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First things first, the drinks here are absolutely outstanding. It was great to go to one of the first tiki bars in the US and to try so many different cocktails. They're about $16 a cocktail which isn't terrible, but if you are drinking and dining you'll run up a pretty tab. It's also not in a part of the city that you'll be able to take public transit to, so make sure you have a DD or an uber ready. The food was good, but not exquisite. I liked the Maui Wowie shrimp a lot, and would probably try something more novel instead of chicken next time. The artisanal love is definitely poured into the drinks. Overall, this was a fairly expensive date night. The bartenders were lovely, and although the place was full when we got there around 6:30 the crowd thinned out as the night progressed. It's the kind of place you either have to get reservations for or be comfortable waiting.
Had a great experience at Trader Vic's. The service was outstanding and [[HIGHLIGHT]]the sunset views made the whole evening feel extra special.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The food was top notch highly recommend the miso salmon, which had a really nice kick of spice. The potatoes, however, were a bit bland in comparison. The drinks are super creative definitely get the Smoke Show, it's a standout. The mai tai was just okay and a little too heavy on the ice for my taste. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Overall, great vibes all around and a spot I'd happily return to.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]
We were thrilled to be invited to a dinner event host at Trader Vic's since it's one of the tiki bar I really waned to try! The dinner was decent overall. We started with a salad that came with lettuce mix, tomato, artichoke, hearts of palm and Japanese dressing. For entrees, we had the miso salmon that's pan seared salmon with chimichurri, grilled bok choy. We also tried the sliced New York strip loin, which tasted great as well. For dessert, we had the dulce de leche cream brûlée, which tasted great. After dinner, we went to the bar and ordered a few cocktails. The bartender, David, was very friendly and chill! We tried the original Mai tai, Polu Puffer and Bumbu Hunter. The one I liked the most was the Bumbu Hunter, it had four kinds of rums with tropical notes and warm spices! I would definitely come back to try more of their drinks! Highly recommended!
Another spot on inKind that we decided to check out since we were in the area. I've never heard of this spot, but I did know that it was a Tiki/Hawaiian restaurant, which I was really excited about! I swung by with my family on a Saturday afternoon for a late lunch. We were told that their lunch ended at 3pm but could still dine in for items that were similar to their lunch menu. [[HIGHLIGHT]]We were seated next to the window next to the water and were able to enjoy the beautiful weather.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]I really enjoyed the beautiful decor and felt like I was in Hawaii for a few seconds.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We ordered a few dishes to share and portions were small given the price. I didn't care much about the Crab Rangoon and the Cheese Balls since the inside was a bit too mushy for my preference. We really enjoyed the fried rice since it's was flavorful and the rice was cooked perfectly. The burger was also delicious, especially paired with all the ingredients. I would love to come back again for drinks and happy hour. Our server was hospitable. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Love the location and it's peacefulness this place brings![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]
Valentine's Day at Trader Vic's was busy, which we expected. We were greeted right away and told they needed to seat a few parties before checking us in. Totally fine. It gave us time to browse the very cool tiki glassware and chaikey pieces in the display case. Now the mildly funny part. The couple right before us was checked in, walked halfway to their table, and then offered the option to wait for the main dining room. They said yes. We were next. No main room offer. Just a cheerful "Follow me!" and off we went to a side room. My husband leaned over and whispered, "Do we want the main room?" which made me laugh because apparently that was not on the table for us. But honestly, it worked out. The side room is where the hidden bar lives and it is adorable. We had a small cocktail table by the window with a canoe hanging in it. It felt cozy, quieter, and very island romantic. Perfect for Valentine's Day. It took about 15 minutes for the server to greet us, but our server was lovely. I had the Island Glider, which was delicious and not too sweet. My husband ordered the Bumbu Hunter, strong and tasty. Only note, dried fruit garnish. In tiki world, I am team fresh fruit. We started with the Cosmo Tidbits. The pork was good, the ribs were a bit much, but the shrimp was the best bite. Next time we are going straight for that. For mains, my husband's Green Chili Salmon was moist and flavorful. I had the strip steak cooked in their famous Chinese ovens using an ancient indirect heat method that gives a subtle smoky flavor. One end was slightly overdone, but the thicker cut was so good. After dinner we checked out the oven room, which is such a cool historic touch. Overall, Trader Vic's is an experience. Vintage tiki vibes, historic cooking, and sitting right on the Emeryville Marina make it special. We will definitely be back, maybe for daytime drinks and marina views next time. Fun, festive, and the perfect quirky Valentine's night out.
