Honestly I don't think that I would come to this restaurant for the food, but the views are great! We sat outside and was able to enjoy the view with lunch. I got the Black Bean Nachos with Chicken. Black Bean Nachos with Chicken - First off, there was almost no chicken. For paying extra, I expected more. However, the melted cheese on the chips was pretty good. Wish there was more guac and pico. Overall, I would come back to enjoy the view the with friends! read more

Duke's La Jolla - Chicken Black Bean Nachos - New American Near Me - La Jolla, California

We only stopped in for dessert & drinks while visiting from out of town. Server was very friendly & the hula pie was huge & soooo good. Very pretty views as well. read more

Duke's La Jolla - Hula Pie - New American Near Me - La Jolla, California

Came here for a drink and a view. Presentation of the drink was great, but definitely this is not your traditional maitai. Not as boozy as you would expect it to be. Still tasted great but more fruity and cocktail like rather than boozy. Staff is very friendly and service is great. read more

Duke's La Jolla - Mai tai - New American Near Me - La Jolla, California

In my humble opinion, Duke's is great for the stunning views of La Jolla and the water. The food, on the other hand, is nothing special. The wait for two guests was not long at all, and we had a great view of the ocean although we were sat closer to the middle of the outdoor patio. The brunch menu had a wide variety of dish options so we had a lot to choose from. To start, I had the kiwi mojito and my friend had the Boomer's margarita. Both were super refreshing and balanced in flavor and spirit-forwardness, if that's even a word. We also got poke tacos and ahi sashimi as our appetizers. The poke tacos were pretty good but more on the plain side. The ahi was very fresh in both taco and sashimi forms, which I did love. For our mains, we shared the Korean street steak tacos and the ribs/chicken plate lunch. I did not care for my tacos at all. The steak was marinated overly sweet, but I did like that it was a bit charred. The salsa wasn't that good unfortunately. As for the plate lunch, my friend and I split the ribs and we both enjoyed those. The chicken was pretty good and had a smoked flavor. We both didn't care for the mac salad. I left full but not very satisfied, so I probably won't be back. My server was really nice though! read more

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Beautiful spot on the water. Great views from the patio, and we had nice drinks and service. But the food was just ok.

Was in the areas and made last minute dinner reservations through Opentable. I've passed this location for years and had never ventured inside. Usually, it's packed, but I lucked out on this Sunday early evening. Stepped inside to host stand and although 1 member of our party was running late, they seated us. Yay! We were seated outside, which has gorgeous views of La Jolla Cove. Started with the Crispy Coconut Shrimp & Korean Sticky Ribs. Coconut shrimp was good, but Korean sticky ribs were a bit messy and a too much sauce for my liking. For my entree, sautéed MacNut & Herb Crusted Fish. There's a reason it's a Duke's favorite. I have to admit, it doesn't hit the same way the Honolulu location does, but still has the same friendly service, good food and a view. read more

Duke's La Jolla - Sauted Mac Nut & Herb Crusted Fresh Fish - New American Near Me - La Jolla, California

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I've always loved eating at Duke's La Jolla, which is why this experience was disappointing. My son and I were briefly seated when another table closer to the beach view became available . I politely asked the hostess ( young blonde gal not wearing a name tag) if we could move to the open table. The hostess initially said no problem, and told me we would have to walk back to the front of the restaurant because they didn't want anybody standing around a table .. which was completely fine so my son and I did... she's then approached me and let me know that actually we couldn't be seated there because that table was for "very important people" her words exactly. As a visibly pregnant mom on lunch with my 9-year-old son for Mother's Day weekend, those words felt incredibly hurtful and unnecessary. I told her that we too were very important people. She said "you know what I mean like CEOs and stuff." How did she know I wasn't a CEO? I calmly explained that her verbiage was inappropriate and that everyone should be treated equally, regardless of status or title. A simple "the table is reserved" would have been sufficient . About five minutes later, we were offered a different table, but still with beach views which we were very excited about . It was my son's first time there and I wanted to give him the entire ambiance feel . Honestly, if he didn't want fish and a view so bad we would have left. & As things played out, it seemed the table wasn't necessarily reserved for "CEOs " or reservations after all, which made the earlier comments feel even more awkward and unnecessary.. A table being reserved is completely understandable but wording matters. Everyone deserves to be treated with kindness and respect regardless of status. Thankfully, manager Taylor handled the situation professionally offered to comp our meal and our server Bobby was amazing. Food was great and we ended up enjoying the rest of our time ... as you can see! I truly hope this was just a learning moment for the young girl moving forward. read more

