Dining
ROYAL HAWAIIAN TREAT!
01.14.11
Review by Sheryll Alexander
How is it that I’ve lived in OC all my life and have never heard of Royal Hawaiian? That seems rather impossible as this casual eatery and historic landmark has been at this same seaside location since 1947 and I’ve been eating around OC as a restaurant critic for many years now.
So, it was fun for our family to find a rather reasonable restaurant for lunch or dinner in one of our favorite haunts – North Laguna Beach. Located just steps away from the Laguna Beach Art Museum and gorgeous Heisler Park, Royal Hawaiian sits a bit hidden on PCH—except for the always-open door and a large blue-and-gold sign fringed by palm fronds.
Once inside, the small dining room (you can also sit at the adjacent bar) is cozy with leather booths and four-top tables that can be pushed together nicely for a big crowd. Once more of a shack, the restaurant was literally renovated from top to bottom a few years back and we enjoyed the minimalist and modern décor with no tiki kitsch in sight.
While the décor is more modern, the menu is still old school. And in a good way. Entrées and combo plates (like steaks, ribs, chicken, fresh fish, shrimp, scallops and even lobster) come in rather large portions and include a delightful and gooey French onion-inspired miso soup, an absolutely delicious cut iceberg salad with the restaurant’s signature “ono ono” (akin to bleu cheese) dressing and a huge baked potato with all the fixings.
But I digress. When at the Royal Hawaiian, it is best to start with a very strong and tasty tropical cocktail. We enjoyed the lapu lapu (light rum, dark rum, pineapple, orange and passion fruit juices) and it only took the small-sized version to feel that alcohol kick. The by-the-glass wine list is also reasonably priced and some of the choices are quite decent.
If you are celebrating, order your cocktail and then a few appetizers for the table. We were surprised at the fresh quality of the ahi poki here and the innovative shrimp bruschetta. Other not-to-be-missed appetizers include coconut shrimp, pork sliders, ribs and shrimp, onion rings and cheese burger sliders.
The Pele (Goddess of Fire) dessert is a simple chocolate sundae lit on fire to the surprise of little ones and adults alike.
Also, don’t miss happy hour on Mondays-Thursdays from 4-7 p.m. when appetizers cost just $5, beers start at $3 and a small lapu lapu is just $5. Most Thursdays and every Friday and Saturday starting at 10 p.m., you can catch live musical entertainment in the bar.
Monday – Friday: bar opens at 4 p.m. and dining starts at 5 p.m.
Saturdays and Sundays: open at 11 a.m.
331 N. Coast Hwy. in Laguna Beach. 949.494.8001.
Sheryll Alexander is a freelance lifestyles writer based in Costa Mesa, Calif.
Blog
Free Popcorn at OC Market Place!
01.14.11
The Orange County Market Place is giving free popcorn to all shoppers Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in celebration of National Popcorn Day on Jan. 19.
And in addition to free popcorn, the OC Market Place is the best swap meet ever—20 acres of great values and quality merchandise—-with more than 1,000 items and foods available. Artisans and crafters corner, and fun kids activities too. Admission $2, children below age 12 and free. Orange County Market Place, at the O.C. Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Drive in Costa Mesa, 949.723.6660.
Follow Greer on Pinterest
from the blog
- 10.28.25 – Día de los Muertos Rooftop Brunch at Top of the V
- 10.27.25 – Sip & Shuck Returns to Laguna Beach Nov. 2 to Benefit CASA
- 10.26.25 – A Crystal Cove Takes Mimosa Brunch to the Next Level
- 10.26.25 – Rose Bakery Café Opens in Orange
- 10.21.25 – Last Chance to Dine at 608 Dahlia Before Oct. 26
- 10.20.25 – Irvine Barclay Theatre Announces Fall and Holiday Season Lineup
- 10.20.25 – Newport Beach Film Festival 2025: ‘Blue Moon’ Shines on Opening Night
- 10.19.25 – Wahoo’s Marks 38 Years with Free Community Celebration in Costa Mesa
- 10.15.25 – Pumpkin Palooza Returns to Discovery Cube OC This October
- 10.14.25 – Irish Spotlight at the Newport Beach Film Festival
- 10.09.25 – The Jill Foundation’s Annual Opportunity Drawing Is Now Open
- 10.09.25 – Born in OC Book Signing at Lido Village Books
- 10.08.25 – Disneyland Experience Headlines The Wish Gala Auction
- 10.07.25 – Rodrigo’s Mexican Grill Reopens Reimagined Anaheim Hills Flagship
- 10.05.25 – Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert at Musco Center
- 10.04.25 – Puesto Celebrates National Taco Day with Golden Ticket Giveaway
- 10.02.25 – Musco Presents Complexions Contemporary Ballet
- 10.02.25 – Newport Beach Becomes Global Beach Volleyball Capital Oct. 7–12
- 10.01.25 – Laguna Cliffs Hosts Harvest Moon Sound Bath
- 09.29.25 – Zov’s Debuts New Brunch Menu Inspired by Family Traditions
More Daily Doses
- 10.27.25 – Jack Johnson Headlines Two-Night Coast Film & Music Benefit Concert
- 10.26.25 – Prime Pizza Opens First Orange County Location in Mission Viejo
- 10.20.25 – Salt & Lime Modern Taqueria Brings Elevated Flavor to Costa Mesa
- 10.19.25 – Fall Fun at The District: Halloween Boo Bash and Cocktail Tour
- 10.16.25 – Luxury Wellness Meets Concierge Medicine at Coastal Wellness MD
- 10.16.25 – Chiang Rai Thai in Tustin Serves Up Michelin-Recognized Northern Thai Cuisine
- 10.16.25 – Chili Chutney Brings Authentic Afghan Cuisine to Lake Forest
- 10.15.25 – Tales of Wonder and Imagination: Alexander Shelley Leads Pacific Symphony in ‘Scheherazade’
- 10.14.25 – California Wine Festival Returns to Huntington Beach Oct. 17 - 18
- 10.13.25 – Santa Maria Novella Brings Centuries of Craft to South Coast Plaza
- 10.08.25 – Newport Beach Film Festival Announces 2025 Honors
- 10.05.25 – Fashion Meets Film: StyleWeekOC Returns to Fashion Island October 15–19
- 09.29.25 – Pacific Airshow Returns to Huntington Beach Oct. 3-5
- 09.26.25 – Mastro’s Brings Its Iconic Dining Experience to Irvine Spectrum
- 09.25.25 – San Francisco Ballet’s Frankenstein Comes to Segerstrom Center
- 09.19.25 – 26th Annual Newport Beach Film Festival Announces 2025 Lineup
- 09.16.25 – Tastemakers of Orange County Returns to Segerstrom Center for the Arts
- 09.16.25 – Pacific Wine & Food Classic Returns September 20
- 09.15.25 – The Market Place Opening Celebration
- 09.12.25 – Segerstrom Center Welcomes Yearlong Karon Davis Installation
