I'd walked through the Outrigger Reef lobby plenty of times without realizing the best seat in Waikiki was hiding at the back of it. You go through the lobby, past the shops, and then the floor opens up to the ocean — that's Monkeypod Kitchen, right on the water.
We got table 509, by the glass, Diamond Head off to the left and turquoise water right under us. Our waiter Zach told me it's his favorite table in the house. Easy to see why.
Let me be real with you: this is not a cheap meal. Two of us, with wine and dessert, ran about $190 before parking. But the fish is bought fresh every morning, the view is unreal, and most of what we ate was genuinely good. Here's the honest rundown.
Every spot below was personally visited and paid for by me. My review policy
| 📍 Location | Back of the Outrigger Reef hotel, Waikiki — walk through the lobby, past the shops, restaurant is on the water |
| 💰 Price Range | ~$190 for two with wine + dessert (before parking) |
| 🍽️ Must Order | Organic Macadamia Nut Crusted Fresh Fish, Seared Ahi Steak, Banana Cream Pie |
| ⏱️ Wait | Walk-ins accepted; reservations recommended for evenings (gets busy) |
| 💳 Payment | Cards accepted; 4% service charge on food, 20% gratuity auto-added for parties of 6+. Valet $15/4hrs with Monkeypod validation (ask waiter for sticker), else $6/hr; hotel $18/hr without validation |
| 👥 Best For | Oceanfront dinner, sunset drinks, special occasions, fresh local fish |
| 🕐 Hours | 7 AM – 11 PM daily |
The Room & The View
This is the part you're paying for, and it delivers. The dining room runs right along the water — full open windows, ceiling fans, a long bar with copper pendant lights, and a wild carved-wood tree sculpture anchoring the center of the room.
Table 509 is up against the glass. Diamond Head sits to the left, surfers and that ridiculous turquoise water straight ahead. If it's your first time, Zach told me the empty tables you'll get walk-in are closer to the entrance — but the water tables are the whole point. Ask for one.
Ask for a table by the water. The walk-in tables near the entrance are fine, but the glass-side tables (like 509) are the reason to come here.
The Fish: Fresh Every Morning
Zach was clear about where the fish comes from. As he told me: "Everything you get at 6 AM, so every day we get our fish freshly from the fish market at 6 AM every single morning." The day we went, the fresh catch was mahi-mahi.
We ordered the Organic Macadamia Nut Crusted Fresh Fish ($54). The mac nut and panko crust was crisp and toasty, the fish underneath was moist, and the lemon beurre blanc plus Maui pineapple relish gave it that sweet-bright-rich balance. The scallion-garlic rice underneath was solid. It's a big, satisfying plate — and yes, it's $54, so go in knowing that.
Zach's own pick is the Seared Ahi Steak ($53): bluefin lightly seared with a soy sesame Maui onion sauce. He called that sauce his favorite in the restaurant. I didn't order it this time, but I'd trust the guy who eats here.
Nate's Pick: Organic Macadamia Nut Crusted Fresh Fish ($54). Crisp mac nut crust, moist fish, bright pineapple relish — the dish to get if you only order one.
The Saimin
We also got the Saimin ($25): locally made Sun Noodles in a roasted chicken broth with all-natural pork, broccoli, bean sprouts, red onion, peanuts, cilantro and mint. It's a generous bowl and the broth is clean and roasty.
Honest take: $25 for saimin is a Waikiki-oceanfront price, not a local-saimin-stand price. It's good, the pork is tender, but you're paying for the address as much as the noodles.
Save Your Fork for Pie
The menu literally tells you to save your fork for pie, and you should. Every cream pie is $15. We split the Banana Cream Pie (Laie vanilla pastry cream, local apple banana, vanilla whipped cream, caramel) and the Chocolate Cream Pie (Valrhona dark chocolate pastry cream, vanilla whipped cream).
Both are tall, generous slices with real whipped cream and a homemade crust. The banana with the caramel drizzle was my favorite of the two. This is where Monkeypod earns some of that price back — the desserts are legit.
Drinks & The Mai Tai
We had two glasses of the Pinot Noir, Melville, Santa Rita Hills ($19/glass) — sommelier-selected and easy-drinking by the water. There's a deep wine room behind the dining room with 50+ bottles if you want to go further.
If you're here for the signature, it's the Monkeypod Mai Tai ($20): Kula organic silver and dark rums, lime, house-made macadamia nut orgeat, orange curaçao, and that honey-lilikoi foam on top. Happy hour (3:30–5:00 daily, except select holidays) knocks $4 off handcrafted cocktails and $3 off wines by the glass — worth timing around.
I'm not the only one sold on it. When I posted the reel, someone dropped a comment that pretty much sums up the Mai Tai: "The best Mai Tai I've ever had!"
Happy hour runs 3:30–5:00 daily (except select holidays): $4 off cocktails, $3 off wines by the glass, $2 off draft beers, and $17 pizzas (except the Bourgeois).
Service: Mostly Great, One Gap
Zach was professional, chill, and good at his job — knew the menu, knew the fish, gave honest picks. The room was relaxed, the music nice (they rotate musicians every night, with the schedule posted on the board by reception).