Came to the ultra famous (to us) Trader Vik's. We have spent lots of time reading about the iconic Tiki spot and made sure to give it a try during my latest work trip to SF. Arrived on time for our 7pm reservation and were seated right away. The place is a tiki lover's dream with all the decor to match. The hostess gave us a little more trivia on the history and a mini tour of the place. We fell in love. For drinks, babe had the Mai Tai and i had a banana drink. So good and of course we gagged over the tiki glasses. For food, we shared the jalapeno cheese balls + the lamb chops. Both were totally great and yummy! Loved our little date night at Trader Vik's. It was such a great experience. I'm sure if we spend more time in the city, we will definitely be back.
Always a 10/10 at Trader Vic's. Favorite drink is the Mai Tai and they never miss with the SF Mai Tai. Smooth, sweet and refreshing. The server was very helpful with ordering. Wish I remembered her name. Ordered small bites, crispy prawns and a side of fried rice. Was the perfect amount of food. Never any concerns when it comes to trader Vic's
Service and Staff: - We came early for our reservation and sat in the bar area. Service was pretty quick and we got our drinks and small appetizer in good time - When it came time to dinner, it was unfortunate that three of the dishes we wanted weren't available Food and Drinks: - Mango Mule: very flavorful and mango-forward - Painkiller: be careful because you can't taste the alcohol in this drink! - Original Mai Tai: solid drink - Spiced Fries: not spicy - seasoned well - Beef Kew Pake: almost like an Asian-inspired Lomo Saltado. Flavorful and plentiful - Tuna Poke: very flavorful (little heavy on the soy sauce, making it a little salty). Paired perfectly with the taro chips - Veggie Spring Rolls: comes with 5 and some sweet chili sauce. Be careful as these are very hot (temperature) for a good amount of time Miscellaneous: - Parking available via a private parking lot right in front of the restaurant - Drop off area available right in front of the doors for those that need / prefer easy access - Bar area has bar seats and tables available - Large space available for large groups and / or large parties (our friends had their wedding reception here) - Lots of fun goodies like ornaments, tiki mugs, and apparel for sale near the host stand
I went during happy hour which are only during Wednesday - Friday evenings. The happy hour drink menu had quite a selection, although they have an immense option of lovely cocktails from the larger menu. Love the themed drinks and they come in super fun glasses or mugs as well. Ordered purely from the happy hour menu this trip and had a great time. The Singapore Symphony drink has a blend of gold um, gin, pineapple, and passion fruit. It was a tasty drink, but way too sweet for me, almost like candy. I had to try the original Mai Tai here and that was a tasty tasty mai tai, loved it. I tried the Suffering Bastard, purely because the mug was super awesome haha. The drink is Vic's version of the original by Joe Scialom. This version has a blend of rums and lime. Another great drink that was too sweet for my taste. My last drink was the Mai Tai Pale Ale from Alvarado Street Brewing which I do not recommend. I don't know how or why this is named the Mai Tai PA but tastes absolutely nothing like a mai tai. I'd recommend you try out their other drinks and cocktails. Ordered some food from the happy hour menu including beef sliders and pupu party. The beef sliders are quite tiny, but you come here for the drinks more than the food. The beef sliders are angus beef on hawaiian roll with aged cheddar, katsu slaw, secret sauce, and jalapeno (2 per order). Again, tiny but tasty beef sliders. The pupu party had 2 crab rangoons, 2 cheese balls, and 2 BBQ riblets, not bad but not amazing. Definitely pairs well with the cocktails and beer though. It's okay if you are disappointed by the food, maybe the cocktails will make up for it like in my case haha. 4 stars drinks, 3 stars food.
