53 by the Sea Fine Dining Seafood/Steak Restaurant Overall: 8.8/10 Food: 8.6/10 [[HIGHLIGHT]]Service: 9.5/10 Ambiance: 9.6/10 Value: 7.8/10 Amazing course dinner to celebrate caros birthday! We got the Naupaka and Kaui course and the food was delicious, highlights being the ahi carpaccio and hand-made pasta. I do wish the complimentary focaccia bread came warm; it was served room temperature. Service, ambiance, and views were also amazing- complimentary valet and they even pulled up my car to the front before we exited the restaurant because they noticed we were nearing the end of our meal[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] . All in all an amazing experience. Definitely expensive but worth the price of a special night out. read more

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Came here with a friend and we had a great experience! I haven't been here in years, but besides the food, [[HIGHLIGHT]]the ambience, view and service is wonderful.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I believe it's only complimentary valet parking, unless you want to find parking in the area and walk. We opted for one of the preset meals instead of à la carte and everything was cooked and plated perfectly. Some of the dishes were interesting but still tasted amazing. I was hungry but I definitely left full! I can't tell you exactly what we ate but I can tell you I enjoyed all of it. Our service from Tony was great and he graciously put up with us and our antics. Will hope to be back soon :) read more

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This restaurant will always be in our list of "must return" when visiting Honolulu. [[HIGHLIGHT]]53 by the Sea is an oceanfront fine dining known for their multi-course meals and sweeping views of Diamond Head and Waikiki.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I've been here twice and both times the service and food were phenomenal. [[HIGHLIGHT]]This restaurant is located on the waterfront right at the entrance of the Kewalo Boat Basin harbor.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] This restaurant is in the Ka'ako neighborhood and I recommend either rideshare or driving. If you're driving, they do offer complimentary valet service which I absolutely took advantage of. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The building has a European design with a mix of Hawaiian textures. Driving up to the front entrance exudes palatial mediterranean vibes.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The front doors are massive and provides a dramatic entrance into foyer. Guests are greeted with a view of the opulent marble dual grand staircase and crystal chandelier. [[HIGHLIGHT]]And just behind the staircase is the dining room which offers a magnificent view of the waterfront, Waikiki, and Diamond Head.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Their menu offers regional cuisine made with local ingredients. They have an a la carte option and a couple tasting menus to choose from. I was able try both their Naupaka Menu (4-course) and Kaui Menu (6-course) during my visits. The tasting menus also offers a caviar upgrade and wine pairing option. The stand outs were the crispy snapper, filet mignon, kikikoi ispahan, seared scallop & foie gras, grilled striploin, and olen-citrus tart. The wine pairings were a mix of french and italian wines. Pricing is splurge level and worth the experience. Service was equally impressive. The server consistently checked-in, took notes on preferences, and ensured all of our tasting note questions were answered. There's one major recommendation to fully maximize the views and experience. Come as soon as they open. Both times I booked for 5:00 PM allotted around 2-3 hours to complete the meal experience. Serving portions are decent and the 6-course Kaui menu was definitely a stretch to finish. read more

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We went to the July wine pairing dinner. It was beyond fantastic. Jeremy was our wine event coordinator. He picked the wines and worked with the chef for each course. Ysabelle assisted us and did amazing. Between their impeccable service and the amazing food, it was a great night. There were three courses each paired with their own wine. The pours weee normal sized and perfectly paired with each course. The fried avocado was delicious and my favorite. We will return for another wine pairing at 53 by the sea. read more

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Used to be a solid spot. Great for pictures. The food presentations looks amazing. But the seafood was not fresh at all. The lobster was incredibly fishy i almost sent it back. The waiter got my order wrong, filet when I ordered a lamb. The lamb was also covered in fat, half of it wasnt even edible. For a set menu and couple drinks was over $200. I won't be back. read more

