worlds away from the beachfront resorts and postcard-perfect sunsets. The neighborhood is vibrant, gritty, and alive--a mix of Chinese, Southeast Asian, and Native Hawaiian influences layered over historic buildings, glowing neon signs, art galleries, and hidden cocktail dens. It reminded me a bit of New Orleans: worn facades with stories to tell, creative energy around every corner, and the sense that the best experiences are often tucked behind an unassuming door. Which makes it the perfect home for EP Bar. "EP" stands for Extend Play, a fitting name for a place built around music. Long before listening bars became fashionable in Los Angeles, New York, and London, there were the jazz kissa of Japan--small cafés where people gathered not to drink or dance, but to listen. Records spun through carefully tuned sound systems while patrons sat immersed in the music. The music wasn't background noise. It was the main event. Walking into EP Bar, you can feel traces of that tradition. The room is intimate and inviting. Reservations are highly recommended because the place fills up quickly on weekend nights. Once inside, the atmosphere hits a sweet spot. The music is loud enough to create a mood and provide privacy for conversation, yet never so overpowering that it dominates the room. Loud enough to muffle the secrets being shared between old friends. Loud enough to drown out the office gossip that somehow followed everyone from the coffee machine into happy hour. The soundtrack isn't just playing--it's setting the tone. As an Old Fashioned guy, my choice was easy. I ordered a Oaxaca OF, which swaps traditional whiskey for mezcal. Smoky, balanced, and memorable, it felt like the kind of drink that rewards slow sipping between tracks. Another member of our group went with the Pho Us By Us. To nobody's surprise except perhaps her own, it tasted a little salty. Considering the ingredients--Green Chile Vodka, Sake, Pho Spice, Lemon, and Soda--it was probably the most honest cocktail description I've ever seen. The drink tasted exactly like its name suggested. That's part of the fun here. The menu doesn't hide behind clever marketing. Drinks like Thai Me Down and Candy Rain practically dare you to order them. Not every note landed perfectly. Service was a little off-beat during our visit. But like any live performance, sometimes the rhythm isn't flawless. Thankfully, the vibes, decor, music, and overall experience more than carried the set. What I appreciated most was that EP Bar doesn't feel like a gimmick. It feels like a genuine continuation of a tradition that began decades ago in Japan's listening cafés, traveled across oceans, and found a home in Honolulu's Chinatown. It's a place where music matters, conversation flows, and the pace of the evening slows down just enough to appreciate both. The place slaps for what it is--and for what it isn't. In a world increasingly filled with distractions, EP Bar invites you to do something refreshingly simple: sit down, have a great drink, listen to great music, and be present. I'll definitely be back. After all, every good record deserves another spin, and I'm curious to see how the needle lands next time.

    Photos
    EP Bar - Sake also goes w vinyl. Hoyo Sawayaka, a Junmai from the oldest brewery in Miyagi, using a sake specific Kura No Hana varietal rice.

    Sake also goes w vinyl. Hoyo Sawayaka, a Junmai from the oldest brewery in Miyagi, using a sake specific Kura No Hana varietal rice.

    EP Bar - Marx making an old fashioned.

    Marx making an old fashioned.

    EP Bar - Decor.

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    Decor.

    53 By The Sea - seafood - Updated June 2026

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