Ruth's Chris Waikiki Review: Happy Hour Steak Tips

On our final evening in Hawaii, we wanted to wrap up our trip with a touch of luxury.

So, we decided to visit Ruth's Chris Steak House Waikiki, widely celebrated as one of the top three steakhouses on Oahu.

Conveniently located right above the Yard House, it was incredibly easy to find.

Having heard so many rave reviews, our expectations were sky-high! 💫

 

Booking Your Table at Ruth's Chris

From what we read online, walking in without a reservation can be incredibly tough, especially during peak hours.

To secure our spot, we made a last-minute booking on Google Maps on the morning of our visit.

The Google Maps integration connects seamlessly with OpenTable, making the booking process quick, smooth, and hassle-free.

Ruth's Chris Waikiki: Happy Hour from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM

To make the most of their famous Happy Hour, we arrived around 5:00 PM, practically doing an open run!

After a quick confirmation of our reservation, we were immediately guided to our table.

Since we booked on the same day, the host offered us a choice between the outdoor patio or the indoor bar area.

It seems that prime indoor dining tables are typically reserved for those who book well in advance.

We chose the outdoor patio. While we initially worried it might feel a bit enclosed, it actually overlooked a lovely small park, giving the space an open, breezy atmosphere.

Having outdoor seating is quite rare for high-end steakhouses in Waikiki, which made the ambiance even more romantic and memorable.

Navigating the Menu

Our server was exceptionally welcoming and provided us with a detailed menu.

The star of the early evening is the Ruth's Classics menu, which serves as their signature multi-course Happy Hour offering.

Since it was our final night in paradise, we decided to order one Ruth's Classics set and complement it with an à la carte prime steak.

For our multi-course set, we opted for the Caesar salad, a steak topped with a lobster tail, and a side of creamy mashed potatoes.

To satisfy our steak cravings, we also ordered the massive 16 oz USDA Prime Ribeye from the main menu.

The Ruth's Classics Happy Hour Feast

Our meal started with the salad, freshly ground pepper from a giant pepper mill, and warm bread.

While the complimentary dinner bread was a bit on the dry side, the Caesar salad was crisp, perfectly dressed, and absolutely delicious!

After a brief wait, our main course made its grand entrance.

The Happy Hour steak was slightly smaller than expected, but it was incredibly tender and practically melted in our mouths.

However, a word of warning: it is incredibly salty!

We overheard a customer at the next table asking for "light salt" on their steak, and we immediately understood why.

Still, the quality-to-price ratio of the Happy Hour menu is unbeatable, making it obvious why this spot is so highly sought after.

Next up was our 16 oz Ribeye. When it landed on our table, we couldn't help but laugh at its sheer size.

The cut was literally as large as my face! It was more than enough for two people to share comfortably.

This was the quintessential American steakhouse experience: beautifully seared and caramelized on the outside, incredibly juicy and tender on the inside.

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The hospitality we received was top-notch. Our server was warm and highly attentive throughout the evening.

When our dessert was slightly delayed, they thoughtfully brought out a complimentary strawberry sorbet to keep us happy.

During our casual conversation, the server asked what brought us to Hawaii. When we mentioned we were celebrating our honeymoon, they surprised us during dessert with a beautiful mini fire-show presentation!

We hadn't even mentioned our honeymoon in the reservation notes, so this spontaneous gesture was incredibly touching.

The exceptional service prompted us to leave a very generous tip.

If you are celebrating a special occasion, honeymoon, or anniversary in Hawaii, we highly recommend booking a night at Ruth's Chris Waikiki 👍

If you want to catch the Happy Hour deals, make sure to plan your visit between 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM and secure a reservation in advance.

Compared to other famous spots like Wolfgang's, we personally preferred Ruth's Chris because the meat felt less greasy, allowing the rich, natural beef flavors to shine through 💙

💫 Pro Tip: Don't forget to ask the kitchen to go light on the salt!

Its prime location right above the Waikiki Yard House makes it incredibly accessible.

If you're looking for an unforgettable steak dinner in Honolulu, Ruth's Chris is an absolute must-visit 💙