Duke's La Jolla - New American Near Me - La Jolla, California

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The vibe is great at Dukes. Beautiful ocean view. Nice historical displays about Duke. I ordered the only vegan option and it was good. Spinach and mushroom ravioli. I liked it because it had a nice amount of veggies. It would also be great to have a Hawaiian vegan dish too. Our waitress was very efficient and calm. It would also be fun to have seasonal variations. read more

Duke's La Jolla - Vegan spinach and mushroom ravioli - New American Near Me - La Jolla, California

Service was good, the scenery was pretty, the food was great. But whatever you do, do not look at the online menus. My family and I looked at the menu online to get an idea of what they serve but when we got to the restaurant and were handed our menus we where met with disappointment as they didn't have most foods we saw on online. But then again that was our fault for not double checking. Anyways this place is good for a first time try, I'd come back again if I was celebrating something for cute pictures!! read more

Duke's La Jolla - Ribs and Chicken Plate - New American Near Me - La Jolla, California

We were in town to celebrate a couple of friend's birthday and had such a great time! We sat outside by the water during lunch - the view was absolutely beautiful. I ordered the fish, and it was delicious, had a nice crunchy crust and juicy inside. My partner had the ribs and chicken combo; the ribs were amazing, fall-off-the-bone good, but the chicken could've been a bit better. We also shared an order of poke taco, which was mouthwatering - fresh, flavorful, and one of the highlights of the meal. Overall, a wonderful dining experience with great food and a lovely atmosphere. Would definitely come back! read more

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Meet up in La Jolla and we were hungry and needed something to eat. We decided to give Duke a try. When you walk in, it's actually very interesting. They have the entryway and longish hallway with information about Duke Kahanamoku, a native Hawaiian Olympic swimmer and the father of modern surfing. I did not get to finish reading because our wait time is very short. I don't know if there is exclusively interior sitting set outside on a covered patio with heating is very comfortable even on a chilly day for San Diego. The menu had a lot of options, but I saw fish tacos and I do love some grilled fish tacos My fish tacos were very tasty. I really enjoyed that they had a little kick to them. For $21 I got two fish tacos and some tortilla chips. A little pricey, but given the location. I can understand it. read more

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We have never been disappointed with TS restaurants. Leilani's in Maui being our favorite. We were excited to find Duke's in La Jolla and were not disappointed. Seating, service, cocktails and dinner were awesome. I had the baked Ono and my husband had the macadamia crusted snapper. They were both great. The Mai Tai was good but I make a better one. Hula pie was the perfect end to a nice dinner outside with a great view. read more

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A solid brunch location with a view of ocean at La Jolla. The brunch cocktail menu includes interesting choices such as kiwi mojito. The scrambled eggs are well executed and within expectation. read more

Duke's La Jolla - New American Near Me - La Jolla, California

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Duke's is a Hawaiian Restaurant chain that is located in beachfront locations in Honolulu, Malibu, Huntington Beach, and here in Downtown La Jolla. I came along with family for their Weekend brunch, which is an a la carte menu from 10a-3p. Featured are their banana macadamia nut pancakes, omelets, and breakfast burritos and sandwiches. Duke's Mai Tai, featuring pineapple juice and two rums, is one of their signature drinks and it's pretty standard in all of their locations. It's nice to feel like you're in Hawaii for a few sips. If you want to go alcohol-free and have similar feelings, definitely go for their POG Juice (Passion fruit, guava, and orange juice). For appetizers, we went with their "poke tacos" and their "crab wontons". Both were great ways to open up the palate. When it comes to a Hawaiian Breakfast, my wife can't pass up a loco moco and theirs is beefy, their gravy is savory with a mushroomy base, and the egg was prepared as requested. It's exactly what she was craving. While I debated about getting pancakes, I went with their breakfast sandwich, which was loaded with bacon, spam, egg, and some delicious sauces in a brioche bun. It also came with a side of perfectly seasoned potatoes. Solid breakfast. Overall, I'm glad that we had a great brunch here. The views of the La Jolla coastline can't be beat here and the food and drinks were solid. If you're looking for value, check out their menu for taco tuesday deals and Friday night happy hour! Regarding parking, we went with valet, which was $20 for three hours and this was cheaper than many of the public lots in the area. read more