I've seen this spot a few times but always thought it was just a very nice home from the outside. Who knew it was actually a restaurant! Upon arrival, you are greeted by a valet whos service will be validated after your meal. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Per all of the pictures of the inside and outside, this would be a good place for a quick photo op.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]We were seated by the booths that were side by side, they're called window seated on the booking site. HOWEVER, they were actually more in the wall, facing the window but with other tables in front fully blocking the view. I would honestly recommend just getting a regular table to avoid basically staring at random ppl your entire meal. They really shouldn't call these seats window seats though![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We got one tasting menu for us to share and then we added the pan seared ribeye and added the Atlantic lobster tail on top as well. * Free Focaccia: pretty good, not super oily (I hate that), good start to the meal * Miso Cured Kahala (tasting menu): 9/10 amazing first bite to the meal. Tastes like an elevated grilled Chinese with the miso fish on top. * Uala Agnolotti (tasting menu): 7.5/10 wasn't crazy about this but it wasn't bad, kind of reminds me of mashed potatoes but less creamy. It was still pretty flavorful though. * Ravioli: 7.2/10 I think the ravioli was a bit under cooked. The wrapped wasn't yet al dente. Not terrible just wouldn't get it again * Walu Croquettes: 7.8/10 I like crab cakes and this was basically crab cakes, no notes, it was good. * Stuffed Ta'ape (tasting menu): 7.8/10 pretty good! It had a pretty good "stuffin" within. The fish was flakey and had a nice sear on top. * Seared Ribeye & Lobster Tail:7.5/10. I didn't realize the kalo gratin was going to be little a stick of kalo (I'm so used to gratin being like a creamy dish), so that was a huge let down. The ribeye was good and so was the lobster tail but nothing that blew me away. * Ni'ihau Lamb (tasting menu): 7.4/10 it was good, flavorful. * Kiawe Bean Dudino (tasting menu): 8.3/10 I LOVE kulolo so this dessert would've been hard to fumble. It was pretty good, various textures (crunchy light wafer, harder crunches from the streusels, slight chew/bounce from kulolo, and creamy/smoothness from whipped cream and mousse). Overall, I'm not 100% sure If I'd care to come back, but if I do, I'd make sure I get a better seat LOL. read more

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My boyfriend took me here for my birthday and it was such a wonderful experience! [[HIGHLIGHT]]Both the interior and exterior of the restaurant are beautiful, and you can't miss the iconic staircase everyone takes photos at haha.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] 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! read more

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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. read more

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I took my partner here for our anniversary. The chofers were so nice and understanding even tho we got lost trying to park by ourselves. As soon as we got in, the hostess greeted us so nicely and got us checked in a jiffy. [[HIGHLIGHT]]As soon as we go seated we saw that the view was amazing and the candle lit dinner ambiance was spectacular.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Our server was quick and patient with us. The food was heavenly especially the lobster and steak. I'd love to come again on our next anniversary. 5 stars. read more

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Food was excellent! [[HIGHLIGHT]]Building is beautiful.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] 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. read more

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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! [[HIGHLIGHT]]Didn't know what to expect and when we pulled up we did not expect such a beautiful venue![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] 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! [[HIGHLIGHT]]Recommended for a special date night because it is that kind of place... special.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Service was excellent. read more

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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. read more

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We went there for my wife's birthday. I wanted it to be a special occasion. The restaurant knew it was her birthday. When we arrived no one said "Happy birthday." Not the hostess, not the waiter. No one. The service was terrible. They had a party upstairs and only 3 waiters for the entire place. Every single thing was a long wait. The food was very mediocre and very expensive. I don't recommend this restaurant at all. read more

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 read more

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[[HIGHLIGHT]]Had an amazing dining experience at 53 By The Sea--this place delivers on both views and food.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]The setting is absolutely stunning, with panoramic ocean views and a perfect backdrop of Waikiki.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]It's one of those spots where the ambiance alone already makes the night feel special.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I ordered the roast beef with lobster tail, and it did not disappoint. The roast beef was tender, flavorful, and cooked just right, while the lobster tail added that rich, buttery finish that elevated the whole dish. You can tell the kitchen pays attention to quality and presentation. Service was attentive without being overbearing, and everything flowed smoothly from start to finish. [[HIGHLIGHT]]If you're looking for a place that combines upscale dining with one of the best views in Honolulu, 53 By The Sea is definitely worth it.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Great for a date night or celebrating something special.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

53 By The Sea - Seafood Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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[[HIGHLIGHT]]Ordered the Kauai Tasting for $160 per, eh food, you're really paying for the views and how beautiful the interior and exterior is.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] solid cocktails with surprisingly good prices, not pictured is the foie gras and hand cut noodles. shoutout Tony, our server, who was great and attentive and showed us places to take pictures and even took our pictures. old fashion was lovely and strong so it gained an extra star. read more

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[[HIGHLIGHT]]It's a beautiful restaurant with great views of Waikiki.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] My wife's cocktail was very good. My coffee was excellent...... for $16 / cup it should be! We had the seafood stuffed lobster. Meh. For dessert we had the blueberry cheesecake. Meh. The staff was great. Except they really fell short on clearing dirty dishes. It's not a place that I would recommend to friends and family. read more

