Waikiki Wally's

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101 E 2nd St
New York, NY 10009

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(212) 673-8908
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Waikiki Wally's - New York, NY
Waikiki Wally's - New York, NY
Reviews
( 24 )
( 24 )
( 5 )
( 10 )
( 15 )

Best

ok so they change the name whatever reason but ,the thing is that just as long as the hula dancer's are there and a good service is good then that's all that matter's most .now i'...

Worst

went last night for the first time and was a little disappointed. the fake leis and the decor were really cute (made me feel like is was in the bradys go to hawaii episode), and t...

Caution 6/15/2004

This was one of the most disappointing restaurant I've even been to. They have ridiculous Reservation requirment for party over certain size. I can't see what the hype about this place is. I went on a saturday and the atmosphere was no more exciting than eating dinner at home. The only thing that's pacific hawaiian about it is bar table. They have overly priced food that tasted no better than my local takeout place. Be Careful of the Pupu platter. Is a rip-off. They don't keep a clean tap. We were charge for drinks that we didn't order. I know I sounded like a angry custumer. But I only wanted to let other restaurant beware. The other review about this restaurant was just being on the nice side. Pros: Will not come back, for sure Cons: , poor menu choices more
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5th times a charm ... 5/4/2004

Everytime I've gone to wally's, I've had a great time and make a point to bring my out of town guests. It really feels like your getting away. The drinks are great, a bit pricey (but i guess that's the part that reminds you that you're in manhattan) but we always get a volcano bowl of something. Big fan of the tuna poke! The staff is always friendly, a bit silly and really attractive. The one with long black hair and shiny red bikini kills me ... probably not from hawaii, but who cares. Definitely worth a visit. Pros: atmosphere, drinks, friendly more
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Average 4/6/2004

This restaurant was just average. My friend & I had an early dinner, so there were'nt too many customers. Anyways, for the price, I don't think this place is worth it. The food portions were quite small. My friend & I left still hungry. The drinks were good though. The atmosphere was nice. Pretty authentic. Don't come for the food. Atmosphere & drinks are a plus. Pros: atmosphere, drinks Cons: , just average food more
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Come and get lei'd! 1/5/2004

Where else in New York can you go and get lei'd by a pretty girl as well as enjoy a bit of Hawaiian Paradise? It's quite balmy in here (the staff are in bikini's and grass skirts) and the huge water fall make you forget that it's winter outside! The food is pretty good and the drinks are just as colorful and tasty! The bartenders are really cute and the live performances are a plus! Visit the exotic birds and Wally the cockatiel in the darker back room (perfect for a romantic dinner)! Popular with young good looking people. Pros: friendly service, good food and drinks, good looking crowd more
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You Can Do Better 12/11/2003

This is New York, good food and eye candy abound -- no need to see a short man hula on a chair or force yourself to eat bad bbq billed as ""suckling pig"". The place was filled with young upper east siders celebrating birthdays. A guy in line for the bathroom told me he had come in to check out the waitresses in bikinis. Skip it -- if you want a fun theme night you can do better at Tortilla Flats. Pros: Funky Cons: Food more
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It's not about the food 11/9/2003

but all about the alcohol and the atmosphere. It's a fun place, but you don't come here to really dine, given the kitchen appears to be shared with Lucky Cheng's which happens to be around the corner. Unless you want really overdone fake Polynesian cuisine. But the drinks are really what makes this place fun, served in tiki glasses and coconut shells. Just make sure you eat beforehand... Pros: Atmosphere, Drinks Cons: Food more
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and it's tasty, too! 10/30/2003

I had heard about the great drinks, waterfall, hula-clad waitresses and live music & cockateel, but I didn't expect such great food ... ingredients are super-fresh, sauces are perfect, and nice presentation. The Pu-Pu platter is a must, soooper delish ribs, stuffed shrimp, calamari. Try to catch the Moonlighters (I saw them on a Tuesday). Pros: Food, Atmosphere, Staff more
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great summer night 8/25/2003

My girlfriends and I had a great time there the other night. We were kind of bummed about being in the city during a beautiful summer weekend, but being in Wally's was like being shipped off to a mini vacation. The atmosphere was adorable with fake palms trees, thatched hut and a waterfall. Service was adorable with bikinis and grass skirts. Food was actually pretty good, we thought the salmon was the best dish. The drinks were strong, but a bit too sweet.. be careful with the prices of the volcano drinks, they can really add up. more
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Could be better 8/15/2003

Went there for a birthday party a couple of nights ago. The atmosphere is really cool. Everyone liked the food. (Some of the drinks were really weak though.) The only thing that irked our party was the waitress. She was a bit too full of attitude. (I heard one guy actually say, "" I HATE her!"") It would hurt to smile once. Pros: good food, cool lounge area Cons: the waitress more
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Great Drinks 7/24/2003

They have a really great drinks menu. They are mostly rum drinks and they come in those ""kitschy"" ceramic glasses with the tiki design. The food is very tasty and the night we were there they had live music. The music was a little loud but since we had finished eating it was OK. They do have a side room where I think it would have been quieter. Pros: Decor, Drinks Cons: Noisy more
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In Hawaii the waitresses would smile... 7/10/2003

I was disappointed in Waikiki Wallys. Our food was cold, the drinks incredibly weak, and the waitress didn't smile once. The only appealing thing about the place was the cockatoo. Pros: cockatoo Cons: Cold food, Weak drinks, Surly waitress more
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Bad taste of Hawaii 6/4/2003