Just visited Trader Vic's for my first time, and I did have a really good time. The differentiator here is to not confuse this with a tiki bar, this is a large scale tiki restaurant. If you look at it as a restaurant, not a bar, you will set your expectations going in. So the decor here, is pretty amazing, and there is a lot of history in this place. I had the pleasure of coming from the Christmas Bizarre, so I had over an hour to just browse around checking out the entire place, meeting people, and burning money... The coolest part was being able to grab drinks from the bar and carry them around exploring, and they even had virgin ones that your kiddos could carry around, IN CUSTOM MUGS. This was pretty special and the kids loved it, and there was like 9 different options to choose from. As far as the drinks themselves, they were OK. I've been to some high caliber tiki bars, so I'm a little picky now on my flavors and drinks but the drinks were alright, not bad, not awesome. One thing that really knocked this down is the bartender I ordered from. I asked a very simple question, "what do you have that is on the funkier side, I like Jamaican pot still." He looked at me completely dumbfounded and went "idk, do you wanna see a drink menu." Now restaurant aside, this is Trader Vic's, your bartender should have some basic rum knowledge. That one was pretty off putting. Luckily a local standing next to me stepped in and gave me a drink recommendation, and this was after my first Mai Tai. Now let's talk the food. I'm a bbq and food snob and this food was SHOCKINGLY tasty. We went with a large pupu, a pulled pork melt, the jalapeño balls, the claw chowder, and even a big ol piece of chocolate cake. I gotta say, that clam chowder could be a big thicker, but it rivaled everything in SF that's for sure, yummy stuff. This was still a great time, I can't wait to go back.
You have got to experience Trader Vic's. I have been here with both family and friends. We all enjoyed our visit here. It is such a unique restaurant. I love that it's right on the water, brings such peace and calm being here. The food is quite tasty and unique. For appetizer, we had their jalapeño cheese balls, we enjoyed them and they quickly disappeared lol I like the uniqueness of the straws, they are actually pasta noodles, never seen anywhere else do that. For my entree, I ordered a dish that had both shrimp and steak, served over rice.... You guysss the portion is smallll LOL but it was so yummy. I had the pain killer drink. The flavor was really nice. Overall, this restaurant is one that I'd visit again. I LOVE it!! Photos are compiled from two different visits.
PRO TIP: Wear a Hawaiian shirt or dress. It's not mandatory but it's fun to dress up for the vibes and regulars do it too. With that said Trader Vics is a vibe at this point. You come here for the atmosphere more than anything and they're known for their tiki drinks. (Which you can also purchase their tiki cups in the front) For food I've had a handful of their menu items at this point but the steak takes the prize. It's smoked and super tender. You can watch the chefs pull it out of the smoker through the glass window and it's well worth the splurge. Overall a fun place to make memories and go out for drinks with friends.
Review Insights
Dinner with the gals. Cheers! Trader Vic Server - Shaqu and Lamberto Manager - Aarron They were great in advising on drinks and what is best to order for dinner. Drinks: Pig Grog Mango Citrus Fizz Tropical Tai Wave Mai Tai - Orginal Dinner: Tuna Poke Jalapeño Cheese Balls Hawaian Luau Dip Spices Fries Oven Smoked Steak - Med Food was so good and too full for desert this time. We will be back. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The deco had so my Hawaian antique pieces and an amazing way to cook all the meat.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Everything design is Hawaian style.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] It is a must try. read more
12 hours ago
2 months ago
Food: As vegetarian there is nothing really here for beside potato's and jalapeño poppers Service: wonder I was helped by Myra and Hana they definitely are an asset to this restobar! Please give them a raise! Ambiance: [[HIGHLIGHT]]omg the magical feeling of being in a tiki room! I love the views of the marina and the decor is like the tiki room in Disneyland but way cooler![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Definitely go here! Book a table and try to get seating by the windows for the view![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more
First things first, the drinks here are absolutely outstanding. It was great to go to one of the first tiki bars in the US and to try so many different cocktails. They're about $16 a cocktail which isn't terrible, but if you are drinking and dining you'll run up a pretty tab. It's also not in a part of the city that you'll be able to take public transit to, so make sure you have a DD or an uber ready. The food was good, but not exquisite. I liked the Maui Wowie shrimp a lot, and would probably try something more novel instead of chicken next time. The artisanal love is definitely poured into the drinks. Overall, this was a fairly expensive date night. The bartenders were lovely, and although the place was full when we got there around 6:30 the crowd thinned out as the night progressed. It's the kind of place you either have to get reservations for or be comfortable waiting. read more