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 read more

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[[HIGHLIGHT]]Ambiance and view was impressive.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Bathrooms were clean & modern.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Food wasn't so good. read more

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. read more

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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. read more

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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. read more

53 By The Sea - Mountain View Farms grilled pork. - Seafood Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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. read more

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Mahalo Gurney for Excellent Customer Service. You made our 50th Anniversary a most memorable one. Mahalo also for taking our pictures! read more

53 By The Sea - Ken and I with our good friends Gaylene and Kenton who helped celebrate our 50th - Seafood Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Came here for a fancy dinner for 2 during my trip to Oahu. We made a reservation a week or so in advance, but the restaurant didn't seem too busy. We opted for an inside table next to the windows, since we wanted a view and were worried about the weather if we sat outside. The table side view was gorgeous. We got a nice view of the ocean, and since we came on a Friday, we also were able to catch the fireworks. We decided to do the $125 tasting menu and order cocktails on the side. For cocktails, I got the Tea Time, which was a matcha based cocktail. It mostly tasted like lime. They brought out some pieces of focaccia and miso butter. The focaccia was light and fluffy and absolutely delicious with the miso butter. We had to ask for seconds! For the tasting menu, we had some bread crisps with caviar as the first course. The crisps tasted a bit stale. Apart from that, the bread crisps were delicious. Next, we had agnolotti with lobster in uni butter. This was so delicious! I used some of the focaccia to soak up the remaining butter. This was probably my favorite course. Third, we had the local snapper, paired with some sort of pancake, which was delicious. Flavor was good and the snapper wasn't overcooked. Next, we had venison, since they didn't have veal that day. The venison was nice and tender, easy to cut. I do wish there was a bit more purée. Finally, for dessert, we had a toast with coconut ice cream on top and a cracker that tasted like pandan. The coconut ice cream was delicious and the toast tasted like french toast. Overall, 53 by the Sea is a great choice for a fancy dinner with a fantastic view. I would come again for another fancy dinner next time I am here for vacation! read more

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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. read more

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This is a beautiful venue. Thank you @Terry K for the rec. My wife had a fabulous Birthday dinner. The views perfect. The service was unmatched, and the food was delicious. Seafood past had a generous amount of seafood. My wife's Steak was cooked to perfection. What else could anyone asl for. How about a Gorgeous entry with the Awe Moment when you walk in? Check. Great photo Opps everywhere. This is a perfect spot for something different and special. read more

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Went here on our anniversary. We tried the tasting menu with the potato puree / ahi tartare (no photo but absolutely worth a try!) and tigers blood and we think it's the leahi lemonade for a 415 tab after tip. The cocktails were great, if you're a fan of tequila I'd definitely recommend the tigers blood. My girlfriend also loved her drink, not strong but definitely sweet. The ahi tartare was great, fresh, and a strong start to our dinner. Cured kahala and breadshop crisp was one of our favorites since it was packed full of flavor in a small bite. Wish we had more but what a banger of a dish. The Ulu and lobster agnolotti had us wondering if they had a full sized plate version because that was a hit too! Pan seared salmon was okay, my girlfriend ended up biting into two fish bones which made her hesitant to eat the rest. The brisket paired with the potato puree was awesome. Was a big fan of the sauce that came along with it. The dessert was a light and refreshing finish for those heavier dishes that we had in course 3-4. With the anniversary lemony parfait we were impressed with everything that had come out the entire night, even with the fish bones. Overall, our server Ysabelle and her team were awesome and attentive the entire night, they made our anniversary feel extra special with the photos in their grand hall area. 53 by the sea is definitely on our list to revisit in the future. If you're looking for that fine dining experience, paired with Oceanside views and romantic/upscale vibes, this is the place to come. read more

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Such a beautiful location and ambiance. I did add my touch for the birthday girl. Food was yummy. Got the lychee Mimosa and shrimp scampi. Lychee mimosa was just right and not sweet. The shrimp scampi... buttery the shrimp was cooked to perfection. Our server was on point and took great photos as well. read more