Never go to this place if you like to have something good to eat and drink. Cilantro Heaven! Do not waste your time on ordering if you hate cilantro as much as we did. It was in just about everything. Save yourself, your money and your friends the waste of an evening. I highly recommend Roy's Restaurant if you want something hawaiian. Pros: different Cons: food, parking, crowded more
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Hibiscus Heaven 5/16/2003

Who ever thought you could find something exotic in Manhattan? Once you walk in the door and the lei gets slipped over your neck, you've just crossed over into the tiki zone! Sit by the waterfall, chill to the sounds of Martin Denny and sip an exotic cocktail: from the tried-and-true kings like The Zombie, to Wally specials (they even have ""Virgin Sacrifices"" for the kids and designated drivers!) Served by a gorgeous waitress in a grass skirt! And the food's good too! Order up a flaming volcano bowl with three straws -- and three friends! Word of warning: don't drink one by yourself (like I did) I could barely finish it -- and I was in a tiki coma for the subway ride home (and boy did I have to pee later, but that's another story!) Complainers, boring people and the generally lame need not venture forth! Pros: Drinks, Food, Atmosphere Cons: Need more Wally's, No sand to lie on, in Manhattan more
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Pleasant Surprise 5/9/2003

I took my boyfriend here on a Friday night after work. When we arrived I was a little nervous about the outside of the restaurant, but pleasantly surprised when we walked in. We were greeted by a waitress in a hula skirt and she proceeded to put leis around our necks. The atmosphere was very relaxing after a long week. I especially liked the live birds and the fountain. The food was good but I would have like more sauce with my appetizer! Drinks were great as was the service. Overall a very great experience and I would recommend it to anyone, but it was a little pricy. Pros: great food, great atmosphere, great drinks Cons: a little pricy more
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Great Party Place 5/6/2003

I threw a birthday party for my boyfriend at Waikiki Wally's on the advice of a coworker, and was not disappointed. The atmosphere is very fun and festive (I highly recommend going on Monday nights, when the Tiny Bubble Band performs), and the food was actually quite good, especially considering it's a theme restaurant. We ordered the set-menu for 13, and it was enough food. The staff and band were all very friendly and accommodating. The band even got my boyfriend up to sing the Tiny Bubble song, and then we got to hula dance! The only drawback is the relative lack of vegetarian options, a problem for some groups. Plus, I think it's a bit overpriced. But the evening was a whole lot of fun. So for a special occasion dinner that you won't soon forget, Waikiki Wally's is a good choice. Pros: Great atmosphere, Good food, Friendly staff Cons: no veggie options, a bit pricey more
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Nice & Different 5/3/2003

My friends and I walked in on Saturday night. The place was packed but the host found us a table after about 20 minutes at the bar (excellent bartenders). Pretty good considering our lack of reservation! The food was flavorfull and matched the ambiance. The staff looked great and was efficient enough. Overall do not expect a 3 star experience but a lot of fun for the money! Pros: Friendly, food and drinks, Ambience Cons: Crowded on weekends more
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Good, fun, kitsch 4/29/2003

Best place for a birthday. Was taken by a group of stodgy doctors from New Jersey and the staff really encouraged them to let their hair down. One doctor danced with the waitress in a grass skirt, much to the displeasure of his spouse,... Food was delicious, as were the cocktails. Highly recommended for any festive event. Pros: Delicious, FUN, Sexy staff Cons: Parking more
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Poor Wally! 4/28/2003

According to restaurant legend, there WAS a Waikiki Wally, so maybe the food here was what did it to him. It was pretty bad, with a redeeming appetizer here and a vegetable side there. In spite of the huge bar scene, 9 bucks is an awful lot for a glass of ice and weak cocktails. Therefore, there's nothing to wash down the mediocre food with and make us forget we ever ate it. I pity the salmon and octopus that gave their lives to be on our plates. They must be rolling in their graves with Wally at this ripoff of a place. Pros: Decor, Real live parrots!, Service is nice Cons: Just about everything, else! more
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Keep the boring people OUTside! 4/25/2003

I love Wally's, I go every chance I get, and bring new friends because I consider this place my own discovery that few know about yet. I was appalled to see ANY bad reviews. I guess the corporate groups are starting to catch on, and that's a real shame. Iwas there recently and saw 2 large groups I think one of them was the one who left such a scathing review here. From where I was I saw one group having the time of their lives, and one complaining endlessly, even though they had the same menu and were given more food. I'm hoping that more cool people discover this retro jewel and keep out those obnoxious groups by filling the place with people who enjoy it. Let the groups go for the weekend brunch, we'll go Sun to Thurs 6-7:30pm for 2 for 1 drinks!!! Awesome! Pros: Great atmosphere, 2 for 1 drinks sun-th, Great food more
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very nice atmosphere 4/24/2003

I'm an american who reside in rio in Brazil and I was visiting family that decided to take us to waikiki wally's last week end. What a surprise to find a little paradise above the tropics Good food Good service Good drinks. I have found there what was missing in New York before I left. more
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Menu for Waikiki Wally's


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Editorial

  • The Scene
    The gods have at long last answered the prayers of NYC tiki devotees with a Polynesian outpost that doesn't miss a trick. An elaborately constructed grass-shack bar, working...

  • 12/21/2005 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Payments: American Express, Discover, Visa, Master Card
  • Neighborhoods: Downtown, East Village
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