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Excellent food, beautiful ambiance and Casey gave wonderful service by being friendly and attentive. read more

Duke's La Jolla - Casey our wonderful server - New American Near Me - La Jolla, California

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Very nice spot especially with a nice view when seated outside! When arriving to the restaurant, noticed you have to find parking on the street so just be mindful because Duke's is next to other restaurants and stores. Went on a Saturday morning and very lucky to find street parking near the restaurant and was able to get seated right away. The hostesses were very nice and able to sit us with a view. Our server was also amazing, she gave us time look through the menu and checked on a few times to make sure we were okay. Got 2 starters - crispy coconut shrimp and crab wontons and shared the fish tacos because it came with 2 tacos. Love that our server asked if we wanted the fish tacos separate plates like me and friend was able to have 1 fish taco each with a good amount of chips and salsa on the side. read more

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Very beautiful view of La Jolla cove and the customer service here was good. We were seated promptly and our orders didn't take long to come out after they were taken. There's also plenty of indoor and outdoor seating (which is both shaded and sunny). The virgin lavender colada and ginger fizz drinks were really refreshing and probably my favorite part of the meal. I had come for restaurant week just to check out the place. The Cesar salad looked really good, but their calamari was a bit of a disappointment. It was too thick, chewy, and bready and the sauces that came along with it were very mediocre. The herb crusted fish was pretty good but was a bit heavy even tho seafood typically shouldn't be that heavy of a meal but the Mac salad it came with was really refreshing ! I didn't try the burger but the fries that came with it were nice and crispy. You come here essentially for the view and not the food to be quite frank. It's not a bad spot to take someone if it's they're visiting San Diego just to have lunch with good views but just keep in mind that the food is okay at best. read more

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Fantastic experience here. The food was absolutely delicious. We often go to the sister restaurant, Jake's, so we were excited to try this location as well. The crab wontons and calamari were both excellent -- the calamari in particular was incredibly flavorful. For brunch, I highly recommend the crab cake Benedict, and their burger never disappoints. The kids loved their meals too, and it's great that they offer the same kids' menu as Jake's, which makes it very easy for families. Overall, this is a very family-friendly restaurant with great service and phenomenal views. We'll definitely be back. read more

Amazing views this place offers, definitely a place for date night and enjoy the weather. The menu has a great selection, looked online and saw a bar menu that was served daily, however our server said we couldn't order from it? Confused because we assumed the upstairs area was the bar? And the table across from us were able to order from it too. Ordered the poke tacos, the poke was just marinated with a lot of soy sauce, it made it too salty. Drinks were delicious, got the lychee martini. Recommend just coming here for a drink and to enjoy the vibes of La Jolla. read more

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Came in for dinner with no reservation with my family and I immediately felt disrespected as the hostess mistook me for a child when I am 21 years old... she said "for 4? Do you want 2 kids menus?" Since it was my parents with my little brother and I. Service was a little slow as the food took a while to come out. The food was not worth the price. I got the rib and chicken plate and my chicken was practically pink on the inside. Beef ribs were tender but the sauce made it. The macaroni salad was not that good and the salad had cilantro in it which I didn't like. read more

Came here since it keeps advertising itself with great views, but came a little disappointed because we weren't able to get great seats as we'd hoped. But honestly we wouldn't rate the place just for that. I think the food was honestly the most underwhelming. We had the Sauted Mac Nut & Herb Crusted Fresh Fish and the poke tacos. The poke tacos were decent but I had to force myself a little to finish eating the Sauted Mac Nut & Herb Crusted Fresh Fish. Service was great and hospitable, so we appreciated that. But overall the place is a little pricey and we felt disappointed by the quality of the food, so it's hard to justify it. It should be expected that a place that can offer views like this should charge their food pretty well, but because we got none of that anyway, and only a pricey bill, it feels hard to want to come back again. May want to give it another try but we'll see! Good for casual occasions Street parking necessary read more