Had a great experience at Trader Vic's. The service was outstanding and [[HIGHLIGHT]]the sunset views made the whole evening feel extra special.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The food was top notch highly recommend the miso salmon, which had a really nice kick of spice. The potatoes, however, were a bit bland in comparison. The drinks are super creative definitely get the Smoke Show, it's a standout. The mai tai was just okay and a little too heavy on the ice for my taste. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Overall, great vibes all around and a spot I'd happily return to.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more
We were thrilled to be invited to a dinner event host at Trader Vic's since it's one of the tiki bar I really waned to try! The dinner was decent overall. We started with a salad that came with lettuce mix, tomato, artichoke, hearts of palm and Japanese dressing. For entrees, we had the miso salmon that's pan seared salmon with chimichurri, grilled bok choy. We also tried the sliced New York strip loin, which tasted great as well. For dessert, we had the dulce de leche cream brûlée, which tasted great. After dinner, we went to the bar and ordered a few cocktails. The bartender, David, was very friendly and chill! We tried the original Mai tai, Polu Puffer and Bumbu Hunter. The one I liked the most was the Bumbu Hunter, it had four kinds of rums with tropical notes and warm spices! I would definitely come back to try more of their drinks! Highly recommended! read more
Another spot on inKind that we decided to check out since we were in the area. I've never heard of this spot, but I did know that it was a Tiki/Hawaiian restaurant, which I was really excited about! I swung by with my family on a Saturday afternoon for a late lunch. We were told that their lunch ended at 3pm but could still dine in for items that were similar to their lunch menu. [[HIGHLIGHT]]We were seated next to the window next to the water and were able to enjoy the beautiful weather.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]I really enjoyed the beautiful decor and felt like I was in Hawaii for a few seconds.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We ordered a few dishes to share and portions were small given the price. I didn't care much about the Crab Rangoon and the Cheese Balls since the inside was a bit too mushy for my preference. We really enjoyed the fried rice since it's was flavorful and the rice was cooked perfectly. The burger was also delicious, especially paired with all the ingredients. I would love to come back again for drinks and happy hour. Our server was hospitable. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Love the location and it's peacefulness this place brings![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more
Valentine's Day at Trader Vic's was busy, which we expected. We were greeted right away and told they needed to seat a few parties before checking us in. Totally fine. It gave us time to browse the very cool tiki glassware and chaikey pieces in the display case. Now the mildly funny part. The couple right before us was checked in, walked halfway to their table, and then offered the option to wait for the main dining room. They said yes. We were next. No main room offer. Just a cheerful "Follow me!" and off we went to a side room. My husband leaned over and whispered, "Do we want the main room?" which made me laugh because apparently that was not on the table for us. But honestly, it worked out. The side room is where the hidden bar lives and it is adorable. We had a small cocktail table by the window with a canoe hanging in it. It felt cozy, quieter, and very island romantic. Perfect for Valentine's Day. It took about 15 minutes for the server to greet us, but our server was lovely. I had the Island Glider, which was delicious and not too sweet. My husband ordered the Bumbu Hunter, strong and tasty. Only note, dried fruit garnish. In tiki world, I am team fresh fruit. We started with the Cosmo Tidbits. The pork was good, the ribs were a bit much, but the shrimp was the best bite. Next time we are going straight for that. For mains, my husband's Green Chili Salmon was moist and flavorful. I had the strip steak cooked in their famous Chinese ovens using an ancient indirect heat method that gives a subtle smoky flavor. One end was slightly overdone, but the thicker cut was so good. After dinner we checked out the oven room, which is such a cool historic touch. Overall, Trader Vic's is an experience. Vintage tiki vibes, historic cooking, and sitting right on the Emeryville Marina make it special. We will definitely be back, maybe for daytime drinks and marina views next time. Fun, festive, and the perfect quirky Valentine's night out. read more