One honest knock: the follow-up lagged. No one came around to ask about dessert or another round, and my friend finished his beer without being offered a second. When we finally flagged someone, everything was handled fine. Small thing, but worth knowing if you like attentive table service.
Service follow-up was slow on our visit — no one circled back for dessert or a second drink until we flagged them. Don't be shy about waving someone down.
Getting There & Parking
Monkeypod sits at the back of the Outrigger Reef. Walk through the hotel lobby, head past the shops, and you'll land at the restaurant on the water.
Parking: hand your keys to the valet. With Monkeypod validation it's $15 for up to 4 hours — ask your waiter for the validation sticker. Without it, it's $6/hr, and the hotel rate is $18/hr without restaurant validation. Get the sticker.
Ask your waiter for the Monkeypod parking validation sticker. It drops valet to $15 for 4 hours instead of the $18/hr hotel rate.
Pro Tips
1. Book a water table
Reservations are recommended for evenings, and the glass-side tables (like 509) are the whole reason to come. Walk-in tables sit closer to the entrance.
2. Get the parking sticker
Ask your waiter for the Monkeypod validation sticker — it's $15 valet for 4 hours instead of $18/hr at the hotel rate.
3. Time happy hour
3:30–5:00 daily (except select holidays): $4 off cocktails, $3 off wines by the glass, $2 off drafts, $17 pizzas (not the Bourgeois).
4. Ask what came in fresh
Fish is bought at the market every morning at 6 AM. Ask what the day's fresh catch is — ours was mahi-mahi.
5. Save room for pie
The cream pies ($15) are no afterthought. Banana and chocolate are both strong; the banana with caramel is my pick.
6. Flag your server
Service can be slow on follow-up. Don't wait to be asked about a second drink or dessert — just wave them over.
FAQ
Where is Monkeypod Kitchen Waikiki?
It's at the back of the Outrigger Reef hotel. Walk through the lobby, past the shops, and the restaurant is on the water.
What time does Monkeypod Kitchen open?
Every day, 7 AM to 11 PM.
Do you need a reservation?
They take both reservations and walk-ins, but evenings get busy, so reservations are recommended — especially if you want a table by the water.
How much does dinner cost for two?
Our dinner for two with two glasses of wine and two slices of pie came to about $190 before valet parking. The mac nut crusted fish is $54 and the seared ahi is $53.
What should I order?
The Organic Macadamia Nut Crusted Fresh Fish ($54) is the standout. Our waiter's personal pick is the Seared Ahi Steak ($53). Save room for a $15 cream pie.
How much is parking?
Valet with Monkeypod validation is $15 for up to 4 hours — ask your waiter for the sticker. Without it, $6/hr; the hotel rate without restaurant validation is $18/hr.
Is there happy hour?
Yes, 3:30–5:00 daily (except select holidays): half-off appetizers (excludes seafood), $17 pizzas (excludes the Bourgeois), $2 off drafts, $3 off wines by the glass, $4 off cocktails.
Final Verdict
Monkeypod Kitchen earns it. The fish is genuinely fresh, the desserts are real, the mai tai might be the best in Waikiki (a reader on my reel called it the best they'd ever had — I get it), the room is gorgeous, and a water table at sunset is one of the best seats on the island. It's not cheap — figure around $190 for two with wine and pie — and follow-up from the floor was a touch slow, but that's the only nitpick I have.
This is a Nate Recommended spot, and I mean it: I'll be bringing my family here. If you want oceanfront Waikiki without the gimmick, this is the call. Book ahead, get the water table, get the parking sticker, order the mai tai, and don't skip the pie.
Reserve a table by the water at table 509, order the mac nut crusted fish and a Monkeypod Mai Tai, watch the surf off Diamond Head, and finish with the banana cream pie.
Explore the Interactive Food Map
See every spot near you — filter by neighborhood, cuisine, and price
Related Guides
California Pizza Kitchen Ala Moana Review 2026 | Menu
Honest review of California Pizza Kitchen at Ala Moana — rooftop ocean views, free parking, full menu prices, happy hour, and what to actually order.
Banzai Burger Review: Best Burger in Waikiki? (2026)
I paid for the $19 Waimea double at Banzai Burger in Kuhio Food Hall. Honest review, full menu prices, parking and seating tips for Waikiki locals.
Kona Coffee Purveyors Waikiki Review: Is 100% Kona Worth It? (Honest 2026 Review)
Honest review of Kona Coffee Purveyors in Waikiki: $5 drip, $4.75 espresso, b. patisserie pastries, a free Kona tasting bar, and the move on 100% pure Kona.
Ms. Nguyen Banh Mi & Rolls: Review, Menu & Prices (Midtown Eats)
Honest review of Ms. Nguyen at Midtown Eats — fresh-daily banh mi, $18 chicken pho, $6.75 Vietnamese iced coffee, free validated parking, card only.
Good Chicken Waikiki: Korean Fried Chicken at Stix Asia
Family-run Korean fried chicken inside the Stix Asia food hall — garlic chili chicken, handmade mandoo, prices & the 15% kamaʻāina discount most visitors miss.
Aya Golf Lounge Honolulu: Pricing, Events, Karaoke (2026)
Private Golfzon simulators, $2 karaoke night, Taco Tuesday + more — full pricing, hours, and what to know before you book.
Browse by Category
I pay for my own meals. Why trust this guide?