Duke's La Jolla - Sauted Mac Nut & Herb Crusted Fresh Fish - New American Near Me - La Jolla, California

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We're in town for a convention and wanted to explore the city a little bit prior to being locked up for the next three days. Dukes was suggested as a place for us to die on Saturday night. Luckily, they're part of the end of the Cable app so we were able to make reservations a few weeks in Vegas. The restaurant is two levels with both indoor and outdoor receiving now. The menu is surprisingly simple, which we all appreciated as we determine what we're gonna have for dinner. We started with three appetizers, the macadamia nut hummus, sticky ribs, and coconut shrimp. All were delicious, and the hummus was a great blend of flavors. There are a couple of fish options with mahi-mahi salmon being on the menu. Two of my colleagues had the chicken and ribs that came with more than generous heap of rice and macaroni salad. It's a beautiful restaurant and the staff is impeccable and very knowledgeable about the menu read more

The overall experience was just okay. The server was very nice. The food was okay, not good and not bad. The view, of course, was lovely. It just felt more like an Applebee's atmosphere, which is nothing at all against Applebee's. It just wasn't the vibe many eluded to - it kind of felt like you were being "herded" through, especially compared to the dining experiences at other restaurants in the area. Basically, don't fall for the hype. BTW- I don't particularly like leaving these kind of reviews, but I rely so much on the information this community provides that I felt obligated to share. read more

Been wanting to try Duke's for a while and finally did for San Diego Restaurant Week. 2 course lunch for $30 is such a great deal! 1st Course: Korean Sticky Ribs had a nice bite to it as it's slightly crispy outside and yet still fork tender. The gochujang had a nice heat, and if they add a dash of honey it would really taken this from a 4/5 to a 5/5. 2nd Course: Sautéed Macnut & Herb Crusted Fresh Fish was surprisingly delicious. I was not sure what to expect since the menu did not list what kind of fish it was. The fish had so much flavor and it's amazing how there's a nice crunch from the macadamia nuts + parmesan crust. Felt the dish was very healthy since it had a good balance of jasmine rice, bok choy, and a mac salad. 5/5 Service was good as well. Server was tentative and felt welcome when we first checked in as well. Free parking is near impossible to find, be prepare to park a few streets away. read more

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I am not sure if this was an off night in the kitchen but we were six people ordering 7-8 dishes and the only dish that was edible was the kids fish and chips. The steak was overcooked and the fish tacos? The fish was so cooked it tasted like chicken. All the vegetables were over spiced and soggy. The calamari? We're not even sure what that was. The ambiance is beautiful and the service was fair but we're all feeling a bit nauseous from the food. Again it could have been an off night in the kitchen but don't think I'll be back especially when there are so many restaurants on this street. read more

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If I am anywhere near a Hula Pie in my travels, I will always stop in before I leave. With two to choose from in the San Diego area, chose Duke's La Jolla for our lunch spot for roasted ono and mango pork ribs before spending the next 10 hours on the road with mainly fast food. Just like the other TS Restaurants, the views on the patio are amazing which is kind of what you're paying for. The food is on the pricier side especially for lunch but for the view and service, it was worth it. read more

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Jonathan was our server. First time at the Dukes La Jolla Restaurant. As a foodie, I felt like he was present while serving us and since it was Mother's Day he ruined the whole experience. We had to ask for him twice because he was MIA. Then we had to ask for drink refills...common things that he should be asking, we had to ask, e.g. drinks, food, he did not try to upsell anything. I wasn't impressed. Service was poor and it seemed like we were chasing him to get things for our brunch. read more

Duke's La Jolla - New American Near Me - La Jolla, California

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It takes a lot to get me to visit any beach town, because of the crowds and parking (and usually pointlessly high prices). I went to Duke's for a company dinner and it was a really lovely experience from the minute I arrived. The staff is friendly and attentive. Our server gave us TONS of recommendations for wine and food. He nearly described the whole menu, it was very impressive. You can't beat the view The Furikake Ahi Steak was genuinely wonderful. Super flavorful and a good portion. I'm really interested in returning and trying their bar bites and specials! read more

