Southern Love
Experience authentic Southern soul food in Honolulu at this highly-rated restaurant. Enjoy delicious flavors with a 4.8/5 star rating. Discover comfort food done right.
Experience fine dining in Honolulu with stunning ocean views. This 4.5-star restaurant offers an elegant atmosphere and memorable culinary journey.
Chic, glass-walled dining room & terrace with bay views, serving creative meat & seafood dishes.
Perched above the shimmering Pacific, this Honolulu gem provides an elegant and memorable dining experience that consistently earns a 4.5-star rating. The atmosphere is sophisticated yet inviting, making it an ideal setting for special occasions or an elevated evening out. Diners frequently praise the beautifully plated dishes, highlighting exquisite seafood and creative preparations. From perfectly crafted cocktails to thoughtfully presented tasting menus, the attention to detail is evident in every aspect. This establishment is a favored choice for those seeking a refined culinary adventure with breathtaking ocean vistas, where both the food and the service contribute to an unforgettable occasion.
Restaurant Analysis
This restaurant has been analyzed using our formula-based system to help you understand its key features and match it with your dining preferences.
Price Range (Luxury)
Luxury fine dining ($$$$) - High-end restaurants with exceptional service and cuisine
Meal Time (dinner)
This restaurant primarily serves dinner. Based on opening hours.
Group Size (Groups Welcome)
Welcomes large groups and families. Great for group dining.
Atmosphere (Upscale)
Refined and elegant dining experience
Dining Style (Flexible)
Flexible options. Reservations available but not required.
Features & Amenities
This restaurant offers: Outdoor Seating, Cocktails, Beer, Wine, Coffee, Groups Welcome, Reservations
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Sourced from recent guest feedback and verified reviews.
Elegant atmosphere, good food, and a memorable dining experience from start to finish. We came for my wife’s birthday and tried the tasting menu. Highlights included the beautifully plated lamb chop, flavorful ravioli with crispy pork belly, and the delicate seared fish over romesco and greens. Every course was presented with care and the cocktails were just as impressive, especially the bae watch and the perfectly balanced knob cook old fashioned. The service was very good, although the food was not quite flawless, which is the only reason I’m not giving 5 stars across the board. That said, the overall experience was absolutely worth it. Nice ambiance, waterfront views, and a great meal. I recommend if you’re looking for a high-end dinner spot in Honolulu. Had the opportunity to celebrate my birthday at 53 by the Sea which was a lovely way to enjoy my evening. Elegant restaurant with stunning views of the city to appreciate day and night. Valet services are provided with no additional fee. As for the restaurant, every staff member is warm and inviting so enhance your experience. Our server Tony was superb with his service and we could tell he was having a busy night with all the tables he was serving; did not stop him from checking on us in a timely fashion. We opted with the tasting menu and wine pairing, had a cocktail to start and it was immaculate. Each dish was delicious with gorgeous plating, keep in mind some items were a bit smaller in portion than we had read on the menu, specifically the lamb. Overall a great option for a tasty meal and experience. My family and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary by visiting the restaurant we'd been most excited about during our trip to Hawaii. The restaurant was quite noisy the day we visited due to a banquet. We asked the staff and they directed us to a beautiful, quiet outdoor seating area, where we could fully enjoy our meal. Everything from drinks to appetizers, main courses, and desserts were absolutely delicious. The staff's warm service and bright smiles made it the highlight of our trip to Hawaii. If you're looking for a beautiful Waikiki sunset and a meal, this is the place! I'd like to express my gratitude to 53by the sea through this review :)
Find the Restaurant
November 8, 2025
Elegant atmosphere, good food, and a memorable dining experience from start to finish. We came for my wife’s birthday and tried the tasting menu. Highlights included the beautifully plated lamb chop, flavorful ravioli with crispy pork belly, and the delicate seared fish over romesco and greens. Every course was presented with care and the cocktails were just as impressive, especially the bae watch and the perfectly balanced knob cook old fashioned. The service was very good, although the food was not quite flawless, which is the only reason I’m not giving 5 stars across the board. That said, the overall experience was absolutely worth it. Nice ambiance, waterfront views, and a great meal. I recommend if you’re looking for a high-end dinner spot in Honolulu.