Came to the ultra famous (to us) Trader Vik's. We have spent lots of time reading about the iconic Tiki spot and made sure to give it a try during my latest work trip to SF. Arrived on time for our 7pm reservation and were seated right away. The place is a tiki lover's dream with all the decor to match. The hostess gave us a little more trivia on the history and a mini tour of the place. We fell in love. For drinks, babe had the Mai Tai and i had a banana drink. So good and of course we gagged over the tiki glasses. For food, we shared the jalapeno cheese balls + the lamb chops. Both were totally great and yummy! Loved our little date night at Trader Vik's. It was such a great experience. I'm sure if we spend more time in the city, we will definitely be back. read more
5 months ago
Always a 10/10 at Trader Vic's. Favorite drink is the Mai Tai and they never miss with the SF Mai Tai. Smooth, sweet and refreshing. The server was very helpful with ordering. Wish I remembered her name. Ordered small bites, crispy prawns and a side of fried rice. Was the perfect amount of food. Never any concerns when it comes to trader Vic's read more
Service and Staff: - We came early for our reservation and sat in the bar area. Service was pretty quick and we got our drinks and small appetizer in good time - When it came time to dinner, it was unfortunate that three of the dishes we wanted weren't available Food and Drinks: - Mango Mule: very flavorful and mango-forward - Painkiller: be careful because you can't taste the alcohol in this drink! - Original Mai Tai: solid drink - Spiced Fries: not spicy - seasoned well - Beef Kew Pake: almost like an Asian-inspired Lomo Saltado. Flavorful and plentiful - Tuna Poke: very flavorful (little heavy on the soy sauce, making it a little salty). Paired perfectly with the taro chips - Veggie Spring Rolls: comes with 5 and some sweet chili sauce. Be careful as these are very hot (temperature) for a good amount of time Miscellaneous: - Parking available via a private parking lot right in front of the restaurant - Drop off area available right in front of the doors for those that need / prefer easy access - Bar area has bar seats and tables available - Large space available for large groups and / or large parties (our friends had their wedding reception here) - Lots of fun goodies like ornaments, tiki mugs, and apparel for sale near the host stand read more
I went during happy hour which are only during Wednesday - Friday evenings. The happy hour drink menu had quite a selection, although they have an immense option of lovely cocktails from the larger menu. Love the themed drinks and they come in super fun glasses or mugs as well. Ordered purely from the happy hour menu this trip and had a great time. The Singapore Symphony drink has a blend of gold um, gin, pineapple, and passion fruit. It was a tasty drink, but way too sweet for me, almost like candy. I had to try the original Mai Tai here and that was a tasty tasty mai tai, loved it. I tried the Suffering Bastard, purely because the mug was super awesome haha. The drink is Vic's version of the original by Joe Scialom. This version has a blend of rums and lime. Another great drink that was too sweet for my taste. My last drink was the Mai Tai Pale Ale from Alvarado Street Brewing which I do not recommend. I don't know how or why this is named the Mai Tai PA but tastes absolutely nothing like a mai tai. I'd recommend you try out their other drinks and cocktails. Ordered some food from the happy hour menu including beef sliders and pupu party. The beef sliders are quite tiny, but you come here for the drinks more than the food. The beef sliders are angus beef on hawaiian roll with aged cheddar, katsu slaw, secret sauce, and jalapeno (2 per order). Again, tiny but tasty beef sliders. The pupu party had 2 crab rangoons, 2 cheese balls, and 2 BBQ riblets, not bad but not amazing. Definitely pairs well with the cocktails and beer though. It's okay if you are disappointed by the food, maybe the cocktails will make up for it like in my case haha. 4 stars drinks, 3 stars food. read more
Just visited Trader Vic's for my first time, and I did have a really good time. The differentiator here is to not confuse this with a tiki bar, this is a large scale tiki restaurant. If you look at it as a restaurant, not a bar, you will set your expectations going in. So the decor here, is pretty amazing, and there is a lot of history in this place. I had the pleasure of coming from the Christmas Bizarre, so I had over an hour to just browse around checking out the entire place, meeting people, and burning money... The coolest part was being able to grab drinks from the bar and carry them around exploring, and they even had virgin ones that your kiddos could carry around, IN CUSTOM MUGS. This was pretty special and the kids loved it, and there was like 9 different options to choose from. As far as the drinks themselves, they were OK. I've been to some high caliber tiki bars, so I'm a little picky now on my flavors and drinks but the drinks were alright, not bad, not awesome. One thing that really knocked this down is the bartender I ordered from. I asked a very simple question, "what do you have that is on the funkier side, I like Jamaican pot still." He looked at me completely dumbfounded and went "idk, do you wanna see a drink menu." Now restaurant aside, this is Trader Vic's, your bartender should have some basic rum knowledge. That one was pretty off putting. Luckily a local standing next to me stepped in and gave me a drink recommendation, and this was after my first Mai Tai. Now let's talk the food. I'm a bbq and food snob and this food was SHOCKINGLY tasty. We went with a large pupu, a pulled pork melt, the jalapeño balls, the claw chowder, and even a big ol piece of chocolate cake. I gotta say, that clam chowder could be a big thicker, but it rivaled everything in SF that's for sure, yummy stuff. This was still a great time, I can't wait to go back. read more