Duke's La Jolla - Furikake Ahi Steak - New American Near Me - La Jolla, California

Still out go-to spot when visiting San Diego. We love Dukes! We've learned to go early on a weekday to guarantee a table at Barefoot Bar & Grill without too long a wait. The view is breathtaking and absolutely incredible. And surprisingly the food is pretty great too. As in my original review, the kids meals are hearty and tasty. The drinks are delightful, I particularly like the house margaritas on the rocks. And I look forward to the fish tacos every year! This year we went on Taco Tuedat so I tried the T.T. fish tacos which are fried rather than grilled. They were good, but the normal menu fish tacos are GREAT! My parents really, really liked the chicken tacos from the Taco Tuesday menu. And our table never leaves Barefoot without two orders of Hula Pie. While I can't have dairy, I watch as my family inhales two giant delicious looking ice cream mountains in a matter of minutes. Do not miss any opportunity to come check out Barefoot Bar & Grill at Dukes read more

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My first time at a Duke's after seeing how popular the one in Hawaii is! Made a reservation for 4 for a Saturday at noon and we were seated after about 15 minutes since we requested to sit outdoors and I'm glad we did! The 2nd floor patio was mostly shaded with umbrellas and has such a beautiful ocean view! We ordered the banana macnut pancakes, fish and chips, mac nut & herb crusted fresh fish, and coconut-crusted french toast and were all stuffed! My favorite was definitely the two fish dishes- well balanced and decent portion sizes! The macnut pancakes were also HUGE, like 3 giant pancakes filled with actual bananas and topped with macadamia nuts. The coconut French toast was yummy but a little too crispy around the edges. We also had to order the Hula pie which I heard is a must try. It was ginormous and the 4 of us could barely finish it. The macadamia ice cream was delicious but I didn't taste the macadamia too much which was fine, there were the actual nuts on top. The fudge was a little much for me but all in all, still amazing. I would definitely come back! read more

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This is the 3rd Dukes Restaurant i have ever been to.. First one was in Honolulu, 2nd one in Huntington Beach. I have lived in San Diego all my life and I have no idea why I waited so long. Personally, I thought the front reception staff need a little humbling and a lesson or two about the diverse cultures that come to this great establishment. I had made reservations for 7p because of San Diego Restaurant week. Checked in about 30mins early, host(s) said my table wasnt ready so I decided to go to the bar and watch the Padres game. Bar staff was superb that I didnt bother to leave. Half way through my appetizer. A young hosts happened to pass by and I told her to cancel my table reservation. Food was delicious. My favorite was the calamari and filet mignon. Fried fish was good too but the macadamia nuts killed it for me. Ambiance is beautiful, perfect for date night. I am definitely coming back. I'm sorry that I didn't take pictures, I was so excited when the food came out, I just dug right in. lol read more

First just want to brag about the staff. I didn't get the gentleman's name so seated be but believe he was ethnicity culture. I came here on May 18 recently this month it was a solo trip and getaway after a year of my divorce. The gentleman got me a beautiful table of the view of the ocean and my waiter Joey was so incredibly kind and amazing. He suggested the lava flow drink and it was delicious. Constantly checked on me and made sure I was okay and if needed anything. The food was delicious and wanted to order more but was stuffed. It was such a great experience solo so can only imagine with friends or family or whoever would be just as nice. The views are incredible here. Especially at sunset. Does get busy so make reservations or get there early. Will be back when I visit again. read more

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I had a beautiful experience at Duke's La Jolla during restaurant week. We got two orders off their special menu. The ribs were a little too saucy for me, but my husband devoured them. Coconut shrimp was delicious. The ahi tuna was way too spicy for me, but again my husband loved them. My filet mignon was amazing though. Everything about it was perfect. Even the mashed potatoes with the garlic sauce was so good. I also love key lime pie so I was so happy to see it on the menu. The view was breathtaking and we got lovely sunset pictures overlooking the ocean. We had two little kids with us, but they were very accommodating. Service was excellent, super attentive. Absolutely loved it. read more