October 27, 2025
Had the opportunity to celebrate my birthday at 53 by the Sea which was a lovely way to enjoy my evening. Elegant restaurant with stunning views of the city to appreciate day and night. Valet services are provided with no additional fee. As for the restaurant, every staff member is warm and inviting so enhance your experience. Our server Tony was superb with his service and we could tell he was having a busy night with all the tables he was serving; did not stop him from checking on us in a timely fashion. We opted with the tasting menu and wine pairing, had a cocktail to start and it was immaculate. Each dish was delicious with gorgeous plating, keep in mind some items were a bit smaller in portion than we had read on the menu, specifically the lamb. Overall a great option for a tasty meal and experience.
November 8, 2025
My family and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary by visiting the restaurant we'd been most excited about during our trip to Hawaii. The restaurant was quite noisy the day we visited due to a banquet. We asked the staff and they directed us to a beautiful, quiet outdoor seating area, where we could fully enjoy our meal. Everything from drinks to appetizers, main courses, and desserts were absolutely delicious. The staff's warm service and bright smiles made it the highlight of our trip to Hawaii. If you're looking for a beautiful Waikiki sunset and a meal, this is the place! I'd like to express my gratitude to 53by the sea through this review :)
October 1, 2025
I recently had the pleasure of dining at 53 By The Sea in Hawaii on September 27th to celebrate a birthday. From the moment we arrived, the restaurant presented itself as an establishment of exceptional quality. The service was a highlight; the staff were warm in their greeting and commendably prompt and attentive to our table and other guests. The culinary experience was equally superb. Every dish we ordered was fantastic, prepared and presented to a high standard, and I was pleasantly surprised to find the pricing to be quite reasonable given the quality and location. However, the evening took an unfortunate turn due to circumstances outside of the restaurant's direct control, which significantly impacted our overall experience. We were seated on the patio, an initially tranquil setting perfect for a celebration, where the quiet ambiance was shared respectfully by the only other couple present. Regrettably, the arrival of a large group of five women completely disrupted this peaceful atmosphere. Their excessively loud and boisterous behavior—including constant movement for photos and generally disruptive conduct—was highly distracting and ultimately ruined the quiet, intimate setting we had sought out. While I understand that restaurants cannot perfectly control every guest's behavior, I believe a venue of this caliber, especially in a quieter section like the patio, should strive to maintain a certain level of decorum. It was deeply disappointing to have an otherwise perfect, special occasion marred by such an extreme lack of consideration from fellow diners. In summary, 53 By The Sea is an exceptional restaurant based on its phenomenal food, attentive service, and beautiful setting. My humble hope is that management may consider ways to gently intervene when the behavior of a small group so negatively affects the experience of others, especially in designated quiet areas. Despite the unfortunate ending, the quality of the dining experience itself makes it a place I would consider revisiting.
August 4, 2025
Had a special event here on August 1st, 2025, worked with Anjela and Kyran was our server. Could not have asked for better service, view, and hospitality. Anjela. Worked w/ me for weeks to get everything perfect. So appreciate her. The view EPIC. The service OUTSTANDING. The food…can have an entire review section of its own. Everything was impeccably delicious. Hands down, some of the best food enjoyed on the island! We had a group of 24, which is very tricky for ensuring the quality/quantity/etc. is superb, the chef nailed it!!! Highly recommend 53 by the Sea for any special event!
Features and amenities that make 53 By special
Outdoor Seating
Cocktails
Beer
Wine
Coffee
Groups Welcome
Reservations
Everything you need to know before you visit
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