6 hours ago
11 months ago
You have got to experience Trader Vic's. I have been here with both family and friends. We all enjoyed our visit here. It is such a unique restaurant. I love that it's right on the water, brings such peace and calm being here. The food is quite tasty and unique. For appetizer, we had their jalapeño cheese balls, we enjoyed them and they quickly disappeared lol I like the uniqueness of the straws, they are actually pasta noodles, never seen anywhere else do that. For my entree, I ordered a dish that had both shrimp and steak, served over rice.... You guysss the portion is smallll LOL but it was so yummy. I had the pain killer drink. The flavor was really nice. Overall, this restaurant is one that I'd visit again. I LOVE it!! Photos are compiled from two different visits. read more
PRO TIP: Wear a Hawaiian shirt or dress. It's not mandatory but it's fun to dress up for the vibes and regulars do it too. With that said Trader Vics is a vibe at this point. You come here for the atmosphere more than anything and they're known for their tiki drinks. (Which you can also purchase their tiki cups in the front) For food I've had a handful of their menu items at this point but the steak takes the prize. It's smoked and super tender. You can watch the chefs pull it out of the smoker through the glass window and it's well worth the splurge. Overall a fun place to make memories and go out for drinks with friends. read more
1 month ago
[[HIGHLIGHT]]Easily our favorite place to eat a fun and delicious meal within a gorgeous setting.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Service is nearly always wonderful and food as well. We come several times a month and always enjoy ourselves. Hope Trader Vic's stays around forever! read more
Amazing historic tiki ambience. Love the bartenders on every visit. We sat in the little corner of the bar area with a great view of the marina and downtown after making a reservation a week ahead (for a Wednesday at 6:15). Ordered a mai tai (OG 4eva) and a Macabou Mambo (bourbon, lemon and macadamia nut liqueur- great!). Food was okay- great Crispy Prawns, okay ribs, Crab Rangoon, and pork slices. We also shared the Trader Vic's salad - great fresh salad with a yummy dressing. A few good beer selections on draft - Pilsner, IPA and a Hazy IPA. Of course I'll be back - it's Trader Vic's! read more
If you come on a Thursday night, like we did, you can sit in the lounge and enjoy happy hour appetizers and drinks all night long. So fun to enjoy the beautiful sunset view and experience a slice of the tropics here. read more
Such an iconic Bay Area establishment! I have come here many times, but this time I was able to enjoy their event space for a celebration of life. They had an open bar with beer and wine and the bartender was extremely nice and accommodating. The food was mid, nothing special for a buffet. The pork fried rice was the best thing they served. Great flavor and well done overall. The salad was basic and the pork sliders weren't special. Of course I had to have their famous Mai tai (how could I not), the bartender did a fantastic job. Every time I come the flavor's consistent and balanced. The bartender was also nice enough to let me try a sample of a drink he was making for another customer, delicious! If you're looking for a fun tiki bar/restaurant on the water with a nice view, this is the place. read more
1 year ago
Ambiance: 4/5 Service: 4/5 Food: 5/5 Drinks: 5/5 Price: 3/5 Parking: 4/5 Another great visit at Trader Vic's Emeryville! Hana was our server, and she did a great job! read more
2 months ago
Food was great. Service was very fast. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Sat by water so that's always good for a view.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Tiki vibe very cool.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more
1 year ago
The tiki drinks here are incredible! Well balanced and refreshing. Got their original Mai tai, the cucu lada, and bumbu hunter and all 3 were delicious! Cucu lada was refreshing, the bumbu hunter was a nice spice and flavor of 4 different rums, and the OG mai tai was really solid. Our server was very attentive and amazing with suggestions. Got the beef Cho Cho and sweet potatoe fries to share. Would come back to try more drinks! read more