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Brunch at 53 By the Sea was such a beautiful experience -- the ocean views were stunning and the whole space felt light, elegant, and perfect for a relaxed brunch. The standout dish was easily the shrimp scampi (11/10) -- it exceeded my expectations based on presentation alone and somehow tasted even better. The Dutch baby was fluffy and lightly sweet with fresh berries and cream, the pastry basket was a fun sampler, and the ahi bowl was fresh, clean, and beautifully plated. The only downside was that the AC was broken during our visit, so it was warmer than ideal on a sunny day. Still, between the food, the views, and the overall ambiance, it was a really lovely experience and definitely a place I'd recommend for brunch with an ocean view Great service! Super attentive and friendly servers! read more

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Okay, this one was for my birthday! So please don't be thinking that I go to places like this regularly, lol. I've been to the restaurant at this location several times and it was called John Daminis, beautiful location with amazing views! But it looks like they took all the fishes away from the old running river that they had in the past, but it's still beautiful! The Front desk was so very nice to provide us a table, even though my wife and I were typically way too early, lol. She asked if this was for a special event, I told her it's my birthday and aging fast! Our waiter was very friendly and spoke clearly and adjusted really well, since my wife is deaf and reads lips better than a Ninja! We got the sampler menu plus the sampler wine menu! The oysters were a great in the middle appetizer. Everything is super duper fresh here so expect to pay the premium prices. Each smaller entree came out in somewhat longer intervals than I'm used to, but it gave me the opportunity to speak to my wife about my experiences in the past at this location. Everyone and everything is exquisite here! I love how everyone smiles like they know me which is very important to bring about that particular ambiance and made the whole experience fantastic! I'm definitely going back there for so many reasons... read more

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My fiancé surprised me with reservations to 53 By The Sea after he proposed and it was the perfect way to end the night. All the staff were extremely nice and friendly. We ordered drinks, broccoli, the pork chop, and steak. I was really surprised with their lamb chop plate! It was so huge and perfect for sharing. After dinner, our server gave us a complimentary dessert. Thank you 53 By The Sea for an unforgettable night! read more

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So glad we ended up eating here. Wasn't part of our original plan but couldn't recommend it more. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Fantastic service and classy vibes inside.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] They take care of you and a great place for a romantic evening. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Nice bathrooms with bidet fancy toilets.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Highly recommend!! read more

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I went with my partner for our 3rd anniversary. It was such a beautiful place, from the entrance to the seating... we had a loveseat for the two of us facing the ocean and it was so great. There were even (unplanned) fireworks too! The service was so great, the moment we got there we got our car valet quickly, we got signed in within a minute and got to our seat quickly. The complimentary bread given was good too, it's not warm like other places but it was still so yummy. The main dishes, we got the pork chop and the pasta... sooo good. For dessert we had a complimentary anniversary orange creamsicle parfait, and we ordered a chocolate cake, it was so delicious. Such a great anniversary read more

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

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

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I absolutely love the location and atmosphere of 53 by the sea. We requested outdoor seating and we had an amazing view of diamond head and the ocean. Food wise I would say nothing was amazing but nothing was bad. We came for Valentine's Day so we had to do the price fixe which consisted of scallops, ravioli, snapper, and a smores dessert. The snapper was my entree and I did not really care for it at all it lacked flavor. I did enjoy the scallops and dessert a lot though. Service was great, we did the wine pairing with each course so our server timed out the pairings well. She also did not rush us so it was very nice to have a long coursed out dinner. Overall, I liked the location and vibe of this restaurant enough to possibly come back and try the a la carte menu, but I wouldn't recommend the price fixe menu. read more

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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. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The property itself was stunning, great ambiance and views.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] 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. read more

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53 by the Sea has one of the most beautiful views in Honolulu. The oceanfront setting with Diamond Head in the background is absolutely stunning and truly the highlight of the experience. We opted for the tasting menu, which included five courses. Unfortunately, only two of the five courses were memorable or worth the price. The remaining dishes felt underwhelming and lacked the depth and creativity we were expecting at this price point. For a restaurant positioned as upscale fine dining, the food overall felt mediocre. The space itself is bright, clean, and modern, but it leans more toward sterile than romantic. The type of flooring and the way the tables are arranged create a more open, almost banquet-style feel rather than the intimate atmosphere we were hoping for. It did not deliver the cozy, romantic ambiance we associate with a special night out. In the end, you are largely paying for the view. While the scenery is undeniably beautiful, when you really consider the overall value, the experience feels overpriced for the quality of the food and atmosphere. read more

The taste buds of the evening had their pinky out with every bite. Exquisite flavors and two bottles of champagne later, however it appears we overpaid for the bottles as menu price displays. Shawn gave a delightful service and all the hats off to the chef. read more

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