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Duke's is the best! I once attended a private event here and dreamed of it, but honestly loved it just as much as a regular patron. You will need a reservation if you want to sit outside or near the doors. The ambiance is always on point. The food is stellar as is the service. I promise you will have a good time. La Jolla is very hard to park, but the parking garage next door is $35 so drive around before paying. You'll be able to find a spot nearby most days. read more

Had a wonderful lunch at Duke's today. Peyton was very welcoming and seated us outside at a great table with a view. We have visited a number of Duke's both here on the mainland and in Hawaii. They never disappoint. This location is in the heart of La Jolla Cove and is two levels with lots of indoor and outdoor seating There are restrooms downstairs and upstairs. Street parking and public underground parking are available. The restaurant is located below street level so there are both stairs and a wheelchair type elevator. Jack was our server and he was A#1. I ordered a Boomer's Margarita. I read that it has watermelon purée but I missed the part about Jalapeño juice. When Jack asked me how I liked my drink I explained I didn't realize it was that spicy and he offered to switch it out for a regular Margarita, which was perfect. We ordered the Korean BBQ tacos and the Chilled Shrimp and Crab Salad. The tacos were large and served with chips and salsa. Streak was delicious. The salad was a big bowl of field greens, plenty of crab and shrimp as well as tomatoes, cucumber, radishes, an entire avocado, grapefruit slices and hard boiled egg. The dressing was citrus based. I would definitely get it again. While there, I saw plenty of other dishes and they all looked delicious. Like I said, Dukes is always a good idea read more

Duke's La Jolla - New American Near Me - La Jolla, California

Duke's La Jolla is a piece of aloha in San Diego. From when you first walk in, the restaurant is definitely emulating the original. There's the information about Duke, the surfboards, kane/wahine restrooms as opposed to male/female, the whole nine yards. For appetizers, our table got the black bean nachos and panko-crusted calamari. Of the two, I would definitely go with the calamari again over the nachos. I personally ordered the coconut shrimp plate lunch and I absolutely loved. The mac salad was fine but the sauce with the shrimp was the real stand out. There is nothing I hate more than when there is not enough sauce to match the portion, and you could positively drown the plate and still have extra. Really, the only reason I rate this 4 stars as opposed to 5 is because it is not in Waikiki. There's something in the air that really just does not compare. La Jolla is great, but the hustle and bustle of that area is no way going to live up to the city where it all began. read more

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We went to the upstairs bar and the views were good, but we stayed longer than expected for the great service and drinks. Our server, Grant, was super friendly!! He recommended some delicious drinks. We had some of the best calamari we had ever had along with the coconut shrimp and crab wontons. I highly recommend all three! read more

Duke's La Jolla - Kiwi Mojito - New American Near Me - La Jolla, California

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Dukes La Jolla is an incredible gem!!! I'm so glad we found this location! I've been to the Waikiki location a few years back and when I found out about the one in La Jolla, I thought it would be the best way to start off a trip filled with friends. I'm here for a friend's birthday and we decided our first night we would come here, and let me tell you - the views!!! Overlooking the ocean for dinner at sunset is the best way to go!! We had a reservation on a Saturday night for 4, and the service was amazing. People at the front were friendly and courteous, and our sever was great! He checked in on us through the night while not being overbearing. Now - the food!! We ordered the calamari to share, we each had a drinks (cocktails and wine) and I had the seared ahi tuni steak. Wowowowowow. I cleared off my plate, it was that good! If you're looking for a family friendly restaurant with amazing views, great food and an overall chill vibe - be sure to come to Dukes in La Jolla!! read more

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Dined at Dukes with a few buddies and it was a great experience! The restaurant itself is quite clean and very nice overall, brings you a slice of Hawaii. I understand that this is a small chain, but the food definitely makes you feel like it's on the higher end. Yes, it can be pricey, but honestly you are paying for a beautiful view, and it's a touristy location, so something to keep in mind. The location we sat at was spectacular as it overlooked the ocean, honestly one of the best seats in the house. Service was top notch, always there when you needed it, but not overwhelming and never tried to hurry us in any form. Overall, the food and drinks and service were an easy five out of five and honestly would revisit if I was in the area again! read more

Amazing views, delicious food/drinks and awesome ambiance with live music on Sundays!!! Service is great too read more

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