After months of forgetting to snag a reservation at Trader Vic's until we're already on the freeway (whoops!), I finally planned ahead. We arrived early for drinks. My husband went classic with the original Mai Tai (still the best in the game), while I tried the non-alcoholic No Tai Mai Tai--nice enough, but heavy on the OJ. Dinner kicked off with the Cosmo Tidbits: a solid sampler of char siu pork, ribs, crab rangoons, and prawns. Everything was tasty, especially with the nose-tickling spicy mustard (I just love that stuff!). I ordered the chicken madras curry--great flavor, generous portion, but could've used more rice and slightly softer onions. The curry's sweet condiment tray (bananas, jam, coconut flakes, etc.) was quirky and I didn't experiment with most of it. My husband had the strip steak with mashed potatoes and panko-crusted creamed spinach--clean plate club despite his usual so-so attitude towards potatoes. I also tried the NA Lilikoi Sour, bright and tangy, with an aquafaba foam (would've loved egg white instead, but no biggie). Ambience is classic tiki--dim, tropical, and full of character. It's more upscale than kitschy, though the tables are packed a bit tight. Still, Trader Vic's nails the balance between historic charm and a polished experience. read more
1st time back since their renovation, came in on a Saturday evening and were packed, full house. We were able to get a table in the bar area, which they served the same menu. The service and food was the same as usual, great tasting and fresh. I was a little disappointed to see that they took the Seafood Parillada off the menu, that was one of my favorites. Ahi Tuna Poke is always good here. Crab Rangoon to go and my daughter loved it. Macadamia Mahi Mahi was excellent, cook to perfection, and fresh!!! Grilles Salmon Caesar Salad was great with spiced cashew and Lemon Ginger Aioli. Oh, what can I say about the drinks, always good and made perfectly. read more
1 year ago
An old classic that is a contemporary favorite! The view is fantastic, service is excellent, drinks are on point and the food is delicious. While the Atlanta Trader Vic's is a time capsule, Emeryville felt to me like a living timeline - history but also really yummy updated menu items and an energy level that was happy and upbeat. Our table tried a variety of rums, tiki drinks, and main dishes - all were delicious, as were the side salads. We really were impressed by the entire experience. read more
What a treat! While we weren't greeted right away at the door, it didn't take too long for them to find us a seat. Afterwards service was good. I got the Koana puffer which was very good. I enjoyed it alot and the dropper of hard proof alcohol was a treat to sneak in. It's quite a sweet drink as Tiki drinks are, but overall I enjoyed it alot. Also had to get the original Mai Tai which was typical but a must-try per the menu. I enjoyed it but I didn't think recall much standing out to me. I am excited however to go back and try some of their other drinks! Everything on the menu looks great! read more
Visited Trader Vic's as it was part of the in kind restaurants where you can use their giftcards. The food is very overpriced. We ordered from the happy hour menu and they were a good snack to accompany the cocktails but nothing too memorable. It is located right next to the water so you get a nice view if you grab a table by the window. The cocktails are fun to order. I love that they show you a photo of the cup the cocktail would arrive in. Drinks are overall sweet and tropical. Good place to come if you want to enjoy the sunset view and enjoy some Hawaiian vibes. read more
9 months ago
My favorite tiki bar in the bay! I will say there are others that have more fun decor, but I think trader Vic's cocktails are higher quality than most. Skip the food but have the mai tai (or another fun drink). read more
1 year ago
Celebrated a friend's birthday here and had such a great time! Staff were all so friendly and flexible, we got there at 7 and were hoping to sit at the bar, but they were able to get our table ready so we were able to sit down early. The décor is so fun, definitely gets you in the mood to tiki tiki. We started with the beef chocho, calamari, and crab rangoons. I was surprised by how tasty everything was. The beef chocho was fun, you get to cook the medium rare meat over a fire. It had a great glaze and the meat was super tender. Calamari and crab rangoons were delish of course, and we all enjoyed them with our first round of drinks. I loved the fun cups and menu that showed exactly what you would get. I can't remember what drinks we ordered but all the ones I sampled were yummy, though some were stronger than others. For mains, I ended up sharing the wonton soup, eggplant stir fry, and fries. The mains were not as good as the apps, but I did think the fries were cooked really well, like better McDonald's fries. We ended the night with a scorpion bowl and a coffee drink on fire. We ended up being the last party there, but the staff didn't rush us out. Great dinner and even better place to celebrate a fun get-together! read more
9 months ago
First time here - water view is beautiful and the end of the sunset was nice. Drink menu was overwhelming but the variety is great. We got the passion punch and the zombie. Thanks to the other yelper who recommended the banana whipped foam because that definitely elevated the passion punch. Service was friendly and he checked on us several times. Table next to us highly recommended the salmon which is specially smoked so will have to go back to try that! read more
1 month ago
4 months ago
[[HIGHLIGHT]]Beautiful location, friendly servers, charming tiki-themed decor.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Appetizer sampler platter + mai tais = mini vacation. Enjoy read more
If you haven't been to Trader Vic's yet...what are you waiting for? When it comes to a Tiki bar with excellent drinks, there is no better place! The bar has incredible views of the marina and city. The servers are always very friendly and helpful! We always love coming here and going through their extensive drink list. read more
Had the best wedding dinner here at Trader Vic's. Wanted to do a low budget wedding dinner with about 60 people and Trader Vic's made it happen with drinks. Food was absolutely amazing and everyone was talking about how good it was. The drinks were even better and the bartender made it happen. The service was amazing from the very beginning with Aaron, Jahn, and Claudia. They helped me with everything and double checked with everything as well. They even set up the tables perfect and it turned out so well. They helped me with any special request and made my wedding planning so much more easier. We did not do the ceremony here, but you definitely can. I can't wait to be able to come back on our anniversary every year to have a great dinner! THANK YOU! read more
10 months ago
We went with friends for a birthday happy hour. Perfect spot for this! & it's on the water! The Maui shrimp were sooooooo good we all said we'd be back just for those alone. Drinks were yummy & good sized & the cups were too cute! Server was great as well. We were thinking of buying tiki cups to take home but holy moly were they expensive. $47 for the cup I wanted. read more
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More info about Trader Vic's
9 Anchor Dr
Emeryville, CA 94608
Directions
(510) 653-3400
Call Now
Visit Website
http://tradervicsemeryville.com/
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Ask the Community - Trader Vic's
It there a gift shop?
They have a display case in the front of the restaurant and they have goods on line. I wouldn't call it a gift shop but they do sell different things such as mugs and mixes.
Is this location dog-friendly / is there outdoor seating currently?
No outdoor seating and no pets. I imagine they are ok with Service animals. You should call and verify.
Is this the same Trader Vic's as the one in San Fran and Denver? Both are now history but I had the best of memories of Trader Vic's!!!?
I'm pretty sure it is, but this is the original.
Is there a valid email address for someone in private dining? The one supplied on the website in Emeryville is no longer valid.
banquets@tradervics.com
Is there still happy hour?
Happy Hour is currently Wednesdays & Fridays from 4pm to 6pm, and Thursday is all night Happy Hour from 4pm to closing time.
Is it still mandatory valet parking even through covid?
We no longer provide valet service, it’s all self parking!
Reserve Now is a link to Opentable, but opentable gives message that it can't find you?
You can visit the website www.tradervicsemeryville.com - there is a link at the bottom right side of the homepage that says 'Reserve Now'
How do you make reservations? I see nothing about it on the website and the phone isn't being answered.…
You can visit our website www.tradervicsemeryville.com, there is a link at the bottom right side of the homepage that says 'Reserve Now'. We apologize you haven't been able to reach us on the phone! We do are best to answer phone calls between…
Does it look like this place can be wheelchair accessible?
Yes I believe so. I think I recall seeing someone in a wheelchair there before. It's best to call them and ask. For takeout, you drive right up to the door and call them and they can bring your order out to the car.
Is the deck open again for outside dining? When we last went it had just been closed down that day by an order from Alameda Co. but then opened again a day or two later. Now I hear it is closed again but your website says it is open. Which is it?
Hi Rand, we are not sure where you heard it was closed again, we were able to open successfully open again on July 16th and have been open for patio dining ever since! Come see us, Tues-Thurs 3pm-8pm & Fri-Sun 1pm-8pm!
Is Happy Hour everywhere in the restaurant or only in the bar?
The weekday happy hour is only in the bar/ lounge area. NOT in the restaurant.
Is there free parking?
They provide free valet. No exceptions. There's free street parking. Do not park in The Watergate. You will be towed to West Oakland!
Can you accommodate gluten free? More than just a salad? Thank you.
Hi Carolyn, absolutely. We have a separate GF menu that you can request from the host or server. We have many items inherently GF, like Seafood Parillada, Vic's Veggies, and both our Curries. We also have many items that can be easily modified to…
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Trader Vic's - hawaiian - Updated July 2026
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